Christmas Toy Video

Even though we got enough toys for the fur kids at Christmas for each to have one and one to have two, Ditzy has progressively claimed them all.

Christmas is going to the dogs

Here is a video hubby took yesterday on Christmas.  When the neighbors have their kids visiting and their dogs are out with ours (although only 2 of ours were out at this time), all the holiday cheer starts...ok...the barking :-)

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah

This is the first time in 40 years I think I heard that the first day of Hanukkah falls on Christmas eve!  Pretty cool!  I'll just say happy holidays!

The youngest and I just gone done watching White Christmas, something that has been a family tradition since my kids were born and I'm pretty sure before then even. So now it officially feels like Christmas, even if it is 77 degrees out here in Central Texas. :-)

I got done with the Angel Christmas card project last weekend.  I sent out 280 cards.  That plus the 30 or so personal cards that we send out to family and friends and that was a lot of postage!  Worked out well though.  I even have some boxes of cards left for next year.

I have baked some chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies this year (sugar cookies were yesterday with the youngest). It wasn't a lot but I didn't have a ton of time to bake this year and frankly wasn't in a mood to bake a lot.  When we're only having my youngest and her boyfriend here to visit a few days, it isn't really worth it to do a ton of baking. 

Really does feel weird for it to be so warm out but I am wearing a light weight short sleeved dress today (although it is floor length), so it is working out just fine.  I won't even need the sweater I thought I'd need to be wearing with it.

Hubby has got some garage show on now which is one reason I decided to blog.  :-)
Nothing else new to write about so...off to do the dishes. Hey I don't really like garage shows. LOL.

Too funny

Wonder if it is okay?..

 

No I'm not done my cards yet.  Just was wondering.. as long as I ate all this goodness for breakfast, a little 'bad' didn't hurt right?  (white donuts).  :-)

Sunday night blog

I thought I'd write a quick blog as it has been a while and a few of my relatives are wondering when I'm going to blog again. :-)

I have been either working (at my job) or working on Angel christmas cards the last week or so. I have over 300 cards that I need to get out.  Well I don't HAVE to send all those out but I'd sure like to try.  Throw in my exercise routines, eating meals and spending a little time with hubby and the four fur kids, and that leaves very little time for anything else.

Hubby put up the Christmas decorations, thankfully. They'd still be packed away if it was left to me to do the decorating.  We have a tiny tree (artificial) on the fireplace. It is about 2 feet tall but it does have lights and is pretty. So were just using that for our 'tree' this year.  Maybe next year we'll get a real tree.  I was driving by the boy scout tree selling area and it got me thinking about how much I love the smell of real Christmas tree.

I got a gift from my aunt today that my sister got when she was visiting her back in October.  It is a man with his face in a book and he is straddling a book. The whole piece is carved of wood that I think she got years ago. I've never seen anything like it.  So Aunt 'Babe' if you are reading this, thank you!

Oh I did have my semi-annual Dermatology appointment on the 1st. Every time I go she finds some suspicious mole.  I told her my Christmas wish this year was for her to not see anything.  No luck. There were two moles on my back she took a small biopsy of.  They both need punch biopsies so I'm going back and having those done right after Christmas.  Hubby thinks it is all a ploy to make money, but I think she is a great Dermatologist and does thorough exams and if doing these biopsies prevents me from getting melanoma, I'm fine with it. 

I have read up a little on moles that are Atypical moles. These are also called dysplastic nevi. Those with moderate dysplastia may or may not ever turn into melanoma. But why play a wait and see game with something like that. I'd rather not let them get bigger or deeper and then have something much more major and serious to deal with. This is the price for being a teen sun worshiper.  I never sit out in the sun anymore but did every summer until I was in my mid 20s'.  Yup. Damage done. 

Going to log out for the night. I will blog again when I am done with the card project, oh and getting my own personal cards out to family and friends. :-)

Angel Card Project

Every year I particpate in an Angel card project in which we send out Christmas cards to those on a list of folks who are lonely, ill, etc., who need a little Christmas cheer. This is my 5th year doing these cards I'm pretty sure.

Saturday hubby and I went to my favorite place to get cards, called the Caring Place.  Think of it as sort of a Good Will store but a slight step up in quality.  Anyway I scored as I have each year. By buying there I am helping the community and also getting a great discount on cards I need.

Here is the receipt.  I didn't count how many total cards I got but I did get 17 boxes for  less than $40. The first item is a wreath that we got for our front door and that was $7. Oh and I forgot one box wasn't priced so she just threw it in for free. Below that is a picture of the big bag of cards!! :) Not bad eh?

Well...okay..

On Wednesday I got my wires (on the back molars) for the rubber bands removed. I got all the nubby things that helped to keep the Invisalign trays in place offf, and got a pat on the back and congrats from my Orthodontist. Then I got fitted for the retainer which I picked up Thursday. 

Well it is probably hard to see from the picture below but the retainers are so much BIGGER for me to wear, so it felt like a bit of a let down being 'done' with the Invisalign. The retainers are on the left. These retainers cover a bigger area around my teeth and are taking some getting used to.  < SIGH >  I have to wear them all the time for 6 months too and then I was told I can just wear them at night after that.  Oh well.  I'll deal with it.  Next big step is to get the crowns replaced that were the reason for invisble braces in the first place. I'm waiting until after the holidays though because one of the teeth may need root canal.  So I'm just wearing these retainers until the holidays are over and then getting the crown work done.  Then there will be new top retainers after my crown work is done. Hopefully it will all be worth it. My teeth look so much better already. They are straight and lined up so much better than pre-braces.

Rare Photo

Although we have four fur kids, I wouldn't say they are exactly 'close'.

So when hubby saw them in the garage actually what we can call sharing the blanket, we just had to get a photo.  Tika is using the dolly to rest her head too! How cute!!

Nov 15th

I know....I know.. I've hardly blogged at all lately.  Well it is about to get worse as I'm gearing up for the Angel Christmas card project that I participate in every year which will take up even more of my spare time.

All in all there isn't a ton new anyway though. Hubby's back is doing better and he is getting around as he used to.  He still has some numbness in part of his calf and toes but we're hoping once his nerves heal that it will all come back. 

He got a horrible cold/flu? a few weeks after his operation and was kind enough to give it to me too. We are both pretty much over it now and I hope that is it for ailments for hubby for a long time.  He's had so many issues with that unexplained rash, Prednisone reactions, then his back, etc.  

The oldest and I just finished reading the last book in the Remnant Chronicles series.  It was pretty good.  I would say if anyone out there wants to read them, when you've read about a third of the first book, keep going.  It gets better about half way through and we both agreed the 2nd and 3rd books were the best.

With the time change last week, it has been nice walking in the morning again!  We'll see how long that will last since we'll lose some of that as the months progress too.

Tomorrow I see my Orthodontist and I should be done wearing my Invisalign. I'm not sure if she's just fitting me for a retainer tomorrow and I'll just keep wearing these last ones until they come in or quite what the next step is.  I'd love to get this little nubs (which help keep the trays in place) and rubber band wires (on bottom back molars) taken off.  That alone would be nice.  I am tired of wearing rubber bands at night and it was really hard when I had a cold.  So we'll see. 

That's it for now.

Last one!

I have been wearing Invisalign for the last year to straighten my teeth.  Yes I even had braces as a teen but they shifted since then, even though it has only been a few years - ha -ha.

The end goal is to replace my front tooth crown with one that is shorter as my other front tooth has naturally grinded down some (with use/age).  I have not liked how the crown was longer than the other tooth and also stuck out forward due to crooked bottom teeth. Rather than just get a new shorter crown that would still stick out if I didn't get my teeth corrected first, I opted for the more logical solution.

 So anyway I am on the very last set!  28 of 28 for 2 more weeks and then I should be done.  Although I'm sure there will be a retainer and still have to get the crowns but I'm proud of wearing them fully as instructed! :) My teeth are straight again!

Blimp

Let's see if this is short enough that I can post it.
The other day I was looking out our back balcony and saw
what looked like a blimp!

I grabbed my camera and zoomed in as far as I could
Could not make out the writing.. and should have zoomed back out so could
see how far away it really was. LOL.   TRIED to hold my hands steady.

Another week....

So it has been nearly a week since I blogged.  There isn't a whole lot new, thankfully.  Hubby's back is doing better and even though he's got a bad cold right now, he is still doing better in terms of his back. I am proud of him for making sure he takes it easy. 

It was a busy work week but also got some reading done in the chronicles (book series) that the oldest and I are reading together.  This second book is more interesting that the first one I think. It is fun exchanging opinions and insights with each other.

I have been trying to walk in the morning but it stays dark so long that I set out for my walk later and I barely have time to clock in, let alone walk one of the dogs.  I've tried walking at the end of my work day but it is pretty warm (in the mid 80's) and sunny and not fun to walk at that time one bit. 

I'm hoping with Daylight savings time that it will improve at least for a while again.  Hard to believe October is almost over.  I'm sure next week the Christmas ads will start appearing all over. Oye!

Evening sky the other night

I took this picture are few evenings ago at my mom's house making sure to avoid all telephone wires which is hard to do!

Enjoying a nice weekend with the youngest.  We had a nice lunch out at the outlets while her car was being checked out.  Then this evening after giving my mom dinner and playing cards for a bit, we had a nice dinner at Longhorn steakhouse to celebrate the events last month that were dampened by Steve's back injury.  It was a nice relaxing dinner and the steak was really yummy!

Hubby's back is feeling better but it will be awhile before he can lift anything over 10 lbs.  Still much better than a month ago though!

Half Day

Today I took a half  day off. It was tough clocking out for the day at noon, seeing all the work I had left. But I let it go. I did not check in to work the rest of the day!! :))

Hubby and I had plans to eat lunch at the Mexican restaurant up the street. There is one dish that he really loves where they prepare flambe' that has shrimp and cheese in it.   I got the cheese enchilada lunch plate and a yummy frozen margarita to drink.

Then I took my mom to her dentist appointment at 3:00PM.  I got to read some of the book I'm currently reading at the same time as the oldest. We're having fun discussing it as we go along.  It is nice to chat with her about it as it is fun to share and get each others perspective on things.

It was nice having the rest of the day off.  I even got to do some singing on SingSnap.  I hadn't sung on there since May!  But I have just been so busy with work and other things like my hubby's back problems.  We put so many things on hold, we still have to go out for our Anniversary dinner that we didn't do last month.  Hopefully we'll get to do that by the end of the month.

Looking forward to seeing the youngest this weekend too!

Full Moon

We were about to turn after being on the road coming home from mom's when I saw I think a full moon. I just happened to have my camera with me and here's the picture.  The reason I had my camera with me is because I ran back home to get mom's clean laundry and saw a nice buck with a big rack and was going to take a picture on the way back (and did not have my iphone with me).  No buck on the way back but since the camera was already in the car, I took a quick shot.

Hubby is doing better slowly but surely.  He is driving very short distances and getting around the house just fine.  He still does not bend too far and no lifting of anything more than a few pounds. I had a hair appointment today and am working this weekend too. But right now I'm off to go start a new book.

Lunch Post and hospitals

I figured I'd better blog while I can. I am done reading the book that my oldest suggested to me as I was reading that every chance I got. This was on top of all the other stuff going on in my life.

Hubby got his much needed  (and overdue based on the screaming/crying that came out of him) disc surgery last Monday.  Hospitals are not at all how I remember them either or maybe the ones around here just are not up to snuff.  I remember when I had my girls (C sections both) that I was coddled by the staff (for lack of a better word).

But for this operation it was so much different.  First off we had to buy a special antiseptic soap for me to rub onto hubby's back the morning of the operation while he showered.  He was in so much pain I didn't think he'd even get through the shower.  Then after we got to the hospital I asked them if they had a wheel chair because he really couldn't walk without excruciating pain.   The gal behind the desk said they were around the corner.  Okay stupid me.  I thought an orderly or someone would bring one around and get my husband into it.  I have no experience with wheel chairs!!  Nope I went and got it myself, unfolded it, took it outside to where the truck was parked (at the entrance) and was able to get hubby into it and wheeled to the inside of the front entrance. Then I had to get back to the truck and park it.

Once we got into his room the nurse pointed to some plastic wrapped 'wipes' for me to wipe my hubby down all over once he took his clothes off, and gave me a laminated paper with instructions.  My mouth dropped open.  Um excuse me but aren't the nurses supposed to do that???  I could not believe it. I obliged and did what I was told but who knows if I cleaned him enough and properly and why did we buy that stupid other cleanser if we were going to have to do this anyway?? 

Then the nurse who was 'taking care' of my hubby started to draw blood and such and had a hard time opening things, etc.  She looked to be in her late 50's/early 60's so I thought she'd do everything like clock work.  Nope.  You'd think it was her first day on the job.  And her tag had Registered Nurse on it so she should have been way more experienced.  Needless to say our confidence level was ZERO!!

But the doctor doing the operation is capable and did a good job. Hubby had to stay overnight for 24 hours due to some minor spinal fluid leak (if you put your head up after that occurs it can cause horrific headaches).   It took them until 7 PM that night to get him an 'overnight' room. Then poking and prodding through the night, he didn't get much sleep.  I was able to pick him up around noon and he was so happy to get out of there!

Fast forward to now.  He is getting around pretty well. Just some stiffness in his back. No more horrible pain down his leg.  He just started getting back into the truck a few days ago (as a passenger) and he did drive this morning to the store which is only a few miles away. He's been able to help me with the chores and such again so I am not feeling as overwhelmed as I had for about 3 weeks with all the things to handle.

That's all I have time to write for now.  But suffice to say I am not thrilled with the way this hospital does things anyway.  Hopefully there won't be another need for a hospital any time soon!

Sunday update

Well hubby has not gotten a bit better.  So he I took him to the neurologist last Wednesday where they squeezed him into a late, late afternoon slot at 5:15PM.  Otherwise we were looking at October and hubby could not wait any longer.  The doctor was hoping that the meds would do the trick to helping but they really didn't do much except make hubby sick.  

So tomorrow he is getting his herniated disc removed.  I really hope and pray that it takes his excruciating pain away.  We'll find out. 

Haven't had much time to blog as I have been doing everything that hubby normally does to help around the house and with my mom's nightly care and keeping up with work too left very little time for much else.  I made his favorite dinner today, crockpot meatloaf which was nice because it sure cuts down on meal prep come dinner time.  I love how the house smells great all day too!

Nearly a week later...

I know I haven't posted in days but I have been busy to say the least. Monday morning I drove hubby to the doctor. He could barely make it in the front door of their office.  10 minutes later the ambulance was coming to take him to the hospital. Doctor said he was in too much pain for him to do much and that was fine with me that he needed to go. 

Hours and hours later, we were discharged with 4 prescriptions in hand and the results of an MRI were that he had a herniated disc.  The neurologist that came and talked to us said that they don't like to jump right into doing surgery and wanted to see if he would improve with rest and the meds.

Now it is Friday and he has been bedridden since we got back. If he gets up to use the bathroom the pain starts again. And he is even having pain just being in bed sometimes.  And it gets so bad he is literally in tears.  Feel so bad for him.

He is going to the neurologist's office on Wednesday late afternoon. That is the earliest we could get!  In hind sight we both wish he would have just had the operation at this point as he'd be on the mends instead of still being down and out.  Unless there is some miracle that he is much better by Wednesday, we are going to pretty much insist on going ahead with surgery.  Not sure which way they may go. I've read there is a minor surgical procedure all the way to removing discs and fusing.  We'll find out.  Whatever he needs to make him pain free and able to get around again, he will do!  He has sworn off moving heavy furniture ever again too. I'm going to hold him to that.

So on top of going to mom's every single night for dinner and the other things I do for her, I've been doting on hubby too and trying to get some work done at the same time.  I'm working this weekend to try to get a little caught up.

I didn't have my new books for the hospital and it was quite boring but now I have them so will be toting them any time we have to be somewhere.

Another year older

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a fun day  for the most part.  I got my hair done (that was just a regularly scheduled appointment).  Then the youngest and I went down to the square and got Thai for lunch and then went shopping.  Our town square is such a quaint place with nice shops, some antique, some clothing and other sorts of shops.  I also heard from the oldest wishing me a happy birthday. In fact she got one of the dance classes she teaches to do a short video saying "Happy Birthday Mom".  It was cute!

I was also doing laundry for my mom and just didn't get the 2nd load done before taking her dinner. I also picked up dinner for hubby as his back (sciatic nerve?) has been short of crippling him in pain that he's had in different sections of his leg but mostly his calf and ankle. He's been taking Ibuprofen but that hasn't helped much.  He finally today agreed to go find a doctor to get it checked out. He's been suffering with it for nearly 2 weeks I think.  In the meantime he is trying to take it easy so he didn't think he could sit through dinner out.  So last night after taking my mom dinner and playing some cards, Stac and I went to eat at our favorite restaurant back in the square, Wild Fire.  It was very good and with how busy it was it took nearly 2 hours but I really didn't mind.  It was nice catching up on things in a relaxed atmosphere and having a glass of wine and a yummy macadamia nut encrusted shrimp dinner (I have leftovers I'm going to save for tomorrow lunch).

I also was impressed that I had over 100 friends on facebook wish me a happy birthday! :)

Tarrant

I am writing during my lunch break.  I usually have salad for lunch but as much as I like them and switch them up by adding, cheese, or croutons, or fruit, or bacon or a little bit of everything, some days I just don't feel like a salad. 

So today I made what may look like a dessert but it is actually vanilla yogurt with peanuts (for protein) and lightly drizzled chocolate topping (for antioxidant potential...let's go with that). Yum!!

For the last several days we have noticed a new critter that has taken up lodging in or near a plastic watering can that we have on a cement bench out on the back porch.  Hubby has taken several picture of it so I thought I'd share a few.  I've named it Tarrant, which I figured would be okay for male or female.  I don't know how to tell the difference but I am not interested in getting close to it either! :)

Pet Peeve

The other morning before I was headed to work I wanted to start a load of underwear as I was down to the 'ratty' ones.  Come on...you know what I'm talking about. We all have them!  And I was down to the last 2 pair!

Anyway I changed the load to 'SMALL' and forwarded the wash cycle to HAND WASH' and started the washing machine and had sorted my undies from all the dirty laundry and was just about to start throwing them in the washer.  I opened the lid, undies in hand and saw some dark clothes that hubby had put there the night before.  He was going to do a load the next morning.  So I just turned the machine off and proceeded to tell him (okay slightly yelled) that I hate when he does that.  The washer should be empty until you want to do wash. Period!  I know it should probably be no big deal but I just hate that.  He understood or at least said he did about my frustration at not being able to just do my delicates when I was getting set to do them.  He does this a lot too and it just peeves me, especially when I've sorted through everything I think needs to be washed in each pile the right size only to see some already in there.

Anyway we'll see if he keeps his word.  I guess I really shouldn't complain... at least he puts the toilet seat down. :)

Sky

Last evening when got back from mom's I looked out the back window and had to grab my camera.  The photos never do looking at the real thing justice but I tried.  Please ignore the wires, can't help those.

Quick lunch blog

Gotta work tonight so I thought I'd just stop in during my lunch and write a quick blog.  I couldn't decide what I wanted for lunch.  Ever have one of those days?  Usually right after grocery shopping when you have so many goodies that you don't know what to have?

Well I just had one of those moments so I made up a combination salad bowl. Salad, grapes, and potato salad. Yum!

We just put the A/C on in the house (duh where else would we put it on). LOL  It is early in the day for us to do that but the humidity has been really thick all day. Even this morning I felt like it was harder to walk with how humid it was.  I don't breath quite a easily when it is humid either. Nice walk - but pretty drenched in sweat by the time I was done. 

Post 1001

Yesterday was my 1000th post to this blog..go me!!  LOL  Only took YEARS! 

Anyway it was a great day off.  I got up only 10 minutes later than usual for my walk so that I could have a full day to enjoy.  I was the only one walking for most of the walk.  I figured everyone was taking off for the holiday but then I saw a few of the regulars.  I think everyone may have just started out a little later today.

This morning I dragged out the sewing machine to shorten the straps on a top that I like that was way long and last year I'd just have hubby tie a shoelace in the back holding the two straps together to shorten it a little.  Anyway I cut each strap and shortened it by about 4 inches and then sewed the two ends together. I actually remembered how to use the sewing machine and it turned out just fine.  No more tieing anything on the back.

After fixing my top so that it fits nicely that I'm going to finally wear tomorrow, I took a video for my jewelry blog and Facebook page to promote the Paparazzi jewelry that I love which is always fun to do.  I just usually don't have a lot of time to spend on promoting it. 

I was thinking hubby and I would go see a movie today but he's been having some problems with nerve pain in one of his legs and didn't think he could sit that long very well so we scratched that idea and went out and had Mexican for lunch instead.

Then I did my nails (something else I never have time to do) and got some reading done.  I also received the next book in the series which is great and timely as I will be done the book I'm on within the next day or two.

So all in all a nice, fun, day off!

Getting dark...

It is only 8:00PM but it is getting dark already. Well it is raining out too now, so that makes it a little darker than what it would be, but still.  I hate that it is getting darker earlier.  I know it is inevitable since it is September now but I just love the light versus the dark.

I wonder if the Notre Dame/ U.T football game got rained out.  It looked like it was going to be pretty well packed in there.  Well I don't know if the game is going on or not. Guess I'll find out in the news tonight if they tell a score. It started raining while we were at my mom's house.  First it started and stopped less than  30 seconds later.  It was the fastest rain shower that I ever experienced!  Then after about 5 minutes it really started pouring and didn't let up for a while, about 20 minutes I'd say. 

We keep getting evening showers from the East coming off the gulf coast from all the disturbances going on out that way.  I don't mind the rain. It means less lawn watering.

We got Sonic tonight for dinner and usually it is fresh and always good.  Someone was overcooking things tonight! My boneless chicken wings were a bit tough (as in over cooked) and my onion rings were just this side of burnt!  And beyond crunchy, so I only had a few of them. Hubby's burger was falling apart a bit too and on the dry side. Mom didn't seem to mind her hamburger and fries, so guess they were okay. Not sure if they had a new cook or what.  It was disappointing.  Hopefully next time it will be back to the norm. 

Looking forward to being OFF tomorrow.  Yippee!!

Holiday weekend

Here's to a holiday weekend, what many consider the last weekend of Summer, although not technically so.  I do have off on Monday so maybe hubby & I will do something together. 

I did finish the first book of the Arcana Chronicles and am just starting the second one.  I like this series pretty well but not quite as much as the ones I just read (and am waiting for the next one to come out in paperback). The oldest told me that the next book in this Chronicles series is a little smoother, easier to follow than the first one. We'll see. I enjoyed the first one enough to keep going. 

Going to be another work weekend but that is fine. At least I have Monday off and then it will be a short week.

Not much else to write about. Off to go do a little bit of reading.

September already?

I can't believe it. It is September already!  The month of celebration for us. Birthdays and wedding anniversaries...and my oldest just had her 2nd year wedding anniversary. She is so happy and that makes me very happy!

I didn't realize it had been so long since I blogged but between working and my books arriving, I've not had much idle time as idle time was used up sleeping or eating.  LOL.  I am enjoying the new book series The Arcana Chronicles that the oldest recommended. Guess she is making a 'reader' out of me after all.  I really used to hate reading...could never get the urge to read and never found a book that really kept my interest. I guess it all started with the required reading for school and after that left a sour taste in my mind, that made reading become near the bottom of my 'least favorite' things to do.

I also think it goes a little deeper than that.  I remember as a kid growing up, my mom was always reading in the rocking chair in the living room. Every time I saw her reading I was wondering how she could just sit there reading when there were so many things to be doing, whether it be cleaning up or cooking, etc. But anyway, enough psycho analyzing why I never read much at all.

Well got to get to work.

Saturday Eve Post

I didn't get my books today but I should have known that because I got an email yesterday indicating they'd be here by Tuesday. So duh...no reading today.  I took on some work this weekend so I was busy doing that (since I took off last weekend for the visit with the youngest).  I also did some laundry for my mom even though it was not laundry week she noticed there was a big (to her anyway) pile to be washed so I took them and just added them to a load I was going to do.

We got Sonic for dinner tonight to take over.  She likes their hamburgers and mini vanilla milkshakes and they are conveniently close by. :-)  And besides this way I don't have to cook either.  Works for me.

OMG!!  I am sitting here with a lap blanket on because hubby has the air conditioner and fan on and that is a bit much for me.  I thought I felt something crawl over my foot but then thought it was just my laptop cord.  No!!  IT was one of those black friggin water bugs (think large looking roaches) !! It crawled out from under my blanket. Ewww it was on my foot!  It got under the couch before I could get it.  Ugh.  If I see ..wait.. I saw it. Hubby just got it.  Woo hoo!  Now I can stop checking under my blanket.

Back at it

I realize that I had written earlier this week I wrote I had off Tuesday and then Tuesday I wrote I had off yesterday.  I found out on Monday that I had actually put in for yesterday off so I was wrong about Tuesday.  Anyway now that that is all straightened out, I can say it was productive taking yesterday off.

It was productive because I was waiting until I took a day off to get the internet cable people here.  Our Internet and phones had been going off at least a few times a day and worse whenever we used the air conditioner and that was driving me nuts.  But it is a good thing I waited until the day off because it took the guy 2 hours to get it fixed.  Hubby and I had more than a few of those moments when we wondered if he knew what the heck he was doing. All I knew was that he was not walking out the door until I tried all the systems and knew everything was working again, phones, Dvd player, TVs and Internet.  He added another contraption that helps the signal. He also asked me how old our our router was. I think it was about 7 years but I didn't know for sure.  He said they usually only last a few years.  He said ours wasn't working well enough for what we needed.  He highly suggested I shop around and get a new one.  Well I know jack about them and don't have the time or desire to research it.  Hubby asked if they could provide the router and to my surprise they could.  It is extra per month but well worth it to me.  I just need everything to work 24/7 !!

Today was the big test.  We turned the air conditioner on late morning and the Internet stayed on the whole time!  Woo hoo! 

We went out to Mas Fajitas for lunch and I got my frozen margarita. Yum!  We  ran a few errands after that and then the day was over.   It went too fast!  Lol.

I was back into the groove today but I didn't work any after dinner.  I'm going to offer to work the weekend since I did not last weekend. We'll see if there is any work to do. I did order a few new books to read so if they come by the weekend I can start reading one of them too. 

Kids are back to school here so I've been seeing the school buses in the morning again when I walk.  Fall is around the corner.

Finally

I have off tomorrow and am finally getting the internet service checked out in the morning.  I'm hoping they get it fixed so that it works 24/7.  It hasn't gone out too much but it is a pain when it does.  Other than that I'm thinking a nice lunch out would be good.  I could go for a yummy frozen margarita.

We finally had not a drop of rain today. Woo hoo!  Although the humidity is back again. 

I may also look at getting a few new books to read since I will have time to check out some books the oldest thinks I may like.  She was right about the Fever series so I'm confident I would like anything she highly recommends.  Off to watch the rest of NCIS.

Sunday Blog

I didn't realize it had been that many days since I blogged.  Sorry about that!  Quite honestly though there hasn't bee an ton to blog about. 

I will say that since my walk on Wednesday I thought I had something in my right eye. I really didn't check it thoroughly when I got back but just sort of pulled my upper lid over my lower lid and then pulled the outside corner to the side to see if there was anything there.But I didn't see anything.   By Thursday I noticed that eye hurting a little (like maybe I accidentally poked myself in the eye) but I really didn't think a lot about it. That never really went away but yesterday morning when I was applying eye liner I happened to pull my lower lid out a little and there was a black speck there.  I had to work at it a few times to get it out. I was starting to think it was some sort of growth inside my lid but as I said I got it out.  It was really small. I don't know if it was a tiny piece of wood or what but I was mad at myself for not checking sooner since it had been in there for days at that point. My lower eyelid inside was a bit red in that area too.  I am just glad it didn't do any more harm than it did and really glad I decided to put makeup on yesterday or that 'foreign object' would still been in there. Oye!

I've been enjoying the Olympics but frankly will be glad when they are over.  I miss watching my regular shows although there hasn't been a lot on this summer of interest. 

The youngest has been visiting since yesterday which has been nice.  She also brought her boyfriend who got to meet my mom last evening.  He is a very nice guy and someone the youngest has actually known since college.  We ate out at Longhorn Steakhouse last evening.  Her boyfriend had never been to one and he really enjoyed his prime rib last night.

It was nice having a weekend off. I didn't work at all, although I may work a little later this evening because I have off on Tuesday and there may be a bit much to handle tomorrow based on how much work I saw left at the end of the day Friday. Whatever I can't get to can go to someone else but I like to see my work all the way through to the end.

I'm starting to take my vacation days here and there because the end of the year seems to be right around the corner. If I don't use my vacation I lose it, so use it I shall.

Day 4 or 5?...

Nuf said... I was able to walk this morning though. There was a short break in the rain (thank you God) :)

Really?

Okay.  If you've been watching the women's races at the Olympics you may have seen the race today where the winner of the 400 meter, won by leaping to a fall over the finish line. As best I can tell she didn't accidentally trip either. It was on purpose!  I think that 'foot' races should be required to be won by foot. If you aren't upright, it doesn't count. We don't know that if Ms.Felix dove to the finish line if she would have won Gold instead of Silver.   That kind of a finish should be confined to baseball or possibly football, not running~!

That's enough about that.  I wouldn't even be able to make it half way around a track without stopping. LOL

We've been getting lots of rain the last several days. Some areas around here have gotten upwards of 10 inches.  There hasn't been much flooding though as we've been in a drought and we're not in Louisiana.  I feel really bad for those folks.  I remember full well how it is to have a house flooded from growing up in a house that was prone to flooding.  The most we had was I think 5 feet in the basement. Maybe was a little bit more but those memories will never go away.

Water Polo

I am writing during my lunch 1/2 hour and turned on the Olympics which is in the middle of a women's Water Polo heat.  I can't believe these women tread water the entire time they are playing!! That seems incredibly difficult to me, not to mention catching the ball and throwing it into the goal. I remember having to 'tread' water when I was a kid taking swimming lessons.  It really wasn't that bad once I got into a slow rhythm. It was if trying to tread too fast and getting winded and then sinking that was the tough part.  :-)  But still I only had to do it like 5 minutes at the most. These gals do it for long periods of time. Something to be admired!

I didn't get my walk in this morning as we have had rain since the wee hours and it has been fairly steady. We really do need it but I am hoping it is down to a light rain by the end of my work day so that I can get my walk in. We'll see.  I have no interest if it pouring then.  The forecast is for chance of rain most of the week.  It is great for the drought we are now finding ourselves in so I'll try not to complain, I just hope I can get some walks in this week.

Cool

It is a cool 82 degrees out. It was in the low 100's earlier today. We have a cold front going through and there is a chance of rain for the next several days. We need it too.

Done work at regular time, pizza and beer hit the spot and watching the Olympics!  :)

Wednesday Eve'

I was going to work late this evening but just wasn't motivated to work that much.  I did work a little but I wanted to just relax and watch some of the Olympics.  I just love some of the colors of the uniforms/outfits that some are wearing.  Last evening the US women's gymnastic team wore beautiful sparkling leotards.  I am pretty sure I heard the commentator say they cost over $1200 each.  Wow!

I enjoy watching the Volleyball and from the look at some of the competitors outfits I think it must be rather cold there at the Olympics.  I know it was rainy today but must be cool too.  I didn't look up what the temperatures are there at the games.

We have been getting around 100 degrees around here so it is quite toasty! 

Olympics

I've been enjoying watching the Olympics during the evening.  I just saw the USA take another Gold in men's swimming. Yippee!  The last few nights I have been watching the Olympics and reading the 7th of the Fever series book as I was nearly done reading it.  Tonight I finished it and of course it left me wanting to read the next book. The next one is out but it isn't in paperback yet so I will wait to get it in paperback.  I think there is one last one to come out next year.  Who knows.  It is definitely a good series and kept my interest enough to read every one.

I just worked a normal work day today as I always do when I work the weekend.  It is nearly 9PM and still 90 degrees out. I had hubby wake me up a little later today because it is starting to be a bit too dark still at 6:15AM (to walk).  There is still enough time for me to wash up and get ready for work even though I'm getting up 15 minutes later. Just not a lot of extra time like there was when I got up earlier. That's what happens when June passes and so it is expected.  It is going to continue to be dark longer in the morning and get darker earlier at night.

Well back to watching more Olympics.

*Test*

Just testing to see if this will show today's date 8/8 for my post.  Will blog later this evening.

Morning!

**DON'T KNOW WHY THIS INDICATES THURSDAY. I WROTE THIS SATURDAY 8/6** TOO WEIRD 
I thought I'd write a few moments this morning before starting in to work.  Two of the furkids also have an appointment with the vet today as well.  Molly, our oldest who will be 12 come November, has a hard small (well size of a dime?) lump on her hind near her spine.  I'm hoping it is nothing. She acts fine otherwise.  Tika has had a fatty lump on her belly for a few years now that the vet said is just a fatty tumor (didn't even have to test for cancer). It is more squishy (and the size of a large half dollar if not a little bigger).  Ditzy has her regular appointment and needs her shots including rabies.  So I'm going to start in early to work after this post.

I only have 12 MORE posts to reach 1000 posts on this blog! :)  Of course it has taken years but hey, progress is progress. And I've written more over this last few years since my goal as of late is to write every day or as close to it as I can. If there is really absolutely nothing to write about I don't bother.

It has been near 100 degrees every day for the last few weeks. It is that time of the summer when I turn on the cold water at the faucet and nothing but very warm water comes out for a time.  I try to make sure whatever I am putting in the washing machine can be done on very warm even if the setting is 'cold'.  I can also feel the back porch floor (cement) still very warm on my feet when I take the dogs outside for their last potty time for the night around 10PM.  Yes, the hottest time of summer is here!

Almost forgot

I just got done work about 15 minutes ago and almost forgot to check in and write a short blog. This one will be really short.  LOL

I will say I am glad tomorrow is Friday. Pizza and Beer tomorrow night. Yea!  I am also really looking forward to watching some of the Olympics!  I'm not that interested in the Opening ceremonies so I'll probably skip those tomorrow evening but do look forward to watching the games themselves, especially the gymnastics and swimming events!

Well off to hit the sack.

Day off!

Today I had the day off. It was really nice sleeping in until nearly 8:00AM!  Last night hubby asked me if I wanted to get up at 7:00AM as usual and I had to remind him at least 3 times that I had off today.  I might have slept a little longer if Molly hadn't been barking so much outside.  I did my regular exercise routine (hey being off doesn't mean I'm not going to stay healthy). LOL.

Then I checked my email and Facebook while leisurely drinking coffee.  I got my shower and then took care of some bills. Then breakfast with eggs and apples and cherries.  Made an egg for hubby too. I got a load of wash done too.

Hubby and I had plans to go see the new Jason Bourne movie today so we saw that at 1:00PM, along with all the retired folks who went to the theater today, ha - ha.  Well it was nice not being crowded.  We both enjoyed the movie.  Then we went to pick up a few things at Office Depot before heading home.  I got an idea then and asked hubby if he wanted to go get a margarita at Mas Fajitas (Mexican restaurant) and he thought it was a good idea. So we got a drink and split an appetizer and that was really fun.  It was impromptu and we don't get out much at all with my mom's situation.  So I'm glad I thought of it.

The rest of the evening was as normal except I just got done enjoying a piece of red velvet cake hubby bought today. Yum....what a nice day off!

Getting back...

I'm getting back to my old self  I got up and took a walk this morning.  I hadn't done anything in the way of exercise since Wednesday.  It is also strange for me to sleep in a strange bed and such and of course the 3 hour drive there and back is never fun.  There is always some sort of construction going on, on the highway. Today eating breakfast at my normal time with my apples was good. While away at training I forced myself to eat breakfast at 7:00AM on Thursday morning and the hotel had a nice breakfast buffet spread but I really was not hungry yet.  I like to eat breakfast around 10:00AM.  Friday I skipped breakfast at the hotel and took a small box of Special K that I had taken the previous morning and a banana that I had also taken.  I ate them at my 'desk' at 10:00AM on Friday which worked out nicely because when I left at noon to head home I did not have any lunch ) because I wanted to get on the road ) and wasn't too hungry on the way home. 

Thursday evening, my fellow remote co-workers and I had just gotten back from dinner and although I knew the hotel was called Westin at DFW for a reason, I didn't realize that the planes flew directly over our hotel which is a high rise (15 floors I think).  Suddenly a plane was headed straight for our hotel and I thought for certain it was going to crash into the upper floors. It was quite the sight.  Nope. It went right over top.  Then another plane came a few minutes later and did the same thing. I was in awe.  A man near by saw me looking up and told me I should go up to the pool on the rooftop. There's a pool on the rooftop?  Didn't know that. But I was too frightened to do that, although I was tempted.  I mean the plane looked like it was within inches of the rooftop although I'm sure it was more than that.  Maybe next time I'll be brave. But I'm in no hurry to go back up there any time soon - mostly because of the drive.

Back...

Sorry i didn't blog more while I was gone.  It was a work thing after all.  LOL.

I'll write more later but had to post a picture hubby took while I was gone of a huge moth . I don't recall ever seen one like it! I looked it up and its name is

The Vine sphinx Moth, (Eumorpha vitis vitis).   

 

Road trip!

Well I'm here in Dallas for work.  I left around 1PM and got here by a little after 4PM so it wasn't too bad.  The only scary part was when I was on I-20, there was a severe rain storm up ahead and it was really coming down hard at one point.  I stayed on the road and just slowed down to about 45 mph.  It was foolish to go any higher than that.  I got through that area okay although one car started coming into my lane by about a foot or more and I slowed down to make sure I stayed clear of them.  I couldn't totally fault them because as I said it was coming down hard.  I had my windshield wipers all the way up and still could hardly see.  I finally drove out of it a few miles up the road.  It didn't get bad any more after that although the sky looked threatening for a while.  I kept scanning the temperature on the way up. The range was from 96 degrees to 102 degrees (outside).  It was probably lower too through the rain storm but quite frankly I wasn't concerned with the temperature right then!

Hubby is taking care of my mom's dinner - he is such a sweetie pie!!  And he's also taking care of the furkids of course.  Instead of sneaking out, I made sure I said goodbye to each dog.  I especially took Tika's face in my hands and gave her a kiss on her nose.  She really misses me a lot when I'm gone.

I had a nice dinner at the hotel here and now I am going to relax for the rest of the evening.  A few other co-workers are due in but not until 7:30-8:30PM or so.  I am not sure if I'll hear from either of them this evening but I am the one driving over to the office tomorrow morning since I'm the one with a car.  I hope to have a great day tomorrow!  There are a lot of people I don't know and it would be nice to be able to put a face with a name.  I'm sure there are some who would like to meet me too.

I might read some this evening too as I brought the last book (so far) in the Fever series with me - Burned. 

Rain!

We actually got rain this evening after over 2 weeks without any.  The temperatures dropped nearly 30 degrees too.  It got up to close to 100 degrees today and right now it is only 74 degrees outside.  If I were alone I'd have the doors open. LOL  (Hubby doesn't like the humidity so he'd want the A/C on).  Too funny!  I just told him how cool it was out (to test my theory).  He just said that it was probably still really humid though.  Do I know my hubby or not?

Nice workday today.  Only had to work my regular full day. Relaxing this evening eating a snack of mozarella sticks.

I JUST got back from the bathroom well actually while I was in the bathroom I looked outside and grabbed my camera!  Well after I hurried in the bathroom, then I grabbed the camera and went out to the back porch. Beautiful sky tonight!

Another hot one

I think it got up to 100 again, if not came within a degree or two.  There is a chance of rain coming up on Tuesday/Wednesday which would be nice to get.  By the time I remember to turn the sprinklers on it is later that I would like it to be.

I worked this weekend which makes for an easier day tomorrow. :)  I'm sorry if this sounds boring. I realize sometimes I write a lot of the same things. But my life is not extravagant or exciting so it is either write about what I do or not write at all.

TV this summer has sucked, except for Zoo which I do watch.  We've started to watch Pyramid and Match Game on Sundays for lack of something better to watch.

I have been reading too when what was on TV was boring.  I finished the 6th book in the Fever series the other day.  There is only one left to read and then it is wait until next year when the next one comes out. :)

Dry grass

We'll we are getting spotty areas of drought already.  Yes even though we got a ton of rain this year which practically stopped abruptly in early June. I have been running the sprinklers a few times a week.  And the fact that we have a sprinkler system doesn't make me rich, nor do I live in a fancy house.  It is just that more homes than not have sprinkler systems here in Texas at least around 'these here parts'. :)

Anyway I was wondering why the left front looked nearly the color of straw and I found out this morning when I was starting my walk. It only was on for about 3 minutes, whereas they are set for 15 minutes or so each station.  The others seem to be fine but not that one. So after I got back from walking Ditzy (my 2nd walk), I started the front up again and manually pushed it for 20 minutes.  The timer had 72 which I'm guessing now means 72 seconds?.  I'm not that savvy on this system so I'll do that each time I start them, just make the first station longer.

I have to go to corporate next week for a few days.  I am not sure the purpose other than to reconnect with everyone. There is some management that I had not met face to face before either.  I just do not like the 3+ hour drive but it is what it is.  It would be stupid (and more stressful to me) to fly since it takes about an hour to get to the airport and then have to get there 2 hours early for security, and there goes my 3 hours when I could be at my destination.  Going in the dead of summer will be no picnic either as it has been getting at or near 100 degrees every day.  But hey, I didn't pick the timing. :)

Gotta get to work now.

Thursday morning

I have a few minutes before I have to get to work. I wanted to mention how my walks for the last week or so have been strange.  Well the walks themselves weren't strange, it is just that I noticed this nice lady whom I usually see walking every day has not been walking. I usually cross paths with her at some point in my walk.  She usually has one or two other people walking with her as she is just a friendly neighbor that likes to walk. A lot.  A few times we were in sync and I've had the pleasure of walking with her and I asked her how much she walks.  She said about 5-6 miles!  She has got to be in her early 70's I would guess and I was so impressed as to how much she walks!  Makes my 2 1/2 miles or so seem meager.  :)

I noticed there have been less people overall walking this past week or so likely because of her absence too. Guess we know who the diehard walkers are that don't mine going it alone. :)

Yesterday I saw a gentleman walking about 10 paces behind me that I knew walked with her sometimes. I turned around and asked him if he knows where she is.  He gave me the scoop.  She had a bunion operated on that has been bothering her for years!  Apparently it was a major undertaking as she had other toes straightened (?) which had gotten altered by years of the bunion growth.  Suddenly I was in awe of this woman!  So she has been walking at least 5 miles, from best I can tell daily, at her age and with a horrible bunion !!  Wow!

It will be some time before she is walking again I'm pretty sure but at least that mystery is solved.  I was really hoping nothing really bad happened to her. Hope she heals fast as I'm sure she really wants to get back to walking.  

Well that's it for now....off to work

Pulse check

I'm still here and alive. :)

Working a lot that is all. Just got done and turning in for the night.  Brain is beat! :)

Sneak picture

Today I saw Ditzy's feet up in the air from the chair I was sitting in.  So I grabbed the camera, turned it on and jumped up and took the shot before she waked up. Isn't she so cute???  And of course she had her ball right near her too.

  

It was nice having the youngest here. Tomorrow is back to work. Ugh.  It was nice relaxing this weekend.

 

Sweaty Saturday

Well it was another hot one today.  I think we hit 100 degrees again. Oh well it is July.  The youngest came today to visit for the rest of the weekend. We got Thai for lunch, yum! Then we went to Wolf Ranch to check out the shops.  It was hot walking around but it was nice to see what stores are there now . We spent some time at Pier 1 and Kirkland and DSW.  The Petco store had a local animal shelter set up out in front of the store with some dogs that are up for adoption. I gave them a contribution and we greeted all the dogs.  It was nice to see they had a mist spray set up for the dogs to help keep them cool.  I hope they all get adopted.  Good thing they didn't have any Papillons or it would have been tough to walk away.

We went to my moms to get her dinner and play some cards but we didn't eat until afterwards so that we could go to a sit down restaurant for a change.  We went to Longhorn Steakhouse.  The one good thing about going that late is we didn't have to wait in line to eat.  That was nice! 

All in all a very nice Saturday and no work! :)

Finally turning the corner

Hubby did go to a doctor Tuesday who took a bunch of blood tests and such.  His heart is fine, no diabetes, etc.  He suggested hubby stop taking the Prednisone period.  That drug really was not good for him at all. He also referred him to a different dermatologist. He went to that doctor who basically told him the Prednisone was the best thing for him to take. Hubby refused to take it any more and was mad that this doctor just said the opposite of what his internal medicine doctor just told him a few hours before!  Anyway this dermatologist called in a different prescription and mentioned a few other OTC drugs he could take.  He decided not to pick up the prescription nor the other meds.  We both agreed he should just not take anything and let his body just work to get rid of whatever gave him such an allergic reaction. Turns out that was the best thing yet.We may never know what made him get like this.
 
After more than 2 weeks of dealing with a horrible rash and then effects of prednisone then getting off of it, hubby is finally feeling and looking better today.  He still has some bumps but not as many as he has and the mood swing (his 'you wouldn't like me when I get angry') mood is gone and he no longer has the severe stomach pains.  He had a few last night during the night but they didn't last long.  Here's some pictures that I took yesterday.  The darker red dot on his shoulder is where I removed the stitches from his biopsy.  He still has the few in his leg.  Looks bad doesn't it?   Like I said he is a lot better today finally.

The doctor he went to on Tuesday called hubby today.  He got the blood tests back and he does have some issues with cholesterol, vitamin D deficiancy and pre-diabetes blood sugar but those are all things he can work on.  His eating habits are horrendous so none of this surprises me.  He did pick up some vitamin D supplements today and has started them.  We'll see if he sticks to a better diet.  Two of his favorite foods are sausage and hot dogs.  LOL!

Battle of the Boyne Day

I don't know what that is other than it is what today is on my calendar with (Northern Ireland) after it. So it may be something those in Northern Ireland pay tribute to.  I'm sort of surprised it is on a US calendar, well I am guessing it is a US Calendar as it was picked up at Georgetown Farm Supply.

Hubby is going to try to see a doctor today (he's going to call my mom's family doctor and whom I've gone to a few times). I hope he can get in today because his rash is back even though he is still taking prednisone (he's at 1 pill/day for today and tomorrow and his chest pains (stomach?) are still coming off an on too. He is a mess and I'm just hoping they can get to the bottom of it.  There must be some reason why he broke out in bumps all over!  And the fact that it only subsides with prednisone and doesn't go away completely is actually alarming to me.  He said it never totally went away either because his palms are still red and itchy and that symptom never did go away.  I just hope the doctor can see him and more importantly help him! 

Yesterday he was showing a lot of anger (also side affect of prednisone) and it was like Jekyll and Hyde although Jekyll didn't show himself all that much.  LOL.

I try to concentrate on work but it is distracting that he is having so many issues.  I don't really see how it could have been a 'bug' bite that just spread, because to me the prednisone should have just knocked it out completely. The dermatologists had no clue, took a bunch of blood work and 2 biopsies and said that everything was normal. Although I don't know that he actually heard about the biopsies. We'll see.  I don't care if he even has to get a bunch of tests at the hospital.  I know they wouldn't all be covered by insurance but at this point, someone needs to get to the bottom of what is going on.  I've read a bunch of stuff on the Internet about some folks having to take prednisone long term. That isn't going to happen with hub. That is nasty stuff for him!  We're both just wondering if there is something internally wrong (immune system or something) that is the cause of these break outs.

Well enough playing 'doctor. I'm off to start my work day.  It is going to be another hot one.  Later...

Happy Monday~

I figured if I wrote Happy Monday it would make it go that much better,  Power of suggestion, right?
 
I had a nice walk this morning.  It felt just peaceful and tranquil. There were deer sauntering around and nibbling on leaves and birds chirping.  Not many other folks walking and no other dogs walking to contend with, although today I took Tika and she is the mildest one around other dogs.  The only irksome (is that a word?) thing was people watering their lawns when Monday is still a no water day for anyone.

It has been nice and cloudy these mornings for my walks too.  It almost looks like it is going to rain but it doesn't.  And the cloud cover is enough to keep the sun covered up to make it a tiny bit less humid out there. 

Here's to a good day!

Another Saturday night..

...but I have somebody :)   (have to know the song to know what I am talking about)... I haven't sung in a while either!  I need to do that soon!

Anyway, hubby was not feeling good the last few nights. He had terrible pain in the center of his chest.  We're guessing it is from the meds he's taking.  I even offered to take him to the hospital but he decided he'd just deal with it.  It got better in the wee hours of the night and luckily I was able to sleep okay too.  When he gets me really worried about him I don't sleep well either.

Worked today and was going to work just now after getting back from mom's but I forgot that the systems will be down tonight so I'll just work a little harder tomorrow.  So I decided to get a blog in while I'm at it.


I finished the 5th Fever series book.  I liked it but can also understand why there are more books. That is because the ending didn't really resolve all the monsters loose in the city.  LOL.   didn't start the next one yet. Anyway I am glad to have completed the 5 original series of books. That last one was over 6oo pages long.

We've been getting at or near 100 degree days this week.  The grass is showing it!  The back is pretty parched but I'd rather conserve the water than worry about keeping it green.  This is one reason I'm glad we don't live in a PUD or I'd be required to keep it green!  The front I have been watering off an on to keep that mostly green.  Mom has a few busted sprinklers in her back yard and I'm waiting for our construction guy to let me know when he's got the parts to fix it. In the meantime I can at least run the front sprinklers at her place. Now the front yard needs to be cut though.  :)  It is always something.
 

Back to the Grind

I know, I know...I haven't blogged in a few days.  But I've been really busy at work (finally). I'm not saying that because I love being swamped with work, it is just that last year we got busy so much sooner into the year than this year. 

I was going to try to blog yesterday but also took my mom to see the Retina Specialist for her macular degeneration shot. We got there at 2:25PM and didn't walk out until nearly 5:00PM!  That place was packed!  It isn't like they just take the patients in and then finish with them.  They take them in and one task gets done, some sort of eye measurement. Then back the waiting room. Then it is back to another room to check vision (reading chart), and adding dilating drops. Then back to another room to let eyes dilate (and wait in line once again to actually see the doctor who is administering the shot).  The only GOOD thing about all this was that I took my book and am 3/5th the way done.  I couldn't read in the dark waiting room so started chatting it up.  I asked the man next to us when his appointment was.  He was there with his mom (whom I thought was his wife...luckily I didn't SAY that outloud). I just implied they lived together and luckily his mom does live with him (and his wife). So I spared myself putting my foot in my mouth for once.  But anyway I asked him when her appointment time was. It was 2:15PM (ours was 2:30PM). Another lady's time was 2:15PM and another man's 2:30PM.  So I asked who they were waiting for.  With the 30 or so people waiting around, I assumed that there were at least 3-4 doctors at that office that day.  Turns out they were ALL WAITING FOR THE SAME DOCTOR!!!  O M G!  No wonder it takes so friggin long! 

He is apparently one of the few doctors (not located only in Austin) that does these shots for this eye disease.  I guess I didn't know it was that rare of a specialty!  Still it seems like they could have a better way of doing things, or schedule less people or something!  It is just nuts!  I've started to put in for a 1/2 day sick day for these appointments but it is long for mom to be in one place too. I can tell she's getting weary.  The good news is her eye sight is improving! She still has some blockage (blood) in her eye and he said it will take a while to dissipate.  More good news is the next appointment isn't for 8 weeks. 

When I got back I ate dinner at my desk and worked for several more hours.  So blogging was not going to happen yesterday.  I'm not sure why I didn't blog on Tuesday but there was nothing earth shattering to write about. :)

That's it for now. Gotta get to work.

Nice day off!

It was a wonderful day off!  I slept in (until 7:20 ish) which is sleeping in for me.  Then I took a walk and it was cloudy out which was nice because it kept some of the heat off and helped that I forgot to put any sunscreen on. I have not been putting on any suntan lotion before I head out the door these days but I am usually going to my car (which is usually in the garage) and am not outdoors very long.  I probably should put it on regardless as I know I ca still get exposure driving my car even if it is only 5 minutes down the road.  I'll try to be more diligent about that.

Anyway after I walked, I decided to read some. This was the first time this year I sat on the back balcony.  It was nice sitting up there reading for a while this morning while it was cloudy and still relatively cool.  Then I made breakfast for hubby and I and then decided to get the bathrooms clean.  They needed it more than I thought. :)  But they are all spanking clean now. 

Then I was back to reading my book. Hubby had the TV on tuned to the History channel but that was fine with me since I was reading and only glancing up occasionally.  We had Gourmet Cupboard Kung Pao chicken for dinner so I marinaded the chicken in plenty of time around 3:00PM.  I usually forget and am scrambling to get it marinaded for an hour before time to cook it.  So it was a nice relaxing afternoon and dinner with a glass of wine.

We just got back from mom's about 15 minutes ago and I'm settling in to read again. Oops. I just remembered I had a load in the washer too.  Bye for now.

Happy 4th

Wishing anyone who reads this a Happy 4th of July tomorrow. I worked today again but am at a great spot for any easy day on Tuesday.  Tomorrow I am NOT working. LOL. 

I haven't been able to turn on my mom's water sprinklers like I thought they worked. So today the guy that helped us out with it last time last fall (and did two of our bathrooms and flooring on the 1st floor), met me over there this morning to show me how to start it.  I even wrote down how to get it going but could not get it to work tonight. I was mad!!  I ate dinner so that it wouldn't get cold (we picked up Catfish Parlor) for dinner with mom.  But then I went out to the sweltering garage and tried to get it again.  I did manage to just run the correct 'station' out front by itself so that was good.  That was the main area I'm trying to keep from getting dried up anyway. Mom lives in a PUD where they have rules including the lawns must be maintained.

I am looking forward to tomorrow and being off!  I do have to clean the bathrooms some but other than that I can do what I'd like which will include doing some reading. I'm just starting book 5 of this Fever series.

We are suppose to get some 100 degree days this week.  Welcome to summer!

Holiday Weekend

There is nothing better than being Friday and the beginning of a 3 day weekend to boot. had Woo hoo!  With hubby getting over his skin ailment, last night was the best night this week so far for sleep except that one of the dogs had to go out again, twice!  I'm not sure what is going on with them but she had to go out a little after midnight (hubby let her out then), and then around 4:00am that was when I let her out.  It would sure be nice if all the dogs slept through the night tonight, fingers crossed!

I am going to have to do a ton of laundry this weekend and at least clean the bathrooms (sinks and toilets).  I have some work to do as well. So it will be a full weekend.  I'm not working Monday though so maybe we'll do something that day even if it is just an early morning walk (before it gets hot).  We'll see.

Update

This is going to be a short post because I am beat! Hubby was NOT any better as of yesterday morning. In fact he was worse and the rash had spread even more. So the night before last was not a great one for sleep for either of us.  Oh and last night I had to let one of the dogs out that barked (I wanted to go so that Steve didn't have to since he seemed to be sleeping at that time). But doing that wakes me up even moreso...and it was about 3:50AM. Ugh..

Fast forward. He went BACK to the dermatologist yesterday who even brought in a second doctor. They took two biopsies and had him get blood work done. No results of either of those yet. But they did prescribe him some meds including prednisone.

He started the Prednisone this morning and by mid afternoon, I'd say his rash improved by 50%!  He looked so much better!  I don't know if the biopsy and or blood work will result in any findings but I'm sure glad he is getting better. Sure hope it was just a fluke thing and that he doesn't have any other more major underlying medical issue.

I just got done with work and am going to go relax and maybe even will head to bed a bit early. Yes I'm that tired.  

One Year Ago

It has been exactly one year since my dad passed away.  It was a bit sad when I thought about that today. It also made me realize though that for 365 days I have visited my mom to get her dinner.  That is a long time, but with hubby's help more times than he has needed to come, it has made it a lot more bearable.  I love my mom, don't get me wrong but it is tough to go day after day after day when sometimes you just don't want to go.  But I'll keep doing it as long as she needs.

Anyway enough about that.  Hubby has been having some skin issues and finally went to a dermatologist today.  It all started when he got a splinter in his foot.  It remained there for several days and he started feeling a bump where it was.  I took a look at it and sterilized a needle and poked at it.  I got what I thought was the splinter out but it still was a bit inflamed with a yellowish tinge to it.  Fast forward to last Wed/Thurs. He said it was still bothering him so we both thought about him soaking it in Epsom salts and then putting some drawing salve on it. We though perhaps there was still some splinter deeper down. The only salve he could find was called PRID.  Well over the weekend he started getting little red dots on his head that were getting really itchy and then burned.  They looked like they were spreading and by Saturday night we both thought about him stopping using the PRID. He only used it for 2- 3 days but it was enough to (the doctor believes he had an allergic reaction to it)  It was even starting to affect around his eyes and one of his hands (the palm has been really itchy). 

I hope that this reaction is all that it is and nothing something else or something more serious. (The doctor asked him if he had diabetes or thyroid problems as these could be symptoms of that too. He is pretty sure he doesn't have either of those issues). To me this happened very rapidly to be something like diabetes or thyroid. He gave him some cream to put on his face once a day and told him to also take Benedryl for 5-7 days.  It is still itching him pretty badly but hopefully tomorrow it will start improving.  The problem with him putting this stuff on his face is that he sweats pretty easily so I'm not sure how much actually gets absorbed.  Anyway, sure hope it works.

It reminded me of a time when the oldest got poison oak right before we went to the shore for a weekend and she hid the fact that it was all over her legs for a day or so.  That was quite alarming I remember!  I think the pediatrician gave her a cortisone shot of some sort to help with that.   This doctor didn't indicate anything like that to help Steve.  He just said he thought it was some sort of allergic reaction to the PRID.

Oh he also looked at his foot and opened up the area that had gotten some hardened pus in it and took care of that. Apparently the splinter had caused an infection to form before I got the splinter out and then when I did it just closed up around that area that was still infected.  No more lump there now.  Things have to be really bad for him to do something medical about it so I'm glad he didn't delay another day. 

Hope tomorrow brings him some relief.

Gelati dessert

Hubby got me these small Gelati desserts which I thought would be like the Rita's Ice Gelati from when we used to get them but they taste more like ice cream.  So I don't know.  They are good but not what I consider Gelati consistency. Okay I just solved my own mystery.  I looked at one of the containers again. It had Italian Gelato (NOT Gelati), so it is Italian style ice cream.  That makes much more sense.

Got my work done for the weekend so that is good.  I got myself set up for a relatively smooth day tomorrow. Now I can relax the rest of the evening - maybe even yes read a little. I am on the 4th book of that Fever series.  So more than doubling my reading goal of the year already when I done with this one.  Yippee. 

As I was starting this blog I wondered where all the time goes every day and it dawned on me that I lose (or use) an hour and a half every evening by going over to moms to make her dinner and entertain her.  Then there are the Saturday mornings I help her and and bring her laundry home to do as well.
So that would explain it! 

At least most of the things have been done that were needed in preparation for the future.  The major assets are in a Trust I had set up for mom including her house and my dad's probate I believe is almost done. They had to put an ad in the papers for 30 days or so. I think the final formality of probate being officially completed will be happening in the next few weeks. I should here from the attorney about that.

There was one major thing that we didn't give much thought until a few weeks ago.  My hubby has been taking mom to all her doctor appointments in the Camry which she is the most familiar and comfortable in.  The Camry was actually titled in dad's name only.  Mom doesn't have a driver's license in this state.  So all the times driving, hubby was basically not insured should anything happen and an insurance claim would have to be filed or worse yet a lawsuit.  We'd have been totally screwed!  But we resolved that issue by transferring the title to my name and added the car to our insurance.  Now hubby or I can drive it and be covered if need be. Dad always wanted my sister to have his car so when mom passes I will just gift it to her (blue book value is well under the maximum gift before getting into gift taxes). 

That's it for now.  Bye.

Siamese Cherries

Today when I was eating my fruit at breakfast I came across this cherry that I nearly popped into my mouth before looking at. 

It was two cherries with one stem.  Identical twins from the same er stem.  :)
Anyway I thought it was pretty cool. Sort of like finding a four leaf clover I think!

It is a full work weekend for me so this is going to be short.  I'll blog tomorrow though! G'Night !

Glad tomorrow is Friday

It sure has seemed like a long week.  Just got done working so I'm hitting the sack. Not much reading done today either.  Oh well.  Looking forward to tomorrow (being Friday). :)

Oh well

I didn't blog yesterday but there was nothing really new to write about anyway.  Same ol' same ol', working, reading, eating, reading, getting ready for bed, forcing myself to stop reading. Ha, ha.  I finished the 2nd book and am well into the 3rd book in a series the oldest got be hooked on.  Is life really that boring that I am stealing minutes to read?  Uh...I won't answer that.  I love my life, don't get me wrong and in general I don't ever read books.  I spend enough hours a day reading files in my work!  But I have to admit these are a good series of books. Enough to keep even busy me wanting to read more.

Today I had a half day off so that I could get my hair done.  I had rescheduled my Saturday appointment to help the youngest move.  My hairdresser gets booked up fast so when I rescheduled I went ahead and took mid week.  I have plenty of unused vacation so no big deal.  Usually when I have to sit for 45 minutes under the dryer while my color sets I just sit there and look around or keep my eyes closed. Today it was nice to have a book to read while I was there.  It made the time go so much faster!  And I got my great hair cut and color again.  Ready to tackle a busy Thursday!