Even though we are running about 10 degrees warmer than the average temperature, it's still pretty chilly up north here. I am already cold and we are still officially in autumn. However, it's been a pretty tough October for us ladies, here's to hoping we can recoup some R&R this month before we get stoked back up for the big holiday celebrations kicking off at the end of the month.

Click Me if you want to check back in on October's Thread Conversations

My post from this morning...

Good Tuesday Morning, yep a great day!

Today is my doc appt at 2:45 pm to see about getting out of the boot and back to shoes. I know I will be slowed down a bit without the boot as I do walk around the house a little without the boot and it is slow moving. Not a lot of walking, like just before bed, which is allowable per the doc. Speaking of walking, I went with the kidddos ToTing last night. Probably put in a mile of more. Yes, HAPPY, my ankle is a bit achy today. Walked both sides of the pond's neighborhood. We were out from 5:30 - 7:30. Our neighbors left when we did so we all grouped together. They had 3 kids and our 2. Found out that their youngest and Jacob will start kindergarten together in the fall. The little one is adorable, Mia. She ran up to me, elbowed my arm and said hey what is your name? Ok, I love this little kid. We left the porch light on with a huge bowl full of candy on a chair. All gone when we got back. C had paperwork to do and had no time to answer the door. He said Sassy barked her arse off all evening. lol.

Before we left, I made dinner. Grilled pork chops, squash medley, mac n cheese, and a delish salad. Meant to bring the salad today for lunch and totally spaced it. Dang it, now I will starve. hahahha. Trying to bring my lunch rather than spend 5-8 bucks on lunch everyday. Maybe I can make it with what is in my desk. Instant oats, a can of chicken noodle soup and a jar of peanut butter. None of it sounds good AT ALL. Bleh, plus I am not much of a peanut butter fan. Oh well.

SUSIE...oh good luck with all the interviews....You will have to make a choice as you will be offered both positions. I am hoping the tiredness is just lack of movement. I had this tired feeling several months before my heart attack. Yeeee.

HAPPY... I think we both need a great massage and pampering. Want to meet up halfway and go for it? Include SHADDIE too! Heck all the worldlies.

LAURA...how's the ear pressure and fluid. My doc say sudafed is great for the fluid relief. I just forget to take it. I have chronic sinus issues. Slight infection at all times. Hope you are feeling better. Next week is momma week. May the force be with you, per my little Darth Vader last night. lol.

SHADDIE...what is the news on the medical front?

Got to get busy. Make it a great day/night all. Hugs

Yesterday I worked at the house in Battlefield. The yard needed mowing and I was weed eating but ran out of time. Maybe next week I will get to go back home. Will go back Thursday to finish.
Meeting a friend for lunch today.

Happy
Yes my sis has settled down a bunch. We were all hoping that things would be finished that week but it doesn't work out that way some times.

Laura
I think I have every thing forwarded to my new address. I'm getting mail. Be careful in using the Sudafed as it made my bp sky rocket.

Annie
It's amazing how the boot's protect our feet and ankles until we take them off. Your dinner sounded yummy.

Susie
I'm with Annie on the VP position and you getting to pick which one you want. You are highly qualified for either.

Happy Tuesday Ladies,

I can't believe we are in November already. Time just really flies. In 10 days it will be 5 years that we moved up here to the Northwoods. There has been good and bad to it, but mostly good and I am grateful for what we have. I have spent a lot of time in my recliner chair with my personal heater on full blast. Nina the cat and I have both appreciated it. However, I guess the down side is that my "blood" is thin as they would say. I am already freezing all the time. ALL THE TIME. Except for when I put a warm sweater on and move around and then I'm in flames. No, this isn't hormonal - perhaps some remnant of the pain meds. Last night I was going to skip the hot tub because it was rather late but I was so chilled that I jumped in there for 20 minutes just to warm up. Felt good. I actually felt decent going to bed last night. That lasted for ONE HOUR. Another toss and turny night. A year of this, huh??? Gads. Yesterday at therapy we worked on stairs. Normal step at a time stairs not step, step old people's stairs. I was very surprised that I was able to lead up the stairs with my operated leg. Wasn't strong enough to do that or too painful 2 weeks ago. I can go up stairs better than down. Down I lead with the operated leg and I swear it seems my other leg is TOO SHORT. The P/T said no but it SURE FEELS LIKE IT. There was another elderly gentleman who was being made to run the gauntlet with me on the stairway - we kept trying to avoid each other - rather the p/t's tried to keep us apart because I could not see him behind me and he in true elderly single focus fashion - did not know I was there and I guess he nearly bulldozed me a few times. Since Friday I have been feeling like I am carrying a 50 pound bag of something - the pressure on both my knees was intense. Even the NuStep stepper that I typically breeze through was an effort yesterday. I asked the P/T what he thought that was about. He said he didn't know. Bah. I know they had to offer a medical opinion but heck, at least offer something in the way of alternative therapies. I asked if perhaps it could be my back acting up, again - nothing. So we just did regular therapy. I ask questions, no one gives me definitive answers other than to say everything looks great and give it time. Ok then. I guess I will just plod along and it's a continuation of daily life. Some days you are full of energy, some days are nap times. I guess I was hoping for some miracle burst of feeling fabulous. That's no more likely to come than waking up in the morning and feeling like I had a restful sleep

Last night we went out to dinner for Mexican. I had shrimp fajitas which they make in this wonderful red sauce with mushrooms, onions and green peppers. I ate 6 of the shrimp and gave the rest to DH. I did take the left over veggies in sauce, tortillas and rice home. Will scramble an egg and warm that up for lunch today. It's just that the onion are RATHER intense. Not sure why, oh well I just have to run to the post office and stop in the thrift shop so no one has to smell me other than DH and the cats

DH rented a camera lens for a week - he is trying to decide between a new camera or a new lens. Today is a pretty - cool but sunny day. He should take a ride somewhere and go test things out. We have spotted a few bald eagles sitting on the side of the road dining on road kill (a TRULY AMAZING sight I tell you). But ... apparently they are camera shy and don't like anything looking at them. The few times he tried to take a picture - even from a distance - they got nervous and flew off. Easier to get them when they are up high in a tree. While he is out I am going to do some tidying up around the house here. I'd like everything back in shape before I leave for Chicago.

Wow Annie - I am in awe that you were able to do a mile in that clunky boot. I hope you get good news as far as getting out of it. Your leg with feel much lighter without it and you have to temper the security of support you get in the boot itself. The boys looked totally adorable. Glad you had a good time Yay for little Mia - a politician or social worker in the making Yum - dinner sounded amazing. What made the salad so delish if I can ask? My appetite is starting to come back I still can't eat a large volume of food but I am getting a bit more interest in it again - so your dinner sounded extra yummy. I am sure there is a bit of truth in adding a little more exercise to your day and feeling a bit more alert. I will try it if you will, eh? I see that it is 70 degrees out by my sister compared to 52 here - I might even be tempted to take a walk in that. Albeit a short one. Oooh - the massage sounds wonderful. Only problem is halfway between me and you is LOTS OF TRAFFIC! You know how that makes me feel

Susie - good luck on your interviews. I agree with the others, I think you will offered both positions - at least if they are smart interviewers and can see gold in a candidate. Thanks for the encouragement on the open enrollment. I will see what they say when I call today.

Ceejay - here's hoping you can get back in your home again soon. That was good advice about the Sudafed. I never had an issue but I do know that can really cause b/p problems in some people.

Ugh - I just installed Facebook on my iPhone. What a piece of junk! I haven't tried this site either but I imagine it's not as easy as using the computer itself.

Well I have some data entry to do - you're not the only one with month end reports ladies!

Enjoy the day everyone!

Morning all.


Happy – Thank you for setting up our new thread. === You must be relieved the work around your house is finally done. Well, now there’s the downspout replacement – hope that can go smoothly. === I hope your health insurance is in place the same as last year. === I’m glad the bug hit at the end of the cruise for the volunteer coordinator! Though I can’t imagine flying home when feeling really lousy – that would be a long, miserable flight. === So, have you figured out what you’re going to cook with all that squash? == As for the election, I find both major candidates highly unsatisfactory and don’t feel either are worthy of my vote. Yet I do feel it’s my duty as a citizen to cast a vote. Like I said before, in a quandary. What’s that saying – hold your nose and swallow?? == Wow, nearly 5 years already??!! Time does indeed fly. == Sounds like PT was exciting yesterday, LOL. === How long will you be in Chicago this time around?

Susie – Did a lot of kids come to your house for treats? We only got a couple by the time I was home (train slightly delayed – always something), but bf said there were a good amount earlier. We do, however, still have a large unopened bag of candy that we’ll return to the store. === Continued best wishes to you in the interviewing process! I know they’ll like you, but I hope you like them!

Annie – I hope you can get out of the boot today and the adjustment process won’t be too difficult. == Sounds like you enjoyed being out with the kids for ToT’ing. === Yeh, I brought a can of soup to work yesterday and just didn’t feel like eating it. I might have that today. Or save it for tomorrow when it's supposed to rain and I won't want to go outside for lunch...

Ceejay – Thanks for the warning re Sudafed and elevated bp. I don’t feel any ill effects from the Sudafed thus far except for a dry mouth.

Shad – How are you feeling? What did the doc say about your recovery?

==

Thanks to you all for asking about my ears. They feel fine. The Sudafed is working well for the fluid/pressure, but I do need to remember to take it!

Unfortunately, my heel – the one I just had the shot in – is hurting again. I iced it when I got to work today and will ice it again this afternoon. I’m walking to and from the train station now, and that doesn’t help matters any. Not sure what else to do for now, except stay off it.

Went to bed early-ish last night and slept well. Today the trains were goofed up due to a mechanical issue down the line. Several trains ran express past our station and then one finally stopped and I got on it, but I was still rather late to work. Oh Metra. Sigh.

No plans tonight except to do a load of laundry and get some cleaning done around the house.

Might as well get on here now and tell you my nothing news before I get all antsy again and have another pity party. Poor dog. He is confused by my constant whinging.

Off I went to the Doctor who greeted me at the door despite being 15 minutes early for my appointment. Apparently not many had turned up yesterday morning and I was the answer to his boredom. Who slags off a specialist these days??? Anyway to cut a long story short, Histology has come back with nothing yet, not good, not bad. Apparently my 'cyst' is a borderline tumour which may or may not be malignant or benign. They are now sending the results to the Mater Hospital Gynae section which deals with female reproductive cancers to see if there is anything there. That means I will have to go for tests, ultrasounds and more CT scans at the Mater. Added to that, apparently the cyst/ tumour ruptured as they extracted it. Some of the fluid inside escaped into the body cavity. They had to flush out the body cavity - so I have to tell you I am as squeaky clean on the inside now as I am on the outside . Doc is happy with my progress and is saying that it should all be okay as far as he can tell, just have to wait. I am done with waiting I can tell you.

Speaking of the ODDU, I put him outside yesterday while I went out. He went unwillingly! to say the least. So I opened the front gate, and then realised I had left my medicare card behind so I went back into the house - to be greeted by an exuberant dog! It seems I did not latch the slider in the bedroom properly and cunning little b*gger has worked out how to get inside by pushing the door with his nose and then sliding it back once the gap is big enough to get his nose into. Think I might have to send this dog to university to get a degree.

Happy - well if you are getting up and down stairs okay, then you are definitely on the improve. I can just see you duking it out with the old bloke on the stairs - right of way is a wonderful thing. Those going down should give way to those going up. Nothing is instant although we are told that with breakthroughs in medical science that it is. Do not despair. I'd love to see those bald eagles. If I ever get through this medical travesty, I will be up you way instantly so they can't make any more appointments.

Laura - glad the ear is sorted, now you just have to sort out the heel. *sigh* always something. Lucky we have Susie on the thread or we would all be bemoaning our fates.

Ceejay - it's good that the house refurbishment is going along steadily albeit somewhat slowly. It will be nice for you to go back to your new life and start again. Good that the sister is settling down again as well.

Annie - glad that you had a good time with Halloween. I have some pictures of little miss S out trick or treating and when I spoke to her on Skype last night she displayed all her sweets and treasures (from a purple pumpkin) I will try to post them later.

Right now, I am in pain with this stupid diet I have to go on to get the colonoscopy done. It's all white stuff (and no salads and no raw vegetables and no fresh fruit) - white bread, potatoes, starchy veg, meat and fish and chicken (all well done), milk, yoghurt and icecream and jelly. Bah humbug, I am now constipated. I am even looking forward to tomorrow when the drinks and tablets start going in and I just can't wait for Friday to be over. The only good thing is that I am still losing weight. I have now lost nearly 7kg since I came home in August - that's about 15 or 16 pounds.

Okay, I can't ramble on anymore. Things to do. My niece is coming to lunch today. I was going to go out and get lost somewhere but I'd better not if she is coming. I will see little E (niecelet) again and the dog will have someone as tall as he to push about. See ya and maybe I will be more settled and happy then. Right now I am just a bundle of misery.

Hi Ladies. I cant believe that we are now in November.

We had around 900 trick or treaters last night. Most everyone who came was in costume, even the older kids.

I think I left my glasses at work on my desk . I hope so because I cant find then anywhere. I have a few cheaters around the house so I am not at total loss when trying to read.

Thanks to all of you for your confidence thst I will get offered both jobs. You are all two kind.

I am posting on my phone so I will do personals tomorrow.

Boo Hiss, Boo Hiss, Dag Nabbit, and just plain poop! I have to remain in my boot for two weeks, then do one week after that of 1/2 day boot, 1/2 day shoe, then full shoe. Looking at November 22 for full shoe. Bah Humbug. Altho the ankle is healing nicely, by skipping the two weeks in the cast portion of recovery, he just added two weeks of boot to the end. Sneaky doctor. Thankful I didn't have to do the two week of cast. That would of added two weeks more on the knee scooter. I know, suck it up and quit beeeaaaaching.

SUSIE...bummer on the glasses, hope you find them awaiting your arrival at work on your desk! Go get them on the interviews. Please have them call me if you need a great character reference. Hugs and may the force be with you.

SHADDIE...Samantha has had 3 ovarian cysts on her ovaries in her past. All three burst and caused major pain. None were cancerous and usually are not. Just a pain. Hugs and good findings from the doc. So ODDU is also an escape artist. That is funny. Out smarted the best, he did!

HAPPY...thank you for setting up the new thread. You are awesome! Happy Northwoods anniversary! That 5 years went fast, same as Jacob's age. Very quick. Congrats on the beginning of conquering the stairs, even if you had a bit of competition. lol. I say try a tylenol PM to get some rest. Maybe it will allow you to sleep through the pain of your knee for a bit longer. The salad I made was good as it had a LOT of fresh veggies in it. Cukes, tomatos, green and red bell pepper, carrots, green onion tops, and a bit of cheese. Nothing special, just very fresh and tasty..

LAURA...go cubbies! I stayed up for the entire game last night and now I am zonked today. Of course I was watching in bed. How is your heel today. Bummer it is starting to act up just before you go to your momma's.

CEEG...For being retired, you are sure doing a lot of grass cutting and weed eating. Helps to keep you young, or worn out? lol

Best get to work, boss is on a two hour delay as he takes his daughter to school and she is on a two hour delay, something to do with the teachers meetings. She is a sophomore in HS and could ride the bus. Hmmm, not my call.

Make it a great Wednesday, Hump day!

Good morning fine ladies,

Good thing I looked at my notes yesterday before bed. I have an early morning physical therapy appt I would have otherwise missed.

Watched the Cubbies win yesterday. Can they do it 3 times in a row and take the World Series? Hope so - fans would be over the moon. I planned nachos for dinner last night - DH said we had Mexican the day before, what about chili? So I made chili and he turned it into nachos Said they were very good, not too bad at all said me except scale this morning is saying watch that salt stuff - go eat cleaner Happy.

Annie - another person suggested one of those over the counter pain med / sleep pills too. I am terrified of mixing anything with the oxycodone - really kind of scared of that stuff in total but thanks for the suggestion. I tried just the OTC stuff alone and that's not strong enough either. I can tell that the pain is getting just an intsy bit less overnight. Like you, patience Bummer on the extended sentence in Das Boot but ... after all you have been through I guess you need to take it all the way to ensure a proper recovery. Don't mess it up now. This has taught both of us patience. Salad sounded delicious - I find them especially tasty when sometimes the menu for the week doesn't include enough fresh, raw stuff. As much as I find the years flying by, I'm sure you are feeling the same with watching the boys sprout up. Did they enjoy Halloween? Re: the boss and the bus chauffeur, first thing that comes to mind is that maybe the DD is getting bullied? Or some private schools don't have bus service - that was a huge issue with one of my coworkers.

Susie - 900 trick or treaters? At the price of candy now a days??? Holy cow you will be bankrupt But I know you enjoy the kids so all is good. Good luck on the interviews!

SHad - OMG your poor innards! Especially the rupture They are really doing the poke around, aren't they. I hope all works out well although they are giving you lots to think about right now. Just soldier on as you will - good thoughts to you always I see you set up another thread for November - thank you for that. We must have crossed wires. We will have to plan your visit ahead of time. I love seeing the eagles - never tire of that. Thing is, they are not predictable to a specific time. Summer though we can sometimes catch them nesting in trees along the lake shores. Summer works out best for all of us - you would not enjoy winter here. Congrats on your weight loss so far! Impressive for the year. Hope you had a grand lunch with the niece and junior niece!

Laura - I will be in Chicago Nov 19 - Dec 3 - 2 weeks. Kind of busted up a bit because of the Thanksgiving holiday. I decided I really don't want to travel over Christmas for both the rush of things and the unpredictable weather. I haven't really even giving much thought to the trip itself, now that November is here, I guess I should. Sorry the foot is still hurting you. Those feet are touchy things and require alot of care for the pounding we give them on a daily basis. Ice is your friend. Keep it up. Freeze a water bottle and roll your foot on it at work.

Hellos to the rest of the chicks, I need to jump in the shower quick and get the chemical smell off me from the hot tub last night. Have a good hump day all!

Afternoon all.

Shad – More testing, oh the fun. Sorry the colon test prep diet is/was causing issues, but that was likely short-lived once you started with the drinks and tablets! Guess you’ll lose a bit more weight from that, albeit temporarily. Congrats on the weight loss!! == Hope the lunch with the niece and niecelet went well and ODDU behaved himself.

Susie – This year is just flying by, that’s for sure. == I can’t believe you had that many T or T’ers!! And here I had to return a bag of candy, which was half of what we bought. Hope you find your glasses - they are expensive!!

Annie – You will be truly thankful this Thanksgiving when you get that boot off! But at least it’s better than the cast! Our department admin finally got the okay to go without her boot, but she said her foot is still bothering her and because she has so many problems, she’ll keep wearing it for a while. She said she joked with her doctor that she would just wear it forever, and her doctor said he actually has some patients that have done just that. Crazy – it’s not like it saves on shoe expense, LOL. --- Yeh, bad timing with the heel. It’s still not feeling good. The pain seems to move around to different spots on the heel.

Happy – Yeh, a good Cubbies win last night. I’m happy they made it to Game7, and the city will go crazy if we should win the whole ball of wax. == I hope the weather remains mild for a while, or at least seasonal, for you trip here later this month. == I do have a frozen water bottle here at work and iced my foot twice yesterday and will ice it a couple times this afternoon.

Hellos to Ceejay and Dee.

==

Nothing much to report. Did a little bit around the house including a load of laundry, returned the candy and bought a replacement for my Swiffer duster – the one with the extending handle.

Otherwise I watched a good amount of the ball game and after a while did more flipping back and forth between that and a Hallmark movie. Yes, they have started up with the “C” movies already. Mellie would have loved it! I ended up staying up to see the final score of the game, so not an early bedtime and right now I can tell that wasn’t a good idea.

I woke up this morning remembering that I had a hair appointment this week, but not recalling which day it was – tonight or tomorrow night. Checked my calendar and I’m happy to report that it’s tomorrow night and that I can be at home to watch the ball game tonight. I will also do another load of laundry tonight.

Our mattress has been delivered to the mattress store and bf will pick it up today. Hope it fits into the SUV okay, but it’s a short drive home even if it sticks out the back a bit.

That’s it for me, so I’ll get this posted. TTFN.

Can't believe I said I can't wait for this drink. It is horrible. I am on my third and there is 5 more to go tonight and then another 4 tomorrow morning. Yuk, yuk, yuk, yuk.

WOW! YEHAW! CUBBIES WIN!! My grandpa is surely celebrating in heaven. He was a die hard cubbie fan. I am very happy with the results myself, in his honor!

Last night was quite lovely. Chris had to boys overnight, Sam was at her "friend's" house. Bleh on that friend, IMO. C didn't get back from fishing with his brother until 9 pm. Reminded me of the good times when I lived alone. lol. Why is it we always want what we don't have? Me and Sassy went to bed and swithced back and forth between CMA awards and the Cubbie game. Sassy is a bed hog and while we have a king size bed, she is right under me most of the time with her feet. Had I turned to the right just a bit, I would of fallen off the bed. Outsmart her, um no, if I go to the other side of the bed, she appears immediately, back up against me and under me. Gotta love that lil pup. Too much, I suppose.

SHADDIE...Thank God I don't have to do that colonoscopy grossness for another 5 or more years. Hope all comes out well...ba hahaha. pun intended.

LAURA...Yahooo on your cubbies... Hope your mattress is everything you ever dreamed it would be! Laundry, always laundry to do. Now I have to make a reservation for my own washing machine and dryer. haha. The machines are getting a hard work out and would be surprised if they last at all...Constantly going. Oh Lord, I do not want to wear this boot forever. It will be rough the first month or so without it, getting adjusted, but glad to get is off.

HAPPY...the boss's daughter..um no she is just a little spoiled, not bullied or anything. As a matter of fact she works out with her day, my boss the personal trainer and is buff for a girl. Very popular and too cool to ride the bus. The boys did have a great time on Halloween. Jacob, who does not eat candy said he did not get enough treats, yet his plastic pumpkin was plumb full. I had to laugh, I think he just wanted to keep monkeying around outside. How was therapy? Progress on the stairs or running from papaw? lol.

Hello to all, busy day ahead. Hugs.

Morning
My day at the house went well. I finished the weed eating and cleaned out the fridge. The flooring was delivered around 4 p.m. and I was dreading the drive back to Branson. The traffic is horrific at certain time of the day. Feeling a bit queasy this morning. Think it's due to the fact I want to be in my new home.
Not sure what I will do today.

-----
Susie
Wow 900 trick or treater's! Have you heard anything from your interviews?

Shad
I feel for you during the prep time for the colonoscopy.

Annie
I know you were looking forward to getting the boot off but look at it this way your ankle will be stronger.

Happy
I understand about the time "flying" by. You have had made some great memories already.

Morning all. What a game yesterday! Yay for the Cubbies and Chicago and all the long-suffering fans, including the dearly departed. It was definitely a great match-up to the very end, but it was a bit too much for me. Quite the stressful nail biter! Several times I told bf I was just going to bed, but even when I got in bed with my book propped up on a throw pillow on top of me, I still had the game on the tv in the bedroom on mute. My book blocked the tv screen, but I just had to tilt it to see the tv screen. But of course that didn’t last too long and I was up and down a few times going back into the living room where bf was still watching. I finally stayed in the living room with bf watching the final outs. It’s still unbelievable that something every one of the fans have been waiting for our entire lives has finally happened. I have good memories of watching the games on TV with my dad in the 70’s. I’m sure he’s very happy now! I might just have to go out and buy a t-shirt.

Ceejay – I’m glad your flooring arrived – so now it has to sit around and be acclimated to the humidity levels in the house? For how long? I’m sure you’re anxious for all this to be done.

Annie – I’m sure you savor any quiet time you get now that you’ve got a full house!! I think you need to block out that time for yourself each week and everybody has to vacate the house so it’s just you and Sassy and the quiet. == Speaking of Sassy – too funny that you just can’t claim your own space on the bed. She’s a Space Invader, lol. Does she do that on the sofa too?

Shad – Having had the experience of downing that vile drink for a colonoscopy prep, I well know what you’re going through and you have my empathy. Hope all goes well with the procedure.

Hellos to the rest of you. Dee, how’s it going? Miss you – come back and say hello soon. Susie, what’s the latest re the interviews? Happy, how did your PT go yesterday?

==

Nothing much to report. I went to vote right after work last night. The village hall is just a block or so from the train. Bf met me and he voted too. We’re all done, did our civic duty and now we just have to try and avoid the onslaught of campaign commercials on TV and radio (like we’d be doing anyway). Though it’s sometimes fun to see how the opposition manages to find the most unflattering photos of their opponents to use in their ads, haha.

Our fundraiser wraps up today with a live auction this afternoon. It has become the “same-ol’, same ol” thing, so I will skip it, but I did buy some raffle tickets. Fingers

BF will be picking up the mattress today and then he has class tonight. I’ll be doing some more cleaning around the house and then I absolutely need an early bedtime tonight!! Even after the game ended, I was up watching a bit of the post-game stuff – trophies, etc. – so it was a very late night for me. I’ll be hitting a wall today and it won’t be pretty.

Okay, time to get this posted.

Good morning ladies,

Sure was a heart pounding back and forth baseball game last night. I am happy for all those Cubs fans who have been waiting forever and never gave up hope. Their usual mantra "... wait till NEXT year " finally came true. Geez it was a long game though. I wanted to go into the hot tub. Put some chemicals in and let it run for an hour. Also ran the dryer to throw a bit of heat into the 3 season room. By 10pm there was still clearly another hour of the game left. Then they went into overtime. I told DH I would watch it for one more inning only and then I was going in the tub. I am glad they wrapped it up in 10 innings. I imagine the city of Chicago was in chaos last night. My friend said there was all sorts of fireworks and other such mysterious noises going on long into the night!

Yesterday itself was a bit frustrating. I had an early morning therapy appointment. I got there, checked in and was waiting on them to call me into the area. Sat about 7 minutes and when the girl therapist (new one, not the guy I usually have) came to get me, she said "oh I just called your house looking for you. Which made me because DH just LOVES to give me krapp about being late ALL THE TIME when I am NOT. I said to her - well I have been sitting here for the last 7 minutes waiting for you to come and get me. If anything, I was maybe 2 minutes late. And what's the big deal any how? You walk in, they immediately put you on the stepper for 12 minutes while they go back and sit in their office. Then the timer goes off and you wait for them to come back while you sit there. Sometimes the next thing they do is put you on the bike for another 10 minutes and go sit back in their office. I dunno - this girl rubbed me the wrong way from the get go. When she put me on the bike instead of the single level I have been working on (enough strain for my knee) - but no, she put me on the FAT BURNING strenuous program. After 2 minutes I thought I was going to die - I am not strong enough for this. I tried calling her but she was sitting in her office staring at her computer. So finally the receptionist noticed and called her out. Then she had me do some squats that were equally too much strain again. We went into the room and she went and measured my leg. She complimented me on the range of motion to which I replied - well that's NOT my operated leg you know. She got and measured the other one. I was 2 degrees less on the operated leg so doing well all in all. After therapy I went to Walgreens to get my pain meds filled. I waited 15 minutes at the drive up and all that time they didn't even acknowledge the car in front of me. I said this is B.S. there are 5 pharmacies in town - why continue to put up with bad service? So I pulled out. Passed the gas station that has the deli with great sandwiches and picked up a meatball sub for DH. Stopped at the thrift shop to get some numbers I needed for my monthly report. Then I popped in at the hospital - the orthopedic guy told me that they were going to be in town on Wednesday holding office at the hospital and I needed to return the crutches they lent me. By then it was shortly after 12 and they were already gone which was a pain as I have to walk almost through the entire hospital complex to where they have their offices. I was starting to feel the intensity of the morning's therapy session. I stopped at the hospital cafeteria and got their lunch special of a cup of tomato basil soup and an egg salad sandwich on pumpernickle bread - all for $2.75. Stopped at the pharmacy in the building where I do therapy and they filled my prescription in less that 10 minutes while I waited. Less time than I spent just waiting in line to get acknowledged at Walgreens. And I walked out, pills in hand. I was also able to ask the pharmacist if it would be ok to take a PM type pain reliever (those with the added Benedryl) to supplement the night time oxycodone and help with sleeping through the night. He said that was fine. I am really afraid of the oxy and overdosing although I am on such a tiny dose it would not matter. I would prefer to be off everything although I am seeing a TINY bit of improvement at night. I know I will be on this stuff - at least for the night - for a while.

DH got a bit miffed at me. He is hurrying to finish the deck rails - the spindles on the railing as well as the topper on the rails. The topper is what they call "drink rails" - I dunno - a board maybe 5 inches across instead of the more compact hand rails. So the problem is - the stain he used on the decking is very nice but water totally beads up on it. That makes it almost icy slippery in the morning dew. I need to be able to hold on to a hand rail when I do stairs - both with my weaker operated knee right now and going forward with my arthritic other knee. I will always need a bit of support. The drink rail topper is wider than my hand stretched out. So I have to grip the side of the board which actually "pulls" on the entire piece of railing. I could hear it pulling and cracking as I did the stairs yesterday. So I told him right away that this is NOT going to work out. It looks pretty but is not functional. At first he got really p.o.'d which of course got me all nasty and mad too. Functional HAS TO TRUMP asthetics here. I was also angry that he didn't even ask me why I felt it was bad, just got annoyed. After 10 minutes he said come outside and he asked about it. I told him my concerns. He said I should not be pulling on the railing for support. I said I'm not, I can't grip this properly. We talked a bit, he may need to install a side bar along the railing for me to grip. He got miffed because he is chasing time and the decent weather trying to finish up everything and he has alot to do yet. I cannot help him with it at all. If he doesn't get the rest of the railings done, it will create a problem with storage because we have the wood out of the wetness and in our garage so we can't bring the cars in. He also bought a very large portable work bench and drawers to work on and now that takes up with the deck rails the last bit of room we had in the man cave. (Man cave is full with the UTV, large John Deere lawn tractor and snow blower, ATV, a large 4 piece cabinet set he wanted for our living room in TN that we have no place to put in this house and several boxes that should be gone through. The weather for the next 4 days is unseasonably wonderful - running about 20 degrees warmer than it should be. It's sunny - I wish we could go for a ride and enjoy it but we can't as he needs every spare minute to work outside. He is even forfeiting this week he paid to borrow that camera lens to test out. I need to suck it up even if I am not up to speed and go rip out the last of the garden, go through a few more boxes in the garage and take advantage of the better weather too. AND STOP WHINING.

Ceejay - I can totally understand how you might be feeling a bit unsettled after moving and then not really being able to settle down. I do hope that the house repairs go quickly and you can really get established for good. I thought it was amusing that you were complaining about traffic - is there more where you are now than back in Arkansas? Thank you - yes I have made some great memories. You will also. Always fun to discover new and interesting things.

Anne - oh oh - is Sam dating someone Momma ain't too keen on? I have to believe no matter how old your kids are that watching their selections for partners has got to be tough. Especially when you're opinion isn't very welcoming. Your Sassy sounds like our Nina - looking for closeness for warmth and just feeling safe. And a bed hog too As for your wishing what you can't have - I hear you sister. Sometimes I think the same and then I am reminded to be careful of getting what you wish for - Jacob does not eat candy? WOW - how did you pull that one off. Yay for him. I am hoping your washer and dryer hold up - I can imagine the beating they are taking. I have a giant pile of cat blankets to take to the laundromat - don't want all that animal hair clogging up my septic system. Bedding is also extra rough on the agitator as are towels.

Poor Shad - the colonoscopy prep not doing well? When I had it they gave us some "flavor" packets to add to the drink. The first 2 cups were not bad but the more you had to drink, the more wretched it became. I thought people were saying there were pills you could take - just had to be mindful to drink alot of water to "push" things through. Good luck with all that. You have all our sympathies.

Laura - how were things downtown this morning after the Cubs win? Although I imagine it was more crazy in Wrigleyville. Will you get to see the parade from your office building? How did your hair come out - just a trim or did you do something different? Did BF get the mattress home ok? Did you sleep on it last night?

Hi Susie and the rest of the chicks I need to get my arse in gear. Tonight is another cooking class. They are making venison (deer) many ways (not keen on this) and DH is bringing some bison steaks for chef to cook. Double ugh. But chef has got me to try some things I would not have otherwise eaten so I am keeping an open mind.