Things We Never Thought We'd Have

11/2/2017

Jeff and I have been married a very long time.  I use the words "very long" because more marriages than you can imagine end in divorce every day.  When we first married, still young and flexible, we wanted to buy a Gold Wing Motorcycle.  We had visions of flying down the highways with the wind in our face and bugs in our teeth.  But, then we had children and our expenses grew, and our dreams of motorcycling became a thing in the past.  Just a dream we had.

When we first met Wendy, she owned a 2011 BMW Z3 convertible.  Not an easy car to get in and out of, but riding along with Wendy while we shopped for baby things, and the top down was such a pleasure.  I had never been in a convertible before and found that riding with the top down makes conversation a bit difficult, but very mind clearing.

When Wendy passed away, we bought the "Zippy Z" from the estate.  For years, we have enjoyed this car and over time have put on a new top and repaired or replaced (can't remember which) the seats. But the car is old, and the top goes up and down uh most of the time and there are a number of other things that need to be repaired/replaced on this car.  

Like our neighbors, who winter in Florida, the "Z" was parked at Scott's house during the winter months, because he has room in his garage for two cars and we don't.  In the spring, the "Z" would come back out from hibernation to be used during the warmer months.

And because you never know when life is going to make a turn, and while we weren't actively looking for a "new - to us) convertible, one just nearly fell in our laps.  Jeff happened to find a used Mercedes convertible, white with a black top.  And, in the dead of winter, last year we bought that car.  It even blows warm air on the back of your neck, if you get cold.  My description of the car is that it's sexy as hell.  Practical?  Well, more practical than the "Z" which had almost no trunk space, so if you think of the larger trunk on the new car, then yes it's practical.  When there is a snow or ice storm, Jeff takes my car, which is heavier and does better on wintry roads.

We've talked several times about selling the "Z" because it's no longer needed or wanted by us.  And, this past week, our mechanic told us that he knew somebody who wanted to buy the "Z".  Wow, we weren't expecting this kind of offer to just fall in our laps.  We agreed to the price offered.  So all that's left to do, is transfer the title, remove the plates (I think we do that), and empty out the contents of the glove box, etc.  While I know in my mind that this is absolutely the right thing to do, my heart doesn't quite feel that way.  When we sell the "Z", other than her grandfather clock, which we bought to keep for Benjamin, it will be our last large tangible piece we have of Wendy.  I have kept her wedding dress purely for sentimental reasons.  I still remember how thrilled she was when we took her to Nordstroms and found a beautiful dress for her to wear on her wedding day.  Am I going to get rid of it?  Nope.  My friends think I'm way too sentimental and that I hang on to too much stuff.  And, I disagree.  When I open my hope chest, and look through the contents, I can recall my memories both good and bad.  Some day I will or may be forced to sell the chest, and on some level that will be okay, because I will just transfer all of the contents into cardboard boxes!


P



Disclaimer: this is what the "Z" looks like, even down to the color of the car, but it's not Wendy's car, nor is that my hope chest, but you get the idea.

Getting My Life Back

11/1/2017

It isn't as bad as the post name suggests.  Halloween is over, and depending on where you live, you had a lot of children.  When the boys were of an appropriate age, they would bring home their candy for sorting.  Unfortunately, homemade treats were tossed, because we didn't know what might be inside.  I know some mother undoubtedly spent time making these treats, but we live and still live, in a scary world.  When I was a child, myself and my friends ate some candy long before we made it home.  Ah, those were the days.

My task today was to cancel a claim against a seller through Amazon.  I finally managed to get to the right person and was successful in doing so.  But, that is 15 (or longer) or more minutes that I'm not going to be able to get back. 😣  Buying on Amazon is super duper easy, but if you need help as in cancelling a claim, heaven help you.

I had a broken part on my rollator, which I use to go back and forth to my appointments, simply because there's a seat, and I can park my hinny while waiting for my scheduled Metro Access ride.  The new part is here (yeah) and once Jeff puts it on, I'll be good to go.  All I need to do now, is not fall again, but if I do, don't take the rollator with me!

I saw a new surgeon yesterday, who actually looked at me when he talked.  I liked that.  I'm a person, just like he is, and I don't think it's respectful for a doctor to make minimal face contact with a patient.  He understood my frustration and wants me to have one more epidural injection (ouch) and then go back to see him.  Is it possible that after just six months of going to various doctors, that this surgeon just might be able to help me.  I told him that I was in desperate need of unicorns and rainbows, which I don't think is asking too much!

The house is being cleaned today, so that makes Wednesdays for me super special.   I'm still pretty uncomfortable sitting around "eating bon bons" while somebody cleans up our mess.  But, I'm working on doing the idle thing.  Some would say that I "idle" a great deal, and they'd be right.  I only have "x" amount of time that I can stand and/or walk in me.  After that, it's definitely chair time.  But, my morning bagel time spent with "Dog the Bounty Hunter" is over.  I've seen every episode at least once and sometimes twice.

At the moment, I'm enjoying all the cooking/baking shows.  I only watch these shows when Jeff's not around.  He doesn't like them and I understand this, and because I'm a good wife (patting myself on my back right now), I don't watch them after he gets home.

Sweatshirt weather today, and probably pick up some more leaves in the front yard.  I need to go into the backyard and rake up all of the debris that the girls have accumulated.  My biggest fear is that I'll get out into the yard, stumble on something and fall down again.  

So that's my Wednesday.  I hope you're having a good day.

P

Things

10/31/2017

Tonight is a dentist's dream.  Lots of candy can sometimes equal lots of cavities.  Jeff and I aren't passing out candy this year.  We live at the top of a hill, and very few children are willing to trek up the hill for the few houses up here that pass out candy.

I want to talk about bottles that come with a handy-dandy push down top to dispense soap, shampoo, etc.  Maybe it's just me, but those bottles only work a few times and then I have to work at getting the product out of the bottle.  How messed up is that?  I have even taken the plungy (new word) device out of the bottle and tried shaking let's say hand lotion to the top.  I seldom have great success with this. I have a great urge to just get out a very strong pair of scissors and cut the bottle in half.  I think many bottles suffer a premature death because of the plungy thing not working.  It's very frustrating to be in the shower ready to wash your hair and you can't get the stupid shampoo out of the bottle.  Now all this frustration may, in fact, just be me, but I doubt it.

I actually struggle a great deal with opening up a lot of things.  The push and turn top of pill bottles has only a 50/50 chance of actually opening.  Boxes are hacked open and actual packages are cut with scissors (carefully).  

Then, there's the fine print issue.  I am old, and I know this.  I have a cataract which isn't quite large enough to be taken out, so reading small print is nearly impossible for me to read.  Hence, the buying of a magnifying glass to help me out.  According to the 2010 census, there were at that time 40.3 people in the United States, 65 and older.  I know that companies don't really want to cater to our age group, but that's a mistake.  Just because we're older, don't count us out as a consumer.  It's true that some of the things we want/need are, in fact, things like magnifying glasses, and weekly pill boxes with large dates and times.  And, sometimes a cane or other walking device is needed.  I know all about this.  I have a can, a four wheel walker and my rollator, which is currently down for repair.  I know that I no longer buy clothes that I would/could wear to work.  My work is inside the house, and the last time I looked, nothing around me has been complaining.  Hey, I shower and put on clean clothes and even put rollers in my hair so that my hair doesn't stand up on end!

Jeff bought a very large flat screen television and I absolutely love the size.  I can even watch television without my glasses, and that's a really big deal.  I confess, although most of you already know this, that I am a television junkie.  I have a limited amount of time that I can stand and/or walk before pain sets in.  So "stooding" (a word that Scott has used) isn't something I like to do a great deal.  

This afternoon, I'm seeing yet another orthopedic surgeon.  Am I expecting a successful outcome from the visit?  Nope.  I've been to doctor after doctor and continually get excuses about why they can't or won't help me.  I'm about ready to give up and accept my numb foot, etc., as my new reality.  I can almost hear you guys telling me not to give up or give in, but that's easy to say, but harder to put in motion.  You can only be disappointed so many times.

I'm sure if you are going to a costume party, that your outfits will be fabulous.  Have a great day.

P

Monday

10/30/2017

It's Monday
I've got nothing to say
My brain's in a fog
And people would say 
That's nothing new
Your brain is foggy
Each and every day!

It's not the best poem in the world - ya think?  But it's not bad for an early Monday morning without having my coffee yet.  The dogs are sitting in my office waiting for me to make a move, any move.  Once I do move, then they will leap out from under the chair, and be ready to start their day.  Mind you, their day consists of stretching, yawning, some barking, and sleeping.  That is not a bad life!

Tomorrow I'm going to see yet another orthopedic surgeon who apparently works on backs.  If, he feels he can not help me, then I think I'm done.  I'm wasting time and more importantly money, looking for the ever evasive unicorns and rainbows, which I'm pretty sure don't actually exist!

More tomorrow, I promise.

P

Getting Ready for Christmas!

10/28/2017

I know that most, scratch that all of you, are probably feeling Bah Hum Bug right now.  Some people wait until the count down to Christmas is "T Minus and Counting".  For me, this is the time of year where I put my "search antenna" to work.  Goal?  Finding just the right gift for a person.  And, because people tell me I'm hard to buy for (which isn't true), I've compiled a list of things for me.  Most of the things on the list are useful, like a sewing needle that's easy to use.  Of course, some would argue with me that I have no business sewing anything, because to tell the truth, I suck at it!

I already know what I'm getting for Scott and Andrew.  Will it come in a shirt type box?  Yup, and secured with packing tape.  Women and little children love wrapping paper.  Men, not so much.  As Jeff and I get older, we really don't need anything.  Do we want something?  Probably, but most of the time nothing much comes to mind.  

Now this year, it looks like I'm going to be hunting for presents for a "pink person" (i.e., a little girl).  Since I have spent 40 plus years buying things for "blue people" (boys/men), I'm not in tune when it comes to girls.  I have a list, but I have been known to go rogue when buying presents.  

I am getting ready to order Christmas cards and 2018 calendar magnets for 4A Computing.  Over the years, I've gotten smarter and have the printing people print the return address on the envelopes.  That helps some, but somebody has to lick/moisten all of the cards closed.  And most of the time that person is me.  After the cards and magnets arrive, Jeff prints off an address label for each customer.  Then it's my job to stuff the envelopes and apply the labels.  I go to the post office during the week and sometime in November, before the madness sets in.  I have one card weighed, and then buy stamps for all of the other cards.

Maybe I take the fun out of Christmas, by getting everything done quickly.  Maybe I would enjoy actually going to a mall so that I could take in the decorations and look at all the clothes.  Since I have a rollator, perhaps I could get somebody to take me so I can browse.  That would be kind of fun.

Have a great Saturday.

P

Sore Fingers and Ads in Magazines

10/27/2017

You know they say exercise is bad for people - or at least those people who don't exercise say that!  Yesterday, while with the physical therapist, he decided that because of my falls we should do floor exercises.  Okay, getting this body down to the floor is (a) not easy; and (b) not attractive!  Trouble is that while I was using a chair to help support me as I "glided" to the floor, I managed to catch a couple of my fingers between the back of the chair slats.  Since I was holding on to the chair, like a life preserver, I didn't notice initially that anything was wrong with my hand.  Ah, but I'm here to tell you that I have one very sore hand.  Since I'm able to bend the fingers a little, pretty sure that nothing is broken, just sprained.  But either way damn inconvenient.  

Jeff gave me subscriptions to two magazines for Christmas.  Yesterday, while trying to read one magazine, these pesky 3x5 cards kept falling out.  Seriously?  I want to read the magazine and if I was contemplating a vacation in Vermont, I don't need an advertising postcard to help me get there.  My habit now is that when I get a new magazine, I give it a "shake down", where hopefully all of those cards fall out and into the awaiting trashcan.  And, just when I think I have conquered the situation, I sit down in my chair and while going through the pages, find that some of those stupid cards are attached and have to be torn out.  I believe we pay enough money for a subscription that should allow us to be "postcard free"!  Maybe this situation doesn't cause everybody grief, it could be just me.  I know as well as you do, that the minute you complete and send in one of those cards, your mailbox will never be empty again!  It's much like letting a salesman get his foot in your door, and then try to figure out how to get him back outside again.

We are experiencing cooler weather here and it's probably time to put the "shorty" pants away in favor of long ones.  I'm not organized enough to have empty plastic bins waiting for my spring and summer clothes.  Nope, I'm more of a store them in the spare bedroom and deal with them later.  And, later in my book, generally means next spring when I need the warmer weather clothes.

It's a beautiful day here and I'm jealous that Jeff gets to ride with the top down.

P

A New Day

10/26/2017

I'll catch you guys up.  Yesterday, I was supposed to go to an appointment, can't remember which doctor, but I needed to be picked up.  Unfortunately, in trying to get my rollator and me out thru the garage, I lost my balance, knocked over the recycling bin and me, the rollator and the contents of my purse and the bin went face first onto the floor.  Luckily, the Metro Access driver was there and helped get me up and all the plastic products back in the bin.  I broke, or a defective part broke the rollator.  Because we seldom have good luck, the one year warranty ended on October 5, 2017 (of course)! Jeff is going to call the company to see if we can buy the part that broke.  Otherwise, well you know what will happen - we'll have to buy a new rollator!  I credit good bones because I have now fallen on the right knee four times, and could have broken the knee after one of the falls.  See people, eating ice cream gives you good bones!

Today is long pants and long sleeve shirt day.  It's kind of a Winnie the Poo day - blustery.  I guess I should turn off the a/c, even though they aren't going to run when the temperature is low.  Jeff and I keep our bedroom window open year round, with the exception of a snow storm.  I think we sleep better in a cool room, and besides we have two dogs to keep us warm all night long. 

Several ideas for Christmas gifts for the family came to mind today, and I have added them all to my Amazon wish list.  If you know me well, then you know that I like to have my Christmas shopping over by Thanksgiving.  I know, I know, rushing the season.  But, if you know what you are going to buy, then just buy it.  After I buy things, then I must face the "dreaded" task - wrapping.  I generally just tape those famous shirt boxes shut for the boys.  I do make an attempt to wrap presents for Stacey and Benjamin, but the finished present is not pretty!  I consider myself a good "gifter", but I absolutely have no desire to wrap and/or put a bow on anything.  My mother-in-law used to save all the ribbons and bows for use next year.  I can't be bothered with all of that, just give me a black trash bag and I'm good to go.  That may make me sound a little "scroogy" (not a word, just one of my words), but I really do enjoy watching the family open their presents.

I noticed this morning that the tennis balls on my walker are worn out on the bottom.  Gads, can I have anything to use that's not broken!  I don't think that's asking too much.  I'm not asking to win the lottery, although that would be very nice, I just want the devices that help keep me mobile, to not break or wear out!

Okay, I'm climbing off my "pity party" soap box now.  I hope you're enjoying your day.

P