Pacemaker Implanted

We were up at 3:45 am. Neither of us slept a lick. 

We got here at 5:30am. Here is the time as I write this.

Ricks surgery went well. But he had some swelling in his limbs so he has been given 2 IV's of Lasix (sp?) It is making him pee volumes.

He has had xrays, we've met with the company head of the pacemaker, and we spoke to a nurse who went over do's and don'ts. 

At 5p he is given an antibiotic so no infection I guess. All we want to know is when we can go home! We both need sleep.

The Dr came in right after the surgery to say it went better than expected and he would be going home and he didn't need him to overnight.

But honestly it will be 12 hrs we've been here by the time he gets his next antibiotic. And the antibiotic is given via IV, so that takes longer.

We both are begging to go home.

Rick can take deep breathes now and he feels great but tired.

I do not think either of us will have too much trouble sleeping tonight.

We just want out!

Pre-Op Day

 Another from the archives. Some are very dated, but you get the gist.

___________________________

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2013

You Won't Hear Me Utter The Following.....

THINGS I WILL JUST NEVER SAY......

• I'm running in a marathon.
• 
  
• Hey, I'll get that from the top shelf for you.
• I can't wait to work out.
• Oh no thanks, I'm too full for dessert.
• Why I'd love to go to church with you.
• Size doesn't matter.
• Can you turn up the rap music, I need it louder!
• Oh I can't eat that....It's just too sweet for me.
• I'll take a veggie burger instead.
• I just can't go out with you Mr. Clooney.
• Gosh, aging is such fun.
• George Zimmerman is innocent.
• Oh, Please don't, you might get throat cancer.
• I hate chocolate
• Please don't give me more money.
• I want to get a cat.
• I love the Boston Red Sox.
• I wish my boobs were bigger.
• Let's jump out of a plane for no apparent reason.
• I just can't get enough spam comments.
• Do these pants make my ass look too small?
• Please add more mixer to my gin.
• I can't get enough of that great show Big Bang Theory

Pacemaker Week

Rick has a doctor. appointment on Tuesday, and Wednesday is preop blood work etc. for his pacemaker and later that day we meet with a lawyer because we've been ghosted by the contractor doing the bathroom. Long ugly story. Thursday is the pacemaker insertion. We have to be there at 5:45am. Seriously wish they could do this shit at normal hours. Oh well. Friday appears to be a free day except to be here for my pacemaker patient. We shall see. In the meantime, an oldie for the newbies and an oldie for the more seasoned readers may wish to skip. Have a good week everybody.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2013

Cake and a Little Somethin' Somethin'

When I met my husband, he told me he didn't care for sweets.
My first thought was, "Hey, great more for me!"

On one of our early date-type nights, he asked if I wanted to share a dessert.
Are you kidding me?
I said NO, I prefer my own dessert.
He laughed and said, "No woman has ever said that to me."
I asked him, "Did you notice what I ate?  (salad, dressing on the side)
I prefer the dessert to the meal."

As the years have turned, he has begun to enjoy something sweet.
Or as he recently referred to it, "a little somethin' somethin' "

A few weeks ago, after a nice dinner and a glass of wine, he told me he needed a little somethin' somethin'.  I turned around and said, "NOW? And since when do you talk like that?"
I assumed he meant sex. Oh silly old me.

He began to laugh so hard that his face turned red when he realized what I was thinking.
He walked over to the kitchen sink where I was cleaning up the evening’s dinner and he hugged me. He said, "Oh you are so funny, woman. I swear you dye your hair blond."

ME?  What would anyone automatically think when they hear a little somethin' somethin'?
He clarified for me that what he meant was that he was looking for something sweet.
I again said, " ME? NOW?" 
I now knew full well what he meant but I had to be a ball buster.

"Oh, funny woman. I meant sweet as in a piece of candy or cake or something like that."

He continued on about a cupcake or a piece of cake.
I said, " I have Jello."
He said "No."
I asked, "Would you like me to make a quick cake like a box? I have one."

"Would you?"

I said, "Okay. I'll do it." 
Hey, a box cake is easy peasy so what the hell?
I just hate having a cake around because -
1. I can't have gluten and 

2. It is my kryptonite.
Also, it will be hard and dry before it is ever finished with me not eating any too.

So, as I begin to make Mr. Man, a cake.  I remembered I had this recipe for a 5-minute cake to make in a coffee mug. It is the equivalent of a nice-size piece of cake.

I mentioned to him that if I could make him 1 piece of cake instead of a whole cake, "Would that work for you? "
He responded with a happy, "Damn, that would be perfect!"

So, I pulled out that old email copy of the recipe and made him the 5-minute cake.
I put cool whip on top and handed it to him.
You would have thought he was given the other somethin' somethin'. 
He was such a happy camper and moaning so.
When he finished the cup of cake he said, "That was perfect. Just enough."

This past weekend we went grocery shopping.
Bringing Rick to the grocery store is always a mistake but I did it anyway.
As I was looking at my list, he was putting in butterscotch morsels and peanut butter morsels in our cart.   I asked him if he was planning on making something.
He laughed and said "NO!"

"So why did you put those in the cart then?"

"Well, didn't you use chocolate chips in the mug cake recipe?"

"Yes, I did."

"I thought you might want to try peanut butter or butterscotch with the cocoa this time."

"This time?"

"Maybe this time you can make it yourself Rick it's simple."

"Maybe I could but it tastes better when you make it Margaret?"

"How old are you for god's sake?"

"57".....and he says this so proudly which makes me laugh out loud.

"It's my birthday"

"It is not your birthday until May."

"Because you love me then?"

"Not right now Bucko"

"That's okay you'll love me again later" he laughs.

Seriously this is our exact conversation in the grocery store.
Just another reason why my husband should never ever go to the store with me.

I printed the recipe this morning so he can make himself his 5-minute cake.
5 minutes total to mix up in the cup and bake it!! 

I think at age 57 he can make this himself, don't you? (OK not for his birthday!)
Stay Tuned to see if he makes this.

________________________

Update - 9/26/23 - he makes this all the time for himself. Well at least prior to the stroke. 

Speaking of Toronto

I told Rick I wrote about our trip to Toronto where he used sign language for the panhandlers.

He asked if I told my blogger friends about the 'kangaroo farm'. 

He said that story is quintessential you. You must share that one.

I explain that he likes the story because once again, I'm the butt of the joke. Laughing he said, "No, it's just funny babe. I think they will think so too."

"Yes, I guess, but I'm once again the gullible fool."

"Well?"

Stroke Boy thinks he's funny.

Toronto has islands. A slew of them, that is my professional count, 'a slew'.  We went to an island one afternoon and as we were walking about, the sky opened, and a downpour of rain hit us. We ran into the nearest bar/restaurant just a few feet away. Everyone did. Soaking wet, we all bellied up to the bar. It was a swarm of wet people. 

As it happens, we were chatting with people.

I was seated and Rick was standing to my right. This man who was standing to my left had a great accent. I asked if he was from Australia. He said he was indeed and told us where. I apologized to him that I did not know where that was. He said he had hundreds of acres and he raised kangaroos. 

I chuckled.  

He asked what was so funny. 

I said, "You have a kangaroo farm? I didn't think one raised kangaroos." 

"Oh yes, he says, I sell that meat to McDonald's in Australia."

"Ewww. People eat kangaroos?"

"Of course, it's low fat. It's good for you"

"Please tell me it's only Mickey D's in Australia."

"For now,' he says.

"Is it sold as kangaroo or just as a hamburger and no one knows?" 

"Oh no, he says, everyone is aware, and they love it." 

I had so many questions and he had answers for everything

Now, unbeknownst to me, he had winked at Rick when this whole conversation started so Rick knew he was playing me and the two of them just went on with this story.

We all went our separate ways when the sun came back out. 

As we rode the ferry back to the mainland, I said to Rick that I couldn't stop thinking about the kangaroo guy. I think it's awful that people eat kangaroos, let alone at McDonald's. Rick laughed, gave me a squeeze, and said, "Margaret, he was pulling your leg."

"How do you know, I asked, he may really have a kangaroo farm?"

Of course, now Rick is howling. "There are no kangaroo farms Margaret. They do not farm them I swear. They may eat wild ones, but they are not farmed or at Micky D's!"

Oh, Rick was cracking up now. He tells me that the man winked at him, and Rick played along. 

I said, "So he went back to Australia telling everyone about the dumb American?"

"Oh, I'm sure he did, but, c'mon, you are so gullible it was damn funny. And all your questions. I don't know how he kept a straight face and had answers so quickly for you honestly."

So, there you go, another Toronto story that's funny to others.

My favorite city

Since we were discussing Rick's surprise trips in my last post, I have to share this one in Toronto. Growing up close to Toronto and Ontario I spent a lot of time up there. I am a city girl who grew up in a small town/city so of course I loved Toronto. 

At the time I felt it was like NYC only cleaner and safer to me.(back then anyways)

One week Rick said he had plans for me. 

He told me to pack an overnight bag. 
Oh, I loved these spontaneous trips. Of course, I asked where we were going so I knew what to bring to wear. He would tell me NOTHING. Oh, how do I pack if I get no hints? That was the only thing that bothered me about these surprises to be honest. 

I did what I could and overpacked as usual.

Once we got past Buffalo I had an inkling, but once we were at the border I kept saying, Toronto?  He said maybe. I said, "Oh not Hamilton." If anyone reading is from Hamilton, I'm sorry but it's just not as exciting as Toronto to me.  He would just laugh.  I prayed it was Toronto. Yes, I'd been there many, many times, too many to count, but it was my favorite. I wanted to say, "Gee I hope it's Toronto" but if it weren't he'd be disappointed so I didn't say that, I just thought it. 

But Toronto it was. We had such a blast. We went to a comedy club which was so popular in the 80s. (yuk, yuk's) 

Now Rick saved for this trip. Toronto is not cheap, just like NYC is.

We kept getting hit up for money from panhandlers. They asked for Loonies. (their dollar coin) At first, he gave some a loonie, but then it got out of hand. This one man had on very expensive shoes.  At the time I knew the designer but I don't recall now, except they were very expensive shoes and in nice shape and polished. His clothing was nice as well.

Out of nowhere when asked by this nicely dressed man for money, Rick did the sign for being deaf. We had just taken (ASL) sign language classes. This guy then began to YELL as if that would help. I had to hold back my laughter so I crossed the street or I was going to lose it in front of him and he'd know I could hear. But he said loudly, "SORRY MAN!" and he walked away with no money from us. 

Rick joined me across the street and we signed for a bit until he was out of sight. I asked him what made him think to do that?  He said, "I saved for this trip, I was not giving more money away. And did you see his shoes and clothing? Nope, he had more money in those shoes than the cost of our expensive hotel room." Well, he made me laugh. 

I admit I felt a bit uncomfortable because what if he got these nice things from a 2nd hand store I tell Rick. Rick said, "Margaret, seriously do you believe that? Stop feeling bad for him. Besides if you are correct he is making a lot from others. We've given our share of money to many already"

He made valid points. I can't say that it didn't still bother me a tad but I got over it eventually. I'm a softy and Rick is a good foil so it balances.

We went to a fun place for lunch. I said I wanted a small salad since we had reservations for dinner and I sure planned to eat well at dinner. 

My salad arrived and it was so huge we laughed. Everything was so big regarding food the whole weekend. It was a great day, but I knew if I ate this whole salad I wouldn't feel like eating much for dinner. 

We headed back to our hotel to chill a bit. We drank some wine at the hotel bar. Then we chilled in our room before getting showered and dressed for our dinner date.

We went to dinner. Now this was before I knew I was celiac and I ate nothing but gluten. What fun. I ordered fried mozzarella for an appetizer. I do not recall how it was stated on the menu but I was assuming mozzarella sticks. Rick ordered crawdads for an appetizer. (eeewww)

When our appetizers came to the table we both had our mouths drop open. EVERYTHING was huge. 

I swear my cheese was a pound block of cheese. 

It was a block of cheese that was deep-fried. No sticks. I asked if it came with a difibulation. Our waiter laughed. 

Rick's appetizer, which he thought would be a max of 6 came in a big bucket and there were 50 or more. 

OMG, why was everything so big today? Oh, how we laughed.

As we sat and drank our wine, unable to eat more appetizers for fear of not being able to eat our main meal we watched the wait staff. At one point 6 of them carried out a sandwich or bruschetta, of a long loaf of bread for a table of 6 near us. This was enough to feed a small country. Again we just laughed and said, "They need to change the name of this place to wear your eating pants or something along those lines" 

When my dinner came of fettuccine alfredo, made with 3 cheeses, I swear to you it was a pound of pasta. Should that not feed a family? I could never eat all of this and I didn't, but I did take it to go and ate it the next day, cold in our hotel room. (we had a small fridge in our room) As Rick did with his dinner, which I don't recall because I am self-absorbed...tee hee.

We left the restaurant and we were so full we decided to walk. No taxi tonight. We came across some music but couldn't see where it was coming from so we just kept walking towards it. It was a man playing a guitar who could really sing. It was a lower-level shopping area and he was down below. We hung over the railing and listened and applauded. He had his guitar case open of course and we threw down some loonies. A crowd grew and then we were all singing along which seemed to make this man so happy. He asked for requests, and he obliged. It was a fun crowd that was now all around us and we had fun. We stayed for what seemed like a long time. A real concert and we were all singing and having fun.

We walked back to our hotel because we felt so damn fat and full. We took a wrong turn. No GPS, no phone in the '80s. I had a small map in my purse and pulled it out. A couple asked if we needed help. We said we did indeed. They told us the direction to walk (turn around) and told us about a fun bar on the way to our hotel we should stop at. Okay, we will, we say. 

As we walked Rick said, are you up for that? 

I said I wasn't sure I felt so full but maybe. As we got next to this bar we heard the music and decided, let's give it a try. Oh my goodness what great music and fun. We stayed for hours and then continued our walk back to the hotel. We collapsed. For breakfast, we ate some of our leftover dinner and talked about what a crazy fun evening we ended up having. 

Every time I've been to Toronto I had more fun than I even expected. I've probably been about a dozen times over the years. It never got old to me.

In the 70s I went with my first husband and I got a free album of Robert Palmer when the man said to me, If I smiled he'd give me the album for free." It was the album I chose so I looked around and thought I was on Candid Camera.  He laughed and said, "Smile."  

I did and he handed me the album. I went out to the sidewalk where I was meeting my husband who was in another store next door. 

He asked, "Did you get the album?" (Secrets, was the name of it)

I held it up and said, "I did, and it was free." 

He said, "How did that happen?" 

I explained and he said, "Gee glad he didn't ask for sexual favors"  

"Oh, I'd have paid for the album you ass if he said that, or maybe not, he was damn cute" We both laughed.

But that weekend up there was so much fun, he personally liked the Molson tour because he drank Molson Ice like water. 

Yes, we bought a few cases of things we couldn't get in the US and had to declare them at customs. 

I just remember the man telling us, "Good choices"  

Ah, in the old days when the only thing we worried about at the border was hiding the pot. Ah, The '70s.

Pithole City

Did I ever tell you about Pithole City? 

In the '80s everytime Rick and I drove down to visit his mom we'd go past this sign on my right. It was a big sign like you'd see in front of a large residential development stating the community name. 

Each time I'd say something like, "Do you know what a Pithole City is?" 

"What do you think Pithole means?" 

I said something each time we drove in that direction. I found it curious. This was before Google so how was I to learn about this? Go to the library, but I never did.

Now Rick was always surprising me with spontaneous trips. Toronto was one of my favorite cities and that was a fun spontaneous trip and suprise.

One Saturday morning he said we are going somewhere today. 

I asked, "Can't you tell me where?" 

He told me that would ruin the surprise. 

"Well, how should I dress?"

Casually he tells me.

But you see casual to Rick and myself are very different.

I was so excited and decided to be cautious with my clothing choices so I wouldn't end up embarrassed. Overdressed is better than under dressed to me.

I decided on jeans but a top with a blazer. He insisted I wear comfy shoes, knowing I tend to wear a heel since I'm short.

I asked if we were overnighting like the Toronto trip. 

He told me it was just a day trip. Ok, no packing. 

I asked for a hint. He was not going to share a thing.

We headed south and after we were in Titusville PA, I was worried. 

This is not an exciting area and we're getting more country, where is this nut taking me? I just couldn't imagine anything in this area exciting me or worthy of a surprise. I even asked about Punxatawney? But it wasn't time for that groundhog to be out so I couldn't imagine where he was taking me.

When I made comments, Rick would just laugh and would tell me to just relax and enjoy the ride. Okey Dokey.

Then we arrived at the big sign, Pithole City. He made the turn to enter. 

I, being the goof I am, I squealed. I even remember clapping my hands. Yeah, I'm a dork.

We entered PHCity and I found it was a ghost town. Historical placards explain how this was built during an oil boom. We toured this area and while interesting, I found it more humorous. 

I made a big thing about it in my mind and it was actually nothing. 

A ghost town with some foundations where buildings once stood.  

There was one building as I recall. There were some things about drilling for oil to see. But not a lot of stuff here.

We read all the things to read and that was it. At the time there were no tours or anything as it is today. I think today they have tours etc. There was none of that back in the '80s.

I laughed about that. I mean I expected so much more. Rick didn't know what it was either so it was a surprise to him too. Boy it made us laugh!

It was a goofy fun trip. We laughed about the big sign that drew us into, NOTHINGNESS.

After this 'tour,' we went to find a place for lunch and went home. 

Laughing about what a letdown this was, yet fun.

Now you ask, where did this thought come from now? 

A silly show Rick had on TV about ghost towns. 

I walked into the living room and asked oh so nicely, "What in the hell are you watching?"

He told me it was about ghost towns, "you know like Pithole City"

That got us talking about that trip. He thought it was 'cute' as he calls it the way I was so invested in the sign and so curious as to what it was'

Whatever, make fun of me, it ended up being a day of laughter and fun, even if at my expense.😜

Memes and Assorted Other Things.

 

I happen to be one of these psychopaths. I love candy corn.

This made me laugh way too hard. 

They all made me chuckle. 

I don't laugh every day as I have for the last 36 years. 

I miss it. Tuesday while leaving WakeMed with Rick's doctor and pacemaker info I began to feel unwell. On the drive home, my heart was beating out of my chest. I was getting a bit nauseous as well. By the time I got inside my chest hurt and it hurt across my back. I took my blood pressure and it was high. Really high. 

I was also nauseated and had shortness of breath.

Rick asked why I was taking my BP and I told him the truth. He said to go to the ER. I didn't want to. Then he said what worked, "You are no good to me if you are not here or unwell Margaret"  That did it. He was right. The stinker knew that would work. I saw his smirk. My BP at this point was 189/99.  Yeah, not good.

And I'm on BP medications.

I went to urgent care and they sent me to the ER. I went to WakeMed ER here in Garner not where I had been earlier in the day (main campus in Raleigh)

My 2 EKGs were perfect. My blood work was perfect. Yet I was clearly not perfect. They wanted me to stay overnight. I refused, and I explained that I couldn't leave my husband due to a recent stroke. They let me go home but not before I signed something saying they did not advise this. 

They also got me a referral and said they'd get me into a cardiologist and someone would call me to schedule. They did first thing in the morning. It was for Thursday. (today)

Now I had an appointment for a cardio visit scheduled for Oct. 20th. When I began to feel bad I called the office and asked if I could get in sooner, nope, go to the ER.

I saw the new cardiologist today and my BP is all over the place. 119/78 this morning. Then 166/80 later then at his office 155/80. All too high, but not as bad as it's been. And I stopped all caffeine once this got so bad it hurt. Chest pains come and go. But he wants an Echo and a stress test. October 10th. 

So I can't die before that. :-)

He asked what my life was like. Do I have stress? OMG, who doesn't?

I have financial stress, my husband just had a stroke stress, you name it, I've got it. He asked for a typical day so I gave him the day before.

Oh my God. I said you want a day in my life?

Okay, I get up between 5-6 if I sleep at all. Rick is up by 730a.  I get his pills because of his difficulty swallowing he still needs to take them with applesauce. Then I get his coffee. Then I make him breakfast. He gets showered and dressed and I get myself ready to go. 9:30a is OT, 10:30 speech, then we went to pick up his Rx's, then I had to go to the VA clinic in Raleigh to pick up Ro's signed application and deliver it to her 30 miles away, then I came home. I made Rick a late lunch. Then he napped.  I did a load of laundry and did the breakfast dishes and emptied the dishwasher. I put clothes in the dryer. Rick wakes up and I get him what he needs. I then began to think about his dinner. I collapse around 8pm. That's my life in a nutshell. Some days different things in between his appointments but it's never not going 100mph. 

The doctor said what are you doing for you? I said I am here. 

I also went to therapy last week for the 1st time and hope to go back Tuesday. 

That is for me. 

He said this could be stress. I told him my BP story. 

I was always 110/60 my entire life. I had chemo and heavy-duty steroids for the mass in my eye for 6 full months and now I need BP medication. 

He said, Hmmm.

I asked what Hmmm meant. He said that could have precipitated this but we need to work it out now. I want to see the echo and stress test to have a complete picture and then we'll decide if we need to change your meds or if something else needs to be done. 

Great. 

So there you have it. My life.

I refuse to believe it's anything major. It can't be. 

Ricky is not well enough. 

Here we Go Again

 Tuesday Rick had to see a cardiac electrophysiology doctor. What the hell is that right? It's a doctor specializing in A-fib management and physiologic pacing to prevent cardiac deterioration. How is that for a mouthful?  

Rick is having a  pacemaker inserted on Thursday, the 28th. That is out patient.  Then probably about 4 weeks later he will have an ablation. 

He will have to overnight for that. I'll let you google that - too long to explain.

Here we go again. Because of the medications he is on, his heart rate is so low, today 30. They can't remove him from the drugs or he'll have another stroke. So the pacemaker fools the other chamber of the heart and it will bring his heart rate up to where it should be so then he can also have the ablation. Hopefully, this will all do the trick. 

Hopefully, I too survive this. 

Wednesday we have to go to rehab to see what he can and can't do. He may be done with all except speech until after the pacemaker.

I'm having fun, are you?

I'm gonna go have some pumpkin spice - just kiddin' I'm like Ryan Reynolds in yesterday's post. 

Best New Commercial

My favorite commercial.  I  just love Ryan Reynolds.

Door Knobs and Fire Ants

Once when Rick and I were in Jamaica we watched these two men paint a door. Just 1 door. It took them three days. They were at the end of a pier under a gazebo. I guess for the shade?  We could see them from our balcony also when we were on the beach. 

It made us laugh at how slow they were going. 

Then when everyone left the gazebo on the last day we decided to go down there and sit on the lounge chairs under said gazebo. When we got down to the gazebo there was a big FAT joint sitting on the arm of one of the chairs. Rick sat in that chair and said, "Hey look!  I think this is why it was taking them so long to paint the damn door"  That made us giggle.

I remembered all that on Saturday as I was painting our backdoor and attempting to put in a new combo lock and new door knob. I did the outside part of the door leading to our back porch in outdoor paint. I did the inside of the door facing the kitchen with regular paint. 2 coats which seemed to take forever to dry. Then I began the new door knob and keyless entry.

I began installing the new lock and door now. 

It is a combo lock/keyless entry so we don't need to dig for the keys as we're holding groceries etc. (or when I almost peed my pants)

We have locked ourselves out before as well so having a combo is far easier for us goofballs. We have a key hidden outside when we do dumb shit like that but hopefully, this combo lock will be far easier in many ways. Fingers crossed I get it installed.

I got the door knob in and the plates on. Everything was easy peasy.

Until I got to the box that houses the batteries to make this sucker work.

I was a bit confused so I got the instructions. While reading the instructions I got more confused. I thought that was what I did. 

Rick asked if he could help me. I said, Sure if you can I'd love it.

We understood the directions but it didn't work like that. I finally gave up and thought I'd try again with a clear head the next day.  

Sunday came and I tried again. Nope.  It doesn't do this. Rick pointed out how the two things we have to press are bent. 

That same Sunday, my neighbor, Bobbi, stopped by to give me a Tupperware container that she went home with food.  

I asked her to see if she read something different than we did. Nope. 

She tried and said it was not working. No kidding. 

The two tabs on the sides appear bent. Yep, we see that too. 

But we did not think trying to straighten them would be good because we could break this whole thing.

So I waited until Monday morning and called them. Because they too thought I was an idiot they texted me a video of how it works. 

Rick and I both laughed. It's exactly what we did but it would not release due to these tabs being bent. 

They told me to call back should there be an issue.

I called back. I asked the nice man if I could try to bend them. He did not recommend that. I said then what should I do? He said it was under warranty and he would send a brand-new kit. Cool. But honestly if under warranty can't I just try to bend them. He didn't recommend this. Hmm..,

I have used this company so many times. They are terrific and their customer service is awesome. They are located in Florida and they all speak the same language as me so they are easy to understand.

Last time I used them I installed 19 of their door knobs, dummy knobs for closets, and regular knobs. (I also changed all the hinges to match)  

I did it all myself before Rick got home one Saturday. 

I wanted it done before he returned from work.

The funny part I think I wrote about years ago was I did them all perfectly except two. And one of the incidents Rick loves to tease me about to this day.

One of my oops was in the powder room, I closed the door and the handle wasn't on yet.  The latched worked though. 

I was in the bathroom looking out the hole and saw Izzy sitting at the door staring at the door where her mom was laughing at herself. 

Izzy knew Mom needed help. I was in there laughing at myself like a damn fool. But the hole had the lever part so I pressed it and got out once I stopped laughing. The other was the pantry door. I put the new hinges on wrong and the door wouldn't close. Again I realized what I had done but I laughed at the easy fix and grabbed my screwdriver just as Rick came in. Damn it!!!  If he had been just a few minutes later he'd have never known I did that. And you all know I have not lived that down!  

He found it hysterical. He likes to say that this was another of my blonde moments. So I didn't think this time was me, but you never know!

The company is sending us a whole new kit because as Jerry said, "These are under warranty for a reason"  Cool. If you ever wish to switch out your door knobs I highly recommend Harney Hardware. The prices are better than Lowes or Home Depot and as you can see they stand behind their products. I am slowly changing all the door knobs in this house too. I just can no longer buy them all at once as I could in my old life. The ones here the previous owner spray painted them. Hideous.

In other news - 

Note to y'all  - do not get bit by fire ants! I've heard of fire ants but to be honest, never knew anything about them. Figured they were red or something hence their name. Didn't know about such pain they delivered.

Look I am a city girl. I prefer pavement. 

Sunday I got to the garden to till. I was eaten alive at 8:30am by mosquitos. God how they love me. Yes, I sprayed myself first. Doesn't matter nothing on me works. Rick says I'm sweet meat. That cracks me up. 

He always tells people if mosquitos bother them to sit by me because they only go for me. Around the firepit once he pointed at me and said to everyone, look at the swarm around her. Yep always around me. 

I got bitten on my face from the garden on Sunday. Oh so pretty.

Later in the afternoon, I was going to begin some weed removal to do some landscaping that is way overdue. I pulled out weeds with my right hand and put them in my left and then it hurt. I dropped them so quickly. I was bitten all over my left hand and my left arm around my wrist and a bit above.

OMG does that ever sting and burn. It bothered me all night. 

Dr. Google said to wash with hot water and put toothpaste all over them to alleviate the burn. Also, take a Benadryl or antihistamine. I did all of the above. The toothpaste really did help the burning by 50%. I only took 1/2 a Benadryl because I know they make me comatose. It helped a little bit.

They are so gross-looking. When Dr. Google said they would become pustules, I about vomited. Lovely picture isn't it? They are still itchy and burning and they look even worse. I wish I could wear a long opera glove on my left hand.

Please just keep me in the city!

Weekly Round up of Rants.

Yesterday my husband had some downtime and wanted to sit in his ugly chair.  He was watching Gunsmoke. He recorded what he saw on the screen so I could see it when I was done doing my "chores" 

Before the show began this came on the screen. 

'This program contains outdated cultural depictions. Viewer discretion is advised.'

I said."What does this mean, it's going to be racist?"

He said, "It sure sounds like it"

"Okay then. I guess that's good. I mean it was a different time. This was the 60s, right? But in all honesty, Rick that show sucked back then to me. 

The acting is dreadful and Festus is just plain stupid. Was that supposed to be funny? I do not understand this shows appeal."

I saw it as a kid because we only had 1 TV in our house. 

It was on opposite of The Monkees and my father insisted on watching this.

I only saw the Monkees at my cousin's house or friends. 

I was always so jealous. LOL.

Rick recently watched a Lone Ranger one evening while I was doing the dishes. He said that the show does not hold up. 

Well to me it was awful when it was new so I can only imagine how bad it may appear now. He said, "Oh, it was racist and they said things that made me cringe so I stopped watching it. I can't believe we said these things to Native Americans, Mexicans, and women." 

Yep. Sadly people still do. 

____________

While driving around all day for errands I had my Google Maps going to find my way from Raleigh to Fuquay Varina. It told me to turn right in 800ft on Spring Drive. Well, I don't know 800 ft from 300 ft so that was of no help to me, and of course, there was no street sign because it's against NC's religion to have signs. So I just turned at the next right and it worked. But honestly, a street sign would be oh-so-lovely. Oh, I see the funny ones like Lizard Lick or Grandma Bettys' Farm Lane or because they couldn't come up with anything new they just named it Ten-Ten, not to be confused with Nine-Nine. Honestly, I will never find my way around this place.

I recall when I first encountered my first traffic circle in DC. 

I had never seen a traffic circle before except in a movie. 

I went around 3 times before I could make the turn I wanted to make. 

I actually began to laugh. A cop on a motorcycle saw me and stopped the traffic to get me where I needed to be. 

I think it was the Washington State license plate that made him help me. 

He knew I was new there and it was obvious I needed help. 

He was so nice and I was very thankful.

___________

Speaking of Hillbilly ways, I had a baseball cap on the other day. 

I made the mistake of wearing a NYY cap. 

I should have known better but I was not having a good hair day and just grabbed one of many and threw it on my head. I grabbed the wrong one.

To be honest I normally wear a white one that says, Presque Isle, from my hometown. But that day this was the closest and I just grabbed it. It never occurred to me that I would be harnessed because of it but I know now.

A man told me I had no right to wear 'that' down here. 

I said, "A hat?"  

Knowing full well he meant that I was the problem, being a Yankee (not the team) and that it wasn't about my hat, but I wanted to hear him say it to my face.  

He answered with, 'A damn Yankee cap.' 

I said, "Oh my baseball team hat. Well, the team is in last place which should make you happy, right? Are you a Braves fan sir? They are about to win their division' and I smiled.  (fun to play dumb) 

He huffed loudly and said, "Not the damn team" and he began to turn away.

It has nothing to do with baseball I knew that. He was muttering now and being a bit hard of hearing I didn't hear him.

But look, I knew full well what he meant I just wanted to hear him say it to my face so I said, "What do you mean then sir, if not the team hat?"  

He again huffed and walked away. So I just smiled and said, "Well you have a nice day!"  

(Asshole.)  

Rick loves it when I do that. He says I sound so nice and sweet and the dumbasses don't even know what hit them. Yep, that's the point most of the time. Because in all honesty if I were to flat-out insult him to his face he wouldn't understand. They are really not so bright. So now it's become my sport, to mess with the bigots.😉 Hey I gotta have some fun these days.

It will never cease to amaze me the bigotry we encounter. 

Can you imagine if I weren't white?  Dear Lord! 

If I were a person of color I would NEVER live in the south. Never! 

I'm not saying it's perfect in the north but it isn't as bad as here.

Speaking of my favorite baseball team. They suck so badly it's pathetic. I thought the '80s were bad. But I have never seen them this banged up or playing so poorly in my lifetime. I wish the owner would sell, and I wish the GM would get fired. The manager is okay but if he left with the other 2 I'd be just fine with that too. 

It is my diversion when Rick goes to bed. 

I can't even enjoy that these days.

We just played our rivals Boston, and they suck too. 

So we are tied for last place with them. Whoopee. 

Can we go back to 1998 and watch those Yanks play ball?

I have never been asked where my people are from. I find that weird. 

What people? Ah, America. Nope, that isn't the answer they want. 

I generally play dumb when asked that because what the hell difference does it make where my "people" are from?  

JC how many generations do you want me to go back? 

What is going to be good enough for you? 

The only real Americans are Native Americans and you treat them like crap too. I'm telling you it's a head-scratcher.

Now again, it's in Johnston County which is the home of the klan. 

See why I wanted to be in Wake County where people have read a book. I'm telling you I drive 3 miles and I leave this county and it's like the sky turns blue, the people smile at you, are kind, and never say such horrific things to us. (don't confuse this with Raleigh, it's more normal in Wake County)

I think the next time a bigot asks me these dumb questions or questions my baseball cap I will just begin using sign language. 

I wish I had thought of that sooner. 

That ought to make them walk away. Or they'll say something even worse thinking I can't hear them. Either way, I will enjoy messing with them because I am a white American who is going to be a bitch like that. 

I will smile all the way home. I will at least enjoy that fun.

Besides you can't match wits with those unarmed!😂

Funny Pix

We were going through some old photos the other day while trying to get our house in some sort of order. 

Finding pics makes you stop what you're doing and review them all. 

These made me smile.

From little Ricky

To a high school kid and his drum set.

To graduation. Those sideburns!

To Hairy '70s dude having dinner at his Aunt Lucy's

 

To a boy and his Harley.

This one below was a year after we met. 

Remember we were just friends then. This girl was visiting him from Chicago. She told him she was a model. 

I told him that if she was a model I was 5'10" and flat-chested. 

(she was tall though, he was 6'2")

He would just laugh. 

These were what I call his Bimbo du jour days. 😅

And lastly, everyone asks how I'm doing. Well, to be honest, I'm a hot mess and wish I had girlfriends here. I don't put half of it on the blog because you don't need to hear all this depressing shit. 

I'm filled with anxiety, stress, and fear. My world is upside down, 

I fall apart when he's not looking & I run at 100mph. 

But I'm fine. 

bluzdude showed me this T-shirt and I found it online. 

I almost bought it. It spoke to me.

 

I'm a Geezer

As you know with good news comes bad.

Suddenly Rick's heart rate plummeted to 40-44. He had such shortness of breath all weekend. We wondered if this was the medicine. The weekend was very bad. He looked gray. He couldn't walk well, he was so tired and he had such shortness of breath. He was grabbing at his albuterol inhaler constantly. (he has asthma)  

While he was napping I went over all his medication list from the hospital. 

There are 2 inhalers advised that he was not using. I grabbed them from the medicine cupboard.

When he woke up I went over all his medications once again with him. 

I suggested he begin using the ones sent home with him that he poo-pooed and said he did not need.  He would claim he only needed his albuterol. Spiriva is one of them. I told him it wouldn't hurt to use it. He did. He felt better in a little bit of time. This morning he used it again before his eye exam. Oh my goodness he was getting better.

Still having issues. 

So off to the doctor again tomorrow for an Echo to see if anything else is causing this and maybe a pulmonary doctor. Who the hell knows. I am so overwhelmed these days. And I feel for Rick. He is doing great and something will set him back again. It's frightening for us both.

Saturday I had an appointment for my haircut. 

I arrived 10 minutes early and they asked me who I was and of course, I told them and that I was there for Tonya. They all looked at one another. Apparently, Tonya doesn't work on Saturdays. 

!@#*%$@#!#$@!$  

Well, that's my luck of late so what a surprise. I am 4 weeks overdue for a cut. I need a haircut. But I never know what last-minute shit is going on with Rick. Like we had tomorrow off until 2p today - but now he's having an ECHO and seeing the doctor so I can't do shit. 

I may have to grow my hair long. HA

I have been watching more TV than normal since Rick can't do a lot in the evenings. I have noticed that a lot of commercials have music I like from my era. Yes, we all know Bob Segar's, Like a Rock for Chevy commercials. 

When I heard AC/DC on TV I left the kitchen to see what was on the screen. Imagine my surprise when it was a commercial for Walmart. 

AC/DC in a Walmart commercial? I happen to love AC/DC and the song Dirty Deeds, but it was surprising to hear it on a TV commercial.

Then I googled it and they are using a great many of AC/DC songs. 

I have to say that was a big surprise to me that the big fat right-wing corporation would use those songs. I realize it's their marketing company that is choosing these songs but they must approve it, right?

Then I saw a Fiber One snack bar or something like that with a Scorpions song, Rock You Like A Hurricane. Yep, fiber will do that to you. 😉

I think all of this is the official sign that I am very very old. 

Like a few years ago when Bon Jovi was the grocery store music and I was singing along to Wanted Dead or Alive in aisle 5 when I realized this is a grocery store, next step Peg is the elevator music. 😲

How funny that would be to hear Dirty Deeds in an elevator or Aeorsmith's Love in an Elevator. 

When I was a kid commercials were all old people's music. 

So it's damn official now, I'm apparently a geezer.