The Bees Knees

 Well, next Monday I'm having my first total knee replacement.  Funny thing is I got a call from the hospital last week saying they needed to schedule my pre-op visit. It was a surprise to us because I never told anyone to schedule anything.  I was going to get cortisone one more time and then consider surgery.  But........somehow I got on the schedule and we just decided to go for it.  Thankfully I had all my Christmas shopping done and packages mailed.  Now I'm just trying to get everything else done and the house cleaned real good before I go to the hospital.  I feel sorry for Ron because I can be a difficult patient when I don't feel in control or have to be dependent on someone else.  I'm going to try and just chill......

I am currently sitting here waiting for a phone visit with the lung doctor so I can be cleared for surgery.  Interesting how they can determine if you are fit for surgery over the phone.  I haven't seen him in person since April.  Oh well, I think my lungs are doing really well right now and no coughing or wheezing at all....knock on wood! and of course the appt. was for 4:00 pm and it is now 4:30. I guess there is a rule that they must keep patients waiting no matter what.

I don't know if I mentioned before that I grew up feeling like a giant.  I always thought I was taller than everybody.  At sixteen I told them I was 5' 7" tall on my driver's license.  It wasn't until I went to work at the hospital and after insisting I was 5' 7" they measured me.  I was 5' 4 1/2".  I couldn't believe it...........well last time I was measured I am now 5' 3" tall.  Shrinkage?  I did get my driver's license corrected about 3 years ago.  My daughters said if they ever issued a silver alert to find me I'd never be found.  They would be looking for a 5' 7" brunette that weighed 120 pounds. 

Attitude Adjustment

I don't know why I was having such a tough day yesterday.  Too much election talk.  Oklahoma public schools have a lot riding on the outcome of the State Superintendent election, for rural schools it's a matter of their survival.  The Republican candidate wants to do school vouchers and wants to refuse all federal money to schools.  That would literally shut the doors of rural schools in the state.  So today I took everyone's advice and called a moratorium on the news and social media.   It has been a peaceful day.

I have been painting snowman pictures and a Santa or two.  Running out of wall space but it is a good hobby right now.  Today was a rather warm November day in the upper 70's.  Snowmen help remind me that winter is coming.

Ron and I are taking care of two neglected dogs that live next door.  They are left outside with no shelter or even water.  Ron fills a bucket of water for them every day and he talked to the homeowner twice about his concerns for the dogs.  We have wanted to avoid kicking up any dirt with the neighbors but after seeing the dogs left outside during a terrible thunderstorm Ron talked to them again and they said they were getting a doghouse.  We waited but no doghouse ever surfaced so we purchased an insulated house for them and put it in their backyard.  We just had to do something for those dogs and maybe we will be able to sleep better at night.  If it weren't for Ron, they would get no attention at all.  He plays with them and has taught them a few commands and they are just so happy to see him each day.

Here is to an even better day tomorrow!

Struggling

 I don't know why I struggle to put my thoughts into words these days, but I do.  Most of the time I am just feeling disgust and anger about what I see in this world. The unfiltered, vile hatred that people feel empowered to spew like a boiling teapot left unattended.  It is no surprise seeing as how we had a President who was so adept at sharing his own vile and hateful rhetoric.  Common decency just doesn't exist. I spend a great deal of time trying to figure out how this "new normal" sustains itself and my finger lands on social media.  It has created a safety zone that allows people to show themselves as they are without any immediate consequence.  The power of anonymity. Oh, how I long for the days of political correctness even if it was only a delusion. Or maybe just my delusion that people were better than what they truly are due to a societal floor monitor.  Well Trump certainly removed my rose-colored glasses and has forced me to see the ugliness that still prevails.

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.........only if vetted!

Oklahoma has officially gone nuts!  They are passing one insane bill after another.  This is the year of the bounty hunters...and it is hunting season all year for teachers.  My daughters had to sign a statement that they will not have any books in the classroom that have not be "vetted" by two professionals declaring it appropriate.  Who these professionals are no one knows!  Last year one of my daughters had a parent flip out because her child checked out the book, "Tommy, the hyperactive turtle", from the library. They have teachers terrified to have classroom libraries at all.  They were warned that any violation would result in the loss of their teaching license. They were told to review all their books for outdated content....such as the depiction of pilgrims and Indians in books about Thanksgiving. My daughter who teaches Pre-k said Thanksgiving will be about eating turkey and being grateful.  I warned her someone from PETA may have an objection.

 I told my daughters we all need to learn how to groom dogs.  Any profession other than teaching would be better.  Although I guess some dog owners can be as demanding as parents.

Back To School

 Yesterday I helped my daughters get their classrooms ready for back to school.  Every year I'm shocked at how much they do with their own money and on their own time.  Currently they are off contract, but school parking lots are full of cars as teachers (donate) their time to prepare for back to school.  Once school starts, they will be required to attend some unnecessary meetings and will not be provided time to work on their rooms.  Hmmmmm it's almost as if they "expect" them to do it on their own time.  I haven't even mentioned the amount of their own money they spend just for the privilege to teach.  I spent at least $1000. this summer trying to help them with needed supplies.  Honestly, it's disgusting.  Plus, they act as, furniture movers and wear too many other hats to mention.  I really wish the girls could leave teaching, but they are too invested toward their retirement.  The climate in Oklahoma is really bad toward education.  Our legislature is doing everything they can to run teachers off and finally get the school voucher bill passed to overt federal money to private schools.  This may be the year they succeed.  

Could it be any hotter?

 I'm beginning to think Ron and I are the only people in Oklahoma who haven't had Covid.  Today twin #2 tested positive.  Twin #1 had it more than 6 months ago, but she's been exposed again.  Fortunately, Ron and I haven't been around the girls for a couple of weeks so we will dodge the bullet once more.  This variant seems to be spreading rapidly.

My brother is doing remarkably well.  His new psychiatrist has reduced 2 of his meds due to his development of tardive dyskinesia.  Both drugs have huge side effects and lowering the dosage has resulted in much clearer thinking.  That all translates to less work on our part.  

He did have one little incident with his adjustable bed.  It is a split king and he had raised the head on his side of the bed to a full upright position.  He told me he did that so he could lean on it and just lower himself into bed.  Unfortunately, the bed stuck in that position and wouldn't go back down.  So of course, he called us in a dire state of emergency.  Ron drove over and attempted to get the remote to lower the bed but had no luck.  Now, mind you he had a perfectly functioning bed on the other side but REFUSED to sleep in it!  So, he slept sitting straight up that night.  Ron went back the next day and finally (with force) got the bed to lower but he told Mike it no longer goes up and down.  A little white lie but the bed has been an ongoing problem, so we took advantage of the situation and told him it no longer works.  I'll probably go to hell for lying to him!

Like the rest of the country, we are baking here in Oklahoma.  Last week we reached 110 but had a few low 90's this week.  No end in sight.  I can't imagine what August will look like.  I may already BE in hell!!

Snap, Crackle, Pop

 Well, I followed through and have my first orthopedic appoint is October 7th.  I hope I am still able to walk by then.  But I've at least taken the first step.

Last week we had a mishap.  Ron accidently left the freezer door open, and it wasn't discovered for 2 days.  We lost everything including all the meals I had prepared for Mike in anticipation of having knee surgery.  All in all, I'd say we lost about $2,000 of frozen meat and I don't know how much in frozen vegetables and time.  It made us both sick!  I've been concerned about Ron's memory for a while, but I still believe his seizure meds have a lot to do with it.  Last night I found the bag of salad on top of the refrigerator in the breadbasket.  I don't tell him about it because it just upsets him.  I feel like I have to follow behind him all the time.

Aging can certainly be a challenge!

 Happy Independence Day!

We will be going to my daughter's house for a cookout later this afternoon.   Nothing too elaborate but just some good ole burgers and hotdogs.  I'm struggling to feel there is much to celebrate this 4th of July as our country continues to struggle.  There is so much division you would hope we could come together for one day to recognize the sacrifices made by so many for us to have our freedom. 

I'm looking down the barrel at two knee replacements.  I've done the cortisone and gel shots and I'm at the end of the line on those.  I said that when I could no longer shop for my own groceries I'd say "Uncle" so here I am ........."Uncle"!  I'm going to start by talking to a few orthopedic surgeons before I decide on who will do it.  My lungs are finally under control so I don't think that will create a roadblock. Ideally, I'd like to have the first surgery in early November but of course it will depend on the doctor.

We had a little mishap today.  Seems Ron didn't shut the freezer all the way yesterday and today we found everything inside had completed thawed.  There was probably $2,000 worth of food lost.  I will have to replace all the meals I had prepared and froze for Mike.  I was trying to get a lot of stuff ready for when I'm down from the knee surgery.  But accidents happen and you just have to shake it off and start again.

Keep on keeping on!

Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th full of celebration and fireworks!

Fireplace DONE

 Our fireplace turned out just as I imagined.

Flooring has been installed and all that is left is painting the new baseboards.  They are coming to work on that tomorrow and Monday.  Then I can start putting my house back together.  Ron and I will be so glad to get this finished.

We had snow today, but it is supposed to be in the 50's so should melt off pretty quickly.  The roads have already cleared off but there will be slick spots tomorrow morning.  One of the perks of retirement...we don't have to go anywhere!

dream come true!

 

This is what I'm having built on a wall in my living room only it will be covered in shiplap.  They are supposed to start building today.  I have ordered the fireplace and the mantle and they will be here next week.

I have wanted a fireplace for the entire 52 years I've lived in this house.  Now, with the electric fireplace option, I can finally have one!  And since I have to wait for the floors to be installed I might as well spend more money...........

Things are never as they seem!

 Well, I did get the wall repaired and the living room and hall painted but no floor.  It was supposed to been installed today but found out last week that it has to be ordered.  This was quite irritating since we picked it out December 28th and chose this particular floor because they "had in in stock".  I specifically did not want to have to order a floor because I knew it could be forever before it was received.  The dealer tried to get me to come up and pick another floor, he said he'd have to order it as well.  That made no sense to me so I said I'd wait as long as it took but I wouldn't pay the increase in cost.  He had said the cost would increase after January 1.  Another reason I placed the order in December.  Our contractor assured me that we will not be billed any increase in cost.   So now I wait.................

After the living room was repainted, I was trying to decide what I would be putting back on the walls.  I have a schoolhouse clock I purchased about 45 years ago.  It was the first thing I bought on my own after the divorce.  At the time it was a major purchase.  Anyway, this clock has hung in my living room all this time.  The clock has always kept good time, but the pendulum stopped working years ago and it started chiming (3) times on the hour.  The girls and I would count them down and explain the quirkiness of the clock when we had visitors.  Eventually we just learned to tune it out.  Since it was taken down to paint, I started considering purchasing a new clock.  I searched for one and found several options.  However, the longer I thought about it I realized I just can't part with this old quirky clock.  So. guess it will go back on the wall to chime away every hour on the hour.  Since Ron and I don't hear as well as we used to. we don't notice the chiming anymore.

In the recesses of my mind.....and the nightstand drawers~

Finally. work on the house begins tomorrow.  Somone is coming to repair the sheetrock and toe kick (whatever that is). I don't really care what happens as long as we get started.  The thing I'm looking the most forward to is getting the flooring installed.  It's a big job but I just can't wait until it is done.  Then we can get furniture back in place and start looking forward to what Spring may hold for us all.  I'm hoping Covid is manageable by then.  Today I heard of yet another new variant, Stealth Omicron.  It is supposedly even more contagious than Omicron if you can imagine that. 

I got off to a slow start today even though I was up at 6:00 am.  I started cleaning out more drawers and am always amazed by the stuff I find.  Two different types of self-tanning kits.  I don't know why I even bother since I just end up looking like an orange Oompa Loompa.  I threw it all out and I'm just going to let my age spots grow together and call it good.  I found more than one bottle of pillow spray.  One for stress relief, one for sleep, one for just the sweet smell of lavender.  Guess I'll resurrect them and see if they do any good. Of course, they have probably lost their potency after all this time.

Since everything is packed up in the house, I can't turn to crafting to pass the pandemic time.  I wanted to make some valentine gnomes, but I can't get to anything I need to make them.  Guess I'll concentrate on staying on my diet today.  I am having visions of baked treats......................this won't be easy!

One down and one still testing

Well one of my daughters tested positive for Covid last Thursday.  Her symptoms have been pretty bad.  She's had a high fever, severe headache and joint pain, shortness of breath and loss of taste and smell.  She has been at home all week and the doctor has put her on an antibiotic today.  Fortunately, her sister hasn't tested positive so far.  Last Thursday they had 30 teachers test positive just on Thursday alone.  Kindergarten went to online learning because every kindergarten teacher was home recovering from the virus.

Oklahoma legislators are on a rampage authoring all kinds of bills going after school curriculum including a ban against teaching social and emotional concepts.  This one really made me do a double take.  Another representative authored a bill requiring the homeless get a permit for homeless campsites.  Huh?  So, people who have no home, no money are required to get a permit to be homeless?  I swear, not everyone who lives in Oklahoma is this stupid.  Just the ones in government.

I am now in my 13th day of isolation.  I haven't stepped out of my house in the past 13 days because the Covid numbers are so high here.  Our hospitals are at capacity with no beds or ICU beds available.  We did get the OK from the insurance adjustor to start repair on the house, but our construction manager is sick with Covid, and they don't have enough workers healthy enough to get started.  I have no idea when we will get back to normal.

The artic blast that hit across the country nipped us.  Temperatures are low and the wind has howled but we didn't get any precipitation. 

Hope all are staying healthy and warm!

Keeping on in 2022

I haven't posted anything since September and I'd like to say that there is something new to report but unfortunately other than a new Covid variant everything is pretty much the same.  We are still staying away from people as much as possible.  We were fortunate enough to be able to spend the holidays with immediate family but are now keeping our distance again.  Both daughters were recently exposed to the virus at school so they are being very cautious and waiting to see if they become positive.  

Our existence has been plagued by one natural disaster after another.   Two hailstorms within 4 months plummeted our roof.  The second one was just weeks after getting a new roof installed and a new patio and cover.  Then about a month ago we had a water leak that destroyed the floor.  We are currently without flooring in the living room and hall and damaged sheetrock has been removed in the living room, we are waiting for the insurance adjustor to sign-off on the claim so we can begin repairs.  What a mess!

On a positive note, my lungs are better than they have been in over 6 years and for this I'm truly thankful.  Now if my knees would get on board.  I have been taking cortisone injections for a while and that has certainly helped.  Of course, the pandemic pounds we gained in the past two years have been counterproductive.  I'm currently trying to buckle down and lost the 20 pounds I gained.  Sure, isn't as easy to lose it as it is to gain it.  Not as much fun either.

It just seems like nothing comes easy anymore if it ever did for that matter.  I bought a new ceiling fan/light fixture for the living room and the electrician is here now installing it.  Of course, that isn't going without resistance.  They are in the attic figuring out how to install this thing as I speak.  Oh my, seems the previous one wasn't properly installed so of course this isn't going to be a smooth process.  After some discussion concerning the addition of wall switches etc., we finally landed upon a solution.  I'm just going to continue hiding out in the office with the dog until this project is completed.  Again, why can't something just be simple for a change?

Most of my friends have been touched by Covid in one way or another.  Either through infection or by the division it has caused in some relationships.  Our family has dealt with that division as some family members have chosen not to be vaccinated.  How do you continue to have family events if you do not feel protected?  Sometimes I feel personally responsible for the division being the most medically vulnerable one in the family.  I wonder if relationships will be lost because of the division sown by, in my opinion, politicians who have used a pandemic for some kind of personal political gain.  

I'm keeping my expectations for 2022 to a bare minimum.  No need to invite disappointment.