7/31/2015
You may be sitting down and scratching your head. Your calendar says it's July 31st, so why am I heralding in August? Why? Because I tend to round things up, it's just what I do. I just can't believe how quickly the summer has flown by. Before we know it, we'll be needing sweaters and jackets!
When I flip a month over in my calendar, I quickly check for important dates that I might miss - birthday, anniversary, the day we moved into our house I believe 29 years ago. That doesn't seem possible. We've been here long enough, that living in California seems a lifetime ago - and actually it probably is.
The stores are ramping up for school - the kids aren't excited - the parents are. I remember the August rush to buy jeans. When you have all boys, you just go to the jeans section and get each boy "x" pair of jeans. Shopping for boys is relatively easy, because they don't care. When the boys were very young, they didn't have an opinion on what kind of shirt I bought. But, when they were older, they did have opinions.
Growing up, I loved going to the store to buy school supplies for the new year. New pencils, new notebook, new pens, colored tabbed dividers for the notebook, erasers, etc. Once you've been in school for a while, the new notebook gets covered up with writing. Girls particularly like to draw hearts on stuff, it's just what we do.
I was pretty organized as a teenager, and as I sit here, I'm still somewhat organized. I have file folders with names on them: utility bills; telephone bills; insurance papers, etc. I also have a folder for each car, which is where I file the repair bills and anything else that relates to that car. Jeff has relied on me for 40 years to know where things are - like our passports (in a folder marked passports, obviously). The pink (even though they are white) slips to our cars once the loan has been paid off.
I have now moved away from filing electricity bills in the appropriate folder. I stopped doing so, because we never ever go back to look at an electric bill. Instead, I now have a box for all of our paid bills. I also have a box for all the bills for the plane. For the plane, I still file anything relating to Jeff's medical. Pilots don't want to lose their medical - which means they can't fly.
So enjoy the day, whatever you do.
P
Friday, July 31, 2015
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Catching Up
7/30/2015
Sorry for my absence yesterday, but I was having a procedure done to help control my pain. But, and it's a biggie, I first have to deal with the pain caused by the procedure! The device has been implanted in my back and I control the amount of "zaps" of electricity (for lack of a better word) that I need.
When I first used the trial stimulator and I cranked up the zaps, I was sure that people would be able to see my legs move, which is not the case.
I appreciate Jeff staying home with me today. Not exactly how he wanted to spend a vacation day, but I'll try to keep my whining to a minimum! A good vacation day for Jeff, would be spent with his head as well as the rest of his body in the air!
Sitting doesn't cause me as much discomfort as bending down to pick something up off the floor. New strategy - leave the stuff on the floor. If it's food, the dogs will take care of it for me. If it's not, then eventually I'll sweep it up. Sometimes you just have to let go of things you can't handle at the moment.
P
Sorry for my absence yesterday, but I was having a procedure done to help control my pain. But, and it's a biggie, I first have to deal with the pain caused by the procedure! The device has been implanted in my back and I control the amount of "zaps" of electricity (for lack of a better word) that I need.
When I first used the trial stimulator and I cranked up the zaps, I was sure that people would be able to see my legs move, which is not the case.
I appreciate Jeff staying home with me today. Not exactly how he wanted to spend a vacation day, but I'll try to keep my whining to a minimum! A good vacation day for Jeff, would be spent with his head as well as the rest of his body in the air!
Sitting doesn't cause me as much discomfort as bending down to pick something up off the floor. New strategy - leave the stuff on the floor. If it's food, the dogs will take care of it for me. If it's not, then eventually I'll sweep it up. Sometimes you just have to let go of things you can't handle at the moment.
P
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Brain Games
7/26/2015
After my medical mishaps in 2013, I now have some short term memory issues. One of the problems is that when I'm asked to do something - I agree - and then promptly forget! This is as frustrating for me as it is for Jeff.
I have been making a conscious effort since I came home in 2013, to try and improve my brain. I don't even know if that's possible, but I figure I have nothing to lose. By playing games that require thinking, I know I can't make my memory worse - who knows it might even improve.
Jeff and I watch Jeopardy at night. Sometimes I know the answer in my head, and unfortunately that's where it stays. I do admire the players on Jeopardy, because they seem to know the answers to questions that leave me clueless.
Family Feud is another game I enjoy. Again, I try and come up with the top "x" answers to the question, and sometimes I even guess the right answer. Another good reason to watch Family Feud is because Steve Harvey is very funny.
I play Words with Friends, but generally can only come up with a two or three word, compared to the other players who produce lengthy words worth lots of points. I do my best, but anyone who plays Words with Friends with me, is in no danger of me taking over the game!
I have also discovered Jigsaw World on Facebook. I spend a lot of time thinking about where pieces should go in the puzzle. It takes me hours to finish a puzzle, even the small ones of less than 200 pieces. Other people who have put together the same jigsaw, post their times - in minutes - not hours. I don't bother to post my time, it's good enough that I can finish the puzzle in the first place.
Since I've been in recovery so to speak, for two years, and since my memory isn't as good as it once was, I suspect that I'm as good as I'm going to get. Note to self: there is a reaction to any action, whether it be good or bad. In my case, the reaction to my actions of 2013 is my memory. This is something that I need to accept because I have nobody else to blame, but myself.
P
After my medical mishaps in 2013, I now have some short term memory issues. One of the problems is that when I'm asked to do something - I agree - and then promptly forget! This is as frustrating for me as it is for Jeff.
I have been making a conscious effort since I came home in 2013, to try and improve my brain. I don't even know if that's possible, but I figure I have nothing to lose. By playing games that require thinking, I know I can't make my memory worse - who knows it might even improve.
Jeff and I watch Jeopardy at night. Sometimes I know the answer in my head, and unfortunately that's where it stays. I do admire the players on Jeopardy, because they seem to know the answers to questions that leave me clueless.
Family Feud is another game I enjoy. Again, I try and come up with the top "x" answers to the question, and sometimes I even guess the right answer. Another good reason to watch Family Feud is because Steve Harvey is very funny.
I play Words with Friends, but generally can only come up with a two or three word, compared to the other players who produce lengthy words worth lots of points. I do my best, but anyone who plays Words with Friends with me, is in no danger of me taking over the game!
I have also discovered Jigsaw World on Facebook. I spend a lot of time thinking about where pieces should go in the puzzle. It takes me hours to finish a puzzle, even the small ones of less than 200 pieces. Other people who have put together the same jigsaw, post their times - in minutes - not hours. I don't bother to post my time, it's good enough that I can finish the puzzle in the first place.
Since I've been in recovery so to speak, for two years, and since my memory isn't as good as it once was, I suspect that I'm as good as I'm going to get. Note to self: there is a reaction to any action, whether it be good or bad. In my case, the reaction to my actions of 2013 is my memory. This is something that I need to accept because I have nobody else to blame, but myself.
P
Friday, July 24, 2015
Air Conditioning Saga
7/24/2015
More than a week ago, we paid for a new furnace and an a/c unit for the downstairs of our house. We have a separate unit for upstairs. And, we paid a lot of money for these two items and expected to receive first class treatment. If I pay nearly $10,000 for the units, then I also expect to feel like a "pretty woman" from the people who were working at my house. Anyway, I didn't get the "pretty woman" treatment, and there have been a number of issues surrounding the install.
Both the county and the WSSC inspectors have red-flagged our install, which means that the worker bees need to come back to the house, fix the problems and then I have to get the inspectors to come back out.
The last time I had a technician come out to check on the amount of water that is pouring off from the roof or eave somewhere into a five gallon bucket, that needs to be emptied every day, I was told that there was no trouble found. I was told it's normal to have water run off and that perhaps I should invest in something like a flexible hose that would take the water out into the yard. This last visit, felt more like I was being petted on the head. After all, I'm just a woman and I'm not one to argue, so I take everything at face value.
Jeff, on the other hand, now has the install supervisor coming out on Monday to check on all of our problems, including the water. When he told me they were coming out, I dreaded having to be here to once again be patronized, and not knowing what questions I should ask.
Once again, Jeff to the rescue. He's taking Monday off so he'll be here to oversee the corrections. Jeff knows that I feel overwhelmed with all the mumbo jumbo that's thrown at me, so if he's here the mumbo jumbo will stop, if it even gets started.
Nearly 41 years ago, Jeff showed up in a white car (he didn't own a white horse) and has taken care of me ever since. He is my knight in shining armor and since he knows how much I stress about things, tries to smooth out the wrinkles in my path.
Words cannot adequately describe what it feels like to me to have Jeff slay the modern day dragons and smooth out the wrinkles in my path.
P
More than a week ago, we paid for a new furnace and an a/c unit for the downstairs of our house. We have a separate unit for upstairs. And, we paid a lot of money for these two items and expected to receive first class treatment. If I pay nearly $10,000 for the units, then I also expect to feel like a "pretty woman" from the people who were working at my house. Anyway, I didn't get the "pretty woman" treatment, and there have been a number of issues surrounding the install.
Both the county and the WSSC inspectors have red-flagged our install, which means that the worker bees need to come back to the house, fix the problems and then I have to get the inspectors to come back out.
The last time I had a technician come out to check on the amount of water that is pouring off from the roof or eave somewhere into a five gallon bucket, that needs to be emptied every day, I was told that there was no trouble found. I was told it's normal to have water run off and that perhaps I should invest in something like a flexible hose that would take the water out into the yard. This last visit, felt more like I was being petted on the head. After all, I'm just a woman and I'm not one to argue, so I take everything at face value.
Jeff, on the other hand, now has the install supervisor coming out on Monday to check on all of our problems, including the water. When he told me they were coming out, I dreaded having to be here to once again be patronized, and not knowing what questions I should ask.
Once again, Jeff to the rescue. He's taking Monday off so he'll be here to oversee the corrections. Jeff knows that I feel overwhelmed with all the mumbo jumbo that's thrown at me, so if he's here the mumbo jumbo will stop, if it even gets started.
Nearly 41 years ago, Jeff showed up in a white car (he didn't own a white horse) and has taken care of me ever since. He is my knight in shining armor and since he knows how much I stress about things, tries to smooth out the wrinkles in my path.
Words cannot adequately describe what it feels like to me to have Jeff slay the modern day dragons and smooth out the wrinkles in my path.
P
Getting Turned Around
7/23/2015
Today, I went to have an EKG test done so that the surgeon knows I have a healthy heart before surgery. I went to one of those walk-in clinics that says they do EKG tests, but after waiting 30 minutes, they came out and said they didn't do a 12 lead EKG - I have no idea what that means, but at least they didn't charge me.
I went to the local hospital and had to get out of my car to get the stupid little ticket. I went into the hospital and had the EKG done and initially decided that I would walk to my doctor's office. It' was pretty hot outside, and I had on sandals rather than tennis shoes. While my doctor's office is in the next building - it's a very long walk to that building. After wearing myself out trying to walk to the office building, I headed back to get the car.
Trouble was I was pretty worn out by the time I got back to the parking lot. There are many parking lots around the hospital, and I headed off in the direction where I thought I had parked. But I was wrong, so I went to yet another parking lot and still couldn't find my car. There is nothing quite as terrifying to me, as not knowing where I left my car. Maybe because of my somewhat damaged mental state, I can begin to panic quickly.
I eventually found my car and once I turned on the a/c to max, and sat for a few minutes, I was alright. I then drove over to the doctor's office, which as it turns out, would have been too far for me to walk to anyway. Got all the required test results in the hands of the doctor's assistant and went back to my car (which I remembered where I parked it) and came home - exhausted and shaky.
I was upset by the time I got home, so I wrote to Jeff to tell him about my morning had been. His reply back to me was like receiving a hug. He told me to relax, take a Xanax and watch some mindless television until I had unwound. I followed his suggestions and by the middle of the afternoon, was feeling much better. There are not enough words to express how thankful I am that Jeff takes such good care of me - I know at times it isn't easy!
P
Today, I went to have an EKG test done so that the surgeon knows I have a healthy heart before surgery. I went to one of those walk-in clinics that says they do EKG tests, but after waiting 30 minutes, they came out and said they didn't do a 12 lead EKG - I have no idea what that means, but at least they didn't charge me.
I went to the local hospital and had to get out of my car to get the stupid little ticket. I went into the hospital and had the EKG done and initially decided that I would walk to my doctor's office. It' was pretty hot outside, and I had on sandals rather than tennis shoes. While my doctor's office is in the next building - it's a very long walk to that building. After wearing myself out trying to walk to the office building, I headed back to get the car.
Trouble was I was pretty worn out by the time I got back to the parking lot. There are many parking lots around the hospital, and I headed off in the direction where I thought I had parked. But I was wrong, so I went to yet another parking lot and still couldn't find my car. There is nothing quite as terrifying to me, as not knowing where I left my car. Maybe because of my somewhat damaged mental state, I can begin to panic quickly.
I eventually found my car and once I turned on the a/c to max, and sat for a few minutes, I was alright. I then drove over to the doctor's office, which as it turns out, would have been too far for me to walk to anyway. Got all the required test results in the hands of the doctor's assistant and went back to my car (which I remembered where I parked it) and came home - exhausted and shaky.
I was upset by the time I got home, so I wrote to Jeff to tell him about my morning had been. His reply back to me was like receiving a hug. He told me to relax, take a Xanax and watch some mindless television until I had unwound. I followed his suggestions and by the middle of the afternoon, was feeling much better. There are not enough words to express how thankful I am that Jeff takes such good care of me - I know at times it isn't easy!
P
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Waiting on the Inspector
7/23/2015
Today, we are going to have an inspection of our new furnace by WSSC. So, I have to stay put until he arrives. Trouble is, the "window" of his arrival is anytime between 7:30 am and 2:00 pm!
I'm sure that if I go upstairs and start a shower, the inspector will show up. That would be Murphy's Law after all. I've got things to do and places to go, but as far as the places go, they're going to have to wait.
To make sure I was up and dressed, more or less, I got up at 7:00 - we retired folks hate having to set our alarms! Dictating what time of the morning you wake up, is one of the perks of not working anymore. But, on the other hand, for the most part, the pay sucks! :)
Tomorrow, I have to get up early again so that the contractor who installed the new furnace and air conditioner can come out and fix the "red tag" items the county inspector found. However, Monday looks good, at the moment, for sleeping in a bit!
P
Today, we are going to have an inspection of our new furnace by WSSC. So, I have to stay put until he arrives. Trouble is, the "window" of his arrival is anytime between 7:30 am and 2:00 pm!
I'm sure that if I go upstairs and start a shower, the inspector will show up. That would be Murphy's Law after all. I've got things to do and places to go, but as far as the places go, they're going to have to wait.
To make sure I was up and dressed, more or less, I got up at 7:00 - we retired folks hate having to set our alarms! Dictating what time of the morning you wake up, is one of the perks of not working anymore. But, on the other hand, for the most part, the pay sucks! :)
Tomorrow, I have to get up early again so that the contractor who installed the new furnace and air conditioner can come out and fix the "red tag" items the county inspector found. However, Monday looks good, at the moment, for sleeping in a bit!
P
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
MRI and Nerve Stimulator
7/22/2015
This afternoon, I have to have an MRI. I absolutely hate them. I get instant claustrophobia once I'm inside the tube. It feels like a casket to me and I am always asking the technician if they can see and hear me.
Once I have a permanent nerve stimulator put into my back, I will never be able to have an MRI again. I think that's a good thing, since I hate them so much but you never know when modern medicine will come up with another way of testing your body!
I am anxious to have the stimulator implanted, because I did so well on the trial one I used. Only problem with the trial stimulator, it was so heavy that if I hadn't found a way to hang it around my neck, it would have pulled my pants off! And I assure you nobody needs or wants to see that.
I'll end up with a small remote that I can use to increase or decrease the amount of "zaps" (my word, but not one the doctors like hearing) my body gets. The idea is that your brain concentrates on the zapping, and pain becomes nearly a non-issue.
With the trial stimulator, I sometimes had it cranked up so high that I thought I would be able to actually see my legs jerking around - but that didn't happen. Just another over imaginative thought of mine.
P
This afternoon, I have to have an MRI. I absolutely hate them. I get instant claustrophobia once I'm inside the tube. It feels like a casket to me and I am always asking the technician if they can see and hear me.
Once I have a permanent nerve stimulator put into my back, I will never be able to have an MRI again. I think that's a good thing, since I hate them so much but you never know when modern medicine will come up with another way of testing your body!
I am anxious to have the stimulator implanted, because I did so well on the trial one I used. Only problem with the trial stimulator, it was so heavy that if I hadn't found a way to hang it around my neck, it would have pulled my pants off! And I assure you nobody needs or wants to see that.
I'll end up with a small remote that I can use to increase or decrease the amount of "zaps" (my word, but not one the doctors like hearing) my body gets. The idea is that your brain concentrates on the zapping, and pain becomes nearly a non-issue.
With the trial stimulator, I sometimes had it cranked up so high that I thought I would be able to actually see my legs jerking around - but that didn't happen. Just another over imaginative thought of mine.
P
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)