Sizzling

If lightning hits really close to you, you will hear a sizzle before the thunder. The last time I heard that sound the neighbor's car was fried and my modem was, too.

I just heard it again while upstairs near an open window. I am going offline, just in case....but it's probably like shutting the barn door after the horse is loose. Or is it cow?

Anyway, when it hits that close surge protectors really aren't very useful. I found that out. Besides, I will probably be busy watching fire trucks pretty soon.

It's Official

It's official. I am Old.

This morning I had to throw myself out of bed to rush to class to teach a new class on the Internet. This is one of our more advanced of the classes we teach. It's still very basic, but newbies need some background first. I have a guy in this class who must be over 80 and doesn't know his mouse from his keyboard. Literally. I always tell my students that I won't lose anyone, that we only go as fast as the slowest student. I may have to make an exception unless he took my advice to heart and actually practices at home. Other than that, it went well.

I need to find a sub if I go to Minneapolis next week. Anyone want to teach a class on Thursday for me? It's easy, and there is a nice step-by-step manual. Of course, you will have to come here to do it. No problem, right?

Then I rushed to lunch to meet a former co-worker who caught me up on the latest goings-on at my former office. Many changes are afoot. She and her husband and child will be in Minneapolis at the same time, coincidentally, so we had that to discuss.

After that I stopped in Talbot's and picked up some summer things, including some cute little casual skirts. Good for traveling, I am thinking!

Home to feed the dogs.

So what brought on the Official Old comment? Child came by to pick up two more bags of her hundreds here. She saw me standing in the sunlight with my hair tied up, all decked out for chasing down weeds and being chased by wasps.

She said it's time to dye my hair. Too much gray. Sigh. I had hoped to hold out longer because I like my natural color.

Why do men get "distinguished" and we get "old?"

You have lost your connection...

I admit it. I have odd issues. Currently I can still barely chew and the bottoms of my feet hurt. Try walking on open sores caused by a doctor, sigh. I am getting ready to take the dogs for their daily constitutional (4 miles, and I want to get out before it hits 95 degrees), and my feet are aching at the thought. At least I don't have to walk on my molar.

After about 6 weeks of physical therapy three times a week, my neck and shoulder have shown some improvement. That means I have full range of motion and no pain in my shoulder as long as no one touches it. My neck continued to hurt. A lot. Range of motion in my neck to the left - sucks.

Yesterday I had the Vampire here for a massage treatment. Remember, in Transylvania (yes, literally) he was a licensed physical therapist. He worked on me for an hour. I have tight delts. I am not sure what that means, but it didn't sound bad. I have much more movement in my neck today, of course, and a lot less pain. He even gave me some history of Romania during the treatment, I guess I never stopped to think before that "Rome" is in "Romania." Silly me.

A few more treatments and I will be perfect again. He was charging me $35, and I handed him $40. He went for his wallet and I told him no change. He is worth so much more. He absolutely insisted on giving me a ten, telling me that for me it's $30 and he seemed insulted at the idea of a tip. He was here over an hour. He may be the best massage therapist in town, but he won't get far as a businessman, lol.

The connection problem referred to in the title of this entry is something odd.

I have a laptop, and use a wireless router. When I get up off my recliner chair where I use the computer and set the laptop on the floor to answer the phone or whatever, I often get kicked offline. What is this - the heat from my legs makes a problem or something? Does anyone else ever have this issue? It seems to need me to touch it. Once I set it down, it kicks off. Not every time, but often enough for me to notice it. Issues, issues.

Eeek!

I already wrote this once - I seem to be having that trouble a lot, lately.

Anyway, this has been a busy medical week for me. Today was dermatology day. I had a full body check a few weeks ago and I mentioned that I have a few plantar warts. Not a sexy thing, but something that needs to be addressed. I don't mind seeing my dermatologist as he is a very attractive guy. It's amazing what a pretty guy can talk me into.

I don't miss my yearly checks. I am a redhead with very light skin who has had a lot of sunburns in my life and has had skin cancer twice. This doctor is fairly new to me. I used to see a lady, but she retired. 

Today he had an intern with him, and she was really nice. She will be a good doctor. She didn't seem to have sympathy pains, but was interested in the process.

Having liquid nitrogen (I think that is what he uses) sprayed on your feet hurts. It really does hurt. But I tolerate it because he is so cute, right? He had told me after the first treatment that I would probably have trouble with my daily walks, but I went home and walked. I didn't have any issues from the treatment once it was over.

After beating up my feet today, he asked if I have any other concerns. I jokingly mentioned that after he burned my face off last year (deep chemical peel - medically required, not my choice) all the lines in my forehead were gone. I said I now have one line back.

He and the intern looked at each other. Then they looked at me. They said, simultanteously, "Botox!"

I said, "EEEK!"

Honestly, he was right. It hurt a lot less than having my feet frozen. I barely felt any of the five shots.

Soft as a bunny

After the dental work, I didn't walk the dogs. They seemed to understand and didn't even whine for once. They seemed content to cuddle with me and watch me try to eat.

Yesterday we did go. It started as a typical walk. I had to wear my cargo pants so I have a pocket for, well, you know, just in case. I take my cell phone for ID - just in case. I take my pedometer so I know how far we went. I take two poopie bags and my key to the house.

No neighbor dogs attacked us. No kids came up behind us on bikes and almost made me need the little bags for myself. It was a nice walk, until we started on the last section of the main road. Molly found something interesting and I had to drag her off, and she wasn't happy. Me either. It hurts my shoulder to drag her.

We pass the same way on the way back, and she again went for exactly the same spot. We walk on the sidewalk on a main road, and there is a wood fence with foliage. Baby found the same spot very exciting.

Suddenly a very small baby bunny spun out of there and hopped to another area. It scared the crap out of me, but the dogs weren't fazed. I am thinking there was a whole nest in there. I had to drag two dogs home, with their nails scraping across the cement.

They didn't touch the bunnies. There is a Momma Bunny buying stock in dog leashes and fences today. She can pay my physical therapist, too.

 

Some things don't mix

My mother had soft teeth that got cavities easily. My dad didn't. Guess who I took after. I have spent many hours with dentists. I probably have a season pass. Luckily, I have good dental insurance. I also have crowns on all molars except one hanger on which will likely get capped next year.

The crown on my lower left farthest back tooth had to be replaced. It's not easy to get there. I also have a small mouth, the kind that makes dentists cry. He looked at what needed to be done to that tooth, and told me to take a pain pill before I showed up for the prep work.

Yikes! That meant Pain, since dentists will say, "You might feel a little discomfort," not, "This will hurt."

So I took a Vicodin. I still have a few left over from my hand surgeries 4 years ago. Bad decision.

We had to change rooms because the first room only had adult-sized masks for the nitrous oxide. I have a small nose, too, and the mask will leak unless I use a kid's sized mask. How embarassing. He hooked me up, and there was air blowing in my face. He did something to the connection. I got really, really high. No complaints there, since I never felt the first shot. However, after what seemed like 3 hours and was maybe 10 minutes, I realized there was a Problem. I had to remove the mask and give up the gas. I love that stuff. It's the only reason I go to the dentist.

I had to rush to the bathroom. Let's say my stomach was feeling a little discomfort. I brushed my teeth, returned to the chair, and asked for the gas to be turned back on. I knew the drilling and gum work was going to hurt. The drilling hurt, so I had a second shot. I had to leave the room again and, well, puke my guts up again.

Third time in the chair, more gas. Two more shots. It just wouldn't freeze well, and the work took so long the numbness was wearing off. By this time, I was lying sideways in the chair with my eyes closed and white as a sheet when they weren't working on me. It felt like they had their boots and everything in my mouth. I was shaking, cold, then shaking, hot.

I guess Vicodin and nitrous oxide are not a good mixfor me. He finally finished the temporary crown work and told me if I need to return for any reason befor the permanent crown comes in - and I interrupted. I said, "I am not coming back. Not before I have to." He wasn't offended and I wasn't angry. I just hurt and wanted to go home. I looked so bad they offered to drive me home, but it isn't that far.

I came home, was discomforted again, and bemoaned the fact that I generally have a cast iron stomach. I have joked that I could have stomach cancer and not feel anything. Still, the second discomfort at the dentist's office produced blood, so I won't forget not to combine those two drugs again. I put on my "comfy" clothes and hit the love seat and reclined it so I could nap.

Molly, the older beagle, gently sniffed the crook in my arm, reminding me that I had a blood test earlier in the day. What a nose! Then she curled up on my side, with her head and front paws on my stomach, very gently. Baby, the younger beagle, climbed up on the tops of the seats and put her back end on the other side, which was six inches higher due to my having reclined my side. She put her front half dropped down the six inches so she could put her face against mine.

I napped about an hour, and then felt human again. Other than the red dots (pitachae? I forgot how to spell it) all around my eyes from "discomfort" yesterday, and some lingering soreness in my mouth, I am just fine.

I also had a very strange dream last night.

So today I can plan in my mind how to spend the check my broker George sent me. I will come up with hundreds of idea and enjoy all the thoughts, but then will likely do only practical things and save the rest. It's a curse I have. Still, I know some of it will end up in a travel fund :)

Saturday

Today is one of those thought salad days. For those who are glad the heat wave in our area is over, you are welcome. If you want rain, I will be glad to either wash my car or my house windows. The day after my a/c was fixed was the last time I needed it. Now I am cold and wondering who forgot to pay the outdoor heating bill. Looks like rain, too.

Ten years ago I had no patio furniture and was having major surgery in the summer. I decided to get wood furniture, since I think it looks more cozy and warm. It lasted barely ten years, and my friend Gary and I took it to the curb about 3 days before the a/c went out. I still need patio furniture, and have been patiently waiting for my check from my broker, George, which I requested over a week ago.

In the meantime I have been to at least 7-8 stores looking for patio furniture and nothing looks good to me. I am not one of those women who likes to nest and change furniture all the time. If I can sit on it and it doesn't make my back ache, then it's still good stuff. The patio table was totally rotted. I was able to grab pieces of it and pull it off with my hand. What I am trying to say is that I am not enjoying the search for new patio furniture. It's boring and annoying, but I will still have to look at it for about 10 years, so I have to find something that is tolerable and comfortable. I only have a few weeks, and then it will be fall. Well, it might be fall already. It's cold out there, considering it's almost July.

My neighbor came to my door a while ago. Not the one with the little beagle puppy who caught me dressed as a slob last fall. No, this is the foster dad on the other side who caught me dressed as a slob today. This time I have on a denim shirt, black t-shirt with a cat picture on it, navy capri pants, socks, and sandals. Yes, socks and sandals with capris. It was too cold when I got up to go without socks, but I wear a pair of Ecco sandals for slippers in the house. I figured to take the socks off when it warmed up. These aren't nice little white gym socks either. They are half-socks, with metallic threads going through them from some kids's store.  Multi-colored threads. My hair is hanging down straight, uncombed. No makeup, no jewelry besides my watch.

I actually went outside with my neighbor, and stood outside like that to discuss the ash borers. The little buggers are ruining our ash trees and he has some new chemical that he is treating all his trees with and he wanted to tell me about it. He either is afraid my non-ash trees are a threat to him or he is being considerate and wants me to be protected.

I figure that if I am home alone and didn't invite anyone to my door, they deserve to see me in my natural habitat. Maybe it will teach them to call first next time. At least I am not sporting any food stains today. It's early.

I had written a few more paragraphs, but they disappeared. Twice. I can take a hint. Have a good weekend.

It might wash out

Does anyone remember me talking about how I dress when I am home alone? Old clothes, mismatched? There is a reason I do that. I used to always dress as if I were ready to hit the town.

Then I started dribbling on myself. I was always the one who could eat anything without dropping a crumb ever. I never spilled a drink. I could wear white to eat spaghetti.

Things change, don't they? Maybe it was the carpal tunnel thing, maybe I am getting lazy, old; who knows?

Just today I wore a red shirt and light colored blue jean capris. Red Birkenstock sandals. Sounds pretty safe, doesn't it?

I got through breakfast. All I had was protein powder with milk, and the splash when the blender missed didn't hit my shirt. It was close, but no cigar. I didn't have to change before I left the house.

The reason I left the house was to go to physical therapy. It's not my fault the tech got gel on the back of my shirt when she gave me the ultrasound on my neck. Besides, it doesn't count if I can't see it.

I came home, and fed the cat some canned food. I had to wash my hands, but that's it. Then I combed her. I got most of the hairs off my shirt. She likes to rub against me. I think she is thanking me for combing her since she is so old she can't groom herself well any more.

Then I got a call from a friend asking me to go to lunch. I wiped off some more cat hair on the way to the car and only spilled the diet soda on the car seat. Not bad.

At lunch, I had a diet Coke and a BLT on homemade bread. The bread was cut thickly and I have a small mouth. Yeah, it dripped all down my hand. Bacon grease and mayo and tomato. I asked for another napkin, since I hoped to maintain some dignity.

I picked my napkin up off my leg so I could wipe my hand while I waited for the extra napkin. Oops, grease on the left thigh. Just a small spot. Doing good. Put a new napkin on my lap and successfully finished lunch.

After I got home, I opened a bottle of Rock and Rye thatI had picked up while I was out. I must have jostled it too much, and I really hope all those spots come out from my jeans. It didn't show much on the red top. It came off the computer screen pretty easily.

Now I have on navy capri work out pants and a black t-shirt. Defensive dressing. Pink and white socks, though. With pigs on them.

I once had lunch out of town and dribbled some mayonnaise on my favorite lime green top. I didn't notice it until after I was back where I was staying. When I asked my lunch partner why he didn't tell me, he said he liked having something to look at. Sigh.

Am I too old for a bib?

Maybe he is right

Maybe Paul, our belfastcowboy, is right. He said women can't do plumbing. I have plans to replace the faucet in my bathtub. At least the spigot is now loose enough that I can use the shower in there.

However, my more immediate problem was an unseasonal heat wave. I had written before that my air conditioning didn't work this year. I took the dogs for a walk a week ago yesterday, in 90+ degree heat. I figured I would finally turn on the a/c when we got home, as we would be very hot.

We came home, I hit the thermostat, and nothing happened. The dogs scowled at me, I scowled at the thermostat, and first tried the Magic Words. You know them, they all have four letters.

Next, I fiddled with the thermostat. I recalled that in January I was literally half out the door to go on vacation when I realized that the furnace wasn't doing anything. I checked the thermostat, and found a little tiny word that said "battery." I replaced the batteries, pleased that they were batteries that I had in the house, and went on my trip.

So this time, I looked for the word "battery" first, even though I knew they were likely to last a year. I intended to develop a habit of replacing them in the fall when the time change comes. The thermostat did not show the word, so I reset the thermostat. Nothing happened.

I went in the basement and flicked the circuit breaker for the furnace. None was listed for the a/c. Nothing. I flicked the circuit breakers for the whole house and each one individually, also. I am a bracer and belt sort of girl. No luck.

I went outside, found the fuse box by the a/c unit, and took the fuses to the hardware. They tested the fuses, and told me that they were just fine, and to call service because I have a Serious Problem.

I called my broker first to send me money. I figured I would be needing to replace the 25 year old a/c unit and also the 30 year old furnace. In the meantime, a week had gone by, and it was unseasonally hot in the house. It was close to 90 every night - indoors. It was very humid. After a shower, I had no need for moisturizers as I was soakedin sweat in 5 minutes. The dogs were troopers, but limp after a few days. So was I, which is why a week went by. I bought ice cream sundaes in little containers to give the dogs in the afternoons.

So finally today, expecting a check from George, I called for service. They told me Saturday was the soonest they could be out. I asked to be put on a waiting list for any cancellations, since I am home most of the time. I was shocked to get a call within the hour that they had a guy in the area who could be here in less than an hour.

He came out, went outside, fiddled with it, and it went on. I was pleased, but he said it was only working manually and that it needed to work automatically. Sigh.

So he came in the house, went in the basement, and fiddled down there. He came up the stairs, shaking his head, and telling me that my furnace is a "pile." Well, most appliances are after 30 years, right?

He went to the thermostat and fiddled with that. He asked me for two AA batteries. I handed them to him, after asking him if the word "battery" was showing. He said it was not.

I am embarrassed to admit it, but the thermostat needed batteries. All is well, except I paid the guy $94 to install two AA batteries that I provided. It is extra embarrassing, since that is the first thing I checked.

On the bright side, it works.

By fall, I will be replacing both the furnace and the air conditioning units.

So what is a groak?

OK, let's try this entry again. Thanks, AOL.

Since I had to miss a trip to Orlando recently, I thought I would share a story from my April trip to Toronto. I hope to go back in July, but who knows? I also hope to go to Vancouver in August. Maybe even Minneapolis in July. We'll see. But I am feeling trip-deprived right now, so I am dragging out a story I forgot to post before, lol.

One of the evenings I was on my own for dinner. I had walked about 15 miles that day and wanted a nice dinner and a few Canadian beers. Their draft (draught?) beer is much better than American beer.

I found a street I hadn't been on much and there were sone nice pubs there. I walked up and down the street, seeking the perfect pub. Some had upstairs outside patios, some had no patios, some had outside patios with heaters. Remember, it's Canada, and it was April, so it was still cool at night. But I like to eat outside, so I scouted around. The wafting smells were alluring, the buildings were unique, and they housed no chain restaurants.

Finally I settled on the Fox and Whistle, with an upstairs patio in the front, and one in the back. I went for the front so I could watch people on the street going to and from the entertainment district. This is the sort of establishment that offers fare such as bangers and mash.

The cute little menu had some words listed and resulting definitions.

Groaking: looking at people eating in hopes they will offer you some.

Dibble: Drinking beer like a duck.

After two Canadian draft beers, they were rather funny, I thought!

The restaurant was about a mile from the hotel, so I stopped closer back and had another beer at the restaurant with the Frog name I can't remember.

After that, I went back to the hotel and wrote an email to Remo, assuming that there is a name that cops use for a woman who slightly stumbles and weaves her way down the street.

I believe he said "front seat passenger."

 

Question

Anyone use voice over internet protocol (VOIP)? I have been considering using it, but haven't made the plunge yet.

I am still dealing with the idea of why I need a cell phone and a house phone when I rarely use either. Now I can use the landline for dial-up when cable is out. However, with VOIP I could have free unlimited calls to any where in the United States and Canada for around 25 a month, and that does seem like a good idea.

If only that had been an option when my daughter was a teenager.

I am still getting used to the idea of paying for cell phone calls by the minute, plus paying for received calls.

 

 

 

Who needs it?

Temperature: 90°F 32°C

Conditions: Fair

Winds: W 15 MPH W 24 KPH

Relative Humidity: 88% Barometer: 29.89 Steady

Visibility: 9.00 Miles 14.48 Kilometers

Feels Like: 114°F

 

Humidity is only 88%, and it makes 90 degrees feel like 114 degrees. Yes, it's warm here and no, I don't have any air conditioning. We haven't hit the hottest part of the day yet, either.

Frozen north? Not always! But six months ago it might well have been 14 below zero.

I am fine with the heat now, I just needed a day of it to get used to it again inside. It was only about two months ago that we got that late winter foot of snow unexpectedly.

I hope everyone else is enjoying the summer! I am going walking :)

xoxo

I didn't think I needed it

Lots of people who live in MI don't have air conditioning in their homes. We have a short summer, and it does cool down at night usually. It rarely stays above 80 for more than a week at a time. Temperatures in the 90s and low 100s happen, but not for extended periods of time. We are known for a wide range of temperatures, but only the cold really stays.

I had a new thermostat put in the house a year or two ago. Normally, the a/c kicks in when it gets hot. I keep it set around 76, since I don't get hot easily. It hadn't kicked on this year, so I figured today I would just give it a click and turn it on after the dog walk.

It's 90 degrees, and humid. I took the dogs for their walk during the hottest part of the day because we are expecting thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes later this evening. I came home, hot, the dogs' tongues were hanging, and flipped the switch.

Oops. Nothing happened. I tried it again, fooled around with the controls, and had no luck at all. Sigh. It's now 87 degrees in the house. Those of you in hot climates can laugh at me now. Remember, we have humidity too, so it feels like a sauna in here. It's actually cooler in Orlando right now than here in MI. It's going to be like this all week, too. All I have is one little fan to push the air around a little.

I am already getting used to it, I think. 83 felt hot, but I am adjusting to 87 (indoors). Could I live where it's like this 9 months out of the year?

Oh, yes. Yes! Humidity, bugs, alligators, and all.

Logic Wins

Hello, Child?

Mom? I will do it so you can go on your trip.

I appreciate that. What made you change your mind?

Well, if I don't do it, you can't go.

That certainly is true, and it may be too late for me to get tickets now, but I will let you know if I can. BTW, I might be going back to Toronto next month.....

OK, let me know the dates. If I am in town, I will watch the dogs.

I prefer to think that logic won out and no one called her and told her I am dying from some rare tropical disease.

The child was in the gifted and talented program at school. They taught her problem solving. She is extremely bright and I worked with her on logic starting at a very young age. She had the vocabulary of a high school student, and better grammar than most high school graduates, by age 7. She just gets a wee bit self-centered at times, let's say. But I guess she does want her momma to be happy, and momma is happy when momma can travel.

Either that, or she wants something.

But your honor....

I don't know what I am doing here, buddy. I am very important and I have other things to do, such as collect the money to get my car repaired. Do you realize how much damage that one little person and her two dogs did to my van?

Oh, well, then, if you insist, I will call you Judge or Your Honor. This is such a waste of my time. I told the police officers already what happened. I was driving down the main street there at no more than 50 mph. I stopped quickly to turn the corner onto the side street there by the school.

No, of course not. Uh, Your Honor. I didn't use a blinker. I always turn there. Don't you know that? That street leads to my street in the subdivision. I thought everyone knew that. What do you mean, the speed there is posted 25 mph because it is a school zone?

No, look, bud....I mean Judge. Listen to me. I had half a mile in which I could see her. She turned around once. It looked like she had a stiff neck and had to turn her whole body. Why would a cripple be out walking two dogs on such a nice day? No one around here walks. We can afford vans. Like my soccer van. I see her walking all the time. She isn't one of US, she doesn't even wear a wedding ring. What is she doing around a subdivision like this? What is she, some sort of street person who can't afford a nice van like mine?

I guess she didn't realize I was turning, although she should know that is my street. I always turn there. What was wrong with her? She crossed the side street with her stupid dogs. Why does one woman need more than one dog? They aren't even a retriever like I have. She probably even lets them in the house. She didn't stop for me. I was turning, she didn't see me, and she did not stop for me. Doesn't she know who I am?

Well, just to show her and teach her a lesson, I hit her and the dogs. Do you realize what kind of damage that did to my soccer van? There was blood all over the street. I assume her daughter is in this court room smiling because she is pleased to be writing me a check to pay for my car and one to the city to clean the street. I expect a lot for suffering and pain, too. I had to actually get out of the car to be sure the tires weren't flat.

Judge, she wasn't dead right away so I made sure to tell her that she had to stop for me. I was still yelling at her to be sure she understood that pedestrians must stop for me when I am driving. Everyone knows that, of course, except this stupid street person. I mean who is she trying to fool with that auburn hair? What bottle did that come out of? If she would have just dyed her hair platinum blonde like mine, she might look more appropriate. I probably did the world a favor. I am a nice person like that. I am sure she understood her error before she died.

Then the police came and told me that there would be a charge of vehicular manslaughter. I don't get it. How can they charge the wretch if she is dead? It's not like she is going to disobey me again, right? You know, I just don't have time for this sort of thing. I am much too special to have to sit here and waste my time discussing this incident with you.

What do you mean, I will have a lot of time to think about this? I am glad to hear there will be a big judgment regarding this unfortunate incident. I deserve it.

What do you mean, the huge payment goes to that little bitch of a daughter of hers? Who will be paying that, and what about my poor, damaged van?

(Note: She did not hit me. But she came very close and she did have the balls to stop and yell at me for not stopping and yielding to her after I had already started to cross the street appropriately. My apologies to the court system for combining civil and criminal courts.)