This is a very boring addition of my "diary." Read on at your own risk (of falling asleep).
Well, I'm up-to-date on my list of things to do before Christmas. Yeah! However, after all the walking I did earlier today (Wednesday, Dec. 16) I was so cramped up and in so much pain (I hate leg cramps) that I missed the Bible Study Christmas Party (as did Alan, who was having a very rough day). Oh, well. Next year?
Tomorrow (Thursday) we have a busy day -- cleaning from stem to stern (cleaning lady); food shopping (personal shopper); doctor's appointments (Alan and Judi). After the doc's appt. I'm sure we'll be spending an hour or so at Walgreen's. Alan is out of all his pain meds and with shingles, aspirin and/or Tylenol just isn't doing it for him. He was in so much pain he was actually sick to his stomach today.
I can relate to that, since the cramps in my legs, which my dear husband rubbed out for me, finally, made me ill as well.
You'd think we'd both be used to pain by now, wouldn't you? Well, we're not.
On a brighter note: I got a wider path made in my office. I got all the trash out and put away a lot of scrapbooking stuff. I don't figure I'll be doing any scrapbooking between now and New Year's Day.
The boxes of unaddressed Christmas cards are still staring me in the face, saying to me: Get this done, just write out the envelopes, put the cards into said envelopes, and go to the Post Office and get some 3-cent stamps. Yes, folks, I still have almost a full roll of 41-cent stamps! That tells you how often I actually use the old-fashioned way of sending mail.
But then, if it weren't for electronic mail and BLOGging, no one of my family or friends would know if I was still alive. I don't use the phone much either. I think that's because I worked for so many years and have a permanent tilt to my head from holding the phone between ear and shoulder for so many hours a day when I was working, and I just don't want to be on the phone if I can help it.
I do recall, though, when the telephone was my favorite way of communicating with friends and family. And now that phone rates (long distance) are so cheap, I don't even use the phone. I can recall when one phone call to my beloved when we were courting would cost $25, and now I get unlimited long-distance for $25 per month. Actually, that includes local, long-distance, voice messaging, call-waiting (which I refuse to use, I think it's rude to put someone on hold for an in-coming call), and whatever other perks I haven't figured out how to use yet. That's on our home phone, btw. My cell phone is a little more or less expensive, depending on the month. If we're traveling, it goes way up, if we're not traveling, it only costs $10 a month.
I used to pay $25 a month for 1,000 minutes, but I rarely use that many minutes on my cell phone, so we went down to the cheapest we could get -- a pay-as-you-use non-contract, plus $10 a month.
Now that we're all clear on my phones, I think I'll quit writing for a bit. I must clean the house before my cleaning lady gets here. I don't want her to think I'm a bad housekeeper. So, why? you ask do I have a cleaning lady. Well, there are just some things I can't do any more. She does those things for me. I still feel the need to clean the bathrooms every day, change the sheets at least once a week, do the laundry. I let her do the ironing, though.
What can I say? I've come to admit that I now have limitations, and while I don't like having to have someone do the things that I should be able to do, but I thank God that Alan and I are financially able to have someone help me (and him at times) out with the cleaning and shopping. How long that will last, only He knows.
I'm getting really excited about the party on the 27th here at the house. It's going to be crowded and noisy. I printed out some Christmas carol music so maybe I can get some of the grandchildren to sing for me.
And here's the final note for today: They are predicting snow for Saturday and Sunday. I hope it comes to fruition. Snow at Christmas is perfect!
ttfn
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Some good news
Well, Phil, who has been out of work since July 1, 2009, passed a very important computer certification exam today. We are all hoping that with this new upgrade in his qualifications, he will be able to get a job quickly.
It was a difficult task for Phil. My son has always been able to read something and photographically remember it. In other words, he's really good at facts and languages. But as he told me several weeks ago, this has been the hardest thing he has every had to do. I don't understand all the ins and outs of the exam but I think the picture reproduction (graphics?) might have been what was so difficult for him to reproduce. He's definitely not artistic.
He took the test three times -- today being the third time -- and had such a difficult time passing it. (Or was it four times, I've lost count.) He studied avoracely for weeks before taking each test, certain he would pass. He had never failed a test in his life before this. I guess failure is something that build character.
Anyway, we're very happy that he passed the test.
I didn't get Tuesday's tasks accomplished. I was having trouble sleeping all night, last night. My heart was racing to beat the band. So, I decided it might not be a good idea for me to be driving around today and just rested. Since we are both going to the doctor on Thursday and I knew I couldn't get in sooner, I didn't go to any doctor. And I wasn't about to go to the ER because I'd (1) have to drive myself; or (2), call the lifesquad. I guess I could have called a neighbor? Didn't think of that until just now.
Anyway, I was able to finally sleep without any heart problems, and am well rested. I'm still sleepy, so I should be able to sleep tonight.
I really need to clean up my office -- the official house Christmas collection room -- which is just full of Christmas paraphernalia and unwrapped boxes and wrapping paper and ribbons, etc. It's a real mess. I have a small path from the door to my computer and that's it. I should add that to my chore list to get completed before the family descends on us.
Tomorrow I'll do both Tuesday and Wednesday's tasks (I hope).
ttfn
It was a difficult task for Phil. My son has always been able to read something and photographically remember it. In other words, he's really good at facts and languages. But as he told me several weeks ago, this has been the hardest thing he has every had to do. I don't understand all the ins and outs of the exam but I think the picture reproduction (graphics?) might have been what was so difficult for him to reproduce. He's definitely not artistic.
He took the test three times -- today being the third time -- and had such a difficult time passing it. (Or was it four times, I've lost count.) He studied avoracely for weeks before taking each test, certain he would pass. He had never failed a test in his life before this. I guess failure is something that build character.
Anyway, we're very happy that he passed the test.
I didn't get Tuesday's tasks accomplished. I was having trouble sleeping all night, last night. My heart was racing to beat the band. So, I decided it might not be a good idea for me to be driving around today and just rested. Since we are both going to the doctor on Thursday and I knew I couldn't get in sooner, I didn't go to any doctor. And I wasn't about to go to the ER because I'd (1) have to drive myself; or (2), call the lifesquad. I guess I could have called a neighbor? Didn't think of that until just now.
Anyway, I was able to finally sleep without any heart problems, and am well rested. I'm still sleepy, so I should be able to sleep tonight.
I really need to clean up my office -- the official house Christmas collection room -- which is just full of Christmas paraphernalia and unwrapped boxes and wrapping paper and ribbons, etc. It's a real mess. I have a small path from the door to my computer and that's it. I should add that to my chore list to get completed before the family descends on us.
Tomorrow I'll do both Tuesday and Wednesday's tasks (I hope).
ttfn
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday
I find that almost a week has passed since my last comment. Not that nothing has gone on in my life, it most certainly has, and this week just beginning was supposed to be a light one, and then all of a sudden it has seem to implode.
I finally got all the family Christmas gifts put into enveloped, bagged, wrapped, etc. and put under the tree. And, after putting them under the tree sans (sorry Stacia for using that word) bows, because I couldn't find them, I DID find them today, so tomorrow, I'll get all the gifts from under the tree and put bows on them.
Also, I am definitely going out tomorrow. It will probably put me in bed for six days (just a random number, not a necessary truism), but I'm going to do it. I shall go to the bread store, Buskens, and Bath and Body Works. Then I'll head over to the bank and the post office. I'll get the stamps for cards I probably won't write out this year because time is just running out.
Wednesday is our Bible Study Christmas party, and I have to make something for the buffet, plus wrap a gift I purchased for my best friend, and hostess of the party. I hope to get some more cookies baked.
Thursday is going to be really busy. My shopper will shop for me, my cleaner will clean for me, and I will take me and Alan to the doctors to get our prescriptions renewed and get Alan checked out for shingles.
Friday I'm picking up Rosie after school, we're going Christmas shopping, then out to dinner, then we're going to wrap all the presents she buys. Then if there is time, we'll watch a Christmas movie.
Saturday, I'm taking Rosie to get her hair cut, then I'll crash, or bake some more.
Sunday, I'll rest. Nah!
Are you as tired as I am just thinking about all those things to do. I know most of my readers can do all that without even thinking twice about it, and probably complete all those tasks in a couple of hours, but I can't any more, so I have to pace myself.
I know there was something else I had to say, but it slipped my mind. If I think of it, I'll add it tomorrow, or not.
ttfn
I finally got all the family Christmas gifts put into enveloped, bagged, wrapped, etc. and put under the tree. And, after putting them under the tree sans (sorry Stacia for using that word) bows, because I couldn't find them, I DID find them today, so tomorrow, I'll get all the gifts from under the tree and put bows on them.
Also, I am definitely going out tomorrow. It will probably put me in bed for six days (just a random number, not a necessary truism), but I'm going to do it. I shall go to the bread store, Buskens, and Bath and Body Works. Then I'll head over to the bank and the post office. I'll get the stamps for cards I probably won't write out this year because time is just running out.
Wednesday is our Bible Study Christmas party, and I have to make something for the buffet, plus wrap a gift I purchased for my best friend, and hostess of the party. I hope to get some more cookies baked.
Thursday is going to be really busy. My shopper will shop for me, my cleaner will clean for me, and I will take me and Alan to the doctors to get our prescriptions renewed and get Alan checked out for shingles.
Friday I'm picking up Rosie after school, we're going Christmas shopping, then out to dinner, then we're going to wrap all the presents she buys. Then if there is time, we'll watch a Christmas movie.
Saturday, I'm taking Rosie to get her hair cut, then I'll crash, or bake some more.
Sunday, I'll rest. Nah!
Are you as tired as I am just thinking about all those things to do. I know most of my readers can do all that without even thinking twice about it, and probably complete all those tasks in a couple of hours, but I can't any more, so I have to pace myself.
I know there was something else I had to say, but it slipped my mind. If I think of it, I'll add it tomorrow, or not.
ttfn
Thursday, December 10, 2009
A puff of snow
Yes, I said, "A puff of snow." That's what greeted me this morning as I woke up. It was beautiful and I thought, as I looked at the "puff" of whiteness billowing up and down and over and around the yard, "This has potential."
By the time I had taken a show, the "puff" was over and the potential died. Oh, well.
I did get to have lunch with Amy, my daughter (DIL, actually). She is so special and we had a really wonderful lunch at Red Lobster -- her favorite, and I have to admit, one of mine as well. We both ate too much, but hey, how often do we do that? I don't mean eat too much, I mean eat lunch together and eat too much! We had good conversation, putting aside the heaviness of our situations, and just enjoying the day.
I came home and crashed. I was feeling so wonderful when I left this morning to meet up with her, but by the time I had gone through Hallmark and then Walgreen's, I just wanted to cut off my legs, my hips, gouge out my back, and get rid of an elbow or two. Not much left after that, is there?
Rest has helped, but the life of always resting is not something that I enjoy.
So, I have two more items on my 71 item list finished. Only 69 more to go in 15 days. The law of averages is against me at the rate I'm going. Tomorrow I may do better, but I doubt it. I have at least four projects I MUST complete prior to 7 p.m. tomorrow night. That should up the averages a little bit, but still not enough.
As my other daughter, Becky, put it: You get done what you get done and be thankful for what God allows you to finish. Thank you, God for what I was able to accomplish today. Help me do more tomorrow.
ttfn
By the time I had taken a show, the "puff" was over and the potential died. Oh, well.
I did get to have lunch with Amy, my daughter (DIL, actually). She is so special and we had a really wonderful lunch at Red Lobster -- her favorite, and I have to admit, one of mine as well. We both ate too much, but hey, how often do we do that? I don't mean eat too much, I mean eat lunch together and eat too much! We had good conversation, putting aside the heaviness of our situations, and just enjoying the day.
I came home and crashed. I was feeling so wonderful when I left this morning to meet up with her, but by the time I had gone through Hallmark and then Walgreen's, I just wanted to cut off my legs, my hips, gouge out my back, and get rid of an elbow or two. Not much left after that, is there?
Rest has helped, but the life of always resting is not something that I enjoy.
So, I have two more items on my 71 item list finished. Only 69 more to go in 15 days. The law of averages is against me at the rate I'm going. Tomorrow I may do better, but I doubt it. I have at least four projects I MUST complete prior to 7 p.m. tomorrow night. That should up the averages a little bit, but still not enough.
As my other daughter, Becky, put it: You get done what you get done and be thankful for what God allows you to finish. Thank you, God for what I was able to accomplish today. Help me do more tomorrow.
ttfn
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Update - Wednesday
After I quit early this a.m. I noticed that I felt really raunchy. Seems I had a low fever which got larger as the wee hours of the morning progressed. It's up to 101 right now and I hurt an awful lot. No other symptoms -- no cough or sore throat, just the pain of fever and the fever. I thought it was a fibromyalgia attack -- a really, really bad one. Maybe it is, but I'm not having fun yet.
I had to reschedule Alan's doctor's appointment -- he wasn't disappointed. Actually, it was his idea, I was all set to take him, but he put the kabash on it. I don't think he wanted to hear what the doctor would tell him to do about his weakness problem (go to the hospital, let us poke and prod and try to find out what's wrong). So I'm pumping him full of fluids today and see if that helps any. I've noticed that he isn't drinking very much.
He usually drinks four large plastic mugs of water a day, and the last few days he's barely drunk one.
Regarding the word "drunk" used in the last sentence. Ms. Magargee -- my high-school English teacher -- always said that "drunk" was something that happened when you "drank" too much alcohol, and was not, I repeat, not to be used as a verb at any time. Well, too bad. If I used the correct term people would think I was stupid or that I really made a mistake. So the sentence used in the last paragraph remains with the word "drunk" used as a verb.
So, once again, I say, TTFN.
I had to reschedule Alan's doctor's appointment -- he wasn't disappointed. Actually, it was his idea, I was all set to take him, but he put the kabash on it. I don't think he wanted to hear what the doctor would tell him to do about his weakness problem (go to the hospital, let us poke and prod and try to find out what's wrong). So I'm pumping him full of fluids today and see if that helps any. I've noticed that he isn't drinking very much.
He usually drinks four large plastic mugs of water a day, and the last few days he's barely drunk one.
Regarding the word "drunk" used in the last sentence. Ms. Magargee -- my high-school English teacher -- always said that "drunk" was something that happened when you "drank" too much alcohol, and was not, I repeat, not to be used as a verb at any time. Well, too bad. If I used the correct term people would think I was stupid or that I really made a mistake. So the sentence used in the last paragraph remains with the word "drunk" used as a verb.
So, once again, I say, TTFN.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Update - Tuesday
I know, I know, it's been a while since I've updated this BLOG. Well, I've been hurting from fibromyalgia and the drug I take to keep the pain down hasn't been working for a few days.
Yesterday, however, I was able to attend the community ladies' luncheon, and had a lovely time. I hurt, but I scootered over there, took a chair by the door, and was waited on. The wonderful Chain Gang ladies serve us this annual lunch and those of us who are mobility challenged, and that number gets bigger every year, love it. This year we only lost two of our ladies. Only, you say? Well, yes, but one of our ladies is probably not going to make it out of this year. We are all getting older and more infirm.
Alan has a doctor's appointment with Dr. Cody tomorrow and I pray he (Dr. C) doesn't send him to the hospital. Alan is in terrible shape. Thus, I'm in terrible shape. Also, we're trying to hold off his annual MRI until after his birthday, so that Medicare can take up the slack in what we normally have to pay which is around $5K.
I have all but the front decorated for Christmas. It was difficult, but I did it. Still haven't unpacked from our trip, though. The dirty clothes are all washed and put away, so that's a plus. When we head home we always put all the dirties in one suitcase. Makes doing laundry very easy.
I have almost all the shopping finished and I will soon have everything wrapped (I hope). If Alan has to be hospitalized, we are both going to fight it because the last visit was just a fact-finding mission which found no facts and cost us a bundle which is still unpaid, and that was two years ago. In fact, I don't think our bills for Flagstaff are paid off yet, either.
I don't want a public option or any other kind of government run health care, even though we have to pay quite a bit for our prescriptions. We have paid into medicare and with our insurance coverage, medicare covers what the insurance doesn't.
We are getting rain, rain, rain. Cold rain. Wind-driven, cold rain. No snow. We seem to be in a gully and while the area around us is getting snow, we aren't. Oh, well. God is in control of the weather and I shouldn't complain about it. I would just love for it to snow, though.
Well, that's a ttfn since it's very late (or early depending on your point of view) and I need to get to sleep.
Yesterday, however, I was able to attend the community ladies' luncheon, and had a lovely time. I hurt, but I scootered over there, took a chair by the door, and was waited on. The wonderful Chain Gang ladies serve us this annual lunch and those of us who are mobility challenged, and that number gets bigger every year, love it. This year we only lost two of our ladies. Only, you say? Well, yes, but one of our ladies is probably not going to make it out of this year. We are all getting older and more infirm.
Alan has a doctor's appointment with Dr. Cody tomorrow and I pray he (Dr. C) doesn't send him to the hospital. Alan is in terrible shape. Thus, I'm in terrible shape. Also, we're trying to hold off his annual MRI until after his birthday, so that Medicare can take up the slack in what we normally have to pay which is around $5K.
I have all but the front decorated for Christmas. It was difficult, but I did it. Still haven't unpacked from our trip, though. The dirty clothes are all washed and put away, so that's a plus. When we head home we always put all the dirties in one suitcase. Makes doing laundry very easy.
I have almost all the shopping finished and I will soon have everything wrapped (I hope). If Alan has to be hospitalized, we are both going to fight it because the last visit was just a fact-finding mission which found no facts and cost us a bundle which is still unpaid, and that was two years ago. In fact, I don't think our bills for Flagstaff are paid off yet, either.
I don't want a public option or any other kind of government run health care, even though we have to pay quite a bit for our prescriptions. We have paid into medicare and with our insurance coverage, medicare covers what the insurance doesn't.
We are getting rain, rain, rain. Cold rain. Wind-driven, cold rain. No snow. We seem to be in a gully and while the area around us is getting snow, we aren't. Oh, well. God is in control of the weather and I shouldn't complain about it. I would just love for it to snow, though.
Well, that's a ttfn since it's very late (or early depending on your point of view) and I need to get to sleep.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thanksgiving -- this year
Now that the children have their own Thanksgivings, Alan and I have sought a new way to celebrate my favorite holiday. Some years we have Thanksgiving with one of the children, usually my son and his wife, Amy, have been close and comfortable.
But some years Alan and I travel on Thanksgiving week. This year we went on a cruise. And Thanksgiving just wasn't the same.
Oh, we had our "round the table" Thanksgiving discussion (what we're thankful for), and we ate turkey that was good, but it wasn't Aunt Annie's or mommie's turkey. Bland, you know? And missing was family.
The best part of growing up was Thanksgiving after church and the family either came to our home or we went to theirs and we sat may 10 to 12 people around the table to begin with and the crowd grew later in the day and by the night-time picking at the bird we were up to a hefty 30 people crowded in a very small home, but it was heaven on earth.
The boat was filled with families this year celebrating the holiday, and they were enjoying a new custom for themselves. Cruising, while I love it, will not be enjoyed by me at Thanksgiving ever again.
It just wasn't home and it wasn't a celebration of Thanks.
ttfn
But some years Alan and I travel on Thanksgiving week. This year we went on a cruise. And Thanksgiving just wasn't the same.
Oh, we had our "round the table" Thanksgiving discussion (what we're thankful for), and we ate turkey that was good, but it wasn't Aunt Annie's or mommie's turkey. Bland, you know? And missing was family.
The best part of growing up was Thanksgiving after church and the family either came to our home or we went to theirs and we sat may 10 to 12 people around the table to begin with and the crowd grew later in the day and by the night-time picking at the bird we were up to a hefty 30 people crowded in a very small home, but it was heaven on earth.
The boat was filled with families this year celebrating the holiday, and they were enjoying a new custom for themselves. Cruising, while I love it, will not be enjoyed by me at Thanksgiving ever again.
It just wasn't home and it wasn't a celebration of Thanks.
ttfn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)