Living up to "Grace"

For a few years now I have been worried about falling. My balance isn't what you could call good. All this time though, of bouncing off the door trim/walls and catching myself, I hadn't fallen. Until the other night ...

Tacky wanted to be fed, and as usual, I filled her cup with cat food and made my way through the storm door, avoiding stepping on my o2 tube. I put the food in her dish, turned around and she was still loving on me. I opened the storm door, my tube got hung around the cat, and as I lifted my foot to go through the door - I didn't! I landed square on my dignity. 

At first all I felt was my throbbing finger, my foot, and my back. I had slammed into the storm door with my back, it felt as if someone slammed me with a 2x4. It hurt every time I breathed in. I figured if I went to the doctor, they would tape me - seeing that I can't stand a bra because of my breathing, I opted out of that idea. I called DH and he came home. I never would have made it up into my bed without him. 

In the morning, I found out that it was my coccyx I landed on and not just my dignity. Everything went into sympathy mode and I felt like I had whiplash. I felt like I had been in a bad wreck. 

It's getting better, thanks for the well wishes! I can sit now, but I wish I had one of those donuts. ;-) My foot and finger are fine. Been using Aspercream, which helps my back and other painful areas. I informed DH that he can feed the cat from now on.

Blueberries and New Wheels

Yesterday was a fluke, as we are fully into summer now. I woke (late) to a beautiful, breezy day. Even after I had breakfast and got dressed, the day was exceptional. I asked DH about the blueberries and he told me the first bush was ready for the first picking. (Drat! Father's Day, I knew my son would not be into picking berries on HIS special day.) I hated to have them go to waste. So ... I donned my oxygen tank and found my berry picking bucket.

The breeze kept me cool while I picked for a while, but my back was aching from standing still in one spot. Finally, I simply had to sit down. (Knowing full well there was nothing to hang onto to get myself up!) Then I crawled around, getting some of the lower berries. If the neighbors were looking through their binoculars, it must have been quite a show. I think I picked about half of the ripe ones on the bush when my skin was screaming at me about the sun. (My medication makes me photo sensitive) My bucket was getting heavy, so I decided that I had done enough.

I called DH to get help rising to my feet. And I called. And then I screamed. He was playing golf ...

This morning I was online at Amazon, getting wheels and a seat.

It should be here on Wednesday. Cute, huh?

Have a good day!

 

Letter From Home

This is a different letter from home, bear with me, Folks!

First of all, DH bought one of those portable spa units last month. He finally made a platform for it, so that it's level on our cement slab behind the house. Living where I do, I am naturally concerned that the space beneath the platform is like a 4 star motel for the snakes in the area. He set up the tub and filled it on Sunday. Yesterday, was Wednesday, right? He still hadn't tried it out. Now - because of blood pressure problems etc. I am NOT supposed to get into a nice steaming hot bathtub. BUT, the temperature hadn't reached decently warm yet, so I decided to test it out. Water temp was 91F, air temp 85F with a "feels like" of 93F. The water felt like a normal swimming pool, not warm, not cold. I climbed in - wearing panties and a tank top - remember - I live in the boonies. No, there will never be any pictures, not even from the back! Forget that right now.

DH turned on the bubbles. Viola! I did not expect that much action out of a $350 deal. I had some problems. I couldn't stay sitting! I believe I must be 80% fat, because fat floats on water. The bubbles were trying to send me all over and trying to turn me over - doing a 2-way rotation. I finally managed to anchor myself enough nor to end up with water in my o2 tube or down in my lungs. It wasn't bad! THEN I told DH to climb in with me. Higher water, more buoyancy. It was actually pretty bleep funny to any bird in a tree. You have got to know, this was a whole new experience for me. I thought it would be like a whirlpool bathtub. Nope, more jets, maybe not as strong - I don't remember exactly, but I never had bubbles like that or felt like a leaf in rushing water. Remember I wore a tank top? I have a bad shoulder and DH had to peel it off me later. I need to rethink my 'tub-wear'.

Now, on a more somber note. My doctor had told me several (?) years ago that my short-term memory loss was from lack of o2 to my brain. I believe I have something more serious, as it continues getting worse. I'm still me, but some of the things I forget make no sense and it happens every day. It is very frustrating. I read about all the problems that caregivers have with their dementia or Alzheimer’s patients, not much out there about the patients themselves. I feel I am living it, every day. The notes on my monitor are numerous, I forget my pills, I forget where I leave them. I remember  ... up to a point, and then I'm blank. I have eaten supper twice thinking I hadn't the first time and then I wonder did I take my pills twice? I sometimes forget to eat--all day. Then I don't take my pills or drink anything. It's messing with whatever - oh bleep, I forgot what I was going to say. Bleep! I don't drive anymore, mainly because the arthritis in my hands gives me no good grip on the steering wheel. I have gotten myself lost, nothing looks familiar, and I drive and drive until I see something that I know. I worry, that someday down the road, I will end up taking the car out and be waving at my neighbors in an oncoming car - forcing them off the road. Not impossible, my neighbor had Alzheimer’s and he did that exact thing to me. They did hide the car keys then. I don't like this, not at all. The doctors are aware, yet they still ask ME what pills I need refilled, they have my charts, I honestly thought they kept track of what they were prescribing. Needless to say, I'm missing a couple. The last time I went, I told her I needed a new Rx for one of my breathing meds. SHE didn't do it. Doctors - what are they going to do for me? Maybe give me pills that I won't remember to take or take them twice thinking I hadn't the first time. 

I know - don't tell me, I have half a dozen of those day of the week pill cases, but I can't be expected to carry them on my person 24 hours a day or to remember to fill them after I have used the last day's pills. (A year ago - maybe. Now - no.)

Pa-leeze, do NOT tell me how sorry you are, or to get better, or pray, or tell me to go to another doctor (been there, done that, doesn't mean squat). Pity - I don't need. I am just writing this as a thought. Who knows, you may be next.

Have a great day, people!

Time for a letter from home...

March 30 - hail storms

Dear Friends and Extended Family,

I hope you are enjoying whatever you do on this weekend, Passover, Easter... We are having a hazy day, things are beginning to green up, and pollen fills the air. I’ve had my first crop of dandelions with hopes that some bees enjoyed nourishment. The second mowing can proceed at any time. It appears the newest growth of figs last year were frozen out during the below zero temperatures over the winter. The old parts still stand, as the birds seem to like them for landing on and surveying their territory. I get a kick out of watching the various varieties of birds and their reactions to one another.

Last week, we had a hailstorm, half an hour later a repeat and still another hour later, another one. The same stupid cloud, it didn’t seem to want to move on and pound on other people’s cars or roves. We had removed the insulation over the attic fan during a smoky food event, forgetting to replace it. Loud, let me tell you. The hail was penny to nickel size. Rain on a metal roof is one thing, pleasant even; hail on a metal roof is a whole different story. Hailstones hitting the windows, man, it sounded like Armageddon in here! Nothing was broken, dents in roof and cars though. Please excuse the terrible picture—taken, as the light was fading and the frozen stuff was still coming down. I was not going to put the window up and boink my camera.

My youngest is staying for a while; with DH gone all the time, it is nice to have a body in the house. He likes things quiet as much as I do. Bliss! He put a beginner’s 3D modeling program in my computer that is fun. (I’m not any good at it though.) 

I have been reading quite a lot of the FREE books on Smashwords. There are some extremely good stories out there that will never get anywhere because so many people think they are writers. (Also, some absolutely awful stuff. Free doesn’t always mean worth your time.) There is a glut of books out there; I’m talking tens of thousands that will never see the light of day as more and more come in every day. It is not only Smashwords, it’s Createspace and the numerous other “book makers” on the web.

Not going to whine about how crappy I feel, it is what it is.

I hope you are having a quality weekend with those you love!

Playing the Ancestry game

Think you can spot me?

My extended family used to go all out for occasions. This time it was for my sister's confirmation. I couldn't begin to tell you for certain who everyone is. I have a few question marks floating in front of me.

I'm having a good bit of fun and frustration playing the Ancestry game. It gives you clues or hints where to look for information. Pick the wrong hint and your family tree is not going to come out right. You talk to your computer. Seriously, "Where did you get that? I can't find that!" Sometimes, you're saying, "No, no, no, that is soooo wrong," and then the next day you find out you were soooo wrong. Yo do realize that you are playing the game with your cousins or other family members. You don't want to look stupid, ill informed, or wasting their time. It's really not a game, but if you don't play well, you just know they are going to be talking about you behind your computer screen.

I swear, I am going to get carpal tunnel problems or need surgery on my shoulder. When I can finally leave it alone, I feel as if I have been hit by a garbage truck and my desk looks like it too.

I think I need lessons in old fashioned cursive writing. Some names are so hard to tell what that first letter is. I have to take into account that a lot of the people couldn't read English yet and the census taker had to wing it on some of their names when they were saying them in broken English. I found a lulu today, I left it there until I can decipher it. It looks like Chicobena - German name. Not.

For aches and pains...

DH went shopping this morning. He found these at the local Aldi's store for $10 each! Of course, the dogs think they are toys for them. Not happening, kids! This kid is going to warm her shoulder and maybe get some soothing relief! I am keeping the giraffe and DH will put the teddy bear in his suitcase. At our age - any help is appreciated, even if it is cute as everything.

Transitional weather...

There really is nothing for me to blog about. The weather is going up and down as I am sure yours is as well. We missed the freeze by half the state.

I haven't heard how my grandson is doing. I can only hope he's better. Often, Grandma is out of sight, out of mind. I can't get my mail, let alone drive my car, so...

My shoulder is still a problem. I gave up my other blog and try to stay off my computer - it does help. I think I will pass on the NaNoWriMo this year. Not worth the pain.

I tried to stay up for the blood moon, at 2:00, I noticed spatters on my window and thought to just lie down for a little while and woke up at 8:30. So... I missed it, even if it wasn't rainy. I have no idea if it cleared or not. I've seen some of your shots - very lovely.

DH is working in Kentucky this week, no idea when he will leave for the next job. Jack and Jill are mourning, of course, after having Daddy home 24/7 for almost 4 months, they can't imagine where he's gone.

I hope you are all well and enjoying your weekend.

Help for Dog Poofs

I don't know if Avon still makes this type of thing. I had it years ago in my second hand jewelry shop. Well, anywho, I don't like the fragrance, but, you see, Jill sleeps on her mattress behind my computer chair and she is infamous for her flatulence. When she is having a rather odoriferous (sp?) night, I put the fragrant pin by my computer fan to kind of mellow the stench. It does help. 

Doctor Visit

For the life of me, I couldn't think of a way to photograph breathing without scaring you... or I would have.

I went to the doctor today, I made the appointment last week because the bleep pharmacy wouldn't fill my pills without my going in! Well, I'm glad I had the appointment, it has been a rough [breathing] week. She ordered some breathing meds for my nebulizer,  and she is changing my "rescue" inhaler - it simply does not work. I know this sounds whiny, but try breathing through a heavy pillow for a few days...

The whole ordeal made me so tired, I couldn't stay awake on the way home, and then I took a nap when I got home. I slept a good 3 hours, hard.

I know this sounds harsh, but I wish it would rain tomorrow evening. I know, I know, that would just put off the inevitable, but the dogs get so scared. To think that I used to enjoy the 4th of July!

I hope you do!

To Ruth and Janet, my favorite "Golden Girls".

This is my cousin Janet! Here at my house!

Ruth and Jack contemplating the day.

Ruth, my best friend, here in my kitchen!

Ruth and Janet discussing if stolen daffodils smelled.

Ruth, my friend since the ninth grade. I thank you for this last visit. You have no idea how good you made me feel with this gift of love - yourself. Thank you!

 Thank you for bringing me Janet, too. This would be a trip she would never forget. I dearly love you both!

I am so sorry that the visit did not go well, but I pray this will become a lasting friendship for the two of you. It took me years to get you together and I hope this did what I wanted. Take care of yourselves now!

Not today...

DC

I am whooped... I called the agent and cancelled on the cute house and decided to wait until next week. The house had a gas fireplace - period. No A/C or furnace and the house, though cute as a bug's ear, was built in 1920. I would almost bet there is no insulation or real sheet rock under the wallpaper. Have looked at so many "flip" houses, that all I see is lipstick on pigs... pretty, but still pigs and so many that people tried to flip and ran out of money or time. I think I am going to check out some other areas, no kids in school, it doesn't matter where a person hangs their hat.

DH is going to go to an auction in the morning, but I think he is tiring of the hunting as well.

Sad day, it has been coming for such a long time. He took DC to the vet for her final visit and didn't bring her back this time. Jack and Jill seem to notice that she's gone and Jack just keeps looking at us - accusingly or maybe he's afraid he will be next. It will be healthier for me because I am allergic, but it still hurts. She peed on the floor in front of the refrigerator and I knew it was time. I tried so hard to re-home her, but nobody wanted an old, senile cat that this last year couldn't find her way into the box every time.

I'm tired and really low, so I will say good night and go to bed for the first time in twenty-seven years without a cat wandering around the house. I hope I can sleep.

Letter From Home 07/12/13

It has been a week! 

I did get most of my numbers into the new phone. It is amazing and I love it! If it is one of those irritating 'non-calls' the pleasant female voice just says, "Call from" and then a string of numbers. I have the ring set on 7 rings, they usually hang up before it goes that long. The ring is not unpleasant or jarring. I am now a happy camper.

Chiggers are a nearly invisible parasite or bug that love tight warm places on our bodies. A search will give you more info. They are not fun and really itch.

Someone I know, is getting his wish for a natural yard. DH has no time to mow it, but it is just thick and only some yellow spindly flowers are growing out there. Not glamorous. DH said that if someone comes by with an offer to mow it that I should have them do it. Yah, like that is going to happen out here in the boonies. More likely, I need to keep the shotgun handy because the place looks deserted.

I finally got my 'Premium' status on Lincoln Avenue. I heard that it was harder now. Hmm. I lack a cover for 'Bad Things' and a blurb, it is ready to send as soon as I have that. Cannot put pretty flowers on that cover... My brain is getting overworked. I am proofing the last one, sigh... Then I will be finished with 'Julia'. I hate to see it end. I was my goal - to get them all out there before my mushy brain cells gave up the ghost entirely. I hope I can do that.

Lastly, my grandson told me he has joined the marines. He will do training throughout his senior year and go in when he graduates. I hope everything goes well for him, there is nothing more that I can say. I get too emotional...

A New Toy to Confuse Me!

DH came home last night after work. Oh, wait a minute... he was not the new toy. He had a dental appointment today and as long as he was down there, I asked him to pick up a new telephone.

It is charging now. I figured out that it will be bedtime before they are charged enough so I can program them. It's a set, one for him, so he doesn't have to get up off his chair to answer it when it rings and one in the hall for the rest of us. :-) Of course, I will be too tired to mess with it tonight, except to call myself to hear my choice of 5 rings.

What modern technology comes up with! The main base can be set up with family and friend's names and the thing is supposed to speak their name. ("Ingrid is calling" etc) OMG, how cool is that? No rush to answer when it is an unknown caller! There is even a slip-proof pad on the back for those ear/shoulder holds.

This had better work as they say... I have the receipt and (for a change) an owner's manual. It will be a delight to get off that short cord. More than likely, I will spend most of the day figuring out how to put in the people and numbers that I have. I do not know how to text, shameful, I know. Hmm, if I have lost your number, please send it to me again via email. You know who you are. ;-)

Have a nice evening and a good day!

Telephones

Do you remember that we had the phone cooked last week during a storm? Well, I hooked up the land line telephone. It dawned on me yesterday that I hadn't been bothered by telemarketers since. Then I waited for my o2 guy to call... He didn't.

This morning, Jack and Jill went wild, someone was here! Yep, my o2 delivery. I asked him if he had tried to call and he told me that he had tried many times. Hmm, time to check that cheap phone. I had dial tone. Then I put my reading glasses on and looked at the black on black buttons. I had somehow shut the ringer off when I transferred it from my womb to the living room.

I must tell you, these have been the most peaceful days... I will remember about that ringer button - the next time I need peace and quiet!

It's all about the grub...

Al-righty, DH took me shopping this morning and he dropped me off at (shudder, quake) Wally World! He said I would have my choice of better brands and a wider selection. He went to Target for the things I needed there.

We all know that I do not (make that NOT) like the place. Because I am having difficulty with walking and breathing, I used one of their electric carts. The (ahem) store is so obliging to us handicapped folk. This, however, is as far as they go with their obligation.

There are no prices of the items on the shelves, the prices are above and set back from the products. You have to do some fancy driving or ask other customers what the *bleep* sign says. I drove all over the grocery section to find a can of tamales, I did find two sections with like foods, but never the tamales. (I get a hankering for them every now and then.)

There is also that business that they have the lowest prices and will match any ad. Um,  I'm from out of town, do I have to buy the right day's paper and clip the ads? Their regular prices of non-sale food item that are not usually advertised, were higher by like 20 cents. I am not going to be impressed.

I only found about half of what I wanted because of their 'marketing strategies' of moving things around all the time and dropping items that are not money makers. 

I will eat this week, but no thanks to that *bleep* place. It would be nice if they had more handicap parking spots too. DH had to park to hell and gone. Not happy with that place, nope, not happy at all.

Well, on to the new week. I hope you have a good one!

 

 

Up and running!

Son installing programs - no mouse. I have to get a new mouse!

I believe he's thinking "this blows my warm, sunny Sunday!"

Why do all my children make faces at me when I am taking a pic?

Bless him, he spent six hours making the new one exactly like my old one, without benefit of a mouse. He didn't get to clean out his car or goof off on his only day off. Sorry Son! (I just noticed the gray in your beard, I'm not helping much, am I?) Thank you. I love you!!!

Aliens in the night

I didn't get to bed until late last night. I didn't program the Roomba, 

 because I didn't know what time DH's surgery was on Monday. I didn't want it to get full or hung up while I was gone. So... I went to bedand 

had barely gotten to sleep when I heard a "beep, beep, bee, dah, la, beep" and the room was bathed in green light as the Roomba crawled off it's dock and began cleaning! I tried to find the remote to send it back to the dock as it swished under the china cabinet, backed up and went the length under the cabinet and headed for the telephone table. I tried to grab a sock just as the greedy beggar sucked it up. It stopped and kept telling me "Clean Brushes" over and over, the 'full light' was glowing and there was no way it would shut off! It wouldn't be happy until I took care of it. I hadn't even unpacked the brush cleaners yet! After I took care of it's problems, I set it back on the dock and unplugged that puppy! It was after two a.m.! I lay there trying to get back to sleep for a couple of hours. DH had been watching a late, late movie, not saying anything. When asked why he didn't come, he said it probably had a default schedule. Butter wouldn't have melted in his mouth.

Blogger and I are at odds again...........

Letter From Home 112112

Dear Family, Friends and Foes,

I hope this finds you all as well as possible and enjoying this week. Some of us are having Thanksgiving others not. DH will be grilling tomorrow. He bought us porterhouse steaks and a German chocolate cake. There's other stuff too, but these are the most important as far as I'm concerned.

This was an important week for me. I finished my NaNoWriMo w/50737 words. Congratulations to all the Wrimers that have or will complete their task! It was an eight ticket ride. My computer seems to be having more and more problems so I validated the word count before I lost the important things. (Like the cookies to get where I want to go) I'm hoping Santa will bring me a new laptop for Christmas, this one has been on about 12 hours a day – everyday - for nearly three years. The CD no longer writes. The card reader does not work…

DH is laid off, it is his second week home and he finally decided to do something. He is painting the porch rails. He wanted copper – like the roof. It isn't. It's orange - like the pumpkin. I suggested he cut out a couple of "T"s for Tennessee as if he were a supporter of the team. At least people wouldn't think he was a complete idiot. He will never live this one down, that's for sure. LOL! Tacky also has some orange on her, but she's working on it. Yuk!

I talked to my cousin today, thinking she would be gone to her daughter's tomorrow. Her daughter is sick, so dinner has been called off and so has their annual black Friday shopping event. She was quite disappointed. If anyone has elderly neighbors – please - take them a plate or invite them over. I cannot imagine sitting alone without a computer on a holiday.

There is not much more happening around here, taking it easy. I'll be busy on the phone tomorrow trying to digest that huge steak. Y'all have a good one!