DID SOME PLUMBING

Today I attempted to fix my shower. For the last week and a half my shower head has been losing pressure and hot water. At first I thought it was a hot water heater problem but Brenda was saying when she took her shower the water was piping hot and had a strong flow. It took me a few days to figure out that Brenda and I use different shower heads. I use the regular head and Brenda uses the rain head. So on Saturday I used the rain head and sure enough the water flow was strong and hot.

So, the problem is the regular shower head. I figured out how to take it off (with a little assistance) and soaked it in vinegar. I read this cleans it out. I am not sure it did anything but the little screen inside had some gook in it and that got cleaned out. I tested it and it seemed to flow better but not like it used to. A plumber will have to be called. But I got the head off and back on again.

Until tomorrow...

THE WORLD IS TWIRLING

For about two weeks every morning when I wake up, I am dizzy. I mean like I stand up and if I don't hold onto the wall I will fall over kind of dizzy. Then if I get back in bed and I roll over, I head a head rush when I move my head.  It is quite disconcerting. Especially when I wake up in the middle of the night and I forget. Suddenly I am falling over when I try to stand up.

I did what the experts say not to do; I searched the internet. The internet says I could have a heart problem, a sinus problem, an inner ear infection, or low blood pressure. I doubt it is a heart problem or low blood pressure. 

I guess this means I need to call my doctor. I had this before but I can't remember what I did about it.  I thought it would get better but it doesn't seem to be.  This weird thing is so bizarre and makes me crazy! 

Until tomorrow...

ANOTHER PARTY AND MORE MOVIES

We had another neighborhood party to attend today. It was a nice gathering. I ran into someone I have not seen in awhile. It was good to catch up.

Movies: I have been on a movie binge. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, Empire State, Turbo, Blackfish today.  We're the Millers and the Hobbit II yesterday.  The Hobbit on Thursday.  American Hustle, Joyous Noise, and Stand Up Guys on Wednesday. 

I would recommend both Hobbits, Blackfish and We're the Millers. I fell asleep during Empire State. 

Until tomorrow...

WENT TO SEE THE HOBBIT

Woke up early because I needed to take my car in for service. Right before Christmas it started making this loud rattling noise and I took it to the shop and they said it probably was a heat shield or something. Bring it in on Friday.

My plan was to bring it in, run an errand and then go to the movies. Why not? I was stuck downtown and there was a movie I wanted to see and Brenda didn't. So that is exactly what I did. I went to see The Hobbit. Well, The Hobbit II. 

The movie was great. I won't give anything away but if you don't like spiders this is not the movie for you. I was glad Brenda stayed home. There was this one scene I swear I would have had to scrape her off the ceiling. I didn't see it in 3D because I would have had to wait another hour but I could definitely see the benefit with this movie. I don't see the benefit with all movies. 

About half way through the movie the car place called and left a message telling me the it was my catalytic converter that has died. Also my water pump is going. Doesn't need to be replaced now but in a couple of months. Such good news! I have been thinking of getting a new car so do I pump more money into this one or buy a new one? Since I am not ready to buy a new car today, it is pump more money into this one. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING? YEAH OR NAY

A lot of people I know love day after Christmas shopping. The sales, the bargains. Not me. The day after Christmas shopping is just like Black Friday shopping. Crazed shoppers willing to do anything for a bargain.  Even though I have to return two things, we are waiting a few days for the crowds to mellow. 

I usually send my packages by USPS.com. I have a scale at home and I print out the labels and drop the boxes off at the post office. It is really easy and quick. This year UPS and Fed Ex both had problems delivering all their deliveries.  I am surprised that the USPS is not using this opportunity to market themselves. We deliver on time through rain, sleet and snow! We got your packages there in time for Christmas. Another missed marketing opportunity.

Until tomorrow...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Today started as a Merry Christmas but ended not so merry.  We woke up and opened presents. Skyped with family.  Happi had a good time ripping open as many presents as she could.

Then we went to see American Hustle. It was good. I sort dozed a bit in the first 40 minutes. It is slow for the first half. It has to set the stage for the hustle.

Then we came home to talk to more family and eat dinner. We watched another movie while we ate dinner. We watched Stand Up Guys. It was entertaining. It moved along a lot faster than American Hustle!

After the movie I checked my email. That us when I found out our ex-neighbor and dear friend passed away. His name was Darrel and it is a bit of a shock because we received a Christmas card from him a week ago with a very nice note in his handwriting.  

Dear Darrel, we will miss your kindness and smile.  

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS EVE

It is Christmas Eve!  I am so done that I was bored and antsy today. I went to the post office twice today because Brenda's present was sent to the wrong post office. I finally got it 10 minutes before the post office closed. It really helps that I go to the post office a lot and everyone there knows me. They worked extra hard to find my package.

Then we had a neighbor come over to take our family photo. A little late this year. I think she was shocked by the chaos. Two dogs and a bird. The little dog barking and growling at the bird. Jumping up and biting his tail feathers. The big dog squirming to get down.  Brenda not happy about having to do the photo at all. The photo is for our annual family ornament. Every year since we have been together Brenda and I have a yearly ornament. Some times it has a photo and sometimes it just has our names. Since I was in a hurry I bought the ornament where I put in a photo.  Of course our friend canceled on Sunday. I was going to have her take the photo. Then I had to scramble to find someone else last minute. It turned out okay. The good thing is that the photo is so small it is forgiving!

Happi under the tree

Then we went last minute Christmas shopping. Brenda needed to get a few things.

Then I came home and printed the photo for the ornament and wrapped the presents.  After a quick rest, I started cooking. I made almost all the food for tomorrow. Stuffing, stuffed baked potatoes, mushroom gravy, and brussel sprouts. It is all in the fridge waiting to be warmed up tomorrow. I just have to crisp some polenta and I am set.

Decorations

People have been stopping by with baked goods. Usually it is just my two neighbors bringing cookies. I was worried that I should be bringing them something. I called my etiquette expert and she said since I threw the big holiday party people were bringing me baked goods to say thank you. Since I threw the party I don't have to bring them cookies. I didn't think so but I wanted to check.  I did bring cookies to a few people who missed the party.  I also brought them to a neighbor who brings me warm scones every Christmas morning. Isn't that amazing? Every Christmas morning on my doorstep I have warm baked goods!

I feel weird having nothing to do! I will have to get back to work on Thursday.

Until tomorrow...

ONE DAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS

With one day until Christmas, I spent the day running around. I went to PT, took the car to the shop, the post office (my package was sent to the wrong post office!), food shopping, and Sports Basement. I was exhausted. This evening some neighbors stopped by with some shortbread and then I wrapped presents.

I have been checking my credit and my credit card website because I shopped at Target during the time the credit card information was stolen. I have a credit protection service but I have been paranoid with each news report. 

Tomorrow we are cooking for Christmas so we don't have to cook on Christmas Day. 

Until tomorrow...

LAST MINUTE SHOPPING AND LUNCH

Today we went to the mall to do a little last minute shopping. It wasn't as crowded as we expected. Target was giving 10% off due to the credit card number thefts. 

After shopping we decided to go out for lunch. There is this Dim Sum place near us that Brenda has gone to a number of times with a friend. I told her we would go today. Dim Sum is not great for vegetarians and is awful for vegans. I had a veg rice roll. Eh, it was okay. The rice wrap was rather pasty. Then I had veg chow mein. It was sort of greasy. Then I had a veg bun. It was very bun-ny.  Overall I was unimpressed I don't think it was a good veg meal. I kinda felt a bit nauseous at the end if the meal.

Tonight we went to a holiday party. It was good to see some friends. 

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS TREE

Today I went out to buy a small Christmas tree. The first place I went had no more trees. The second place I went had one small 3.5'-4' tree. I asked how much they wanted for it: $40.00. I said Are you kidding me? I could not buy it.

I went to an art fair and bought a soy candle that smelled like spruce for $16 and came home and set up my small Charlie Brown fake tree.  I will miss a real tree but it is late in the season. 

Merry Christmas!

I GOT CALLED A C**T

Some people are so rude. We have a driveway that is on an angle. It is very hard for us to enter our garage if people park too close. We have paid the city for a red zone that says people can not park in the four feet near our driveway. Occasionally (more often than we like) people park their cars in the red zone. If we are home we ask them (politely at first) to not park there.

Tonight we were babysitting the kids Brenda used to nanny.  Some lady pulled into the red zone and began to park. Brenda leaned out the window and said "you can't park there it is a red zone".  The woman said something like "I won't be long" and Brenda explained we are babysitting and the parents are coming soon to pick up their children and need to park in my driveway.  The lady didn't move. So I went outside and waited for her to get out of her car.  (Mind you we have two sleeping toddlers and two barking dogs inside.)  Once she got out of the car I told her she had to move her car. She then did my favorite thing. She went to the back of her car and looks at my driveway/garage and tells me I have enough room to get my car in and out despite the fact that the city has given me a red zone because I can't get in and out when people park too close to my driveway.  I proceed to tell her that it is a red zone and if she leaves her car it will be towed.  She then asks who I think I am. Then tells me I don't own the whole block.  No, I say, but I own the red zone since I pay for it. She then calls me a c**t. I tell her Merry F***ing Christmas. She then replies FU.

It was a lovely encounter. Brenda went down and got her license plate and 30 seconds later she moved her car.  

What happened to Good Will Toward Men?  'Tis the Season? 

Until tomorrow...

LEFT KNEE

About a year after I met Brenda my knee began to hurt. Then it really began to hurt. Then I couldn't walk up or down stairs without it hurting terribly. Then it hurt when I walked but mostly only after I took a step and I was bringing my leg forward for another step. 

Do you think I went to a doctor? Nah! 

Okay, when my knee gave out going downstairs I finally thought I should contact a doctor.  I ended up having an MRI and it looked like miniscus tear. I scheduled the surgery. You would have thought I would have stayed at home with my leg up. Nah!

Three days before surgery we went to a Great America amusement park. I hobbled around all day. Of course by the time I went in for surgery my knee was swollen up like a watermelon. The surgeon said it was hard to see in my knee it was so swollen. 

To finish this story, I had two surgeries on my knee in 6 months and was on crutches and a cane for 9 months.  It was a miniscus tear and he had to go back in to do an adjustment. 

Lesson: don't walk around an amusement park a few days before knee surgery! 

Yesterday my knee began hurting in the same way. I can barely move it without pain. I have it elevated with hopes it is just swollen and not something worse. It is the same knee so there isn't much cartiledge left to tear.  Hopefully a few days of elevation will help.  It is not the knee I fell on while on the cruise, ironically.

Until tomorrow...

BUYING THINGS ON THE INTERNET

'Tis the season to buy random things on the internet.  I find myself buying things off websites I would not normally purchase off of.  Not that I am reckless and just buy off any website.  I am careful but I veer off the normal Amazon, Costco, Target, etc. websites.  I really like buying from small businesses.  Since I am a small business, I try to buy from small businesses.  I also like to Buy American.  Keep American businesses working!  We keep American workers working we fix the economy! 

Which makes me laugh.  During the Summer Olympics in London the Ralph Lauren Olympian designed clothes were made in China.  Big controversy!  Congress discussed it and everything.  Congress decided that the clothes worn by Olympians would be made in America from now on.  Yeah! 

For the Winter Olympics in Sochi the outfits the Olympians are wearing are made in America BUT the GO USA gloves for spectators are made in, wait for it, CHINA!  ABC News did an expose and they found an American company that can make the mittens in America for the same price. 

So, I am back to buying things on the internet on sites I would not normally be buying off of.  Carefully.  Buying presents on the web.

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS DECISIONS

The rush of the holidays is in full swing.  I was crazy before our party but now that it is over I am much more calm.  Usually I am crazy up until I get the packages sent back East.  That is my only goal each year.  Get those packages in the mail in time for Christmas morning.  I have become an expert in USPS.com and getting those packages sent on time.

Unfortunately this year I sent my brother's package to the wrong place.  You see my family split up and go to certain locations.  I sent my brother's package to the wrong brother's house.  I sent his partner's package to the right place.

It sure would be easier if my family all stayed in one place or always went to the same place. 

The next decision is whether we get a Christmas tree or not.  I was gung ho on getting a tree last week but could not because of the party.  I could not fit a tree and 30 people in my house.  So no tree.  But now that the party is over, I have to decide whether I want to get a tree now.  I usually love a tree, the lights and smell.  But I decorated so much this year I feel decorated out.  Maybe a small tree.  I saw some small trees at Lowes a few weeks ago.  Maybe Friday I will go by and see if there are any left.

Until tomorrow...

FINISHED CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Today I got a letter about my healthcare. Last week I filed for premium assistance. I think I was approved. I need to call and figure it all out. I think I need to send (again) my proof of loss of coverage and proof of income. It is crazy confusing.

Tonight I finished my Christmas shopping. I mailed my boxes out last week. I had a few presents left to buy online. Tonight I took care of all of them. All will arrive wrapped in a few days.  Yeah!  Now I just have to buy a few things for Brenda and I am done.

Until tomorrow...

POST PARTY

Last night we cleaned up after the party so today I didn't have much to do. I spent much of the day on the couch. I watch a Hallmark movie that I recorded back on February (gosh, was it that long ago?), and caught up on some TV episodes. I think I fell asleep at one point. This way I will be ready for this week.

Here is a photo of the food table from last night. 

Folks were so nice. We had said bring no foodstuff folks brought cake, wine, champagne, juice, a poinsettia, cookies, all sorts of stuff!  We have a dining room and a living room. I set the living room up with a sorts of places to sit. For the first 2.5 hours not one person sat down! Everyone hovered around the dining room table. Which is funny because Brenda and I had this argument/discussion about whether to use our little dining room table or bring up the big table top. Brenda wanted to bring up the big top and push it up against the wall. I said no we should use the little table and keep it in the middle of the room and let people walk around. We ended up using the little table mostly because we were too tired to bring it up the stairs. Half way through the party Brenda came up to me and said "you were right, it is better with the little table. The food is crowded but the people are happy milling around it." 

We had too much food. I took some of the leftover veggies, some tofu and made a stirfry for dinner.  I made enough for tomorrow's lunch too. 

I have these really dry hands. I am not sure why. I wonder if it is the Sjogren's or what it is.  It is horribly painful. Between my fingers is so cracked.  I have to figure this out. Any help is appreciated.

Tonight I am watching the Survivor finale.  I love to see this show. I could never do it. Not because I could not be away but I could not go without food with my meds. 

Until tomorrow...

PARTY!

Tonight was the party. Overall about 30 people came to the party over the four hours. It was great to catch up with folks. We made way to much food. The favorites were the cooked Brie and the swirls. Brenda will be eating shrimp for days.

Anyway it was fun. Tomorrow I will post a picture if I have one.

Until tomorrow...

MORE COOKIES

I spent the evening making more cookies. This time I cut and baked the cookies that I mixed the other night. Not sure freezing them was helpful. The recipe said I could do this but it made it hard to cut the batter. The cookies look good and taste fantastic.  The prep is almost over.

Until tomorrow...

MAKIN' COOKIES

Tonight I made one of the cookies for the party. They are called Roasted Almond Thumbprint cookies. They were pretty easy to assemble.  Not too many steps. You mix the ingredients then roll the dough into balls. Roll the balls in sugar and put on a cookie sheet. Make a thumb print in each cookie. Put the cookie sheet in the oven. Bake for 13 minutes. When they are cool put preserves or lemon curd in the thumb print. Voila! Cute cookies.

Tomorrow night I will make the other cookies. 

Until tomorrow...

NICE SURPRISE

My friend gave me a nice surprise tonight. Brenda and I were supposed to go see a play tonight. Brenda was not feeling well. I called my friend K and she went with me. She kept saying pinch me I must be dreaming. 

After the play K gave me a bicycle coalition membership for one year.  That was so sweet. 

I am so tired.

Until tomorrow...

PREPPING FOR THE PARTY

Tonight I made cookies. Okay I prepped the cookies. I am going to cook the cookies on Thursday. The batter is in the freezer.  They look good. Chocolate pistachio cookies with sea salt. Yum!

Until tomorrow...

OH, MY ACHING FEET

I won't sugar coat it. My feet are killing me. I guess it is plantar faciatis. All I know us that I am walking like I am 100 years old. Like my feet are on fire. Like I am walking on fire.

I need to keep my feet up and try to stay off them which is hard this time of year.  Parties, shopping, cooking...

Today was my second Christmas party of the season. I had to bring something to eat to the potluck. I brought mushrooms stuffed with cashew spinach pesto; a vegan (and raw) recipe.  I was not thrilled with them because I don't always like pesto but the folks went wild for them. I brought 24 mushroom caps and 22 were eaten. There were less then 30 people in attendance. 

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Today I got up early and got on the road. I ran all my errands before noon. I then began decorating the house. It has thrown up Christmas in our house. By late afternoon I had to get ready for the first Christmas party. We went 1.5 hours. The host gave us one of his dried roses to throw in the fire and make a wish.

Then I came home and wrote out all the Christmas cards. I had already labeled them and put return address labels on. Once Brenda signs them they are ready to mail.

My feet have been killing me. Sometimes it hurts too much to walk. I have no idea what is going on but it needs to stop now. This is not the season.

Until tomorrow...

WRAPPING HAS BEGUN

This evening I started Christmas wrapping.  I had to wrap a birthday present so I decided to begin wrapping some of the Christmas presents too. 

A few years ago I began using USPS.com and it is so easy.  No standing in line for stamps or to mail packages.  I print my own labels, pay for it online and either drop them off at the Post Office or arrange to have them picked up.  Last year I had them picked up but the Post Man who picked them up was not very cordial about it.

I am always so much more relaxed once the packages going back East are out of the house and on their way.

I have set a bicycling goal.  I want to do an organized bike ride this summer.  In order to do this I need to get in shape and get my resistance up.  I have to practice riding on a schedule.  Since I can't always ride outside, I will ride the indoor bike.  I am adding Bike Challenge Updates to my posts.  That way I am accountable to you all.

Bike Challenge Update: 
On Thursday I rode 9.6 miles on the stationary bike.  Not just a flat 9.6 miles either.  It was a route with hills and valleys.  Some of the hills kicked my ***.  The bike was telling me I should be at speed 11 mph.  I was at a 7.  Then it said I should be at a 14, I was at a 8.  Those hills were hard!  But I made it the whole 9.6 miles!  The plan is currently one day riding and one day rest.

Until tomorrow...

HEALTHCARE SIGNUP

Tonight I spent an hour and a half signing up for healthcare. And I am not done. I got as far as picking my plan and the site slowed to a crawl. I gave up and will sign on tomorrow and try again. I will get an almost $200 subsidy so that will help. 

Now I have to deal with Brenda's healthcare and get her squared away. Then we can relax about this big change. 

Until tomorrow...

R.I.P. HOT TUB

This afternoon I watch the deconstruction of the hot tub.  I have to say it was not in as bad shape as I suspected.  I really thought the whole inside was torn up but it was not as bad as I envisioned.

First the Eco Haul guys tried to demo the hot tub.

But that didn't work.  Then they decided to cut it in half.  But then they realized they would not be able to get it through the door.  So thirds it was.

When they turned it over guess what we found?  Spiders.  Not just regular spiders but Black Widows.  Tiny ones but poisonous ones none the less.  It is the legged thing above the big leaf.

Then they realized that thirds won't fit through the doorway and they couldn't lift the thirds anyway!  So, we cut some more.

That is when we started to see the critter homes and tunnels.  Like I said it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be.  The insulation was in better condition than I expected.  But below you will see where a critter had a tunnel built.

Here you will see where the critter had his or her home right near the warm motor. Oh, we found a rat.  I took a photo but it didn't come out.  He or she was quite dead.  I am sure he or she was not alone but we found one dead when they lifted the tub and he or she fell out.  (Better dead than alive, I say!)

Saying goodbye to the hot tub one last time.  It was in the truck going away to hot tub heaven or wherever hot tubs go when they get cut up and torn apart.  So sad to see it go!

You gave me many great soaks in your hot water and bubbles.  

You will be missed.  

R.I.P. hot tub.

Until tomorrow...

OH, MY TUMMY

At 1:20 am I was woken by a horrible pain in my tummy. I got nauseous and dizzy. I couldn't figure out what was going on. I had visions of a middle of the night emergency room visit and having to wake Brenda and tell her. Instead I got a heating pad and curled up. I slept for an hour at a time. Waking up constantly from the pain.

I am not sure if it is food poisoning or a stomach thing. I still feel out of it and pretty crappy. My doc (who I coincidentally saw today) sent me for a blood test and another stool sample. What fun!

Brenda ate the Thanksgiving pie for dinner so that will be the test to see if it was food poisoning. She ate it before I got back from the docs.

Until tomorrow...

NEW FAVORITE LEFTOVER MEAL

A few weeks ago I was watching The Chew (you know that cooking/entertainment/artsy show on ABC) when this little kid who came on and shared his recipe. He took all the leftovers from his Thanksgiving meal and put them in a pie crust and baked it. At first I thought it might be gross but all the hosts on The Chew really liked it. When I bought our Thanksgiving ingredients I also bought a pie crust.

Today I decided to make the Thankgiving pie. First I had to make more gravy because I had moldy mushrooms on Thanksgiving and could not make enough gravy. Today when I made more gravy and I think I cracked the gravy code. I can't hover. I have to leave it alone. Let the liquid simmer away and it gets thick.  

I put in my pie: green beans with pomegranates, roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes, stuffing, and mushroom gravy. It is delicious! Like Thanksgiving in a pie!  It is my new favorite leftover meal.  (And my first pie!)

I made the appointment to have the hot tub picked up on Wednesday afternoon. Yeah! 

Until tomorrow...

HOT TUB COMPLETION

Today I finished cleaning and dismantling the cover and lifter of the hot tub.  It took three trips to a hardware store to find the proper instrument to remove four screws.  Who uses screws that have a square thing instead of an X or a - ?  Trying to find a screwdriver with a square head was a challenge.  If I had that type of screw driver, I would have had the hot tub demo done days ago.

The cover looks practically new!  Hopefully I can sell it and make back some of my money.  Now I call the haulers to come take it away.

While I was at the hardware store I saw this Christmas decoration and it made me laugh!

Brenda and I made a trial run of the meatballs we want to make for the party today.  She says they taste great.  Yeah!!

Until tomorrow...

DISMANTLING THE HOT TUB PART II

Today I drove to the hot tub store and bought some magic stuff that cleans the hot tub cover. All the mildew and dirt came right off.  The top looks practically brand new. I just have one more spot to clean.

Then I stopped at Lowes and bought a thing to unscrew the four screws I can't reach. The thing I bought didn't work. It was a longer bit to put in the drill but the drill bit didn't fit the drill. So I took it back.  I bought another screw driver type thing BUT that didn't fit in the holes where the screws were. Now I am stymied. My neighbor says he maybe able to help. I may also go to our local hardware store. Sometimes they are more helpful than the big box stores.

I also did some small store shopping. I am trying to buy as much as I can this year from small local stores. Last year I bought Made in America. This year Small Local Stores. 

Then we watched Now You See Me. It was really good. Twist ending. Thursday night we watched Parental Guidance and The Heat. 

Until tomorrow...

DISMANTLING THE HOT TUB

Today was spent taking the lifter and top off the hot tub. It looked so simple. Just unscrew a few screws and off it comes. Not so fast! It is actually pretty complicated. For a number of reasons. 

1. I have no instructions

2. The screws are not normal screws. They are some weird square drive screws.

3. There are screws in weird places I can not reach.

4. I don't know what I doing.

I think you get the picture.  It will get finished tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

THANKSGIVING MEAL

I spent the day cooking like most families.  I made all my veg Thanksgiving favorites.

Acorn Squash stuffed with Wild Rice Stuffing

Then I made my famous stuffing.

And cornbread muffins

Green beans with Almonds and Pomegranates 

And lastly, Mushroom Gravy. It never got thick. I can't seem to make graves thick. I don't know the secret. I put the four and water in it and keep it on a slow boil. 

Such a good meal! Happy Thanksgiving!  Now my favorite: LEFTOVERS!

Until tomorrow...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I wish for you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!  

DEADLINES

Deadlines are a fact of life. Recently I was in a situation where some folks had a deadline to get some papers turned in. The deadline was announced. A reminder was sent out. The deadline approached and 20% of the papers were turned in. I called, I emailed. By 5pm 80% of the papers were turned in.  A week went by and those 20% finally turned in their papers.  The papers were healthcare enrollment applications and all the applications had to be sent to the carrier as a group so one person being late meant the whole group was late.

I was frustrated. I was brought up that a deadline is a deadline especially for something as important as healthcare paperwork. I don't understand people who are given a deadline and just completely ignore it.  It is one thing if you don't understand the directions or have questions but to completely blow it off, that is unacceptable. 

This discussion makes me think of the impending deadline for the ACA. December 15th is coming quickly and I need to get the forms filled out and make sure my doctors and meds are on the medical plan. 

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS CARDS OR NO CHRISTMAS CARDS?

Every year we have the discussion: Christmas Cards or No Christmas Cards? 

We always end up sending Christmas Cards.  I am such a Christmas fanatic that I want to share the holiday spirit.  I went and bought cards on Sunday.  I bought some interesting and fun cards this year.  I had no time to do anything fun and creative this year.  Some years I make my own cards but not this year.  I am trying to keep myself organized.  I have already gone over the labels and they are ready to be printed.

I know some folks don't want to send cards anymore but I love to open the mail and see the cards from all over.  I buy recycled and cards from sustainable forests.  I am careful that my cards can be recycled.

We are on the side of Christmas Cards this year but each year it will be a discussion.

Until tomorrow...

PREP FOR THANKSGIVING

Like everyone else I am getting ready for Thanksgiving.  Since it is just Brenda and I there isn't a ton of preparation.  I still have to cook but I don't have to cook for a ton of people.  I also don't have to have the house spotless. 

I am planning on cooking some of the food the day before.  I did this last year and it worked out.  I am going to cook my acorn squash and the corn bread the day before then all we have to do is heat it up.  Then on Thanksgiving we only have to cook is the Cornish hen (Brenda eats these since a turkey would last her a month!), green beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. 

Today I did the food shopping.  I went really early and the store wasn't too crowded.  It was also well stocked at 9 am.  The only thing I couldn't find was wild rice.  I am sure you are wondering why I need wild rice.  I am putting wild rice in my acorn squash. 

Then after food shopping I did a little Christmas shopping.  I found a great present for my dad and got Brenda a gift I get her every year.  I had this sales person who was the most cheerful person I have met in a long time.  She was over the top cheerful!  I was only going to buy 3 of the item and when I got to the check out, I had 6 of them!  She was so good I had not realized she talked me into getting 6.  On the bright side, it was a buy 3, get three free deal.  I was going for the buy 1 get 2 free deal. 

Thanksgiving weekend will be a working weekend: Christmas prep, party prep, work and taking care of that darn hot tub!  Oh, yeah and some relaxation!

Until tomorrow...

FRIENDSHIP AND SHOPPING

Today I went shopping with my friend A. We met up at a mall halfway between our houses and spent the day walking around a mall. I was supposed to do more Christmas shopping but I didn't get much. I got something for my friend B. We always get gag gifts so I found this funny book.  I got some candy for another relative.  I was going to get a puzzle for another relative but wasn't so sure that person had already done that puzzle.  I got a book for a little person who's birthday is coming up.

Then I found a treasured book from my childhood to give at a future date because the little people are still too little. I don't want to spoil the surprise. I had to buy it because in the past I have found something I really like and I didn't buy it and instead I waited. Then six months later I can't find it, can't remember where I found it, it no longer exists, or it is out of stock. So now when I see something that is rare, I buy it and store it away in a drawer with a sticky note on it.  I do the same with cards. I find great greeting cards throughout the year and I buy them and put post-it's on them with people's names. That way I know who they go to.

After all the gift buying, I bought myself a new bag to carry my IPad. The bag I bought last year doesn't work with this new IPad cover.  This new bag I like better anyway.

After shopping, A and went to PF Changs and had a late lunch. The new winter menu has a quinoa fried rice that is really tasty. We stayed for hours talking and looking at photos.

The only thing that was stressful besides my Crohn's issues kicking up; was that toward the end my hips hurt so badly I could hardly walk. But I made it!!

Until tomorrow...

PROGRESSIVES OR READING GLASSES?

Okay, a sign that you are getting old is that your hair turns gray. Your middle gets a little thick. Your feet get a bit flat. And you can't see the menu in a dimly lit restaurant.

Yup, I am talking about reading glasses.  I have been having a harder time seeing for about a year. First it was seeing the playbill in the theatre. It is so dark I could not follow along.  Then it was reading small print with my glasses. I can read the print perfectly fine without my glasses. I just have to take them off to read.  Then this week I was doing payroll for a client and I was having a hard time seeing some of the time sheets. Now in my defense, some of the time sheets are in 6 or 8 font size. I doubt a 20 year old could read it easily! 

I have come to the realization that my life would be easier if I would just give in and get reading glasses of some kind. Brenda thinks I should get the progressives. She thinks changing glasses is a pain in the butt. Brenda has progressives and she has gotten used to them. Although we always joke about how she moves her head up and down to see. 

I dye my hair. I have arch supports in my shoes. And now I will have reading glasses. It is all down hill from here. What's next? Depends?

Until tomorrow...

THE PARTY IS ON

Today I planned out the party. I sent out the evite. Okay, I don't really like elites either but I had to get the invitation sent out quickly and an evite is the best way. 

I have the food planned. A list of the things to do. Now I just have to start checking them off the list. 

Holiday Party!

Until tomorrow...

MORE WORK

Just when I thought most of my work would be winding down for the holidays, one of my clients comes to me in a meeting with this "I gotta have it now" project.

Can you do it?

Of course I can but you have to approve more hours.

Whatever you need to get it done. 

Give me the deadlines and I will have it done.

Oh, and I also need you to do this other thing at the same time. Can you do that too?

If everyone gets me their work on deadline and I have free reign to work the hours I need to get both projects PLUS my regular work done, I can do it.  (In my head I think, there goes my Thanksgiving weekend!)

The life of an independent contractor.  Sometimes it ain't so glamorous.

Until tomorrow...

PARTY

We are planning a holiday party for our neighbors and a few friends. When we first moved into the house we used to have parties. Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day barbecues, holiday party, and all the holidays we had folks over for a meal.  Then we had the total tear down of the house and all partying ceased for three years. Then came the after construction phase where parties didn't occur either. The house was not completed, things were still in boxes, etc.

Finally we started having small groups over for movie night or a person or two over now and then. But no big parties. Probably the biggest gathering we had was my birthday almost three years ago right before we got Lucky.  I had about 10 people over.

I am excited to have some friends over to celebrate the season.  We are planning what food to make and what to buy.  It is fun. I will have to decorate the house early. We decided to wait on a tree until after the party because our house is not big enough for people and a tree!

I will keep you updated on the preparations.

Until tomorrow...

GAS

Yes, I am going to talk about passing gas. I was taught to say "passing gas". So much better than "farting".  It is a natural thing but not something one does loudly and in crowds.  And if it smells bad you blame it on the dog.  My neighbor growing up called it "dropping roses".  

I never thought that much about passing gas until I got Crohn's Disease.  Now I have wild bouts of gas that lasts weeks. I have yet to figure what to do about it other than watch what I eat. No brussel sprouts or cauliflower for me.  Stick to potatoes and oatmeal. 

Have you seen those PSAs on TV for Crohn's disease? The actor (I can't remember who he is) talks about how Crohn's effects many people and the sufferers don't talk about it because the symptoms are so unpleasant.  That always makes me laugh.  If I really wrote about my Crohn's symptoms I would lose my blog followers!

For now I hope the gas will pass and leave me alone.  I can only cover up having gas for so long. 

Until tomorrow...

BATKID

SF chronicle

If you were anywhere in America today you heard about Batkid in San Francisco.  I was working at home today so I heard about it on Good Morning America and each newscast throughout the day.  5 year old Miles took over San Francisco "Gotham City" dressed in a Bat Kid costume. Miles is in remission from leukemia. He rescued a damsel in distress, caught the Riddler, and saved Lou Seal. A flash mob of 20,000 people showed up at City Hall. Someone donated a Lamborgini with a Batman logo on it. President Obama sent a video.

It was such a cute story and really seemed to bring the city together.  It was so funny that some of the police vehicles had "kapow" on then in the same font with the same bubble around them.

SF chronicle

So far.i have only heard one nay-sayer. What a jerk! This was such a great thing to do for this little boy and what a FUN activity for ALL of San Francisco! 

You go little Batkid!

Until tomorrow...

HEALTHCARE

How many of you have been sent cancellation notices from your insurance company? How many of you have been told your plan is ending on 12/31?  Are any of you worried your current doctors will not be on your 2014 plan?

Well, let me tell you, I have had an eye opening experience. Every time I think I have it all figured out, I get another curve ball. 

First, I think I can stay on my current plan. Uh, uh, not so fast! My plan is changing on 12/31. 

Then I think when they say "household" they mean household. Nope! Brenda and I have to be on separate plans and only one of us can get a subsidy. 

Then I find out I won't know about coverage for my Enbrel for another few weeks because the formulary has not been published. Hmmmm...

Finally, I asked my physician if he is going to continue to be my insurance plan. His practice has not signed the contract yet. What are they waiting for?? 

So I wait.  That 12/15 deadline is looming and now the government is mucking about today saying I can keep my current plan. Did anyone talk to my insurance company?   They don't want to let me keep that plan.

What have been your experiences?

Until tomorrow...

INSOMNIA

This insomnia is killing me. Yes, I am catching up on my TV shows but I need some sleep! Only two more days on this medicine. I can't wait! I will probably sleep all weekend.

Until tomorrow...

SLEEP, OH MARVELOUS SLEEP

My little dog Lucky got sick last night.  Yup, the new food is making her sick.  At 3:30 am, 4:20 am, 5:40 am and 6:35 am she wanted to go outside.  To eat grass.  In the dark. There I am in my pajamas with a flashlight. So, now I am sleep deprived. 

Then I read my blog friend Wren's blog post and she made me laugh.  She wrote about pajamas.  Pajamas!  All I wanted to do was get back into my pajamas.  Some days I don't get out of my pajamas because I work from home.  I get up and eat breakfast and start working and around 1 pm I realize I am still in my pajamas.  At that point is it really worth it to get into real clothes?   Wren's post is about the absurdity of the media writing about Kate Middleton's favorite clothes when the Philippines have just had the most devastating disaster in it's history.

The devastation in the Philippines is so overwhelming.  Every time I hear that 50 children may have been swept into the sea, my heart breaks.

Until tomorrow...

FAILED COOKING EXPERIMENT AND SHOPPING TRIP

Tonight I tried to make a chickpea pot pie. It was all going well until I put it in the oven.  Unfortunately the puff pastry top sunk into the inside of the pot pie and didn't cook.  It makes for a very uninviting photo but a fairly tasty dish (minus the portions of the top that are not cooked,)  next time I will have to make the rue better to thicken up the pot pie inside. Then the top will not sink in and will get brownish and crispy. 

I went shopping and bought myself a new biking backpack. I was going to wait for Christmas but it seems to be discontinued and the newer version is bigger. I didn't want a bigger backpack. I liked this one. So I went and bought the last one.  It is a great biking pack. It has a place to put a water system if I ever get good enough to go on a long ride. It also has a cover for rain. I can hang a light on it and it has pockets for sunglasses, ID, money, keys, etc. it is also light and has a great back so I don't sweat from wearing it.

Until tomorrow...

VETERANS DAY

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It is also the anniversary of Brenda's fathers passing. Her father was a veteran of two wars; Vietnam and Korean. May he rest in peace.

It is also my nieces second birthday. Happy Birthday!

Until tomorrow...

ALL THE THINGS FROM TODAY

Today I rode my bike down the hill to get my hair cut. It was great going down the hill. Not so great coming back up. I had to walk my bike. I don't have the strength yet to ride up our steep hill. It feels good to have my hair cut. It was so long. 

The new food seems to be working out for the dogs. They both love it and no one has gotten ill yet. 

Brenda and I swept up the leaves in the backyard. Raking leaves in the fall is such a thankless endeavor. You rake up the leaves and one hour later the backyard is covered again.

I think I have made the decision about the hot tub. We are going to remove the new cover and lifter and try to sell them. The hot tub has to go. It is in such bad shape, our electric bill is sky high, I think the rats have taken up permanent residence in it, and it is too much to take care of. The plan is to get rid of it. Hopefully sell the cover and lifter. Then in 6 months or more buy a smaller and easier hot tub. Our neighbors have a smaller one that seems more manageable.  We need to wait until the critters have moved on to somewhere else. 

Oh, we watched Monsters University. It was so cute!  A lot of Mike Woskowski (if you know your Monsters characters.) He is the green ball-type guy with one eye. He was Sully's coach in Monsters Inc.

Until tomorrow...

GOT SOME OF MY TEST RESULTS

Today I got back my blood test results. Shocking I am really low in calcium and really, really low in vitamin D.  Considering I have been on antibiotics for weeks and had "stomach issues" for weeks, it is no wonder I am low on my blood work. I am surprised I am not low on more things.  Still waiting to hear about the C diff results.

On another note, I took both dogs to get different dog food and to get their nails done. They would not do Lucky's nails because she growled at them, I am going to bring her back with a muzzle and without me in the room and see how she does. All the other places say she is a dream. I was shocked. 

Until tomorrow...

NEW ANTIBIOTICS

The new antibiotics are slightly easier on my tummy.  I had some interesting side effect last night.  I am not sure what is in this antibiotic but I had to pee 10 times last night.  I felt like I had taken a diuretic.  Every hour I got up to pee.  I was exhausted!

I have not gotten the test results yet.  I assume tomorrow I will hear something.  Yes C. diff, No C. diff.  I just want to know.  Today my stomach was making these weird noises but it wasn't hunger; just these weird noises.  It was loud and embarrassing! 

Only eight more days of pills.

Until tomorrow...

CHANGED MY ANTIBIOTICS

Today I went to see my Crohn's doc.  I told her that I have been sick again and she was noticeably concerned.  She checked out my throat and said it didn't look good.  I was coughing.  My lungs were clear and there seemed to be no sign of pneumonia. But I told her I had a lot of tummy pain.  She immediately changed my antibiotics to another type that will not upset my stomach as much.  Now I am on another 10 days of the new antibiotic. 

Then she tried to check out my gut.  Well, she barely got to touch me and I jumped off the table.  She got concerned when she heard my symptoms (trust me you don't want to hear them!) and decided to have me tested for C. diff "Clostridium difficile".  C. diff is a spore-forming bacterium that is best known for causing antibiotic-associated diarrhea.  Because I have been on antibiotics twice now in three or four weeks, I may have contracted C. diff.  How do we test for this?  It is diagnosed by stool specimens tested for the toxins.  I get to bring the lab a stool specimen.

It is funny (not ha ha funny, weird funny) that this sickness season is sort of like it was about four years ago the year that Brenda's father passed away.  It was an awful fall/winter.  I got the flu (this was before I was getting the flu shot because we weren't sure I could get them while on Enbrel) and it turned into bronchitis.  Or maybe it was the other way around.  During this time Brenda's dad got very ill and was put in the hospital.  We didn't know when we would have to fly back East.  Right when I got the sickest, her dad passed and we had to jump on a plane.  I hated being around her family while I was so sick and tried to pull myself together and be useful.  Popping antibiotics every couple of hours, taking cough medicine and sucking on cough drops.  As soon as we got back I went to the doctors and was diagnosed with walking pneumonia and that carried on for a month, through the end of the year.  I was sick from October until the end of the year.  Horrible!

Until tomorrow...

ACHING TUMMY

These antibiotics are killing my tummy.  At first I thought my tummy was upset the other day because I had some spicy soup that got my Crohn's going.  But now four days later I see that it is the antibiotics that are tearing my stomach up.  Every morning I take the pill with food but about an hour later I am on the couch curled up in a ball.  The pills don't bother me quite as much in the evening.

Today I spent hours curled up on the couch instead of working.  I have five more days of these horrible pills.  I am not sure I am going to make it.  Tomorrow I see my gut doc so I will ask her about it.

Until tomorrow...

SKYPING WITH FAMILY

Today I got to Skype with my niece and nephew. They have grown so much.  They are so cute!  I enjoyed seeing them play and interact together.  It is so fun to Skype since kids this little can't really talk on the phone and don't really have the attention span for phones.  My niece kept staring at her own picture on the Ipad instead of my picture.  My nephew liked when  I pointed my finger at him and it got bigger in the camera.

It is also interesting listening to my nephew now that he can tell me things.  He told me all about the book I sent them (with a little elaboration).  Then he told me about his costumes for Halloween.

We are going to try to Skype next week too.

Until tomorrow...

INSURANCE CHANGES

So I call The-Insurance-Company-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named to check on my insurance plan. I got some shocking news. The news was shocking not because I am different than other people but because I am getting the information so late. I was told that my insurance plan was being discontinued on 12/31/13. I immediately got panicky. I thought that since I had not heard anything, I was going to be okay.  I am not.

I tried to get the rep to help me but he was just confusing me more. Then I called all my insurance friends and begged them to help me. One called and walked me through.  Seems that since I work for myself and I make so little, I am below the line so I get a subsidy. Crazy! I might get a better plan for less money! 

I have my dad helping me with this because it is so confusing. Do I pay more per month or have a higher maximum out of pocket expense?  Such decisions.

I hope you all are having an easier time.

Still sick and taking it easy. Watched Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2 and Gangster Squad today. 

Until tomorrow...

GOT REAMED OUT

Yesterday I made a mistake. It was a reasonably big mistake but no one died. Nothing burned down. No babies went without eating. No planes fell out of the sky.

By the reaction of one of the people involved you would have thought one of those things had happened. 

Here's what occurred: I set up an appointment for someone to meet with four other people at a location. I spoke with a fifth person who was supposed to book a meeting room. The fifth person forgot to book the meeting room. I got sick with strep and forgot to follow up. The person showed up for the meeting with the four people and they were not ready because the meeting room was not confirmed. Only three of the four ended up meeting with the person. So the whole thing was a fiasco. 

Today I found out what occurred. I start calling everyone to apologize. First person says "we end up meeting but I didn't ever get the email that we were even meeting at all." Interesting. Everyone got it.  Second person lays into me. I mean goes on a rant. "How unprofessional, you made us look like idiots,   He was affiliated with us..."  I have to honestly say, I almost was in tears when I hung up.  I never cried but I was close.  The third person was SO sweet. He said it wasn't my fault. I should not take to heart what others say (I guess he heard what person number two said to me) and since I was sick, I should take the rest of the day off and rest.  See, sweet.  Person number four just said thank you no need to apologize. 

Why do people have to be like people number two? Gosh, does he not make mistakes. Like I said no one got hurt. It is nothing that a simple apology can't fix.  I am embarrassed I made a mistake but things happen. People can't do better if they don't make mistakes.

Until tomorrow...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Did I have a Happy Halloween? I would have to say not so much. I woke up this morning with strep throat. Fabulous.

I could not go to my clients. I had to call the doc and get more antibiotics. 

I was able to hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters. We had a bunch of kids. They were so cute! I bought the giant bags of candy and we have one left. We ended up having less kids than last year. 

Then I watched Charlie Brown. A full day!

Until tomorrow...

READY FOR HALLOWEEN?

Today I got ready for Halloween. I know a little late in the game. Hey, I have been very busy!  I was organized enough to buy the candy this weekend and disciplined enough to not eat any of it until today!

Today I put the big spider and web on the front door.  I hung the skull, witch, and pumpkin on the windows.  I am ready for the kids.

Until tomorrow...

DOG DAY

Today was a day all about the dogs.  First I took all the dog food back to Petco.  They were so nice!  They took back the "bad" dog food.  The food that I think had something wrong with it because Lucky would not eat it.  Then they also took back the food I bought to replace it because she wasn't thrill to eat that.  Since I had read that this brand had some recalls this year, I decided to take back Happi's food too.  Petco took back three bags of that food too.

Then I went to another store and bought one bag of a new type of food.  A new brand called Fromms.  They have a better reputation and have never been recalled.

Later that day I took Happi to the vet. She has been shaking her head and scratching her ears all night long.  Turns out she has goop in her ear. (Yes, that is a doctor term)  I have drops to put in them and in 7-10 days she should be all better.

Brenda cleaned out all their food containers, bowls, and snack containers (we feed them their food as a snack - keeps their weight down!) just in case it was some bacteria in the bad food.

At feeding time both Happi and Lucky gobbled the new food right down.  Hopefully we are on the way to a healthier home. 

Until tomorrow...

LITTLE LUCKY

Poor little Lucky, our chihuahua mix.  At first I thought she was just being picky when she would not eat her food.  So I got her some different food.  During the transition of changing her food over, she got sick.  So I stopped giving her the old food.  She still would not eat the food.  She pooped in the house.  I am not sure what is wrong with her.  Is it the food?  Is she sick?  Who knows?

I am taking back the old food because I think something is wrong with it.  I researched dog food and decided I am probably going to change their food.  Both dogs.  I did not realize that their current food had been recalled earlier this year.  Not their flavor but their brand.  I find it frightening that a dog food brand can be recalled but it never makes the news.  I never hear about it.  My dog could die because Mylie Cyrus tweerking is bigger news than a dog food recall.

I think I am also going to take back the new food and just get her some new food. I was given this sample of Fromm dog food and both dogs went crazy for it.  I researched two different brands of dog food: Fromm and Nutrisource.  Both companies have single source protein dog food.  Just what I need for Happi. 

Tomorrow I will call around and figure out what food to get for my pup!  Then take back the bad food.

Until tomorrow...

FIRST BIKE RIDE

Today I went on my first bike ride since I bought my bike. Oh, I have taken my bike out and went down the street.  Today I went with my friends N and K to a place where the city had closed off the traffic so we could ride our bikes without any cars in the way.  It was nice and flat for the most part.  It was probably 10 blocks and I rode the whole way.  Once we got to the end, we met up with some of K and N's friends.  Then we walked back to a Vietnamese noodle place where I had some pho.
It was just what I needed.  The weather was supposed to be nice but it wasn't.  It was overcast, cold and windy.  I really needed to be wearing another layer and some gloves.  The pho was so hot that it warmed me from the inside.  After eating we saw some llamas.  It was so odd to see llamas standing on the street!  I don't know what they were doing there but they were adorable.


That was when the group split up and K and I pedaled back to the car.  I almost made it the whole way but one block short I had to walk.  My legs had enough!

When I got home I took a hot bath to soak my muscles and warm up.  It felt good.

I felt really good that I could keep up.  This was my first time biking for any length and I was worried I would get tired and not be able to keep up.  I think K and N are trying to get me to go on one of their long rides.  They just finished the Climate Ride on the east coast.  I think it was 5 days biking from Pennsylvania to Washington DC.  Not so sure I will be able to do that anytime soon!  One step at a time for me.  Let's get me up the hill to my house first!!!

Until tomorrow...

MADE $19.00

Today was the garage sale. I got up at 6:45am and got ready to sell at 8am.  I didn't have much to sell but I still sat outside until 11:30. I sold three things and made $19.00! Yippee!

We took the money and went out to dinner.  Then we watched Peeples.  It was a cute movie. 

Until tomorrow...

GARAGE SALE TOMORROW

Tomorrow our neighborhood is having a group garage sale. I am horribly unprepared.  I forgot to go to the bank so I have $10 in coins and $9 in ones.  That's it.  I haven't gotten the stuff I want to sell together.  Basic ail all I have done is think about it and get the money in a box.  Oh, I made a list of things to bring outside with me.

I will let you know tomorrow how it goes.

Until tomorrow...

POSTURE

I have been focusing very hard on my posture. Some of my neck problems are due to my horrible posture. I attribute my slouching to having short friends when I was young and very tall. I was 5'9" very young. Always in the back row in photos in school.  Even now people don't believe I am that tall because I slouch so badly.

I have also been focusing on sitting up straight and working at my desk. Usually when I work at home I work slouched on the couch. My office could be an episode of one of those hoarder office clutter shows where they bring in a clutter expert and an expert organizer.  I just have so much paper; everywhere.  Then I have a desk I don't like.  I have a chair I love. Not a desk chair but a big soft cushy chair that is covered with crap. Then there are my many brief cases/bags for different clients on the floor. Magazines in a rack. Two dog cages for the pups. Just tons of stuff.  Oh and the room is dark if there is no sun so I need to get some sort of lamp.

I have been working on my posture. I think it is helping my neck.

Until tomorrow...

COUCH

It is almost time for us to buy a new couch.  The couch in our TV room is a hand-me-down and it is starting to look like a hand-me-down.  It is also a pull out bed and I think it has seen a better day.  I think it is soon going to be time to trash it and get a new couch.  There is a dent in the area where everyone sits because it is near the light and side table.  It actually has a butt-print. 

I have to think of what type of couch we want to but next time.  What color?  What fabric?  What size?

Until tomorrow...

OREOS ADDICTIVE? SAY IT ISN'T SO!!

Okay, I don't do illegal drugs anymore. I don't drink alcohol anymore.  I don't smoke anymore.  I don't eat any meat products anymore.  I have never worn fur (oh wait, I think I had a white rabbit fur muff when I was a small child), okay haven't worn fur since then.  My one vice is Oreo cookies. I eat them a lot. I love them. Especially the Double Stuff Oreos; they are my favorite.

Now I found out Oreos are as addictive cocaine!  According to the article,  Rats find Oreos as addictive as Cocaine - an unusual research project, "rats formed an equally strong association between the pleasurable effects of eating Oreos and a specific environment as they did between cocaine or morphine and a specific environment."  Eating the Oreos activated the pleasure center part of the brain even more than drugs do.  

So basically, I am doing drugs again. Over-the-counter of the local supermarket drugs. Right there in the cookie aisle drugs. 

Does this mean I will have to go to Oreo rehab? Have an Oreo intervention by my friends and family?  Will I be tweaking for Oreo crumbs?  Have to wear an Oreo patch?  Attend to OA (Oreo-eaters Annonymous) meetings?  

Until this research is substantiated, I will continue my Oreo consumption addictive or not. I figure one vice is okay until my friends and family show up for an intervention, an Oreo intervention!

Until tomorrow...

SAYING HURTFUL THINGS

Why do people say hurtful things? Especially when it is in a passive aggressive way.

I was told that I am loud at one of my clients. Only I wasn't told to my face. I was moved to an office that is in the back away from everyone else. It was under the guise that the position had a lot of file cabinets and needed the privacy.   Then later when the person who had the office mentioned something about not having the space anymore, I mentioned that they had given it up because they didn't like it.  She said no it was because you a lot if stuff and you are really loud when you work.  Plus you need the privacy. That last part she said once she realized that telling some they are loud is not very nice. 

No one ever told me I was too loud. Not too mention my supervisor was WAY louder than me.  If that is the way people felt the adult way of dealing with it would be to come to me and say You are too loud could you try and keep it down?  I have no problem going to folks when I want something. 

Okay, I have been called loud, brash, aggressive, lots of adjectives but once you get to know me you know that I am fair, will fight for you, will help you as much as I can, and can keep your secret. 

I am trying not to be hurt by the comments.

Until tomorrow...

ANOTHER DAY OF REST

Today was a day of rest.  I watched a couple of movies (Calendar Girls and Men In Black 3), dyed my hair, took a nap, ran to the store to get some food, and made some soup.  Okay, that doesn't sound like I rested much.  But I did.

Last night we watched two movies.  The Odd Life of Timothy Green.  It was an odd movie but what do you expect from a movie called the Odd Life... It is about a small boy who appears to a family with leaves on his legs.  They are so desperate for a child they don't really question the leaves. Now would you question a child that showed up at your home in the middle of the night with leaves growing on his legs?  I think you would.

Then we watched Olympus Has Fallen.  It was an action thriller about a takeover of the White House.  Lots of guns and killing.  I sure hope the response time of our actual military is faster than it was in this movie.  It was an entertaining movie and kept me awake.  Brenda fell asleep.

Until tomorrow...

THREE MORE

Okay, I am going to be writing about rats. So if you have heard enough, I understand.

Since I have been sick, today I went out back for the first time in a few days. Out back means I have to go out on the deck and downstairs to get to the backyard. First I fed the fish. Then I noticed a dead rat. Yuck!  It was just laying there in the dirt. I went inside and got a shovel and a bag.  I put the rat in the bag. 

In the time that it took for me to get those supplies, another rat appeared. This rat was in the last hours of life. It was dying near a third rat that looked like it had been there for a day. They were all young but not babies. I am assuming they got into my neighbors rat bait. Once I got the bodies in a bag, I washed down the whole backyard. 

On another note, my fever has not retreated. I went out for a short trip today to get mail and buy bread. 

Until tomorrow...

STILL SICK BUT SEEM TO BE GETTING BETTER

Today was a better day. My temp was lower. I could get some work done. Although I told one guy that his two hour appointment was from 11-2. I kept insisting that was right. I hung up and it took me a few minutes to realize my brain is mush. It should have been 11-1. I called him back and apologized.  Turns out he is sick too and was adding the time on his fingers thinking was he wrong or was I wrong. 

Hopefully tomorrow will be a big turn around. 

Until tomorrow...

STILL HAVE A FEVER

Pretty much spent the whole day on the couch in my pajamas. My temp never went below 99.5 and went up to 100.6. So tomorrow will be another day on the couch or in bed. I taped some shows so it will keep me occupied.  My ears keep ringing so I have a hard time concentrating.

Until tomorrow...

I GOTTA FEVER

I have a fever. It is in the 90s here and I am wearing long pants and a long sleeved fleece. I woke up this morning with a temperature. It rose as the day progressed.  Once it hit 100 degrees I called the doc. Of course my primary is out at a thing. Luckily his sub knows me well. She called me in and checked me out. We are being conservative and put me on a Z-PAC to knock whatever it is out if me.

Is it a sinus infection? Is it the beginnings of something else since I was exposed to pneumonia? Or as the doc put it "Typhoid Mary".  No matter what, Brenda spent the afternoon wiping down the house with disinfectant. I am downing fluids. 

I am sure I will feel better tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

RUDENESS

Okay, why are people so rude? Have manners and good sense gone out the window?

Tonight Brenda and I went to a function and the way to exit is to go down a permanent fire escape stairway. The stairs are metal and you have to be really careful, especially in the rain. Tonight it was not raining but still you want to be careful.  Everyone exits and I am following Brenda on this scarey staircase and some jerky guy cuts me off and cuts in front of me.  Now I would not have Brenda in front of me while I go down these stairs. The nice lady behind me saw that I was wondering what to do because Brenda didn't know that the jerky guy cut inbetween us. The nice lady held other people back until the jerky guy continued down the stairs. Now I was behind Brenda again. I could hold onto Brenda while I negotiate those stairs. 

We made it down in one piece. All us well!

Until tomorrow...

DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON FOUR

It is that time again.  Downton Abbey Season Four has begun.  What you say?  I thought it didn't start until January?  Yes, but Season Four started showing in England a few weeks ago.  If you know what you are doing, you too can watch episodes of Downton Abbey online. 

It was so great to see Episode One.  Don't worry, I won't give anything away.  I wouldn't do that to you.  Downton Abbey is sacred!  I am just so addicted that I can't wait until January! This weekend episodes 2-4!

Until tomorrow...

PASTA AND QUINOA

It is Sunday so I must be cooking!  Today I decided to cook a pasta dish and a quinoa dish.

The pasta dish was  Roasted Tomato Spaghetti + Crispy Chickpeas + Dill.  It was easy to make but it took awhile because it took three hours to roast the tomatoes. I used whole wheat pasta in this dish. 

Then I made Quinoa With Brussels Sprouts And Pomegranate.  Now this is Super Good! Even Brenda ate a bunch of it. It has brussel sprouts, walnuts and pomegranate. Really easy to make. Taking out the pomegranate seeds was the hardest part. I used the underwater method.   

There is enough of both dishes to last for a few days of leftovers. 

Until tomorrow...