Sunday, April 30, 2017

CONTINUING ODOR

Yes, the odor is still pungent.  Today I tried vinegar and water.  It seemed to help a little bit.  I will try again tomorrow if it seems to work more.

It is super hot today.  I don't want to do anything.  The dogs are cranky.  Other than food shopping, I don't want to do anything.

Until tomorrow...

Saturday, April 29, 2017

ODOR LIKE ROTTEN EGGS

The deck smells like rotten eggs.  I can barely open my french doors.  The smell is horrible.  Of course this weekend is supposed to be the hottest days of the year (which is why I wanted a clean deck!) and I can't open the doors.

I rinsed the deck again to see if that helps with the smell.

I met a friend for ice cream.  It was supposed to be two friends but one had a date.  After ice cream we decided to come back to my house and watch Moana.

Until tomorrow...

Friday, April 28, 2017

CLEANED THE UPPER DECK

I bought a deck cleaner to clean the deck off my kitchen.  I wanted it to look as nice as the one the gardener cleaned last week.  I sprayed the horrible stuff and scrubbed the deck with a brush.  I rinsed it off with tons of water.  It still smelled. I figured it needed time to air out.  The deck looked pretty good.  It probably needs about three more cleanings to look really good but it no longer has mold and mildew and weird things growing on it anymore.  I also think I killed the ants!  Bonus.

Oh, my nephew texted me that he loved the brownies that I sent him.

I took the dogs to the park today.  This is the first time Happi has been to a park in years.  She had a good time.  She wanted to run around but was a good girl when I told her she could not. We will see how she does tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, April 27, 2017

SAFER

I bought some cleaner to clean my upper deck off my kitchen.  There were two types of cleaner to choose from.  One was more environmental than the other.  I chose that one.  It is called Safer.  I hope it works well.  The deck is in really bad condition from years of rain, sun and wind.

Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

WORK SIMPLY

I have been reading a new book Work Simply by Carson Tate.  It is a book that tries to show you your type of productivity style and how you can work more efficiently.  I thought I would try some of the suggestions.  I am constantly inundated with emails, paperwork, and tasks that never seem to get completed. 

One of the suggestions is to have a 15 minute list.  Things you can do in 15 minutes.  When you are waiting for your friend to arrive or when you are on hold with your insurance company.  There is a list waiting that has things for you to do instead of websurfing or looking at facebook. 

One premise of the book is that we all have a running list of things we need to do that we keep in our head.  Sometimes we put some of it down on a piece of paper or into our phone.   One of the first thing you do is a brain dump.  You think of all the items you need to do. All those to dos that you have in your head: change the light bulb in the garage, call and make an appointment and finish the project for the client.  Clear your head and then you make a Master Task List.  I made my list today and my head feels empty!  There is more to it than that and I will let you know if it ends up being useful.

I have not figured out what type of productivity style I have yet.  I am not good at assessing myself.

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

BROWNIES

I had my first heart episode and it took my so off guard that I forgot to push the button.  It is hard to remember to push a button and where is the button and how long do you push it when it happens.  I have been practicing without actually pushing it so I am prepared.  The episodes happen quickly and only go for a few seconds.  I have to move fast.

To make myself feel better last night I baked my nephew some vegan brownies and mailed them to him this morning.  He will get them tomorrow just in time for his first final at college.  I figure some good homemade brain food will be good for him and his friends.  He loved these brownies when I made them for him last time.  Hopefully they make it there okay.  I wrapped them a couple of times. 

The lady at the post office said it was super that I was sending my nephew brownies for finals.  She said I was a good aunt.  I don't know. I would have been a good aunt if I had done it during the school year more often.

Until tomorrow...

Monday, April 24, 2017

HEART MONITOR AND WACKO DOCTOR

Did you ever get so angry you just can't talk about it?  That is where I am. 

Today was a medical day.  First I went to the cardiology department and had my heart monitor put on.  It is about the size of a cellphone but about two cellphones thick.  It clicks onto your belt.  There are wires that attach to the four stickers on our chest under your shirt.  It is super sexy, not!  I have to wear it for 30 days.  When I have a heart thing happen, I am supposed to push a button and enter the information about what I am doing.  When I am showering, I detach the cords.  Every three days I change the pads.  So far no episodes.

Then after a short break at the hospital lobby watching TV on my phone, I went to see my RA doctor.  This is my new doctor for the last year since my long term beloved RA doctor retired.  My new RA entered the room and stayed for about 4 minutes asking me how I am doing while sitting across the room.  She then left to review my chart for 5 minutes.  She returned to look at some of my joints and ask me where I am hurting.  I told her my hips, elbow, shoulder, and I am pain and can't sleep.  She asked me if I hurt along the back of my lower legs.  I said I have.  She left the room again for 5 min.  When she came back, she told me I do not have rheumatoid arthritis but I have Ankylosing Spondylitis/Spondyloarthritis.  She said I have four choices for medications: Ibuprofen, prednisone, methotrexate, or enbrel.

If you have been following this story for a long time, you may remember that I took methotrexate a long time ago and got methotrexate lung.  A serious disease that effects your breathing. Ibuprofen effects my stomach.  It took me years to decrease the prednisone that I refuse to increase my dosage unless it is an emergency.  And Enbrel!!  Last year I got meningitis and was told not ever take Enbrel again.  Now she wants me to take Enbrel again.  Horrible options.  She had no other ideas.  So two options that almost killed me and two options that will not do much.  Well, thanks.

Not to mention that after all of 7 minutes of talking to me, she changes my diagnosis from RA to Ankylosing Spondylitis/Spondyloarthritis (AS).  The main complaint of people with AS is a loss of flexibility of the back and neck from inflammation.  Pain, stiffness, limited mobility in the lower back.  Pain in the knees and heels.  The person has a hunchback posture.  Okay, I slouch but I have always slouched.  I just have bad posture because I am lazy.

The reason I had shoulder pain right now is because I have rotator cuff problems.  It has nothing to do with AS.  This doctor is a wacko. 

I have called and made an appointment with a new doctor.  I need a new perspective.  I gave this doctor a chance. She may be a brilliant researcher but she is an awful person doctor. 

Now you can see why I am so upset. 

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, April 23, 2017

I SCREAM YOU SCREAM WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM

An ice cream shop opened in my neighborhood.  I am super excited because it has vegan ice cream flavors. I went down today to try it out.  It had some coconut butter pecan ice cream and guava sorbet.  They let me try both flavors and the guava sorbet was delicious.  I got the pecan ice cream because I wanted some ice cream.  It was really creamy.  I ate it really fast.  It is really dangerous having delicious ice cream that close to my home.

I made a really good salad tonight.  It was a Quinoa, corn, edamame salad.  It is colorful and delicious.



Until tomorrow...

Saturday, April 22, 2017

WHEN WE RISE

I am finally getting around to watching When We Rise.  It is the historical mini-series about gay and lesbian history that ABC put on TV back in March.  I recorded it and I watched it this weekend.  A four night event goes faster if you don't have to watch all the commercials.  It is so funny to see your things that you participated in documented in a historical mini-series.  It is a sign you are old!

The series was well done.  Anyone who doesn't know much about gay/lesbian history should watch it.

Until tomorrow...

Friday, April 21, 2017

LUCKY MADE ME PROUD

Lucky made me proud today.  When I adopted her she was protective over everything.  Her food, herself, her bed.  If she found something to eat on the floor, she would attack someone who tried to take it away from her or even came near it.  She thought everyone or everything was trying to take her food away. She would even attack if you blocked her from getting "food" if she wanted it.   Once she got in a fight with Happi over a bug.  See where I am coming from?

Today we were on a walk and Lucky found a pit.  It was a cherry pit or some kind of pit.  I was trying to get her to leave it alone but she was intent on chewing it.  I had a dog treat and I told her to drop it, leave it.  I offered her the dog treat and guess what?  She dropped the pit and sat down to get the dog treat!  Then she was calm when I reached over and took the pit away!    A few years ago if I had done that I would have lost a finger.  She was so nonchalant about the whole thing.  I was so proud of her.  I gave her more treats and told her she was a good pup.

When your children make you proud!

The gardener came and power washed the slate in the backyard.  She got the green moss and dirt off but there is this black stuff that would not come off.  It looks pretty good.



Until tomorrow...

Thursday, April 20, 2017

NEW GLASSES

I picked up my glasses today.  My glasses are progressives and this is the first time I am wearing progressives.  People have been warning me for years that they are horrible and that I am going to hate them.

I got my new glasses and went to a coffee shop and put them on and began to read.  I have no idea what people are talking about.  I walked up three flight of stairs with no problem.  I thought they were great.  I did not wear them home on public transportation.  I thought I should get used to them first before I went on the subway.

I am going to spend the weekend wearing them before I have to drive and get around.

Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

DOCTOR VISIT AND LAB WORK

I went to see my primary care doctor today.  It was a follow up from when I went to the emergency room with the heart palpitations and from when I saw him with the tendon pain in my legs.

I had a long list of things that are bothering me.  He wanted to hear the list when I got there.  I told him that my elbow still hurts, my shoulder hurts, my hands hurt, my chest is tight and it is hard to breathe sometimes, I can't sleep from the pain.  He immediately said he is worried that my RA is going crazy and he wants me to get on some more aggressive medication.  I am happy about this because since I have been off the Enbrel, I have felt that my RA has gotten worse.  The Enbrel stopped the progression, that is what it does.  I have not taken Enbrel for one year and for the last 6 months I have been getting progressively worse.  Today I told my doctor that I feel like I am falling apart.  So many parts of my body are in pain, I just feel old and like I am falling apart.  The hardest part is that I am out of breath going up a flight of stairs which means I could get interstitial lung disease.  This can turn bad.  I could also have costochondritis (inflammation of the chest and rib cage) although it doesn't feel like it.

I also have a weird rash on my legs and a spot that I need to get checked by a dermatologist.

I am just a mess.  The doctor said I need to make an appointment with the RA doctor immediately.  I went to get blood tests done this afternoon.  I am also getting a heart monitor to wear for a week or two to see how my heart is doing after the emergency room visit.

I am sure everything will be okay.  I believe in being proactive and checking things before they become a big problem.  Maybe getting on a new medication will make me feel better and not so tired all the time.  Next week will give me answers.

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

NEIGHBOR VISIT

I hosted some neighbors for dessert at my home tonight.  I found a dairy-free, vegan chocolate cheese cake.  It was really good.

It was fun catching up with some friends and having tea and cake.  I need to do it more often.

Until tomorrow...

Monday, April 17, 2017

WHERE IS THE SUN?

I am anxious for sunny days to begin.  It has been raining for so long.  We have gotten a few sunny days here and there but then it rains for a few days or a week.  It is hard to have so much rain.  I could never live in a rainforest.  Being damp and wet all the time is so depressing.  I need the sun!  That is why I moved to the left coast.  It is supposed to the be the sunny coast.

I am waiting for sunny days.

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, April 16, 2017

MUSEUM VISIT

My parents are in town and we went to a museum to check out some art.  It was raining and this seemed like a sensible thing to do.  The museum was huge and there was a ton of art to see.  My favorite display was an artist who made giant mobiles.  They were huge and very creative.

Until tomorrow...

Saturday, April 15, 2017

TAX MARCH

Today I went to a protest called the Tax March.  I was walking along and all of a sudden a well known politician was marching behind me.  I was surprised that she marched the whole way.  I got a selfie (not so good) while we were walking.

I am one of those people that never seems to run into famous people.  It was fun to be right near someone famous just walking along.  Okay, she had her people with her keeping the paparazzi back.  The media was all around her interviewing her and taking her photo.  I am sure I am cropped out of many of them!

I marched carrying the gay flag.  Last time I marched I carried a sign and my arms were killing me.  This time I carried the flag and it was so much easier.  No pole just the flag.  It is very light that way.

It was a quick march and then a warm bath with epsom salts.

Until tomorrow...

Friday, April 14, 2017

GARDENER #2

The gardener came again today.  The backyard is really looking good.  She thinned out my weeping trees.  She said there was a bunch of dead growth under them and now they look so much better.  I just want a backyard that I can enjoy and have people over and it looks nice.  I want the dogs to want to spend time out there.  I want to spend time out there.  Not too much to ask.

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, April 13, 2017

OBAMA BAG

I got this absolutely funny thing in the mail today.


In case you can't see, it is an Obama pocketbook.

I was just sitting here thinking, what is missing in my wardrobe?  I know, an Obama purse!

About 20 years ago I bought something from the US Mint and they still send me fliers asking me to buy things: coins, stamps, plates, etc.  Today I got this mailer from the Danbury Mint asking me to buy this lovely Obama pocketbook.  I just wonder who came up with this idea? How many will they sell?  Do people like this so much that they will sport a bag that says Obama instead of Louis Vuitton, Coach or Chanel all over it?

Suffice it to say, I will not be purchasing this bag.

Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

ORGANIZED CLOSET

My handyman came again today. He worked on shelves and removed an eyesore in my garage.  It was supposed to be a shelf and pole to hang clothes to dry.  It was instead a large monstrosity that was not a shelf at all.  It had a thin piece of wood that I could precariously hang clothes.  And it was painted mint green.  Like hospital mint green.  Ugly!  I hated it the minute they made it and have wanted it ripped down for 7 years. 

I got my wish today.  That hunk of wood is gone and now I just have a thin pole hanging from the ceiling.  I can hang my clothes to dry now.  That area of the garage is so open and bright now.  I can actually see things in that area now.  It is amazing how that green thing was blocking the light.

He also put in a shelf in my closet.  Now the closet is so organized.

The closet didn't look like this a few hours ago.  Candles were falling all over the place.  Now it looks awesome.

I am so glad that I just took the dogs out. It just started down pouring. My dogs just hate the rain.  Today it was raining and Lucky didn't want to poop in the rain so she came in the garage where the handyman was working and squatted down and pooped.  She just hates to poop in the rain.  She is a little bad.

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

UPDATE #2 ON GLASSES

I just got an email giving me an update on my regular pair of glasses (as opposed to my sunglasses).  Warby Parker emailed me to say they received the frames but there was an inconsistency with the frame.  They have to order a new pair of frames.  They said they will be expediting the order and will let me know when they arrive.  Both pairs of glasses will probably arrive at the same time! 

Oh, it is raining again.  Ugh.  Over 200% of the amount of rain we normally get in one year and it is only April 11th.  

Until tomorrow...

Monday, April 10, 2017

UPDATE ON GLASSES

I took my frames to Lenscrafters today to get sunglasses put in them.  I want my progressives in my sunglasses so I have to get the thin lenses, the progressives, the brown tint, the UV, blah, blah.  I should have them in a week. 

I was really surprised that Lenscrafters has such a wide selection of frames.  Next time I will go there when I am looking for frames.  They had a bunch of designer styles. 

In a week I will have both my regular glasses and my sunglasses and I will have a new look. 

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, April 9, 2017

ONE-POT CURRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH COUSCOUS AND CHICKPEAS

I made a great stew.  ONE-POT CURRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH COUSCOUS AND CHICKPEAS.  It is really good. 

Epicurious
I am actually very full and think I ate too much!  There are lentils, couscous chickpeas and cauliflower.  Yum!

Until tomorrow...

Saturday, April 8, 2017

SHIRTS THAT FIT

I went to Target today and saw a great deal on shirts.  3 for $20.  I have a bunch of short sleeved shirts that I got a few years ago when I went on a cruise and they are too big on me.  They were too big last year and they are really too big this year.  I grabbed nine shirts in different styles and colors at Target.

I came home and went through my short sleeved shirts and tried them all on.  Any shirt that is a Large and is too big is gone.  Into the box to be donated.  I am getting rid of about 15 shirts.  No more keeping shirts that I will never wear again.

I still have some shirts that will still fit and now I have the nine new shirts.  Woo Hoo!

Until tomorrow... 

Friday, April 7, 2017

LONG WALK

I have been needing to get more exercise. Today I had to go to the Verizon store to get the screen protector put on and the memory card put in. The plan was to go to my clients and afterward take a bus straight to the Verizon office. 

I was waiting for the bus when a protest march came by.  It held up traffic for a bit of time so I decided to walk.  I figured I would walk for a bit and then when a bus goes by, I would jump on a bus.  

I began walking and walking and walking.  No bus.  I probably walked 20 blocks.  Some of it uphill.  No bus.  When I got to Verizon and was talking to the customer service rep, a bus finally went by.  I was glad I didn't wait.  I got my exercise in for the day.

The guy put my memory card in and put my screen protector on.  It has bubbles and I may have to go back.  

Yes, I took the bus back!

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, April 6, 2017

NEW PHONE

I am so happy.  I got my new Android Motorola Moto Z Play Droid cellphone and all is right with the world.  The transfer of data so far is okay. I kept it simple by sticking with another Android Droid phone.  I can open everything and it all seems to be working.  My contacts, photos, messages, apps, and emails are all on the new phone.  This is awesome.  Probably the easiest transfers of a phone that I ever had.  All my emails work and I think the phone works. 

I am very happy so far.  I have to go and get the screen protector put on.  I was also sent a regular charger and not a phone charger so I have to switch those.  I also have to figure out how to insert the memory card.  I won't have to worry about running out of space again.  This phone is a bit bigger but not so much bigger that it is uncomfortable.  I have so much data now I don't worry about anything.  Today I was on public transportation and I watched trailers for upcoming movies using data.  It felt so decadent.  I will probably never use all the data I get each month.  Maybe if I am on vacation or in the hospital but even then, I use the wifi at that location.  I never used all the data in my old plan.  A couple of times I came close to the total but I have the warning set and I immediately turned off all extraneous apps and made it through the month without going over my total.

I am happy I have a phone again.

Until tomorrow...


Wednesday, April 5, 2017

I JUST WON THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION COURAGE AWARD

I just won the Freedom of Expression Courage Award!  The estimated 3 to 4 million Americans who participated in January's Women's March are being honored with a major prize from PEN America. "The PEN/Toni and James C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award is going to the "Women's March" for "galvaniz[ing] a potent global movement to resist infringements on the rights and dignity of women and many other groups." Since I marched, I am receiving the award!

Past recipients are the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and the work of Lee-Anne Walters and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who brought the deadly levels of lead in Flint's water supply to national attention.  I am in amazing company!  Imagine that!  I had no idea I was even in the running for the prize.

 Phone update: I guess the Fed Ex was too late to go out last night.  The screen is almost completely purple now.  I got a phone call but could not see who was calling.  It is a sad state of affairs.  It makes an interesting day when I can't check my phone all day or make any phone calls.  For the first 12 hours I was a bit lost.  I wanted to make phone calls and look things up and send emails.  Then I would remember that I could not.   I had to use my computer to do things.  Or not.  The only thing I wish I could have seen was a text message from my dog walker but if it was important she will send it again.

My phone should show up tomorrow by 4pm.  Yay!

Until tomorrow...
my broken cellphone

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

BROKEN PHONE

Oh, this morning was a mess.  I was hurrying to change the code to the keyless entry to the house and Lucky barked very loud and I dropped the phone that I was precariously holding.  Unfortunately I dropped on a concrete sidewalk and it landed right on the spot that cracked the screen.  It was not bad at first but by the afternoon the purple stuff inside was leaking down.  I could not see the whole top of the screen.

At first I called the cellphone insurance I pay for but it would cost $150 to get a new phone or I could possibly get the screen fixed for $80.  I thought about it but thought I should call Verizon first.

I called Verizon and asked how much a cellphone would cost.  The sales guy showed me a phone with more memory.  This has been a problem for me lately.  I keep having to delete things because I am running out of space.  Then he told me I have a really old plan that costs more than the current plans.  I can get a better plan now (since all the wireless companies are in competition) for less money.  The savings will almost pay for the new cellphone in a year.   Plus I am moving from 3 gigs to 5 gigs.

The guy "felt so bad for me" that he gave me a bunch of stuff for free.  Free overnight shipping, free accessories, and discounted something else.  I know they probably do it for everyone but when you spend an hour on the phone, it makes you feel better when they start throwing free things at you.  The phone may show up tomorrow (I ordered it late in the day and may have missed the fed ex deadline).

For those of you who read this blog every day and have read it for years, you may remember the last time I ordered my phone from Verizon over the phone, the phone didn't arrive.  There was a screw up with the delivery and Verizon applied for a refund with Fed Ex but then the package was found. I ended up not having to pay for the phone.

My current phone will be two years old in August so it almost made the two year mark.  It would have made it had I not dropped it.

I now have to get the phone and head down to Verizon to get the screen saver put on and the phone set up.  The only sad part about this phone is that it does not charge wirelessly.  I have to go back to using wires again.

Until tomorrow...

Monday, April 3, 2017

WHEN IS SPRING ARRIVING?

The first day of spring was March 20.  Why doesn't it feel like it yet?  It is cold and rainy.  We have had some sunny days but they don't stay.  Then it rains and gets windy and cold.  I am ready for 70 degree days.  Trees blooming and flowers. 

When?

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, April 2, 2017

FRAMES AND PAELLA

I finally bought a pair for frames.  I went to a Warby Parker and found a pair of frames, well, two pairs of frames.  I took M with me and I chose a pair of frames that are really not like me at all.  It will be interesting to see people's reactions.  Then I chose a pair of tortoise frames for sunglasses. I have to go get them made because Warby Parker will only make them a certain way and I didn't like it that way.  I will go to another place to get it done this week.

Then I came home and made vegan paella.


It turned out really good.  Super tasty.

Until tomorrow...

Saturday, April 1, 2017

BARBECUE AND THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE

I was invited to a neighborhood barbecue today.  It was nice to hangout with some folks from the neighborhood.  We spoke about a bunch of stuff including how it is to wear transition lenses.  I was given a bunch of recommendations like get them on a Friday so you can begin wearing them over the weekend and get used to them. 



Then I went to see The Zookeeper's Wife with my friend S.  It was a great movie.  It is also a true story.

Until tomorrow...