Daily Diary

Good day, everyone! Joe, enjoy the convention! Ted, you and your Cherokee are now studs?? Hope the shoveling isn't too difficult today. No Stars, it's such a satisfying feeling to get the shredding done! That Christmas village sounds amazing (but also sounds like a lot of work to set up and take down. Don't get me wrong -- it would be fun work, especially seeing the final product!)! Re: decorating: As I get older I opt for minimalism over traditionalism. We had a nice time at my department Christmas party last night. Good to see all who came, had good food, a cute skit (department MDs performed their tweaked version of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future), and a fun White Elephant gift exchange. I actually participated in this! I ordered a prank box of "cargo socks" that also had a slit next to the big toe, so they could be worn with flip-flops! I then made a pair of obviously cheap knock-offs, and wrapped them and the REAL gift (a nice Christmas stocking) in tissue paper, and placed them in the box. Dh and I got a DVD of the new Lion King movie (we haven't seen it, and it didn't get stolen during the gift exchange)! The man who wrapped and contributed it to the gift exchange, got MY gift of the prank cargo socks box! Ppl got candy and wine and a game, and hot cocoa mixes, and a box of cheese. Was fun. But we left right after the gift exchange, as we were tired. I know it was tiring for dh, who didn't know a lot of ppl but hung in there with me. Today we are dressed and have practiced for an afternoon program in Yucca Valley. Part of our friend Curtis' musical extravaganza. We will head out at 1pm, eat at Ruby's (the halfway point on our way to Yucca Valley) first, then continue travel to the venue. Fiddler will join us for the late lunch, and there is a chance our bass player will be there too, will see. He has a session scheduled in the recording studio, but says sometimes they quit after five hours in the studio. If that is the case, then he would have time to drive to the venue, arriving around 4 (we play at 5:30). We will collapse when we get home. I think we have nothing planned for tomorrow except grocery shopping and laundry. Y'all have a good day!

Howdy, howdy, howdy! Sunny, breezy, and in the low 60's. Sorry you have the winter-weather battle, Ted. I 'remember when'. I lived in Greenfield Mass when there was a 24 inch snowfall, followed by another 6-8 inches. I was at the Community College there in 1968-9. A bunch of us went out walking at 2 AM and the snow was crotch-high. Glad I was very young at the time, so no ill effects felt from being a human snow-plow; just fun, and cold legs and feet. Glad to hear you are having a good time at the convention, Joe. Today I do laundry, and shred a big bunch of paper with names and addresses, and/or acct #'s on them. W00t! Hubby says his two activity choices for today are "getting the leaves up from the yard" or putting up some Christmas decorations. Don't know which he has decided on yet. Leaves require the riding lawn-moaner and lots of outdoor time by himself... I just dread the Christmas Decoration thing, but he said he is not going to go 'all-out' with them like he did last year. He's really only doing it for Nannie, who is a Christmas Decoration Freak. She has three closets jammed FULL of Christmas stuff, and used to do it all herself. I'm sure she will be supervising the process, and probably want more than he is willing to wrassle with. Hubby's heart just isn't in it, but he will put up some to make her happy...or happier than she would be if nothing were to be put up. What is NOT being assembled is the entire VILLAGE of 25+ houses, and stores that light up from inside, sleighs, trees, people, critters, train depot and train, pond w/ skaters, etc. Was thinking last night that it would be a good thing to donate to her church in honor of her and my sweet and saintly (deceased) father-in-law. It could set it up in the big hall where they have church-family related events. I know that the kids would LOVE it. But, on the other hand some of it could be distributed to his daughter and grand-daughters, or maybe even sold off. They are high-dollar items, and some Christmas crazed person would probably be happy to fork over good $$$ for them. But, at this time, that is all a moot point, because this wouldn't occur until after she passes; and it ain't my decision anyway. So, I'm off to start my chores... Have a good weekend, everyone! Stay safe if you're in the Winter Wonderlands!

Morning J22 I've used EAP several times in the past and it was usually pretty helpful Yesterday started fairly quiet. Had a hike and ran a few errands Went to the convention in the afternoon and evening. Went to a meetup of people in science/enginnering/medicine, was interesting. Also went to a concert and a comedy show. Spent some time hanging out with people and buying overpriced hotel drinks. Got a CD Today will be similar, though I'll head over there in the morning, then return home in the afternoon to check on the cat, get my bags, and check into the hotel for the remainder of the night. Might see what elseI can buy, there are a huge number of dealers this year Weather has been on the chilly side but dry, which is good, especially given how spread out the convention is

Hey! Good News: Tomorrow is the LAST DAY any of us with Medicare have to tolerate being bombarded with mail and e-n-d-l-e-s-s TV ads about changing Medicare providers! I have had it up to my eyeballs with that tremendous push to 'reconsider' and change to this or that....and save gobs of money (hahahahaha) by doing so. It may be that some folks need to know, and may still be waiting til last moment, but Lordie, give it a rest! Aaaaannd, ta-de-dah-DAH! I have now officially lost 15 lbs since summer. Still going, intend to knock off another 15-20 lbs. My particular 'secret' is fairly contingent upon going through all the recent heavy stress, which has, after a certain point, dampened my appetite considerably. I manage to consume about half the amount I used to. I have one of them-there emotional guts, and it seems the horrible Garlic-Press-of-Life-With-Nannie has been the thunder-cloud with a silver-lining. I don't plan to count on it as a way to continue my weight loss, but...eh...it's a start, providing a point of impetous. I'll take it where I can get it, y'know? It's hard enough to get the gumpties to start 'dieting', but to get a head-start, a boost in the process, well, at least you can see the results. Ten of those lost pounds were 'courtesy' of the MiL.

Hey ho, not much going on here, a little housework, a little decorating, ran a few errands. I decided to call EAP about getting set up with some counseling to work on the anxiety/anger I have about my health. Ted, and Tweety and NSIME inspired me to reach out for some help. EAP gave me some names, and I called one but got a message, so probably won't hear anything until next week. Making those calls was tough. I am pretty independent and its hard to ask for help. I don't like how angry I feel about many of the provider interactions I have had this year. So hoping to get past that. Weather here is cool and overcast. We may go with the whole family to get a Christmas tree tomorrow or Sunday. Thank for the song, herring. That one is new one for me.

I have not had access to google-mail alllllll day long even though I tried everything I knew how to do, which wasn't much, I just kept getting the page that said "Nah-nah-nah-nah-boo-boo!" Anyway, hubby shut down everything in the house (wifi,TV,etc) and I shut down my laptop. Later he turned everything back on, so I was able to find my way back! It's amazing, even with how little time I actually spend on this rig, I was starting to get edgy, not being able to use it. I may be on here a little over an hour, an hour and a half, total, throughout each day, so it's not like I'm addicted ... but I just want to be able to have the CHOICE about whether to turn it on and use it, or not. Now that I'm here I can't think of much to say! I got up like a bolt at 8:20 AM, realized we'd not put out the trash bin for collection, so I threw on my bathrobe and got the trash out to the end of the driveway. Went back to bed and slept until 11 or so. Nannie's been behaving and tolerable; that med that was upped from 1 pill to two at night seems to have a pretty good effect. Since it is 7 PM and I am the official "Remote Control Chief", it is time for me to find a show that Nannie can watch. She'll go to bed between 8 and 8:30, so then WE get to watch what we want to. Ta-ta! Have a good evening!

Morning A productive half day at work. Got a questionnaire done and even called the difficult patient I'd been avoiding and let her vent, ended on a good note. Set up tasks for Mon and Tues Did laundry and headed over to the convention center to register. The lines were crazy, even though I arrived early. Was in line about an hour or so. Thankfully was in line with a guy from TN that I knew. Also met a British guy at his first convention. So I wasn't bored while I waited Came home afterwards, a slow drive as it was rush hour by then Heading back to the convention in the afternoon as there's not much going om before then. Might do a hike this morning, but given all the walking I'll be doing in the next 2 days I'll have to take it easy Thankfully no rain expected, temps have been normal for this time of year

amoLu, I can see how that would be a scary living situation. Isn't there someone there familiar with your situation who might have at least checked in on you during or after the hullaballoo of the big fire?? I mean, YIKES! Kind of a P.I.A. to have to start planning, but the fire provides a good incentive to get going on something that puts you in a much safer living situation. I had a friend who described sudden epiphanies as "being hit between the eyes with a dead, wet, cold squirrel. " A colorful description of something that gets your attention in an unpleasantly shocking way. Anyway, I would/will hope you can find a place that is safe, convenient, and not too expensive. I await the next 'chapter' ... YIKES! PS: what is Twsp?

Housing development really needs to be carefully planned. I live in a small condo community with small multi-unit quadriplexes (like 4 small units come together at the interior point, like AZ, UT, CO & NM in the 'Four Corners' west states. I really only think of my next-door neighbor as my neighbor, like in a semi-attached home where our center wall is adjoining. Well, about 1 month ago, there was a BIGGGG FIRE in a unit building abutting the communal parking lot across to my unit. It made all the local TV news accounts. I SLEPT THRU IT!!! Never awoke from the noise or smell! That situation has really caused me some deep thought. I'm homebound, totally dependent with my walker, and I move slowly. I think - what would happen if that fire jumped the parking lot? Add to the situation that I have supplemental oxygen tanks for my cpap. And only a front door. Damn! I don't want to be an evening news bulletin! I believe the unit that started that fire was Twsp-owned. I don't know but they may have provided some special housing arrangement. And we do have a few unit rentals that are limited in numbers because too many rentals in a community makes for difficult mortgaging & financing. I'm really giving some thought to my safety and that on a larger scale. Am posting this not to lose it. To be continued ...

Just dropped by to say all is well. No big symptoms to battle. And Nannie has been good (hope that is not like the "Q" word; like maybe I should say she's been "G"?) all day and throughout sunset. Nice change!

Hello, enjoying my day off. My jog/walk this morning was not the struggle that it was a couple of weeks ago, so that feels pretty good, except that I may have a touch of Achilles tendinitis, so doing lots of stretching and massage. Bedsheets are in the dryer, bird feeders are full, and bills paid. Stars, this is not what you needed, especially now. Hopefully it passes by the end of the day. Poison Control knows their stuff. Please take care. Joe, you are a rock star! I hope you have fun at the convention and get to see lots of old friends and perhaps make some new ones. Herring, housing is quite an issue here as well. Our county has been struggling to build affordable housing, as well as shelter for the homeless. Mother-in-law units, or accessory dwelling units are become popular for single family homes to use as rentals. My little town is considering waiving property taxes for 7 years on multiple-family dwellings, but question is who will pay for the impact of more families , such as roads, schools and fire/police. Dianah, we have a white elephant gift exchange coming up, so I need to hunt around for something fun. You need to post a pic of you and dh once your Dickens garb is complete. Ted, wishing you a steady, but not busy shift. Hullo to everyone who comes along...

Good Afternoon! Just a very quick "hello", unfortunately. Just woke up from Second Sleep. Will be getting ready to go to work, shortly. Work was a nice and steady busy, last night. I was "Mr. Shift Director" last night. The most challenging thing that was done, last night, was helping out to calm a very confused and forgetful individual who was insisting on going home. After much persuasion, the poor soul eventually calmed down and went to sleep. "Vitamin A", given by the person's nurse earlier, might have had a helping hand with that. The ER was its usual busy for part of the night. As for tonight?!? Who knows where I'll be working. If there're no patients in the ICU, I could be working anywhere. Looking forward to the 3-day week-end off. Will be spending part of the week-end ensuring that the financial stuff associated with the hurt Jeep will be squared away. Gosh. . . Got to get going. Hope all have a peaceful night, tonight. Cheers! Ted

Oh No Stars! I'm praying for you to feel recover from this and feel better as the day goes on. The debate was somewhat interesting. Both debaters were real estate developers building apartment and condo building.They mostly agreed, but had different views on some things. One will not buile in a single family house neighborhood, because neighbors will be angry. They both agreed that more multi home buildings will not make traffic worse because people who now drive two hours or more one was to and from work. I left soon after Q&A began.

Jeepers Creepers! This morning I took my usual meds....and then I realized when I got my Bupropion refill yesterday, the pharmacy had given me a different size and shape pill ---without the notice that the med may be a different size and shape. SO! I have taken a double dose, and darn it all, it's an extended release tablet. GADS! I called the pharmacy, then my doc's office, who forwarded me to Poison Control. EEPS! But the very calm pharmacist at poison control said that since I have been on this med for several years, maybe I don't have to worry QUITE as much as I have been. I can expect to feel really jazzed up (not the pharmacist's words), which I am feeling....shaky hands, headache, irritability (oh joy) But, I don't have to be the one to go grocery shopping today because he told me to not drive, and stick close to home! Yeh, some folks will do anything to get out of grocery shopping. I just hope and pray that I don't have a seizure; never have had one, and don't care to start today! Anyway, I am to call the Poison Control folks back if it gets bad, and also call them back around ten o'clock tonight, to check in with them. This AM's coffee is decaf, and I have a large sippycup of water to drink frequently through out the day, as instructed. Some of my jitters are from being scared and nervous, but I do feel reassured after talking to Poison Control. dianah, thank you for your lovely post to me at the end of yesterday's Daily Diary. I probably won't post until later this evening because my fingers aren't cooperating very well on the keyboard. Just wanted to share this morning's excitement.... Laydah!

Hello Joe! Congrats on getting the quota of questionnaires done! That's a load off your mind! I am excited for you, having the convention coming up! Kind of like me going to a bluegrass festival: it's different every time, and you look forward to the differences, but you also kinda know what to expect re: format. I slept well. Am getting things together for a gag gift for the White Elephant gift exchange, this Friday. Will fill you in later. Also, I ordered a frock coat for dh to wear to the Currier and Ives Christmas event, a week from Sunday. I am anxious to see how the costumes look all assembled, and am anxious to see if things arrive in time for Friday's party. We should have more rain on the weekend. Have a good day!

No Stars, this is very good to hear. I could not have cared for my MIL, honestly, and she was less of a "case" than Nannie. I am so relieved you have a treatment lined up for the gypsies, you and dh are supporting each other during these trying times, you have mental health/wellness support from someone who knows you well, and that you were able to turn up the burner just a notch for appropriate MD support and treatment changes for Nannie. Better and safer for ALL of you. Again, hang in there!

Morning Productive work day yesterday, with 2 completed questionnaires. So that leaves little to do today And I only work a half day today. Will do laundry then run by the convention to get registered. Took more than an hour last time, hopefully it will be quicker this time Had dinner with J last night, thankfully he let me know he was running late and we pushed dinner plans back a bit. Seems things are going well with the new puppy, the other dogs don't seem to mind Tomorrow I'll probably spend the majority of the day at the convention. Might get out for a hike in the morning as the weather should be nice

I've got an appt this coming Mon. for a shot in my right shoulder bursa, and 2 days after Christmas for a shot in the right L-4 area. Makes more sense than amputating my whole right side, so that's how that's going to go. Hubby spoke w/ Nannie's previous doctor, who has been a long-time church friend, and had years of experience w/ Nannie and has a good amount of seniority over the newer doctor. Hubby explained details of how Nannie's actions and speech/words have gone downhill weekly. So, she called the newer doc, who then called hubby. He said that as hard as we have been trying, it very well may be that we aren't going to get to keep her at home if there are too many more nights like last night, throwing things at us and her increasing belligerence, and the incredible confabulations and hallucinatory people and events that occur daily. He said he wants us to 'keep in close touch w/ him', observe and report her behavioral changes for a while longer. [Not sure about the psych evaluation, which I understood to be something that takes place over the phone?] He said he may double her med to quiet down her outbursts, if she keeps it up the way she has been. Her next option might be a facility w/ a locked Alzheimer's-Unit. As odd as it may sound, I feel less heavy and a bit more hopeful. [It goes to show that sometimes it really is WHO you know, y'know?} My psychologist is wonderful; my having seen her off and on for 35 years makes getting down to the nitty-gritty easier. With our history, there's so much I DON"T have to catch her up on or explain about myself. And hubby brought me a double bouquet of Crazy Daisys, which I love, soooo bright and colorful, because he said her never expected to have to put me through all we've had to deal with, and to express how grateful he is for all the things I've contributed to help with Nannie's care. I don't mind the actual old-fashioned nursing care, for me, that's just on automatic and not particularly hard. To tell you the truth I have always begun a case with a one-shift 'try-out' with PD patients. I would have requested to be off Nannie's case in a heart-beat. I am much, much better with very crabby old guys, than women-who-always-whine, and over-dramatize. If I had a nice old lady to care for I'd stay with her. But even with 2-3 year long cases, I DID get off-duty and go home after 8 to 12 hours. I think things are heading in a better and 'right' direction.

Good evening! Slept really well, only drawback was I had to wake up with an alarm, to get ready for work! Woke up to rain, too (which was not unexpected). Got in the car to go to work, and as it was raining, I activated the windshield wipers. Funny thing was, only the driver's side was getting cleared. What????? I asked. OH! Someone had stolen the windshield wiper blade!!! I stopped the car, stopped the windshield wipers, and phoned dh to notify him. After work I did a couple errands, starting with getting a new wiper!! Honestly, some people's children!! To steal a windshield wiper!! Really??? No rain forecast tomorrow. Am home now, tummy is full, and we watched a Father Brown episode. It was a crazy day at work. Just crazy, but we all got through it. Ds and dil are on their way back to Ohio. It was sure nice to see them, and enjoyed spending time with them. Christmas will be quiet. Will likely get a couple gift cards for oldest ds and that's it. Dh and I don't need anything, really. We had a lot of trips last year that were very special, I count those as early Christmas gifts. Hope you have a good evening.

Hi. My usual half day turned into 6 hours. Quick stop at the grocery store and then a message from husband that he won't be home for dinner. Went for a walk/jog, then fell asleep with the dog in my lap. Was going to scramble some eggs with broccoli and cubed potatoes, but we are out of eggs. Reminds me of an old joke " I have the Midas touch, every thing I touch turns into a muffler." Yeah, Ted, body work is expensive. My understanding is that doors are actually pretty complicated. They may just replace the whole door. Oh, one good part of today: at the all staff breakfast this morning (this is a December tradition) we had a trivia contest and my table won. They had various questions about public health. After 4 tie breakers, we won.

It's 12 noon~ Have a 3:15 appt with the PA at the Neuro-Spine place about my R shoulder bursitis, and the renewed hip, leg, knee, shin, ankle aches, pains, and spasms. Supposed to be sunny and in the low 60's the next three days. I have to go get Nannie dressed now.

Morning Ted. That is a lot of money Stars that sounds like e good plan. Sorry Nannie has been so difficult lately Work was kinda tiring, had a meeting, and two people who requested I call them back in the afternoon who then didn't answer. I made some additional calls and finally found someone willing to talk and answer the questionnaire. Work is now saying they'll be more flexible with the productivity standards. I'm still going to try to do a questionnaire per day. Need one more for this week and Ill be good Did grocery shopping yesterday. Just need to get laundry done and I'll be ready for the convention. Some people I know are arriving today Meeting J for dinner at one of our usual places

Good Morning! Hope all had a good night's sleep. I slept well. . . Yesterday was a busy day. I decided to take all car-related matters into my hands and get what needed to get done, done. Ironically, this involved a lot of driving around! L O L! Went to a near-by auto body-repair shop and got an estimate of the costs (mainly for the insurance company). The estimate to have everything repaired was $5,000.00!! I was flabbergasted! Basically, "only" the passenger-side mirror, passenger-side door handle, and a few dents on the front and back passenger doors "needed" repair - - or so I thought. It seems that the door skins, themselves, need to be replaced along with the mirror and door handle. The woman at the repair shop typed up estimate so that I can give it to the insurance agency. So that's what I did. I drove to the insurance agency and gave them the estimate. Apparently the $5,000.00 for repairs is "nothing" compared to the costs of fixing the damages to other accident-involved vehicles. I did not know!! I practically crapped my pants when the repair shop gave me the estimate! Well, at least the two major objectives were done: 1) Getting the car repair estimate, and 2) Getting the car insurance "activated" complete with claim number and how the insurance will pay the bill. I was assured that the process will be relatively smooth. The insurance agency will pay the car repair shop directly. I even have insurance that will pay for a car rental while my Jeep Cherokee is being repaired. Cool! So, I just need to schedule an appointment to have the car repaired! The repair-shop person told me that they had a lot of vehicles to repair ahead of mine. (The winter months are typically the busiest time for them, which makes a whole lot of sense.) So they won't be able to work on my car for at least 2 weeks. OK. . . I finally got home around 4:00 PM in the afternoon. Basically, I relaxed for the rest of the day. I needed to relax because my muscles were (and still are) aching from all of the snow shoveling that we did yesterday morning. I'm working tonight and tomorrow night, then I'm off for the next few nights. Hopefully work will be relatively "Q". Hope all have a pleasant day today. Ted

Last fun of the evening was Nannie seen on the monitor at 10:30 PM, packing clothes into a bag. When hubby went into her room, she said she was "leaving this damn hospital and going back home"...home being w/ her mom and dad. Hubby talked her down and got her to take a PRN Ativan. Finally heard her snoring around midnight. This has been one of the worst days and evenings yet. I'm exhausted; going to bed. Thanks for the hugs and all.

Agree. (((((((((( NSIME and her dh )))))))))))) Busy day at work, and i was the lead person. We got off pretty much on time. All pts alive. Dh exchanged our old modem for a new one (took the old one to the center, and they just exchanged it). There is SOME improvement in reception but it's not worth fireworks and starry-eyed WOWs!!! We will continue to evaluate it as we use it. Got groceries (forgot parmesan cheese though!) and paid bills. I hope I hope I hope I hope I hope I sleep better tonight!! Y'all have a good evening!