Hi there ladies,
Let me see if I can get a proper post in. Paint lady came yesterday. Very blah bland colors. I know you don't want crazy colors but this is taupe, white and a very lightened up muted forest type gray green. Throughout the whole house. I think it will sap all personality out of this place. She recommended the colors for the house across the street. Basically same colors.
Looks ugly there too. DH and I will probably pick slightly different colors. DH has decided that the painters quote is not that bad and I am glad he is deciding on the help - he needs it. I did go to the doctor yesterday. BP was only slightly higher than usual - it figures. They did an EKG. It was normal. She gave me some B/P meds and said to come back in 2 weeks for a follow up. Also gave me some antidepressants. I don't think I am depressed - mostly just angry. But I guess the happy pills like Valium or Xanax are rather addictive so I guess she took the safer route. I guess the pills are working - my b/p at the nurse today was 114/68 and I was actually kinda miffed at the time. Took it again when I got home trying out the new wrist type b/p machine and it was low again. B/P pills make me tired - I went to bed before 10 yesterday, fell asleep in 20 minutes and then snap - woke up at 3:51am. Laid in bed for over an hour tossing and then went into the other bedroom. Was about to get up after tossing again when I guess I finally fell asleep and got another hour in.
Poor Mel - I can only imagine the chaos with the seniors.
We heard about the quake but a few people checked with friends and such in Virginia, NY and the east coast. Didn't seem like it was that crazy although they said they felt it in NY. With everyone on edge over the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center bombings I can certainly understand people's reaction thinking "oh no, here it goes again". I don't think you get over that too easily. I'm glad that you are ok Mel - hope this is the end of the shocks - I imagine that is the worst never knowing when it will end and how bad it is. Glad you are back online again.
Shad - you say Scotty is a Jaffa. Is that orange coated chocolately goodness in a guy?
I'm glad you have someone you can work with easily - sure does help especially when you are on a tight time line. I can't imagine how you will get your gear into such a small pack and have a few precious ounces for essentials like clean undies, toothbrush and soap - even for a master traveller like yourself. I guess being in a mine town, not like you can ship yourself a care package. Might arrive after you've come and gone. Will be curious to find out how you made out. Did you have to invest in your own sturdy pants and steel toes boots?
Laura - I wonder why that never put in a Walmart downtown? Would be handy to run errands and with all the apartments down there, you'd think it would work out. Then you wouldn't have to skimp on your classes, especially with the pass about to expire. Where will you take it from there? I forgot - is this a park district thing? Glad you had a nice bike ride with the BF. Do you like the paved trails or the natural ones?
Yes, I have many Metra commuter ride stories. Alot of us riding the train had our preferred seats. Mine was the second car on what I would call the cheap seats - I'd sit in the stairwell leading to the upstairs car. I'd be one of the last on the train so I'd always let people move freely and would step aside so as not to be rude. Sitting on the stairs I was next to a set of double doors that slid open to the vestibule of the train car. Was sitting there on the stairs minding my own business one night and was on a later (7pm) train on a Friday night (lots of people would stop for a cocktail before boarding the train on Fridays). Apparently this drunk got on the train just as they shut the doors. He stood in the vestibule but had a hard time staying upright as the train slowly left the station and made some rather strong turns on the tracks as we headed to the first station (Clyborn). The train would go slow and rock and sometimes the interior doors would open and close on their own. They were doing so that night. Drunk is on the floor of the vestibule, I'm just inside the car on the other side of the doors reading or something.
Train is moving slowly, doors open.
Drunk looks at me and says "Hey you..."
Doors close. I look up at him.
Doors open, drunk looks at me and says to me "I'm gonna kill you beyotch".
Doors close. I roll my eyes.
Doors open again, drunk slurs "didyah hear me beyotch, I said I'm gonna kill you".
Doors close. I start laughing. He is literally laying on the floor, sliding against the hand rails. I figure someone who cannot stand upright is not that much of a threat.
Doors open again. He says to me "I'm gonna kill you dead beyotch". At this point I look at him and say "not if I kick your a$$$$$ first dumbchit". Everyone standing around me in the car starts laughing and clapping. At this point the conductor came through, noticed the commotion and promptly pitched the drunk at the next train stop. 22 years of taking Metra (public transit) - I've got lots of stories. My sister and I said we should pool our heads and write a book together - trouble is, by now I forgot most of the stories
Annie - I am sooooo happy that you and Curtis have found each other. My good friend is married to a bread man - for a long time too - they are good people - salt of the earth as my grandma would say. And how impressive is it that he climbed the canyon? That is seriously no feat for wimpies. I'm impressed. Shucks, I was going to offer to take those yum yum meat loaf sandwiches off your hands.
I hope this is the start of something good for both of you. You are overdue for some fun and good companionship. That's great that you got Sissy out walking. We have a pond and geese, ducks and swans too. The geese are scary and their poop is major nasty. Especially when they are laying eggs. That is really sad about the people who perished at the concert. Guess we all need a reminder that life is precious and it's not a guarantee that you will live a long one, so enjoy it rather than frittering the time away.
So Ceejay - did you have to finish your shower in a dark bathroom? That's kind of creepy - maybe I just saw Psycho too many times
I usually turn a flashlight on in the room if the power is flickering. I hope getting supplies did not mean that you had to roll those heavy duty drums into place across the floor.
I'm glad you are feeling better with the B12 shots. Fly lady is annoying but you can't beat her system
unless of course you have Annie living nearby
I appreciate cleaning but have yet to understand the thrill it gives some people
Michelle - I'm so sorry you have the medical munchies
Does protein or anything in particular help or is it just major cravings of any sort? Wish I had a better suggestion for you. Have to look up Susan Powter I think her name was - the chick with the crazy hair who lost a ton of weight. She was looking for the most volume for the least amount of calories - but then again - she ate stuff like wallboard and insulation
Just kidding. Probably tasted like it tho. The vertigo / dizziness is just an awful feeling - I think it has to do with the fluid in the ears. You both are sure having a hard time. Hope it clears up right this morning - I'm sure you are both tired of it and some.
Well it's trash day - time to get the bags out. See you later... Glad you are ok Mel. Save travels Shad.
Very sad about the deaths from that stage collapse. At least something positive came out of it with those organ donations. I hope your dad enjoys seeing your brother’s band play. My (widowed) friend’s dad came along with us to karaoke after her graduation party and I thought it was great that he came along. Nothing my folks would have done... You obviously didn’t have the rain we had up here at lunchtime if you and sissy were out walking in the sun. I didn’t feel like bringing my umbrella to lunch, so I just ran across the street for a sandwich. 
SCARY CHIT SKIPPY!
GIVE A HUG FOR AUNT MELLIE TOO
My boss told me to work from home today so that I wouldn't have to do as much walking (to get coffee, water, go to the bathroom), plus it's easier to use my nebulizer at home. I have to attend a department meeting tomorrow morning, but will probably work from home in the afternoon and also on Friday. It's really nice to have the option to work from home occasionally. 
) and then to Walmart. Sheesh, didn't expect a $140 tab there, but there were several $5 items, a couple $10 items, and even a $15 item, so it all sure adds up. 
