Wednesday 11.30.2011 Snowy Day

I knew that the "storm" was happening when I went to bed last night. I had listened to the police scanner and heard that vehicles were sliding off the road into ditches, and getting stuck on the roadways as well, including the city buses ! and the police cars themselves. One call I heard was that a tow truck itself had gotten somewhere it couldn't get out of, and had to wait for another to pull it out. Wow!

It sure was snowing and blowing last night.

I woke to blue skies and sunshine glittering on the white snow. And lots of it.

We had 8-9 inches here. The roads in the complex didn't get plowed until about 7:30am, and that wasn't hand shoveling. I still shoveled directly in front of the garage door--I don't think the car could have gotten through it.

I went out late morning to do errands. Pharmacy, grocery, etc.

The sun was pleasantly warm, melting the salted roads, so they were pretty good. I took a side road back home--the roads were not as clear, and there had been branches down in the road, as well as larger limbs and even a couple of trees. The roads were passable, having already been cleared.

Back home, I've cleaned and tried to organize some stuff, gathering what's needed for the Singing Party on the 8th. Come on up!

Tomorrow is a workday for me.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 11.29.2011

What a day!

I slept pretty good last night, thank you God. I enjoyed breakfast and a lovely shower, then went over to the storage unit, taking over the autumn decor and bringing back the Christmas stuff.

The rain turned to sleet, with the icy pellets blowing against the windows. The older I get the more I don't like storms. I called Daniel and we talked for a bit.

I also tried to keep busy--cleaned the foyer and the stairs, emptied, cleaned and reassembled the china cabinet. Set up the tree, but haven't decorated it yet. I did get the wreath on the door.

A bite to eat, another couple of phone calls, and the snow is about 2 inches all over everything. It's wet, so it's sticking to the branches and such. Beautiful.

Tomorrow is more of today--finish the decorating, maybe go back to the storage unit.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 11.28.2011

I slept kind of fair, waking earlier than I thought I would. I got up, thinking I would go out for a run before my appointment with Leah.

But it was 33 degrees, and the hourly projection on weather.com showed that it would warm up to low 40's with sunshine. I decided to wait 'til the clouds moved out.

Leah did a great job, as always. My feet feel so much better this evening.

When I got back, I got ready and went out for the jog, though the heavy overcast never did go away today.

I had a quiet rest of the day, and am ready for bed tonight.

Tomorrow is errands.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 11.27.2011

Another workday, which turned out to be a pretty good day, again. Great co-workers and a nice group of patients make a 12 1/2 hour day pleasantly tolerable. Thank you to all my team mates.

A rainy drive home.

Daniel chose not to come home tonight, as he would need to go back tomorrow night. He did not mention a compensatory day since he worked extra yesterday. Again, the joys of a salaried position.

Tomorrow I have errands to do, one of them includes a Reflexology appointment with Leah. And if it stops raining, I could go out for a jog.

Feeling pretty good today, too, thank you God.

And thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 11.26.2011

Slept fair; got up for work. Which turned out to be a pretty good day, thank you God.

Dan came home for his two days off, only to be called to say that he had to come back in the morning. Ack!! The joys of being salaried...

I work again tomorrow.

I felt pretty good today, too. Just a little niggle of soreness from that good stretching/warm up that I did before going out for my run yesterday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 11.25.2011

Oh My Goodness, What a Beautiful Day!!!

The sun was shining, though it looks like a "winter sun" to me--kind of pale and low in the sky. But warm none-the-less.

I waited a bit after breakfasting to go out, and had a nice run. I am so blessed to be feeling good and able to be active and enjoy this life. Praise God!

I made a dent on the chores, getting the upstairs/loft vacuumed and the majority of the dust moved around. We both have put a few boxes up there that need attention. I kind of just moved them around, too, neatening up collections.

Supper and a quiet evening.

Tomorrow is a workday; Dan comes home tomorrow night, too. I'll be happy to see him.

Enjoy God's world, and the people around you. Hugs.

Thursday 11.24.2011

I slept pretty good, though not as well as the night before. I got up about 0830.

Breakfast, shower, selected the wardrobe for the day.

I met Daniel at a park and ride location and we went together over to his brother B's house.

There were lots of folks there. Maybe 35.

We had a great afternoon that included an informal photo shoot. Those images will be treasures.

A safe drive home, thank you God, and a quiet night.

Tomorrow has household chores on the list.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 11.23.2011

What a beautiful day!!!

Blue skies and mild temperatures.

It rained most of the night, and I slept really well, waking only a couple of times. Thank you God. When I woke the sun was shining, and the birds (I call them the winter birds) were noisy. I was surprised to hear of the black ice and many crashes this morning on the roads.

I had breakfast, and waited for the sun to warm up a little. When I did go out for a jog, I ended up in short sleeves and long pants, plenty comfortable.

Tomorrow I'm looking forward to meeting up with Daniel and visiting with his family. Hope the roads stay good.

May we remember the gifts of life and love, thank God for our blessings, and be kind to each other.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Tuesday 11.22.2011

Worked.

Busy.

Tired.

Dark.

Raining.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 11.21.2011

I slept fairly well, though I had to get up about halfway through to go to work. And let me just say, I'm thankful to have a job.

And the j.o.b. was busy today. But with a great group of co-workers, we had a great day.

A safe drive home and a quiet evening.

Thank you God for this life.

And thank you for reading.

Hugs.

Sunday 11.20.2011

Dan was up early this morning, and I couldn't go back to sleep, either. He got up and went to breakfast with his guy friends--and then golfing---

I had a quiet day. Cleaned the kitchen, 2 loads of laundry, walked up to the clubhouse/trash compactor. Fixed food and ate and cleaned up after that....

Dan went back to the trailer from the golf course.

I've had a quiet evening, too.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 11.19.2011

Yay!! I finally slept!! I was very surprised to see that it was after 6 o'clock when I opened my eyes and looked over. Not believing, I turned and looked at the other clock. Yup--it's after 6 alright. And I don't remember waking up since 11:30. Finally. Every once in a while it happens...

I dozed back off, too, waking again just after 9. I got up and wandered about, checking out the day.

I ended up going out for a run in the odd weather. Thermometer shows 45, it's overcast and gusty. So I get out there, and it feels about 50. Maybe the wind was warm and humid?

Breakfast and shower.

I read some, listened to music, sorted and repacked some stuff, played the piano for a while. Dan called to say he was on the way home; he arrived about 7.

We had a quiet evening.

Not sure what tomorrow will bring.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 11.18.2011

Worked today--busy in the morning, busy in the afternoon. Finally able to leave at 7pm.

It was cold this morning; 26 degrees on the way down. 42 degrees on the way back. I wore a neck scarf with my coat.

Tomorrow I hope to rest and catch up on some household things.

I'm tired tonight.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 11.17.2011

Didn't sleep much last night, other than a couple of 1 & 1/2 hour blocks. And woke with the back of my neck starting to ache like a migraine. I got up and ate and took tylenol and motrin, hoping it wasn't going to get any worse.

After breakfast, I went to Jackson for the annual health physical with Dr. Taylor. First stop, scales. Today's weight was 148 pounds, down from 167 in October of 2010!!!! Woo Hoo!!! 19 pounds off!! It's hard to believe I had collected so much. But it's gone now... Since I now see a gynecologist, that part didn't need to be done, but he did look over my skin, moles, spider veins, bigger veins, etc. Asked a lot of questions, listened a lot. He had some good suggestions for the near future, which I will consider and likely pursue.

I'll see him again next year, or sooner if I get sick. Ugh. Hope not.

When I got back home I took another dose of tylenol and motrin, and Daniel and I went out shopping. He wanted a new mid-weight jacket, and he picked up a couple of shirts for work, too. We met Breon, his daughter, for supper, and enjoyed our visit with her.

Back home, he went off to see the chiropractor before going to visit a friend of his.

I've had a quiet evening, catching up on some internet stuff.

Tomorrow is a workday, and could be busy. I hope I sleep tonight. My head is just a little sore, but I think the headache itself is gone.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 11.16.2011

Although I slept fairly well, considering. I woke about 7 and didn't doze again, and just got up. I really don't like being up that early, but I started laundry. I considered going out for a run, but I was too hungry to not eat, so I enjoyed breakfast instead.

To my surprise, I had a few episodes of diarrhea--so much so that I needed to shower! What?!?!? Fortunately I felt better in the early afternoon, and went out for a run in the sunshine. Lovely!

I made a pot of chicken-y potato soup, and when Dan got home we ate. We had some general conversation and a quiet night. And he fell asleep in the chair about 7:30.

Tomorrow is my physical exam with Doctor Taylor in Jackson.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 11.15.2011

I slept some last night, almost waking when the radio came on. Then the song got real quiet, there was a pause, and I dozed back off. The music crescendo'd--oh, I did hear the radio. Ugh. Time to get up...

The first part of the day was extremely busy. The car was taken to Discount Tire for the tires to be rotated, and I thought they were looking a little worn on tread. When I had gotten out the paperwork, they are 45,000 mile tires. Hm, they've got 40k on them now. (I've done a lot of driving the last couple of years...)

The guy called, saying they were worn, blah, blah, blah. And with Michigan winter coming up...The bottom line is that I bought 4 new tires, making a deal for less than what he initially quoted. Good job, me!

I had a challenge taking care of "business" and being so busy, but I had to take care of me, first. We finally slowed down some in the afternoon, thank you God.

A safe drive home, thanks again. I saw at least 5 deer carcasses along the road on the way home. Ick.

A quiet night; a couple of phone calls (thank you KS) and a load of laundry.

My heart has started flopping around again this evening. Definite Ugh.

Tomorrow is chores.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 11.14.2011

I didn't hardly sleep last night, finally shutting down sometime after 3. The alarm woke me at 0425. Agh.

I did surprisingly well at work, having a "sleepy time" about 4pm. I went for a walk, had a hot beverage, and revived.

A safe drive home, a quiet evening. Off to bed.

Tomorrow is another workday.

My heart has been just a little out of whack, which I find surprising, too. Oh, I'm very ok with it. Hope I can sleep...

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 11.13.2011

Ahhh. I finally slept last night.

I went out for a jog--54 degrees, overcast, and windy at the lake. Away from the lake, though, it was quite pleasant.

When I got back, KS got ready and left. Jeremy and I had breakfast, then went out to rake and burn what leaves we could. It was really windy, and we were diligent about flying ash. No extracurricular fires needed.

We finished the leaves, and as I was putting things away, having a last look around for "winter readiness", I realized the trickle charger wasn't on the boat battery, so we took care of that.

Ok, looks like I'm ready for snow.

Jeremy left to go to his hunting camp, and I did the "closing chores", finally leaving about 5:15. Later than I had wanted, but Dan had called, and I talked with him a while.

A safe drive home, thank you God, even though it was creepy. The wind became stronger and more gusty the further south I got, and north of Flint the temperature rose to 65 degrees. As I approached Lansing, there was lightening in the northwest, and a waning full moon in the south. The wind was bumping against the car; I just wanted to get home.

And I did.

Unloaded, unpacked, turned around and ready for work tomorrow.

It rained here; the wind has eased a bit.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 11.12.2011

I'm happy to say I slept pretty good last night. I had awakened about 2, wondering where my Jeremy was, on his way to Michigan, as he could be arriving soon. I had dozed off, then heard an electronic tone--like an alarm chime or something. What was that? Something on a computer? I was getting out of bed to investigate the noise, because you know I wouldn't have been able to ignore it and go back to sleep.

Then I heard the back door open.

"Jeremy?" I called out. No answer, but I heard the storm door close. "Jeremy?" "Yup" was the reply. Woo Hoo!! Jeremy was here!! 0300. He made good time, coming from South Carolina.

We visited for just a few minutes, getting his things in and somewhat settled for the night.

I woke with a bit of a naggy headache. (But my heart was doing ok, thank you God.) It proceeded to turn into a migraine, with pain that was making my eyes water. What's with the headaches recently?? (Life stress, perhaps....??)

I took tylenol, motrin, and a bit of a tylenol #3 for the codeine, and an hour or so later, I felt much better. The pain had been interrupted, but the numb sensation on the right side of my face was still there.

After breakfast (which was late morning) KS went to visit her parents and I went outside to check on the garage and shed.

I swept what I could in the garage, started the van and let it run a bit, looked in the shed and swept that, too. Jeremy came out, and I asked him to disconnect the battery on the van, which he did, as well as did some minor maintenance on the shed door. Thank you Jeremy!

When KS got back, we went into Hale to the Fish store. We found a couple of things there, then went down to the grocery store for a few items.

Back at the JC, I took another dose of pills, minus the codeine, and we fixed lunch/supper and ate. While KS and I did clean up, Jeremy went outdoors and started burning leaves, as there were a few areas where the piles had collected. Dusk was falling fast, and it was dark when we decided to put the rakes away for the night.

Then we went out for a flashlight walk.

47 degrees, though felt like 35. So quiet. The moon had risen and stars were bright with the reflection of moonlight. We looked into the trees and across the ground. We first saw a skunk up next to a garage. We watched as it came a little nearer to us, then turned and walked away. There were a couple sets of eyes reflecting back at us, beyond where the skunk was heading. That was pretty cool.

We also saw a large woodpecker, and we circled down to Grace Street back to the JC to the lake. The only activity we saw in the lake was a frog, hiding in the rocks.

Jeremy and I looked at my pictures, and the night wound down.

It's been a lovely day. Thank you God.

And thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 11.11.2011

I had a very unsettling night.

My heart never did stop flopping around. I would wake up and it would still be floppin'. It's never done that for so long--I did a self-check. Let's see--chest pain, pressure, numbness, tingling in face, hands, arm?? Shoulder pain? Neck, back, difficulty breathing, anything?? Everything was negative, and I would try to breathe to get back to sleep. Sometime after 2am I woke again--this thing was really busy. No shortness of breath, but extremely irregular, and I have to say I was becoming a bit unsettled and anxious.

I considered calling Dan, but... I considered taking myself to the hospital. Bright lights and all the activity... no, there's no pain or any other symptoms... but I sure wasn't liking it.

When it finally turned into morning, it was still beating irregularly. Hmph. And I was feeling shaky. I had a BM, (was this heart attack stuff?) then another, and the next one was loose if you know what I mean. The shaky feeling was starting to ease up, and the heartbeat was less erratic.

Hmm. Something I ate? One more stool, and I was definitely better.

I rested a bit, wanting to go for a jog today. I ended up going out, and it was ok--a pretty good run. Sweaty, but my heart was back to normal.

Finally.

Breakfast, shower, housework. Got things collected and packed, and I left to go north about 4 pm.

A safe drive, thank you God.

KS had arrived at the JC about a half hour before me. It heated up nicely. Full moon, light wind, 35-feels-like-25 degrees out there.

Not sure what tomorrow will bring.

I'm thankful my heart settled down. And I do think that it was something I ate (from the salad bar at the hospital *sad face* .

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 11.10.2011

Went to work without breakfast this morning, so I could have my fasting lab work drawn. I couldn't get drawn until after 7--and when I heard report, I was thinking that this is not a good day to not have had breakfast....

I went to the lab anyway, thinking I would be gone maybe 15 minutes. Wrong. 35 minutes later I was back on the unit, with no time to eat. But I got started on the work for the day, and was finally able to fix my food and eat it, sometime around 10 o'clock. That's a long time for me to be up without eating, and I still have just a little naggy headache.

The day went on.

I was able to go back to the lab later in the day and pick up the results. Everything looked good, other than the total cholesterol level was 215. The HDL and LDL were in the right levels, though.
I'm not concerned with that result, and I hope the doctors aren't, either. I'm not interested in taking a daily pill for the rest of my life.

We had a pretty good snowshower this afternoon. Not just a few flurries flying around--a near whiteout of good-sized snowflakes. Enough that I had to sweep the car off when I left for home this evening. And the foliage--trees, bushes, grass--everything covered in white. Pretty cool.

The funny thing was, that when I got to Mason, the road was dry, the stars and the full moon were shining in the sky, and there was no snow on the ground. Amazing how that works.

Tomorrow I hope to be able to jog, catch up on a few household items, and probably head for the lake later in the afternoon. Guess I'd better put the snow brush in the car...

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 11.09.2011

Uh Oh. Rushing past the first weeks of November, into the Holidays. It seems so far away, then SMACK!! there it is, like running your face into the closed sliding glass door.

Guess I'd better get ready. Maybe a little more than a string of lights on the balcony.

Workday today. Steady busy. Probably more busy tomorrow, as there were still more babies to deliver when we left.

I felt pretty good today, overall. A little tired.

And ready for bed.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 11.08.2011

I slept the usual intermittent sleep. It sure helps that I didn't have to get up at 0420.

After breakfast I went over to see Dr. Rhonda Maney, who I've seen for the "spotting" I've been having. Today was a "routine" annual exam--pap and manual breast exam.

First stop, weight and height. #153.2 Down 5.2 pounds since July!!! Woo Hoo!!! My height is the same at 64 inches. Good news. One of the side effects of the aromatase inhibitors is calcium loss/osteoporosis.

Typical exam. She was surprised at how sore the woundbed is, but didn't feel anything unusual. Next exam November 2012.

At home, I had a couple of phone calls and visited with Daniel before he left for his doctor appointment. (which was a good appointment for him, too). I left to go to Jackson for a couple of meetings.

Back at home, we enjoyed a quiet evening.

I work tomorrow; he'll be gone before I get back home. *sad face*

I've had a little naggy headache today, just enough to bother me, but not enough for medicine. I may take some tylenol before going to bed.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 11.07.2011

I slept pretty good, when the pieces are added together.

Went for a jog this morning; breakfast, shower, then over to Leah's for a workover. I mean massage. Geez--she sure found some knots today! She also did a nice job moving the lymph fluid from the pockets on my back over the ribs, along my side, chest, and arm. Thank you, Leah.

I had wanted to get groceries and put supper together after that, but I was soooo tired, and a bit nauseated. Maybe from moving the lymph fluid? I was happy when Daniel called to say he was on the way home, and did I want to go out for supper?

Oh, yeah.

And from there, we went over to the grocery store.

So I did get dinner and groceries!

Tomorrow we each have a doctor appointment, and I have a meeting in Jackson.

Hope I sleep good tonight.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 11.06.2011

We were quite busy for the first half of the day. I had been on my feet, non-stop moving, from 10-1. Finally, there was a break in the action, and I was beyond hungry, (breakfast was at 0515) with the dull annoying hunger headache making itself known. I sat down and ate.

It was maybe an hour or so after that before my brain came back. Since I had the time, I tried to chart, but I had to "think", concentrate, or focus, on the computer. I was pretty sure that if I waited another half hour or so, I would be better. I waited, and it was much easier to "think". I got the documentation completed.

Strange how the brain works.

Some of that "thinking" decrease is something I've noticed since the cancer treatment. Forgetfulness, too. It's much more noticeable when I'm tired/fatigued, hungry, or stressed. Another variable is that I've had birthdays, too. Factor in the hormone blocker that I take every day...

So I exercise, try to eat good, and challenge my brain. Try to take care of myself to minimize whatever side effects there are.

Tomorrow I see Leah, as well as try to catch up on some housework.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 11.05.2011

Worked today. Gently busy.

Hoping to sleep well tonight.

Prayers to those facing surgical procedures.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 11.04.2011

Wow. November 4th already.

We had a great day at The Lake. Sunshine, Blue Skies, gentle breezes. Low 40's.

After a laid-back morning, we all went for a walk. It was very beautiful--

While we were sitting on the dock at the GC, we saw the eagle soaring. After many minutes, it flew right near us. Hunting, it seemed, but looking to see what those 3 lumps were down there on the shore. So cool.

I had to leave, but Gail and Diane decided they could stay another night. So I got packed up, we had a bite to eat, and I left, arriving home about 8:30 pm.

Thanks to God for the gift of this life in this world and someone to share it with.

Hugs.

Thursday 11.03.2011

Wow, what a beautiful day at the lake!

Started out cold, gloomy, had rained during the night but stopped by morning. I took the boat up to the marina while the other 2 put together a fantabulously wonderful breakfast. Thank you Diane and Gail!

We were lolling over coffees when Bob knocked on the door. We let him in, and I called for Evelyn to come over, too. I fixed her a cup of tea; Bob left and us girls had a nice visit.

We wanted to go into Hale, and stopped at M & K McK's on the way in. It was good to see them.

We had a lot of success at the Fish store (local resale shop), as well as the grocery store.

Those girls know how to cook. They knocked it out...

We went for a walk after Diane warmed us up inside with a step aerobics session. It sure is getting cold out. Close to 35 degrees out there.

A quiet evening. Stars, moon growing past the first quarter, reflective lake...Ahhh...

Thank you God for letting me be here.

Tomorrow we'll be heading south.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 11.02.2011

What a great day!!

Dan went golfing; I went for a jog, enjoying the morning before leaving for The Lake.

I picked up Diane, and our friend G came along, too. Just so happened she could, at the last minute. (She had been here a couple years ago, but had become ill and took herself home. She ended up being sick for 8-10 days.) So we are happy to have the opportunity to get together!

Thank you God!

51 degrees and quiet darkness when we arrived. We enjoyed the stillness on lawn chairs on the deck. The occasional calls of the waterfowl--ducks, geese--and the light rain that comes and goes...Awesome!

Tomorrow I'll take the speedboat for it's winterization. It's time.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 11.01.2011

Another workday.

We were busy--with a few "quieter" times. And it worked out that I could go to part of a meeting.

A safe drive, thank you God, on a pleasant autumn night. 51 degrees on the drive home; stars, new crescent moon. Beautiful.

Dan had the laundry done when I got home. Woo Hoo!! Thanks, Dan!!

We had a quiet evening.

He's going to golf again tomorrow, and I'll be going to the lake in the afternoon, stopping to pick up Diane on the way. She needs a break...

Hope we have dry weather.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.