I know it's Sunday, only because I looked at the calendar just before writing. Between days off due to the holiday, and days off because of my vacation, and days off because it's the weekend, I am so confused. I have to stop and think what day it really is.
So last week I only worked Thursday and Friday-- that was wonderful. Two out of five days-- that is awesome! We had full schedules both days, but everyone showed up, and was on time, and there were no problems.
Christmas was also a very happy day. We opened presents in the morning, and J surprised me with new earbuds for the gym (I can also use them here if he wants to watch something on TV and I don't, then I can listen to music), and a beautiful pair of indoor house slippers. (He also repaired my old slippers...love that.)
He also gave me an unusual necklace. Honestly, I'd seen it in a store and mentioned it casually to him because it was so different; he insisted on driving right back there and buying it, and wrapping it up for Christmas. It's not my "usual style", so I wasn't sure about it, but I like it more and more. It's rose gold, and crystals. Very unusual.
MissS gave me a necklace also so now I have two more to choose from. This one is more vintage looking. And Sis gave me a pair of beautiful pearl dangle earrings. I'd given both her and MissS some earrings, too , so it was a pretty- jewelry Christmas. Of course there was lots of chocolate, and food treats, too.
The other spectacular gift from MissS for me was a stunning incense burner: a many headed black dragon, and you put the incense cone in the base. The smoke then comes out of holes strategically placed throughout the dragons' heads, mouths, ears, etc.
Sis and BIL then came over around 12:30, and we played Scrabble til it was time to eat our late lunch of ham, salad, and home-made fettucine Alfredo. Sis brought a vegan main dish thing which was yummy. Pies for dessert, and we were comfortably full. We had Christmas music playing in the background, and it was so nice.
Later we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. I haven't seen the whole thing in years, and turned out MissS hadn't ever seen it, so despite my fears she would find it hopelessly old fashioned, she did like it. It was good to see it again.
She and I both had the next day off, and she had a doctor appt. I don't remember what I did that day, except maybe hit the shops again looking for some after-Christmas bargains. I was quite surprised to see that the shops have whisked away all the Christmas decorations all ready, and they are getting ready for Valentine's Day!
Yesterday after my AlAnon meeting, I went to a restaurant in Ponce Inlet with some of the other female members for lunch. Only about 8-9 of us gathered, and while the weather was dry it was very foggy--we were sitting on an open deck facing the ocean but could barely see it. The member who organized this had decided she wanted to socialize outside of the meeting, and asked a few others, of which I was honored to be asked; I was happy it was a weekend too. Apparently I'm one of only 3 who are still working full-time. We had a happy time talking and getting better acquainted.
Tomorrow I'm off work again, and it's NY's Eve, and the sibs and spouses are coming here. It will be potluck, casual. It will be great to see Bro and SIL again. They drove down from New England, arriving yesterday.
The solar panels are heating up the pool, or trying to. The weather has not been sunny for enough days in a row to make enough of a difference for swimming yet, but it's gone from 62 degrees to 72 degrees so far. Five or six more degrees and I will be getting in...
Then I have Wednesday off again --- I'm lucky enough to have another five-day stretch off work. Two five-day stretches in two weeks! Then Thursday and Friday, which is payday again.
I'm waiting to hear from one of the granddaughters--I know three of them at least got their presents. And I'm waiting to hear from SonN on how the move went--that was yesterday.
Time to go walking on the beach with Sis and MissS.
TYG.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Sunday
It's another Sunday, and the weather is cold! Definitely had a fire this morning. It is supposed to be slowly warming up every day, up to almost 80 by next Saturday even. But today it's only 47 right now and that's warmed up from the low it was when J got up at 6. The high will be 65. That used to be a lovely temperature in Oregon. In Florida it's considered quite cool. Ha.
By 10 we will be meeting Sis to go walking on the beach. Yesterday we went Christmas shopping for a few specific things after I got back from my Meeting. And then I did gardening work outside, ripping up and clearing out one of the beds which had just gotten out of hand. Looks much better now.
Before the meeting J and I did our finances: the best part of that was "paying off" the AC fix and the solar panels. (What that translated to was moving money online from the savings account to the line of credit which we had used to pay for those. I had actually previously taken some cash from the IRA and stashed it in savings until I knew what we were going to do with it. So it ended up going to the AC and the solar panels.)
We have some cash leftover from the IRA withdrawal, which will go toward the final big expense, the breaker panel issue. The electrician still hasn't gotten back to us on when this will happen, which is frustrating. It would be nice if it were done before the end of the year, just for the sake of completion.
Shopping took longer than expected: just went to Kohl's looking for something for J, and sunglasses for MissS, and then picked up stamps and my rx at Publix. It's so nice to get my meds for free at Publix.
MissS had some changes at her work, one of which means she will need a new wardrobe--for her new job! We are so excited, so proud of her, so happy for her. This job not only gives her a significant pay raise, but an office, all her health care is covered, and it uses her journalism degree. At her current job the nasty manager was fired and the ass't manager is now the new manager.
MissS has been working many hours of overtime and not getting paid for it...so she will be reviewing all her pay stubs to see how long this has been happening, and then possibly reporting the "oversight" to the Labor Board. She might have a chunk of back pay coming to her.
My Christmas lunch at work was also a staff meeting. Such a nice lunch though, catered by BJ's with a yummy salad, and rice and chicken, and giant chocolate chip cookies for dessert; then opening our stockings. It was a great day, everyone was happy and filled with excitement and thankfulness.
The work week was fine; many patients didn't show up, or cancelled due to the poor weather. We had lots of heavy rain, and even a tornado warning one morning, and some people just didn't want to take any chances with driving. So every day went well.
I did the gym two days this week, and finished Christmas cards, and repaired J's jeans, and will be repairing the dog's squeaky toy today. I have the next three days off--yay! SO nice to still have three more days to look forward to...
Tomorrow night we go to Sis' house for dinner and hot tub time.
Christmas Day will be a late lunch here with Sis and BIL, because MissS and BIL both have to work the next day. J and MissS and I will open presents in the morning. And then he starts meal prep.
Quiet time today, lots of reading, and resting, and some TV.
A couple more things to get tomorrow morning after MissS goes to work, and then we are done.
Wrapping up the year, preparing for a New Year. I am trying to remain positive and up beat and hope-filled. Thanking God for family and dear friends, and good health. We are blessed.
By 10 we will be meeting Sis to go walking on the beach. Yesterday we went Christmas shopping for a few specific things after I got back from my Meeting. And then I did gardening work outside, ripping up and clearing out one of the beds which had just gotten out of hand. Looks much better now.
Before the meeting J and I did our finances: the best part of that was "paying off" the AC fix and the solar panels. (What that translated to was moving money online from the savings account to the line of credit which we had used to pay for those. I had actually previously taken some cash from the IRA and stashed it in savings until I knew what we were going to do with it. So it ended up going to the AC and the solar panels.)
We have some cash leftover from the IRA withdrawal, which will go toward the final big expense, the breaker panel issue. The electrician still hasn't gotten back to us on when this will happen, which is frustrating. It would be nice if it were done before the end of the year, just for the sake of completion.
Shopping took longer than expected: just went to Kohl's looking for something for J, and sunglasses for MissS, and then picked up stamps and my rx at Publix. It's so nice to get my meds for free at Publix.
MissS had some changes at her work, one of which means she will need a new wardrobe--for her new job! We are so excited, so proud of her, so happy for her. This job not only gives her a significant pay raise, but an office, all her health care is covered, and it uses her journalism degree. At her current job the nasty manager was fired and the ass't manager is now the new manager.
MissS has been working many hours of overtime and not getting paid for it...so she will be reviewing all her pay stubs to see how long this has been happening, and then possibly reporting the "oversight" to the Labor Board. She might have a chunk of back pay coming to her.
My Christmas lunch at work was also a staff meeting. Such a nice lunch though, catered by BJ's with a yummy salad, and rice and chicken, and giant chocolate chip cookies for dessert; then opening our stockings. It was a great day, everyone was happy and filled with excitement and thankfulness.
The work week was fine; many patients didn't show up, or cancelled due to the poor weather. We had lots of heavy rain, and even a tornado warning one morning, and some people just didn't want to take any chances with driving. So every day went well.
I did the gym two days this week, and finished Christmas cards, and repaired J's jeans, and will be repairing the dog's squeaky toy today. I have the next three days off--yay! SO nice to still have three more days to look forward to...
Tomorrow night we go to Sis' house for dinner and hot tub time.
Christmas Day will be a late lunch here with Sis and BIL, because MissS and BIL both have to work the next day. J and MissS and I will open presents in the morning. And then he starts meal prep.
Quiet time today, lots of reading, and resting, and some TV.
A couple more things to get tomorrow morning after MissS goes to work, and then we are done.
Wrapping up the year, preparing for a New Year. I am trying to remain positive and up beat and hope-filled. Thanking God for family and dear friends, and good health. We are blessed.
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Sunday
Today is a good day. It's actually been a good week.
Got to see Sis and BIL last night at dinner here; first time we've gotten together in two weeks, and we had a lot to catch up on. J made a beans-and-pasta kind of mixture with different seasonings which simmered for an hour or so, and had hamburger on the side to add in for the meat-eaters, and biscuits, and Sis brought a beautiful salad with greens from her garden. For dessert I'd made gingersnaps which turned out perfectly, and MissS had peanut butter snowballs.
On two days this week the solar panel guys were here. We are all installed now. J saved us some money by digging the trench along the enclosure straight back to the pump. That's where the pipe was laid. They also moved the pump out from behind the pool, and now it's set onto the concrete pad next to the back screen door. Easier to get to now.
The only bad news is that during the process of digging the trench and hammering out the concrete....he lost a hearing aid. Oh, the howl of grief and anguish that night when he reached up to remove the devices and discovered one was missing! He is so frustrated with himself, so angry, so upset. He borrowed a metal detector from a friend in the neighborhood and has walked the yard countless times. No sign of it.
Next step is to carefully sift through the dirt/sand as he fills in the trench, and maybe, just maybe it will turn up. I hope so, but the odds are slim. He will check with his health insurance on when he can get a replacement, but jeez, he hasn't had these for very long at all.
So the solar panels are in place: we wait now for a couple of sunny days, and then see how warm the pool gets! The solar people said that it was not unheard of to get to 85 degrees. Wouldn't that be amazing...
The weather here has been cold and definitely not sunny, though. I thought J would have a fire going a couple of mornings, but he didn't. There was actual frost on the windshield one morning, but we didn't lose any plants.
Christmas packages were mailed to all the granddaughters, including the one I had debated on. It will probably be the last time I mail anything to her though, since I haven't heard anything from her or her mom. Shipping costs too much. And while I love that granddaughter, I don't know how the mom is explaining my relationship to her daughter; I don't know if I feel comfortable being a part of any kind of deception. But I also want to remain in their life. Just not sure how to do so, honestly.
Anyway, packages are gone. And then more good news: I've been so concerned with what would happen with SonN. I've been praying extra hard, trying to strengthen my faith that everything happens for a reason. This has been a real test of that faith.
Something happened with the trailer they went to look at, and it didn't work out (thankfully), but their caseworker approved them for a one -bedroom apartment. The only hitch was they needed $750 for a deposit.
Well, they knew I wasn't going to give it to them, so Amber was trying to get a loan. But later that day SonN texted me: his dad and his grandmother were giving him the money for the deposit. Oh, my God. I was so grateful, so shocked, so relieved.
I didn't know how relieved until I felt my shoulders drop down-- I've been so worried.The thought of them living in their van was...well, of course some people do, but it certainly wasn't something I wanted to think of their being forced to do.
And it's one thing to hold a person accountable for their actions, but it's quite another when you know a child is going to be involved. She is too young to know what is happening, and I'm sure Amber would have made living in a van sound like a game, of course, but still...I'm so damn relieved. TYG.
Ten more days til Christmas. Our house is decorated and the lights are up. It all looks festive. My office Christmas lunch is Tuesday.
Last night we agreed that Sis will have Christmas Eve at her house, and we'll have Christmas lunch at ours, since BIL and MissS have to work the next day. It will be so nice to have five days off in a row.
I may not get a traditional two week vacation, but in many ways it's nicer to have multiple long weekends through out the year.
TYG, again.
Got to see Sis and BIL last night at dinner here; first time we've gotten together in two weeks, and we had a lot to catch up on. J made a beans-and-pasta kind of mixture with different seasonings which simmered for an hour or so, and had hamburger on the side to add in for the meat-eaters, and biscuits, and Sis brought a beautiful salad with greens from her garden. For dessert I'd made gingersnaps which turned out perfectly, and MissS had peanut butter snowballs.
On two days this week the solar panel guys were here. We are all installed now. J saved us some money by digging the trench along the enclosure straight back to the pump. That's where the pipe was laid. They also moved the pump out from behind the pool, and now it's set onto the concrete pad next to the back screen door. Easier to get to now.
The only bad news is that during the process of digging the trench and hammering out the concrete....he lost a hearing aid. Oh, the howl of grief and anguish that night when he reached up to remove the devices and discovered one was missing! He is so frustrated with himself, so angry, so upset. He borrowed a metal detector from a friend in the neighborhood and has walked the yard countless times. No sign of it.
Next step is to carefully sift through the dirt/sand as he fills in the trench, and maybe, just maybe it will turn up. I hope so, but the odds are slim. He will check with his health insurance on when he can get a replacement, but jeez, he hasn't had these for very long at all.
So the solar panels are in place: we wait now for a couple of sunny days, and then see how warm the pool gets! The solar people said that it was not unheard of to get to 85 degrees. Wouldn't that be amazing...
The weather here has been cold and definitely not sunny, though. I thought J would have a fire going a couple of mornings, but he didn't. There was actual frost on the windshield one morning, but we didn't lose any plants.
Christmas packages were mailed to all the granddaughters, including the one I had debated on. It will probably be the last time I mail anything to her though, since I haven't heard anything from her or her mom. Shipping costs too much. And while I love that granddaughter, I don't know how the mom is explaining my relationship to her daughter; I don't know if I feel comfortable being a part of any kind of deception. But I also want to remain in their life. Just not sure how to do so, honestly.
Anyway, packages are gone. And then more good news: I've been so concerned with what would happen with SonN. I've been praying extra hard, trying to strengthen my faith that everything happens for a reason. This has been a real test of that faith.
Something happened with the trailer they went to look at, and it didn't work out (thankfully), but their caseworker approved them for a one -bedroom apartment. The only hitch was they needed $750 for a deposit.
Well, they knew I wasn't going to give it to them, so Amber was trying to get a loan. But later that day SonN texted me: his dad and his grandmother were giving him the money for the deposit. Oh, my God. I was so grateful, so shocked, so relieved.
I didn't know how relieved until I felt my shoulders drop down-- I've been so worried.The thought of them living in their van was...well, of course some people do, but it certainly wasn't something I wanted to think of their being forced to do.
And it's one thing to hold a person accountable for their actions, but it's quite another when you know a child is going to be involved. She is too young to know what is happening, and I'm sure Amber would have made living in a van sound like a game, of course, but still...I'm so damn relieved. TYG.
Ten more days til Christmas. Our house is decorated and the lights are up. It all looks festive. My office Christmas lunch is Tuesday.
Last night we agreed that Sis will have Christmas Eve at her house, and we'll have Christmas lunch at ours, since BIL and MissS have to work the next day. It will be so nice to have five days off in a row.
I may not get a traditional two week vacation, but in many ways it's nicer to have multiple long weekends through out the year.
TYG, again.
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Sunday
So, updates first: SonN had the eviction date wrong. He actually has to be out January 1, not December 1. (Phew.) I put a notice up on my FB page asking if any of my OR friends knew of any rooms/apartments/trailers that my son and his gf and their baby daughter could live in. I did get some responses, and one of the suggestions was that they get a caseworker who can help them with emergency aid/housing. My son now has an appointment with a caseworker tomorrow. So I'm relieved.
They are looking at a cheap--as in fixer-upper-- trailer about 40 miles out of town as a viable option to live in. I strongly tried to dissuade them from this option, but they went to look at it this weekend. I seriously hope this doesn't work out for them. He sent me photos of it, and it looks like a trash heap.
I also learned that the two older girls would be staying in the current house, because their father, Amber's ex, is getting out of prison and will be moving in to take care of them. This house belongs to his mom. She is the one kicking Amber and SonN and the baby out. There is just so much wrong with this picture I can hardly know where to begin. So much sadness, and anger, and frustration. (What kind of a grandmother kicks out her grandchildren's mother??? Well, I can't even get started on that. I don't know the whole story, nor do I want to.)
Next: After multiple phone calls this week back and forth between J and the three electricians and the city's codes person, it turns out the breaker panel does not have to be moved outside after all. (We have names and dates of the final inspector who said this. There were two, giving us conflicting information. That was so confusing!!) Therefore we are going with the original bid, the one who installed the AC also. Hopefully that will be this week. That will be such a relief. It's the $1450 bid, not the $2200 bid. Phew.
Thank God for J: he has been managing this all week. One electrician came Monday, took a long look at it, scratched his head, and said, Ok, I'll get back to ya. Never did.
J also filled out the forms and mailed them so he can get his Pradaxa free for a month, I think, maybe more. That required a certain number of pages of documentation-- copies of tax forms, my pay stubs, his SS form, a letter from his primary doc.
He is also out of his lorazepam, which he uses to sleep at night, otherwise he has nightmares. Our usual pharmacy didn't have his supply but told me they were holding a quantity at a different location, so I went there after work to pick it up. That pharmacy wouldn't give them to me, saying his 90day supply wasn't due to be refilled until later this week. Sigh. Frustrating. So he has not been using them. So far he is doing alright, although his sleep is quite restless.
This last week also the AC company came and installed more pipe and duct work directly from the AC unit to the kitchen, so that helps a lot with the issue we were having. We are pretty satisfied now. Of course it's been much colder this week and in fact we haven't needed the AC at all. I think this did fix the problem we were having.
My MRI was as expected, normal. I'm to continue using the muscle relaxer at night. Meanwhile my headaches have been worse this week, maybe due to the colder weather? Who knows. I am using more Excedrin, but trying not to do so every day.
We noticed the 4 bird feeders outside in the back yard hadn't been being used at all. Very strange. Fiona likes to go out into the enclosure--the birdcage as we call it-- and wander around in there, keeping an eye on what's happening out in the yard. One afternoon this week when I let her out, I saw her charge toward something so fast, and so hard, she crashed into the screen. And then a big black cat popped out of the bushes along the edge, and leaped up onto the fence, which is behind the bird feeders. Aha. That explains why we've noticed the lack of birds, and for that matter the lack of squirrels.
So J and I then went out to check on the bird feeders a bit more closely. Apparently it's been longer than I thought since we filled them. Each one was so solidly and so firmly in its container that we had to take each feeder apart and knock the seed out in big clumps. One tray of seed actually had grass growing out of it. J apologized to me for not noticing this sooner--he is supposedly in charge of the yard stuff during the week, watering, etc, but just hadn't noticed this.
I felt badly too, because there's no reason I can't get out there after work and weed or prune or something too. There's usually about a half hour of light left when I get home before its completely dark. I just get bitten by the no-see-ums or whatever they are. For some reason they don't bother J.
We had a good week at work: finally almost everyone is over their sickness and colds. It's still very cold in the office, so we all wear our lab coats almost all the time. This week was pay day, and for the first time in a while we were caught up on bills. Enough that even with doing Christmas shopping yesterday, and MissS and I doing more Christmas shopping today, I went and bought myself a new lab coat. I felt like I needed to splurge.
This is literally the first one I have bought since I graduated from MA school in 2007. The other one just doesn't get clean and white anymore. I was so excited when I asked what it cost-- $16. All this time, all these years, and I'd been thinking I better wait until I could afford it. I came home and promptly went on Amazon and ordered a second one in a different style--which was only $13. Hey, Big Spender, that's me... Merry Christmas to me!
This Christmas shopping was 99% for my office coworkers. We all have stockings with our names hanging up in various locations, and we are encouraged to fill them with inexpensive items for each other. (There is also the option to do a Secret Santa thing if you want to, but I bowed out of that as I do every year.) But I did have to spend more money on the Docs' presents. Still didn't spend more than $10 on each one, but I'm happy with those choices. MissS and I had fun going to various places and oohing and aahing over the choices, and variety of stuff. So many pretty things.
J has also spent a lot of time this week researching certain growth stocks; we did decide to invest a third of my IRA funds into those, and leave the rest in a money market account.
And finally he decorated the outside of the house. His vertigo was kicking in so he had to wait until I got home to help finish the lights, which we will do today. Here it is 3pm on Sunday, and almost the whole weekend is gone. I need another day!!
They are looking at a cheap--as in fixer-upper-- trailer about 40 miles out of town as a viable option to live in. I strongly tried to dissuade them from this option, but they went to look at it this weekend. I seriously hope this doesn't work out for them. He sent me photos of it, and it looks like a trash heap.
I also learned that the two older girls would be staying in the current house, because their father, Amber's ex, is getting out of prison and will be moving in to take care of them. This house belongs to his mom. She is the one kicking Amber and SonN and the baby out. There is just so much wrong with this picture I can hardly know where to begin. So much sadness, and anger, and frustration. (What kind of a grandmother kicks out her grandchildren's mother??? Well, I can't even get started on that. I don't know the whole story, nor do I want to.)
Next: After multiple phone calls this week back and forth between J and the three electricians and the city's codes person, it turns out the breaker panel does not have to be moved outside after all. (We have names and dates of the final inspector who said this. There were two, giving us conflicting information. That was so confusing!!) Therefore we are going with the original bid, the one who installed the AC also. Hopefully that will be this week. That will be such a relief. It's the $1450 bid, not the $2200 bid. Phew.
Thank God for J: he has been managing this all week. One electrician came Monday, took a long look at it, scratched his head, and said, Ok, I'll get back to ya. Never did.
J also filled out the forms and mailed them so he can get his Pradaxa free for a month, I think, maybe more. That required a certain number of pages of documentation-- copies of tax forms, my pay stubs, his SS form, a letter from his primary doc.
He is also out of his lorazepam, which he uses to sleep at night, otherwise he has nightmares. Our usual pharmacy didn't have his supply but told me they were holding a quantity at a different location, so I went there after work to pick it up. That pharmacy wouldn't give them to me, saying his 90day supply wasn't due to be refilled until later this week. Sigh. Frustrating. So he has not been using them. So far he is doing alright, although his sleep is quite restless.
This last week also the AC company came and installed more pipe and duct work directly from the AC unit to the kitchen, so that helps a lot with the issue we were having. We are pretty satisfied now. Of course it's been much colder this week and in fact we haven't needed the AC at all. I think this did fix the problem we were having.
My MRI was as expected, normal. I'm to continue using the muscle relaxer at night. Meanwhile my headaches have been worse this week, maybe due to the colder weather? Who knows. I am using more Excedrin, but trying not to do so every day.
We noticed the 4 bird feeders outside in the back yard hadn't been being used at all. Very strange. Fiona likes to go out into the enclosure--the birdcage as we call it-- and wander around in there, keeping an eye on what's happening out in the yard. One afternoon this week when I let her out, I saw her charge toward something so fast, and so hard, she crashed into the screen. And then a big black cat popped out of the bushes along the edge, and leaped up onto the fence, which is behind the bird feeders. Aha. That explains why we've noticed the lack of birds, and for that matter the lack of squirrels.
So J and I then went out to check on the bird feeders a bit more closely. Apparently it's been longer than I thought since we filled them. Each one was so solidly and so firmly in its container that we had to take each feeder apart and knock the seed out in big clumps. One tray of seed actually had grass growing out of it. J apologized to me for not noticing this sooner--he is supposedly in charge of the yard stuff during the week, watering, etc, but just hadn't noticed this.
I felt badly too, because there's no reason I can't get out there after work and weed or prune or something too. There's usually about a half hour of light left when I get home before its completely dark. I just get bitten by the no-see-ums or whatever they are. For some reason they don't bother J.
We had a good week at work: finally almost everyone is over their sickness and colds. It's still very cold in the office, so we all wear our lab coats almost all the time. This week was pay day, and for the first time in a while we were caught up on bills. Enough that even with doing Christmas shopping yesterday, and MissS and I doing more Christmas shopping today, I went and bought myself a new lab coat. I felt like I needed to splurge.
This is literally the first one I have bought since I graduated from MA school in 2007. The other one just doesn't get clean and white anymore. I was so excited when I asked what it cost-- $16. All this time, all these years, and I'd been thinking I better wait until I could afford it. I came home and promptly went on Amazon and ordered a second one in a different style--which was only $13. Hey, Big Spender, that's me... Merry Christmas to me!
This Christmas shopping was 99% for my office coworkers. We all have stockings with our names hanging up in various locations, and we are encouraged to fill them with inexpensive items for each other. (There is also the option to do a Secret Santa thing if you want to, but I bowed out of that as I do every year.) But I did have to spend more money on the Docs' presents. Still didn't spend more than $10 on each one, but I'm happy with those choices. MissS and I had fun going to various places and oohing and aahing over the choices, and variety of stuff. So many pretty things.
J has also spent a lot of time this week researching certain growth stocks; we did decide to invest a third of my IRA funds into those, and leave the rest in a money market account.
And finally he decorated the outside of the house. His vertigo was kicking in so he had to wait until I got home to help finish the lights, which we will do today. Here it is 3pm on Sunday, and almost the whole weekend is gone. I need another day!!
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Sunday
Just got back home from the gym, MissS and I. It was a good workout but I am exhausted. I think that's partly because I didn't sleep for more than a few hours last night.
Sometimes I think I have a certain "window" of time where I can fall asleep. If I miss it, it's too bad, and so then I don't fall asleep. That's what happened last night: I was awake until about 2:30 or so, then I was dozing off and on. I was waking to look at the clock, realizing 15 minutes had passed, or 45 minutes, or 10. Ugh. Hate those nights. I finally gave it up at 7am, and got up. I felt drugged, despite a good hot shower.
Yesterday however was great. I slept well Friday night after a great day at work, I went to a wonderful meeting, came home and had productive discussions with J and MissS on what Christmas plans would be like and what we'd be doing for the day and weekend.
Then we three headed to Sis and BIL's house, where we all hopped into BIL's truck and drove to the nearby movie theater. We saw a wonderful movie called Bohemian Rhapsody, about the lead singer in the band Queen. It was so moving, so well-acted, so full of joy and drama and I learned so much. I was so happy to have seen this film. Not quite a documentary, but just what I love to see--live music (or at least plenty of filmed live music) from someone I so admired. What a loss...but what a lifetime of fabulous music he has left.
Anyway, it was a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Back at home we put our Christmas tree up, and most of the decorations. Fell into bed around 9:30. And then I promptly could not fall asleep. What. the. hell.
Friday night Sis and BIL had come for dinner, which was excellent. J made a fabulous chicken stew and a kale salad. We all sat and talked and laughed, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was nice to get caught up.
The work week went well: we had been a bit anxious because every single day there were 14 patients on the schedule, even on DocLady's schedule, most unlike her usual day. That's a busy day. However, every day we had no-shows and cancellations, so that didn't happen! Not once. One day we were prepared for 14, and actually saw 7. That almost never happens. So weird.
Tuesday's staff meeting went fine: LadyDoc provided a lunch for us and reviewed some possible dates for the Christmas party. The other subject addressed was my doing, although only she and I and my two coworkers knew about it ahead of time: The RN who works with me on Fridays has been less and less helpful, grumbling and complaining, making it clear she doesn't want to be doing this. It's awkward, because I then end up chasing her around, begging her to help with such and such, asking her to do certain things, etc, and she sighs and acts like it's a huge imposition. I absolutely hate that attitude.
Whereas the RN that works with LadyDoc and CoWorkerRN on those Fridays is wonderful--she jumps in, she's proactive, she reviews the schedule, she offers to do certain pts, she is right in there as an active participant.
I'd finally talked with LadyDoc about this, after discussing it jointly with my usual two co-workers, and the three of us brought it up with LadyDoc. She actually apologized for not noticing this had been happening, and promised to address it in the staff meeting.
And her solution was to assign patients to each of us on Fridays. So each of the 6 of us had three patients that day, in turn. It sounded childish in a way, but frankly it took a lot of pressure off, knowing I didn't have to chase down this other person and ask her for help. And it worked.
Late in the day, LadyDoc caught my eye across the room and raised her eyebrows at me, mutely asking how it was going, and I nodded and gave her a thumbs up and a big smile. I'd had no problems with the problem child, at all. It went so smoothly. It was such a relief.
And even later, when everyone had gone, we were the only ones left, she told me I'd need to have my doc do this while she was gone on vacation, as we would continue this for the foreseeable future. My doc is a total sweetheart but he doesn't see the problem with the problem child. (Then again he has no problem with tracking her down and telling her to do something, and of course she doesn't argue with him or give him any attitude. But she does with anyone else. And on Fridays it's too freakin busy to spend time arguing.) Anyway, that's why Friday went so well, for the first time in a long time.
Wednesday we had an employee appreciation lunch and gift; the gift was a doohickey that enables one to be charging multiple devices at once. And the lunch was a yummy chicken wrap sandwich, and fruit, and a piece of fudge. It was all very good.
Meanwhile this week J dealt with getting bids from electricians for replacing the breaker panel-- one guy came and said $1200, then came back the next day and said "Oh, I checked the codes and now it's going to be $2400 because I have to move the breaker panel outside." That set off alarm bells for me.
Another guy came and said it will be $2200, but the breaker panel does not have to be outside. Hmm. J has another guy coming tomorrow. So far both of these are much more than we were expecting to pay.
And on Wednesday the AC company came; and they say they fixed the back half of the house's AC...but we are not really noticing a difference. So J had them come out again the next day and complained politely but firmly. They agreed that if the customer isn't happy this isn't a good sign... so they will probably be coming back to re-do what they say they fixed. For $1250, they better do a damn good job.
Monday I saw my neurologist for a follow up on the headache issue. This time since the headaches are not improving and in fact they are worsening again, she insisted I do the MRI. I came home discouraged, because I wasn't sure what the cost would be. Last time I had an MRI it was several hundred dollars and took months to pay off. I was told it was normal. That was about 10 years ago.
So I had the MRI done Saturday morning at 8am. I didn't remember it being done this way last time, and was quite anxious, but it was done in about 15 minutes. My doc will have results on Monday. I'm assuming it will all be normal. It's very rare to have physical findings be the cause of headaches, and since I've had them for years, there's not likely to be any change this time.
Happily, my current insurance is quite different. I have met my deductible, and so the cost of this was only $55.30. Phew. And I'm back on the nightly muscle relaxer, at her suggestion.
My one about-to-be homeless son didn't have a clue where they were going when I was texting with him Thursday night. Yesterday was the deadline, so I don't know what is happening. Hard to be patient.
All in all an exciting and stressful and eventful week. I just need a quiet day or three... but I'm still very grateful for my life. Thank god for J. He is such a rock.
Sometimes I think I have a certain "window" of time where I can fall asleep. If I miss it, it's too bad, and so then I don't fall asleep. That's what happened last night: I was awake until about 2:30 or so, then I was dozing off and on. I was waking to look at the clock, realizing 15 minutes had passed, or 45 minutes, or 10. Ugh. Hate those nights. I finally gave it up at 7am, and got up. I felt drugged, despite a good hot shower.
Yesterday however was great. I slept well Friday night after a great day at work, I went to a wonderful meeting, came home and had productive discussions with J and MissS on what Christmas plans would be like and what we'd be doing for the day and weekend.
Then we three headed to Sis and BIL's house, where we all hopped into BIL's truck and drove to the nearby movie theater. We saw a wonderful movie called Bohemian Rhapsody, about the lead singer in the band Queen. It was so moving, so well-acted, so full of joy and drama and I learned so much. I was so happy to have seen this film. Not quite a documentary, but just what I love to see--live music (or at least plenty of filmed live music) from someone I so admired. What a loss...but what a lifetime of fabulous music he has left.
Anyway, it was a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Back at home we put our Christmas tree up, and most of the decorations. Fell into bed around 9:30. And then I promptly could not fall asleep. What. the. hell.
Friday night Sis and BIL had come for dinner, which was excellent. J made a fabulous chicken stew and a kale salad. We all sat and talked and laughed, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was nice to get caught up.
The work week went well: we had been a bit anxious because every single day there were 14 patients on the schedule, even on DocLady's schedule, most unlike her usual day. That's a busy day. However, every day we had no-shows and cancellations, so that didn't happen! Not once. One day we were prepared for 14, and actually saw 7. That almost never happens. So weird.
Tuesday's staff meeting went fine: LadyDoc provided a lunch for us and reviewed some possible dates for the Christmas party. The other subject addressed was my doing, although only she and I and my two coworkers knew about it ahead of time: The RN who works with me on Fridays has been less and less helpful, grumbling and complaining, making it clear she doesn't want to be doing this. It's awkward, because I then end up chasing her around, begging her to help with such and such, asking her to do certain things, etc, and she sighs and acts like it's a huge imposition. I absolutely hate that attitude.
Whereas the RN that works with LadyDoc and CoWorkerRN on those Fridays is wonderful--she jumps in, she's proactive, she reviews the schedule, she offers to do certain pts, she is right in there as an active participant.
I'd finally talked with LadyDoc about this, after discussing it jointly with my usual two co-workers, and the three of us brought it up with LadyDoc. She actually apologized for not noticing this had been happening, and promised to address it in the staff meeting.
And her solution was to assign patients to each of us on Fridays. So each of the 6 of us had three patients that day, in turn. It sounded childish in a way, but frankly it took a lot of pressure off, knowing I didn't have to chase down this other person and ask her for help. And it worked.
Late in the day, LadyDoc caught my eye across the room and raised her eyebrows at me, mutely asking how it was going, and I nodded and gave her a thumbs up and a big smile. I'd had no problems with the problem child, at all. It went so smoothly. It was such a relief.
And even later, when everyone had gone, we were the only ones left, she told me I'd need to have my doc do this while she was gone on vacation, as we would continue this for the foreseeable future. My doc is a total sweetheart but he doesn't see the problem with the problem child. (Then again he has no problem with tracking her down and telling her to do something, and of course she doesn't argue with him or give him any attitude. But she does with anyone else. And on Fridays it's too freakin busy to spend time arguing.) Anyway, that's why Friday went so well, for the first time in a long time.
Wednesday we had an employee appreciation lunch and gift; the gift was a doohickey that enables one to be charging multiple devices at once. And the lunch was a yummy chicken wrap sandwich, and fruit, and a piece of fudge. It was all very good.
Meanwhile this week J dealt with getting bids from electricians for replacing the breaker panel-- one guy came and said $1200, then came back the next day and said "Oh, I checked the codes and now it's going to be $2400 because I have to move the breaker panel outside." That set off alarm bells for me.
Another guy came and said it will be $2200, but the breaker panel does not have to be outside. Hmm. J has another guy coming tomorrow. So far both of these are much more than we were expecting to pay.
And on Wednesday the AC company came; and they say they fixed the back half of the house's AC...but we are not really noticing a difference. So J had them come out again the next day and complained politely but firmly. They agreed that if the customer isn't happy this isn't a good sign... so they will probably be coming back to re-do what they say they fixed. For $1250, they better do a damn good job.
Monday I saw my neurologist for a follow up on the headache issue. This time since the headaches are not improving and in fact they are worsening again, she insisted I do the MRI. I came home discouraged, because I wasn't sure what the cost would be. Last time I had an MRI it was several hundred dollars and took months to pay off. I was told it was normal. That was about 10 years ago.
So I had the MRI done Saturday morning at 8am. I didn't remember it being done this way last time, and was quite anxious, but it was done in about 15 minutes. My doc will have results on Monday. I'm assuming it will all be normal. It's very rare to have physical findings be the cause of headaches, and since I've had them for years, there's not likely to be any change this time.
Happily, my current insurance is quite different. I have met my deductible, and so the cost of this was only $55.30. Phew. And I'm back on the nightly muscle relaxer, at her suggestion.
My one about-to-be homeless son didn't have a clue where they were going when I was texting with him Thursday night. Yesterday was the deadline, so I don't know what is happening. Hard to be patient.
All in all an exciting and stressful and eventful week. I just need a quiet day or three... but I'm still very grateful for my life. Thank god for J. He is such a rock.
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Sunday night
It's almost 8:30, and I'm just starting to write. I'm tired, but I feel the need to get this down before I head for bed.
Last week was a nice short week. Monday LadyDoc came in with a bad cold, for which I felt guilty and responsible, but later it turned out she didn't even notice--sadly--that I'd had a cold the week before, so she didn't hold me responsible for hers. She was only there for half a day, and then left before getting ready for her trip to PR.
That night Sis came over for dinner, and we got caught up; we hadn't seen each other in a while so that was nice. The next day she and MissS left for Vermont to spend the holiday with my dad. Meanwhile that was my only long busy day at work, but it wasn't bad at all. My doc had also come in sick, but I learned he too hadn't known I had a bad cold! Two other people came to work sick, so something is definitely going around.
Wednesday J stayed home in the morning: The AC people came to take the first annual look at the system installed last December. During the inspection it came up that the breaker panel is in critical need of replacement. Apparently this was mentioned to us at the original house inspection three years ago--which I don't remember--but now it doesn't pass inspection. So freaked out now. This is very scary. I had no remembrance of this.
After several discussions, and agonizing suggestions, we decided to take the funds out of my retirement money. We'll have the AC fixed in the back half of the house at the same time, and the solar panels too which have already been scheduled for Dec 11th. Get all three fixed, and not use the HELOC after all.This way it's all done, and we won't have to increase the LOC payments, and it will all be done safely and with the proper permits.
So Friday we went to the bank and filled out the paperwork so that we can do this online (transfer the funds ourselves), and then went home and I did it. Such a strange feeling.
J will call the AC company tomorrow and they will come this week to give us an official estimate on how much fixing the back half of the house's AC ducts will cost; then everything will be scheduled. Hopefully it can be done on a day when I'm at work, and don't have to see it all happening. The cats can be locked in a bedroom for one day, along with the dogs, while everyone is trampling in and out.
Thursday,Thanksgiving, we discussed all this in the morning, and did our bills, and cleaned house. Then I went to an AlAnon meeting. It was small, but very nice as always: I was able to share my latest concerns about my one son who is being evicted from the house he lives in with his gf and the three children. I don't know where they are going to go. He had texted me Sunday night asking if I had any suggestions. I don't, except to try the local 211.org social agencies.
I told him a small white lie (that I wished I could help out financially); in reality I'm so grateful I am not able to help. I know that would not be the best thing for them...but it sure feels different when there are small children involved who will be homeless. I'm praying so hard for them.
After the meeting I came home and made a new dessert called cookie dough fudge. Frankly it wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. While I was making it, BIL stopped by! It was the first time we've seen him in a long time, and he stayed a couple of hours. We heard the whole story of the deal with the house from his POV, and we talked about IRAs, and stocks, and some politics, and Thanksgiving plans, etc; talked a lot about why he won't be helping J with the replacement of the breaker panel--originally he'd said he would do that for us when the time came. But he had some very good reasons why not, and it all made sense. We are not upset, and we do totally understand.
He eventually left to head over to where he was going for Thanksgiving dinner, and shortly afterwards we called and ordered our take-out Thanksgiving dinner at the Black Sheep, drove over and picked it up, brought it home, and had a no mess dinner, with no left overs. (I think if we ever did this again, we wouldn't do a take-out.)
That night I spoke to my son who is not having the housing crisis, and that was awesome-- he always sounds so calm, so steady. He's moved again, now living with two other male friends, but has the same job. He mentioned that SonN was considering a possible move with his gf to Montana to where the gf's mom lives, if she moves there, but doesn't know really any more than I do. He did mention they (sonN and gf) been fighting a lot. There's so much drama. I'm so grateful I'm not involved, and I'm so sorry the kids are in the mess they are. Addiction/alcoholism...a terrible thing.
Friday morning we did brave the shopping crowds, but not to do any Black Friday shopping. I needed a hair cut, and we just needed a few things at Home Depot and at WalMart. Then home, where we relaxed the rest of the day. We watched a couple of movies.
Saturday I went to my regular AlAnon meeting and that was amazing as always. Once again one of my dear friends is going on a cruise, so will be gone for 3 weeks; which means that I and one other person will be responsible for unlocking the doors those mornings and setting up, and then clearing it up at the end. He'll be back just before Christmas though. (Jeez, Christmas is one month from today! )
Saturday when I got home from the meeting my daughter was home! J picked her up from the airport. Sis had decided to stay a few more days because Dad was having so much trouble with the amount of pain he was having; managing the medication dosing was like a roller coaster, and it really didn't feel safe for him to be alone, so Sis decided to stay. Hopefully the rheumatology appt he has Friday will confirm he's doing the right thing with the twice daily dosing.
It was wonderful to see MissS, and hear about the trip, and see her photos. We went for a walk at the park, taking the dogs, It's gotten warm during the days, and cool at nights, thankfully. When we got home she took a nap, and J and I just relaxed, cleaned house, snoozed, puttered. He isn't feeling well, fighting a bug of some kind. But he washed the car, and vacuumed it, filled the windshield washer fluid, filled it with gas, etc. Then we had a quiet dinner and all watched a new Christmas movie before heading to bed.
Today MissS and I went to the gym for a 45minute work out before coming home and taking it easy. I have a couple of new books to read, and his birthday present finally arrived; a fishing rod he can use in the ocean. So when he's up to it he will try surf fishing.
This week is busy: tomorrow is my rescheduled neuro appt, Tuesday is a staff meeting, and Wednesday is a company-wide Thank You Lunch-and-Gift. Thursday is Weight Watchers again.
Busy life. TYG.
Last week was a nice short week. Monday LadyDoc came in with a bad cold, for which I felt guilty and responsible, but later it turned out she didn't even notice--sadly--that I'd had a cold the week before, so she didn't hold me responsible for hers. She was only there for half a day, and then left before getting ready for her trip to PR.
That night Sis came over for dinner, and we got caught up; we hadn't seen each other in a while so that was nice. The next day she and MissS left for Vermont to spend the holiday with my dad. Meanwhile that was my only long busy day at work, but it wasn't bad at all. My doc had also come in sick, but I learned he too hadn't known I had a bad cold! Two other people came to work sick, so something is definitely going around.
Wednesday J stayed home in the morning: The AC people came to take the first annual look at the system installed last December. During the inspection it came up that the breaker panel is in critical need of replacement. Apparently this was mentioned to us at the original house inspection three years ago--which I don't remember--but now it doesn't pass inspection. So freaked out now. This is very scary. I had no remembrance of this.
After several discussions, and agonizing suggestions, we decided to take the funds out of my retirement money. We'll have the AC fixed in the back half of the house at the same time, and the solar panels too which have already been scheduled for Dec 11th. Get all three fixed, and not use the HELOC after all.This way it's all done, and we won't have to increase the LOC payments, and it will all be done safely and with the proper permits.
So Friday we went to the bank and filled out the paperwork so that we can do this online (transfer the funds ourselves), and then went home and I did it. Such a strange feeling.
J will call the AC company tomorrow and they will come this week to give us an official estimate on how much fixing the back half of the house's AC ducts will cost; then everything will be scheduled. Hopefully it can be done on a day when I'm at work, and don't have to see it all happening. The cats can be locked in a bedroom for one day, along with the dogs, while everyone is trampling in and out.
Thursday,Thanksgiving, we discussed all this in the morning, and did our bills, and cleaned house. Then I went to an AlAnon meeting. It was small, but very nice as always: I was able to share my latest concerns about my one son who is being evicted from the house he lives in with his gf and the three children. I don't know where they are going to go. He had texted me Sunday night asking if I had any suggestions. I don't, except to try the local 211.org social agencies.
I told him a small white lie (that I wished I could help out financially); in reality I'm so grateful I am not able to help. I know that would not be the best thing for them...but it sure feels different when there are small children involved who will be homeless. I'm praying so hard for them.
After the meeting I came home and made a new dessert called cookie dough fudge. Frankly it wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. While I was making it, BIL stopped by! It was the first time we've seen him in a long time, and he stayed a couple of hours. We heard the whole story of the deal with the house from his POV, and we talked about IRAs, and stocks, and some politics, and Thanksgiving plans, etc; talked a lot about why he won't be helping J with the replacement of the breaker panel--originally he'd said he would do that for us when the time came. But he had some very good reasons why not, and it all made sense. We are not upset, and we do totally understand.
He eventually left to head over to where he was going for Thanksgiving dinner, and shortly afterwards we called and ordered our take-out Thanksgiving dinner at the Black Sheep, drove over and picked it up, brought it home, and had a no mess dinner, with no left overs. (I think if we ever did this again, we wouldn't do a take-out.)
That night I spoke to my son who is not having the housing crisis, and that was awesome-- he always sounds so calm, so steady. He's moved again, now living with two other male friends, but has the same job. He mentioned that SonN was considering a possible move with his gf to Montana to where the gf's mom lives, if she moves there, but doesn't know really any more than I do. He did mention they (sonN and gf) been fighting a lot. There's so much drama. I'm so grateful I'm not involved, and I'm so sorry the kids are in the mess they are. Addiction/alcoholism...a terrible thing.
Friday morning we did brave the shopping crowds, but not to do any Black Friday shopping. I needed a hair cut, and we just needed a few things at Home Depot and at WalMart. Then home, where we relaxed the rest of the day. We watched a couple of movies.
Saturday I went to my regular AlAnon meeting and that was amazing as always. Once again one of my dear friends is going on a cruise, so will be gone for 3 weeks; which means that I and one other person will be responsible for unlocking the doors those mornings and setting up, and then clearing it up at the end. He'll be back just before Christmas though. (Jeez, Christmas is one month from today! )
Saturday when I got home from the meeting my daughter was home! J picked her up from the airport. Sis had decided to stay a few more days because Dad was having so much trouble with the amount of pain he was having; managing the medication dosing was like a roller coaster, and it really didn't feel safe for him to be alone, so Sis decided to stay. Hopefully the rheumatology appt he has Friday will confirm he's doing the right thing with the twice daily dosing.
It was wonderful to see MissS, and hear about the trip, and see her photos. We went for a walk at the park, taking the dogs, It's gotten warm during the days, and cool at nights, thankfully. When we got home she took a nap, and J and I just relaxed, cleaned house, snoozed, puttered. He isn't feeling well, fighting a bug of some kind. But he washed the car, and vacuumed it, filled the windshield washer fluid, filled it with gas, etc. Then we had a quiet dinner and all watched a new Christmas movie before heading to bed.
Today MissS and I went to the gym for a 45minute work out before coming home and taking it easy. I have a couple of new books to read, and his birthday present finally arrived; a fishing rod he can use in the ocean. So when he's up to it he will try surf fishing.
This week is busy: tomorrow is my rescheduled neuro appt, Tuesday is a staff meeting, and Wednesday is a company-wide Thank You Lunch-and-Gift. Thursday is Weight Watchers again.
Busy life. TYG.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Sunday
So much happened this past week. Some big decisions.
J and I decided to not rely on BIL anymore for possible help with installing the solar panels, and/or drawing plans to use those for heating the pool. He's been so busy, and is facing another trip out of the country soon, and it just never seems to work out. The panels alone are just sitting here, and J is getting more and more nervous about them just sitting here, considering how valuable they are.
So J called the people who manufactured the panels for an estimate for them to do the job. It will be at most $1200, probably less, so we've decided to do that; take the money from the HELOC, and do it. It should raise the pool temp about 5-10 degrees, maybe more. This company will take care of all the necessary permits, installation, and hookups to the pool pump.
I'm excited, but nervous; yet J assures me this is an investment also. The value of the house will go up even more. It's already grown to over $40K more than we bought it for, and that reassures me. If I can get in the pool almost year round, or even full year-round, I will be so happy! This is scheduled for December 11.
We also had a meeting with the financial advisor at my workplace. He is there for any questions we have regarding IRAs, or anything to do with finances, free of charge. Tom met with both of us over my lunch break, and was very helpful. Now we think we will not do the annuity after all or the bonds, but stick with some of my money in a straight money market account for my peace of mind, and also have some invested in blue chip stocks. He feels with 8 years to go until I can retire that I can afford to invest in some stocks that basically can't lose. This assumes I am okay with some risk...I'm still deciding on that.
We just have to figure out how to do this technically, on the Chase website. I have online access to my IRA, and just need help with how to do it. J will call Chase tomorrow and get some help with that.
J had a dentist appt this week for his cavity, and that's done. But his own primary doc ended up in the hospital, so that visit had to be rescheduled. Meanwhile, I caught MissS's cold --grrrr--- and have felt lousy since Wednesday. I therefore rescheduled my appt with the neuro; that's just another week out.
At WW Thursday night I reached a milestone, 5 pounds down at last. I got a little reward for my key chain. It feels like it took forever, but it's been 8 weeks. At least the weight is steadily going down.
MissS had an interview for her job, and seems to have done well. She's very uncommunicative though, so we don't really know what she felt about it. She hasn't felt good either this week. Being around sick little kids is stressful. You know you're going to be picking up every little bug around.
This next week will be short: my doc is in Tuesday seeing pts all day. LadyDoc is in the office a half day tomorrow, and then gone the rest of the week. RN will be gone Wednesday. The office is closed Thursday and Friday of course. So Tuesday will be our only busy day. That's fine with me. Sometimes that makes for a looong day, but that also gives us prep time for the following week, and maybe CMA and I can also watch my doc do a couple of procedures Wednesday. And maybe we can even leave a bit early...
MissS and Sis leave on Tuesday for Vermont to spend the holiday with my dad--both of them are so looking forward to it! Cold weather! Really cold. MissS hasn't been there in the cold before so she is in for a shock. I know they will have a wonderful time--I hope my dad's new diagnosis of PMR is more under control by then; the prednisone dosage currently prescribed is seeming too low and my dad is doing his own adjusting. It just sounds so incredibly painful. It must be so awful to literally start each day in agonizing pain.
BIL won't be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner after all, so it will just be me and J. I don't think we've ever been alone before on any holiday, so it will be different! I think we've decided to order a Thanksgiving dinner from a local restaurant, and either take it home or eat there.
I know there's an AlAnon meeting that morning, and I've wanted to attend that one for awhile, so I plan on doing that. We'll go for a walk somewhere with the dogs, and just enjoy a sunny day. The ocean is too cold to get into, but it's lovely to walk along. We might go to the dog-friendly beach in New Smyrna--another place I've been wanting to go to.
So thankful for my life.
J and I decided to not rely on BIL anymore for possible help with installing the solar panels, and/or drawing plans to use those for heating the pool. He's been so busy, and is facing another trip out of the country soon, and it just never seems to work out. The panels alone are just sitting here, and J is getting more and more nervous about them just sitting here, considering how valuable they are.
So J called the people who manufactured the panels for an estimate for them to do the job. It will be at most $1200, probably less, so we've decided to do that; take the money from the HELOC, and do it. It should raise the pool temp about 5-10 degrees, maybe more. This company will take care of all the necessary permits, installation, and hookups to the pool pump.
I'm excited, but nervous; yet J assures me this is an investment also. The value of the house will go up even more. It's already grown to over $40K more than we bought it for, and that reassures me. If I can get in the pool almost year round, or even full year-round, I will be so happy! This is scheduled for December 11.
We also had a meeting with the financial advisor at my workplace. He is there for any questions we have regarding IRAs, or anything to do with finances, free of charge. Tom met with both of us over my lunch break, and was very helpful. Now we think we will not do the annuity after all or the bonds, but stick with some of my money in a straight money market account for my peace of mind, and also have some invested in blue chip stocks. He feels with 8 years to go until I can retire that I can afford to invest in some stocks that basically can't lose. This assumes I am okay with some risk...I'm still deciding on that.
We just have to figure out how to do this technically, on the Chase website. I have online access to my IRA, and just need help with how to do it. J will call Chase tomorrow and get some help with that.
J had a dentist appt this week for his cavity, and that's done. But his own primary doc ended up in the hospital, so that visit had to be rescheduled. Meanwhile, I caught MissS's cold --grrrr--- and have felt lousy since Wednesday. I therefore rescheduled my appt with the neuro; that's just another week out.
At WW Thursday night I reached a milestone, 5 pounds down at last. I got a little reward for my key chain. It feels like it took forever, but it's been 8 weeks. At least the weight is steadily going down.
MissS had an interview for her job, and seems to have done well. She's very uncommunicative though, so we don't really know what she felt about it. She hasn't felt good either this week. Being around sick little kids is stressful. You know you're going to be picking up every little bug around.
This next week will be short: my doc is in Tuesday seeing pts all day. LadyDoc is in the office a half day tomorrow, and then gone the rest of the week. RN will be gone Wednesday. The office is closed Thursday and Friday of course. So Tuesday will be our only busy day. That's fine with me. Sometimes that makes for a looong day, but that also gives us prep time for the following week, and maybe CMA and I can also watch my doc do a couple of procedures Wednesday. And maybe we can even leave a bit early...
MissS and Sis leave on Tuesday for Vermont to spend the holiday with my dad--both of them are so looking forward to it! Cold weather! Really cold. MissS hasn't been there in the cold before so she is in for a shock. I know they will have a wonderful time--I hope my dad's new diagnosis of PMR is more under control by then; the prednisone dosage currently prescribed is seeming too low and my dad is doing his own adjusting. It just sounds so incredibly painful. It must be so awful to literally start each day in agonizing pain.
BIL won't be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner after all, so it will just be me and J. I don't think we've ever been alone before on any holiday, so it will be different! I think we've decided to order a Thanksgiving dinner from a local restaurant, and either take it home or eat there.
I know there's an AlAnon meeting that morning, and I've wanted to attend that one for awhile, so I plan on doing that. We'll go for a walk somewhere with the dogs, and just enjoy a sunny day. The ocean is too cold to get into, but it's lovely to walk along. We might go to the dog-friendly beach in New Smyrna--another place I've been wanting to go to.
So thankful for my life.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Sunday
No Pilates this morning, of course--still feels strange to not be heading out to that class. We had a leisurely breakfast, and J just got back from walking the dogs. Looks like it might be a cloudy cool-ish day.
Earlier this week was the stressful Election Day. J was a monitor at one of the local campuses. He said it was busy all day. Except for one weirdo in a strange car absolutely covered with proTrump stickers, just like the recent insane bomber, but as he was also a monitor there was nothing anyone could do. He was told to move his car a bit farther away from the entrance.
FL is in the midst of recounting votes. We are keeping fingers crossed that maybe it will turn into a blue state.
I'm in the process of taking my IRA out of the stock market and moving it to bonds. I've already lost almost $3000 so far, and I don't want to lose more, again. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but I talked with the broker yesterday, and explained I was a Nervous Investor, and bonds looked less volatile. She lowered her voice and said "You are most definitely not the only one doing this, getting out of the stock market..." Tuesday before 5pm I'll call back and finish the process. Something about converting it all to cash Monday, and then to bonds? Jeremiah and I talk on a speaker phone to the broker and she explains it so we both understand (me less so, with my heart pounding) but I will feel a lot better with the money less subject to the stock market.
Our dishwasher died--or so we thought. It began not getting dishes clean at all, and in fact was leaving a weird scum on everything. It wasn't unexpected since we have no idea how old it is. But we certainly don't have the money to get a new one. My bonus doesn't arrive until March, so it was going to be washing dishes by hand until then; again not a terrible thing. I find washing dishes soothing sometimes as long as my back isn't bothering me. MissS and I share that job although honestly she does it most nights.
But I thought to do a Google search on dishwasher repairs, and found a couple of links, which I sent J, just in case he felt like this was something he could tackle. I definitely didn't want him to try it if it was going to be beyond his ability. But Wednesday morning he was bored, and he read those articles and looked at You-tube videos, and then he took the whole dishwasher apart.
He cleaned everything, scrubbed off years (maybe decades) of mucky goo, put it all back together again, and it now works just fine! I am so thrilled. He saved us the cost of a brand new dishwasher. I'm very grateful he is willing to get down and dirty and tackle the disgusting mess it must have been. He sent me a couple of pictures during the day of the progress he was making, and I was suitably impressed and admiring.
He also later that week contacted the makers of Pradaxa, and they are sending him a form for him to apply for a 90 day supply--free! that alone will save us $120 in co-pays. We are in the dreaded donut hole period now, and so are using the 12 week's worth of free samples that his cardiologist gave him during the summer. Thank God for that. This time of year is so tight financially, despite having no cc debt anymore.
I had a dentist appt this week, my semi-annual cleaning. Even though I am doing nothing different as far as brushing and flossing, both the hygienist and the dentist congratulated me on the "improvement" they saw. Weird. My bonus money in March will go toward the two crowns I need. If there is anything left over it will go into savings. Last year we treated ourselves to that wonderful new big screen TV, and I don't regret it one bit--we have enjoyed it every single day. So worth it! But this year I need to take care of my teeth.
On Thursday I woke with a mild headache as I usually do. I ignored it as I usually do, but it kept on nagging me. It kept worsening. By later in the day I realized I would need to pass on the gym, and instead took a big gun pain med when I got home, went to WW just to weigh-in (where I did lose that pesky pound and a bit more), and came right home, not staying for the meeting.
It was a migraine again. Have not had one for a while thankfully. I'll see my neurologist at the end of this week, and will talk with her about the medication. I don't really want to increase the dose, but maybe that is an option.
Friday after a solid night's sleep I felt much better. It was payday, too, and that always helps my mood. Our company gave us each $30 extra, as a holiday bonus. Of course it was taxed, so we ended up with $27.17. Sigh. Still, it's the thought that counts. We had a busy day at work, but at least there were only 10 patients, instead of the 13 or 14 as we normally see on the other two days with my doc.
The other weird thing that happened at work was when LadyDoc asked me first thing Wednesday to write up a list of things I liked and disliked about each of the two doc's practices: the way the flow worked or didn't worked through out the day, things that could be improved. She wanted me to do this before I left for my appt, and told me I could keep it anonymous or not, but to type it up and give it to her, and most of all not discuss this with anyone else, as she was going to ask everyone else in the office the same question.
So I thought about this off and on throughout the day. I came up with a list of about 6 things for each practice, and eventually crossed off "micromanaging" from LadyDoc's side as I figured that was a personality thing rather than a procedural flow thing. I believe she cannot help it, and so there's no point in commenting on it.
Especially, as I learned later, when no one else had been told about this homework. That day, anyway. RN was wide-eyed, CMA was curious. But neither one was told about their homework until the next day and Friday, respectively. So basically, when I turned in my list, I was the only one. And so it certainly was not anonymous! The first thing RN said to me was "HOW honest were you??" That right there gives you a clue as to the nature of how stressful this office is...or can be.
Well, I was honest. But as I said to RN, I crossed off the micro- managing piece...other than that, I would discuss any of my suggestions or comments with her.
There are some things that we all lower our voices to talk about, and we certainly don't talk about those if LadyDoc is around, of course. But those have to do with her personality issues, and how to survive around her. She can be very prickly, but it blows over fairly quickly. You just have to remain calm, and not take her too seriously. Then we all move on.
Yesterday I went to my AlAnon meeting, and that was so restorative as always. I so love that meeting. Afterwards we had some quiet time here before leaving for Sis' house. We walked on the beach for 2 miles, and then we went to the Greek Festival near her house. That was a bit disappointing--all there was was tons of different Greek food! Some music, some dancing, and a tour of the Greek church on whose grounds it was being held. That church was stunning.
Still, it was free, and none of us had been there before, and we'd all been curious about it. I would have loved to try the food but we just don't have the funds. And fortunately there are at least two Greek restaurants in this area we can go to anytime, so we'll do that when funds are less strict.
Back at Sis' house, we had wine, and talked and laughed and got caught up, soaked in the wonderful hot tub. It was a cool night, so the warmth was welcome. As was the company!
Later at home J and I watched the first two episodes of Julia Roberts' new series on Amazon. Seems like it will be very interesting.
Today is a quiet day. No errands, maybe the dogs will get a bath. It's much cooler outside and so it's nice to have the screen door open with the breeze.
TYG.
Earlier this week was the stressful Election Day. J was a monitor at one of the local campuses. He said it was busy all day. Except for one weirdo in a strange car absolutely covered with proTrump stickers, just like the recent insane bomber, but as he was also a monitor there was nothing anyone could do. He was told to move his car a bit farther away from the entrance.
FL is in the midst of recounting votes. We are keeping fingers crossed that maybe it will turn into a blue state.
I'm in the process of taking my IRA out of the stock market and moving it to bonds. I've already lost almost $3000 so far, and I don't want to lose more, again. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but I talked with the broker yesterday, and explained I was a Nervous Investor, and bonds looked less volatile. She lowered her voice and said "You are most definitely not the only one doing this, getting out of the stock market..." Tuesday before 5pm I'll call back and finish the process. Something about converting it all to cash Monday, and then to bonds? Jeremiah and I talk on a speaker phone to the broker and she explains it so we both understand (me less so, with my heart pounding) but I will feel a lot better with the money less subject to the stock market.
Our dishwasher died--or so we thought. It began not getting dishes clean at all, and in fact was leaving a weird scum on everything. It wasn't unexpected since we have no idea how old it is. But we certainly don't have the money to get a new one. My bonus doesn't arrive until March, so it was going to be washing dishes by hand until then; again not a terrible thing. I find washing dishes soothing sometimes as long as my back isn't bothering me. MissS and I share that job although honestly she does it most nights.
But I thought to do a Google search on dishwasher repairs, and found a couple of links, which I sent J, just in case he felt like this was something he could tackle. I definitely didn't want him to try it if it was going to be beyond his ability. But Wednesday morning he was bored, and he read those articles and looked at You-tube videos, and then he took the whole dishwasher apart.
He cleaned everything, scrubbed off years (maybe decades) of mucky goo, put it all back together again, and it now works just fine! I am so thrilled. He saved us the cost of a brand new dishwasher. I'm very grateful he is willing to get down and dirty and tackle the disgusting mess it must have been. He sent me a couple of pictures during the day of the progress he was making, and I was suitably impressed and admiring.
He also later that week contacted the makers of Pradaxa, and they are sending him a form for him to apply for a 90 day supply--free! that alone will save us $120 in co-pays. We are in the dreaded donut hole period now, and so are using the 12 week's worth of free samples that his cardiologist gave him during the summer. Thank God for that. This time of year is so tight financially, despite having no cc debt anymore.
I had a dentist appt this week, my semi-annual cleaning. Even though I am doing nothing different as far as brushing and flossing, both the hygienist and the dentist congratulated me on the "improvement" they saw. Weird. My bonus money in March will go toward the two crowns I need. If there is anything left over it will go into savings. Last year we treated ourselves to that wonderful new big screen TV, and I don't regret it one bit--we have enjoyed it every single day. So worth it! But this year I need to take care of my teeth.
On Thursday I woke with a mild headache as I usually do. I ignored it as I usually do, but it kept on nagging me. It kept worsening. By later in the day I realized I would need to pass on the gym, and instead took a big gun pain med when I got home, went to WW just to weigh-in (where I did lose that pesky pound and a bit more), and came right home, not staying for the meeting.
It was a migraine again. Have not had one for a while thankfully. I'll see my neurologist at the end of this week, and will talk with her about the medication. I don't really want to increase the dose, but maybe that is an option.
Friday after a solid night's sleep I felt much better. It was payday, too, and that always helps my mood. Our company gave us each $30 extra, as a holiday bonus. Of course it was taxed, so we ended up with $27.17. Sigh. Still, it's the thought that counts. We had a busy day at work, but at least there were only 10 patients, instead of the 13 or 14 as we normally see on the other two days with my doc.
The other weird thing that happened at work was when LadyDoc asked me first thing Wednesday to write up a list of things I liked and disliked about each of the two doc's practices: the way the flow worked or didn't worked through out the day, things that could be improved. She wanted me to do this before I left for my appt, and told me I could keep it anonymous or not, but to type it up and give it to her, and most of all not discuss this with anyone else, as she was going to ask everyone else in the office the same question.
So I thought about this off and on throughout the day. I came up with a list of about 6 things for each practice, and eventually crossed off "micromanaging" from LadyDoc's side as I figured that was a personality thing rather than a procedural flow thing. I believe she cannot help it, and so there's no point in commenting on it.
Especially, as I learned later, when no one else had been told about this homework. That day, anyway. RN was wide-eyed, CMA was curious. But neither one was told about their homework until the next day and Friday, respectively. So basically, when I turned in my list, I was the only one. And so it certainly was not anonymous! The first thing RN said to me was "HOW honest were you??" That right there gives you a clue as to the nature of how stressful this office is...or can be.
Well, I was honest. But as I said to RN, I crossed off the micro- managing piece...other than that, I would discuss any of my suggestions or comments with her.
There are some things that we all lower our voices to talk about, and we certainly don't talk about those if LadyDoc is around, of course. But those have to do with her personality issues, and how to survive around her. She can be very prickly, but it blows over fairly quickly. You just have to remain calm, and not take her too seriously. Then we all move on.
Yesterday I went to my AlAnon meeting, and that was so restorative as always. I so love that meeting. Afterwards we had some quiet time here before leaving for Sis' house. We walked on the beach for 2 miles, and then we went to the Greek Festival near her house. That was a bit disappointing--all there was was tons of different Greek food! Some music, some dancing, and a tour of the Greek church on whose grounds it was being held. That church was stunning.
Still, it was free, and none of us had been there before, and we'd all been curious about it. I would have loved to try the food but we just don't have the funds. And fortunately there are at least two Greek restaurants in this area we can go to anytime, so we'll do that when funds are less strict.
Back at Sis' house, we had wine, and talked and laughed and got caught up, soaked in the wonderful hot tub. It was a cool night, so the warmth was welcome. As was the company!
Later at home J and I watched the first two episodes of Julia Roberts' new series on Amazon. Seems like it will be very interesting.
Today is a quiet day. No errands, maybe the dogs will get a bath. It's much cooler outside and so it's nice to have the screen door open with the breeze.
TYG.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Sunday
So, not too much has gone on this week. Monday J took me to work so he could use the car and go to his new dentist. He has a cavity, which will be fixed next week. Later this week he saw the hearing aid doc and had those adjusted too.
He worked on a resume and submitted it to the medical marijuana place, but at 80 despite his extensive sales experience I doubt he will be hired. Still, you never know. He's not looking for full-time or even any benefits, and around here that type of job (part-time, no benefits) is the vast majority available. He certainly has the charm and charisma.
He took Fiona for her vet appt, where she had a small cyst drained. She is constantly meowing for more food, but we are pretty strict with her. And it's paid off--she is down a few ounces since her last weigh-in a year ago. When we moved here she was just over 16 pounds, but she is down to 9.3 lbs. You'd never know it, because she has so much fur. So we're on the right track.
Wednesday was Halloween. Almost everyone in my office dressed in costume.
These dreaded social events always goes better than I anticipate. I was dressed in regular clothes, and just added some "Hello, my name is ___" labels. I filled in the names of everyone else in my office, intending this as an Identity Thief costume. MissS gave me the original idea, and it seemed simple enough. However, most people asked me if I was "the whole office". Huh. Once I explained, everyone thought it was both funny and clever.
That evening MissS came home and put her special Halloween make-up on, and she and J took turns answering the door and handing out candy. We went through about 8 bags of candy.
The next day, Thursday, was another birthday/potluck, and so J made me a nice green salad to take to work. It went over well, especially with the Greek dressing I'd brought. I did not have any birthday cake, but I did have few small pieces of Halloween candy, which I counted on my Weight Watchers allowed points, of course.
Despite that, I gained a pound at the weigh in that night. Sigh. The leader consoled me by saying I might be one of those that gains weight one week and then loses a bigger chunk the following week. (So far that has proven to be true, oddly.) It's definitely a roller coaster. But I'm sticking with it.
J shocked me by buying a gun "for protection". He swears we discussed this, and I don't think we did. In any case, there is another gun here. That makes three. They are out of my sight. He is seriously worried about safety, due to the political climate.
I'm not a gun person at all. My sis is, and my daughter is, and I don't know about my brother and SIL, but I have absolutely no desire to learn anything about operating a gun. If someone is bound and determined to shoot me, then I will run, but I'm certainly not going to shoot back.
Anyway, I mentioned it because this was to me an unexpected expense this week. And the other unexpected expense was the second-hand lawnmower, which he took for -- what I thought would be a minor repair -- and ended up costing $78. Between that and the gun, we are going to be using the change jar for any more expenses this week.
I made it to the gym twice this week, and J is also back to the gym too. For some reason he hadn't been going for about two months, but he does now go with me. I'm doing a more intense work out, or trying to. And MissS and I went for a 2 mile walk on the beach near my sister's house yesterday, after my AlAnon meeting.That was great-- it was cool and windy, but beautiful!
My Dad has been dealing with a severe pain issue in his shoulders and hips; this was recently diagnosed as polymyalgica rheumatica, for which he was given prednisone. For awhile this seems to have helped, but as with most arthritis conditions there will be flares. He hasn't seen a rheumatologist yet, so he has no back-up plan for the pain. I'm concerned, as he is living alone, and fairly isolated. Still, my Bro lives close enough to deal with true emergencies, and Dad does have a local provider if he can manage to get to her. It's so hard to be so far away, and to feel so helpless.
Well. Election Day is Tuesday. One can only hope that a Blue Wave will sweep the country. That would be a definite statement that the current WH occupant's policies are unacceptable. It's taken a terrible toll, so far. I hope it's not irreversible.
He worked on a resume and submitted it to the medical marijuana place, but at 80 despite his extensive sales experience I doubt he will be hired. Still, you never know. He's not looking for full-time or even any benefits, and around here that type of job (part-time, no benefits) is the vast majority available. He certainly has the charm and charisma.
He took Fiona for her vet appt, where she had a small cyst drained. She is constantly meowing for more food, but we are pretty strict with her. And it's paid off--she is down a few ounces since her last weigh-in a year ago. When we moved here she was just over 16 pounds, but she is down to 9.3 lbs. You'd never know it, because she has so much fur. So we're on the right track.
Wednesday was Halloween. Almost everyone in my office dressed in costume.
These dreaded social events always goes better than I anticipate. I was dressed in regular clothes, and just added some "Hello, my name is ___" labels. I filled in the names of everyone else in my office, intending this as an Identity Thief costume. MissS gave me the original idea, and it seemed simple enough. However, most people asked me if I was "the whole office". Huh. Once I explained, everyone thought it was both funny and clever.
That evening MissS came home and put her special Halloween make-up on, and she and J took turns answering the door and handing out candy. We went through about 8 bags of candy.
The next day, Thursday, was another birthday/potluck, and so J made me a nice green salad to take to work. It went over well, especially with the Greek dressing I'd brought. I did not have any birthday cake, but I did have few small pieces of Halloween candy, which I counted on my Weight Watchers allowed points, of course.
Despite that, I gained a pound at the weigh in that night. Sigh. The leader consoled me by saying I might be one of those that gains weight one week and then loses a bigger chunk the following week. (So far that has proven to be true, oddly.) It's definitely a roller coaster. But I'm sticking with it.
J shocked me by buying a gun "for protection". He swears we discussed this, and I don't think we did. In any case, there is another gun here. That makes three. They are out of my sight. He is seriously worried about safety, due to the political climate.
I'm not a gun person at all. My sis is, and my daughter is, and I don't know about my brother and SIL, but I have absolutely no desire to learn anything about operating a gun. If someone is bound and determined to shoot me, then I will run, but I'm certainly not going to shoot back.
Anyway, I mentioned it because this was to me an unexpected expense this week. And the other unexpected expense was the second-hand lawnmower, which he took for -- what I thought would be a minor repair -- and ended up costing $78. Between that and the gun, we are going to be using the change jar for any more expenses this week.
I made it to the gym twice this week, and J is also back to the gym too. For some reason he hadn't been going for about two months, but he does now go with me. I'm doing a more intense work out, or trying to. And MissS and I went for a 2 mile walk on the beach near my sister's house yesterday, after my AlAnon meeting.That was great-- it was cool and windy, but beautiful!
My Dad has been dealing with a severe pain issue in his shoulders and hips; this was recently diagnosed as polymyalgica rheumatica, for which he was given prednisone. For awhile this seems to have helped, but as with most arthritis conditions there will be flares. He hasn't seen a rheumatologist yet, so he has no back-up plan for the pain. I'm concerned, as he is living alone, and fairly isolated. Still, my Bro lives close enough to deal with true emergencies, and Dad does have a local provider if he can manage to get to her. It's so hard to be so far away, and to feel so helpless.
Well. Election Day is Tuesday. One can only hope that a Blue Wave will sweep the country. That would be a definite statement that the current WH occupant's policies are unacceptable. It's taken a terrible toll, so far. I hope it's not irreversible.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Sunday
Such a wonderful week I've had. Worked Monday and Wednesday only, and those days went well.
Both of those days the new co-worker had something going on at home and didn't come in at 8, unexpectedly. It didn't make her look good, and it made her feel awful, like we couldn't count on her. RN coworker and I shook our heads and just muddled through until she got there, and then tried to reassure her that we'd been fine. (We were, but it was also annoying.) We do understand that life does get messy at times, too. Once it was a car breakdown (but this has happened before, and she hasn't had the issue repaired yet); and the other issue was her husband's illness--he wasn't able to take the kiddos to school so she had to and that took longer than expected.
Later in the week when I was off on Thursday she texted both of us again, saying she was ill this time and planned on going to our clinic's urgent care; she was diagnosed there with strep and therefore wouldn't be coming to work either that day or the next.
I felt so sorry for RNcoworker, but I already had plans for both days, and didn't volunteer to cancel those to come in and work. I'd set up my appts weeks ago specifically for those days when I knew I'd be off work.
So I had my annual vision exam on Thursday (which ended up being a day of much needed solid pouring rain. Our rain gauge showed 7 inches received that day!).
Later that day I had my follow up appt with my own primary care doc to discuss the gastritis, and headaches, and stress, etc. J came with me. According to those scales I've lost 4 pounds since my last visit there a month ago, since starting Weight Watchers.
She still thinks the gastritis is stress-related, so we talked about that a lot. J volunteered a lot of info, and she stated she had learned a lot of background info about me which helped her get a better picture of what my life is like (as far as what kinds of stress I'm dealing with). So the upshot is I'm to continue the stomach med for two more weeks.
We missed our last appt that day with the vet because we thought it was on Friday instead of Thursday...so J will take Fiona tomorrow instead. Sigh.
Thursday evening after MissS got home she and I raced out to WW, and that was good; according to that scale I've only lost 3 pounds, but hey, at least I'm losing. We stay for the meeting afterwards, so we don't get out of there til 7, and are home by 7:15. We are both ravenous normally, which is the only bad thing about the meeting being at 6:30. She lost too, so it's all good. We are learning a lot.
Tuesday, we had done a lot of house and bank work: cleaning both the house and then cleaning up paperwork--filing, getting rid of certain credit cards we don't use, or expired cards, writing down names and acct numbers of the cards we are using, writing down all info we carry in our wallets. Plus we had already frozen all our credit reports last week.
Then we went to a matinee; we both loved it, seeing "A Star Is Born". So good. Even J loved it. This is the third remake of the original made back in the 30s with Janet Gaynor. That one I've never seen, but I saw the next one with Judy Garland, then I never saw the second remake in the 70s with Barbra Streisand either--but this one! Wow. Very impressive. I've read that the director/leading man is in real life a recovering alcoholic, and that just adds such a touch of realism to his stunning performance.
Friday I had my mammogram at 8am. My company now covers the ultra hi-tech 3D imaging, so that's good--I'll find out the results this week. Then we did some grocery shopping. At 1pm we headed out for his doctor's appt to discuss his lab results; the insurance company had sent out a notice telling him to discuss the "high cholesterol level". But his doctor was completely puzzled because J's cholesterol levels are so low it's ridiculous. He's never ever had high cholesterol or triglycerides. It's clearly a mistake, but it's the first time this insurance company has blundered; normally they are right on top of things.
After that appt, we drove over to Ormond Beach to take a look at the shrimp boat which is beached on the shore. It somehow got there about two weeks ago, no one is sure how.
Here I am standing in front of it. It's 77 feet long. I was riveted by it. In fact, we and MissS drove to my sister's house yesterday afternoon for drinks and snacks at a place on the beach just south of this, and after enjoying those, we four walked up to the boat (again) and just gawked. This photo was taken yesterday. It is just huge.
We were glad to go back to her house after this and sit in the hot tub to warm up! The time of the pool is over for the year, sadly. Pool temp is down to 74, so it's too cold to get in, unless and until we (J and BIL) figure out the solar stuff. So now we'll be making use of Sis' hot tub more often. It was wonderful yesterday.
This morning MissS and I went to the final-for-now Pilates class. It seemed extra tough, but extra good, too. And the weather is definitely Fall-ish. Right now it's 66 degrees, and it's supposed to get to the mid 50s tonight. Lovely sleeping weather.
Louise next door gave us a potted hibiscus tree, and since it had been in its pot for many years, it was probably root bound. She has a hell of a green thumb, and since she's lived there for years and years, she has many, many pots and plants. We are grateful recipients, just as grateful as when Bro and SIL gift us with their flowers. J dug a large hole during the week, and today he had to actually break the plastic pot from around the plant, and then we planted it at the side of the house. It will look lovely when it's blooming.
Another neighbor, Chris, gave J a lawn mower this week. Ours just died, and when J was talking to Chris he mentioned it in passing, asking if Chris knew of any second hand places; Chris said he had one...and brought it over later that day. It needs some work, so J took it to the repair person, and he will be picking it up this week. What a blessing.
And finally, our vacuum cleaner died too, this week. Fortunately J's youngest son had given him an Amazon gift card for his birthday in July. So we applied that card to the cost of the vacuum...it arrived two days later. TYG. I'm so glad I have Amazon Prime. That has come in handy so often.
Bro and SIL are with Dad this weekend, and I am so grateful for that, as he has been dealing with some sudden severe shoulder and hip pain. Bro was able to take him to an urgent care clinic and get some meds and the correct diagnosis, and even stay an extra night with him; what a blessing that has been. This is why he lives "nearby", near enough to be able to deal with emergencies. Thanks, Bro. I so appreciate you and SIL.
Both of those days the new co-worker had something going on at home and didn't come in at 8, unexpectedly. It didn't make her look good, and it made her feel awful, like we couldn't count on her. RN coworker and I shook our heads and just muddled through until she got there, and then tried to reassure her that we'd been fine. (We were, but it was also annoying.) We do understand that life does get messy at times, too. Once it was a car breakdown (but this has happened before, and she hasn't had the issue repaired yet); and the other issue was her husband's illness--he wasn't able to take the kiddos to school so she had to and that took longer than expected.
Later in the week when I was off on Thursday she texted both of us again, saying she was ill this time and planned on going to our clinic's urgent care; she was diagnosed there with strep and therefore wouldn't be coming to work either that day or the next.
I felt so sorry for RNcoworker, but I already had plans for both days, and didn't volunteer to cancel those to come in and work. I'd set up my appts weeks ago specifically for those days when I knew I'd be off work.
So I had my annual vision exam on Thursday (which ended up being a day of much needed solid pouring rain. Our rain gauge showed 7 inches received that day!).
Later that day I had my follow up appt with my own primary care doc to discuss the gastritis, and headaches, and stress, etc. J came with me. According to those scales I've lost 4 pounds since my last visit there a month ago, since starting Weight Watchers.
She still thinks the gastritis is stress-related, so we talked about that a lot. J volunteered a lot of info, and she stated she had learned a lot of background info about me which helped her get a better picture of what my life is like (as far as what kinds of stress I'm dealing with). So the upshot is I'm to continue the stomach med for two more weeks.
We missed our last appt that day with the vet because we thought it was on Friday instead of Thursday...so J will take Fiona tomorrow instead. Sigh.
Thursday evening after MissS got home she and I raced out to WW, and that was good; according to that scale I've only lost 3 pounds, but hey, at least I'm losing. We stay for the meeting afterwards, so we don't get out of there til 7, and are home by 7:15. We are both ravenous normally, which is the only bad thing about the meeting being at 6:30. She lost too, so it's all good. We are learning a lot.
Tuesday, we had done a lot of house and bank work: cleaning both the house and then cleaning up paperwork--filing, getting rid of certain credit cards we don't use, or expired cards, writing down names and acct numbers of the cards we are using, writing down all info we carry in our wallets. Plus we had already frozen all our credit reports last week.
Then we went to a matinee; we both loved it, seeing "A Star Is Born". So good. Even J loved it. This is the third remake of the original made back in the 30s with Janet Gaynor. That one I've never seen, but I saw the next one with Judy Garland, then I never saw the second remake in the 70s with Barbra Streisand either--but this one! Wow. Very impressive. I've read that the director/leading man is in real life a recovering alcoholic, and that just adds such a touch of realism to his stunning performance.
Friday I had my mammogram at 8am. My company now covers the ultra hi-tech 3D imaging, so that's good--I'll find out the results this week. Then we did some grocery shopping. At 1pm we headed out for his doctor's appt to discuss his lab results; the insurance company had sent out a notice telling him to discuss the "high cholesterol level". But his doctor was completely puzzled because J's cholesterol levels are so low it's ridiculous. He's never ever had high cholesterol or triglycerides. It's clearly a mistake, but it's the first time this insurance company has blundered; normally they are right on top of things.
After that appt, we drove over to Ormond Beach to take a look at the shrimp boat which is beached on the shore. It somehow got there about two weeks ago, no one is sure how.
Here I am standing in front of it. It's 77 feet long. I was riveted by it. In fact, we and MissS drove to my sister's house yesterday afternoon for drinks and snacks at a place on the beach just south of this, and after enjoying those, we four walked up to the boat (again) and just gawked. This photo was taken yesterday. It is just huge.
We were glad to go back to her house after this and sit in the hot tub to warm up! The time of the pool is over for the year, sadly. Pool temp is down to 74, so it's too cold to get in, unless and until we (J and BIL) figure out the solar stuff. So now we'll be making use of Sis' hot tub more often. It was wonderful yesterday.
This morning MissS and I went to the final-for-now Pilates class. It seemed extra tough, but extra good, too. And the weather is definitely Fall-ish. Right now it's 66 degrees, and it's supposed to get to the mid 50s tonight. Lovely sleeping weather.
Louise next door gave us a potted hibiscus tree, and since it had been in its pot for many years, it was probably root bound. She has a hell of a green thumb, and since she's lived there for years and years, she has many, many pots and plants. We are grateful recipients, just as grateful as when Bro and SIL gift us with their flowers. J dug a large hole during the week, and today he had to actually break the plastic pot from around the plant, and then we planted it at the side of the house. It will look lovely when it's blooming.
Another neighbor, Chris, gave J a lawn mower this week. Ours just died, and when J was talking to Chris he mentioned it in passing, asking if Chris knew of any second hand places; Chris said he had one...and brought it over later that day. It needs some work, so J took it to the repair person, and he will be picking it up this week. What a blessing.
And finally, our vacuum cleaner died too, this week. Fortunately J's youngest son had given him an Amazon gift card for his birthday in July. So we applied that card to the cost of the vacuum...it arrived two days later. TYG. I'm so glad I have Amazon Prime. That has come in handy so often.
Bro and SIL are with Dad this weekend, and I am so grateful for that, as he has been dealing with some sudden severe shoulder and hip pain. Bro was able to take him to an urgent care clinic and get some meds and the correct diagnosis, and even stay an extra night with him; what a blessing that has been. This is why he lives "nearby", near enough to be able to deal with emergencies. Thanks, Bro. I so appreciate you and SIL.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Sunday
Today is absolutely beautiful outside! The weather is perfect--no humidity, breezy, sunny, 75 degrees. Wonderful. Just a bit too cool to swim, but that's fine with me. Sis and BIL came over yesterday afternoon for what may be the last pool time this year, and we had dinner too of course. Pool time was great, refreshing. It was very hot and humid yesterday, so the pool is very welcome.
However, today's cooler temperature is also very welcome! Love the cooler weather. We went to Pilates this morning, and learned this will be the next to last class; Sis is taking a break, putting a hold on it after next week.
Instead, she will hopefully plan on beach walking at noon-ish on Sundays. Usually I don't like to go places on Sundays, but I can manage this, especially at the later hour. Sundays are my quiet day, but walking on the beach is something I've needed to figure out how to work into my schedule.
I got to drive the car every day this week, since J had no appts til Friday. He learned on Monday strictly by accident as he was researching his medication benefits that he has a hearing aid benefit of $500 per ear, per year. We'd never known that before, and he's had this insurance since February, I think.
But that day he called a place his PCP recommended, and three hours later he was sitting at the audiologist office, explaining he was retired and that the $500 per ear was his max budget.
First they tried to tell him there was nothing available in his price range, but after J accepted that information, and calmly asked what other options were available, maybe refurbished hearing aids?, they began talking. Long story short, they agreed to just accept what his insurance would pay, and he is now the proud owner of a brand new pair of hearing aids.
I have never known him without the need for me to speak loudly. Or the need to repeat something, sometimes several times. The hearing aids are practically invisible, and the difference is tremendous. He hears birds--he said, "Wow the birds are so loud!"; he hears the refridgerator's hum. He now hears the planes from the nearby school and is as frustrated as I was 2 and a half years ago when we first moved in and learned how loud it could be.
Fortunately his new ears are adjustable, and he has different settings for different backgrounds. He hears everything! It's just incredible. Even if I'm in another room I can talk to him, and he to me; he doesn't have to be facing me anymore, to listen to me speak. We don't need the subtitles on the TV anymore. Both of us are just staggered at how different life is now.
And he is utterly terrified that he will forget they are in, and either take a bath, or get in the pool with them. So we now have signs, on the slider door: "EARS!", and in the bathroom: "HEARING AIDS!!" Of course this also applies to his phone...
This week I only need to work Monday and Wednesday. My doc is out of the office on vacation, so I took my days too; I do need to be there on the days DrLady is in, but the other days are free. I have medical appts, though Thursday and Friday, but Tuesday is blissfully free. So I think J and I will go to a movie that afternoon.
I called my Dad on his birthday, which was Wednesday; so wonderful again to hear his voice. I've repaired his wool sweater to the best of my ability, and that will be going out in the mail back to him this week.
Halloween is getting closer which means I need to get cards out to my four granddaughters this week. (So is the need to think about Christmas.)
I heard this morning from the mother of my oldest granddaughter; she is budgeting for a visit here next summer! I'm so excited. She is 11 now...haven't seen her in three years. I'm so glad her mom will come too.
That is the best news aside from the hearing aids-- an excellent week.
TYG.
However, today's cooler temperature is also very welcome! Love the cooler weather. We went to Pilates this morning, and learned this will be the next to last class; Sis is taking a break, putting a hold on it after next week.
Instead, she will hopefully plan on beach walking at noon-ish on Sundays. Usually I don't like to go places on Sundays, but I can manage this, especially at the later hour. Sundays are my quiet day, but walking on the beach is something I've needed to figure out how to work into my schedule.
I got to drive the car every day this week, since J had no appts til Friday. He learned on Monday strictly by accident as he was researching his medication benefits that he has a hearing aid benefit of $500 per ear, per year. We'd never known that before, and he's had this insurance since February, I think.
But that day he called a place his PCP recommended, and three hours later he was sitting at the audiologist office, explaining he was retired and that the $500 per ear was his max budget.
First they tried to tell him there was nothing available in his price range, but after J accepted that information, and calmly asked what other options were available, maybe refurbished hearing aids?, they began talking. Long story short, they agreed to just accept what his insurance would pay, and he is now the proud owner of a brand new pair of hearing aids.
I have never known him without the need for me to speak loudly. Or the need to repeat something, sometimes several times. The hearing aids are practically invisible, and the difference is tremendous. He hears birds--he said, "Wow the birds are so loud!"; he hears the refridgerator's hum. He now hears the planes from the nearby school and is as frustrated as I was 2 and a half years ago when we first moved in and learned how loud it could be.
Fortunately his new ears are adjustable, and he has different settings for different backgrounds. He hears everything! It's just incredible. Even if I'm in another room I can talk to him, and he to me; he doesn't have to be facing me anymore, to listen to me speak. We don't need the subtitles on the TV anymore. Both of us are just staggered at how different life is now.
And he is utterly terrified that he will forget they are in, and either take a bath, or get in the pool with them. So we now have signs, on the slider door: "EARS!", and in the bathroom: "HEARING AIDS!!" Of course this also applies to his phone...
This week I only need to work Monday and Wednesday. My doc is out of the office on vacation, so I took my days too; I do need to be there on the days DrLady is in, but the other days are free. I have medical appts, though Thursday and Friday, but Tuesday is blissfully free. So I think J and I will go to a movie that afternoon.
I called my Dad on his birthday, which was Wednesday; so wonderful again to hear his voice. I've repaired his wool sweater to the best of my ability, and that will be going out in the mail back to him this week.
Halloween is getting closer which means I need to get cards out to my four granddaughters this week. (So is the need to think about Christmas.)
I heard this morning from the mother of my oldest granddaughter; she is budgeting for a visit here next summer! I'm so excited. She is 11 now...haven't seen her in three years. I'm so glad her mom will come too.
That is the best news aside from the hearing aids-- an excellent week.
TYG.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Sunday
Another week where I dragged myself through every day, moaning quietly to myself every day about how miserable I felt with this damn cold. Ugh. But on the outside I sucked it up and got through it. Sigh. I had to use gloves at work when I scribed for one of the docs because she was so paranoid about catching my cold. That was awkward. I always type on her laptop so I can understand her POV, but I also always use the hand sanitizer, as we all do anyway. Well, she is the boss. Must keep her happy.
Later in the day on the Sunday of MissS' birthday, J dove into the pool, and surfaced at the other end as usual, and then turned to me where I was sitting near the umbrella. He had an odd, horrified, sheepish, disbelieving look on his face. He swam back over and reached in the pocket of his swim trunks and pulled out his phone.
Yes, his phone. This is the fourth phone in 2 and a half years that he has taken for a dive, or fallen into the pool with. I simply cannot believe it. First we were going to wait until Friday--payday-- to order the new phone. I was going to --what, make a point? teach him a lesson? He knew darn well how awful a mistake he'd made. He was miserable. He felt so badly about this, and kept apologizing.
So I got on Consumer Cellular's website that night and found a better and less expensive phone, but very similar to one he'd had before, and pushed that button to order it. It arrived Friday afternoon. He loves it. It was a looong week without a phone. He really suffered without one. Plus the additional stress of being car-less (because we were broke and there was no need to go anywhere), well, let's just say it was a very long week for him.
He managed to keep busy doing various errands around the house. He tried to clean up the work shop area in the house, and did more yard work, pressure washing the exterior, and tried to repair some things; he bathed the dogs again. He walked up to Walmart a couple of times for a few groceries. So many projects were on hold until payday.
I wasn't up to the gym at all this week. It was all I could do to go to work each day and get through it all. I also Monday morning stepped on one of Missy's squeaky toys. For a split second I thought it was one of the various small animals we have roaming around, and I leaped up off of it so fast that I actually pulled a muscle in my left groin. So. Painful! This has caused ongoing issues with getting up from chairs, rolling over in bed, getting in and out of the car, climbing stairs, you name it. Even lifting my leg to put it into my scrub pants or my shorts--owwww. Sometimes I physically lean on the end of the bed so I can lift my left leg into the pants. Good grief; if anything makes me feel old, it is physical disability.
I went and had my labs drawn after my physical last week, and got the results last Monday. Monday wasn't a good day, all around. Turns out my Vitamin D is too low again and I am to immediately double my dose, which I did. My triglycerides are too high, so I am to watch my diet, but that isn't new--they aren't terribly over the limit, and I don't eat a high fat diet anyway; I believe it's genetic therefore nothing much to be done other than keeping a low fat diet.
And third, I've developed something called BV (bacterial vaginosis) which apparently is fairly common in women. (I have not had any symptoms from that at all, so it was a huge surprise.) I'm just about done with a week's worth of an antibiotic called metronidazole which is the standard treatment for that.
Both that medication and the one for gastritis required me to stop all alcohol, so I've had no alcohol for almost two weeks. (Well, I did have one glass after each weigh-in on the two WW Thursday nights.) Doing without is surprisingly difficult. It's been eye-opening how dependent I am on that evening glass of wine. My doc suggested I pop an anti-anxiety pill instead. I have mixed feelings about that route: Some nights I do so, other nights don't. It feels unsettling, and I find myself feeling restless, and unable to occupy myself. "Here, take a pill, instead of a glass of wine." Hmm.
I've also finished my meds for the gastritis, and go back to my doc in two weeks for follow up on that. Frankly I'm not seeing a big difference in my symptoms, so we'll see what happens. I think the next step is to be tested for H Pylori. Maybe I have an ulcer.
At WW this week I waited anxiously, and discovered I had lost 1.6 pounds. Phew! I was so relieved.
Saturday morning I had to attend a CPR training from 8-11:30, which meant I had to miss my AlAnon meeting. I was sorry to miss it, but the CPR is required for my job. Fortunately I did well, and now it's done for another two years.
Friday was payday. J had the car that day, so he did the shopping. He walks the dogs in the morning after taking me to work, then heads out to fill the car with gas. Then to for Aldi's (groceries), Walmart (other groceries and sundries), the vet for Fiona's special UTI-prevention food, Publix for buy-one-get-one-free specials there, and sometimes Home Depot for any special projects.
This time though he didn't go to HD, instead deciding to review the budget before he bought anything there. Good thing he did, because he'd already forgotten we'd had to use the credit card to buy the replacement phone, which meant we had to pay that off first. Therefore certain house projects are on hold for another two weeks. I know he is frustrated about that, but we really need to stick with our plans.
And he does agree. There are other things he can do with his time here during the day that don't require spending money.
I had to skip Pilates today too, because of the lingering cold and the pulled muscle. Next week should be better.
Later in the day on the Sunday of MissS' birthday, J dove into the pool, and surfaced at the other end as usual, and then turned to me where I was sitting near the umbrella. He had an odd, horrified, sheepish, disbelieving look on his face. He swam back over and reached in the pocket of his swim trunks and pulled out his phone.
Yes, his phone. This is the fourth phone in 2 and a half years that he has taken for a dive, or fallen into the pool with. I simply cannot believe it. First we were going to wait until Friday--payday-- to order the new phone. I was going to --what, make a point? teach him a lesson? He knew darn well how awful a mistake he'd made. He was miserable. He felt so badly about this, and kept apologizing.
So I got on Consumer Cellular's website that night and found a better and less expensive phone, but very similar to one he'd had before, and pushed that button to order it. It arrived Friday afternoon. He loves it. It was a looong week without a phone. He really suffered without one. Plus the additional stress of being car-less (because we were broke and there was no need to go anywhere), well, let's just say it was a very long week for him.
He managed to keep busy doing various errands around the house. He tried to clean up the work shop area in the house, and did more yard work, pressure washing the exterior, and tried to repair some things; he bathed the dogs again. He walked up to Walmart a couple of times for a few groceries. So many projects were on hold until payday.
I wasn't up to the gym at all this week. It was all I could do to go to work each day and get through it all. I also Monday morning stepped on one of Missy's squeaky toys. For a split second I thought it was one of the various small animals we have roaming around, and I leaped up off of it so fast that I actually pulled a muscle in my left groin. So. Painful! This has caused ongoing issues with getting up from chairs, rolling over in bed, getting in and out of the car, climbing stairs, you name it. Even lifting my leg to put it into my scrub pants or my shorts--owwww. Sometimes I physically lean on the end of the bed so I can lift my left leg into the pants. Good grief; if anything makes me feel old, it is physical disability.
I went and had my labs drawn after my physical last week, and got the results last Monday. Monday wasn't a good day, all around. Turns out my Vitamin D is too low again and I am to immediately double my dose, which I did. My triglycerides are too high, so I am to watch my diet, but that isn't new--they aren't terribly over the limit, and I don't eat a high fat diet anyway; I believe it's genetic therefore nothing much to be done other than keeping a low fat diet.
And third, I've developed something called BV (bacterial vaginosis) which apparently is fairly common in women. (I have not had any symptoms from that at all, so it was a huge surprise.) I'm just about done with a week's worth of an antibiotic called metronidazole which is the standard treatment for that.
Both that medication and the one for gastritis required me to stop all alcohol, so I've had no alcohol for almost two weeks. (Well, I did have one glass after each weigh-in on the two WW Thursday nights.) Doing without is surprisingly difficult. It's been eye-opening how dependent I am on that evening glass of wine. My doc suggested I pop an anti-anxiety pill instead. I have mixed feelings about that route: Some nights I do so, other nights don't. It feels unsettling, and I find myself feeling restless, and unable to occupy myself. "Here, take a pill, instead of a glass of wine." Hmm.
I've also finished my meds for the gastritis, and go back to my doc in two weeks for follow up on that. Frankly I'm not seeing a big difference in my symptoms, so we'll see what happens. I think the next step is to be tested for H Pylori. Maybe I have an ulcer.
At WW this week I waited anxiously, and discovered I had lost 1.6 pounds. Phew! I was so relieved.
Saturday morning I had to attend a CPR training from 8-11:30, which meant I had to miss my AlAnon meeting. I was sorry to miss it, but the CPR is required for my job. Fortunately I did well, and now it's done for another two years.
Friday was payday. J had the car that day, so he did the shopping. He walks the dogs in the morning after taking me to work, then heads out to fill the car with gas. Then to for Aldi's (groceries), Walmart (other groceries and sundries), the vet for Fiona's special UTI-prevention food, Publix for buy-one-get-one-free specials there, and sometimes Home Depot for any special projects.
This time though he didn't go to HD, instead deciding to review the budget before he bought anything there. Good thing he did, because he'd already forgotten we'd had to use the credit card to buy the replacement phone, which meant we had to pay that off first. Therefore certain house projects are on hold for another two weeks. I know he is frustrated about that, but we really need to stick with our plans.
And he does agree. There are other things he can do with his time here during the day that don't require spending money.
I had to skip Pilates today too, because of the lingering cold and the pulled muscle. Next week should be better.
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Sunday
I have picked up a cold. Damn it. I haven't had any illness since the horrible respiratory thing back in March, and I missed a week of work then. I'm not planning on missing any work this time, I hope--it seems to be "just" a cold. But it's not fun. Have no idea where I could have gotten it. Congested, sneezing, headache-y, feeling bleary. Ugh. I'm just not doing anything except treating the symptoms, and drinking lots of water, and resting.
Which makes today a bit more challenging: it's MissS' birthday! She is 29. My baby girl. I remember so clearly my doctor pulling her out and telling me, "You've got your girl!" He knew I wanted a girl so badly. Twenty nine years ago which means Hurricane Hugo was 29 years and two weeks ago. Amazing. She is my gorgeous girl, and I am so proud of her.
It was two years ago today that Hurricane Mathew hit us here in FL. I remember that so clearly! Sis and BIL were here with their cats, and we all rode it out here. It was so devastating to see the damage to our beautiful home here, where we'd just moved... Well, I'm not going to recount all that now.
A cake is cooling, and J is going to make burritos at her request. Sis and BIL will be over later, and possibly Bro and SIL who are also in town for the weekend. We just have a small present for her, and her aunt Betsy sent a present. Somehow it doesn't seem "enough".
It's a shame that neither her dad nor her brothers are involved; well, one brother corresponds on Facebook, but that's it. Families are so complicated. Healing is such a long process.
This past week my work doc came back from his vacation, and we were so glad to see him! I know he had a good time, and felt a bit let down to come back to work (because he told me that), but we are not old enough to retire yet. So we make the best of it. We have good-- no, excellent--co-workers, and most days are much less stressful than they used to be. I feel lucky to be where I am.
J made banana bread from our way-too-ripe bananas. It looked very good, although I didn't have any since I'm doing Weight Watchers now. He brought half the loaf over to Louise; she watches over him like a hawk during the day. She makes sure he is not out too long in the sun without stopping for some water, and reminds him to wear his straw hat. Last weekend her son brought J some of the venison stew (ugh!) he'd made.
MissS and I had our first weigh-in at WW on Thursday, after an entire week on the plan. She was worried she'd gained, because she felt she'd over done on a few days despite recording everything (tracking points) as we are supposed to do. I was worried I had not lost "enough", despite feeling hungry every day and not drinking any wine. I didn't even use my extra weekly points.
So when she got on the scale she hadn't lost or gained, she was exactly the same; so she was relieved! It was a valuable lesson for her.
I got on the scale--and I'd gained 8 ounces!! My mouth dropped open. What the hell. That is so not fair. I didn't even cheat, and this happened. The person weighing me was very reassuring, and said this was common, and to continue tracking. Next week should be better.
So I wonder if the new stomach med is affecting me somehow. Damn it. When we got home that night, I did have a glass of wine, and of course tracked it. It was supposed to be a celebration of lost weight after my first week. Instead it was a consolation drink, an encouraging drink--come on, you can do this, don't give up, you've just started!
J finished the painting of the base of the house this week, the part that is below the siding going into the ground. I am so pleased with how it looks. It looks finished, somehow. It's black, now, so almost all of the adobe color is gone. The rest of the house is white and blue.
He also saw his doc to discuss the results of his low back xray: severe arthritis at L4-S1, with bone spurring, which is what we figured. The doc was surprised J isn't having any numbness or tingling or weakness. I'm very grateful, too. Those xray results are what we see a lot of at my office, for which my doc does the lumbar epidurals.
These photos are better if larger: click on them to see them better.
J with Missy sitting cuddled with him. I love her expression.
Here they are watching Jeopardy.
Second granddaughter Nevaeh in 2016, 8 years
These two are Gabby, her first day of school and on her birthday a month ago.
Feeling pretty lucky.
Sis and BIL will be over later to help us celebrate MissS' birthday. And yesterday we three met Bro and SIL at another diner with BIL for lunch. It was great to catch up, and see the photos of where Bro will be living. It sounds like a great town, and the condo is gorgeous. Still a distance from where Dad lives, but that's the trade-off.
TYG. Happy birthday, MissS. I love you.
Which makes today a bit more challenging: it's MissS' birthday! She is 29. My baby girl. I remember so clearly my doctor pulling her out and telling me, "You've got your girl!" He knew I wanted a girl so badly. Twenty nine years ago which means Hurricane Hugo was 29 years and two weeks ago. Amazing. She is my gorgeous girl, and I am so proud of her.
It was two years ago today that Hurricane Mathew hit us here in FL. I remember that so clearly! Sis and BIL were here with their cats, and we all rode it out here. It was so devastating to see the damage to our beautiful home here, where we'd just moved... Well, I'm not going to recount all that now.
A cake is cooling, and J is going to make burritos at her request. Sis and BIL will be over later, and possibly Bro and SIL who are also in town for the weekend. We just have a small present for her, and her aunt Betsy sent a present. Somehow it doesn't seem "enough".
It's a shame that neither her dad nor her brothers are involved; well, one brother corresponds on Facebook, but that's it. Families are so complicated. Healing is such a long process.
This past week my work doc came back from his vacation, and we were so glad to see him! I know he had a good time, and felt a bit let down to come back to work (because he told me that), but we are not old enough to retire yet. So we make the best of it. We have good-- no, excellent--co-workers, and most days are much less stressful than they used to be. I feel lucky to be where I am.
J made banana bread from our way-too-ripe bananas. It looked very good, although I didn't have any since I'm doing Weight Watchers now. He brought half the loaf over to Louise; she watches over him like a hawk during the day. She makes sure he is not out too long in the sun without stopping for some water, and reminds him to wear his straw hat. Last weekend her son brought J some of the venison stew (ugh!) he'd made.
MissS and I had our first weigh-in at WW on Thursday, after an entire week on the plan. She was worried she'd gained, because she felt she'd over done on a few days despite recording everything (tracking points) as we are supposed to do. I was worried I had not lost "enough", despite feeling hungry every day and not drinking any wine. I didn't even use my extra weekly points.
So when she got on the scale she hadn't lost or gained, she was exactly the same; so she was relieved! It was a valuable lesson for her.
I got on the scale--and I'd gained 8 ounces!! My mouth dropped open. What the hell. That is so not fair. I didn't even cheat, and this happened. The person weighing me was very reassuring, and said this was common, and to continue tracking. Next week should be better.
So I wonder if the new stomach med is affecting me somehow. Damn it. When we got home that night, I did have a glass of wine, and of course tracked it. It was supposed to be a celebration of lost weight after my first week. Instead it was a consolation drink, an encouraging drink--come on, you can do this, don't give up, you've just started!
J finished the painting of the base of the house this week, the part that is below the siding going into the ground. I am so pleased with how it looks. It looks finished, somehow. It's black, now, so almost all of the adobe color is gone. The rest of the house is white and blue.
He also saw his doc to discuss the results of his low back xray: severe arthritis at L4-S1, with bone spurring, which is what we figured. The doc was surprised J isn't having any numbness or tingling or weakness. I'm very grateful, too. Those xray results are what we see a lot of at my office, for which my doc does the lumbar epidurals.
These photos are better if larger: click on them to see them better.
Here they are watching Jeopardy.
These two are Gabby, her first day of school and on her birthday a month ago.
Sis and BIL will be over later to help us celebrate MissS' birthday. And yesterday we three met Bro and SIL at another diner with BIL for lunch. It was great to catch up, and see the photos of where Bro will be living. It sounds like a great town, and the condo is gorgeous. Still a distance from where Dad lives, but that's the trade-off.
TYG. Happy birthday, MissS. I love you.
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Sunday
Forgot to mention that last week we also took advantage of the free Smithsonian admission day. It allowed free admission to museums affiliated with the Smithsonian, which the local museum is. The Museum of Arts and Sciences is just a couple of miles up the road from us; I've always been curious about it. J went to it with his daughter and her grandson when they were visiting, and was impressed.
It's much larger than it appears from the road, and therefore has much more extensive collections in various fields. I think my favorites were the local dinosaurs (found within 5 miles of where we live!) and the Chinese art, although the collections of antique furniture, painting, and everyday living items from the 17th and 18th centuries were pretty fascinating too.
I'm so glad we got to go in and explore. Definitely worth seeing. I also learned there is a planetarium, although that wasn't part of the free admission. Still, it's only $5, and it will be well worth the cost. The only other planetarium is on the Embry Riddle campus, and while that is very close by also, the campus confuses me terribly to try to drive around.
The work week was short; Monday and Wednesday were regular patient load days, and Tuesday was very boring, with only 5 patients. I had the rest of the week off work.
I saw my own family doc on Thursday for my annual exam, and discussed with her my new disturbing stomach issues. She diagnosed me with gastritis after an extensive discussion,and so I am now on a new medication, and not allowed any alcohol for two weeks. I go back to see her in a month to see if this has helped. She also wanted me to have an annual mammogram so I've scheduled that for next month on my next two days off, along with my annual eye exam.
Also Thursday after all that we did some shopping, and then came home and watched the Kavanaugh hearings for as long as we could stand it. Then into the pool, before MissS came home from her doc appt.
That night we attended our first Weight Watcher's meeting, and learned how much has changed since I was last in. This time will be much easier. I'm very optimistic. I'm very proud of MissS also for doing this with me; it will be so much better to have some support. Not that J isn't supportive, but if he isn't actually eating the same way, it's different.
Friday was a busy day: we worked in the yard doing clean up. Fall has quietly arrived, which means the sweet gum tree next door has started dropping its huge seed pods like little bombs.They land with a big thud on our side of the fence, and on Louise's flat roof sounding incredibly loud. Picking those up will be a weeks-long project. The squirrels will only eat so many. So for 90 minutes or so we did that and other raking and moving wood out to the curb, and by then we were drenched. Into the pool, cooling off. Then lunch, then chores--a few different stores, then home for some quiet time.
Saturday morning was my meeting; one of my dearest friends just got back from Chile so I had to hear all about that. Then shopping with MissS at an antique mall downtown after stopping at Kohl's to find a new pair of work sneakers. We got home in time for MissS to make a 3-bean salad and some corn bread for the dinner later. We also had burgers and a green salad. It was all very yummy.
Sis and BIL came for pool time and dinner, and catching up; since we saw them last she drove to Savannah and back for a work conference, and he flew to NYC and back while Trump was at the UN. Next week she goes to Vermont to visit Dad and returns Saturday night in time to do the Pilates class the next morning.
Which we did this morning, too. Tough classes! But since today is my final day of my brief vacation I'm just relaxing today: reading, TV, coloring. Meanwhile while MissS and I were at Pilates, J dug up all the flat stones (which were laid out poorly to the shed by the previous owner) and then prepped and re-set them them all correctly and better spaced. What a difference it made.
It's so cute to watch Murphy hopping along from one stone to another so he doesn't have to walk on the grass. We did not train him to do that--but certain times of the year when the sweet gum seedpods are all over the yard, they are very painful to walk on, even for dogs! So he avoids that side of the yard and uses only the stepping stones.
Tomorrow back to work. It will be October 1. MissS' birthday is next Sunday, and then my dad's birthday is the 17th. Thank goodness everyone is healthy. Life is good. TYG.
It's much larger than it appears from the road, and therefore has much more extensive collections in various fields. I think my favorites were the local dinosaurs (found within 5 miles of where we live!) and the Chinese art, although the collections of antique furniture, painting, and everyday living items from the 17th and 18th centuries were pretty fascinating too.
I'm so glad we got to go in and explore. Definitely worth seeing. I also learned there is a planetarium, although that wasn't part of the free admission. Still, it's only $5, and it will be well worth the cost. The only other planetarium is on the Embry Riddle campus, and while that is very close by also, the campus confuses me terribly to try to drive around.
The work week was short; Monday and Wednesday were regular patient load days, and Tuesday was very boring, with only 5 patients. I had the rest of the week off work.
I saw my own family doc on Thursday for my annual exam, and discussed with her my new disturbing stomach issues. She diagnosed me with gastritis after an extensive discussion,and so I am now on a new medication, and not allowed any alcohol for two weeks. I go back to see her in a month to see if this has helped. She also wanted me to have an annual mammogram so I've scheduled that for next month on my next two days off, along with my annual eye exam.
Also Thursday after all that we did some shopping, and then came home and watched the Kavanaugh hearings for as long as we could stand it. Then into the pool, before MissS came home from her doc appt.
That night we attended our first Weight Watcher's meeting, and learned how much has changed since I was last in. This time will be much easier. I'm very optimistic. I'm very proud of MissS also for doing this with me; it will be so much better to have some support. Not that J isn't supportive, but if he isn't actually eating the same way, it's different.
Friday was a busy day: we worked in the yard doing clean up. Fall has quietly arrived, which means the sweet gum tree next door has started dropping its huge seed pods like little bombs.They land with a big thud on our side of the fence, and on Louise's flat roof sounding incredibly loud. Picking those up will be a weeks-long project. The squirrels will only eat so many. So for 90 minutes or so we did that and other raking and moving wood out to the curb, and by then we were drenched. Into the pool, cooling off. Then lunch, then chores--a few different stores, then home for some quiet time.
Saturday morning was my meeting; one of my dearest friends just got back from Chile so I had to hear all about that. Then shopping with MissS at an antique mall downtown after stopping at Kohl's to find a new pair of work sneakers. We got home in time for MissS to make a 3-bean salad and some corn bread for the dinner later. We also had burgers and a green salad. It was all very yummy.
Sis and BIL came for pool time and dinner, and catching up; since we saw them last she drove to Savannah and back for a work conference, and he flew to NYC and back while Trump was at the UN. Next week she goes to Vermont to visit Dad and returns Saturday night in time to do the Pilates class the next morning.
Which we did this morning, too. Tough classes! But since today is my final day of my brief vacation I'm just relaxing today: reading, TV, coloring. Meanwhile while MissS and I were at Pilates, J dug up all the flat stones (which were laid out poorly to the shed by the previous owner) and then prepped and re-set them them all correctly and better spaced. What a difference it made.
It's so cute to watch Murphy hopping along from one stone to another so he doesn't have to walk on the grass. We did not train him to do that--but certain times of the year when the sweet gum seedpods are all over the yard, they are very painful to walk on, even for dogs! So he avoids that side of the yard and uses only the stepping stones.
Tomorrow back to work. It will be October 1. MissS' birthday is next Sunday, and then my dad's birthday is the 17th. Thank goodness everyone is healthy. Life is good. TYG.
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