Trying to get all those doctor visits in before the end of the year when deductibles start over. Well, it can't be done... especially during this pandemic when everything is spaced out so far apart.
Anyway, I got my Medicare Wellness check done, bloodwork, EKG, etc. All was fine... no diabetes, no high cholesterol (although I'm getting a little close - but my good cholesterol is OK and my BMI is good).
My doctor isn't worried, but says she will see what the Cardiologist thinks since I have an appointment with him on Monday. He will see if this occasional spiking of my bp during the night is something I need to do something about. My doctor gave me Rx Propranolol 10mg to take as needed if it happens again. So far I haven't needed it. Also she wants him to see the way my EKG always shows an infarction, although I've never had a problem...
And I have my chest x-ray being done this week (she added an x-ray of my foot also since I still can't put my shoe on).
**********************
And I guess now that Halloween is over,
Thanksgiving and Christmas
will be here
before we know it.
We did go out to Barnes and Noble and got some Christmas cards... (and I actually started writing them). Figured we may not be getting together with people during those holidays, but I will get Christmas cards out... maybe even add a 'holiday newsletter' (which we haven't done in years).
Oh, and DH and I ate lunch at LaMadeleine's this week! This sounds like such a small thing, but we haven't eaten in a restaurant in almost 2 years. And we had planned to eat outside on their patio... but there were very few people inside... we ended up staying inside in a corner by ourselves... (small steps but still).
It's gotten chilly here... was in the 40's this morning. DH put the heat lamps out for the ferals and I put some little blankets in their baskets. One Eye always sleeps either in the basket out front or on the cat tree in the back. He is an old black cat that lost his eye in a fight a few years ago. He stays around pretty much. And Olivia (a young female black and white) finally brought her 3 babies by to eat... they are at least 6-8 weeks old and take off the minute they see us watching. But they look healthy and strong. She is a small cat, but a very good mother... and that saying "small but fierce" applies to her. If any one of them bother her when she or her babies are eating, she will slap them away.
It is now Saturday afternoon. DH and I just took a walk around the neighborhood. The weather is beautiful... probably in the 60's. Having spent the morning cooking steamed cabbage with caramelized onions and bacon and scalloped potatoes to go with our baked chicken tonight, the house smells wonderful.
Also I finally got to Skype with my 77 year old friend in New Orleans who had the roof blow off her condo during Hurricane Ida. She has been 'homeless' more or less since that happened. Her niece did take her in in, but with 90 year old parents, a bipolar son, and an autistic grandchild, the situation was not ideal.
But it was a life-saver all the same. Now she is being told that they don't know when or if her condo will be habitable again. They are charging an enormous amount to store her belongings... and no help so far (just paperwork) from FEMA. But she finally found an apartment and is on her own again. So she is happy with the privacy. However, still worried about all the costs. It really was good talking to her. She is under a lot of stress, but can still laugh and make me laugh. I just sent her a small package (nothing much... just some honey from a friend's bees, some Dr. Bonner's soap - she loves Dr. Bonner's, and a few Halloween tea cakes).
and now for a few funnies...
This last one really made me laugh... as I haven't worn make-up since this pandemic started (I may keep my mask forever...).
And as always - thanks for visiting. I do appreciate my blog friends... perhaps more than you know. I would still be posting even without any readers, but it is comforting to know that you're out there.
Hugs (still virtual),
Rian
Oh, I'm still here and I know I'm not alone. I love your posts and am always glad to see your smiling "face" show up in my news feed. I laughed at the cartoon about the cat seeing dead people. And you take such good care of your ferals, it really makes me smile to think of them snuggling up under their little blankets. :-)
ReplyDeleteI too am always glad to see you pop up on my computer or iPhone, DJan. And we do worry about the ferals when the weather gets bad... and sometimes I think I want to take them all in, but so far have fought that urge, but compensate with extra food, blankets, and heat lamps.
DeleteRian, aside from your foot your medical stuff sounds good. Forgive my nosiness, but as someone with edema in my left leg & foot, can I ask why you can't get a shoe on yours? Also, I loved reading about your neighborhood feral cats and you made me drool with your cooked cabbage, carmelized onions and bacon and potatoes! Boy does that sound good! :^)
ReplyDeleteI banged my toes against the bed about 2 weeks ago... they turned purple and swollen. Eventually the purple went away and most of the swelling is gone - BUT 'anything' touching the top of them hurts so much that I have been walking around with one shoe and one sock (with a plastic bag over it in the rain). The doctor thought I might have fractured some of those tiny bones on top of my foot close to the toes - but the x-ray says no. So I guess it just has to heal... BTW, does your edema hurt?
DeleteOmigosh, that sounds like multiple fractures Rian... I sure am sorry. The edema hurt a good bit the first 3 weeks, now just burns slightly and is very, very sore when I arch my foot.
DeleteHugs to you.
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy - and have achieved some excellent things.
It has been years since I have worn make up. My shaky hands mean that I suspect I would look clown like - and clowns frighten me.
Good luck with your medical appointments - and hooray for going out for a meal. We haven't done so yet.
OMG, clowns frighten me too, EC! As for make-up, I have never liked it... and may never wear it again. I always looked forward to my annual retreat (which I haven't done in years) because it meant I didn't have to wear make-up for 3 whole days.
DeleteGod bless your friend's niece. Glad you're doing well, all except for your toe which sounds like it will heal
ReplyDeleteYes, the niece was a life saver, Tom... and my toe will heal eventually.
DeleteOh, you're not alone. I bet that many like me read your blog every time a new one appears but almost never comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vic. I do the same with some blogs. There are some that I almost always comment on, and some I just read and enjoy, but hardly ever comment.
DeleteHowdy from a new reader and blogger since November 2007. It will take me a while to catchup on your blog. I did see you are in Texas. Would you mind giving me a hint as to what part of this little state you are in. Right now I am in Rockport but I still roam a bit now and then. I am looking forward to being a regular reader of your humor. Thanks for writing.
ReplyDeleteHi Barney, thanks for visiting. We are in North Texas and I have heard good things about Rockport. Great birding area!
DeleteIt is great birding but it is also getting pretty crowded with folks now days. You will see what I mean in the pictures on my blog.
DeleteThe sad thing about the news coverage of hurricanes, they only cover the first days. Often it is months, sometimes never when families recover when their homes are damaged. So good your friend has such a giving neice.
ReplyDeleteHad to laugh about dead people and masks. I really don't want to give up mine. I rarely even put on lipstick these days.
Oh, Patti, I gave up lipstick a long time ago... never stays on anyway. The make-up I could probably use, but just plain don't like it.
DeleteI hope your cardiologist appointment provides some answers and resolution to your BP issues.
ReplyDeleteYour friend sounds like she's having some real struggles. I certainly hope FEMA does what needs to be done to get her back on her feet.
I haven't worn make-up for at least 3 or 4 years. I decided I might be scary but I didn't have to look at me. ;)
Thanks, Mae. I hope so too, but not very optimistic about it. As for the make-up, I figure at 76, it is what it is. My mom wore her make-up and jewelry from the moment she got up in the morning... well into her 90's (and I have to admit, she always looked good).
DeleteThose cat memes were pretty funny. I also no longer wear lipstick. But I do wear mascara and eyebrow darkening because that is the important part of facial expression when wearing a mask.
ReplyDeleteTrue... about the mascara, etc. (and my eyebrows are now white/gray - but I don't do that either. If I were going to some nice event where people were dressed up, I might wear make-up again, but otherwise - no way.
DeleteI too love that last comic. What a hoot.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can understand having privacy again. But, oh the red tape you have to go thru for government assistance is terrible.
Your health reads near perfect!! Keep it up.
Hi Anni, my friend is having a hard time. She is alone and 77 and doesn't have anyone to help her get through all the red tape. But she is struggling through it somehow.
DeleteI just love how you and your husband take care of the ferals. We've had a few cold nights but today was sunny and warm enought to open the doors and windows. Glad your doctor visits turned out good. All of a sudden seems like I have more appointments with doctors than I can keep up with. Must be my age. I enjoyed your last post with pictures of your daughter and family. Always enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Henny. Since we don't have any cats in the house anymore, the ferals get a little extra attention. Doctor visits were fine. I'm wearing a heart monitor now... and getting an echocardiogram next week. They are checking for arrhythmias (Afib). Guess it's all part of the fun things that come with age.
DeletePrayers for your friend and for you. That last photo absolutely cracked me up. These days my makeup is minimal. I figure at 74 with comorbitities I have other things I want to do. A little lipstick and eyebrow pencil is most often the extent.
ReplyDeleteYes, mine is minimal too, LC - just moisturizer and a mask.
Deleteman does the food you are cooking sound delicious!! i'm glad you were able to eat out also...we have not eaten inside a restaurant in a long, long time because so many of our restaurants have outdoor dining and the weather has been great. we are into the cold now, so we are going to have to make a decision on upcoming meals. we don't mind having a "picnic" in the car!!
ReplyDeleteWe ate out again on La Madeleine's patio this past week. It was a little chilly, but not too bad.
Delete