Olympics

The observations from our house regarding the Olympics.

We enjoyed the opening ceremony. I know people got all up in themselves saying it was blasphemous, but you know what? You can find anything you want and make it fit your agenda so there is that. It wasn't what they thought, perhaps reading a book may have enlightened these imbeciles to some culture. Oh wait, they ban books, don't they?

But I will post something on the bottom about how I feel about that. 

Celine Dion was fabulous considering what that woman has been through. After watching her documentary her singing moved me to tears.

Men's gymnastics - When this pasty white skinny young man got up to do the pummel horse Rick said, "Oh my goodness he needs to eat. He doesn't even have muscular arms like the others to lift himself does he?" 

Honestly, he was a white Urkel. He looked sad and hungry to us.  

Then they said he was Ukraine and we both felt terrible, as we should, for thinking and saying that to one another. He looked lost and out of place.

I hope the Olympic Village feeds him well.

Then our men's gymnastics get up there with all their muscular upside-down triangle shapes. My God Flipping Freddie, as he is known, his body is gorgeous. What these men do on rings and pummel horses blows me away.  

Yea for getting a Bronze Medal. Sadly China beat them for the Gold. 

I don't recall who got silver.

Women's Gymnastics - We saw the Brazil team first, then Italy, then our gals from the US. Rick asked if we were starving our girls. I laughed because I knew what he meant. The other teams are beefy, while our gals are not. By no means are they heavy, but beefy. The USA team does not have beefy. But we have Simone Biles whose calf better be okay for today's big event. That girl is awesome to watch!

Snoop Dogg  - if you ask us, he is the highlight of the Olympics. His commentary is great. Snoop swimming with Michael Phelps was priceless. 

Snoop crying during the anthem. I just love Snoop Dog.

Volleyball - In men's volleyball they wear shirts and long shorts or pants.

In women's volleyball, they are scantily clad. Other countries get to wear things that cover their asses. The USA does not. I can't watch it.

Swimming - my goodness Ledecky is amazing. I walked into the room and saw a race where she was at the end and I saw no others in the picture. I asked Rick where are the other swimmers?  He said, "Oh they're coming" And sure enough they eventually made the screen. Crazy how good she is.

But where are her breasts? No swimmer has breasts. If swimming makes them go away I will start swimming. Do they lob 'em off to help with swimming? So much exercise they go away? What is the deal with that?

Inquiring minds really wish to know this one.

Diving - Men's diving & synchronized diving. 

Do they shave from face to toe? (swimmers too)

No one has hair even in their armpits. And they are obviously all growers not showers in those teeny tiny dick suits.  I find them off-putting. And most of the diving bores me so I didn't watch a lot.

And finally a description of the opening ceremonies who think it was all about them and who were offended. If only there were history taught in school or books to read. Hmm....

____

“Dearest Gentle Reader, 

I’m about to step on some toes in regard to the Opening Ceremony at the Paris Olympics. 

The headless woman was Marie Antoinette. She ruled over France and was found guilty of treason, conspiracy, and stealing from the country. 

Sound familiar? It’s almost like when…well, that’s another post.

Also, it was not the Last Supper. It was a depiction of an ancient Greek Bacchanal… because, you know, the Olympics are ancient and Greek. Surprise! 🙀

And if you didn’t know, a Bacchanalia is an uncontrollably promiscuous, extravagant, and loud party. The parties often spanned several days which honored the god of wine, Bacchus (the blue guy covered in grape vine). He is also known as Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, later known as the god of wine and pleasure. 🍷 

And finally, it was not Death on a pale horse. It was Sequana, Goddess of the Seine, the River in which the boat precession took place. She was meant to be the representation of the Olympic spirit and of Sequana. 🔥 

If some of you weren’t so busy trying to end the Dept. of Education, you might know this.

Loosen the clutch on your pearls.

Yours truly,
Lady Francis” 👊🏽💙

••••••

Crime Shows

I've always been a fan of Dateline, 48 Hours, 20/20 type of thing.

Well, it seems since retirement my husband is now watching this stuff with me.  This is all new.

He found a show called Accident, Suicide or Murder one evening. 

He yelled, "Hey Margaret this is right up your alley!"

They were having a marathon of this show. 

We went down the rabbit hole with popcorn and in our pj's.

Now when watching Dateline I always yell out - "her husband did it." 

Rick always laughed, but the other night he said, "My God the husband always does it"

No Shit Sherlock. 

Rick hit the DVR to record all the shows of Accident, Suicide, or Murder when they come on whether new or old because we never saw the old ones either. So now when there is nothing to watch we will go down the rabbit hole of murder or suicide but seldom accident. :-)

Have you all seen this show?

I used to really like 20/20 but can't watch it anymore. The editing is horrific. They jump around, leave things out, show something but it has nothing to do with the dialog. It's been like this all year. Obviously a new editor at 20/20. It has become bizarre to watch.

I don't listen to murder podcasts like some of my friends. It hasn't gotten that far yet. (but who am I kidding, very soon) 

If I could handle the gruesomeness I think I'd be a pretty good detective. They don't notice stuff that I see on the screen and I'm yelling at my TV like a lunatic. By the end of the show, someone new comes in and sees what I have been yelling. 

And remember, the higher the voice, the bigger the lie. Tip: #1

I'm also a bit anal-retentive and notice everything anyway. Rick seems to think I missed my calling. I can go into a room and notice it all and he sees nothing. If only I could handle the gruesome things I'd have to see or I could have done it. 

Now having said that I notice everything I can share with you that I spent way too many minutes (40) looking for my eyeglasses yesterday. They were atop my head. I tore apart the house when all I had to do was look in the mirror. So then again, maybe being a detective isn't for me. 😉

2 Selfies

Here's a funny thing that I noticed after my cataract surgery.

I do not take selfies. My husband has of us many times and I have shown them here - always just the top of my head while he is completely in the picture. He forgets I'm a foot shorter than him apparently or he doesn't want this ugly mug in the shot.

I do not like having my picture taken. In fact, I hate it. Rick keeps telling me when I pass there will be no pictures of me. They will be in your heart I tell him. 

So I have taken 2 selfies in my lifetime. Both I do not recall taking.

About a year into our lockdown.  I was sent to the ER because of what I didn't know was diverticulitis. 

I was flying on morphine when I guess I decided to take a photo of myself. 

I sent it to my mother who responded with - I really like your hair.

I'm in a hospital gown with a mask on and she likes my hair. 

Nothing like, are you in the hospital Peg?

That cracks me up. But in her defense, it was the first time she had seen me without brown hair. Covid allowed me to let the gray come in since no salons were open to color my hair. At the time I never thought a thing of it.

The next day when I was clear-headed I saw the text and it made me laugh.

Then this past week after my cataract surgery I was flying on that oxy pill. 

I sent my mom a photo of which I had no recollection. I barely have my left eye open. No makeup, I look like death, wearing a clear eye patch on my eye. I text Mom this pic, and she responds with. I like your hair.

Those are the only two selfies I have ever taken. Both after surgery on heavy drugs at the hospital. Both to my mom. I find that funny.

And apparently, my hair looks best at the hospital.

In my oxy-stooper, I apparently sent a couple out to good friends. 

Who all said, "Peg, I like your hair."

And truth be told it did not look good. 

Not one person, not two people, everyone who got the picture said that. 

I showed it to Rick and he said, No it doesn't. I know. What are they seeing?

So what that tells me is, my face frightened them but my hair looked good.

They had to say something nice. 

Well, that's all that counts I suppose.

I Live

Anything new happen in the world since I've been here? 😁

I survived the cataract surgery. 

I didn't realize I would be awake during this.

For some reason, I thought I'd be out cold. 

When I returned for my follow-up on Tuesday, I asked my doctor if I was to be asleep during the surgery. 

He laughed and said, "No, more of what we like to call twilight"

I said, "huh?"  I  continued, " I remember you talking and me looking at a light and my hands were secured like a prisoner on my chair." 

He said, "We asked you what kind of music you liked. You said it'd be easier to tell you what you didn't like but then you said, oh classic rock I suppose.

At one point you said, "Ooh I do like this song"  We all laughed.

Then I asked you to look towards this light and you did.  We talked until I was in your eye. I don't talk then. 

Okay, this was all news to me I tell him. Wow.

He said, "It is basically like a roofie"  Oh that's a lovely thought. 

Here I was thinking I was to be out cold and later that day I told Rick I remembered some stuff and I could hear them talking.  He said well I'm glad it wasn't your shoulder or back and you woke up. You see he too, thought that I was going to be knocked out. 

At least if I have the left eye done next I'll know. 

They entered my recovery room and told me that 'Betty' caused a few issues so it took a bit longer but I was fine. Was I hurting?  Oh hell yes. I had a headache like you couldn't believe and my eye had a heartbeat.

Before I went home they gave me an oxy. Thank God Rick was there to drive and hold on to. Boy, that knocked me on my ass. But neither my shoulder nor back hurt, just my eye. LOL

I was sent home with a beautiful pair of sunglasses to wear and a clear plastic patch over my eye. I was cute as hell.

I had to wear this damn patch every night to bed. I asked why. He said so you don't scratch your eye or touch it. I said, "So this is the equivalent of a dog cone?"  He thought that was funny and said exactly. I did not find it funny.

I wasn't allowed to sleep in a bed. Yet again. 

I was given drops to insert 3x a day for 21 days or when it ran out whichever comes first. More steroids. Goody.

I heard enough pirate jokes around here to last me a lifetime. 

I told Rick to be nice, I still control all his medication.

That damn patch is done, and so are those sunglasses. Whew. 

I saved 'em though. We aren't getting any younger. 

One of us will need them again, unfortunately. 

The Weather Outside is Frightful 🎵

I am struggling a bit right now.

My shoulder is a painful little shit. Sure my back is functioning and now this.

I have a crazy week. Haircut today (Tuesday), Rick's stroke doctor tomorrow, and my cataract surgery on Thursday. Friday I will sit and stare. HA 

So I won't be back until Monday at the earliest. 

Because I can't lift my arm without a lot of pain I am wearing a baseball cap. 

I can't blow dry my hair.

I can't continue to go out like this, it's horrible.

I saw on Amazon a stand for my blow dryer so I can attempt to do this with my left arm in the meantime. I hope that can help. This 105 degrees and wearing a hat is damn warm.  Then again if I can just stay indoors until winter it would be fine. 

I wish I hadn't gotten the injection in my shoulder. If I hadn't I could have the surgery sooner. But because I didn't want surgery and I was hoping this would help I chose the shot. But it did nothing but piss my shoulder off I swear.

They will not allow me to have the surgery for 3 months after the injection due to infection and cortisone and some such horse shit. So now I wait like this until Sept 27th. 

I am dreading what Rick will have to help me with. Last time I had a torn rotator cuff he about blinded me with the blowdryer, poked me in the eye when I asked for help with makeup and heaven forbid he couldn't do my bra to save his life.

He claims he only knows how to take them off not put them on.

So I am not looking forward to any of that!

As I walk down the hall to go to the bathroom he yells, "Use your left hand and practice" OMG.  The man is certifiable.

Fire Station

 A week or so ago Rick and I were debating the location of this fire station.

Yes, these are the high-brow conversations in our home.

I told him it was on rt.42. I told him to look at the left side going east and it will be right after the Cleveland Draft House. 

He came home and said, "I looked and I did not see it, Margaret.

Are you sure it's not off Route 50?"

I was adamant that it was not there on rt 50 but rt 42.

He drives out that way a 2nd time and comes home and says, " I looked again and I can't see it. I promise you it's not like when I can't find something in the fridge and it is there!"

I laughed and said, "Okay when we go out that way together I'll show you"

Fast forward to a week later and I head to Costco. I used the shortcut on Rt 50 and sure enough, there was the big ole fire station. I howled. 

Now I was alone so Rick did not see that he was correct.

When I got home I said, "Hey Rick, I saw that they moved the fire station from 42 to Route 50"

It took him a half minute for that to register and then he laughed like I haven't heard him laugh in ages!

He got up from his chair and came into the kitchen, hugged my shoulders and said, "You just can't say the words, I was wrong. "

Nope

My Boyfriend

If you're keeping track of all things breaking in my home along with my husband and myself, we have another new one. My electric toothbrush. So in the meantime, I opened one of the toothbrushes my dentist gave me and I used that. It didn't feel like I was getting my teeth clean. That old electric one spoiled me. Oh well.

So that's a toothbrush, blender, fridge, and dishwasher.  

We can stop this nonsense now.

Wednesday was appliance day. The refrigerator repair man came regarding the ice maker. I was at the grocery store so Rick dealt with him. It's a seal around the machine. It is not sealing so ice is melting and clogging the dispenser. huh? So they ordered that part. I'm not sure I understood all this but it doesn't matter really, it should be fixed within a week or so. In the meantime, we bought a couple bags of ice.

Our new dishwasher was installed at 5:30p.  Yeah.

The two men who came to deliver and install were so damn nice.

The lead tech came in wearing a Boston Baseball Cap. 

I let him in and shook his hand. He had the best damn smile. 

I said,"I am so glad to see you guys I am sick of washing dishes....but that hat."  He laughed and said, "Let me guess a Yankee fan?"  Yessirree. 

We laughed and he teased me a bit. It was all in good fun. I asked him where he was from. He asked how I knew he wasn't from here. 

I told him he was friendly. He said, "You know what? I get that all the time.  But why wouldn't I be friendly?" 

I said, "I agree!"

He was from a town in southern VA not far from where our old lake house was located.

As he finished the installation, he asked me how often I clean the dishwasher filter.  Yikes, there is a filter I should clean? 

Now I'm embarrassed to say to him, "I have never cleaned it"

He said, "Thank you for not lying to me"

After he was done installing I asked where my filter was. 

He showed me and it's so easy to clean. 

It will help your dishwasher run efficiently and last longer. Who knew? 

Then again as you are reading this you probably knew this but I was today years old when I learned this.

I asked him if I was the only person who said never. He said, I have only had 2 people say yes they clean it monthly in all the years I've been doing this. Whew, that made me feel better. I told him those 2 people were probably lying and he thought that was funny.

In the mean time-

My boyfriend.

Justifiable Homicide

I cut my husband's hair on Monday. (As you recall I used to be a barber in the '70s)

I found out Monday that the surgery for my reverse shoulder replacement is on Sept 27th.

Rick: So you can probably do 3 more haircuts before your surgery right?

Me: Rick I suppose, but c'mon you know this hurts so why not go to a barber now so you can get him used to your hair and he can follow this cut.

Rick: Because there are no barbers with big boobs who stand in front of me like you.

Oh for the love of God. 

Would anyone on a jury find me guilty of killing him with my shears?

Dishwasher, Ice Maker and Blender Oh my.

Well, we broke down and got a dishwasher on Saturday.

It will be delivered on Wednesday. So washing dishes for a few more days.

But now our ice maker has died. It was 106 the other day and that is not with the heat index. We need ice damn it. 

Let's add to the list our blender/food processor. Found that out when making an icecream cocktail. Oops, no blender.

Honestly. 

I know I have shared that when we bought this house they left us a folder of receipts, manuals, and warranties for all things done at the house. It has saved our butts a few times and we are thankful. But unlike the roof most of the shit they bought was cheap as cheap can be and it is showing.

The new roof leaked the first couple of months after being in the house. 

We saw this was new and called them and they fixed it immediately for free and apologized. We were happy to have the receipt and warranty in this folder or we would have paid for someone to fix this.

But as I have mentioned while they did buy new appliances for the sale they are the cheapest GE crap out there. I get why they did it but boy I hate these appliances. They bought black stainless steel which is not my favorite but I couldn't buy something like a new stainless steel dishwasher when the other appliances aren't then the same. I mean we aren't hillbillies. LOL

We found out it was a few hundred more for a black stainless steel dishwasher over stainless steel. Figures. Then add to the fact that only the most expensive model came in black stainless steel. Rick and I were getting so frustrated. We were cursing them and we wondered if their ears were burning.

I called GE for repairs for the fridge and because I had the information and the actual receipt it was helpful. But it's only 3 years old. The repair folks will be out here on Wednesday as well as the men delivering and installing my new dishwasher. It dispenses ice but the ice does not come out. So as of yesterday, we kept emptying the ice and putting it in a bowl in our freezer.

You don't realize how much ice you use until you don't have ice.

As we roamed the aisles of Best Buy on Saturday we said, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could just buy all new appliances?"  The woman helping us said, "Well you can"  We laughed and told her only if you're paying. She then laughed too.  We got the old 18 months same as cash so it will be paid off within the year so that was helpful. We went over to our favorite refrigerator opened and closed the doors and sighed. Someday...

This fridge was 1800. That fridge is 3299.  Not the same in price, quality, or features. I said to Rick, "This proves we're old when an appliance other than a TV or computer thrills us so."  

As for our blender/food processor. It's a dual machine.

It's a blender and if you take off the blender top and put on the food processor top on the same motor you can use it that way. We use this a great deal...until now. I finally found this weekend the site where I can just purchase the bottom part or the motor and not pay hundreds for all the other accessories which we do not need.

We need all this shit to stop falling apart. It's enough that we are.

But now all our stuff is too. 

Calgon take me away! Oh my that's showing my age isn't it?

Fireworks.

 When I was a kid fireworks were so exciting to me.

I recall going to what we called "The Dock" in my hometown. It is on the water/Lake Erie and we'd watch the fireworks over the water from sitting on the hood of our car with a blanket. My mom, dad, and my sister. 

When I met Rick he invited me to his hometown over the 4th holiday. 

I went to his whopping big town of just under 2k and we had a blanket at this park and you could swear they were right over your head and were touchable.  Now it was the best fireworks I had seen up to this point.

Then we were living in the DC Metro area. We got on our boat and we watched the fireworks that were high above all the DC monuments while on the Potomac. It was spectacular! It was like a photograph.

And again, I thought it couldn't get any better.

Then we got a lake house at Smith Mountain Lake. 

Our neighbor hired a team and they put on a big show of fireworks for all his family and friends staying with them over the 4th. 

Name Drop - My neighbor was David Balducci, the author. Who else could afford to do such a thing right?

We would load up our boat with our dog and a cooler of cocktails and sit anchored in the cove and watch the fireworks that were so close and so fabulous. I don't know if it was because it was so dark there, no city lights or street lights etc but it made the fireworks the best. 

Each year when over we'd honk, wave and yell thank you!  

Those were by far our favorite of all time. 

And while most dogs are afraid of the fireworks Izzy stared at them while sitting in the front of the boat like she knew what was going one. It always made us laugh. 

This year we saw no fireworks. Raleigh had them but it rained for a bit. Then there were technical difficulties. So all was canceled.

We found it funny because it seemed so typical of here.

We watched the capitol fireworks on TV in the cool air of our home with our cocktail of choice in our pj's.  

It's so damn hot here as it is in most of the country right now so being outside isn't our favorite thing. We have a misting fan for outside. We cleaned it up this spring and unplugged all the pollen etc in the "thingies"

that mist. It works perfectly now. We sat out there under the gazebo the other evening because it was only 87 at 8p. But even with the misting fan, the humidity was a bit much. We didn't last long, just under an hour. We have become big-time weather wusses in summer here.

The only thing thriving this year outside are my plants. I have learned that most of the things I was used to planting in boxes and elsewhere didn't like the heat here. So I had to learn what works in this environment. The folks at the nursery where I got plants this spring were very helpful.  This year my vincas and portalucas are thriving. The patio is awash in color. 

I hope you all had a fun and relaxing 4th and saw some great fireworks. 

Freedom

 I hope you all enjoyed your holiday.

This may be our last one of freedom.

I need to vent.

I will not have comments on. This is my opinion, my blog.

I did not watch the debate. I knew I'd want to throw things at the TV.

Instead, I recorded Jon Stewart's follow-up to watch the next day.

I watched a baseball game and kept my blood pressure intact.

The following day I heard from everyone. I heard how bad Joe did.

I heard the talking heads. I saw it on Jon Stewart. 

Joe had a rally the day after the debate here in Raleigh.

It was televised on Scripts News TV so I watched it to see the issues everyone spoke of. I did not see them. He was fine to me. 

He was articulate and angry, he made sense. 

He was fine to me.  What do you see?

I have said this to many but I feel strongly about this.

Even if Biden isn't up to snuff, his administration sure as hell is.

We are voting for his administration and not trump's radical religious nut jobs that want to strip decades of progress for women and minorities. Biden's administration is competent and progressive people supporting equality among genders, sexualities and skin color. trumps sycophants of this convicted felon to do not! They support Putin, so-called Christian white nationalism.

So he is old. Not my favorite choice but we have no choice. 

A dictator who is in bed with Putin or a real American.

Here are some of the scariest and most accurate memes of my lifetime.

I am scared for our future. I am frightened of what will happen.

Friends.

As I have lamented, (bitched) about this 100 + degree heat we got a nice day. It rained and it was a helluva storm. I am like a dog, I hate thunder and lightning. So I heard it as I lay in bed, can't sleep with thunder and lightning but Rick sleeps like a child in that kind of weather.

I moved over to Rick and spooned him for comfort.

At one point the lightning lit up our entire bedroom and then a huge boom.

How the hell he can sleep through this is anyone's guess. I can not.

But, it did a good thing. Monday was so nice outside. It was actually rather cool in the morning. So morning coffee on the porch. Then we grilled and ate dinner on the patio. It was just a lovely 24 hrs. It was only 85 degrees with low humidity. I said to Rick if we could just have this until fall!  Everyone was talking about how nice the weather was. I walked to the mailbox and my neighbor across the street waved and said, "Isn't it a glorious day?"  It sure was.

But back to the 100s again. 

I mean it is July so I have several more months of this. 

One of Rick and my favorite neighbors in Northern VA was Paul. 

Paul was a single good-looking dude. We used to watch him bring home women who we would think, aren't they young? Paul is close to our age, a few years older. A handsome, smart, and funny man. One evening we were on our patio and he came out with a very young blonde thing. She was stunning. When she went inside Rick said over the fence, "Good One Paul" with a thumbs up.  Paul laughed.

Rick lived vicariously through Paul. Paul took ball room dance classes and we went to one of his recitals. He was very good. This is how he met all these young women he dated. 

There were Sunday mornings when we would have breakfast on the patio. Being in a townhome our patios were next to one another. He came out with their breakfast and I thought, OH MY GOD SHE COULD BE HIS DAUGHTER! Rick of course said, "Good for him!"  We waved hello.

Paul asked what I had in my hand and I said a bloody mary, want one?

So they then came over for breakfast on the patio and bloody Marys. 

This cute young thing was nice but my goodness she was vapid. But then Rick said, "Paul's not looking for a PHD, he's just having fun."  

I told him I thought she was so young she'd hurt him. 

Of course, Rick said, "What a way to go!"

Then Paul met Becky. I knew he was smitten big time with her. I remember talking to him outside and when I came in I said to Rick, "Paul's found a keeper"  Rick of course laughed at me but I just knew the way his eyes lit up when he spoke about this new woman he met that he was a smitten kitten. I met her, Becky, she was not his normal bimbo type. She was a very smart attractive woman who had a big job in government. She was a bit younger than him but not inappropriately as most of his dates were. 

They dated for a couple of years and then they both retired and moved down to the Raleigh area. Every time we tried to get together they were off to Chile, to fish, or Montana, the Caribbean, etc. They bought an enormous RV and traveled. They were having the life they dreamt of. When Rick had his stroke they came to the hospital to visit him. Becky would call and check up on me. Not many did that for me. 

Then I reached out to Becky to get together and she told me she couldn't. She was diagnosed with cancer. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that has spread to her liver. She was going to have palliative care.  Once chemo started I couldn't visit her. I kept in touch via text and calling Paul. Paul wasn't sharing a lot and he was keeping a lot inside. We did not wish to pry. We both knew this was a very difficult time for them. 

I'd send little gifts. I sent a box of things she'd find useful once her chemo started. A chemo kit of sorts that a friend who had breast cancer told me about. So while I could not see her I was always trying to let her know we were there for her and loved her.

When the walking became difficult for me I reached out to say as soon as I can walk I'd love to visit. So I reached out via text to her on Saturday to ask if she was up for visitors anytime soon. I made sure to let her know that if she wasn't up to it,  just tell me I'd understand. I had sent a big bouquet of flowers to be delivered on Monday but of course, did not share that with her since I'd prefer the surprise. 

She told me that they were leaving for Montana (where she is from and where her children and family are located) on Wednesday. She said she believes this to be her last trip home so it's an important trip. My God how awful but I understand how and why she is saying it that way. How strong of her. And I was glad I wasn't on the phone because I was lost at that moment on what to say.

I am certain Paul is a puddle inside but being the macho man for Becky.

She said when they return she would love to see us.  I imagine it will be the last time I see her too. God, it breaks my heart. I don't think she is even 65 just yet. Paul is 71. 

So every day when I am feeling sorry for myself I think of her and remember it could be worse. 

I adore her and Paul! This is a tough one. 

Getting older is bad enough but when your acquaintances and friends start leaving it's rattling, to say the least. 

In other happier news. There was a blogger named Ro. She lives in this area. When I moved here we managed to get together several times.

She too had a stroke around the time Rick did. She lives alone. She had a tough life. She had a tough childhood, was in the Air Force, left an abusive relationship, and started all over again. I admired her. Smart, strong woman.

She has needed a ride here or there and I am always most happy to assist.

She has been unable to drive since the stroke.  I check in with her because she will never ask me. I ask her. Finally, I get a, "if you don't mind"  I don't ever mind if I have the time. I wish she would just ask me. But I also understand it.

We were to get together and I also wanted to follow up with some medical news she shared to see how she was doing.

Her phone said it was disconnected. Then she wasn't answering my texts.

I let it go for two more days, not because I wanted to but because Rick said, she may be busy or maybe her son came to town you don't know.

But I was very worried. She always responds. 

I said to Rick do I drive out there and knock on the door? 

Am I being paranoid? 

He thought it would be a good idea to go to her apartment and he'd come with me. If no answer, he suggested I call the sheriff for a wellness check.

We had this discussion at 11pm one evening after I began to panic.

In the morning we got dressed to leave when I got a text from her.

A different number. I called her immediately. I told her how worried we were and what we were about to do. She laughed and thanked me several times but I was using her old number. How? I didn't realize I had two numbers for her. But she is alive and well and I needn't have worried. So we all had a good laugh. Far better outcome than I was expecting. I was thrilled!

Holiday

Okay, kids it's a holiday week.

The traffic around here is crazy and I'd have thought everyone would be traveling and be out of town. Guess I was wrong. Shh...don't tell Rick. I am never wrong, sometimes less right, but never wrong. Right ladies?

I was chatting with my mom last evening. My stepmom is 82. 

We share old age stories and we laugh that we do this since she is only 14 yrs older than me. 

I was saying how I never took any pills except a thyroid pill when I moved here.

I had very low blood pressure my whole life.

My eyesight was 20/20 after I turned 45 from 20/14 which is excellent.

I wore a size 10 pants (hardly small I know) and well, a L or XL on top.

I moved here and I had chemo and large doses of steroids for an enormous mass on my retina which the doctors tell me gave me high blood pressure. 3 pills for that and puffy weight gain.

No longer did I have low blood pressure of 110/60 or lower. Oh no, need meds to get it to normal now. Doctor told me chemo does that to most. Yipee.

My eyesight was no longer 20/20. I can barely see out of my right eye.

My back began to act up and I waited until I couldn't wait any longer. 

I had 4 or 5 injections into my spine. More (steroids) and buffy bloated look and weight gain.

Then my shoulders, more steroids. 

I now wear a size 14/16 pants. Top xl or xxl. I feel and look like shit. My skin has become dry (could they do that to my skin too?) 

Honestly, is the pain or the vanity that bothers me most? 

I'm going to be shallow and say this weight gain.  I hate it.

I have nothing to wear. And I REFUSE to buy something more in this size.

I look like shit.

My husband is blind to it. Thank God!

I will be having a reverse shoulder replacement in late summer or early fall.

One week ago I had injections in both my shoulders to help with the increasing pain. I have very little mobility on my right side. Yes, I am right-handed.

I can not hold my coffee, wine, gin, or water and then lift it to my mouth.

The pain is in my shoulder and down my bicep. Doing dishes really bothers me but they have to be done. Same with cooking, chopping, stirring, etc.  

The more I use my arm, the worse it gets. So the doctor tells me not to use my arm.  Really that is your helpful solution?

The tall strapping Ortho Doc at Duke went over all my options. There are bone spurs, arthritis, and a tear in my rotator cuff (which I had repaired in 2007) I saw my X-ray next to a normal X-ray of a right shoulder. Oh, it wasn't pretty.

I wasn't thrilled with my options but this pain is unrelenting and being right-handed makes this worse. Yes, my left shoulder needs this too but it isn't as bad and let's face it my left arm is not used as much as one would think. Left shoulder will come later.

I had 2 options. Steroid/Cortizone type shots in my shoulders to help with the pain. 

#2 Surgery.

If I chose option #1 then I'd have to wait 3 months to have the surgery I was told.

I chose the shots. I had them done 1 week ago today.

I don't find a lot of relief yet but like my spinal injections, it took a couple of weeks.

In the meantime my husband yells to me each and every time I run to the bathroom to "Use your left hand"  That makes me laugh. But if we're all being honest wiping one's butt with your dominant hand is a given. So when my arm is in a sling for 4 weeks or more I will need to use my left hand. I love him but I draw the line at having him help me in this area. This is when I wish I were ambidextrous like my Dad was.

And more shallow shit - I can't style my hair. I have a short style that needs a blow dryer and a round brush. I can't lift my arm. I've been wearing a baseball cap around the house but to go out I need to have my hair done. The day I went to the drs I tried like hell. It looked bad but it was better than going in public with a baseball cap on. I mean if going to Target or Walmart a cap is fine. But otherwise, not for me.

So to conclude. I've had the injections. Next will be the surgery.

Driving isn't great but I can drive. Hence why Rick insists on driving of late.

My body seems to be riddled with Arthritis. Mom and I discussed Dad's and his family's health. He had a sister with arthritis. Dad did not, nor did his other siblings or mother. No one on my mom's side did either. Because she is my step mom she asked about my mom's sisters. I told her that everyone in my mom's family died of heart disease and/or cancer. They all smoked like chimneys too. So I guess I just got lucky with this arthritis gene. HA

I have had back surgeries, colon surgeries, hysterectomy, and a torn meniscus. NOTHING was as difficult a recovery and painful as my rotator cuff surgery so I don't imagine a total shoulder replacement will be a walk in the park. 

God, I hope I get some good drugs since they don't give me pain medication now.

Rick says it's his turn to take care of me.

Last night he told me it was in the vows. When I said, "But...." 

He told me to "hush and just deal with it. Do you think I have enjoyed you having to care for me like a baby last year?"

Touché 

So there ya have it. 

Cataract surgery

Shoulder surgery in a few months.

Are we having fun yet?

But in good news, my back has finally gotten all the injections. It took 3 weeks but it's feeling great. I can walk again. I can stand up straight. I am doing well in that area for now. 

In the meantime, I can still enjoy my 3 favorite beverages with my left hand.

I will begin a new diet as soon as the steroids leave my system. The doctor told me that while those are in my system weight will not come off.  I know these drugs help people but I don't care for them one bit!!

Oh, and I got a call for my cataract pre-op Tuesday morning. 

He asked a lot of questions and I answered. 

When he asked if I used any recreational drugs I said, "I wish."

He laughed so hard. He said, "Best answer I've ever received." 

Ah, it was legal in DC but nothing but guns are loved and legal down here so no more pain-reducing recreational drugs for me now. 

Driving

Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian Readers.

Okay, that's it. Tired of summer. Let's move on now. 

Rick and I came across some older photos from 2011 when we had breakfast on the beach at Presque Isle. There was a photo of Mike and Rick at the picnic table with mimosas and the water in the background.

I sent it to Mike Sunday morning.

He wrote back, "Who are these two young men?"  

I had to laugh because that is exactly what Rick said. 

This next week is pretty darn busy. I am having lunch with a new friend from New England. I have doctor appointments with Rick and I have tests to be done. So it will be a lot of having Rick drive me. Nothing, nothing worse!! 

I'm going to try to convince him I am able and fine. It's a short distance.

Since the stroke, Rick has been an incredibly bad driver. He had to drive me to Durham for my eye "Betty" update last week because they insisted on dilating my eyes. 

On the way home, I may not see clearly but my God, I still could have done better than Rick. He takes risks. He weaves. He pulls out thinking he has enough time and yet he doesn't. Honks ensue and he says, "Sorry"  

NO, just wait we are not in that much of a hurry!

He waits to use his brakes while the entire highway is a sea of red brake lights. He slams on the brakes when we are up their ass. 

I continued to use the brake on the passenger side but it just doesn't work. 

😋

Now I'm supposed to be a good wife and not say a thing. 

No gasping, no saying anything. 

Not easy. I felt like my head may explode if we did live. 

At one point I decided to close my eyes. 

If we die, so be it, I didn't see it coming.

If in an accident, I can't be a witness who has to say to the police that it was my husband's fault.

I will save my marriage that way.

I'm struggling to drive right now but I will lie to Rick. 

It can't be worse than how he drives with perfect shoulders. 

At least I'd have an excuse. But in all honesty, I can not do worse!

In fact, I am certain of this.

There is a fine line between not making him feel bad about some of his diminished capabilities from the stroke and also wanting to live if we are in a car.

Bon Jovi came on Sirius while he was driving home.

'Living on a Prayer' 

I laughed and Rick said, "What's so funny?"

I said, "Ah, the song seems appropriate right now ' cause I am living on a prayer"

Took him a minute. He replied, "Am I scaring you again?"

Yep.

We just let that hang there. No need to elaborate.