Odd Only To Me

 Well it appears I offended some with my last post. I apologize to those offended. While I found it odd because much worse has been written here, I never wish to offend, so I sincerely apologize.

My least favorite holiday is upon us.  I really dislike the food. Not even going north so it will be a quiet holiday for me.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!!

🦃

Murder Mystery

Our Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre event was held in a very nice Embassy Suites in Raleigh.  

I used to stay at Embassy Suites every time I had to go to Rosemont Illinois for training of some sort.  Our office headquarters was in Rosemont.

I always like them, and I had the remaining Hilton Honors points to use so another reason to stay the night.

This was far nicer than anyone I've stayed at.  We checked in around 3pm.

Being a guest at the hotel gave us 2 free drinks at 5:30p.

Ole Rick and Margaret got started a bit earlier at the bar. 

Then our free drink in a rotunda type area.

Then at 6pm the event started.

Now upon check-in they went over our tickets and our meal selection.

Then 2 'FBI agents' (women) with badges and the like were at a table that we had to go to next.  On this table were name tags and markers.

The first FBI agent saw me write Margaret. She LOUDLY says, NO NO NO, your name must be your nickname.  I said Peggy.  NO NO NO. So my husband grabbed a marker and wrote on a name tag and slapped it over my right boob.  Tits Malitz.

OMG.  I rip it off. 

Now the 2 'FBI' agents grabbed it from my hands and say, Nope that's your name.  Then the shorter one says, "This is the best damn name ever, I love it." Then she moved me into the room where this took place. We were to be seated at Table 5.

We had a very nice and funny group at our table. Inspector Gadget, Yo Adrian, Lala, Slick Rick, etc.

This is when I wished my hair were long enough to cover this name tag.

We were given a sheet of paper with all kinds of questions to ask people in the room. It also had a place for us to take notes. I went around the room and asked questions.  I held my paper in my hand in such a way that my name tag was hidden.

The "show" goes on, and an FBI agent called someone to the center of the room for all to see and interrogated him. It was funny as hell.

Then that little shit FBI agent had me go up. I said, "No, that's okay." 

She laughed and held her badge in my face and everyone laughed as she told me this was not a request - get up!

Me, wanting to die or fall through the floor, am standing there in the middle of the circular area for all to stare at me.  This is something I don't care for!!

FBI -Tell us your name - 

Me: It's right here as I point to my name tag, hoping I'm far enough away that the room can't read it.

FBI: I need you to say it (my God, she was grinning ear to ear)

Me: Tits Malitz

FBI: fascinating!! (dear God, everyone is howling now)  

FBI: Where were you on the night of....

Me: I don't recall

FBI: When was the last time you lied?

Me: A few minutes ago.😀

FBI: Have you ever committed murder? 

Me: Never

FBI: Have you ever wanted to murder someone? (law and order music)

Me: Oh, sure, a couple of people

FBI: When was that, Ms. Malitz?

Me: Recently

FBI: Who would that 'couple of people be'

Me: Oh, just my husband and a president.

That received a big round of applause, so they let me sit down.

I said to Rick, I'm gonna kill you for this! He, of course, found it funny.

Inspector Gadget at my table asked about my name, the second name, he says. I understand how you got the first name. Everyone at the table laughs. I want to get under the table.

I explain that my maiden name was Malizia.  People would say, Hey, Malitz.

Rick added the first name. Aah, everyone at the table says in unison

The meal was dry chicken with a great sauce and roasted potatoes and veggies.  Bread bowls and cake, etc.  I ate my veggies and potatoes.  The chicken was terribly dry, and I just couldn't eat more than 2 bites.  It sucks to be celiac. The chocolate cake looked so good.  Rick took a bite and said, "It's dry too!"  He didn't even finish it. So maybe it was good that I couldn't eat the bread, the cake, etc, since everything was dry.

So I went to the bar and got another drink. Very Dry Gin Martini. 😁

There were 2 of us who chose the correct murderer.  They put our names in a hat, and the other person was chosen. They got a $100 gift card to somewhere.  I did not get all the clues, but I knew it had to be Barb Wire.

She was a character for sure. Those at my table kept saying no, she couldn't have.  

All in all, a very good time was had by all.  

We got our free, very good breakfast this morning and then headed home.

Love to go places and love to come home.

So that you can hear the pronunciation of Malizia, if you are so inclined, hit this link. Then you will understand the Malitz part.  

Frustrating Morning.

 It is a rainy very gray day here in North Carolina.

Here are a few things going on in my neck of the woods. (to quote Al Roker) 

Remember the Ugly Naked Guy we lived next to?  Well, as I shared, he lost his job and moved to the shore, where he has a little trailer, he said.  He is renting out his home.

The people who live there have been friendly, waving, etc.  Their children are little and they are always running around the yard.  They are not school-age just yet.

I never asked the new neighbor what his business was because we have not spoken more than a Hi when we are sitting on the patio.  But we can see that he has either a tree or a landscaping business.  And boy, he takes much better care of this property on the outside than Ugly Naked Guy.

Since the arrival of ICE here in Raleigh, everyone is scared.  If you have brown skin, you are screwed.  People are keeping their kids home from school. Not because they are not citizens, but because they fear their kids won't come home.  One teacher spoke on the news last night that in any given week, she would have 20 absentees.  This past week, it was 120+.  

Here is a photo of their place from our patio.

You can see all the trucks in the driveway and one hidden in the yard.

One of the vehicles is piled high with branches, etc.

Rick said they are probably afraid to even go to the grocery store, too. Should we ask them if they need anything?  I am on the fence. My God, I don't want to offend them if that is not happening to them and they haven't gone to work for another reason.  We have been talking about this nonstop.  This morning, I suggested maybe just bringing over some cookies and welcoming them to the neighborhood.  But it's been a long while now, I'm afraid they may not wish to open the door. We are hoping to see them outside, which may be a better solution.  Either way, this just sucks as much as trump and his cult. I'm living in 1930s Germany for God's sake.  

In other annoying shit that bugged me today - 

Help me understand this photo below.

He puts it on the counter ABOVE the dishwasher.

Why not just put it IN the dishwasher?

He takes the toilet paper roll off, and he leaves the old empty one ON TOP of the garbage can, mere inches from the toilet.  He can reach it if sitting there, for heaven's sake.

And my end-of-the-week meme and photo dump.

Ah, this one is my hometown.  God, I love Presque Isle!  I was lucky to grow up with this. A friend of Ricks sent this before they got the snow.

This was my first trip to Florida wearing a T-shirt that said, I survived the blizzard of 78.  

Being Old

Last night I watched Stephen Colbert.

John Fogerty was on.  My God, he's 80.  I felt old.

I love CCR.  But his voice is gone.  He sounded terrible.

There comes a time when one must retire.  Must be difficult for those with a talent when it begins to fade.

I guess I'm lucky. I don't have an ounce of talent in any one given thing, so at least I have that going for me. :-)  No disappointment that my talent is fading away, never had it to begin with.

In other news, we have a service agreement with our heating/AC company. They come out in the fall and spring to check everything so that we are good to go for that season. We have turned on the heat a couple of times, and soon it will be full-time, so it was time to have our annual check-up. 

When we moved here, we had an issue with the heat. We called this company late at night and they came and were the utmost in professionalism and customer service. They asked if we wanted a service agreement, and we said sure, not knowing what this house held for us.

It's paid for itself. whew.

Rick changed out the filter last week.  The man who came has been here before so he kids around with us.  He said, "Did you just change your filter because I was coming?"  Rick laughed and said he didn't know he was coming, so nope, he did not.  That was just lucky I guess. He said most folks don't change their filters, so he assumed he was guilting us. No, it's actually something we do.  He told us to tell our neighbors.  Now I told Rick he was coming, but that was weeks ago.  Then I reminded him last night.

His new brain is a sieve.  Sadly, it wasn't much better before the stroke. 

(bad wife)

This company is always on time, go figure. The appointment was from 9-11.  I told Rick to be dressed because they are always on time. He huffed.  Guess who rang the doorbell at 9:05am?  Rick wasn't dressed. But unlike me, it doesn't bother him to be in PJ bottoms and a t-shirt with people coming to our home.

I mentioned that to him after Jayden left (yes, we are on a first-name basis) 

Rick said, "It's different for me, I wear clothes, just not nice ones."

"You don't wear anything on the bottom, just my shirt." 

"Oh, that,"  I laughed. Well, so does Winnie the Pooh and everybody loves him. So picky.

One of my favorite Vietnam songs - 

Sunshine

Late last evening, I got a call from L. (my old neighbor, the medium)

She asked if we could move our appointment to next Sunday.  

She had a busy day, and she was mentally fried last night, She said the readings were emotional, and she needs a break.  I understood that.  She said that she really wishes to be on top of her game when I speak with you.  I was fine with that. I am not paying her, so I am at her disposal on her calendar.

What is funny is that I went to my calendar and saw that I wrote it for next week at 11a.m.  Wild. I did the wrong thing, but it turned out right.

This coming Saturday, Rick and I are going to a murder mystery dinner.

It's in NW Raleigh, and it's a long night.  I am concerned about Rick, but we're going for it.  Neither of us wishes to be the designated driver, so we are staying at the hotel where this is being held. Thankfully, I had points.  Whew.  

I admit I am running out of points since I no longer travel, but this was a good use. I want to have fun and not worry about that drive home, which I would have to do.

When I got the tickets, it stated the dress code was business casual.  I don't have a problem with that since I am schleppy on most days.  But I did find it unusual.

Hopefully, this won't be a dud.

In the meantime, it's glorious outside, and I must get out there. 

I need my vitamin D.

You know why it's nice out? Because we put all things under the gazebo for winter, along with covering the sofa and chairs.  All the flowers are gone.

So now it's in the 70s, and we wish to sit out there.  Oh well. We have chairs around the table.  We've been here 3 years. We may never get the hang of their "seasons"

She Sees Dead People

Before I tell you what I wish to share, I have to thank you guys.

First of all, what I did with that frightened woman was no big deal.

You made me sound like a saint for heaven's sake.

If you saw a woman next to you freaking out to her husband for having something like I was having, you'd all do the same thing I did.

So no glory for me here, but thank you.

Okay, now other things I would like to mention.

I have mentioned here several times about a former neighbor of mine.

She is a psychic medium.  She was new to the block. I waved and said hello when I walked by with Izzy.  Then one day, she ran across the street to where Izzy and I were walking and stopped me. She told me that my Dad was with me and said some things that I don't wish to share, but that only he could know.  I didn't even know her name at this point. My father had died just two months prior.

I thought she was nuts. She said, "Normally I wouldn't run up to someone, but this man was bugging me for days, he is persistent.  I hope you don't mind.

Now I did not mind it just was freaky to be standing on a corner with this woman who is telling me something my father has said, and he's dead.

I have to admit it made me laugh when she said he was persistent. No shit!

Oh boy, that walk was a trip. I couldn't stop thinking about it.  How the hell did she know this?  Has Rick spoken to her? 

I came home from my walk with the dog just as Rick was coming home from work.  I told him what happened. He said I have never talked to her, so no, I didn't tell her anything, nor would I. I don't know her.

Fast forward to having a block party, and I spoke to her, and we became friends. One time in her kitchen, she said to me, "There are so many people around you Peg.  It's all love and you're pretty damn lucky girl"

I just would laugh. 

But there were times I had to admit that things she told me freaked me out, only in the sense that it was spot on.

So imagine my feelings when she texted, "You okay?"

Me: Yep, I'm fine.

My friend: No, you're not. Want a free reading?  Wanna talk?

Me: No, this is your livelihood, and I am not going to be a freeloader.

My Friend: Girl, I will come down there and hit you.  I am asking you because I want to do this for you. 

So apparently, on this Sunday,I will be having a reading at 11am.

It should prove to be interesting if nothing else. 

Second thing I wanted to share.  

A comment was left about a reader's surname.  I loved the meaning. I kept thinking about it. I just thought it was a wonderful meaning.

My surname is not a good one. I never knew what it meant in English.

It was 40+years ago when I was a travel agent.

A priest came into the agency, and I smiled and welcomed him. 

He sat down at my desk, saw my nameplate, and got up. 

I asked if something was wrong. 

He asked, "Do you know what your name means?"

"No, I don't."

This priest told me it meant malice so he couldn't work with me and proceeded to move to another desk. (my boss's no less)

Joe, my boss, laughed it off. 

When the priest left, Joe said, "Now that was damn weird."

No shit, you'd think a priest would not hold my family name against me.

Ah, those crazy Catholics.

So nothing good with my surname except I like how it sounds.

Now, most people when they hear my surname, they would say things about my name. 

Actual words spoken by my husband in 1987 at our first meeting.

"Oh, you're Italian, you must be a good cook."

"Nope, I'm a good eater."

😁

I Can See Clearly Now...sort of

The procedure was a lot. I was there from noon to 5pm.

Pictures, walk to this area, get IV contrast pictures, wait over here, exams, send to the injection area.  OMG, this was a pain in the eye for sure.

Normally, I get my injections in the clinic where my exam is. But because this newer injection is a drug, not just a steroid, they make him do this in the hospital. Stupid rule.

But it was done. Pain was minimal. The pain is far worse the next two days.

As I sat in the injection waiting room, I noticed there wasn't a free seat open.

Next to me sat a woman and her husband. This woman was in a big ass panic.  He was trying to calm her, telling her it wasn't going to hurt. She said," But I'll see the needle coming at me" - and she went off. 

I so understood her. I felt that way too. After listening to him try to calm her and getting nowhere, I asked, "May I tell you about my injection?"

I said we could be having very different things, but when you told your husband that the doctor said it wouldn't hurt, you thought he was full of beans. She laughed and said, "How the hell does he know?"

I told her I asked my doctor when he had his injection, when he told me that BS.

She gasped. I said, "Oh, he laughed it was all good."

I explained why she wouldn't see a needle coming at her eye. I explained each step. I told her the worst pain is the needle to numb your eye. But if that bothers you, tell them to use the numbing drops.  I sometimes get both. Numb drops, wait for them to kick in, and then the injection numbing agent.

(They did that this time because it was supposed to be more painful)

This beautiful older woman is holding my hand and asking if I was lying that none of this hurt. I told her I wouldn't lie. But again reminded her that we may not have the same thing. She asked a lot of questions and I answered them all truthfully.  She thanked me and went to the restroom.

This woman's husband leaned over the chair and grabbed my hand, and thanked me.

He said she is so worried. I can see you helped her. And then he said, "it really won't hurt her?"   I said, "No, I've had over 6 of them now, she will be

fine."

 

I finally got called back for my injection.

While waiting for the numbing to take effect, the doctor and the nurse were discussing his new baby. He says he is not buying her lots of toys. Oh, listening to this conversation was funny for me. 

The nurse is telling him he'll cave.  He says, No, he wants her to read and do creative things.  He then asked me if I had a lot of toys. 

I said I did not.  Books, puzzles, and a Barbie.  Books were my favorite toy, so please let me read out of this eye so I can continue. He laughed.

Rick sat in the waiting room for all this time. He said it was payback for the months and hours I spent at the hospital for him. I guess that's fair. I felt bad having to make him sit there. I walked by him on my way to another room for more tests, and I waved and winked at him. I heard the woman next to him say, "Do you know her? "  

He told her, "No, she's just been flirting with me all morning."

I asked if he ever told her the truth. He said no, why would I?

I shake my head.

In the meantime, as I leave the injection area, I see the woman waiting who is so nervous. I walked over to her and said, "I know you'll be fine.  Deep breath and do each step as he tells you, so you don't see a thing!"

She thanked me again, and I went to find Rick.

After the numbing agents wore off at home, I was hurting, and I took 2 Tylenol and put a cloth over my eye, and sprawled out on the sofa. The following day was far worse. Head pounding, the ole eye had a pulse, and I accomplished very little on Tuesday!  I am far better today.  My eye is open wider, I can read and see. Yippee.  

The only negative so far is that I must begin taking Humira. 

Please do not tell me or share with me all the negatives of this drug. 

I've heard enough from people and I don't need to hear more.

I can't go through Chemo again, so we're going to try this. 

I can't listen to one more person telling me this is awful. I want to slap them when they do. I know none of this is fun. Healing can be difficult, but so many people tell you all these horror stories and then say, "Well, maybe it will work for you."  Gee thanks. Allow me to find out for myself, please.

Humira is tough to get through insurance. Without its $7,000.

I'd rather just die.

So the hospital has to work with my insurance to see what we can do.

I guess this drug needs a lot of approvals, shall we say. 

Great, it's expensive, and it's an injection I have to give to myself.  

I'm not sure about you, but I think that sounds like tons of fun, even without all the horror stories people like to share.

So that was the beginning of my fun week.

It's gorgeous out right now, and I need to go outside and do some things around the yard before the cold snap comes. 

I so love this weather. 71 yesterday with a cool breeze. 

I need this year-round. 

Try Again

Off to receive eye injection.

Hopefully nothing out of the ordinary takes place.

See you all soon. (See what I did there?)