Early afternoon, a better time of day to be writing. We've done our Pilates class, and picked up some things at the Dollar Store (shelf liner paper to complete the kitchen cabinets, hutch, and the dresser in our bedroom--$8 for 8 rolls!, and some snacks, and eggs, and hand soaps for the bathroom). I have to do some more baking for another damn fundraiser, and some minor house cleaning, but that's it for today.
Oh, maybe we'll get to planting the new orange tree.
Yes, the orange tree. When I got home from the gym one day (I think it was Wednesday) I discovered J in a lot of pain due to a severe flair up of his arthritis in his hands/ wrists, but most especially in the first two fingers on his right hand. It turned out he had done a lot of pruning and weed-whacking in the back, and worst of all, cut down the entire left half of the old orange tree. Louise's son John had insisted it was dead, and he should cut it down. So he did.
Now, we'd already had a conversation a few months ago, not that long ago actually, when he did this very same thing: I cried even, discovering he had cut down a major part of that orange tree. We had an extensive discussion, and the agreement was he wouldn't cut anything again without checking with me. So why he did it again, I do not understand. I don't care that it may be dead. (In Florida it is very difficult to tell if and when a tree is really dead.) The birds love to perch in it: we have a lot of activity there, as it is quite near the bird feeders.
But despite his agonizing pain, and his extreme frustration with the whole medical marijuana process, I did have to speak up, once he had calmed down a bit and I was changed out of my gym clothes and had had a chance to soak in the pool and I'd calmed down and shed my tears again privately. On the one hand it was too late for tears. On the other hand, I was very upset, and I knew I had to speak up. Of course that made him feel worse than ever, and he apologized over and over, and finally did appear to remember we'd had that conversation. He had no explanation. Did he forget? I don't know.
But he did say, you know what, let's buy another orange tree. It will take a few years, but things grow fast here, and that will help. And I agreed, and the very next day he went and bought one. So that is what is waiting to be planted today. He dug the hole this morning. Fortunately digging holes here is unbelievably easy.
Yesterday after I got back from my meeting, we put on our work clothes and transplanted the giant jade into its new half-whisky barrel planter. It looks just amazing. It was quite heavy, and required a lot of potting soil and sand mix to balance it in its new home, but Lord what a difference! We discovered at least 3 tiny little toads? frogs? also lived in the plant, as they were hopping around like mad.
Next I will be transplanting some other things. And figuring out what better system to use for the pineapples. Something decided since two of my pineapples were orange apparently that made them ready to eat, so those are now inedible for humans. Rats. I'm down to three. One is yellow, so that one will be picked today. The other two are still green.
J's medical marijuana application process has been a long and arduous trial, but he's all legal now, and approved, and he finally has the right combination of usable product which will keep him pain free. In this state you can't smoke it or grow it. Odd. But you can apply it, inhale it in a vape pen, eat it, or drop it under your tongue. Of course it's not covered by insurance, and you only pay with cash. And the "prescription" is only good for 70 days, before he needs to get another one. And he pays an annual fee to stay registered. Well, different in every state, I guess. Interesting to see how this develops, across the country.
That same day one of my sons posted a photo of himself on FB with a pot plant easily 7 feet tall just over his shoulder. Of course in OR recreational use is legal, and people there are allowed to grow 6 plants of their own. But FL wants a bigger share of the financial piece of MM, recreational use is not allowed, and therefore they will not let you grow it. I think this will change down the road here, but sometimes I remember how much easier certain things were back in OR. I wouldn't go back there for anything, but I know J had an easier time.
Monday when I got home from work, Murphy had some kind of accident. We don't know what happened but for the rest of the evening, and most of the next day, he kept giving out these little squeaks and shrieks and cries with certain movements. He didn't want to move anywhere, and kept cuddled close to my feet. He actually looked sad and forlorn. Neither one of could see or feel what, if anything, was wrong. It was very disturbing to listen to, and very upsetting.
We agreed to take him to the vet the next day, Tuesday. So J picked him up to give him a bath in the tub, prior to the vet visit. After that he lifted him out, dried him off as usual, and Murphy's been acting fine ever since. He races around, shouting and bouncing and barking, just as if nothing was wrong. No problems.
My own theory is something got dislocated somehow, and in the act of lifting him in and out of the tub, it got UN-dislocated. Thankful for that-- that was not going to be cheap!
We did get good news today, that the TV has been repaired and is back at the local Best Buy. But we haven't been notified that it's ready to be picked up. We've only been without it for two weeks, and don't get me wrong: I miss it, yes, but it wasn't as bad to go without it as I thought. First world problems...
Last night Sis and BIL came over and after our pool time and drinks and dinner, we played our new board game Daytona Beach Monopoly. I'd found this at the WalMart a few months ago, and grabbed it. I thought it might be fun, and it was! We had a blast. Turns out J and BIL are the building sharks, Sis and I are playing for fun, but MissS and J actually were the last players alive with the most money. I went bankrupt first, then BIL, then Sis. But we had a lot of fun.
It also appears there is an alternative version which we'll try next; each player is dealt/ handed 4 random properties and a specific sum of money, and then the game is played for an hour only. At the end, the player with the most money wins.
This morning there was a message from my second granddaughter's mom. She asked for some financial help with Nevaeh's "school fees". I talked about it with J, and then texted her back that yes, we could help with a certain amount, and asked what the fees were. She said they were for her sports fees, and school supplies. So yes, we will send it. My daughter thinks we are crazy, but I would like to help remain involved in a grandchild's life, and while Heidi's not my favorite mother, I know she is trying her best.
Next weekend will be a three-day holiday weekend. Yay!
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Sunday night
I really need to write earlier in the day. By this time (after 7pm) I am just worn out. I'm actually ready for bed, of all things. Probably that's because of the PM conference yesterday, and the fact that it was an incredibly long day.
Last Monday we had a very serious thunderstorm with the loudest and amazingly bright lightning I can remember. We had just finished dinner, and MissS was debating on whether to go to the gym. I noticed that Louise our neighbor had tossed her newspaper over to us and it was on our front porch. I went outside to collect it, and saw some very ugly looking dark clouds. I watched for a few minutes and then came inside, commenting that we were about to have some major thunder and rain. And two minutes later the thunder, lightning, and sheets of rain just poured down. Unbelievably loud and heavy. The dogs were freaked out. Hell, I was freaked out! It was just like a hurricane.
At some point I heard a loud cracking noise and the TV shut off with a bang. That was it. It died. No TV, no Internet. Shortly after that the power went out along with the AC. When the rain stopped, that was a relief.
Fortunately we have the Florida Power and Light app on my phone, and MissS contacted them. Our house and 5 others on our road were affected, and several others one street over were affected. The firetrucks came to check on us, even.
We did get the power and AC back by 10pm. But no Internet and no TV. J went to the Best Buy store the next day, Tuesday, with the TV, and discovered they have to ship it off for repair. If they can't fix it they will replace it. So we are waiting to hear from them.
Next he went to our Internet provider and got a new modem, came home, and they walked him through re-hooking it all up. It was all working by the time I got home. Phew! That was the day I had to bring food for another potluck at work. I just brought store-made potato salad. It was all good.
Wednesday he broke a tooth, poor guy, and had to find a good place to have the rest of it extracted. Jeez, it never ends. He ended up going to the dentist he has been using, and that was done Thursday. His back is slowly recovering too, a little better every day.
He's had the car every day. So every day I eat lunch at my desk. Not great. I have no privacy, no down time. No alone time at all. Sigh. One day it was so busy we didn't even get a lunch. Well, I got 15 minutes.
I did go to the gym twice after work. Sis came for pool time Friday and stayed for dinner; she'd had a stressful week too in preparation for school.
Saturday at 5am I was up and getting ready for the trip to Jacksonville for the conference. It was interesting for the most part. New CMA drove us both to DrLady's house, and then DrLady drove us three to the conference. (Co-worker RN didn't go, because her niece was hit by a car Thursday night and didn't survive. What a horrible way to die. She was only 30. So RN wasn't at work Friday, and naturally didn't go to the conference.)
We didn't get back home until 7:30 last night, and were wiped out. NewCMA came in and met MissS, and J; and we talked briefly. She was a welcome addition to the group, and really helped to make the day enjoyable.
Today after Pilates, MissS and I went to Target for a few things, and then later J and I went to Home Depot where we finally found a large enough pot for the jade plant. We did a few errands and then came home and took naps, sat in the pool with MissS, and had a simple dinner.
This will be a regular week, I hope. I hope we hear good news from Best Buy about the TV.
My granddaughter Crimson had her second birthday today. I'm about to check Facebook to see the photos before I go to bed. I'm so tired. I need another good night's sleep.
Last Monday we had a very serious thunderstorm with the loudest and amazingly bright lightning I can remember. We had just finished dinner, and MissS was debating on whether to go to the gym. I noticed that Louise our neighbor had tossed her newspaper over to us and it was on our front porch. I went outside to collect it, and saw some very ugly looking dark clouds. I watched for a few minutes and then came inside, commenting that we were about to have some major thunder and rain. And two minutes later the thunder, lightning, and sheets of rain just poured down. Unbelievably loud and heavy. The dogs were freaked out. Hell, I was freaked out! It was just like a hurricane.
At some point I heard a loud cracking noise and the TV shut off with a bang. That was it. It died. No TV, no Internet. Shortly after that the power went out along with the AC. When the rain stopped, that was a relief.
Fortunately we have the Florida Power and Light app on my phone, and MissS contacted them. Our house and 5 others on our road were affected, and several others one street over were affected. The firetrucks came to check on us, even.
We did get the power and AC back by 10pm. But no Internet and no TV. J went to the Best Buy store the next day, Tuesday, with the TV, and discovered they have to ship it off for repair. If they can't fix it they will replace it. So we are waiting to hear from them.
Next he went to our Internet provider and got a new modem, came home, and they walked him through re-hooking it all up. It was all working by the time I got home. Phew! That was the day I had to bring food for another potluck at work. I just brought store-made potato salad. It was all good.
Wednesday he broke a tooth, poor guy, and had to find a good place to have the rest of it extracted. Jeez, it never ends. He ended up going to the dentist he has been using, and that was done Thursday. His back is slowly recovering too, a little better every day.
He's had the car every day. So every day I eat lunch at my desk. Not great. I have no privacy, no down time. No alone time at all. Sigh. One day it was so busy we didn't even get a lunch. Well, I got 15 minutes.
I did go to the gym twice after work. Sis came for pool time Friday and stayed for dinner; she'd had a stressful week too in preparation for school.
Saturday at 5am I was up and getting ready for the trip to Jacksonville for the conference. It was interesting for the most part. New CMA drove us both to DrLady's house, and then DrLady drove us three to the conference. (Co-worker RN didn't go, because her niece was hit by a car Thursday night and didn't survive. What a horrible way to die. She was only 30. So RN wasn't at work Friday, and naturally didn't go to the conference.)
We didn't get back home until 7:30 last night, and were wiped out. NewCMA came in and met MissS, and J; and we talked briefly. She was a welcome addition to the group, and really helped to make the day enjoyable.
Today after Pilates, MissS and I went to Target for a few things, and then later J and I went to Home Depot where we finally found a large enough pot for the jade plant. We did a few errands and then came home and took naps, sat in the pool with MissS, and had a simple dinner.
This will be a regular week, I hope. I hope we hear good news from Best Buy about the TV.
My granddaughter Crimson had her second birthday today. I'm about to check Facebook to see the photos before I go to bed. I'm so tired. I need another good night's sleep.
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Sunday
Once again I've left it too late to write a lot. It's after 8, and I'm tired. Today we did Pilates and it was a tough work out. Then home, and then instead of staying inside in the cool house, I went outside. I had some re-potting to do, and some weeding. J helped me with the weeding and pruning, and clean up. When we were done it all looked so much better.
After that we were sweating up a storm, so we changed into swimsuits and jumped into the pool. Heavenly! Then a quick lunch, and some quiet time reading for me. Sis came over later for pool time and dinner, before a storm descended and she left to get home before it got worse.
Yesterday after my meeting I came right home, and then MissS and I met Sis at a store which was having a 40% off sale , so I could find some planting pots. Unfortunately they didn't have a pot big enough---my jade plant is already in an 18-inch wide pot, and it's in need of a pot at least half again as big. So I will look at Home Depot or something like that tomorrow after work.
J had hurt his back somehow Friday, so he wasn't moving around a lot either that day or Saturday. He's been putting heat on it, and resting, and trying not to move too quickly. Poor guy. He was working on pressure washing the house and the base of house on Wednesday and Thursday, in preparation for painting it, and I think he overdid it. Strained a muscle somehow.
He's also dealing with a lot more vertigo, so he made a doctor's appt for this week to have this further evaluated. Maybe there are some more answers.
He saw a lawyer this week too. This might turn out to be nothing, or it might be something, but the upshot is we wait and see. I can't go into details at this point but I'm honestly not worried. I'm only writing it here so I can document when this begins, if anything comes of it.
Tomorrow school starts again here, which means my commute in the morning gets a lot more exciting. If I leave by no later than 7:30 the traffic is usually pretty good. But literally 5 minutes later and it will take me 10 more minutes to get to work. Normally it will only take 15 minutes to get to work. It's very nice to be so close.
J and I are still working out the who-needs-the-car-when routine. I like to do the gym after work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but recently I've been working overtime on those days. Which makes it hard to get to the gym before the 5o'clock crowd floods in. So then I end up doing Wednesday and Friday instead. Which screws up the car plans for J. Argggh.
Well, we' re working on it. His grandson just fixed up a 2005 Porsche, and has offered it for sale for $5500. Tempting, but not only do we not have the money, I don't want a bright red sports car to drive.... we will save up some money first.
Next Saturday is the Pain Management Conference in Jacksonville. All day. With co-workers,we will be car-pooling. (I'll miss my meeting, damn it. But it can't be helped.) It is always interesting once we are there--I just wish it wasn't on a weekend.
And my littlest granddaughter's 2nd birthday is next Sunday. Then two weeks after that is Gabby's 11th, and a week after than is Layla's 5th birthday. We are ready with cards and cash to mail. Go, us!!
Life is good. :)
After that we were sweating up a storm, so we changed into swimsuits and jumped into the pool. Heavenly! Then a quick lunch, and some quiet time reading for me. Sis came over later for pool time and dinner, before a storm descended and she left to get home before it got worse.
Yesterday after my meeting I came right home, and then MissS and I met Sis at a store which was having a 40% off sale , so I could find some planting pots. Unfortunately they didn't have a pot big enough---my jade plant is already in an 18-inch wide pot, and it's in need of a pot at least half again as big. So I will look at Home Depot or something like that tomorrow after work.
J had hurt his back somehow Friday, so he wasn't moving around a lot either that day or Saturday. He's been putting heat on it, and resting, and trying not to move too quickly. Poor guy. He was working on pressure washing the house and the base of house on Wednesday and Thursday, in preparation for painting it, and I think he overdid it. Strained a muscle somehow.
He's also dealing with a lot more vertigo, so he made a doctor's appt for this week to have this further evaluated. Maybe there are some more answers.
He saw a lawyer this week too. This might turn out to be nothing, or it might be something, but the upshot is we wait and see. I can't go into details at this point but I'm honestly not worried. I'm only writing it here so I can document when this begins, if anything comes of it.
Tomorrow school starts again here, which means my commute in the morning gets a lot more exciting. If I leave by no later than 7:30 the traffic is usually pretty good. But literally 5 minutes later and it will take me 10 more minutes to get to work. Normally it will only take 15 minutes to get to work. It's very nice to be so close.
J and I are still working out the who-needs-the-car-when routine. I like to do the gym after work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but recently I've been working overtime on those days. Which makes it hard to get to the gym before the 5o'clock crowd floods in. So then I end up doing Wednesday and Friday instead. Which screws up the car plans for J. Argggh.
Well, we' re working on it. His grandson just fixed up a 2005 Porsche, and has offered it for sale for $5500. Tempting, but not only do we not have the money, I don't want a bright red sports car to drive.... we will save up some money first.
Next Saturday is the Pain Management Conference in Jacksonville. All day. With co-workers,we will be car-pooling. (I'll miss my meeting, damn it. But it can't be helped.) It is always interesting once we are there--I just wish it wasn't on a weekend.
And my littlest granddaughter's 2nd birthday is next Sunday. Then two weeks after that is Gabby's 11th, and a week after than is Layla's 5th birthday. We are ready with cards and cash to mail. Go, us!!
Life is good. :)
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Sunday
Sunday evening...it was a good and quiet day. I skipped Pilates this morning as my stomach was acting up. MissS did go however, and I was proud of her. When she got back she and I went to Bro and SIL's house to pick up a potted plant they left for us-- a pink trailing Pentas. Then we went to Steinmart where MissS was hoping to find a swimsuit, and instead I found a pair of yoga pants on sale. We also visited Pier 1. Then home, and I've been parked on the sofa since, doing some repair sewing and writing and listening to tv since.
J and BIL meanwhile went for a shooting lesson today, part of the requirement to apply for a concealed carry license here. I have no interest in learning to shoot a gun, but I'm in the minority here.
Sadly, I also learned that by registering here as an Independent, I have forfeited my right to vote in this year's primary, because Fl is a closed state; meaning one can only vote for a candidate of one's own party. I'm disappointed. So I've now switched back to being a Democrat, but I did that too late to vote in this year's election. Sigh.
With the truck being sold,we've now paid off the remaining balances of the two credit cards we had left. This is the first time we have been debt free, ever. (Of course in OR, we didn't have a mortgage.) So other than the mortgage, we are debt free. This is such a huge, huge relief to both of us.
We had a birthday lunch at work this week, but no one remembered the birthday in time to arrange an actual potluck. Instead, a drug rep just happened to bring lunch on that day, and she also brought dessert. So we only needed to bring presents. This all worked well, because we had a potluck last week for a birthday, and we have one next week for a birthday also.
Sometimes it just feels like too much: next month there are four birthdays! DrD has decided to combine these, and two people will just have to share. Still, that means each of us needs to bring potluck dishes, and a present. Plus I have two granddaughters with birthdays next month...
Bro and SIL arrived here in FL on Tuesday, and we all 7 got together Friday night at a yummy pizza place. It was wonderful to see them both. Sharing that time together always means so much. They then came over to our house again Saturday afternoon, and we sat in the pool, or by the pool. It was a perfect afternoon.
Not too much else happened this week. It was mainly a good week: AC got fixed at work, the visor got fixed in the car. J did the yard work and house work, and pet work. It's August already. Next month MissS will have been with us a year.
Enough tonight...it will be a good week. TYG.
J and BIL meanwhile went for a shooting lesson today, part of the requirement to apply for a concealed carry license here. I have no interest in learning to shoot a gun, but I'm in the minority here.
Sadly, I also learned that by registering here as an Independent, I have forfeited my right to vote in this year's primary, because Fl is a closed state; meaning one can only vote for a candidate of one's own party. I'm disappointed. So I've now switched back to being a Democrat, but I did that too late to vote in this year's election. Sigh.
With the truck being sold,we've now paid off the remaining balances of the two credit cards we had left. This is the first time we have been debt free, ever. (Of course in OR, we didn't have a mortgage.) So other than the mortgage, we are debt free. This is such a huge, huge relief to both of us.
We had a birthday lunch at work this week, but no one remembered the birthday in time to arrange an actual potluck. Instead, a drug rep just happened to bring lunch on that day, and she also brought dessert. So we only needed to bring presents. This all worked well, because we had a potluck last week for a birthday, and we have one next week for a birthday also.
Sometimes it just feels like too much: next month there are four birthdays! DrD has decided to combine these, and two people will just have to share. Still, that means each of us needs to bring potluck dishes, and a present. Plus I have two granddaughters with birthdays next month...
Bro and SIL arrived here in FL on Tuesday, and we all 7 got together Friday night at a yummy pizza place. It was wonderful to see them both. Sharing that time together always means so much. They then came over to our house again Saturday afternoon, and we sat in the pool, or by the pool. It was a perfect afternoon.
Not too much else happened this week. It was mainly a good week: AC got fixed at work, the visor got fixed in the car. J did the yard work and house work, and pet work. It's August already. Next month MissS will have been with us a year.
Enough tonight...it will be a good week. TYG.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)