Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year from the sticks

We have been here since the 26th.  All is not rosy.  And this is my second attempt to make contact.  And it almost didn't work again.

G claims to have gotten sick on the way up here and coughed all night.  So he decided to make an appointment to see a doctor.  He called Fberg.  All the "emergency" clinics were closed and suggested the ER.

So he called the clinic in Mason.  They were open, but he needed an appointment.  Got one at 3:30.  Well, as you can imagine it as late when he got in.  They tested for strep throat and the flu.  Hope - I think the diagnosis was a cold.  Analgesics and fluids.

We still had no groceries, so we went to the terrible grocery.  I managed to hurry through since it was getting  late.  Now - the reason we try to not be out at dark is this is thick deer country.  We don't like trying to avoid them at night.  We weren't that lucky.  It was dark as we were driving.

As we got on the dirt road, the check engine light on Blue came on.  That poor old truck has been so abused and not maintained.  Still don't know why that happened, but at least the temperature and oil pressure gauges  didn't show any problem - if they work.

My SIL called and we made plans to go to Fberg the next day since we still needed some items - like meds that he decided he needed.  So at least I was out of the house!

I have been making the chicken and rice food for Simone.  I thought she was doing well.  Nope - she has been spewing for two days now.  And here we are - middle of nowhere - AND on a weekend/holiday.  Great.

Night before last I was looking for the cube steaks I bought on Thursday.  AND the roast.  They are not here.  They are someplace between the horrible grocery and here.  I will bet they are still at the store.  I was being rushed so with Mr Sick that I will bet we didn't load everything.  So pickings around here for food are slim at best.

The weather is terrible.  It was cold, and now we have rain added.

Am I having fun?  Take your best guess!

If I don't make it back tomorrow, and that's a possibility since I have such wonderful internet here, Happy New Year.  It's gotta' be better.



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas to you all

I hope you are all having a great Christmas, and may the coming New Year be great for you.

I have nothing to do but blog right now?  No, actually I am between activities right now, and wanted to share a few things.  We have been with Daughter and that set of grandchildren to open presents and have breakfast.  Daughter actually did a breakfast casserole.  You see, she doesn't cook.  But it was really good.

We will be heading to DIL's mother's house to have Christmas with that family.  It has become a tradition.  We enjoy being with all the relatives from Louisiana.  Most are now transplanted Texans.  But they are nice, nice people - unlike the other side in-laws.  But that's a different story that I will share later. I don't want to bring down the goodness of this day.

Then this evening all our immediate family will gather here to celebrate - with a light supper.  After all the eating today, it needs to be light!

Last night we went to Christmas Eve services.  Son and DIL went to their church, which isn't our cup of tea, and we went to ours.  It was much more traditional than is the norm for our church and I thoroughly loved it.   Much liturgy with Christmas carols interspersed for those parts of the liturgy.

The children's message was very good.   The children played the part of the animals in the barn.  Our Assistant in Ministry was Mary, SIL was Joesph.  A couple of others were the shepherds, one was the Angel, and our Elders played the parts of the wise men.  It was cute.

To begin the sermon, Pastor did a take off of Facebook.  It was posts that might have been made.  Very good!

But I was most impressed by one of our new members.  When they first visited in the summer, she was having to use a cane.  They were an engaged couple, and found what they were looking for in a church.  When there is a need,  they are there just like those of us who have been around for a long time.  When we needed food for the funeral we had recently (our first), she provided chips.  When we thought we would be providing food for another visitor (at this point - I think she will join), Jaime was one of the four of us on the list to do it.  She is there.  She contributes.

Why am I singing her praises?  Well - at the funeral, I found that they had moved their wedding up from next week to about a month ago.  They are still planning the big service, but they are married.  They did it because she got her diagnosis.  She has ALS - Lou Gehrig Disease.  Her time in limited.

I watched them com in last night.  She is about to completely lose her mobility. Her left leg is almost useless. All movement comes from the hip.  He is such a help to her.  So caring.  They brought tears to my eyes.  And you know something - if she knew she would probably be really mad.

I really believe Jaime has the attitude toward this horrid disease that she is going to need.  Our friend, neighbor, relative in the SSB who died a couple of years ago of this same bastardly disease had this positive attitude.  It didn't make him live longer I doubt, but he faced his impending death with dignity.

I admire Jaime more than words can possibly cover.  When my fate was really uncertain I hoped I was facing whatever happened with grace and a positive attitude.  Jaime has trumped me!  Prayers for you sweet woman.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

It's official

I am now a pet chef.  Simone is doing so well with her chicken and rice (as bland as that is!), so I called the vet to see where we go from here.  All I need to do now is add a daily multivitamin and some vegetables to the food I am doing.  I also do not need to run the chicken through the food processor.  The chicken can be in small chunks.

She said I could add broccoli and cauliflower to her food.  Uh, no.  Part of the problems we were having was stinky flatulence (making it sound better than it was).  So last night I cut up some carrots.  I read somewhere that giving them even frozen carrots was a good thing.  They would seem like a crunchy treat.  Yeah, right.  Simone didn't read the same article.  Those little crunchy raw carrot bites did nothing but slow her eating.  It took time to spit those things out!

So I bought some frozen green beans, peas, and (sign) carrots that I will try steaming to see if she likes those.  Now if I could find a chicken wholesaler.  When did whole chickens go up like this???  Where are the days of 69 cent chickens??

One of these days, we will hit our stride with this.  Making the food seemed easy, but I am finding it really isn't, but as I told G last night, cleaning up vomit and then the carpet isn't easy either.

Well - make lunch then off to slave over a "hot" machine.  Haven't made an inch headway into the little toss bags, and I have added five ornaments to the mix.  Guess I better get off the computer and get busy.

Friday, December 21, 2012

We're still here

As if we wouldn't be.  So the Mayans just played a great big practical joke, or you can look at it as a lot of people are: it is just the beginning of a new cycle.

So, I have sort of wasted another two days of freedom.  It is ending as I type since they are on their way home.  Just mere hours remain!

I hate having things to do in the middle of the day.  It just ruins the day.  Tuesday was the pedicure day, Wednesday the funeral, yesterday was the Opthamologist, and today - well today is the end.  No I am not still waiting for the Mayan thing to happen.

My eyes are doing as well as can be expected.  She even thought my eyesight was  better.  Huh??  I can't see anything.  But the pressure is back to where it should be.  I can't help but think this condition that Daughter and I BOTH have doesn't cause that pressure (and vision) to fluctuate.  Somehow, the corneas absorb too much fluid and swell.  I would try to spell the condition phonetically since I haven't seen it in print, but it is too close to another word that begins with "f" that I would never post here.  But that word pretty much would cover how I feel about this stuff.  Her treatment for this.  Now don't laugh:  use the blow dryer, for a bit on a medium setting, on my eyes and it will cause the corneas to get rid of some of the fluid.  Yeah, OK.

So now I need to head upstairs.  As usual, I am behind the 8-ball with projects.  I want to make the alphabet toss bags for the smallest gchild.  Naturally I would choose the alphabet, although I will do shapes and numbers for his birthday.  Perhaps I will switch those around!!  I have some beautiful "lace" ornaments I want to do for the g-girls, and there are state ornaments for the moms.  My philosophy I guess is to work under pressure.  That way, when things go wrong, my blood pressure can soar!!  Yep - that's me.

Simone.  Yes - she is doing really great.  I will be calling to get her tranquilizers and nausea pills refilled in case I need them since (sigh) we are leaving (again) on the 26th for the SSB.  I will leave a message for the vet - she is doing great, now what.  Making the food isn't really too hard, but it is rather expensive.  I take a chicken to boil.  Then I make the same amount of white rice.  If this goes on, there will have to be additives for the missing nutrients.  That makes about 5-6 feedings which translates into 3 days.   It is a mess as well.  I guess I am going to have to look carefully for sales on chickens.  Of course, it would help if I would stop buying organic!

So, I am off to pick up some stuff.  Still have presents to wrap.  Hope you are more prepared than I am for Christmas!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Free, free again.

Yes!! I am free again until about 3 on Friday afternoon, no probably 1 or 2 pm.  I forgot, SIL has gone with G, and he always wants to get up early and he drives like a bat out of .....

 But - I am free until then.  Part of my freedom was devoted to a funeral for one of our dear volunteer fire fighters - a veteran of 38 years!  When manning a hose got to be too much, he took over as chauffeur.  It would  be rather scary - thinking of an 80 year old driving a huge pumper about the neighborhood,   but he was sharp and fit.  It didn't scare any of the crew.

I was surprised that the attendance was only about half of what I expected, but I think the timing wasn't really good.  A lot of people had to work -and they may have vacation coming up so that if they miss work now, their vacation is looked upon poorly.  Many of his friends probably have either died or are in "nursing homes" which is where he and his beloved wife is now.

So there we are - the entire (or at least pretty much entire) volunteer department seated in the front rows.  The service is going on, and suddenly the chief and three of the EMS were called out.  They came back in another section of the church.  There was a medical emergency.  Fitting, right??

The chicken/rice is going well.  I think I am going to be doing this for a while. Quite. A. While.  It is a mess.  It takes the stock pot, another small pot for the broth, a bowl to measure and mix, and then into her bowl.  Then the storage container for the next meal(s).

I think it is going to be expensive too.  Yesterday I completely forgot to buy the chickens (Can I possibly still have chemo brain after 6 years??).  So I went back today.  When I got home, I realized she is eating better than we are.  She has ORGANIC chickens.  I have to watch that the next time.  But these two chickens will get us definitely to Friday when we check in with the vet.

So far so good though.  No spewage.  No gas.  We can remain in the room with her - and not gag.  No rumbly in the tumbly (thanks Pooh).

We went back to SIL and Daughter's last night to celebrate the real birthday.    Doodle Bug ( the five year old girl) did her usual.  She didn't eat.  But then it was fish.  I wasn't told it would be fish until we sat down.  I am not a fish eater either, so I certainly can't say anything about DB.  But it was good fish!!

I was amazed she ate the asparagus - two servings.  Monkey Boy ate the fish, asparagus and salad.  He didn't eat the shrimp - they were spicy.  He absolutely amazed me.  He was a non-eater too.  He ate only junk.

I felt sorry for SIL.  He was so proud of getting a "gourmet" birthday cake.  It was beautiful with white chocolate and butter cream frosting.  Daughter HATES butter cream.  He was saying he remembered her saying at our friend's wedding how much she liked butter cream and was so glad that wedding cake was butter cream.  Needless to say, she ate no cake.

When he buys gifts he leaves the tags on them because he knows she is going to take it back.  And so goes the sweater he bought.  And that's why I haven't bought her cologne yet.   I am smart enough to wait until I get instructions!!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

This and that from yesterday

I had completely forgotten that I told Daughter I would watch the two younger kidlets last night.  It was her company's Christmas party, and of course it was kid free.  What I hadn't signed on for was to go to her house.

They were going to leave by 6.  We eat dinner at 7.  I had gotten a lovely strip steak out of the freezer, and I was looking forward to that!  As Daughter and I were discussing where the kids would be, I saw my dreams of the steak growing dimmer and dimmer.

She was talking about how the kids are usually in bed by 9.  I don't know why I fell for that one.  I have been around them and they go to bed whenever the spirit moves them.  But I fell for it.  The icing on the leave my house cake was that Lady Bug would be dropped off the the carpool they have formed.  I didn't want the driver that night having to find us, although we are closer to their home!

So when that was decided, she said that SIL had a crock pot with stew in it.  That wasn't a draw for me in the first place - we had stew the night before.  Stew is one of those things that you only eat every other night at most, even if it was prepared by two different people.

When I got there, the kids were eating pizza.  They didn't like the stew.  I tasted some of the liquid that had pooled in the ladle.  I didn't like it either.  I was glad I brought my sandwich and the stuffed portabella mushroom caps (even the one I didn't like).

Bedtime at 9?  Hah!  Didn't happen.  But with the later bed time, and his little sister finally conking out, I was able to have a conversation with Monkey Boy.  If you want to call it that.  He is too busy talking, and telling you the misinformation he has, and his take on the subject from an 8 year old point of view to learn from the conversation, but it was cute:  "The US beat the Japanese by dropping two automatic bombs on two of their cities."  What a mental picture that evokes!

Other  news from last night -   my first attempt at dog chef was a success.  G called me (to tell me the A/C people would be coming about 7:30 PM) and that she liked it so much he thought she was going to eat the bowl.

Today it seems like it is a good experiment.  Yesterday when I was talking about this with the vet, she forgot this is something that has been going on beginning after having her for 6 months. So we are looking at 5 1/2 years.  The whole thing is getting worse.  At first, it was just vomit.  At this point it is cruel gas.  As I told the vet - she can clear a room.  Her little tummy rumbles.  We are sure there is stomach acidity that is out of control, so every night, she gets a Pepsid, or the generic counterpart.  I am at my wits end.

Making the dog food is going to get even harder than it is now.  I know, boiling a chicken and cooking rice isn't a big deal, but it is.  She gets 1 1/2 cups of that mixture with each meal.  I ran the chicken through the food processor so it would be in small, easily digested bits.  If it looks promising, I will have to add many other nutrients to it.  But if it means not cleaning up vomit - and especially on this new food that stinks the second time around (from both ends - I know, TMI), and stains the carpet, I am on board.

Oh and today is my oldest, my daughter's, 39 (gasp) birthday.  I cannot believe it.  I honestly didn't think I would see her turn 40.  I'm not there yet, but it looks more promising than before.  Wow.  I am really old!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Becoming a new chef

Quite probably I will become a new chef.  One who makes gourmet food for my dog.

We have tried two types of food that are meant for sensitive tummies.  She spews on both of them.  This last one gives her flatulence.  What a nice word for something that, on this dog food is so very foul.

I researched making dog food last night.  One fella says he does a third, third, third: protein, starch (white rice), and vegetables (omitting broccoli  if the dog tends to gas).  But as I read more, I saw that making dog food isn't simply the thirds rule.

The guy who oversimplified this procedure also leaves a bowl of commercial dry dog food for his dog.  Well - that sort of defeats the purpose doesn't it!  Why go to the bother at all??  Other recipes call for all sorts of nutrients to be added.

So I did my normal thing - I stopped at the vet's office to ask.  One of them called me back.  We are going to try feeding her chicken and rice.  A couple of days of this will not hurt her, so we will see.

My dog  the true princess of this household!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Almost over

My time in heaven is almost over.  I don't know exactly when it will end, but the time is drawing close.

Last night I was disgusted enough to clean out his bathroom.  I cannot believe that he who makes snide remarks about clutter could live with absolute filth like he has been doing.  I feel as though I should bring in a tanker truck with disinfectant to spray it down.  Yeah, it was that bad.

Then I set about getting rid of the cluttter that had accumulate beside the bed.  I am honest.  It was there.  It was dusty, but not unsanitary unless you are allergic to dust.  Excuse me while I sneeze for about an hour.

While doing that, I inadvertently un-plugged all the downstairs phones, and the one upstairs isn't loud enough to be heard down here.  While it was rather blissful, I am completely unaware of my family's life.  G may have called.  Daughter may have called.  Don't know.

The outside light timer is still not working properly.  I set it again yesterday.  It should be working, unless the time got redone for some reason.  The time showing on it isn't correct, so I guess I will have to go through all the steps again.

I know G hates that thing.  I wanted it so the outside light at the driveway would come on and go off on a schedule since we are gone so much.  It's great.  When it works.  When it doesn't, it is a pain.

So i better get busy finishing up the cleaning in the bedroom and then turn my attention to that blasted timer.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

So what did I do?

I just know you are waiting with baited breath to know how I spent my first 24 hours all alone (well, with the exception of Shadow and Simone).  The quick answer is nothing.  Nada. Zip.

I spent the entire time just relaxing and enjoying the peace.  It was wonderful!

Now Simone was uneasy.  She realized that something was amiss.  She was looking for G.  When there was a car outside, she was looking for someone to come in the door.  Now my brain was telling me that there wasn't anyone there.  But when your dog is intently staring at the window on the driveway side, you begin to wonder.

The light that is on a timer is on day light saving time.  Blast that change.  I hate the time change, but that's another story.  Anyway.  it was off when all this happened.  So I went to manually override.  It messed up the entire thing.  I will hear about that one!  All the stars have to align with the moon for that thing to work properly.  But then - it wasn't working properly to begin with.

What's on tap for today?  Well, Daughter just called.  The youngest has her Christmas program at 1.  I will go to that.  So there goes a couple of hours right there.  After that - I would guess it will be another day of just soaking up the peace.!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

72 hours or so

That is how long I can be fairly assured of peace and quiet.  G is gone to the SSB.  We need this time - absolutely.

It is really important that someone be there so that a plumber can get there.  The cut off from the pump to the house and hunters' cabin isn't holding.  That means there is water in the line - all the time.  While our freezes are not all that often, they do happen more frequently there.

The house isn't so much the problem.  We leave the heat on low (or a/c turned up high) so the temperature in the house doesn't get too cold (or hot).  It is also pretty well insulated.  But the cabin is a different story.  The hunters constructed it - out of scraps as they say.  It isn't insulated, and when  they ran water to it after the well, the pipes aren't well insulated.  That means they will break.  Guess how they found that out!

So - they are supposed to be out tomorrow to fix that cut off and hopefully add others so that there isn't only the one.  When G called to make sure they were coming, they said they would rather do it next week.  Well, sorry.  You are in business.  They had a hard freeze last night, so this repair needs to be done.

I thought SIL would be up tomorrow to hunt, but that trip has been postponed.  I volunteered to go (not willingly), and he said it I went, we could stay longer.  Oops - that killed that deal.

So I am here.  I am so enjoying my time, I know I won't get anything done that I had planned.  I will be relishing my peace!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Unwarranted worry

One of the women in the Women's Group at church has the most fabulous outlook on life: don't worry, be happy.

I am really trying to make that my mantra.  Last July when we held the Christmas in July party for the group that ministers to pregnant teens, I was so worried about not having enough food.  We planned for 15.  We had no idea that those girls had been encouraged to bring their families.

Bringing the families that will come is really a great idea, but by the time folks were beginning to arrive, I was already feeling we had been given bad information as it was.  So when groups of four to six began arriving, I was about to be a basket case.

Being a good "Southern Bell,"  one of the worst things I can imagine happening at an affair where there is SUPPOSED to be food, is to run out.  That very thing happened to my SIL and BIL at their daughter's wedding several years ago.  SIL was about to stroke out right there!  Obviously they never got anything to eat at all.  Big bill - no food.  Bad.

Well, at the shower, we not only never ran out of food, we had plenty left!  The next day one of the readings from the Bible was - you guessed it - the story about the loaves and fishes.  Where the deciple asked Jesus how they would ever be able to feed the crowd with the few loaves and fishes - but they did!

Yesterday was the first funeral/memorial service.  Our man who wears many hats (student pastor/worship planner/what ever comes up lost his cousin and aunt (I am still a little confused here).  Since the aunt/grandmother was to become the guardian of the cousin's two children, somehow M ended up with the kids.  As I said, I am still a little confused, but the bottom line was that we, Women's Group, were asked to provide a light lunch after the service for about 50.

OK - no problemo.  I immediately send out an email, and had many responses within 10 minutes.  I knew that would be the case. By Sunday, all was nicely in place.  I felt good about the amount of sandwiches and cookies that had been promised.  We had a good group to set up/serve/clean up.

Come Monday, I find we have plenty of food.  Looks great.  Then the people began arriving.  They came, and came, and came!  Then it was time to feed.  One of our dear ladies was standing there "serving" sandwiches to those coming through the line.  She was not only serving, she was encouraging them to take more food than they would have done if left alone.  I was panicking.  I could see the line wrapping around the corner, and the food was going to disappear.

Do I need to say more?  It was loaves and fishes all over.  Not only was there enough for the mourners, there was food for Pastor and us.  There was food for Pastor to take home for his dinner.  There was food to stuff into 8 take out boxes to give to four of the families.  There were cookies left to send to the elementary school we sponsor so they could sell them at their little carnival that night.

People - there was FOOD!  I couldn't believe it.

So my new mantra:  don't worry, be happy.  It's a good one, and perhaps will help my blood pressure too!

Friday, December 07, 2012

Things around here

The other night (hey, I'm retired - I don't have to remember which day anything happened - after all, they are pretty much all the same), I came down the stairs after spending a lot of time and thread working on what I thought was a really cute, free design to put on a shirt for Lady Bug.  I was disgruntled because the thing loks horrid - just a mass of threads, which it almost is.  G made the statement: we have a problem.

Well - that could run the gamut from a broken pipe with water gushing to form a lake in the street to him breaking a fingernail.  So, I bit.  I asked what was wrong.  He quickly replied that we had a bird in the house.

A what??  How did that happen.  His reply was: I dunno.  This is added to the five inch Anole (commonly, and wrongly called a chameleon about these parts) that was at the top of the wall in the breakfast room.  Living with these lizards in these parts is a common thing.  They can get through the smallest openings unnoticed.

Where was the bird?  In the living room.  Last he saw of it was in one of my silk ficus dust catchers.  So I went in.  No, it was in my Christsmas kissing ball that stays up all year (not supposed to, just has).  When I moved toward it, then it flew into the wet bar.

As we would get closer, it would fly more.  To cut to the chase, we ended up with the doors open, the cat in the utility room (very mad about it), and us waving our arms like fools to try to get it back outside. Oh, by the way, it was a wren of some sort.  I am not an bird watcher.  Last I saw of the bird was in the curtain topper in the den.  And literally that was the last I saw of it.

I don't know if perhaps we inadvertently killed  the poor little thing trying to get it out of the topper or if it found whatever way it came in to get out.  I will be taking the curtains down today (since it was vividly brought to me that they, too, are dust catchers).  I just hope I don't find a little body.

In other news, my Kindle Fire, which is my Christmas present, arrived the other day too.  I. Love. It.   Already I am madly in love with that thing.   BUT - it surely eats up the power in its battery.  But we will learn to live in peace.  I just know it.  Once I am not trying to find out all it does, we will get along just fine.

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

I wish I were a millionaire

And not just for the usual greedy reasons - although it would make life so much easier.

I wish I had an unlimited supply of money because I see so many in need.  Not only to I see people in need, but, as you probably have deduced, I see animals in need.  Both break my heart.

In today's paper, one of out billionaire sports figures (since I am not into sports I don't know/remember which team of what sport) took the children in Children's Protective Service to the big box toy/baby store.  He gave them a shopping basket, and let them get as many toys and the like as then could in somethings like 80 seconds.  The cost to him was something like less than $20,000.  Sounds like a bundle, but he certainly can afford it.  He also included a game console and a couple of games for each child.

I thought that was great.  Not only did those children get some toys, but I think they had a great time.  I would imagine that it was great fun to run through this big store.

My sewing club is taking in items for the veterans who have returned with severe wounds.  This group provides the basic toiletries and so on for the vets, but they also have things for the families.  I have some toys to take for that group.

Our women's group has a couple of things we want to do.  Last year we helped a group who works with teen girls who have found themselves pregnant.  The group works hard to be sure the girls complete school, and more importantly, don't get pregnant again.  This group is sometimes the only support these girls get.

There are so many other causes out there.  I give money to the Boxer rescue (go figure since that's where I got Simone), but the SPCA needs so much help too.  Well - there are a bunch of rescue groups around here I would love to support.  In fact there is one in little town by the SSB I try to help.

So this was a rather nonsensical post.  Sounds like - well I don't know what.  It is just what is on my mind today.  I guess I am partially "inspired" by the season and the fact that our assistant/student pastor is taking his second (third) cousins into his family home.  It is a girl 9 and a boy 16.  Their mother was going to die from cancer.  The grandmother was going to be their guardian -all set.  She suddenly died before Thanksgiving from pneumonia.  Life really can hit with a sucker punch - right?

So enough spewing without much thought.  Have a great day, and help someone who needs it.

Sunday, December 02, 2012

Changes

Here is it - almost 2 pm.  I was supposed to be sitting selling all kinds of things - clothes pin holders, tea light covers, little girls' dresses, those blasted purses that I thought would sell and haven't, aprons, and other thingies for Christmas.  You see what I am doing.  Right - I am sitting here on the computer in my breakfast room.

My friend, new crafting partner, fellow church member has had a terrible month.  They had planned to have some things to sell.  Her parents are both demented and her mother is so very frail.  She would have helped me, but I cannot be so crass as to use her for just manual labor to set up and tear down and yet make no money.  So I pulled the plug.

Last night I went to the craft room to put away the mess.  Of course, Uverse crapped out on us yesterday.  I was headed out to the Women's Group Christmas lunch, and G had no tv.  You should know by now, he has  no skill with doing things like that.

I had the brilliant idea to bring a wireless receiver in here to attach to the big tv.  Didn't work.  To cut to the chase here, we got in a huge argument, I left late for the lunch (mad as a hornet), and repair was called.

When repair got here, the tv worked great.  He wanted to check the others.  One is in the craft room.  Need I say more there??  The other was in the bedroom where things are disorganized (to say the least) and I had thrown things to get to the receiver.  In other words, a mess also.  I was not a happy camper.  But FIVE more months, that's all that's on the contract.  Yea!

A side note.  I think Shadow has a death wish.  Simone is good with him, but he is going too far!  She had her night time cookie that she gets after going out to take care of business.  She was going between the two chairs to get to the hall where she habitually eats them.  That stupid cat jumps on her back!!  He rides her all the way to the hall.  I am surprised we still have a black cat.  I guess I need to go to Daughter's house to get Angelica to teach that cat another lesson!  He will be on the china cabinet again!

Friday, November 30, 2012

Bad Grandma

Several days ago, I told Daughter I would keep the two younger ones while she and Lady Bug went to the first night of the swim meet (that I will talk about later).

She called last night to see how I was doing.  Well, since Simone looked ready to spew again, and I was having the rumbly tumbly again, I said not well.  It was then she reminded me of my promise.  She decided that the kids wouldn't be coming here.

I have to admit.  Even though my guilt was palpable, I was not disappointed that I wouldn't be picking the kids up from school and keeping them for about four hours.  The way I feel right now I think I could do it.  Simone seems to be ok, but that is a tenuous condition with her.

I love those kids, but they can be quite a drain.  At their house, they own the TV.  That isn't true here.  The Disney Channel drives me absolutely nuts. Plus they want to watch those pre-teen sit-coms.  Have you ever sat through even 10 minutes of that stuff?  Horrible.

So, the title "Bad Grandma" is a true fit.  I really am not up to it.

I also wonder if I am up to the craft show this weekend.  This is the only one I do these days.  And it is only 4 hours - 5 if you count set-up.  The swim meet means that Daughter and LB won't be able to help - because of the swim meet that lasts three days.  My new "partner" has her hands full with her aging parents who are both exhibiting severe signs of dementia.  She emailed me with the fact she and her daughters don't have much to add to the sale.

I am about to email her to ask if she just wants to pull the plug.  I know she would like to get into the craft shows to add to her income - especially when she retires.

Don't know what I want to do.  To top it all off, the coordinator of the craft show is changing how we check in and set up.  I had the other way down pat.  Now I am not sure if I can handle this way.

Oh, decisions!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Oh - surprise!

I was whining saying that my arthritis was really getting me down.  How I didn't want to do anything, slept on the couch under a throw and all.  Well - it wasn't my arthritis.

With six little petri dishes around me for Thanksgiving, I believe they shared their gift with me.  Night before last, I became really gassy (TMI - sorry).  Well about midnight all that changed, and that end of my body kept me really busy all night.

Yesterday was some better, but today ..  Well let's just say things don't look promising for any shopping trips.

I hate this.  I really haven't gotten sick in ages.  I don't like being sick. I try to stay away from sick people.  As I was telling Daughter about my lament, she was saying they were rather rumbly in the tumbly also.  But then, that entire family always has whatever someone else has.  I swear SIL tries to have menstrual migranes also.  If she gets a headache - he has one too.  So I have a gastric problem - they have one too.

So it looks like I will be close friends with "john" again today.  I would take something, but it is best to let it all work its way out.  So I will let it do just that.

Now that I have shared yet another secret of my life with you, I shall leave you.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Zero, zip, zilch

That's what I accomplished today.  This is one of the few Texas days that is chilly and cloudy.  I don't know if it is all in my head or a true disorder, but my arthritis has been screaming today.  I have done something that I haven't done in ages - slept on the couch with a throw over me.

When I get like this, my body tells me that it wants to submerge in a tub of HOT water.  Well - I can't do that.  Since the new knees, I can't get on my knees in the tub.  And since my legs are really rather weak, and I have sciata, I have to get on my knees to get out.  So a+b= no soaking.

Ah, another day of whining.  Let me look, I'll bet I have some cheese around here.  Would make a nice snack.

Lasr night I slept on the tempurpedic again, but it didn't ease my back.  I also didn't take the drugs because I was hoping for some relief.

It is so good to be home,  I just can't keep from saying that.  It isn't really all that different from the SSB, except it is home.  A place I haven't been around for long.

I nearly have all the Christmas shopping done.  I was able to go to the only major toy store left to get the youngest shopping from their wish list.  The older ones - Daughter always buys extra, so I benefit there.  I even took advantage of a Cyber-Monday sale last night to get my Kindle Fire.  It was $30 off.  So that meant I could get the cover.

So - I guess I did get something done after all!

Monday, November 26, 2012

OMG!!!!

We walked in the house about 4:15 this afternoon.  This is after being gone for ten (10) days.  It is soooo nice to be home - even though the SSB is a home, but still.

A few minutes ago (6:45) G asked me when we were going back.  Originally it was after Christmas.  I was on board with that.  Then he said "that's over 4 weeks,  I don't want to wait that long.  SIL was talking about Dec 12 for a trip for he  and his friend (the contractor for all of us when we need him).  So G said he was thinking about the 10th to 17th so we would be back for Daughter's birthday.

I  finally told him I am sick and tired of travel.  I have had it.  Stick a fork in me, I am done.   And I am.  We have been gone way too much in the last two months.

I also feel better about my decision.  I did leave it open.  I can change my mind if I want.  Right now - I doubt it!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

"Ear Worm"

Yesterday, as the last ones were pulling out early, an old Roy Clark song kept running through my head.  It was "Thank God and Greyhound You're Gone."  Now I really don't mean to be that glad, but it was really good to see the last of the crew leave.  They are the older grandkids, and really have settled down, but still I am used to a quiet place.  And it wasn't.

Lady Bug got her mom and me to take her out driving.  The first place we chose really wasn't good.  Way too close to the house and other cars.  The private road to our road is too small, and the cattle guard at the top of the hill is one I don't like driving through.  It is NARROW!  So we took her to the county road.  She did so well.

Of course, at almost 12 the hormones are raging.  She was furious with Dad and Brother because they were out doing things (forgot about the driving, eh), and she didn't get to shoot the .22.  Lots of tears,  Glad I don't have to deal with that daily.

This evening has been spent washing most of the dirty clothes.  I will wait until the next time to pull sheets and wash them.   So glad the septic system cooperated.  Of course, and this is probably TMI, DIL was being visited by her monthly friend.  I am afraid the tampons went down.  I didn't know that fact until they were gone.

So another Thanksgiving has come and gone.  It was good.  Don't get me wrong.  But I am glad we won't be here for the holiday next year.  The house is just too small, but it's Louisiana for son's family next year. So there wouldn't be a large number here.

As for my internet capabilities here.  Frankly and honestly, satellite almost bites the big one.  Sorry - not a nice way to put it, but I am very disappointed,  Most of the time I have been blocked out of things - especially Facebook.  Not a happy camper here.   Last month I thought it worked better.,  Then I thourhg it was all the I-phones and the like pulling the siignal, but it should be great now.  And it's not.

But homeward bound tomorrow!!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Oh thankful Thanksgiving is over

Beginning Wednesday, we had the houseful. Things went fairly well although I was "walking on eggshells" because Monday night, when  Simone decided  to have one of her spells always puts me on edge.

The first wave got here about 12:30 Wednesday morning.  I had given up waiting because  I was sleep deprived from staying up with Simone Monday night.  We didn't hear them at all, but Shadow was freaked out again.  For some reason, he didn't come in the bedroom before we closed the door.  He really didn't expect "company" to come in.

Wednesday we went to town to leave a mattress set that will be given to a family that lost everything in a fire.  That gave the kids time to play in the park and things like that.

The other group was here when we got back.  That's when the noise really started.  Between children crying for whatever reason, the baby screaming to get attention, the real noise came from my darling daughter.  She has always been loud, but oh. my. gosh.  She  was above ever one else.  For  better or worse, when she gets on her kids, she is loud.  She gets louder.

The problem with Simone is that probably she was badly abused.  When I used a certain tone around her, she will hide.  Daughter uses this tone with her kids a lot.  I know that upset Simone.  I thought I had Simone  drugged enough to not let this bother her, but no.

As I was trying to get the rest of the dinner ready yesterday, they brought all the kids in.  The noise level was so high, Daughter was very loud, and, you guessed it, Simone spewed again.

Needless to say, I wasn't in a very good mood yesterday.  I hated to be that way, I am sure I wasn't a very warm  loving mother/mother-in-law/grandmother.  When I am on edge - I am not a great person at all.  Things really bother me.

But - half are now gone, all the dinner pressure is over and things are becoming more normal.  Hopefully all the nausea is over.  I drugged her food this morning, and probably will again this evening!!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Remember me??

Um, hi.  My name if Grandma K.  I come around here sometimes.  At least I used to be a regular visitor.  Lately I haven't been doing much of anything blog worthy since most of my time has been spent slaving over a hot embroidery machine.  I only had a few days to get all my battery operated tea-light covers done for the craft show that comes up on the 2nd of December.

So did I finish - in  a word no.  Why do I suddenly have time away from the machine - simple - I am away from the machine, house, and city.  Yep, we are at the SSB.  That means no machine.  I also didn't bring anything that I could use the plain machine here to work on.  I really won't have time.

Nothing like turning to one's poor little ignored blog to keep from doing a deep cleaning of floors to get ready for the crawler grand kids.  We have been here since Friday, and I have used every excuse to not do the floors until now.  Well, time is up.  The first wave of kids/grandkids arrive tonight.  Late tonight.

For two and a half days there will be between 12 and 13 of us in this house.  Oh, and plus Simone and Shadow.  In honor of the occasion Simone decided that last night was a good night for her periodic vomiting events.  Hopefully she got it out of her system.  She spewed for the first time at 9:30.  That was after I noticed her beginning her licking (and drooling) and stuffed her anti-nausea pill and benedril down her throat. Of course, they were in perfect condition.

She kept being upset until about midnight. We went to bed, but she was still restless.  And Mr Personality had a temper-tantrum over the whole thing because he wanted to get up at 5 to go hunt.  So I slept fitfully all night.  I had to be up early because they were coming to do the annual heater check between 8:30 and 9.  Wonderful!

That is the extent of my adventures over the last 9 or so days.  Really exciting times, right??  The upside of all this is we have at least some venison for sausage this year.  And I had to do my part.  That was getting my feet into my boots which isn't a pretty action.  My new knees don't push like they should, but I managed so I could get into the mule to go pick up the buck.

I doubt I will be back before Saturday - if then.  So have a great Thanksgiving.  As trying as it will be, it will be great to have the family together for Thanksgiving.  I wish my niece were going to be able to get here before Friday so that ALL the kids could interact.  The extended family hasn't been together in so many years.  I guess that's what happens as families grow and age.  Sad.

Peace.  (and time to chase dust bunnies)

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Probably a mistake

We have many school age children in our church.  I don't know about your schools in your locality, but around these parts - they have fund raisers.  And they have fund raisers upon fund raisers.  Plus their extra things have fund raisers.  You know - the junk that the kids are rallied to sell to win prizes that in actuality come from Oriental Trading or the Dollar Store.  The ones they have to sell $1000 in merchandise to get a pencil eraser.  Yeah.  Well we have them.  ALL the kids have them.

So why am I saying that this situation is a probably mistake.  Well - simple.  One of our new members who is still being courted thinks she is the only one whose kid sells crap I guess.  She had her daughter bring her fund raiser TO CHURCH this morning.

The probably mistake here is Sister Pastor actually being one of those who bought from this child.  That opens Pandora's box in my eyes.  Ok - all the kids line up with their various wrapping papers, junky jewelry, tamales (that's a new one this year), candy, and on and on.  We will get Sister Pastor to buy your junk.

When I was teaching (yeah, here we go), I learned early on not to participate in the Girl Scout cookies and so on.  You would be surprised how they came out of the woodwork.  The real eye-opener was when my students would hit me up with the school fund raiser junk!  I could see my having to buy from 150 kids.

SO I have ranted about this now and gotten it off my chest.  And, so like the talking heads on the TV who have to explain news conferences and the like, I will summarize.  I believe Sister Pastor and the others who bought this crap really opened themselves up for something that they will regret - especially since Sister Pastor has school aged children, and this woman was really gutsy to do this.  There is a place for selling fund raisers.  Church is not one of those places.

amen.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Hmmmmm ...

I think we are at the "too much together time" once again.  I am finding myself getting really p*ssed with G.  He was mumbling about no place at the table this morning.  Yeah, it was cluttered.  I will admit it.  Never claimed to have OCD about house keeping.  There is a lot more things in this world.

So I decided to get at picking up the remainder of the mail and junk that has accumulated since our world travel.  As I was going though things, I came to a great realization.  A lot of the crap was crap that you-know-who had just put on the bar or the table.  Hmmm - so I am  not the only one.

As I went on, I found other bits of stuff he had not done anything about.  Just put it on the table or bar.  I don't know what he intends for that stuff.  I AM getting the idea that it is there for me to disposed of.  I didn't know I was the only one who could get rid of stuff.

Speaking of stuff that builds up, are you being caught under an avalanche of paper?  For me it is junk mail and newspapers.  I swear those little pieces of paper are breeding at night.  I know there is more than when I went to bed.

I know it would be a help, and the thing to do, to deal with the junk mail as soon as it hits my hands.  I do - sometimes.  As for the newspapers - I never know when he is through with them.

Enough of that rant and on to another.  My danged embroidery machine has pulled its normal routine.  The clock is ticking.  I have the craft show on the 2nd of December.  We are going to the SSB from the 16th to 26th.  The stupid machine is having a snit fit.  And since the store is recovering from the huge Quilt show here, I know they are backed up in repair.  It will be in the shop for at least two weeks.  Then I am gone for 10 days.  And then - THE SHOW.

It all started with the thread not engaging with the first stitch.  I learned quickly to hold onto the end.  Now it will stitch for five stitches after making a grinding sound and stop.  I have changed needles, bobbins, and bobbin thread.  I don't know what else to do.  Although I will try one more thing - a simple thing like re-threading the machine - before I haul it off.  Bah-humbug!

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

TGIO(over)

Yes - most of the hoopla is now over.  Election day is here, and all the rhetoric should stop.  I HOPE SO.

This blog is not my place to bring in politics.  I do have a stand, but I don't want it brought up here.  The divide in our family is bad enough.  I listen to the arguments at Sunday dinner often enough.  I want a quiet, peaceful place here.

I have come to hate the political system, and I have ranted about that here before.  So that is a dead horse I choose not to beat once again.

I have been forgetting to make a correction.  I should know better than to do this, but I did it.  English has to be one of the most difficult languages to learn.  Spelling at least is difficult for English.  We have too many words that sound alike.  Last week when I was lamenting the hurricane, I realized after I had published it that when I wrote about a pier being washed away, I wrote peer.  Stupid, stupid.  My fingers just completely dislocated themselves from what little brain I have left.  So the wrong word when in there.  I have a mental vision of a person being ripped from the sand and sent into the sea from what I wrote.

It is all to easy when the words are flowing to use the wrong form of two, too, to.  That is just one that easily comes to mind.  Then there is they're, their, there.  See what I mean?

So thank you for not jumping on my mistake.  I make this promise to you:  my repressed English minor with emphasis on grammar will not grade your posts if you don't grade mine.  I especially fear the dreaded :"comma blunder" that would  be an automatic "F!"

Thursday, November 01, 2012

Mornin' all

I am still distressed by the ravaged results of the storm.  My heart goes out to all who suffered such loss.  I can give absolute sympathy.  It is such a helpless feeling, but I know how strong the human spirit it - especially if you live in a coastal area.  Prayers of healing to you all.

In other things - my mind is still not fully back home.  I still can't believe we are home for a three weeks.  Yesterday I went upstairs to work on a lovey I promised a neighbor at the SSB.  I completely forgot she had asked for it for a friend.  I gave her one for her granddaughter.  It is the favorite toy.  So, got that done.  Then I began working on the battery operated tea light covers for the craft show here in our little village.  Hope it doesn't snow/rain/or knee surgeries this year!

I am finally doing laundry today - for me.  I am ashamed to say that I have enough clothes for three weeks - well actually two I guess since I have a complete wardrobe at the SSB - and still have clean clothes for this week at least..  Yet - I still say the old thing of "I don't have anything to wear. Need to get over that!

I laugh at G when we travel however.  He leaves with two suitcases - one not completely filled.  He returns with two empty suitcases, but a plastic bag for clothes worn for almost each day we have been gone.  I don't know what he thinks will happen if something that has been worn dares to touch anything not worn.  My clothes don't get THAT dirty.  Plus I travel with clothes packed into the zippered bags that bedding and the like comes in.  I realize you have to plan and RE-FOLD your used clothes rather than wadding it into the little plastic laundry bags from the hotel, but it works.  I just laugh when we get home.  The back of the Highlander was filled with little plastic bags!

I have finally succeeded in going through all the mail that had piled up.  Guess where most of it went - the recycling, trash, or was shredded.  Very little of it was important.

There was one that was important.  We had Vivint as an alarm company for two years.  I planned to keep them for only two years because I feel as though I was duped by their high pressure salesman who, I thought, didn't really represent himself well.  At the time I had Brinks.  I thought he was from Brinks.  So I sucked it up - and continued for the duration of the contract.

At the end - we called to cancel.  They kept us on hold for over 30 minutes.  We called back and finally talked to someone.  They said send a fax.  We sent a fax.  Then it was send a letter.  We sent a letter.

Having real suspect thoughts about the company, I went to the bank and paid to have the automatic debit from the bank account stopped because it was too close to bill time.  We then went ahead to have another system put in.  While that was going on, we got a phone call from Vivint that the alarm was sounding.  I told them that we cancelled their system, and yes - it was being ripped out to be replaced.

Then a paper bill came.  So we send another letter - registered mail.  When we got home from the SSB, there it was - another bill.  For over $150.  I called.  The first person I talked to denied hearing from us at all.  The second admitted there was a call - no letters, no fax.  Then he said that the contract had the date of July 10 as the last time to cancel the August 10 date which was the end of the contract.  He wanted me to try to get out of our new contract so he could cut me a deal.  In other words - I was in another two year contract like it or not.  I told him with the way their company works I would never go back to them.

As it ended up, it was that I would be turned over to a collection agency.  I told him to go right away and do that.  My credit is exemplary and his little piddling report would  not hurt me.  Besides, I don't plan to purchase something where my credit report is important!

Then yesterday another branch of that company called.  She wanted to work out a payment plan or something.  I tried to be as polite as possible telling her that I realized she was only the messenger, but I was so angry with her company I could not be very civil.  I told her also to go right ahead to do what she had to do because they would not get one penny from me.  Then I told her they could sue my estate when I died since I am 67 year old cancer survivor.  Good luck!

So if you want an alarm - please be sure you go with a big company.  They don't do this sort of thing.  I had heard of a case here where the consumer was promised the company was nation wide since he would be moving out of state.  They don't cover his new area and are .... wait for it ... demanding payment for the remainder of the contract.  I can't remember the resolution of that one - wish I did.  Wouldn't surprise me if it weren't Vivant!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Sad things

I have been pretty much a hermit while we have been here.  I have been reading the book that is the study at church group that I was included in.  Still not doing all the things it suggests.

I am so distressed about the hurricane.  I have been watching the news.  This morning there was a report from Kill Devil Hills.  Damage there.  I wondered what would happen to those $800,000 beach houses.  Well - we are finding out.  One public peer is gone, and many of the houses are being greatly damaged.  What is this thing was a direct hit?

I guess I am glad we went when we did.  The area isn't going to be the same.

Went to the little church yesterday.  It was Reformation Day - a big day in the Lutheran Church.  I was missing the Octoberfest dinner at our church.  I was surprised they had a pot-luck after church.  It was insisted by all that we go.

I sat with my distant cousin that still lives here.  His wife told me he has dementia.  My heart just broke for her.  She is having a very hard time with it.  She said she gets angry with him for the things he does - then realizes he can't help it. I feel so sorry for them.

Another friend/relative is ill.  I don't know what is going on, but he is pretty elderly.  He has been healthy because he lives the hard life of a rancher!

Old Blue (daughter's Dodge that lives here now) broke part of his transmission.  He will not be able to go into 4-wheel now.  We are going to see what we can do the next time we are here.  At least we found the part - as I related last post.

So tomorrow - HOME!!! Home for 20 days.  I cannot believe it.  Of course, I will be sewing my fingers off (or the big machine will be working at full tilt rather) to get ready for the early December craft show - that is if it doesn't snow again this year!

Peace.

Friday, October 26, 2012

WHO STOLE THOSE THREE DAYS??

Wow, I don't know where those days went, well, I guess I do.  After the five to six hour trip to get here, I don't usually feel like sitting down to relate my exciting life.  Then the next day, we go to Fredericksburg for provisions.  I don't haul a week's worth of food.  That is just too much, so we go grocery shopping then have lunch.  This time we needed to buy a ladder because our neighbor, who owns anything and everything that has to do with hardware and had the BIG ladder, had the nerve to go to Sanderson to work on his property there.  AND he took his big ladders!! The very idea.

So we bought this huge ladder - I think probably a twelve footer, but I no longer get involved with that stuff. Then it was back to the grocery store to get corn to go in my house feeder.  It lasts about 10 days there. What, you see something different about buying corn at the grocery?? Yes, it is a tad unusual.  Their corn is even apple flavored.  Don't ask.

When we came home, I began reading the book for church.  I didn't know I was going to be included in the "church leader study" because I didn't know I was a church leader - that is until I had to write a report for the annual meeting describing what the women's group has done and where we are going.  I was positive instead of complaining "if you b*tches don't get to the meetings, we are going to fold!"  Enough of that.

When I found this book was really about "the e word" (evangelism), I almost said that I appreciated being considered, but I don't do evangelism.  Nope - not me.  So then I started reading.  This book is really about "the p word" that is almost as scary to me with the exception that I can do this in private - alone, quietly.  I am referring to prayer.  This book is teaching us how to pray effectively.  By enriching out prayer life as individuals and as a congregation we will be doing evangelism thus increasing our numbers in church.

Well - I was afraid of this book.  I am not into those evangelist you see on tv.  I usually do not like books about evangelism and prayer.  We Lutherans are a staid bunch.  We kind of stick to ourselves.  In fact, as with my little church in San Antonio where is first became an organist, and G and I were married, they stayed to themselves so much that the church finally became just old people and didn't have enough people to keep the congregation going.

Well, the book isn't too scary.  In fact, it is interesting.  We have prayer partners, and mine is our Associate in Ministry who is a lovely person.  We talk by phone.  Last night it was my turn to pray.  Hey - I don't pray extemporaneously regardless - especially with one "of the cloth."  I know I am not alone in this.  When I talked to daughter who went to Monday's meeting - there are a lot of the group who feel that way!

Anyway - to Wednesday.  We have SIL S and Daughter's old(ish) Dodge truck up here as a farm truck.  It has not been well taken care of - surprise.  We decided to take it to the little store to get more corn, and have lunch at the referbed restaurant.  We got on the county road, and it began making a horrible noise.  We ascertained that  it had something to do with moving.  It wasn't the a/c fan or anything like that.  We drove about seven miles  when G decided we would turn around to come home because we had no idea what was goiing on.  About 500 yards after turning around, there was a soft bump and the noise stopped.

I thought something had fallen out, so we turned around, driving slowly up the road.  Fortunately we were on the paved part.  After a bit, we found a part on the road.  I looked closely at it, and I could see scrape marks on it.  So that was obviously what was making the noise, but what was this part??

The manufacturer was nice enough to put a part number on it.  I came hope and used my (WONDERFUL) internet to look it up.  It is the gear shift retainer rod.  So now we know what it is, and I think it must be pretty important, but what do we do now???  I need to do more searching for this question.  There is always something.

I would check with our Mr Fixit neighbor, but they left today to go to the Houston area.  We retired people need to  stay in one place for longer periods of time!!

Peace.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Completing the trip in a whirl

This is partially because I have forgotten a lot of the trip.  Sensory overload and all!!

During the days we spent in Kill Devils Hill, we went to Cape Hatteras.  G wanted to see the light house.  Guess what - it was closed for the season.  This is not a cause for distress however.  There is no way in h*ll he would be climbing a light house that is the equivalent of a twelve story building.  And you know I didn't even begin to envision that!  I was amused by the warnings in the park paper however.  Eat before you go (why - makes the vomit more exciting), and take water because there is none available and the light house is dank and dark.

That was an interesting trip.  The road work there was to keep the dunes from covering the road.  And they were about to!!

Next day we went to the Wright Memorial.  The park was right across the street from our hotel.  I thought we would just drive through.  Silly me!!  Why no - we did drive around the memorial itself.  I got a picture that isn't as good as I wanted.  They had kites flying in front of the memorial.  Now these weren't the little balsa wood things that I had as a kid.  These were huge!!  One was a boat being chased by three or four sharks.  Another was a huge crab - that didn't fly really well.  I was far more interested in those kites.

Anyway - we got out at the museum.  I let G tour, and I went back outside to watch - what else - the kites.  Then I read the brochure about the grounds.  I saw the places where they flew the plane, and how each trial went further and further.  It was neat.

That afternoon we went to where the first colony was.  Raleigh's colony I believe.  Anyway it is where the first child was born on American soil.  Of course, this settlement disappeared.  No trace at all.

We then set out for Charleston where I was to meet Judy.  It was a wonderful visit with her.  The next morning we drove around historic Charleston.  Beautiful.

It was on to Savannah.  We left the freeway exactly where G wanted to do one tour.  I tried to get him to do the tour then, but...   Well, let's just say like usual, I didn't get listened to.  We got fairly lost - again because I wasn't listened to -  trying to find the hotel.  We were in the historic section.  The next morning we went to the 8th Air Force museum because his dad was in that.  Nice museum.  The film presentation was very moving.

The next day it was the trolley tour of the historic area.  I really enjoyed that.  It looked like the railroad museum (where we were on that first day) looked to be close to the hotel, so I suggested he ride the trolley there and just walk back to the hotel.  I got off across the street.  It wasn't close!

Then on to Mobile for the night, and early the next morning home - for the night,

The next morning off to San Antonio for his 50th high school reunion.  All in all, that was good fun - even if the only other person I knew there was his cousin.  The other two had already passed.

And now I have had one night at home, and will be here tonight.  Then it's the SSB.  Ok.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

We interrupt this travelogue

Yes - for a whine session.  So far - we completed the trip to the Outer Banks.  We made the trip for the 50th reunion.  We still have the trip to the SSB (Stings, sticks, or bites rancho) to go.

During this I have missed at least these things:  my sewing group, my women's group, and we will miss Octoberfest at church which the women's group is organizing.

I am sick to death of being in a moving vehicle.  I am sick to death of classic rock on the satellite radio.  I am sick to death of not being able to get white noise going in the room where I sleep.  I am sick to death of sharing a bathroom with a bathroom hog.  I am sick to death of sharing suitcase space with a suitcase space hog.  I am pretty sick of traveling with that travel mate!

If I never have a month like this again, it will be too soon.

I stated at the beginning that this was not my idea of fun.  It was put off that I was the one who wanted to go on this vacation.  There is a seed of truth there.  I did want to go to the Outer Banks.  It was quite beautiful.  But what I wanted to do more was to take the train to NYC and that part of the East.

I will mention this part again later when I continue to talk about "what I did on my fall vacation," but I will mention it here too.  The side trip to Charleston to see my internet friend Judy was quite a treat.  It was the first time I have gotten to meet a fellow blogger - at least one that I didn't know before.  She is a really great person, and I am so glad there is this thing called internet that has the ability to bring people from all over the world together to become friends - even virtual friends.  It was so great to meet the flesh and bone friend!  Love ya' Judy!

And so I will close this little whine session.  Next week will be a bit more usual, even if I am not here in the main residence that I have missed so much.  I can get back to normal a little.  I will also have room to be alone for a while.  It won't be as good as being able to go upstairs into my own personal space, but at least it isn't a little hotel room.  That was something I loved about the place in Kill Devil Hills.  It was like a one-bedroom apartment!

Enough of this - peace.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Next installment

How many days have we been gone?  I do not know!!  It is time things become a blur.  That happens to me when we travel.  I don't really remember what I posted last, and I am too lazy to go back to look.  Great blogger, right??

Our room here in Kill Devil Hills is just fantastic.  The only drawback is that we are nestled so tightly in the building that my cell doesn't work.  The Atlantic is out our patio door, so I KNOW there are no cell towers there.  I knew there was a reason to have a prepaid calling card!  One of the little things you think you no longer need with cells.

Today we went to the lighthouse at Cape Hatteras.  Very nice trip.  I was amused at the road work.  They were putting the dunes back in place.  I was amazed at how little road work we had met.

Then we went to Fort Raleigh.  I am so stupid - I didn't realize how close we were to where our ancestors started in this country.  In fact, we are in the middle of some of the places.  G's ggggg(?)grandfather arrived in this country in 1660, and after he served as a slave (indentured servant to pay his way) he moved to North Carolina.  It's been too long since I have done the genealogy.  If I had remembered - this trip would be different.

Tomorrow we will go to the Wright part of the Park system, and then to see the biggest sand dune.  Sunday it will be off to Charleston to meet Judi!  Yea!  Can't wait.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Travelogue days 3,4

The second half of the Trace was really beautiful.  The difference between the ecosystems from the beginning - swamp to the end - deciduous forest on uplifts was fantastic.  I loved getting into Tennessee.

We have been to Tennessee before, but I had forgotten a lot.  I didn't realize how mountainous it is.  That is probably because when we came in off the Trace - we were on mountain tops.

We maneuvered through Nashville well, got to Crossroads.  We have stayed in the same chain for three of the four nights.  Last night was the worst.  Don't get me wrong - not terrible.  It just didn't measure up.  It was an older property.

When we got in the room - we realized that the room darkening drapes did just that!  We couldn't see a thing.  I felt like we were in a cave.  After being there for a bit - the room was COLD!.  That is really something for me to admit.  I like cold rooms - especially for sleeping!  Hang meat = wonderful sleep.

We seem to have the luck of the draw with views however.  We love Chicago.  The first two times, we stayed at the same hotel and we had a nice view - street, NBC building, etc.  The last time - we were on the air shaft.  Not so nice,

This hotel last night - we overlooked a roof.  Just another wonderful view to add to our list.

Tonight we have a great view.  We are on the court yard.  The down side is that we are on the first floor - so no open window covering.  Oh - in Raleigh.

We got here at 5:30 - 6.  TRAFFIC!!!  Almost as bad as Swampland.

Short trip tomorrow.

Monday, October 08, 2012

October 2012 Travelogue Days 1-2

Leaving Swampland was very uneventful. We were away by ten, and the trip was very uneventful.  We traveled through all of Louisiana to out destination of Natchez.  I was really amazed - and not much in travel really amazed me these days -  when we hit the Mississippi River.  Louisiana is flat.  Let's face it - it is.  Along with most of east Texas.  There was Natchez up on a hill in front of us!  Wow.  What a change.

We stayed right there on the bank of the river.  It was ok.  If you can take all the snoring from someone - no names listed.  And that's another whole story.  Anyway, 8 am came really early!!  I mean really!

From there we hit the Natchez Trace.   Really pretty, but ...  Let's face it - it is basically a forest broken by some fields that have had hay harvested from them.  It is a 50 mph speed limit.  I do like that, and the Highlander loves it.  The mileage computer just going up and up.  We ended at 28.3.

We arrived here in Tupelo - at rush hour.  We had no clue where we were going.  I thought about using the car's navigation system, but we (I) have never had much luck with that, so I turned to my phone.  That was even through the driver said it wasn't necessary.  Oh. Yes. It. Was.  I was not going to listen to the rants and raves about not knowing where to turn.  We got here with only one turn because between the rudimentary map posted by the hotel on their site, and the confusing last part of my navigation system, we turned into the wrong driveway.

Would I get blamed for mis-turns?  You betcha skippy.  The Trace was closed for a section.  The ranting was where do we go - where are the signs and on and on.  I made the suggestion that we stay on the main highway we had been routed on.  NO - we should be here.  Guess what. Nope.  We were routed right  back onto that highway.

As we went on - there were big, lighted signs with the way to go to get back.  He. Never.  Listens.  Or.  Believes. What. I. Say.  And he will argue to the death with me over it.  I just quietly gloat!

So tomorrow - back on the Trace - to Crossville, Tennessee.

Friday, October 05, 2012

Breast cancer awareness

I have never hidden the fact that I am a survivor when I write here.  It is part of me and part of my writing about my life. But that isn't the way things are in my life.  When I was first diagnosed, I didn't want many people to know.  I have no idea why I reacted that way.  For the most part I didn't want my family telling anyone.

I have hated Breast Cancer Awareness  month for five years now.  It was a month long minder of what I had gone through, and a reminder of the fact I went for so many years without exams and mammograms.  October was a month of sheer hell for me.  Constant reminders everywhere I turned.

I don't know why this year is different, but I wore pink when we went out for our pedicures, and a trip to the grocery store.  I really wasn't publicizing the fact that I was a survivor, although if anyone looked closely at my necklace, they would have seen the pink heart with the metal ribbon on it and the drop with the saying of what can cancer do.

My pink wasn't the  baby pink associated with breast cancer awareness.  No, I was in hot pink and a pink floral print blouse - but unlike previous years, I did wear pink.  This year, for some reason, things are different.

I still do not want SIL's parents to know about my cancer.  I still have that hang up, and I don't know why.  His mother is slowly wasting away from end stage renal failure.  She never took care of her diabetic condition.  The end surely isn't that far away for her.  I understand it's dialysis 6 hours a day, five days a week.  But I don't want them to know.  They have always hated us so much.  I guess I don't want them to know there is any weakness here.

So on Breast Cancer Awareness Day, I did don pink.  In small ways, I let the world see signs of my survivor-ship.  Who knows, next year I may wear a large pink ribbon that says survivor on it. 

Thursday, October 04, 2012

So - the trip is on

We leave on Sunday.  To give a thumbnail - Sunday is Natchez, MS.  Then we follow the Natchez trail going to Tupelo, Crossville, Raleigh, and ending in Kill Devils Hill, North Carolina.  We will stay there for a few days, and return through Savannah, and perhaps Charleston.  Charleston is looking more iffy (it's becoming another NYC).  Then home through Mobile.

I am trying to be positive, but...

I had another eye injection today.  This one hurt!  I went to a different office so that I could get it done before "The Trip."  I don't believe there were any changes from last month, so I go again next month.

The good news today is that we will not be leaving the state again until next September.  So that was positive.

I am organizing the Women's Group for an October Fest dinner - on the 28th.  I won't be here - again.  It sounds like fun.  So did the Marti Gras - that I missed too.

Enough moaning and groaning - I will close now - especially G is talking to me and expecting me to listen to his political rants.

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Over the past weekend

Our Women's Group at church decided we would provide the "goodies" to go with the ever-present Lutheran coffee for church on the fifth Sundays.  And last Sunday was one of those days.  Since the fact of that cropped up BETWEEN monthly meetings, we scrambled.  In place of "we" read "I" scrambled.  And, of course, as happens when something is going on with the group - I was out of town.

So I started with the emails.  And then all hell tried to break loose.  And what a story.

I have written about our Pastor before.  Really he is generally a great guy, but I really believe the fact that he is a 30 something bachelor does hamper his "pastoring" a bit.  Sometimes he doesn't realize the pressures of family, and he really doesn't understand women.  I don't know if he would understand us any better if he were in a relationship with one of us or not, but I do think it would force a different level of maturity on him.

We have a family of women (mother and two daughters) with whom I am very close.  For some reason, perhaps because they are strong, strong women, P doesn't like them.  It is so obvious in the manner in which he treats them (the ones that were in the chair thing) .  So this is a bit of history that is important here.  They elected to take the month of September off.  They needed to get their house (another story) ready to sell, and living with her parents, they were cleaning up that house too.

SO - when my last email went out to all the women, S said they would cut the trip short.  They planned to take her parents to Orange, Texas so her mom could place flowers on graves there.  They would bring treats and clean up after all services were over because they had been scheduled to usher and no one would change with them.

One of our wing-nut members wrote an email (reply to ALL) that SHE would be happy to take S's place.  She had tried and tried to talk her out of changing her plans, and she would be delighted to take over since it was her daughter's birthday (?????) and it would be a way of honoring her 8 year old daughter on her birthday (??????).  As I said - wing-nut.

So S replied (to ALL) that wing-nut was so sweet, but WN had not contacted S even once.  The only time S knew of this offer was through the one email to the group.

In the meantime, P began putting emails out with the procedure to follow to change the scheduled service duties.  S, in the same email, informed him she TRIED to contact Pastor-Sister.  There was no help coming forth.

He emailed that she should go ahead, he had found a family, and then he saw Wing Nut had put her two cents worth in.  So he again went through the procedure.

There were about six emails flying about this day.  Daughter (who is on the Board of Elders) complained to Pastor about the emails.  She said they should only involve the individuals.

So I thought everything was settled.  Sunday apparently went off without a hitch.  I was gone after Sunday School.

That was until Monday morning.  When I opened my email, there was one (to the group) from Wing Nut once again saying that there was no worry, she would take all the duties "for Sunday."  I guess she is so clue less that she doesn't realize that emails are time stamped - date and time.  The stamp on hers was October 1, 8:35 am.  Geesh!!!!!!!

Monday, October 01, 2012

What all has happened since the last time

Well - my life has been so interesting - I don't remember!  I know the internet at the SSB issue is resolved - unless it is out when we get there the next time.  I do know that we really can't lease out for cattle again until we block the dish off somehow.  It is attached to the deck (I promise a picture the next time we are there).  It is right at cow scratching height.  And believe me - they live to scratch.

On Wednesday night, we went to the Hilda Happy Hour.  It still cracks me up because all these folks ( and G's relatives) are Methodist.  We, being the rebel Lutherans, aren't doing anything wrong, but those folks - happy hour - with booze!!!  Anyway.  I will no longer bemoan how "out in the sticks" we are.  In comparison to the folks that had the happy hour - we live next to a freeway in a subdivision here in Houston!!!

We knew they lived close to the church (Methodist one).  We knew what road they were off.  Well - they are WAY off that road.  We got on this little cow path with the twin ruts for tires of a vehicle.  Of course, dirt - that's a given in this area.  We drove, and drove.  Finally we came up on the creek bed.  I didn't know it went that way, but I should have.  The one we were following asked us once again if we didn't want to leave the car and ride with her.  We were in the Highlander so I felt we were ok.

Now we didn't just cross this creek, no - we drove down it for about 100 yards.  It was full of pot holes.  I was about to jump out of my skin.  I am NOT adventurous.  We had our neighbor with us.  She pointed out that when the creek is up there is a stake you have to stay to one side of.  At least we could see almost all the rocky bed.

Then it was up the hill.  And drive.  And drive.  And drive.  We past one house - nope not that one.  Finally we go around a curve, and there is a barn and finally the house.

These people really do live out in the sticks.  Now I know why they have a house in the little town.  When the creek us up - there is no getting in or out!

I will never complain about how far out we are nor how rough the county road is.  Never, never again.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Different

I didn't realize how I think of things differently when we are up here.  In town, I keep up with the grandkidlets and the like.  I have to deal with traffic, or the morons when shopping.  Up here, those things are really pretty far from my mind - unless the family is here visiting.

My main thought today is how we get to the social function tomorrow night.  So far we have the directions of go past the church and the house with the red roof - that's where Don lives, and looks for XXXX Road.  Well, on second thought plan to be in that area by 6:15 to follow someone else.

THAT is the big dilemma for today and tomorrow.  So we will do some additional calling around to get directions.

I found that this internet is slower than what I have at home.  I was disappointed not to see the end of that show, but I am going to try again today, this time hooking up the unused tv in the bedroom.  We will see how that works.

The biggest thing that has happened was the tarantula on the back deck.  I know we have all sorts of wild life, but it seldom comes to the house.  But there was that spider in all its glory.  A big question we have is why scorpions love the front deck late at night.

As you see, the problems here are so small.  It is so unlike the times when this area was populated with the German immigrants that were our forefathers.  I think I like today a lot better.  

Monday, September 24, 2012

Really worth it?

I do wonder if my internet access is going to be worth the money.  This much for one week or so a month.  I do know I know how dependent I am on internet.  So I guess it's worth whatever.

After talking to my SIL on Saturday, I really thought of giving up the satellite tv.  She said they are going to some of the services that are available through the internet connection.  I was just about to jump on board with that!  I could save a good deal of money.

So this afternoon, I found the most recent installment of one of my programs.  I had it running though the internet.  Well - satellite internet is not as fast as cable.  It would freeze several times while it was re-loading. I don't think that is going to be for me.

The worth of this is questionable.  The grandkidlets will want to use it for their programs.  I can hear it now when it freezes.  And if it does to them what it did to me - there will be mutiny.  The whole thing quit at the very end of the program.  I will have to get home to see how the winner was!! 

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Happy, Happy - I have internet

They came today!  They came and put up my dish and connected me to the 21st century.  I have internet.

It isn't as fast as what I have at home. This may be a problem at Thanksgiving when all the grandkidlets are here and want to go on line to access Netflix and Hulu.  I think there will be long periods of spooling.  Who knows - they might even be dumped - but it is here!

I really thought it could be installed on the eave next to the satellite tv.  But this dish is huge in comparison - and heavy.  Don't know why, but it is.  so it sits on the front deck - attached to the corner of the deck.  That was better than the roof.

BUT.  I. AM. CONNECTED.  I also have my router - so here I sit in the living room just a'surfin'!


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Well, it's off again tomorrow

We will be going to the SSB tomorrow.  Seriously - I really don't want to go.

One reason is that my insurance for my prescriptions has changed.  I sent in a request last week for one of the prescriptions.  It has not come yet.  I surely don't want it sitting out in the mail box to bake in the sun for a week.  I am getting to the point that I hate mail service for the drugs.  It is so much easier to just go to the pharmacy.

Since I am on Medicare, I qualify for glucose testing supplies.  Well - they are also delivered by mail.  They are supposed to be on the way, but guess what!!!  That's right.  They are not here.

I have another package coming, but sitting in the mail box in the sun won't bother it.  I have treated myself to a new wig.  And I really do need it!  I just want to see it - it is a different brand.  I am curious how it fits and looks.

Last night, finally, was the first in a while we didn't argue.  I guess because I finally yelled back he figured out I had enough.

He decided we take the Highlander this time.  And that's why we got it - so it could go.  BUT - we have a little 5000BTU air conditioner that has been sitting in the garage.  We got it for the lake, and that property is gone.  Last time at the SSB we visited with a cousin and her husband.  They are re-modeling the original house on his grandparent's (now his aunt's) property.  There is a second floor, and they just got it going.  But it is hot up there.  So we offered that little unit.

Now a/c + Highlander (rather than truck) = very little room.  He never thought about that before.  Geesh!

I am wondering if we will finally get our internet.  In fact, I am going to call in a bit.  I just think we won't get it.  I guess Hughes Net doesn't care if they make money or not.  We have been waiting over two months now - if they don't get it done this time, it will be three!  Wonderful.

Perhaps I will be back late Saturday or Sunday.  All depends on that little satellite!

Monday, September 17, 2012

"Answers"

I reported what my friend said about Pastor throwing a chair at her.  Knowing the two of them - I think he probably slid it to her with some force.  She has always thought he had a good heart.  Her family was victims of a home invasion last year.  As soon as he found out - he was there to offer help and/or consolation.  That meant the world to her.

Now as to the chair - he is known for his OCD.  He's picky about the arrangement of the church.  Now you have to realize we are about as far from a traditional Lutheran church as you can get.  We meet in a strip mall.  In fact our space was once a coffee shop, and we haven't made BIG changes.  It is a flexible space, and that meets out needs so well.

They were setting up tables behind the chairs.  He had one idea - and I think he had asked another friend about her idea - and went from there.  Sharon didn't know that, and she had another idea.  Pastor can get bent out of shape along these lines. The hardest feelings came from the fact that even though he lost his temper - he never apologized.  In fact he saw no reason to apologize - from anyone  (??),

Now family dinner - this one's for you JuJu.  I planned pork ribs, potato salad, beans, bread.  I bought two large racks of ribs.  My big eater (SIL) wasn't here after all!  So I have ribs for ever.

Things were going so very well.  The three year old was acting so great.  His "school" is working wonders, and he loves it.  There were no political discussions, and the old bear (G) was in a good mood.  Even Lady Bug, who has "become a woman with a friend that visits" didn't get her feelings hurt and lock herself in the bathroom.  Gotta' love those hormones!

I should have known things were going too well.  Other than dropping a knife on the floor and the knife broke (!!), I thought it was great.  I had to use jelly roll pans for the ribs because I don't have my huge baking pans here.  I was afraid that the liquid that came from the ribs would spill when I tried to get them out, so I got a brilliant idea. I poured the first pan into the stock pot that I used to boil the potatoes.  It worked like a charm.  Then I put the second rack on that pan after cutting the first ones up.  The mistake there was leaving the pan in the oven - even though the oven was off.

That send G into a tizzy (he cleans the kitchen).    Fortunately everyone was gone and didn't witness this one.  But I got so angry at his tone, and smart a*s statement to better coat the pan next time because stuff was burned on that I just left the room.  I was going to close myself in the bedroom, but realized he would be coming in to shower and all.  So I went upstairs and closed the door.

There were other things that irritated me then, but they made me madder because of the primary insult - so..  I am barely speaking to him today.  So that's Family Dinner.

Simone is apparently doing really well.  She has had her food changed once again.  She still loves it.  She really like the changes, but I am always worried when we do that because G just dumps the new on a little of the old - not gradually changing the food.  But she seems so be good.  We will be taking her to the SSB this week, so we will see.  This time I will be armed with all sorts of meds though.  Benedryl, her tranquilizer,  her motion sick pill, and of course her old lady pill that curtails the urine leakage.

This morning I got to have more labs done.  Had some last week, and in my passive-aggressive way I didn't schedule a follow up appointment,  We'll see if the GP calls and demands I come it!!  But today I had to go for the Nephrologist.  I thought of the post you put up JuJu, because I got to pee in the cup for both of those.  There I sat giggling while trying to hit that cup!

The lab tech I got this morning must love his job however (not!) because he never cracked even the barest smile.  Talk about a gruff sober-sides.  I thought I was at home.  He, he!

And finally - yes I am on metaformin. The problem is I haven't been following what I should be eating.  I haven't been a good girl - but I know what I have to do.  There is no excuse really - but I am just so tired of my body failing bit by bit.  Plus - I have to be honest - I keep wondering if my old friend cancer isn't out there again.  I don't think any survivor doesn't have that thought in the back of their head.

So - my life over the weekend.  Such excitement!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Still around and kickin'


Yes - I am still here, and no I haven't murdered G and buried him behind the garage, but that doesn't mean I haven't necessarily thought about it.

I am doing anything right now to keep from cleaning up my everyday debris - like Simone's pills and the like - to keep the three year old terror from getting into it all.  Yes, it is family dinner night - again!   And my house - again.  I have to go over everything with a fine toothed comb to make sure there is nothing out that he can get into.  That includes Simone's and Shadow's toys.  I keep a toy box full of toys in the hallway that has no traffic, but it seems like Son's kids want to play with the animal's toys.  Geesh!

I am really sounding like an old crone!  I will be perfect for Halloween.

I can't think of anything out of the ordinary that is going on here.  Yesterday we (Daughter, her girls and I) had lunch with our good church friends.  They are taking a month's vacation from church.  That seems a little odd, but they are the ones who were there to set up for folding the diapers back when we made those diaper cakes.  The mom is the one Pastor threw the chair at because she wasn't doing it the way he thought she should.  I guess them taking a vacation is better than them leaving the church.  That would be sad.  They are great women!

My body is still falling apart piece by piece.  I get to go to the Nephrologist on Wednesday.  I wonder what he will tell me about having too much potassium in my urine.  I went for a blood test for the GP last week.     He probably will insist that I see an Endocrinologist.  Pretty soon I will have an entire stable of specialists - one of every specialization.   Yuck.  I think my A1C was probably high - again.  The stupid glucose keeps spiking - unless I just don't eat - anything.

And so it goes on.  Hope you have some good excitement in your life!

Peace.


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Bad to worse

First of all - I am using my little embroidery based computer.  It is about 7 inches across, and the keyboard is tiny.  I am not a typist, and this is sheer torture!  This post will take twice as long as normal because I will spend my time correcting typos!

JuJu - you asked where we were going - the destination is the Outer Banks.  There are stops planned along the way, but I really don't know (care) where.  Next - tell him how I feel.  I swear there is male menopause, and he has been in it for MANY years,  I will explain.

I moved heaven and earth to change my next eye injection to the previous week.  I have made my life more miserable doing this,  From October 6 to the 30th, we will be home two nights. He was so flip about it when he said "I'll keep you gone almost the entire month of October."

To add to all this - my meds are to be mail order - a three month supply at a time.  AND the drug insurance company just changed,  I have no refills to count on.  When I mentioned that I hoped I had enough meds to cover, I was asked couldn't I get additional before I go,  Now - he knows better.  His last position was in INSURANCE!  I might be able to get those three month ones to the new company AND have them delivered in time, but the several from the local pharmacy - no.  You have to be out before you can refill them - insurance rules.

So when I said this - he stormed off mumbling (because he knows that makes me sooooo mad) about just spending his entire life here.

Am I sick of this crap and his rantings and raving - you know it.  Will I leave - I would like to, but separating things after all these years would be a complete nightmares, and all that I have inherited has been disposed of and/or mostly spent.  So where would I be?  Trying to survive on Texas Teacher Retirement - which is year 2000 in dollars.  It has been that long since there has been any raise in monies.  Social Security?  Thank you Tom Delay - since you think retirement funds like TRS is so great - we get a small percentage of Social Security - mine is a whopping $67 a  month after this last raise.  Plus if G were to die - I get none of his.

Anyway - I have retreated to the craft room since I have finally gotten my machine back.  I will sit up hee and try to figure out just what I can do to solve my problems.  And seethe!