HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE

Happy New Year's Eve!  I am still hibernating.  Everyone I know has either had this flu/cold or currently has it or is in the process of coming down with it.  Since Saturday morning I woke up  with a scratchy throat and have had a runny nose for a week and woke up with an achy body, I thought it best to stay in all weekend and rest in a germ free environment.  The only thing that would have made it better would have been if I could have made a fire but alas we are under Spare the Air restrictions here.  No wood fires.  That includes Duraflame logs.  So no fire in the fireplace during the whole holiday season.

I have been getting things done like laundry, writing thank you notes, starting to take down Christmas decorations, watching lots of movies and binge watching Netflix.   Low stress activities.

Hopefully I will miss this round of cold/flu by taking these measures.

Until tomorrow...

FLANNEL SHEETS

Today I started feeling like maybe I am coming down with the cold that is going around. My throat got a tingle and my nose has been running and I felt achy. Of course it could be nothing. My nose runs most days due to allergies. I feel achy most days due to my RA and my throat may have been bothering me because last night I met my friend in a bar that was kind of loud and we talked for 2.5 hours.  But I thought it was better to be safe than sorry so I stayed in most of the day.

I took a bath. I had some soup. I drank hot tea.  Put on my new slippers.  Then I made my bed with flannel sheets. There is nothing I like better when it gets cold then flannel sheets.  They are so toasty and warm.

We shall see how I feel tomorrow.

The first test results came back on Happi and they show she is fine. Diluted pee. That is all. It usually means she drank too much water before the test. More results on Tuesday. 

Until tomorrow...

DRINKS WITH A FRIEND

Tonight I went out for drinks with a friend. But let me backtrack.

First I went to work and had a horrible day so I left at 11:30 am. It was a half day for most people but I had planned to stay longer.

I got home and Happi had to pee. Then see peed again. Then I took her for a walk and she peed on every tree for 6 blocks. Then I got home and and hour later she had to pee again and 40 min again.  I called the doctor at 4:50 on the Friday of New Years Eve weekend. The new receptionist tried to put me off but I said the doctor would talk to me! He called me back and said bring her right in for testing and antibiotics.

Of course Friday night is the worst time to go to their office because the parking sucks. I drove as quick as I could and believe it or not someone was pulling out 1.5 blocks away from the front door.  We got there at 5:15 pm. They took her right back and took the samples and gave me the meds. We made it to the car at 5:45 pm. I get the test results tomorrow and Tuesday.

We rushed back home because I was meeting a friend at 6 pm. I texted I would be 15 min late.  I let both dogs out back, brushed my teeth, put on a coat, and was out the door in 5 min.

I was 4 min late to meet my friend E. We haven't seen each other in a year (where does time go!) We had a great time catching up.  He even invited me to go with him as friends to Hawaii because he has this condo reservation that he got when he was dating someone but they broke up.  But I can't. I just got this job.

It was a crazy day with ups and downs.

Until tomorrow...

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

A couple of weeks ago when I went to the eye doctor I was given good news/bad news.  The doctor says it is good news but I think it is bad news. I have the very small beginnings of cataracts. Ugh. Another sign I am getting old!

I asked him how to slow it down. He said wear sunglasses as much as possible. So if you see me in shades, you will know why. I plan to be like Bono or Jack Nicholson with shades on all the time.

He says it is good news because once I have cataracts I get the laser surgery and I don't have to wear glasses anymore. I have worn glasses since I was a little kid. I wouldn't know what to do without glasses!

Until tomorrow...

NEIGHBOR DECORATIONS

My neighbor has this vacant lot. He has made part if it into a little garden. The other part is where he has parked some old cars. To hide the cars he built a wall. During the holidays, he decorates the wall. For Christmas he puts up stockings with the neighborhood dogs names on them. 

This year he was not done putting all the names on the stockings and some people left him notes asking if he would put their dogs names on the stockings. Since it seemed like he had more dogs names than stockings I volunteered that Happi and Lucky could share a stocking this year.

We are the stocking just left of center.

Until tomorrow...

HEARD FROM A FRIEND

Out of the blue today I got a text from an old friend. He was one of my volunteers years ago and became a friend. Once I stopped working there, we lost touch. Last year I found his number through LinkedIn. We got together for a drink last Christmas and he came to my annual holiday party with his girlfriend. Then he volunteered to come put together a cabinet for me before my foster inspection.  I haven't seen or talked to him since then.

Out of the blue today I get a text wishing me a happy Christmas.  We made plans to meet for a drink. Obviously our yearly tradition.

I can't wait to hear what has gone on in his life.

Until tomorrow...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Santa came to visit! Merry Christmas! The dogs each got a new dog bed and a dog toy.

I went to the movies to see Coco the Disney movie. It was very good.

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS EVE

This year I have no packages to wrap, no gifts to run out to buy, and no last minute chaos. I am so happy. I am home watching Christmas movies and old Christmas shows like Prep and Landing  and T'was The Night Before Christmas and Charlie Brown Christmas.

Until tomorrow...

LAZY DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Just a lazy day.  I walked to the post office and picked up two packages.  One was a gift basket of fruit with 2 apples and 6 pears.  Yum!  I finished up my remaining Christmas cards and wrote some thank you cards. Watched a Christmas movie on Netflix.  Just a lazy day!

Until tomorrow...

SUPER TIRED

I literally fell asleep at 7:30 pm.  I was watching TV on the couch and I was sound asleep.  I got into bed to watch TV and bang, I was out again.  I guess I was tired.

Until tomorrow...

HOLIDAY GATHERING OF FRIENDS

Tonight I had my friends H, M, and B over for a Christmas gathering. Lots of desserts and chatter. I learned all about Twitter from B who used to work there.  It was fun.

Until tomorrow...

HOLIDAY GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS

Tonight I had a small gathering of neighbors over my home. It was wonderful. Everyone sat around and talked and ate, boy did they eat!  Everyone loved my peanut butter cups and my lemon cookies.

It was so nice having seven people over rather than 30 people over at one time. When it is a large group I barely get to talk to anyone. I am always running around cleaning up or cooking food or making punch or getting drinks. Tonight I was so relaxed. People could get their own food and I just filled drinks of which I had very few options.

Everyone seemed relaxed and seemed to have a good time. There were good conversations. We steered clear of politics talk mostly.

I think I will do this again next year. Tomorrow night is another group of friends.

Until tomorrow...

STAR WARS AGAIN

I had lunch with a friend today. We went to an Ethiopian restaurant. The food was delicious.

I was sitting at home, just finishing my Christmas shopping, when I got a text from my friend M. He was asking me if I was coming to see Star Wars. Huh? I thought there wasn't a ticket for me to go tonight. Turns out he thought his email told me there was a ticket for me for the 8:15 show. The movie started in 19 minutes. Could I get there? I could miss the previews. Okay, I would try.

I threw on shoes, took the dogs out to pee, called a cab, put on my coat, put Lucky in her cage, and the cab arrived. He got me to the theater at 8:14. I ran inside and found the theater. I sat down just as the previews started. Whew!  This theater has a policy that you cant enter if you show up late, if you talk or use your phone you will be asked to leave and if you have a problem with someone, you put up a flag and the management will deal with it. SO civilized. They also serve food and alcoholic drinks.

The movie was just as good the second time!!

I also decided to put up my little fake tree. It is cute and easy. 

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

Today was the day I need to finish my Christmas present buying. I can't believe I waited this long to finish my shopping. At this point I have to have everything shipped directly.

I am also thinking about whether I want to buy a tree or not.  I love a real tree but it is a lot of work and this year I am not into it. I'm tired. Exhausted.

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN DESSERT SMORGASBORD

I made some great vegan lemon cookies today.  They are great.  I used some lemons from my lemon tree.  They were super easy to make and will be a hit at my parties.

Tonight I had my friends J, G and E over to my home.  First they took me to a vegan Chinese restaurant, then we came back to my house.  We had a vegan dessert smorgasbord: chocolate cheesecake with raspberries, lemon cookies, shortbread cookies, peanut butter cups, and chocolate bark.  I got a thumbs up for everything but of course the peanut butter cups were given two thumbs up!

Until tomorrow...

TWO GIFT BASKETS

Yesterday I received a gift basket from a client. It included crackers, cookies, chocolates, hummus, cheese, cheese sticks, and fruit.

Today I received another (the same) gift basket from my aunt. Since I can not eat any of it but the fruit, I am happy I am having friends over this week who will assist me in eating these snacks.

I spent my day making desserts for my friend gatherings this week.  I made my famous vegan Reese's cups and some chocolate bark with pecans and cranberries.

I also had to go get my bus pass exchanged since it stopped working a few days ago.

I went to a friend's Christmas party this evening.  I don't always do well at parties. I have a hard talking to people.  I ended up talking to a woman and her 5 year old child. I played with her child almost the whole time.

Until tomorrow...

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

Tonight I went with a group of friends to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi. We are a group that goes to see Star Wars, DC and Marvel movies. They are super fun to go with.  After the movie they go out after and talk about the movie. I usually can't do that because I have dogs that need to go out after a 3 hour movie.

Star Wars was really good. I don't want to give anything away. There is a new "character" that looks kinda like an owl. It is called a porg. It is super cool. I bought a small stuffed one to put near my Hedwig owl from Harry Potter. 

The other new cool thing in Star Wars is an Ice Fox. They are also called a Crystal Fox. The way they move is very life like.

I would see Star Wars again. I recommend it.

A client sent me a gift basket today. It has cheese, crackers, cookies, hummus, chocolate, cheese sticks, and fruit. It is a lovely basket. Great for entertaining.

Until tomorrow...

NO BIG PARTY THIS YEAR

This year I decided not to have my annual holiday party. I think many of us are just exhausted. I know I am. With natural disasters, sexual harassment claims, budget talks, internet votes, holiday preparations, work, family, dogs, getting sick, it is all too much.

I decided instead to have small groupings over for dessert.  I had my first person over tonight, my friend S. We spent 2.5 hours catching up and eating cheese cake and shortbread cookies (vegan of course).

I got my pulmonology test results back today.  I do not have interstitial systitius.

I do have nodules on my thyroid and in my lungs. They will have to retest in 6 months. Nothing to worry about.

Until tomorrow...

HAPPI'S TESTS CAME BACK PERFECT

I got good news about Happi today.  Her blood and urine tests came back perfect.  That put my mind at ease.  She had a tough night last night waking me up at 5 am.  She has been very playful and eats like crazy.  She has started drinking more and that is really good.  We are keeping her on the flagyl for many more weeks to see if she has a tummy infection. 

Until tomorrow...

SHORTBREAD COOKIES

I got up at 5 am today and made the decision to take Happi to the drop in at the veterinarian's office before going to my clients. We saw the doctor and he thought Happi looked better. He agreed to run blood work and urinalysis. I think it will make me feel better knowing her blood and pee are okay.  I get the results tomorrow.

Yesterday I began making vegan shortbread cookies. I made the batter and put it in the refrigerator.  Today I took it out and it was too crumbly. I thought about it for a bit and decided to add some water.  The batter came together and I was able to roll it out.

I was able to make a bunch of shortbread cookies. They taste okay. 

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES

I tried to make shortbread cookies tonight.  The batter is dry and "sandy" but it tastes very good.  I am not sure what to do.  I read somewhere I should put a tablespoon or so of water to the batter until it pulls together.  I will try that tomorrow.  I have the batter in the refrigerator.

I am really excited to make vegan shortbread cookies.  

Until tomorrow...

POTLUCK

Today was the neighborhood potluck.  I brought the chocolate bark that I made yesterday.

It was a hit.  Everyone said it was good.  It is always fun to go to these neighborhood events and meet up with folks I usually just say hi to on the street.

Update on Happi:  I seem to see a change in Happi that is good.  I took Happi in a walk for the first time since she had her dental work.  She did great.  Her back legs did not tremor at all.  She wanted to sniff everything.  She drank a bunch of water.  I am really hopeful that she is recovering from the past weeks and months of tremors, stuffy breathing, teeth chattering, chills, sleeplessness and listlessness. 

Until tomorrow...

MADE SOME BARK

I spent the day with my friend's foster son.  First we went for burritos and bird food.  Then we got the ingredients to make Chocolate Bark.  I am going to a potluck tomorrow and need to take something with me and I decided to take Bark.  I thought it would be a fun activity for us to do together.  We each made our own flavor.  E was in charge of melting the chocolate and we each prepared our ingredients.  I was in charge of getting the parchment paper ready on the baking sheets.

E's bark is a peppermint candy cane bark.  I had a taste and it was good.

My bark is a craisin and pistachio bark.  It tastes AWESOME!  It should be a hit tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

MAGIC POOP SPRAY

My new dog walker did the nicest thing today.  I came home and he cleaned all the dog poop from my backyard.  The other day I noticed that there didn't seem to be the same amount of poop in the backyard but I thought I was hallucinating.  Then today all the poop was gone. I felt bad because I was supposed to clean up the poop last night since it was trash night but I was at the protest pretty late and it was dark. 

I texted him to ask him if he did it and he said he has a magic spray to make the poop disappear.  He is very funny.

He needs a special holiday present!

Until tomorrow...

NET NEUTRALITY

I took Happi to another veterinary appointment.  I am very worried that this teeth chattering is getting better but it is not going away.  I have done some research but I can't figure it out.  The other symptoms she had (shivering, tremors) went away.  She is still licking but not like she was.  Her mouth seems dry but her nose is wet.  She is yawning and teeth chattering periodically.  This new doctor thinks her stomach is bothering her.  We now have her on Flagyl and something to calm her stomach that I have to give her 1/2 hour before she eats.  I said I would give this a try and see if it does any thing.  He says those symptoms can be a sign of pain and he is thinking that the drugs upset her stomach.  She has been having strong (run you out of the room) gas for weeks.

I went to a Net Neutrality protest today.  In case you have not heard, Net Neutrality is the thing that keeps the internet free.  Everyone has access.  No Internet Service Provider can slow it down.  Keep the internet free.

Until tomorrow...

NEW EYE DOCTOR

I visited my new eye doctor today.  I stopped going to my old eye doctor of many years because he was not covered by my insurance.  Because I take Plaquinel, I have to see an eye doctor every six months.  This was getting expensive.  After paying $800 in six months, I decided I could not see my old eye doctor anymore. They were not willing to work a deal with me.  I had to go.

I found an eye doctor in my insurance who was very nice.  They did all the same tests.  The only thing that they found was that I have baby cataracts.  Ugh.  He said that was good, I would not have to wear glasses anymore.  Looking on the bright side?

Other than that my eyes looked good.

Happi slept with me and ground/chattered her teeth twice. I decided that I was calling the vet in the morning and see if I can get a cancellation appointment first thing in the morning.

Until tomorrow...

DO DOGS GET ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS?

Happi is looking so much better.  Her legs are no longer trembling.  She is walking better.  No chills.  The only part that keeps happening is the teeth chattering at night and the licking her lips.

I did some research about opioids and dogs.  Although some doctors say dogs do not get addicted to opioids, there are some doctors who believe animals do get addicted to opioids.  After this experience, I believe dogs do get addicted.  She is certainly acting like she is coming down off some kind of drug.  Not being able to sleep, licking her lips, chattering teeth, having a hard time walking.

I just want my baby back.

I went to the Jonathan Richman concert tonight.  It was great.  He used to be my neighbor and I miss seeing him and his wife and their dog Dexter around the hood.  They are such fun people.  He will be coming out with a new album soon.  

Until tomorrow...

I THINK I FOUND OUT WHAT MAKES HAPPI TREMBLE

For quite some time now Happi has been trembling. Her back legs will tremble when we go for a walk. Then during her dental problems, she has been having neck/head trembling and her teeth have been chattering. 

Yesterday I did some research on all her medications and the side effects. I found out Tramadol has tremors as a side effect. When I asked the doctors no one told me this could be a problem.

Yesterday I stopped giving Happi the Tramadol. I gave her another pain killer instead. She slept like a baby for the first time in weeks maybe more than a month.

Today I did not give her the Tramadol and gave her the other pain killer. Still no tremors. No teeth chattering. She is laying there snoring.

I started my new gig today.  It is going to be good.

Until tomorrow...

EMERGENCY ROOM WITH HAPPI

At 5 am this morning I had to take Happi to the emergency room. She was licking her lips, shaking her head and nashing her teeth all night. She could not sleep and neither could I.

I tried to stick my finger in her mouth and she cried.  That was when I put my clothes on and jumped in the car.  At the ER the doctor was stymied.  He thinks the stitches from her tooth extraction is rubbing against her cheek and has irritated her. The doc spent a lot of time sitting on the floor thinking out loud trying to figure it all out.  There does not seem to be anything that answers why she is acting this way.  I am supposed to take Happi to her regular vet on Monday. At least I know she is okay. 

I got home and went back to bed. My mind was still thinking about what the doc told me. It had to be something else. When I got up I started googling things. I started to Google side effects for her medications. She has been taking a medication called Tramadol.  When she started taking it I asked if there were any side effects and I was told it is really safe and she can take it for a long time with no issues. Since I have heard this before, I should not have believed it. But I did. She has not only been taking it, I have been increasing her dosage due to this dental procedure.

At multiple doctor appointments I have mentioned that Happi has developed these tremors. They just started a few months ago. She has had them in her legs. I was told older dogs get them.  I have been suspect since they just appeared one day. Usually these things gradually appear. 

One of the side effects of Tramadol is tremors. Here I have been increasing Happis dosage. She is trembling in her legs, face and mouth. I immediately stopped giving her the pain killer. I began giving her another pain killer that knocks her out. Let's see if my instinct is correct. 

Until tomorrow...

POTLUCK PARTY

Happi is still doing the chattering thing with her teeth and is licking her lips.  I have to leave her to go to a potluck for the foster/adopt agency.  I am worried about her. I gave her the medicine and she is going to sleep.

This morning there was a giant car accident that caused a back up on the freeway.  I was debating whether to go to the potluck since the freeway was backed up for hours.  I decided to go and had a great time.  My friends J and G were there with their foster some E.  We hung out.  I saw my social worker and we talked about me getting a foster kid.  She said some kids have come across her desk but she declined them for me.  She wants me to get a kid just right for me.

I know you want to know what I brought: Mexican Bean Salad.  It was a hit!

The ride back home was not as bad as I thought it would be.

Until tomorrow...

NEW TEMPORARY DOG WALKER

Happi is still not doing well.  I called the doctor again but he doesn't seem concerned.  I am concerned.  He says to give her more pain meds.  He says she is still having issues coming out of the anesthesia.  She is still doing the chattering thing with her teeth.  

We met the temporary dog walker today. He is very nice.  He will be coming on the days that I work and letting Happi out in the backyard and taking Lucky out with his group.

I am so happy about this.  He seems very nice and Happi really likes him.

Lucky was not very nice to him.  She laid on her bed and growled at him.  She would not let him pet her while I was there.  I think it will be okay.  She was just scared.  She will calm down once she gets to know him.

Until tomorrow...

I HAVE A WASHER AGAIN

Happi is having a hard time again today.  She is still crying and whining.  Poor baby.

I went for my breast cancer doctor appointment today.  I got my mammogram results: I am clear.  Everything is good.  Yay!

In the afternoon the washing machine tech arrived.  I have been waiting almost a month to be able to wash clothes.  I am on my last pair of underwear.  To recap the washer has been not smelling as fresh and the clothes have been coming out wet despite running the spin cycle twice.  It was starting to make a banging noise.

The tech ran a the washer and of course it didn't make the banging noise.  Isn't that always the way?  But then he found the problem.  The hose where the water goes into the sewer line was pushed into the the sewer line.  It was supposed to be only about 4" into the sewer line.  Instead it was really into the line.  I am thinking that when my handyman was doing some work over there a few months ago, he may have accidentally knocked the line since this problem has only been going on for a short period of time. 

The hose was flushing out the dirty washer water and the dirty washer water was flushing back into the washer causing the laundry to not smell so fresh and stay wet.  That caused the washer to bang.

So now it is fixed.  I spent the next 48 hours washing the stacks of laundry from my trip, my sheets from being sick, my dog sitters sheets and towels, and various other items that needed to be washed from a month without a washer.

Until tomorrow... 

HAPPI HAD A TOOTH REMOVED

Today Happi had to go to the dentist.  She has had a hard time for a few weeks with a toothache.  I have been giving her pain killers.  She was a little anxious I was told when I picked her up.

Her tooth was so rotted that the dentist said he didn't have to dig it out, it just popped out.  Poor baby! That means it has been painful for a long time.  But it is out now and the rest of her teeth are very good.  Sparkly clean.

The dentist said she had a really hard time coming out of the anesthesia.  She was really groggy when I picked her up.  Different then Lucky is when I pick her up.  Happi was crying.  She cried all night long.  For hours.

I will see how she is tomorrow.

While Happi was at the dentist, I went to get my pulmonology test.  I thought I would be breathing into something but it was very different.  I was in a CT scanner and I had to hold my breath while scans were taken.  It went pretty quick.  

Until tomorrow...

PREP FOR HAPPI DENTAL

Today is the prep for Happi to get her teeth done.  Tomorrow at 7 am Happi has to be at the dentist.  She is in so much pain.  She is doing this weird thing where her teeth chatter.  It is so weird and scary.  I am hoping that removing any bad teeth will make her better.

Until tomorrow...

NEED A DOG WALKER

I got a new gig and I contacted my regular dog walker and she is going on a month long vacation.  What to do?  I spent the day contacting doggie day cares.  I have to find a place to take care of the dogs while I work.

Happi is always a difficult situation since she has to rest a lot and can't rough house.

Until tomorrow...

REALLY LAZY DAY

Today was a lazy day.  My last day before my gig starts.  I finished laundry, decorated some more, and cleaned up some more.  I binge watched The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon.  It was really good.  I highly recommend it.

Until tomorrow...

TREE TRIMMING

I woke up and looked out the window at the neighbor's chickens.  I thought I saw them out of their coop.  I texted the neighbor to let him know.  He was sweet and thanked me and said he would check them.  He did and they were fine.

 Then the tree guy (or guys) came today to trim my white birch.  It really needed to be trimmed and shrunk down.  They cut it in a way that it shrinks its size without "topping" it.  Topping is when the trimmer cuts the top off the tree.  You are not supposed to do that in my area.  It is not good for the tree.  Instead you can shrink a tree by cutting branches.  The tree looks great.  Bare right now but it will look great next spring.  I have had this done before.  It is a birch and if you don't thin it it gets top heavy and very thick.  It is not happy.  This thinning makes it happy.

When the guys were here, they had their big truck.  It was too big to fit in my driveway and went into my neighbor's driveway.  I rang their doorbell to ask if it was okay.  They didn't answer so I figured they were not home.  It was only going to take about 30 minutes so I figured it was okay.  The guys said they would move the truck if they needed them too.

In my area people frequently park blocking our driveways for deliveries and to drop things off, so I didn't think it would be a problem.

I monitored the truck and the guys.  All of a sudden I noticed the truck was moved.  I went to the neighbor's home and rang the bell.  A man I didn't know answered and I introduced myself.  He said he was upset the truck was there and I apologized.  I said I didn't think anyone was home so I didn't think it was a problem.  He said it was a problem.  He didn't like that the workers didn't speak English and he was going to call the police.  I said he didn't have to do that.  I was here and the truck was moved.  I knew his daughter-in-law and son and we were friendly.  There was no ill intent.  After a few minutes I talked him down.  He said where he lived people didn't block people's driveways and if they did they called the police.  I guess he didn't live in a city.  He also said where he lived, the people spoke English.  OH.  I see.  Not sure where he lives but welcome to the West Coast.  I ended the conversation at that point.

I emailed his daughter-in-law and apologized for upsetting her father-in-law and blocking the drive way.  She emailed right back and said he never said a word and I can block her driveway any time.

I went to see my neighbor's K and N for a short visit and to give them a small item I brought them from Sedona.  It was good to catch up.

Then my friends H and M came over to bring me a vegan pumpkin pie.  It was so sweet.  It was also DELICIOUS!   It was good to hang out.

Until tomorrow...



 

YEARLY MAMMOGRAM

I spent the morning with my friend's foster son decorating the house.  We just got a small start but it was a big help having a teenager lugging the boxes up and down the stairs for me.

Then I went to get my yearly mammogram.  Yes, I wore my tiara.  I am hoping the Power of the Tiara will protect me and keep me safe.  I was in and out fairly quickly since the whole hospital administration was closed.  There is no rest for the mammogram office.

I get the results next week.

I also ate some more solid food.  I think it is over!

Until tomorrow...

THANKSGIVING DAY

I spent Thanksgiving talking to family and going to the movies.  I went to see Three Billboards.  It was really good.  It was funny and moving.  I would say that if bad language bothers you, you may want to take a pass on this movie.  Every cuss word is used in this movie. 

Before and after the movie I just took it easy.  I had a little more solid food.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Until tomorrow...

CANCELLED THANKSGIVING

I am feeling better but I am still not able to eat a whole meal.  I am weak and tired.  I made a meal of boiled potatoes, tofu and peas just to have some food.

I cancelled my Thanksgiving plans.  I didn't want to spread the disease and be around any food. 

I hope to feel better in a few days.

Until tomorrow...

WENT TO INTERVIEW

Even though I felt horrible, I went to the interview.  I told them I would not shake hands since I didn't want to spread it.  One of the participants was out also and she was conferencing in.  I went to the meeting then to the market and came home.  I needed to buy a few items since I was running out of food.

I got back in bed and went to sleep. 

Until tomorrow...

SICK AGAIN

Well, I think I ate solid food too soon.  I got sick as a dog again last night.  I am unable to eat again.  Oh, it is ugly.  I have that job interview again tomorrow.  I had to postpone it since I was sick last week.  Now I am sick again.

I had the plumber come today to check out my shower drain.  They found some goop in the drain and poured some stuff down the drain to clear it out.  While they were there, I had them clear out my outside drain too.  It has been years since I had it cleared out.  Let's hope it is the problem.  

Until tomorrow...

JUSTICE LEAGUE

I felt well enough to go see Justice League this afternoon.  I thought I was on the mend.  The movie was okay.  The beginning was kind of slow.

Then I came home and ate some real food.  For the first time. I thought I would try it.  I was so hungry for real food.

Until tomorrow...

BINGE WATCHING

I am missing so many things.  A birthday party, a poetry slam.  Ergh.

I have been binge watching Daredevil on Netflix.  Two seasons and 13 episodes one hour long.  Lots to watch.

I have lots of time to spend in bed recovering.

Until tomorrow...

STILL SICK

Yesterday I was supposed to go to a job interview and had to cancel I was so ill.  I have the stomach flu.  It is ugly.  Today I went to a doctor appointment but only because it had a 24 hour cancellation policy.  I should not have gone.  I needed to stay in bed.

So sick...

Until tomorrow...

SO SICK

I am so sick...

Until tomorrow...

ANNIVERSARY

I moved into my home 13 years ago.  It is hard to believe.  Time goes by so fast.

I am writing this early because I am not feeling too well.  My stomach is upset.

Until tomorrow...

PRIMARY DOCTOR VISIT

I am home from Sedona, AZ and I have an appointment with my primary doctor.  I need my flu shot and a check up.

He gave me a slip for my pulmonology test.  I have not been able to find a pulmonologist who will see me on my insurance plan.  My doctor decided that he can send me for the test.  He solved the problem.

Until tomorrow...

GOING HOME

View from the hotel

View from the hotel

I got up at the crack of dawn, ate some food, finished packing and got in the car.  I had an hour drive to get to the airport.  I also needed to get gasoline for the rental car.  I got to the airport and there was not one gas station along the way.  I had to go on a search for gasoline.  I finally found a station and filled up.  Then back to the airport and turned in the rental car.  I lugged my luggage to check in.  That is where the waiting began.  It is such a small airport that only one airline flies to it and it closes until the first flight takes off.  So I waited. And waited.  And waited.  I also found out the only bathroom is outside the TSA checkpoint so be sure you pee before you go through TSA.  The dilemma is how do you pee when you can’t leave your luggage alone or leave it with a stranger.  We asked the TSA agent what to do and he said “leave it with someone to watch.”  I am sure the TSA Director would love to hear that piece of information.  Finally they opened the desk and checked people in and took their luggage.  I could go pee and then go through TSA.  Both of my carry-on bags were pulled aside for further examination.  Turns out that protein bars show up on the x-ray machine as something that could possibly be an explosive.

View from the sky

Both flights we fine and I got home.  The dogs were happy to see me.  It was raining.  I was so happy to be home.  

Until tomorrow...

HIKING DAY

Today was hiking day.  I booked a 2 hour hike with a guide.  I was most looking forward to this.  No talking about anything.  The guide took me to a valley and we walked and looked up to the red rocks.  The strangest thing is that there is no wildlife (come to my house!)  He says at night there is tons of wildlife because they are nocturnal.  We talked about the fauna, geology, history, life and other stuff. After an hour hike in the valley, we hiked up to a lookout point and saw the whole rim of the red rocks (we call them mountains) around Sedona.  

 

 I went to Uptown to finish my shopping.  I went back to the hotel and walked to Whole Foods and got a sandwich.  That Whole Foods deli is awesome.  

My reiki guide ended up being my medicine wheel guide in the afternoon because the other guy quit.  So we already knew each other.  A medicine wheel is how they close out the whole weekend.  It is where you set your intentions for moving forward.  A medicine wheel is an Indian tradition.  The rocks symbolize the different time of a life.  You think about your intentions while you walk around the wheel.   I also walked the labyrinth that was there.  

Medicine Wheel

 I treated myself to a dinner at another restaurant that had good vegan food in another part of town called Tlaquepaque then I went home to pack.

Until tomorrow...

NO I CAN'T BE HYPNOTIZED

Today there is no hiking.  Today was all about my head.  The morning session was using Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. (The treatment is focused on supporting the health of the whole being, especially the nervous system.)  I lay on a table and the healer held my ankles.  I was supposed to relax.  One of the running themes this whole weekend was that I am unable to relax.  I need to find a way to relax.  I am aging myself by not being able to relax.  It is also not healthy being "on" all the time.  I found the therapy quite interesting.

Then I had another break and I went in search of food and shopping.  I had made a plan to buy certain items while I was there.  Unfortunately, Uptown has a lack of vegan food so I had to settle for a salad and French fries.  Not too nutritious.  

Snoopy Rock Uptown Sedona

 

Uptown

The afternoon session was a bit of a bust.  The lady was a hypnotherapist.  I found out I cannot be hypnotized.  She had set the scene and was doing her thing.  I was feeling nothing and about 25 minutes in I interrupted her and said I am not feeling anything.  I thought she would be, maybe not happy I said something but interested.  But no, she had an annoyed/mad tone in her voice that I stopped her.  She said "now I have to start over".  I said just start where you left off.  She started up again.  She went for 15 minutes more and said “you see the tree right?”  I said NO.  She said What?  I said this is doing nothing for me.  She seemed annoyed again but recovered quickly.  She started doing another thing and it ended nicely.  So much for that.

I went to a great restaurant that had a ton of vegan food.  I got three items and the waitress said “are you sure you can eat that much?”  I said don’t worry about me.  I went back to my room and went to bed.

Until tomorrow...