Back Cracked....

I'm so happy tomorrow is Friday!  TGIF!!

Good day at work, and I left an hour early for my appointment with the Chiropractor, Dr. Ison.  I like him, and the other people in the office!  Three of my friends go to him, so I wasn't too worried about it.

He explained how my bad knees have caused my hips and spine to get all our of kilter.  He cracked my back in three places, and my neck.  It really does feel better already.  I go back on Tuesday, and I get a 30 minute massage, by the massage therapist, before I see the doctor!  I'm looking forward to that!  Whoohooo!

I really have nothing else for tonight.  I did cook dinner for us - steak on the Foreman Grill, mashed potatoes, corn and a tossed salad.  It was good!

Hope you have had a good day, and I sure do wish you all a great Friday!!  Peace, love & hugs.

A Hodge Podge....

...of this and that.

• Busy at work today, after being off yesterday.  I also had a dentist appointment today.  Time for my 6-month cleaning.  Happy to report no cavities and no gum problems!

• I've had it with my back pain.  Can't get it popped back into place by myself, so made an appointment with a chiropractor for tomorrow.  The chiro I used to go to retired a year or so ago, and I just haven't had the need to go since then - until now.  I just hope he can make it right, and not have me going back for more.  A couple of times should do it (I hope!).

•  My (more than a) blogging friend, Kris, sent me a copy of the Grosse Pointe Magazine and it arrived today!  Kris, her sister, and I met for coffee a few months ago, when they were down for a little vacation.  We got to talking about the magazine they publish and one thing led to another and all of a sudden, the magazine would have a Lakeland section for the Spring edition!!  The Detroit Tigers do their spring training here, so it made for a great little partnership!  It turned out so nice, and the Museum's current exhibits are featured!  Awesome! 

• I forgot that I took a few photos with my "real" camera (not just my phone) while at the baseball game yesterday, so will bore you with a few more Phillies photos (you can see more of the crowd, and my sweetie):

 

 

• And, I picked a couple of the photographer's Gala photos, which also show more of the crowd dancing, and the band.  I promise this is the last of Gala photos!

• I'm done for the night!  Wishing you a good Thursday (downhill to the weekend!)!  Peace, love & hugs.

My Day Off!!

My day off started with a very loud weather radio alarm going off at 7:00 a.m.  Tornado watch until 3:00 p.m., with heavy rain storms passing through!  Wait a minute - this is game day!!  Oh no!!

Well, Clearwater is an hour away, on the Gulf of Mexico, so we set out anyway.  Traffic was good getting through Tampa, but we did hit some heavy rain a few times.  When we arrived at the Brighthouse Field, we decided to pay for Valet parking, to save my knees and back.  It cost us $20.00, which was $10.00 more than regular parking, but was well worth it to me!  We crossed the street and were there!!  Home of the Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training!  The sun came out and not a drop of rain fell on us!

We both got a hotdog (Philly Dog - peppers, onions & brown mustard) and a bottle of water for our lunch.  Later, I had to have a big soft pretzel (shaped like a P).  We had GREAT seats, right by the Phillies dugout and with a clear view of the entire field. The stands look empty, but we were early.  The place was actually nearly full when the game started.  The Phillies won the game, 4 to 3!  The Yankees played well, and I was happy to see Matt Diaz bat for the Yankees.  He was a student at Santa Fe Catholic High School, back when I worked there as the Business Manager!  He is from Lakeland!

We got home ahead of the Tampa rush hour, thank goodness.  Went to Publix for groceries (I grabbed the list before we left).  After we unloaded and put things away, Joe wanted Chinese for dinner, so we went to Peking House.  My cooking-at-home record is now broken, to start again tomorrow!  LOL

Here are some photos from the game, and I'll end it with two new photos from Gala.  One is me in the "rabbit hole" and the other is from the "official" photographer.  Not great, but good to keep!  Hope you have had a good day!  Wishing you a good Wednesday!  Peace, love & hugs.

Monday, Monday...

Whew, what a day.

Work was a bit crazy.  I had a plan for the day that quickly got torn apart so I could work on other things.  Oh well.  I at least got payroll done!

I FINALLY got in to see the orthopedic doctor today.  He looked at the MRI results, agreed that I must be in pain.  Stated that both knees would need to be replaced, but was vague about when that might happen (other than he didn't suggest they both be done at once).  He ignored my question about pain meds, drew fluid out of my left knee, gave me another shot of cortisone in the left, agreed that we could wait for an insurance company change, April 1st, to request the synthroid shot again (maybe a new company will approve it), and wants to see me then (April 8).  I already have relief in my left knee. Praise God!  I will complain that, after standing on the marble floors for several hours Saturday night, my lower back has been screaming.  The doctor said knee pain can cause back problems, because of favoring and not walking normally.    Sitting on an ice pack right now.  Getting old ain't for sissies!
 
Tomorrow, I have the day off to go with Joe to Clearwater, to the Brighthouse Field, to see the Phillies play the Yankees.  FUN!  Rain is predicted for morning.  I pray that it passes, and the game will be played under a blue sky!!  I dug my Phillies t-shirt out to wear.

The "official" Gala photos have not all been downloaded yet, so I'll hold them for another day.  I'll get some baseball photos tomorrow!  We'll be right by the Phillies dugout!!

Have a good Tuesday!!  Peace, love & hugs.

Put Gala to bed for another year...

Our Gala event, last night, was great fun and well attended.  The silent auction results are disappointing, but everyone had a good time.  Joe and I sat at a table with people from a local construction company, who generously support the Museum, and a couple of young attorneys, from a law firm that also (even more) generously supports the Museum.  It was fun talking with a young litigator, who could be a grandchild!  Gosh, I'm getting old!  

Slept late today (no early morning calls!) and have the laundry started.  No cleaning today.  I'm doing as little as possible.  Putting some soup on for our dinner.

Here are photos from last night.  I'll post more tomorrow, when the "official" photos are downloaded at work.  My phone takes terrible low-light photos....

 Our seats...

 

 Entering through the 'rabbit hole'

 

The outside of the 'rabbit hole'

The band, getting started.  Lots of people danced until closing time.

The Gala Prep....

Good Saturday morning!  

Our day started with a phone call at 7:00 a.m.  Grrrrr.  I intended to sleep really late today, because we will be at Gala tonight until 1:00 a.m. or so.   Once I wake up, I usually can't go back to sleep.  Oh well.

Our lawn irrigation system has been leaking for months now.  Joe has tried several times to figure out where the shut-off is, to no avail.  He finally called a landscaping company to come and look at it for us.  Of course, we were their first stop this morning.  Yawn!!  Good news is, it isn't leaking anymore.  They will come back next week to put in new hardware, including a shut-off that we can get to.

Joe and I get to dress up tonight, and attend the Gala as 'guests', but I still have work to do.  My job is auction check-out.  The auction doesn't close until 11:30.  When it closes, I have to input all the bidder info, to the computer software, so we can then print out invoices for the people who won the bids.  Fortunately, most people don't hang around.  We let them know on Monday, and they come by for the objects and pay then.  Some take advantage of giving us their credit card numbers ahead of time, and we just go ahead and charge their card and can even deliver the larger objects to them.  After years of experience, we really do have it down to a 'science', but I will still be there until around 1:00 a.m.  Worth, it though.  It is a fun time, and the Museum will net over $100,000.

I took a bunch of pictures yesterday, while the major decorating was going one.  I helped get the linens on the tables, and the proper number of chairs around the tables.  Today, the caterers will be there early to set the tables and get service all set up.  I wrote a check for the catering company, which includes the servers and gratuity, for just under $30,000.  Guests pay $350 each to attend.  Lots of the 'movers and shakers' will be in attendance.

Things to note in the photos:  The theme this year is Alice in Wonderland.  This theme was chosen because of the main exhibit we have in Gallery I, which is photos very Alice-in-Wonderland-Like.  Quotes from the book are hung from trees and run across the tables and walkways.  It is very fun.  The trees are big, the flowers are big, the mushrooms are big...tonight we will enter through a 'rabbit hole' and will all be small once we are inside!  Notice that the centerpieces for all the tables consist of artificial grass, with plates and other serving pieces (each table is different), and is where the desserts will be.  They are putting fresh flowers into the turf today.  I can't wait to see it.   The photo with the Queen of Hearts cards, shows the main bar, which is in a tent, in our sculpture garden.  I'll take a few photos tonight, if I can, but will most likely share the 'official' photos that the Museum's photographer will take.  His will be much better than mine! 

Thursday-Friday....

Good Friday morning!

We had a wonderful surprise yesterday!  Grandson Tristan, his mom and step-dad, were in Orlando, visiting Rollins College.  Tristan's school has this week off for a winter break, so they decided to visit a couple of colleges.  They finished in time to do a little detour to Lakeland so we could have dinner together!  What a treat that was!  They left for home (Naples) from the restaurant, making it a very long day for them.  It's a three hour ride from Lakeland....but they are young still!

When we got home, I tried to log onto my computer to check blogs and write one, but the computer kept hanging up.  I started a defrag and went to bed.  

As mentioned before, tomorrow night is our (the Museum's) big fundraiser, The Gala.  Decorations are already going up.  I will go down later today and take a couple of before photos to share, and then some more tomorrow (of course).  I have a little evening bag that I have only carried once, because it is so small, but I think I will carry it tomorrow night.  No room for a cellphone, but I can put a lipstick and a credit card in it.....

Yes, it's a cat.  Here is the inside....

Joe will have lots of pockets in his tux...right?!  

The doctor's office called me yesterday, to say they were changing my antibiotic.  The cultures came back and I guess they decided I needed something a little stronger.  Before the 'kids' got here last night, Joe and I had time to run to Sam's Club, to get the prescription and pick up a few things.  I have been cooking our dinners since last Saturday.  A record, I think....five days in a row of meals at home!  LOL   I was a little embarrassed when cleaning last weekend, to discover DUST on the stove (electric flat-top).  I've resolved to plan a menu at least a day ahead, and I went through my 'crock pot healthy eating' cookbook and made a list of things to get, so I can keep cooking!  Of course, we went out last night, and tonight we will go to the church for the Friday Lenten fish fry (and then Gala on Saturday).  Five days out of seven is still a record!

I need to get to work!  Thanks for checking in.  Wishing you a good Friday and weekend ahead!  Peace, love & hugs.

Feeling Good!

....or should I say

It is amazing how just one day on antibiotics can 'fix' a bladder infection!  I really feel good today, and had a good day at work.  Should have gone to the doctor two days earlier than I did.  Lesson learned!  (Do you remember when everything was 'groovy'?  I do!)

Today, I had lunch with my 'lunch bunch' girlfriends, plus my boss and friend, Pal.  We met just across the street from the Museum at a new restaurant called "The Red Door".  We had a great time catching up and enjoying our lunch.  Sorry, but I forgot to get a photo.

Tomorrow, after work, I will get my hair trimmed.  Had to cancel yesterday's appointment, because I felt so bad.  I'm glad Teena could work me in, because the Museum's big Gala event is Saturday night.  Joe got his tuxedo this week, and I am recycling the outfit I wore in 2010.  Basic black and white, but it is something that looks good and feels comfortable.  Yes, there will be photos!  Actually, we have a real photographer doing photos this year, so hopefully we will get a really nice photo to commemorate the event.  This year's theme is "Alice In Wonderland", and the committee has some amazing decorations planned.  Guests will arrive through a rabbit hole, and there are giant trees and giant mushrooms scattered about.  I can't wait to see it all come together!

We talked to our youngest son, Jeff, last night, for a little over an hour!  It was good catching up with him.  He and his new (to us) girlfriend, Shiree, are planning to come down for a visit toward the end of April.  We will look forward to that!

Haven't heard from Joe and Darlene, to find out how the new puppies are doing.  I'll have to message Darlene on FB for an update.

Monday, I will FINALLY get to see the Orthopedic doctor about my knees (I hope!).  Prayers that he won't be called away to surgery, and that they really do have my appointment this time.  Tuesday is my day off to go to the baseball game with Joe.  Looking forward to that!

Guess I've rambled on enough for one night.  Wishing you all a good Thursday!  The weekend is almost here!  Peace, love & hugs.

Quickly checking in.  I didn't go to work today.  Saturday, I started with a bladder infection (sorry if that is TMI).  I tried drinking lots of water to flush it out, but it didn't work.  I did go to work yesterday, but was not comfortable.  After a lousy night, I called in and got an appointment with my regular doctor.  Nice that they could work me in.  It has been pretty painful, but I've got antibiotics in me now, and have discovered that Tylenol helps with the pain.  I also had a low-grade fever, which I didn't know about until I got to the doctor.

Anyway - sorry I've been away from the computer (in bed most of the day).  I'm planning to go to work tomorrow.  Will go to my Reader and try to catch up with your blogs!!  Peace, love & hugs.