Bike Ride

           

    I finally got a bike ride in.   Man I didn't think I was ever going to be able to ride the bike.   First this morning we had a meeting with hospice.  That went well.  My stress level may be decreasing soon.  Keep your fingers crossed.  Then we went for a 10 mile ride.

   It distresses me to see how out of condition I am.  I found this ride hard and had to use my inhaler.  Memories of last years 44 mile rides went floating in my brain.  But reality sets in.  This is not last year.  I haven't had time to ride much.  Different priorities took first place.  Still,  Soaring along, 16 miles a hour...slow I know to any racers reading this, the wind in my hair, my heart bursting with joy and too much blood pumping at once.  Just a good time.  The Widmers at the end of ride, in a frosty mug, heaven.....just heaven.  The cool shower after we got home, more heaven.  It is the little things.

    Last night we watched the Deep Blue on my sons big screen TV.  How beautiful all the ocean fish and whales blowing water in the air.  Very calming which is what I am trying to fix my sites on these day.  I find myself meditating 3 times a day these days.  Trying not to blow.  Like the whale.  Thar she goes.  It would be messy if I do blow.  I want to maintain my self control for awhile yet.  So MIL doesn't get hurt.  Because BIL has definitely set my wrath  focused on him.

    As a nurse I understand addictions.  But.  I do not think you should forgive them their sins because they have a problem.  I believe they have to be held accountable to their sins.  If they can blame everything, all their faults and problems on their terrible addiction..... how will they come to win over their problems.  They are defeated before they try.  He has brought shame to his family...him and no one else.  Only he can change the way he is.  And he had better change...or leave soon.

   OK, the joke for the men.
________________________

_A man was stranded on a desert island for 10 years. One day a beautiful girl swims to shore in a wetsuit.... Man: "Hi! Am I ever happy to see you."

Girl: "Hi! It seems like you've been here a long time. How long has it been since you've had a cigarette?"

Man: "It's been ten years!" With this information the girl unzips a slot on the arm of her wet suit and gives the man a cigarette.

Man: "Oh thank you so much!"

Girl: "So tell me how long its been since you had a drink?"

Man: "It's been ten years" The girl unzips a little longer zipper on her wet suit and comes out with a flask of whiskey and gives the man a drink.

Man: "Oh... thank you so much. You are like a miracle!"

Girl: [Starting to unzip the front of her wet suit.] "So tell me then, how long has it been since you played around?"

Man: "Oh, my God, don't tell me you've got a set of golf clubs in there too?!"

_________________________________

It's Thursday, right!

 
         Yesterday while Rick talked to his BIL I did housework.  I was long overdue rearranging my dust.  Got my house nice and sparkly for awhile at least.  And you know what?    My wrist is better!  Oh is was a little sore after washing the kitchen floor but nothing like it had been.  I couldn't have hand washed the kitchen floor before.  So the steroid is kicking in.  What a huge relief that is.   Wonder what will go out next, LOL  Maybe I will actually get a few days before my body realizes its not torturing me and starts something else on the road to destruction.

       Today we are going to MIL's.  She is having some good days again after the weekend being so bad.   I have to wonder why it was so bad while we were gone.  I am just a suspicious person these days I guess.  Anyway I am glad she is having some good days again.   I brought the pictures of my sons race and she enjoyed looking at them.  Today I am bring a newspaper article that mentions him.  She will get a kick out that.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a302/midwestvintage/y8015.gif

         I am feeling better today.   Lots of issues that have been ignored and left on the back burner to stew have been brought forward and addressed.  I am kind of a head on face problems type of person and this skirting around issues was driving me nuts.  Everyones cards are on the table now, so there is no need for pretense.  The air feels cleaner to me that way, LOL.  I also think it was good for my husband.  He tends to keep things inside which isn't healthy.  And now BIL knows we know his dirty little secret and hopefully we have put a end to that.  So life should calm down.

    It's cool out and perfect weather for a bike ride.  So ride we will as far as I can get.  I lost 2 pounds on our trip from all that traipsing up and down those huge hills taking pictures.  Don't want it finding its way back home to my jelly belly.

   So I will end with a joke for women.  Tomorrow one for the guys OK.


Many women are afraid of their first mammogram, but there's no need to worry. By taking a few minutes each day with the following exercises a week before the exam, you will be totally prepared for the test -- and best of all -- you can do these simple practice exercises right in your home.

EXERCISE ONE: Open your refrigerator door and insert one breast between the door and the main box. Have one of your strongest friends slam the door shut as hard as possible -- and then lean on the door for good measure. Hold that position for five seconds. Repeat again in case the first time wasn't effective enough.

EXERCISE TWO: Go into your garage at 3 a.m. when the temperature of the cement floor is just right. Take off all your clothes and lie comfortably on the floor with one breast wedged under the rear of the car. Ask a friend to slowly back the car up until your breast is sufficiently flattened and chilled. Turn over and repeat for the other breast.

EXERCISE THREE: Freeze two metal bookends overnight. Strip to the waist. Invite a stranger into the room. Press the bookends together as hard as you can. Set an appointment with the stranger to meet next year and do it again.

You are now properly prepared. Final thoughts for women readers:

Go see Dad

   Dad had entered his 1200's entry 5 years from his first entry and was awarded the Graypow award.   Go congratulate him.  His site is alway friendly and the coffee is on.


http://journals.aol.com/white6416r/DadsTomatoGardenJournal/entries/2007/08/29/-entry--twelve-hundred/3237

Vote for your favorite video.

   Actually none of these video's are my favorite.  It makes me so mad and angry that video's like this are necessary.  That people think fighting animals as sport.  Would it be sport if it was them in the ring?  Of course some of these extreme fighting events are similar, but with a huge difference.  The fighters choose to fight, these poor animals have no choice.  They will fight because they have no choice. 

    Some of the video is hard to watch.  But it needs to be to wake people up to what is going on.  Animal fighting must be stopped.  People must be aware of what is really going on.

    Look down at your dog or cat and imagine if they had fallen into the hands of these monsters who fight them.  Vote for the video that you think might make a difference.  Vote for the animals.
       Please Vote!


http://www.hsus.org/acf/news/vote_video_contest.htm

Pretty much recovered

  
http://journals.aol.com/midwestvintage/24-hours-of-afton-2007/
     
     Hi everyone.  We got back really late on Saturday, unpacked and rested all day Sunday.  We had a pretty good time. 

    I have never been anyplace where there were so many thin fit people in my life.  Not an ounce of body fat.  You had to be really fit to do this trail.  1000 ft and 8.5 miles.   The team didn't get there early enough to try the trail out first and Dans first lap ended in the dark.  He was not thrilled with the rocks or the pipes they had to dunk under.  He definately  liked the trail better in the daylight.  The professionals and people who have ridden the trail before went at unheard of speeds.

     Our team ended up in the upper half which made them happy since they have never ridden there before and there is no where around here to train under those conditions.  They had a mutiny about riding at night but made up for it during the day and Dan hated to quit at the end of the race.  The first lap he had a terrible asthma attack, the first he has had in quite awhile.  Scared us all.  Thank goodness I had my inhaler.

     I did pretty good sleeping in the tent.  My back held out well but all night you heard music, fireworks and people yelling from the trails.  I got very little sleep.

   Yesterday I got my wrist injected with a steroid again.  It hurt so bad during the weekend but the shot was awful.  I am surprised I didn't scream.  Hopefully I will have some improvement within a few days as it has been really bad.

    MIL had a few problems while we were gone and hospice called us.  Since we were getting terrible reception up there it scared us to death as they said who it was and we got disconnected.  Finally talked to them though.  Problems with BIL came to light so we were upset and all I can say is it is a good thing we were so far away so I could cool down.  I am so ready to kill him.  We are having a meeting with him today per hospices request.  I am not looking forward to it.

   Otherwise that is about all.  I have my pictures put in an album but didn't get the really technical shots of the ride much to my sons dismay.   Climbing up that hill3 or 4 times was good enough for me plus we were cooking. 

I'm Off

I am not forgetful Three ladies were discussing the travails of getting older. One said, "Sometimes I catch myself with a jar of mayonnaise in my hand, while standing in front of the refrigerator, and I can't remember whether I need to put it away, or start making a sandwich."

The second lady chimed in with, "Yes, sometimes I find myself on the landing of the stairs and can't remember whether I was on my way up or on my way down."

The third one responded, " Well, ladies, I'm glad I don't have that problem. Knock on wood," as she rapped her knuckles on the table, and then said, "That must be the door, I'll get it!"
_______________________________________________

         Thought I would start off with a joke.  Cute huh.  

      I got off at 12 last night for low census.  Yippy.  I am off now for 9 days.  It was great because now I can get all the packing and shopping done today while I am alert and orientated instead of groggy.  We are bringing Zoey to the vets for boarding today also.  The lump on her leg is bigger so I am going to see if they will remove it while she is there.  I am so afraid the cancer as returned as it is on the same leg.   I wish I could bring her with us.  She will hate not being here.

     My son bought a new huge tent.  It came with chairs, sleeping bags, mess kits, just everything we will need.  He has power gels, power bars, power drinks, you name it.  Now to get real food.

     Last year he had to get a vein stripping done because he had bad varicose veins.  His legs still hurt to this day.  He didn't get much relief from the surgery and had many complications.  Poor kid.  AT work he has to wear support hose or Ted hose so he can stand for hours.  With all the riding and training he has been doing his legs have been very sore and keeping him awake at night.  Like me he seems to be able to stand a lot of pain.  He says this is the last race he will be in, from now on just ride for fun.  Sad for him.  I hope this goes well and he has a great time.  He just wants to finish.  I hope he does.  He is so competitive I bet he will.

    This kid has had his share of medical problems growing up.  As a child he was allergic to everything and had pneumonia twice.  Then he got Reye's syndrome after chicken pox.  He was in the hospital often.  When he was 12 he had kidney failure from a strep infection and developed ARDS, ( adult respiratory distress syndrome,) almost killed him.  He got asthma from that and it took about 8 years to completely recover.  He has a heart arrhythmia after the strep infection.  In spite of it all he has always pushed himself.  He is very athletic.  Many a time as a teen we had some very scary moments while he struggled to breath.  Now he can easily ride 60 to 80 miles on his bike without breaking a sweat.  He has come a long way.  So I hope this ride goes well for him.  Sad that yet another health problem is preventing him from doing something he loves in the future, but I am glad he will get to do it tomorrow. 

    It has been raining non stop since yesterday.  Makes it hard to get the stuff done like airing out the tents and sleeping bags but it will be OK.  I am going shopping soon and going to my MIL's to see how she is.  I don't want to drop Zoey off until the last minute.  We can't pick her up until Monday so we will miss her fussiness.

    Well, this isn't getting my chores done.  Take care all.  See ya when I get back.

One more day to work

   We got a lot done yesterday even with the persistent rain.  We go for weeks with drought like conditions and now it is pouring with severe weather all week.  Go figure.  

   Yesterday we got a 4 bicycle rack for the van.  Of course it turns out our hitch is really rusty so Rick have been working for 2 days filing it so the rack will fit.
 
    Got the tents out to air and the big tents zipper broke!  Gurrrrrr.  Dan is going to buy a new one.  The small one is fine.  The team also decided instead of leaving tomorrow and not knowing where we will stay the night, we will leave Friday at 5 am.   Hopefully we will be there by 11 and you can pick you camping site at 12.

     I talked to hospice again yesterday and MIL.  They both say go but both say it is getting close.  So torn.  I told MIL to behave herself.   She said she would try.

    

         Wouldn't it be wonderful to be laying on the white sand above, relaxed without a care in the world.  Sigh, makes me relaxed just looking at it.  And no. Neither pictures are mine.  They come from webshots.com.   Great place for pictures and desktop backgrounds.

    Well, time to get ready for my last night to work.  My wrist is to sore it feels broken.  How could it be that bad!  Ugh.

Good Morning

    The storm last night was one of those that just ripped on through.  It was fast and furious and gone within a half hour.   Looked like we got about 2 inches in that time.  I couldn't believe how black the clouds looked.  I kind of like a good thunderstorm, but Rick and Zoey hate them.  We didn't lose our electricity this time either which was nice. 

   Today will be a busy day.  We have to get so many things done.  I am hoping the rain stays away for awhile as I really want to get the tents up and aired out.  The van is in the shop again getting back brakes and a muffler.  Can we say money pit here.  But I want to take the van so have to make sure it is in good shape.  So I have to go to the bank, then we want to get a bike rack that fits in our hitch and that holds 4 bikes.  The team is having their meeting today to figure out what they want for meals and they will go shopping for that.  I have my first aide kit ready.

    The hospice nurse called yesterday and she thinks MIL will be OK while we are gone, but thinks it is getting close to the time we will have to move in.  I have been thinking that also.  Yesterday she was starting to have trouble getting up by herself.   I will be nervous being so far away.  I did mention to Rick maybe I should stay here and BIL could go with them.  I will see if she looks worse today maybe I will do that.

     We still don't know where we will stay the first night.  They don't want you camping there until Friday at noon.  First come first serve.  We wanted to get there Thursday and check out the trail.  So hopefully there will be a camp ground close by.  Hopefully the black bear that has been wandering through the camp is gone by the time we get there also.  Plus the biggest worry.  Flooding. They are having terrible storms and flooding up there where we are going.  12 people have died.  Looking at the weather it is suppose to keep raining until Thursday.  Will they cancel the race?  The team will be so upset if they do.

    Well, that is all for now.  Just rambling on and it isn't getting my chores or housework done.  I want the house clean today also as the dust is getting ahead of me.  Bye all.

Scary

   The sky is black and so scary looking.  We raced home right in front of this black black cloud.  Lightening, hail, scary scary scary.  As I type I hear the fat rain hitting the windows.  The air is charged and static.  Iowa thunderstorms.  Will I keep my electricity this time, we shall see.  Time to turn off the computer and hunker down.  Swirling clouds above our heads.

What Color Crayon are you?

   I got this at Donna's. 
Worked out perfect as green is my favorite color, Now I know why.

You Are a Green Crayon

Your world is colored in harmonious, peaceful, natural colors.While some may associate green with money, you are one of the least materialistic people around.Comfort is important to you. You like to feel as relaxed as possible - and you try to make others feel at ease.You're very happy with who you are, and it certainly shows!Your color wheel opposite is red. Every time you feel grounded, a red person does their best to shake you.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Last night

       One more 12 hours to go and I am off for a day.  I have been really sleeping well the last 3 days.  These sleeping pills work so good darn it so of course they will be taking them away.  To be getting 8 and 9 hours of sleep is such a miracle to me after all those months of 4 to 6 hours a night.  I feel like a new woman.  Hope what I get next helps as much.

    Work was good last night.  Not as many problems so it went smoother.  Have I mentioned I really like the nurses I work with at night.  We are a good crew and work together well.  Hopefully tonight I won't have to be charge though.  Much nicer to just have my patients to worry about.  Tonight I should be busy as a couple of them will be going to surgery tomorrow.

     It is back to be hot and humid.  We had tornado watches yesterday and on the way to work I saw a dust devil so conditions were right for it.  The weather has been terrible all over with the earthquakes, hurricanes,  flooding and such.

     My wrist is best not even talked about.  Much improved with the massages but not enough to get by without pain.  darn.

     I am getting my first aide kit ready for the race next week.  As a nurse I will probably overkill as they do have a first aide team there but I want to be prepared.  They are going to be setting up tents and airing them out and I am getting my mat ready as I need some padding to sleep on the ground.  Rick can sleep anywhere.  I am getting excited but dare not hope we get to go to much as my MIL looks so frail.  She comes first.
 
    Well, time to get ready.  Have a great day all.

2 more nights to go.

  2 cannibals were sitting around the table eating.
First cannibal.....I don't like my mother in law.
2nd cannibal.....Thats OK....... just eat the potatoes.

                  

     Sorry, sometimes the stupidest jokes make me giggle the most.

     2 more nights to go.  Yippy.  It was busy last night.  We didn't have a lot of patients, but what we had were very sick and kept us running.  I was charge last night and was sorely tempted to change my name by the time I left.  I felt torn in 20 directions last night.  My wrist unfortunately didn't survive the night and is very painful today.  It feels like it locks and I have to break it loose which hurts like....well you know.

     Rick is lying here in A-fib again.  In a way that is good because hopefully now he won't be in it next weekend when we are up in Minnesota.  I am praying for nice weather.  Please don't let it be hot.  Ever slept in a tent on a hot humid day?  It ain't fun.  Maybe I'll lose a ton of weight from sweating.

    If you have ever visited my bike journal lately you saw my ride though town showing all the art work.  Some idiots have been vandalizing them.  Now that just really ticks me off.  You try and make your town pretty and some kids with nothing better to dowith their time act like jerks and ruin it. 

    They almost caught them once.  Also someone is setting fires to peoples homes here.  Almost burnt up an elderly couple.  The husband was bedridden.  It was in one of our century old homes.  What is wrong with people.  I just wish I could catch one of the jerks, bad wrist or no bad wrist I would give them a piece of my mind.

     My MIL is still hanging in there.   Slowly getting weaker.  Spending more and more time resting.  Still no pain which is a blessing.

   Next week Zoey will be spending the time we are out of town at the vets.  He is going to check her over and see what he thinks.  I hate putting her in the kennel as she is spoiled with her meals and Rick makes her a real feast each meal, they won't so she won't eat..  Maybe she will lose some of that weight.

    Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.  Should I end with another bad joke?

   What has wings and can't fly?
              


         A dead bird!

      

Friday

                    

   Work went well last night and I had lovely patients.  Just a pleasure to take care of.  Happily my wrist survived the night well and I didn't have to wear my brace!  Still pain an stiffness at the joint but nothing like it was.  I don't need to tell you how happy that makes me.

   I called to see about rescheduling Ricks procedure to the next day.  I can get the time off then but not the night before with the way it is scheduled now.  The lady who does scheduling and answers all you questions told us we could call her 24 hours of day, of course she is unavailable until Monday, LOL  So we will have to wait and talk to he Monday.

   We are having BLT's for supper tonight with fresh home grown tomatoes.  Yummy.  We use turkey bacon and I like it just as well.

        Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Good Morning

                          

    I was reading my alerts and from upper Michigan is this entry about fungus recipes that look wonderful.  Check it out.  Love those Baby Bella's.   Warning, I gained weight reading the recipe, but I think it could be slimmed down for those of us on a diet.

    Doing my 8 minute flabs today I was shocked and Awed to feel, deep under my protective padding, a firm hard muscle!  Wow.  Now if it could do something about the fat, LOL.  But it is going better.

    Today it is suppose to be cooler, of course I go back to work tonight, and it will be nice to not walk into a sauna every time I go into the living room

     With the warm humid weather we had seem to have grown some giant bugs.  Yesterday I was dismayed to see another huge spider at least 2 ", probably more, on the side of my house with another of those huge egg sacks which hatched a zillion babies.  Yikes, die you buggers.  Didn't wrap this lot up, sprayed the heck out of them.  I am afraid they will go into my house.  The last house we had those huge hairy spiders, just gave me the willies.  I'll take a snake any day. 

       And then we are infested with Cicada killer hornets.   They are about 2" also and big enough to catch and fly with a cicada.  They are relatively harmless to humans, but for some reason we seem to be having a moving in day for all in town.  They are living under my cement slabs by the garage and the driveway.  They are so large they scared me to death the first time I saw one.  Mutant wasp I cried to Rick and went running.  With a little research though I feel much better about them, but still would like to have them relocate.  So I am working on that today.

     Yesterday we heard the van has a motor mount going out and got the front end worked on.  At least it is repairable.  We still need to get a muffler and rear brakes on it.  Why doesn't that stuff last forever.

    Today I am getting my last massage at 1.  I have gotten a lot of relief, but not totally.  I am pretty sure it will be back to where it was by Monday after my 4 night stretch, but you never know.  We shall see.  I am still keeping my fingers crossed.  I also am going to officially cancel my vacation.  Sigh.  I have not taken an actual vacation since 1998 I think.  Next year for sure come hell or high water I am going on a vacation.  I will need some days off for Ricks procedure and then will save the rest of my days.  The cars have eaten up any extra money anyway. 

    I will count our trip next weekend as a vacation and leave it at that.  I am worried about having to work every day until we leave.  Will the men get everything squared away?  Will they air out the tents, get the food and camping gear lined up, the first aide kit?  Will they do it a few days in advance or the day we leave?  I have to make sure and bring my tripod and extra charged batteries.  Want some action shots of the team.  Must bring biofreeze for them and me sleeping on the ground in a tent.  Chairs, hummmmmm.  I guess I will make a list.

   Well as usual a long entry.  I don't get much time to make entries during the week I work.  I have to finish my laundry, get my treatment, go to my MIL and then back to get ready for work.  Rick already has a wonderful meal cooking in the crockpot.  Everyone have a great weekend.

                            

Ricks procedure

   Well we are scheduled for the 17 of Sept for Ricks procedure.  He gets a special cardiac cat scan on the 10th.  I think they will need to give him something to help him relax as he is already a wreak, LOL.   Thank goodness he will be out for the procedure.  Since we have to be there at 0630 we will be spending 2 nights at the motel.  There is one at the hospital for family.  No cost breaks either it sounds like.  It will be a long month for Rick.

The continuing saga of our sucky health

                 
 
        Today Rick see's his heart doctor and we make the appointment for this ablation.

       I am nervous about it as it is not without risks, but going into A-fib every week for 8 hours isn't without risks either.  I asked my son to take the day off go to Omaha with us.  I would hate to be alone if anything happened and I don't like to drive there anymore.  They drive crazy there.  Also we wonder how bad it will be going out of network.  It costs more of course, but they don't do that procedure here.
        

    Yesterday I went and had another treatment on my wrist.  This time the full half hour.  Although my wrist is better it still isn't great.  The swelling is way down, but I am still having pain.  He did say the pain would be worse last night due to the manipulation and he was right.  It is better today.  I get another treatment tomorrow and we will see.  I still see about a 40% improvement.  And my Doc called and they got me an earlier appointment on the 27th.  I kept the appointment and will see what one more treatment and working the week does.

    We have been getting a list of everything we will need for next week.  The worse thing is my van is in the shop now.  2 days ago the car had to get worked on, today the van probably needs around $600 of work.  Will it never end?  I should just cash my check and stand on the corner handing it out.  Everyone wants a piece of it.

     MIL had a good day yesterday.  She is no longer going upstairs to shower being too weak so if getting sponge baths.  Shock of shock BIL has been more attentive and even out of bed by 10.  Wonder what he wants.  Sound like he is looking to get his teeth worked on.  Guess who he wants to pay for it.  So he is being sweet and attentive to her.  She told me he gets like that when he had an agenda, LOL.  I told her to enjoy it and milk it.
 
         
   Things could be worse, we could be as broken as the old house above.

Animal fighting still being promoted by Amazon

       Amazon still promotes animal cruelty by selling animal fighting magazines.  Copy and paste, the link won't work, the address below and send them a letter to stop the promotion of animal fighting in any form.

https://community.hsus.org/campaign/US_2007_amazon_fighting3/inei7532pit5w7t?

Good Morning all

  I am up sipping coffee and getting ready for my massage on my wrist.  I am totally amazed that the swelling is down somewhat this morning and I have less pain.  Dare I hope it will be even better after today?  I sure hope so.  This man is so reasonable also.  I got more out of his treatment yesterday then my physical therapy after 5 treatments.

   Trying to add pictures to my entry and once again the aol photo journal won't work with the link.  No pictures show up.  Sigh, what a bother.

    I haven't been able to take many pictures lately.  Very few bike rides, very few new pictures.  Very little exercise except my 8 minute flab exercise.  The year is just flying by and with the terrible heat and humidity I am trapped in my cool bedroom.

    On the 24th my son is going to be in a mountain bike race at Alfton Alps
   It is a 4 man 24 hour straight race.  We are his support team.  Our job will be to make sure their drinks are ready,  do first aide, cook food which will give them losts of energy and of course take pictures.  He has been training all year, even all winter for the race.  They don't expect to win but they want to finish.  I am worried because he has no backup support team.  You have to have a support team to enter.  With my MIL things could change in a hurry so that bothers me.  Still if it works out it should be fun to see him race.  Now he is one of those wasp type figures you see unlike his mother, lol. 

    What type of meals should I plan to give them the most energy without making them so full they can't race?  Pasta's?  We will be tent camping also.  Hope my back handles it.

  

Help in unexpected places

  The weather here is so hot and humid you just can't breath.  Deadly heat.  No AC....what do you do?   Go out to eat of course, which we did.   I had my brace on, always, and who do I see at the bar having a beer?
 My massage therapist!  He saw my brace, asked me what was going on and did a treatment right there.  Only cost me a beer.

    I have to tell you my arm feels 40% better.  He could tell how bad it was and said I had knots up and down in a couple of places. How could I have forgotten about him?  When my back messed up a couple of years ago I saw him and he straightened me right up.  So I made an appointment for tomorrow and Thursday and he thinks it should have me right as rain. 

     This man has magic fingers I tell you.  I am typing right now with NO brace and my pain is a 4 instead of an 8.  Its a miracle.   Please dear Lord let me not need surgery.  If you haven't ever had a massage I highly recommend it with someone who is very trained.  He has been doing massages for 25 years so is very good at what he does.  Heaven....I'm in heaven.   No pain pill tonight.
                  

My luck continues

  I can't get in to see my hand doctor until Sept 5th.  I can't see another Dr because I have already seen this doctor for this.  I can't get anyone else to inject the wrist to give me some relief until I see the doctor. 

   Remember the old days, you called your doctor and went in to see him the same day.  You didn't have to wait months to get seen. 

   Of course they said they could give me pain pills to help me make it through till then.  I don't want to take pain medicine for a month.  I hate taking them for more then a day.  My brain is foggy enough without help thank you very much.  Sigh. 

   So it looks like I will be living with this brace for a lot longer then I would like and the pain even longer.  They have me down for the first cancellation.  The weird thing is the only thing I can think of that might have caused it to flare up is doing a lot of manual blood pressures on a patient one night.  It was after that it started to hurt again. 

   I did get 1 and a half years off the last injection which sounds like it is amazing it lasted that long.  So that was lucky.  I can't get Zoey right in either.  We are both have bad luck.  She doesn't seem to be in any pain though.

Monday already

   Now I  know a lot of you have to go back to work today and I send my heartfelt sympathy.  Just remember, its your job! Giggle.

          Today is going to be a bust day.  Already we have the car in the shop again.  Now it has a fuel leak.  The van is needing work really bad also.  Also I am going to have my doctor try to arrange for me to see my hand doctor ASAP.   My wrist has gotten so bad with pain now going up my arm.  Now whats up with that?  Please give me a break.  I have a feeling this is how I will spend my much anticipated vacation.  Not riding my bike in the beautiful black hills but doped out recovering from yet another surgery on this treacherous body of mine.  Can we all say Whaaaaaa, poor me.  I can!
                       

           It stopped raining and cleared up long enough for me to go and try and see some meteors last night. Try is all I did.  Not a one.  Oh Well.

      It has been a very unproductive weekend.  How did the one arm man do it?  I can't even do any cleaning because of the pain, oh darn, much less murder anyone and flee.  Must take practice.

     My abs of flab are really complaining today.  Maybe there is muscle under there after all.  So the question.  If the muscles scream in the flab and there is no one there to hear them, did they scream?
                              

      After I call my Doc and see about getting into the hand doc then we will go see MIL.  My exciting day continues to amaze me, LOL.  So boring.  Last night I played final fantasy.   Might as well as I can do that one handed.

    Well, so long, been good to see you, so long been good to see you, ya all remember that song don't you?


    Oh by the way,  Today is National Left handers Day.  Wtg you southpaws.

Good Morning

Actually I am having a hard time waking up this morning.  Bed just felt so good.  I feel like this kitten.
                     

   We went out last night and played pool.  I haven't played pool for awhile, but was happy I didn't do so bad.  I wouldn't be up to playing for money these days, but I am not completely lacking in skills.  I used to be soooo good at banking and that little skill seems to have deserted me though.  Sometimes I miss the game so much.  It was a big part of our lives for 11 years. 

   I played almost everyday and had my share of trophy's.  What I liked to best though was to challenge a table.  A friend of mine, Kim, and I would challenge the table usually from a couple of guys as they seem to always hold the tables.  They would be all confident and show offy.  We would smile sweetly, agree to play for money and then kick their butts..... repeatedly, lol.  Oh the good days.  I made the grocery money many a day back then.

   Yesterday I got a letter from my insurance company.  They said after Sept 1st they are no longer paying for name brand sleeping aides.  Namely my Ambien CR.  Now that I finally got a script with refills.  Ticks me off.  I have paid almost $8000 in insurance premiums so far and they won't let me have my sleeping pill!  So I have to call my doctor and get it out of their approved list.  Which probably won't work as well for me.  Thing is we are changing insurances in Jan.  So will I have to start all over with them?  Smile Julie Smile


    Tomorrow  I have to call my doctor and have her refer me to my hand doc.  The wrist is just getting worse and worse.  I am wearing the brace all the time now and still getting these shooting sharp pains down my wrist into my hands which are now numb most of the time.  I also see evidence of muscle wasting on the hand.  So I will see if he can offer me anything short of surgery.  But I don't expect good news.  I was suppose to have surgery 2 years ago and keep putting it off.  Must have reached the end of the road.  Bummer.

    My MIL is still hanging in there, her words.  She is depressed at times these days.  I would be also I guess.

    Well, it is hot here.  To hot for a bike ride, too hot for the zoo.  Won't cool off until, you guessed it, my first night back to work.  Sigh.  Oh well, eventually it will cool off and I'll get my day in the zoo.

   One more thing.  I have been doing the 8 minute ab workout, or flab workout in my case.  Can we say sore sore sore!  Oh my.  They make it look so easy.  With my bad back it gives new meaning to ouch.  I need to get my back muscles stronger though.  I think that is why my back is worse.  Slacked off too long on my exercises.

    Rick sees his heart doc on Weds.  We are going to schedule his ablation then.  Nervous.

    Well, take care all and a question.  What does MEME stand for and where did it originate?

Summertime

As only Ella and Louis could sing it

spoiling myself

  I don't know if I have ever mentioned that I love broaches.  I wear them all the time.   Most are old but some are new and outrageous.   I love big and bold.  So I spoiled myself this week.
 
    This one is done by Charles Fazzino


    He is a very popular pop artist.  My oldest has some of his art work.  It will only go up in price.  It is 3 d and so funky.

    Next one Rick bought me today.  I love it.  The lizard is covered with Swarovski crytals and just sparkles madly.  Its just a real conversation piece.  I think I deserved each one.  I try to chose pieces that will go up in price plus I have to like them.


      So what do you think?  Cool huh.

Sharing

   

     I love my Doc.  She is so nice and her new baby is so cute.

      Anyway I had my visit.  She is so proud that I have lost more weight.  Granted slow but it is coming off.  My blood pressure is wonderful, 100/60, and my pulse is good.   I need surgery on my wrist as she says it won't get better it is so bad, knew that, but still putting it off and I should have a MRI of my back, but she will let me wait on that also.  I have to check my cholesterol again in 2 months as it is high, but I think probably better and she gave me more sleeping pills.  She agrees that sleeping is important for me.    So that is my news.  Nothing I didn't know but she had to see me to agree with me, grin.

    I am waiting for hubby to come back as he is taking MIL's garbage out.  Tomorrow we have a hospice visit.  Wait, I hear him coming back.  Talk to you later.   I am going to finish the movie I have fallen asleep during twice if it kills me.

Let the week off officially begin

   After having a busy night at work and getting out a half hour late my week off can now begin.  Yah!   I am going to sleep until 12:30 and then I have to see my doc again to get my potassium, wrist and back checked.  Joy oh Joy.  Tomorrow we have a group hospice meeting.  Goody, I have to see BIL.  Then after that besides housework I can relax.  It is suppose to be steaming hot this week.  It is so humid it just drips here all day.  Add 100+ to that and it should be just terrible.  I am hoping the weather cools by next week.   I want my day in Omaha.  Night all.

 

Explaination

                                                     

               You do words good Lady.

  I just wrote this as a comment in Mary's journal.  I remember the first time I heard it.  I had a patient in Peds, very poor uneducated family.  Since the child was with me for awhile due to being in traction and often was the only patient I had, we visited for long periods.  The day he left he told me thanks and said the above, you do words good lady. 

   I thought about that for long hours after he left.  His highest complement for me.  I decided it was the conversation.  Conversation is so important.  Journal entries are conversations and so many of you out their do words good.  Thank you everyone.