Getting Better

I think I am finally starting to feel better.  It's seems like it has been taking a long time, and I am being careful.

It has been busy around here.  Yesterday the man from Virginia Green came to do a yard treatment.  Then the sprinkler system guys came to take care of the problem in the back corner of the yard.  They could never find the sprinkler head that had been turned off, so after consideration, they decided to move one of the existing ones and replace the head with a larger one so the entire area would get water.

I managed to keep my dental appointment and the work is started on a new replacement crown.  I had gone for my six-month check-up and Dr. Freeman did not like the looks of the one he had done a year or so ago.  Said he wanted to replace it for free - no cost to us or the insurance.  Next week I go for the start of the work for another crown that will go on a cracked tooth that he found.  He has a new high-tech computerized system for making the crowns that uses some special equipment and a small wand scanner that they put in your mouth to "take pictures".  It ends up with a 3-D image sort of like the CAD programs that architects use.  They email that to the company and the crown comes back in about a week.  He said so far they have all been perfect on the first try.  Technology!

We have been catching up on shows that we recorded during the Olympics.  I would like to highly recommend one of the funniest shows that I have seen in a long time - "Better Late Than Never", Tuesdays on NBC.  We laughed so hard!  What a great bunch of "old guys"!

Take care of yourselves and stay safe!

A Strong Virtual Presence

I haven't been feeling too great lately and finally over the weekend everything got worse and I spent some time in the ER.  The diagnosis was vertigo, which is what I suspected all along, but it just did not feel the same as when I had it years ago. I was afraid it might be something else.  Vertigo is one of those things that once you have it it never goes away, just goes dormant and can come back whenever it wants.

The ER doctor was very nice and ordered chest x-rays, EKGs, blood work, urinalysis, and asked a lot of questions.  Finally she gave me some medicine and kept me there until they made sure I could walk on my own without falling down.  I do not want to fall down.

Golfer was there with me and when he sent texts to the girls, Nurse J and BeyB came and kept us company for a while.

I am now doing better and being careful and taking the pills.  I'm tired, and not feeling quite 100% yet, but am definitely better.

It is always good to have a positive attitude and a sense of humor, especially during stressful times, like ER visits.  This is what came into my room...

In case you are not up to date on your TV watching, that is Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory!

Stay safe!

Mr. Trump

We recently received this from a friend. I thought I would share since I agree with it all.  I have said that we need to get around the way he acts and listen to what he's actually saying.  And, yes, I know that is a hard thing to do most of the time.

I believe that the basic premise is correct.  If you listen to Trump, he is hitting many of the hot buttons of the electorate.  But you have to listen to him and not be distracted by his showmanship and obnoxious behavior.

I like the list of 13 things that I, as a senior American citizen, want.

Trump is at least talking about issues that most Americans are concerned about.  My mantra about Trump is this:  Truthfully, we are usually in agreement with most of what he says, but wish someone else was saying it!  We are offended by his brash manner.

We are getting older and maybe our tickers aren't what they used to be, but what matters is, that he covers most of the 13 things, we as seniors want – at least I do for sure!!

     1.  Hillary:  Hold accountable for her previous wrongs!

     2.  Put "GOD" back in America !!

     3.  Borders:  Closed or tightly guarded!

     4.  Congress:  On the same retirement and healthcare plans, as everybody else!

     5.  Congress:  Obey its own laws, NOW!

     6.  Language:  English only!

     7.  Culture:  Constitution and the Bill of Rights!

     8.  Drug Free:  Mandatory Drug Screening before and during Welfare!

     9.  Freebies:  NONE to Non-Citizens!

   10.  Budget:  Balance the damn thing!

   11.  Foreign Countries:  Stop giving them our money!  Charge them for our help!! We need it here!!!

   12.  Fix the Tax Code!

          And, most of all.....

   13.  Respect Our Military and Our Flag!!

The World of Star Trek and Beyond

Those who know us, know we are big fans of Star Trek and science fiction.

In light of my recent laser surgery on my eye and how well I think it went, it has occurred to me that we are headed toward the better world shown in Star Trek.  You know, wave a light at something and fix it!

It is very true that there is no evidence of this friendlier, calmer society in the news right now with all the reports of violence and unrest around the world, terrorist attacks, mean people, and don't forget the political mess.  But if my eye can be fixed with the little laser beam, I believe there is hope.

But there should also be some caution with advancing technology.  Several shows and movies have had the ever present computers taking over.  Yes, I know, they are only TV shows and movies.  But you would be surprised, if you really think about it, how many things in shows and movies actually happen. They have shown constant monitoring, and surveillance, and all areas of our lives linked together, all in the name of safety.  Well, great!  I like safety, but I am a big fan of privacy, too.  And I believe everyone should take personal responsibility for their lives.  Work hard, support yourself, be responsible, be kind.

I am sure that the technology is a good thing, but I don't like a computer taking over and deciding what I want to look at or where I want to go.  The cable company is advertising a new feature on their equipment that will tell you what shows are right for you.  Please, let me choose.

Google auto-corrects our writing and if you are not careful you end up saying things you don't mean and don't want to say.  I have a couple friends who don't review and edit their posts and sometimes it makes me nuts.  Most of the time it makes me laugh, but still I know that probably wasn't what they meant to say or share.  I try to always review and edit before I hit the button.

Cars are made that will take over and correct the steering if you stray out of line.  Others supposedly will drive themselves.  Be careful with that!

We have come a long way, and there is a lot farther to go.  Be thankful, be caring, and stay safe!

Just Some Thoughts

So. Ummmm. 

The landscaping guys came yesterday.  A Sunday morning, one of our hottest days, but that was when he said he could come.  Basically the work he was doing was fixing things he did not do right the first time they were done.  Thank goodness I am a nice, considerate person; some days that is hard though.

Some background.... the original work was done last Fall.  He had been recommended, is a nice guy,  and seemed to know what he was doing.  This was the major change in the back corner of our property that I posted about.  The first time he had to return was to re-install the edging that had been done wrong.  That was fixed okay, but in the process a couple sprinkler water lines were cut even though they had been marked.  Then the three large expensive rhododendrons that he had said were perfect for that area all started looking bad, even with appropriate watering and care, and fertilizing as instructed.  By the time he got here to look at them they were completely dead and falling apart.  Of course, the warranty on the plants was past by then but he said he would replace them providing the labor if we paid for the plants.  I have not seen the bill yet, but it is supposed to be $20 each for three Encore azaleas - a light pink, a dark pink, and a white.  We know azaleas grow in our yard, so I am hopeful.

Then he had to re-install the extension "bubbler" from the front corner downspout.  He had put it clear down at the curb where all the water went into street after washing the dirt out from around the sprinkler head.  It has now been moved to where we wanted it in the first place.

Now, go back and look at my first paragraph.  da dee da dee (that was music)   Okay.  These two professional guys, from a licensed company, and who are experienced in their work arrived late, which meant it was even hotter for them.  They came with no water, no hats, no extension cord that they needed, no rake that they needed.  I had planned to be busy doing things inside while they worked.  Instead I was busy answering the doorbell, getting water for them multiple times, opening the garage, getting the cord, getting the rake, going out to answer questions, etc.  And then as if that wasn't enough, I had to go out and clean up after them when they left.  Let's just say that I was not a particularly "happy camper" and leave it at that.

I still think this landscaper is a nice guy, he is a hard worker, but I expect more.  Maybe it is my age, maybe it is because I am picky about a lot of things.  Who am I kidding, I am picky about most things.  I admit it, I own it, get on with yourselves if you don't like it.  I have worked with the public, I have worked customer service.  I expect more professionalism from people we hire to work for us.  I know we are blessed and we are thankful to be able to "call the man" when we need something done.  But yesterday was just the pits.

Stay safe!

Just Some Updates

Hey, all!  I hope everyone is well and happy!

We are back in the triple digit heat indexes here with our high temps and high humidity.  Summer in Virginia.  What can I say?  We deal with it and try to be smart about pacing ourselves and having good timing for when we do outside activities.

Golfer reported as instructed for jury duty yesterday and started the initial selection process.  He was not picked for the trial that started yesterday and was sent home.  He has to call them again on the 21st, so for now he is "off the hook".

We had our quarterly pest control visit and the man did a little extra around the exterior to control spiders.  I told him I had been bitten several times and suspected spiders.  He said, "well, it is the beginning of spider season".  Who knew?  Not me.  I had  no idea spiders had a season.  I know a lot of them are good, but stay away from me please!

Today was the annual check-up and service of our generator.  It passed all the checks and is in good condition if we need it.

The landscaper was supposed to come tomorrow morning, but he was called to go for an MRI on his injured leg, so he will be coming on the weekend.  I will take pictures after the azaleas are planted.  I'm not sure there will be much to take pictures of with the other projects he is doing.

Nurse J is doing well and back into the routine of work.  IT Guy is handling the home front so far.  :)  BeyB is getting her things ready and is anxious for her college classes to start.  Cutie Girl is doing well with potty training and progress is being made.  She "works" on her "ABC Mouse" programs and everyone helps her.  Little Miss E is busy being cute and growing!

Bikini has recovered from her work trip to Las Vegas and all is well with her.  Brief is busy with work.  Bloomer is busy with school and still loving her art work.  Boxer is adjusting to his second year of middle school.  They are now ending the second week of the new school year and it is exhausting sometimes.  Bikini sent this picture of the end of the first day.

We've been watching the Olympics.  Yay, USA!  BOO, green pool water!

So all in all, life is good.  Stay safe!

Happy Birthday, Golfer!

Love you! XOXO

Wow!

It is another case of you don't know how bad something has gotten until it gets better.

The laser surgery procedure on my right eye to remove scar tissue was this morning.  The actual procedure was only a couple minutes.  Most of the time was having drops put in my eye, waiting, more drops, more waiting, and then final drops.  Dr. Kitay told me my eye would be blurry from the extreme dilation, and I would have an increase in floaters for a while, but the improvement in my vision would be immediate.  He was right again!

I can see so much better!  I had a little bit of a headache right afterward, but it did not last long.  I go back in a month for them to check my vision again.

Golfer called about his jury duty last evening as instructed and was told to call back tomorrow.  However, the other two panels of jurors were told to call back on the 15th and 21st, so he's thinking he will probably get called to go in.

I spent more time than usual watching TV the last couple days.  I got interested in the road racing at the Olympics, and we've watched gymnastics and swimming. We'll be watching some more this evening.

It has cooled off a little but is still very humid here.  Supposed to rain later today.

So, life is good.  Stay safe!

Happy Birthday, Brief!

Have a good day!

A Poem

This poem is from I Could Pee on This by Francesco Marciuliano.  The small book is full of cat poems and cute pictures.

GIVE

You can't hold someone who

     wants to leave

You can't clutch a memory

     as if it were today

You can't take an insult

     close to heart

You can't grasp for glory

     from your chair

You can't seize life

     thinking only of loss

And you can't grab a laser pointer dot

    on the wall

No matter how much you try.

These hard-earned truths I give to you.

Baby Kealani.  She was sweet and her life was too short.

Stay safe!

Some Relief!

We've been sweltering around here with heat advisories and warnings due to high temperatures and even higher humidity.  But what a surprise this morning!  It was only 80 and there was a breeze.  There was still humidity, but the breeze helped.  So I took advantage of the pleasant weather today and did yard work.  I had been putting it off because honestly, I just simply did not want to be out in that heat.  Also, I've been just a little "under the weather".  Almost two weeks ago I was bitten by something.  Did not feel getting bit or even know I had been until I started itching and saw at least ten large, hot, red, extremely itchy spots on me.  About that same time my digestive system started being just a bit "off".  I think all of that was reaction to the bites.  After using a lot of Neosporin and Bendryl the bites are almost all gone.  I am feeling better.  Hence the yard work today.

There was a lot to be done - weeding, pruning, sweeping, cleaning spider webs down, picking up another bushel of pine cones, and sadly, lamenting the state of the rhododendrons in the newest landscaped area.  They are DEAD.  Branches are brittle and breaking off, leaves are brown and dry.  They never did bloom.  They had a short warranty of six months and I had mentioned to the landscaper that they weren't looking good a couple months ago.  We've never had rhododendrons before, and I read all the directions and followed all the care instructions.  They've had appropriate watering and been fertilized as instructed.  I talked  nicely to them and gave them encouragement.  Did not make a bit of difference.  They are very DEAD!  I will keep you posted.  I do not want more of them.  If the landscaper won't or can't replace them with something else I want him to dig their carcasses out and take them away.  Golfer and I will get some Encore azaleas and put in the holes.

Other than that, the yard is doing pretty well.  The heat and lack of rain when we need it is hard on things. But they have perked up after the thunderstorms the last couple nights.

Tomorrow Kirk goes in for service and Golfer and I go out for breakfast after we drop him off.

Stay safe!