My family lives on the East Coast. It has been a nail biting couple of days. Watching CNN for hours. Checking our phones for texts. Waiting for news.
My partners mother in Southern New Jersey never lost electricity and is fine. No flooding to speak of.
My partners sister in Northern New Jersey has been without electricity for a day now. She was told she had to report to work today! Can you believe it? In the middle of this mess her company told her to report to work. She was worried she would lose her job. So she risked her safety to go to work. They should be ashamed! Who is thinking of going out to a restaurant to eat in this disaster?!
My brother and family live along the Jersey shore and they decided to stick it out through the storm. Their house is up high. They say only their garage is flooded. They have no electricity and no internet and no cable. Roughing it! They prepared for it and they seem fine. They have been texting to give us daily updates.
My heart goes out to everyone touched by this disaster. The photos of my old stomping ground are devastating and heartbreaking. The hours I spent at Seaside Heights and Long Beach Island as a child and now to see the photos. Broke my heart! The boardwalk at Atlantic City is gone. So sad.
Everyone be safe!
Until tomorrow...
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
JUST A LITTLE SICK, AGAIN
Well, I have caught a cold or flu. I went to see my gut doctor today and she heard my cough and called in my primary immediately. They both listened to my chest and wrote a script for antibiotics. I know some folks don't like to take the antibiotics but I have a history of pneumonia that comes on quickly. I have to stop these types of cold/flu things really fast or I am down for the count.
A few years ago I got a cough, it turned into a really bad cough that turned into bronchitis and then pneumonia. Then I got some reaction from some medication. I was sick for almost 4 months. Don't want to go down that path again. I always seem to get sick during October/November. Something about the change of season, I guess.
I can't wait to stop coughing! I sound like a barking seal. Every time I talk I start to cough. Makes it hard to work. I worked from home today and will tomorrow.
Until tomorrow...
A few years ago I got a cough, it turned into a really bad cough that turned into bronchitis and then pneumonia. Then I got some reaction from some medication. I was sick for almost 4 months. Don't want to go down that path again. I always seem to get sick during October/November. Something about the change of season, I guess.
I can't wait to stop coughing! I sound like a barking seal. Every time I talk I start to cough. Makes it hard to work. I worked from home today and will tomorrow.
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, October 28, 2012
EXTREME STORM SANDY
It seems that Storm Sandy has began it's surge. It looks like it will hit landfall along the Jersey Coast. Right near my brother's home. Has he evacuated, you ask? Hell, no. He and his family are riding it out. They have water in the bathtubs, everything battened down and all electronics charged up. Now they are just waiting for it to pass on by.
They evacuated last time and they said it was more of a hassle getting out and coming back since they live on an inlet. Their house didn't even lose electricity!
This time they are riding it out with many of their neighbors. The rest if the family will be glued to the Weather Channel monitoring the progress of Storm Sandy.
Oh, by the way, I think I got a cold from a client. Okay, I can't be sure it was from her but Thursday she got something from her son who has bronchitis. She sounded horrible on Friday. I used her office on Friday and didn't wipe it down like I usually do. Last night I didn't feel right and this morning I woke up with a stuffed head and a cough. Not good. Sounds like a 48 hour incubation to me. I did my little chores and made some soup and took it easy today. I am not interested in staying ill.
The Giants just won the World Series! The celebration begins!
Until tomorrow...
They evacuated last time and they said it was more of a hassle getting out and coming back since they live on an inlet. Their house didn't even lose electricity!
This time they are riding it out with many of their neighbors. The rest if the family will be glued to the Weather Channel monitoring the progress of Storm Sandy.
Oh, by the way, I think I got a cold from a client. Okay, I can't be sure it was from her but Thursday she got something from her son who has bronchitis. She sounded horrible on Friday. I used her office on Friday and didn't wipe it down like I usually do. Last night I didn't feel right and this morning I woke up with a stuffed head and a cough. Not good. Sounds like a 48 hour incubation to me. I did my little chores and made some soup and took it easy today. I am not interested in staying ill.
The Giants just won the World Series! The celebration begins!
Until tomorrow...
Saturday, October 27, 2012
ANOTHER LOSS
Our neighborhood had another loss. Our neighbor Ray has passed on. He had lived in our neighborhood for more than 40 years. We met him when we moved into the neighborhood 8 years ago. He would walk around the block with his dog Buster. Lately he has been housebound and we would see him sitting in the window.
Ray had a great smile and a great sense of humor. At his "celebration of life" today we saw photos of him in his younger years and, boy, was he a looker! He was so handsome!
Now that Ray is gone, Buster has gone to live with a nice family where we hear he has room to run around. We hope to see him again but know that will probably not happen.
It was good to gather as a community although I wish it were for a happier reason!
Until tomorrow...
Ray had a great smile and a great sense of humor. At his "celebration of life" today we saw photos of him in his younger years and, boy, was he a looker! He was so handsome!
Now that Ray is gone, Buster has gone to live with a nice family where we hear he has room to run around. We hope to see him again but know that will probably not happen.
It was good to gather as a community although I wish it were for a happier reason!
Until tomorrow...
Thursday, October 25, 2012
BURNING SCALP
About a week ago my scalp began itching. At first just a little bit. Then a bit more. Then two nights ago my scalp began burning. Last night my scalp burned so much that I was unable to sleep. I also did what every doctor tells you not to do, I went on the Internet and read all about itchy scalps. I was wide awake thinking I had lice or mites or something else. I could feel those bugs crawling I knew it. The burning was unbearable.
First thing this morning I called my dermatologist and made an appointment. Then a went to the pharmacy and bought a lice comb. The comb showed no lice. That calmed me down some. My scalp felt a bit better all day. Still itchy but less. It didn't burn too much.
Late in the afternoon I went to the doctor and she checked: no lice. She only saw a very pink scalp. No scabs or sores or anything. She said with nothing to look at she didn't know what was wrong. Could be vitamin D deficiency. Take more vitamin D. Or it could just be more crazy RA stuff. Who knows? Let her knows if it doesn't get better.
She gave me some drops to put on my head. If I run out, she gave me a prescription. Let's see if this works. I need a non-burning head sleepy night tonight.
Have any of you had this strange symptom?
The Giants won again. Go Giants!
Until tomorrow...
First thing this morning I called my dermatologist and made an appointment. Then a went to the pharmacy and bought a lice comb. The comb showed no lice. That calmed me down some. My scalp felt a bit better all day. Still itchy but less. It didn't burn too much.
Late in the afternoon I went to the doctor and she checked: no lice. She only saw a very pink scalp. No scabs or sores or anything. She said with nothing to look at she didn't know what was wrong. Could be vitamin D deficiency. Take more vitamin D. Or it could just be more crazy RA stuff. Who knows? Let her knows if it doesn't get better.
She gave me some drops to put on my head. If I run out, she gave me a prescription. Let's see if this works. I need a non-burning head sleepy night tonight.
Have any of you had this strange symptom?
The Giants won again. Go Giants!
Until tomorrow...
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
BACK ON THE SCALE
Okay, life is beginning to slow back down. It is beginning to get back to normal. Time to get back on the weight loss bandwagon. I have been walking the dogs more frequently, trying to get in shape. I have also been walking Brenda! She needed to walk and I needed exercise!
This week I am going to start the stationary bike. We have it in our "exercise area" in our garage. I made this whole carpeted area in the garage that has our stationary bike, free weights, hula hoop, treadmill and pilates equipment. There is even a TV and VCR/DVD player with cable. I just have to get my lazy butt down there to use it!
If I would just make the time and go down and get on that stationary bike and ride for 30 minutes a day and then take the dogs out 1-2 times a day, I would see some results. At this rate, I will not see any changes before my weigh-in in December. I was supposed to lose 5-7 pounds in 3 months.
My ankle is still feeling really good. I actually forget that it is supposed to hurt! I am still wearing the sneakers but I have gone out twice with my clogs. Just for a short distance. It felt good to wear something other than sneakers. I am SO tired of sneakers.
My goal this week is to get on the stationary bike a few times.
Weight update: 178.7 lbs ugh...
Until tomorrow...
This week I am going to start the stationary bike. We have it in our "exercise area" in our garage. I made this whole carpeted area in the garage that has our stationary bike, free weights, hula hoop, treadmill and pilates equipment. There is even a TV and VCR/DVD player with cable. I just have to get my lazy butt down there to use it!
If I would just make the time and go down and get on that stationary bike and ride for 30 minutes a day and then take the dogs out 1-2 times a day, I would see some results. At this rate, I will not see any changes before my weigh-in in December. I was supposed to lose 5-7 pounds in 3 months.
My ankle is still feeling really good. I actually forget that it is supposed to hurt! I am still wearing the sneakers but I have gone out twice with my clogs. Just for a short distance. It felt good to wear something other than sneakers. I am SO tired of sneakers.
My goal this week is to get on the stationary bike a few times.
Weight update: 178.7 lbs ugh...
Until tomorrow...
Monday, October 22, 2012
EXHAUSTION
For the last month I have just been exhausted. Not sure why. Just damned tired. All the time. Sometimes I will sit down to watch TV and fall asleep. In the middle of the afternoon. Or I will be working, typing and I will start to doze off.
It is hard to explain to people that kind of fatigue. I just can't stay awake unless I rally and get up and walk around. Then sometimes I can manage to get some momentum going and pull myself out of it but not always.
In the past month it has been hard. I have even been going to sleep at 8pm and 9pm and sleeping to 8am and still I feel like I could sleep all day. Of course then I get the cycle of migraines because I am so tired.
I think I maybe out of the cycle of sleepiness and of the migraines for now which is good. It really effects my life (especially my work) when I am so tired all the time!
Go Giants!
Until tomorrow...
It is hard to explain to people that kind of fatigue. I just can't stay awake unless I rally and get up and walk around. Then sometimes I can manage to get some momentum going and pull myself out of it but not always.
In the past month it has been hard. I have even been going to sleep at 8pm and 9pm and sleeping to 8am and still I feel like I could sleep all day. Of course then I get the cycle of migraines because I am so tired.
I think I maybe out of the cycle of sleepiness and of the migraines for now which is good. It really effects my life (especially my work) when I am so tired all the time!
Go Giants!
Until tomorrow...
HANGING WITH THE KID ACROSS THE STREET
There is a kid that lives across the street who is 12 years old. I will call him A. A is just so adorable. He occasionally comes over our house to watch a ball game. Tonight he came over to watch the Giants/Cardinals game. He is so funny how he sits and watches the game. I was that kid growing up. I was a true Mets fan and would watch the games. I knew all the players and teams.
Today we ran into one of his dads and told him that the game was on and if A wanted to come over, he was more than welcome. Not five minutes later our door bell rang and he was ready to watch the game. His dad told us he had been a bit difficult today back talking to his parents and giving them a hard time about doing his homework. During the game we worked in a talk about what it was like when we were kids and what would have happened to us if we had not done our homework and back talked to our parents. We reminded him that it is important to be nice to your parents because they hold the keys to your future. Do you want to drive a car? They literally hold the keys. Think twice about how you talk to your parents.
It was funny because he told us that he got in trouble because he spoke badly to his parents. We asked him what happened and he said that he woke up and two hours later he still had not eaten breakfast. That was when his dad wanted him to do his homework. He told his dad "I have only been awake for two hours." We laughed. I imagined what my parents would say if I said I had only been awake for two hours and could not start my homework. We told him that next time he should put his gameboy/phone down and eat breakfast and do his homework first. Then play the game. Then he would not get in trouble!
He may come over tomorrow night to watch the game again. Depends on if the game is on with the debates...
Until tomorrow...
Today we ran into one of his dads and told him that the game was on and if A wanted to come over, he was more than welcome. Not five minutes later our door bell rang and he was ready to watch the game. His dad told us he had been a bit difficult today back talking to his parents and giving them a hard time about doing his homework. During the game we worked in a talk about what it was like when we were kids and what would have happened to us if we had not done our homework and back talked to our parents. We reminded him that it is important to be nice to your parents because they hold the keys to your future. Do you want to drive a car? They literally hold the keys. Think twice about how you talk to your parents.
It was funny because he told us that he got in trouble because he spoke badly to his parents. We asked him what happened and he said that he woke up and two hours later he still had not eaten breakfast. That was when his dad wanted him to do his homework. He told his dad "I have only been awake for two hours." We laughed. I imagined what my parents would say if I said I had only been awake for two hours and could not start my homework. We told him that next time he should put his gameboy/phone down and eat breakfast and do his homework first. Then play the game. Then he would not get in trouble!
He may come over tomorrow night to watch the game again. Depends on if the game is on with the debates...
Until tomorrow...
Saturday, October 20, 2012
STUFFING
It is that time of year when I begin to crave stuffing. It is the beginning of autumn and Thanksgiving is right around the corner.
Some people call it dressing but I call it stuffing which is funny since I don't stuff it in a bird. I guess I should call it dressing. I think it is a cultural thing. Depending where you come from. Kinda like hoagies, grinders or subs. It all depends on where you come from.
Today I made some stuffing because I wanted to try out a new recipe. I make some great stuffing usually, people comment on it even, but I wanted to try something different. This new recipe was Swiss chard, mushrooms and chestnuts (although I could not find any so I used pecans) mixed with the stuffing mix. I also threw in some cranberries for some sweetness.
At the end of each stuffing season I buy some extra bags and freeze them. That way I can have stuffing any time of the year. I never understand why stores don't sell stuffing mix all year long. Do they think people only eat stuffing two times a year?
The stuffing I made today came out okay. Not the best and not what I am going to make for Thanksgiving. I have another recipe to try with apricots and pecans and cranberries.
What does your favorite stuffing include?
Until tomorrow...
Some people call it dressing but I call it stuffing which is funny since I don't stuff it in a bird. I guess I should call it dressing. I think it is a cultural thing. Depending where you come from. Kinda like hoagies, grinders or subs. It all depends on where you come from.
Today I made some stuffing because I wanted to try out a new recipe. I make some great stuffing usually, people comment on it even, but I wanted to try something different. This new recipe was Swiss chard, mushrooms and chestnuts (although I could not find any so I used pecans) mixed with the stuffing mix. I also threw in some cranberries for some sweetness.
At the end of each stuffing season I buy some extra bags and freeze them. That way I can have stuffing any time of the year. I never understand why stores don't sell stuffing mix all year long. Do they think people only eat stuffing two times a year?
The stuffing I made today came out okay. Not the best and not what I am going to make for Thanksgiving. I have another recipe to try with apricots and pecans and cranberries.
What does your favorite stuffing include?
Until tomorrow...
Friday, October 19, 2012
UPDATE DAY
Today's post will be an update day. First, there were no hospital visits today. Although my friend B is still in the hospital while they figure out why she is so ill.
BRENDA RECOVERY: today was not a good day. Yesterday was a good day but today not so good. Just a sign that recovery is a bit up and a bit down. I keep reminding her that she had a major organ removed as well as pounds of unwanted fibroids.
ANKLE RECOVERY: I got a shot of stuff shot in my ankle last week and it has been feeling better. Today I feel some weird pinching beneath the skin that seems weird. I will soon resume PT.
BUMP ON MY CALF: It is a fat lobule. Don't know what to do with it but it isn't cancer so I am happy.
RAT SITUATION: now I am not saying the rat situation is solved but it seems to be better. While we were away on vacation and the dogs were boarded we put down bait traps. It didn't seem like any of the bait was touched but it doesn't take much to kill a rat, does it? I also found out our neighbors cat caught a very large rat and eviscerated it. Unfortunately the cat moved away. I wish there was a rent a cat place. At least the dogs are not running out the door on the hunt like they were before.
Well, those are the updates.
Until tomorrow...
BRENDA RECOVERY: today was not a good day. Yesterday was a good day but today not so good. Just a sign that recovery is a bit up and a bit down. I keep reminding her that she had a major organ removed as well as pounds of unwanted fibroids.
ANKLE RECOVERY: I got a shot of stuff shot in my ankle last week and it has been feeling better. Today I feel some weird pinching beneath the skin that seems weird. I will soon resume PT.
BUMP ON MY CALF: It is a fat lobule. Don't know what to do with it but it isn't cancer so I am happy.
RAT SITUATION: now I am not saying the rat situation is solved but it seems to be better. While we were away on vacation and the dogs were boarded we put down bait traps. It didn't seem like any of the bait was touched but it doesn't take much to kill a rat, does it? I also found out our neighbors cat caught a very large rat and eviscerated it. Unfortunately the cat moved away. I wish there was a rent a cat place. At least the dogs are not running out the door on the hunt like they were before.
Well, those are the updates.
Until tomorrow...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)