More on Aging

Bayfield Al wrote a very interesting post yesterday on the aging process, and I experienced it this morning in a novel way.  I was sitting in my rocker/recliner and for some reason looked up at the ceiling, where I saw a small bug crawling slowly across the wood paneling.  I haven't yet painted this part of the living room, and still have the old brown paneling.  I grabbed a tissue and stood on the rocker/recliner, which immediately started to rock, and tried to dab at the bug.  I seemed to miss it and when I looked for it, I noticed another one further away from my chair/stepladder, along the same line of the paneling.  After nearly losing my balance and falling out of the chair, I went to get a small step stool from the kitchen, and stopped to get some paper toweling and a bottle of spray cleaner.

I stood on the proper step stool and looked to see if the bugs were still there, and sure enough they were evenly spaced along the paneling.  I finally realized they were small nails holding the paneling up, but I was sure I saw them move.  I thought of Al's post, even though he hadn't mentioned hallucination as part of the aging process.

I'm going to walk with Jeannie today if she ever gets here, and maybe the fresh air will help my eyesight, balance, and overall health.

Nothing to show for the day

I was supposed to go to Costco with Jeannie today but she had a sore throat and a slight cough, and was worried she might pass it along to me.  I don't know if I have most of my immunity back or not, and not sure if I want to find out.  I have nearly decided to get the flu shot, as I may have written previously.

The afternoon sun is shining brightly and shows how dirty my windows are.  I'd maybe wash them but I just want to replace them with double pane windows, and shouldn't waste time washing something I'm going to throw in the dumpster.

Ara made it back to PA with no delays, and Mike called me last night to say that they had a delay-free flight as well.  I was worried because they were landing at LaGuardia and I kept hearing about that airport on the weather channel.

Time to fix supper.  Where has the time gone!  It's dark already.

Goodbyes are terrible

After being together so much of the last week and a half, we gathered at Jeannie's this evening for a supper of homemade tamales.  I cherish having all my family around me, and the good-natured bantering that goes on - even all the noise of the kids trying to jump on Joe at the same time.  Finally it was time to go as Ara had to leave for the airport at 8:30 pm, and Mike & family are leaving early in the morning for their flight back to NY.

I made it to about the end of the lane from Jeannie's house before the tears started to fall.

Morning after

I hope everyone had a wonderful and happy holiday, however you celebrate it.   Mine was special because all four of my children and their families were together.  I don't think I've even read a blog since early last week since I've mostly been with my kids.

Speaking of blogs and reading them, I have had a problem with spending much time on the computer lately.  The room in which my I-Mac is kept is colder than the rest of the house. I quickly check my email and then leave the room.  The little Acer I keep in the living room is so small it is difficult to read some of the blogs, especially if I have to scroll from side to side.  So it has really been a pain just to use a computer, and I think my New Year's resolution will be to get my MacBook refurbished.  I hadn't realized how much easier I would find it to use a laptop, but I like being able to carry it from one spot to another - from recliner to couch to kitchen table.  

I'll try to catch up soon, maybe next week.  Ara leaves on Friday and Mike & family leave on Sunday.  I sure hope the storms and snow are gone from the east by then.

The birthday party

I actually enjoyed the party at the bounce house - the time went by pretty quickly and the kids all had fun.  All of Autumn's kindergarten class had been invited, and I have never seen such a nice bunch of kids - no one was rowdy, pushed or shoved, and they were so well behaved while having fun at the same time.

This is Ara and me:

Autumn's cake - and ...

Another cake that looked like a pizza but was chocolate with strawberry preserves mixed in. It reminded me of Billy Bob's chocolate cherry cake - at least the blending of the flavors.

There was plenty of Mountain Mike's pizza to eat as well before the opening of the gifts.  Today (18th) is her actual 6th birthday.

Ara and I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday and I completed my Christmas shopping.  Kids have way more toys and clothes today than I think they need, so I prefer to get books.  And before anyone says it, I understand that Amazon and ordering online is cheaper, but I hate to think of the day when that will be the only way a person can shop.  For myself, I like to hold things in my hand, see the quality or lack thereof, and just get a feel for whether I think the person (or myself) will like it.  And as I've said a hundred times or more, I like to support local businesses that employ local people. 

I can't believe there is just one week until Christmas!  Mike and his family arrive on Friday evening, and I hope the weather enroute doesn't cause them any delays.  I don't know if they are flying nonstop or have to change planes somewhere, which is where timing and a smooth trip can begin to break down.

It's lunch time and I still haven't gotten dressed.  The sun will be going down before I know it and I will have missed a beautiful sunny day in Sacramento.  I need to enjoy it because I think we are in for another week or rainy showery weather.

Speaking of Sac weather, when I moved here in the 1980's, people told me about the rainy winters.  They said "It rains a lot, and you just dress for it and go out in it and do whatever you would like to do.  You don't let the rain stop you."  And I did just that.  But now, 20+ years later, I look at the rain and think "Aw hell, I'm not going out in that mess."  I guess I miss a lot.

Getting ready to party

Not really, not me at least, but I am going to a birthday party for my granddaughter Autumn, who will be 6 yrs old in a couple of days.  Last night Donald was doing the cake and needed to get his 4 girls out of the house for a while, so Jeannie, Ara, Autumn and Arianna came over for a few hours.  It's good to hear the noise and see the mess that accumulates when children are present.  Not that I don't make a continual mess myself.  Everywhere I look I see biscotti crumbs, which is because I eat so many of them and you just can't help getting crumbs everywhere.  Last night we all had one, although the 3 adults dunked them into our wineglasses which is the proper Italian way of eating them.  Fewer crumbs too.

I am now on Plavix (generic formula) and took 1 whole one yesterday and a half a pill this morning.  I'm going to try just a half one a day - I already have a couple of bruises on my hands.  It was so nice not to have all those  bruises when I went off the aspirin.  I'm also taking Xantax (generic formula) and though I can take 2 a day, I seem to feel great with just one after breakfast.  I will have pizza at the birthday party this afternoon so I might need another xantax when I get home.  The two generics cost me a copay of about $2.20 for a 30 day supply of both pills.  Generics are great as long as they agree with your system and do what they are supposed to do.  They aren't always the most reliable, but since I'm a poor retired woman I will use them when I can.

I will be so excited to see my NY family in about a week.  I really missed being there at Thanksgiving and at the welcome home party, but Ara gave me a rundown of the party.  She couldn't believe how much weight Mike lost, although he will put it back on if he isn't careful.  He and Steve have to really fight to maintain a healthy weight, and so does Jeannie.  Joe has always been slim like me, although now in his mid 30's is starting to show a little fat here and there.  Not much however.

I have been in my house for a little over a year, and as I was looking at the rooms yesterday evening I thought "I need a larger house".  This is plenty big for me, but I was thinking how nice it would be if I had just a little more room for when the kids visit.  Actually I need to go through everything I have and get rid of things I haven't used in years.  I am pretty sentimental about holding on to certain things and I'm probably too old to change now.

Hopefully I will get some pictures at the party.  In a way it's a bother to carry the new camera as it is bulkier and heavier than a small point & shoot.  I think I will really enjoy using it when I travel.  Later -

I am glad I don't have any medical appointments for a while.  I left with an Rx for Zantax for the indigestion, and generic plavix for a blood thinner - supposedly it doesn't upset the stomach as badly as aspirin.  I told my doctor I would like to start out at a half tablet a day since I seem to be ultra sensitive to a lot of drugs on the market.  I will probably have to get blood tests again in about 6 months, and if the anemia is still there I'll be referred to a hematologist.  I repeated my wish to not be tested for any kind of cancer, and hematology and oncology seem to have a fine line separating them.  The doctor showed me my test results and explained one by one what it would be if I had leukemia.  So if it is not likely cancer I will make the decision about seeing a hematologist if the situation arises.

I had looked up info about flu shots last night and wrote down a number of salient points, as ammunition for why I didnt want the shot.  The Doc completely forgot about it and I didnt have to say a word.  Now I'll have to be a little more careful about being around the grandkids if they get flu like symptoms.  That hurts, as I've never worried a second either with my own children or any of the grands.  I wonder if I could even survive the flu, so I'd better use some caution, but then I'm not known for being cautious about such things.

Like most other Americans, I am in a state of complete shock over the shooting today of so many children and adults, and in an elementary school where it seems they should be safe.

Another doctor visit

I need to get to bed earlier tonight than I have been lately, as I have to be downtown to see my doctor for a follow-up at 9:30 am tomorrow.  I've become used to staying up later and staying in bed longer in the morning.  I think my mattress and down comforter are the best in the early morning.  I don't have much to ask the doctor - I've been having a bit more indigestion than I usually have, but I've found when you mention the slightest issue there is a test they want you to take.  I decided a long time ago I'm not swallowing a damn camera and I don't care how they feel about it.  

My granddaughter is flying in from Pennsylvania this evening, and should be at home by now.  It will be so good to see her.

It is much colder now than it has been yet this season, and will probably drop down some more.  I don't think we will see any snow in Sacramento, although we did get enough snow to cover the ground when I lived here in the 1980's.

So far I haven't needed to take the blood pressure meds, and I am so happy about that.  I wondered why until I watched Dr. Oz today and he talked about a diet that kept blood pressure down - about exactly what I eat anyway.  I'm sure most ailments can be managed by diet rather than chemicals that enrich the drug companies.   I'm still debating whether or not to get the flu shot, and I know that will be the main thing the Dr. will hit me with when I get there tomorrow.  I halfway agreed to it, but I don't like or trust the idea.

Well, early to bed for me tonight.  Later -

Cell Phone Dilemma

I've often complained about my cell phone, and now I'm about to drop it altogether.  I have about 180 minutes left and 4 days of usage.  It will cost a minimum of $20 to top it off, which would add about 60 minutes and a couple more months of usage.  I won't use that many minutes in the next year, so I am thinking of just letting the whole  thing drop.  I could always get another TracFone when I travel across country, but I certainly wouldn't pay for a lot of minutes.  Personally I don't think I need it at all.  Nothing is different than it was between 2004 and 2008 when I traveled cross country every year, usually during the winter months, with no cell phone.

Phil asked when I was going to post some pictures taken by my new camera.  I haven't been out to take photos for one, because I haven't been driving much since my illness, and the fact that there were heavy rains much of the time.  We've just had a few clear days which have been so welcome, but rains are expected tonight. 

Nothing else happening here -

The days speed by

I don't know how, but they go faster and faster it seems.  I drove to the Sac Food 
Co-op this morning and was pleasantly surprised to find today, being the first Friday of the month, gave me a 10% discount on all my purchases.

After lunch I thought I would quickly run through the few TV channels I watch, and ended up getting hooked for the afternoon on the History Channel which featured WWII.  It was an HD version, and I didn't really like the colorized version of what I had seen my entire life in black and white.  I don't know how they figured out how to color all those film clips but they did.  It is amazing how a country emerging from a great depression, which was a third rate military power, was able to enter a world war on two fronts and emerge victorious in just 5 years!  This is the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, 71 years ago!

So the sun is ready to fall below the horizon and I haven't anything to show for the day except getting groceries.  Another weekend is upon me and I usually don't drive on weekends, and especially with the holiday shoppers out I will probably stay home tomorrow.  Maybe I can do some housecleaning.  What a crappy thought!    It was such a short time ago that I was in my teens, and after sleeping half the day if I could get by with it, never had a problem finding something interesting to do.

I think the rain has passed our area for a while, and I'm happy about that.  I need to get out to do a little shopping - Christms presents for the kids and a birthday gift for Autumn.

Over the past few years I have amassed a few points on my credit card, so I recently ordered a pair of Nikon binoculars, which came yesterday.  I wanted them for my travels and camping trips, but find it's just like the camera - my eyesight without glasses has deteriorated, and I can't look through the lenses or viewfinder with glasses on.  I'd say that is what is described as being between a rock and a hard place!

I was asked by Judy (the bird lady) if I had any plans to reschedule my trip to NY.  I won't be going just now as I missed the welcome home party and Thanksgiving, and my son & his family are coming to CA for Christmas.  I did want to visit a few relatives in Kentucky, and have been contacted by the vascular surgeon who handled the stent implant, requesting that I schedule a follow-up appointment.  In fact, his office tentatively scheduled one for me in mid December, which I'm going to have to cancel.  I would love to see the vascular guy again - of all the doctors I've had he is probably the one I liked and trusted most.  The cardiologist I saw here in Sacramento had me undergo a carotid scan and said they couldn't even find the stent.  So I would rather hear it from the surgeon who implanted it in the first place.  Answer is, I don't know if I want to make a trip in early 2013 and then back again in September 2013.  This gypsy is getting a little too old for two cross country trips in one year!

I'm typing this entry on the tiny Acer computer - it is very difficult to read as the screen is small and I like the large print, but it isn't easy to view excep on a regular sized screen.  I don't know how people can use an iPhone for their email or internet use.

Speakig of phones, I dropped my Verizon cell phone and bought a TracFone a while back.  With the offers that came with the phone for double hours, I find I still have about 180 hrs left, but only 11 service days in which to use them.  I don't like using a cell phone and am tempted to just drop it completely - get back to the old days :)

A "Dry-Out" Day

We finally have a dry day, mostly sunny, but are preparing for the next round of storms to slam into this part of California.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw some of the creeks, streams and rivers on the news.  I have always sort of laughed at the way they call the Truckee River a river at all.  Mostly it is a stream tumbling over rocks, very scenic and beautiful, but a stream nonetheless.  Swollen with flooding rains it became a raging torrent - still beautiful - but dangerous.  At about the time it would have become destructive the rain turned to snow which slowed things down and much property was saved.

We had no flooding in Rancho Cordova where I live, but several creeks that went over their banks are within a few miles.  I'm too lazy to walk or drive over to the American River to see how high it became, but the Sacramento River is the one that was the most worrisome. The Sac & American rivers reach confluence near downtown.

I had my own little flood here in my living room - with the extremely high winds and the amount of rain that fell - just under 2" a couple of days ago - the rain leaked around one of my living room windows.  Joe had covered the swamp cooler but the high winds blew the rain under the tarps, leaving me with mopping up to do in several places.  The window was the worst - I caught the rain that was dripping from the top of the window into a container, but it filled up every 2 or 3 hours, which meant I had to get up in the middle of the night and swab the drips on the floors and around the window.  Needless to say I didn't get a whole lot of good sleep.  Now tonight it will probably start up again.

The results of the biopsy I endured came back benign, which I could have told them to begin with.  I wasn't told it would be a biopsy - just some sort of scan -  or I wouldn't have done it.  I'm convinced the problem was caused by a change in meds to a generic form, so I'm going to pay whatever I have to in order to get the brand name from now on.

It is wonderful to have food that tastes delicious again, and to have the energy to cook it.  I'm never going to worry about my weight again and will just accept whatever it is.  I can't stand to overeat, which is what I was trying to do and feeling miserable for it.  I'm healthy, happy, well, have abundance, and am a beautiful scarecrow!  So there you have it!