This is me on Christmas day when I was four. Cute, huh? Which leads to the question, what hapened???? ;o)

 

A Good Day

Fridays are my day off, but I often go in to work for meetings, or schedule a procedure. Today was such a day. I had a patient come in at 8 for an IUD insert. Before she arrived, my Outlook reminded me that I had a dr's appt. at 10. Now, I remembered today was the appt., but for the life of me I thought it was at 3. Now I put myself 20+ miles away with the procedure to do, plus I had to stop at home to get records for the doc. The insert went well. Which reminds me: I have a theory about Latinas. They are so stoic. They are my favorite ladies for IUD inserts. Everybody else is a coin toss. Hmmm. After the procedure, I raced home, dug up the records, and zoomed to the dr. This was my first time seeing her, a new neurologist. I liked her. Her first name is the same as Searcher's. Plus, she's young, and it's nice to know that she'll outlive me. So many of the great docs here are retiring or dying! Change happens.

So I came home and paid the bills. One check I wrote was for the car insurance. Right now, we have 4 vehicles. The kids pay their own insurance. I wrote the check and put it in the envelope with the statement and decided to drop it by the office since I was driving by and the deadline loomed. Then I misplaced the envelope. While searching for it, I misplaced my car keys. Geeze! My new neurologist has a lot to take care of here! Found the keys; never have found the envelope. I just walked in and wrote another check. I need a keeper.

Went to the mall. I have nothing nice to wear for conferences, church, etc. This was made painfully apparent when I went to Orlando last week. I found a few nice things at Ann Taylor Loft - what a nice store! I'd never been there before. And they have sale racks!!!! I love those. Or the clothes on them.

Tonight Hubby and I are going out with our British friends for Thai food. Another new food experience. I'm looking forward to it, but Hubby is used to American, Italian and Mexican. I hope he finds something good.

Bye!

Still Not Dead

No, I'm not dead yet! (One of my favorite Monty Python quotes). We arrived safely from MD. It was amazing to see how my aunt's cancer had progressed. When she was here in March, she had several lesions open on her neck; now all have coalesced into a gaping maw. Sorry, not a pretty picture, 'cause it ain't. Hospice keeps changing her meds to try and get her comfortable. Not sure, but I might be able to fly up at the end to be with her and J., her longterm b/f. He has taken such good care of her. Awesome.

The trip to Orlando was great. My friend from work and I made the trip together, and it was well worth it. I'm looking at Women's Health Care in a new light. One of the speakers pointed out that the health of our patients begins when they're in the womb of their Mom, which is true. And then we provide care from periods to menopause. And then they disappear. We want to look at the whole life of a woman, not just her childbearing years. So, I'm thinking, the public health system in FL needs to reprioritize $ to Primary Care. Nothing is more frustrating to me than finding a medical problem (HTN, diabetes, etc) and hoping they can get care someplace. Back in the day, I would walk the lady to "General Clinic" and she would be well-attended to. *sigh* I miss the old days.

No big change in kid land. Hubby doesn't need surgery, which is great, but they don't know what's wrong with him, which isn't. Neurology is such an interesting and frustrating field. Interesting to study or read about, frustrating to have problems with. Geeze, if I keep ending sentences in prepositions, the English police will be after me.

Speaking of English......and speaking in English, two years ago I precepted a nurse practitioner student from England. My first impression, looking at her sunny (not tan, disposition) face was, "We are going to be great friends!" And we are. Hubby and I went to their house for the first couples meeting, and Hubby and he got along spendidly! It's easy to lapse into British-speak when talking with or about them. It's so fun! I've learned a few new words (I'm learning English, why can't someone from another country who's lived here 12 years?). Did you know that "stroppy" is about the same thing as bitchy? Hehehe. And it's not a good thing to imitate Penfold from Dangermouse and say, "Cor, Chief!" Cor is the same as saying, "God!" without thinking about or talking to Him. One of the big ten.

Hubby has a new toy!!! A 50 caliber S&W. He is setting up to reload his own bullets, like in the old days. Melting lead outside in a small iron pot (wheel weights, spent bullets, etc). He'll also reuse his brass. The ready-made bullets are quite pricey. Yes, he has a new gun. This means I get jewelry! Except I really don't want anything right now. Maybe a nicer type of watch to wear to church and other-than-work places. My velcro $6 Wal-Mart watch is great for work, and an extra for boating and fishing.

Speaking of which, we haven't been out in ages. The motor is not "peeing" well enough, which means the cooling system needs to be cleaned out. And we need a new battery. I miss going out on the water. Such a soothing feeling, until Hubby has us flying 40mph over choppy water. Then it's just fun, usually. Sometimes it's annoying.

Anybody watch "House?" A new addiction for me. I swore last year that as my favorite t.v. shows were cancelled (JAG, Judging Amy, 7th Heaven, Joan of Arcadia) that I wouldn't start any new shows; I was watching too much t.v. Then the girls at work kept talking about "House." I kept avoiding it because I truly thought it was one of those "I'm decorating my neighbor's house, and they're doing mine" shows. Now I watch each Tuesday, and the reruns on Friday nights at 11 on USA network. I can sleep in on Saturdays!

I've chattered on quite long enough. Y'all have a great night. Oh, by the way, hurricane season starts next week. Gee, I can hardly wait! ;o)

~~me

Long Time, No Post!

No, I'm not dead. Life has been pretty typical. Of newsworthy items: Dreamer and her Hubby are home for the week. We've done nothing but sit around, but that's what Dreamer wanted. Just completed the most difficult yet of her semesters. Finished with four A's, her own goal. I remember her calling me in April, crying, afraid she would get a B in one class and how would that look on her app for her masters? And she wants to graduate cum laude, or magna cum laude, or something like that. Dang, I just want her to graduate! And she will in due time. One more year. I've enjoyed having her home this time more than ever, and had to stifle tears when they drove off today to visit his parents. She is truly growing from daughter to friend, which is as it should be. Currently, they plan to go to Japan to teach for a year after she graduates. Exciting!

Ripped is at the Keys this weekend with his girlfriend and her family. They like him. Girlfriend is maybe close to saying she'll "go out" with him. He truly loves her; has for a couple of years now.

Searcher is done with school for now; undecided on whether to work full-time or continue school. Just to be safe, I filled out the FAFSA for her last night. Those things are a pain, but worth it since they pay for part of tuition. Pray for her to follow God's path and in all her ways to acknowledge Him. Her Grandma's favorite scripture!

Molly is about 22 pounds now. She and Honey still play and "fight" a lot, but no one gets hurt. With all of the bared teeth, I expect to see blood, but I guess they know just how far to go. They're part of the family. Love those critters.

Hubby had MRI of the neck and lower back several weeks ago. He's still waiting for the results and appt. with neurosurgeon. Geeze! This drives me nuts, since I used to work in a radiology dept. and know how quickly these things are processed; next day, at latest.

My Dad is still hanging in there. Amazing! He was given 6 months about a year and a half ago. My Mom takes real good care of him.

My Aunt in MD with terminal cancer is failing. Searcher and I are flying up to see her on Monday; we'll be back on Friday. It will be a sad week.

The Wed. after I get back, I have to go to Orlando for the Governor's Women's Health Conference. This is the first of its' kind, so it will be interesting. I just hate travel on top of travel. With CIDP, it's exhausting just to think about it.

Speaking of CIDP, no change. Later this month, on the 26th, I'll see a new neurologist who is local. Driving across the state or even 35 miles south (on our interstate, which is always plagued with wrecks caused by speeding dump trucks) has become a pain, and the great doc across the state is retiring next month, anyway. I hope the new local doc is ok. It's a female, with the same first name as Searcher. Maybe this will go better since I'm already diagnosed.

OK. There's life in our household, in a small nutshell!

Goodnight~