Just one more thing

 The SD card slots on both of our Macs quit...must be a glitch or an update where they forgot about all the people that still use SD cards in their cameras...are we a dying breed or what?  I fiddled with it and swore a bit...nasty word...nasty word.  Researched the problem and ended up ordering a thingy.

What is one more wirey thing to hook up anyway...and it works...it transfers my SD card images flawlessly for now to the C slot in the back of my Mac.  Kinda the pits that it has a short cord as my computer has to be moved to put the SD card in.  Oh well. 

In other news.  Far Guy has relapsed a bit and he gave the crud to me.  I am on antibiotics and a steroid.  Both meds help with my Lymes Arthritis so I have less pain some of the time.  

This weeks meals:

Scalloped potatoes and ham, pulled pork and salad (Thanks Andy and Jen), omlettes with ham and cheese, pizza from Pizza Hut, a new to us chicken hotdish and one fend for your self night, last night was chili and grilled cheese. 

Company last week: My Other baby brother, my baby brother and his bride with Baxter and Smudge.   Last week Saturday we saw Jordan and Paige and Cole.  Paige helped with Spring House cleaning so I might have a handle on the house cleaning for now.  Cole helped with projects outside...we are very thankful for their help. I still have more drawers, cabinets and cupboards to clean out...a purge. And beds upstairs to wash up and windows to wash.  Enough to keep me busy when I feel better. 

The grass is turning greener every day after our rain.

And then I broke my toe...stubbed it so hard on an old trunk when I was barefoot that my toes cracked. Clumsy.  It is very sore...no need to go to the Doctor as they would just splint it to the next toe or three. 

I do my own pedicures obviously I could do better. 

Far Side

A Tad Cranky

 I am sure Far Guy would agree with me...that I am a tad cranky.  

My visit to the Dermatologist was a failure...biopsies of head, shoulder and chin ( betcha thought I was going to say knees and toes). Uffda.  The chin one was something she called a pearl...and she doubts it is cancer.  For the others we await the pathology report.  Since taking all the biologics for Rheumatoid Arthritis...skin cancer is popping up all over.  

Our town is changing, one of the grocery stores is closing. It was a store I only went into a few times a year...because the produce department smelled rotten all the time and the meat section had a strange odor. 

 One of the restaurants is closing. We went there once in awhile for breakfast.  Since covid they have been closed Tuesdays and Wednesday. 

Walmart did an entire remodel...I have not been inside Walmart since last Fall...I just order groceries to be picked up.  Who knew...new floors...stuff stacked higher than a very tall person can reach...nothing is where it used to be.  I went inside for Aileen's Clear glue...they don't carry it anymore or they moved it so far I never found it...Elmer's tough glue will have to do. It remains to been seen if it works as good as Aileens.  I complained at the self check out when the gal there asked if I found everything...yum...NO.  She said she was sorry but many things have been discontinued.  Oh well...I am a Walmart Plus member so I get free shipping...so if Fed X has to deliver stuff a couple of times a week...

Then...get this...I noticed on Facebook that one of the small Mom and Pop restaurants in a really small town nearby was bought by a honest to goodness Chef.  I saw their ad...it said half price dinners $60.00  I thought wow then half price would be $30.00 alrighty then.  I went to the website...the regular price is $120.00 per person, they have two seatings a night and you should make a reservation with a deposit of $20 per person.  The menu...lots of fancy stuff that I would not eat anyway...well maybe the brownie for dessert!  This restaurant is located just off a highway that is going to be under construction all Summer.   So much for fancy...then again maybe people will show up in limo's from Fargo and Minneapolis/St. Paul.   I can just see ladies in heels walking through a road construction zone. 

Needless to say I rarely spend $120 a week for groceries...so those prices are out of my comfort zone. 

Other small town rumors: The old bowling alley was demolished last Fall and a new building is being built in it's place...it may or may not have event rooms and pizza.  That makes four pizza shops in town. The Furniture Store in town that has been having a moving sale for a couple of years is moving into a different building...and the event rooms there may or may not be used.  A new Ice Cream shop may open...that makes four ice cream shops in town not counting Dairy Queen.  One eatery downtown may or may not have caused a whole family to have food poisoning.  As far as I know there are no new auto parts stores slated to open...perhaps the max has been reached with four.  So if you need auto parts, pizza or ice cream you should be able to find some in town....oh yes and candy...but there are only three candy shops to choose from. 

Not much green here yet...this is Shell River at what we call the dead beaver area. 

Far Side

Hospital Report

 I think that we got him into the hospital in the nick of time before he turned Septic as last year when he had Influenza A, Pneumonia and Sepsis his numbers were almost the same...however I am not a Dr. 

Bottom line is that he is improving with IV meds and nebulizer treatments every 2 to 4 hours. Yeah Far Guy...and I may bust him out on Monday or Tuesday.

He looks much better than Saturday!  

So this is the inside of the fancy new hospital.  He has a private bathroom and there is a recliner in the room and a couch under the window...where I had a nap!  The decor is mostly battleship grey and Far Guy says they must have bought the paint in 55 gallon drums. 

Here is the view out his window. He is on the third floor. Jen visited him in the morning, me all afternoon and then Jen and Andy at night. 

Note the wonderful parking situation, that is our vehicle parked by the little grey Valet Shack...they don't work late.  My keys were at the security desk.  

It took me eight minutes to walk from Far Guy's room to the vehicle.  It was 709 steps from the car to his room...that is about  1/3 of a mile.  You cannot even cross over on the mud because you know it was goopy mud.  Who ever designed this new hospital is a blooming idiot.  Yes I am older and have RA and it is a struggle to walk...but I made it.  Apparently they think that the only people coming into the hospital should be young people with no handicap.

Security is good...as soon as you walk in the doors you are met by a person who asks you why you are there and escorts you to another desk where you have to show your drivers license and get your photograph taken and you are issued a sticky label with your name on it and the room you are supposed to go to...I suppose just in case you get lost.  

Oh yes the many colored moss on the wall behind the Security Desk is drying up and falling off.  The grout between the tiles is already dirty...as I noticed that the grout lines are very clean near the walls.  There are still remnants of sheet rock dust and who ever cleans doors/cabinets needs a lesson as hand prints are visible.  Paint is falling off the wall in some places.  I think after the three or four years it took to build this monstrosity it would be better than it is.   Can you tell I am not impressed?  Not even with the grand staircase or the Grand Piano.

Far Side

falling back

 Uffda.  I hate the time change...I dislike the dwindling daylight hours. Someone said "Welcome darkness my old friend."

November is not my favorite month of the year...it is the brown month here in Minnesota everything is a different shade of brown.  

Brown is so boring...how about some blue? Like the waters of the Caribbean...nope not happening...only blue dishes.  

I managed to set the table with Far Guys favorite blue dishes.  We cooked supper for friends that we get together with once a month or so... we served salad, baked carrots and chicken enchilada hotdish...see that towel in the center of the table...yup I plunked down the entire hotdish there....good thing they are not fancy friends! 

 

It was our turn to cook supper...glad we got it done. I fell back on a tried and true recipe that we both like...and leftovers freeze well.  

Chicken Enchilada Hotdish

Cook some chicken in a roasting pan in the oven...shred it then add

1 small tub of sour cream about a cup

1 can of Cream of Chicken soup

Some diced green chilis

Spread the mixture on about 8 flour tortilla shells roll them up and place them in the 9 x 13 buttered baking dish.

Top with remaining mixture and your favorite cheese we like Co Jack about two cups

Bake at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes give or take

Far Side

Queen - agers

 Usually I am not impressed with stuff on Facebook but one of my friends posted that older women should be known as Queen - agers.  That is a nice thought. 

I am not much for the political drama, I will leave it all in God's hands.  In fact I am just too old for any kind of drama.  The latest drama is a prior authorization for a med that Far Guy uses...he has been after a new prescription for about six weeks now...it is one thing after another...the Dr didn't write it correctly, the Dr changed it, have the Dr resend the script, the Dr ordered a quantity not covered by insurance, you need a prior authorization ...it is an on going drama. 

Enough of that.  

We are getting fresh sweet corn now and it is wonderful!  So we are planning meals around sweet corn...grilled cheese, brats, moons over my hammy....they all work well with sweet corn.  

On Sunday we went to our favorite Mexican place with my baby brother, she who sees robins first, Jen and Andy. We did not get our favorite waitress but she stopped by to say Hi!  Jen and Andy came to visit the old folks...Jen vacuumed out the sauna and Andy blew out my dusty garage and dumped the shop vac for me. We had a fun time with Sadie...she loves all the sticks in our yard. 

 I am still waiting for a referral to the Orthopedic Dr and a referral to a different Rheumatologist.  The Rheumatology Dept needs a referral then it goes to a committee to see if you should be seen by Rheumatology, then to another group to assign you a Doctor and then you get an appointment.  So it could be months. 

Far Side

Irritated

 I am irritated by people who do not do their jobs. 

I was delighted the other day when I heard that the pharmacy I called was doing a customer satisfaction survey ...after being switched from one idiot customer service person to an almost non english speaking person...15 minutes had elapsed.  I betcha you can guess what kind of a rating I gave them. 

Seems like it is harder and harder to get a real person on the other end of a phone call...who said a computer was better.  I suppose they save a couple of dollars.

Recently I got a recorded call that said please call this number, we need to speak with you about a prescription...well why weren't you there when I answered my phone...I cannot send them a recorded message...but I would like to. Can you imagine what I would say? 

Another thing...that recorded music I have to listen to while I am on hold...sucks...I have had it up to here with piano music and violin concerto # who knows what.  Who are the idiots that pick the music anyways?  After waiting 45 minutes the other day listening to the same tune over and over I was ready to commit myself.

Many people are irritated by self check outs...not me...one less germy person handling my groceries is just fine with me...I make sure the prices are as advertised and my items are packed in bags exactly how I want them. 

Covid numbers are up in our area.  I still disinfect my grocery cart...I wish sick people would just stay at home.  Luckily most of my groceries are ordered online and picked up...I just shop for fresh fruits and vegetables in person. 

AND my last irritant.  Some one is posing as my dead mother on facebook and sending friend requests. 

Far Side

Better

 We are both feeling a tad bit better.  It was a rough spell.  We both took it easy again yesterday and should be right as rain in a few days. 

I have been working on painting the Christmas ornaments....I am about 1/3 done. I am watching Call the Midwife while painting. 

 I watched Dancing with the Stars the other night...I wish those men would keep their shirts on every time one of them rips his shirt open to reveal a bald chest while dancing...I feel like barfing.  AND if the Golden Bachelor spends anymore time at the tanning salon he is going to croak from skin cancer.

Far Side

Not lost

 My Mom was not lost yesterday...she was with relatives who did not check her out of the facility.  After searching bathrooms and every place she could be one of the nurses said "she is gone with her daughter and son in law" ....hmmmm.  My sister is on vacation...and I knew where my brothers were....that left me and Far Guy was not with me...so who in the world??

My cousin and her husband had taken her back to her assisted living apartment.  Not sure why? 

She was not lost...of course only she knew where she was.  

Needless to say I was a tad upset with her.   Hopefully once we get all her "stuff" moved to the nursing home and she surrenders her keys this won't happen anymore. 

Honestly it is like dealing with a naughty pre schooler who you want to send to the corner with one arm up and the opposite leg up...but of course at 93 years and 9 months old she would topple over. 

FYI one arm up and the opposite leg up used to be my favorite punishment for my girls...oh yes nose against the wall too:) 

Far Side

Easter Weekend

 I should NOT complain....but I am a tad cranky. 

It doesn't seem like Easter time here, if I were hiding eggs outside I would have to traipse through the freaking SNOW.

It snowed off and on all day Friday and it was rather chilly.  21 F or -6 C eh!

 I tried to do too much with my thumb ...seemed like everything I did was a pain...grinding the pepper mill, shoveling the walk, lifting drawers upstairs and washing dishes.

I have a plantar wart...not sure how I got it...but I do know someone else who has one and I do go barefoot most of the winter.  What a pain in the foot....we will try to get rid of it here at home. 

Well you know what they say about a frown...it is just a smile upside down. 

The bunnies at Andy and Jen's home always make me smile. 

Ceramics from a long time ago, the basket is Mother of Pearl.

My parents seem to be getting along ok at their new digs.

We remember and pray for those on Hospice. 

Far Guy's sister Jan, and Andy's Dad Bob. 

Far Side

More stupid sNOw

 Yup it snowed again overnight on Saturday night/early Sunday morning...  

It must have been about four maybe five inches...and it was good heavy wet snow like you make a snowman with.   I was tired after shoveling so no snowmen were made. 

The glass flowers were all covered with snow. 

I rescued the bird feeder, it had lots of ice in the tray...poor birds were struggling to find seeds.  Then I shoveled in front of the garages. 

Then I went to the couch and sat with my feet up feeling sorry for myself because I have fever blisters inside and outside of my mouth....I suppose there could be worse side effects from the booster shot. 

Far Side

Adventures on Monday

 I spent about 25 minutes in the Post Office mailing off ornaments to family and friends...you know who you are so be on the lookout!   The postal lady is practically brain dead and kept exclaiming how many packages I had (16) and wasn't it fortunate that no one else was coming into the Post Office to stand in line.   It is  first come first serve brain dead lady.   I seriously thought about going in there five minutes before she closed just to irritate her...and even though I am daylight savings time cranky I figured I would be nice. On our first trip of the day to town we bought bird seed, and paper to print out the Christmas Letter.  Last of the big shoppers.

We had a leak under the kitchen sink.   That drain has always been a problem...we fix it every couple of years.  This time we may have fixed it for good... crossing our fingers.  I was just the plumbers assistant...we had to go to town for new parts and fresh plumbers putty.  Far Guy was the plumber in charge.

I took down the flags in the yard but didn't get new ones put up yet.  

I suppose I should take this scarecrow gal down for the winter.  She makes me smile.

The S word is in the forecast....bummer.

Far Side

Lettuce Wagon and A Peony

 We planted lettuce in the little red wagon.  Parked it on the patio next to the kitchen window.  

The lettuce wagon

A bright spot in the day was the Fern Leaf Peony that Larry sent me a few years ago. 

Everything is so dry...the grass out in the full sun scrunches under your feet. 

Yesterday we were busy all day.   We had a hump of soil that needed to be taken care of  moved to a hole and leaves were all stacked up against the east side of a garage...I mowed the front yard...we had to fix the freaking mower again.   I told Far Guy how I would have designed that poor excuse for a part that falls off.  He agreed that would solve my problem...so would a new lawn mower.    If it doesn't rain I won't have to worry about the lawn. 

I spread some diatomaceous earth trying to control some big biting black ants.   Then I noticed some PI and the war was on...but first I had to fix a sprayer...a couple of times...I had parts...Far Guy said to throw some of the worthless spray nozzles in the garbage.  He was working on some car parts and I kept interrupting him. 

Finally got the sprayer fixed and went off to kill something...Poison Ivy.  Gosh it felt good! 

Far Side

For the birds

 Well, someone came to work early Monday morning and flipped a switch or something.  We have landline phone, tv and internet all with the same company who are on Far Guys %$#@ list.  We had spotty problems Friday night and then early Saturday morning...nothing.

We had a different weekend.  I went up to my other baby brothers office and used his desk and internet to attend a Zoom Class on card making on Saturday night.  

Far Guy says things are still not right with our internet service.  We will see if anyone calls or shows up. 

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Far Side 

November Begins

 Gosh I hate the time change.  We put 9 Volt batteries on our grocery list so we can change the batteries in our smoke alarms...we do this in the Fall and in the Spring.  I know lots of people just check their batteries...we change ours...our lives are worth more than a couple of freaking batteries. 

Oh yes the time change makes me a little cranky too.  Imagine that.

We attempted to watch the live video of Sunday church services...they have a multitude of problems....with the video stalling every 30 seconds.   Instead I watched the video of my cousin's funeral...21 people were there and that included the Honor Guard....and their video was perfect.  It was a lovely service, he would have been pleased. 

Saturday night I started watching a Limited Series on Netflix called The Queen's Gambit.  All about chess...now I am NOT a chess player so I have no understanding of the game but the movie was great I give it a 9 out of 10.  

Grocery pickup was another nightmare last week...over charges and missing items that we paid for...uffda.  This week no bottled water, oranges or green enchilada sauce...go figure. I believe they may be idiots and allowed to vote. 

Covid 19 Dreams...I am in store and no one is social distancing...or I cannot find my mask...how am I going to explain this to Far Guy?  Good thing it was just a dream...or dreams.  Uffda bad enough I have to live the pandemic but it should stay out of my dreams/nightmares....on the bright side it has replaced the looking for a potty dreams.

AND to top it all off The Sexiest Man Alive in 1989 Sean Connery died...and Big Brother ended and The Bachelorette is in big trouble. 

Far Side

Fall stuff and frustrations

 It seems the Cardiologist prescribed a medication for Far Guy that made him really short of breath.  We finally got it straightened out and a new med will be started today.  If it isn't one thing it is another.   Late in the afternoon we went to town...the Pharmacy we go to has a walk up window. Thank goodness! 

Earlier in the day I got a wheel chair at the Clinic and wheeled him up to his Infusion appointment.   He really didn't like it...but it was necessary because of his breathing difficulty. Afterwards we dropped off some stuff for my Mom, picked up our groceries and went by the bank. 

Groceries were an adventure again...no Dawn dish soap, apples, pretzel buns or Outshine Fruit Bars. Who knew?  

Back at home I disinfected everything and washed all the fruit.  We had one shortage this week so I had to call and have them credit my account.  They never seem to achieve perfection. 

After lunch I mulched leaves for a couple of hours...our leaves are about 75% down.  So that was mulch number 4.   Our weather is cool and windy.  The high yesterday was 49 F or 9 C  eh!

We will probably freeze tonight.  I heard someone mention the s word. 

I decorated the wreath for fall.  Today maybe I will go for the gold and get a new flag up!

Far Side

Leaves and other crap

 It rained yesterday...the leaves in the yard were pretty damp to mulch...oh well they will either stay there for me or blow into the woods. 

As you can see the trees are getting more bare. 

We recycled and went to the post office.   I played 52 pick up and put away in its proper place.  Far Guy worked on his new old car. 

Our absentee ballots came in the mail they have been filled out and are ready to mail in.  God Bless America and the right to vote! 

I am real tired of the election /politics/stab everyone in the back crap.  I have had it with facebook and all the people that post politics crap that may or may not be true.  Facebook is not a real happy place...too many people with an agenda...I posted a photo of leaves...perhaps I should have added "leaf me alone."  Some people must sit around all day and post stuff...don't they have some thing better to do with their time?  Oh I forget..they are probably the people that have a phone attached to their hand 24/7.  Some people were unfriended....I just couldn't take it anymore.

We have a busy week with many, many appointments. 

Far Side

Cranky

I am trying my best not to be cranky.  The time change really messes me up.  Who knew one hour could make such a difference in a persons attitude?

I saw something on Facebook it said "If it got dark any earlier we could just stay in bed!"   My sleep is all messed up and Far Guy well he is up before 5AM. 

Peony last summer when we were on different time and it was warmer outside

We have a Fire Stick now and Wifi TV... our cable was going to be discontinued...why in the world do they make such a small remote with no lights on the remote ( some 22 year old must have designed it along with the guide font that is so tiny you can hardly read it from across the room) and why does it keep cutting out after a few hours and asks me if I am still watching...if I wasn't watching/listening I would turn the TV off.  I have complained about the "Are you still watching"  they say an update may be available soon that you can use to opt out of that screen question...I sure hope so.

Far Side

Tried Again

While Far Guy was at Rehab I did errands and was done before him so I went by the local Hometown Craft Store (used to be a Ben Franklin) and bought some proper baby yarn. I crocheted them during the afternoon when the phone was ringing off the hook so much it made me miss my nap.

I am done with baby booties now.   These will be a gift for one of Far Guy's Infusion Nurses who is due to have a baby soon.

I stopped by a Bank in town.  Yes they could set me up with Bill Pay, I just had to sign some papers.  Later I found out the gal didn't know what she was talking about ( she is new and was confused)...so I have to go back to town and open another account...as if one of the three we have there would not work...it has to be a special checking account.   I am just about fed up with signing up for this bill pay crap.  And yes the Credit Union we usually use is still paying our bills and not taking the money out of our account...the money is there just waiting for them...go figure.  Everyone said "Bill Pay is so easy."  I have found it to be a big pain in the butt for the past 9 weeks.

Far Side

Why?

I wonder why...

Why do hospitals and clinics use the metered water system in their bathrooms...wet ...soap up...rinse rinse rinse...that water does not stay on for the full Happy Birthday song that is playing in my head.

Why doesn't someone design a backpack purse with closures /zippers toward your back instead of out there where who knows who can unzip something.

Why are some "computer things" so complicated that it takes weeks or forever and ever to resolve problems..  Case in point...I set up Online Banking a month ago, as a test I paid two bills from it...electricity and the phone bill...Yes the bill was paid...but the money remains in our account.  "The Third Party" that takes care of this computer crap stuff says oh yes those bills were paid...and so do the payees...but the money has never left the account...so is it a bottomless pit of money?  The Credit Union knows there is a glitch someplace..a mystery glitch now over a month old.

Why is the Infusion Center located in between the hospital and the clinic where all germy people go...some idiot must have thought putting immune suppressed people in the germy area would make them more money.  Yes, since Far Guy has had four ports now...and each one has failed, he goes to the Infusion Center where he gets an IV every week for his Alpha-One Antitrypsin Deficiency.  We were both sick and tired of doing infusions at home when his port was not working properly...let the gals in the Infusion Center worry about it...after all they can start IV's.   It is still the pits exposing him to germs... but he likes the gals up there..one is the daughter of my cousin and another nurse is the sister in law of my nephew.  The gals take very good care of him and make him coffee. It takes real special Nurses to work in the Infusion Center...I just wish they were off in a building all their own or had a separate entrance.

We are finally done with appointments this week...we had five appointments this week. It is what we do.

The last of the Lupines.

Far Side

Reading Glasses

You know those new reading glasses that I have had for a year…never been able to wear them because the prescription is off…they are on their third set of lenses.

I had hoped they would be fixed this time.  Things are still blurry.

I hate blurry.  I like things crisp and clean and easy without a struggle.

The ever so helpful gal at the eye doctors office said “You should wear them as much as possible and then you will get used to them.”   I asked politely how do you wear a pair of reading glasses that you cannot read with?  I had to bite my quivering lip.  “Well you will have to see the Doctor again.”  Fine.

Far Guy says just give up already.  But I am tired of looking through the scratches of my old readers that I can see quite clearly and crisply with.  Right now it is the principal of the thing…why can’t they make the new glasses with the price approaching $1,000 just like my old ones that I can see with? 

I have an appointment soon.  Time will tell if I will be able to ever read with the new pair of glasses. 

Customer Service is most likely non existant at the new eye clinic. 

I called that gal every bad name I could think of in my mind.   I even photographed a flower that made me feel better.

Up yours Coneflower

For the record.  Far Guy tried on my old readers from 2011, and then the new readers and he says they are not the same glasses.

My Blepharitis is much better, the eye wash cloths seem to be taking care of the problem, my eyes are much improved.