My Weblog

Primarily it was the feet........

That drove me back to Urgent Care. They were SO swollen. I had no clue how I could possibly stuff them into lace up shoes (safety measure) and stand on them for 5 hours today. I had to dig deep into my closet to find a pair of Birks I could adjust sufficiently to get them on my feet to go to Urgent Care. And they were still too tight for me to be able to feel comfortable in them. So, I went in hopes of being given some water pills of some sort to move that stuff on out. Well, that was a total fail. 

They decided to rework the whole asthma/pneumonia thing first. My blood gases were lower yesterday than they were the first day I went in. They hooked me up to oxygen and then a breathing treatment. It seemed every time I was disconnected, my blood gases would start to drop like a stone..........I got another steroid shot and this time, a prescription for steroids to have filled. Then they took new chest x-rays. The guy I saw yesterday decided that about 1/3 of the bottom lobe of my lungs is filled with fluid. And, according to him, MUST be drained. He says they can just keep giving me pills but that won't correct the problem. I'll just keep re-infecting..........

Again, he tried to ship me off to an Emergency Room. I dug in my toes and refused. I made him explain to me in detail why what needed to be done required a hospital. I made him wrack his brain as to someplace other than a hospital where any of this stuff could be accomplished. No progress was made, but I knew I was not going to any hospital last night. I had visions of my dogs' empty food dishes and almost empty water bottle. I HAD to come home. 

The doc seems to think Medicare is going to pay for everything. According to him, there is no danger of me being another $50,000 in debt 3 days from now. So, I am in the process of trying to track down my doc. And packing some sort of bag. And, then, I guess, I'll go get holes poked in me. I just wish, just once, a doctor would say to me "This is going to hurt like h-e-double-hockeysticks. Pull up your big girl panties and suck it up. You can take the pain for 2.5 minutes" instead of lying to me with that old saw about being "a little uncomfortable".

I've been wracking my brain, trying to think of someone who could/would take me to the hospital. I won't have anyone who can bring stuff to me so I need to take a bag. But, I haven't figured out how I get the bag into the hospital. I can barely walk, much less toting a bag. But, I guess that will be my mission or God will assign some poor passerby to help me out. Passersby still do that stuff occasionally for folks that look like helpless little old ladies, don't they?  

Well, whatever problems God doesn't give me answers to before I go, He'll have to solve on the fly. I know He'll have someone standing by.

At one point, at Urgent Care, I had 3 good looking guys taking care of me--2 PAs and the doc. That part at least was enjoyable. I am still pleased with the care I've gotten there. They do have some logic behind what they're doing......... and they actually seem to be able to muster some communication skills.

So, anyway, I will try to tie up a few loose ends around here. And pack some stuff and head into the closest ER if I don't hear from my doc soon. However, I may wait til tomorrow. I don't think a whole lot will be accomplished on a Saturday. Or even on a Sunday. So, maybe Sunday evening sounds more logical. In the meantime, I'll keep dosing myself with all the appropriate meds and maybe we'll make some headway between now and then.......

I just hated calling in to work. I could hear frustration/exasperation in Mrs. Owner's voice. I felt so bad, know I was handing her a scheduling problem. In that I normally work Sat, Tues, and Wed, I think I am off the schedule for the week again. And that means she's scrambling and making phone calls to get my shifts covered........... I do not like doing that to her, not one little bit. I never wanted my presence on this job to be a problem for her. I would so much prefer to be an asset. It is my daily goal. The best I could do in that regard yesterday was let her know as early as possible that I would not be able to cover my shift today. She was by no means nasty about it, it's just that I knew I was handing her another layer of problems with which to deal. I am beginning to pray that God will grant me mucho favor with her. I don't want this job to go away with memories of stuff like this in her head. At the very least, that might handicap someone else my age who really needs the job from getting one. 

So, anyway, if you don't hear from me much this week that will be why. Just keep throwing those prayers heavenward please.........

In other news, I was sitting here when I heard a soft knock on the door and then the dogs barking. I made my way to the front door (no small achievement) and found one of my clients there. Such a sweet lady. I have been so sick I have not been able to keep up with incoming phone messages. She was concerned so she drove over here! She was very apologetic, but I thanked her. I realize that someday it may be someone like her that saves my life or drags me to a doctor when I can't get there under my own steam or alternative means. Anyway, I told her I would call her in a few days after this mess is cleared up and made sure she left with my cell number. 

Well, the swelling in my feet and legs.............

might be the tiniest bit better. I can't be sure yet. However, at least the pain on wiggling my toes, for instance, is less than it was. There's a whole lot more than that gonna be needed by tomorrow (Saturday) 9:45AM when I'm due at work..........

My chest feels different too with just one of the new antibiotics in my system. I rarely hear the rattle when I breathe. And, there was congestion in a certain area of the lungs that was NOT breaking up. Well, I've had a couple of dandy coughs that indicate there's some progress there. 

I did manage to sleep in the bed like a "normal" person for somewhere close to 2 hours. Then I woke up to use the restroom and there was no going back--I tried, but it just wasn't working. So, here I am..... I was totally miserable, lying in that bed, trying to breathe and get comfortable and sleep. I almost wanted to giggle, thinking that it was more as if I had been tortured and beaten. I couldn't really help myself. Such sound effects..........

At least I accomplished a little something today. The biggest accomplishment was filling up a trash can with discarded mail, paying some bills and updating my budget. I did dog the kitchen, but that's SO bad. Some of those dirty dishes have sat there for inordinately long periods of time. They really really have to be scrubbed before I can put them into the dishwasher and expect any kind of results at all. The desk will require a stash and dash box before I can let anyone into this house, but it's still considerably better than it was. 

I can do okay toddling to and from around the house as far as my "stumps" are concerned; where I run into problems is when the breathing thing is not working. The other problem is when the muscles stop working.

I wish I could call Merry Maids or someone like that. I'd be thrilled if all they could do is give me a hand with the front part of the house. I still have not even figured out a workable way to get the trash out of the house to the curb. That requires no skill, but it's not something I can do for myself right now. 

I am continuing to drink water. All day long. I have read that what actually happens when you experience swelling like I'm dealing with is that water which would normally be contained within the cell walls passes through the cell walls and hangs out between cells. So, where it sits, between cells, it is not reached by the normal processes and carried away. So, you can be all swollen like I am now, full of excess water, but your system is starved for water to complete bodily processes. Weird fact. So, anyway, water is still going in. Someone was concerned about water intoxification, but that is is when you drink too much water in too short a time. I'm in no danger of that! While the skin on my feet and legs is pulled tighter than a drum, you can look at my arms, for instance, and tell that it's important to keep the supply of water flowing. 

I didn't eat very well today. I consumed the last of my food from Panda Express. I was disappointed in what I got there, to tell you the truth. There were visible pieces of veggies and meat in each entree, which was the whole point of the exercise, but not enough to mean much, nutrition wise. However, I suppose it was better than some of the other things I could have eaten. 

So, there's Thursday for ya. I need some major breakthru in the swelling thing by tomorrow. As it stands right now, I might be able to wear Birkenstocks but even my slippers are uncomfortable. 

I'm going to try to catch a few z's sitting here at my desk. I've got the space heater going and one of the "wubby" blankets close by. Maybe I can make it work. 

Second Shoe..........

Well, I decided I'd share a bit more on this health mess. First, some of you have wondered why I'd start another round of antibiotics. I've been told that if you have pneumonia, a doctor, using a stethoscope, hears a crackling sound in your chest. Well, guess what? You don't need a stethoscope to hear that sound in my chest. I can hear it when I inhale......

I am also a bit concerned with how swollen my feet are. They actually hurt when I have to make that 90 degree angle at the ankle to sit down. I am thinking that perhaps the pneumonia bug is attempting to immigrate to new places and spaces. So, that too tells me the second round of antibiotics should be a good thing. 

I made it back into the bedroom, searching for something to wear. And there was my bed. The covers were kind of piled up in one spot, and, as luck would have it, I plopped my outfit for the day right on top of that pile. Then I laid down, put my feet on the top of the pile, and went to sleep. Just like I'd wanted to go to sleep last night but couldn't for the life of me....... I only slept a little over an hour but that hour was a substantial improvement to my previous stats. Why is it that I get no sleep til after 5 or 6 in the morning and then I can sleep with no trouble? 

Anyway, this is a 10 day round of antibiotics. I should begin to do better soon. In the meantime, I'm continuing to push water and will try to make food choices as rationally as I can.

I am feeling.........

a little defeated. Whatever you're dealing with, I think it always important to be honest with yourself about it. However, since thinking about the origin of this "lung stuff" all the way back in December, I'm not enjoying my positive mental attitude as much as I should. 

So many prayers have gone heavenward for the relief of these symptoms. And, I think, today they are worse than ever. When I got home from work Tuesday, I was shocked when I took off my shoes. My feet were SO swollen. The swelling had not improved yesterday during the day and I had a hard time stuffing those feet into my shoes to go to work. And it was mighty uncomfortable all night. Add to this the fact that I'm still having difficulty breathing and I am just not amused. I am tired of battling for something that has been promised to me--my healing. After all, this has been going on for 2 months now. Enough is enough! 

I got almost no sleep again last night. Because my feet were so swollen, I really wanted to be able to lie down to sleep. However, I just could not breathe properly and I ended up nodding here in my desk chair. I doubt I got more than a couple of hours of accumulated sleep. I just keep asking myself how I'm supposed to get better without sleep.......

I wanted to go to Trader Joe's today and buy some food. Well, it was a good thought. However, I am going to have to go dig around the closet just to find some sort of shoe I can wear around here. My TJ's is small, but, unfortunately not THAT small. I don't think I'm at a place yet to be able to successfully negotiate a trip through the store. And so, that leaves me trying to figure out what in heck I am going to eat the next few days. I'm sure there is stuff here that can be used to fill the holes in my belly--it is just not likely to be as nutritious as I'd like it to be.

Anyway, I am discouraged that the original symptoms and more are with me after all this time. I'm going to need some alone time with the Lord today.......

Perhaps I just need to adjust my sights. Certainly the prospect of stumping my way through TJ's on these horrifically swollen feet and legs is not a pleasant one. However, my Bible says I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. I suppose stumping through the grocery store is included under the category "all things". Many times I find when I just do it, it works out better than I expected. 

I did decide that one of the first things I will do today is call a prayer line. I need all the prayer I can get.

I am also going to go ahead and put myself on another round of antibiotics. I have those really expensive Leviquin sitting here, ordered for THIS fight, so I may as well use them. Obviously, something pretty big is amiss when your feet look like this! And I started on Ibuprofen for the swelling and foot pain. I am also upping the ante a little bit on my thyroid meds. I have extra here and I think they should be used. First, I know during the time I was down at my worst with the pneumonia + nasty meds stuff, I missed a few days. This dose is carved so close to the bone that missing a dose or two is not good. If I up it a bit for a few days, it will give me support for the stress my poor heart is enduring. Fortunately, if you're really strong (not me) or own a good sharp knife (me) you can cut the pills into 1/4s along previously scored points. So, I'll be pulling out the sharp knife.......

I don't know what I can accomplish around here. M breathing is a problem and my hands are shaky and I'm weak in the legs. I think all I can promise today is that I'll try to do whatever I can.....

So, that's it for now. I'll be back later. Meantime, YOU be BLESSED today, and if you're going through something, do a better job of keeping your chin up than I am!

Analyzing, analyzing.........

So, I'm still here, in the middle of my physical firestorm. And I'm analyzing, trying to figure out what to do about it. 

I have no faith whatsoever with regard to doctors and their training in nutrition, prevention, common sense. They have NO training in these matters. A nutritionist might be of some help. However, my last encounter with a Registered Nutritionist gave me the opportunity to realize how important it is to keep up on the literature, the research, which is ongoing. The nutritionist I was working with hadn't read any recent research in at least a couple of decades.

So, first I have come to rely on my own analysis, my own feedback. And when I just don't have a clue in which direction to head, I pray. God says when we need wisdom, we are to ask of Him........

It occurs to me that a lot of what is going on is related to dehydration. Here are some symptoms of adult dehydration: 

• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Tired or sleepy
• Decreased urine output
• Urine is low volume and more yellowish than normal
• Headache
• Dry skin
• Dizziness
• Few or no tears

As dehydration increases, the symptoms worsen but they don't vary much. In other words, urine output may become more scant and more yellowish, but it doesn't morph to loose teeth.. 

I am basically experiencing all of the above. My skin is in terrible condition. I battle constantly to get enough water into my system which becomes increasingly difficult with the blood pressure meds I take. Here is a recent research observation: studies are popping up that indicate that when water is removed from the system, blood pressure goes up. This is exactly backwards of medicine's/Bib Pharm's approach to high blood pressure. They are still filling blood pressure meds with diuretics to lower blood pressure......

So, it seems to me that for the next few days, step one is going to have to be consumption of a monumental amount of water. I actually mentioned to Accident Lady at work last night that it seemed like I felt better after I'd been at work for a while. Yeah--the first thing I do when I get there is buy a bottle of Gatorade which I just keep pouring in while I work. I landed on the Gatorade because the diarrhea I experienced at the beginning of taking the zithromax was so extreme, I was sure there wasn't an electrolyte left in my system anywhere. And, electrolytes are Gatorade's claim to fame....... So, go to work, drink Gatorade, feel better. Hmmmmm. Are there better electrolyte compounds around? Yes, there are. REI has some that are a much better quality. However, I don't know that I feel well enough to go stomping around REI looking for them........

Second, I think I am on the right track with trying to get something that resembles food into me. Ideally, I'd live in a mansion, have a dedicated chef. Cheffie would be combing local markets for high quality fruits, vegetables, and meats to help pull me through this. However, there is no Chef here. And I am so undone, the idea of trying to accomplish this is unthinkable as is the idea of staying on my feet cooking. Food from Panda Express is most likely not the greatest quality. But it does contain recognizable bits of meat and veggies. This is good. And, whatever I can pick up at Trader Joe's tomorrow will most likely be a step up from there. Believe me, it will be selected with care.

Finally, supplements. I don't have a whole lot of faith in supplements because they are manufactured and sold by American industry. So, I sincerely doubt that supplements give us what we hope they will give us. However, it is what it is. When I buy supplements, I am willing to spend a little bit extra for increased absorption. So, sitting around here are bottles and bottles of supplements. They need to move from the shelves to my gut! 

So I am going to try to step up my game in these three areas and be very observant. If matters improve, as I think they will, we've found the basis of an answer. Not to say this is the whole answer. There may be more. I'm sure if I need to know more and I inquire of God, He'll share his wisdom with me. 

So, priority #1 for today, before ANYTHING, is to pour water into my mouth like crazy. I've already started. One way that is likely to help is with the feeling of muscle weakness. It will probably also start to flush the system which isn't working well right now--my feet and legs look like tree stumps and my mobility is decreased with the swelling. 

So, just look what happens when you pray for wisdom...............

I got to thinking about this a little while ago and it hit me that this has been ongoing in varying degrees of seriousness since mid-December. Do you remember Mr. Fixit and da boyz ripped out 30 year old carpet and then tried to sweep up the dust with a broom? That made the air in this house visibly murky and it kicked off the whole lung/asthma thing. Geez.......... But that means, I've been dealing with a lot of the same symptoms as well as the causes (sick so don't cook) for 2 months. That will definitely bring a body down! I have some ground to make up.........even more ground to make up than I'd thought. 

Well, a little over 4 hours and I need to be on my way to work. I need to get my act together between now and then. Please pray with me that I am hearing God right and this is going to put me on the road to recovery. I just HATE the road I've been on! YOU be BLESSED today......

 

My Cracked Skull.........

Do you remember me telling you I more or less fell out of bed and hit my head on the nightstand? Yes, I did. And I did a good job of it too. I was out of it and it took me a few minutes recovery to even put together what would be necessary for me to get back in the bed where I belonged.

The way it hurt, I truly thought I should be seeing blood somewhere. I know that head wounds bleed a lot and I couldn't believe, as hard as I cracked my head, I wasn't bleeding. However I felt round very carefully and there was no blood on my fingers. 

It was "burning" though. Sure enough, I realized last night there has been a good reason why I had no desire to wash my hair. I may not have bled, but the skin did open up and "ooze". So there is a spider web or scabs on my skull. I guess I will wait a few more days til I attempt a shampoo. I don't want to dislodge scabs............ Weird, I tell you.

So, it's Tuesday.........

I had another rough night last night. I have this dream that has cycled and cycled in my head throughout this period of not feeling well. And it seems to cycle just about every hour. And so, it seems, I am awake to take note of it every hour. And then I get frustrated. I know this body needs rest to get better. Waking up, every hour on the hour, isn't going to give me good recuperative rest. 

Last night the dream was there again. I was working with some medical team to build thousands of modified hearts. These were human hearts, modified mechanically, to function inside the human body. And we were on a production line, building these hearts that seem to take about one hour to build....... And then I'm awake again. Around 4AM I got torqued and got up and came out here. Lots of times when I've done that, I've accomplished very little once I got here. But, last night, I did a tax return (yay, me!) and I waded through a bunch of useless mail which has now been relocated from the desk top to the trash can. And, a couple of hours later, I went back to bed. 

At least, if I was going to be up, I managed to use the time for something worthwhile. I don't mind that too much. So now, I have a completed tax return ready to print. That's a good thing.

Today and tomorrow I work. I'm still on a reduced schedule--15 hours a week instead of 18. I am actually grateful because I am still not sure I'd handle an 8-hour day very well except on guts and prayer. I value the option to work 5 hours and then come home and take a nap if I want to. I know, that way, I only have to pray myself through 5 hours, not 8. 

I am beginning to see some results around here from my very few minutes of chipping away at the kitchen, the desk, and so forth. Don't get me wrong--no place in the house looks the way I'd like it to, but I'm glad to see tiny inroads being dug into the mess. The trick is to stay well enough to do SOMETHING every day. For a good 3 weeks, I wasn't that well. And now, I am working at recovering my strength. And it is WORK. So, I do just a little at a time and then I sit my butt down and steady up and get ready to go at it again in a few minutes. 

This morning, I want to work on laundry. I have a clean load in the dryer that needs to be folded and put away. I also have enough dark clothes to make a load of those. I know there are some "work pants" in the dryer, and it's a good thing because, otherwise, there are NO clean work pants, LOL. Because I am distractable, this is a position I attempt to avoid at all costs. I could just as easily find myself scrambling at the last minute, trying to find something to wear. So, I try to make sure I stay ahead of the laundry! 

Once the warmer weather rolls around, the whole laundry thing becomes more pressing. I bought a couple of pairs of black sweat pants at Costco in the fall and I've made those work as work pants throughout the colder weather. I'm not going to want to wear sweat pants when it warms up and that knocks out about 1/3 of my "wardrobe". I am really grateful these pants are true neutrals (required to be either black or khaki). I can order more and know that I'll still be able to wear them whether I have this job or not. 

Hey, I dealt with a problem yesterday. You know, I've been barely eating. Well, partly, nothing tasted good anyway. And, partly, I had what seemed like a permanent case of indigestion/nausea. And partly, I sure wasn't in shape to "cook" anything for myself. One night I warmed up a can of mushroom soup and thought I'd really accomplished something, LOL. And I haven't gone to a grocery store for a real "shop" since November. Nor do I feel I am ready for that soon. So, keeping myself fed has been a challenge. On the way home from my client's yesterday, I stopped at Panda Express. And I bought double the food I'd usually buy. I figure that will give me stuff to nuke and put in my mouth for a few days. I am aiming for a limited trip to Trader Joe's near the end of the week. TJ's in my neighborhood is a small store. Not a big warehouse affair. I think by the end of the week, leaning on the cart, I can go through there. I will buy a little fruit, a couple of premade salads, maybe, and maybe a frozen entree or so. Nothing big and fancy. No "ingredients" that need to be combined, mashed, fried, boiled, shredded, sauteed, etc. Just some reasonably healthy pre-made food. I don't often indulge in "pre-made" food, but it seems like a good idea to me 'bout now. 

Well, I'd love to sit here chatting, but the little bit of improvement I am seeing is providing me some motivation to try to do a bit more. And since doing a bit more is also a physical imperative (in an effort to regain my strength) I need to get on that. Don't want to waste even a tiny bit of motivation! YOU be BLESSED today!

It makes me crazy every stinking time..........

I have a "fussy" mother. She's the kind of person who is not happy if she doesn't have something to worry about. And, if she doesn't have anything to worry about, she makes something up. It is a real crazymaker. I have never understood anyone's choice to worry, to expend mental energy on what is non-essential, to sin. Yes, the Bible says that "that which is not faith is sin" and worry is failure to know and believe in God's promises to us as his Dear Children. 

It took me almost 3 weeks to let my mother in on the fact that I've been sick. I couldn't see why I should. I have a couple of prayer partners who aren't going to sit around making up things to worry about. They're praying. When I don't have enough prayer partners, God sends prayer partners to the store to pray for me. What good would it do to have a 94-year old woman worrying 3000 miles away? I couldn't find a good reason. 

However, she called several times late in the week so I called her back. And I told her I'd been sick. And sure enough, she did it again. She waited two days and called back to see if I'm any better. Holy Mary! Did she pray for me to be better? If she did and she prayed in faith, then, according to the word of God I am better. Why in heaven's name waste the phone call. If she didn't pray, then she missed the first step. 

Instead she calls to ask if I'm any better. She never knows what time it is here. I've lived here roughly 35 years and she has yet to get a fix on the fact that it's 3 hours earlier here. So, when she calls, she calls at her convenience. Think about your first physical reaction when being awakened at 4AM by a ringing phone. Does that contribute to your peace of mind? Of course not. 

And then she starts with the "I'm just calling to see if you're any better.........." thing. And if you're not careful you find yourself falling into the same old trap--examining all your symptoms, trying to remember exactly how you felt two days ago so you can answer a question you shouldn't be answering. If the word says I am healed, I am better. When it comes to a choice between believing/paying attention to my symptoms, to how I feel, and what the Word of God says, which should I choose to report on? 

Invariably, if I get a cold, the flu, whatever, it has settled in my chest. I have little or no voice or it is raspy. And I am coughing my guts out. And I have little or no air to put behind said diminished voice to repeat myself. And she talks over my answer. Or she doesn't hear my answer. Or she doesn't pay attention to my answer. Or she talks to some other random person who comes into her room while I'm answering her question. No question about it--no matter how crap-like I feel, I am going to have to repeat myself over and over and try to talk louder and get more and more frustrated. 

In the past, Joe used to be asked to field these phone calls. And then she would get mad at him because he wouldn't let her talk to me. But, though she's been told, over and over, for years, that under these circumstances, I don't want to talk, that was never sufficient. 

Someday, she'll be gone and these phone calls will be gone as well. I will not miss this temptation to talk about my symptoms instead of talking about the solution! She has allowed this "worry" thing to dominate her life for as long as I can remember, and I'm pretty sure she'd reached expert status at it long before I showed up on the scene. 

Finally, if I felt just downright awful two days ago and, suddenly, in two days time, I am well-----well, then that's a bonafide miracle and I would most certainly have called her to tell her about it. And if the miracle hasn't arrived yet, that doesn't mean it's not on it's way. I repeat: I do not want to talk about the problem. I want to talk about God's power to heal, about the times I've seen God heal in response to my prayers, friends in similar circumstances who've been healed. THAT kind of talk will build my faith. Her kind of talk will tear it down or at least set me up to have to do battle over it. And I hate having to do battle because SHE decides it's worth it to her. 

Did you ever pay attention, when reading the story of the healing of Jairus's daughter, to what Jesus did with the mourners and doubters? He put them out of the room! He didn't allow their well-meaning but WRONG emotional response to get in the way. Well, neither do I!

Terrible, awful, disgusting night......

It was another one of those nights where I couldn't buy 5 minutes of solid sleep. How wasteful! I was exhausted when I finally gave it up and went to bed, but 4 hours later I still could not get to sleep. So, I ended up coming out here. I puttered around a little bit, then sunk down in my chair, put my feet up, and went to sleep here. Finally I woke up and went back to bed where I got 2 hours of sleep. Holy Mary! I won't function long or well on that! 

I had several long conversations with myself over this "recovery" thing. Folks keep telling me to rest, and maybe extra rest is a good idea. But somehow, it seems to me I have to get this relic of a body moving. It seems to me that God made our bodies with automatic repair systems in them. However, they don't repair if they don't move. I am so wobbly right now and I think some of that is simply the result of not moving. Every part of me, but especially my legs, feels weak to me. And my leg muscles aren't going to get any stronger lying or sitting down. To get them back in shape, it seems to me I am going to have to move them. That will strengthen the muscles, n'cest pas? I think it will also strengthen the lungs to demand more from them. It's all a group of really unpleasant sensations. It's no fun feeling like you're so weak and off balance that you're wavering in the "wind" from the HVAC system, but, yeah, that's how I feel, just standing still.......

This morning I have to go visit a client. Due there at 10:30. He's a good guy so I don't mind. But he sure does get excitable when he can't find something he thinks he needs....That always sets my own nerves on edge....... 

I'm not thrilled about the drive to his place either, especially given the whole weak and wobbly thing and no sleep. But, it's only about 8 miles and I've made this trek many many times. I can do this.

I didn't get much done yesterday, but at least I tried. I ended up working in 2 minute intervals. Then resting in between. When I get back from the client's, I'll go at it again, trying today for 3 minute intervals. It's slow progress but not as slow as if I just went and sat down and wished I felt better. At least the kitchen has a chance of being cleaned up by midnight, LOL. 

I have a lot of trash that needs to go out to the curb. I'm not at all sure I can get there. But I guess I won't know til I try. 

It has been a long time since I've done a "stash and dash" box in this house. So long, in fact, that I forgot those things existed. Someone mentioned it to me the other day and I think that's what I'm going to do with the surface of the desk. I just don't have the physical ability to get it cleaned up and filed, etc., right now. But, if anyone who doesn't love me sees it, they will surely think a crazy lady lives here. So......stash and dash it will be. I can always work on catching up as my health improves. 

So, that's about it for now. Nothing new, that's for sure. Haven't gone anywhere or done anything to report on "new". I'm going to start now on getting ready to go, even though I don't need to be out the door for more than an hour. It takes a while to get ready to leave when you have to rest between putting on your socks, LOL. YOU be BLESSED today.......

Wubby...........

I have a wubby. I like it very much. I have never told you about my wubby. This past summer, I saw these blankets at Costco. They were inexpensive and lightweight. I wanted one, primarily because I have a really pretty bedspread my mother gave me which I wanted to protect from dog hair and the pups sleep with me. 

Well, I bought one. Then, believe it or not, I bought another. And I love them. There are two features that I love. One, they are so darn soft. For years I wanted a Vellux blanket. I thought sleeping with one of those would be a real luxury. And, it might be. I'll probably never know. But my wubby is easily as soft as Vellux. It's the kind of material you'd love to rub on your cheek if you were little and had a wubby made from this material. Two, they are large. I don't know about you, but I own all sorts of "king size" stuff for on my bed. And, I find that no two pieces are sized the same. And, worse, many of them are barely large enough to touch all 4 edges of the mattress even though they're "oversized". But, my wubbies--well there are feet to spare. You can literally cover up and wrap up at the same time. 

I have no clue what kind of material the wubbies are made of. I'm almost certain there's nothing you can do to a natural fiber to make it this soft, so it must be some kind of synthetic. But, if you shop Costco from time to time, I'd highly suggest you keep an eye out for these so you can have a wubby too. Or more than one. Perfect thing to cuddle up with on the couch on a cold winter's night too. 

So, lousy night's sleep last night. I'd have been really happy to have slept well. But, I didn't. I was up and down during the night. Sometimes I found myself sitting on the bed. Other times, I was merely awake. But, what I longed for was a good solid night's sleep and that's something I just couldn't seem to latch onto. Undoubtedly that will mean an afternoon nap. However, as it is, I'm just glad to be awake and I'll settle up with the Sandman later.

I am going to try doing something a little different around here. My lungs have still not completely recovered so walking from here to anywhere is uncomfortable. My legs are wobbly (atrophied muscles?) and I arrive wherever feeling weak/drained/out of breath. So, I'm going to try to figure out what I can do whilst being more all in one place, as opposed to hiking all through the house to find what needs done and actually get it done. I don't know if this will work all that well, but it's worth a shot. Maybe it will increase my productivity some........ When you know you are going to arrive at the far end of the house, huffing and puffing, and it will take time just to calm your breathing, it isn't really very motivational. Particularly when you know that anything you turn your hand to, once you arrive in some other room, is just going to make you short of breath all over again, even if you "rest up" once you get there.

So that's it for now. I am concentrating on the kitchen, dining room, and this office today. And before I go near any of that stuff, I'm in search of warm clothes. It is chilly and the wind is blowing up a storm out there. Gray skies too. Makes me think of a snow day in St. Louis. I'm off to start on my chores. YOU be BLESSED today!