Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Tuesday... Catch Up Time!

It's Tuesday night.... and I am exhausted. As many of you know (from Facebook) I have had more than my share of health issues in the past few years. I am quickly learning my limitations of living with aortic stenosis and an ascending aortic aneurysm along with a few other things... like the after effects of Thyroid cancer, and insulin dependent type 2 diabetes... and osteoarthritis and needing my right knee replaced - 3 years ago! (They did the left knee 3 years ago instead cuz that was the one that hurt!)

I state all of the information only to say... that I went grocery shopping on Saturday... and it kicked my butt!!! I went to the store and usually find a electric riding shopping cart. Not that day, so I ended up having to walk through my shopping trip. In my defense, I did do a few errands and get a mani/pedi before I hit the store. Anyway... I was so tired from all the walking and loading and unloading and carry up the stairs and putting away all the groceries, I didn't do much on Sunday. And I was still feeling it on Monday. More than one coworker told me that I looked pretty tired on Monday.

I managed to feel pretty good during my work day today. I worked hard and covered alot of ground for the start of my next month which accounting wise, will start on the 3rd of August. So... I went to see my hair dresser tonight after work. We always have such a great time when we get together. She does an amazing job with my hair... making sure that I get to be as blond as I want to be without having my very black hair not be brassy or become damaged. It's always so good to get my hair cut and colored... it helps to camouflage my gray hair and the amount of hair I have lost from being sick and medications.

That being said... I was hoping to share that DH and I were planning a get away. But, sadly, that won't be happening anytime soon. His work schedule has been changed to 7 days a week and included lots and lots of overtime. I feel as tho I am living with a mouse... I buy food and put it in the fridge and it disappears! I feel bad for him... and if I didn't get to call him on my lunch or him calling me on his breaktime... we would live on notes for communication. I appreciate how hard he works and it's very hard for him to always be at work.

It's bed time for me and for Punky. I don't have any idea what time DH will be home tonight.
Thanks for reading.... keep us in your prayers!

~Suzanne

Friday, July 27, 2012

What a Trip!

The drive home last night was brought to us by Dorothy and her Ruby Red Slippers and Toto in her picnic basket. Oh * My * Goodness!!!

My ride home started off with a ton of traffic... it took me 3 lights to get from the industrial park I work in to get to the freeway on ramp that is literally less than an 1/8th of mile from that intersection. As I got on to the freeway and began to merge into the right hand lane... my fuel light went off. Great! And not more than 10 seconds after that, I received an EMS text on my phone that there were tornado warnings for my home area. Really Great!

I headed south anyway, going slower than the posted speed limit to see what my gas mileage was going to be... I drove over 5 miles before it even dropped down 1 mile on the gauge. I got off the freeway at the last exit before heading up the mountain so I could get some gas. I drove back about a mile to fill up. While I was doing that, I heard on the local radio that tornadoes were spotted 6 to 8 miles northwest of where I live and headed directly towards home. I figured I would get my fuel and then find a place to sit and ride the storm out.

Well... I pulled into the Taco Hell parking lot and pulled into the drive thru lane. As I did that, I noticed that it was quickly becoming very dark and very windy. I placed my order and then noticed some of the employees were outside with their cellphones taking pictures. It got darker, and then the rains started and the winds picked up. Thunder and lightening started in.... huge lightening strikes and thunder so loud, it rocked my car.

I sat in the parking lot for awhile until the lightening was overhead and was scaring me to death. I decided to take my chances and try to get to the freeway. I was able to make my way... but it was slow going, but at least as I drove south, I seemed to be driving away from the storm. There was debris on the freeway, but I didn't encounter anything of concern on the freeways. Once I pulled off the interstate, it was quite different.

What struck me first was that there was virtually no traffic on our 2 lane highway. The farther south I went on our road... the more stuff I saw, until I had to stop for the fire trucks and rescue workers who were clearing the trees from the road in front of me. I made it through the first light... and came to the second light. That intersection had some real damage... trees down, and loose power lines dangling in the wind. There is a monastery at that corner and they suffered extensive tree damage.

I traveled farther down the road, and made it home. I wasn't certain what I would find when I got here. I had trash cans from several neighbors west of me and lots of debris in the yard. All of our patio furniture was scattered in my neighbors back yard. Not just a little ways... but like, under their deck~ and I was certain my patio umbrella was a goner!

Coming into the house, I could see the high water and debris that came up from the heavy rains along the edge of the patio. The door at the top of the stairs was open, pulled open from the negative air pressure as the windows on the porch were open. As I stepped into the kitchen, I was met by a little red dog, cautiously peering around the corner from the hall, hoping nothing was there to scare her. She was so happy and relived to see me, she instantly jumped and twirled in circles. We were both glad I was finally home. We had heavy thunder storms during the rest of the evening... big boomers that shook the entire house and made my heart skip.

I've been to Kansas... and I've been to Oklahoma, but this is the closest I've ever felt to being Dorothy!

Thanks for reading!
~Suzanne

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The places you find things...

I left for work today on time.... DH was sound asleep when I left so I didn't wake him to say good bye. I did give Punky a kiss as she snuggled up to her Dad for a nap. I always feel bad when I don't get to talk to him before I leave, but I just couldn't wake him, he was sleeping so good!

My work day was busy... trying to get calls made in between working on forecasting what my numbers will look like. That's always frustrating because it's like trying to use a crystal ball to see where I am going to end for the month and if my GM will take a bad debt hit for the month. (He despises taking a hit, and the pressure to perform is always at the forefront.) It's tricky and it takes time away from my main work. It makes me nuts and I always need to leave at lunch to regroup.

I went to lunch with 2 coworkers today. Because it was the first time to have Miss Liz go with my friend Tammy and I, conversation was flowing and I didn't pick up my phone to call DH as I usually do. Later, back at my desk, I sent him a text explaining that I went with friends for lunch.

Later, he sent me a text... he had to get gas for his vehicle on his way to work and couldn't find his wallet. He had to use his change stash to buy enough to get him to work and home again tonight. He said his wallet wasn't in his work bag and nor in his car. I came home from work tonight and looked in all the places it would usually be... and found nothing.

He called me on his lunch break... and we talked about his wallet being gone. He said that the last time he can remember using his wallet was Saturday when we went out for Chinese food. His clothes that he had worn were folded up on the end of the guest room bed (his clothes are in the guest room closet because I take up our entire bedroom closet and a second one in the guest room.) I went into the guestroom and checked... and sure enough, his wallet was in his jeans pocket. That means he's been driving back and forth to work for 3 days without his wallet! Oh My Goodness!

We are both so glad to have found his wallet... the thought of having to replace everything is mind boggling and lots of people have to do that everyday. I am just so grateful that we don't have to do that... especially since DH just renewed his drivers license!

Thanks for reading about my day... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Monday, July 23, 2012

Missing Her HeeHeeHee's!

In the last few days, I've been in a very sweet memory place. I have been remembering all the laughter and funniness I used to share with my Mom. Countless times, we would end laying across the bed to talk and all it would take would be a "certain look" and we would both be set off in huge gales of laughter. We would laugh at anything and everything... often leaving everyone else around us left to thinking we were a little bit off our rockers.

I have memories of being ill and having my Mom there with me to take care of me. During my first cancer surgery those many years ago, we laughed all the way to the hospital, as my Mom had brought recipes with her that she had typed and her typo's were hilarious. We had tears rolling down our faces at her typo for "Spanish Nookles" instead of noodles.

I found an old picture in a box in the guest room from an old camping trip with my Mom. Who ever took that picture, caught us in a huge fit of laughter... I don't remember what we were laughing at, but what ever it was, must have been very funny. When my Mom was relaxed and not worrying about anything, she could be very funny. And she was pretty good at laughing at herself... sometimes not always getting her own jokes until a few beats later after we had started laughing, and then it would make her giggle even harder.

I miss my Mom everyday... I miss hearing her laugh, I miss being able to pick up the phone and talk to her... and I really miss her when I don't feel well. Yes, I am a grown woman, but I still miss my Mom when I am struggling with medical issues. I wish that DH could have known her and I know that she would adore him.

Thanks for letting me share some sweet thoughts.
Be Blessed....
~Suzanne

Sunday, July 22, 2012

A Daybook Entry

Simple Woman's Daybook...

FOR TODAY (July 22. 2012)...


Outside my window... it's been a partly sunny daym with temps at about 85  degrees.

I am thinking... that I need to get some of the housework under control, or that it's time to hire a housekeeper to help me keep up.

I am thankful for... a hard working husband that works seemingly endless hours to provide for us.

From the kitchen... there is a fresh baked pizza for dinner and some good leftovers for the coming week.
I am wearing... a long black and white paisley sun dress and silver jewelry.

I am creating... a cleaning list to keep me on track, and working on a jewelry organizer to hand on my wall.

I am going... to take Punky to get her nails clipped today... she needs a mani-pedi!

I am reading... a few easy summer reads, all beach themed novels.

I am hoping... to plan a little day trip for DH and I in the coming month.

I am hearing... the air conditioner, DH cleaning out my car, and Punky next to me on the couch.

Around the house... laundry awaits being folded and put away and dishwahser needs to be ran!

One of my favorite things... just finished season 2 of Downton Abbey... can't wait for next season!
 
A few plans for the rest of the week: Just to make it to work every day and hopefully be able to function with my right knee feeling like it doesn't want to do what it's suppose to! I need to make a return to Cracker Barrell... and I need to keep working on keeping up with the house work. I also need to find a new family doctor as mine has taken a new job and to find a new cardiologist that understands all of my heart conditions along with all the other health issues I have.
 

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Struggling to Smile!

This has been a trying week for me. My DH has been called to work early everyday this week and also tagged to stay late as well. The heat has been hard to take...  and to make matters even worse, I got sick yesterday. I couldn't drive myself home... so my manager had to bring me home. Oh my word! She wanted to take me to the hospital but I wouldn't let her because I didn't want to be stranded without a vehicle.

Today was a celebration at lunch and we were all at the back of the building... in the heat. I managed to stay out there for about 2 hours. That's about my limit with heat. I made sure to stay hydrated and watch what I was eating... more protein than anything, not too many carbs and no sugar. When I went in, I was pretty light headed from the heat. (I've been having dizzy spells the last several weeks.) And I had to go right back outside for pictures... it just about undid me. One of the service managers looked at me and asked if I wanted to go to the hospital. I said no... I didn't want to be stranded.

And to add to my stress level with work, my DH sent me a text that he'd been zapped with 10,000 volts of electricity today. Someone left a live line on top of the conveyor belt he was working on, and didn't say anything. He picked it up with both hands and it knocked him to the ground. Wow... that just freaks me out. I worried all afternoon about him because he was too busy to call me back.

Tonight, he just called me to let me know he's ok. He's been held over to work until 3am again. I worry about him... but at least it's only a 6 mile trip home from work. I told my co-workers today that if anything happens to him or to me, they'd better come to the house and take care of Punky cause she's not big enough to get the door open to let herself out.

On a happier note... DH tells me that he's not working this weekend and he's declined a Friday night holdover. And Project Runway starts tonight! (That's exciting for me!)

Thanks for reading~
Suzanne

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Five for Friday (All Random!)

My Randomness just overflows tonight, so I will let it flow! Y'all won't mind, I am certain.

1. DH has worked overtime every night this week. And he will be working the entire weekend. I hope my house doesn't get swallowed up into a huge hole with out him around to give me a hand.

2. Work has been tough this week. I've lots of issues with things not being applied correctly or accounts that were COD and rolling over for 1 or 2 month, only to discover someone wasn't doing their job. (And to think they just got promoted! Isn't that the way it always goes?) My frustration with it all hit an all time high today.

3. I worked late last night, but went out to dinner with a wonderful co-worker and friend after as she worked late as well. We chatted and she shared a really cool idea that she's thinking about for her DH's birthday... she's thinking about buying him his dream Mustang!!!!

4. Tonight, to help with frustration... I did some cooking. I managed to small cannon-ball style meatloaves. I had one for dinner... it was really good. It's something DH can take for dinner tomorrow instead having his usual sandwiches. Change is good.

5. Another dear friend and co-worked shared a hilarious real-life story. Her DH had the day off yesterday and was out doing some errands. He was headed to a local dollar store on a very busy section of highway. As he approached the entrance of the parking lot, a woman was standing out there. He looked at her as he turned in and she looked back at him. (He wears transition lenses for eye wear.) He pulled into a parking space near the front of the store and the woman had ran over and jumped into his truck. He asked what she was doing and she answered, "I'm here to make some money!" He answered, "well, I'm here to buy toothpaste... so get out!" Poor innocent guy, doing errands and getting hi-jacked by a daytime hooker! He picked up the phone and called his wife to tell her as soon as he walked into the store. Hilarious!

That's my Five for Friday.... Thanks for reading!
~Suzanne

Sunday, July 8, 2012

A Much Needed Day

It's Sunday... and my DH finally has a day off. He's been working since June 3rd with out any time off except for the 4th of July. They did ask him to work today as well, but he declined. We have spent the day getting errands done and spending time together.

I've stayed busy doing laundry and trying to keep the house cool and groceries stocked. I'm still working full time and am finally starting to feel like myself again. That being said, I am still very tired and still in pain. The doctor gave me prescription strength Aleve and it's helped greatly in helping me function with everything.

I did treat myself to some fun yesterday. I found dvd's of Masterpiece theatre's Downton Abbey. I watched the entire 1st season yesterday... and of course I loved it! Can't wait to watch the 2nd season later this week. I've got to get myself back on schedule for this week, I've been staying up late for when DH comes home from work, so I get a chance to see him. (Those 12 hour days he's been working have made it rather difficult!)

So glad that it's finally getting a little cooler this next week. This heat has been brutal with the heat and trying to keep the house cooler. We had a pretty significant storm yesterday that knocked power out for about 2 hours. It was tough to stay cool with no power and knowing I wouldn't be able to get to the generator by myself. Luckily for me, power was restored quickly.

Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Excited for the 4th!

I am very excited for the 4th of July. We've had several offers to go to cook-outs. I don't think we will be attending any as DH will finally have a day off! That's what I am excited about... getting to see him for an entire day!!! I don't have the heart to drag him somewhere if he can have a day at home, and he needs the rest.

Our routine around here is that I rise at 6 am to ready myself for the day and leave for work around 7:20.  Some days DH will get up with me and walk Punky for me. That's about the only time we see each other. He will sleep until around noon if he's worked extra hours. He leaves for work at 2:10. If he works an 8 hour day, he will get home at 11:30. I'm usually sound asleep by then and sometimes I will stay up until he gets home... just to say hi before I zonk out for the night. With all of his overtime, we haven't seen each other for days, except when I came home from the hospital last week.

Work has been very aggravating as of late. There are so many changes within my department and I can say that I don't agree with the major changes that have happened. I have to adjust and try to be a team player until I decide what I need to do. My doctor has recommended that I cut back on my hours and when I brought that up... I was told no. I was told that even though my manager had offered me part time hours 6 weeks ago, she has withdrawn that offer and cannot accommodate me at this time. I can stay at 40 hours or go look for something else. (That's such a lovely, motivating thought.)

I did go to the pharmacy this past weekend... and purchased myself some new vitamins and to help me with my stamina and energy. I sure hope they start to work soon. I always am hesitant when starting something new to see how it will react with any of my medications. My doctor added an extra dose of Prilosec at night and I discovered that it interferes with my Ambien and I don't sleep. I shared that with the doctor and he said he had heard that the mix could do that. He also shared that I am sensitive to medicines and it figured that I would be the one that would discover that contradiction.

Today would have been my Mom's 90th birthday. It's hard to believe she's been gone from us for over 2 years now. I still miss talking to her on the phone even though in her last years, she lost that ability to communicate by phone. She just couldn't connect and understand how a telephone worked as her dementia progressed. Her last year was the one where she really shut down and became lost to us. I still miss her smile and laughter and sweet way of making me feel loved.

I am hoping for a little time outside in the morning before it gets too hot tomorrow. I am hoping to spend time in the evening watching the fireflies come out at dusk. I do want to be home for Punky to keep her calm with all the fireworks. She does handle it well, but I'd rather have lights on and music playing so she won't get surprised. She's such a good little dog.

Thanks for reading... be blessed! And Happy 4th of July! Thank you to all our Service Men and Women who keep watch for us so we may enjoy our freedom.

~Suzanne