Chaos reigns!

Wasn’t it Robert Burns who wrote “the best laid plans of mice and men”, etc.?

It’s so true.

We had this lovely orchestrated plan for Jesse to fly to Atlanta to be picked up by Matt today, and then picked up by Sue to go with her to the beach tomorrow. Oh, well…..

The weather on the East Coast fixed that. Jesse couldn’t get to Atlanta. So then it was scrambling around to get everybody in the loop and figure out how to get things done. Many texts, phone calls, web searches happened.

The current plan is for Jesse to fly to Birmingham tomorrow about noon. I’m going to drive to the beach with Carol & Stephen, leaving about 8:30. John and Margaret are leaving later and picking Jesse up in B’ham, then driving on down to the beach.

Life does go on. Who knows how it will ultimately go. Stay tuned.

Doctor visit #2

I saw the doc this afternoon. The x-rays looked good, and he says I'm doing fine. I can go without the sling after a week, and he gave me some exercises to start at home. I've made an appointment for my first PT session the Monday after we get home. He gave me some more pain Rx so I'll have some during the PT. He also said I could go back to the pool, so I'll be doing that when we get home. I asked about driving, and he said it was okay with him. John, however, is another matter. He'll have to be sure himself that I'm able to handle the wheel enough to be safe. We'll worry about that post-beach, too.
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Howard Baker, Jr. 1925-2014
He was, in general, one of the good guys.  I loved this story and quote: 
Baker, an accomplished amateur photographer, was known to carry a camera with him wherever he went. But he didn't take any photos during the Watergate hearings.
"I felt that it was beneath the dignity of the event," he said years later. "It turned out the event had no dignity and I should have taken pictures."

Wednesday night

I did sleep last night - whether from the melatonin, or just not having slept the night before. Lots of potty breaks, but went right back to sleep. We'll see how it goes from here. I’ll keep taking the melatonin, at least for the short term.

We've been to coffee, and John walked on the Riverwalk for his exercise this morning. It was too windy for him to row.

That was pretty much it for the day.

However, I wanted to post another link to an article from nooga.com. If you love libraries - as I do - you’ll enjoy reading this. Even though I read almost exclusively e-books now, it doesn’t preclude my love and veneration for library. Click here.

No sleep

Last night wound up being an all-nighter of no sleep. I finally got a couple of hours from 5-7 a.m. I took a short nap this afternoon, but managed to to stay up most of the day. Jean had suggested Benadryl (which didn't work last night) and melatonin. I got some melatonin at WalMart this morning, and will give that a try tonight. In my web-surfing during the night for melatonin, I read that as we age, melatonin production slows and/or ceases. Also that surgery can greatly disrupt sleep. So I'm into those things.

We'll see how it works tonight.

Miscellany

Have you noticed the Google Doodles lately?  They've all been animated and about the World Cup.  Sometimes they've changed during the day, and reflect the matches being held.  They're just fun.  I'm not much of a sports fan, but I do know the World Cup is the biggest thing going on right now.
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John got some "middling" cards at bridge today.  That always keeps us interested.
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We finally got under some of the scattered storms today, and got about 0.3" of rain.
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I did one of those nasty jobs today.  I ran vinegar through the coffee pot - twice.  And then three pots of clear water to clean that out.  The auto-drip pots are great, but the reservoirs are all but impossible to clean.  We also ran the Brita pots through the dishwasher and changed the filters.  Isn't that exciting!
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So much for Monday.

Sunday Stealing

From Survey Haven:

61. Do you like current pop stars?
I guess not - I don’t know who any of them are.
62. What is your least favorite chore?
Any kind of housework
63. Last place you drove your car?
To get a massage on 21 May - the day before surgery.
64. Ever been out of the country?
Many times. We’ve been fortunate enough to go 6 of the 7 continents (not to Africa).
65. Where were you the last time you used a public bathroom?
It’s been at least a month, so I don’t remember. I will several times on our way to the beach next week.
66. Could you handle being in the military?
I might could have when I was of an age to do that. But at 78, it’s not likely.
67. What is your average cell phone bill?
Way too much, I’m sure.
68. Who or what are you thinking about right now?
Answering these questions
69. When was the last time you laughed REALLY hard?
I think it was at Jon Stewart’s show from last Thursday night (which we watched on Friday).
70. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
I have no idea, but I wear only about 2-3 different ones.
71. Are your toes always painted?
I don’t paint my toenails. When feet are as ugly as mine, I don’t want to call attention to them.
72. How many piercings do you have?
Two - one in each ear.
73. What are you doing today?
I cooked breakfast, have done the laundry, heated leftovers for supper, and that’s about it.
74. Have you ever been gambling?
I’ve been to Las Vegas and lost the obligatory $10.00 in a slot machine. The gambling gene just got left out of me.
75. When is the last time you updated your blog?
Today - answering these questions.
76. Do you like roller coasters?
Not particularly. I haven’t gone to an amusement park in ages, and wasn’t a great fan even then.
77. Have you ever been to Disneyland or world?
No, but I did go to Six Flags over Texas when it was just the second theme park, and to Opryland Park when it was first open in Nashville.
78. Do you have a favorite cartoon character?
Not particularly.
79. Last thing you cooked?

The chili relleno souffle I made for breakfast this morning (it was good and very easy - recipe provided on request).
80. How's the weather?
We have the usual summer forecast - highs around 90, lows around 70, lots of sunshine, with high humidity, and a chance of scattered afternoon thundershowers.
81. Do you e-mail more than snail mail?
Yes, I’m sorry to say. But I do still write thank-you notes.
82. What's the funniest picture you ever took with your cell phone?
I don’t take pictures with my cell phone - although it has that capability.
83. Last time you were sick?
It’s been a while, but I’ve been really out of commission since the surgery on my shoulder on 22 May.
84. What states have you lived in?
Missouri, Texas, Tennessee
85. Do you wish you could move?
Sometimes - not from Chattanooga, but maybe into an apartment or retirement complex. Unless it was to live on the water somewhere, of course.
86. Do you take a lot of quizzes?
No - Sunday Stealing is about it.
87. What is your dream car?
I’m not really into cars. The Altima I drive now is just fine, thank you.
88. Have you ever wanted someone you cant have?
Nope - I’ve got the one I want.
89. If you could be anywhere right now where would it be?
We are SO ready to be at the beach.
90. Are you happy with your life?
Mostly. It’ll be better when this current thing is behind me, but I’d like to have more energy.

A busy day

Who would've thought we'd have a busy Saturday.
It started out slow.  But then some folks from the Monday bridge group called.  We've been trying to get together to play some bridge for a while.  And it turned out today was the day.


Darryl and Rosemary came over after lunch and we had a lovely afternoon playing bridge.  We played "girls against the boys", and after a slow start, Rosemary and I wound up being ahead by 30 points.  We'll do that again sometime soon, I hope.

We had a great evening, too.  Tina brought us dinner from a new Italian place - pizza, meatballs, olives, and salad.  Absolutely delicious!  And we finished off the evening with some cherry pie.


All in all, a pretty good day!

Well said!

Nooga.com is a Chattanooga web newspaper.  I check it several times a day.   I thought this morning's piece by Rachel Watkins was worth passing along.  Please read her column, Patriotism is not blind.

Big news (or not)

John took me to both grocery stores this morning.  I managed to get through Aldi on foot, but then rode the cart in WalMart.


This exciting recuperative life doesn't provide much to write about.  Please bear with me.

"Who owns your body?"

The Chattanooga Times Free Press is unusual in that it has two editorial pages - one with a liberal slant (on the left) and one with a conservative slant (on the right). I hasten to say that I’m a proud liberal and seldom read the right-hand page. However, this morning, the headline of Walter Williams’ column caught my eye.

Who owns your body? the bold print read.

What? Has this uber-conservative columnist and the right-hand page decided to take up the cause of women’s reproductive rights? I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Well, of course not. I only had to read the first paragraph to see that Williams was complaining about the FDA not being fast enough to approve a new drug for the treatment of ALS. Surely, he said, it was the patient’s right to control the treatment for his own body.

Oh, well - I knew it couldn’t be true.

Sunday Stealing

30. Do you read your horoscope?
No - except on my birthday
31. Where was the last place you bought something?
Grocery store
32. How do you feel about your hair right now?
It’s okay, with a summer and post-surgery haircut
33. Do you bite your nails?
No, although I did as a child and adolescent.
34. Do you have any expensive jewelry?
I have a couple of small family pieces, but nothing really valuable
35. Have you ever been told you speak fast?
Oh, yes.
36. Is your laugh usually hearty?
I think so
37. How fast have you driven a car?
Probably around 80-85.
38. Have you ever smoked?
Yes - from when I was in college, until about my late 40s.
39. What was your favorite subject in school?
History, languages
40. Do you have cell phone provider loyalty?
Sort of. I stay with the one that most of my family uses.
41. What type of boy or girl do you usually fall for?
I “fell” for the right one nearly 60 years ago.
42. Do you have any hidden talents?
Nope
43. Favorite Song?
I like most music - nothing I’d call a real favorite
44. Do you like to sing at all?
Sometimes, just not very well.
45. Dream Job?
Retired!
46. Where does most of your family live?
The Southeastern United States
47. Are you an only child or do you have siblings?
I was one of two girls. My older sister died in 1996.
48. Would you consider yourself to be spoiled?
No, but I probably was/am.
49. What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?
Getting up to go to the bathroom.
50. Do you drink?
Mostly water and coffee; not alcoholic beverages
51. Know any other languages?
I know a smattering of French and Spanish, and am mostly fluent in English.
52. Ever write a coded message?
Not since I was a child.
53. Have you ever been in someone else's wedding?
Twice
54. Do you have any children?
Yes, four wonderful daughters
55. Did you take a nap today?
Yes
56. Who has the same birthday as you?
I don’t know anybody, but our two granddaughters are the two days before mine.
57. Ever met anyone famous before?
Very superficially
58. Do you want to be famous one day?
No
59. Any Pet Peeves?
Intolerant people; bad grammar; liars
60. Are you multitasking right now?
Of course.

Little baby steps

A little more activity today, and I could tell.

I guess it really wasn’t that much. We went out to dinner with Carol, Stephen, and Tina (good Chinese and sushi). Then we went to Carol & Stephen’s for coffee and more conversation.

It was a good evening with good friends, but it was more than I’ve done so far.

Little baby steps.

Still improving

I'm continuing to progress.  I've gone off all prescription pain medication, and doing fine.  So far, I seem to have at least as much range of motion as I did before surgery, and that's without any physical therapy.  As much as I dread the PT, I'm hoping for good things.  Now if I can get the sleep pattern somewhat back to normal.

We've finally been getting some rain this week - lots of "popcorn" thundershowers.  We've gotten a total of about 1.5" so far.  That's about par for the course during Riverbend (Chattanooga's 10-day long riverfront music festival).

Excitement

It is pretty lame when the big excitement of the day is getting out to go to WalMart.  AND to ride in the electric cart through the store.


Or maybe it was some better to get my manicure and pedicure - definitely needed.



Or maybe it's stopping the Rx pain meds and getting pain control with extra-strength acetominophen.


Whatever works.

Another exiting day

Another half-inch

Of rain this morning. Makes for

An exciting day.

Recovery is

Slow, but continuous and

Steady. We hope so.

An early Sunday Stealing

From Survey Haven:

1. What was the highlight of your week?
Taking a full shower.
2. Whose car were you in last?
John’s
3. When is the next time you will kiss someone?
Probably before I go to bed tonight.
4. What color shirt are you wearing?
Red
5. How long is your hair?
Very short. Just got it cut yesterday.
6. Are you good looking?
Not particularly.
7. Last movie you watched?
I don’t remember - it’s been a while.
8. Who were you with?
See above.
9. Last thing you ate?
Dinner - made a frittata.
10. Last thing you drank?
Water with dinner.
11. When was the last time you had your heart broken?
I don’t know that my heart’s ever been “broken”.
12. Who came over last?
Jeanne, to bring a Mexican lasagna casserole (frozen). Saving that for later.
13. Are you happy right now?
Yes
14. What did you say last?
Why on earth are they still showing reruns of the horse race?
15. Where is your phone?
One on either side of me
16. What color are your eyes?
Brown
17. Are you left-handed?
No
18. Spell your name without vowels:
Mr Zll
19. Do you have any pets?
No
20. Favorite Vacation?
The next one
21. What do you dislike currently?
I’m not particularly fond of pain.
22. What are you listening to?
On TV, but muted now - game #2 of the Stanley Cup.
23. If you could have one thing right now what would it be?
To be at the beach
24. What is your favorite scent?
I don’t like artificial scents at all. I like the smell of freesh fruits, or fresh cut grass, or rain
25. Who makes you happiest?
My loved ones.
26. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Sleeping
27. When is your birthday?
March
28. Who has the same phone as you?
Landline - John; cell - nobody
29. Last time you went swimming in a pool?
21 May - the day before my surgery.

Darwin Award candidate?

This article was in the Chattanooga Times Free Press this week.

Man Shoots,  kills self while driving

MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. — The Meigs County Sheriff's Office has confirmed at a man shot and killed himself accidentally while driving Wednesday afternoon.
John Doe was driving northbound on Highway 58 around 3:30 p.m. when the gun somehow went off and struck him in the upper leg, reports WRCB-TV. He pulled over to the side of the road and 911 was called by witnesses, but he died from loss of blood before emergency personnel could respond.
Suicide has been ruled out by investigators, and WRCB-TV reports that Doe had a carry permit and always carried a gun, according to his family.
The incident is still under investigation, according to the sheriff's office.

Nice!

A full shower does make a day start well. 

Awake!

I really hate being awake at this hour, when I've been trying to get to sleep for 2 hours.  Soon, I hope.

First doctor visit

I've seen the doc, and had the staples removed.  The first x-rays look good - at least to me.  I think I understand how this thing is put together.  The ball part, which is usually attached to the top of the arm piece, is attached to the shoulder blade.  The socket piece is attached to the shaft that goes down into the arm.  TMI???,  I'm sorry.  Anyhow, no PT scheduled yet - just keep on with the passive exercises for the next four weeks, then see him again.  Full shower in two days.


I took a photo of the x-ray, but can't seem to put photos on the blog anymore - sorry.

Out!

First time out of house.

Coffee with gals. Completely

Shot. Next time better.