Wedding Weekend!

Off to the wedding.

Sue/Randy to pick me up.

Andy /Erica!

Surprise Thursday

The fire alarm went off at 4:30 this morning - Everybody hates the middle-of-the-night fire drills, but I do understand their necessity.  I got back to sleep some in the chair after that, then got up about 7, had breakfast and got dressed.  Then back to the chair with the paper.  I "dozed" off again about 8 and slept until 11:30!!!!  So much for Silver Sneakers or anything else for the morning.  Wow!  I've never done that before.

I checked with the surgeon again this morning about timing.  The nurse said the "usual" was to be in the hospital for 3 days and then about 2 weeks in rehab - all this depending on how the patient progresses, etc. Jean is set up to come stay for the duration.

Wednesday Miscellany

• My surgery is set.
• The knee replacement will be 20 October.
• Jean will come down to stay here and tend to me.
• We'll make more plans this weekend when we're all together at Andy & Erica's wedding.
• Today was a lovely fall day.
• I got a great view of the space station sailing over tonight.

Long hot summer! Too

many days over 90*. Just

81* today.

8^)

Travel opportunities

After the debate tonight, you may be considering travel opportunities.  Here are some suggestions:

Here are some possible travel opportunities  .....

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. 

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. 

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I probably should have made several trips there, along with my friends, family and fellow workers. 

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore. 

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often. 

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. 

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older. 

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! 

I may have been in Continent, and I don't remember what country I was in. It's an age thing.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The "Doing Questions Like It's 2003" Meme

Tell us about your pets. If you don’t have one, share why you don’t. I don't have one and don't want one.  I don't want to have to take of anything except myself right now.

Name three things that are close to you. Phone, TV remote, laptop.

How was the weather for your summer? Awful.  Record setting over 100 days of temperatures over 90*, almost drought conditions.

What was the last film you saw? Did you like it? I saw The King and I  in a local theater.  Just as good this time, and great to see it on a big screen.

Tell us about the last trip that you took. A lovely boat trip along the coast of Maine, with Ann & Al.

Where do you buy groceries? Why? At Walmart.  Because I hate to shop for groceries (or anything else) and I can get almost anything I need there - so only have to go to one store.

Tell us something that you did today. Or will do if you haven’t had your morning coffee yet. Laundry

Have you pulled an all-nighter? I'm sure I have, but it's been so long ago, I don't remember why.

Can you taste the difference between Pepsi & Coke? I rarely drink any soft drink, and no, I can't tell the difference.

Tell us about your siblings. How many and what do they do? I had one older sister, who died 20 years ago.  She was a psychiatric social worker.

What’s the oldest thing that you own? I have some very old family photographs, and right now, that's the oldest thing I can think of.

Good and bad on Saturday

It was a gorgeous morning here - cool-ish, with low humidity.  I got the whole paper read on the deck.  Plus I slept until nearly 8 this morning - amazing for me!!  I did very little today - watched a lot of the NCIS marathon.  I have a tendency to sit on my whatever all day and just knit, read, or be on the computer.  I'm trying to get into the habit of getting up at least every hour and taking a short walk.  While we've got this lovely weather, I'm going outside  to walk on the walkway behind the building.  I hope I'll stick with it - I know I need to do it.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been here at The Terrace just a week under one year.  And the decline in food quality, permanent staff/service/etc. is distressing.  Granted, there's been a lot of turnover in management (new owners, new management company, new director, new marketing, etc.) and it takes time for things to settle out.  And although I don't use it, I've heard tales about the turnover and decline in the nursing staff.  Since this is primarily an assisted living facility, that's even more distressing.  My next-door neighbors added on to their apartment at their own expense (not recoverable) and are even thinking about moving.  Some residents are calling an ombudsman. Those of us in independent living have the option of getting out-and-about, but most of the other folks aren't able to do that. Plus I'm already paying for three meals a day, but am eating out or at home more and more often. It'll be interesting to see if my monthly fee goes up at the end of my year. I like my apartment and the people here, and I don't want to move.  But at least I know I have that option.

Sorry - addendum

Sorry - I should have put the presidential debate site on PBS in as a link.. Click here.

Debates

You know what a politics junky I am.  And the first debate will be next Monday night (just in case you've missed this piece of news).  I have a couple of recommendations.  First is that you watch the debate and post-debate post-mortem on your local PBS station.  Their nonpartisan commentary is excellent.  PBS is also offering some great things on their web site.  Gwen Ifill has a piece on "How to Moderate a Debate".  And there is an interactive section with film of all the past presidential debates - back to 1960.  Enjoy!

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/watch-interact-every-presidential-debate-since-1960/

First day of fall

A lovely day here  in the SE corner of Tennessee.  I finished the whole newspaper (including the puzzles) out on the deck, watching the hummingbird (only one now) at the feeder.  Low humidity and not too hot, although it reached 93 this afternoon.  Silver Sneakers, and just computer time before lunch.  The rest of the day was almost as exciting - ending with some bridge after supper.

Usual Wednesday

Usual Wednesday - swimming and coffee.  We had a good lunch here today.  We got a new chef about 2 weeks ago, pulled out of retirement.  The food has definitely improved, overall.  Now if the quality is consistent, and they could get the server shortage fixed.  Somehow many of the regular servers seem to have disappeared, and members of the staff are doing a lot of it - nursing, maintenance, management.  It's good they're getting a chance to see how the dining room actually functions (good AND bad), but I know we'll all be glad when they get a full complement of regular servers working again.

New Tuesday

Nothing going on today - just went to Silver Sneakers and lunch.  Even though the high today is to be around 90, it was a lovely morning in the high 60s, and I sat out on the deck for my coffee and newspaper.  I'm planning to get my supper "to go" tonight and eat at home.  They have a gospel singer schedule for during the supper hour.  It's not my favorite genre of music and he is way too loud for the room - so I skip the dining room tonight.

-------------------------

And it's Tuesday night, and the beginning of the new TV season - new NCIS!!!

Sunday Stealing

Meme Martial Arts The :Sunday Stealing

Who was the last person that you held hands with? John

Are you loud, outgoing or shy? Somewhere between outgoing and shy.

Who are you looking forward to see? Family and friends at Andy and Erica's wedding.

Are you easy to get along with? I think so.

Have you ever given up on someone, only to let them back into your lives? Why? I can only think of one given up on. I'd let back in to make life easier for others.

If you were ill, which TV doctor or nurse would you want to take care of you? Dr. Joel Fleischmann, because I'd love to meet all the crazy folks in Cicely, AK.

Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? Not one of my favorite topics.

Who was the last person that you had serious conversation with? Daughters via e-mail.

What was the last text message you received about? That Margaret got home safely last night.

Do you believe in luck and/or miracles? Miracles, no. I think mostly you make your own luck.

What good thing happened this summer? Matt and Claire's wedding, beach time, time with Ann & Al.

Convince us why we should or should not believe in life on other planets? Not anything I really think about it.  It seems likely, though, although maybe not "life" as we know it.

Who was your first crush on? I really don't remember.

Favorite part of daily routine? Swimming class on M/W/F.

Do you like your neighbors? Very much - both when we were in the house, and now at my apartment.

What’s your worst feature? My size.

Have you ever had trust issues? I don't think so.

Saturday

Today was looking to be a really nothing day.  But then Margaret texted that she was at the Vols football game, and would stop on her way home to go to dinner.  Yea! That's always a good thing.

We went for Mexican (so good) and I got caught up on all the news.  Jesse will finish moving to Tennessee tomorrow, and he starts his new job on Monday. It'll be good to see him in a couple of weeks.

---------------------------

BookTV is wonderful.  This is broadcast on CSpan2 on weekends.  It's devoted to nonfiction books and authors. Tonight it was sheer pleasure to listen to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg talk.  This program was recorded on 14 September 2016.  She has a book coming out next month (My Own Words), but it was a wide-ranging talk with lots of questions and answers.  Such a delight (and I'm sure you could find it on line).

FB

This was on FB, but I thought I'd rather post it here.

Been Married--Yes
Been divorced--no
Fell in love--Yes
Gone on a blind date--No
Skipped school--No
Watched someone give birth--No
Watched someone die--Yes
Been to Canada--Yes
Ridden in an ambulance--Yes
Been to Hawaii-Yes
Been to Europe--Yes
Been to Washington D.C.--Y
Been to Nashville--Yes
Visited Florida--Yes
Visited Mexico--Yes
Seen Grand Canyon in person--Yes
Flown in a helicopter--Yes
Been on a cruise--Yes
Been in a movie--No
Danced in the rain-No
Been to Los Angeles--Yes
Served on a jury--No
Been to New York City--Yes
Played/Sang in a band--No
Sang karaoke--no sang in a nightclub--No
Caught a snowflake on your tongue--Yes
Had children--Yes
Had a pet(s)--Yes
Been sledding on a big hill--No

Been downhill skiing--No
Been water skiing--No (tried, but couldn't)
Rode on a motorcycle--No
Traveled to all 50 states--Yes
Jumped out of a plane--No
Been to a drive-in movie--Yes
Rode a camel-No
Rode a Horse--Yes
Been on TV--Yes
Been in the newspaper--Yes
Stayed in the Hospital--yes
Donated blood--No
Gotten a piercing--Yes
Gotten a tattoo--Yes (only dots for radiation markers)
Driven a stick shift vehicle--Yes
Been scuba diving--Yes
Been snorkeling--Yes
Rode in the back of a police car--No
Got a speeding ticket--Yes
Broken a bone--Yes
Gotten stitches--Yes
Traveled Alone--Yes

Together - maybe

Life is starting to come together.  Almost all the financial stuff has been transferred to me and to my financial advisor.  And I have an appointment with an attorney to update my will and various other legal documents. I'll have to make a few more decisions, and then maybe I can coast for a while.

Quiet...

Such a quiet week.

I'll just see money folks to

Sign some papers.  Yawn!

Quiet time

Mornings here have been lovely, even with the daily highs around 90.  Today was a usual Monday - including a haircut.  I had fair cards, but probably didn't get into the top four finishers.  No money is involved in any case - just bragging rights.  Nothing much scheduled the rest of the week.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Alice Through the Looking Glass Meme

If your life was a book, what would be its title? "Who would've thought?"

Who is/was the weirdest person in your life? FJ or EJ or (more likely) me.

What is a special thing that someone once did for you? My family holding me last year.

If you could erase someone off the planet, who would it be? Current - Donald Trump, Dick Cheney; historical, Hitler, etc.

What’s a big goal that you have? Moving along, one day at a time.

If you could time travel and meet yourself at 16, what would you tell yourself? Hold on - it's going to be a fun ride.

If it were the last day of your life, how would you spend it? With my loved ones.

If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be and why? I'm not much into "celebrity" - maybe President and Mrs. Obama.

What is one romance depicted in film that you’d love to experience? Not the whole romance, but I love the final scene from the original "Sabrina".

Describe yourself in just one sentence. I am what I am.

Who is the most beautiful person on earth? Beauty comes from inside - and one of the most beautiful people I've known is my Aunt Betsy.

What was the best experience in your life? The travels we were able to take.

If you could rule the world, what would you change? There would be no war or poverty or illiteracy or hate or prejudice.

Where were you when you heard the news of 9/11? In a water exercise class at the YMCA.

Friday Five

1. Another hot, low humidity day.
2. I went back to the optometrist for dilation and other tests. There are a few other anomalies, but nothing serious.
3. Secondary cataracts are not as pronounced as first thought.
4. Played duplicate.
5. I'm not sure I know how to read the results, but I think we came in first again in the north/south pairs. 

Patch, patch, patch!

I saw the optometrist this morning (regular appointment) - mostly just a few little age-related problems, but nothing significant.  Except for the development of a secondary cataract in one eye.  That'll require a laser treatment sometime soon.  I've had that before, and it's no big deal.  I go back tomorrow for the second part of the exam (they can't do these at the same time - insurance stuff), but then I'm through for another six months.  Patch, patch, patch!

"Commander in Chief Forum"

I haven't said much about the campaign and upcoming election.  However, tonight I watched the "Commander in Chief" program on NBC and MSNBC and the followup program with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC.  The forum was put on by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and questions were put to the candidates by veterans. It was excellent to compare the two people.  And in Maddow's program coming a second hour, again the audience was comprised of veterans.  Some of the veterans who had asked questions of the candidates were asked their reactions to the responses to their questions.

In all honesty, my mind is made up and it's not likely to change.  But this was a fascinating look at the candidates and the followup from the questioners.  As the organizers said, they hope this is the first of what will become a constant part of presidential campaigns.  I wholeheartedly agree.

See if you can find it on line and watch both programs.  It's well worth the two hours.

Monday/Tuesday Seven

1. Back pain woke me up Monday morning, and stayed with me all day.  Since it was a holiday, I took one.  I had stuff to eat, so didn't even go up for meals.
2. I spent a good part of the morning, sitting on the deck, reading the paper and enjoying some sunshine, low humidity, breezes, and hummingbirds.
3. This morning, the back was better.
4. I got to read the paper outside again.  Lovely.
5. The orthopedist and I agreed on getting my left knee replaced in midOctober.
6. The right knee might get done, too - decision not made on that yet.
7. I got to have lunch with Missy on a stopover as she went from Atlanta to Norris.  It'd been too long since we'd gotten together, and it was special.

Lagniappe (that little something extra)

A story on Sunday Morning today brought back one of my best memories.  The story was about the Albuquerque Balloon Festival.  About 10 years ago, John did a hiking Elderhostel near Cortez, CO, and I went along just to enjoy the area and so we could do some stuff afterward.  After the program, we went to spend the night at a tiny motel in Mexican Hat, Utah, so we could do a drive through one of our favorite places - The Valley of the Gods Road, and take pictures.

We got to the motel early enough that we drove the loop, taking sunset photos.  When we got back to the motel, there were folks in the parking lot unloading paraphernalia for hot air balloons.  John asked where they were going to launch.  It turned out to be the Phoenix ballooning club and they were there for their annual launch the next morning at the Valley of the Gods. OMG!

We were up before sunrise to get into the area for our early morning photos over the rock formations. It was to be a glorious, clear morning. As the balloonists arrived (they usually launch soon after sunrise), we were able to drive around, watch the launches, and get photos.  To have the iconic rock formations, the wonderful early morning light would have been a photographer's dream in any case.  But then to have the colorful  balloons floating in and around the rocks made the experience a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The slides from that day are gone now, but the memories are still as bright and colorful as they were then.

Not the usual

Back pain woke me up in the middle of the night last night.  Some pain med got me back to sleep, but I skipped swimming this morning (and just went to coffee - LOL).  A trip to WalMart finished my trip out.  Then it got interesting.

As I was unloading the stuff from my car, I got stung by a bee.  It got up into my loose sleeve, and I was out of my shirt right there in the parking lot until I was sure it was gone.  I thought it was just one of those "sweat bees", but after I got the stuff in and got up to lunch, I started to feel  light-headed.  I went right for one of the nurses, who went looking for some Benadryl.  They didn't find any, but I got to feeling better, so they let me come on home.  I think they were ready with an epipen, though, in case it looked necessary (although they didn't pull one out right away and scare me with it).  One of the CNAs came down to check on me later this afternoon.  I did take a Claritin as soon as I got back to my apartment.  Then, of course, I found some Benadryl way back in a cabinet.  The little sucker-bee surely did get me though - it hurts, too.  Management sent somebody out to spray the area after I reported it.  I guess I can't let things get too ordinary for long. 8^)

I've put out a third hummingbird feeder, and the birds are going crazy with them.  There are probably 12 or more swirling around - who can count them? - they move so fast.  I can tell that's going to be my entertainment for some time. I'm going to miss them when they head south for the winter.

I hear some folks are getting some fall-like weather.  Temps are still in the 90s or high 80s around here.  We're not expected to get any of the rain from "Hermine", so we're still pretty dry.

Today was Jesse's last day at his old job.  He starts his new job in Tennessee in two weeks. After the holiday weekend, he'll be doing some driving back and forth getting his "toys" moved - two trucks, motorcycle, boat, etc. It's going to be good having him back in TN.

Sunday Stealing came on Thursday this week.

Sunday Stealing: Shannon's Moments Meme, Part Two

23. Have you ever gone to the “dark side”? I have no idea what this means.

24. What shirt are you wearing right now? Pajama top

25. What’s important about a bed to you? Like type of sheets, size or whatever. Comfort, clean - I'm  not picky.

 26. Can you sing? I used to be able to, but never very well.

27. What is something about you that would surprise? I don't think I have any surprises left.

28. Have you been a pirate, Renaissance Fair, or other costumed event? If not, would you for the right event or say cause? I definitely do not do costume parties.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Don't sing in the shower.

30. Favorite girl's name? SueMargaretKateJean

31. Favorite boy's name? No favorites

32. What’s in your pocket or purse right now? No pockets now, nothing unusual in my purse - card case, keys, tissues (I hate purses, and try not to carry one.)

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Watching the hummingbirds outside my door.

34. Best toy as a child? I don't remember any favorites.  I did like to cut out paper dolls and make new clothes for them.

35. Worst injury you have ever had? Most recent one I guess - broken humerus, requiring three surgeries.

36. Where would you love to live? On the water somewhere.

37. What type of TV do you have? Would you’d like an upgrade? Flat-screen, HD, don't need to upgrade.

39. How many dogs do you have? None

 40. Do most folks trust you? I think so.

41. What book are you reading? The Ladies of the Club by Marilyn Celeste Morris.

42. What’s your favorite classic TV show? The West Wing

43. What’s your favorite sports team? The UTC Lady Mocs and the TN Lady Vols.

44. Favorite month and why? None really - I do like autumn and spring seasons.