HEATED UP

What an afternoon!  It is hot here.  I mean really hot.  Like lay on the couch and sweat hot.  That is exactly what I was doing when all of a sudden I got a headache.  I took a migraine pill.  Then I started to feel really bad.  I laid down and could not stop sweating.  I suddenly felt quite ill.  I went outside and laid on my new cushions on the bench on the deck.  The fresh air made me feel better.  Brenda came out and said I looked scary.  My face was really red.  She brought me cold wet towels for my face, neck and body.  That cooled me down after awhile.  It took at least 1.5 hours for me to get back to normal. 

I guess I got too overheated.  Since tomorrow is going to be just as hot, I worry since it is my prep day for the colonoscopy.  Tomorrow I can't eat any solid food.  I am on a clear liquid diet for the whole day tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

BEGINNING THE CLEAN OUT

Today I started the clean out of my office. My home office has been the dumping place since our renovation. During the renovation the only room that didn't get touched was my office. That meant things got dumped in that room. Now years later some of the stuff is still there along with all the new crap that has been dumped there. It is such an unhappy place to be.  I don't like to work there or even be there. 

While I am between clients I am trying to clean out the office. One step at a time. Today I took one bag of stuff, went through it and recycled 98% of the stuff. Yay! Hopefully tomorrow I will do another bag/pile.  Just work my way through the room one bag/pile at a time. 

Until tomorrow....

JUST WANT TO RELAX, SIT OUTSIDE AND EAT A MEAL

After spending 1.5 horrendous hours on hold with The-Insurance-Company-who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, listening to that hellions hold music, I bought patio furniture. I have e wanted to buy patio furniture for about three years. I always end up waiting too long into the season and then there is nothing left.

About three years ago I purchased this awesome table and chairs but when it arrived via UPS it was in pieces. They tried sending it again but it was once it was again in pieces. I asked for my money back.

Today I found a table and chairs just like what I was looking for. I found a table that was not too big,  seats four, round or octagon, and folds up so I can put it away in the winter. The table is made out of eucalyptus and is FCS certified wood (meaning it was sustainably harvested).  I also got four matching folding chairs.  I bought a yellow umbrella to make the whole set pretty. I just have to go buy the stand for the umbrella.

It will arrive at the end of next week. I am excited to be able to relax, sit outside and eat a meal.

Until tomorrow...

ROBIN ROBERT'S BOOK

As I wrote the other day, I have been reading Robin Roberts new book titled Everybody's Got Something.  I never highlight books (reminds me of being in school) but I have been highlighting this book like crazy. 

There are some great lines that spoke to me:

"Everybody's got something"

"Why is my something any worse or more significant than anyone else's? It's not. It's just not."

"I bet if we all threw our problems in a huge pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. Don't compare your life to others'.  You have no idea what their journey is all about."

"When you're facing a health crisis, you crave normalcy. So much of your life is not normal anymore. You feel reluctant to tell anybody, because I don't want to be treated differently."

"Everything changes when you tell someone you're sick. I just wanted to be treated like [me]."

"When you tell people you are sick, your friendship changes. As much as your friends don't want it to and they try not to change, they can't help it."

" 'what now?' friend - I cannot tell you how many hours I spent in needless worry about being a burden."

"You can have sad sorrow or happy sorrow.  I choose to be happy even in difficult times. Uplifting thoughts and actions. Nowhere is it written that we shouldn't be happy. We don't get extra bonus points for drudgingly going through life."

"Make your mess your message."

-------------------------------

My friend A came to visit. We had a very nice belated birthday dinner together. 

Until tomorrow...

EVERYBODY'S GOT SOMETHING

Last night I downloaded Robin Roberts book, "Everybody's Got Something".  The title intrigued me. This is a saying I have been saying for years. Whenever I tell someone I have RA and they say they are So Sorry. I always say Not to worry, Everybody's Got Something.

So far the book is really good. It is a fast read. It picks up after she battled breast cancer.  I guess that was in her last book. This book is about her finding out and fighting her MDS diagnosis.

It is interesting reading about someone else finding out about a diagnosis that will change their life. Of course her diagnosis was life or death.  But still the feelings were the same. "Could this be true?"  "What does (insert disease here) mean?" "How will it effect me?"  "What is going to happen?"  "Will I be able to continue to work?"   Then we all go on the internet and make ourselves crazy.

I look forward to reading more this weekend.

Until tomorrow...

TILE

We got our first shipment of tile today. It is about 200 pounds and arrived by Fed Ex on a mini palate. I had to move the car out of the garage so they could load it in the garage. Tomorrow another delivery comes with the rest of the tile. Hopefully this will be enough. If not I will need to buy more. 

I contacted the contractor to get the project started. I want to wait until after the colonoscopy for obvious reasons. We will need 1.5 bathrooms during the prep phase.  I will need to have a day or so of recovery in my bed after the procedure without workers banging. Best to start once I feel better.

Until tomorrow...

COLONOSCOPY AGAIN

I went to see my gut doc today. I wanted to review my most recent hospital visit with her. Since it was determined that I didn't have a burst cyst, then what was it?  She said we may never know if it never happens again. It may have been a virus if some sort. Or bacteria.

We we kept talking and she decided I should get a celiac test. I had one years ago but she could not find the test results. Then she said it has been 5 years since my colonoscopy. It is time for another one. Yippee! 

So in one week I will be drinking the goop and having a colonoscopy. The fun never ends!

Until tomorrow...

COCONUT BACON

Today I tried making Coconut Bacon. I had read about it on a vegan website and I wanted to try it.  I couldn't find flaked coconut so mine looks funky. I like to think it looks like bacon bits.

The website for the recipe is Coconut Bacon.

It doesn't taste exactly like bacon (from what remember) but it tastes like something smokey. The consistency of the coconut was not right because I didn't get the right kind.  I put the "bacon bits" on a baked potato and it tasted pretty good.  I need to make it with the right kind of coconut and then see.

Until tomorrow...

HAPPY EASTER

I hope you had a very happy Easter. We decided to do something different this year. We went to the beach to watch surfers. It was a bit cool but we bundled up and brought a picnic lunch. We sat in our chairs and watched crazy people going in the water with and without wetsuits. 

It was a mostly sunny day but it was NOT swimming weather. It was nice to be outdoors and out of the house.

Until tomorrow...

COULD I HAVE FOUND A CONTRACTOR?

Today I had my first contractor come by and look at the bathroom. He didn't even flinch when he saw the project. He even came up with a creative solution for one portion. Seems that this renovation will take about two weeks so we will soon be back in construction mode. Lovely.

I really liked this guy. He showed up on time, sent a proposal in less than 1 hour, was really clear about the work and good at finding solutions.

This project could get going really fast and we could have our bathroom back in two weeks.

Happy Easter!

Until tomorrow...

SHOWER RENOVATION

No this is not a planned renovation. The other day I noticed the floor in our shower stall was bulging. Our shower is one of these modern designs. The base of the stall is fancy cement.  It is a lovely dark brown color. Then about three feet up it has tile for about six feet. There is also a cement bench that is off-white.

Okay this is not the best photo. It looks like there is a clock in the shower, there isn't. It is the reflection of the glass door. But you get the idea.

The bulging floor means there is a leak and water has gotten underneath. This is not good.  Hopefully the shower pan has done its job and no water has leaked.

I spent the morning calling contractors to figure out what to do. Obviously, fix it. But how?  Finally I got a really nice green builder who helped me problem solve the whole thing. He made me see what I had already figured out: I had to give up the cement floor in the shower. The fancy cement is so specialized I couldn't find anyone else to do it. I needed to go with tile. It would be cheaper and easier to find someone to fix it. I called a about three places to have them come and give me quotes. One guy is coming tomorrow.

Just in case you are wondering, my original contractor (we can call him Jabba the Hutt) and I had a difference of opinion when he started making decisions during my remodel that I didn't approve.  Then when confronted he said I hurt his feelings, loaded up my supplies (tile, etc) and left.  Never to be seen again.  

Then I called to check on the tile. It is no longer being made. Why? Because the quarry has run out of this rock, so there is no more of this type of tile rock pattern.  There is only a small bit of the tile left at the company. WHAT?!  I asked if they had the amount that I needed. YES!  Brenda and I went straight down to buy it.  Now I have the tile to fix the shower on order. Whew!  Now I just need someone to do the work and tear up my beautiful shower. Sob!

Today I also went to the museum with my friend C. It was fun to see a great exhibit and catch up.  A little culture.

Until tomorrow...

EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND CUSHIONS

When did it become acceptable for cars not to pull over when an ambulance drives down the road?  I have noticed lately that when an emergency vehicle comes down the road with the siren blaring and light flashing, cars on the opposite side of the road continue driving as if there were no emergency vehicle on the road. I was taught that when an emergency vehicle is on the same road as you and there is nothing separating you such as a median, you must pull over to give the emergency vehicle plenty of room to pass.  Once the emergency vehicle has safely passed, you may continue on your way.

I just hope this trend doesn't continue. I worry that sometime I will be in an ambulance and some car will not pull over. Those precious minutes can mean the difference between life and not life.

Today I took back the coushions for the bench on the deck. The color on the cushions was not right and it clashed with the color of the house and trim. These new pillows match better.  I got the pillows because I enjoy sitting on the deck bench but sometimes it is too hot and hard the bench.  The pillows will make it much nicer to sit or lay down to read or eat lunch. 

Until tomorrow...

GETTING THINGS DONE

Since I am taking some time off from work to get myself in order, I have been getting things accomplished. Today I bought a new shower curtain, fixed the Rumba, and bought cushions for the bench on our deck. Although I think I am bringing back the cushions. The color is not quite right.  Tomorrow I am going to look at backyard furniture.  

I have also scheduled a few things to do. Like going to the museum, volunteering for bike to work day, going to a community meeting and having a friend over.  I need to keep busy.  I really need to organize my office. 

My foot has been killing me so I have been trying to stay off it for a few hours a day. It hurt more last night than it had for the last week.  I need to keep it up for more hours per day.

Until tomorrow...

BACKYARD CLEAN UP

For a few days now we have been doing a backyard clean up.  We have been working slowly so I don't get overworked.  We had to pull weeds, cut down vines and sweep up leaves and stuff.  We sectioned off the backyard and each day we are working on a section.  So far the yard looks great.

The pond has so many baby fancy goldfish.  There are at least 12 babies of various ages swimming around.  They are also of various colors.  We have black fish, white ones and multi-colored ones.  I love watching them swim around.

Until tomorrow...

PAIN IN MY HEAD

I have been having days of migraines. Not too much fun.

Until tomorrow. ..

STRESS FRACTURE

I went to the podiatrist today. She looked at my foot and sent me for x-rays.  The x-rays came back clear but she said that stress fractures don't normally show up on x-rays. I will be wearing a boot for 3-6 weeks.  She was going to give me a new boot but I already have a collection of them, I can use an old one. I came home and cleaned up an old boot so it will be ready to wear tomorrow. 

Until tomorrow...

PHYSICAL THERAPY BILL SOLVED

Over a month ago I sent an appeal to The-Insurance-Company-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named for a physical therapy bill I received.  For those of you who don't read all of the time or don't remember, I went to three physical therapy appointments under the impression that my physical therapy place was covered under the Affordable Care Act.  The physical therapy place told me I would be covered.  After the third appointment they tell me "Oops, you are not covered, we were wrong.  You are going to have to pay for the appointments."  The-Insurance-Company-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named sent me a check for $25.00 reimbursement for each appointment that originally cost $250.00.  The physical therapy place gave me a slight cut rate for the appointments so I now owed them a total of $231.00.  But I was really angry because I should have been paying a copay of $40.00 for each appointment. So I called The-Insurance-Company-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and they told me I should appeal.   I did on March 3rd.

I had not heard anything and today I was going to call to find out what was happening with my appeal. In today's mail there was a check for $149.00.  The-Insurance-Company-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named also sent the physical therapy place some money.  I am now happy.  I can pay the $231.00 bill. 

Also in medical news, I called my doctor about my sore foot.  My left foot has been bothering me since our vacation.  I am not sure if it is from the bad massage or from banging it on something or just from walking.  My primary told me to see my podiatrist.  She can see me in the morning.  My primary said I am too complicated!  Well, he said my left ankle/foot is too complicated.  That is the ankle that I tore my ligament and walked on it for a year prior to it being found that I tore the ligament and had surgery.  More news on this tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

WATCHING A GOOD MOVIE AND RESTING

Today I read a fellow bloggers post "Taking a Vacation from my Vacation".  It made me think about my recent vacation.  The two days after my vacation I spent my time on the couch recovering from the trip or from the day in the sun or from whatever.  For years I have felt like I needed time off after taking a vacation.

For me I am not sure if it is the traveling or the sleeplessness or the germs on the planes or what.  I know that too much sun makes me feel sick despite what the doctor's say.  I also know that I tend to sleep less when I travel due to the stress of making the flight, getting the dogs and bird to their sitters, locking up the house, making sure everything is packed, etc. ( I once left my passport at home when going on an international flight.  It was pre-9/11 so I was able to go on the flight but I had to have my passport sent to me to get back into the USA.  Since then I have been a little neurotic about forgetting the essentials.)  I am sure there are millions of germs on planes that are attacking my compromised immune system body and that probably makes me tired.  I have a vision in my head of a doll being attacked by millions of these sperm looking germs and the doll getting sicker and sicker.  Weird I know.

I don't know what it is that makes travel so hard.  I just know that I have learned to not plan anything important for the two days after a vacation.  I also know that if I do plan something, I may not be able to attend because I may be on the couch instead.  Watching a good movie and resting.

Until tomorrow...

VACATION POST

Finally the vacation post. We went to Palm Springs for a week. It was an interesting week. Usually the weather during this time of the year is mid eighties and sunny. Last week it was in the seventies, windy and the sand was flying all around. I left my jacket at home and for the first time I was sad I did. I was freezing most of the time. Yes, I know that 70 is not chilly but at night the wind kicked up and the desert gets quite cold. I barely wore my sleeveless shirts and shorts.

Enough about the weather. We dealt with it. The hardest thing to do was ride the bikes in the wind. We just rode earlier in the day. We tried to ride every day. 

Our view was beautiful. Yes that is snow on the mountains.

Here is the view from our balcony. Hole number 14.

We went to the Palm Springs Follies.

We also saw the giant Marilyn Monroe statue. She was being dismantled and shipped to New Jersey.

We drove to Borrego Springs to see the 130 metal sculptures located in the desert. It was very cool to see the sculptures coming out of the middle of nowhere.

We went to two street fairs, two massages, lots of bike rides and ate lots of good food.

We also saw this awesome "B" on the side of a mountain. Seemed a but random but kinda cool.

It was a great time and now we are home. 

Until tomorrow...

FEELING MUCH BETTER TODAY

I am so happy that today I felt better. I got a really good nights sleep. I slept late. I lounged around until I went to buy dog and people food. I met up with our neighbor who took our garbage out. He gave me back our keys and I gave him some prickly pear honey from Southern California.  I walked the dogs and then I pretty much watched TV the rest of the day.  

Since I am going to be home a lot these days, I made a list of things to do and bought food to make for lunch at home.

Until tomorrow...

RETURNED FROM VACATION

The other day we returned from a week long vacation in Palm Desert, CA. It was a great vacation and tomorrow I will post some photos. 

We did a bunch of things. We rented bikes for the week and rode them almost every day. We went to a desert to see sculptures that a wealthy man had installed on his land. We had two massages. We went to two street fairs. We saw the Palm Springs Follies show.  We were really busy.

For the last two days I have been recouperating. All that sun sometimes makes me feel ill. I think tomorrow I will feel better.

Until tomorrow...

CRAPPY DAY

Today was mostly spent on the couch once I ran a few errands. Not sure what was going on but I was SO tired. I think it is time to get back on the Enbrel. I couldn't even make it through an hour long episode of Elementary without falling asleep. I tried three times. I would make it about 15 minutes and then boom out like a light.  

Maybe tomorrow will be a more productive day!

Until tomorrow...

MUCH BETTER MASSAGE

Today I went for my replacement massage. When I showed up at the spa everyone was so nice. I had a very nice woman named C.  She immediately asked me if there was anything she should know about. I told her I had RA and I had bruises. Since Monday I have had bruises come to the surface on my arms and legs from the other massage.  I told her to be gentle on my joints and my bruises. I said I would let her know if I felt pain.

She started the hot rock massage. She backed off when I told her. We chatted the whole time. She was very nice. It was a bit different than other hot rock massages I have had but it was fine. When I told her how the other guy put oil on my face and on my eye lids she made a funny face. She said she had never heard of anyone doing that! I didn't like it since I have Sjogren's and my eyes get so dry. It took me days to get the oil out of my eyes.

The massage was fine. It wasn't the best but it was far from the worst. She was sweet and that made up for it. She was so worried about hurting me. With all these bruises it was hard not to.

Before the massage Brenda and went for our final bike ride. We had fun riding around.

After the massage we went over for sandwiches at this cute little sandwich shop.  Best sandwich around.

Until tomorrow...

BICYCLE, BICYCLE

Today I rode about 1/2 mile. It was a hot and windy day so the ride to my destination was really hard. The ride back was easier with the windy to my back. Brenda has been riding a rented bike and I am really impressed. This morning while I was out doing errands she rode 3,5 miles. 

We have the rental for one more day so we need to use it as much as we can tomorrow.  

Until tomorrow...