Assorted Stuff

This week was heart doctor week.  She was happy to see that the blood pressure medicine is working for the most part.  What she couldn’t understand was the fact that my blood pressure was high at night.  During the day it stays pretty good, but really goes up at night.  So, she is having more tests run.  We shall see what they find.  It’s frustrating that this is happening but they cannot find out why.  So, I keep my log, she checks it, and we go from there.

After going to the doctor I stopped at Barnes and Noble.  Did not find one book that I was looking for.  However, after that I stopped at Jo-Ann’s Fabrics and I did find material for drapes for my dining room.  I am just learning how to use my sewing machine and I am going to make drapes.  I plan to use the ones I have now for the pattern since I like that style.  I’m just tired of the brown.    

Last night I took an online class to learn how to find information about ancestors’ military service.  It was interesting and I learned a lot.  It was nice because the instructor told us of free sites.  She did not just push the sites where you had to pay.  I have found several ancestors on both mine and Jim’s side that were alive during several early wars including the Revolutionary War.  I have also found information that my mom’s mother belonged to the DAR and I found out thru the class how to research the information to learn who the ancestor is that she was able to be a member.  I have a lot to do J

The four lemon trees we ordered arrived today.  I guess Kevin will be planting them tomorrow.  The apple, pear and peach trees we ordered should arrive either Saturday or Monday.  We know they have been shipped.  Renea said his bee supplies that he ordered arrived yesterday.  Kevin has his second bee keeping class tomorrow (Saturday).  He decided not to get the chickens until next year.  Between his garden, bees and trees he will be busy.  This year he started the plants for his garden from seeds in his shed.  He bought the lights, trays and everything needed.  Just call him Farmer Kevin. 

The past two days have been cloudy, cool and extremely windy.  In fact, the wind has been blowing hard enough that it blew down the birdfeeders.  Today it is sunny but still cool.  I did go out this morning and rounded up the birdfeeders, filled them and hung them.  The birds are already out there eating.

Kevin planted the four lemon trees this morning.  The apple, pear and peach trees are scheduled to arrive today.  Since he has his bee class this afternoon I don’t know if he will get them planted today – probably not. 

Well, the apple, pear and peach trees did not arrive as scheduled.  I have checked the Fed Ex site and it says that delivery has not been scheduled.  Not sure what is going on. 

Kevin has received his beehive and beekeeping suit, so he is making progress J

I started some research on the military sites.  I had been told by family members that on my mother’s side we had at least one person who fought in the revolutionary war.  I found one definite and possibly four more.  I still need to do some research.  This is so exciting.  I knew we had family members that fought in WWII and the Civil War. I so enjoy researching all of this. 

We Were Lucky

Today is Sunday and it is Brian’s 51^st birthday.  Don’t understand how he got to be that old with such a young mother.  Hope he has a great day.  Last year Tracy has planned a surprise 50^th birthday party for Brian, but we were not able to make it.  That was when a snow/ice storm hit across Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio among other states.  This year I understand it was 70 degrees in Ohio.  Such is winter in the Midwest J

Tomorrow is Renea’s birthday but we are celebrating today.  I will be going to supper at Kevin and Renea’s house.  Stephanie and Ryan will be there.  We also watched the Daytona 500 while there.  The night before they had some friends over to celebrate her birthday and they had a huge bonfire in their back yard.  The burned the trees and branches that Kevin has been cutting down.  I saw it from my back window. 

Today is cloudy and rainy.  This morning I went to Office Depot and mailed several packages and bought some ink for my printer.  I have some pictures to print of Paddy for Jana, and I was almost out of ink.  I also stopped at Books A Million but didn’t buy anything.  They have some books I am looking for, but they were not on sale and they were only in hardback.  I will wait until I get to Barnes and Noble to see what they have.  I then stopped at Hobby Lobby to see about some material I am looking for to make curtains for my dining room.  I am not having any luck finding what I want.  I will next be checking at Joanne’s in Columbus.  Next stop was Goodwill to drop off several bags of items, then on to Kroger.  I sure was glad to get home.  I was tired.

Penny did something today that she has not done.  I can usually leave my front door open when I bring in groceries, etc. and she goes into the room and watches me. She has never tried to go outside.  Well, today when I opened the door she decided to sneak past me.  I told her no and to get back in the house which she did immediately.  However, she did it a second time, but came back in when I told her to do so.  I guess I am going to have to be really careful now.  She definitely wouldn’t survive outside. 

I spent the evening at Kevin and Renea’s because of the threat of severe weather.  We were very lucky this time.  I was all around us, but all we had was heavy rain and some wind.  Kevin was bowling when I first went over.  I had put Penny in her carrier and took her with me.  I left her in the carrier while I was there in case we had to go to the hallway for safety.  Also, we weren’t sure how Lola and her would get along.  Penny did not give me any problems, she just curled up in her carrier and watched everything that was going on.  Lola was fascinated by her.  She laid in front of her carrier and just kept watching her.  She would walk away and then come back.  Lola wasn’t sure what to do about Penny.  After a while Lola climbed up on my lap and laid there.  She may be big, but she thinks she is a lap dog.  Kevin came home about 9:30 but went to bed shortly thereafter.  Renea and I watched some television, but about 11:30 the weatherman seemed to think the worse had passed us so I went home.  I watched the weather until a little after one o’clock then I went to bed.  All was well.

NASCAR and Other Important Stuff

This morning was busy.  I filled the birdfeeders, did dishes, dusted, ordered twenty trees (some for me and some for Kevin), and updated my blog.  This afternoon was take my walk, take out the trash, and picked up the mail.  After supper I have been watching NASCAR.  I can’t believe I am hooked on NASCAR.

Another beautiful day in Alabama.  It is going to reach 70 degrees.  That is perfect as far as I am concerned.  I have opened the windows to let in the fresh air.  Penny likes when I open the windows.  She loves to lay on top of my one piece of furniture that I have by my dining room window.  The birds keep her entertained.  Jim is probably beside himself watching what I allow Penny to do.  She climbs on everything.  I have decided life is too short to worry about it.  I just keep washing everything.  Besides, she is soooo cute J

I am trying to increase my walking times.  Instead of walking once a day to the mailbox/trash can I will be walking twice.  The doctors seem to think that will help keep my fibromyalgia and arthritis from getting too stiff.  Of course, it hurts like the devil when I am finished.  It is also supposed to help my breathing.  So far, it has not helped, but I will keep at it. 

I ran a few errands with Kevin this afternoon.  He bought a new truck – long story.  He now has a Ford F-250 4 wheel drive.  It is beautiful.  Anyway, he had to drop off some paperwork where he bought the truck, then we went to Lowes.  He bought Renea’s birthday present.  I didn’t buy anything (what a shock).  We then picked up his new truck.  He had taken it to have the fifth wheel installed in the bed. 

 
It' s kind of hard to tell the color, but it is not black.  The best description I can give is dark gray.

Last night I watched the NASCAR truck race.  Those drivers are so young.  I really enjoy watching them race.  They don’t hold anything back.  There was a major wreck with seven laps to go.  In fact, they red flagged the race to clean up the mess.  Seventeen cars were involved.  By the time they started the race again there were three laps left.  On the last lap there was another major wreck, and the race finished under a caution (new rules).  One of the cars in the wreck flipped/rolled 13 times.  The car was destroyed, but the young man got out of the car on his own and walked to the ambulance. 

I took the snowmen window clings off the front storm door and replaced them with some “Irish” shamrocks and men.  I decided since it is almost March it was appropriate.  I always have some clings on that door to help keep the birds from flying into it.  It has happened.

Took my walk this afternoon.  Only walked once because I was not having a good day.  Did walk over to Kevin and Renea’s to find out how Renea is doing.  She is having some health problems and I wanted to make sure she was okay.

Today Kevin took his first beekeeping class.  Seems he is planning to have beehives in our backyard, so he is taking a six week course on how to be a beekeeper.  Now when we buy our flowers, bushes and trees we have to be sure the bees will like them.  This should be a lot of fun.

This evening I watched the Xfinity NASCAR race.  Tomorrow is the Daytona 500.  Should be exciting.

A couple of Penny stories

Just finished filling the birdfeeders.  The birds are going thru the food rather quickly.  I don’t have a big variety of birds; a lot of sparrows, cardinals, and other finches.  There may be some others, but the feeders are just far enough away from the house that I’m not sure.  I do know we also have eastern bluebirds.  It won’t be long and we will have hummingbirds and purple martins.  I haven’t seen the hawk lately, so I’m not sure he is still around.

I have feeders in both the backyard and front yard.  Penny has a great time trying to keep up with all of them.  She goes (I should say runs) from one window to the next to watch them.  She also keeps an eye on the squirrels.

Just saw a redwing blackbird at one of my feeders.  First one of those I have seen in quite a while.

Scary night last night (Monday).  Started out with just rain, then went to thunderstorm watch, then thunderstorm warning, then tornado watch, then tornado warning.  We all it all.  Kevin came over to help me get Penny in her crate to take both me and her to his house.  Penny was hiding under the bed and we couldn’t get her out.  She finally came out into the living room, but not matter what we did we could not get her.  I was ready to leave her and go to Kevin’s, but he insisted we get her and take her with us.  Next thing we knew we heard the loud “train” go over the house.  We were very lucky it didn’t touch down.  By then it was past us and Kevin went home and I stayed home.  Penny was still hiding.  A tornado did touch down a little east of us.  Took down a lot of trees.  They were still assessing the damage when I went to bed.

I checked around this morning, and didn’t see any big damage.  My deck furniture had been moved and I have a lot of branches all over the yard.  Again, we were very lucky.

Today is beautiful and sunny.  It is supposed to be around 70 today and for the next few days.  No rain until Sunday. 

I’ve been busy straightening shelves, cleaning cupboards and drawers.  I am about 1/3 finished.  It seems that it will be an on-going process.  Oh well, what else do I have to do.  I am finding stuff I forgot I had.  And, that includes quite a few craft items that I have started and need to finish and items that I haven’t even started as yet.  I could be a really busy person.  Now I just need to get started, but first I have to finish the cupboards and drawers.  However, it’s break time now.

A Couple of Penny Stories:

Two days ago I noticed Penny standing on her hind legs and leaning with her front legs against the end table in front of the backyard window.  She would raise her head really high and then bring it down.  She would back up and just stand on her hind legs.  I couldn’t figure out what she was doing and why.  Finally, I looked out the back window by my computer and saw two really big black birds on the ground by the birdfeeder.  The only thing I can figure is she had never seen any birds that big before.  When they flew away she came away from the window and went about her normal business. 

I usually go to bed about 10:30 and read for about 30 minutes or so before turning out the light.  Last night about 11:00 I heard a funny noise.  I listened and realized it was Penny.  I found her standing on her hind legs, again, with her front paws on the window ledge.  This time it was the front window overlooking the deck.  Her litter box is under that window and I keep the window open about two inches all the time.  She was standing next to the litter box.  She was making a funny noise that I don’t know how to describe.  When I looked out the window there was a large beautiful black and white cat sitting on the deck below the window looking at Penny.  I guess they were “talking” to each other.  The outside cat did not run away when it saw me.  I shut the window just to be sure neither of them tried to rip the screen.  Don’t know how long either of them stayed like that because I turned out the light and went to bed.  It will be interesting to find out if that cat comes back.  I don’t know if it has been here before.

Today is Thursday and the weather is beautiful.  Supposed to be this way for a couple of days and then get cold again.  I am still working on getting my “inside” work finished so I am ready for “outside” work.  Should be nice enough to start working outside in a few weeks.  Yea!  I am ready for spring.

Just An Old Grouch

It’s a beautiful day.  The sun is shining but it is somewhat cold.  Winter has definitely arrived in Alabama.  The birds have emptied the bird feeder so my next project will be to go out and fill them.  I have also done two loads of wash and cleaned the bathroom this morning.  I only have the bedroom to do now.  I plan to save that for next week.  It will probably take me all next week.  I bought a really large tote box so I can store some items in my new shed.

Laundry is folded and put away, trash has been taken up to the trash cans, picked up the mail and filled the birdfeeders.  I am done for the day!  Except for fixing supper and doing dishes J

Sunday was not a very good day.  Didn’t do a lot.  Blood pressure was up and down all day.  So I did some reading and watched the Super Bowl.  Yea Broncos!  I was hoping they would win mostly for Peyton Manning.  Wasn’t too impressed with the ads.  Saw a couple I liked, but was really disappointed in the Budweiser ad.  They need the puppy and horses to come back. 

Today I have started working on the bedroom.  I have two bags to go to Goodwill already and I just go started.  So far I have worked on the cupboard and bookcase.  Lots more to do.  Break time right now.  I get worn out pretty quick.  I just need to get all this done before it gets nice out.  Okay, I took a break, went back to work, and have added three more bags to the Goodwill stack.  Now it is lunchtime.  Penny has been a big help.  I have found several of her puff balls and she has been playing with them in the bedroom.  Needless to say she has been getting in my way.  That’s okay.  I enjoy her company and have been having fun with her.

It’s Tuesday and the bedroom is finished.  Of course, I still have windows to do along with a few other odds and ends but the major part of the work is done! I found some of Penny’s puff balls in places I never expected.  And….I can actually move around my bed now.  Time for a break.

Okay, the back of my car is filled with the bags, etc. of what I will be taking to Goodwill.  I have also filled all the birdfeeders, took out the trash, picked up the mail, fed Lola and let her out to go potty.  This means I did some walking today even in the wind and cold – and it is windy and cold, at least for here in the south. 

Today was primary doctor day.  He went over my lab work and said everything was fine.  He read the report from Dr. Bennett and agreed with her increasing my blood pressure meds.  He then went over the log I have been keeping for my blood pressure readings.  He said the medicine for the top number seems to be working.  However, the medicine for the bottom number needed to be increased.  Hopefully, that will take care of that problem.  I am to continue keeping the log, and we will see where I am after my next appointment with Dr. Bennett.  Sure wish they could figure out the problem.

Haven’t done much this afternoon.  Just got a few odds and ends caught up.  It is still windy and cold.  It was 27 degrees when I left for the doctor’s office this morning.  There was actually frost on my windshield!  How dare it!  I did walk up to get the mail this afternoon, and I actually wore my winter coat, gloves and hat.  I will be glad when spring arrives.  You can tell I’m getting old.  I complain about the cold and complain about the heat.  Just an old grouch J 

Marilyn and Penny Jana and Paddy

It was an interesting morning.  I drove into Columbus Clinic to have my blood drawn.  Not a drop of rain on the way there.  It’s about a forty minute trip, most of it highway.  When I came out of the building it was pouring rain as though the heavens had opened up.  It was a white knuckle ride home, but I made it safely.  We were fortunate that all we had was a lot of rain; no tornadoes or wind.

Didn’t do a lot today.  It was a pain filled day so I just did a few odds and ends.  I did get all of my yarn packed in the ottomans.  I am now putting some of my knick knacks on the shelves where I was storing the yarn. 

I bought a couple of new throw pillow covers at Hobby Lobby so I changed the ones I had in my living room.  They look really nice.

I am gradually getting things caught up.  I more or less didn’t do a lot (except what I had to) while Jana was here.  Now I need to get things done before spring arrives.  Of course, that seems to be a long way off since it is going down in the twenties next week.  I have been updating my to do list and decided I will need to live to be a hundred and stay in good health to get everything finished.  And that doesn’t include my craft to do list!  Or my ancestry research.  Maybe I need to live to be 200 and be in good health. 

Since Jana and I both like to read; we each have certain authors whose books we buy and then exchange them after we read them; we told Brian and Kevin that whichever one of us dies first the other one gets all the books.  Again, we will have to live forever to get all the books read.  And…..we keep buying more. 

Today is Thursday – time flies when you are having fun – right?  Anyway, this morning I got a few things done around the house.  For example, I finally crawled around the floor looking under everything for Penny’s puff balls.  I found about a dozen under the refrigerator and stove.  In a day or so I will have to look for them again.

After all that I went to Tigertown and had my hair cut and went to Krogers.  The girl that used to cut my hair is no longer where I go so someone else cut it.  Actually, she did a better job.  I just finished lunch and now I have a few phone calls to make. 

I just watched a video on facebook about cats liking bathrooms.  I thought mine was odd because she likes the bathroom.  She gets in the bathtub, the sink, licks the faucet in the tub, licks the faucet in the sink, sleeps in the sink and/or tub, rubs against the toilet paper holder (I have a tall one that holds several rolls – she doesn’t unroll the paper though), and she sleeps on the bathroom rug.  If I go in there at night I have to be careful not to step on her. 

Another thing she does is play with the water in the kitchen sink when I leave it drip at night because of the cold.  Our water pipes are not buried as deep as in the north so I need to do this so the water doesn’t freeze.  She also stands in the sink to look out the window above the sink and watch the birds.

She keeps my life interesting!

I didn’t do much else today.  My blood pressure was really high.  I did walk up to the mailbox and also took the trash out.  Ended up being kind of a lazy day.

Talked to Jana and it seems Paddy has taken over her house.  She has now had her for one week and so far she has been to the vet and to the groomer for a bath.  She now is sleeping with Jana, has taken over the couch and the recliner David used to sit in.  She has made herself at home.  Follows Jana everywhere, even to the basement when she does her laundry.  The only time Jana crates her is when she leaves the house.  Jana says she barks when she leaves, but is quiet and sleeping when she returns.  Paddy loves to be outside but she wants Jana with her.  Jana is gradually getting her to stay outside by herself.  Paddy loves when the dog next door comes out.  That dog is a Doberman.  However, they touch noses and run along the fence.  They seem to be getting along just fine. 

Had a busy day today and got a lot accomplished.  The cleaning is finished except for the bathroom and bedroom.  Bathroom is on my list for tomorrow along with touching up the other rooms I have finished.  Time to call it a day.  Plan to read a little and watch some television.  I may even snuggle with Penny a while.

Getting Back to Normal

At least whatever normal is J 

As most of you know, Jana’s dog Smoky passed away while she was staying with me.  She was eleven years old and had cancer.  Jana had her cremated and waited for her before she went back to Cincinnati.  The vets office also made her a paw print of Smoky.  However, that had to be mailed to her. 

Last weekend Kevin and I took her back to Cincinnati.  Brian wasn’t able to come down because he was working.  We didn’t want her to enter her house by herself so I stayed with her for a couple of days.  We went up on Thursday and Kevin and I came home on Sunday.  Jana wanted to get another dog right away.  She wanted an older dog who was house trained.   Friday Jana and I went to the SPCA in Northside and she found her dog.  Her name is Paddy.  She is four years old, and she is a sweetheart.  She is a collie and coonhound mix.  Paddy is a little bigger than Jana had planned on.  However, once Jana saw her and Paddy saw Jana it was love at first sight for both of them. 

Last week before Jana went home, I had an appointment with my heart doctor.  I have purchased a blood pressure monitor and an O2 monitor.  I am having a lot of trouble with high blood pressure, and they have not been able to find out why.  I was very unhappy with the pulmonologist that I went to, and told my heart doctor I would not go back to him.  Dr. Bennett (heart doctor) gave me a thorough examination and is rather concerned about what is going on.  Seems my heart is okay, but that doesn’t explain the high blood pressure.  She also said she can hear something going on in my lungs – not fluid but something.  Once she gets the blood pressure under control I will be going to a different pulmonologist.  She increased the blood pressure medicine and that seems to be helping, but it still isn’t where it should be.  Tomorrow I am having blood work done and will be seeing my primary care doctor next Wednesday.  I go back to Dr. Bennet the end of this month.

 

Yesterday I started my spring house cleaning.  The living room is about 95 percent finished.  The dining room is about 75 percent finished.  I worked on that today.  I have also finished my laundry (clothes that is) and I am now working on getting blankets and curtains laundered.  I am trying to keep busy.  I am also starting to walk around the yard. 

 

Kevin and Ryan installed the fence and lights I was given for Christmas.  Kevin and family along with Brian and family gave this to me.  They all agreed that I needed something at the top of my driveway so I could see where to pull in.  It really looks good.  This summer I will paint it white and plant some flowers (or something) around it.  It sure does make it a lot easier to find the driveway, especially in the dark.