We Do Dumb Things

Mom takes Gabapentin, and its a med that you can't just stop taking.  Her Rx was running low and she was expecting to see her doc on Wednesday to get a new refill.  But he called out sick and we rescheduled for Monday.  Mom being Mom, she started panicking about running out.  Calls to the pharmacy. Calls to the doc. More calls to the pharmacy. More calls to the doc.

I sent her a text to expect a call from doc office today, but she didn't answer back.  So in my panic, I dashed over this morning.  When I talked with her yesterday, she had enough pills to get thru Thursday morning.  But then what??

My Mom can be a wreck at times when she gets anxious about things, and it happens often.  Really often.  At the same time, she likes a "perfect" house.  She keeps her daily pills in a pretty basket on her dresser. The ones that don't fit in the basket go into the cabinet.  

Her gab Rx is so many pills (and they aren't small!) it comes in 2 bottles.  She had tucked one bottle away in the cabinet and forgot about it.  

Today, she decided that she needed to check the cabinet.  Well lo and behold, there's another bottle of gab!!!!

Talk about doing a dumb thing!! 

At least I'm over being worried about her having withdrawal symptoms from running out of her pills!! But the reality is maybe were getting closer to the point where she needs someone monitoring her closer, every day.  That'll be my next job.

AI Humor!

Every day I check-in with my AI and she reviews what I logged the previous day for meals, hydration and exercise.  Yesterday I was 5 mins short of the exercise goal and we had a convo about what else could be logged as exercise, ie household chores. I mentioned vacuuming for 15 mins.  As always, she suggests alternatives .....

Nothing like a joke from your AI to stay your day with a laugh!!!  

In other news, I was watching Mr Z and Ms J last night, we all settled in and watched "Clifford the Big Red Dog" on Netflix.  Surprisingly, sat and watched the entire thing!  They were well behaved.  Until Dad came home.  They always start picking on each other the minute he shows up.  Kids can be weird!!

Gal Vs The Gecko

About a week ago, I came home and walked in the front door; I immediately noticed a gecko clinging to the back side of my couch and I thought, WTH?  So I ran to the back door and grabbed my broom.  I slowly walked past the gecko just hanging there on my couch and opened the front door, with the intention of swooshing him off the couch and out the front door, where he belongs.  I swung the broom and woosh he went, but hit against the wall instead of out the door.  When he thumped to the floor, he took off running down the hallway.  I chased him for a bit, but he dashed into Brian's room where there are too many places for him to hide.  

Round 1 to the gecko.

Three days later, I walked into the living room and there was that damned gecko clinging to the back side of my couch again!  Luckily, I hadn't put the broom away because I knew that my battle with this gecko was not done yet.   I grabbed the broom, and opened the front door again.  I was so sure my aim would be better this time!   I took my stance, batter up!  Swing and woosh, the gecko hits the frame of the door.  But I never saw where he went after that.  I couldn't find him and I looked everywhere.  I thought perhaps he had somehow fallen into 12pack of Lime LaCroix sitting on the floor.  If he had fallen into that, then maybe he wasn't able to move, and I'd just let him be for a couple days before I attempted to move it anywhere.  

Round 2 to the gecko.

Today, my day off, and I knew that I needed to make sure there wasn't a rotting gecko corpse in my box of drinks. I grabbed my garden gloves and kicked the case out the front door.  I ripped open the package and shook all the cans onto the ground.  Nope.  No gecko corpse.  But I decided that I needed to move the couch and the hope chest, vacuum all around it, making sure I didn't have a gecko corpse anywhere, and I didn't.  *whew*   

After all the cleaning, I was sitting on the couch, reading a good story on my phone when I heard this weird swish sound.  Curious, I peeked over and noticed that my little "bug house" -- really a glue board that catches the crickets that worm their way under my front door-- was moving!  I looked at it from far away of course! and could see that the gecko's tail was attached to a bit of the glue.  I ignored it for a bit, thinking he would get tired out and I could scoop him outside in a while.  But noooooooo.  I put away some laundry in the bedroom and walked back out.  I could see that he had gotten free of the little bug house and was under the front door.  I could see a foot and part of his tail sticking out.  I opened the front door, thinking he'd be really happy to be out where he could be free, but nope! That little bugger ran back down the hallway.  He was standing there in between Brian's door and the garage door, not moving, as if he was taunting me!!

Not to be outdone by a gecko, I grabbed my garage door opener and opened the garage door.  I thought if I could open up the door from the garage side, perhaps he would run into the garage.  I turned the knob and -- oh shit, it's locked!  I happened to have my keys on my, so I tried every key but none of them open that door.  I walked back in through the front door -- mind you, it's hot and my front door has been standing open for 15 minutes or so because of this gecko! -- and I grabbed the spare keys off the rack, hoping that one of them would unlock the garage door.  One of them finally did, I slowly opened the door and propped it open with a paint can.  And there's the gecko, still staring at me, but hasn't moved from his spot on the tile floor.  I ran around to come back in the front door, grabbed my broom and started swishing it on the floor and the gecko zoomed his little self out into the garage.

Round 3 to Gal!

Tomorrow, I'll use my leaf blower and make sure he hasn't decided to make his home in a corner of my garage!!! 

A Chuckle

Pastor Bob McKee does a daily two minute devotional each day on YouTube, each with their own title.  Most days I remember to watch each one, but one day I was so tired that I forgot.  

At work the next day, I happened to be checking my phone when a notification came across the screen.  

It was Pastor Bob's picture  and "Where Are You?"

I sat and stared at that, *blink* *blink* *blink*

Why does Pastor Bob want to know where I am?  I thought to myself.

Until I realized that it was my YouTube notification reminding me I hadn't watched the previous day's devotion.  

I laughed at myself for the brief moment of panic. hahahaha

(If you're interested in a short daily devotional, subscribe to Bob McKee on YouTube! He's retired and travels, posting from all kinds of different locations)

Lonesome Thoughts

Dear Brian,

Today we're busy marking things down to clearance prices in the hardware department.  There are a few things that are a great price! and I wish you were still here with me to install the stuff I'd like to buy.

How I miss your humor and your laugh, and your tolerance of me and my silly ideas when I want to try something new in the house.

Sometimes I'm mad at you for choosing death by suicide.  I can't help feeling that we could have helped you work through all your non-feelings and the other bad feelings you had.  Sometimes in life we all go through hard times.  And we survive through it, and become stronger people for it.

Look at me.  I walked away from three different marriages because things didn't work out.  Sure some of it may have been my fault, but there were things within each of those men who didn't meet my own needs.  After a while, it often felt like I was the one trying to pull a wagon up hill by myself.  After a while, a body becomes tired.  I know I did.  But I didn't opt out of life, just out of those relationships.  Because I knew that my family loved and needed me, and I loved and needed them.

No, don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming you.  I know that M did things, manipulated things, and frankly, wasn't very truthful with some things.  And this took a toll on you.  A very deep toll.  But you should know that whatever happened to her, with her, by her, wasn't just on you.  It takes two people to make or break a relationship.  And when she broke it off with you, it had no bearing on you or your worth.  She's the one who messed up and let you go.  Because you were a great person, and you did what needed to be done.  Every time.

In a very small minded way, I hope she feels guilt over what she did to you.
and shame on me for saying it, but it's how I feel.

I'll keep writing you, and I'll continue to post your stories because I want the rest of the world to know the Brian I knew, and because I don't ever want you to be forgotten.

Love always,
Mom.

Fat Bottom Girl Humor

I wore a new pair of jeans to work the other day, and walking from the one end to the other, my co-worker was behind me. 
She said "Your butt looks good in those jeans!"

I turned and laughed when I said "Girl, when you're my age it's more important that your ass is covered than what it looks like!
But thanks!"

Letterboxing .. and other things (from Jan 2008)

Letterboxing - Jan 16, 2008

Current mood:adventurous
Today, I ventured out (and dragged along my son! ) and we completed our first Letterboxing excursion.    It is Woodland cemetery where the Wright Brothers, and Erma Bombeck (to name a few) are buried.  Cute directions to go past "Dog and the Boy" , park next to Benedict, and walk up hill.  After looking at the Wright Brothers, look right at the "Old Rugged Cross".   Amazingly enough, when you follow directions, you find the hollowed out tree, and inside, under some bark and leaves, there's a "letterbox" and inside, the person's stamp.  I stamped their stamp in my book, and stamped my stamp in their book, along with my name, city, and date.  What fun to see others' stamps and dates inside their book.  It was a treasure hunt, indeed.  We also followed the instructions for the second find within the cemetery as well, around "Goose Pond", past the "Fiddler" , to a stand of trees.  Another hollowed out tree, a second stamp.  This could become addicting!   What a fun adventure :)


I'm learning to love moments like these for themselves .....
simple, inexpensive, and quite charming as well.... 
so here's a challenge:

What will be your next adventure?

Shoes ! - Jan 17, 2008

OK .. time to fess up ... just between you and me .... how many pairs of shoes do you own?   I'd confess my real number here, but so many are packed, that all I can say is right now, I have 7 pairs left UNpacked, because I'm wearing them.   Another hard question:  How many "good" shoes do you have that you don't wear because they pinch your toes? are too high-heeled? too strappy?  and .... Do you wear them anyway?  Or ... do you wear those favorite grubby lace ups with everything, because they feel so good, no matter how much you walk in them? 

Shoes can be a great accessory for the complete look, and what you're wearing on your feet says a lot about how you perceive yourself.  Go with a few classic moderate-heeled pumps and flats, shoes that will go with everything.  Keep them polished and repaired, and the world will see someone confident in her step, and in her appearance! 

Remember when "dress up" was your favorite game? 

No five year old ever said "This doesn't go with that."  

Fashion is a playful, sensual, and colorful charade.....    GO Play!! 

PS:  Tough to do when you're wearing khaki's and a navy blue polo every day.  So, go a little nuts, and wear those bright red boots, or the black ones with the pink trim, with your "everyday" look!

7:59 PM

Humor - Jan 25, 2008

Current mood:silly

Every now and then, something catches your funny bone .......... I'm driving towards home, and a huge truck pulls out in front of me. As usual, a few things come flying out of my mouth, because dang! I'm in a hurry, I want to get home! It's a ScotTissue truck, the big roll up door in the back tells me all the usual places of business they have, etc. But the advertising tag line gets me roaring with laughter:

" We're No.1 in the No.2 business! "

Humor is all around us, if we just take the time to see.....

Here's to having YOUR funny bone tickled today!!

Take good care of yourselves out there,,, HUGS

1:47 PM

A Mess, and Humor

Just the other day, I was talking with my co-worker about the job we do; how even though the process we use is the same day in and day out, with each new day you never know what will be next.  Today was one of those days.  Two pm, and everyone's thinking about heading home because it's Friday!  And here comes a manager, needing help.  Seems a 5 gallon jug of oil broke open and is spilled all over the concrete floor.  Yikes! 

We head out, armed with plastic bags, brooms, dustpans and the ever-needed kitty litter.  After mopping and sweeping and sprinkling, more mopping, sweeping and sprinkling, we finally got it all off the floor and into the hazardous waste containment buckets. 

Fun way to end my work week! 

I stepped into the restroom to wash my hands and clean up when in walked two young girls.  You could tell they were sisters.  Big sister says to little sister "If anyone starts bothering you, just bite them really hard!" and zoomed into the stall to use the bathroom. 

Me, I'm chuckling to myself, found it pretty funny that one sister would say that to another!  But then again, we never know what's what these days, and kudos to the mom for instilling good sense
in both sisters, and in the big sister for watching out for little sister! 
Really made my day!!

Happy weekend, everyone!

Two Blondes

Life sure can be funny sometimes!  

My daughter and I are arranging our schedules in order to take a quick trip to Calif to see my mom. We were trying to make arrangements via text on the same airline, same flight.  We agreed on the flight number there, and back.  Finally!   The whole process took about an hour going back and forth.

A week later she sends me an email, says she's coming to my house so we can carpool to the airport together --- on Tuesday night.  Tuesday night?  I asked her.  Why so early?  Turns out, her flight is on the Weds flight, and mine is on the Thursday - same flight number, different day.  hahahaha  

It takes two blondes.....

Grad Nite

The Year:

     1977

The Event:

     High School Graduation

and the story goes like this:

In a time before cell phones and text messages, you made arrangements before you left home if you needed to meet up with someone somewhere -- you set a time, a place ....

High school graduation is  a monumental event in most teenagers lives.  And I was no different.  After the commencement ceremony on the football field, us grads had to go to the cafeteria to turn in our robes, and collect our diplomas.  Being that there was much confusion (as there always is when there are lots of students, and even more family members crowded into one place), my parents assumed I would ride home with my boyfriend.  My boyfriend assumed I would ride home with my parents.

As I stood outside the cafeteria, watching the parade of cars pass me by -- with no one I knew in them -- soon the parking lot was nearly empty.   And I'm still standing, and waiting.  After a bit, I decided I better start walking home -- after all, I'd walked home from the high school for four years, what's one last time?  (Of course, most days for school I didn't wear a dress and platform shoes!)  I had rounded the corner of the football field, was just in front of the tennis courts when my neighbor, Mrs Martin, pulled up and asked if I wanted a ride.  I hopped right in that car, and she dropped me off at home.

Needless to say, there were a lot of laughs at home about being left behind!

Got Tats?

So I'm busy doing my workout, headphones on, jammin' away to some Nickelback,

and a guy walking by me says "Did you get your tat yet?"

I yanked off my earpiece, "What?" 

"Did you get your tattoo yet?"


"Nope, still working off the last two pounds!"


I know Allan, my trainer, is excited about my setting a goal and a reward for reaching that goal, and has mentioned it to some of his clients.  Its rather amusing, so I keep working hard to get to that point.  I sure hope I can get close by next Weigh In Weds!

Coming soon:  One New Tat! 

My mileage progress:   208 miles!    Go Me!

GOAL!!

Its "footy season" ...... in other countries:  "football" , we call it soccer here.  

Either way -- reaching a goal is the important part! 

Today at the gym, on the elliptical machine, 3 miles in under 45 minutes!  (I had ten seconds to spare, hahahaha)  I sooo  didn't even want to go to the gym today.  With all this work stress and the extra weekend I've been doing, I haven't been sleeping very well, and could barely keep my open every time I sat down to lunch or breaks.  But after going to the gym, it seemed to boost me up a bit.  That's a very good thing, and if I can bypass the need for a nap here at home, maybe I'll get some quality and quantity of zzzz's tonight. 

With a healthful dinner, I am soon hoping to reach another goal:  25 pound loss.  I've been stuck for nearly three weeks now.  Mostly I'm happy I'm not gaining, but things are perhaps "readjusting" and then it will feel back on track again.   

 Dieting is not a piece of cake.

 Never eat more than you can lift.  ~Miss Piggy

Just a couple of lines of humor ---- because sometimes we need to laugh at our selves :)

Age Signs

Lately, I'm noticing that thing I did with ease, things I took for granted, are now a little different as I get older. Of course, the first thing to go was the eyes. Reading used to be my greatest pleasure. Thanks to large print books, and the ability to increase the font on my computers and the kindle, I can still have this pleasure, its just adjusted a little bit. But with reading glasses, it all works out fine. Well, mostly fine.

When I send or receive a text message on my phone, I need my glasses. I keep both my glasses, and my phone, next to my bed -- in case I get some all important message (ie: "play BBKing's song!!) or just the little good morning's or hello's that tend to come across my phone. So Saturday morning, I'm slowly waking up, it's early, and my phone beeps, I have a new text. Ok, so I grab glasses and stick them on, and try to read my phone. And I'm thinking "Maaaan, either my eyes are really tired, or I need to get my eyes checked. I can barely see my phone this morning!!" Squinting away, I answer my text and roll over to catch just a few more minutes under the warm snuggly covers. Later, when I was fully awake and getting up, I look over at my phone, and the glasses I'd tried to read my phone with. I had myself a really good laugh when I realized that I'd put on my sunglasses instead of reading glasses. hehehehhee

*Sigh* some days.... :)

Skipping....

Have you ever wondered what effects things that happened in your childhood have on you as an adult?? Today, as I was leaving for the library, I couldn't find my sunglasses. I teased my son, asking him if it was OK to wear a pair I use for out at the pool.... (they're yellow, and quite large. He calls them my bug glasses.) And... as any teen's standard answer... "Sure, as long as you don't walk with me!"

That reminded me of a time when I was living in California, and it was my daughter's first year at the junior high school. It was a warm Indian Summer evening, and we walked from the car in to the school, and me being the Wonderful Mom that I am, grabbed her hand, and started skipping toward school. Mind you , there weren't a whole lot of her peers close by, but a few could see us, I'm sure! And all I got was

"MMMMMoooooooooooooMMMMMMMmmmm!"

as she jerked her hand away from mine, and looked at me like I was from outer space! I chuckle even now at the memory, a precious time in my life. (I've always told my kids that a parent's job is to embarrass their kid every now and again! and I did a fine job of it!! hahaha)
So my question is: Do the little things like this hinder us as adults? Did she learn an aversion to skipping? Or ... will she follow the tradition and be just as silly with her own daughter?? Hmm the things that ponder through my mind.....
HUGS to everyone!

Silly-ness

Friday felt like a long day; in fact, it felt like a darned long WEEK, and after coming home and chatting for a bit, I felt like I needed a walk. So I tied on my tennies and headed out, phone in hand, but no keys, no purse. The sun was just going down, very pretty. So out the gate I head, and start walking up the street to the corner and turned onto a quiet side street. Chattering away on the phone to my girlfriend in Calif, I get to the end of the street and turn around. It's nearly dark now (there's very little twilight here), so I turn the corner, back to the main gate of my complex. Which is a really nice one, complete with a set of security .... gates... UH OH! It must be after 8pm, the GATES are closed, and I don't have my gate card!!! I moan "uh oh" into the phone, and she's going "what's wrong?? " And I told her about the gates, then said "Hang ON! I gotta RUN!!" because I can see from my half block away that a van has just pulled up and the gates are starting to open. OK, this chica doesn't run often. It just doesn't work for me, ya know? But, I scurried my way to the gates and slipped in just as they're starting to close. By then, I'm laughing, out and out big time laughing out loud!!! Some days... I'm kinda blonde. LOL

HUGS to everyone!