Paper Products and Leather

3/17/2020

I know, those two things have absolutely nothing in common. So, let's address paper products first. Jeff and I, have always kept plenty of toilet paper, paper towels, and Kleenex. It's just what we do. I did a little research, snooping actually on our neighbor hood web site. While I was poking around, I noticed several offerings of toilet paper and wet wipes. I went to one of my favorite places, Ebay, and did a search for toilet paper. Boy, was I surprised. One roll of porta pot grade toilet paper, can be yours for the mere price of $250,000. Yes, you read that right. And 12 rolls will set you back, only $2,450.00. 

As I sit at my desk, I am so angry with myself, because I accidentally hit the wrong button and a lot of my blog was deleted. Unfortunately, this has happened to me more than once. 

Let me see if I can remember what I had been writing. My memory isn't the best right now. Government suggests having a "go kit" filled with the necessities of life, such as water, a three day supply of non-perishable foods, whistle (got that), dog food (we're covered)  a first aid kit and needed medicine. I think having a full tank of gas in your car isn't such a bad idea. 

The virus has caused a nation wide panic, particularly since we don't have any idea when we will return to normal. A snow storm is predictable, and hangs around for a day or two, depending where you live. But, you pretty much know that you will be stuck inside your house for "x" days. 

There is a picture of a woman at Costco buying a coffin. I have never thought, and didn't realize that you could buy a coffin at a store. Seems like a strange purchase to me. The lady knows, and we don't, why she is purchasing a coffin.

For the most part, Jeff and I are sheltering in place. Since I'm a recluse, this isn't really a problem for me. But, it's harder for Jeff. I think later this week, we're going to have warmer temperatures. If so, I think we should take Jeff's car out, put the top and windows down and just drive. There is something freeing about wind in your hair, or in Jeff's case, wind around his hat!

Before I hit the wrong key again, I'm going to sign off. Be safe.

P




 

Groceries

3/16/2020

It will not come as a surprise to any of you, that big box grocery stores, like Costco and WalMart have had very long lines to just get in the store. And, the 6 foot rule in a crowded store, is currently not in effect.

Jeff and Bella went out yesterday, but Jeff found both stores easy to maneuver, and fewer people than he was expecting.

We didn't need much. But, because milk was in short supply (i.e., none), he went to a "regular" grocery store, where he could buy milk, and sour dough bread for me - makes the best toast!

Watched the debate last night. For me, it was more exciting, than the other debates where there were more people debating. Ideal candidate for me? Whoever can beat Trump later this year. And, for me that is of the upmost importance. (Please no hate mail if you disagree).

It's a perfectly beautiful day outside. This is the kind of weather where I want to go outside and tinker in the yard. But, I have a limited amount of time to do this. 

There is a program here, called "Elder Helpers". They can help you with gardening, driving you somewhere, and many other things that a person like myself could need. 

My increase in age, and a brain that isn't always functioning at 100%, leaves me quite vulnerable. Sad but true. Jeff and I watch a show, let's say yesterday, but I can sit down today and have no recollection of seeing it before. I assure Jeff that I'm not playing a game of can't remember. Nope, this is the real thing. And, it's frustrating. Will this be the new me? Will my memory issues get worse over time? I'm not sure, but I believe that it will. When I think back to the things I used to do, it's fairly depressing for me. I have even taken myself off the car insurance as a driver. My license has to be renewed in 2022, and at the moment, seems doubt-able that I will even renew my license.

Purple Heart is coming tomorrow to pick up 3 large bags of clothes. What's inside those bags? I have no idea. All I know that whatever is in those bags, doesn't fit me now - i.e., too big! I weigh twice a day and that is possibly too much, but I watch the numbers on the scale very carefully.  

Since starting my diet if you will, my BMI has gone from 47.6 to 38.9. Even my new BMI score considers me obese, but I don't think of myself as obese. Full figured? Yes. Pleasantly plump? Yes. A person can find many ways to look at themselves, and always looking for the best weight possible.

Have a doctor's appointment, so closing for now.

Quote for the day: try putting potato chips on your next peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Or, if you were Elvis, if I recall correctly, he liked bananas with peanut butter.

P

Checking In

3/13/2020

Apologies for yesterday. We were having computer difficulties that didn't get fixed until the afternoon. I'm a morning blogger, and I'm too old as well as stubborn, to write a blog in the afternoon.  Set in my ways much? Oh, you bet.


My morning didn't get off to a great start. You know when you're swiming in s**t, well I went further, and literally stepped in poo. Daisy is a poo walker. No staying in one spot for her.

It was a bit dark when I got out of bed this morning, so I didn't notice the "deposits", until I stepped in said "deposits". In doing so, this action helped me wake up instantly. It's a good thing that Jeff and I love her so much.

When I went into the kitchen, sometime in the night, there had been a robbery! And said robber left behind evidence: paw prints and dirt. And the guilty party - can I have a drum roll please - Bella!  Apparently, one of us left a plate, that had pork chops and sausages, too close to the edge. This means, Jeff will be unable to have the chops and/or sausages for lunch.

For the indeterminate future, I have cancelled my training sessions. I want to be in the house the majority of the time. I mean Tom Hanks and his wife, both tested positive for the virus. The virus doesn't seem to care whether you are rich, or not so rich.

I just don't feel that, at this particular moment, that I can afford to have anything else wrong with my body.

Donating three more bags of clothing next week to Purple Heart. I have no idea what clothes I've bagged up. Pretty sure, that whatever I'm donating, is now too big for me. And, this is a very good thing. If you don't own any more fat clothes, then you know that you can't gain the weight back. Gone is forever. I'm too proud of the numbers I see on the scale, to go backwards. My trainer, will tell me when it's time to ditch the pants I'm wearing!

Quote: "When visiting a museum, stop at the gift shop and buy something". Which is why you have to pass the gift shop, on your way out! Good marketing to be sure.

P

 

Going To The Store!

3/11/2020

Yesterday, Jeff and I went out to do our "weekly shopping". We went first to Costco. The new normal is that before you enter the store, the handle of your cart is wiped down. This is our new "norm". Sad, really when you think about it. 

Costco was limited cases of water to two cases per customer. Jeff and I never buy bottled water, unless we're out somewhere and I forgot to bring my water bottle. Personally, Jeff and I think the water at our house is very good. We do have a few plastic bottles, and when they're empty, we just fill them up at the sink. Costco didn't have any toilet paper (we have plenty), otherwise we thought that the store was in pretty good shape. 

On the other hand, we went to WalMart, and it was a whole different ballgame. Some shelves were bare, think hand sanitizers, and wipes for instance.

But, other aisles, were for the most part, stripped of products. I think people were panic buying. This is not like a snow storm, where you might run out of food. The things that we really needed: for instance, milk, eggs, orange juice, English muffins, and half 'n half for Jeff, were adequately stocked. The aisle for canned foods, was almost down to empty shelves. With the exception of the food we bought, our pantry is well stocked and so is our freezer. 

So, for us, no matter what the weather does, we generally only need to buy some critical items. We (meaning me) might not want to eat canned okra (ugh), but I guess if I got hungry enough, I would! Let's hope that never happens.

After we left the stores, we went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. Bella was, as always, the picture of a calm, but alert dog. Everywhere we take her, she always gets a lot of attention. Not prejudiced, but Bella is a beautiful dog. 

Before we went inside, there was a couple walking their service dog, and when they saw us walking up the sidewalk, they pulled their dog away from us. I believe that a lot of people who have and/or need a service dog, don't put in the hours for training.

I didn't eat all of my dinner, so I'm going to have a great lunch today!

It's not a pretty day, cloudy, but so far no rain. Fingers crossed.

Message for the day: Appreciate the brief joy of the cool side of the pillow.





 

Today Is My Sister's Birthday

3/10/2020

Today, is my sister's birthday. Since I don't generally, if at all, mention my family, you may not know that I have a sister and a brother. Unlike some families, where everybody lives close to one another, the three of us are spread across the country. My sister lives in California, my brother is in Illinois, and I am on the East Coast. This makes it difficult, for us to just pop in for coffee!

Marilee, is 8 years younger than me. Today she is 62, and I'm 70. With such an age gap, it was pretty hard, as children to have much to do with the other. I mean, when I'm a very cool 16, Marilee was 8. 

I remember when we lived in Illinois (I was in high school), one of my tasks, was in the event of a tornado, I was supposed to get Marilee and myself under the house. Ugh. Luckily, for the both of us, we never had to do that. I'm thinking that there were spiders, and heaven knows what else under the house. 

After my ultimate divorce, which was also a "thing" during that time period, I married Jeff in 1974. Marilee was my maid of honor, and by today's standards, was very small and very inexpensive.

When I became pregnant with Scott in 1978, Marilee and I had a great time. In the city we were both living in, she and I would go out on the weekends to shop for used pieces of furniture for the nursery. And, we were successful. Bought, I still remember, a used changing table, as well as other things.

Marilee and I did aerobic dance (if you can imagine me doing this), took a shorthand class, as a refresher for me. I know that class was uber boring for her. There was a calligraphy class, and Marilee was way more successful than me. 

We ordered Tupperware, and we didn't want to get it, so on a very rainy day, even dark I think, I drove the both of us down to pick up the Tupperware! I know, those of you who know me now, can't imagine me being so gutsy! 

Up until we moved away, Marilee was my best friend, and always up for an adventure. Trouble was, that in 1986, we moved to Maryland. The last time I saw her, was when Mom passed away. Before I became, "mentally challenged", I could have flown out to see her. And, I don't know why I never did.

While we live far apart now, and seldom, if ever, see each other, Marilee is my sister, and for the record my only sister. If we got together now, we would have a good time together. There are junk stores, and the like, here. And, we do like a good junk store, where treasures abound.

Marilee, have a good birthday. Eat cake, and ice cream too. And, dance like nobody's watching. 💕

Love you, little sis.

P

 

Busy Head Messes With Sleep

3/9/2020

Ever have one of those nights, where you spend too much time flopping around. Your head is full of non-nonsensical bits and pieces? Well, that was me last night. Every time I moved around, then the dogs would have to resettle. Solution? Get out of bed. I always make sure that Jeff knows I'm just going downstairs to have some tea and watch some cooking show. And, as usual it worked.I had a cup of tea (that always sound very proper) and some toast. It wasn't very long before I had drifted off to sleep. 

I decided that I was now tired enough, to return to bed. Apparently, my second attempt at sleeping was very good, because I didn't wake up until 9:30! By then, the day is half-over (not really, but you get the idea).

Beautiful day outside, which may warrant my walking around the circle, a few times.The weather right now is unpredictable. One day, it's cold, so the furnace stays on. Right now, it's warm enough to shut the furnace off, and open some windows, and get some fresh air blowing through the house.

Again, today I have slipped up. Shocker I know! I checked out 11 books, had them all contained in a box. However, all day yesterday, I could only account for 10. Argh. Jeff always wants me to search for items that I have misplaced. Trouble is, with my current brain status, I actually don't know where to look. And, telling me to keep searching, only frustrates me. Trust me, this is maddening for both of us. 

I have found an organization called "Elder Helpers". This program takes volunteers, to come and help the elders. They do gardening, taking you to appointments, etc. There is no fee for the senior, unless you want to give the driver, something homemade! This almost sounds too good to be true. And, using this service for appointment trips, frees Jeff up to do his work, etc.

I hate the person who I've become. And, yet the person I am, is the person I don't want to be. Perhaps, that makes sense. I get confused here in the house, a place where you would think shouldn't be a problem. But, unfortunately, it is.   

I think I will look into a day program. You can opt for a 4, 6 or an 8 hour program. Even if I just signed up for 4 hours, that would be 4 hours where Jeff wouldn't have to wonder what I'm up to. There are facilities that have memory support units. I don't believe that it's time to go to a facility, perhaps I'll know, or Jeff will know, when that time comes.

With the mounting number of victims who have virus, I'm sort of glad that I'm a recluse, and have very little contact with a lot of people. I hope a cure is just around the corner. Fingers crossed.

Well, my dears, closing now. It's after noon, and while my "to do" list is small, I still need to do them.

P

Here I Am

3/5/2020

I missed yesterday, but you already know that. An early doctor's appointment put me off my schedule.  Um, I don't actually have a schedule, and you know that, but let's say that my morning nap didn't happen! I think Daisy misses our nap, as much as I do.

When we go to Hopkins, it always seems as if we spend an entire day there. Yesterday, wasn't a full day, merely half a day. And, I don't know about Jeff, but by the time we get home, I'm tired. Can't really say why. It's not like I've done anything, except sitting, and you know that can be hard!

First, we were dealing with politics, actually still are, but it's taken a back seat to the new virus. The virus cases, reported are 100,000.
Washington has 86 people infected and California has 79. This seems like a good time to be reclusive!

Went for training yesterday, and somebody coughed. Normally, this would be of no concern, and now people take pause. For the most part, Jeff and I haven't been in any large crowds. Jeff does his shopping on the weekend, but I think I'll pass this time. I guess I'm leery (sp?) about being around a lot of people. 

When we met the doctor, we did elbow bumps instead of a handshake. And, for the moment, that's our new norm. Who do you stay away from? Your family with school age children? We really don't know who to avoid. And, that's scary.

Statistics say that 87% of people who are infected, are between age 30 to 79. I'm in that age group, and so is Jeff. And, I don't need anything else to go wrong with my body!

I guess one of the best things you can do, is try not to go to places, where there are a lot of people. I'm thinking WalMart for instance.

None of us want to be sick obviously, so due diligence is needed.

P