Whoa there!!

It is 2:02 AM and I am in awe of all that is occurring simultaneously in my little corner of the world. Here are some of the highlights in random order:

Mom is awake and not quite understanding that it is the 'middle of the night.'

It is raining, thundering, and lightening. One of the two skylights in my bedroom needs a new seal. It has been ordered by the roof man that I called to figure out the problem. In very windy rainy weather, it is a very, very slow drip . So, at the moment, the driving rain has joined us just a 'lil bit' in the dark. The creek which I can hear outside my bedroom window has already joined the grassy area on its sides more than once in the past 2 days.

The dog is inconsolable in thunder and lightening. She paces, and stands as a sentinel at the side of my bed, and stares at me. She has already tried to get inside of my pocketbook which was on the floor. I wish that I could help her, but I cannot fix this problem. She is licking Flo's hand right now.

I am off my arthritis meds, and as a result, there are body parts that are screaming.

A tornado watch was just issued for my county until 2:53 AM...I'm thinking the dog will exhibit even worse behavior. Obviously, I am hoping the actual tornado does not materialize.

It is warm in the bedroom, and I have the 2 windows open, and the ceiling fan on medium. Flo just announced that her head is sweating. Really? To which I reply.

"I totally understand this...Let us remember who is the first one to break out in a sweat....That would be me!!"

If it were 24 hours later, I could be watching the Royal Wedding Hoopla for entertainment. I really don't care about this event, but it would be entertaining at the very least. I am stuck with Judge Pirro. The Good Lord has scheduled $250 leather pocketbooks on QVC and thankfully, there will not be one in my future. Had it been plants and flowers, I would have been in trouble.

Well, the battery on my laptop is running low, and I am not going to plug it in while in the midst of all this drama...I am thinking that the way things are going right now, Lightning would connect Point A to Point Me...

What a re'volt'ing development that would be!!!

Easter

As a kid, the very first action on Easter Sunday was to search for that hidden basket of candy that you could hear calling your name. And if you happened upon one that had a sibling's name, there was to be no spoiling their fun. Childhood memories of Easter in the 50's and 60's included a new outfit: a dress [often from Robert Hall's store] and patent leather shoes, a decorative hat, and white gloves for Easter Morning Mass. My brothers wore starched shirts and new ties. Pretty amazing for a family that had no extra money at any time. The spring colors, beautiful outfits, and boys looking rather formal in church were a sight to behold.

Stores were closed on Sunday.

As I think about it, it was a lot simpler time not dominated by commercialism and candy companies. [Halloween was more about 'putting together' a creative costume, too.]

This year's Easter for Flo and me [and Gracie] was very low key and just fine for us. There are some holiday occasions that are 'just another day' which is a phrase that was voiced by Mom many years ago.

Still trying to get my energy level kicked up a planet or two!
And there you have it.

48 hours

It all started with a sharp pain in my left side three weeks ago which was diagnosed as diverticulitis. [bad news] Two simultaneous antibiotics for ten days made the sharp pain subside [good news] along with the side effect of bumping me off of my arthritis meds.[ bad news] Ten days later I still wasn't feeling great and my left sided pain seemed to be making an encore. With the weekend in sight, I went to the doctor. Blood work showed an elevated white count along with a fever and a CAT scan was scheduled right then. Two large cups of thick stuff and a scan that was read before I was to leave resulted in the words,

"We want to admit you. The left side showed nothing to be alarmed about but there is an inflammation on the right side of your colon that should be addressed especially due to my immune system's RA history."

Have you ever gone to the doctor and the next thing you know you are in Room 204 A on a clear liquids menu with a window view of the sky?

Lions and tigers and bears...oh my!

The result was an unplanned hospital tour of 48 hours with IV antibiotics and a complimentary [not!!]nightgown that was definitely not particularly flattering to my kiester!

There was some fancy footwork done with the help of friends to plan Flo's weekend [who thought I was visiting my son for the weekend], and I had more than one 'AHA' moment while meeting some pretty unique people.

The good news: I do not have diverticulitis.

The bad news: The jury is still out on what's got the right side of my colon bent out of shape.

There are stories to tell and lessons to share very soon.

Here's just one:

My roommate had a kidney stone and I certainly wouldn't have wanted to trade places with her. I did want to murder her husband when he arrived armed with Wendy's french fries, fried chicken sandwiches, and rich chocolaty Frosties. The aroma wafting through the room was overwhelming. I was on the other side of the curtain sipping chicken broth, hot tea, and deciding to pass on the 'antifreeze blue' jello.

I don't think there is a jury in the continental United States that would have found me guilty of murder. Temporary insanity gained absolute clarity in my mind.

What would your verdict be if you were on the jury? Would I be doing additional time for bad behavior? [the murder, that is].

Other insightful memories will be shared after a couple of nights of the comforts of my own bed and favorite roommates...Flo [Mom] and Gracie [dog extraordinaire]!!

And there you have it.

Road Trip!

Yesterday I embarked upon my maiden voyage to The Casino for a day in the life of...Ultimate Bingo! The bus was scheduled to leave at 8AM, but I was warned to be there early if possible because they would leave as soon as everyone was on board. I got there at 7:50 and only one person arrived after me. Whew! [the pressure!!.] The trip cost $18 and you received $15 in credit coupons for the casino along with a $5 lunch card. What a deal!! Sit back, relax, and watch the scenery while the driver deals with the traffic, tolls, and directions.

As soon as we were on the Thruway, the announcement was made:

"We will begin our Bus Bingo games in one minute."

Really? How much? One whopping big buck!!

I paid my dollar and received the two paper sheets that would be four games. The first game was a regular Bingo and the winner got....five dollars. I should have not assumed it would be more than that, but ... whatever. And then it continued for the full board, and I had 'Bingo!!' I couldn't believe it. It was a ten dollar prize that I ultimately split with three people for...yes...three dollars!

Winning is winning. I was thinking that 'this was the beginning of a great run of luck .. it was a sign... In my mind I was chanting , 'Show me the money!!'

At the casino, I got in line for my 'diamond card' which enabled me to hand in my coupons and purchase the various games that were happening from 10 AM to 4 PM. While I was led through this process by one friend, another seasoned player secured our table in the nonsmoking section at a good spot...close to the restaurant, bathroom, and lighted boards and TVs. Then everyone started premarking[???] in pen the different patterns that are played like 'postage stamp, picture frame, and Indian arrowhead [in any direction!!].' This was not for the faint of heart. I was majorly stressed at first, but as with most experiences in life, I recovered...enough to say... Let the games begin!!

In the 'special' games where I had only one page of three boards, I got so good that I was watching the TVs that would show you the next number before it was called. I was feeling like a player! Wahoo! On the games that came in sheets that included nine boards, I felt like Lucy and Ethel in the candy wrapping episode of 'I Love Lucy'. Geez!

Well, I didn't get to yell out that dog's name...[B-I-N-G-O], and yes I had a grand time. It was time spent with good friends, doing some pretty unique 'people -watching', and boosting the necessary confidence for whenever the next casino adventure may present itself. I believe there may be a genetic predisposition to that gambling 'bug' and so I'll blame it on Flo. She has definitely demonstrated that gene and has passed it on.

She recently has expressed some serious Atlantic City withdrawal. Flo and her sister Marie were a dynamic duo on many, many bus trips that left from Wrinkle City.[ An affectionate name for their retirement village.] They had so much fun that they missed the return bus ride and hitched a ride home with another senior who called her daughter to come to Atlantic City to drive them all home!!!

Ya know....

If I were to drive there...

I think I may have to bring her along on the next casino trip to play the slot machines for a little bit. She'd love it!

The Happy Couple

Here they are! The birther and the birthee!

O Happy Day! It was April 10, 19** when Florence gave birth to her first child [and my brother] Paul.

He was here for the weekend to share their day together, as they have 'known each other' longer than anyone else on the planet. Communication has always been a priority with Mom and her kids. When Paul was in the Air Force, he served three years in Texas and one year in Greenland. Flo was an executive secretary and often sent either a typed or handwritten note probably four times a week as a habit. They talk by phone a couple of times a day sharing news, jokes, and rare moments in time. Mom listens attentively and has given cause for some hearty laughter...like the time she said to him...

"I don't know what it is that you were talking about, but it was good!!!"

He is now 'on the road again' driving the five hour return trip. A devoted son and friend, they have a bond like no other. So, Happy BIRTHday...to Flo and Paul. Wahoo for you!!

Ahh...Even I can do it!

I am giving a shout out for these Oxo storage containers for anyone who has trouble opening, twisting, peeling, or pulling...the tops off of containers. The knob on the Oxo top is easily popped up by pushing on it when it is flat with the top [the closed, air tight position] and then you just pick it up. When you are done, you put the top back on and push the knob back down flat. So easy to do, Yipee!!! Genius!! Refreshing!! Sold. I have a wide selection of gizmos to help me get stuff open. That was probably the result of not being able to get the Tylenol container open, and I had to resort to sawing it off with a serrated knife!@!@! That was years ago. Since then, I generally ask people for help whenever I cannot get childproof tops off. Forget about mouthwash that you have to push both sides in and also simultaneously turn it, too. I am really tired of the cellophane/foil wrapped benedryl that you have to bend the end and then peel the paper diagonally to then break the foil. Uh-huh...scissors work much better. And the Reddi Whip container that you are supposed to peel that tiny piece of plastic counterwise....I recommend grasping the bottom of the can with two hands and give that plastic top a Smackdown on the edge of the countertop. That cap will FLY! Seriously, you should be able to open stuff without using your teeth or asking the CIA to help you figure it out...or the nearest kid you can find!!

All's well!

Hard to believe that last Sunday there was that sharp stabbing pain in my left side, [diverticulitis] and today there is none!! Antibiotics have evidently done the job! Wahoo! And, many thanks to the people who commented that there might still be some strawberries and popcorn in my future. I am researching it and I am optimistic about the results. I may have eaten my last piece of lettuce, though.

Ouch!!

Simply stated, you have to be paying attention, and take action when necessary. The pain in my lower abdomen was on the left side, so I knew it was not my appendix along with the comfort of knowing that it was removed when I was 15 years old. So when the pain escalated to a sharp stabbing pain that screamed, "You can not ignore this!" I went to the doctor. Naturally I assumed it couldn't be a simple matter. So when the doctor asked if I have ever had any colon issues, I replied that I am 'up to date' on my colonoscopies...[Thank you very much!!] And she immediately pulled up those results electronically. The word diverticulitis was there in black and white. I guess that since I did not have any overt flares, I must have not given it the proper respect. "Hop up on the table." Hop? What is she...nuts? I haven't hopped since playing hopscotch at ages 6-12.

She pressed in a couple of places and then ...

"Does it hurt here?"

Las Vegas bells, whistles, and neon lights all activated. ooph!!

"You have diverticulitis. I am pretty certain. I am going to give you two antibiotics, go very easy on what you eat...no nuts, seeds, popcorn, spicy food... liquids for the rest of today and if it doesn't start to immediately back down, we will go from there. Certainly, if it gets worse or a fever occurs, call me immediately."

Of course the bad news for me is that there will be no arthritis meds til the antibiotics are done.

Life is a series of trade offs. I'm not complaining...just stating facts.

That was Monday. This is Friday, and thankfully the pain has subsided. I am familiar with the dietary program of diverticulosis as my mom and brother have both had an issue or two with it, as well as several friends, too.

Bye bye strawberries. Bye bye nuts and seeds. Bye bye popcorn....WHAT?

I don't think so!!

Really, now. Enough is enough.