Chainsaws, Forearms and Penis

A man had a tree cut in his yard. An enormous tree. It was a sweet gum tree.  

He wants it out of his yard. His ad stated If someone would come by they could have it for free. So in other words, haul my junk for free.  Apparently, the company who cut it said they'd be back to pick up the tree but never came back.they also are not returning his calls.  

Rick loves free wood! 

Rick went up to nw raleigh in his big van and hauled his chainsaw. As you know when he does this Craig's list thing I worry about the guy using the chainsaw on him. 
So he text me when he arrived and said, "I really got myself into something here" 

I asked him to explain. He realized when he read my text I went to the dark side, he meant, my God this is a lot of work for an old guy. Whew.

Rick cut and loaded them into his vehicle. When I saw the size of these I couldn't believe he picked them up and carried them to the truck.

When he got home he said I only got about 1/3 of the tree. I couldn't do more. My arms were giving out. He and I were outside as he unloaded and I said, "you lifted these?"  Yes he said, "trust me I couldn't do anymore, besides I have to unload now" 

I couldn't have lifted one of them, not even the small one.  I tried. 

Nope, I'm a weak one.

As the day went on his arms/forearms began to be pretty sore. I suggested some Tylenol. By dinner, he could barely lift his arms without making a noise. He was laughing about it though. "Remember when I cut that tree down at my mom's and we hauled all those logs he asked? We then went out to the bar for beer and pizza and played pool? Ah, to be young again." 

After dinner, he went down the hall into the bathroom. I hear him laughing in the bathroom. 

I yell, "dare I ask what the hell you're doing in there?"

He yells, "moving my arms is painful." 

I say, "lifting your penis too much for ya fella? too heavy? HA HA HA"  

I hear him laughing.  He comes out of the bathroom and tells me he may need help. I told him I'd hire him a pee-pee nurse, lifting his penis was not in my vows.  Oh, he begged to differ. We fools went on and on like that and made ourselves laugh.

Later in the evening, I walked by him and he grabbed me and swung me around to hug him.  Then he winced. I laughed and said you can't squeeze your arms easily, can you? Yes, I can he says. I can lift them but my forearms are an issue. I am laughing and told him that I knew he was lying. 

He said I'm not lying, I'm convincing myself like you do all the time saying, "I'm fine."

Oh no. We can't have two of those types in the house.

I'm sure he'll be fine tomorrow. But today his forearms are so very sore. 

I may have to lift his coffee cup to his mouth by morning.

Lose a Limb but Keep the Hair.

A good many times something will take place in my home or life and I type it into my phone to remember how it went down to write it here after it happened. 

 
If I have any questions about it or if I want to be 100% certain that is what he said when Rick was involved I will run it by him to be sure it is accurate. 

I was recently asked again if something I wrote was true. I do not make anything up here. If I write it, it happened. Besides people who know me would see right through that. 

My friend Katie reads me, she knows it's all real. 😁

I don't need to make things up is my theory. I have been asked a few times before if I do. My life is a sitcom, a boring one right now, but it's a sitcom most days.  My family is a cast of characters like no others. 

We have belly laughs each day. 

The point being and why I'm rambling is because I can't make this shit up that goes on around me and I sometimes wonder what am I doing or what is my energy that this shit happens or that I attract it to me? 

For example, remember that weird woman who grabbed my head at the hospital because she liked my hair? Why would that only happen to me who was just sitting in the waiting room minding my own business? But it happens a lot and I wonder why people can come up to me like that and feel okay about it? I need to give off a don't get near me vibe I think. 

Mean resting bitch face is what I need. I tend to smile too much. 

But now with a mask, they can't even see that. It makes me wonder.

I know that I see humor even in sad things and I know that's not right to many, but it has served me well. I had one of the best afternoons of laughter with family at a very very sad funeral of a person we adored and loved immensely. Sometimes I think that is why it happens to me in those circumstances, I need the release and that's how I do it, laugh. 

I told two people this thought of mine. It was just about how I am feeling about all this medical shit going on with me right now. 

One laughed and one told me I was awful.   How can I make jokes? 

Easy. They are just ripe for the pickin'. 

But this comment wasn't said to be funny or meant to be funny, I was just saying how I honestly felt when I was asked and I just said it. 

It came out just like I felt.

Look I can be shallow. I have never said otherwise here. 

Oh, not a deep Kardashian shallow but I know some of the shit that is bugging me about the side effects are all the shallow shit. I hate the way I feel on these, that goes without saying. Feeling so sick isn't fun.

But the bloating, the uncomfortable fat feeling, making me look swollen and gross and my hair falling out. Jesus. Mary. and Joseph that is the shit that gets me.

As I told my friend Katie, My leg could fall off, yea bummer, but does my hair look good?  She got it. I know how it sounds, but it's me. I yam what I yam as Popeye said.

When I said this to another person they thought I was awful. 

"I shouldn't say things like that" 

Why not? 

Because polite society I was told doesn't say that, it is not nice. 

I replied, Maybe I'm just not nice then. I know it's not the right thing to feel but that is how I feel. you asked how I felt about it all. Oh well, it's me I'm making fun of so what's it to anyone else? Pfft.  

The hell with her I admit that I am feeling like that but it shouldn't be a moral outrage to her. I did not rape, pillage, or commit treason. C'mon. 

I just don't want my hair to fall out.

I have to tell you nausea seems to be a constant now. I awake feeling great but a short while after all the drugs are taken nausea starts. Each afternoon now I get incredibly tired and cold. My arms today felt so cold they tingled like I was getting frostbite. Weird right? But it is every afternoon that this happens. I have a routine of weird side effects. But if the rhythm stays I can at least know what is ahead. I don't mind that being an anal-retentive person. That brings me some order for this control freak.

I know when the CBD gummy wears off that is for sure. 

The nausea returns along with some others. 

When I was last at the doctor and we were going over all the medications he said because I will become nauseous he could give me an Rx for anti-nausea medication. Okay, let me jump tracks for a moment. Think about what he is doing. He is giving me drugs and then drugs for the side effects of the drugs. Dear Lord that seems like a dumb cycle I'm in. 

I told him I still had XYZ anti-nausea meds and they really did nothing. 

He asked how many I had left. I told him. He said to try them again, if it doesn't work we can try something else.

I asked if I could just smoke pot or have CBDs and he whipped his young ass around in his chair and looked at me and laughed. 

He said, "okay I was not expecting a woman of your age to ask that for some reason."  

I said, " Ah you young 'en. I grew up in the 60s/70s, we boomers started this trend. We stopped, raised families/had careers, and we're back."  

He told me he was fine with it as long as you don't drive. 

I quickly asked, "how about heavy machinery?  

He howled and said, "I have a feeling you keep your husband on his toes?"  

Nope, not really. But this time the comment was meant to be funny so I am glad he did not lecture me about making a joke about this awful shit. 

It's good endorphins to laugh, isn't it? That doesn't need to be suppressed!

I did try to remember when I was his age would something like what I said to him surprise me if a 60 something said that to me? I wonder. Possibly. 

And lastly, my outing to meet Ashley at the dermatologist, it went fabulously.

We agreed to a date for the procedure later this summer to begin. 

I have to be off the medication for 2 weeks so I will wait for 3 to be cautious. 

She was so thorough and funny. First dermatologist's office where I was given all these options and told the pros and cons of each. I went in thinking one thing but left knowing I was wrong. The consultation was perfect. 

Ashley is the first person I've met down here where I thought, "okay that could be a friend".  First-person I really really liked who was genuine and real. Her smile was genuine. Not a smile because she felt she had to. 

She asked if I lived far. I said not really. She asked me something else and I said, "I'm sorry I have lived here 5 months and while I know how to get here I may not know the names of the roads." 

And then at the same time, we both said, "And if they had road signs it would be helpful!"  

Ashley is from San Francisco, she came here because of her inlaws to be near her children and her husband's family. She told me she was here 3 years before she finally stopped crying all the time. She asked where I  moved from and I told her. She said we go to DC/NoVA every quarter because she has stepchildren who live up there. 

She said, "culture shock for you huh?" 

 

I wanted to hug her. It's been lonely and I felt like she was normal and understood. I said that it is a culture shock and way more than I ever thought it would be! 

She said it will get better and easier and you'll find your tribe. 
I told her that a lot of it I think is from being in a big city to a small one. 

I mean I don't even have a Bed Bath and Beyond nearby. 

I would give my right arm for a Cooperhawk Restaurant. 

But it's still a small town and I will be learning to adapt. It just takes time. 

I haven't lived somewhere so small for a very very long time. My hometown is the last small city I've lived in so...

She asked me if I always heard about southern hospitality? 

I rolled my eyes and she said, "to me, it seems to be a big fat lie, doesn't it?"

I told her I felt the same way. More like hostile hospitality. She got it. 

Then the topic went to margaritas. Don't ask, but honestly, this woman could be my friend. I really liked her. I don't say that often. I hope she does a good job for me!

It was also nice to know that this isn't just me. She made me laugh when she said to wait until the 4th of July and they wear their red shirts that say, 'Merica.'  We both just laughed.  I can't wait until I can go back. And I have a feeling we will go out for margaritas and I will make a new friend. She, like me, goes up to Raleigh for everything. We may live in the burbs but we know we need to go to Raleigh for any semblance of sophistication.

This was far better than that old woman who accosted me at the grocery store. Remember her? That was a trip. See? Why do people come up to me in a store and ask me, a total stranger,  to get coffee? To be a friend? Rick says it's a compliment. Hmm....

The jury is still out for me on that one.

Does Positive Thinking Work?

I'm not lost. But, I am struggling a bit.

I was told things that would happen while on these meds. I refuse to believe all of this will happen so I am plugging on. I am stubborn like that. I don't want to think that just because he said them I will have them. Mind over matter was my thoughts going into this. I am going to push forward. If I tell myself this will happen, it will happen. So I am going to go in the other direction. Foolish? Maybe but I had to try the positive route. Trying to see the humor and trying to fool my brain I guess.

After 10 cancer pills were taken at once on Sunday, the doc told me I'd be fatigued and not feel well on Monday. Poo-poo I said I'll be fine. I awoke Monday around 3am so damn nauseated I couldn't stand it.  I really wanted to vomit so I'd feel better. But no that would be too easy. My mouth was full of salvia and I felt like crap. 

I took had a CBD gummy. After what seemed like an eternity it kicked in and nausea went away. Yipee. By 6am I was ready to sleep. But instead, Rick got up and I never went back to bed. I got showered and decided I felt pretty darn good so I began making the sauce for Mongolian beef for dinner. He kept saying shouldn't you take it easy today?  I told him just because he said I may get this side effect doesn't mean I will. I feel okay right now. Positive Thinking Rick. 

I knew if I started to feel bad at least this was made and Rick could construct the dinner himself.  I did all that, cleaned up the kitchen, did a load of laundry, and folded clothes. Thought about blogging but I was feeling very tired. I felt like I was going to fall asleep standing up. It came over me like a big fat wave. Nope, I am not doing this just because it's a side effect.  But by 1pm I was feeling like I'd been hit by a truck, flu-like, just all-around icky.  The professional medical term, "icky" of course.

I sat on the sofa and that's all she wrote. I slept for several hours. Rick was in the garage/shop and he'd come in and check on me he said to see if I needed anything and each time I was still asleep and he thought that was best. I slept until 5:30pm. Rick was in the kitchen trying to figure out what I told him to do for dinner but around 6p I finished up the dinner. We both ate and I felt okay just really tired. Rick did all the clean-up and dishes. He does a lot of work around here but seldom cleans up the kitchen and dishes, so thank God for being sick I guess. 😊

So it was a weird day. Today I feel okay just huge. The steroids make me feel so fat and full all the time. My jeans are tight and I am eating barely anything. The steroids make me hungry as hell. The worst munchies you could ever have. But I am determined to not eat. I drink so much water my urine is now clear. I drink so much water to starve off hunger when I know I shouldn't be hungry it's just the steroids. So I drink more water. All I do is pee but I feel so damn shitty that I can't eat. Today I must get dressed to go to an appointment. I pray something will fit me and allow me to be comfortable. Now the fact that he said not to be around a lot of people due to my newly suppressed immune system upset me, but feeling and looking like I do I am okay to not be seen!

But a plus....hair is still in place.

(look at me talking about hair and not mentioning Will Smith or Chris Rock)

I have brown spots on my face. My mom's side of the family had these and they never ever went in the sun and if so wore hats. 

So I do think a lot of this is hereditary as well as we all know hormonal.

I am getting more by the day I swear. I have wanted them removed for years. I hate that I have to apply concealer and wear foundation to hide them. I got medication from my dermatologist that did absolutely nothing at all but drain my wallet. The only suggestion has been to have a laser done on my face. 

I had this appointment for a consultation to find out how this is done, what options could be done if there were others, and the cost. But now I can not be in the sun due to the medications causing me to burn badly. So laser on my face would be out of the question. But I am still going to the dermatologist today to get the info. It's a free consultation. I will discuss where I am at in my medical protocol and if I move forward with them then this will be done AFTER the medication so I don't burn off my face. It's also good for me to get out of the house even if it means the doctor's office and feeling like a sausage in my clothing.

Here is what I have found so far. 

During the first 3 days of steroids (that was 36 pills at this point taken/12 per day), I felt fabulous. My eye stopped hurting as did my joints. I mean to tell you I felt great. But by day 4 the crappy feeling began. Ah, only something like 84 more days.

So I can't say I'll be here every day although I'll do my very best. I really want to focus on a routine and push myself as much as I can and rest when I can. 

Last night Rick and I went for a short walk after dinner. I asked to try, not a mile, but a short one. I needed to be outside and the sun was lower so off we went. It was short but good. A few people waved to us as we walked by. An older gentleman that lives about 5 houses away saw Rick. 

Apparently, he saw Rick and Izzy every night and they chatted a few minutes each time. I did not know this man, I'd see him wave and just assumed he was friendly. He waved to Rick and I and asked where the pretty dog was. Rick had to tell him she passed. The man was so upset it startled us. He came to the end of his driveway to say he was sorry and said, "she was such a sweet girl. I thought maybe you guys were out of town."  

Rick told him he was now walking 'this sweet girl' now after dinner and introduced me. The man laughed.

I am always so amazed at the people that were affected by our Ms. Izzy.

An old neighbor in VA who takes her dog to doggie daycare where Izzy went told the owners that Izzy passed. They have known her from the time she was spayed. They got our address from the neighbor and they sent us the most lovely wind chimes with a heart engraved attached to them with a very moving remembrance. That was so damn nice of them. 

We hate wind chimes so it made us laugh because these weren't cheap wind chimes but what do we do? So we put them on the porch on the side of the house. We don't hear them as much. We felt guilty that they made such a lovely gesture and we hated it so we had to try. They still can be heard and it's not our favorite sound but we have guilt. 

Which is pretty damn funny to me. 

Classy?

It's bad enough one must be ill but then add a dose of confusion with math for the love of God and it's fun. 

Math, I hate math. Have I told you that in the last 5 days? I don't like math.

So now there is math in my health care. 

I have to take the cancer drug every 7 days. 10 pills every 7 days. 

I picked them up at the pharmacy and there were only 10 pills. I asked the pharmacist why only 10 pills when the bottle says to take 10 pills every 7 days for 90 days. Why wouldn't you give me 120 pills? (Or whatever the math makes it.)

She told me it was my insurance. I prefer to have my Rx's mailed so I don't have to deal with CVS and the horrific folks who work there but I couldn't wait for the drugs so I had to start here since CVS is the preferred.

I came home and called my insurance. 

They said it was the way it was written. Seriously? 

I said okay I hear that, but could you explain to me what you think it means. I feel stupid but I just don't get it. 

So she repeats what it says on the bottle and says you should have 120 pills. Exactly, but they are saying you, the insurance company rejected filling more than 10 at a time. 

So if you only give me enough for one dose I will now have to go back every 5-6 days to be sure they are in stock etc. 

This is rather crazy to me, do you see what I mean? 

She agreed and put me on hold. (the worst music ever in the history of being on hold music!!! it was like sitar music.)

She came back and said the doctor had to rewrite the script. 

For the love of God people. So I called the dr.s office and the office mgr said, this makes no sense, it is stated correctly. 

I told her I agreed but this is the only way to get them all at once. 

She began to tell me how dumb this was and on and on and I wanted to say, Look I know that is why I'm calling you for help. But I let her vent. I'm sure this was just one more thing on her pile of shit that has been thrown at her during her day at work. I remember that so I was letting her go. But I do admit it's better she vent and agree with me than when they vent and don't agree with me....tee hee

So they are now calling in a new Rx for me.  

I don't start them until Sunday. I have nowhere to go on Monday. 

I made sure of that!

He told me on Monday I would be so tired it would be best to stay home. Sounds like fun doesn't it?

Just to make you even more jealous of the fun things I do read on--

I got my teeth cleaned as did Rick on Thursday. 

Our appointments were 1p and 1:30p. 

Dear Lord, now we have to go to appts together. 

This is just too much together time this retirement thing. 

Good thing I like him.

We were discussing this very topic as we pulled into the parking lot of the new dentist.

As we are walking into the dental ofc together Rick's says, "oh God are we going to be those old people who dress alike next?" 

Me: I'd like to see you wear this buddy. 

Because my husband apparently doesn't even look at me, he now surveys what I'm wearing as if seeing this for the very first time.

He said to me, "well you look classy so I'll wear it."

OMG, he made me laugh.

I know he was being sweet but you didn't hear him.  Classy? 

He then said so sincerely, "were you wearing this when we left the house?

 

Now I am really laughing! 

He is too and he knew it when he said it what my reaction would be.

Me: No Rick, I changed at the last traffic light. You didn't notice?

Rick: You know Margaret I only like it when you're a smart ass with other people, and not directed at me.

Me: Too bad, this classy broad dishes it out and takes it so there.😛

I stuck out my tongue.

Rick: I misspoke about you being classy just so you know.

He laughs and sticks out his tongue.

We walk in laughing and the woman in the waiting room looks up and we felt like we were kids in trouble. 

How old are we?

Pretzel Boy

Not sure how the hell his neck got like this but he's been a mess since our trip. 

At first, we thought it was just from being twisted like a pretzel in the airplane, or maybe it was the lousy beds and pillows at the 2 hotels and he slept funny. Whatever it was it was killing him and making him cranky.

Upon our return, he has been in such pain. He called the chiropractor for an adjustment so he could move his head/neck. No one could get him in until Monday. So he waited 4 days. He went to this man who Rick tells me was his size. 

A big fella with pictures of himself and a chocolate labrador retriever on the wall. Rick bonded. 😊

He was adjusted and felt immediately better. He made an appointment to go back on Wednesday. Sometimes after being out and then being adjusted you can feel worse after the adjustment for 24 hrs. Rick and I expected that and he took Tylenol and that was that. But then Tuesday night he was not feeling so great again. We both were glad he was going back.

This time they had his X-rays to go over. He has a bone spur in his neck. Rick took a picture of the x-ray to show me. Apparently, that is the 'catch' Rick feels and hears sometimes when he moves his neck.  He was given some ice and then heat and adjusted. The doctor asked if he'd been in a car accident or some type of accident. Nope. He found it odd to see what he had on the x-ray and the person was not in an accident.

Either way, Rick is out of the excruciating pain and left with some pain. I am beginning to see that this is our life now. He will visit this big guy with the big hands in a couple weeks. They plan on making a plan for at-home care etc. I say he needs to see an orthopedic surgeon but he has to come to that on his own. I've known him long enough to know that I can't tell him he has to come to this on his own. He heard me out but he'll do it in his time. 

We are a hot mess here, aren't we? 

I had to begin my intake of calcium for all the steroids and to take vitamin D and B12 and Folic Acid to keep my hair in my head. I already take biotin for hair and nails so it won't hurt to add folic acid. Besides the doctor really encouraged me to take folic acid so I am. I do not want to lose my hair.  This 2nd drug is used in cancer treatment as well.  I am never going to get my eye back to 100%. I know that. This is irreversible. We are trying to keep me from being 100% blind. I know for sure that hair loss does not help me in this stressful situation. Know what I mean? I know it seems silly but it's me, it's who I am.

The amount of these pills is overwhelming. 

Day 1 - 7- 12 pills at once of prednisone (steroids.) in the a.m. with food

The cancer drug for my non-cancerous eye,  I have to take 10 pills every 7 days. This is what suppresses my immune system.

Along with all the vitamins and supplements and my normal thyroid pill.

I start with steroids and then on day 4 take the 10 pills. I was told to expect to be overwhelmingly tired the day after my first dose of those 10 pills. To adjust my schedule accordingly. I know I will have to keep this on a calendar or I'll screw this up. The 2nd week I take like 10 pills at once for a week and it goes like this for 3 months. Since this makes your bones a hot brittle mess I must take the calcium supplements. I had a bone density scan and I was in great shape and they were surprised how good for a woman my age. I think that will be out the window now don't you? They also made me have a syphilis test before I could start this medication. For some reason, I found that funny.  He asked if I had it and I laughed and said No. He said well we have to be sure. That was not a good response Dr. S.

I don't know what is coming. I fear it all a bit. I think the side effects are going to be awful. I surely hope the outcome is worth it all. 

Okay, I am sorry, enough of pitiful me b.s.

I will be fine. I will move forward and I will smile.

In happy news.

We have a 'mound' if you will on our property with the sign of our development and the previous owner planted shrubs on this mound. The sign looked like shit. 

It was faded and the paint was peeling. 

Rick sanded it on Tuesday and then we painted it. 

For all the detail on the sailboat, we used some old makeup brushes that were skinny and tiny. Worked like a charm. At first, Rick laughed when I suggested it but when I came back with them he saw they would be the perfect size we needed. 

Rick not using makeup brushes, he didn't understand my explanation so I just went inside to get them and sure enough, we knew this would work. We needed teeny tiny angle brushes for some areas, like the stripes on the boat sail.

We didn't need much paint at all. I got outdoor paint in sample sizes since that was all that was needed. It worked great. 

That paint freshened it up a great deal and next week we should have the mulch delivered to spread around it to set it all off. 

I walked to the mailbox at the end of the driveway and someone who lives in the development stopped and rolled down their window. She said she noticed the sign was painted and it looked good and thanked us. 

Sure, no problem I said, and off she drove with a wave of her hand.

Normally I wouldn't paint a random sign for the neighborhood but it's in my yard and it looked awful so it didn't help my curb appeal so we had to. 

Besides, in all honesty, it is gorgeous out right now and I want to be outside and not think about what I can't see and focus on what I can. The coffee table is one thing I can't see apparently. Depth perception is a bit off with only one eye. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. 😀 I'm also incredibly clumsy.

Last night I had a bowl of stir fry and we were going to eat in the living room. I know, I know that isn't right. But we do it from time to time. Anyway, I thought I had set the bowl on the table but my sight being what it is right now I missed the table just a bit. The entire bowl hit the table perfectly and landed upside down on the floor. 

I cleaned up the mess all over the carpet. Soy sauce on the carpet smells great let me tell you but the stain is worse. I treated the stains on the carpet and that was that. All out! 

I did not see that any food had gotten into my sneakers. 

I mean my sneakers were so far away. 

That is a great diet tip. Drop food on the floor and then you can't eat your dinner. 

This morning when I put on my sneakers and my foot stuck to broccoli, peppers, and a water chestnut it was so gross. I jumped out of my shoe wondering what the slimy hell was that?! I emptied my shoe into the garbage and threw the sneakers in the wash. Rick thought it was funny but he too couldn't figure out how the food could have possibly traveled that far away and into my one sneaker.  

I didn't tell him this was because of my eye. He thinks I'm clumsy naturally so I let it go. Eventually, I will have to tell him. 

Maybe he's already figured it out. 

I'm just not ready yet.

Going With You

While waiting around in the Cleveland airport Rick of course made me laugh. 

If you are going to be stuck somewhere he is the guy you want with you. 

The funny things after a long silence like telling me that the man across from me was wearing his wife's thong. I had to walk away because it came out of 20 minutes of silence and it cracked me up. Oh, he had fun with some of these poor folks. An innocent-looking grandma was apparently a spy in Rick's world. Hey, we were 4+ hrs late I was easily amused. I swear if I could video it or Instagram it I'd do it so you could see the folks and hear his commentary. But that isn't nice to these poor innocent folks. The man in the woman's thong was about 500lbs and in all camouflage so I don't know how Rick could even see him. 

As I mentioned nothing was open in the airport after 10p and we were there for hours. We were hungry and thirsty. I packed some fruit for the trip because there is no gluten-free foods in the airport. But silly me left them on the car seat. So that was fun to return home. The banana was black. Thankfully everything was in a zip lock bag while left in the car.

After we made a gate change we settled into any chairs we could find open. Rick was sitting across from me with a family from somewhere in Africa. At one point the 2 women sitting next to Rick were laughing and chatting. I got a text. It was from Rick and he said, "these ladies next to me sound like Abishola's relatives"  
I laughed.  I knew what he meant. Sometimes we catch an episode of Bob 💗s Abishola. 

I was sitting in one of the two seats for handicapped people. The gate agent came over and asked if I needed early boarding. I explained that I was sitting here because it was the only seat open. She said she assumed that but wanted to be certain.

This gate agent was the best gate agent I have ever seen in my life. Better than me.

Even working at airports from 1983 on this was the damn best gate agent ever! 

She was patient, she was kind, she was warm. She knew everyone was so tired and frustrated. But she did everything with a smile. She was truly one of the best! 

She kept everyone updated on what was going on. Previously we knew nothing except the plane was delayed. When they moved us to this gate we got this angel. She brought out a cart and put water bottles and some food on it. She told everyone to help themselves. There was a mad dash to the food. 

Knowing there was nothing I could eat I didn't move. I asked Rick if he wanted anything because I was closer. He didn't either. I grabbed a water bottle when everyone left. The food was Chex mix I think and another small bag of something. 

When we finally began to board she thanked each of us by name for our patience and understanding. I mean, c'mon. She did it sincerely and with a warm smile. I took her name. While doing all of this she was helping those with disabilities, the African family of 8 who just couldn't wait for anything. She kept saying, "Sir, you are next. If you can just give me a moment I will call you when I'm done." 
I don't think he grasped the concept. He would always smile and nod and then walk away and then be back at the desk in mere minutes. They weren't even on this flight but she was kind and was helping them.

I found her patience admirable. Having done this job I know how difficult it can be at times. Pilots asking for your help, flyers asking for your help, you have paperwork and computer work to be done, ops talking to you and needing info. It's not as easy as it looks. The two pilots waiting on the plane were bugging her and I saw it and we made eye contact and I winked at her and she laughed. She knew I knew. She asked me later when at my seat if I worked in travel. I told her I've done your job before and I figured they were asking you for things they could do themselves but why bother they are pilots and you are just a gate agent right? She patted my shoulder and said, "you know those 2 eh?"  We both just laughed.

I knew I'd get a survey from United and I did and I sure as hell wanted her to get some accolades. She deserved it. She too was working way past her normal hours to wait for this plane and get us on it. Then she could go home. So this was an inconvenience to her too. And she still had more work to do once the plane was in the air. So for all she did to make a large crowd calm she deserved to be praised in my book.  

Then on Sunday, we went to our friend's home in Cleveland. It was the weirdest experience ever. We spent the day and night with them. We have only seen them once since their youngest was born. She is 7 almost 8. The last time at their home my friend went into labor a month early and as we were settling in her water broke. They left us with their daughter who was 5 at the time. The next morning Jared came home and released us of babysitting. We were only to be there for 1 day and then head to Rick's daughters so we left. Lousy visit but nice for them because they got a 2nd baby girl. 

They are in a new home now. We saw they had a big inground pool and I told them we'd be back in summer. We arrived around 11am. Got a lay of the land and we sat and chatted. At one point I went upstairs to play with the youngest who begged me to do a craft with her. We played with this glue mess but it was fun. Then she showed me her keyboard and I taught her chopsticks. She is adorable and so very mature compared to me being 7. The things that girl talked about it was like a teenager was in that 7 yr old body. The grown-ups came upstairs to see if she had kidnapped me. I went back downstairs with the adults. I whispered to Chloe to come to get me in a while I can't stay with the adults all night. That made her giggle. 

She did come get me too but we ended up playing cards with the kids. Their 12 yr old daughter looks to be 16-17. Tall, developed, and gorgeous. Wow. Rick said they didn't make 12 yr olds look like that when he was 12 and he said it was a damn good thing. He made me laugh but I can't print it all here. The PC police will come to get me.

Now I've told you before that I was raised that if someone stops by food is put out. Even if it's a box of Entenmann's with their coffee. 
When someone is at my house and we are having cocktails I at the very least will have a tray of crackers & cheeses. If I know you're coming far more. If you show up unannounced you get what you get. So knowing they called me about liquor and food I assumed we would be fed if staying there for 24 hrs. But no. If I lived there I'd have brought something. But I don't live there.

Around 2:30p her husband says to her, "we" should do something about  lunch.

So she grabbed her phone and ordered take-out. Passed the menu on her phone around. I got a steak salad. We had lunch in the dining room. Rick and I went into the kitchen and grabbed some napkins and I got myself something to drink.
Around 6:30p Rick said that we'd like to take you guys out to dinner. Is such and such still here in the Willoughby area. Yes but not opened on Sunday. We asked what was let's go out. The girls said, "Yeah!" The parents said no, you aren't buying. Then Rick said, Then you buy. That made the girls laugh but dad and mom said no.
At 7:45p her husband says, "we" should do something about dinner. Still not listening to us they ordered out yet again. I went with her to pick it up to try to pay but that didn't work. She is 5'9" and overpowered 5ft me. I got nothing for dinner. 

I ate the other half of my steak salad from lunch which her husband gave me grief about. It was a huge salad so what's the big deal? He felt I should have ordered fresh food. I love salads and can eat them 2 meals a day (if someone else makes them for me.) so it wasn't a big deal to me.

 
When we went to bed Rick said, "was that weird, or is it us?" 

I told him that I guess it's us. 

In the morning I made myself some coffee and while sitting having my coffee she asked if I wanted her to make me breakfast. Again, how freakin' weird is that? You say that because you don't want to. So of course I said, "no, coffee is just fine" (mind you, I brought my own coffee and stevia too so ...) 

For example, when Tammie the blogger came and stayed for a weekend at my home I had breakfast prepared. I had her special tea. When they came down in the morning we chatted and I put the breakfast casserole made before they got there in the oven. The bacon was in the oven. I just had to put out some fruit, toasts etc. We chilled on the patio in the morning with coffee and tea before breakfast was ready

I didn't ask them if they wanted me to make them something as if I am being put out. It just was done. They were my guests.

Anyway back to them. We got some serious weird vibes while there. I do not think these 2 are happy. This is not like them. They are 180 degrees different. 

We wondered if she was protesting him telling her "we" need to think about dinner. He never lifted a finger while there. There was no lovely dovey like they used to be. She'd get herself something to drink and not ask him while up. Very unlike them. They asked us to their house, they begged us to stay when we told them we had a hotel. They begged us. I hate staying at people's homes and would always pick a hotel over that. But they made a fuss and Rick convinced me it was the smart thing to do. When we left he said, "next time a hotel" 

Welcome to my side of the world Rick.

It was all so odd. They seemed odd and off. The fact that there was no food at all unless we ordered out. We played games around the table and no chips, no popcorn etc. When they used to invite us over to play games and drink they always had munchie-type food while you played cards etc. (they lived next door) So this was not their normal M.O. We played one game with the kids and when the little one asked for something to eat her mom said it was late. I had 3 peppermint patties in my purse. Those little ones. I was saving for my 4 days at my mom's, you know stress eating,  but I didn't need them as much as these girls. So I winked at their mom and said I think I have something. I came back to the table and gave them each one and threw one in the middle of the table. Their father grabbed it. 

It was all so odd to us. Rick is still bringing it up. When we went to pick up the food she mentioned to me that she has enabled her husband to do nothing. 

She said she was at her wit's end with him. She said I do everything and now he is completely helpless and expects it. She asked about Rick. I said hey, you have to have a come to Jesus meeting every once in a while. They can't read minds. Don't assume they should know because they don't. Tell them what you need, why you're upset, and give them a chance. See if he will change if you tell him you need him to step up to the plate and how you want that to look. Again, do not assume. Spell out what you need, want, and would appreciate. Thank him for what he does do. 

She again asked if I ever have to have these talks with Rick. I chuckled and asked her "Did you think he came like that?"  Dear Lord, I've been with this man for 35 yrs of course many, many, times we've had these talks from both sides. (yeah even I need work...not as much of course) I told her that was experience talking. 

It's taken me years to train Rick. I won't let him go now and have to start all over again or give some woman all my hard work. No siree. 

And yes, I do tell him that all the time. 

I also tell him, "You can leave me Richard, but I'm going with you!"  

Makes him laugh every time!

Remember me?

Hi. Long time no talk. Nice to see you.

A lot of shit swirling around these parts.

Let's start with my trip. Our flight out of Raleigh was on time.

We got to Dulles and were immediately met with a delay. Then another delay. Then another. Then there was a gate change. Then another delay.

I mentioned to Rick while on the shuttle bus in Raleigh that if our flight was late it was going to be due to the incoming plane that is taking us to Cleveland. Sure enough. Because the weather in Dulles was high winds all day it caused all kinds of delays they told us. 

Our plane was coming from St. Maarten.

We finally arrived in Cleveland at around 2:30am. 

We had to go outside in 17-degree weather and high winds to wait for the shuttle to the hotel. OMG, I forgot this kind of weather. Brrr...

The shuttle driver was as high as a kite. A happy little dude, but high. 

I am glad no one was on the road or that we had such a short trip to the airport hotel. He reminded us though that it was really 3:45am because of the time change. Great. 

By the time we got to our hotel room, bought some junk just off the lobby for what we were calling dinner it was now past 4am. (all things in the airport were closed, no bars, no restaurants and we were so damn hungry) 

We crawled into bed at 4:30a. We had to be back at the airport no later than 9am for our rental car pick up. We awoke at 7:30 to get showered and head to the airport to get our car.  We were living off such a small amount of sleep for so many days that coming home we spent a day napping off and on. 

The rest of the time up north was good weather. 

It was in the 40's which is what I call winter. So it was very nice. 

Coming home was a far easier trip, everything on time. Yeah.

But never again will we ride in economy class. Poor Rick was miserable.

His legs hit the seat in front of him. He was so miserable. Thankfully each flight was 1 hr or less. On the way home I bumped us up to economy Plus because there were available seats. Worth the leg room money for Rick. 

I am shrinking in height by the day and this poor guy was a pretzel.

Then I had to come back to a doctor's appointment for my damn eye mass.

I met with the Duke team yesterday. More blood work and more tests. 

The only option left is to be on steroids for 3 months and 3 months of an immune-compromising medication. Yipee. 

Now not having to be around people sounds wonderful to me at first. 

But knowing I can't is different. 

Sort of like my own personal lockdown isn't it? 

If this suppresses my immune system I don't wish to get a cold from someone or covid.

But the side effects of these drugs are insane. Let alone the ugly steroid-induced swelling, bloating, and all-around looking like shit. I have to worry about depression, anxiety, losing hair and there was something else but I was thinking, gee, fat, depressed and bald, what's not to like here for a woman and I forgot the other side effects he was rattling off. 

Shit, damn, fuck is all I can say about that.

I begin these today. Day 4 I start the immune-suppressive shit. I go back in 2 weeks to see my main doctor. Then after a month etc. I guess wearing a mask is even more essential for me these days. 

My eyesight has gotten worse since my last visit. I knew that. I didn't need the tests to tell me. It's changing rapidly now and the doc was shocked by the changes in less than 30 days. I knew and wasn't happy but it wasn't a surprise to me.

I told Rick while flying it was getting very hard to see out of this eye at all now. And even with glasses it only looks like shapes looking through linen. So there is nothing there but hopefully, it will get better. It will never be gone but smaller is the hope. This has worked for others so fingers crossed it will for me too. 

Gee this is a happy post isn't it? 

I told Rick he can push my Body by Steroids into the sun and I can work on my tan since I can't really go out anywhere. Fat looks better tan so there is that. Trying to see the positives. See is the operative word here. 😁

When we got home yesterday from Duke we opened a bottle of wine to commiserate and sat on the patio. It was a gorgeous day yesterday. I love 72 degrees with no humidity of note. Just a perfect day. I could live in that forever until winter. I'd like those 2 seasons, can you work on that for me?

As we sat on the patio the yellow on everything was thick. Pollen everywhere. My car has yellow all over it as well. Rick said he'd wash the car today and I said, "why?"  It will be yellow tomorrow. So we enjoyed the sunshine and the warmth while on the patio until Wheezer Boy couldn't take it anymore.  His allergies since moving here have been off the charts. 

So we went inside.

I figured I could drown my sorrows in my wine inside just as well right?

Good to be Home

So very good to be home. 

Flights were several hours late on arrival, no sleep for days, running around like a chicken with our heads cut off. Lots of everything. Airports=too peoply.

At least coming home all was on time.

I am playing catch up with a lot of things today. I promise to blog again. 

It is just a bit much today and since getting home. 

But here is a funny photo of Rick.

He sat down on the shuttle bus from the parking lot to the Raleigh airport.

He just sat across from me, never looking at the sign. 

I saw this above his head and had a laugh.

Yes, he is elderly and he does have mental disabilities. 

Final Flashback - Can You Do It?

 Here we go, the final flashback. 

List your answers on this post preferably over the old one.😊

Hiney Update

 Another flashback while I am out of the blogging area. 

His butt is stronger and the exercises have helped.😊

Here ya go.

Izzy Flashback

 My fur girl wrote a post 13 years ago. 🐕‍🦺

Here ya go.

Flashback

I thought I'd post a few oldies while I am out and about.

Click Here, please.

Traveling

We are leaving tomorrow so I have a lot of things to do today - you know that last-minute frenzy before a trip. I know men don't know this but women do. 

Last evening I got an email from United Airlines telling me that my trip could be impacted by weather. Would I like to go to another city? Or change my dates? No to both. Erie was not offered to me. So then I must do the closest airports. The airports near Erie are Cleveland and Buffalo. 

If I am going to CLE and you think there is an issue due to weather, it sure as hell won't be better in Buffalo. Pittsburgh is an option if I wanted to drive 2 or more hours in snow from PIT to Erie in a rental car but we do not.

Because we can't go on other dates this is it. We are going to go for it. 

Ah, nothing like being stuck in an airport with a bunch of people.  

When I told Rick about the email I received asking if we'd like to go to another city he said, "well good, change it to Maui"   I wish funny boy. 

We have to deal with family so it is what it is. 

But boy sitting on a warm sandy beach in Maui with a mai-tai in hand sure sounds lovely about now. But I get a week in the tundra instead. 

We aren't even bringing big bulky winter coats. I know it's going to be cold but I'll run from the car to the house. I will just bring my long fleece coat or something light that I won't have to carry because packing a big winter coat is not easy. 

Neither of us wishes to schlep around the airport with these big bulky things either. We packed scarves and hats and gloves. That will have to do. 

I'm telling you this is my last trip up there in winter. 

Remember when I said they get a lot of snow around St. Patty's day. 

Here it is. Damn they are predictable, aren't they? 😛

We have all the cameras on all around the property. We protected the plants that were planted because we are going to have one day that is cold while we are gone, down to the high 20's. We are set to go.

I will be back very late next week. Very late arrival back home. Our plane arrives at 11:30p and I'm sure the next day will be both of us dragging our tushies.

Have a fabulous warm weekend!

She torments this sweet man of hers but it makes me smile.

Heavy

It's all so heavy. I try to keep the war off the blog but it's difficult at times.

I am now trying to limit my info coming into my head. I mean if republicans can pretend there is no climate change and that we aren't all equal then I can try to avoid a war for now.

That's my issue - for now. 

We all know but don't wish to admit this is the beginning of WWIII. 

Hey, read your Nostradamus. ha.

I do wish when Putin and trumpy were together someone would have dropped a missile and done away with both the evil bastards. They are exactly the same, only I think the Donald may be a bit more stupid. 

Anyhoo, this war got Rick & me talking the other night during our evening games. 

Rick: You know how all these dumb asses felt they would not have the government tell them they had to wear a mask to help the global pandemic? Or to be vaxxed? Well, can you imagine if there was a draft with these entitlement whiners? You can't tell me I have to fight for my country. You can't make me go anywhere, I'll sue your ass. 

I laughed and told him I do understand and I can sadly see that come to fruition. Pathetic isn't it? I, too, would not wish to go but it made me laugh. I remember the draft lottery of being sent to Vietnam, I remember knowing a few who went to Canada. The last lottery before the end of the war I was still in high school and my boyfriend and I nervously watched the numbers being called on TV because it was his turn. But thankfully his number was not called. Shortly thereafter the war ended thank God. 

But when it's a world war, there is nowhere to run, is there? 

Made us have some interesting conversations over me kicking his ass in backgammon. 😀

We have the strangest conversations while playing cards or backgammon. Since retiring we need to do something more than TV and/or work (clean etc) We are now back to walking. It was weird at first without the dog. But after dinner, we are back to taking a long walk since it's lighter out. Get our tushies moving. I need to drive it to see how far we are walking, we assumed it was only 1 mile RT. Not much - yet.

It's funny how much faster one can walk without your dog sniffing every blade of grass or mailbox post.  I do wish they had sidewalks here. Very weird. 

So weird in fact on the local news they had a big story about a new development and it WILL HAVE SIDEWALKS.  So if they are excited by this, why are there none? 

To avoid news I have followed 2 people who make me smile and are nice diversions in my life.

I follow them on Tiktok. One is a young woman who came to America from New Zealand and I think she is living in Austin Tx. She is there for a job.  Her short video posts are telling you what she finds weird in America. One I saw was about shopping for clothes. She states in such a surprised voice, "What it says on your clothing tag is not really what it costs you." 

Then she goes on to explain that there are added taxes. She told a story about her buying this cute little dress and it was almost $10 more with the tax when she got to the cashier.
"Imagine my shock. They don't have the full price on the tag, she explains, so it's a guessing game when you check out," she says.

She was so exasperated I found it funny. But looking at it through her eyes, you know she's right and you can certainly see her point.  She has several of these and in each one I could see her point and that made me laugh. She was always spot on and in all honesty that is how I feel living in the south. Sometimes Rick or I will say, Are we still in the U.S.?  But that's another day and another blog.

Then there is a young couple. She is American and He is from Italy.  

He moved to America for her. In one video post, she took him to Olive Garden.  

That was funny. His facial expressions are so sincere and confusing. 

Now you know if you were in Italy and they had an expression like Raining Cats and Dogs that you wouldn't understand it either. He kept saying, "but I don't see any dogs or cats why you say that my love?" Yes, he is in the car looking outside the windows so sincerely. He thinks she is crazy and that makes her laugh. The more she laughs the more he is so confused. It's cute and brings me joy instead of children and women having to leave their loved ones, their country, and the tears. 

I needed the light so I was amused by these two different young people. 

We all have to do what we have to do. 

It reminds me of when Midge on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is about to go on stage, or she's nervous, or any of her tough life situations, she will stomp her foot, put her shoulds back, head up, she puts one foot in front of the other, and she plows through the fear. But before she walks through the scary unknown she takes a deep breath and says, "Tits Up" and walks through. 

That is how I'm feeling, forcing myself to walk through these days.

Tits Up Girls!

Wednesday Memes

 

Enjoy hump day!

I'm Here After All.

My cute little eye doctor didn't get all the info from my DC/VA doctors so we moved the appointment to March 21st. 

We leave on Saturday. We are taking a late flight - 7:25p - 11:25pm. 

We have a layover/change of planes at Dulles Airport. 

Ah, just a few miles from our old home we just moved from. 

(It's gonna make me feel more homesick I think)

From Dulles, we fly into Cleveland. My mom lives in Erie PA, 90 minutes east of Cleveland. However, to fly into Erie it would have cost me more money than our flights to Cleveland and our 2 hotel stays. Just for the flight into Erie. 

So we are going to fly into Cleveland and drive into Erie the next morning. 

Because everything in Cleveland closes at 10pm we can't even get a car rental pick up. So we have to overnight at the airport hotel and then have them shuttle us back to the airport in the morning to get our rent-a-car. Sleepy little Cleveland. 

I found that funny. But it works out just fine because neither of us loves driving for 90 minutes after a flight. Especially at midnight. 

So we'll rest up and begin our day the next morning.
I received an email from United Airlines giving me a checklist of things I need to remember for my travel. Do people really need this? I realize I spent over 25 yrs in the travel industry but I don't think most people need all this info they sent. 
Perhaps it is more CYA for United. (CYA -cover your ass)

Have I mentioned in the last hour that I hate this idea of a super spreader/plane and family? Yeah, we both are very concerned. No one in my family aside from 1 sister and my mom has been vaxxed. All have had covid. None wear masks or take any sort of precautions. Dumb asses. They think because they lived after having covid they are done. The rest of the world knows that isn't true. As my mom said, they refuse to listen to reason so it is what it is.  

Silly, silly people.

It will be cold and I think their cold right now is not that bad. Like our winter was the 40s and 30s. I just don't want to hear them say 7 degrees. Brrr.....

A friend in Cleveland told me it was 7 degrees the day I spoke to her and I shivered.

Every time I go up there it is winter. 

Every major event I have to attend is in winter. 

Every funeral has been in the dead of winter. Each aunt and each uncle. 

What the hell is with that?

When my dad turned 80 we went to dinner and it was so damn cold and windy. 

The snow was slapping our faces and it stung. The wind was just horrific and it was never above 15 degrees during the day while we were there. 

Prior to my father's 80th, I was up there for his brother's funeral 1 year before. 

A big ole Italian funeral with military honors to boot. 

So it was long and there were taps playing, gun salutes, etc.

It was a blustery day. I remember standing at the casket as one does and again, snow blowing so hard it hit your face and stung.  I was just miserable. 

I was wearing a skirt and the wind blowing up my coat was miserable. 

Why wasn't this inside? Why didn't I wear pants? 

At Dad's 80th party I asked him if he could pass away in spring or summer okay? 

He laughed his big hearty laugh and said, "Peg I'll do that for ya!" Thanks, Daddy!

It became a joke. Once when I called he answered the phone and he was coughing. 

I said, "Are you okay Dad?"  

"Yeah, Peg I'm fine, besides I can't die yet, it's not summer."

Oh my goodness we both laughed. Damn, if he didn't wait until spring. 

His funeral was in April. Still chilly up there but not snow-filled winter. 

That made me laugh. No one, I repeat, no one in the family has a funeral but in winter. Rick says it's because it is always winter up there. 

That could be the reason too. 

Yesterday Rick spent the day making his rain barrels. He got the barrels from some guy on Craigs List and then he went to Lowes and bought all the things to make the downspout go into the barrels so we have water to use to water our 2 - 18ft long raised garden beds.  You can't see the 2nd barrel behind this one but you can see the fitting (white) from the barrel in front that goes to the one behind it. They are connected via this plumbing line so when one fills it goes to the other. It's supposed to rain for the next couple of days so I am anxious to see how this goes. I call him Mr. Green Jeans. (old enough to know that reference?)

Rick said I am now making him paranoid with my feelings about Craig's List. 

The location was also out in the middle of nowhere and this guy was a bit scary, missing teeth, grumpy, and had firearms on his porch. (really necessary?) 

When he pulled up to the place it looked like an abandoned property.

Rick walked up to the house and didn't see life there. 

Then the man came from around the backside of the house. 

Rick said hello and he grunted. 

Then he said to Rick, come to the barn with me. As Rick was walking behind the man to this distant barn Rick said I was playing in his head, 'be aware of your surroundings, have your phone, if you have a gut feeling this is not quite right, leave!' 

But it was all fine and he was a perfectly fine redneck Rick told me. Whew. 

I do think I got to Rick but I don't think it's a bad thing as he does.

We have a lot of planting to do don't we?

We have found our water bill here is a lot higher than in Northern VA.  A lot higher. I do more dishes but aside from that nothing has changed. Not doing more laundry than before. We are not showering more so we don't get it. Everything is the same. But the bills are a lot higher here so the water barrels will water our raised beds of plants. Hopefully, that will be helpful. 

He had a mix of 50% dirt with 50% compost delivered. Rick put down a tarp and they dumped it there. Then he had to shovel it into the wheel barrel and then bring it to the raised beds. The first day he did 3/4 of one bed. He came inside dripping wet with sweat. His shirt was stuck to him. 

He was so funny. He announced he was very sore and couldn't do another thing.

He then said, "I remember when I could do this all day and then build something. Now, I'm just whooped, Margaret" 

So being the ball buster I am I said, "so you don't feel like fooling around right now?"  I love when I make him laugh that hard!! 

I worried about him on his knees planting. 

I suggested raised beds on legs so he didn't have to. But he scoffed at that. 

I normally am the one who plants anyway so he probably figured, let her get down and try to get up. Knock on wood, no issues there just yet. 

Rick went on to share that he just had to stop for the day because he just couldn't go further on this day and it really bothers him. 

I'm sure there will be a post later telling you how he got down but couldn't get up or his knees are killing him or some such thing as I heard daily from his job before retiring. I know this to be true. The poor guy hasn't a clue or is in complete denial. 

I do think it's both. 😛

He took a shower after he finished filling the beds and sat down in his ugly chair and boom - he was out like a light.  I chuckled. 

I know it bothers him. I get it but I also think there is the macho/male factor as well. It's hard for us to admit we are this old. I get it. But it's even harder for him. That night guess who got a back rub? Lots of Voltaren cream. (that shit is good!) Then the next day he finished the 1st bed and began on the 2nd. He came inside and said I am not a quitter. I just need more water and I'm not stopping until it's done. 

He didn't. He's stubborn and clueless, but he's my stubborn ole fool.