Language at the Doctors Office

I called the hospital on the same day I made my appointment with this GI specialist. I asked for medical records to be sent to him. They said they could do all but films. Okay, then fax what you can.

 
I got to my appointment and no records!  He is not 100% sure this is diverticulitis. He wants to see my blood work, my records, etc. 

What a waste of a stressful drive there. For someone who needs a bathroom nearby every few minutes, this was a long drive so talk about stress! It took me 40 minutes to get there and that wasn't bad because I missed an exit and had to turn around. Normally that would have taken me far longer if the town wasn't deserted. Thankfully hardly any traffic due to the nightmare that is going on around these parts. I knew I had to get onto 395 and all signs kept telling me it was closed. But it was only closed into the district. Again, a big sigh of relief. I got there found a bathroom and then went to visit my doctor.

I got into the office and began the paperwork. I was done and now sitting in the area 7ft from anyone. 

A woman walks in and tries to sign (American sign language) the woman at the desk behind the glass at check-in. 

The woman behind the desk then said so loudly that everyone in the office could hear and we all looked up - She should just bring someone with her for petes sake! 

Well now, that got me to get up.

I believe I told you I took sign language classes but over 25 yrs ago. 

I remember very little. The woman behind the window wanted a name. 

Now normally they can read lips even if just a little but we are all wearing masks.

So I looked at the deaf woman and signed, "What is your name? My name is Margaret."  She got so excited. I pointed to the 2 Drs names and pointed to one then the other. She had me stop on the dr she was seeing. 

I told the bitch  woman behind the window her name and the doctor's name of who she was here to see. 

The woman behind the glass handed this woman her paperwork to fill out.

The deaf woman touched my coat for me to turn to view her and she said thank you. I smiled. As I was turning around the wench behind the counter said, "she still should have someone with her" in such a nasty tone! 

I said, "Well, maybe the office should have someone who can sign." 

I said it far nicer than I meant it and she shrugged and rolled her eyes at me. I know I'm a bitch too. 

It would not have been that difficult to write what she needs.

The office could have a paper that reads, please sign in and please give me your photo ID and insurance card, just for occasions like this. 

I am certain it happens more than once. 

When the deaf woman attempted to speak you could tell she was deaf. Honestly, I dislike people the more I have to be around them. There was no reason for that employee of the drs office to behave that way. I wrote on a piece of paper to the deaf woman that is all I know in sign. She laughed and sighed, it's okay thank you.  I at least understood that. 

When I got home I told Rick ole ASL (American sign language) came in handy, but I would have liked to have said some choice words to the woman behind the desk in Italian. Rick knew what I meant and laughed. He told me I should have she would never have known what you said to her. I said, "it'd be my luck that someone there knew all the bad words in Italian like me."

When I came out of the office and got my coat to leave my wasted appointment, the deaf woman was sitting in the lobby waiting to be called to go back. She waved to me and thanked me again. I waved back and signed you're very welcome....or I think I did. 😉 

Time to Leave

I'm doing okay but just can't post anything that is fun or funny.

It's scary shit here right now. My doctor's appointment was moved to this afternoon because everything and everyone is closing down and not wanting to be around tomorrow.  All of our company's appointments near the city have canceled. One man said he was taking his family far away for a few days. I don't blame him.

I read that a woman reported seeing something a bit fishy with boats bringing in jetskis and motorcycles so she called the FBI. For those of you who don't live here you don't ever see a jet skier on the Potomac. When we had our boat moored up here never once did I see that - ever in all those years. So now you can not walk or drive into the city from VA or MD. Hell you can't walk many places in DC now either. You also can not get on the Potomac River.

So I didn't even have to tell my nieces to not come to the inauguration. I had a feeling if I sat tight I wouldn't have to say a thing. Whew!

My first year of living here there was 9/11. I was in NYC on 9/10 but came home a day early because my doctor called and said they had a cancellation and could get me in on 9/11. I hopped the train and came home on the evening of the 10th. I am in the parking lot and I hear on the radio that a plane went into one of the towers. I called Rick as I walked from my car to the dr.'s office and said, that was not an accident. It is a clear blue sky. He said I am fearing that too. By the time I go into the gyno's office, they were all a buzz. I sit down and a woman screams the pentagon was bombed. (at that point that was what she thought had happened) Another woman begins to wail. She is very pregnant and she was yelling that her husband and brother work at the pentagon. It was a whirlwind. I leave and it takes me 2 hrs to get home.  Helicopters, police, men in flak jackets, and scary movie shit. 

I finally get home to see my husband sitting on the edge of his seat watching the news. All he says to me is, "I am so thankful you are home and not in Manhattan right now. Thank God for a yeast infection!"    The man can make me laugh even in dire moments like that.

In a matter of weeks, we were hit with a sniper in the area. We feared even getting gas for our vehicles since some had been shot down while filling their tanks. Then we had anthrax scares shortly thereafter and we didn't have mail for a while. 

All my first year of living here. 

Now the cult of trump and his lunatic minions

I think it's time we leave. 

Monday Morning.

Set Back

Just a tiny setback.

So I will finish my week with this meme because I just love it!

Enjoy your weekend everyone 😊 

Guess Where I Was?

I will warn you this is graphic. You may not wish to move forward. 

My car was in the shop for inspection on Tuesday so I was housebound all day.

On Tuesday I was not feeling great. But then in the afternoon, I began bleeding from all orvices from the waist down. I got scared. But I'm home with no car what do I do?  I called Rick, my hero. I got his ETA and thought I'd just wait. No calling an ambulance or asking a neighbor for help.

I had a feeling that if I went to urgent care or the hospital I'd end up there. So in the time I was waiting for Rick I got everything ready for him for work should I not return. It ended up being a smart move. 

But here is the funny part that ladies only will understand.
I had my uterus removed in 2000. 

Yes, I still have my cervix & ovaries just no uterus so no need for tampons and/or pads. 

I used to keep some in the house when we had guests and the last time such a thing was needed I showed her where and then never bought more. Ooops. 

So I called a neighbor who's age I was unsure of. Does she maybe have a pad until I can get to the hospital? HA, she was 55. She has one tampon but I said in this situation it was not something to use. She laughed and said, "paper towels" We had a good laugh about how pioneer women did it in the day.  

Yes, I used paper towels until Rick came home and he stopped and bought a box of pads. He made me laugh. He handed them to me and said, "romantic isn't it? don't say I never bring you anything!" 

Then we headed to the ER.  They admitted me.

Prior to getting there I kept saying what the hell will I say is the reason I'm here? I have blood in my urine? Rick told me to say that I am bleeding from all my orvices below my waist.  It made me laugh. I said I can't go in there and say that. He asked me why not that is what is going on besides your pain. True. But...it's weird. But I told them about my pain and bleeding and when she asked where I said what Rick told me to say. I was admitted to the back without any waiting immediately.

They did a CT scan with contrast and blood work. 

White cell count lower than it should be which told them an infection. 

I have an inflamed abdomen, all organs inflamed. My bowels were inflamed and hitting my bladder. The irritation was causing the bleeding. I also have diverticulitis. Sounds so simple but boy does this cause pain!

I was immediately given morphine and I didn't ask. Wowsa. I apparently took a selfie.  Now ya'll know me, I have only taken 1 or 2 selfies in my life.  But I did it while left alone in a room in the ER. I just shake my head at the thought.

What could be worse? I text the photo out. I look horrendous. I sent it to my mom and she got scared because the way I held the camera it made me look like I had these deep dark brown circles around my eyes. The lights were bright and overhead. You never take a picture with the lights at that angle but hey, I was flying high on morphine. I just knew for the first time in 5-6 months I was not in pain or sitting on a commode.

The doctors came in and told me they wanted to keep me overnight or 2 days depending on how quickly my numbers improved. I begged to go home. I asked the difference if I went home or stayed. God love this nice woman doctor. She laid out on the whiteboard in the room the pros and cons. Then they left to allow me to think about what I wanted to do. 

I was leaning towards leaving for financial reasons. But then I saw the word sepsis and decided to stay. 

The hospital was full and they weren't sure I'd even get a room. 

I was on a gurney in an ER room for 4 hours and then they sent me upstairs to a real room. You don't get any sleep in the hospital. I would get 10 or 20 minutes tops then someone was poking and prodding me.  

They told me the irritation was causing the bleeding and it would stop and it has slowed down and I can tell it will stop very soon. Whew. Oh, and add a UTI to the list. Apparently, the infection from my bowels hit my bladder. So I have some powerful drugs to kill these infections.

I have only had clear food, broth and/or jello. I am not jello's biggest fan. 

I want coffee but not allowed just yet. I have 10 days of meds and they say I will feel fine. I am following up with a GI specialist. I can begin to add some foods into my diet Friday. Even a scrambled egg would be swell. 

I am so friggin' hungry. I ate food on Monday and then Tuesday only a cup of chicken soup.  The food in the hospital is so awful. 

I don't eat a lot of processed foods so when I get them the taste of this being processed foods is so obvious. They gave me beef broth. It was not real. I don't know what it was. Even beef broth in a box that I use for cooking does not taste like this stuff.

The beef flavor was fake and strong there was so much salt I couldn't eat it.  It honestly just tasted like saltwater.

They gave me cherry jello in a cup and it was so sweet it was not edible to me. 

When the medical director came in to visit with me he asked why I wasn't eating. The full tray of food was in front of me. 

I said, "Would you like to try this beef broth, Dr. Reddy?"

He laughed and said no thank you I ate already. 

I said, "ah, c'mon you really should, don't be scared. It is so salty it is difficult to get down.  I did not use this spoon, please take a taste."

He was laughing but he did which shocked me!!  He then made a face. 

He asked if I added salt. I told him no, they didn't give me any condiments, this is just as I was given. You should try the jello it will hurt your teeth.

He opened it and tried it to my surprise. He said, "Oh my"

I told him that is why I am not eating this food if you don't mind. 

I'll be home soon right? I will eat real broth if that's okay. 

He was shocked.  He said he thought I was being picky and then apologized and told me he wouldn't eat it either, but I had to. As he put a hard candy in his mouth to remove the taste. I was thinking, geez and you are making me eat this slop?

I told him there was no need to apologize I understand why this is used. 

But you're letting me go today, aren't you? I can eat at home. He said I had to eat something to go home. (I hadn't eaten since lunch the previous day and it was only homemade chicken soup) 

So I ate that horrific broth so I could go home. I should have asked for a candy to get the taste removed as he used himself.

I know there is not a cook in the hospital but if they are going to serve processed fake food then get low sodium. This hospital is known for being a "heart hospital" That shit they served is not heart-healthy. This was so awful I wish I could have had a picture of the doctor's face after he tasted it. (he came back later to tell me this was going to be discussed and thanked me for letting him eat my breakfast) 

Remember those chocolate-covered peanuts that Rick loved and I discovered they were like crack? Well after I ate them I was really sick the next 24 hrs and now I understand why. I won't be eating peanuts anymore!

Before I left Dr Reddy came in to give me my walking papers. Again went over things with me. He even drew things on the white board in my room to show me what was happening and why I had the blood and what to expect in the next 9 days of medication. I should be fine but I have to follow up with a GI specialist again.

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I am also sick and tired of the hospital. I don't wish to see these people again. Nice as they are, I prefer to not see them.

Because nurses are in my room all damn night long and I'm awake I thought I'd chat. So chatty cathy asked them if they've had their vaccines. I asked about them having any side effects. They said no one at their hospital had any side effects so far. They asked me if I was planning on getting one. Of course, I told them, in unison they said, "good". I told them Rick was 1C so after this round with teachers etc he will be next. 

These techs and nurses who treat me are always so damn nice and kind. 

I can't say enough about them. I wish more spoke English because with a mask and an accent I was always saying can you look at me? I can't hear you or I didn't understand. At one point a nurse from another country originally was typing on the computer and had on a mask and a face shield and she was turned from me. I understood nothing. I was high on morphine and just laughed. She turned to me and I said I heard nothing with you not facing me. 

Thankfully she said, "it's hard with all this on my face and my accent isn't it?" 

I nodded and then she turned to face me and spoke. I got it all that time. She was the nurse with very cold hands. So I kept calling her Nurse Cold hands. (her name was Khadi) She was my first night's nurse. When she made me wear those damn sock/slipper things she grabbed them from me and put them on me like a child. I told her her hands were so cold and she said, "cold hands warm heart my dear" and winked at me. She was lovely. Betty was my morning nurse and while her hands were warm she too was lovely and a warm soul.

After I got my discharge papers I was told someone would bring me downstairs. I got dressed and sat in the chair in my room waiting for an orderly or whomever to bring me to the lobby. Betty came in and said I'm going to take you if that is okay. 

I did not care, I just wanted out. As we were going down the hall she told me seeing me sitting in the chair in clothes I looked completely different than in bed and in the hospital gown. I said is that good or bad? She said, Oh it's good. You look very good. I laughed and said very good is not true but I understand. You saw me come in excruciating pain and doubled over and then me in that big ole hospital gown and I'm looking sick. Now I've combed my hair and freshened up and put on clothes and I can see how you'd say that. But I did find it funny.

So there ya go - inflamed abdomen and infections. But on the mend. Dr told me that some people never have an issue again after treatment and some will have issues their whole life. With my luck, I know where I will fall.

I am not working today. I am taking it easy. The only good thing about this? 

I had my mind taken off trump and his shenanigans and the fear of the inauguration. 

Lesson Learned

I live in a big planned community. I believe the last census said there were 35,000 people living here. Ir feels like more.

 
This community is your typical Stepford community. I say Stepford in reference to the movie.  Everyone is the same. Blonde mommies in ponytails and leggings pushing strollers. "Karen's" abound. All drive the same car basically. A very entitled group of people.

This was an old farm. Toll Brothers bought the land and built the community.  

It is full of a few grocery stores, home depot, wine stores, restaurants, hallmark, ups, hair salons, bars...there is so much here you don't really need to leave. Sherwin Williams, gyms, 3 Starbucks, and the list goes on. We even have an enormous rec center. It is huge. 2 Olympic size pools, several floors of activities, a gym, classes, etc. 

Swimming pools, tennis courts, skateboard park etc.

When I moved here none of that existed. I moved because it was close to the airport (Dulles) and because we both flew all week long. Convenience. Besides we thought we'd only be here for 3 years. HA.

Now because I have a dog I meet a lot of folks I would otherwise never see or speak with. And if my husband wasn't with me on a walk I would never speak to any of them aside from a smile, a quick hello and a wave. 

But Mr. Congenality must talk to all dogs and people. It's a sickness he has. 

Because of him, I met a very nice family several years ago. 

Let's call this family the Coopers. 

They are a very typical American Family. Mom, Dad, daughter, son and lest not forget Shadow the dog. Since we can't go anywhere in the last 10 months or so I see various family members walking the dog. It used to just be Mom during the day and dad at night. Now it's teenagers. 

Their young boy had to have grown a foot in the last year. He is struggling with home school learning and he tells me why and how they could make it better, I, too know that I couldn't do home school learning. I am glad I didn't have to.  He told me he wrote to his teacher and made a suggestion. She thought it was good but the school wouldn't go for it. I told him to keep speaking up, quiet gets you nowhere.

No one ever changed things being quiet.  Continue to be polite but be strong and speak your mind. So sometimes he writes what he wants to say and comes by and asks my opinion. It's cute. He asked me what I meant by reading the room one day. So we have these types of discussions about my former life as a contract negotiator and sr. sales rep. He told me that info would be good in playing poker after I told him a story about how I read this man to get what I needed in the contract. So he is always asking questions. He hates to read I found out. But he will ask away man. Some days I tell him I have to go back to work, if he wants to stop by after work that is okay. He always puts his head down and says, No that's okay I'll see you later and leaves.  The kid is thirsty for knowledge of any kind and yet his school is failing him. 

I have not been around 16 and 17 yr old boys since I was 16 and 17. They are interesting little nuts. Because I did not have children I find it all fascinating. Parents are used to it I suppose. Sometimes I am surprised at his depth of maturity and then others well, the cutie is turning 17. 

He is a baseball player at school hoping for a scholarship to college. He wants to be a major league ballplayer. This pandemic he tells me is ruining his future. I told him I understand it is slowing it down or hindering you right now but if you're good they will still want you. Besides not much happening right now with minor leagues so probably best to hold tight and keep doing what you're doing. 

So after that baseball conversation, he comes by a few times a week at lunchtime. 

He knows I am outside of my home with Izzy from 12 - 1p.  He came over to me and Izzy late last week to discuss MLB Hall of Fame votes. 

Now I have to tell you I just love this kid. He sincerely asks me questions wanting to know what I think. I try to turn things around for him to give me his opinion. 

Sometimes I agree and just play devil's advocate which he has caught on to and teases me. I tease back and say, look how long it took you to figure it out.  

We have had such nice discussions. He and I disagree a great deal about the Hall of Fame Vote going on now in baseball.  I never knew that in football you can be charged with rape, be a wife-beater, rob a liquor store, but if your stats are great you can be in the hall of fame. In baseball, the rules state you must behave a certain way on and off the field. Period. Hence why so far Pete Rose is not in the HOFame.

He and I both watched the same show on MLB Network talking about these differences. All the young people on the program think it shouldn't matter what they do off the field, just stats on the field. 

Of course, we elders think it should damn well matter. 

He fell in line with his age group as did I. I understood to a point about what he said but it just doesn't sit right with me I told him. But it's all nice conversation, no arguing or anything like the GOP for heaven's sake. 

Then last night on Izzy's final walk this young man's father, saw us and waved. 

He was walking towards Izzy and me. When he got close enough to hear one another he stopped. He wanted to thank me for talking about life and baseball with his son. He said I was afraid to ask how this started but he tells me about your onversations and the last one of the Hall of Fame is eating at him to the point he is asking his sister, his mom and me what we think. I think he is seeing the holes in his argument. (apparently, the rest of his family agrees with me)

I laughed and told Dad that his son is a delight and we both enjoy our lunches when we have them together. I mentioned to Dad that it all started when he told Rick that his son was becoming a chef. You said because you and your wife don't cook and he's watching the food network to learn so he can eat.  I asked your son about what he was cooking. That started our lunchtime conversations. (after lockdown this started in late march)

"Yes, yes," His Dad said, " he told me that I forgot."

I also told him that he should have a food truck because I am certain there are many families like yours who used to eat out 4-5 days a week and now can't. We need food trucks in this development. Talk about a captive audience. I can't be the only person who has thought of this. Your restaurant is doing badly since you can't be open, but you can have a food truck. So I'd do all I could if that was my line of work, get a PPP loan and buy the truck and start coming to developments on certain days of the week. Loudoun County is nothing but captive planned communities.    

I still can't believe it's not been done and no one has thought of it. 

Dad said, "OMG was that you who told him that?"

"that was me why?"
He went on to explain that his son came home and told us about that idea but I didn't know who he was talking to. Then he wrote to the HOA and suggested they do that. Did you know they are finally starting this food truck business this week? 
"No, I did not. OMG that little shit, tell him I want a commission on the lead. "

"So when does it start? "

"It started on Monday."

 I looked at Rick and said I'm cooking tonight and I'll even go pick it up "

Glad to know my idea wasn't stupid. I am also glad to hear from his Dad that he enjoys his conversations with this old lady. He is a cute kid and a nice young man. He just turned 17 sometime this month and is a junior and he has to be 6'1 and oooh so skinny. According to his mom and dad, he eats them out of house and home. I lived with 4 sisters, not a lot of eating going on when we were teens. 

I am not the biggest fan of planned communities like this. In fact, I would never ever live in one again but I must admit I've met a few really nice people like this young man and his family. To think I'd have just waved if it weren't for Rick. Lesson learned.

But Will It Last?

I have 3 seeded light pendants that hang above my kitchen island. 

They get so dirty so quickly. I normally climb up on top of the island and clean them. Soap and water and sometimes just Windex

But since I had energy one-day last week I decided to take them down and soak them in some dawn dishwater and then dry them and have Rick put them back up. Note how I did that. :-)  

Yes, I can stand on the island but I feel it's unsafe so I would prefer Rick put them back since he can stand on the floor and reach them.

My God, I am glad I cleaned them. They look far better than just wiping them down with a soapy dishcloth and or Windex. I kept staring at them last night and saying, OMG they look so clear. So now I have made more work for myself because anything less than this will look awful now to me. Damn it. No good comes from this cleaning shit.  Rick even said, "My we thought they were clean before, guess we were very wrong! They look so clear!"

I feel like Erma Bombeck. Remember how she would talk about her kids making a mess etc. I feel that way and I don't have kids. My husband is actually like having 3 kids. Rick has always been my partner. He has never been a husband of the 60s who thought it was my job to care for him. 

He lived alone for years he can take care of himself and we all know he cooks far better than most women I know.  His apartment was always neat and tidy and cute. Clean? Not so much. I could have made penicillin from his inside shower curtain liner. Which I immediately threw away after staying there one time. I went to the store and said, this one goes on the inside, see how it is clear? That is what it should look like always! If not, get a new one! (or wash it). 

But ever since he went from white collar to blue collar he has slowly changed.  I have seen the progression. I mention the things I am about to tell you a lot. But then I feel like I"m nagging and I shouldn't have to do that. I am not his mother nor do I wish to be. So it was time for the talk.

We had to have a come to Jesus meeting the other night.

Look I know he is slaying dragons but so am I just in a different way and doing it while very ill. So when I started this I told him to hear me out, listen to all of it before jumping in, and don't you dare tell me you are so tired because you work hard. 

I do too and since I do most everything inside these walls I am just asking for you not to make more work for me or to clean up after yourself. 

You know "adulting"  He moaned when I said that word. 

I said when you came home you opened your Rx bags and took out the pills bottles and left the bags on the island. You put your pills in another pile instead of your box of pills. You got cereal the other morning and left the cereal on the island instead of putting it back. (I am pointing to these as if I am Vanna White) No, you don't get points for putting the milk away! You brought in the mail and opened what interested only you and left the opened envelopes just sit on the island in a pile. You declared it was garbage, yet you didn't throw it away you just left it there on the island.

You finished the crackers and left the box on the island when the garbage was right behind you. You brought in a package for the dog that was delivered. You knew it was her medication but instead of opening it, you left it for me to open and threw it on another pile on the island. You come home and you dump all your work shit on the island. He began to laugh and started to say something - I put my finger up and waved it and said, "No you don't get to talk yet"

I let it go on for 6 days of you leaving your shit around and me not touching a thing. Can you even see the top of the island  -- go ahead look.  He smiles. He says, "No I don't see the island.'

You walk the dog and you throw your coat on the dining room chair. THE DINING ROOM CHAIRS. The closet is closer. HANG IT UP. 

I spend a good portion of my day picking up after you. You may not care that the house is a mess but I do. You don't like it when I go to your garage and touch a thing. Heaven forbid things be out of place. If I go out there for the packing tape I am quizzed about where I put it, etc. I respect that and I wish you would about our home inside. You have a way you like your closet. (we each have a walk in of our own thank heavens)

I respect that and put things back as you like them after I do the laundry. So I would like you to do the same. 

I am not your mother and I don't want to have to remind you to be an adult and pick up after yourself. Leaving it lay around a day or two is fine but you'd leave it there until we'd have to dig our way out of the kitchen or we're on Hoarders, whichever comes first.

Now you may talk and don't you dare laugh Richard.

He began with, "I laugh because I see it through your eyes at this moment for some reason I never have before and I am doing that a lot aren't I? (ya think?)  I'm sorry I will be more aware of this I promise."

I wanted to say, No you won't, but refrained. Give the guy a break and see if he does revert back to my Rick of old. 

In the meantime, we both picked up his mess and by God, he's been good for a couple of days. He actually hung up his coat, threw away the coffee pod instead of leaving it by the coffee maker. (again the garbage can is next to this!) How long this will last is anyone guest. I also reminded him of a roommate he had that did that and it drove him nuts and now he's doing it to me. 

He told me that was his plan, to drive me crazy. Well buddy it's working!

I don't expect Rick to care the same way I do. I just wish that he did not make more work for me. If we had kids and they did this he'd be telling them to not leave their mess for their mother....yet he does the same.

I think he sees it now. Only time will tell. But boy oh boy, he made dinner Saturday night. He made breakfast Sunday. But here's the part that was different. He cleaned up after himself. 

As I told him I cook for you all the time AND I do the dishes. All I'm asking is you put things away. I'll do the dishes.

Normally if he is making his awesome hashbrowns there will be peppers and onions in them. The core of those will remain on the cutting board, not in the garbage. The potatoes peelings will just sit there too. But this time he threw them all away. Did he actually clean up? Heaven's no. He is blind to the mess he makes. BUT all food scraps were thrown away, all items that belonged in the fridge went back into the fridge and he put dirty dishes in the sink or ....wait for it....the dishwasher!  Eureka!  I can live with that. 

Today is a new week. We will see how this plays out. 

How come he did all this the first 25 years and has slowly gotten off track the last 8 years he has gotten really bad.  I told him I spoil him. He laughs but knows it's true. 

BTW on Saturday as I was folding clothes in our master bedroom I see him walk into the master bath with the stuff to clean the toilet. I asked what he was doing. He came to the doorway and he held up the toilet scrubber and said, "Guess!" 

I laughed and said, "I see you are planning to clean the toilets but why?"

"Don't you do this on Saturdays?"

"Yes, I do."

"Okay, I am doing it today for you in all 3 bathrooms."

"Thank you." (it was said a bit suspiciously)

He also cleaned the master shower walls and shower pan. Yee-haa

As I am putting away the folded clothes I hear him whistling as he cleans the toilet. I have never once sung or whistled while cleaning the toilets!

I don't know what virus he has caught but I'm not knocking it.

I got a lot done on Friday and Saturday. He did almost half of everything and it was great. 

Anyone taking bets on how long this shall last? 2 weeks tops!

Friday and Done

It's like I'm wearing a black armband. The death of my country as I know it.

I see so much misinformation online in blogs and feeds. I do wish to say so that people understand, the mayor of DC asked for the National Guard the day before the riots. She knew what was coming down. She was refused. (trump) She has news conferences at my lunchtime daily and I watch them. The mayor is one cool woman, but then you'd have to be a calming presence during all this chaos.

I'm hearing that "they" are hearing rumblings that the proud boys/kkk/racists are coming back for the inauguration. Lord help us.

The Maryland (republican) Governor, Hogan, held a press conference yesterday. I don't live in MD but everything I see this guy do I keep asking myself, he's a republican? He seems so sane.  You need to read this.
And a side note. Because I live in the DMV (District, Maryland, and Virginia) 

I always see Gov.Hogan from Maryland on TV commercials. I love the one where he talks about covid, the transference of covid to one another and at the end, he says, "Just wear the damn mask" with such exasperation that the first time I heard it I thought I imagined it.  Then I saw it a 2nd time with Rick in the room and he looked at me and said, "did he just say to just wear the damn mask?"  Yes, he did, good for him. Rick said yeah, that's how we should be talking to the idiots who don't wear them. I do not live in MD so I can't say anything about how he governs but I do think he appears to be normal and not very republican.  Or shall I say, how republicans used to be long ago? 

I'm off to not deal with reality. 
For the first time in 6 months, I am feeling pretty darn good today. I don't know why but I'm not looking this gift horse in the mouth. I am going to do some things I haven't had energy for in a while. Heaven knows my house needs a good cleaning so while business is slow I may do some housework. And do you know what is sad about that? I've been so sick and unable to do housework that I am looking forward to it. Jeez, that is very sick and twisted indeed!

Last thing.  For those who may not know, Pete Sousa was the WH photographer for Reagan and Obama. He does great work and I follow him on Instagram. This was a post of his I believe yesterday. Read this young woman's story. How scary!

Okay now that you are done reading this - Try to stay away from the internet, tv news and social media it will make for a far better mental health weekend. 💓

Not Proud Today

 I had to turn it off it was too much.

I am not proud to be American, I am embarrassed for America.

Tues night we saw on the local news that the mayor wanted to get the National Guard involved before this all came down. Trump said no can do. 

So the capitol police were calling area police to come help. My neighbor being one of those from Fairfax county. I saw his wife on a dog walk last night. She was a wreck. He did call when an officer was down to let her know it wasn't him and then hung up. She knew nothing more than that and was scared and worried. We felt so badly for her as we turned and walked home. Still shocked that this is what has become of our country. Yet not. No longer number 1 in anything other than violence and stupidity. (and yes those followers are not in mensa) Oh yea, wait let us not forget we are number 1 in Covid because of not having a leader with a plan or a leader who actually admits to destroying the plan in place.

The photos of the redneck with their guns and confederate flag breaking windows and damaging the capitol and senators' offices are repulsive. 

His people. Uneducated rednecks.

I hear twitter turned him off for 24 hrs. How about forever. Once he is no longer in office I think they can do that to him.

I just know for certain had any of these rednecks been black people this would have ended far differently. I know for certain had these rednecks not been white the death toll would be staggering. Peaceful protests of BLM and he was in his bunker. This one he incites via twitter telling them to storm the capitol, keep it up boys. 

How fucking sickening is that?

And once again it proves my theory that they don't love what he's done for them. Because he has done nothing while in office but incite and anger those around the world. No, they like him because he hates the same people as the rednecks do.

That is what he has done for them. They came out from under their rocks to find a club of 1 fat orange man. How's that wall goin'? How can these people be proud? Is it because they lack brain cells? Is it because they are so racist they can't see truth? Is it because they are low hanging fruit and they feel now to belong because they have a leader just like them?  Yea, I too think it's the latter.

I saw the thugs spraying pepper spray on officers, breaking windows of the capitol building which you and I will pay to have repaired. I saw the asshole sitting at a senators desk proudly destroying things in the office. This does what exactly? Had he been a black man smugly sitting there as he was he would have been shot instantly. No questions asked. 

I am not proud to be American. 

It is no longer a blanket statement that I can make. Americans did this to us. Americans voted this asshole in. A man with a 5th-grade vocabulary, who is a bully, is not the sharpest pencil in the box and someone who has never done anything in his life that constitutes work for the betterment of anyone but himself. He is a racist bully. That is what we can call him that is 100% accurate. 

When this is taught in history classes he will be the big fat black mark on our country right up there with the civil war. 

NOW, THIS IS MY AMERICA BELOW.

Hump Day Memes

I got nothin' today so just look at some pictures.

This is how I stare at my human mom until I get what I want. I do it for hours. Well, she thinks so because I make her feel like it's hours but usually she gives up after 30 minutes. I can hold out.

This wasn't just the 80s. :-)

Boy, is this ever accurate.

2021 Doggy Days

When I was growing up having sauerkraut and pork was always a good luck meal for the new year. I find it funny that my family did this because my whole childhood is nothing but Italian food. This was not. So I was always looking forward to the pork roast and the mash potatoes and sauerkraut. Rick and I are those people who love sauerkraut. 

Last year when I asked Rick if he wanted that for New Years Day he laughed and said I don't think it matters. 

This year he told me at Xmas that we might want to have sauerkraut since we didn't last year and 2020 was a shit storm. 

That made me chuckle because he was correct.

So we put a pork roast and sauerkraut into a crockpot in the morning. 

Like us not eating that is what made our democracy go soaring down the toilet or what made covid. But we played the luck game like it mattered even though we knew it did not. The meal was yummy and the mashed potatoes were the winner.

We were very lazy all weekend. 

Well, let me rephrase that. I was lazy all weekend.

Rick did work half a day on Saturday. 

Izzy and I chilled at home. Izzy and I have an agreement, she will tolerate and love me if Rick is not home. When he gets home I become invisible except when it's time to eat and she must stare at me for 30 minutes straight before dinner. 

Iz and I had some good walks, she was furminated and she napped. 

Nice afternoon for her. But when he walked in she ran over my foot and I about fell to get to him and from then on I no longer have a dog.  

My crazy dog Izzy LOVES to ride in cars as I have shared before with you.

Going to our lake house was a 4 hr drive. She was fine. We stopped just past the 2 hr mark each time for this little area with a porta-potty and grass for the dog. Then back in the car and she is sound asleep. She has been like this since she was a puppy. Never wants her head out the window. But for some reason, a car ride is just the best to her. 

Rick began taking her places like Home Depot and Lowes when she was younger so she has that down. They spoil her at Home Depot. They know her name at the local one and one of the cashiers always yells to us to come to her line, I've got treats. Makes us smile that they are so nice to her. 

But a year ago I had to run to the post office and UPS on my lunch break. I grabbed my keys and she ran to the door. I told her she had to stay and as I held her back and closed the door. Oh, those sad puppy eyes. 

I get in the car and realize I have to pee. Damn if I go back in she will try to come out. Can I hold it? I actually sat and thought about it and realized I had to go back in. Damn it why didn't this hit me before I was leaving?

I get inside and Izzy is sitting at the door.  I use the restroom and she is still at the door. Getting out is going to be hell. Finally, after pushing her back a couple of times I let her go. She runs out to the car and sits by the back door.  Shit, she is going with me. 

Off to the post office and UPS, we go. It is not hot out so she can stay in the car. I open the sunroof so she has air (it was in the low 60s)  I get out and talk to her as if she understands me and tell her I'll be right back. She lifts her head and then puts it back down and goes back to sleep. When I get back to the car she lifts her head, I pat her head, and back down she goes. 

But NOW every time I grabbed keys or my purse she thinks this means we're going for a ride. And guess what this weak woman does? Brings her. The other day we went to pick up Rx's at the drive-through at Walgreens, we went to pick up 3 items at the grocery store, then we headed off to the mail stop in the development next door to get a box for shipping. She snored through it all. 

I do not understand why this is fun to her.  

It's not like she's getting out to go shopping. Funny little dog. 

That brings me to Saturday. I picked up Rick's 2nd set of keys off the kitchen island. I was going to put them in the bowl by the front door where they belong. But Izzy saw me grab keys, saw me going to the foyer and she jumped off her bed and ran to the door almost plowing me down. I said to her that we were not going anywhere but that was not understood in doggy ears.  She stood there wagging her tail like crazy waiting for me to open the door. I walked away and into the kitchen and she sat by the door just waiting. I called her to come into the kitchen. I knew I could get her there with food but she needs to lose weight (don't we all?) so no food and she wouldn't come. Stubborn as hell like her human father.

She sat at the front door for over 30 minutes.

I sat down to read a magazine that came in the mail. She then did her very low growl and looks away. She looks away because she knows she isn't to do it and that makes me laugh every time. That is also why you can barely hear the growl. She knows she is not supposed to do it. It's like she is a teenager and muttering under her breath at me and I have to say it does make me laugh.

She growled a 2nd time. I yelled at her. She came back to the chair where I was sitting, sat in front of me, stared at me and then did that low growl and then gave me that sad puppy face. FINE! I got up and we went for a ride. I had nowhere to go. I had nothing to do out here I am friggin' driving around so my dog can chill in the back seat and be happy. 

WTH has happened to me?

I ended up going to a drive-through Starbucks for a peppermint mocha. 

Okay, at least I can get a treat.

I drove around for 35 minutes. All while she snores. When I came back home she did not wish to get out of the car. Then I remembered that Rick told me if you kiss the top of her head she will get out. I laughed at him. 

But what did I do? I kissed the top of her head and said, "Okay we're home now." And viola, like that she was out of the car. How the hell did he discover this little ditty? A kiss on the head?  Dare I ask him?

When Rick got home I told him what I had to do. When he was done laughing hysterically at me he said, "the kiss worked didn't it?" 

Yes, but how the hell did you discover this? 

I think I'm afraid to find out to be truthful.

He said every day at the pond when they go swimming she jumps out of the car, but when we're home she never wants to get out of the car so I kissed her one day and she jumped out. I was drying her off with the sham wow and I was around her head and then I just kissed her. It worked. 

Then one day at the park I was sitting on a log and I got up and said, "c'mon Izzy. She didn't budge (she always listens or does things on the very first command for him.)  I went over to her and rubbed her ear area and kissed her head and said, "c'mon Izzy" and she came and we do this each and every time now. OMG Richard! This dog has us so friggin' trained what is wrong with us? 

Have you tried to leave without doing that? He said, only once and I went back and kissed her head, and then she came. 

Oh, this is all kinds of wrong mister!

Somehow, somewhere this damn dog is writing a blog telling other smart dogs how to train their humans to get everything they want.  I just know it!

Happy New Year.

Every year we do a little something for ourselves on NYEve. We have a nice meal either out or at home. We go somewhere fun that we enjoy. 

On our 15th we went back to the Caribbean to celebrate.

In the last few years, it's just been home, our favorite place until they wouldn't let us leave it. 😃

We get dressed up when dining out and sometimes a bit dressier than normal when eating at home. Nothing big just a little somethin' somethin' to acknowledge we made it another year with working together and not killing one another. 

One year Rick made the best meal. We had decided to stay home and he said he wanted to cook for me. I said, "have at it, big boy!"

He said he wanted to do it all. Okay, I'll let you. Happy Anniversary to me. 

He did these awesome thick ribeye steaks in a cast-iron skillet with butter and thyme (or was it rosemary I don't recall now)  and garlic and he basted those bad boys. Oh my were they ever good! Restaurant good!! He made himself a mushroom wine gravy to put over his steak (I hate mushrooms, like the flavor but biting them is gross to me) 

He also made twice baked potatoes with real bacon bits and a really bad salad. 

He can make all this stuff and never read a recipe but throwing together a salad is not for him. We laugh about it a lot because he is that bad. And for heaven's sake, it's a salad. It shouldn't be that difficult but apparently, it is for him.

He also made creme brulee for dessert.  My favorite gf dessert. 

I told him if he was doing all of this I'd do clean up. I didn't really have to say I'd do it because he doesn't clean up. I would do it any way but I made the gesture for points...tee hee.  We had wine and toasted our anniversary and wished we were on the island where we got married. We wish that daily to be honest with you.

This year we decided to make it covid style because what choice do we have?

I wasn't sure what we were doing for our dinner yet but I knew we were staying home because of all the cooties out there in the world.  At home wearing our covid wear. (consists of cuddle duds fleece pants and a sweatshirt....do I look pretty?)

He proclaimed a few days ago that he wasn't in the mood for anything heavy to eat. 

So I said, "why do we have to do anything at all? I mean, of course, I will celebrate our anniversary but why must we have a big meal? Hasn't Covid done enough to us in that arena? For heaven's sake, we can't always wear sweat pants." 

"Sure we can," was his response. 

"No, life will come back and we must wear real pants and skirts and I need to walk not waddle."

He literally made the sound, 'Pfft' to me after I said that.

Apparently, he thought about this meal for a day or two and announced last night that he loves nachos. I laughed and said, "Is this news?" 

"No, but I'm thinking I love nachos, chicken, or beef. Why not have nachos for our anniversary? I love your nachos" ("your" means you are cooking)

Pretending I was sad about this I asked, "What about replicating our wedding dinner? I know you could do that."  

Yes, I am a ball buster! I couldn't care less but I had to rag on him to think I did.  Knowing full well he would not remember what he ate (lobster) or what I had (jerk pork) I kept a serious face to watch him panic. 

I could see his wheels turning that Rolodex in his head....dear lord help me I don't remember what the hell we ate. 

Finally, I couldn't take it any longer, he was in a full-blown anxiety thing in front of me and I laughed and said, "Babe, I'm joking, you can exhale now!"

Whew. Then he hit my arm and said, "paybacks babe, paybacks." Oh oh!!

We are of course eating at home. Surprise!  We will not be dressing in our finery, but our fine covid comfy clothes. You know the sweatshirt with no stains, Rick.

We will not be having a fancy dinner. We decided to have chicken nacho's for dinner with our favorite beverage. Easy Peasy. We will dance in our kitchen as we tend to do and I am certain we will be fast asleep long before the ball drops. 

Side note, I asked Rick, "do you think we could stay awake to see the ball drop?"

He responded, "What is so great about the ball dropping anyway, mine have dropped I don't make a big production out of it." 

Now that in itself is not funny, but at that moment he made me laugh so hard that I snorted and that made us laugh all the more.

Who says you must celebrate fancy? Besides my nice clothes are a bit snug so there is that. I like to be able to wear my clothes and breath in and out. I know I'm such a picky wench aren't I? So nacho's it shall be. We had a weird covid Xmas, Dreadful year and why make it any different for New Years' right? Neither of us is sick with this dreadful virus so we have 2 things to celebrate. Make that 3 - the renter in the WH will be vacated in 3 weeks.

Happy New Year to you all !! 

I know it will take a few years to get out from under the mess that the last 4 years created but here is to a far brighter 2021! 🤞🤞🤞

I wish you all a healthy and happier New Year!

Limes, Cheesecake and Donuts.

When I was hired in 1987 to my career goal of a job I had to live 6 weeks in Houston. It was for training classes before I got dropped into my territory which was in Cleveland Ohio. 

I was living as far north in PA as one could be unless you swam across the lake to Canada so I was used to the cold. What I thought was hot and humid had nothing on Houston. I learned hot and humid before I ever lived here. Houston has it in spades! It was so thick and difficult for me at that time. I was not used to being unable to breathe in that heat and oppressive humidity when I hit the outdoors. Now I live in that same kind of weather and find it funny that I have somewhat adjusted. Somewhat.

I also never saw such huge insects. And they were everywhere it seemed.  

Houston also taught me great tex mex food. Where have you been all my life was my thought at the time? I ate tex mex as often as I could while living there. All I had ever had at that time was Chi-Chi's and that isn't real Mexican food. But what did I know, I was from a small northern city with no Mexican food except one chain restaurant at that time.

I got my job, packed my things...oh who am I kidding, the company packed my things and off to Ohio they went into storage. I went to Texas with a couple of suitcases of clothes for the next 6 weeks.

This part of the story was in a snippet of a post from 2012 so you may or may not recall it. 

I flew into Houston late. There was" weather" as they say in Cleveland causing this delay. Imagine that.

I arrived at the hotel and checked in. It was 8pm and I was just exhausted, it was a very long day. I was to arrive at 4pm. A table was set up in the lobby by check-in to pick up your week's itinerary, books, lanyard with your ID, etc. I was told my "roommate" was already there. They shared her name with me, Deb, From Syracuse NY. 

I absolutely hated that they made us adults share a room with a co-worker. I may have just turned 30 but I was an adult!  I just loathed it. I asked if I could pay for my own room but it was forbidden. Thankfully 2 years later that rule was tossed out the window! We all bitched a fit about it so much that HR made the change. We got our own rooms during all business travel with the company or training or conferences etc.

After the long check-in process, I grabbed my key, my books, and binders and headed to my room. I couldn't wait to get out of these clothes and wash my face.

Now we all flew for free because we were considered airline employees even though we worked for the airline-owned GDS (global distribution system) which is just a fancier word for computer systems. So having the perk to fly free meant I had to be in business clothes to fly, skirt, hosiery, heels, jacket or blouse or both etc. I just wanted out of these clothes that felt cumbersome after a long day of delays and airport "crap"! Yes, crap is the technical term.

I got to my room and there sat a cute blonde thing sitting on her bed in her pj's.

We shook hands and introduced ourselves. I told her I just had to wash my face and get out of these clothes.  I proceeded to do just that. She was talking the whole time I was in the bathroom getting changed and removing the travel grim from my face.

I came out of the bathroom wearing a long T-shirt almost to my knees & my underwear. 

She looked at me, sighed heavily, and said, "I hate that I always get roommates with big fuckin' tits!"

Okay, that caught me off guard and I turned to look at her smiling on the bed as she points to her flat chest. I laughed like a nut. I knew right then we were going to be friends. I was shocked she just said it but I loved her for it. Then she says, let's go downstairs for a few beers. I had just washed all my makeup off and had my long hair on the top of my head like Pebbles from Flinstones. 

But I said, "Sure why not!"

I was living in this hotel I am sure they will see me like this a lot over 6 weeks. But first, let me put pants on. We laughed and went downstairs.

We went downstairs and bellied up to the bar and drank quite a few beers and ate some great spicy popcorn and got to know one another. We have been friends ever since. Two years later in 1989, she bought herself a big ole pair of boobies.  So now someone can say to her what she said to me. 

Our training was now complete and she was off to Liverpool NY and I was off to Cleveland Ohio. We were all part of the same eastern team so we saw one another a lot. And because we could fly free we could see each other a great deal.

She was working from her hometown. I was not. So my trip home was to a new apartment with none of my things. All my things were in storage on the moving van somewhere, hopefully, Ohio.

I arrive back in Cleveland with a new friend and the same damn clothes I've been wearing for 6 weeks. Once again my flight was delayed. I assume that happens because I just wanted to be home. It'd been a long 6 weeks. I just want to be alone in my apartment. No co-workers. No hotel food. Even though I know my apartment is empty it just was better than hotel living.

I get into my apartment and there is no furniture and it seems so big and empty. There is nothing but a phone. No cells at this time in 1987.  

I immediately decided to go to the store. I buy some quick type food that I don't have to cook since I have no pots and pans. Lean Cuisines I could put in the oven, 2 towels, and plastic utensils then head to the liquor store for my beloved Tanqueray Gin. I buy gin, tonic, and limes. 

BUT as I walked out of the liquor store a man bumped me and spun me around and I dropped my bottle of gin on the ground and it shattered of course broke. $34 everywhere. I was so pissed. The guy never even looked at me or apologized, just kept walking like he didn't just plow me over. I was still in the doorway. I turned around and the first thing the cashier said was, "You have to buy another, it is not replaceable. We will clean this up."

Great, so I bought another bottle. It was not a good day!  It didn't seem like it wanted to get any better either and it was only 6 or 7pm. 

I get home and unpack the few groceries I bought. I had a freezer so I bought a couple pints of Ben & Jerry's because a pint of ice cream is a great dinner. I put the 2 towels in the bathroom. I then made myself a gin and tonic. I go to cut the limes and I realize I only have plastic utensils. I knew it wouldn't work but dumb ole Margaret had to try cutting the lime with my plastic knife. It didn't do anything more than break my knife. Just then my phone rings. Who would be calling me was my first thought. I just got here. Must be my mom but she's rather cheap and it is long distance. (remember long distance?) Probably a wrong number.

It was Rick. How was your flight? Hows the apartment? When do your things arrive?  I gave him all his answers. Then I whined. I have no knives to cut my lime. I can't have gin without lime. Most times I just drink gin with a lime, no tonic or added anything but it needs it even more with tonic. Rick busted my chops about being such a brat about not having a lime and whining about it. He told me to knock on doors if I wanted it that badly. I couldn't do that I just moved here I tell him and don't know anyone. Hey, I need my fix of gin with lime can you cut my lime up for me or let me borrow a knife? I told him I'd rough it out until I at least see one of them in the lobby or meet them somehow. By age 35 that would not have bothered me one bit!

He said he had to run, he had things to do. I said, okay I understood, leave me here to sit on the floor eating alone and having a drink with no limes. See how you are?

90 minutes later there was a knock on my door? It had to be a neighbor was my thought because who else could come into the bldg without buzzing me. Ooh, maybe I can then ask for a knife.  I didn't care who it was I was in an empty apartment in a new city alone. I welcomed the company. I open the door and Rick was standing there with a knife and another lime. He said, "I heard you needed a knife." I was so thrilled to see someone. He also brought a tiny 8 inch tv for me to have until my things showed up. That 8 inch TV was a godsend for a couple of nights alone. He left me the knife too. 😏

That ended up being a better night than I thought it was going to be that is for certain. After cutting the lime and having another drink we sat and chatted about my training, my new title, and job, the new girl I just met, when my things will be arriving, etc. He said where are you sleeping until your things arrive? On the floor. But it's only for 2 nights. No blankets. Nope on a truck. I have my raincoat to throw over me.  He said, "c'mon we're going to buy you some pillows and blankets." I don't even recall the store but we went in and got pillows and blankets so I had something until the truck arrived with my things.  He grabbed two pillows and I said, "I only need one until my things arrive."  He said I am not driving back to PA tonight so I need one too. Okay then.

Remember we were just friends at this point so he stayed and we both slept on the floor with each of our own new blankets. Since I had no pans to make an egg or anything else in the morning he took me out to breakfast before he left. Then he headed back to Pennsylvania. 

Rick and I talked every day after work. If I made the mistake of saying, Man, I am craving cheesecake. He would show up with a cheesecake. 

He buzzed me to let him in the bldg and said, "Hey you busy?"  Instead of answering him, I recall saying, "what the hell are you doing here?" He told me to buzz him upstairs. I did but he didn't say he was coming.

He got to my door holding the cake with two forks and said, "I just hate to eat cheesecake alone." 

I quickly grabbed the cake from his hands and said, "I don't!" and ran into the kitchen with it laughing.

I imagine today he'd have it delivered but back in the 80s there wasn't much of that.  So him sending donuts to his sister is not out of line for this man's behavior. They just don't know that yet. I've known him for almost 34 years. 

They have only known him for less than 5.  They will learn.