Ahhhh! A Hot Shower!

I hope everyone is doing well.  We've been busy here.

I had some time watching (and playing) with CutieGirl.  ITGuy finally got to have his lithotrypsy for his kidney stones.  It went well and he is scheduled to get the stent out next week.  We're all hoping this helps him to feel better.

Golfer has had a couple medical appointments.  He's having another biopsy with the dermatologist.  And he's just started using a new prescribed cream on a couple of "at risk" areas.  Other than that, he's doing okay.

I went to the hospital for all my pre-surgery testing.  I went early in the morning before things got crowded.  Lots of questions so they could get all the data correct in their computer system.  Then I had a palm scan that will be used for security.  And then it was off to get a chest x-ray, EKG, and all the lab work.  More thing checked off the list!

While all these things were going on we had the garden center people here finishing their work.  It hasn't rained hard enough since then to see if the repairs on the drainage system at the down spout works, but their work in the past has been good, so I'm sure it will be fine.  The plantings they did look good.  The azalea is actually blooming now, sort of a pretty lavender color.

Then we had the plumber!  A few years ago, when we remodeled our bathroom, we had a Moen faucet system installed in the new shower.  There is a separate handle that controls the water temperature for all the fixtures.  The temperature valve stopped working and over the last months the water temperature has gotten increasingly cooler.  Still "do-able", and not a problem during the hot Summer time.  But WINTER IS COMING!  So we called the plumber we liked.

Unfortunately, he did not return any of our messages at any of his numbers and we have no idea what has happened to him.  So we got a recommendation from friends and called a new plumber.  I liked him from the first conversation.  He suggested I call Moen.  I did and they sent us a new valve at no charge.  I was told that the original valve had been discontinued and replaced with a newer, better one.  Moen backs up their products and I totally recommend them.  The part arrived and we called Martin.  He came and fixed it and we now have hot water in the shower again!  Water so hot I think we could poach an egg in there if we were so inclined!  We have both experimented with it and found temperatures that we like and it is wonderful.  I can't remember when we had water hot enough in there to make steam.  And Martin also fixed our toilet that had a sticking handle.

Tuesday we both voted.  We are a bit concerned about the security at our polling place and how things are run and and we are considering talking to someone about it.  There has been all the talk about voter ID and we did have to show our picture ID when we checked in.  But that was at the first table.  Then they send the voters to another table to get the ballot.  The problem is that someone could just walk up to that table and get a ballot.  It wasn't like they gave you a card or a number or anything.  And there were evidently different ballots.  There were other voting issues in the area with machines that did not work and votes that weren't being counted.  The officials are assuring citizens that it will all be properly counted, and I am hoping it is all worked out before the next election.  It all reminds me of plots on Scandal and Good Wife!

So now I am heading off to do some spackling and paint touch-up.  Have a good day and stay safe!

Fun Night!

Golfer and I went to see "Book of Mormon" last evening.  It was part of the Broadway on Tour series and was being presented at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.  I can not remember when we laughed so long or so hard at anything!  The performers were great.  Very talented singers and dancers.  Since we are familiar with the writers of the show  (we watch "South Park") we had a pretty good idea what the comedy would be like.  And I listen to Broadway on XM Radio when I'm driving Kirk so I was familiar with some of the music.  It was hilarious!  And having said that I should probably mention that it is also an "adult" show.  Do not take your children!

Of course, seeing the show on Halloween night meant not being at home for trick-or-treat.  We did miss seeing CutieGirl, but she got to go out in her neighborhood.  I hate to sound like a cranky old person, but I am pretty much over participating in trick-or-treat.  I wouldn't mind if it was just family and neighborhood kids.  But last year our local newspaper ran a large article listing all the best neighborhoods to go to for trick-or-treat.  Our community was at the top of the list and van loads of kids of all ages were dropped off.  I am pretty sure the paper got some complaints.

Today is gray and cloudy and in the 50's right now.  There's a big storm front coming this way with really high winds, rain, and colder temperatures.  I need to get off the computer and go outside to move some things to safety so they don't blow around.  Our family members in Ohio are expecting snow.  They are not happy.

Stay safe!

Interesting Conversation

I have mentioned my approaching TKR surgery in previous posts.  Yesterday I got a call from the hospital.  The nurse needed to ask me a few questions to get the "paperwork" started.  BTW - we need to come up with another term for this.  Nothing is on paper anymore.

Anyway, the few questions were the usual name, address, phone numbers, etc.  Then it went like this:

Nurse:  "In the last thirty days have you traveled or resided in any areas with known Ebola?"

Me:  "No, I've been right here in Newport News."

Nurse:  "Okay then.  We can continue."

It's a scary world, people.  Stay safe!

Doing Well

Hey, all!

I had the second cataract surgery last Wednesday.  All went well.  Seems like my right eye is recovering even better than the left one did.  I now am keeping track of the eye drops on two spreadsheets that they gave me and all is going well.  I love not having to wear glasses all the time!

I have some restrictions for a couple weeks.  Things like avoiding dust and dirt, making sure I wear the lovely "goggle/glasses" whenever I am outside, no heavy lifting, no pool, etc.  But I am keeping busy.  There seems to be an endless amount of things I am finding to clean now that my vision is better.  :)

With the knee surgery scheduled for December 1st, I am trying to get all holiday preparations finished.  So far, so good on that.  Shopping is almost done, wrapping is up to date, packages are ready to ship, card list is reviewed, stamps are bought....  I am not anticipating any problems with the surgery or recovery, but I want to be prepared and have things done.

I got outside and did a little yard clean-up yesterday.  There were a few weeds to yank up and some dead stuff to cut back.  Raked up some leaves from the mulched areas.  Felt good to get it done.

We had a little diversion yesterday afternoon when Rico had to go for a minor repair.  I was sitting at the computer killing time until the dryer stopped when Golfer came in and asked me come outside.  Needed me to help locate a noise he was hearing in Rico.  Turned out to be a large bolt stuck in the rear tire.  We had hoped it was just stuck in the tread, but no such luck.  It was really in there.  Golfer took Rico over to the tire shop and they were able to get it out and repair the tire.  Golfer has no idea where that bolt was picked up.

Some leaf color is just starting around here.  It feels like Fall and we've had the heat on and running a few times.  But it's supposed to get up to 80 this afternoon!

Stay safe!

Ahhhh, Fall

It was 50 outside this morning the first I checked the thermometer.  The sun is out and there is a breeze.  The forecast for tonight is "in the 30's".  There is just starting to be a hint of color on the trees in the area.  And Golfer wore long pants when he left to play golf today.  He always hates that change-over from shorts to long pants.

I mentioned in my last post that I have found some extra things to clean.  While working on that yesterday I decided to wash our quilts that we use when we're watching TV or we're just plain cold.  They've just sort of hung on the rack all Summer.  So now they are fresh and clean!  And while I was doing that I also washed the afghan that the furry kids often pull down and curl up in when they are cold.   When I got home from getting a few groceries I found this:

Cecil evidently decided he was cold and was going to be first to use the clean afghan!

Stay safe!

OMG! Another Cobweb!

My eyesight is improving.  The first cataract surgery went well and was so much easier than I had expected.  I had one minor scare on Tuesday when my vision in the upper left quadrant of my left eye went all wonky and flashy.  I immediately called my doctor and was told to come in right away.  You should have heard me trying to explain my symptoms to the check-in tech .  I finally had to draw her a picture.  :)   Anyway, after a full exam by Dr. Kitay, he said he found no retinal injuries, no surgery problems, and no pressure problems.  He said I had experienced an optical migraine.  I have had migraines in the past, but never this.  I had no headache, just the eye issues.  And actually, by the time I saw Dr. Kitay - I had to wait for the dilation drops to take effect - it was better.  He said they usually last less than an hour.  He also told me my vision was almost 20/20 in the left eye and was not done with recovery so there should be even more improvement!  My right eye surgery is scheduled for Wednesday.

So.  I was lying in bed last night waiting for my Nook to boot up.  Just looking around.  There's an air vent in the ceiling above my side of the bed.  I look up there all the time.  Last night I discovered cobwebs.   Never saw them before!  Guess what I'm doing today???

It's a nice Fall day here; a little cooler and the sun is out.  I will be opening windows and tackling some more cleaning.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I wanted some flashy readers.  I found a pair I like!

Stay safe!

The Little Superstar!