ARTHRITIS SYMPOSIUM

Tonight I went to an Arthritis Symposium.  There was a Rheumatoid Arthritis doctor who spoke and some activities to do.

First the doctor spoke about RA.  Most of the information I knew and could have given the talk myself.  Then he started talking about setting goals.  That was when I realized this talk was about how to set goals and how to communicate them to your physician.  We talked about our goals as a breakout group and how we could attain those goals.  We talked about what difficulties and what we would talk to our doctor about in an appointment.  We talked about communication with family, friends and people at work.

The most interesting part were the other people at the symposium.  There was a couple (he had psoriasis and she had RA), an older woman and a very vibrant and talkative woman.  The older woman, it turns out, needs to find a new doctor since her doctor spends only 5 minutes with her in her doctor appointments.  The woman of the couple is about to start Xeljanz so I was interested in her thought process in choosing this medicine.  The talkative woman was VERY talkative.  She is not taking any medication because she is afraid to take any medication.  I find this approach very interesting but if she wants to white-knuckle her RA flares, bless her.  That is not for me.

Anyway, I am glad I went.  It was nice to be around others with RA and be able to talk about it without getting the "oh poor you" look.  We laughed so hard and told our stories.

Until tomorrow...

SHE THINKS I AM YOUNGER

Today I went to the bank to do some banking and I stopped to talk to my favorite teller.  We talk about all kinds of stuff but the main thing we talk about is the show Bob 💗 Abishola.  It is a show on TV about a guy who falls in love with a woman from Nigeria.  As you can imagine there are cultural differences.  It is a comedy and I find it very funny.  The reason the bank employee and I speak about this TV show is that she is from Nigeria also.  It is interesting hearing about Nigeria from someone who lived there and has family that lives there.

Anyway, today we were talking about the TV show and for some reason I mentioned my age.  She looked in shock and said that she thought I was 10 years younger.  I thought she was kidding but she said she was serious.  I have always said that spending my days in sneakers, jeans and T-shirts keeps me young.

It was a nice thing to hear.  Now, when they card me for buying alcohol because they really think I am too young then I will believe I have that Benjamin Button disease and I am aging backward.

Until tomorrow...

PUZZLE

I have been working on this puzzle for two months now.  Okay not every day but periodically.  I am getting further but I am still not even half way through.   I have to work on it more.  This puzzle is really hard.  I need to work on one of my easier puzzles next.  This one is taking too long.

Until tomorrow...

GOT MY CAR BACK

I was so excited today when the dealer called to say my car was fixed. I have a new clutch, brake pads, hydronic lifts for my trunk, and some engine part that had come loose.  Of course my car husband checked my fluids and tire pressure.  The car is running well. It is so weird to have a new clutch, it is so smooth. It is only my third clutch in 17 years and 90,000 miles.

I also got Happi’s test results back. Her kidney function has not gotten worse since Jan. That is good news.  I know she has kidney disease but it isn’t progressing at this time.  She is such a sweetie!

Until tomorrow...

TAXES PART ONE

Today I started my taxes. I got out the card table and chair. I got together the stuff I need to do my taxes. I mapped out how many days it will take me to do it. I have three full days set aside. It probably won’t take me that long but I can only work on taxes for so long before I need a break.  I basically bribe myself to do it. It is a lot of prep work since I work for myself.

I got about 1 hour worth of work done today.

Until tomorrow...

GOT RID OF STUFF

Since I still have the rental car, I decided it would be of good use to fill it up with the items I want to donate. So I took 5 bags of clothes, an arm full of coats, a clock, picture and large wine holder down to the charity and BAM it is gone. I am SO happy to have the room again. A few things I wanted to take they would not take so I need to dispose of them.  I also saw some mice poop in the bottom of the box of some stuff so I need to call the pest guy.

I love getting rid of stuff!

Until tomorrow...

VALENTINE’S DAY

I know today is Valentine’s Day but I actually forgot until sister-in-law thanked me for my nieces Valentine’s Day card. I sent cards to my little niece and nephew and my friend’s daughters and my foster son but other than that Valentine’s Day was no big deal this year.  Very low key.

Until tomorrow...

MOVIE NIGHT DOWNTON ABBEY

Tonight was movie night with the girls.  We got takeout food and settled in to watch a movie.  We started out watching a Captain Fantastic.  We thought it was a comedy but we didn't get much further than the killing and skinning of a dear before we changed it to Downton Abbey. 

Downton Abbey, although not a comedy, had enough giggles to satisfy us for Galentine's Day.  A day of female friendships.  Of course Downton Abbey was fantastic.  Lady Grantham is the best.

First thing this morning I took Happi to the vet.  It was super stressful.  I gave her the anxiety medicine one hour before we got in the car.  I had the rental car with 4 doors and I thought it would be easier.  I got her in the backseat and she immediately peed.  Then she was so anxious she would not sit or lay down.  I tried to drive but she slid down and almost choked herself.  I had to pull over three times to move her.  I finally put her on the floor of the passenger side and held her there while she cried and screamed.  It took me 20 minutes to drive about 1.5 miles. 

I got her there and she calmed down.  The doctor saw her and did a kidney test and cut her nails.  He tried to take her blood pressure but she was so stressed her blood pressure was sky high.  She sat in my lap the entire time at the doctor's office; this is something she has never done.  At 25 lbs she is not a lap dog.  I finally calmed her down enough to take her blood pressure again and it was lower and we could leave. 

I will get the results tomorrow.  She has been asleep all day from the stress and medicine.

Until tomorrow...

PHYSICAL THERAPY DAY #1

I finally started physical therapy.  Since my car is in the shop, I took the bus to physical therapy.  I got there very early and had time to sit and read.  My therapist was very nice.  She thinks I just really injured my back above where I injured it 35 years ago. 

She poked and prodded to the point where I was feeling nauseous.  Then she showed me exercises and put me on a heating pad.  Since I have been through physical therapy a number of times before and through back physical therapy, she was really good at talking to me at my level.  I am not a newbie at PT.  I have my marching orders to do my exercises but not to the point of pain.

I am also attending back school.  I am interested in what this will entail.  But I will be a good patient and attend.

This morning I realized that I don't have my car.  So I had to take the bus all the way across town.  I called the car place and told them I had not checked my calendar and I screwed up.  I did need a rental car while my car is in the shop because tomorrow I have to take Happi to the vet.  So I had to jump on two buses and go all the way across town again and pick up a rental car.  Luckily they had a small car for me to rent.  My garage is REALLY small.  Once they rented me an SUV and I had to grease the sides to get it in the garage.

Now I am getting the house cleaned up for movie night tomorrow night.

Until tomorrow...

NEW CLIENT

I am excited!  I had an interview with a potential client today.  It sounds positive but I hear I am up against two other people.

Then tonight I signed a contract with a person who I worked with years ago but now she is with another organization so she called me to work with her.  Yay!

I also sent a proposal to another person who I worked with before and now is with another organization.  Now I just have to wait and see.

I may be very busy soon. 

Until tomorrow...