The day after

I slept late this morning (late for me), and ended up back at Jeannie's house for leftovers.  I think Steve & Meg are bringing the baby to see her since she can't get around (still wearing the cast on her foot), and I may buy a surgical mask and drive over so I can see the baby as well.   It would make me feel better and I'm sure the parents would feel safer as well.

After a big plate of leftovers and several hours visiting, I came home and took a long nap.  I think I'll try to go to sleep earlier tonight so I can wake up at my normal time tomorrow.  I also would like to go to the gym, as I did this morning, and get back in the habit of walking every day.

I'm trying to sketch at least a little bit most every day but today just got away from me.   

If anyone has a suggestion for what I can eat or drink to get some calories in me when I can't chew I'd sure appreciate hearing it.   I CANNOT abide yogurt!  So that's out.  I'm probably going to end up making puddings, but they have more sugar than I would prefer.  Also my protein shakes and ice cream are on the menu.   I have gotten so lazy I never mash potatoes any more - just cube and boil them, and top them with cheddar.     I never peel them but I think I will have to at least right after surgery, and then they would be easy enough to mash.  I should get my juicer out and talk Ara into making it for me.  I don't do much juicing these days because the price of vegetables (organic) seem to have gone through the roof, at least in the quantities needed for extracting the juice.

This is going to be a helluva way for me to go through December and the holidays, but I want to get it over with before I get much worse.   Six months ago I felt great and had energy to do things I wanted to do, and I wonder if I'll ever get it back.

 On cold days like today I am so grateful to have found the Puma sweat pants.  They are so warm and comfortable compared to any I've had in years, and are worth every bit of the cost.

If I get any energy at all back I'm going to have to straighten my house, if I don't do a full cleaning job.  Everywhere I look I have sketch books and pencils, tubs of paints and supplies, and you name it.   At least I know where everything is but when I straighten it all up and put things away I won't remember where anything is!

It looks like three days of rain coming up and even lower temperatures.  When I cross the American River I can't see that there is any more water in it than usual.  Someone was out there on a raft when I crossed today, and that has to be cold so close to the water!

I'm rambling on and on so I'll just say goodnight and wish everyone a great weekend.

A Really Good Thanksgiving

I went to Jeannie & Donald's a little early this afternoon, not sure that I would stay.  I ended up feeling better and stayed until after dinner.  I think one of the things that has been wrong with me is that I haven't eaten enough to keep my energy levels up.   For what I normally eat, even in my better days, I had a lot today.  I got tired about halfway through but overcame that, so I didn't sleep away a big part of the day.  The excessive sleeping is no doubt partly due to boredom.  So I have hope that I can get back to normal one of these days, and the dental work will get me started on the path to recovery.   

I left about an hour after dinner - Jeannie offered  for me to stay there tonight but I drove on home.  We drew names for the Christmas gift exchange as well.    I also remembered to bring back the 3 prs of sweat pants that I forgot last time I was there (thinking Jeannie might be able to wear them).  I will return them to Costco but probably won't go anywhere tomorrow.  I hope I can talk myself into going back to the gym - it's been quite a while and I need to be consistent with it.  The advertising for the Christmas season is already outrageous this year and I will try to do some activities that don't involved getting into the shopping crowd.

I am really anxious to meet my new granddaughter, but not until I'm entirely sure I won't pass along any germs.  Maybe I should buy a packet of surgical masks - not a bad idea.

I hope everyone had as good a day as I had.  I'm so thankful for family and friends.

Another Down Day

I couldn't even take advantage of two different offers of rides to the hospital to see and hold my new granddaughter, Quinn Marie.   She is a beauty from what I've seen in the photos Steve sent.  She was born about 10:30 last night, and weighed in at 7# 2oz, at 20-1/4" long.  My daughter Jeannie was 20"  long when she was born, and was the shortest of my children (still is).  

This morning I woke up with a cough, which just sealed my fate as far as I'm concerned for visiting the baby today.  I'm even reconsidering going to Jeanie's house for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.  Joe was going to have it, but it is better for Jeanne if she can stay home.  I think it's been too soon for her to be going out, getting in and out of a car, etc.  I'll see what I feel like tomorrow, and I don't even know if what I have is contagious since I've never had a fever.  Every bit of energy I have is ebbing away, and I couldn't get an appointment at the dentist until 7:40 am a week from tomorrow.   Jeannie suggested I spend the night at her house and Ara can drive me to my appointment which sounds good to me.

Yesterday Phil wrote a comment to my blog post, that was related to Christmas shopping:

"Your story about the grand children doing your shopping reminded me of years ago when I went home for Christmas. I had to do some last minute shopping and was heading to Sears. My mother said, I need something for your brother and don't know what to get him, so find something for around $10, would you? I went to Sears, and found a neat ladle which was also a small balance scale. The heavy end of the handle was a weight, and you moved the pivot stand to the weight you desired, then fill the ladle until it would balance and it was perfect. I was very excited about it. When I was opening gifts, I opened one, and it was the ladle. I told my mom she had the wrong name on it. She said, no it is right. I needed it for you, but if I told you it was for you, there would have been no surprise. I still have it in my kitchen. "

Caddie wanted to see a photo of this ladle and Phil sent this to me today:

The batteries in my smart phone were dead, but I did find a picture of the ladle on etsy. It is ready to pour in the ingredient you want to weigh, and when the weight reaches the amount, the ladle will level out. Neat! 

I just ate some ice cream because it makes my throat feel better, but now I'm freezing and burning up on the side of me closest to the space heater!

I called to cancel my attendance at art class this evening, to find out there is no class for the next two weeks.   I haven't been out of the house except to bring in the garbage cans that I should have taken care of yesterday, and I'm glad I don't have to go out today . 

Thank goodness for the hummingbird feeder on my front porch.  Those birds go at it as if thy can't get enough, and I love watching them.

Thinking about my 9 living grandchildren (plus the twins that didn't make it), assures me I am one lucky woman!    I've lived to see them all, as well as to see how wonderful my own children are as parents.    I can't ask for more.

I've barely moved today!

I haven't felt much like eating, haven't gotten dressed (it's after 3:30 in the afternoon), and am just suffering from a lack of motivation and energy.  I called and made an appointment for Dec. 1 to have my molars removed - at 7:40 a.m.  I had originally set the appt. for Dec. 6 and then decided I have no reason to wait.  Going at 7:40 in the morning will mean that I will drive myself to and from the dentist office, which means I can't take a valium, and I had thought I might take two this time.  The only thing I notice about the effects is that I'm much more relaxed.  When I don't take one I find myself clenching my hands constantly.

My daughter-in-law is in the hospital, and we are all hoping Baby Quinn comes quickly - although they rarely ever come quickly enough to suit the mother.   I hope to hear some good news this evening.

Last week Victoria at Michaels told me I have another class paid for Ara and me, but I don't think so.  If we get there and she made a mistake I'm going to come back home as I don't feel like painting just now.  I didn't have anything ready and not even a subject to work on, so I just went in and gesso'd a couple of small canvases, and think I will try to recreate the three palm trees I sketched and posted in my blog a few days back.  I've been feeling so down I haven't even tried out the little sponges or the nice round brushes I acquired recently.

I'm on the mend physically and I'm hoping to get my mojo back when I get the dental infection cleared up.   That won't be for another 2 weeks at least and I can't imagine living like this for the next two weeks.

My mind is still working, fortunately, and I came up with a brilliant idea for getting my Christmas shopping done, at least for the kids.  I've enlisted Alyssa and Autumn , my nearly 9 and nearly 10 yr old granddaughters, to do the shopping.  I'll set a proposed budget and turn them loose.  Ara will drive, probably to Barnes & Noble and maybe some other stores in the vicinity, as well as take them to lunch.  I might even get them to wrap the gifts after I get a chance to see them.   They are both excited about the prospect!   I think they will enjoy it and I will be so relieved to not have to do it myself, especially when I'm not feeling well.  (It's sort of like child labor, but as long as the labor is happy about it I don't think I'll be called before the Board!)

No better but at least warmer!

It was a challenge to get myself ready for my chiropractor appointment at 11AM, but I'm glad I did.  He made some adjustments that have really helped the sinus infection or cold or whatever it is.  I slept well last night, considering, (being warm makes a big difference) and it will no doubt be colder tonight but I'm ready for it.   I have had no fever that I a tell by using the back of the hand across the forehead method (Dr. Mom).  I can't find a brand new thermometer I bought about 2 years ago, and I'm not buying another one which I no doubt won't find when I need it.

Jeannie and Donald stopped by last night and he had the furnace going in no time.   They called me on the phone this morning when they were on their way home from the hospital after Jeanne's surgery, and she sounded very good, probably a lot to do with whatever painkiller they used.   I relayed to her what my orthapedic surgeon told me years ago when I had foot surgery, and that was to be very aggressive fighting the pain for the first 5 days.  In other words, take the meds when it's time to take them whether you think you need it or not.  It worked for me back then, and I hope she listens to me but then I have to laugh and wonder, does a daughter ever listen to the advice of her mother?

I hauled two loads of laundry across the street this afternoon to the dryer and as it turned out the sun stayed out and I probably could have used the clothesline but just don't have the ambition it takes.  I feel like crap, to tell the truth, and I think I am going to see if I can get an appointment soon for dental surgery.  There is no sense in waiting until January, when I am feeling worse by the day  and honestly wonder if I could even make it to 2017!

I'm staying warm and comfortable in a pair of my new sweats today, plus a fleece top and my good fleece jacket.   Now if I could just get myself motivated to walk again, but at this point I don't care much about anything.  That's can be a dangerous attitude but I won't let it go too far.

I apologize if I've repeated anything from last night's blog - I should have read it before doing this one.  Google gives me such problems that if I try to read it now before publishing this one I will never find my way back to where I am!    But don't you know their developers are working hard to make the program better for us and easier to use.

Taking it Easy

I spent about 4 hours at Jeannie's today; we sampled various cakes and sweets Donald made, had good conversation, and worked the NYT Sunday crossword.  It took a while but we finished every last bit of it.  I'm still at the top of my game when it comes to those puzzles, although Jeannie, Ara, and I probably contributed equally.

I took the sweats in size Medium that I planned to return to Costco, thinking maybe Jeannie would like them.  She prefers a different style, including elastic around the ankles, so I will return them.  I forgot to bring them home with me, and I'll try to remember the next time I'm at their house.  Here is a photo for anyone who wonders what the difference is between Puma and Hanes.  (Click to enlarge)

I love the slim tapered leg and especially the large pockets on either side - wish I could have worn the size Medium as the thighs would have been slightly less voluminous, but I'm ok with them the way they are.

I have been thinking I'm going to see if I can get a homeopathic doctor at my local UCD Med Center.  The big problem with going back to a doctor is if they want to do tests, most of which are done at their main location on Y St. in Sacramento.  I can no longer drive to that location, and even if I could find a way to avoid the freeway I will never again try to park in a garage, which is the only option there.  I just don't know what to do, but I know I'm not doing so well right now.  It is probably the dental infection, and I might even see if my dentist can pull the molars in early December. although it will affect what I can eat.  If it would help me avoid seeing a doctor it would be worth it - I'm down to 117# so what the hell does it matter if I lose more!

The rain has been almost continuous, and will be falling for the next few days as well.  I wish I'd done laundry before the clouds came in!

 

Saga of the sweatpants!

I now own 6 pr., as I went to Costco this morning intending to go inside and measure the Mediums against the Large, and possibly returning the Med. that I bought yesterday (I left them in a bag in the car).  It's a good thing I couldn't tell by holding them up in the store, so I bought 3 in Size L.   Trying them on at home made up my mind pretty quickly to keep the Large (I'm wearing one now) and returning the Mediums next time I go back to Costco.  The Large feels more comfortable in the waist, there isn't a whole lot of difference in the inseam although it might be a fraction of an inch, and while the thighs are a bit larger I don't really care.  They fit and look much better than the Hanes men's sweats.  The pockets are wonderful as well as the tapered legs.  (Sherry, I think you might find the length to be fine - you can probably wear small or xtra small, which would shorten the legs up a bit.)  With the $4 off original price offered by Costco, the cost is about twice what I could find Hanes for at Walmart, but the Puma brand are so much better in fit and quality they are worth it.

From there I made a trip to Target - why is it they never have enough cashiers and the lines are long and slow.  I bought only a few items, including the Chiquita bananas that I went there specifically for.   I don't know what Dole and DelMonte do to their bananas but they sure lack the sweet flavor of Chiquita.  And I just love saying the name "Chiquita" !

I can't go to Target without a stop at Michaels at the other end of the parking lot.  I bought a set of sketching pencils - I have two but one is very dark and the other is light, and I need some that are in between.  They were on sale, as were two other items I bought.  I really have to stay out of that store because if I go in to buy one simple item, I always find other things I need (can use/would like to have).

When I came out of Target the rain was pouring down.  Of course I was parked far away from the entrance, as I always do wherever I shop in order to get a bit more exercise.  I finally decided I wouldn't melt and just walked into the rain.  We need it and I don't complain about it although I have an excellent crop of weeds already.

My daughter is having foot surgery on Monday so I'm going over tomorrow morning to drink coffee with her (maybe work the NYT crossword) and just try to reassure her about the operation.  I had a bunion removed when I was just a couple of years older than she is now.  Worst thing I ever did - it was fine for a lot of years but has gotten so bad again that it hurts to walk.  It isn't so much the bunion but the displacement of other bones years after the surgery.

I didn't make the chicken vegetable soup yesterday so I just finished it this morning.  Mmmmm good!  My fridge looks a lot emptier.

The rain looks like it will be around for a while, but the overnight temp looks to be a bit warmer as well.  I'll take that!