When I came up this morning, I already knew the results of last night's election. Stephen spent a majority of my early night sleeping time with headphones on to listen to "the historic" Upon getting upstairs this morning, the news was on. Almost immediately, they were reviewing the local races. No surprises were to be had there, either. But, what really makes me feel ill is the media's take on our local county shooting down their telephone tax. The telephone tax for Prince Georges was an increase to the telephone tax they already have. It currently had the highest phone tax in the state and they wanted to raise it. Yes, it was "for the schools"... who are currently holding onto a 50 million surplus... but, good grief! The news media is bemoaning that it was 70-something to upper 20's AGAINST it. I quote the media guy - "Oh... those poor kids in Prince Georges are going to have to do without! And it is an area really in need of educational reform!" Whaaaaaaaat?
I never heard ONE positive article, ONE positive news story, ONE positive speach saying that the telephone tax was worthy of voting yes. All I heard, from every angle, was how we already had a telephone tax, how most of the other counties didn't, how the district already had a major surplus (depending on the source, it is between 50 mil. and 100 mil.), and how it really wasn't going to help the the district enough and they needed to look at reform... not additional taxes. The only person in power that I ever heard say anything positive was Jack Johnson(County Executive) saying that, even though we had a surplus, in these hard times, it wouldn't hurt to have a little more. Sure.... glowing recommendation there, Jack. I did my homework... I read! The news media needs to get off their soap box and realize that not everything "good" goes through. I hate the news media!
I think I really need to just boycott tv for awhile. But, we all know I won't. Too addicted.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Part Duo: A Blogger's Headache
As I said earlier, I have a major headache. And, between last blog and now, it has not gotten any better. If anything, it seems to eat stress and has gotten worse. I hate headaches!
Ok... I have that out of my system. All in all, this hasn't been the world's most horrid day. After I stopped blogging, J. and I went to Home Depot (to get my paycheck), the thrift store (to look for books), and Lowes (to get paint for B's room). We ended up with nothing new at the thrift store, got my paycheck, and got some paint samples for the room. When we got home, B. asked if we wanted to go to lunch with he and grandmother-in-law. We went to Silver Diner and then went to Shoppers. Upon getting home, found out that my medical tests have been approved. Also got a bill from U. of MD for my MRI, which Aetna claims has been paid already.
Speaking of bills, I am getting SOOOOooooooooooooo sick of medical bills that have been either denied (for no reason) or are incorrectly billed. If I had paid Laurel Regional when they asked, I would have owed them 25,000.00! Now, I'm not even sure I owe them $250! Am soooo sick of that stress.
Tomorrow is election day. California Tortilla is offering a free taco coupon for wearing your "I voted" sticker. We are voting at Bond Mill Elementary a couple miles away. Probably will go be before lunch and get the voting mess over with. With all the issues on the ballot, I'm ready for this to be over with. Slots v. No Slots/Early Voting v. No Early Voting/Telephone Tax v. Status Quo/Library and Roads Tax! I feel like my head is already spinning with choices. The Presidential election isn't the big thing around here. It is SLOTS, SLOTS, and more SLOTS. I think it will pass, though. How can it not? If they don't, the politicians are going to get that money somewhere else!
There was something else I had the intention of blogging about today. Unfortunately, I lost my train of thought as it went through a tunnel and I've been unable to catch up with it. So, I will close with my banking woe. We recently left Bank of America to join the Commerce Bank family. I got tired of hearing the Kelly Rippa/Regis ads about how great their bank was and how much my bank was screwing me out of money with service fees. So, since it was opening a bank in our area, we joined the Commerce family. Unfortunately, Commerce and TD bank merged. So, just after I get a brand new check card, I need to get new checks AND a new check card. I hate banks.
Grumpy blogger out.
Ok... I have that out of my system. All in all, this hasn't been the world's most horrid day. After I stopped blogging, J. and I went to Home Depot (to get my paycheck), the thrift store (to look for books), and Lowes (to get paint for B's room). We ended up with nothing new at the thrift store, got my paycheck, and got some paint samples for the room. When we got home, B. asked if we wanted to go to lunch with he and grandmother-in-law. We went to Silver Diner and then went to Shoppers. Upon getting home, found out that my medical tests have been approved. Also got a bill from U. of MD for my MRI, which Aetna claims has been paid already.
Speaking of bills, I am getting SOOOOooooooooooooo sick of medical bills that have been either denied (for no reason) or are incorrectly billed. If I had paid Laurel Regional when they asked, I would have owed them 25,000.00! Now, I'm not even sure I owe them $250! Am soooo sick of that stress.
Tomorrow is election day. California Tortilla is offering a free taco coupon for wearing your "I voted" sticker. We are voting at Bond Mill Elementary a couple miles away. Probably will go be before lunch and get the voting mess over with. With all the issues on the ballot, I'm ready for this to be over with. Slots v. No Slots/Early Voting v. No Early Voting/Telephone Tax v. Status Quo/Library and Roads Tax! I feel like my head is already spinning with choices. The Presidential election isn't the big thing around here. It is SLOTS, SLOTS, and more SLOTS. I think it will pass, though. How can it not? If they don't, the politicians are going to get that money somewhere else!
There was something else I had the intention of blogging about today. Unfortunately, I lost my train of thought as it went through a tunnel and I've been unable to catch up with it. So, I will close with my banking woe. We recently left Bank of America to join the Commerce Bank family. I got tired of hearing the Kelly Rippa/Regis ads about how great their bank was and how much my bank was screwing me out of money with service fees. So, since it was opening a bank in our area, we joined the Commerce family. Unfortunately, Commerce and TD bank merged. So, just after I get a brand new check card, I need to get new checks AND a new check card. I hate banks.
Grumpy blogger out.
Have You Ever Just Wanted The World To Go Away... Just For A little While.
As I sit down to post today, my daily headache is worse than normal. It hurts so badly that I just want to run downstairs and lock myself in my room and cry. The crying would be simply because my head hurts THAT much. I am hoping that the one cup of coffee I allowed myself this morning and the 2 extra strength Tylenol will help quickly. Otherwise, I am going to have to bring out the heavier duty meds. And, right now, I want to avoid that.
The headache really has little to do with my topic, though. For the past few weeks, we thought the dog had been very lax about asking to go outside and leaving a pile on the floor multiple times daily. We were wondering how the dog, 35 lbs-ish, could have so MUCH to deposit. Well, J. found out yesterday, it isn't the dog! It is the 11 lbs-ish CAT! I swear this cat is crapping her entire body weight multiple times daily. AND she is still using the litter box and making deposits there. So far, every home remedy method has proven Katie Cat proof. She loves wax paper (darn)! She doesn't seem to be bothered by pepper (WHAT?)! Even steam cleaning the floor again, there are only a few more home remedies to try. The vet feels that it is a teritory thing. When the dog claimed the cat's downstairs rug, this happened. When the dog claimed the snake's bedroom, this happened. So, now, the dog may have claimed Katie's (human) room. So, now the cat feels this need to claim that room, too. Sheesh! What is a human to do? The cat is mine. The dog is my in-laws. We both love our animals. No one wants to get rid of either of them. The cat cannot cope outside. The dog wouldn't go out and stay out on a bet. The two realistic options? Upstairs cat box and putting food upstairs. Realistically? Neither is going to work. Wish us luck.
More later.
The headache really has little to do with my topic, though. For the past few weeks, we thought the dog had been very lax about asking to go outside and leaving a pile on the floor multiple times daily. We were wondering how the dog, 35 lbs-ish, could have so MUCH to deposit. Well, J. found out yesterday, it isn't the dog! It is the 11 lbs-ish CAT! I swear this cat is crapping her entire body weight multiple times daily. AND she is still using the litter box and making deposits there. So far, every home remedy method has proven Katie Cat proof. She loves wax paper (darn)! She doesn't seem to be bothered by pepper (WHAT?)! Even steam cleaning the floor again, there are only a few more home remedies to try. The vet feels that it is a teritory thing. When the dog claimed the cat's downstairs rug, this happened. When the dog claimed the snake's bedroom, this happened. So, now, the dog may have claimed Katie's (human) room. So, now the cat feels this need to claim that room, too. Sheesh! What is a human to do? The cat is mine. The dog is my in-laws. We both love our animals. No one wants to get rid of either of them. The cat cannot cope outside. The dog wouldn't go out and stay out on a bet. The two realistic options? Upstairs cat box and putting food upstairs. Realistically? Neither is going to work. Wish us luck.
More later.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tis Official: Broken Toe
It is about as official as a broken toe can get. Definitely broken. Potentially broken in three places. They also tell me I did a number on my ankle (sprain) and knee (potential chip) in the fall. Lucky me!
Today has been a really hard day. Am feeling really achy and horrid and just am having "a down day" in general. I really need some time away today. But, it isn't going to happen.
Frustrated blogger out.
Today has been a really hard day. Am feeling really achy and horrid and just am having "a down day" in general. I really need some time away today. But, it isn't going to happen.
Frustrated blogger out.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Man, Oh Man, IS My Toe SORE!
When I woke up this morning, I tried to stand up on my left foot. MISTAKE!!! I had pain shooting up my leg extending from the purple spot bruise on my left big toe... and the brown bruisey streak down to my foot. From having broken every toe on that foot at some point in my life, I suspect I have broken the toe AGAIN. I suspect, also, I am going to have to go and get it taped at Urgent Care. If it was another of the toes, I would worry less. But, the big toe is the balance toe. Need to cautious.
Dinner at Kristen's last night was good. I would advise J. to buy more "real chicken" and fewer strips next time. But, the company was great and I enjoyed our evening. The only downside was it was too short an evening. That and J. didn't use her time to talk with her children about B. J. claims that, when she brought it up, neither of her children seemed concerned enough - HENCE she doesn't feel comfortable talking with them about it now. I personally think SHE was the uncomfortable one. Since you both read this blog, children of J., it is up to you to talk with her. Or not. Your choice.
Bruised Blogger Out!
Dinner at Kristen's last night was good. I would advise J. to buy more "real chicken" and fewer strips next time. But, the company was great and I enjoyed our evening. The only downside was it was too short an evening. That and J. didn't use her time to talk with her children about B. J. claims that, when she brought it up, neither of her children seemed concerned enough - HENCE she doesn't feel comfortable talking with them about it now. I personally think SHE was the uncomfortable one. Since you both read this blog, children of J., it is up to you to talk with her. Or not. Your choice.
Bruised Blogger Out!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Update: October 26, 2008
I know it has been awhile since I updated. I have been very busy trying to get on with my life despite some really "not so great" and "great" things happening. The PICC line is out and the scar is finally healing. It ooooozed for weeks. But now... it just looks like a purple chicken pox scar. I'm ok with it. Also, finding out that the Lyme Test may have been a false positive and I have gone through 6 weeks of Lyme treatment for nothing, this was a tad bit of a let down. It also came to me as a great shot when my neurologist referred me to a neurosurgeon to get a second option for the meningioma I have had for years and they have done nothing about. Seems this guy feels that it is getting to the point where something might need to be done. After a higher resolution MRI and an upcoming "more functional" CT scan, I will see him again in November to discuss whether he wants to fish for it, let it go, or send me to a Gamma Knife specialist (please let it be the second or third one!). So, healthwise, the Infectious Disease specialist is now out of the picture. She has handed me back to my family doctor and to the care of the two neurologists. I just want to feel better.
Speaking of wanting to feel better, I have lost about 14 pounds in about 2 weeks. No, it isn't because I don't feel good. It is because I am consciously attempting to get healthier. If I have to feel like this, I might as well lose some weight and get some balance and strength back.
With that said, I guess today is not my day. When I was going down the stairs this morning, my knee gave out and I ended up falling down the last three stairs. OM Gosh! It is a good thing I was hanging on or I would have taken out my vacuum cleaner and probably an end table in the process. Instead, I have a majorly swollen ankle, puffy knee, and the right side of left foot is turning purple and swelling. If it is still like this later, I will probably go over to Urgent Care. But knowing where I hit my foot (on the metal banister) makes my feeling of urgency less urgent. This is the third time in less than a week I've had that knee go out. Blasted knee. Maybe losing the weight is the answer for that, too.
We have been playing with our family Christmas gift a little early this year. Jane decided that our family Christmas gift would be a Wii gaming system. I decided, if we were going to get a Wii, I would purchase a Wii Fit and work out on that. It has been the best low impact exercise program I've ever worked with AND worth EVERY penny spent on it. It doesn't kill my knees like walking these hills and is not as much impact as step used to be. But, I still can do step on the Wii and I am learning Yoga slowly. I think Wii and Wii Fit are going to be the best gifts we have ever given ourselves. It doesn't hurt we've also picked up some great games.
I will try to be better about posting more often. This has been a very long post and it doesn't even cover half the things I wanted to say.
One last thing, I wanted to share my plans for the day. Around 4 pm-ish, Stephen, Jane, and I (Bill is watching Drew at a Water Polo meet in New England) will be going to visit the Catonsville branch of the family for dinner. I am so delighted that we will be seeing them. We don't see them enough and I really enjoy spending time with them. We'll pick up some Popeyes Chicken on the way up and Kristen is making potatoes. Stephen picked up a chocolate chip cake for dessert. Sounds like good food and good company!! What a great day this will be!
Speaking of wanting to feel better, I have lost about 14 pounds in about 2 weeks. No, it isn't because I don't feel good. It is because I am consciously attempting to get healthier. If I have to feel like this, I might as well lose some weight and get some balance and strength back.
With that said, I guess today is not my day. When I was going down the stairs this morning, my knee gave out and I ended up falling down the last three stairs. OM Gosh! It is a good thing I was hanging on or I would have taken out my vacuum cleaner and probably an end table in the process. Instead, I have a majorly swollen ankle, puffy knee, and the right side of left foot is turning purple and swelling. If it is still like this later, I will probably go over to Urgent Care. But knowing where I hit my foot (on the metal banister) makes my feeling of urgency less urgent. This is the third time in less than a week I've had that knee go out. Blasted knee. Maybe losing the weight is the answer for that, too.
We have been playing with our family Christmas gift a little early this year. Jane decided that our family Christmas gift would be a Wii gaming system. I decided, if we were going to get a Wii, I would purchase a Wii Fit and work out on that. It has been the best low impact exercise program I've ever worked with AND worth EVERY penny spent on it. It doesn't kill my knees like walking these hills and is not as much impact as step used to be. But, I still can do step on the Wii and I am learning Yoga slowly. I think Wii and Wii Fit are going to be the best gifts we have ever given ourselves. It doesn't hurt we've also picked up some great games.
I will try to be better about posting more often. This has been a very long post and it doesn't even cover half the things I wanted to say.
One last thing, I wanted to share my plans for the day. Around 4 pm-ish, Stephen, Jane, and I (Bill is watching Drew at a Water Polo meet in New England) will be going to visit the Catonsville branch of the family for dinner. I am so delighted that we will be seeing them. We don't see them enough and I really enjoy spending time with them. We'll pick up some Popeyes Chicken on the way up and Kristen is making potatoes. Stephen picked up a chocolate chip cake for dessert. Sounds like good food and good company!! What a great day this will be!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Welll... Bother!
Today I just feel numb. The cat woke me up at 2 am by bringing me an adorable baby mouse... while I was in bed. There is NOTHING like having a baby mouse run up your blanket, followed by a half-proud cat. They both ended up on the floor... the cat chasing the squeaking mouse and catching it several times (making a loud squealing noise). So much for sleep last night. I then decided to shake my blanket out and Stephen questioned what I was doing. At two, I must not make much sense.... I told him I wanted to make sure there were not any more mouse friends. He laughed and said, "No... you are just trying to get rid of any mouse surprise." ACK!!!!! Now I am definitely NOT going back to sleep! Ingesting mouse excrement? Isn't that how you get the Hantavirus? NO sleep for me!!!
Needless to say, since I also had Ambien last night, I did fall asleep... reluctantly... around 4 am. I woke up around 8 am... groggy and feeling really, really (did I mention REALLY) headache-y. My headache (since July 24th) has been around a 7 out of 10. This was worse. It had throab. It had nausia. It had aura. All I wanted to do was curl up and wish the world away. Hopefully, as the day continues, my headache will steadly get better. I was hoping a shower would do it. It isn't cutting it a bit.
We are supposed to go up to my SIL's house tonight. I emailed her last night to tell her that, although I expected to go up there tonight, I wanted to see how awake Stephen was after getting off work. He worked on a computer project until nearly midnight last night. I woke him up with the mouse issue at 2. His alarm went off at quarter til 7. He looked like a living zombie this morning. I have the feeling he isn't in his best of shapes, either. If my headache does not stop AND he still looks like Night of the Living Dead when he gets home, I feel our road trip must be canceled for lack of coherant drivers. I promise we will see you soon, if that is the case, SIL oh mine.
Needless to say, since I also had Ambien last night, I did fall asleep... reluctantly... around 4 am. I woke up around 8 am... groggy and feeling really, really (did I mention REALLY) headache-y. My headache (since July 24th) has been around a 7 out of 10. This was worse. It had throab. It had nausia. It had aura. All I wanted to do was curl up and wish the world away. Hopefully, as the day continues, my headache will steadly get better. I was hoping a shower would do it. It isn't cutting it a bit.
We are supposed to go up to my SIL's house tonight. I emailed her last night to tell her that, although I expected to go up there tonight, I wanted to see how awake Stephen was after getting off work. He worked on a computer project until nearly midnight last night. I woke him up with the mouse issue at 2. His alarm went off at quarter til 7. He looked like a living zombie this morning. I have the feeling he isn't in his best of shapes, either. If my headache does not stop AND he still looks like Night of the Living Dead when he gets home, I feel our road trip must be canceled for lack of coherant drivers. I promise we will see you soon, if that is the case, SIL oh mine.
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