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.

It's About Time

Yea, I know.  It’s about time I update my blog.  I’ve been busy J

First of all, I want to let you know that Jana’s dog, Smoky, had to be put to sleep.  Before Jana came to visit Smoky was diagnosed with cancer.  Smoky was eleven years old.  The vet gave her two to four months.  She made it to three months almost to the day.  It was a very sad time.  Smoky had been doing very well until about two days before she was put to sleep.  At that point she just laid down, and didn’t do much except get up to get a drink of water.  Jana took her outside to go potty, but the last day her legs gave out and I had to help her and Jana to get back in the house.

Jana called her vet in Cincinnati and he told her that it was time.  I then called my vet that takes care of both Penny and Kevin/Renea’s dogs.  Renea and I went with Jana and Smoky to the vet.  They so considerate and very caring.  Jana had Smoky cremated and is taking her home with her.  Jana was supposed to go home this weekend, but postponed it until next weekend so she would have Smoky.

We never did get a good picture of Smoky and Penny together.  Every time one of us got the camera out Smoky would turn her head and Penny would leave.

One of the last pictures of Smoky.  Taken during the holidays while visiting.

It’s a good thing we postponed the trip since winter has arrived with a vengeance.  Right now it looks like Kevin will be taking her home with us leaving on Thursday.  I will be going with them.  Renea starts her new job on Monday so she will be staying her to take care of Lola and Penny.  Speaking of Penny, she keeps looking for Smoky.  Smoky used to lay on the rug in my living room, and Penny goes over and keeps smelling the rug trying to figure out where she went.  She also sits on one of the chairs, the end of the couch and on the end table and keeps staring at the rug where Smoky laid.

When we get to Cincinnati I am going with Jana to the SPCA so she can get another dog.  She is looking for one that is a year or two old.  She doesn’t want a puppy because she doesn’t think she can train it since David took care of that with Bubba and Smoky.  Kevin and I will be coming home on Sunday.

Jana and I have still been doing some shopping and eating out.  We have eaten at all the restaurants where we had planned to eat.  We have also made several trips to Books A Million and Barnes and Noble.  We have purchased a lot of books.  I have introduced her to Hobby Lobby and she has learned to like to go there also.  And, of course, we go to Kroger and WalMart.  This past week Jana, Renea and I had a “girls” day and went to Books A Million, Hobby Lobby, Kroger and to Chill for dessert.  Awesome day!

Tuesday I have an appointment with my heart doctor.  I have been having trouble with my blood pressure.  It has been running high; especially the bottom number.  I am also changing lung doctors.  I did not like the one I went to see.  He has been absolutely no help.  I am still short of breath, etc.

For those of you up north, stay warm and safe!

The Sun is Shining!!!!!

It’s a cold but beautiful day here in Alabama.  If we are lucky it will be like this for three days.  Rain is due to return Thursday.  So, Jana and I are going to get some shopping done.  Today we plan to go to Barnes and Nobel, then eat at Fridays which are two of our favorite places.

Yesterday afternoon, since it wasn’t raining, I decided to check my backyard birdfeeders.  The one just needed to be filled.  The other one which is a tube type finch feeder was almost full and the birds were not eating there.  When I checked the seed was a solid piece and moldy.  I didn’t think I would ever get it cleaned out, but I did.  I filled it with fresh seed.  This morning I have seen a few birds eating from that feeder.  I’m not sure the birds like that feeder.  It’s different from the type of tube feeder I usually buy.

Yesterday morning was interesting.  We had planned to go to church, but that didn’t work out.  The screw came out of one side of Jana’s glasses.  Of course, we didn’t have a small screw driver to fix it.  I called Kevin and neither did they.  Since she couldn’t see too well without her glasses, we decided we better get them fixed.  We headed for Walmart in Opelika.  When we arrived we were told that the vision center didn’t open until noon (CST) and we run on EST.  That meant we had three hours to wait.  So, we walked around Walmart and bought a few things we just couldn’t live without.  We then decided to head to SAM’S.  We had to wait about fifteen minutes for them to open, and then another hour for the vision center to open.  This was better than three hours.  We walked around Walmart and bought a few things.  By then the vision center was open and Jana had her glasses fixed.  If we had been smart, we could have gone to church (even if Jana couldn’t see) then drove to Opelika and had her glasses fixed.  But, oh no, that would have been the smart thing to do J

Kevin grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for supper and Jana and I were invited to eat with them.  We did not turn them down!  Ryan, Stephanie and her boyfriend, Gary, were also there.  We had a really nice visit. 

We have started taking the Christmas decorations down.  Saturday Jana packed her ornaments so she could take them home.  We took down her tree and packed it up to store in my shed.  Sunday Stephanie and Gary helped bring my totes and boxes into the house from the garage so I could start packing my “stuff” and putting it away.

At some point today I need to get outside and check the birdfeeders in the front yard.  I bought some new ones for the front.  I am not sure I will be putting up the new tube feeder since the backyard birds aren’t using the one that’s back there.  They are both the same.

I can’t forget to mention Penny and Smoky.  They are doing fine.  Smoky loves being outside even if it is cold.   She lays out there and keeps an eye on the neighborhood. We feel well protected and safe.  She barks at anyone who comes near, including me.  She also keeps watch of Kevin and Renea’s.  Penny either sits at the door or window and watches her.  If she isn’t doing that she is in her bag.  She loves paper bags.  Jana calls her the bag lady.  She hides her toys in them and she takes naps in them.  I guess she considers this her safe spot.