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.