:: Greetings on a foggy Wednesday morning. The sun has just popped out as I write this. After several extremely gray and rainy days, it is most welcome. I am ashamed to tell you how overgrown our yard is due to the rain and the fact that I can’t use the weed wacker until Monday. The doctor has ordered me not to lift anything heavy for 4 weeks, severely cramping my style. I can’t lift Riley when his hips are bothering him or help him up and down the stairs. Can’t weed wack. Can’t move furniture. I did slip up a bit the other day when a dead limb from this maple fell to the ground. I immediately went out to the yard to clean up the mess, toting one part of the limb to a pile on the edge of the property. As I started to lift another section, the voice inside my head yelled, “What are you doing?!?” I dropped it like a hot potato. Sorry, Doc.
:: Scout had to go to the Vet the other day. She had a huge hot spot and yucky stuff in her ears. Allergies and humid summer weather are not a good combination for my dogs. At least Scout, however grudgingly, will let me put something in her ears. Riley? No way.
:: Our hot water heater is dying. Oh joy. This is just one in a series of things in this house that need to be updated or replaced. Our favorite repairman, Gino, who is also our heating oil guy, came over to look at it yesterday morning. The diagnosis is eventual replacement but for now we’re trying to baby it along. Gino is a swell guy. He didn’t even charge me for his time.
I need to win the lottery.
:: After almost 7 weeks without coffee, I grew tired of the endless stupor I seemed to be in every morning. I did pretty well. I really did. But it took me hours to wake up. That’s okay if one is still recovering from surgery, but not when one is trying to actually get something done. I gave it up for two reasons: it wasn’t good for my gall bladder, nor for my slightly high blood pressure. Well, the gall bladder is no more. So I made a deal with myself. One cup of coffee a day. That’s it.
Oh, how I missed it. Thank goodness I still had some Peet’s French Roast in the refrigerator.
:: I had been obsessing about a metallic rattle I kept hearing when driving our car. Don is perfectly capable of ignoring these things but I am not. The car was driving just fine but it is 10 years old. I stopped by our mechanic’s garage yesterday. A loose heat shield. No biggie. Sigh of relief! He’ll fix it when the car gets its annual inspection in a few weeks.
:: Lots of drama and worry continues on the parent front. I seem to spend a good portion of the day on the phone with my dad or my sister. I don’t know what we would do without my sister. Because my parents decided to relocate to Florida ten years ago, Meredith has been the one who has to handle all of the middle of the night phone calls and everything that goes along with aging parents. My crotchety parents are not always as grateful or appreciative as they should be, but I sure am.
:: Look what arrived in the mail! My friend Meri sent us some jumping jacks! I suppose they are really for Don, as it is his collection. Lord knows, I have enough collections around here. Aren’t they cute? I promise another photo when they are hanging in their proper place. A big hug to you, Meri. Thank you.
:: I forgot to address a comment or two on this post. Florida Bird asked if I would post a tutorial on the fabric lampshade. To be perfectly honest, I did a sort of slap-dash job on it. So I don’t feel qualified to guide you through a tutorial. I’m fine with the way it looks, but I have a feeling a tutorial should be a bit more precise than my “grab-some-fabric-and-glue-and-if-it-doesn’t-fit-slap-some-more-fabric-on” way of working on this project. Also, Into Vintage said she was admiring the jar of cookies in the background. Well, they are cookies, just not for us. They’re dog biscuits for Scout and Riley.
:: If you’re interested, there is still time to leave a comment on my book review post. You might win a free copy of Just My Type, a book about fonts. You have until Thursday evening.
Okay. I’ve talked enough. Bye for now.
Hi Claudia;
Hope you’re starting to feel stronger. I was actually a little shocked when I realized how long it took me to feel like my ol’ self again following my gall bladder surgery. Just don’t try to rush it. Your body knows what it needs, and right now it needs to rest and heal. (I know, you could go a little bonkers waiting to be able to “get back to it”)
Love the toys from Meri. She’s such a generous heart.
Hope the dogs are doing better and that you have a nice day today.
xoxo
Donna and Tag
Nola says if you’re going to take away her coffee, then just let her go ahead and die. She says some things just aren’t worth giving up. (I would not put cigarettes in that category…) I mix my coffee half regular and half decaf. Your yard looks mighty cozy to me. Don’t make a mistake with what your doctor told you and end up in surgery again. Not worth it. Tell Don I said hey.
Brenda
I can tell just by reading your post today that you are feeling much better post surgery.
Those darned hot spots… one of our dogs used to get them and it always required a trip to the vet for meds. His would get HUGE and so sore. Hope your pup heals up soon… and you too!
I completely understand about getting antsy after an operation. After my surgery I did too much too soon and almost caused alot of damage. I used to drink two to three cups of coffe a day but now I am satisfied with just one in the morning, but it has to be from home…outside the house coffee never does it for me. We moved my Mom closer to where I live and I am taking care of her. Its hard to see the person that took care of you suddenly being so dependent. Thats life I guess. You will be in my prayers…..and maybe I’ll throw in a request for you to win the lottery……it couldn’t hurt! :O)
Blessings, Joanne
Hi Claudia,
You have fog…we are still having the icky heat. I am longing for fall, one of my favorite times of year besides spring. The heat just makes me so tired and I wilt like a delicate flower..LOL
I know its hard when you can’t clean up around the house and lift things up, but soon you will be back to yourself. It took me a while to feel better after my gall bladder surgery. Don’t over do it. Have a sweet day, Elizabeth
If you don’t look after yourself you will be good for nothing or no-one. Forget the garden….tomorrow is another day and soon they will just be a memory anyway ’til next year. I understand the pressure you feel with aging parents. Both mine are gone now and I miss them very much but I really appreciated my sister during the hard days. My mom struggled with cancer for years and it was such a roller-coaster ride for the family. It was so hard to see her struggle and I could not have imagined not having siblings at that time. Take each day as it comes but remember to rest. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4
Thanks for sharing your random-ness with us when you can. I don’t blame you one bit for that single cup of coffee. I have thought the same as I too am on the B.P. chart concerns as well. Thanks goodness for Mere, she is doing a wonderful job holding down the FL front. I’m going through the same thing here. It can really be a challenge, can’t it.
Glad to see and hear you are on the mends.
Kate
HI CLAUDIA,
I HOPE YOUR MOM IS GETTING BETTER, GOD BLESS MERE, MY SISTER CAROLINE AND MYSELF TOOK TURNS TAKING CARE OF MY MOM WHEN SHE WAS VERY BAD WITH CANCER. THEN MY DAD STARTED AILING, MY SISTER MOVED TO COLORADO, AND I LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY FATHER, SO I TOOK CARE OF HIM. WE GOT ALONG REALLY WELL, HE HAD A SMALL FARM, AND HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF HIS ANIMALS THE BEST HE COULD, MY CHILDREN HELPED HIM A LOT TOO. SOMETIMES LIFE IS NOT EASY, I MISS HIM A LOT, HE WAS A GREAT FATHER. HE WAS A FIREMAN IN THE CITY OF NEWARK, NJ, DROVE THE HUGE TRUCK WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE BACK, EVERYBODY LOVED ANDY MASTERSON. YOU ARE SOUNDING BETTER WITH EACH POST YOU WRITE,
THAT’S A GOOD THING AS MARTHA STEWART WOULD SAY. ON A SAD NOTE, SUMMER WILL BE COMING TO AN END SOON, WE WILL BE GETTING OUR GARDENS READY FOR THE WINTER. BUT I DO LOVE THE FALL. HAVE A NICE DAY. RIZZI
Thanks,
Mere
I can’t give up coffee. It is the only way I can deal with mornings! Your yard looks beautiful to me. I’d sit out there and have my two cups of coffee every morning!
Hi Claudia,
I have been out of touch the past week due to some work I have been doing on the computer with setting up a high school class of 73 group page on facebook for my graduating high school class. Fun to connect with old friends. I am glad you are close to getting approval from the doctor on becoming more active again. Where in Florida does your parents live? I moved to Washington State from the Cocoa Beach area of Florida (Brevard County) and still have family there. It has been so hot in Florida lately! Love the little gift you received. Don will love it. I enjoy Peets Coffee, too. Do you use a coffee grinder or do the ground drip? I, like you, would almost have to have at least one cup to clear out the cobwebs from the night and perk up. I am glad you are able to have a cup again…you did well giving it up…not easy to do! Have a wonderful day. xoxo Kim
Claudia, I am in the “one cuppa” a day club. HBP. That one cup gets my morning started right. On Sunday, sometimes I have two. I will be thinking about your family in FL. It’s such a difficult time and although they may not always say it or show it, your parents are grateful for the support and effort your sister exerts on their behalf. My dad blamed me for everything for years, but towards the end he thanked me for everything I did. They are scared and frustrated as I imagine you and your sister are.
Now, no lifting for a little bit longer. Ann
Hi Claudia, one of my doctors has requested I give up coffee. I said no. I have given up tea, black pepper, and many other odd foods but coffee is staying for good. I am a terrible patient (most medical people are). The transmisson in Joe’s work truck died. He bought a really nice used truck then decided it was too nice to work in and had his tranmission re-done! Makes me dizzy. Hang in there. Remember no lifting. hugs♥O
Rain is so refreshing. Very glad to hear you are feeling better…especially with your one cup of coffee a day. All the yardwork and repairs will wait…they never seem to take care of themselves. You’ll be strong in no time…
You are sounding better, that is good! One cup of coffee can’t be bad. In fact, didn’t I just hear on the news the other day, that studies now say that coffee is good for us!!!
Glad you are feeling better and enjoying that wonderful lcup of coffee!
I can relate, and I limit one also what with having GERD.
Why can’t they successfully make an “acid free” coffee?
Ageing parents are tough. I have one. Keeps me on my toes, for sure!
Enjoy your blog!
Hi Claudia…
Glad you’re feeling better and ready to “get to it”… :-) Doesn’t life just zip along with sooo much to do?
Sorry your pup is having a case of the punies…. That’s just not a good thing…. we love ’em like our kids, don’t we?
Love the little Jumping Jacks… such happy little fellas.
Coffee. I stopped drinking it about a year ago…. opted for tea instead. I don’t know what happened, it wasn’t purposeful, but I just lost the taste for it…. Yeah, well, suddenly I got the urge and am a coffee fiend lately…. and no tea. What’s up with that?
Big hugs…….heading over to enter the giveaway.
Huggies,
Spencer
Claudia, I am so glad you are healing well and looking forward to Monday when you can lift again. Yay!
I am hoping for you that the rest of this year brings nothing but good health to you.
Hugs,
Terri
Listen to your doctor, Claudia, you naughty girl! He knows what’s best for you. So what if the yard is overgrown? It’s not the end of the world. Just try to enjoy your resting period and go with the flow. I hope Scout is feeling better. Don’t be discouraged, Claudia! Put as much as you can on the back burner. It’s such a good thing that you are back to enjoying your morning coffee. Now that your gall bladder is gone, there’s no harm in it. It’s good for the inner child in you who needs to be pampered a bit. The jumping jacks are too cute! Don must have been pleased. Take care and I am keeping you in my prayers. Sooner or later, things are bound to settle down. Perhaps you will win that lottery. Are you buying tickets! LOL!
I held my breath over the tree limb – please be careful! Sorry things are needing repair – it never ends does it?
Yes, coffee is required to start my day – I slept in this morning – still on California time I think – and am now on my second mug!!
Happy Sunday dear – hang in there!
Mary X