Morning all,
Got up at 5:30 today to see the old boy off. Now I have the whole day to myself
Sometimes it's good just to have a day on your own.
Got my hair cut yesterday. I showed her some highlights I liked and she misinterpreted what I was saying. Instead of low lights (darker streaks) she added more blonde so my hair is substantially lighter than it was before. I don't notice much of a difference but he did the minute I walked in the door. We weren't home too long before we had to go back out to the eye doctor. What a waste that was. 2 and a half hours in the office - they didn't even take us until an hour after our scheduled appointments. And they even bumped some people in ahead of me who were complaining about the long wait.
My near vision has weakened - no surprise there. He said I have the beginnings of cataracts in both eyes - yet another sad reminder of being old.
This is why I am having trouble focusing when reading - things just aren't "sharp" and after 15 minutes it gets straining on the eyes. Not bad enough for surgery but it will be in my future one day. This also means I have to rethink all those books I have squirreled away to read one day - especially the older ones with the tiny print. DH will be happy to hear that as he thinks I have too many books laying around for too long that I have not read. The one thing that bugged me is because I have always been on the computer for work and leisure and I wear blended bifocals, I have had "computer" glasses. A mid range prescription that does not cause neck strain trying to look at the bottom of my glasses for the close up vision. I've been wearing these for 15 years and it's actually hard for me to focus on the computer with my regular glasses. This guy gave me a really hard time about computer glasses - said to get a new prescription (for all 3 levels) and I should be ok. He forgot to listen / care about what I was saying about cricking my neck. Said if I wanted this I would have to measure the exact distance between my computer screen and my eyes and they'd have to do all sorts of complex calculations to get the right prescription (think Einstein's chalk board with the theory of relativity math calculation on it
) I know in the past it's been a best guess to the prescription to estimate the mid range distance but it's never really been a problem before. I was not happy. DH was not happy with the guy either and said next time we will just drive the hour to the next town and see the same guy who did his cataract surgery. This guy is a opthamologist and everyone in town I talked to who sees him was very complimentary about him. I saw him in the fall when I had shingles and thought he was ok which is why I made the appointment to see him yesterday. I guess the cataracts are why I see things a bit fuzzy - I thought your eye clouded over but DH said no, you just can't focus well. I thought my vision was just getting really bad and each year I was closer to getting a guide dog.
Ceejay - it's a pity that you have to drive so far to get a flight. Memphis airport has nothing but (long) connections - you are better off at Little Rock. I hope you have a good time even if you don't attend the entire reception. Oh my - what a very scary dream! I picked up the pork all by myself. They put it in nice cardboard trays so I was able to carry it to and from my car - then I transferred it to cooler bags until I could get everything in the freezer.
Terra - that's very true - you will never get to goal if you don't push yourself. Just keep up the good work.
Shad - little Miss S is so very adorable - looks a bit like daddy too. Nice age too - lots of fun and very cute. I'm glad a certain someone found your gifts good enough for her to wear
Looks like you get quite a bit of mileage out of your garden. Good idea also to get the fruit in season and freeze it. I am hearing more about the benefits of eating the peels of citrus fruit. I do know that the essential flavorful oils are in the peel / zest. However I do worry about the concentrations of pesticides in the skins also. Not sure I see organic citrus up this way. How was the birthday party? Did you find a gift? I give my Mom candy - at least she eats it right away. Everything else gets stowed away (and forgotten) because "it's too good to use right now"
I think the best gift for them is actually just to be surrounded by people and gushed upon. The elderly tend to get forgotten and rather lonely so company can be the best gift.
Nae - I am very sorry to hear of your cancer woes. Will send some healing prayers your way. I wish you well and a speedy recovery.
Laura - deveining shrimp is not so bad - provided you get the big pricy ones
The shrimp shells make a wonderful and flavorful broth for a nice sauce when cooked with a bit of vegetable broth, onions, carrots and celery and seasonings. I loved the Grumpy Old Men movies - Burgess Meredith totally stole the show - just like Clint Eastwood's mom ? character in Every Which Way But Loose. I will be very interested to hear how the yogalities class works out. I think you are smart going with the park district punch card - gives you lots of variety.
Claygirl - loved your pottery. How pretty! You are right - they make it look so easy on TV - didn't realize it takes talent to get things looking nice. We had some horsehair pottery someone donated to the thrift store - it was decorated with strands of horsehair but if you didn't know that it looked like fine lines of painting. Very different. I thought it was pretty myself. Yikes - that sounds like a disastrous situation with your sister and her partner. I think you are right that if you say anything, it will put her on the defensive. Sometimes you just would like to spare a person some pain but they have to figure that out for themselves. Sorry you have a mean neighbor cat, they tend to give cats a bad name. Any animal who bites unless threatened or backed into a corner is not good.
Michelle - I hope you will not have gallbladder problems now. Given the limitations of your diet you need to get some fats in order for the gallbladder to work properly. I know it's got to be difficult to get everything you need into your body while eating substantially less. Hope you will be ok but at least it's something you can be aware of for now. Always something, right?
Annie - I had to smile at your comments about your hairdresser. Isn't your hairdresser Sissy?
I hope she can work out her issues with C. Relationships are far more complicated than they used to be it seems. It's also a major strain on anyone when money is hard to come by. I hear you on the hairstyles. I was just saying to my sister yesterday, every new cut seems to morph into the standard style I have always had. The only difference is the length of my hair.
I look at girls with thick hair with body and texture and I am always envious - I think they are the only ones who can change styles and always look good.
Dee - what cute and adorable puppies! Sometimes I go to sleep with my iPOD when DH is not using his cpap and snoring up a storm. The music is enough to dull the sound of him but then I start snoring too. I said that was in response to his "singing"
I guess this is enough for me - been sitting here a few hours already and I don't want to waste the entire day away. I have to render down the lard I got and there is the usual pesky housework thing to do. Have a good weekend everyone!
to Laura, Annie, Dee, Susie and Claygirl! 
Excited that you won a $50 Walmart card...who can't use that!!