Day 7, etc.

Monday is usually the only day that there’s something going all day long - and today was like that. I’ll be more of a slug tomorrow, I’m sure. I went to the doc to get the stitches (4) out. My chin and lip are still a little bit sore, but that’ll pass. The stitches were well under my chin, so that scar won’t show in any case. I don’t know about any of the other places. Just have to wait and see about that. The only place that might “show” would be the one on my forehead, and we’ll have to wait to see there, too.

 

 

I got a little light-headed once during the afternoon, but it passed quickly. I had a couple of good rounds, but mostly had some pretty yucky cards. I came in third last week (with 7 tables!). That was a surprise.

The microwave died just as the baked potatoes were finishing. We found a microwave online at WalMart for cheaper than any at Costco, so we ordered that. No S&H charges to ship to the residence. It'll just be a few days before we get it. And tomorrow is garbage pickup day, so the old one got put right in the trash.
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Na Prom ruins, Cambodia.

 

Still improving

I'm going to the doctor in the morning to get the stitches out of my chin. Most of the scabbing has come off, so that doesn't look so bad. But the yellow of my face now is definitely not my best color. My lip is still sore and swollen.

Back to the real world for supper tonight. It was 99 today, and I really couldn't think of anything to fix, so John went out to KFC for their Sunday 10-piece bucket for $10.00. I know we shouldn't eat it, but we don't do it very often, and it is SO good!
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One of the more cleared buildings, Na Prom, Cambodia.

 

Good food and good friends

Good friends and good food - things that make any day special.

We had a lovely dinner at Bonefish Grill tonight. There were three couples who went out to celebrate a birthday. John had his usual - the appetizer of mussels, sautéed in a butter/lemon/wine sauce. I had grilled shrimp and scallops with lemon butter sauce, fresh asparagus. All delicious. It turned out our gift card was for much more than we had imagined, so we’ll be able to go back again soon.

Other than that, today was pretty much like the rest of the week, except that Tina came by and brought me some flowers, and Renna brought us a yummy blueberry coffee cake. I am feeling better today, although still with some aches and pains. The scabs are drying up nicely. I’m definitely looking forward to getting the stitches out on Monday.
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Typical view in Na Prom - leaving this ruin mostly as it was found.

 

Day 4, lots of improvement

My face looks better - although I’ve always known that yellow is not my best color. The scabs are beginning to dry up, and most of the swelling is gone. It’s still yucky enough looking that I’ll keep wearing my hat and sunglasses when I’m out and about. There’re still some aches and pains, but that’s getting better, too. I’m going to my family doc to get the stitches out Monday morning.

We didn’t bother to take photos today, so I’ll start the photos of our favorite part of the Angkor Wat complex - the area called Na Prom. See the face over the entrance gate?

 

Day 3

The folks at the ER told me to put rice in a zipper bag and put it in the freezer (or just use a bag of rice) - that that was a more comfortable ice pack than a bag of ice cubes. I have made rice-in-tube-sock bags to heat in the microwave for warm packs, but hadn't thought of using them cold. For my face, the zipper bag of rice is best - not as heavy and conforms to the shape. The swelling is starting to go down (but not the color). At a friend's suggestion, I have called my eye doctor and he wants to see me next week, when the swelling is mostly gone - so now that's on the calendar.

Somehow my glasses only got a few scratches on the left lens. Not enough that I can't wait until my next eye appt in two months to have them replaced. We think that the glasses slipped up and actually made the cut on my forehead - it's a smooth, semicircular cut. We just can't figure out why I didn't do any damage to my nose and/or teeth. We'll just accept that as good luck, though.

Two friends brought soups over to us yesterday ("freezer-sludge" vegetable and potato), so we ate well. Probably will do that again today. Today was our usual hair-cut day. John took me, even though he knew our haircutter would tease - and indeed she did. But, bless her, she washed my hair for me!

 

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But just to give you something more pleasant to look at, here's our last look at Angkor Wat.

 

Day Two

John took me to coffee this morning for “show and tell”. I mostly wore a hat and sunglasses (so as not to frighten small children), but had to take them off occasionally.

By this afternoon, the puffiness, fluid, and blackness had gotten almost down to my cheekbone. They had told me at the ER that gravity would gradually pull it down - and so it goes.

This is finally catching up and I’m going to bed really early. Here are today’s pictures. (I’m not really as drunk as I look.)

 

 

Happy Birthday, Jean

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEAN!!!!

 

I can't believe I .........

I fell flat on my face this morning in the driveway. The damage is mostly to my face and my dignity. I have a cut on my chin (stitches in the ER), split lip, longer cut on my forehead (SteriStrips and "superglue") probably caused by my glasses, multiple hand and arm abrasions, and what will soon be extreme aches and pains. They told me I'll have a lovely black eye, and that is certainly developing.

John was just leaving to go row, and I went out to get the paper. Just lost my footing, and fell right in front of the car. Fortunately, he didn't run over me, and was home to take me to the ER.

They took x-rays of my right elbow, which was pretty badly skinned, but obviously it was okay. So far, nothing hurts below the waist. I've got some "road rash", and they had to pick some pieces of grit out of the wounds, and a tetanus shot. I'll definitely have a black eye - the lid is already starting to swell and obscure part of my field of vision. The body aches are really starting up now. I called the rheumatologist to report in and was told I could up the amount of pain Rx I was taking, so I'll definitely do that. Lots of ice packs, too.

John’s been taking such good care of me, only a minimum amount of teasing (so far), and taking the obligatory documentation pictures. My glasses weren’t even bent, and only a few scratches - although I’ll probably replace them the next time I see the doctor. No doubt there will be more beauty pictures tomorrow.
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Home from the ER.

 

Later in the day (black eye starting)

 

MRI results

The doc's office called this morning with the MRI results. There's no nerve compression (which I knew from the symptoms), but lots of osteoarthritis on the vertebrae. Stenosis doesn't seem to be a problem. I told the nurse about the regimen I've gotten into with the meds, and she said to continue with that. So we'll just continue with symptomatic treatment and not look further unless the symptoms increase or change. I'm scheduled for a Dexa scan to check for osteoporosis at my next appointment in October. Guess that means we keep on with the status quo.
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There are always reminders that Angkor Wat is made up of reclaimed ruins.

 

Laughing Sunday

This is a frequent sight at our after-swim-class coffee at Panera.
Thanks for the photo, Missy.

 

Maybe there's hope.

Today we did one of those volunteer jobs that we sort of agree to with some trepidation, but that always turn out fanastic.

Doing anything outside in July, when the temperatures have been in the mid90s is chancy at best. And you never know what happens when what you’re doing involves children. However….

Helping at the wrap-up party for the library’s Children’s Summer Reading Program always is such a treat! It was hot and sticky occasionally, but mostly there was a good breeze through the pavilion where the event is held. John and I were stationed at the registration tables this year, so we did get to sit down from time to time.

It is great to see these kids of all ages, from toddlers to pre-teens, in all shapes, sizes, and colors trooping through with the lists of the books they had read over the summer. We gave them their certificates, coupons for free books and popsicles, chances on door prizes, and local merchant coupons. Then off they went, with parents in tow, to the various activity tables, games, etc. There was a juggler, a group of therapy dogs, music, inflatables, etc., etc. And a good time was had by all.

What always thrills me about this event is the number of kids (and their parents) who come, and the variety! Of ones that I could identify, there were whites, blacks, Japanese, Chinese, Christians, Muslims, Indonesians, Indians, and who knows what-all combinations. They were of all economic levels. And they were all there together because they were READING!!!! Maybe there’s hope out there somewhere.
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As we left, it started to rain, and we drove through showers all the way home. We wound up getting almost 1.5” of rain, and the temperature dropped to around 80. Naps and pizza finished out the day.
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Angkor Wat.

 

All day Friday

It turned to be a busy day today. I got a good start with swimming and Panera. John went to the Y, too, because there was too much wind for his row.

The Book Store at the Library was reasonably busy today - something unusual for me. There were nearly $80 in sales, which is terrific!

We got together with Carol and Stephen for dinner at a new Japanese restaurant. The company was terrific, and the food was pretty good. We went to their house for coffee, wine, and conversation afterwards. A nice evening.
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Angkor Wat

 

Get Low

John and I re-watched the movie, Get Low, tonight. This is the blurb on the Netflix disc sleeve:

Oscar winners Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek team up to tell the true story of irascible Felix Bush, a backwoods Tennessee loner who planned his funeral in 1938 while he was still around to attend - and enjoy - the proceedings. Director Aaron Schneider’s deft blend of dark humor and poignancy also stars Bill Murray as Frank Quinn, the huckster owner of a failing funeral home, and Lucas Black as his dubious assistant. 2009

This one’s definitely worth watching.
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Shrine, Angkor Wat.

 

 

Untitled, so far

The last painting class of this session was today. I didn't stay for the whole time. My back was bothering me, and I couldn't focus on the painting. But I did a little "tweaking" on this piece, and I'm pretty sure it's finished. Now I just need to come up with a title. It's 22 x 30", acrylic on paper.

 

Errands

I had my appointment with the rheumatologist this morning. He agreed that it was time to do some tests and they did some blood work and x-rays in the office; ordered an MRI for Thursday. They want to see what’s going on, hoping to rule out spinal stenosis, and/or other problems. Depending on that, he might refer me to a back specialist. He also renewed my meds - two I get locally (for pain and a muscle relaxant) - I’ll pick those up in the morning.

Then on to more errands. Aldi - didn’t get there yesterday, I had only $15.00 in cash and no quarter to get a buggy. Marshall’s - would love to find another skirt or dress - no luck. Vegetable stand for tomatoes, peaches, squash. Bank to make deposit. Got a small nap this afternoon, and will be going to bed early tonight.
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The iconic towers of Angkor Wat.

 

We love to plan

We talked with Ann & Al tonight. We especially wanted to wish Ann a belated Happy Birthday.

They had mentioned going to the Canadian Rockies during the latter part of September. As busy as October is going to be, this just didn’t seem like it would work for us - at much as we want to get back to that part of the world. Maybe next spring.

We talked some about visiting with them after Alison & Joe’s wedding. That’s probably going to be workable. The best idea they gave us was when we asked how we could get from San Diego to Los Angeles - that they said we could take the train. Wow! What a fabulous idea! - and one that had never occurred to us.

We need a few more pieces of information before doing anything specific, but we’re getting close.
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The outer ring of buildings around the one-mile square complex of Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

We need a few more pieces of information before doing anything specific, but we’re getting close.

 

John's photos

Clouds and off-shore rain at Fort Morgan.

 

 

 

Silent Saturday

Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor Wat complex, Cambodia

 

Friday melange

I got to show the group at Panera the photo of my collage. And, I’m having a “class” tomorrow morning for one of them. She’s very creative (needlework, scrap booking) and wants another skill to add to her repertoire. Should be a fun morning.
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While we were at swimming and coffee this morning, Allan & Tina’s apartment was burgled. All that was taken was their computers, but there was no vandalism, and the cats weren’t harmed. What a scary violation of their space. I’m so sorry for them.
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Movie comments: We watched La Cage Aux Folles (1979) tonight. We hadn’t seen it for a long time. Actually, we hadn’t seen it since the remake, The Birdcage (1996), came out. They’re both SO funny. The Birdcage is really quite faithful to the original. As much as we liked La Cage, we both agreed that we preferred The Birdcage.
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How terrible about the bombings in Norway! Our hearts go out to all the people in this lovely, peaceful country.
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The Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor Wat complex, Cambodia (look closely, you can see the parade of elephants in the stones)

 

Finally some rain

I worked a shift at the library book store this morning - only two sales, one to me. But I got a lot of reading done. And I had a nice conversation with a young man about the irony of my sitting in the library used book store, selling books, and reading from my Kindle. It is kind of funy.

We got an inch of rain out of a line of storms that roared through this afternoon. The cooler temperature was wonderful (it dropped about 15* in about 30 minutes), even if it'll be back in the 90s tomorrow.

In the book I was reading, one of the characters made some from-scratch macaroni and cheese with onions and garlic. That sounded really good, so I decided to make something up. I’ve rarely fixed macaroni and cheese from a box, so it’s not really a staple around here. I found some bow-tie macaroni and had some “getting old” grated cheddar cheese, sautéed an onion and a whole bulb of garlic, added some milk, butter, salt & pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, and stuck it in the oven. Wow, was that ever good! Definitely not healthy, but……
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This is a photo of the collage exercise (@ 8x10") I did in painting class yesterday.