8/8/2017
This morning when I got out of bed, I was greeted with a mushed box that one of them, Bella probably, was trying to stand on so she could get things off the dresser. Jeff had, emphasis on the word had, a shoe box on the back of the sofa. The box is gone and I'm unsure whether there were shoes inside. I'll have to trek to the backyard to make sure.
I think going forward for the sake of all our worldly possessions, I need to get up when Jeff does. After they eat, they can come into the den where I'll be waiting in my recliner for them to take a nap, so I can take one too!
Picked up my new reading glasses yesterday and they are secured with one of those necklaces that hold glasses. There is no way I'm sitting down my much needed reading glasses again. This is the second pair I've had to buy in a year. While they're clearly not as expensive as my "real" glasses, the reading glasses with frames (cheapest ones I could find) set me back over $100.00. Hmm, do the girls bring me more joy or ...... Still thinking about that (smiley face here).
I had an injection of cortisone in my right knee yesterday. I'm not exactly sure what the shot was supposed to do for me. The knee still hurts and swollen. I'm not sure what the doctor is going to do about that. This right leg saga is making me angrier by the day.
While Stacey was here yesterday, she put tennis balls on my walker, which makes moving around a lot easier. I bought navy blue balls, but I should have opted for purple or pink! I also now have a mounted cup holder on my wheelchair. My water bottle fits nicely in the holder, so that I can stay hydrated when I'm out and about. Sometimes, it's just the little things that make a difference.
A passing of age is occurring today. We had for many years a little plastic basketball hoop on the front porch. Benjamin would throw the balls and sometimes they actually went in. He's a big boy now and no longer plays with this basketball hoop, so it's sitting forlornly on the street waiting for the garbage men. Maybe, one of the men will decide it's worth keeping and won't crush it in the back of the truck. Time doesn't stand still for anyone, including Benjamin, who now has his first pair of glasses and doesn't fit in my lap any longer. (sad face here).
The good news is that Benjamin loves to read. I found him a book on Amazon, which is book one of a series, and he read it the other day when we went to Baltimore. He finished reading it in record time and now wants to know where book two is!
My home health aide is coming this morning. I'm going to have her sweep the kitchen and dining room as well as clean the kitchen up a bit. I also have laundry that needs folding. I'm not very comfortable with people being in the house and doing things for me, while I sit in my chair like some kind of queen. But, she gets paid to come to the house and the rehab facility gets paid for her work from Medicare. I have been granted the month of August from the nurse as a necessity for having someone come in and help me. I am fully aware that I need help around the house, for the amount of time I can spend standing and walking is limited.
The rain has finally stopped. It rained so much yesterday that I thought we were going to need to build an ark. Yesterday morning, I went into the backyard in pursuit of something that the dogs had taken outside (a blanket) and discovered that since I don't have the backyard mowed regularly, the grass/weeds were really high. They'll mow today, which will make it much easier to find missing things!
Happy Tuesday.
P
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Monday, August 7, 2017
Monday, Monday
8/7/2017
The post reminds me of the song by the same name. A dreary day outside. This morning, I ventured into the basement (ick) and went into the yard. I only have the backyard mowed every now and then, well the now and then is here. The yard looks like a jungle. Of course, unlike other jungles, my yard is strewn with found "treasures", including a blanket, one elastic therapy band, and countless pieces of paper plates, etc. I truly cannot wait until the girls, and I think most of the time it's Bella, to grow up a bit and stop all of this stealing.
Going outside when it's raining, means that my gripper socks got wet, but luckily I have a spare pair. Always good to have a back-up! Today, Stacey is once again taking me to the doctor. Truthfully, I'm getting tired of going to one doctor after another. I would give anything, if I could find a doctor that would take ownership of everything relating to the right leg. But, I'm losing faith that this kind of doctor exists.
I have an appointment in September to be interviewed for transportation services from Metro Access. If I'm approved, then I can call them to take me to the doctor, shopping, etc. My doctor told me that she has a number of patients who use this service, and all of them like the ability to get around without needing someone to take them. If, and that's a big IF, I ever get feeling back in my foot, then I would be able to drive to places by myself. But, that's so not a possibility right now.
While Stacey is willing to take me to doctor's appointment, I feel guilty about taking up her time. I know she's got better things to do, than come and take me somewhere. There are not enough words that I think adequately say how much I appreciate and love her.
I ordered new reading glasses last week, since the girls got a hold on mine and completely destroyed them. The reading glasses aren't super expensive, BUT it is the second pair in a year that I've had to buy! It's a good thing that the girls look so angelic when they sleep......
It's difficult but I do try and keep my eye on the girls, but they are fast(er) than me and they can race down the basement stairs, and it takes me much longer to chase them. Actually, chase isn't an accurate word, better to say, I "toddle" after them.
Time for me to get myself ready for my appointment. I need to do major things like comb my hair, and put on some lipstick. Since I have so much "natural beauty", I really only need to do those two things. (Insert smiley face here).
Have a good Monday.
P
The post reminds me of the song by the same name. A dreary day outside. This morning, I ventured into the basement (ick) and went into the yard. I only have the backyard mowed every now and then, well the now and then is here. The yard looks like a jungle. Of course, unlike other jungles, my yard is strewn with found "treasures", including a blanket, one elastic therapy band, and countless pieces of paper plates, etc. I truly cannot wait until the girls, and I think most of the time it's Bella, to grow up a bit and stop all of this stealing.
Going outside when it's raining, means that my gripper socks got wet, but luckily I have a spare pair. Always good to have a back-up! Today, Stacey is once again taking me to the doctor. Truthfully, I'm getting tired of going to one doctor after another. I would give anything, if I could find a doctor that would take ownership of everything relating to the right leg. But, I'm losing faith that this kind of doctor exists.
I have an appointment in September to be interviewed for transportation services from Metro Access. If I'm approved, then I can call them to take me to the doctor, shopping, etc. My doctor told me that she has a number of patients who use this service, and all of them like the ability to get around without needing someone to take them. If, and that's a big IF, I ever get feeling back in my foot, then I would be able to drive to places by myself. But, that's so not a possibility right now.
While Stacey is willing to take me to doctor's appointment, I feel guilty about taking up her time. I know she's got better things to do, than come and take me somewhere. There are not enough words that I think adequately say how much I appreciate and love her.
I ordered new reading glasses last week, since the girls got a hold on mine and completely destroyed them. The reading glasses aren't super expensive, BUT it is the second pair in a year that I've had to buy! It's a good thing that the girls look so angelic when they sleep......
It's difficult but I do try and keep my eye on the girls, but they are fast(er) than me and they can race down the basement stairs, and it takes me much longer to chase them. Actually, chase isn't an accurate word, better to say, I "toddle" after them.
Time for me to get myself ready for my appointment. I need to do major things like comb my hair, and put on some lipstick. Since I have so much "natural beauty", I really only need to do those two things. (Insert smiley face here).
Have a good Monday.
P
Sunday, August 6, 2017
School Clothes
8/6/2017
With the page turn of a calendar, it feels as if summer is over. Why? Because everywhere I look, it's school supplies and new clothes for school. I know that children dread the end of summer, but as a once working mom, it meant getting back to "normal", whatever that meant!
Each year, a few weeks before school started, was the clothes shopping trip. Had I known about Xanax back then, these trips would have been a good time to take one. I don't know what it's like clothes shopping for girls, but going with the boys was akin to having my teeth pulled out.
First stop, of course was for jeans. I will have to admit that when the boys were going to school, ripped and acid washed jeans had not yet been "invented". Nope, just plain old blue jeans, Levi 501's I think they were. You had to drag the boys to even go to the store and then there was much moping about having to actually try on clothes. Obviously, new jeans aren't nearly as comfy as the worn out ones that they, as well as I, favor. So out of the gate, the jeans were stiff, didn't feel right, didn't fit right, etc. Once I had the jean debacle under control, then it was on to shirts. The days of wearing collared shirts to school was long gone. Tee shirts were the uniform of the day, and still are. Find the right size, avoid any shirts with any kind of controversial message, the right color and the list just went on and on.
I don't suppose shopping for girls is a walk in the park either. I'm pretty sure they might be, and probably are, pickier than the boys were. When I went to school, girls wore skirts or dresses. Today, just like the boys, the uniform is jeans and most of them are shredded or ripped or whatever they call them. I'm of the mind that if I'm buying jeans, I want all of the jeans, not just bits and pieces of denim woven together. And, of course, because these jeans are all the rage, the price of said jeans goes up accordingly. I found on line a pair of these torn jeans for plus-sized women, such as myself. I feel no need to inflict on the world, bits and pieces of my thighs poking out from the holes! Just saying.
Time for me to get on with my day. Have a wonderful Sunday.
P
With the page turn of a calendar, it feels as if summer is over. Why? Because everywhere I look, it's school supplies and new clothes for school. I know that children dread the end of summer, but as a once working mom, it meant getting back to "normal", whatever that meant!
Each year, a few weeks before school started, was the clothes shopping trip. Had I known about Xanax back then, these trips would have been a good time to take one. I don't know what it's like clothes shopping for girls, but going with the boys was akin to having my teeth pulled out.
First stop, of course was for jeans. I will have to admit that when the boys were going to school, ripped and acid washed jeans had not yet been "invented". Nope, just plain old blue jeans, Levi 501's I think they were. You had to drag the boys to even go to the store and then there was much moping about having to actually try on clothes. Obviously, new jeans aren't nearly as comfy as the worn out ones that they, as well as I, favor. So out of the gate, the jeans were stiff, didn't feel right, didn't fit right, etc. Once I had the jean debacle under control, then it was on to shirts. The days of wearing collared shirts to school was long gone. Tee shirts were the uniform of the day, and still are. Find the right size, avoid any shirts with any kind of controversial message, the right color and the list just went on and on.
I don't suppose shopping for girls is a walk in the park either. I'm pretty sure they might be, and probably are, pickier than the boys were. When I went to school, girls wore skirts or dresses. Today, just like the boys, the uniform is jeans and most of them are shredded or ripped or whatever they call them. I'm of the mind that if I'm buying jeans, I want all of the jeans, not just bits and pieces of denim woven together. And, of course, because these jeans are all the rage, the price of said jeans goes up accordingly. I found on line a pair of these torn jeans for plus-sized women, such as myself. I feel no need to inflict on the world, bits and pieces of my thighs poking out from the holes! Just saying.
Time for me to get on with my day. Have a wonderful Sunday.
P
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Absent Yesterday
8/5/2017
You may, and I hope you did, noticed the lack of my blog yesterday. Benjamin and Stacey came to the house Thursday afternoon and stayed the night, because I had an early morning doctor's appointment. Stacey and I enjoyed watching some "cheesy" television and stayed up long after Jeff and Benjamin had gone to bed.
Friday morning, we left the house early in the morning to get to Baltimore. My doctor's appointment went well. She thought I looked good (insert smiley face here) and was happy about my continued weight loss (double happy face here!). As a person, you know that going into the next size, whatever that number is for you, is absolutely unacceptable. I had reached that point, where there was no way I was going to start buying clothes in a larger size. I'm never going to be bone thin, but any small reduction in size is very good news for me.
After leaving Baltimore, we went to Bob Evans and had breakfast for lunch. Who doesn't like that? While pancakes and/or french toast, was very tempting, I knew that they would be a sugar bomb for me. See what a good adult I'm being? I had eggs instead and enjoyed every bit. Oh and did I mention there was bacon too!
Thursday evening, when I went to reach for my reading glasses, on the table next to my recliner (think of it as home base), they were gone. Surprise, surprise. Stacey was good enough to venture outside and found them - well part of them anyway.
After breakfast, a trip back to the optician to order new lenses and frames. This is the second pair of glasses that they have ruined. I guess you could call them "seeing eye dogs". Luckily, I have my regular glasses on 99% of the time, so there is very little opportunity for stealing.
A quick run through Michael's. Love that store and then back home. A busy, busy day. Stacey is so good about taking my wheelchair in and out of the car. I could use my walker, but then when my leg was tired, I'd have nothing to sit on!
Now it's Saturday and almost noon. On the weekends, I let Jeff sleep in as much as he can. He definitely needs the sleep and once the girls are fed, they are pretty content to take a nap. I didn't want them to feel alone, so I leaned back in my recliner and snoozed. Now, I must take myself upstairs and get my day started.
A very beautiful day here and I hope the sun is shining where you are.
P
You may, and I hope you did, noticed the lack of my blog yesterday. Benjamin and Stacey came to the house Thursday afternoon and stayed the night, because I had an early morning doctor's appointment. Stacey and I enjoyed watching some "cheesy" television and stayed up long after Jeff and Benjamin had gone to bed.
Friday morning, we left the house early in the morning to get to Baltimore. My doctor's appointment went well. She thought I looked good (insert smiley face here) and was happy about my continued weight loss (double happy face here!). As a person, you know that going into the next size, whatever that number is for you, is absolutely unacceptable. I had reached that point, where there was no way I was going to start buying clothes in a larger size. I'm never going to be bone thin, but any small reduction in size is very good news for me.
After leaving Baltimore, we went to Bob Evans and had breakfast for lunch. Who doesn't like that? While pancakes and/or french toast, was very tempting, I knew that they would be a sugar bomb for me. See what a good adult I'm being? I had eggs instead and enjoyed every bit. Oh and did I mention there was bacon too!
Thursday evening, when I went to reach for my reading glasses, on the table next to my recliner (think of it as home base), they were gone. Surprise, surprise. Stacey was good enough to venture outside and found them - well part of them anyway.
After breakfast, a trip back to the optician to order new lenses and frames. This is the second pair of glasses that they have ruined. I guess you could call them "seeing eye dogs". Luckily, I have my regular glasses on 99% of the time, so there is very little opportunity for stealing.
A quick run through Michael's. Love that store and then back home. A busy, busy day. Stacey is so good about taking my wheelchair in and out of the car. I could use my walker, but then when my leg was tired, I'd have nothing to sit on!
Now it's Saturday and almost noon. On the weekends, I let Jeff sleep in as much as he can. He definitely needs the sleep and once the girls are fed, they are pretty content to take a nap. I didn't want them to feel alone, so I leaned back in my recliner and snoozed. Now, I must take myself upstairs and get my day started.
A very beautiful day here and I hope the sun is shining where you are.
P
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Sunny Thursday
8/3/2017
It is really beautiful outside today. It's warm and I'm sure as the day progresses, will become increasingly warm (i.e., hot?) today. No need to complain, it's summer after all. Okay, after thinking about that, I guess it's okay to complain, it's what we people do.
Last night I "tried" to participate in a book event for Benjamin. Notice the word "tried". I know how important books are to Benjamin and as a lifelong reader, definitely want to encourage that with him. When you read a book, you can become anything and be anywhere. A queen in England, or perhaps a factory worker in New York, things like that.
I once read books about murder, but that particular ship sailed a long time ago. I still like mysteries, but now I only want to read what I call "cozy murders", if that's a thing. In a cozy murder, there is a body, but no gory details. Just a body and then some little old lady in the town (never in a big city), works to solve the mystery surrounding the dead body.
Today, a home health aide is coming to the house. I've never had an aide before and am a bit unsure of how exactly to begin. I have always had trouble telling people what to do, and this morning is likely to be no different. Since I'm not exactly up and running around the house, the house is a bit messy/cluttered or whatever else you want to call it. My wheelchair doesn't fit in the kitchen, so I have to use my walker to get around while I make my breakfast - bagels and toast! Yum.
Off to yet another doctor today. This is a spine surgeon and I'll be interested to hear what he has to say about the tests I've had done. I suppose I could live with the numbness and pain, IF I had a finite day when all of my issues would go away. I don't know if there's a doctor anywhere, who's able to predict the "how long" of getting better. Easier to say - months, months and perhaps more months. Telling a patient it could take a year or more doesn't sound particularly encouraging, which is where my glass is half empty comes into play.
I better sign off so that I can have my breakfast before the aide comes in an hour or so.
Have a great Thursday.
P
It is really beautiful outside today. It's warm and I'm sure as the day progresses, will become increasingly warm (i.e., hot?) today. No need to complain, it's summer after all. Okay, after thinking about that, I guess it's okay to complain, it's what we people do.
Last night I "tried" to participate in a book event for Benjamin. Notice the word "tried". I know how important books are to Benjamin and as a lifelong reader, definitely want to encourage that with him. When you read a book, you can become anything and be anywhere. A queen in England, or perhaps a factory worker in New York, things like that.
I once read books about murder, but that particular ship sailed a long time ago. I still like mysteries, but now I only want to read what I call "cozy murders", if that's a thing. In a cozy murder, there is a body, but no gory details. Just a body and then some little old lady in the town (never in a big city), works to solve the mystery surrounding the dead body.
Today, a home health aide is coming to the house. I've never had an aide before and am a bit unsure of how exactly to begin. I have always had trouble telling people what to do, and this morning is likely to be no different. Since I'm not exactly up and running around the house, the house is a bit messy/cluttered or whatever else you want to call it. My wheelchair doesn't fit in the kitchen, so I have to use my walker to get around while I make my breakfast - bagels and toast! Yum.
Off to yet another doctor today. This is a spine surgeon and I'll be interested to hear what he has to say about the tests I've had done. I suppose I could live with the numbness and pain, IF I had a finite day when all of my issues would go away. I don't know if there's a doctor anywhere, who's able to predict the "how long" of getting better. Easier to say - months, months and perhaps more months. Telling a patient it could take a year or more doesn't sound particularly encouraging, which is where my glass is half empty comes into play.
I better sign off so that I can have my breakfast before the aide comes in an hour or so.
Have a great Thursday.
P
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Cleaning Up
8/2/2017
Okay, I tell myself, much as I do everyday, that today I will actually clean something. Or pick something up, put away something - well you get the idea. And yet, with the best of intentions, the day passes by in a heartbeat and I have done none of the above. Not motivated? Possibly. It's hard to work up enthusiasm over laundry and dusting. Lazy? Um that could be true too. I'm not expecting a visit from any of the royal family, so IF I don't move anything around, you don't notice (barely anyway) the dust!
I ordered myself a little plastic basket that fits over the bars of my walker. The basket has a plastic liner with a place for a glass as well as other goodies. Since I need the walker, I might as well make it useful.
It's a quiet day here on the homestead. I have a few calls to make, they are part of my "honey do" list! Jeff is at work, so it's obviously easier for me to make calls. What I don't like, and Jeff doesn't either, is when you call a company and they say they'll do "x" and then they don't, it's maddening.
I can't believe it's August already. I've noticed a definite increase in ads both on television and in print advertising the sale of book bags, pencils and whatever else the modern student needs today. As a child, I loved getting all new school supplies each September. Obviously, the thrill was brief!
When Stacey and Benjamin took me to yet another doctor's appointment earlier this week, they brought me a small rainbow and unicorn. Everyone who has known me this year, knows that while I'm in pain, I keep hoping for rainbows and unicorns. And I know that someday I'm actually going to get that.
Painfully short on news today, so I'll keep this short.
P
Okay, I tell myself, much as I do everyday, that today I will actually clean something. Or pick something up, put away something - well you get the idea. And yet, with the best of intentions, the day passes by in a heartbeat and I have done none of the above. Not motivated? Possibly. It's hard to work up enthusiasm over laundry and dusting. Lazy? Um that could be true too. I'm not expecting a visit from any of the royal family, so IF I don't move anything around, you don't notice (barely anyway) the dust!
I ordered myself a little plastic basket that fits over the bars of my walker. The basket has a plastic liner with a place for a glass as well as other goodies. Since I need the walker, I might as well make it useful.
It's a quiet day here on the homestead. I have a few calls to make, they are part of my "honey do" list! Jeff is at work, so it's obviously easier for me to make calls. What I don't like, and Jeff doesn't either, is when you call a company and they say they'll do "x" and then they don't, it's maddening.
I can't believe it's August already. I've noticed a definite increase in ads both on television and in print advertising the sale of book bags, pencils and whatever else the modern student needs today. As a child, I loved getting all new school supplies each September. Obviously, the thrill was brief!
When Stacey and Benjamin took me to yet another doctor's appointment earlier this week, they brought me a small rainbow and unicorn. Everyone who has known me this year, knows that while I'm in pain, I keep hoping for rainbows and unicorns. And I know that someday I'm actually going to get that.
Painfully short on news today, so I'll keep this short.
P
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
A Busy Monday....
8/1/2017
You know some people, perhaps yourself, whose calendar is chock full of activities - correction fun activities. My calendar is also full, but there is nothing even remotely fun about the appointments I have this week. Nope, just going from doctor to doctor, etc. Basically, same song, second verse if that makes any sense.
Stacey and Benjamin took me to see an orthopedic surgeon who "does legs". His partner, who I see on Thursday "does backs". Would it be even remotely conceivable in this universe for both of them to be in the same office on the same day? Nope, absolutely not.
The doctor's appointment was delayed (imagine that) and by the time we got back to the house, the lady from a home health agency had already arrived. Luckily, Jeff was home and let her into the house. The nurse arrived later, took my blood pressure, checked the back of my knee and left. I can only imagine (actually I can't begin to imagine) what her visit cost Medicare. My thought, and it's only mine mind you, is that the moment doctors hear Medicare, the cost of your visit just doubled in price.
Today is physical therapy, and the therapist has already given me tips on how to get off of a sofa as well as the edge of my tub. Once I was shown the proper way to get up, it made perfect sense and hasn't been an issue since.
We always watch Steven Cobert, the next night. So for instance, tonight we'll watch last night's show, which should be fun with Steven making fun of the "Mooch". I will say only this that the past seven months have been entertaining if nothing else.
Time for breakfast and get my day started.
Have a great Tuesday.
P
You know some people, perhaps yourself, whose calendar is chock full of activities - correction fun activities. My calendar is also full, but there is nothing even remotely fun about the appointments I have this week. Nope, just going from doctor to doctor, etc. Basically, same song, second verse if that makes any sense.
Stacey and Benjamin took me to see an orthopedic surgeon who "does legs". His partner, who I see on Thursday "does backs". Would it be even remotely conceivable in this universe for both of them to be in the same office on the same day? Nope, absolutely not.
The doctor's appointment was delayed (imagine that) and by the time we got back to the house, the lady from a home health agency had already arrived. Luckily, Jeff was home and let her into the house. The nurse arrived later, took my blood pressure, checked the back of my knee and left. I can only imagine (actually I can't begin to imagine) what her visit cost Medicare. My thought, and it's only mine mind you, is that the moment doctors hear Medicare, the cost of your visit just doubled in price.
Today is physical therapy, and the therapist has already given me tips on how to get off of a sofa as well as the edge of my tub. Once I was shown the proper way to get up, it made perfect sense and hasn't been an issue since.
We always watch Steven Cobert, the next night. So for instance, tonight we'll watch last night's show, which should be fun with Steven making fun of the "Mooch". I will say only this that the past seven months have been entertaining if nothing else.
Time for breakfast and get my day started.
Have a great Tuesday.
P
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