How Things Have Changed

This was on today's calendar.

Stay safe!

Happy Birthday, BeyB!

Love you! xo

Excuse Me? Can You Repeat That?

So.  I have added yet another thing to the joys of getting older.  I am not complaining, just informing.  You have to consider the alternative to getting older if you are a complainer.  My friends and I often say that getting older is not for sissies and whiners.

On Monday I went to an ENT doctor for a complete hearing evaluation.  I had been thinking about it for a while.  My Mom and Sister both had hearing aids.  And I have been having some varying levels of "noise" in my ears. Almost every evening I have to ask Golfer to turn the sound up when we are watching TV.  Although I do think that part of the problem hearing TV shows is the way-too-loud background noise and music on a lot of them.  

I saw a very nice doctor.  We talked a little about aging and what to expect. Most of what he said I already knew.  He checked my ears and said a lot of people have issues with ear wax build-up and there is no way to successfully remove it by ourselves.  I already knew I had a history of this problem.  This buildup can be one of the causes of tinnitus. So he took care of that, the tinnitus immediately lessened.  Did not go away completely, but is much less annoying now.  Then he passed me on to the audiologist who did the testing.

I do have some hearing loss, but not to the point of talking about hearing aids yet.  The loss is pretty much equal on both sides.  The test results will be my baseline and I will go every year for testing in the future.  The doctor also said too many people get out of the habit of facing people and talking to them.  Keep that in mind, please.

Last week I saw my orthopedic doctor for my annual check-up.  He said all is well, looks good, come back in two years ------- unless something else happens.  Dr. A is a nice young man and has done all my surgeries. When we have had to discuss my options in the past I have asked him what he would recommend if I was his mother.  He always laughs and is always willing to take the time to talk to me.

August will bring the laser eye surgery to remove scar tissue from the cataract surgery.  Then my vision will be tested again.  And then later in the month I see our dentist for my regular six month visit.  

While I am going to appointments and trying to keep up with everything, Golfer will be busy most of the month with jury duty.  He just can't wait. (that is a joke, folks)  I am hoping they won't need him all month every day.

We are having yet another heat advisory day, so I will not be working in the yard.  The clean-up out there can wait.

Stay safe!

Beyond!

Golfer and I just got home from seeing Star Trek Beyond.  Excellent movie!  We can't wait to watch it again!

It is still hot and humid here.  Kirk's thermometer said 122 when we got in.  The parking lot is in the sun, no shade.  It is actually in the 90's and the heat index is 105.   We have no other outside plans for the day.  :)

Stay safe!

The State of the Weather

It is currently 94 sunny, humid degrees here.  The heat index is about 107.  I have been doing odds and ends inside.  One of those jobs was to clean the furry boys' water container and refill it.  I thought I was doing something nice for them and put a couple ice cubes in it.  You would have thought an alien had landed in the water dish the way Finnigan acted.  He was quite perplexed and just sat there staring at it until the cubes melted.  They were very puzzling!

That is as close as he got to the dish until they melted.

Stay safe!

Love Those Videos!

When Golfer finds a particularly good animal video he sends it on to me.  I was watching a really cute one about kittens when Angus came in and took up his usual spot where he "helps" us on the computer.  He was really getting into watching!

It was a long video and he stayed like that the whole time.  Even "talked" to them a little.  :)

Stay safe!

A P.S. to Ghostbusters Post

Nurse J told me that she read about Rick Moranis.  When his wife died years ago he quit acting to stay home and take care of their children.  Maybe some day he will get back into acting.  He is a good guy!

Pictures!

I have had two people mention that I haven't posted a picture of BeyB, just all the younger grandchildren.  So I looked through my pictures and here you are.  :)

THEN

NOW

 Stay safe!

Who Ya Gonna Call??

I am not terribly fond of re-makes of movies, but I try to keep an open mind.  A lot of the "new and improved" things in life just simply aren't.  But Golfer and I went to see the new Ghostbusters.  The movie started out a little bit slow but once it got going it was really good.  We have seen all the actors in other things - movies, TV, SNL - so we were familiar with how funny they can be.  And you just can't get overdosed on Chris Hemsworth!

This new movie includes cameos of all the original movies' actors, with the exception of Harold Ramis, who passed away in 2014, and was mentioned in the credits. Rick Moranis was also missing but I couldn't find any reason why he was not in the new movie, except he just didn't want to.

Golfer and I like to go to early showings of movies when it is not usually crowded.  There were more people at this show than we've seen at a movie in quite a while.  So evidently some of us are not listening to the critics who have been criticizing the movie.

Stay safe!  And be sure to laugh!

Right Out of a Stephen King Novel

Many years ago I read The Stand by Stephen King.  I have since re-read it a couple times.  When we first moved here from Colorado and wide open spaces and I got a look at the tunnels around here, that book came to mind.  I honestly admit that I used to hold my breath when we went through the tunnels!  I am better about that now but have some other traffic anxieties, but that doesn't need to be talked about right now.  :)

Anyway, in The Stand  after a major horrific event, people had to walk through a long tunnel full of stopped cars, which brings me to talk about some local news.  Over the weekend there was a fiery wreck in the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.  Injuries, flames, smoke, some damage to the tunnel.  The EMTs had to get people to get out of their cars and leave them in the tunnel and walk out.  There was smoke inhalation, exhaustion, and problems caused by the high heat.  Folks were treated on site and taken to hospitals if needed.  The person that caused the accident will be charged.

Wiring and lighting repairs, tile repairs and asphalt repairs are on the schedule.  These repairs will make traffic worse while the tunnel is closed for them.  There has already been an inspection and they are assuring the public there are no leaks.  I always watch for water drips when we have to go through the tunnel, even when I'm not holding my breath.

So.  Geez.  Stay safe!

PICTURES!

Since we live in different states, I don't get to take pictures of these two so much.  Plus they aren't really anxious to have their pictures taken.  But evidently Bikini caught them at a good time this morning as they were waiting for their carpool ride to the last camp session of the Summer.  Their school starts on August 1st.  Bloomer is going to Minecraft camp this week and Boxer is going to a robotics engineering camp.  These are the two "little" kids on the beach that I posted a picture of a couple posts ago.

And while I'm sharing, here is one of Cutie Girl giving Little Miss E a binky.  This is progress.  When Little Miss E first came home from the hospital Cutie Girl's response was to ignore her.  :)  But things are better and all is well.

And that friends is the news that I am focusing on!  Stay safe!

Just Some Updates

I hope everyone is doing well.  As I have said in previous posts, it has been really hot and humid around here.  We have had several thunderstorms this week.  Even with the sprinkler system things were getting a little dry.  A good rain always makes things greener and happier.  Unfortunately, it also makes things more humid.

Our handyman sent his guy, Chad, over to take care of the things on our list.  He finished several of the jobs and is coming back this coming week after he gets some supplies to finish a couple more.  I am happy having a door back on the laundry area!  He was able to fix and re-hang the old door and did not have to get a new one.  So, yay!

The yard work is all up to date.  Golfer mowed a couple days ago.  I got out this morning to do some clean-up.  There were some "bits" down from the storms. Also pulled a few weeds.  Weeds do not care if it is hot and humid, they just come up anyway.

I had to make a run to Lowe's to buy a water filter for the refrigerator.  The little warning light came on this morning.  So that is all taken care of.

Golfer and the guys played at Ford's Colony today. He said it could have been better and it did not help that his calf muscle had a relapse and is hurting again.

I got the furry boys all combed and nails clipped and they are looking good.  They were all very nice about it, too.

So, other than these things, it's just been a "normal" week.  All the usual things and keeping up with the house and errands, getting to the "Y", and getting to the pool to exercise.  The high point was watching Little Miss E while Cutie Girl went to her first movie.  :)

Oh, there is another piece of news.... Golfer has been selected for jury duty!  Remember I had jury duty a month or so ago.  Mine was for Federal Court and for two weeks.  Golfer has duty for a  month and it is for the Circuit Court.  Same process, he has to call in to see when to report.

Stay safe, people!

An Invasion!

Every news report has a piece on the new game Pokemon Go!  And almost every time, the reporter says it is exactly the news we need to take our minds off all the serious, sad, violent, and unhappy things going on in the world.

I am a little familiar with Pokemon.  When BeyB was very young she liked Pokemon and collected cards.  Then later Boxer and Bloomer got into Pokemon. I am sure Cutie Girl and Little Miss E will like Pokemon, too, and I will buy more cards.  I couldn't begin to tell you how many of the cards I have bought.

So now there is the app for Smartphones for the Pokemon Go game.  There have been a few issues reported.  Mainly players going into areas where they shouldn't.  Or not watching where they are walking while playing and falling down or running into something.  But it is getting players out of the house, and more kids are volunteering to walk their dogs!

Evidently the Pokemon creatures go all over the place.  There was a pidgey in our yard recently.  BeyB told me she got it!

If you are a player, stay safe!

A Solution!

What better way to spend a day of high 90's temperatures, high humidity and a heat index of over  100????

Cuddling a cute baby!  Golfer and I had Little Miss E for a few hours while Nurse J and the rest of her family took Cutie Girl to her first movie.  They saw "Secret Life of Pets".  Cutie Girl liked it and had a good time and even sat in her seat most of the time I am told.  I am happy that they had a good time!

Golfer and I did, too!

I wonder what she is thinking about?

This is right before she took a nap on me.  :)

Stay safe, people!

Summer Time and the Living Is Hot!

Hey, all!  I hope you are all well and happy.  Today it is 80 degrees with 81% humidity.  The air is thick. It is supposed to get into 90's and probably rain later. It is not as bad as it is for our family and friends in Georgia and South Carolina, but it is MUGGY!

I did some yard work and clean-up yesterday and am so glad I did it then -- less humidity and a breeze.  Things are cleaned up and weeded.  Golfer had filled up the tree hole a couple days ago.  So while I was out working I fluffed up the mulch back there and raked some over the filled hole.  Looks fine now, did not need to go buy more mulch.

The guys are out playing golf.  Golfer left with his water and Gatorade.  Usually there is a breeze on base since it is closer to the water than home.

Bikini asked me to look through our old pictures for something.  I looked through the ones we have in the computer and did not find what she asked for, but it was fun looking.  Eventually I will look through the boxes that are stored upstairs, but that will be for a cooler day, or else I will have to get Golfer to help carry the boxes downstairs where it is cooler.  :)

I get an occasional picture of BeyB, and you know I post pictures of Cutie Girl and Little Miss E, but I don't get that many pictures of Boxer and Bloomer.  This is one of my favorites from several years ago.  They are now twelve and ten and getting so grown up, and they still  love the beach and the ocean!

Stay safe, folks!

Happy Birthday, Bikini!

Love you! xo

Hey, all!

I hope everyone had a good Sunday!

It was a beautiful day here.  Golfer played golf with the guys.  I went to the pool and did my exercises and relaxed.  Then I did a few things around the house and a little clean-up out front.  Those weeds just don't stop growing!  I'll get to the back yard sometime this week.  Also started a new Clive Cussler book, Emperor's Revenge.  Golfer just finished reading it and said it is really good, so I had to start it.  :)

The girls both say everyone is well and happy - - -and busy.

I forgot to mention in my last post that we had another invasion of ants.  I moved things out of the pantry and checked everything, tossed some things, then sprayed and scrubbed.  So far, so good.  If they show up again before our next regular pest control visit, I will call the man to come sooner.  Everything in the pantry is either sealed up or in tight containers, nothing in there loose to attract them and nothing is ever spilled in there that could attract them, so I have no idea why.  But it is annoying.

We won't discuss news reports or any other stressful topics.  But I will share a picture that will make you smile.  Little Miss E's last picture was an unhappy one on the car trip.  This one is better!

Stay safe, people!

Hello, No, I Did Not Fall Off the Earth

I've thought about posting, but just couldn't get my mind to wrap around the idea.  But things are looking up!  So here is what has been going on.....

Our weather has been hot and muggy, really awful high humidity some days.  And we've had some thunderstorms.  The 4th was a gray and wet day around here.

I am doing well.  I had my annual eye exam and was told the fuzziness in my right eye is scar tissue from the cataract surgery a couple years ago.  I am scheduled for a laser surgery procedure in August  to clean that scar issue out.  I trust my doctor but the thought of lasers poking around in my eye gives me the heeby jeebies.  He will then re-test my vision and we'll go from there with whatever is needed.

Golfer had the CT scan ordered by our doctor and was first told that he had had a stroke some time within the last year.  That news was followed by a visit to his neurologist who compared the new scan with the one from a little over a year ago.  He is not 100% sure that there was a stroke.  So that is good news.  In the discussion about unsteadiness, the doctor said it was easy to deplete the electrolytes and sodium in your body when it is hot and humid and you are sweating a lot, like when playing golf.  So Golfer now has packets of Gatorade to put in his water bottle while out on the course.  Keep that in mind if you are working outside or playing sports of some kind in the hot weather.

Our handyman, Steve, is not back from vacation yet.  We have a list for him when he returns.  :)

The yard work is taken care of all except for the hole from the tree.  We still need to work on that.  But honestly, we've had other things on our minds.  And we can't even see that it is a hole out there when we look out the window.  Hydrangeas are blooming, day lilies are blooming, still a few azaleas in bloom, too.  Weeding is up to date.  I've been keeping an eye on a robin in our back yard.  It has been building a nest recently in our holly tree.  I feel sorry for it, but don't think I can help.  It works and works and carries bits and pieces of "stuff" up into the tree.  As I said earlier, we've had a few thunderstorms recently.  I don't know if that is the cause of the problem or if the bird just needs some building instruction, but this is what I found when I was out this morning.

Bikini says they are doing well in Georgia.  Boxer and Bloomer had a week of Minecraft camp and enjoyed that.  This was an off week.  I'm not sure what is scheduled for next week, perhaps another water camp.  But their Summer is winding down, just time-wise, not heat-wise!  School starts for them on August 1st.

Nurse J and family went to Illinois to visit IT Guy's parents.   It was thought that it would be a good time to go since Nurse J is still on maternity leave.  I know Dale and Bernie loved seeing them all.  They got back home Wednesday.  Cutie Girl was happy to be home and get to her toys.  BeyB was happy to get home and use her computer.  Little Miss E was just happy to get home.  Nurse J says this picture sums up the trip's car ride.  She also says they won't be doing any trips again for a while.  :)

The news of the world is not any better.  Today's news from Texas is very sad.  Try to think happy thoughts and stay safe.