Vacation, allergies,Thankgiving

It's been a while...I know....
I have been on vacation for 2 weeks. It's been heaven. Staying up late, sleeping past 5 a.m. No screaming kids (unless you count the two times I forced myself to enter Walmart's doors). And no bitching parents. I ate better also. Gained a pound then lost it. Whatever.

Bob and I went to Clearwater for a few days. I watched the sunset (my only real reason to go) enjoyed the beach, the spa. It was only for a few days but it was nice to get away.



The mulch is all gone and the rock is in....Maddie is still itching....All that work for nothing...but hey, no more mulch to replace year after year. Took her back to the vet the day after Thanksgiving (more on Thanksgiving later). Vet put her on another round of antibiotics and some stronger antihistamines. The Vet said I can up the dosage to one whole pill if its not too "sedating" Surely you jest.....Too sedating? for Maddie? NEVER. So far, not sure if I see a difference or not. Have to give it another couple days. She likes the fact I put her pills in vienna sausages. She doesn't like "the helmet" she has to wear.



Thanksgiving was nice...went to Bob's brothers. Spent the day with family and some really great friends, one of whom has cancer also and is fighting it with everything ounce of his soul. He looked exhausted and the treatment has taken it's toll on him, but he has such a positive attitude. He's an inspiration to anyone with cancer. Brain and Ureter Cancer. Enough said I guess. The doctors did say his tumors had shrunk and he may be able to return to work in January.

It's back to work tomorrow for me. Other than the screaming kids...I look forward to getting back on schedule. I have my lunch packed and in the fridge, ready to go. Hopefully at 5 a.m when that alarm goes off, I will still feel like going back.
Wish me luck.

A new car

I bought a new car. We were looking for a good used car for our son...and I thought, "I have a good used car"...excellent condition, 3 years old. No marks on it anywhere..Perfect condition and I have every service record on it.
So, Des bought my car and I bought a new one.
Got a great deal on it. Love the color etc. It's a 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited. It's loaded. I have never owned a car this nice. I guess the good stuff is worth waiting for.

Maddie, cars and stuff.

I figured out what is causing Maddie's allergies. Well, at least I think I know what it is. Mulch. Red. Died. Mulch. It's horrible. She breaks out..comes in itching, red..scratching, biting. I have to bath her and wipe her when she comes in.

We are going to get all the mulch out of the yard this week and replace it with rock. She won't like it..but hopefully,no more itching.

Looking for another car for Des. The one he has just isn't working out. I hate buying cars.

Bob bought a new truck last weekend. Went in, looked at one truck. Said this is the one I want, sat down, made a deal, it was done.
He makes it look to so easy.

We found a car for Des yesterday with low miles, good price. Bringing our mechanic to look at it.

I am still trudging along at work. The doctor thinks she has a buyer for her house. So that is step one in the process of getting to Dallas. Now she has to keep on finding a buyer for the practice.
Wherever it leaves me...with or without a Job, I will stay until the locks are changed and they ask me to leave. Just depends on if the new doctor already has a staff.

Otherwise, life is good...still.
Oh and one more thing...I discovered John Legend....I'm in love.... :)

Dad and other stuff

Dad is back in the hospital. Retaining fluid from the congestive heart failure. He seems to always bounce back from these things. I am hoping he does this time too.
His 79th birthday is next month, October 4th.
Other than Dad's relapse, life has been good.

Work is busy.

Bob is great, coaching 4 girls now in softball. He is hosting a golf tournament for the United Way thru Citigroup, next Friday. It's his third year organizing it and hosting it.

Des is in his second year of college and likes his new roomies. Gets his cast off the 7th of October. (hopefully)

Maddie has some sort of allergy that is driving me nuts. Itching, scratching. Tried benedryl. Short of allergy tests and shots....there is nothing else I can do.
Otherwise....life is good.

Life is good....but why?

I know I haven't posted in a while. Just not in the mood. I have been thinking about my life....It's good. I don't have a million dollars or a maid...or a cook...but overall, life is good. I have been thinking about why my life is good. There are others out there less fortunate than I am. I am thankful for all I have but think sometimes I am not thankful enough or don't deserve it. I wonder why I was chosen to have a good life. My life hasn't been perfect. There were rough times. But overall it's been good. I think I think too much.....

The week ahead and update on Des....

Desmond had his surgery. Anyone who sees me on facebook should already know. I was so bored at the hospital, I was updating facebook every 5 minutes it seems. Hope I didn't bore anyone.

I have to be at the MOSI tomorrow for a Back To School Thingy. Representing the pedatric dental office where I work.......I volunteered.....must have had a bad day that day or someone drugged my coffee. It's like waking up after you have slept with someone and realizing "OMG this was a mistake". Kids get on my nerves and I hate crowds. There's supposed to be thousands of visitors there tomorrow.
So if anyone happens to be at the MOSI, stop by booth #7. Third floor of the Main Building. I will bore you to death with "don't put your baby to bed with a bottle, Start flossing at age 3 blah blah blah. It's like reciting the abc's to me. I just say it and not think about it.

I leave Thursday for N.J. Spending a few days with friends from my high school graduating class of 1982. Looking forward to getting away with Bob, and spending time with people I havn't seen since June of 1982. I got married and moved to Spain. Most of my friends went on to College or working. I lost contact with quite a few.

I will post some pictures of the event. We are meeting for drinks with a few classmates at DiPaolo's Italian Restaurant the night before the big bash, in Penns Grove, New Jersey.

http://dipaolos.wordpress.com

http://www.dipaolosrestaurant.com

It was a little Italian Deli where they made the pizza's right in front of you. You could get pizza, cheesestakes and subs. For dessert, Pizzelles, Italian cookies, Cannoli. My dad worked with the owner when he was working at Dupont. It was family owned and run. I have bought sandwiches there so many times, I can't even begin to count. It was the only place we got our pizza and cheesestakes. Most of the time we bought our subs there, sometimes Pheffers in Carneys Point, New Jersey. They both used Prioli's rolls.

Prioli's was a small Italian bakery in Penns Grove, NJ that sold round rolls, long italian loaves and smaller sandwich rolls. You could also get sub sandwich rolls. I tried and tried to get my dad to buy the place when it was for sale but he said he didn't like the business part of running a business. He would just go in and bake or cook and be happy. So I suggested he just buy the recipe and open a place in Virginia when they moved there in 1983. He could have someone to manage the business end and he could bake. He said no.....years later I heard him say, "I should have bought that recipe for Prioli's. We can't get a decent sandwich roll down here." I reminded him of what had said.

We went to our favorite little Italian place for dinner tonight. Pizza Mania in Wesley Chapel, FL. It has the best pizza, subs, steak sandwichs. The owner is from NJ. I was thinking about how much I missed my dad's cooking. He was a great cook and would spend hours in the kitchen stirring, mixing, baking. He would make his own sauce for Spaghetti every Sunday. He would start it at 8:00 a.m. and let it simmer all day. He would fry or bake some pork chops and put in the sauce. By the time the sauce finished the pork chops were so soft and soaked in the sauce. His Spaghetti and Meatballs was the best.

Dad is doing much better. Eating better, walking better. Just so much better. We moved him from Kentucky to Virginia the last weekend in July. We hired an ambulance service to transport him so they could moniter him. He did well during the trip. My sister was there when he got there to get him settled in. She's been there almost every day since. I wish I lived closer. I am planning on driving up for Thanksgiving so I can spend it with my dad. I havn't spent one with him in years. I think the last one was 1982. They were still living in New Jersey.

I love reminising about my life in Penns Grove. There are some great memories there.

Just another day in my life....

My son has been complaining of wrist pain...so I took him to an orthopaedist. Diagnosis: Fractured wrist. Three years ago...we had no idea. He just thought it was sprained. Surgery is August 12th. A Bone graft is necessary. And they have to remove scar tissue.
The fun in my life continues.......
I have a bacteria in my stomach that requires me to take 8 pills a day for the next 2 weeks. The pills make a nasty metalic taste in my mouth....
I am up to 17 pills a day including my vitamins and other RX's.
Work is crazy with all the parents wanting to get their kids in before school starts.Its really stressful right now.
When is it going to end?

The lost art of writing

Now what?

I started not feeling well last week Wednesday. Gnawing knot in my stomach, nauseous. Left work early.....Thursday: Returned to work, gnawing still in stomach, nauseous. Came home, ate and had severe stomach pain all night. Friday: Worked half day, no patients. Was tired but felt ok. Still nauseous though. Saturday 3 p.m.: Severe stomach pains, so severe I ended up at the Drs. Walk In Clinic and then the emergency room. Diagnosis: Ulcer. Taking some meds for it.

Followed up with my Doc today and I have to have some testing done for some bacteria. She thinks I could have picked it up in the Dominican Republic.....yeah, that place from hell I vacationed at back in October. Great...
So, I have to do some tests and if it is positive, I have to take massive doses of antibiotics and then take massive doses of ulcer meds.
I am taking it in stride as I am so relieved to be out of pain.

Long time no post

Sorry, I went out of town to see my dad. I had posted earlier that he had fallen and was injured.

He is frail and can not feed himself very well. He falls asleep very easily and needs the help of two people to walk. He fell asleep while my sister cut his hair.
His head injury is healing nicely on the outside. The injury to his brain, well....hopefully..... that will get better.

He has trouble swallowing and is on a diet of thickened liquids to prevent him from getting choked. He is also on a soft diet. The speech therapist that helps him with the swallowing said she is upgrading his diet this week to nectar thick liquids and a more solid food diet.
I hope he starts eating more. He only takes tablespoons of food. Not very much.

Not much in the mood to post but wanted to update.

Just Shut the Fuck Up

And this is just part one.

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I have never heard such a mess of the English language in all my life. Well, Mike Tyson is pretty bad too :)

Anyhow...I know Kate will have to drink heavily to get through all that.

It just keeps getting better

dropping like flies

It seems we are surrounded by death lately. Ed McMann, Farrah, Michael, Fred Travalena and Billy Mays..... also some actress from the 50's. She was like 87 so that wasn't so bad.

Farrah had cancer, Ed McMann was old. Fred Travalena also had cancer....
But Michael and Billy?

Billy wasn't anyone I grew up listening to. (Thank God because he did get on my nerves a bit.)
Michael on the other hand.....he will be missed. I loved the Jackson Five as a kid and as a teenager listened to Off The Wall and Thriller about a million times.

The discos in Madrid were filled with his music. The dance floors were full whenever his or Maddona's music started to play. Even though he started getting weird by 1987, I still loved his music. Most of all, I loved watching him perform as a kid. He was so smooth. Sung with his heart and never missed a step.

Living in Spain, there wasn't much on TV we as Americans could watch. We depended on VCR and video taped movies or shows from the U.S.
We had some friends who's family had taped the Motown 25th Anniversary show where Michael performed that famous moon walk. They mailed it to them and it was passed around and around. Everyone I knew wanted to watch that video.

Though I already knew about his death, when NPR officially announced it on WUSF 89.7 I felt sick to my stomach and cried. I still was in shock and couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was like a very bad dream.

I did not know of his addiction to painkillers. I don't even recall him to going to Rehab as I read in the news following his death. I guess I wasn't paying attention.

I always told my son, "Michael was the man when I was a teenager". My son loved playing the guitar solo in Beat It. There were many times I would come down the hall to hear him rocking out in his room playing that song.

I am disappointed we will never find out if his "comeback" would have truly been a comeback. I hope if there is a heaven Michael, John and George are up there comparing notes and making music together.

My Dad

Sorry I haven't posted pics and info about my trip. My dad fell and hit his head. He has 15 stitches and a fractured C6 vertebra. Not to mention Pneumonia and has no idea where he is or why. He's in the hospital.
But my trip was great and I have a great story to tell with nice pics. I will post my story and pics soon.
Until then, see you facebook.

All work and no play

Leaving tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. for a dental convention in Orlando. Not really looking forward to the work part. Mostly seminars. But...looking forward to a weekend away, eating, drinking and not having to pay for it. Oh yeah, and all the freebies. Post more later.

Endorphins

Recently my husband added me to his gym membership. Today was the first day I went. I did 40 minutes on the treatmill at 3.5 mph at a #3 incline.
When I finished, I felt so great. It was like I had slept 20 hours none stop. I felt refreshed. I felt invigorated. I felt "high". It was very strange.
I know exercise can do that, but it's the first time I have ever felt that way.
It was a great feeling and I can't wait to go back. The people there were friendly and helpful. They have everything there you could possibly need. Its a great facility.

Speechless

I haven't had much to say lately. Work starts getting busy this week as school has let out and all the kiddies are available to come in for treatment or a cleaning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penns_Grove
(I couldn't get this wiki page to embed. Don't know why. Copy and paste I guess.)

I booked tickets to fly up to my hometown of Penns Grove New Jersey (Home of Bruce Willis, he went to my high school), for a reunion barbecue type get together with some classmates. It's in August. It's going to be so freaking hot. August in Jersey can be as bad as it is in Tampa.

I hired a housekeeper but my dog would do a better job of cleaning, so I won't be having her back. My son claims he will do it so we'll see how that goes. He is supposed to be starting a job in the next week or two at a local pizza place.

My dog went to the vet yesterday for her shots, check up etc. She passed all the tests. She has been itching a lot lately so the vet told me to give her benedryl. So she takes benedryl 3 times a day. It hasn't helped much yet. I just started it yesterday. She is also getting Omega 3 oil once a day. It helps keep their skin and coat healthy. She is much calmer with the benedryl though. Which is a good thing. :)

My husband bought me a gym membership. My doctor cleared me so I can start any time I want. I may go with my husband after work this week. I haven't worked out in a long time. (weights) I have no upper body strength. I want Michelle Obama arms. That's my goal.

I don't have her good genes so we'll see how this goes.

The Boro

We went right past Dave's stomping grounds. I beeped and waved.

My sister's yard and the pups

Virginia trip

Well I promised some photos from my trip to Virginia. I assume you already saw my nephew and his smashed Mustang.
Here are some from the reunion.

From left to right: My sister Sherrie, some guy I just found out I was related to, my nephew DJ, his girlfriend Brandy, and my husband Bob.



Des and DJ entertaining the crowd

This is a picture of my nephew Jesus, I mean D.J.



5 minutes after this picture was taken, he left for work. He called about 5 minutes after he left to say someone had rear ended him, going 55 mph. DJ was sitting still.



He was hit by a lady driving a pick-up truck who didn't see him sitting with his blinker on to make a left turn.








There were no skid marks, indicating she never hit the breaks.
D.J. is a very lucky young man.

Lysol? I thought that was for my floor

I came across this vintage ad for Lysol. I was totally shocked on how and what it was used for in the past. (click on picture to make it larger and read ad.)

All in the family

Heading North to Virginia to visit my sister for a few days. Attending a family reunion. I will be armed with the camera and will try to post some pics.
This should be interesting.

All in the family

Heading North to Virginia to visit my sister for a few days. Attending a family reunion. I will be armed with the camera and will try to post some pics.
This should be interesting.

Flower Power

As I have mentioned before, I work for a Pediatric Dentist. She is nice enough to supply our scrubs for us. Recently she bought the office manager and myself a new top. She was excited about it and told us over lunch, "it's got big flowers on it." She sounded so excited about it. The office manager and I just looked at each other...like "OMG what has she done now?" She tends to order us scrubs that don't fit properly and are usually 10 sizes too big. I thought "well, I will give her the benefit of the doubt, maybe this time it's not so bad"...until I opened the box and saw THIS.....






It looks like really bad 70's wallpaper. We have decided to tell her we will pay for shipping to send it back.

Some Good News

Ruben was scoped today and the doctors said they can not see any cancer. We have to wait until the PET scan to find out if it is completely gone (no longer in the lymph nodes) and then he is considered cancer free.
Keeping our fingers crossed until then but very happy with today's news. Thanks to all who prayed for him.

What a difference a day makes

It was just a cold and not the flu. (@@) )~ That's supposed to be a pig. Anyhow.....I took an Ambien last night late and slept a little better than I had. I feel about 50% better than I did yesterday. I am still not going into work today, just in case I am still contagious. I have a pattern of waking up and feeling better but by 9:00 or 10:00 a.m., I am feeling bad again.

I am glad I feel better. I have only eaten twice in the last 2 days. I have no appetite. I am drinking hot tea, orange juice and water. My mom always gave me tea and toast when I was sick. I will have to try that as soon as my stomach tells me it's hungry.

I'm not oinking yet....

I have the flu. I know, I know....
Kate said it's nothing to worry about...so I am not going to worry. But I am not going to work tomorrow. I am in direct contact with children and their parents and I don't think the parents would want me there spreading my "pig" germs. People tend to panic.
I am not running a fever, but have body aches, muscle and joint aches, headache, sore throat, stuffed up nose, no appetite whatsoever. I just feel overall crappy.
I am thinking its a bad cold. I want to think positive.
I was just at the doctor Friday. If I am not better by Wednesday I will call. No point in alarming anyone.

Still Alive

I know I haven't posted in a while. Sorry. Just didn't have anything to say. My Blood pressure is a little high so the doctor changed my meds....again.... Can we say "sick of this shit"?

I am not feeling too hot today. Not sure why. I need to eat something but I am stuck at work and there is nothing healthy in the fridge. I will grab a bite when I get home.

Bob's other brother (Norberto) from NY is down visiting the brother who has cancer (Ruben). We may meet him for dinner tonight or just go to Ruben's house. Norberto leaves tomorrow.

My son finishes college next week and will be home for the summer. My house will be so depressed. :)

That's all for now. Hope everyone has a great weekend. I sure will try.

Back to my old self?

Well the headache is gone and I sleep with the help of Ambien. Still coughing. But hey, I am alive.

The weather has been good. Tonight the hubby went to a girl's high school softball game. He has been coaching a co-worker's daughter in pitching. The hubby has played softball on and off for about 40 years. Fast style windmill. Anyhow...he went to one of her games tonight to see her play. He says she's pretty good.
Soooo.... Maddie and I were home alone. I had some energy and decided to do some stuff around the house. Straightened up the kitchen, cleaned off the clutter on the counters etc. I hate clutter. Vacuumed and swept. Got to do it while I feel like.
Then Maddie and I walked 2 1/2 miles very briskly. It was great. It was a nice breezy evening. People were out running, walking their dogs, just enjoying the evening. I love this weather and know it won't last too much longer.
Summers here suck.
When we returned I let Maddie out in the back yard. Lord knows she can't stay inside for more than 5 minutes.
The sun was shining on my fence and something was casting a weird rainbow shaped shadow. I could not figure out what it was...but took a picture to share. After viewing the picture, I realized it was the Palm tree. Still like it though.

Threw one in of Maddie after the squirrels.

Sleeping is for babies

I am back to not sleeping and the sinus headaches are back in full force.....oh...and that nagging cough is back also. Would somebody just shoot me please and put me out of my misery?

Today I get a long extended lunch hour because the doc will be at a school function for one of her daughters.
Not looking forward to it though because she wants us to run an errand for her that is 20 miles away and she won't offer me gas money. Personally, I would rather just come home and sleep for the two hours.
If the head doesn't stop hurting, that is probably what I will do.
These headaches are horrible. Its so bad I feel nauseous. ( I spelled nauseous correctly at a guess, unless it's spelled so wrong spell check didn't catch it. LOL)

Did get some good news....my brother in law can swallow again and has his voice back! I was so happy to hear that last night, for a second my head stopped hurting and I forgot about the cough.
But then reality set back in.
I do hope he continues to do well and beats this cancer.

Sleeping like a baby

It was a long week of screaming children and bitching parents...(what else is new) Never in my life have I met so many parents who don't want to spend a dime on their children's teeth. They slam their Coach bags up on the counter and then complain when they take out their matching wallets that they have to pay for fluoride (that is only $25.00) because THEY picked a sucky dental plan. (One mom actually had to call her husband to ask if she she could pay for fluoride that day. Shoot me if I ever get to that point in my life.)
NOT MY FUCKING PROBLEM. If you don't want to take care of your kids, you shouldn't have had so many! (I am quite the bitch lately huh?)

Ok i feel better now....

I came home from work yesterday and went to bed at 6:30 pm. I slept like a baby. I haven't done that in a long while. I don't know why I am sleeping so well all of a sudden. I think it may be that when I am breathing, I am concentrating on not coughing, so I am thinking about taking short slow breaths and not thinking about anything else. And the dreams I have had while I am asleep have been very vivid. I can remember every detail of them when I wake up. I usually remember my dreams anyway but these dreams have been more memorable for some reason.

My sinus headaches are back with a vengeance. I was hoping they were gone for good, but no such luck.
I didn't eat well today...went all day without eating and then ate KFC. I know...its full of sodium and fat.
I did have some cantaloupe as a snack later on though.
Tomorrow I am off and having lunch with a friend. I can't wait to sleep past 5 a.m. It will be delightful.

Not China?

I was sleeping the other night and I heard this crash. I jumped up and couldn't figure out what it was. It sounded like it came from my son's bathroom so I went in and turned on the light. There lay the shower curtain and the rod. It had fallen off the wall. It was the orginal rod and the house is 18 years old. So I think I got my money's worth when we bought the house (used and all)
Anyhow, off to Walmart (yeah I know..I hate that place too) I go to pick up a new rod. When I got home I started taking off the plastic wrap and what did I see but "Made in the U.S.A."

So at least we are making shower curtain rods here. I doubt there is a great demand for them though.

Ack!!!!!

I am still coughing...FUCK!!! (i feel better now)
And my dad is in the hospital. And it's Spring Break week so work is brutal.
Just wanted to let you know.

On a roll...

Well, I have been exercising and lifting weights. I am determined to get myself in shape. I use free weights every other day and walk every day. I am trying really hard to eat right, but still enjoy my sweets every now and then. I have been cooking and eating mostly at home.
It's so hard to control sodium. Everything is so full of it. You don't realize how much is in so many things.
I feel like I am doing well and want to continue this so I can see a difference in how I look and feel.
I am thin, weight isn't an issue. I need to tone up and I need to build upper body strength, as I have none,..... seriously.

I still have the dry cough. My doctor changed my meds and hopefully that will work. I am still waiting for the cough to subside. I hope it's soon because I get out of breath when I walk or talk a lot.

Thanks for all the words of encouragement SuperDave and JerseyGirl.

Long time no post

Sorry I havn't posted in a bit. I have been feeling crappy on and off for a couple weeks. Had this nasty dry cough and I couldn't get rid of it. I finally went to the doctor and she said it was my blood pressure medicine. So she changed the meds. After I bought a 90 day supply. Ugh. She gave me some samples of the new one to use and I see her back in a month.
I hate this.
I just want to be healthy, no meds. I know I need to eat right...and I try...but I hate cooking so I eat out a lot and that's not good. I bought a low sodium cookbook. It's behind my knives next to my stove. The recipes looked good. I just havn't tried any of them.
I get bursts of energy and will feel like doing things. But most of the time, I am tired...and beat...mentally and physically.
I just don't know what to do anymore.
I know I need to exercise but after listening to screaming kids, bitching parents, and a doctor who is never satisfied no matter how perfect you are all day, I just want to come home and veg out in front of the lap top and listen to 70's music.
Any words of inspiration would be appreciated.

Natasha Richardson

I was very saddened to hear that Natasha Richardson had died from her head injury she sustained skiing. It is the same exact injury my son had in 2004. He survived. It makes you think..........

Reading the story here brought back memories and tears to my eyes. She could have been saved had she gone directly to the hospital and had a CAT scan. Head injuries are nothing to ignore. My son made it to the hospital with 15 minutes of life left in him. I only wish Ms. Richardson would have also.

What's beneath me...

OK here's what is beneath me (thanks Dave). My new floors.

Whew!

For the past week, we have been preparing, and moving furniture so we could get laminate wood floors put in our bedrooms. We had to move each bedroom, everything it, out in to the formal living areas. Then we had to rip out the old carpet and clean up all the mess. Each bedroom has a walk in closet, so we had to clean that out and strip that carpet out too.

A friend of ours who is a licensed contractor came and installed them. He did one room at a time so that we could get the furniture moved back in and have room to put the next rooms furnture in the formal areas.

We, myself, my husband Bob, Desmond and his friend Scott moved everything out of the rooms. Bob cut and pulled up the carpet. Bob removed the tack strips, Des swept, Scott pulled the nails of the cement floor. I am in the equation somewhere. LOL
We worked as a team and got it all done in 4 days. Three bedrooms of furniture In, out in four days.

Ray did a great job and I am so glad we went with him and not that place called HD. I won't mentioned names but the store is big and orange.

Ray saved us a ton of money and I am sure did a much better job. He's a great guy.

Needless to say, I am very pleased with my floors and will post some pics soon. I bought a new camera. I think my other one was stolen out of my own house by someone who came in to work on my house. Not Ray of course. That was over a month ago. Pics will follow.

Just like old times...

I grew up listening to all different types of music. I sometimes didn't realize what the words to the song were really saying. That happens a lot to me when I hear a song from my childhood, I'll say to myself..."Ohhh that's what they were saying?"
Anyhow, I had that moment tonight. I had downloaded some music and threw in some Chicago. One of the songs was "Dialogue". I really never paid attention to what the song was saying. I didn't even know who sung that song. Actually as a child, thought it was a couple different songs thrown in together.
Anyhow....
I listened to it tonight. I listened to it about three times before it hit me as to what they were talking about.
This song, the words, the meaning.....could pass for the current state of the world.
Its a rough copy but enjoy:

Food glorious food

Since my last post I have been exercising and eating right. The only bad thing is I am losing weight. I weigh about 118 right now and don't want to get too thin. I guess losing some body fat would be good. My husband bought me some hand weights so I could keep my arms toned.
Food is an issue with me. I eat to survive and don't really care what it is I eat. I eat until I am no longer hungry and stop. I just have to chose the right things to eat now.
I took the day off from walking yesterday as I was extremely tired when I returned home from work. Today's schedule is a little better and I should feel ok.
I have a family reunion in May and my nephew's graduation in June. Don't want family to look at me and say "omg she's wasting away".

Waving the white flag

My job is stressfull at times. I mentioned in my last post the screaming kids, I forgot to mention the parents who bitch at me because the they have to spend thousands of dollars because they gave their kids candy to shut them up, or lets them go to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, again to shut them up and now their teeth are rotten. Not my problem is my new motto.

Anyhow, Boss tells me my hours are being cut back and I am actually glad. I get up at 5 am. I am at work by 6:30 most days and work until 3:30 pm with very little break time.

Our schedule is slow but it seems I am still just as busy.
The office manager won't be happy about my cut hours as she hates running the front desk. Again, Not my problem.

I went to the doctor yesterday. She didn't like my numbers so she is increasing my blood pressure medication. I haven't been eating the way I should or exercising the way I should. I get home from work and am tired, physically and mentally. I told her about my boss cutting back my hours and she said she was going to suggest that. I guess the boss beat her to it.

My blood pressure is my problem and I intend to take care of it.
I intend to eat right, exercise and try not to stress out as much.
I'll keep ya posted.

The nose knows

I saw a can of kidney beans in my pantry yesterday and immediately thought of chili. That would be our dinner for the next day.


I had a hectic day at work. Lots of new patients, kids fighting with their siblings, parents ignoring their children, phone ringing, children screaming. All I could think of was eating that chilli in peace and quiet. So, after work today I stopped at Super Target to pick up some canned tomatoes and chilli seasoning. I don't grocery shop much, the husband does that for me. When I do shop it's Publix because is closer. Anyhow, I found everything I needed except the chili seasoning. I walked up and down every food isle looking. I know right where it is in Publix but I could not find it in Target. I was just about to go and find an employee, when my nose picked up the scent of chilli spice. I turned around there it was, right behind me, the little envelopes of seasoning.
It's funny how our senses work.

Oh Thank Heaven

Our son Desmond was born on July 11th 1990. Ever since he was born, it seems whenever we look at a clock it reads 7:11. It happens all the time and has been happening ever since he was born. Well now the car is starting with it. I was at a redlight on my way to work and what do you know?

A fashion statement

I had to go to Publix to pick up some prescriptions for my son Des who was home from college with the flu. The doctor on campus told him not to go to class until Monday, this was Wednesday night, so I told him to just come home so mom can take care of him. I made him my famous chicken noodle soup and he rested in his own bed in his own room. So much better than a noisey dorm room.

Anyhow, while I was at publix, a gentleman walked in to pick up his prescription also. I couldn't resist taking his picture for your enjoyment and a good laugh. OMG did he look in the mirror before he left the house? And if he is married, how could his wife let him leave the house like this?

NPR

I have been listening to NPR for a few years now. I worked for a very left wing attorney and he used to listen to it every day. Thanks Steele.
Now when I wake up at 5 am and come out for my cup of Tea after my shower, I turn on NPR 89.7 WUSF.
I love the news in the morning. The interviews, the wonderful and sometimes sad stories it tells.

The shows are Morning Edition with Carson Cooper in the morning from 5 am til 9 am. And in the afternoon, All Things Considered with Susan Giles Wantuck runs from 4 pm til 6:00 pm. Florida Matters at 6:00 pm and then Marketplace at 6:30. The shows are great and I learn so much listening to all the stories.
It's almost comforting to hear their voices in the morning and evening. Its the first thing I do in the morning as I walk in to the kitchen, I turn the knob on the radio before I even let the dog out. Sorry Maddie.

Chicken Soup

I was talking about my mother-in-law the other day. She passed away in 1999. My husband, son and I went to see her in Puerto Rico when our son was 3 years old. (1993). She was such a sweet woman. There are plenty of people out there who don't get along with their in laws, but she was just wonderful. I just regret she lived so far from us that I could not spend more time with her. She adored my husband as she did all her children.
She lived on a farm in the mountains with multiple chickens, goats and other animals. One day while we were at the beach, she killed a chicken and prepared fresh Chicken soup. It was the best soup I ever tasted. (Sorry Kate).

Anyhow, I have been sick with a cold all weekend and I don't know why it didn't occur to me to make chicken soup. So this morning, knowing I had to get better before tomorrow so I could return to work, I put on a pot of chicken to boil. I have rested, drank fluids etc. etc....
I am hoping this will finish the job. It's not Emelia's chicken soup but I think making it in her memory will do the trick.
BTW, its one of the few things I make that we fight over who's going to get the last bowl.

Fun with Signs

Tile, sick and Michael Phelps

I havn't posted in a while. We are tearing out our shower and having it retiled. We had all new plumbing and faucets installed in our three showers. Only one is usable as they went thru the closet to get to the pipes. The others had to have the tile ripped out. Fun.....
Now I have a cold or something going on. Its mostly my nose but now the body aches are starting and I feel miserable...literally miserable...like pissed at the world...and speaking of pissed...

Kate had posted something on Michael Phelps "caught" smoking marijuana. She beat me to the post but I share her feelings. Now Kellogs has dropped him and he was suspended.
I really think this is rediculous. Our so called former "president" starts an illegal war, supports and even orders torture and god knows what else, and nothing happens to him. Micheal Phelps hits the bong and all hell breaks loose. All the idiots who called Kelloggs to complain probably do the same thing at home. If they would just legalize it, it would create jobs, and produce taxes which could fund education etc.
OMG People in general piss me off.

Ruben, carpet and other things

Yesterday was Ruben's first chemo treatment. He said he feels just like he does on anything other day. I hope the treatments are kind to him, but we know they won't be after a few days.

We decided we wanted laminate wood flooring throuhout our house, however, we have a large area that is ceramic tile. I had read you can put laminate wood over tile, however finding an installer willing to do this isn't easy. So.....we have decided that instead of paying close to 10K to put in laminate flooring, we will just replace the areas that are carpeted with new carpet and leave it at that. With the economy the way it is....and job loss happening every day, it's probably not a good idea to spend that much money right now anyway.
Though I hate carpet....I am happy to have a wonderful home, so I am ok with it.

My Obamapalooza/birthday party is tomorrow night. I have been dreading it for weeks. Even though I want to have the party, I was dreading it....Don't ask me why. Anyhow, today I finally felt excited about it. I will have about 30 good friends here for some good music, great food and Bob's sangria. Most Everyone coming has had bob's sangria..... well lets say they are probably coming just for the sangria.
Hope you all have a wonderful superball (I could care less about football) weekend. Tampa Bay is excited about it. We are having crappy, rainy, cold weather right now though. I hope the visitors aren't too disappointed.
Go Steelers! (That's from Bob)

My son and my dog

I was just telling my son that as much as Maddie is a pain in the ass, I am glad I have her. Des says " Yeah, she's not bad, she just not good either".

House cleaning

We finished painting our family room and I just completed putting back the curtains, pictures etc on the wall. Painting is such a job.
I want to hire a housekeeper. Someone who comes every other week and just keeps things clean for me. I love cleaning but by the time I get home from work, I don't feel like it and I hate spending my weekends cleaning the house. I am very particular in the way my house is cleaned. Faucets have to be shiny and no water spots anywhere. Floors have to be clean, no hair anywhere. (My son has long hair so when he comes home on the weekend he leaves a trail)

My dilemma is I don't want someone in my house. I like my privacy and don't want anyone touching my things etc...
So....it looks like I am just going to have to do one or two things an evening and then it won't be so bad on the weekend.
Ugh!

Stage 4

My brother-in-law's cancer is stage 4, almost stage 5. I guess it was worse than the doctors first thought. He gets the PET scan on Monday. He starts Chemo on Thursday. Its going to be a rough couple months for him, for his wife, his grown kids...for everyone who loves him.

Run for your lives!!!!!!!!!!

Feces-throwing monkey on the loose in Tampa Bay


Jan 14, 8:33 PM (ET)


CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - Wildlife officials said a rhesus monkey known to throw feces when mad is on the loose in Tampa Bay. Authorities have been trying to capture the primate since Tuesday afternoon, but it managed to evade a bucket truck and tranquilizer dart.

Gary Morse with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the adult male is thought to have escaped from an unlicensed source. It was last seen in Clearwater.

The monkey is not considered dangerous.

Ok, no he's not dangerous, he just hurls crap at you. Great..just what I needed...

Unbelievable

I read this article online and couldn't believe what I was reading. And then the whole Jesus comment was just weird. I can't figure out how to embed the link so here, you can copy and paste it. I tried to find intructions online but couldn't find embedding an article or website, just photo's which I know how to do already. Anyway, here goes:
http://apnews.myway.com//article/20090108/D95IVKRG0.html

I feel like crap and other things....

My tummy is upset, I am lacking sleep, my son is writing some weird scary sounding music on his computer, my dog is jumping up the pine tree after a squirrel. I did hear from my attorney today with good news. Settlement is just a short 30 days away. So, I guess life isn't too bad. I feel better already. But I still worry....
Now I know why I like Chuck so much...

Ruben update: The teeth have to go....

My brother in law Ruben has to have some teeth extracted before he can start receiving the radiation therapy. (Five weeks, every day). They won't do the PET scan to see if the cancer spread to the lymph nodes until the teeth are removed. The oncologist said he now thinks it may have spread to the lymph nodes so he wants him to start chemo also.
So it will be extractions, PET scan, radiation and hopefully no chemo.
He is holding up pretty good but his voice is pretty much gone. The next 6-8 weeks will be tough for him. I'll keep you posted.