Suesday, er, Tuesday

Wow! This has been one of my busiest days since the trip to the Grand Canyon in early June. Energy abounds, and memory has come back enough to remind me why there were odd piles and groupings of items around the house.

Took meds at 7 p.m. last night. Fell asleep somewhere around midnight. Awakened at 8:11 this morning, ready to go, go, go.

Hit the "brew" button on the coffee pot, put on socks and sneakers (yes, with my night clothes), pushed the necessary buttons on AV equipment and did WATP 30 Minute Walk. Then it was shower and dress time, and out to the computer to verify appointment time on Google Calendar (11:45, yup), see when and for how much vocal classes were offered at Glendale Community College (not this semester...maybe next), into the hall bedroom to look at my lovely creations from last night. Back to the computer for a quick Facebook check.... ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM! Kind of like being on amphetamines, only not. 

When these bursts of energy and motivation hit, I have learned to take advantage of every drop of go-juice. It doesn't feel like it's coming from the medication. It feels like the medication is allowing the energy to come forth.

After seeing the therapist, stopped at the "nice" Costco up by her office to pick up stuff that's good for me (fruits and vegetables and yogurt), then back home. Put the groceries away and cleared the kitchen counters and sink again, then stood in the dining area...just breathing (see: Animal from the Muppets panting over his drum set after playing his first bit and going into his second) and looking around.

The sconces (I think that's what you'd call them) that have been on the end table in the living room (along with screws, pliers, screwdriver, boxes, etc.) since February were the first target. As you can see (green arrows), they are now up and all the miscellaneous crap has been put away.

While we're on this portion of the tour, also notice the throw pillows barricading the chairs (yellow arrows), and one of the reasons for the barricades (red arrow), Skootch. Yes, the same adorable kitten rescued four years ago last month, now working her way through all destructible portions of my living space in haphazard fashion. Skootch, the reason I finally broke down and spent $60 on a wireless headset for Skype because it was less expensive than buying a new cheap set every time she chews through the wires.

What else irked me enough to do something about it? Oh! The Christmas lights in the living room window. Okay, go ahead. Laugh. Sneer at the woman who still had colorful LEDs taped to her window frame in August. And then please remember that you weren't here to hold the top of the mini-blinds so they wouldn't fall down while I unstuck everything.

Pushing the couch out of the way was a breeze. It's the blinds that have put me off all these months. After much stretching, sweating and cursing, I got them up high enough that I could reach up underneath to get the tape off and the lights down without the whole shebang falling on my head. Everything was then painstakingly put back in place, better than before. Here are interior (before Skootch pulls the curtains aside and knocks one of the slats off-kilter so she can look out the window), and exterior views as proof that all is well. Note arrows directing your eye to more barricade materials inside, and marking the lack of droopy wires visible from outside.

Next? The CATS. Their box needed to be changed out, but their claws had to be clipped first. Otherwise, every time they use the box, the claws tear holes in the plastic liner. Kinda defeats the purpose. And, hey, while I'm holding their fuzzy, shedding bodies, might as well Furminate them, too.

I love the Furminator. I mean, they lie, it isn't shedless, but it's better than anything else I've ever used to get loose hair off an animal. Great tool. My girls don't sit as nicely as the cat in the video while I do it, so I don't get those great big clods of hair, but it works.

So, they're pedicured, Furminated, and have a clean box. What's left? Well, lots, but for right now, the family room rug needs a good vacuuming. I'm furry, too, but will take care of that after the bagless filter thingy is cleaned out--several times. Gracie is a very hairy cat. She is also a very fat cat. So, here is a photo of a very hairy, fat cat sitting on a freshly vacuumed rug.

Because that's why we have rugs: so cats will have someplace cushy to lie down when they're not on the couches. Or the chairs. Or clean laundry (if they can find it).

I'm going to trade my fuzzy clothing for some un-fuzzy clothing and find something to eat for dinner. I earned it today.

See What Happens When You Go Out of the House?

Yesterday, went to the credit union, visited Grandma Lee, and then called a friend whose home is between the nursing home and my place to see if he was around. I had the new jewelry I'd made, and wanted to show him and his mom.

As it turned out, two other friends were there, too, so I stopped by. We had a nice visit, then his parents headed out to church, and our other friends headed for home. Jim and I sat and talked (he MADE me eat a sandwich, LOL) until his Mom and Dad returned.

His Dad had backed into my car (parked in their driveway) on the way out of the garage when they left for church. They felt SO bad about it. Jim's parents are in their eighties, and constantly amaze me with their energy and interest in activities. How could I get upset, really?

The car is drivable. The driver's side door is dented and scraped, and won't open from the outside. I get in the passenger side, lean over to open the door, then get out and go around to get in. It opens fine from the inside.

The back door is damaged some, too.

We both called our insurance companies, so am just waiting to hear from adjusters. I use American Family Insurance, and Jim's family uses 21st Century. I've heard some not-so-great stories about 21st Century, and hope they will handle the claim quickly, and with a minimum of hassle.

Not too long ago, this would have thrown me into a tailspin for sure. Coping with it well gives me even more confidence that the situation between my ears is getting better.

Picked up my new eyeglasses today at Costco. Decided to try something a little more fashionable than I usually do. I've worn wire-rim or rimless glasses for a very long time. It feels like a big change to me.

I like them. I don't love this picture (no makeup, hair barely brushed), but it's the only one I have right now, so deal with it, right?

Another Week Ends

Someone on another forum mentioned mustard pickles, which set me thinking about pickles. Yeah, "Deep Thoughts", eh?

My Great-Grandmother made watermelon pickles, and they are a fond memory of my childhood. Not everyone knows what they are, and not many places carry them. When I can find them, the cost is over $4US for a jar about 1 1/2" diam x 4 1/2" high. Ridiculous. It's a good thing they're expensive, though. I would certainly eat way too many of them if they were cheap and readily available.

Still, Great-Grandma would have a real revenue opportunity were she still around today. Hers were much better than the best I can find in shops now.

A friend is about ten years older than I am, and recently bemoaned the fact that she thinks she looks older in new photos. I've been whining to myself about the same thing...and, well...poo. At least I'm here to look in the mirror, and there's less of me than there used to be. More, too, but talking the Big Picture, here. Overall, you know.

She has laid out a weekly program that includes Gym, Yoga, and Jujitzu! I'm trying to get to the point where I do the stupid walking video every morning. Hers is a great plan; exactly what would be terrific to accomplish. She is more ambitious than I, right now.

I need to plan things out more to help motivate and organize my actions. I now plan to plan.

Plan:

1. Get up by 7:00 a.m.
2. Do minimum 1/2 hour exercise video
3. Eat a breakfast of around 300 calories
4. SHOWER AND DRESS
5. Check email and other items on computer. Shut all programs and turn off the monitor
6. Get stuff together and LEAVE THE HOUSE
7. Accomplish something (today: bank deposit, Costco for items on list, treat myself to a movie?)
8. Come home and do something (today: put away groceries, empty the dishwasher, make more jewelry)
9. Take medication when the alarm signal goes off
10. Go to sleep by 11:00 p.m.

That looks okay for a daily plan. When I get to the point where I complete everything on the plan every day, I'll be doing well.

Today, I missed #1, did #2 and #3. Next is #4, and...I'll follow my plan. That would be a good thing.

Never mind...

I begged off going out with Shana and her friend this evening. The Sleep Thing.


The theory that I wake up 12 hours after taking the pills (fall asleep 4 hours after taking them) bore up this morning. I want to push up the time to 7:30 p.m. to see whether it works again. If I go out, I can't take the pills, and vice-versa. In the great scheme of things, testing this seems a more important undertaking than a night at Dave and Buster's.

Bless Shana's heart for being so cool with it, and me. Again.

Right now, I'm eating dinner (cold chicken breast and whole wheat bread spread with artichoke bruschetta stuff) and catching up with Season 5 of "Weeds". When it's done, there are more bead designs calling.

Oh, and I did the dishes today. All of them.

Oops

Made four jewelry sets plus two extra pairs of earrings. Knew it was time for a break when the last necklace, although it looked lovely, would not clasp behind my neck. There was a male piece on each end.

Maybe I should hang onto it until after I get together with my karaoke bunch again. I'm sure the guys would get a kick out of my "gay" necklace.

  

Oh, Sue...