Saturday 03.30.2012

What a day!!

I sifted and settled, and went to Menards to look for solutions. I was successful on a couple of things, ruled out a couple more, and tried to keep a positive attitude. Back at home, I finished what I could do, ate lunch, and got organized to go to Holt.

Once there, I spent the rest of the afternoon/evening sorting and packing, and did a load of laundry. By 8 pm I was running down and up the stairs loading the car.

A safe drive to Jackson, thank you God.

The car is unloaded, I've had a snack, and some of the stuff is put away. WooHoo!!

Tomorrow?? Ummm, unpacking???

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 03.30.2012

Wow. Another great day!

I got up and went for a run in the "new" neighborhood before the rain started. It was pretty chilly--high 30's--but the air here smells "woodsy", with an occasional whiff of wood smoke. Ahhh....

And I showered for the first time here. I will say--the bathroom has redeemed itself. The shower head has a good spray with good water pressure. Ahhh....

The rest of the day I felt like I went in circles, but I did manage to settle in some more. Unpacking boxes. I think I've got a couple ideas for storage solutions and will need to go to the store. Looking at items online has been helpful.

I was also able to watch the rain/storm here. There are a couple of good windows to watch from.

Tomorrow I'll get another load, and wonder where to put it...

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 03.29.2012

I had a migraine this morning. But I ignored it.

I ate breakfast and not much coffee, and went outdoors to pick up sticks before the lawn guy arrived.

While I was raking, my brain would spasm, and my eyes would leak and my nose would run. I prolly shudda taken something for it, looking back, but I wanted to get the yard at least started before leaving for my luncheon with J & P. As it turned out, I got all the raking done but for one area around a tree, and the burn pile was almost done.

We had a good lunch; thanks for asking me. It was good to get out.

The rest of the afternoon I spent in and out of the car, taking care of all the errands that needed done. When I got home I was pretty tired. I can say that I think the little bit of caffeine I had this afternoon helped the migraine. I realized shortly after I got home that my head was releasing. Ahhh.

So I mostly just rested this evening. And the headache is just leftover "tenderness" in the brain.

Tomorrow will be a great day!

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 03.28.2012

What a great day!

Started out with a necessary appointment, and later in the morning I went out for a run. The wind was gusting, and one time I could lean/run into the wind and not go anywhere. Very strange!

After I showered, I started the gathering and packing process. A couple of phone calls, and it was mid-afternoon, and I was hungry. So I rummaged around in the kitchen and put something together for me to eat.

Food consumed and cleaned up, I loaded the car and went to Jackson.

The rest of the evening was unpacking the boxes, and figuring out where to place the stuff. I "downsized" before I brought it...

Tomorrow is outdoor chores and errands.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 03.27.2012

A good workday with the best co-workers. I'm telling you, they keep me afloat.

All the births yesterday afternoon translated to a very busy afternoon today, as the 24-hour tests came due for the babies.

I was happy to see the next shift come in, and they were ready to take over the floor before the end of our shift, so we were able to leave on time tonight. Yippee!! That doesn't happen very often for me.

A stop to pick up my overnight things, and I went up to Holt for a quiet evening.

Tomorrow I hope to run before loading the car again.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 03.26.2012

What a nice day today.

Worked with the nice co-workers, (well, they're all nice), had a couple visitors with positive messages (thank you, A), and a nice group of patients. We got busy the last third of the day, but it went ok.

And how nice to be "home" within 20 minutes of clocking out. WooHoo!!

I'm still settling in, but it's going ok.

Tomorrow is another workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 03.25.2012

Wow. The end of March already.

I had a good day today. Woke to the birds singing and a clearing sky.

I let the sun warm the air for another hour or so before I went out for a run. It was very pleasant outdoors--just cool enough to be comfortable with the warm sun on your skin, and the birds, dogs, and other people out walking or jogging and enjoying the morning.

Shower, breakfast, and a phone conversation, and I continued to sort and pack today's load to bring to Jackson. It wasn't long before I had many boxes full. I was surprised that I could fit sooo much into that car...

But it was easy to pack and easy to unload, and many things are put away.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 03.24.2012

I had a nice day today.

In the gloom and drizzle, I drove over to Flushing to visit with A. Lois and Diane and Sue. We had a great afternoon, visiting, went out to eat, marveling at how "spring has sprung". It was good to see them.

The drive back to Holt was foggy and almost drizzly.

I caught up on some computer stuff, and tomorrow I'll load the car again and go back down to Jackson. Soon to be done with that project...

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 03.23.2012

Another workday.

We did ok, over on the overflow unit, sharing it with the med-surg overflow patients and staff. Yep. Strange, but that's what happened this past week. I have to say I was relieved to see them go--transferred to the "appropriate" units. Hope it doesn't happen again any time soon.

After work I stopped over to the house to pick up my overnight things and went to Holt in the rain. A couple loads of laundry and I'm off to bed.

Tomorrow I'm off to visit with A. Lois and the girls. I'm looking forward to it.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 03.22.2012

I had a pretty good day today.

I slept a little better, and enjoyed hearing the birds this morning.

After having breakfast and cleaning up, I started sifting the things I had brought down yesterday while I waited for the internet guy.

He finally showed just before noon. Very polite, courteous, and knew what he was doing. When he left at 1 o'clock, I had wireless internet. Yahoo!! (pun intended)

I continued on with my project until I got hungry, and decided to take a break in the sunshine, and took a top-down ride up to the store for some food. While I was outdoors, I met one of the neighbors, and he took the big branch that was in my yard over to his yard, where he said he would "take care of it". Thanks, B.

Shopping, food prepared, consumed, cleaned up, I thought I would go outdoors and pick up the big sticks. Um, no, a thunderstorm came up. So I ended up doing more sorting and sifting.

A quiet evening.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 03.21.2012

What a great day today!!

I went out for a run this morning before it got too hot. Yes, hot. In mid-March. I went out about 10 o’clock and it was already 70 degrees. And the sun was hot. I loved it. So did the birds—they were really noisy.

Breakfast and shower, and I started collecting the items that I was going to take to Jackson before going over to Leah’s for my reflexology appointment.

Of course that appointment was wonderful.

On the way home I had a couple errands to do, and did, and by the time I got back I was hungry again. So I ate.

By then it was late afternoon, and I had enjoyed my day. Time to get packed and loaded. Since I had sorted some already, it didn’t take too much more to get it into the car, and I was on my way.

A safe drive down, thank you God, and thanks for the phone call to keep me company.

I got the car unloaded and some of the stuff settled in, but these last few loads aren’t going to have a “place” right away. Eventually…

So I wrote the blog, and decided to go to bed. Tomorrow the internet comes, hopefully…

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 03.20.2012

What a workday.

It started out to be looking like an ok day, but the last 3 hours just fell apart for me. I ended up clocking out 36 minutes late. Yes, the overtime is welcome, but created a 13 hour workday. ~sigh~

I stopped at the house in Jackson and picked up what I wanted to take back to Holt. I got back to the condo about 9, got unpacked, looked around at what was left to move, put the items I had brought with me into the dishwasher and ran that.

It's nice to be here. But I'm adjusting to the reality of leaving. Sad, but necessary. Darn you, Daniel.

Tomorrow I hope to exercise before going to Leah's, then I'll load and go back down to Jackson. Of course I have all day to do that...

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 03.19.2012

Another great workday with great co-workers.

I didn’t sleep as well as I had hoped, but I’ll acclimate.

I had a haircut after work, then home to see that the Kinetico water treatment system has been installed. Yahoo!! The pieces are coming together….

I found a couple wireless connections, one just down the road at McDonalds. So I write the blog in Word, copy it, go down to McD’s, get the connection, paste, and I’m done. Of course I can check email and whatever, too. My internet at the house will be installed Thursday, I hope.

Tomorrow is another day to earn some money to pay for all this stuff. Sheesh…

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 03.18.2012

What a great day today! I slept pretty good, overall, though woke occasionally with hot flashes. Yes, still having hot flashes.

A nice run today. Felt like spring—a little humid, lightly overcast, and the birds were very noisy. I saw a patch of daffodils in full bloom, a patch of violets blooming, and a colorful collection of crocus. Amazing.

After breakfast and a shower, I collected what I needed and put that in the car, as well as some more stuff.

A safe drive down, thank you God.

I got the car unloaded and was putting things away when Frank arrived. He put clothes washer back together, as well as cleaned it out. It was pretty dirty from being stored in a shed with a leaky roof. But it cleaned up nice. Thank you Frank. We also moved a shelving unit from one room to another.

He left, and Jim and Polly arrived with a couple of “custom cut” closet shelves. Those went into place, we did a couple more things that I needed help with, visited a bit, and they went on their way.

The rest of the evening I putzed around, trying to settle in, trying to get a feel of how to make this little house comfortable for me. It’s slowly coming together. I’ll be staying here the next couple of nights.

Tomorrow is a workday, and a haircut after.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 03.17.2012 Green Day

I was a bit disappointed this morning that the fog was so heavy at daybreak. I couldn't see past the glass on the window.

By the time I had breakfast, the fog was rolling off of the ice, and that was a neat thing to see. And when I left to go to Hale, the sun was poking through the fog.

The meeting for the beetles vs. milfoil was well attended, with lots of comments made. Bottom line, the board voted to go with the majority, which was the most aggressive treatment that was recommended by the EnviroScience company. And increased monies. The information will be posted on the township's website.

I stopped at the Fish store, and the hardware store, and the temperature was 81 degrees!!! Clear blue skies--wow. Mid March.

Back at the JC, I started the going home chores, which included the outdoor tasks that needed done. We had a couple of limbs come down from the pine tree out front, so I dragged those out back, with Evelyn's help. I was ready to leave before 3 pm--I would have preferred to sit on the deck and watch the ice melt.

That was neat. You could see the "holes" where the water was open. The seagulls and hawks and other water birds, even the eagle, were flying around, being noisy.

Evelyn and Bob and I went to Big Bob's for corned beef and cabbage; I continued on my way south. 83 degrees when I left Hale. Unbelievable.

A safe drive home, thank you God.

Tomorrow I hope to run, then take a load to Jackson.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 03.16.2012

What a beautiful day today!!

Started out with a heavy fog. Finally, late morning, I went out for a run. The fog was lifting, and the day was getting brighter.

Breakfast, shower, and I collected my things to go to the JC for an overnight.

A safe drive, thank you God, in the bright sunshine. Temps varied from 73 degrees to 63 degrees north of Bay City, to 68 degrees at The Lake.

Our road is a muddy mess. And the neighbors said it is better. Ew.

I visited with Evelyn and Bob, and Mary came over, too. It's so nice to see them, and have their love and support.

Everything is fine here at the JC. I got the van started ( with Bob's help--I'm not sure that the battery connection was snug) and the tire inflated. A couple of medium sized limbs are down from the pine tree out front. The ice is still on the lake, but melting fast, with a couple feet open along the shoreline and along the cracks. I saw an eagle, too, this evening, as well as a large hawk or buzzard or something. And three deer in the backyard who were curious about my car being there.

It's so beautiful here. I just love it.

Tomorrow I'll go to into Hale to the meeting about the milfoil and the beetles, and go to the Fish store, too. Hoping to find a treasure...

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 03.15.2012

I worked the last couple of days, and stayed last night in Jackson, in the new house. I don't have internet there yet, and didn't post yesterday.

But, last night when I got over to the house after work, two large boxes were outside the back door. The garment racks!! Yippee!! I was excited to see them; I've been a little frustrated getting some of the last tidbits of moving figured out.

First, the water softener thing. The traditional type softener (Culligan) was going to cost close to $2000 to install. I know, right!??! Seems the water there is extremely high in particulates, as well as iron/mineral content, and needs an extra filtration system. Umm, no. Not going to purchase that.....

The Kinetico guy was waiting for me when I got there last night. He went through his testing process, and came up with a price of $300 something to install. Whew. And a monthly rental fee that was also less than the traditional one. I told him to sign me up, and hurry up with it. I've noticed that with just the little bit I've been there, the sinks are yellowing, and the toilet bowl gets yucky after a couple of days. Bar Keeper's Friend and The Works toilet bowl rust product have helped, but there's no way I'm doing laundry with that water, nor am I going to shower with it.

Another challenge is the internet. The provider I had chosen said it was not able to provide the service I want, due to the trees in the area. Huh? They could only do dial up. I don't want to purchase a land line, sooo......that leaves cable, dish, satellite, $$$, $$$, and more $$$. Comcast Xfinity is looking like the lowest cost of the options. And it's not really "low cost" in my book.... Of course, I really don't have to have internet. But I sure want it.

After the Kinetico guy left, I changed out of my work clothes and opened one of the garment rack boxes. Let's see...

It went together wonderfully easy, and was actually a breeze to assemble. And is it cool!! I love it. I put the other one together just as easily, and am very pleased with the product. Here's the link, if you want to see it. Alera Wire Shelving Garment Rack, Black, Steel, Stand Alone Rack (ALEGR354818BL) These will surely extend my limited hanging/closet space.

The workdays were good, with wonderful co-workers.

Tonight I'm back in Holt, doing laundry and catching up on some internet stuff.

I'm thinking of going north tomorrow, just to be there. I also need to bring a few things back....

Bugs on the windshield on the drive home, and when I got into the garage and looked at the front of the car, it's almost covered with a bug hatch. I surely didn't miss that during the winter.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 03.13.2012

What a day...

Started out with a run, breakfast, shower, then off to see Leah for a massage. Boy, did I need that.

When I got back, I showered again, and Dan stopped by, as we had some papers to sign.

That was tough.

I made it through, but it was hard.

Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in my strength.

Breathe...

I had to go to Jackson, so I loaded the car again.

The bonus is that it was beautiful blue sky and mid-60's. Absolutely beautiful.

After taking care of the banking, I went over to the house and installed the vertical blinds. Very nice! I put more things away and came home to Holt.

Potluck tomorrow, and that food is now prepared and ready to go.

Thank you God for surrounding me.

And thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 03.12.2012

Definitely Spring.

Bugs--2 of them--on the windshield. Ick.

And tornado warnings. Lightning, thunder, dark clouds rolling through, periods of heavy rain.

Yup, Spring.

I had a good day today. The vertical blinds came for the windows, and the Culligan Man came over to evaluate the water. For a rental softener, this water needs the Big Kahuna, which equals Big Dolla. I need to talk with the landlord to be able to do this. I have another softener company coming out Wednesday night. I hope they have something less costly.

Tomorrow is supposed to be better weather, and I hope to be able to exercise.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 03.11.2012

Wow. March is blowing by.

I was pleased that I had a good night in the new house.

And, a very good day at work today, thanks in part to the students, who chased the call lights.

A safe drive back to Holt, thank you God.

Tomorrow is a meeting and another load "to go".

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 03.10. 2012 Daylight Savings

Worked today, and had a pretty good day with great co-workers. We are blessed to have the group that we do.

"Springing Ahead" in life today, by spending the first night in my "new" home. Thought it fitting...

What a collision of emotions.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 03.09.2012

Had a good day today, overall.

A leisurely morning. I was going to go out for a run, but it was 34 degrees and windy, and I was still a little "punky" from yesterday. I putzed around inside, gathering and sorting, figuring out what I was going to take this trip.

I enjoyed my breakfast and looked at the television a bit before loading the car.

That done, the sun was out, and it was time for me to get going.

Frank was at the house when I got there and he helped me unload. Much appreciated. He had also test fitted the replacement piece for the clothes washer, which did fit, and we hooked it up to try it. It worked!! Yippee!! We need an approximately 3/8" - 1/2" hose clamp to finish the job. I'll be able to get that at the beginning of the week.

He went off to work, and I did too, putting things away, and vacuuming. I was done and going to leave when my friend J came over again. Today she had a television in her car, as well as some other miscellaneous items that could be useful. Awesome! The television needs a converter box, and some kind of antenna (I'm not going to buy cable), and a universal remote. I don't watch much television anyway.

After J left, I did too.

I fixed food, ate, collected more items for tomorrow's trip down, showered, and I'm ready for bed.

Tomorrow is a workday.

I'm feeling somewhat better with the congestion. I took a claritin this morning to help with the swollen feeling, which did seem to help.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 03.08.2012

Happy I slept well, and happier that I am feeling so much better today. Still some swollen sinuses, but more and more, as the day went on, I was breathing better through my nose. Ahhh. The little things we take for granted...

I had a busy day, with "the truck" coming and taking "just the big stuff"--my larger pieces of furniture. Lots of emotions, but I kept my head up and did my best to stay on the side of positive. Hard, sometimes.

But as the pieces were placed in their new locations, it looked better, one by one. They just seemed to "fit". Mostly.

Polly was kind enough to offer to come be with me; that was very much appreciated. We "settled in", making the bed, doing light decorating. Thank you,, Polly.

And my friend from work came over, too, bringing her "curtain bag". We found a few pieces that might work. Thank you, J.

She polished the glass shelves in the china cabinet and I was able to get that filled again. We visited a bit before she left.

We saw 4 deer come through my side yard, go across the road, and a short time later, they came back through. Awesome!!!

A safe drive back to Holt, a bite to eat, a load washed and dried.

Thank you God for this surprisingly wonderful day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 03.07.2012

I slept fairly well, woke about 0730. Temperature in the low 50's already with gusty winds. After a bit, I went out for a run.

Shower, breakfast, and went for an appointment, which lasted longer than anticipated.

Groceries, snack, and time for a nap. Even though I feel a little better today, this afternoon I just needed to close my eyes.

I had supper when I got up, did a few things around the house, had a few phone calls.

Tomorrow will be a busy day. Hope I feel even better.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 03.06.2012

Another workday.

Although, the phone rang as I was ready for breakfast. Hmm.

It was my turn to stay home (again, already), and will probably be called to open the overflow unit before too long. So, I went back to bed.

I was definitely feeling better than yesterday, but was still stuffy and fatigued. I ended up sleeping a couple more hours.

And I was happy I was home. The sun was out, the birds were singing, and my eyes were running, like my nose was the other day, like I was crying. I've never had that kind of drippage before. For a few hours, every so often, they would fill up and run down my face. Very odd.

I was finally called about 2:30.

What a joy to drive in the sunshine!

We had a great afternoon with the new patients. And I'm happy to say that I've been feeling better. Mostly.

Still congested in the head, but I've had a few short moments of nose breathing this evening.

I hope to be able to go out for a jog tomorrow.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 03.05.2012

I dozed some through the night--not sleeping, really. When the radio came on, I checked out how I was feeling. Because if my nose was going to be dripping continually, I could not work.

Someone else had already requested to be off. Ugh. Well, I didn't feel too good, but I didn't feel bad enough to not go, so--off I went.

It was a busy day. I had an orientee with me, and it was a good opportunity to help her function throughout the day and the day's events. I wasn't feeling well. Stuffy head and altered voice. I continued the sudafed and tylenol and motrin. One dose when I got up, another sudafed 3 1/2 hours later, and another 4 hours after that. About 5 pm, I realized that it was time that I could have more medicine. But I didn't need it!! Hey! I'm feeling better!! Thank you God!

We finished the day with the wonderful co-workers and was able to clock out in a timely fashion.

I went over and unloaded the car before coming home.

At home, I loaded the car again, to drop off tomorrow night. I'm getting there.

So. I'm tired, and tired of "mouth breathing". I'm off to bed soon.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 03.04.2012

Another day.

My nose is constantly dripping. I took tylenol and motrin for the head and body discomfort, and sudafed (the real stuff) for the nose. It still dripped, all day. And tonight, my eyes are watering, too.

I drove to Jackson and unloaded the car, did a couple of things, and came back.

More sorting and collecting, and loaded the car again.

Work tomorrow; if this nose is still dripping, I won't be able to.

I'm off to bed.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 03.03.2012

It is as I thought it might be.

I woke up not feeling well.

Mucus-y, stuffy, sinus pressure. Ugh. I've coughed a few times today, sniffled and blown, clear nasal drippage. Short naps a couple of times. I even took tylenol and motrin this afternoon for a sore throat, as well as warding off a migraine. Ugh again.

Finally, this afternoon I was able to function a little more. I got the china cabinet sorted, emptied, packed. And sorted more stuff. Never thought I would have to do this.

Supper was good, and this evening has been restful, with good conversation. Thanks, V.

Tomorrow I'll take a trip to Jackson.

Sure hope I feel better.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 03.02.2012

A busy day today for me.

I met Frank in Jackson and went to pick up a portable dishwasher. After delivering it, we visited a bit.

When they left, I took the garden hose to the basement and sprayed it down. I had tried to sweep the cement dust and years of fine dirt, but the cloud that was almost immediately created made me not feel well. So I hosed it down. It went pretty well, and boy am I tired tonight.

A good supper and a shower and laundry at home.

Tomorrow I hope to rest some.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 03.01.2012

I love that it's March. Spring is on the way....

I had a good day today. Enjoyed the morning, letting it warm up a bit (high 30's) before going out for a run. Came in and had breakfast and a shower.

The afternoon was in Jackson. Making progress.

And I'm tired tonight.

Tomorrow morning I have a "date" with my Frank. I look forward to it.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.