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  • 1946taco
    1946taco Posts: 412

    quality4jeannie - great news!

    My DD saga continues. She called Thursday morning to say the anesthesialogist wanted clearance from her dentist. Surgery postponed. Dentist saw her Friday and pulled the tooth yesterday. Surgeon said to call when she gets the dental clearance. We were within an hour of leaving for the airport. Mad dash to cancel flights, parking, rental car, dog sitter etc. So now we wait again. At least I've got the list from the first run. I'm sure it will be after Easter. I changed my knee repair until May 21st. Very helpful surgery scheduler. So we wait…

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    Then there is a still higher type of courage - the courage to brave pain, to live with it, to never let others know of it and to still find joy in life; to wake up in the morning with an enthusiasm for the day ahead.

    Howard Cosell

  • petite1
    petite1 Posts: 2,493

    Good morning. I feel a little better. I have enjoyed the pictures of Spring and Vietnam. Half of my family is from Vietnam.

    Picture is from a couple of weeks ago in Murphy NC.

    20260314_081855.jpg
  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Posts: 9,327

    Cindy, what a way to end the spring training baseball season!!

    One year dh was on the weather channel. He was arriving at an rv park in MS with our 5th wheel camper when a tv reporter interviewed him. We were evacuating to avoid a hurricane. His sister was watching the weather channel and saw the interview. She was astonished.

    Taco, I must have missed a post about your DD's dental issues. Hoping for things to work out for her benefit—and yours. With luck, maybe Congress will act to end the airport fiasco before you have to catch your plane.

    Another beautiful spring day here. I will go to the gym and, afterwards, go to lunch with my exercise friends. I may attend the class and be modify any routines that seem too rigorous.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    A day full of surprises, none of which were really fun. I had a follow-up CT of my chest scheduled for 11 today and knew I needed to get bilateral knee x-rays for my Ortho appointment in April. I did not want to have to make a second trip or show up an hour before the Ortho appointment to have them done since the wait time would be awful between x-ray finishing quickly and the Ortho one running late.

    So I called on Monday to get an appointment for my knees only to learn they had never put one on MyChart. The appointment person was nice enough to call the office who told her to tell me to wait, and they would post one in 30 minutes, then I would be able to schedule my appointment. I did and was able to schedule it online.

    I forgot that the CT scan was a paper script since that group is not on the EPIC system even though it is considered part of the health system. I show up at 10:15 to learn that neither script was available on MyChart even though I was able to complete registration forms for both online. How does that happen? Of course, I realize my script for the CT is at home and to run home and then return would not work timewise. They were able to call and get the office to fax them the script.

    I get called up to get my ID bracelet and learn there is no order for my knees in MyChart, yet after a few minutes of searching and they were able to find one but it needed to be authorized. Meanwhile the CT tech, who is a real sweetheart, says I'll take her back and you can straighten this out because after her CT I will take her directly to x-ray for her knee study. The desk had wanted me to return to them before getting my knees done. I did thank both receptionists on my way out for going the extra mile so I could get both studies done and I was actually out of there before the original schedule time for my CT scan. Now I can worry about the results.

    Then out of the blue I get a call from the place where I store my furs (if you hate fur owners, keep it to yourself) and have since I purchased them eons ago. They are going out of business and closing as of this Saturday. No one had notified us prior to this call, but the guy who called recognized our names from their other store which closed awhile ago. He had worked there, knew us from there and decided to call us to let us know we need to make a trip to their original store, which is where furs were always stored. So we will have a change of plans for tomorrow and make a run to NJ for them. Then I need to find space in a closet that will keep them cool, so I think it will be my closet upstairs. However, DH was able to find a possible fur storage place so I'll give them a call to see if they can take them.

    Had an appointment to get Covid boosters today in preparation for our trip in April. We arrived early and the pharmacist was available so we were in an out in lest than 15 minutes. One less concern now. Tomorrow I need to get bloods drawn for PCP visit next week and that will be my last visit for March. Only 2 scheduled for April and then none until June.

    DH decided he will go alone tomorrow and it he returns at a reasonable time, we may run to Costco. If not, then we'll go next week. Regan needs her teeth cleaned and he is calling to see when they could do it. She's not very cooperative when we try to brush her teeth and it is her molars that are of concern.

    I hemmed 3 pairs of trousers, I had purchased, Monday night. Even thought they were supposed to be "short", I still need to take them up. Yesterday was a dental cleaning and afterwards drove to Great Clips for a 5 minute trim and bang trim. I needed it and was trying to wait until they sent me a coupon, but wanted it done for the trip. I am a no fuss customer, take 1.5 inches off the length and trim the bangs, and really I wasn't in the chair for more than 5 minutes. Should get a discount, lol, since they don't have to fuss.

    Today is much warmer than yesterday, it's in the mid 50's, but after the 30 degree drop between Saturday and Sunday, welcome. Still hazy and overcast, with a breeze, so it feels cooler.

    harley07, DB is a Vietnam vet and would take issue with the POV of your guides. He still doesn't discuss the war and has the Agent Orange exposure issues he suffered then. He is on 100% disability due to it. I am glad you are enjoying the trip and I do love your photos. But name a government that doesn't have its own form of propaganda, our own included, since they dropped the Agent Orange on their own soldiers.

    cindyny, loved the story about your SO catching the fly ball. How is his hand doing? I am sure that stung and happy they provide ice packs to those lucky enough to catch a ball. Game opener, I think, is tomorrow for us. Since knee replacement, I can squat again, but not for any prolonged length of time. Loved the photo.

    taco, sorry about the delay in both surgeries. I know the wait is longer than you wanted, but better any dental issues are addressed before major surgery. Hoping the change in plans means a better outcome for all.

    reader425, loved the photos of the tulips, azaleas and the sunning turtles. The ponds down the road have huge snapping turtles in them and occasionally we see them trying to cross the road.

    petite1, glad you are feeling better and your photos of the daffodils in NC were pretty. I'll wait until my multiple beds are in bloom and take photos to post then.

    Chris and eleanora, thanks for the feedback on the daffodil poem. It is a favorite of mine, too.

    Hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to all.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    If one by one we counted people out For the least sin, it wouldn't take us long To get so we had no one left to live with. For to be social is to be forgiving.

    Robert Frost

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    This has been boondoggle week. I could not locate blood work order online today and thought it was because they had just done an update on the MyChart screens. So I grabbed the paper copies and dragged them with me when I left here about 7:30. When I have to fast, I get up early and get there early because they do walk-in appointments for blood work. The receptionist tells me she can't find my orders online and insists these have been drawn in September. I tell her I get them done every 4-6 months and I have the paper orders for them. She says she'll have to call the office, advises me to go home and wait for her call. Nope, I'll wait because if I go home, I'm not coming back. So I wait and the other receptionist comes over to tell me that the issue is the order was written to expire in 6 months or on 3/15 (BTW, this was a Sunday and they don't work on weekends). I tell her I don't understand because my appointment is for 3/30 and this is a first for me with an expired order. So I wait until they get through to the office for a new script and once they do (took about 35 minutes) the wait was less than 10 minutes to get bloods drawn. She advised I tell them I want a one year expiration date for all scripts especially for blood work. I thanked both of them on my way out for going the extra mile. Thankfully it was not busy this morning, which is why I usually don't go on Mondays or Tuesdays.

    I am still plugging away on reading Les Miserables. I am finally in over 700 pages with less than 400 to go to finish. It is slower reading than I anticipated, but I am enjoying his writing style and what I am learning about the political, historical, and cultural times in France during this era. It is a hefty tome where some sections move faster than others, and I want to finish it before we leave for vacation the end of April.

    It's finally sunny, with temps to reach 75 this afternoon, and then tomorrow we plunge back into cold weather yet again. I hate this seesaw weather pattern. It has the plants and trees confused since they are budding and then the next day the buds are in danger of frost.

    Lots of excitement on the news for opening day for the Phillies. Now they are letting you bring in food as long as it is in a clear bag which is a big help because the prices in the park can be staggering. Seems Victus bats, used by major players, are made locally in King of Prussia.

    I have laundry to do, just sheets and towels which won't take long. DH will be out so I think I'll mop the kitchen, powder room and laundry room, too. I should be able to open the back door, pull the screen up and they will dry faster.

    More daffodils are starting to bloom and after today's temp, I am sure many will bloom later today.

    Waving "hi" to everyone and hope everyone has a great day.

  • quality4jeannie
    quality4jeannie Posts: 8
    edited March 26

    I'm going to start posting some of my own poetry from time to time. Hope you all enjoy!

    MORNINGS

    Some of the mornings when I arise
    it seems that sleep’s stuck in my eyes.
    My head feels just as thick as clay,
    I’m not quite ready for this day.

    So what’s a sleepy gal to do
    but make the coffee, add the goo.
    With a little sugar and some cream
    I might just wake up from this dream!

    (11/22/20 ©Jeannie M Myers)

    ELUSIVE COMFORT

    Comfort, comfort, where art thou?
    Can't seem to find it anywhere now
    Each day brings news that makes me cry
    Each night brings dreams we'll soon all die

    I search within my knowledge stores
    and wisdom found on many shores
    No answers arise from near or far
    Guess I'll just go eat a chocolate bar

    (2/22/17 ©Jeannie M Myers)

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Posts: 2,158

    Jeannie, I have that problem. This morning I woke up at 4:30, a bit early for me. But I was aching all over. I discovered that my med trays were empty. I have changed my routine lately, usually I do it on Saturday mornings. I filled for just three days, took meds, had some coffee and cereal, and went back to bed and slept 2hr 30min more. I am thinking of setting my alarm for 4:00 to take morning meds.

    Harley, beautiful pictures. Any trips scheduled for wreckage of a terrible war? I have a classmate who is 5ft 5in at most. The army really loved him. He is lucky to have survived, whole.

    My doctors have annuals registered a year ahead. Then at six months they call or send a note to schedule. No glitches.

    I bought a set of sheets, washed them immediately. The bottom sheet shrank a bit too much, but I think I will keep them anyway. I am only going to get pure cotton from now on. Also got new pillows, and my neck and shoulder pain is getting better. Generalized aches, not so much.

    Petite, are those daffodils, crocus, or grass? Or maybe you don't know yet.

    Reader, beautiful flowers!

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Posts: 9,327

    Our next-door neighbors texted yesterday, early afternoon, to invite us for a boat ride on their pontoon about 5 pm. We accepted and enjoyed the ride on the Tchefuncta River, which is a beautiful river with swampy terrain along some of the banks and also some homes in the mansion category. They have invited us in the past, always on the spur of the moment, and I always refused. I'm not a spur of the moment person, but they gave us a few hours this time. They are young retirees (60's) and always on the go.

    I'm playing golf today, probably 9 holes. DH is also playing with his men's group. He always plays 18. He is managing his sciatica with exercises and trying to keep playing golf. So far, it's working.

    I'm so glad the Senate finally passed a bill funding DHS except for ICE, which already has huge separate funding. I'm tired of the media coverage of airport agony and unpaid government workers. Taco, you must be relieved that air travel will be improved by the time you take your flights.

    Living in south Louisiana has its minuses, but our health care system works smoothly for us. So far so good. We pay a lot for health insurance, but approvals are never a problem.

    Happy Friday to everyone.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and repeat to yourself, the most comforting words of all; this, too, shall pass.

    Ann Landers

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    The upside to anger? Getting it out of your system. You got to express your anger. Then you have room for more positive things. If I hold something in a long time, and then I speak it, it's amazing how the light shines so much brighter.

    Reba McEntire

  • cindyny
    cindyny Posts: 1,659

    SO’s palm is bruised. The bruise showed up yesterday. But he says his thumb feels fine.

    We’re off to a rally.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    There is no sickness worse for me than words that to be kind must lie.

    Aeschylus

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Posts: 9,327

    Thankful that there were no reports of mass shootings at the No Kings rallies. All the huge gatherings seem to have been peaceful. I was fearful for the people protesting this administration. I was with them in spirit but not in presence.

    DH and I visited two Saturday markets yesterday morning, one at Covington and the other at Mandeville. Both towns are in easy driving distance. The first market seems to be all food, no crafts. The second market is much larger and includes a lot of crafts and art. Next October when we return from our last summer in MN, dh will apply for a spot in the Mandeville market. Setting up won't be as easy as it is in MN at the Farmers Market, where we can back our truck to our site.

    I purchased a loaf of bread and half a flat of strawberries, which are huge and delicious. Also shitake mushrooms. I'll have a slice of the bread for breakfast this morning. Toasted and spread with peanut butter and drizzled with honey.

    Happy Sunday.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    Quiet Sunday with sun and temps in mid 50's for a change. It has been dropping into the low 30's overnight though.

    Met up with son at Costco on Friday and found some nice lightweight capri's for our fall trip. Funny thing is I am so short they are just the right ankle length for me, so I grab them when I see them, no hemming required. Our cruise is to the South Pacific so I need lighter weight slacks. I have to wear knee high compression stockings so no more true capri's in my wardrobe. They are sheer and skin toned so they are not that visible even when I wear sandals.

    The Japanese maple is budding new leaves and that is a good sign that spring is really here. The daffodils and the early spring glories are in full bloom under it, so it is a pretty sight outside the bay window.

    I bought fresh made crab cakes at Costco and will give them a try. I have coleslaw and roasted asparagus as sides. I love both, but did not add raisins to my coleslaw today. It's a hit with my family and I love the play of sweet and tart in a salad. BTW, the crab cakes were delicious with virtually no filler like bread and lots of crab. I would buy them again.

    DGD was in a violin and string concert on Thursday night. Because there were 400 students in the concert, only parents were given tickets. It was video taped so we will watch it at home. DDIL said it was wonderful and DS said his ears hurt. Sure a difference of opinion, but these were 4th and 5th grade students playing, so you can imagine the skill level varies.

    She has a choir concert in May, but we will be in Ireland so we will miss that. She has a good voice and loves to sing. I think this may be the last year they have an organized choir at school.

    Tomorrow I have a PCP appointment, but still no results of the CT scan of my chest or the x-rays of my knee replacements. I'll see the pulmonologist on Thursday, so hopefully I have the CT results when I see him. I see ortho on the 14th so they should have results by then. Then I am free of appointments until the very end of May when I see pain management. I may cancel that appointment if I have no issues, hoping I don't have any while away.

    Hope everyone had a great Sunday and waving "hi" to everyone.

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 10,101

    Waving hi from us too, and wishing each of you a good week. Keep us posted!

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.

    Vincent Van Gogh

  • cindyny
    cindyny Posts: 1,659

    We woke up to rain yesterday. It’s needed here badly, we’re in extreme drought, but it’s annoying. Even though it rained on and off most of the day, it wasn’t a hard rain so I doubt it put a dent in the loss.

    I puttered in the garage, out of the rain. We brought in the heavy box with the corn hole game. And to my great surprise, it didn’t need to be put together! The legs folded out, and we can store it flat against the garage wall.

    IMG_4098.jpeg

    From the garage, things going curbside on Wednesday:

    *I took out a giant planter we don’t need.
    *Bags of bags - we don’t get bags in NY and said we’d take these home with us, never did. They’ll go in the garbage bin.
    *A chair I had started to deconstruct to reupholster - I have removed so so many staples, it’s more than half done for the next person who wants it. The chair wouldn’t really fit in here, but I wanted it.
    *I might let an inversion table go, I haven’t used it in 2 seasons. I think I’ll try it today and see if it’s worth keeping. It takes up a lot of space.
    *A table I thought was going to the curb, it will stay to hold the table top griddle SO won. The griddle doesn’t come with a stand - as far as I know, it’s still in the box.
    *Patio chairs - down here things rust. I need to decide if I get rid of ones showing some rust on the legs; not truly bad but I have others to replace them with.

    So that will be my day. In & out of the garage, then back inside for the AC. It’s 82 & cloudy with possible rain showers. Windy too.

    Hope you all have a great day!

    Harley, safe journey home! It’s a long one, be safe.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Posts: 1,659
    edited March 30

    PS - the water heater saga. The neighborhood men couldn’t get the old anode rod to budge. Tried multiple things, nothing. So I’ll live with the hot water as is, which doesn’t really smell now. I think the emptying of the tank and flushing out whatever we could helped. But I’ll keep it in the back of my mind that possibly, upon our return, we’ll need to replace it. Home Depot took the rod back easily.

    I’m now onto the UV bulb in the HVAC unit. Hahah! It’s been out over a month now. When the AC company cleaned & checked the unit, tech didn't have a bulb on him. Then time went by and nothing.

    I called them asking about it. They said a guy would be by that morning with it. We had guests so I kept going in & out of the garage waiting for him. Turns out he ran in while I was in the house, and I never saw him. By 11:30 AM I called to ask what time he’d be here? Service said he was here already, but the bulb he had on him didn’t fit. He had to go to the storage facility, he’d be back the following week.

    Well … you all know me by now. I went out, took a picture of the unit with the size UV bulb it takes, and placed an order. It should be here today. Bulb is $42 -$44 w tax I think. Tech visit & cost is unknown. I won’t call them back. If they contact me, I’ll let them know I took care of it.

    YouTube has a video showing how to replace it. Turn off circuit breaker, remove the cover, remove old bulb, wear gloves so you don’t touch it with body oils (cause hot spots), put new bulb in, close it up and turn the circuit breaker back on. Check that it’s on - look through the safety viewer. They said 5 minutes, I’m thinking novice give me 20+ to complete it. I’ll report how it goes! 🤞

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Posts: 2,158

    Temperature today peaked at 78.

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    harley07, we honeymooned in Ireland and will be back in Ireland to celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary on Mother's day. A twofer this year. We have been to Ireland many times when our children were young (daughter was 16 months old the first time, and on his inaugural trip DS was 3 years old) took them back when they were teens, DH did solos with daughter 3 times, we were there when we did England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland tour and then this time. We used to rent a car, stay in B&B's and would put 3,000 miles on the car in our 3 week stay. They would always be amazed and asked where we had been and it was literally everywhere. We have been to the North 2 times and will do it again on this tour. Prefer the south though because it is more scenic. No more rent and drive for us though DH and DD would do that.

    Your trip to Vietnam sounded amazing in spite of the long road home. Loved your photos and your description of your adventures. Where are you headed next?

    Chris, your weather sounds more like summer than spring. It is headed this way and we are expected to hit the unseasonable 80's for the next few days. I do think it includes rain though.

    cindyny, I hope you can fix the lightbulb issue without a tech. The fees they charge just to step in the door nowadays. Glad the hot water heater flush worked to remove the smell. Our garage could use a good clean out and that is on the list for this summer.

    They returned the cleaned and moth proofed rugs today. I asked they do appraisals on them because, 6 of the 8 I bought either on etsy or ebay, and paid what I thought was a decent price for antique Persian carpets of varying sizes. I am partial to them and was literally shocked with the appraisal values I was quoted. I made a good investment in most of them and didn't lose any money since all exceeded the price I paid. I have a Sarouk in the hallway and it's a good sized rug. The appraisal value caught me by surprise, it was much more than I thought it was worth. Some date to the 1930's, some to the 50's and 60's and the youngest one is the 80's. I will add them to my homeowners insurance now I have the appraisals. They forgot to appraise the hall runner, so I will drop it off next week to get that done. So all the rugs have been cleaned, mothproofed and just the one needs an appraisal; all the other's are done. Took photos for documentation.

    Had PCP appointment today and all is well. She was new to the practice when I first saw her and she was all over the place. Today she was more focused, we were able to review PMH, meds and any new issues which were only lab order expiration date, asthma and bipap machine. Told her I won't do the Medicare wellness visit because it is a waste of time. I'll just see her every 6 months or as needed. Forgot to tell her of vaccine updates so I'll send an email or mail copies of proof. She is still a bit overwhelmed by the volume of patients and this is due to the closure of 2 hospitals in the last year. We went from 7 hospitals in the county to 3 in the past 5 years. She seemed less rushed today and that's good because I didn't feel like I was being rushed either. Appointment in 6 months is a joke anymore since they are booked out beyond that date already. I'll see her in early November right after the cruise.

    Today was in the 60's, but due to a stiff breeze it didn't feel like it. Have a whole list of "to-do's" that keep getting pushed to back burner, so today started to address them. I have one done and will do the another when I am done here. My back is hurting from vacuuming rug pads, before I laid the rugs and from manhandling the rugs back into position. They are heavier than they look so I am paying the price for doing it.

    Had a chicken from Costco and a caesar salad kit, so dinner tonight was chicken caesar salad. It was quick to throw together and a nice change from bigger meals. DH enjoyed it.

    Still no results on CT scan or knee xrays. This is now 5 days and they are saying they are short-staffed. With all the doctors laid off by the closure of 2 hospitals they can't say there aren't ones to fill the slots. This is just poor patient service, but I get high bills for their services when I get them.

    I hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone. Hi, moderators, thanks for dropping in.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Posts: 1,659

    Fast UV bulb update - I couldn’t get the bulb I purchased to fit. It may not be the correct bulb. But nothing to compare it to because the tech took the blown out one with him. I purchased the bulb as listed in the front of the unit. Possibly that’s not correct?
    I’m calling HVAC company as soon as I wake up tomorrow. This needs to be rectified.

    Betrayal, you were busy! Fighting with rugs can definitely do a number on your back.

    Carole, we had downpours today. Much needed! Hope yours wasn’t too bad.

    Chris, 78 without humidity is a prime temperature.

    Have a good one ladies!

  • betrayal
    betrayal Posts: 6,054

    Common sense is the most fairly distributed thing in the world, for each one thinks he is so well-endowed with it that even those who are hardest to satisfy in all other matters are not in the habit of desiring more of it than they already have.

    Rene Descartes