BAH HUMBUG

 My back is bothering me again and I think I pulled a muscle on the other side.  I don't want surgery, but the epidurals didn't help me.  What else is there to do?  I see a pain management physician's assistant on Friday.   We'll see.

That doggone CoVid is still around.  Not letting up much and I would think most would have had their two vaccinations and two boosters by now.  Even with the shots, my daughters and their husbands got it and they were very ill.  I got the Norovirus and thought I might have CoVid.  It was coming out both ends.  I guess there was a problem in the kitchen//dining room as they shut it down and had to disinfect everything. I surely wish they had a chef that knew how to cook.  Everything is overdone and sometimes impossible to cut without a steak knife.  I know times are hard, everyone is cutting way back, and gas has risen to $5 a gallon and more in other states.  The chef has money to invest in smaller bowls to give us less food, why doesn't he invest it in getting a better grade of meat.  The pot roast might as well be Spam as it is cut into slices like it.  It's tender but does not taste like the pot roast I know and love.  Chicken is sometimes a hockey puck covered with BBQ sauce; the chef calls it BBQed chicken.  The pieces of chicken as getting so small, that he must be buying capons or Bantams.

Now the nation is dealing with monkey pox! What else will there be? Hate seeing Putin bombing the Ukraine.  I don't like what president is doing by letting undocumented people cross the border.  The more, the merrier is his mantra.  He wants votes.  I hope the law remains that all have to be citizens of the USA to vote.

Then they overturned Rowe vs Wade. Didn't think I would see that day, but companies are going to release birth control pills to be OTC.

One grandson got married in June.  They live in CO and we don't fly or drive any distances anymore.  I sent an E-gift card to my grandson so they could buy something for the shower. Never heard if they got it or threw it out.  For the wedding, I send a check and still have not heard a word. Most people got thank yous from the shower, but not me.

His brother is planning his wedding for November. Wonder if he and his new wife will send an acknowledgment.

Getting too old and seems like every other day there is something new wrong with me.  I even had thrush in my mouth. Seborrhea dermatitis around my face in my hairline.  Cannot get rid of it.  I've retorn my left rotator cuff and probably my right one as well.  Need physical therapy or the left bicep area will atrophy.

Been crocheting from the donated yarn from people that gave up hobby or their life, and will give it to some charity if I ever finish them.  There are some already started and they are from the ripple stitch.  No instructions around however to pick up the pattern they were using.

Bye for now.

Covid 19, Delta and Omnicron are beating us

 It is over a year now and still the demon is among us.  Things keep getting worse, not better.  Even those who have had two injections and a booster still get it; that includes some of my family members.  My daughter had it really bad.  Felt so sorry for her.

We still live in a senior apartment and two people got the bug.  Just as quarantine was over, two more people have it now.  Our meals consist of waiting in line for a Styrofoam container with some food and drink.  We're never sure what they are going to put into those cartons, and most of it is not healthy for people in their 80s and 90s.

Happy news.  Two of my grandsons are getting married this year.  One in June and one in November. Feel so badly that we don't travel anymore and I won't get to their weddings.  One of my grandsons in FL got married and I didn't get there either.  They now have three children and bought another house.  I'm so glad we have facetime and I get to see all of them that way.

I've been writing stories for them, but guess they'll never get to read them either.  Don't know how to get them into a book form so I can send it to them.  I've written about Butterflies, white tail doves-Bill and Coo and their children, Lovey and Dovey; a hippo and rhino falling in love-Henrietta and Ronnie; a story about elephants that reside at The Sanctuary in Tennessee and a few other not  so much fun stories about two other elephants that I didn't know about until my research took me to the pages on the internet, Ellie Elephant.  I've written about a dragonfly named Donny and damselfly, Daisy, relationship, and just finished one about Lilly Ladybug and her sister, Ann.  Years ago I wrote "A Mouse in the House."  It is a mouse narrating, who talks about his family and mine.  Both of my parents have memoirs done for them and I'm working on mine.  Wondering just how much do I want to tell.  (smile)

I guess I'm doing the writing for my sanity more than for their entertainment.  Don't know if children  read for pleasure anymore and will any of them have an interest.  My daughter in FL read one of the short stories about butterflies to them.  I sent it via email.  She was interested seeing the pictures I had in the story so the great grandchildren could see how butterflies are formed, show all the stages.

My dad used to show my sis and I a lot of interesting things and tell us even more.  Each time he took a trip south, he brought something back for us to have and listen to a story about it.  Sometimes, he brought wild animals home from hunting too.  When we traveled south to visit his family, we saw a sulfur mine, coal pits, pyrite gold and went 'crabbing" in the Gulf of Mexico.  He brought cotton boles and found an old hornet's nest for us to bring to school to show the other children.  I think I've exhausted the genealogy on both sides of the family.

It's been over a year now and still haven't gotten a hair cut and I stopped dying it so I have a salt and pepper head of hair with natural blonde streaks on each side. Geee!  Ever since Microsoft put Windows 12 on this computer, there's been nothing but problems.  I see on YouTube if it's been more than a week of it being placed on my desktop, I may lose Windows 10 and have to purchase it.  Bummer.  Computer hung up again.  Need to stop now.

Signing off for the night.  It's Saturday and I like to watch "Vera,"   a program, on PBS station.

PRAYING

 Hoping the people in Afghanistan can get out before the Taliban start shooting all of them.  I do not know where Biden's mind is.  He's let in all the non-Amerians across our southern border, and now we have to find places for all of the Afghanisties.  Where will we put them, educate them, give them jobs so they don't bleed our coffers by giving them money to live? The Bible says, give a man a fish, he eats for one day, but teach him to fish, he can feed his entire family.  Is that really going to happen under his rule?

We need that wall at the border finished, I don't care what others say.  It is for our safety.  Too many unsavory people are getting across the border.  Now with Afghanistan, how many terrorists will sneak in, papers or not?  And, how many have already crossed through the southern border?  

Too many American people like holding out their hands and taking government money instead of having some pride where they go to work and earn a living and care for their families.

What is going to happen in years to come for our children and grandchildren?  Will they have a good life of freedom and democracy like we had, or be under the socialist rule?

It is difficult to believe that the democrat party and voters blindly follow him with whatever he says.  Why do they vote unseeingly for the party and not the man/woman who can get the job done?  Who is pulling Biden's strings?  He is incompetent to do the job.  He was not a good vice president either.  People constantly complained about his ineptness, then they vote him in as president of the United States.  Does the Democratic party want a puppet in that high office so they can manipulate him to do their bidding?

Remember the book, "Of Captains and Kings?"  Everyone should read it.  By Taylor Caldwell.  1973 Random House 816 pp. ISBN-13: 9780449205624

PAIN AND AGONY

 I'm so tired of having this bad back and being able to comfortably walk a short distance without feeling that my spine is compressing.  On top of all that, now my left hip and left shoulder are giving me fits.  I've emailed the nurse practitioner to order MRIs of the entire back, but she does not respond.

Today, I called the office to see if I could get an appointment with my internist on Friday.  He is not available for a week.  Again, I had to set up an appointment for tomorrow to see the N.P.  I need a shot of cortisone in my hip and shoulder, and the MRI's.  I usually walk at a fast speed and to be so slowed down really depresses me.  I wonder if N.P. can give cortisone shots?

I've had shoulder surgery for rotator cuffs in both shoulders, and am glad I can manage by using both arms to get my stuff done, especially my hair.  Right arm goes over my head with no problem, but the left arm has to be raised up with my right arm.  Difficulty trying to dry or curl my hair using implements.  I really do need a haircut and a good wash.  Difficulties bending my head over the sink.

Do not want to step over the tub edge to get into the shower even if there are rails and a non-slip bottom to the tub.

Now that I've had my 'crying' moment of the day, this will be short.

Another Sunday evening

 I'm sitting at the computer playing games.  How boring.  My back is no better and I left an email for NP to set up an EEG and/or MRI.  Need to see what's going on and whether I need more injections at the site.

Jim has his Moh's surgery this week.  He was told to plan on spending at least four hours there.  My EGD isn't until Aug 31 as I mentioned before.  Now must call for an appointment for a haircut.  It's been months.

TV is so boring.  Wish I had the stamina to get out my quilt projects and work on them.  Time would fly by then.

My daughter sent me pictures of the great-grandchildren.  The eldest is starting kindergarten already.  My nephew's dog had heartworms.  She survived the treatment.  Now she has a heart murmur but needs surgery for malignancy in the chest area.  Hope she survives.  I think she is nine years old and her name is Rain.

At dinner, Jim became upset with the man sitting at our table.  The man is a neat freak, always clearing every and piling it up at a corner on the table, and removing all the crumbs.  Not the first time, he again told Jim he eats too fast.  Of course, it's none of his business and it really irks my hubby being told that.  The man's not that perfect either.  Of course, his hands are crippled up and I don't know the cause, so it makes it difficult for him to grasp the eating utensils.  Ergo, lots of clanking and banging on the dishes to accomplish eating.  Jim doesn't comment about that.

As you can see from my entries, I lead a boring life.   Be back later.

Covid delta now rampant in south areas

 Well, my sis's ablation was canceled because of the subject matter.  Jim had carpal tunnel surgery and is doing well.  He has to wait 2 weeks before seeing the doctor so the wrap can be removed.  It is getting raggedy.

I have a tele-visit tomorrow to discuss my back and neck problems.  The mattress is four years old and shouldn't be giving me grief, but I have a difficult time rising each morning.  I wonder if the Sleep Number people have a twin bed with the head part being able to raise.  My hubby says I need more exercise and I know he's right, but not very good about getting it done.  I do knee bends and bend over attempting to touch toes while keeping knees straight--that's a laugh.  I do make attempts, however, to bend over and stretch the ligaments and tendons behind the knees.  Also doing neck exercises, shoulder rolls, and twist at the waist from side to side.  Now suffering at areas below the gluteus areas.  

I get out of bed and the bones in my feet crackle.  Oh, for the love of getting old.

Want to buy a brush volumizer and save me from raising my arms so much to get hair groomed.  The one I purchased from Sams Club was by Revlon and way too heavy for me to hold for long. (I've had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders.)  Now spending too much time online to find a lighter-weight one and not as large a brush.

Need to make an appointment at the dentist and get the lower plate relined with a soft lining.  The other problem I had with part of denture rubbing on the gums--very painful-he fixed.  I found a different general dentist as I didn't like the way the lady at the front desk at the other place was neglectful with filing insurance, and/or forgetting to call when the insurance money is paid to her.  We have always paid our bills in full.

Month after month, year after year, I am getting more and more homebound.  Do not like going out of the apartment, even down to the dining room for lunch and dinner.  Of course, dining is another subject of its own.  Can't say much good about our new exec. director.  A remodel has been started on our floor.  Wallpaper has been removed, patching done, light fixtures down--what a mess.  Perhaps they will paint this time rather than paper.  After all that is finished, new carpeting will be installed.  Surely wished they would replace our front door.  It is so warped, hall light can be see through it.

Yesterday morning, Jim had another visitor in his bed.  It was a sewer roach.  YIKES!  Yes, the second one, only this one was a lot livelier.  The exterminator was here this past month, but I guess with all the remodeling being done they are literally coming out of the woodwork.  A lady moved out that was next to our apartment.  She is legally blind and now needs more help than is afforded here.  We'll miss her.  The maintenance crew is remodeling her apartment.  Completely remodeling the bathroom, etc.  We surely didn't get that treatment when we moved in.  We got a paint job and new carpeting, however.

Since the exodus of 24 residents moving out within a two-month period, our place has hired three salespeople to fill the rooms.  It is also one of the reasons why they fired the former director.

My friend in UT has 4th stage kidney disease and has been on kidney dialysis for a while now.  It came about after she had a 'widow-maker' heart attack.  Tests were performed on her using the 'with contrast' method--the dye caused the kidneys to shut down.  Now she writes to me that she doesn't want the dialysis anymore.  It has been stopped.  Her doctor said it shouldn't be long before everything starts shutting down and that will be the end.  So sad.

I also haven't heard from my friend who moved to NM.  She got breast cancer and then lung cancer with it.  She doesn't answer any of my e-mails.  Don't know for sure whether she is still around or not.

The hour is upon us for beddy-by time.

Jim and I

 My EGD was for stretching my esophagus.   Hope that's all.  They've found H Pylori before.  Had it stretched again as food was sticking in the esophagus and caused me to regurgitate.

Jim's EGD showed he has gastritis.  Changing his diet has helped the pains in the stomach a lot. 2021

Jim has glaucoma and the light really bothers him.  He faithfully takes care of his eyes, but they still bother him.

Eye doctor said I have building blocks for macular degeneration in right eye and that my eye lids don't close all the way.  I'm having a lot of trouble with my eyes and feel that my far-sightedness is worsening.  Before it was the nearsightedness.

Jim will be scheduled for carpal tunnel surgery in a month.  He also needs to see a Moh's surgeon regarding a skin cancer on his forehead and one on his chest.  He swears they have done the one on the head.  If so, shame on Moh's surgeon.

It's Jan 2022 and his back is still bothering him.  I had MRI's of back and neck.  Had injections on both sides of my lower back-to no avail.  Suppose to begin P.T. in February 2022.  Nothing like waiting over a month for an appt.  That partly due to The Core Institute.  The PA's assistant never made the phone call until I wrote him on their Portal.

I've put on so much weight since moving to this senior community and I don't mean our home.  I'm almost 200 pounds now.  That's a lot of weight to put on in three years.  I am so unhappy here, but it's a lot my fault as I don't go out of this place and join groups available to me.  Want to get back to quilting and machine embroidery and all I do is sit at the computer and write.

No more complaining about pitiful me.  No more victim wanting attention from anyone who will listen.  What got me to this place?  My last marriage?  I wonder.

Right now I would rather spend my days sleeping and eating junk food.  Not able to get out of this rut by myself and really do not want therapy anymore.

A friend passed away a few month's ago.  My friend in NM--don't know if she is still around since her cancers.  She does not answer my emails, but it doesn't look like her account has been canceled.  A shirt tail relative I met through Ancestry.com has jumped ship.  For some reason she will not write or talk to me and I don't know why.  She was such an outgoing, bright individual, I really enjoyed corresponding with her.  A mystery.  She was into so many things and had a variety of jobs, one of them being a pilot.  Sandy read my stories and commented on them and I so appreciated it.  No one else cares about reading them and commenting.