TS has been without Internet for several days and while I'm pretty sure she is not thrilled about it, she's coping. I've about recuperated from the "fine dining" experience I had during jury duty and am happy to report I did not have to have my blouse dry cleaned. So nice to have a sun porch that I could hang it on to air. Just wish it was warm enough to sit out there and read but with all those windows and no heat, I'm not tough enough for that!
I did something this afternoon that I haven’t done since I was a teenager. No, nothing as outrageous as some might be thinking. I went to the movies alone. I really wanted to see “The Edge of Darkness” and decided if I didn’t go alone, I wouldn’t be seeing it until it is shown on television, sharply censored, a hundred years from now. It wasn’t exactly what I expected but an interesting story line and a good movie.
Son #2 is changing positions in his company tomorrow and won’t be able to work the late shift any longer so I’m back to triple duty with Little Bit for the next few weeks. Perhaps I should have used this afternoon to rest up for whatever she has in store for me!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Not necessarily what it seems
Today gave new meaning to expressions that things are not always as they seem. Just because a restaurant has a name like New York New York doesn’t necessarily mean it serves sophisticated urban cuisine.
I had to report for jury duty today and on an extra long lunch break, I waded through the ever present panhandlers that loiter around the Capital to a restaurant below it by that name. It was a bit of a surprise when I went inside and saw a mix of cafeteria-style serving, self-service salad bar and drinks, and a deli, apparently owner/manged by Orientals. Nothing New Yorkish about any of that! Not the management but all the rest. I left smelling of fried food ~ my coat, my clothes, my hair, my everything!
When I got home, I washed what I could and sprayed what I couldn’t. My silk blouse is airing on the sun porch now, and I’m hoping I don’t have to pay a dry cleaning bill just to get rid of the odor. I suppose you could describe the flavor as close-to-Southern and the food was mediocre at best, definitely not worth reeking of grease the rest of the afternoon. I really debated about whether to turn around and leave when I first walked in and now I wish I had!
I had to report for jury duty today and on an extra long lunch break, I waded through the ever present panhandlers that loiter around the Capital to a restaurant below it by that name. It was a bit of a surprise when I went inside and saw a mix of cafeteria-style serving, self-service salad bar and drinks, and a deli, apparently owner/manged by Orientals. Nothing New Yorkish about any of that! Not the management but all the rest. I left smelling of fried food ~ my coat, my clothes, my hair, my everything!
When I got home, I washed what I could and sprayed what I couldn’t. My silk blouse is airing on the sun porch now, and I’m hoping I don’t have to pay a dry cleaning bill just to get rid of the odor. I suppose you could describe the flavor as close-to-Southern and the food was mediocre at best, definitely not worth reeking of grease the rest of the afternoon. I really debated about whether to turn around and leave when I first walked in and now I wish I had!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The "dogs" are on their own!
The other evening, I made tomato soup and grilled cheese, one of my favorite meals. Roo, formerly a big fan of it, has not been too enthused of it as of late. Little Bit has never been a fan of it.
In an attempt to make it more appealing, I took a tip from a magazine and took a square of toast and cut up a hot dog on it, floating it in the middle of the bowl and calling it "dogs on a raft." Roo got a kick out of it and ate a little tomato soup. 'Bit avoided it, instead chowing down on the grilled cheese. I said, "Look, honey, you have to get the dogs across the tomato river, try and eat some of it!" She studies the bowl, looking sort of sideways at it, and then says, "Nah, Mama, that raft looks pretty strong...I think it'll make it across the river just fine."
In an attempt to make it more appealing, I took a tip from a magazine and took a square of toast and cut up a hot dog on it, floating it in the middle of the bowl and calling it "dogs on a raft." Roo got a kick out of it and ate a little tomato soup. 'Bit avoided it, instead chowing down on the grilled cheese. I said, "Look, honey, you have to get the dogs across the tomato river, try and eat some of it!" She studies the bowl, looking sort of sideways at it, and then says, "Nah, Mama, that raft looks pretty strong...I think it'll make it across the river just fine."
Monday, January 25, 2010
And the beat goes on...
I thought the not-so-good news about my thumb was pretty much the worst thing that would happen this past week but I'm not quite so sure now that I'm sporting the first shiner I've had in many years.
I wish I could say something exciting caused it but I'm afraid not. I was hugging Roo goodbye last Saturday evening and as I turned to hug Little Bit, she stood straight up to hug me and her head popped me smack in the left eye. It hit me so hard I couldn't see anything but stars for a few minutes. Fortunately, I had switched my contacts for glasses so that lessened the brunt of it just a tad. I'm grateful it didn't break the glasses though.
It really isn't bad, unlike the first one I had that left most of the side of my face purple for several days. It hasn't spread too much, just some negligible swelling, and the bruising has (mostly) stayed beneath my brow and in the fold of the lid. You've probably already guessed Little Bit is hardheaded and now she's proven it!
Speaking of Little Bit, when her Mom saw her on the verge of tears a few days ago and implored her not to cry, she told her, "This is not tears. This is the beginning of tears." No moss growing on this one!
I wish I could say something exciting caused it but I'm afraid not. I was hugging Roo goodbye last Saturday evening and as I turned to hug Little Bit, she stood straight up to hug me and her head popped me smack in the left eye. It hit me so hard I couldn't see anything but stars for a few minutes. Fortunately, I had switched my contacts for glasses so that lessened the brunt of it just a tad. I'm grateful it didn't break the glasses though.
It really isn't bad, unlike the first one I had that left most of the side of my face purple for several days. It hasn't spread too much, just some negligible swelling, and the bruising has (mostly) stayed beneath my brow and in the fold of the lid. You've probably already guessed Little Bit is hardheaded and now she's proven it!
Speaking of Little Bit, when her Mom saw her on the verge of tears a few days ago and implored her not to cry, she told her, "This is not tears. This is the beginning of tears." No moss growing on this one!
Friday, January 22, 2010
A Diffiult Choice
Recent surgery on my thumb reminded me of this column I wrote about six years ago. Not that the thing with my thumb was nearly that traumatic mind you, but still aggravating.
Crutches or a walker? A walker or crutches? Really not much of a choice.
I recently had to choose and I have an uneasy feeling that either one would have been wrong. I know that neither would have been easy!
I postponed some pretty nasty foot surgery for three years, trying all the other remedies offered, some more than once.
Even though I really dreaded wearing a cast for a long time, little did I know that would be the least of my problems.
After biting the bullet and finally going through with it last week, I took the advice of nurses and therapists and opted for the walker. I can’t speak knowledgeably about crutches, but I have a feeling things would not have been all that different. That little therapist did make it look easy though.
I need the walker to keep the weight off my foot for the next few weeks. Silly me. I thought it was used to help you get back into shape. Little did I know that you need to be in good physical shape to use one of these metal monsters.
It sits in front of me, its metal bars stretched into a toothless grin, laughing at me. Daring me to try to conquer it.
I rise to the bait when I cannot longer resist the urge for a drink or to get something I want badly. (After just a couple of days, I had to want it extremely badly to even make the effort!)
It’s the same routine every time. Hop a few feet, rest and puff; hop, rest, puff—over and over and over. After what seems to be forever, I finally make it 15-20 feet to the refrigerator to get a fresh drink or snack.
This will necessitate taking lots of extra steps or you can do as I sometimes do and say, “Forget it. I wasn’t thirsty anyway,” and fall back down in your chair.
I figure by the time I get my arms and left leg muscles in shape, I won’t need it anymore. But if I ever anticipate needing one again, I am going to start lifting weights and go on a diet well beforehand.
While I am a long way from being an expert on this after the short time I have been using the contraption, I feel I am in a position to offer a little advice.
(This is not for those who just need a little assistance in getting around but for those who need it short term. After my experience, I certainly have a whole new admiration for the people who have to use them every day!
First, several weeks before you will have to start using a walker or crutches, find someone who weighs the same thing you do and carry them in your arms every step you make, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If you have to keep weight off one foot, do the same thing, only hop on one foot with them in your arms.
If you cannot find anyone to cooperate with you in this venture, you can accomplish the same thing with weights tied to each arm.
Do not wait until you really have to go to head towards the bathroom. Get a head start when you even think you might have to go, yelling all the way, “If anyone is in the bathroom, get out!”
And carry a little bag with you. It is hard to carry a drink under your arm and use a walker at the same time. Not only is it uncomfortable, when you drop the thing, it will roll forever.
Also, get one of those reacher gadgets to help pick up stuff. That way you may be able to beat the dog to the cookie you drop.
Not everything is negative though. On the upside, there is no cooking or laundry or housework during this time.
I do miss getting in the car whenever I like and going where I want to go. And I confess to being more than a little tired of peanut butter and crackers and daytime television.
Choosing the Lesser of two Evils
Crutches or a walker? A walker or crutches? Really not much of a choice.
I recently had to choose and I have an uneasy feeling that either one would have been wrong. I know that neither would have been easy!
I postponed some pretty nasty foot surgery for three years, trying all the other remedies offered, some more than once.
Even though I really dreaded wearing a cast for a long time, little did I know that would be the least of my problems.
After biting the bullet and finally going through with it last week, I took the advice of nurses and therapists and opted for the walker. I can’t speak knowledgeably about crutches, but I have a feeling things would not have been all that different. That little therapist did make it look easy though.
I need the walker to keep the weight off my foot for the next few weeks. Silly me. I thought it was used to help you get back into shape. Little did I know that you need to be in good physical shape to use one of these metal monsters.
It sits in front of me, its metal bars stretched into a toothless grin, laughing at me. Daring me to try to conquer it.
I rise to the bait when I cannot longer resist the urge for a drink or to get something I want badly. (After just a couple of days, I had to want it extremely badly to even make the effort!)
It’s the same routine every time. Hop a few feet, rest and puff; hop, rest, puff—over and over and over. After what seems to be forever, I finally make it 15-20 feet to the refrigerator to get a fresh drink or snack.
This will necessitate taking lots of extra steps or you can do as I sometimes do and say, “Forget it. I wasn’t thirsty anyway,” and fall back down in your chair.
I figure by the time I get my arms and left leg muscles in shape, I won’t need it anymore. But if I ever anticipate needing one again, I am going to start lifting weights and go on a diet well beforehand.
While I am a long way from being an expert on this after the short time I have been using the contraption, I feel I am in a position to offer a little advice.
(This is not for those who just need a little assistance in getting around but for those who need it short term. After my experience, I certainly have a whole new admiration for the people who have to use them every day!
First, several weeks before you will have to start using a walker or crutches, find someone who weighs the same thing you do and carry them in your arms every step you make, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If you have to keep weight off one foot, do the same thing, only hop on one foot with them in your arms.
If you cannot find anyone to cooperate with you in this venture, you can accomplish the same thing with weights tied to each arm.
Do not wait until you really have to go to head towards the bathroom. Get a head start when you even think you might have to go, yelling all the way, “If anyone is in the bathroom, get out!”
And carry a little bag with you. It is hard to carry a drink under your arm and use a walker at the same time. Not only is it uncomfortable, when you drop the thing, it will roll forever.
Also, get one of those reacher gadgets to help pick up stuff. That way you may be able to beat the dog to the cookie you drop.
Not everything is negative though. On the upside, there is no cooking or laundry or housework during this time.
I do miss getting in the car whenever I like and going where I want to go. And I confess to being more than a little tired of peanut butter and crackers and daytime television.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Weird or Just Very Sensitive?
Okay, another example of how you never know with Little Bit. Yesterday, when she was playing with her baby dolls, I joined in and asked her what they were doing. She was just putting one of them down for a "nap" and said she wanted to sing the baby a night-night song. I said, "How about Rock-A-Bye Baby?," to which she readily agreed. There we are, her rocking the baby cradle and me singing the song and not noticing until almost the end the horrified look on her little face. "What's the matter?" I asked, a little alarmed. "Mama, what happened to 'dat poor baby?? The tree broke and the baby fell out of it! That's not good! Babies shouldn't climb trees, it's not safe! Was the baby hurt?? That's a SAD song, I don't like that song!!! And on and on and on....sigh.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Two lessons
If I’ve learned nothing else in my life, I do know this. There are two arguments you cannot win: politics and religion. I do not discuss either and I do not inflict my opinion on anyone else.
I'm sure some are wondering what prompted this. It's just that lately everywhere I go it seems someone is raging about politics, even on Facebook. I'm of the opinion that if you cannot do better, be careful with your criticism. And if someone does not respond when you keep talking about a subject, realize they really, really do not want to hear/discuss it.
I like living in my new place but I unknowingly went from a quite liberal neighborhood to a hotbed of Republican ultraconservatism. I really do like my friends here, just wish they could find something else to talk about besides politics and money (indirectly). I've never joined in any of these discussions so I guess they are not sure what to make of me. Guess they will have to keep wondering!
To any of my Facebook friends reading this, I hope you don't take offense but I have wonder where all this religious fervor was when times were not so tough economically. When I look at my page sometimes, I wonder if I've accidentally strayed into a “tent” revival. I hate hiding anyone on my friends list but it has come to that when that is poltiics and religious are all a person posts. Sadly, it often makes me miss keeping up with someone I do care about.
This is not a judgment of anyone in particular but I think it gives religion a bad name when people you know are running around, swapping spouses, and violating other tenets of the Bible they are so fond of quoting suddenly become oh-so pious. I’m not really sure I want them to waste God’s time praying for me!
I'm sure some are wondering what prompted this. It's just that lately everywhere I go it seems someone is raging about politics, even on Facebook. I'm of the opinion that if you cannot do better, be careful with your criticism. And if someone does not respond when you keep talking about a subject, realize they really, really do not want to hear/discuss it.
I like living in my new place but I unknowingly went from a quite liberal neighborhood to a hotbed of Republican ultraconservatism. I really do like my friends here, just wish they could find something else to talk about besides politics and money (indirectly). I've never joined in any of these discussions so I guess they are not sure what to make of me. Guess they will have to keep wondering!
To any of my Facebook friends reading this, I hope you don't take offense but I have wonder where all this religious fervor was when times were not so tough economically. When I look at my page sometimes, I wonder if I've accidentally strayed into a “tent” revival. I hate hiding anyone on my friends list but it has come to that when that is poltiics and religious are all a person posts. Sadly, it often makes me miss keeping up with someone I do care about.
This is not a judgment of anyone in particular but I think it gives religion a bad name when people you know are running around, swapping spouses, and violating other tenets of the Bible they are so fond of quoting suddenly become oh-so pious. I’m not really sure I want them to waste God’s time praying for me!
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