The day started out kind of strange. I woke up around 8am and the Beast, of course, beat me up by an hour or so. But, to my surprise, he asked what I wanted to do for our anniversary! *Shock!* I just said *lets go out to eat for a change*. He told me to think of where I wanted to go and let him know.
Then, I find out my bff sent us a very generous gift certificate to Red Lobster (she knows I like to eat there because I just LOVE shrimp, lobster and crab). So I told the Beast I wanted to go there and I swear, he lost color in his face. Last time we ate there, our check for dinner and my drinks was over $100. Not that *I* care with all the money he spends whenever he feels like it. However, the gift certificate will more than cover anything we have. So it's dinner out tomorrow! Hurrah!
Our poor broody hen was at it again. She seems to have waited for several of the other hens to lay their eggs today and she was sitting in the nesting box and refusing to come out. I had to physically remove her (again) but I put her down on the floor of the coop next to me. She was sitting on 7 eggs this time and they were all warm as heck. But I stopped and petted her for a bit because I feel bad for her. The fact that she let me without flying off away from me tells you just how broody she is. The Beast actually came and asked me to go check to see if it was the same hen because of the way she was acting (and she pecked at him when he started to reach in). LOL! But it brought the egg count to 10 for today.
We now have 7 dozen eggs in the fridge and that's AFTER the Beast gave our neighbor two dozen eggs. Dennis took 2 dozen yesterday. This is the amount of eggs that we are getting in less than two weeks! Shocking, isn't it? I guess it's an omelet for us in the morning....LOL. I also told the Beast he needed to start baking again. He hasn't done any in a couple months now. I guess his NEW hobby (the chickens) made him give up his old one (baking).
We just had a power outage here but it didn't last long in our area. When I called the power company, the recording said that it affected our area, Boaz and the surrounding communities. Just how extensive it was is anyone's guess but at least we have our power back. The Beast had just started into the bedroom to go to bed when he kicked the power cord for the vacuum out of the way and the lights went out. It shocked him at first just for how it appeared to be related. He came into my computer room and said, *Sorry....I didn't mean to do it!* When he told me what he had done just as it happened, I couldn't help but laugh.
Well, that's all folks! Time to get this posted. Love you all. I hope you had a great weekend and a nice, calm week ahead. ***Hugs***
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Just A Thought....(2nd Post for Sunday)
I went out today to pick up a card to give the Beast for our anniversary on Monday (it's also the Princess and Johnnycake's). I grabbed a small gift for him that I know he will appreciate. It will also keep his hands off something of mine that he keeps trying to steal. But I wondered if he will even remember that we will be married 52 years. Since he got involved with his church, they don't seem to celebrate much. They DO celebrate anniversaries, I know but the Beast has always been very UN-sentimental our whole lives.
It really makes me wonder why I cry at weddings. Is it because I feel that they may have a rude awakening one day (like I did) or just because I remember how *I* felt when I first got married? I cry at weddings in movies....like I know I will be crying in a little bit just at the reunion of an elf princess and the man she loves (and who loves her). The movie is the last of the Lord of the Rings movies called *The Return of the King*. I know what's coming but I can't help myself.
I really wonder if I cry because my marriage has become kind of sad. In many ways, he's become a bit...just a bit....kinder to me. It's mostly when I need it and I am helpless to do much for myself. With the two major leg surgeries I had plus the appendectomy and removal of the dead section of my colon to name a few of the times, I was actually surprised at his concern and how he made sure I was fed and had whatever I needed to be comfortable. I remember when I had the flu (this was since we moved here so it wasn't all that long ago) and I could have died and he probably wouldn't have noticed.
I became terribly dehydrated and had no food for three days. The only reason I didn't go longer than that was because I was finally able to stay upright long enough to make myself some soup. I went almost 24 hours without any liquids at all. Not a drop of anything was given to me. I literally crawled to the bathroom which was very close or I'm not sure I could have made it. He totally ignored me and never checked on me at all. I really believed he was hoping I would die. That hurt me deeply.
But, like I said, when things were really serious, he was wonderful. I did tell him how much I appreciated his attention and concern those times.
Just recently he bought me flowers and a really cute, tall vase that has the outline of a heart on it and the word *Love* inside it. It surprised me a lot since there wasn't any special occasion when he did it. Plus, he knew I had several vases already but he said he just liked it when he saw it.
He may just buy me some flowers and a card but that will be about it from him. That's IF he even remembers. I used to give him his card and gift early so he would then remember and have time to go out and buy me a card (and some flowers were the usual gift). But I don't think I will do that on Monday. I will wait until either he gives me a card or else at dinner time. THAT will make him feel really bad since it IS one of the few things his church allows him to celebrate. Shame on him if he forgets.
Well, that's the end of this thought. I hope you have a great Sunday. ***Hugs***
It really makes me wonder why I cry at weddings. Is it because I feel that they may have a rude awakening one day (like I did) or just because I remember how *I* felt when I first got married? I cry at weddings in movies....like I know I will be crying in a little bit just at the reunion of an elf princess and the man she loves (and who loves her). The movie is the last of the Lord of the Rings movies called *The Return of the King*. I know what's coming but I can't help myself.
I really wonder if I cry because my marriage has become kind of sad. In many ways, he's become a bit...just a bit....kinder to me. It's mostly when I need it and I am helpless to do much for myself. With the two major leg surgeries I had plus the appendectomy and removal of the dead section of my colon to name a few of the times, I was actually surprised at his concern and how he made sure I was fed and had whatever I needed to be comfortable. I remember when I had the flu (this was since we moved here so it wasn't all that long ago) and I could have died and he probably wouldn't have noticed.
I became terribly dehydrated and had no food for three days. The only reason I didn't go longer than that was because I was finally able to stay upright long enough to make myself some soup. I went almost 24 hours without any liquids at all. Not a drop of anything was given to me. I literally crawled to the bathroom which was very close or I'm not sure I could have made it. He totally ignored me and never checked on me at all. I really believed he was hoping I would die. That hurt me deeply.
But, like I said, when things were really serious, he was wonderful. I did tell him how much I appreciated his attention and concern those times.
Just recently he bought me flowers and a really cute, tall vase that has the outline of a heart on it and the word *Love* inside it. It surprised me a lot since there wasn't any special occasion when he did it. Plus, he knew I had several vases already but he said he just liked it when he saw it.
He may just buy me some flowers and a card but that will be about it from him. That's IF he even remembers. I used to give him his card and gift early so he would then remember and have time to go out and buy me a card (and some flowers were the usual gift). But I don't think I will do that on Monday. I will wait until either he gives me a card or else at dinner time. THAT will make him feel really bad since it IS one of the few things his church allows him to celebrate. Shame on him if he forgets.
Well, that's the end of this thought. I hope you have a great Sunday. ***Hugs***
Hot, Hot, Rain, Hot And Muggy.......
More hot weather today, of course. It concerned me that the Beast was going to be outdoors, taking pictures of a family reunion in the heat. He still hasn't recovered from what I believe may have been heat exhaustion that he suffered a few days ago. The only thing that made me feel a little less concerned than I had felt was the day was overcast by the time he left.
However, the rain we had...even at the State Park....just added high humidity to the heat. It really didn't cool things down much. Once I saw some of the pictures he took, I immediately knew why he didn't feel any worse than he had. The family had reserved one of the large covered picnic areas. So they weren't bothered by the rain and his flash helped with compensating for the overcast skies. He said one nice thing about the family was they were serious about having their pictures taken while they could. A lot of them were older and many of the kids were very young so they probably won't have them or want to go to them once they are teenagers. That's kind of what stopped our family reunions. But I digress......
One of the young women helped organize everyone for him, which helped him greatly. So they did various groups...siblings, first cousins, second cousins, grandkids, each family group, etc. This same young woman also ended up by giving the Beast $100. when he finished up. She wanted a separate disk sent to her as well as the one that he will give the neighbor that asked him to do it. He found out that they had tried (before asking him) to find a photographer to take pictures but everyone seemed to be booked for weddings which are very lucrative for them.
It made me feel better knowing they had tried that first before asking him. I guess that's why he was given the money, too. They DID appreciate taking up his time. He is still feeling dizzy a lot but he won't go see the doctor. He thinks this will pass by the time I could even call for an appointment. He did agree to go if he felt this way on Monday, however.
BTW, my gastro doctor DID call me with the result of the lab results on the polyps that were removed. They were benign. So that made me feel MUCH better.
Now I just need to hear from the cardiologist. I wonder when that will happen. Only time will tell. I have to call his office to let him know that the pills he gave me will be gone by Friday. If he wants me to continue on them, I will need him to call in a prescription for me. Maybe that will get him to give me my results.
The broody hen is still broody. The Beast is going to lift her up out of the nesting box when he gets home from the store to check how many eggs are underneath her and gather them up. We will have to check around the yard after this, however, because she may just try hiding her *nest*, which is not unusual. We shall see what happens.
Time to get this posted. Love you all. Have a great Sunday. ***Hugs***
However, the rain we had...even at the State Park....just added high humidity to the heat. It really didn't cool things down much. Once I saw some of the pictures he took, I immediately knew why he didn't feel any worse than he had. The family had reserved one of the large covered picnic areas. So they weren't bothered by the rain and his flash helped with compensating for the overcast skies. He said one nice thing about the family was they were serious about having their pictures taken while they could. A lot of them were older and many of the kids were very young so they probably won't have them or want to go to them once they are teenagers. That's kind of what stopped our family reunions. But I digress......
One of the young women helped organize everyone for him, which helped him greatly. So they did various groups...siblings, first cousins, second cousins, grandkids, each family group, etc. This same young woman also ended up by giving the Beast $100. when he finished up. She wanted a separate disk sent to her as well as the one that he will give the neighbor that asked him to do it. He found out that they had tried (before asking him) to find a photographer to take pictures but everyone seemed to be booked for weddings which are very lucrative for them.
It made me feel better knowing they had tried that first before asking him. I guess that's why he was given the money, too. They DID appreciate taking up his time. He is still feeling dizzy a lot but he won't go see the doctor. He thinks this will pass by the time I could even call for an appointment. He did agree to go if he felt this way on Monday, however.
BTW, my gastro doctor DID call me with the result of the lab results on the polyps that were removed. They were benign. So that made me feel MUCH better.
Now I just need to hear from the cardiologist. I wonder when that will happen. Only time will tell. I have to call his office to let him know that the pills he gave me will be gone by Friday. If he wants me to continue on them, I will need him to call in a prescription for me. Maybe that will get him to give me my results.
The broody hen is still broody. The Beast is going to lift her up out of the nesting box when he gets home from the store to check how many eggs are underneath her and gather them up. We will have to check around the yard after this, however, because she may just try hiding her *nest*, which is not unusual. We shall see what happens.
Time to get this posted. Love you all. Have a great Sunday. ***Hugs***
Broody Chicken Takes Over One Nest Box.....
We think we have a broody hen. One of them has taken over one of the nesting boxes and she won't leave it. Unless she has a stuck egg, we can't think of any other reason she wouldn't leave. Being broody means she wants chicks, so she will sit there and lay a few eggs and try to hatch them despite what we might do. However, if she is still in the box tomorrow, we will lift her out of it and gather whatever eggs are in it. She won't be happy about it but there's no other solution. We had 8 eggs in one box so she's been in it since the Beast checked this morning. She may have been in it since yesterday when they were all put away for the night.
I wondered if it would happen to us. We just do NOT want any chicks. Hell, we are having a hard time with all the eggs we DO have already. We don't need any more chickens.
It really was a great day today. I did wash after the Beast got done with his casual clothes and dark socks. However, I haven't gotten around to folding any of it yet. It's just my underwear and pajamas. I did my clothes earlier.
The Beast took some picturese of our neighbors oldest son. Good looking kid but he sure wasn't when he was younger. He's going to have a lot of girls trying to get his attention....LOL. The pictures the Beast took turned out great. He was getting ready to drop the boy off at his house and show his parents the couple of pictures he did up for him when another neighbor came charging over (in his car) to ask the Beast to come to his family reunion tomorrow afternoon at the State Park and take pictures for him. The Beast will but he's not going to make up pictures. He told him that he would load the pictures on a CD for him and he could take it wherever he wanted to make up any pictures that he wanted.
I told the Beast that he should make these people pay for his time, if nothing else but they are all people from his church so he won't do it. I think he is actually flattered that they like his pictures and that is why he keeps doing this. He's going to be doing another wedding soon when the bride and groom set the date. He says it should be soon from the way they are talking but who knows? It just means another extra day when he's not around to keep interrupting me with political comments that I really don't care about. The only blessing is that he is also watching CNN news and it's not all Fox. *Sheesh*
I broke the ear piece on my favorite (and newest) pair of reading glasses. I can be a klutz at times. After going through all the glasses I had hanging around and finding they all had scratched lenses, I went out and bought three new pair. I'm waiting for the Beast to come in and ask me what the hell I bought for the money he will know I spent. But I am ready for him. I MAY tell him but I plan on showing him all the appliances that he has bought that are just gathering dust because he tired of them, including the FIVE different coffee makers that are siting on the shelves out in the garage. I want him to justify himself before he asks me to. Am I wrong?
Well, that's it for today. I'll let you know about the broody hen tomorrow. I want to see how many eggs she has claimed that she may not even have laid. Love you all. Choose to be happy. You are breathing and you have a roof over your head, right? Add food to eat and you are better off than many people. ***Hugs***
I wondered if it would happen to us. We just do NOT want any chicks. Hell, we are having a hard time with all the eggs we DO have already. We don't need any more chickens.
It really was a great day today. I did wash after the Beast got done with his casual clothes and dark socks. However, I haven't gotten around to folding any of it yet. It's just my underwear and pajamas. I did my clothes earlier.
The Beast took some picturese of our neighbors oldest son. Good looking kid but he sure wasn't when he was younger. He's going to have a lot of girls trying to get his attention....LOL. The pictures the Beast took turned out great. He was getting ready to drop the boy off at his house and show his parents the couple of pictures he did up for him when another neighbor came charging over (in his car) to ask the Beast to come to his family reunion tomorrow afternoon at the State Park and take pictures for him. The Beast will but he's not going to make up pictures. He told him that he would load the pictures on a CD for him and he could take it wherever he wanted to make up any pictures that he wanted.
I told the Beast that he should make these people pay for his time, if nothing else but they are all people from his church so he won't do it. I think he is actually flattered that they like his pictures and that is why he keeps doing this. He's going to be doing another wedding soon when the bride and groom set the date. He says it should be soon from the way they are talking but who knows? It just means another extra day when he's not around to keep interrupting me with political comments that I really don't care about. The only blessing is that he is also watching CNN news and it's not all Fox. *Sheesh*
I broke the ear piece on my favorite (and newest) pair of reading glasses. I can be a klutz at times. After going through all the glasses I had hanging around and finding they all had scratched lenses, I went out and bought three new pair. I'm waiting for the Beast to come in and ask me what the hell I bought for the money he will know I spent. But I am ready for him. I MAY tell him but I plan on showing him all the appliances that he has bought that are just gathering dust because he tired of them, including the FIVE different coffee makers that are siting on the shelves out in the garage. I want him to justify himself before he asks me to. Am I wrong?
Well, that's it for today. I'll let you know about the broody hen tomorrow. I want to see how many eggs she has claimed that she may not even have laid. Love you all. Choose to be happy. You are breathing and you have a roof over your head, right? Add food to eat and you are better off than many people. ***Hugs***
Thursday, July 28, 2016
The Girls Can Be Weird.....
I know I have mentioned some strange things that the girls and Freddy do from time to time but I think this one takes the cake. We were out on the deck this morning and noticed one of the chickens was in a flower pot in one corner of the deck. This flower pot happens to be heavily covered with grape leaves so it was only by chance that the Beast first noticed her. We just laughed at first . But, when she exited the pot, out of curiosity, the Beast said to me...*Go check and see what she was doing. She might have decided to lay an egg there.* He was right...but she had obviously been laying eggs in there for a while. Either that or several of the hens had discovered (and like) the area for egg laying. I found SIX eggs in there.
Needless to say, I brought them in right away and refrigerated them....just in case. We are going to have to keep a close eye on that pot now. I'm not kidding when I say that you really can't see the hen when she is in there. Not unless you just happen to spot a small area of black and white when she moves a bit. And I doubt you would normally. The Beast may not have even noticed it except Sassy (the cat) kept putting her nose over the edge of it. She did it a couple times before walking away and the Beast wondered what had caught her attention when he finally saw the feathers.
Cee went to her doctor today and got the strangest thing told to her. After her blood test, her doctor told her that her Vitamin D level was low. He gave her some pills she has to take...just one per week...to help. Can you imagine? He said that often happens when you drink a lot of water....which she does. Probably more water than most since the radiation treatments she had after the throat cancer was found. It seems to have burned her salivary glands so she suffers from dry mouth and throat. She has a glass of ice water that she carries with her everywhere now and constantly takes sips from. Goes to show you that she doesn't get out of the house and into the sun often. Plus she obviously doesn't drink much milk, either. Like she says, she can take one more pill per week....LOL.
The Beast didn't go out with his church group today. He said his leg was really hurting him and he needed to give it time to heal a bit. Of course, he was in and out of the house a lot...some rest, huh? But at least he didn't complain a lot. And he DID take a nap so I'm sure that helped.
I'm tired and heading for bed myself now. Have a great Friday, everyone. Love you all. ***Hugs***
Needless to say, I brought them in right away and refrigerated them....just in case. We are going to have to keep a close eye on that pot now. I'm not kidding when I say that you really can't see the hen when she is in there. Not unless you just happen to spot a small area of black and white when she moves a bit. And I doubt you would normally. The Beast may not have even noticed it except Sassy (the cat) kept putting her nose over the edge of it. She did it a couple times before walking away and the Beast wondered what had caught her attention when he finally saw the feathers.
Cee went to her doctor today and got the strangest thing told to her. After her blood test, her doctor told her that her Vitamin D level was low. He gave her some pills she has to take...just one per week...to help. Can you imagine? He said that often happens when you drink a lot of water....which she does. Probably more water than most since the radiation treatments she had after the throat cancer was found. It seems to have burned her salivary glands so she suffers from dry mouth and throat. She has a glass of ice water that she carries with her everywhere now and constantly takes sips from. Goes to show you that she doesn't get out of the house and into the sun often. Plus she obviously doesn't drink much milk, either. Like she says, she can take one more pill per week....LOL.
The Beast didn't go out with his church group today. He said his leg was really hurting him and he needed to give it time to heal a bit. Of course, he was in and out of the house a lot...some rest, huh? But at least he didn't complain a lot. And he DID take a nap so I'm sure that helped.
I'm tired and heading for bed myself now. Have a great Friday, everyone. Love you all. ***Hugs***
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
The Beast Is Depressed....
When I woke up this morning around 9am, the Beast was gone and I had no idea just where he was. I suspected he was back at this one woman's house, working...or trying to....on her AC. He had been only able to work on it early in the morning due to the heat. He can't take it and becomes really sick from the high heat and humidity (we've had rain at night for several days). When he had to work on the air handler, located in the highest area of the attic (an actual platform made for it up in the gable of the roof) and difficult to even get to, he discovered he couldn't get into a position where he could put his leads on it to make sure his diagnosis was right.
He ended up telling the woman that he was just physically unable to work on the AC and then went to a local AC company that was recommended to him by members of his church. He talked to the owner and told him the problem. He said if there was a tech available, he would show him where everything was located, tell him what he had already done and what he thought the problem was so that it made it easier for the tech to correct the problem quickly. He did that and came home, depressed. He told me he never thought he would reach the point where he was unable to work on an AC unit but the weakness in his left arm and leg along with the difficulty he had getting up from a prone position had hit him hard on this particular call. So he said, *As of today, I am officially totally retired and I won't do this any more*.
I told him that he really shouldn't have even tried to work on AC's any more because most of the time the air handlers were located in the attic and have always been difficult to work on for him since his strokes. Especially with how the heat affected him and attics are ALWAYS hot during the spring and summer months. I have never seen or heard of any attic air handler that wasn't difficult to get into, by him or any of the techs that worked for us. But I felt bad for him. I think it was truly the first time that he felt his age and disability.
I went over to Cee's for a couple hours so that I could visit with Michael and Lucy before they headed back to their home in Tennessee. Lucy has to be at work on Friday. As usual, we had a good time. Cee was getting ready to prepare and make her Shrimp Scampi for dinner when I left. I hugged them all before I came home to find the Beast, sitting like two old men, with Dennis is the driveway. It was kind of cute and made me laugh (but not in front of them). The Beast had been checking the pears on the trees, including the Bartlett pears which will be ready in a few more days. Amazingly, we not only have a lot of pears on the trees, but they haven't been decimated by Japanese beetles this year. Dennis claims his traps have caught pounds of them this year and HE is responsible for our good harvest. The Beast gave him a couple pears to take home from one of the pear trees out front. Pears MUST ripen on the tree. They are one of the few fruits that won't ripen off the tree. They will only rot if you pick them before they are ready.
The rest of the day was actually very calm. The Beast and I both took a nap after dinner and he was in bed when I woke up a couple hours later. Tomorrow is his day with members of his church so that was no surprise. He goes to bed early the day before, especially with the heat we've been having. If he's tired, he tends to fade early and pushes himself to complete his day with them. He'll take a shower and then go to bed with the window AC on. Even our nights have been on the warm side lately and uncomfortable due to the night rains. Today we had a late afternoon thunderstorm so it was even worse than usual, trying to get comfortable. Without the AC pulling the extra humidity out of the air in the house, we would be sweating like pigs.
Well, time to get this posted. Love you all. Be good. Be happy. Try to have some fun this upcoming weekend. The kids will be back in school soon and your time with them will be limited. ***Hugs***
He ended up telling the woman that he was just physically unable to work on the AC and then went to a local AC company that was recommended to him by members of his church. He talked to the owner and told him the problem. He said if there was a tech available, he would show him where everything was located, tell him what he had already done and what he thought the problem was so that it made it easier for the tech to correct the problem quickly. He did that and came home, depressed. He told me he never thought he would reach the point where he was unable to work on an AC unit but the weakness in his left arm and leg along with the difficulty he had getting up from a prone position had hit him hard on this particular call. So he said, *As of today, I am officially totally retired and I won't do this any more*.
I told him that he really shouldn't have even tried to work on AC's any more because most of the time the air handlers were located in the attic and have always been difficult to work on for him since his strokes. Especially with how the heat affected him and attics are ALWAYS hot during the spring and summer months. I have never seen or heard of any attic air handler that wasn't difficult to get into, by him or any of the techs that worked for us. But I felt bad for him. I think it was truly the first time that he felt his age and disability.
I went over to Cee's for a couple hours so that I could visit with Michael and Lucy before they headed back to their home in Tennessee. Lucy has to be at work on Friday. As usual, we had a good time. Cee was getting ready to prepare and make her Shrimp Scampi for dinner when I left. I hugged them all before I came home to find the Beast, sitting like two old men, with Dennis is the driveway. It was kind of cute and made me laugh (but not in front of them). The Beast had been checking the pears on the trees, including the Bartlett pears which will be ready in a few more days. Amazingly, we not only have a lot of pears on the trees, but they haven't been decimated by Japanese beetles this year. Dennis claims his traps have caught pounds of them this year and HE is responsible for our good harvest. The Beast gave him a couple pears to take home from one of the pear trees out front. Pears MUST ripen on the tree. They are one of the few fruits that won't ripen off the tree. They will only rot if you pick them before they are ready.
The rest of the day was actually very calm. The Beast and I both took a nap after dinner and he was in bed when I woke up a couple hours later. Tomorrow is his day with members of his church so that was no surprise. He goes to bed early the day before, especially with the heat we've been having. If he's tired, he tends to fade early and pushes himself to complete his day with them. He'll take a shower and then go to bed with the window AC on. Even our nights have been on the warm side lately and uncomfortable due to the night rains. Today we had a late afternoon thunderstorm so it was even worse than usual, trying to get comfortable. Without the AC pulling the extra humidity out of the air in the house, we would be sweating like pigs.
Well, time to get this posted. Love you all. Be good. Be happy. Try to have some fun this upcoming weekend. The kids will be back in school soon and your time with them will be limited. ***Hugs***
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Stress Test Is Over And Done.....
So the Beast and I get up at 6am to get to the hospital by 7am. I couldn't even have a drink of water or any coffee. *Sigh* But we got to the hospital a little early but it worked out okay. I got called in a bit early. Good thing since the whole test took me until 10:30am.
I got the injection through a port they had put into my arm and they told me of possible side effects...i.e. shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and headache. FYI..I didn't have any of these. But what it DID do to me was much worse. I had a bout of IBS-D. I was almost done with the 12-lead cardiogram when it hit me. The doctor that was there taking my blood pressure every 5 minutes (It started off high but then went down to what was normal for me) was very sympathetic when I told him what had happened and so were the nurses. The doctor told me that the medicine I had been given was responsible for that and he told me how sorry he was because they hadn't known.
One of the nurses went and got me a pair of scrubs, a towel and a washcloth. They knew that my underwear and my jeans wouldn't be wearable. I cleaned up after emptying my bowels in the bathroom and then had the last part of the test (pictures of my heart by a machine that circled my body).
I had been given two bottles of water AND some peanut butter crackers by the nurses by this time. I headed outside and called the Beast to tell him come and get me and bring a towel for me to sit on....just in case. But, once I got home and was able to take my medication for the IBS-D, I didn't have another *episode*. I showered and then redressed since I had to go to the store for some supplies I needed and then put the chickens away for the night. All this running around took place after lunch and a nap, of course. BTW, today was a 10 egg day. We now have 4-1/2 dozen eggs in the fridge. LOL!
The Beast came home from church around 9:30pm, asked me if I had remembered to put the chickens away and how many eggs did I gather. I told him and, after he had his hot chocolate, he went to bed. Since I had napped, I stayed up and watched some of the *Planet* documentaries on BBCA. I've checked my email, changed into pajamas, and am going to play my game until I am tired. It has a tendency to make me very tired when I am up late and feel just a little tired.
Love you all. Be good. Be kind to everyone, even if they are not. We all have issues we are dealing with that no one knows. ***Hugs***
I got the injection through a port they had put into my arm and they told me of possible side effects...i.e. shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and headache. FYI..I didn't have any of these. But what it DID do to me was much worse. I had a bout of IBS-D. I was almost done with the 12-lead cardiogram when it hit me. The doctor that was there taking my blood pressure every 5 minutes (It started off high but then went down to what was normal for me) was very sympathetic when I told him what had happened and so were the nurses. The doctor told me that the medicine I had been given was responsible for that and he told me how sorry he was because they hadn't known.
One of the nurses went and got me a pair of scrubs, a towel and a washcloth. They knew that my underwear and my jeans wouldn't be wearable. I cleaned up after emptying my bowels in the bathroom and then had the last part of the test (pictures of my heart by a machine that circled my body).
I had been given two bottles of water AND some peanut butter crackers by the nurses by this time. I headed outside and called the Beast to tell him come and get me and bring a towel for me to sit on....just in case. But, once I got home and was able to take my medication for the IBS-D, I didn't have another *episode*. I showered and then redressed since I had to go to the store for some supplies I needed and then put the chickens away for the night. All this running around took place after lunch and a nap, of course. BTW, today was a 10 egg day. We now have 4-1/2 dozen eggs in the fridge. LOL!
The Beast came home from church around 9:30pm, asked me if I had remembered to put the chickens away and how many eggs did I gather. I told him and, after he had his hot chocolate, he went to bed. Since I had napped, I stayed up and watched some of the *Planet* documentaries on BBCA. I've checked my email, changed into pajamas, and am going to play my game until I am tired. It has a tendency to make me very tired when I am up late and feel just a little tired.
Love you all. Be good. Be kind to everyone, even if they are not. We all have issues we are dealing with that no one knows. ***Hugs***
Monday, July 25, 2016
I Get To Hear Chewlee Play The Piano....
I brought Chewlee home before noon. Good thing because the Princess left for her Cross Fit class around that time. Poor Chewlee fell yesterday and scraped both knees. I put bandages on it that had Neosporin on them to help it heal up without any infection. This was AFTER she showered. She complained about them hurting every time she bent her legs and she was worried that she wouldn't be allowed to go to HER Cross Fit class at 3:30pm. I didn't call to find out if she went or not and I should have.
While I was there, she played both the pieces that she is going to play for her recital at the end of August. She did a really good job. I was happy to see that she is really doing well with her piano lessons. She had three different books that have a lot of different kinds of music that she like to practice playing. She told me she needed a black dress for her recital. I asked her if it was supposed to be a long one or a short one and she told me it didn't matter as long as it was black. I kind of laughed at how casually she had said it and I asked her if she wanted me to make her one. She was actually surprised and said, *YOU make dresses? You mean you are a dress designer?*
That really made me laugh and I told her that I could sew almost anything and had even made Aunt Bratfink's wedding gown for her second marriage. It turned out great and was just what she wanted. But Chewlee never did tell me if she wanted me to make her a dress or buy her one. Oh well.
The Princess tricked me today when she asked me if I wanted a piece of her chicken (she had obviously baked it and it was on a baking sheet on top of her stove). I took what I thought was aa wing and tried it. The breading on it was tasty and coarser that most breadings. It was also kind of reddish in coloring. But the meat was tasty if a little *chewy*. She laughed when I told her it was tasty and told me then that it was rabbit. She said Johnnycakes had marinated it overnight and then she breaded it and baked it. I was totally surprised that I liked it since I didn't the first time I tried some that the Beast's father had fried up.
The Princess made up quite a few pickles that she had canned. I could smell them when Chewlee and I walked into the house. They looked really good but the Princess never offered me any. *Sob* *Sob*
Johnnycakes came into the house with a chicken he had killed, gutted and plucked...almost. He still had to remove the neck and get some of the smalled feathers pulled out. It looked like a professional job when he got done. I was impressed but I doubt the Beast will ever be able to do it. I told Johnnycakes that I should hire him to show the Beast how it's done and the Princess said that the Beast could always come over when Johnnycakes killed one of theirs and learn how to do it. I really should mention that to the Beast and see how he reacts to that suggestion.
Tomorrow is the stress test for my heart and I have gotten TWO phone calls about it today. One from the hospital and one from my gastro doctor's office, which surprised the hell out of me. But I guess he and the cardiologist consulted each other since they both are very interested in my cholesterol levels. I can't eat after midnight but since I have to get up at 6am, I'll be going to bed early tonight. The poor Beast was so exhausted, he went to bed right after he put the chickens to bed and that was at 7pm.
Okay...enough for today. I need to get ready for bed and get some sleep. I didn't sleep well last night and I want to be well rested before I take that stress test. The hospital person said the test will take about 2-1/2 hours and then I have to go down to the lab to have blood drawn for the cholesterol test. So figure I'll be there until 10am or so. I hope I'm only there that long, anyway.
Love you all. Treat everyone with respect. Be known for your kindness. ***Hugs***
PS: THIS ONE IS FOR BRATFINK....Chewlee DID show him a few things on his SmartPhone. Both Cee and I had tried calling him and our calls went right to Voicemail. When we got back home, it turned out that he had it on Airplane Mode. He was stunned at how fast Chewlee found that out for him....LOL!
While I was there, she played both the pieces that she is going to play for her recital at the end of August. She did a really good job. I was happy to see that she is really doing well with her piano lessons. She had three different books that have a lot of different kinds of music that she like to practice playing. She told me she needed a black dress for her recital. I asked her if it was supposed to be a long one or a short one and she told me it didn't matter as long as it was black. I kind of laughed at how casually she had said it and I asked her if she wanted me to make her one. She was actually surprised and said, *YOU make dresses? You mean you are a dress designer?*
That really made me laugh and I told her that I could sew almost anything and had even made Aunt Bratfink's wedding gown for her second marriage. It turned out great and was just what she wanted. But Chewlee never did tell me if she wanted me to make her a dress or buy her one. Oh well.
The Princess tricked me today when she asked me if I wanted a piece of her chicken (she had obviously baked it and it was on a baking sheet on top of her stove). I took what I thought was aa wing and tried it. The breading on it was tasty and coarser that most breadings. It was also kind of reddish in coloring. But the meat was tasty if a little *chewy*. She laughed when I told her it was tasty and told me then that it was rabbit. She said Johnnycakes had marinated it overnight and then she breaded it and baked it. I was totally surprised that I liked it since I didn't the first time I tried some that the Beast's father had fried up.
The Princess made up quite a few pickles that she had canned. I could smell them when Chewlee and I walked into the house. They looked really good but the Princess never offered me any. *Sob* *Sob*
Johnnycakes came into the house with a chicken he had killed, gutted and plucked...almost. He still had to remove the neck and get some of the smalled feathers pulled out. It looked like a professional job when he got done. I was impressed but I doubt the Beast will ever be able to do it. I told Johnnycakes that I should hire him to show the Beast how it's done and the Princess said that the Beast could always come over when Johnnycakes killed one of theirs and learn how to do it. I really should mention that to the Beast and see how he reacts to that suggestion.
Tomorrow is the stress test for my heart and I have gotten TWO phone calls about it today. One from the hospital and one from my gastro doctor's office, which surprised the hell out of me. But I guess he and the cardiologist consulted each other since they both are very interested in my cholesterol levels. I can't eat after midnight but since I have to get up at 6am, I'll be going to bed early tonight. The poor Beast was so exhausted, he went to bed right after he put the chickens to bed and that was at 7pm.
Okay...enough for today. I need to get ready for bed and get some sleep. I didn't sleep well last night and I want to be well rested before I take that stress test. The hospital person said the test will take about 2-1/2 hours and then I have to go down to the lab to have blood drawn for the cholesterol test. So figure I'll be there until 10am or so. I hope I'm only there that long, anyway.
Love you all. Treat everyone with respect. Be known for your kindness. ***Hugs***
PS: THIS ONE IS FOR BRATFINK....Chewlee DID show him a few things on his SmartPhone. Both Cee and I had tried calling him and our calls went right to Voicemail. When we got back home, it turned out that he had it on Airplane Mode. He was stunned at how fast Chewlee found that out for him....LOL!
I Get To Hear Chewlee Play The Piano....
I brought Chewlee home before noon. Good thing because the Princess left for her Cross Fit class around that time. Poor Chewlee fell yesterday and scraped both knees. I put bandages on it that had Neosporin on them to help it heal up without any infection. This was AFTER she showered. She complained about them hurting every time she bent her legs and she was worried that she wouldn't be allowed to go to HER Cross Fit class at 3:30pm. I didn't call to find out if she went or not and I should have.
While I was there, she played both the pieces that she is going to play for her recital at the end of August. She did a really good job. I was happy to see that she is really doing well with her piano lessons. She had three different books that have a lot of different kinds of music that she like to practice playing. She told me she needed a black dress for her recital. I asked her if it was supposed to be a long one or a short one and she told me it didn't matter as long as it was black. I kind of laughed at how casually she had said it and I asked her if she wanted me to make her one. She was actually surprised and said, *YOU make dresses? You mean you are a dress designer?*
That really made me laugh and I told her that I could sew almost anything and had even made Aunt Bratfink's wedding gown for her second marriage. It turned out great and was just what she wanted. But Chewlee never did tell me if she wanted me to make her a dress or buy her one. Oh well.
The Princess tricked me today when she asked me if I wanted a piece of her chicken (she had obviously baked it and it was on a baking sheet on top of her stove). I took what I thought was aa wing and tried it. The breading on it was tasty and coarser that most breadings. It was also kind of reddish in coloring. But the meat was tasty if a little *chewy*. She laughed when I told her it was tasty and told me then that it was rabbit. She said Johnnycakes had marinated it overnight and then she breaded it and baked it. I was totally surprised that I liked it since I didn't the first time I tried some that the Beast's father had fried up.
The Princess made up quite a few pickles that she had canned. I could smell them when Chewlee and I walked into the house. They looked really good but the Princess never offered me any. *Sob* *Sob*
Johnnycakes came into the house with a chicken he had killed, gutted and plucked...almost. He still had to remove the neck and get some of the smalled feathers pulled out. It looked like a professional job when he got done. I was impressed but I doubt the Beast will ever be able to do it. I told Johnnycakes that I should hire him to show the Beast how it's done and the Princess said that the Beast could always come over when Johnnycakes killed one of theirs and learn how to do it. I really should mention that to the Beast and see how he reacts to that suggestion.
Tomorrow is the stress test for my heart and I have gotten TWO phone calls about it today. One from the hospital and one from my gastro doctor's office, which surprised the hell out of me. But I guess he and the cardiologist consulted each other since they both are very interested in my cholesterol levels. I can't eat after midnight but since I have to get up at 6am, I'll be going to bed early tonight. The poor Beast was so exhausted, he went to bed right after he put the chickens to bed and that was at 7pm.
Okay...enough for today. I need to get ready for bed and get some sleep. I didn't sleep well last night and I want to be well rested before I take that stress test. The hospital person said the test will take about 2-1/2 hours and then I have to go down to the lab to have blood drawn for the cholesterol test. So figure I'll be there until 10am or so. I hope I'm only there that long, anyway.
Love you all. Treat everyone with respect. Be known for your kindness. ***Hugs***
While I was there, she played both the pieces that she is going to play for her recital at the end of August. She did a really good job. I was happy to see that she is really doing well with her piano lessons. She had three different books that have a lot of different kinds of music that she like to practice playing. She told me she needed a black dress for her recital. I asked her if it was supposed to be a long one or a short one and she told me it didn't matter as long as it was black. I kind of laughed at how casually she had said it and I asked her if she wanted me to make her one. She was actually surprised and said, *YOU make dresses? You mean you are a dress designer?*
That really made me laugh and I told her that I could sew almost anything and had even made Aunt Bratfink's wedding gown for her second marriage. It turned out great and was just what she wanted. But Chewlee never did tell me if she wanted me to make her a dress or buy her one. Oh well.
The Princess tricked me today when she asked me if I wanted a piece of her chicken (she had obviously baked it and it was on a baking sheet on top of her stove). I took what I thought was aa wing and tried it. The breading on it was tasty and coarser that most breadings. It was also kind of reddish in coloring. But the meat was tasty if a little *chewy*. She laughed when I told her it was tasty and told me then that it was rabbit. She said Johnnycakes had marinated it overnight and then she breaded it and baked it. I was totally surprised that I liked it since I didn't the first time I tried some that the Beast's father had fried up.
The Princess made up quite a few pickles that she had canned. I could smell them when Chewlee and I walked into the house. They looked really good but the Princess never offered me any. *Sob* *Sob*
Johnnycakes came into the house with a chicken he had killed, gutted and plucked...almost. He still had to remove the neck and get some of the smalled feathers pulled out. It looked like a professional job when he got done. I was impressed but I doubt the Beast will ever be able to do it. I told Johnnycakes that I should hire him to show the Beast how it's done and the Princess said that the Beast could always come over when Johnnycakes killed one of theirs and learn how to do it. I really should mention that to the Beast and see how he reacts to that suggestion.
Tomorrow is the stress test for my heart and I have gotten TWO phone calls about it today. One from the hospital and one from my gastro doctor's office, which surprised the hell out of me. But I guess he and the cardiologist consulted each other since they both are very interested in my cholesterol levels. I can't eat after midnight but since I have to get up at 6am, I'll be going to bed early tonight. The poor Beast was so exhausted, he went to bed right after he put the chickens to bed and that was at 7pm.
Okay...enough for today. I need to get ready for bed and get some sleep. I didn't sleep well last night and I want to be well rested before I take that stress test. The hospital person said the test will take about 2-1/2 hours and then I have to go down to the lab to have blood drawn for the cholesterol test. So figure I'll be there until 10am or so. I hope I'm only there that long, anyway.
Love you all. Treat everyone with respect. Be known for your kindness. ***Hugs***
Sunday, July 24, 2016
We Get Another Day Together.....
Chewlee enjoyed herself today. The Beast tried to fix her bike (the chain kept slipping off on her) but it did it again. So he let her use HIS bike, which really is a bit bigger than she can ride comfortably but she did really well on it. It doesn't have the typical bar (he bought a *girl's bike* because of the stiffness of his left leg from his strokes). It was just much easier for him to get on...but the bike IS a light blue.
So she rode around the neighborhood and even got a chance to visit with Sammy, a neighborhood boy that's around her age. We know the family and they are very nice people. In fact, we have their phone numbers so we can always call and tell them to send Chewlee home when needed. Yesterday, Chewlee helped me gather the chickens eggs and put the chickens away for the night. She accidentally cracked one of the eggs but she did crush the shell and put it out for the chickens (they can use the calcium). In fact, the Beast bought a bag of calcium supplement and added it to the chickens feed.
Chewlee actually reminded me of the Princess tonight when she was pedaling the bike home. As she went past us toward the driveway (we were out on the front porch), I could have sworn that it was the Princess at Chewlee's age. Even down to the tan. She has the same build as the Princess did at her age. I was so shocked that I said to the Beast *OMG, doesn't she look like the Princess!* as she passed in front of us. I really had a flash-back and he agreed that it was true.
So the Princess' daughter will more than likely end up looking very much like her mother and Gunner will look like his daddy (only cuter...LOL). Sorry, Johnnycakes.....but I love you nonetheless. Gunner has the cutest dimples.
The girls did a bit better today with 9 eggs but one of them was cracked. Guess one of the fatter chickens sat on it or laid her egg on top of it. It's funny how fat some of them are. I swear the Beast is planning on a nice chicken dinner sometime in the future....LOL. If he chose Frantic Fran, I wouldn't be able to eat her. We call her Frantic Fran because she seems to always run everywhere...all the time. She's the only one of the chickens that does it constantly. Or Freddy, the rooster for that matter. We haven't really named any of the others.
There are four chickens that seem to love being around Baron. Every time he is out in the yard and laying down, they gather around him. The cat can often be seen at the chickens watering trough along with several chickens. They aren't the least bit afraid of her. We have decided to change her name to *Sassy* since she isn't afraid of anything, it seems. She has never been afraid of Baron or the chickens. She was so curious about them and the Beast swore she just wanted to kill one of them. But from the first time she accidentally got into the coop, she never threatened them in any way. The chickens seemed to know that, too. So they have never been afraid of her.
Well, time to close. I still haven't showered and I really need that tonight. Tomorrow I have to take Chewlee home (she is enrolled in the Children's Crossfit and tomorrow she has to be there). It's just two days a week, Monday and Wednesday. She missed a day or two and it is almost over. It ends when the kids go back to school, I believe.
Love you all. Take time today to tell your family and friends that you love them. Tomorrow is not promised so do it today. ***Hugs***
So she rode around the neighborhood and even got a chance to visit with Sammy, a neighborhood boy that's around her age. We know the family and they are very nice people. In fact, we have their phone numbers so we can always call and tell them to send Chewlee home when needed. Yesterday, Chewlee helped me gather the chickens eggs and put the chickens away for the night. She accidentally cracked one of the eggs but she did crush the shell and put it out for the chickens (they can use the calcium). In fact, the Beast bought a bag of calcium supplement and added it to the chickens feed.
Chewlee actually reminded me of the Princess tonight when she was pedaling the bike home. As she went past us toward the driveway (we were out on the front porch), I could have sworn that it was the Princess at Chewlee's age. Even down to the tan. She has the same build as the Princess did at her age. I was so shocked that I said to the Beast *OMG, doesn't she look like the Princess!* as she passed in front of us. I really had a flash-back and he agreed that it was true.
So the Princess' daughter will more than likely end up looking very much like her mother and Gunner will look like his daddy (only cuter...LOL). Sorry, Johnnycakes.....but I love you nonetheless. Gunner has the cutest dimples.
The girls did a bit better today with 9 eggs but one of them was cracked. Guess one of the fatter chickens sat on it or laid her egg on top of it. It's funny how fat some of them are. I swear the Beast is planning on a nice chicken dinner sometime in the future....LOL. If he chose Frantic Fran, I wouldn't be able to eat her. We call her Frantic Fran because she seems to always run everywhere...all the time. She's the only one of the chickens that does it constantly. Or Freddy, the rooster for that matter. We haven't really named any of the others.
There are four chickens that seem to love being around Baron. Every time he is out in the yard and laying down, they gather around him. The cat can often be seen at the chickens watering trough along with several chickens. They aren't the least bit afraid of her. We have decided to change her name to *Sassy* since she isn't afraid of anything, it seems. She has never been afraid of Baron or the chickens. She was so curious about them and the Beast swore she just wanted to kill one of them. But from the first time she accidentally got into the coop, she never threatened them in any way. The chickens seemed to know that, too. So they have never been afraid of her.
Well, time to close. I still haven't showered and I really need that tonight. Tomorrow I have to take Chewlee home (she is enrolled in the Children's Crossfit and tomorrow she has to be there). It's just two days a week, Monday and Wednesday. She missed a day or two and it is almost over. It ends when the kids go back to school, I believe.
Love you all. Take time today to tell your family and friends that you love them. Tomorrow is not promised so do it today. ***Hugs***
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Chewlee Has A Sleepover....
Cee and I took a ride over to the Princess' house today. I wanted to give the kids their birthday cards and also brought over a couple odds and ends that belonged to them. It was a bit of fun to see how Gunner is losing the baby fat and his legs look so long and slender now. He's going to be built like his daddy, I think. He's still so darn cute. I got to play with him for a bit and how I love his laugh.
Chewlee wanted to come and spend time with me which made me happy. I really miss her when so much time goes by that I don't see her. Cee went out in the Princess' garden and collected some ripe tomatoes for us. Since she is going to have company, I only took four of them home with me. The Princess was done with tomatoes after all the canning she did. Cee said there were bunches of tomatoes still on the plants.
We stopped for an hour at Cee's after leaving so Johnnycakes could be comfortable sleeping. Gunner was probably ready for his nap but he was cute saying goodbye to us and waving his little hand bye-bye.
Chewlee and I played a couple of the hidden object games she likes and then she got comfy and watched some of the programs she likes on TV. But she was tired and fell asleep around 8:30pm so I shagged her into bed in the guest room. She was asleep in no time flat, which made me laugh. But I know that the Princess puts the kids to bed early so I figured Chewlee probably is used to an 8 o'clock bedtime at home.
I'm not sure when the kids go back to school. I've heard a few different start dates, including August 1st! I meant to ask the Princess but forgot because I was kind of playing with Gunner and still trying to have conversation with her about other things.
I still haven't been able to connect with Sheepie. She doesn't have a car of her own or one she can use, I guess. She wants to find a job and get her own car, which I think is a great idea. No one her age should be without transportation. Especially after all the trouble that Mustachio went through to get her able to get a license.
Well, it's late and I have to go join Chewlee in the guest room. I love you all. Be sure to use a good sunblock and don't forget to keep yourself hydrated. The statistics I heard tonight on people with heat stroke and heat exhaustion was frightening. Be good to yourself. Love you all. ***Hugs***
Chewlee wanted to come and spend time with me which made me happy. I really miss her when so much time goes by that I don't see her. Cee went out in the Princess' garden and collected some ripe tomatoes for us. Since she is going to have company, I only took four of them home with me. The Princess was done with tomatoes after all the canning she did. Cee said there were bunches of tomatoes still on the plants.
We stopped for an hour at Cee's after leaving so Johnnycakes could be comfortable sleeping. Gunner was probably ready for his nap but he was cute saying goodbye to us and waving his little hand bye-bye.
Chewlee and I played a couple of the hidden object games she likes and then she got comfy and watched some of the programs she likes on TV. But she was tired and fell asleep around 8:30pm so I shagged her into bed in the guest room. She was asleep in no time flat, which made me laugh. But I know that the Princess puts the kids to bed early so I figured Chewlee probably is used to an 8 o'clock bedtime at home.
I'm not sure when the kids go back to school. I've heard a few different start dates, including August 1st! I meant to ask the Princess but forgot because I was kind of playing with Gunner and still trying to have conversation with her about other things.
I still haven't been able to connect with Sheepie. She doesn't have a car of her own or one she can use, I guess. She wants to find a job and get her own car, which I think is a great idea. No one her age should be without transportation. Especially after all the trouble that Mustachio went through to get her able to get a license.
Well, it's late and I have to go join Chewlee in the guest room. I love you all. Be sure to use a good sunblock and don't forget to keep yourself hydrated. The statistics I heard tonight on people with heat stroke and heat exhaustion was frightening. Be good to yourself. Love you all. ***Hugs***
Thursday, July 21, 2016
My Necklace Is Back Where It Should Be....
Cee finally got her new radiator installed at a great price, thanks to Tara and one of her accounts. Then she came over to my house and gave me back the necklace (my *Bitch* one) that she had to take off me when I had my colonoscopy. We both forgot about it until the next day. We also finally got our keys exchanged. I had forgotten to give her ours when she gave me hers.
I couldn't believe the Beast forgot to bring in the eggs when he put the chickens away for the night. He was more interested in checking to see if any of the hens had used the new roost than gathering the eggs! He will have to bring them in tomorrow morning or we will have eggs laid all over the place because the nesting boxes get filled up and there's only so much room in them. A hen that is laying an egg takes up the whole box so it's not like they are roomy.
We gave one of our neighbors, Chrissy, a carton of 18 eggs this afternoon. She was one that we hadn't given any yet. She has two boys with big appetites (although they are tweeners) and a hubby that works hard. She'll use them all up in no time flat.
Cee was concerned about me when she read my blog from yesterday. She thought it all sounded very serious and I had to reassure her that the doctor didn't really think we were going to find anything that wasn't easily correctable. I sure hope he's right. The thing is, I don't feel any pains at all. Hell, even when I am stressed, I sure don't get any of the different symptoms he mentioned but I think that is why he thinks it might just be cholesterol.
It's also why he is doing a blood test for that on the same day I have my stress test. I have a bone to pick with my gastro doctor. In HIS instructions, it says he will call me with the results of my polyp examination. I waited and waited and finally called his office. The snotty girl in the lab told me that they don't give the results of any tests to patients. Not that they don't do it over the phone but they don't give the results to PATIENTS. Now, how dumb is that? Who will they give the results to? Strangers? I'm going to call my regular doctor tomorrow to find out if HE got the results and what it showed. At least giving them to my regular doctor would make some kind of sense but then the gastro doctor's own instructions shouldn't say that HE will call with the results. Or am I wrong?
Well, I still need to shower before I go to bed so I will close this for now. Remember, I love you all. Be good. Be happy. Be kind. ***Hugs***
I couldn't believe the Beast forgot to bring in the eggs when he put the chickens away for the night. He was more interested in checking to see if any of the hens had used the new roost than gathering the eggs! He will have to bring them in tomorrow morning or we will have eggs laid all over the place because the nesting boxes get filled up and there's only so much room in them. A hen that is laying an egg takes up the whole box so it's not like they are roomy.
We gave one of our neighbors, Chrissy, a carton of 18 eggs this afternoon. She was one that we hadn't given any yet. She has two boys with big appetites (although they are tweeners) and a hubby that works hard. She'll use them all up in no time flat.
Cee was concerned about me when she read my blog from yesterday. She thought it all sounded very serious and I had to reassure her that the doctor didn't really think we were going to find anything that wasn't easily correctable. I sure hope he's right. The thing is, I don't feel any pains at all. Hell, even when I am stressed, I sure don't get any of the different symptoms he mentioned but I think that is why he thinks it might just be cholesterol.
It's also why he is doing a blood test for that on the same day I have my stress test. I have a bone to pick with my gastro doctor. In HIS instructions, it says he will call me with the results of my polyp examination. I waited and waited and finally called his office. The snotty girl in the lab told me that they don't give the results of any tests to patients. Not that they don't do it over the phone but they don't give the results to PATIENTS. Now, how dumb is that? Who will they give the results to? Strangers? I'm going to call my regular doctor tomorrow to find out if HE got the results and what it showed. At least giving them to my regular doctor would make some kind of sense but then the gastro doctor's own instructions shouldn't say that HE will call with the results. Or am I wrong?
Well, I still need to shower before I go to bed so I will close this for now. Remember, I love you all. Be good. Be happy. Be kind. ***Hugs***
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Not Good News.....
I went to my appointment with the cardiologist today and ended up getting a 12 lead cardiogram, which surprised me. Looks like I'm having a stress test on the 26th of this month. Not the treadmill kind but some kind of chemical stresser and I will have pictures taken of my heart before and after. The doctor thinks I may have either peripheral vascular disease or renal artery stenosis. I guess it was true that my heart is having a hard time completely relaxing when it should and he's not sure if it's a valve that needs cleaning or perhaps some kind of blockage that can be removed. Will have to wait to find out.
He gave me some medication to try for the next two weeks and he says it may help me when I exert myself. He gave me free samples since he's just trying this out to see if it helps me. He also wants to be sure of what he suspects before actually giving me a regular medication of any kind.
I'm kind of bummed out about all this but c'est la vie! It is what it is. Love you all. Be good and be happy. Take care of your health. ***Hugs***
He gave me some medication to try for the next two weeks and he says it may help me when I exert myself. He gave me free samples since he's just trying this out to see if it helps me. He also wants to be sure of what he suspects before actually giving me a regular medication of any kind.
I'm kind of bummed out about all this but c'est la vie! It is what it is. Love you all. Be good and be happy. Take care of your health. ***Hugs***
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
I Get A Surprise Today......
This afternoon I got a big surprise. It was a package of meats...from one of the big companies that sells those different packs that have steaks, hot dogs, pork chops, etc. I was floored. It was a gift from my bff, Carol. It has rib eyes in it, which made me think of Bratfink immediately. Those are her favorite. Anyway, it was a totally unexpected treat for me. She can still surprise me with her generosity.
It was a weird kind of day for me. First of all, the nurse for the heart doctor called and asked me all the questions that you usually have to fill out when you go to a new doctor. She said she was putting all my answers on the computer so all I need to do tomorrow is bring all my medications with me and my ID and insurance cards. Since I hate filling out all those forms that ask if you've ever had this or that and what surgeries you've had, it was a really nice touch as far as I was concerned. It will make my visit tomorrow afternoon that much less of a pain in the ass.
Sweetie Pie came in today and even came into my computer room and sat on my lap for her loving and belly rubs. Then she wanted back outside and even followed me into the chicken coop when I checked for eggs. Only 8 today but they don't lay an egg every day. The average chicken lays just 288 eggs a year. That means they are allowed 80 or so days a year to *rest *.
When I scattered the cracked corn for the chickens, Sweetie knew that was the signal that she had to leave so she took a quick drink at the chickens water trough and then waited for me to leave. When the last of the hens got into the coop area, I closed and locked the door and came back into the house. Sweetie Pie didn't want to come in so I just gave her some fresh dry food and water and came in to put the eggs into the little container I keep on the counter. Once I have a dozen (or more) eggs, then I put them into an egg crate and refrigerate them.
After that, it was fold the Beast's underwear and mate his socks. Not an exciting day but it seemed to whiz by quickly. That alone was weird. I was busy all day long doing little things like dusting, watering plants and cleaning up my bathroom.
Time to post this and say goodnight to all. I still have to shower before I go to bed. Love you all. Be happy. It's Hump Day tomorrow, if that means anything to you. I'm retired so one day is much like the next. Only doctor's appointments make them different....LOL. ***Hugs***
It was a weird kind of day for me. First of all, the nurse for the heart doctor called and asked me all the questions that you usually have to fill out when you go to a new doctor. She said she was putting all my answers on the computer so all I need to do tomorrow is bring all my medications with me and my ID and insurance cards. Since I hate filling out all those forms that ask if you've ever had this or that and what surgeries you've had, it was a really nice touch as far as I was concerned. It will make my visit tomorrow afternoon that much less of a pain in the ass.
Sweetie Pie came in today and even came into my computer room and sat on my lap for her loving and belly rubs. Then she wanted back outside and even followed me into the chicken coop when I checked for eggs. Only 8 today but they don't lay an egg every day. The average chicken lays just 288 eggs a year. That means they are allowed 80 or so days a year to *rest *.
When I scattered the cracked corn for the chickens, Sweetie knew that was the signal that she had to leave so she took a quick drink at the chickens water trough and then waited for me to leave. When the last of the hens got into the coop area, I closed and locked the door and came back into the house. Sweetie Pie didn't want to come in so I just gave her some fresh dry food and water and came in to put the eggs into the little container I keep on the counter. Once I have a dozen (or more) eggs, then I put them into an egg crate and refrigerate them.
After that, it was fold the Beast's underwear and mate his socks. Not an exciting day but it seemed to whiz by quickly. That alone was weird. I was busy all day long doing little things like dusting, watering plants and cleaning up my bathroom.
Time to post this and say goodnight to all. I still have to shower before I go to bed. Love you all. Be happy. It's Hump Day tomorrow, if that means anything to you. I'm retired so one day is much like the next. Only doctor's appointments make them different....LOL. ***Hugs***
Monday, July 18, 2016
The Beast Gets A Smart Phone.....
The Beast bought himself a smart phone and it came today. I was waiting for a package from my bff, Carol, and thought the box was from her...at first. It's a nice looking phone but I don't think the Beast should have bought it. At least not from the language that he was using when he didn't get it to do what he wanted.
Talk about swearing! My goodness but he turned the air blue with his language. It was just awful. He said to me, *I can't believe that they would sell a phone like this to old people. It's impossible.* The booklet that came with it was thick and I really doubt that he read it all. He did, finally, get the phone to work when he told it to call me (it has voice command), which he does like. I think it just has too many features for him to *get*. I don't know how much he paid for it but I'm sure he *shopped* it and thought he got a bargain. We'll see how long he keeps his interest in it. It's running off our wifi set-up and it uses our satellite limits. If he keeps it on, it could actually use them all up and then we would have no internet. I'll have to keep an eye on the usage for a while.
My day was calm because the Beast was gone most of the morning doing something with his church friends. I made some cereal for my breakfast (oatmeal with maple and brown sugar) and had some chicken broth and toast for my lunch since I knew I was going to have a kind of heavy meal for dinner. I had tamales with chili and cheese. I know it sounds weird but it's so tasty with the shredded cheese on top. Yum! I ended up adding some Fritos to the chili after I ate the tamales. I am still feeling stuffed....LOL.
I was going to go over to Cee's for a bit tomorrow but I think I will go over there on Wednesday instead. I really want to be home if my package comes from Carol and I am also concerned about another piece of mail (but won't mention it here). I just don't want the Beast to open it if I can help it.
Love you all. Be good. Be kind whenever you can. Spend time with those you love because tomorrow is not promised. You can't hug a memory. ***Hugs***
Talk about swearing! My goodness but he turned the air blue with his language. It was just awful. He said to me, *I can't believe that they would sell a phone like this to old people. It's impossible.* The booklet that came with it was thick and I really doubt that he read it all. He did, finally, get the phone to work when he told it to call me (it has voice command), which he does like. I think it just has too many features for him to *get*. I don't know how much he paid for it but I'm sure he *shopped* it and thought he got a bargain. We'll see how long he keeps his interest in it. It's running off our wifi set-up and it uses our satellite limits. If he keeps it on, it could actually use them all up and then we would have no internet. I'll have to keep an eye on the usage for a while.
My day was calm because the Beast was gone most of the morning doing something with his church friends. I made some cereal for my breakfast (oatmeal with maple and brown sugar) and had some chicken broth and toast for my lunch since I knew I was going to have a kind of heavy meal for dinner. I had tamales with chili and cheese. I know it sounds weird but it's so tasty with the shredded cheese on top. Yum! I ended up adding some Fritos to the chili after I ate the tamales. I am still feeling stuffed....LOL.
I was going to go over to Cee's for a bit tomorrow but I think I will go over there on Wednesday instead. I really want to be home if my package comes from Carol and I am also concerned about another piece of mail (but won't mention it here). I just don't want the Beast to open it if I can help it.
Love you all. Be good. Be kind whenever you can. Spend time with those you love because tomorrow is not promised. You can't hug a memory. ***Hugs***
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Cee Comes To Visit Bearing A Gift......
Cee made some potato salad and it came out really great. She came over today and brought us some. I could hardly wait to eat some and it tasted so good to me that I had to call her and tell her that. Even the Beast thought so.
She left with a dozen eggs (some of the freshest ones! Only the best for family and friends) but forgot to take her copy of the key to our house! She forgot to give me back my *Bitch* necklace so we both forgot something important. I was still wearing the necklace when I went for my colonoscopy. I've worn it for so long that I forget I even have it on at times. Since my purse was in her trunk, she put it in her purse when she helped me take it off.
The Beast told me he gave $100. to help out a couple who had a baby just a few days ago (that was the reason for his visit to Huntsville yesterday). The baby became quite ill on the second day of it's life and is in intensive care, getting shots every couple hours for 21 days! He couldn't remember what it was the baby has but the parents are staying at the hospital 24/7 until the baby can come home. The husband won't lose his job but won't be making any income while doing so. Several people are contributing money for them so they can pay their bills while worrying over their baby. It's their firstborn so you can imagine how they feel.
The girls did very well as far as egg laying goes. Nine yesterday and 11 today. Two of the eggs were really BIG. I mean that they looked like extra large eggs, especially in comparison to the others. That was a surprise to us. The Beast hadn't actually noticed until I brought it to his attention. I wonder if that it the size they are all going to end up. Only time will tell.
I'm really beat today. I was folding laundry and putting it away for quite a spell. I have everything that needed hanging up, hung up on hangers in the closets. Now I just have to get them in order. They are a mess. Everything is just jammed into the closets with no rhyme or reason to it. I hate that and have to put them into order so I can find what I want without having to go through everything. The Beast's area of our closet is easy...he just has shirts on the top rack and his pants on the bottom. Those are his every day clothes. He takes care of his church clothes in the guest closet.
Time to get this posted. Love you all. Remember that we only have this time and this moment. Tomorrow is not promised so tell those you love that you do while you can. Everything can change in an instant. ***Hugs***
She left with a dozen eggs (some of the freshest ones! Only the best for family and friends) but forgot to take her copy of the key to our house! She forgot to give me back my *Bitch* necklace so we both forgot something important. I was still wearing the necklace when I went for my colonoscopy. I've worn it for so long that I forget I even have it on at times. Since my purse was in her trunk, she put it in her purse when she helped me take it off.
The Beast told me he gave $100. to help out a couple who had a baby just a few days ago (that was the reason for his visit to Huntsville yesterday). The baby became quite ill on the second day of it's life and is in intensive care, getting shots every couple hours for 21 days! He couldn't remember what it was the baby has but the parents are staying at the hospital 24/7 until the baby can come home. The husband won't lose his job but won't be making any income while doing so. Several people are contributing money for them so they can pay their bills while worrying over their baby. It's their firstborn so you can imagine how they feel.
The girls did very well as far as egg laying goes. Nine yesterday and 11 today. Two of the eggs were really BIG. I mean that they looked like extra large eggs, especially in comparison to the others. That was a surprise to us. The Beast hadn't actually noticed until I brought it to his attention. I wonder if that it the size they are all going to end up. Only time will tell.
I'm really beat today. I was folding laundry and putting it away for quite a spell. I have everything that needed hanging up, hung up on hangers in the closets. Now I just have to get them in order. They are a mess. Everything is just jammed into the closets with no rhyme or reason to it. I hate that and have to put them into order so I can find what I want without having to go through everything. The Beast's area of our closet is easy...he just has shirts on the top rack and his pants on the bottom. Those are his every day clothes. He takes care of his church clothes in the guest closet.
Time to get this posted. Love you all. Remember that we only have this time and this moment. Tomorrow is not promised so tell those you love that you do while you can. Everything can change in an instant. ***Hugs***
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Exchanging Keys.....
The Beast and Cee decided we needed to exchange house keys in case of an emergency. Cee had a key made up for us right away and gave it to me the other day. But getting the Beast to remember to get one of OURS made up for her is another story. She is planning on coming over tomorrow and I will probably have to give her MY key and then just keep nagging the Beast to get one made up for ME. *Sigh* It's more than just short term memory problems with him, I swear. It's what's important to him.
Today he was out with his church group again and didn't get home until around 1pm. I wondered why he didn't change out of his church clothes until he left here around 3pm to meet up with one of his buddies from church and they were heading for Huntsville. I have no clue why he had to be dressed up but I'm sure he will tell me all about it when he gets home in an hour or so.
I put the chickens away, which is normally his job since they head for the coop as soon as he comes out the door. For me, it's about 50/50. But the other half head in as soon as I throw down the cracked corn...LOL. That's their nightly treat, I guess. They sure as heck eat it all up before putting themselves to bed for the night.
I fed Baron earlier since the Beast forgot all about it. Baron was hungry and came as soon as I put the dish into his tray. He ate it all and then went and lay down on his bed and took a nap. Yes, he's definitely getting old.
I made myself a lunch of hot wings and cole slaw and for dinner I had a nice scrambled egg with onion sandwich. I love the aroma of sauteed onions, don't you? I made it because I wasn't all that hungry. I really had pigged out on the hot wings...LOL.
Time to get this closed and posted since I have my wash to fold now. Love you all. Be good and be kind. You never know what battles people are fighting and a single act of kindness can make a difference. ***Hugs***
Today he was out with his church group again and didn't get home until around 1pm. I wondered why he didn't change out of his church clothes until he left here around 3pm to meet up with one of his buddies from church and they were heading for Huntsville. I have no clue why he had to be dressed up but I'm sure he will tell me all about it when he gets home in an hour or so.
I put the chickens away, which is normally his job since they head for the coop as soon as he comes out the door. For me, it's about 50/50. But the other half head in as soon as I throw down the cracked corn...LOL. That's their nightly treat, I guess. They sure as heck eat it all up before putting themselves to bed for the night.
I fed Baron earlier since the Beast forgot all about it. Baron was hungry and came as soon as I put the dish into his tray. He ate it all and then went and lay down on his bed and took a nap. Yes, he's definitely getting old.
I made myself a lunch of hot wings and cole slaw and for dinner I had a nice scrambled egg with onion sandwich. I love the aroma of sauteed onions, don't you? I made it because I wasn't all that hungry. I really had pigged out on the hot wings...LOL.
Time to get this closed and posted since I have my wash to fold now. Love you all. Be good and be kind. You never know what battles people are fighting and a single act of kindness can make a difference. ***Hugs***
Friday, July 15, 2016
Cee Baking Cookies.....
Cee called me today to see how I was feeling after my colonoscopy. I thought that was nice of her to be so concerned. She knew I was full of air from the procedure and was uncomfortable yesterday. Today I felt great and even cooked for the Beast.
She told me she was making cookies for the kids since she was going over to Tara's house tomorrow to see them. Tara has two of her other kids (their dad has custody of them) for a month and that's about the only way that Cee gets to see them. Plus Keith and his girlfriend, Faith, will be there so it's a win-win situation for her.
Bringing cookies is kind of her *signature* thing that she does for them. She's known as the *cookie Grandma* and I think that's cute. I told her to give them a hug for me and to tell Keith and Faith that I would love to see them. She said she's going to tell them to come see me if they want eggs. I laughed and said I had plenty if so.
Cracker Barrel is advertising *Mixed Grill* campfire meals and it looks so yummy to me. Chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, all seasoned and cooked in aluminum foil over a fire? Wow! If they really do that, it has to be really great tasting. I just wonder what the seasoning is....
Oh, I called the cardiologist and rescheduled my appointment for Wednesday at 2:45pm. I am really curious about how a heart can have a difficult time resting. I just hope he's the kind of doctor that will really discuss it with me. You just never know about a new doctor. He's the only cardiologist listed in the yellow pages. When he's the only one, he could be abrupt and not forthcoming. We shall see.
Other than that, the only news is that I finally got the blouse that I ordered over a year ago from a company online that I found on facebook. At first, the Beast thought it was for him and was very confused but, when I took it out of it's wrapper, he could see that it was a woman's blouse. LOL. It's adorable and I really had wanted it for my trip in October of last year. I couldn't believe that I didn't get it when they notified me that it was shipped to me in September. I made an inquiry at my post office but it never showed up there. It's taken several complaints to their main office before I finally got it. The company is called Dresslily so be careful if you use them. I know others have not had this problem with them but be warned. They may disappoint you and you will have to go through what I did to finally get your order.
I admit I feel much better today than I thought I would. I was really uncomfortable yesterday after the procedure was over. I must have expelled all the air that was pumped into me during the night. I know I burped out a lot of air in the evening. I didn't know that I would do that.
Time to close and get this posted. One piece of advice I would like to share with you that I found on Facebook:
Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from the inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. The harm we do, we do to ourselves. Let it go. Live a happy life without hatred. Forgive even if the person doesn't apologize or feel remorse. You can choose to live with hatred eating at you or at peace because you don't let it ruin your happiness. It's your choice.
Love you all. Be kind. ***Hugs***
She told me she was making cookies for the kids since she was going over to Tara's house tomorrow to see them. Tara has two of her other kids (their dad has custody of them) for a month and that's about the only way that Cee gets to see them. Plus Keith and his girlfriend, Faith, will be there so it's a win-win situation for her.
Bringing cookies is kind of her *signature* thing that she does for them. She's known as the *cookie Grandma* and I think that's cute. I told her to give them a hug for me and to tell Keith and Faith that I would love to see them. She said she's going to tell them to come see me if they want eggs. I laughed and said I had plenty if so.
Cracker Barrel is advertising *Mixed Grill* campfire meals and it looks so yummy to me. Chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, all seasoned and cooked in aluminum foil over a fire? Wow! If they really do that, it has to be really great tasting. I just wonder what the seasoning is....
Oh, I called the cardiologist and rescheduled my appointment for Wednesday at 2:45pm. I am really curious about how a heart can have a difficult time resting. I just hope he's the kind of doctor that will really discuss it with me. You just never know about a new doctor. He's the only cardiologist listed in the yellow pages. When he's the only one, he could be abrupt and not forthcoming. We shall see.
Other than that, the only news is that I finally got the blouse that I ordered over a year ago from a company online that I found on facebook. At first, the Beast thought it was for him and was very confused but, when I took it out of it's wrapper, he could see that it was a woman's blouse. LOL. It's adorable and I really had wanted it for my trip in October of last year. I couldn't believe that I didn't get it when they notified me that it was shipped to me in September. I made an inquiry at my post office but it never showed up there. It's taken several complaints to their main office before I finally got it. The company is called Dresslily so be careful if you use them. I know others have not had this problem with them but be warned. They may disappoint you and you will have to go through what I did to finally get your order.
I admit I feel much better today than I thought I would. I was really uncomfortable yesterday after the procedure was over. I must have expelled all the air that was pumped into me during the night. I know I burped out a lot of air in the evening. I didn't know that I would do that.
Time to close and get this posted. One piece of advice I would like to share with you that I found on Facebook:
Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from the inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. The harm we do, we do to ourselves. Let it go. Live a happy life without hatred. Forgive even if the person doesn't apologize or feel remorse. You can choose to live with hatred eating at you or at peace because you don't let it ruin your happiness. It's your choice.
Love you all. Be kind. ***Hugs***
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Phew! Glad That's Over.....
I woke up at 5am and took the final dose of the Prepopnik then drank the required doses of 8oz liquids. I kept it simple and made it water. But, let me tell you, I knew I was already cleaned out. I was just leaking water....LOL.
The Beast dropped me off at Cee's at 7:45am and then left to meet up with his church group. Cee was just making coffee and we both drank a nice, large cup of it with our (non-dairy) French vanilla creamer. It was a nice touch before going for the dreaded colonoscopy. I had no idea I suffered from what is called *white coat syndrome*. It affects your blood pressure and the nurses assured me that it would be just fine because the anesthesia always makes your BP drop. Mine was really weird. 182/80. I was shocked at that but, it's true, even though they put you out before invading your privacy *down there*, I still dread it.
The doctor did find a polyp and removed it, cauterized the area and sent the polyp to the lab for testing. He said it didn't look bad but he wasn't taking any chances. He said he would call me with the report next week. He also gave me a new prescription for my IBS-D....just in case what I have doesn't continue to work for me. I thought that was really amazing of him to think of that.
When he first came to check on me, I introduced him to Cee and she could see what I meant about his looking like a kindly grandfather. I don't take easily to doctors but I trusted him almost immediately mostly because of the questions he asked me and the answers he gave me to MY questions. I once worked at a medical center with a huge variety of doctors (and just as many personality types). I was the assistant administrator and you would NOT believe how many patients ended up in MY office asking questions that the doctor should have answered. It meant I had to interrupt the doctor to get answers for them and then explain it in language they understood. I wished that several doctors practiced that instead of talking over their patients heads.
So, when a doctor talks to me like I am intelligent and speaks in terminology that I can easily understand, he's a great doctor in my book. He has a fantastic *bedside manner*, so to speak.
My appointment was for 10am but it was noon before I was taken in. The nurses said that complications with other patients surgeries or procedures had set them behind (no pun intended). I mentioned to the nurse as they were preparing to take me out of the recovery room area that it looked like I wasn't going to make the cardiologist appointment. She stopped and asked the nurse at the desk to call him and tell him that and the reason why. I was very grateful for that. I just have to call him tomorrow to reschedule.
When Cee and I FINALLY got out of there and were at her apartment, she made us some delicious peel-and-eat shrimp that she seasoned and steamed. I was so HUNGRY that it tasted twice as good to me (and it WAS delicious). We finished eating shortly before the Beast came to pick me up and bring me home.
I immediately put on jammies and took a nap. I slept for 3 hours and I was probably doing a lot of farting while asleep. My tummy went down a LOT and the discomfort level was nil.
I still have some air that I have to dispel but at least it's not causing me a lot of discomfort any more. It's like feeling a balloon losing it's air in slow motion.....VERY slow motion....LOL.
Well, that's all folks! I'm sitting here, eating a rather late dinner of a chicken pot pie, and I think I am going to have a problem getting to sleep. I don't feel the least bit tired right now (and it's almost 9pm). But I think playing my game will take care of that. I already did my FB check and posted one serious post.
The Beast's cousin, Butch, died this afternoon. He was closer to the Beast (for most of his life!) than either of the Beast's true brothers. The Beast broke the news to me and then said, *It's hard to believe there's a world without Butch in it now*. I know this death hit him harder than his brother, Jim's, did. RIP Butch. You were much loved by your children, grandchildren, and the Beast. ***Hugs*** I loved you, too.
Love you all. Be happy. Be kind. Be careful in this heat! ***Hugs for all***
The Beast dropped me off at Cee's at 7:45am and then left to meet up with his church group. Cee was just making coffee and we both drank a nice, large cup of it with our (non-dairy) French vanilla creamer. It was a nice touch before going for the dreaded colonoscopy. I had no idea I suffered from what is called *white coat syndrome*. It affects your blood pressure and the nurses assured me that it would be just fine because the anesthesia always makes your BP drop. Mine was really weird. 182/80. I was shocked at that but, it's true, even though they put you out before invading your privacy *down there*, I still dread it.
The doctor did find a polyp and removed it, cauterized the area and sent the polyp to the lab for testing. He said it didn't look bad but he wasn't taking any chances. He said he would call me with the report next week. He also gave me a new prescription for my IBS-D....just in case what I have doesn't continue to work for me. I thought that was really amazing of him to think of that.
When he first came to check on me, I introduced him to Cee and she could see what I meant about his looking like a kindly grandfather. I don't take easily to doctors but I trusted him almost immediately mostly because of the questions he asked me and the answers he gave me to MY questions. I once worked at a medical center with a huge variety of doctors (and just as many personality types). I was the assistant administrator and you would NOT believe how many patients ended up in MY office asking questions that the doctor should have answered. It meant I had to interrupt the doctor to get answers for them and then explain it in language they understood. I wished that several doctors practiced that instead of talking over their patients heads.
So, when a doctor talks to me like I am intelligent and speaks in terminology that I can easily understand, he's a great doctor in my book. He has a fantastic *bedside manner*, so to speak.
My appointment was for 10am but it was noon before I was taken in. The nurses said that complications with other patients surgeries or procedures had set them behind (no pun intended). I mentioned to the nurse as they were preparing to take me out of the recovery room area that it looked like I wasn't going to make the cardiologist appointment. She stopped and asked the nurse at the desk to call him and tell him that and the reason why. I was very grateful for that. I just have to call him tomorrow to reschedule.
When Cee and I FINALLY got out of there and were at her apartment, she made us some delicious peel-and-eat shrimp that she seasoned and steamed. I was so HUNGRY that it tasted twice as good to me (and it WAS delicious). We finished eating shortly before the Beast came to pick me up and bring me home.
I immediately put on jammies and took a nap. I slept for 3 hours and I was probably doing a lot of farting while asleep. My tummy went down a LOT and the discomfort level was nil.
I still have some air that I have to dispel but at least it's not causing me a lot of discomfort any more. It's like feeling a balloon losing it's air in slow motion.....VERY slow motion....LOL.
Well, that's all folks! I'm sitting here, eating a rather late dinner of a chicken pot pie, and I think I am going to have a problem getting to sleep. I don't feel the least bit tired right now (and it's almost 9pm). But I think playing my game will take care of that. I already did my FB check and posted one serious post.
The Beast's cousin, Butch, died this afternoon. He was closer to the Beast (for most of his life!) than either of the Beast's true brothers. The Beast broke the news to me and then said, *It's hard to believe there's a world without Butch in it now*. I know this death hit him harder than his brother, Jim's, did. RIP Butch. You were much loved by your children, grandchildren, and the Beast. ***Hugs*** I loved you, too.
Love you all. Be happy. Be kind. Be careful in this heat! ***Hugs for all***
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Finally Got The Call.....
I finally got the call from my doctor. It seems the only problem the echo cardiogram found was that....get this!.....my heart seems to have a problem RELAXING! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Anyway, I have an appointment with a cardiologist tomorrow to find out if that presents any real problem for me or not. *Sigh* Like I need to hit another doctor right after getting my colonoscopy. That's scheduled for 10am and the appointment with the cardiologist is at 2pm. I'll post what he says or does tomorrow evening.
Today was a total liquid diet day. It's kept me from even looking in the fridge after this morning because I feel like I could eat everything in it. I am THAT hungry for real food. I've had several cups of chicken broth, some tea, some black coffee, lots of water, a bowl (yes, I ate the whole bowl) of jello...not even my favorite flavor (orange) just because I was so hungry. I took the packet from the Prepopik box at 5pm as instructed. It actually was a bit warm when I finished mixing it and tasted citrusy. Not orange or even grapefruit flavor...wasn't unpleasant and 5oz is easy to take. It took about a half hour to start working but I am at rest right now. I have to get up at 5am to take the second packet (you take it 5 hours before the scheduled colonoscopy) and then I have to drink 3 more glasses (8oz) of any clear liquid, hot or cold, that you like. I will probably do tea and some ice water.
The Beast will drop me off at Cee's house at 8am and she will go with me for the procedure and then drive me to her house for our lunch. I have to bring celery with me since one of the things she wants to have made is some potato salad and she doesn't have any celery. I have plenty here. She will then take me to the cardiology appointment since his office is in the hospital professional center and it's close to her apartment. After that, it's home for me.
The Beast will be going out with his church group tomorrow. He does that regularly on Thursdays. Cee and I had made an agreement to take each other to our colonoscopy dates. Mine will be out of the way so Cee will have to schedule hers now. She's avoided that too long....LOL.
I'm heading for bed after I shower. I'm tired and sleep keeps me from eating. I'm not sure if my intestines are clear or not yet but I have a suspicion. We shall see, I'm sure.
Love you all. Live more, complain less. Have more smiles, less stress. Be kind. ***Hugs***
Today was a total liquid diet day. It's kept me from even looking in the fridge after this morning because I feel like I could eat everything in it. I am THAT hungry for real food. I've had several cups of chicken broth, some tea, some black coffee, lots of water, a bowl (yes, I ate the whole bowl) of jello...not even my favorite flavor (orange) just because I was so hungry. I took the packet from the Prepopik box at 5pm as instructed. It actually was a bit warm when I finished mixing it and tasted citrusy. Not orange or even grapefruit flavor...wasn't unpleasant and 5oz is easy to take. It took about a half hour to start working but I am at rest right now. I have to get up at 5am to take the second packet (you take it 5 hours before the scheduled colonoscopy) and then I have to drink 3 more glasses (8oz) of any clear liquid, hot or cold, that you like. I will probably do tea and some ice water.
The Beast will drop me off at Cee's house at 8am and she will go with me for the procedure and then drive me to her house for our lunch. I have to bring celery with me since one of the things she wants to have made is some potato salad and she doesn't have any celery. I have plenty here. She will then take me to the cardiology appointment since his office is in the hospital professional center and it's close to her apartment. After that, it's home for me.
The Beast will be going out with his church group tomorrow. He does that regularly on Thursdays. Cee and I had made an agreement to take each other to our colonoscopy dates. Mine will be out of the way so Cee will have to schedule hers now. She's avoided that too long....LOL.
I'm heading for bed after I shower. I'm tired and sleep keeps me from eating. I'm not sure if my intestines are clear or not yet but I have a suspicion. We shall see, I'm sure.
Love you all. Live more, complain less. Have more smiles, less stress. Be kind. ***Hugs***
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Grrr....Still No News!
Another day and still no news from my doctor. Time to start making a real nuisance of myself until I hear from him. I need to know!
Shortly after the Beast left for his church tonight, I got a call from Diane. She asked if I was alone and, when I said *just for the next couple hours*, she invited me over to have a *bite to eat and a drink or two*. So I went since I hadn't seen or talked to her in several weeks, as she said when I saw her.
She had made a tasty beef stew that all three of us ate (Dennis was home and joined us) and I had some blueberry vodka with some blueberry lemonade. Also, very tasty. We sat and chatted for a bit after we ate and finished our drinks. She then sent some of the beef stew home for the Beast.
After he got home and was changing his clothes, I told him about the stew and then finally got to go lay down for a bit of a nap. I'm still very tired and will be heading back in a few minutes.
Nothing special went on today except that it was me that put the chickens away tonight and collected the remaining eggs. It was a 10 egg day today but we discovered that 3 of the eggs were cracked so had to throw them out. We may have to add more calcium to their diets so that the shells are not so fragile. Oh well. Live and learn.
I love you all. Be good and be kind. Tell those you love that you do before it's too late. Give them a hug because you can't hug a memory. ***Hugs***
Shortly after the Beast left for his church tonight, I got a call from Diane. She asked if I was alone and, when I said *just for the next couple hours*, she invited me over to have a *bite to eat and a drink or two*. So I went since I hadn't seen or talked to her in several weeks, as she said when I saw her.
She had made a tasty beef stew that all three of us ate (Dennis was home and joined us) and I had some blueberry vodka with some blueberry lemonade. Also, very tasty. We sat and chatted for a bit after we ate and finished our drinks. She then sent some of the beef stew home for the Beast.
After he got home and was changing his clothes, I told him about the stew and then finally got to go lay down for a bit of a nap. I'm still very tired and will be heading back in a few minutes.
Nothing special went on today except that it was me that put the chickens away tonight and collected the remaining eggs. It was a 10 egg day today but we discovered that 3 of the eggs were cracked so had to throw them out. We may have to add more calcium to their diets so that the shells are not so fragile. Oh well. Live and learn.
I love you all. Be good and be kind. Tell those you love that you do before it's too late. Give them a hug because you can't hug a memory. ***Hugs***
Monday, July 11, 2016
No Information Yet.....
They say no news is good news but I'm not sure that applies. I called my doctor today to try to find out what the cardiologist said after reading my echo cardiogram but never got a call back. So, should I worry or not? It would have been nice if the nurse had called back with a reason why I wasn't hearing any news. Like, we haven't received the information yet or some such thing. I'll call again tomorrow.
I think the Beast is considering Freddy for dinner soon. Why? Because Freddy is continuing his sneak attacks on him. I told the Beast it's because he is the *keeper of the freedom gate* and that makes him *top rooster* in Freddy's little mind. He wants to be *top rooster* so he must keep challenging the Beast. You can tell when he's going to attack because his neck puffs out like a huge bubble (which surprised me the first time I saw him do that* and then he launches himself forward in the air with his feet (spurs) forward. The Beast is quicker, however, and manages to move aside (and his jeans are tough enough to repel the feet). You can see how that frustrates Freddy but he eventually gives up....but only for a time. If the Beast doesn't kill Freddy, it will probably go on for years. I don't think Freddy will quit.
The Beast finally got around to pressure cleaning the front and sides of the house. Then he got really ambitious and pulled all the weeds out of the flower box in the front. He even got a few perennials to put in it. He did wait until the sun was on the back of the house to do all this but he felt like he had really done a good days work. In truth, I was surprised at all he got done.
Me? I did some wash and then folded everything after they were dry. It was mostly things like sheets, towel and wash cloths so that went fast . I have my own folding method for fitted sheets and they turn out nice. I just need a big enough floor space...LOL.
Well, it's time for me to shower so I'll say goodnight to one and all. Love you much and be happy! ***Hugs***
I think the Beast is considering Freddy for dinner soon. Why? Because Freddy is continuing his sneak attacks on him. I told the Beast it's because he is the *keeper of the freedom gate* and that makes him *top rooster* in Freddy's little mind. He wants to be *top rooster* so he must keep challenging the Beast. You can tell when he's going to attack because his neck puffs out like a huge bubble (which surprised me the first time I saw him do that* and then he launches himself forward in the air with his feet (spurs) forward. The Beast is quicker, however, and manages to move aside (and his jeans are tough enough to repel the feet). You can see how that frustrates Freddy but he eventually gives up....but only for a time. If the Beast doesn't kill Freddy, it will probably go on for years. I don't think Freddy will quit.
The Beast finally got around to pressure cleaning the front and sides of the house. Then he got really ambitious and pulled all the weeds out of the flower box in the front. He even got a few perennials to put in it. He did wait until the sun was on the back of the house to do all this but he felt like he had really done a good days work. In truth, I was surprised at all he got done.
Me? I did some wash and then folded everything after they were dry. It was mostly things like sheets, towel and wash cloths so that went fast . I have my own folding method for fitted sheets and they turn out nice. I just need a big enough floor space...LOL.
Well, it's time for me to shower so I'll say goodnight to one and all. Love you much and be happy! ***Hugs***
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Thinking About Family And Friends Today......
I spent a lot of today thinking about everyone that affects my life. My kids, my family, my friends...both the ones I have met with and the ones that I haven't. It's funny how you can make connections with people that you haven't met in real life. Sometimes, it's because you share a lot of life experiences with or ones that you meet because you have (real life) mutual friends.
I thought a lot about my kids, whom I am proud of. They have made some good choices (and a few bad ones) along the way but they now are mature and happy. Well, almost all of them but I won't go into THAT.
I thought about my family and said a few prayers for some of the things they are going through right now. I included my friends, both real life and online. We all have some problems that could use a little assistance to help us cope. Whether they are believers or not, I believe in the power of prayer. I know it helps ME cope.
I don't know why I started thinking about everyone in my life today. Maybe it's because I am an old person and I can envision a time when I won't be here and that makes me sad. I have a bucket list that includes seeing my great-great grandchildren being born. How I would love that! But by that time, I will be definitely an old, old person and who knows if I would even still have my mind clear and be physically capable of even holding them? I have never thought about dying more than I have lately. I guess my health problems are getting to me more than I thought. I made a promise to my kids that I would outlive the Beast but who knows if I can really keep that promise? I want to and maybe that will count.
My bff is 10 years older than I am and in poor health. The thought that SHE might one day die makes me so sad that I refuse to think about it. She has enriched my life in so many ways, including her kindness and her encouragement. I don't know how I deserve her but I am so very grateful to know her. We have never met in real life but we formed such a tight connection as we got to know each other. We will probably never meet since I cannot afford to go visit her in California and her health won't permit her to travel far from home.
I thought about the cousins that I haven't seen in years and wish we were still having our family reunions every year. It was a great way to talk, eat good food and just catch up with all the things that had happened or were going to happen. I thought about people that I have lost over the years that I dearly loved and wish I could see just one more time. I would hug them and tell them how much I love them one more time. It was truly a reflective time for me.
I wish all my family and friends love and good things to happen to them. I wish them happiness and good health. I wish them peaceful lives and joy for little things. I love you one and all. ***Hugs***
I thought a lot about my kids, whom I am proud of. They have made some good choices (and a few bad ones) along the way but they now are mature and happy. Well, almost all of them but I won't go into THAT.
I thought about my family and said a few prayers for some of the things they are going through right now. I included my friends, both real life and online. We all have some problems that could use a little assistance to help us cope. Whether they are believers or not, I believe in the power of prayer. I know it helps ME cope.
I don't know why I started thinking about everyone in my life today. Maybe it's because I am an old person and I can envision a time when I won't be here and that makes me sad. I have a bucket list that includes seeing my great-great grandchildren being born. How I would love that! But by that time, I will be definitely an old, old person and who knows if I would even still have my mind clear and be physically capable of even holding them? I have never thought about dying more than I have lately. I guess my health problems are getting to me more than I thought. I made a promise to my kids that I would outlive the Beast but who knows if I can really keep that promise? I want to and maybe that will count.
My bff is 10 years older than I am and in poor health. The thought that SHE might one day die makes me so sad that I refuse to think about it. She has enriched my life in so many ways, including her kindness and her encouragement. I don't know how I deserve her but I am so very grateful to know her. We have never met in real life but we formed such a tight connection as we got to know each other. We will probably never meet since I cannot afford to go visit her in California and her health won't permit her to travel far from home.
I thought about the cousins that I haven't seen in years and wish we were still having our family reunions every year. It was a great way to talk, eat good food and just catch up with all the things that had happened or were going to happen. I thought about people that I have lost over the years that I dearly loved and wish I could see just one more time. I would hug them and tell them how much I love them one more time. It was truly a reflective time for me.
I wish all my family and friends love and good things to happen to them. I wish them happiness and good health. I wish them peaceful lives and joy for little things. I love you one and all. ***Hugs***
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Out....To Lunch.....
I told the Beast that I wanted him to let me know when he was going to go out to open the door of the coop. I wanted to see for myself what the chickens did when they saw he was coming. He told me and I went out onto the deck to watch.
There was around 8 of the chickens out in the coop and the rest were in the barn. But, as soon as the chickens saw the Beast was headed their way, they got excited. That let the hens in the barn know he was coming and they came out of the barn like a shot and surrounded the door that he was going to open. As soon as he did, they rushed through the opening and damn near ran the Beast over......LOL.
Freddy puffed up his head and neck and attempted to spur the Beast. I guess he feels his position as *top gun* is challenged by the Beast but the Beast was expecting the attack and had a small branch in his hand that he used to fend off Freddy. Freddy ran away with all the dignity he could muster. As the Beast walked back to the house, Freddy actually tried sneaking up on him but I warned the Beast so he could grab his branch again. But we hadn't counted on Baron. Baron took off down the stairs and into the yard and became very aggressive towards Freddy. How DARE he challenge Baron's MAN! That alone was funny with Freddy running away as fast as he could and Baron trotting behind him with a low growl. Baron finally felt Freddy got the message and returned to the deck. I thought the whole thing was just hilarious.
Cee got to my house around 1pm and we left to go pick up Baby Brat. She was dressed and ready to go out. I think she really needed the time with us today. It was really a nice day together. We laughed, we ate well and each had a drink before we ate, then an Irish coffee to finish off the meal. That was our *dessert*.
We took her home and each of us said *Love you* as we parted. Baby is living in the same complex that my granddaughter, Sheepie, used to live in. I thought the layout of her one bedroom apartment was rather nice although she could use a chest of drawers or a nice dresser in her bedroom. The living room is spacious and the apartment was nice and clean with lots of windows for good lighting during the day.
Time to get this posted. I am very tired tonight. I kept waking up to use the bathroom last night and I didn't sleep well. I tried to take a nap after returning home from our late lunch get-together but the Beast kept interrupting my attempts. Now my eyes keep slamming shut so I think my body is trying to tell me something. What do you think? LOL. Love you all and I wish you good weather and a happy weekend. Spend time with those you love. ***Hugs***
There was around 8 of the chickens out in the coop and the rest were in the barn. But, as soon as the chickens saw the Beast was headed their way, they got excited. That let the hens in the barn know he was coming and they came out of the barn like a shot and surrounded the door that he was going to open. As soon as he did, they rushed through the opening and damn near ran the Beast over......LOL.
Freddy puffed up his head and neck and attempted to spur the Beast. I guess he feels his position as *top gun* is challenged by the Beast but the Beast was expecting the attack and had a small branch in his hand that he used to fend off Freddy. Freddy ran away with all the dignity he could muster. As the Beast walked back to the house, Freddy actually tried sneaking up on him but I warned the Beast so he could grab his branch again. But we hadn't counted on Baron. Baron took off down the stairs and into the yard and became very aggressive towards Freddy. How DARE he challenge Baron's MAN! That alone was funny with Freddy running away as fast as he could and Baron trotting behind him with a low growl. Baron finally felt Freddy got the message and returned to the deck. I thought the whole thing was just hilarious.
Cee got to my house around 1pm and we left to go pick up Baby Brat. She was dressed and ready to go out. I think she really needed the time with us today. It was really a nice day together. We laughed, we ate well and each had a drink before we ate, then an Irish coffee to finish off the meal. That was our *dessert*.
We took her home and each of us said *Love you* as we parted. Baby is living in the same complex that my granddaughter, Sheepie, used to live in. I thought the layout of her one bedroom apartment was rather nice although she could use a chest of drawers or a nice dresser in her bedroom. The living room is spacious and the apartment was nice and clean with lots of windows for good lighting during the day.
Time to get this posted. I am very tired tonight. I kept waking up to use the bathroom last night and I didn't sleep well. I tried to take a nap after returning home from our late lunch get-together but the Beast kept interrupting my attempts. Now my eyes keep slamming shut so I think my body is trying to tell me something. What do you think? LOL. Love you all and I wish you good weather and a happy weekend. Spend time with those you love. ***Hugs***
Friday, July 8, 2016
Hot, Hot, Hot Outside......
Today it reached 92 degrees outside with a heat index of 107. That's with humidity that was only 63%. It could have been worse. The Beast did take Baron out for his run but he waited until after 4pm. He collected the eggs (9) and filled up their water bottle, which holds about 3 gallons of water. It was almost empty and he had just filled it on Monday, I think it was. But, in this heat we are having, it isn't a surprise that the girls and Freddy are drinking more water. The cat sometimes joins them at their water trough, too.
Cee called me today and told me that Baby Brat was feeling sad and depressed so we decided we would take her out for a late lunch tomorrow and cheer her up a bit. I'm sure she has been lonely, all alone in that apartment that Tara insisted on putting her. Why did she want to be her guardian, get hold of the money paid and then get rid of her? Poor Baby Brat has no way to get to her doctor's (and I doubt that Tara has even taken her although she is supposed to go in every three to four months). She also has never seen a dentist since she has been here in Alabama and her teeth look it. She has fillings that are on the face of her teeth that show wear and tear and need replacing. Baby Brat is on a program that provides for dental care so what gives?
Tara does show up once a week to take Baby Brat shopping but that's all she does for control of all the money paid into Baby's account (and only SHE has the card to access it all). Baby's needs are few since she is only able to nuke food when she gets hungry. No one is there to make sure she eats regularly so her weight loss has become even worse than it has been. My heart bleeds for her since she is so lost in many ways. Due to her brain damage from all the mini-strokes she's had, she has severe short term memory loss. That means her daily memory sucks badly but her long term (old memories stored before all the strokes) is okay. She can recognize family members but can forget casual acquaintances easily.
Baby Brat can't remember to bathe herself and needs to be told that it's time. She also has to be told to change into new, clean clothing because it's just not something she even thinks about. I think Tara thought that this isolation would force Baby Brat to do more for herself but she really has no clue as to the severity of Baby's problems. Not that Baby can help it. She truly is brain damaged to an extent that it's not correctable. But Cee and I will be able to make her laugh and eat and have a drink. Getting out of the house will be good for her, I'm sure.
About all Baby Brat does is play games on Pogo. Pogo is her only entertainment and it's a small price to pay each year to keep her happy and occupied. She plays word games and a few others that are on Club Pogo (games without ads). It costs just $40 a year. I belong to it as well as Cee but I don't play often lately. I've been too preoccupied with playing my Jewel Quest game. BTW, we finally resolved the Jewel Quest 3 problem I was having with Iwin. I have that game back as *owned* now. *Grin*
Well, time to go shower and get ready for bed. I haven't seen Baby Brat since we got back from vacation and it should be fun to spend some time together. Love you all. Stay hydrated and cool. Be very careful out in the heat. Spend time at a pool or lake but remember to use a good SPF sun screen. ***Hugs***
Cee called me today and told me that Baby Brat was feeling sad and depressed so we decided we would take her out for a late lunch tomorrow and cheer her up a bit. I'm sure she has been lonely, all alone in that apartment that Tara insisted on putting her. Why did she want to be her guardian, get hold of the money paid and then get rid of her? Poor Baby Brat has no way to get to her doctor's (and I doubt that Tara has even taken her although she is supposed to go in every three to four months). She also has never seen a dentist since she has been here in Alabama and her teeth look it. She has fillings that are on the face of her teeth that show wear and tear and need replacing. Baby Brat is on a program that provides for dental care so what gives?
Tara does show up once a week to take Baby Brat shopping but that's all she does for control of all the money paid into Baby's account (and only SHE has the card to access it all). Baby's needs are few since she is only able to nuke food when she gets hungry. No one is there to make sure she eats regularly so her weight loss has become even worse than it has been. My heart bleeds for her since she is so lost in many ways. Due to her brain damage from all the mini-strokes she's had, she has severe short term memory loss. That means her daily memory sucks badly but her long term (old memories stored before all the strokes) is okay. She can recognize family members but can forget casual acquaintances easily.
Baby Brat can't remember to bathe herself and needs to be told that it's time. She also has to be told to change into new, clean clothing because it's just not something she even thinks about. I think Tara thought that this isolation would force Baby Brat to do more for herself but she really has no clue as to the severity of Baby's problems. Not that Baby can help it. She truly is brain damaged to an extent that it's not correctable. But Cee and I will be able to make her laugh and eat and have a drink. Getting out of the house will be good for her, I'm sure.
About all Baby Brat does is play games on Pogo. Pogo is her only entertainment and it's a small price to pay each year to keep her happy and occupied. She plays word games and a few others that are on Club Pogo (games without ads). It costs just $40 a year. I belong to it as well as Cee but I don't play often lately. I've been too preoccupied with playing my Jewel Quest game. BTW, we finally resolved the Jewel Quest 3 problem I was having with Iwin. I have that game back as *owned* now. *Grin*
Well, time to go shower and get ready for bed. I haven't seen Baby Brat since we got back from vacation and it should be fun to spend some time together. Love you all. Stay hydrated and cool. Be very careful out in the heat. Spend time at a pool or lake but remember to use a good SPF sun screen. ***Hugs***
Thursday, July 7, 2016
A Day For Doctors......
Today was the day of my two doctor's appointments. First thing this morning was the echo cardiogram. That one was easy and only took about a half hour. The test goes to a cardiologist to be read and I will get that report on Monday. The technician said the cardiologist might read it and want to do a further test like an MRI with dye but I would find that out when the report was ready. That kind of sounded a bit ominous to me like he was warning me but I could be misreading his remark entirely. He knew this was the first echo cardiogram I have had and just wanted me to know that more tests MIGHT be in store.
The second was with the gastroenterologist. He was a new doctor to me but I have to tell you, I liked him....a lot. He is an older doctor. Probably in his late 50's or early 60's. Very grandfatherly in the best possible way. His hair is completely white and he has a full but well trimmed beard and mustache. Handsome is another word I would use. I was completely at ease with him and was able to describe why I was there, the symptoms I had to endure with my IBS-D, how long I have had it, what I used to help alleviate the pain/symptoms, etc. He was surprised I had not seen a gastroenterologist well before this. He was not surprised that I didn't really want to travel to Huntsville to see one, however. I DO have a prescription for a medication that I will take four capsules a day (one with each meal and one at bedtime) and he said we will monitor how I do on it for several months OR until I have another IBS-D attack (pray that doesn't happen !). Then, he said, we will try another medication until we find one that works for me.
He also scheduled me for my colonoscopy. I told him that I wasn't going to use the doctor that did my last one mainly because I felt if he was going to be treating me for my IBS-D, he should also be the one to be able to check on what else might be going on in there that could be affecting it. He laughed and said he was glad that was my decision although he would have understood if I had made a different decision.
I was totally shocked at the new stuff I was given to take for the clean-out process. It's incredibly different and should be much easier to take. It is called Prepopik and has two packets of a powder that you take in two doses. I have to take one at 5pm the day before my procedure in 5oz of water (stirring for three minutes first) then I drink 5-8oz glasses of any assortment of different liquids (water, tea, coffee with no creamer, Gatorade, even soda that is not red or purple, clear broth...amazing variety!) Then, at 5am the morning of my colonoscopy, I take the second packet in 5oz of water and then drink 3-8oz glasses of the liquids of my choice. That seems much easier to manage than drinking that gallon of awful tasting stuff like I've had to drink for my last two colonoscopies. I'll let you know how that goes after my appointment on next Thursday morning.
I really hated all the damn paperwork and the questions you have to answer every time you start a new doctor. Especially since the answers are in the hospital files that are easily accessed. In fact, his nurse accessed them while I was in the exam room since she hadn't received the paperwork that I had JUST turned in and she brought up medications that I hadn't taken in over a year. Those I KNEW she got from the hospital records.
I have to call my vascular doctor tomorrow to find out how many days I can be off my Plavix before the procedure. I have no clue and the nurse said to be sure to find out directly from him since he is aware of my need for it and how long he would let me go without it. Or perhaps it's more like how long it will take for it to get out of my system enough not to cause a problem if anything needs to be removed from my colon.
Well, time to jump into the shower and get ready for bed. I feel more relaxed now that this is over (the waiting part). Now to just get ready for the colonoscopy. *Sigh*
Love you all. Be good. Be happy...it's damn near the weekend! ***Hugs***
The second was with the gastroenterologist. He was a new doctor to me but I have to tell you, I liked him....a lot. He is an older doctor. Probably in his late 50's or early 60's. Very grandfatherly in the best possible way. His hair is completely white and he has a full but well trimmed beard and mustache. Handsome is another word I would use. I was completely at ease with him and was able to describe why I was there, the symptoms I had to endure with my IBS-D, how long I have had it, what I used to help alleviate the pain/symptoms, etc. He was surprised I had not seen a gastroenterologist well before this. He was not surprised that I didn't really want to travel to Huntsville to see one, however. I DO have a prescription for a medication that I will take four capsules a day (one with each meal and one at bedtime) and he said we will monitor how I do on it for several months OR until I have another IBS-D attack (pray that doesn't happen !). Then, he said, we will try another medication until we find one that works for me.
He also scheduled me for my colonoscopy. I told him that I wasn't going to use the doctor that did my last one mainly because I felt if he was going to be treating me for my IBS-D, he should also be the one to be able to check on what else might be going on in there that could be affecting it. He laughed and said he was glad that was my decision although he would have understood if I had made a different decision.
I was totally shocked at the new stuff I was given to take for the clean-out process. It's incredibly different and should be much easier to take. It is called Prepopik and has two packets of a powder that you take in two doses. I have to take one at 5pm the day before my procedure in 5oz of water (stirring for three minutes first) then I drink 5-8oz glasses of any assortment of different liquids (water, tea, coffee with no creamer, Gatorade, even soda that is not red or purple, clear broth...amazing variety!) Then, at 5am the morning of my colonoscopy, I take the second packet in 5oz of water and then drink 3-8oz glasses of the liquids of my choice. That seems much easier to manage than drinking that gallon of awful tasting stuff like I've had to drink for my last two colonoscopies. I'll let you know how that goes after my appointment on next Thursday morning.
I really hated all the damn paperwork and the questions you have to answer every time you start a new doctor. Especially since the answers are in the hospital files that are easily accessed. In fact, his nurse accessed them while I was in the exam room since she hadn't received the paperwork that I had JUST turned in and she brought up medications that I hadn't taken in over a year. Those I KNEW she got from the hospital records.
I have to call my vascular doctor tomorrow to find out how many days I can be off my Plavix before the procedure. I have no clue and the nurse said to be sure to find out directly from him since he is aware of my need for it and how long he would let me go without it. Or perhaps it's more like how long it will take for it to get out of my system enough not to cause a problem if anything needs to be removed from my colon.
Well, time to jump into the shower and get ready for bed. I feel more relaxed now that this is over (the waiting part). Now to just get ready for the colonoscopy. *Sigh*
Love you all. Be good. Be happy...it's damn near the weekend! ***Hugs***
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
There Are Times I Just Hate Everyone.....
Today was a very frustrating day for me. First of all, I just wanted to verify that my appointment with the gastroenterologist was at 2pm. Since my regular doctor had made the appointment for me after I had left his office and all I had was my note to myself that it was today at 2pm, I figured that I would get the doctor's address from the nurse at the same time I verified the appointment.
So, after a 3 hour wait for a return call (and darn near at what I thought was my appointment time), I finally get a return call from the receptionist at my doctor's office with the news that my appointment with the gastroenterologist is for tomorrow at 3:30pm! I then asked for the doctor's office number since she didn't have the address of their offices and I had to wait for another call back! After just 20 minutes, I don't get the address but she does have the phone number. *Sigh* Better something than nothing, right? So, I call them and get voice mail since they are out at lunch. *Pounding head on desk by this time*....but I leave a message, including an inquiry into whether or not my appointment was for today or tomorrow.
When I got the return call, the nurse tells me that it was originally scheduled for today but then they called my doctor to let him know it needed to be changed since all they had been supplied was my name and my problem (IBS-D). They assumed I would be notified but they didn't tell me since it was noted in my doctor's notes that I was on vacation...... Would it have been too much to ask for a note or referral slip to be sent to the house for me for when I got home??? Good grief.
The girls finally got on the ball today and there were 9 eggs laid in the nesting boxes. So, with the five that they laid yesterday that the Beast forgot to bring in from yesterday (they were in a bag he left out on the shelf when he swept out the barn), it was a total of 14 eggs he brought in today. *Grin* The Beast said that the chickens seemed to suddenly be eating a heck of a lot of seed from their feeder the last two days and he thinks they might just have needed that. No clue here. I don't pretend to know what makes them tick.
I tried getting hold of Cee several times the past few days but she must be busy with her company. So I will drive myself into the doctor's office in the morning (the Beast really wanted to go out with his church group as he regularly does every Thursday morning so I told him go...and said, not to worry, Cee will drive me!) Okay, so I lied. But he's been really good to me the past few days especially so I wanted him to do what he wanted to do. Besides, I have had no instances of light-headedness, no falling down and I am well hydrated. I mean so well-hydrated that I am peeing like a race horse! Sheesh! I even drove myself to the Dollar General this afternoon (and the Beast knew I did) with no problem. In fact, it felt great to not feel like a prisoner...LOL.
Well, I need to be up and dressed early tomorrow so I am going to close this missive and get to bed. I'm tired. I only took a short nap (about an hour) after we ate dinner and I am really tired. Love you all. Be good. Stay cool and don't forget to keep yourselves hydrated in this heat. ***Hugs***
So, after a 3 hour wait for a return call (and darn near at what I thought was my appointment time), I finally get a return call from the receptionist at my doctor's office with the news that my appointment with the gastroenterologist is for tomorrow at 3:30pm! I then asked for the doctor's office number since she didn't have the address of their offices and I had to wait for another call back! After just 20 minutes, I don't get the address but she does have the phone number. *Sigh* Better something than nothing, right? So, I call them and get voice mail since they are out at lunch. *Pounding head on desk by this time*....but I leave a message, including an inquiry into whether or not my appointment was for today or tomorrow.
When I got the return call, the nurse tells me that it was originally scheduled for today but then they called my doctor to let him know it needed to be changed since all they had been supplied was my name and my problem (IBS-D). They assumed I would be notified but they didn't tell me since it was noted in my doctor's notes that I was on vacation...... Would it have been too much to ask for a note or referral slip to be sent to the house for me for when I got home??? Good grief.
The girls finally got on the ball today and there were 9 eggs laid in the nesting boxes. So, with the five that they laid yesterday that the Beast forgot to bring in from yesterday (they were in a bag he left out on the shelf when he swept out the barn), it was a total of 14 eggs he brought in today. *Grin* The Beast said that the chickens seemed to suddenly be eating a heck of a lot of seed from their feeder the last two days and he thinks they might just have needed that. No clue here. I don't pretend to know what makes them tick.
I tried getting hold of Cee several times the past few days but she must be busy with her company. So I will drive myself into the doctor's office in the morning (the Beast really wanted to go out with his church group as he regularly does every Thursday morning so I told him go...and said, not to worry, Cee will drive me!) Okay, so I lied. But he's been really good to me the past few days especially so I wanted him to do what he wanted to do. Besides, I have had no instances of light-headedness, no falling down and I am well hydrated. I mean so well-hydrated that I am peeing like a race horse! Sheesh! I even drove myself to the Dollar General this afternoon (and the Beast knew I did) with no problem. In fact, it felt great to not feel like a prisoner...LOL.
Well, I need to be up and dressed early tomorrow so I am going to close this missive and get to bed. I'm tired. I only took a short nap (about an hour) after we ate dinner and I am really tired. Love you all. Be good. Stay cool and don't forget to keep yourselves hydrated in this heat. ***Hugs***
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