I guess your food is better than the food they serve there?
Definitely. The food they serve sucks. The soups and vegetables are usually cooked to death and the fruit that they send is canned. Sometimes the meat that they put for the meals tastes OK, but QoH doesn't eat any of it. If her lunch is still on her table when I get there I usually eat it. QoH says that I have a cast iron stomach lol.
Anyway, I got a call from the rehab this morning. They are going to discharge QoH this Friday. I'm hoping it's not too soon and that it will not turn into a fiasco like last time. At least she seems to be more coherent and her legs are healed and back to a normal size and she's lost a ton of weight which should help with her mobility.
What does that mean WRT her treatment? No more anti-anxiety meds? No more exercise?
Usually they give a prescription for the meds that she needs to take and it can be filled at a pharmacy of her choice. The insurance pays for someone to come to the house to do the physical therapy and she'll probably have follow up appointments with a doctor from the rehab.
I convinced her to change her insurance back to the one she had before so that she can go back to the doctor that she used to see before she quit going. The other insurance was better and more doctors took it. And I like the way the old doctor's office was. They had many specialists in their group, so you only had to go to the one office. It was basically one stop shopping. I just hope that she has learned her lesson with this experience and will start going to the doctor again and continue taking her meds and doing her physical therapy.
Have you taken any measures to try to make the situation easier for you both at home?
I have been trying to cull some crap, but that is a slow process. It would be really helpful if our carport was closed in, then I could take the excess crap and store it out there.
Anyway, QoH is now scheduled to go home on Monday. The case worker is supposed to order a hospital bed for QoH's bedroom and he's trying to get expedited delivery for Friday. This morning I disassembled QoH's queen size bed and put the mattress & base in the carport. The headboard & footboard I left in her room. The side rails & support pieces I put in the basement. It was really fun trying to maneuver that big ass memory foam mattress out of her room, down stairs, and outside. /sarcasm :/
It was really fun trying to maneuver that big ass memory foam mattress out of her room, down stairs, and outside. /sarcasm :/
I hope you didn't pull a muscle.
When I had to move my old mattresses from my bedroom to downstairs I rolled them up first and tied them up with these flat fastening bands. Made a lot of difference I feel.
I've started putting the exercise bike back together today. My back no longer hurts so I felt it was time.
I didn't. It was a pain in the ass because of the tight space in the hallway and the tight turns.
I rolled them up first and tied them up with these flat fastening bands.
Unfortunately I didn't have any of those.
I've started putting the exercise bike back together today.
It's been a while since I've had a good exercise session. I've been too busy with QoH.
Anyway, the PT got her to stand up twice from the bed with the help of a walker and him giving a bit of a lift assist. I think her main problem is she's afraid of falling, so she's reluctant to try. She wanted to refuse the therapy again when he got here, but I convinced her that it's important to do it. At least they are supposed to continue with the therapy at home when she is discharged from the rehab.
How is it cheaper? Aren't home visits usually more expensive?
It's cheaper than her staying in the rehab (skilled nursing facility).
Anyway, I texted my cousin to see if he is available to help me out with QoH on Monday. He is. Just in case I need a hand with getting her upstairs or with the hospital bed if the delivery person doesn't take it upstairs to QoH's bedroom.
I have no idea. Allegedly the company that provides the bed is waiting for the insurance company to approve it. I'll probably have to call the insurance to find out if they are going to approve it.
that's going to be a daily thing now for you, isn't it?
Yes. It would be so much easier if she had the hospital bed. It's not fun but it's not that difficult to do. And yes, the poop is the worst.😝
Anyway, I took her prescriptions to the pharmacy this morning to be filled. They are supposed to be ready after 3pm. I also have an appointment with the satellite dish company to come out today to swap out the receivers for new ones. The old ones are obsolete and the company is replacing them at no charge. Someone is supposed to come out between 1pm & 2:15pm. Hopefully that doesn't take too long. The pharmacy closes at 7pm and QoH needs her meds.
Then I have to call the home physical therapist to do an evaluation. He called yesterday & today but I have too much going on to call him right now.
Well today she needed the hose down. I knew it was a matter of time before she needed to 💩 and today was the day. And it happened dramatically while I was out grocery shopping. When I got home she had a massive amount of diarrhea that escaped the diaper and got onto the pad underneath. I cleaned up that mess and put a new diaper & pad and then a few minutes later she 💩 that one! Then I had to change & clean her again. 😩
Anyhoo, today she had 3 different people visit her for evaluations: an occupational therapist, a nurse, and a physical therapist. The nurse was a very gregarious gay man from Cuba. I think QoH liked him. He approved her for all the therapies that she might need.
Hopefully the PT will get her walking soon. He said that elderly people lose a lot of strength when they are in the hospital, but he thinks that she'll be able to regain her previous strength and mobility.
I have no idea. She hasn't been eating much. She complains about feeling nauseous every day. IDK if it's because of the medications that she's on or something else.
She'll need to do a fair mount of exercise for that.
Yep. She's very lazy, though. And she uses the nausea as an excuse to not do anything. If it was me I'd be going nuts if I was confined to bed for this long.
No, but she skipped taking the meds today and didn't have the nausea. She also managed to eat a little more.
In other news, I'm starting to see some progress in culling the crap. I've been trying to throw away a little each day. I also trimmed a bunch of stuff in the back yard today, too.
Blood sugar, blood pressure, blood thinner, & anxiety. It all seems unnecessary since her sugar & BP aren't very high. She continues to lose weight and like the Dr told her, that's the key to all her problems.
How much is there left? Like, could it all fit into a shipping container for instance?
I'm about halfway through the paperwork. The furniture and catering stuff would probably fit in a shipping container (depending on the size). The dining room already looks much better.
I'm trying to clear a space in the basement so that I can put the 18 containers of linen that's in the living room and dining room down there. I'll probably have to donate more stuff to Salvation Army for that to happen.
What's her blood sugar level? How often do you measure it?
She doesn't measure it at home. Every time anyone checked it in the hospital or the rehabs it was always normal.
I hesitate to ask but why does she have 18 containers of linen?
Because she always has to have a ridiculous amount of everything. She acquired all of that when we were still doing catering. She used it for buffets and house parties.
A PT is supposed to come to the house on Tuesday. QoH was pissed when she found out that I scheduled that and wanted me to cancel(said she's not ready) and said that she doesn't want me making appointments for her. I didn't cancel. She needs to do PT. If I wait for her to "be ready" it will never happen and she'll stay in bed like an invalid for the rest of her life. She accused me of being the reason she was in the hospital and rehabs (instead of her poor choices which caused her health to deteriorate to the point of needing to go to the hospital). It really pisses me off how she never takes responsibility for her own actions, but that's par for the course for a narcissist.
Did she not do that in rehab either? Or was she different there?
At the first rehab, the therapists were more forceful when she was well enough to do the PT. Unfortunately she only did PT for the last 7 days that she was there. In the second facility whenever PT or OT would come she would say that she was too sick and they wouldn't make her do anything. The only time they did is if I happened to be there when they came, then I would coax her into doing it. I think she just liked to lie there and feel sorry for herself and blame me for her being there.
How did the PT go?
The physical therapist got her to do some leg exercises for about a half hour while she was lying in bed. Then the occupational therapist came and got her to do some arm exercises. She stayed about 20 minutes because QoH was a bit resistant after having already done PT. Anyway, they both will be back out on Thursday, then probably Tuesday and Thursday of next week. The stupid insurance only approved 4 sessions. That's not nearly enough to get her walking again IMO.
I guess she'll be staying in her bed for the rest of her life.
That's what I said. :/
So, what are you doing for fun these days? :)
Not much. I'm trying to coax Roxy out on Sunday so we can go to Wilton Market, but I doubt that will happen. My cousin wants to go to some sports bar called Geronimo's, but I told him that I don't feel comfortable leaving QoH by herself until she can get out of bed to use the bathroom on her own. Based on her behavior, if I wait for that to happen then I'll never be able to go out again. Other than that, the weather has turned nice so I've been trying to get some sun. I sat out in the backyard in my bikini top yesterday & today.
I really need to trim the trees in the yard, but that's kinda an involved job. The worst part is dragging out the big-ass heavy ladder. Then trying to get a good angle on the branches that need to be cut using the pole saw. That thing is very front heavy and my arms tire out quickly. Realistically I would only do one tree per day. The thought of having to keep dragging the ladder out is discouraging. :/
if I wait for that to happen then I'll never be able to go out again.
Maybe you can get her a babysitter? :)
I sat out in the backyard in my bikini top yesterday & today.
You still get that much sunshine? Over here it's nice weather for taking a walk (which I did) but it's to cold to sit around without a jacket on or something.
I wish I could. She doesn't want anyone in the house. She's so paranoid about that.
I ended up cancelling her PT & OT today. She would have been uncooperative anyway. Both therapists were female and she's particularly hostile with females. The PT asked if I wanted to reschedule and I told her that QoH doesn't want to continue with the therapy. She said she'd let the agency know.
You still get that much sunshine?
Yes. It still stays daylight until 7pm (until we have to change the clocks back :/ ) This time of year is perfect for getting some sun. The humidity is low and it's not too hot. Today and the rest of the week it's going to be 84 or 85 degrees.
I ended up dragging the big-ass ladder out today and cut one branch on one of the black olive trees. I actually need to use the bigger of the 2 extension ladders that we have. I couldn't get high enough to cut the branches that need to be cut. I really need a cherry picker, but those cost nearly $300 per day to rent. I'll just have to get creative with the ladders. :/
Any idea why that is? Is it just female doctors or women in general?
I have no idea. She seems to not like females in general.
Why not get rid of the trees?
They look nice and they provide a lot of shade which keeps the house & property from getting too hot during the summer.
Today I cut down a couple of branches from the avocado tree in the back yard. They were getting too high and close to the power lines and telephone lines that run through the back of everyone's yard. Unfortunately the highest one tumbled over the fence and into the neighbor's yard. I'm not sure if I'll jump the fence to retrieve it or just leave it for their lawn service to get.
Is that really a thing you can realistically do for maybe years?
I doubt it. I'm hoping this is only going to be a short term thing and that she'll eventually get tired of laying in bed and make an effort to be mobile again. And who knows how much longer she'll live. Since she's not taking her meds it's possible that she could get another blood clot that could kill her. Or the AFIB could get her. She has lost a lot of weight, but she's still probably 50 or 60 pounds overweight and that is not good for longevity.
She might get a blood clot that damages her brain but leaves her alive. Not fun.
It would be par for the course. Being dramatic and taking a long time to do very little is her style. Of course she couldn't just suddenly drop dead like my dad did. :/
I mostly stay at home all day. Sometimes I go to the Aldi or Walmart or to the post office to mail bills. Two or three times per day I have to bring the bed pan to QoH so she can pee or poo. She doesn't eat much, so I don't spend much time preparing meals. Unfortunately I tend to eat or snack out of boredom, so I'm gaining a little weight. I'm going to have to cut out all the carbs that have slowly crept back in to my diet. At least now that QoH is home I have plenty of time to lift weights & work out.
Yeah, you're going to be the fittest looking person in Florida. :)
Maybe. It was easier to stay in shape when I was working because I burned a lot of calories from all the walking that I did.
What about movies? Seen any good ones lately?
None that I can recall. I have been watching the new season of American Horror Story. Someone commented about it on the Wilton Manors fb page and I decided to check it out. I had stopped watching that series because it got too gory for my tastes. This season seems to be more suspenseful and there's hardly any gore so far. I am enjoying it and look forward to new episodes.
Maybe you can get yourself a cheap treadmill somewhere?
I have one. And it was super cheap since it was free. 😜 Someone from the apartments across the street from my sister's apartment had thrown it out in the garbage pile by the street. 😎
Are you still interested in working or living there?
Yes. It's a nice area and near all the restaurants and breweries that I like. I was looking into buying an apartment as an investment, but anything nice is too expensive. At least it seems we are past the peak of insane real estate prices. The prices have come down a bit, but are still too high for my liking.
Sometimes. I had started to use it regularly just before QoH got sick. Then with everything I had to deal with, I stopped using it because I didn't have the energy. I used the exercise bike yesterday and today, though.
Are you considering any alternatives?
I had looked at some places in Oakland Park which is next to Wilton, but they are getting too expensive as well now that it's getting gentrified. I didn't want to deal with condos, but that might be the most affordable option if I want to get anything in that area.
Do you have preference? Do you like the bike better or the treadmill?
I think I can get a better workout with the bike since I can adjust the resistance. My legs, ass, and lower back were a little sore this morning from using it for the past 2 days. I mowed the yard today, so I did plenty of walking and got more than enough exercise for the day.
Florida is a large area. Lots of other places to consider, I expect.
Sure, there are other places in the state where there are affordable properties, but for now I'd like to have something close that wouldn't be a problem to check on if I bought it. I'm not in a position to be able to drive across the state to check on a property at the moment.
Do you still use the leg weights? I was looking through some of the pics you've sent me over the years and one of them is of your sturdy legs with the leg weights on them. :)
I'm not in a position to be able to drive across the state to check on a property at the moment.
I'm a little struck by the similarity between what is currently your life and what is my life. You made significant progress over the years and now here is QoH dragging you down again (with some help of COVID, of course).
Yes, occasionally. I used them a couple of days ago.
You made significant progress over the years and now here is QoH dragging you down again (with some help of COVID, of course).
Yes, that was a perfect storm of events. First covid(that put me out of work), then my dad died, then QoH being in the hospital & rehabs for 2 months, now she's acting like an invalid. It is infuriating. Just when I had a little bit of freedom and feeling a bit like a functional adult, then all that happened and I'm back to being stuck to the ball and chain.
She's choosing to be one. She refuses to get out of bed even though she's capable of doing so. If she would just practice getting out of bed and standing for a bit, she'd get her strength back. She'd rather just stay in bed and let her muscles atrophy from lack of use. I just don't understand the logic (or illogic as it were). 😡
Might as well accept it. ;P
I guess I have somewhat. :/
In other news, the stupid late season hurricane has finally cleared out. It rained here all day yesterday. There was a little bit of damage to 2 piers up in northern Broward county due to the rough surf. I think there was damage all the way up the eastern coast of Florida at the beaches. I'm glad that we in Dade county once again escaped any damage. It's kinda nice outside at the moment, but still a little windy.
I watched the 2 episodes of American Horror Story that I recorded last night. There's only 2 episodes left. I'm looking forward to seeing how they wrap it up.
I just don't understand the logic (or illogic as it were).
Her bed is literally and figuratively her comfort zone. ;P
It's kinda nice outside at the moment, but still a little windy.
We've got no hurricanes over here, yet. Just a nice chilly morning, perfect for taking a walk, getting some fresh air. It has been ridiculously warm for this time of year.
Just a nice chilly morning, perfect for taking a walk, getting some fresh air.
Must be nice. There was a meme circulating on fb about those of us in Florida wanting some cool air so it would feel like Autumn, but the best mother nature could do was a hurricane. :/
It has been ridiculously warm for this time of year.
Same here. I'm really tired of the heat and mosquitos.
I did a few minutes on the exercise bike today. I think that's 3 days in a row. I'm terribly out of shape. I'm going to have to keep doing it every day to build up my stamina. It's amazing how fat and out of shape I've gotten in just a year. I managed to stay my ideal weight during the covid crap, but after I got let go after returning to work it all went downhill from there. I need to lose 10 pounds, but the weight isn't budging. I'm pretty sure it's because of my hormones being whacked out from perimenopause. :/
Do you think that that is from not exercising or from taking in extra calories?
Both. I was managing to stay fairly fit until my dad died. Then with all that I had to deal with, working out went on the back burner. Then with QoH being sick this year, I got kinda lazy and let refined carbs sneak back into my diet. And I didn't feel like exercising or cooking when I was having to go visit her every day for over 2 months while she was in & out of the hospital & rehabs.
Not much you can do about that, right?
No. I can't control the hormone fluctuations. The best I can do is try to eat more protein, cut out the junk food and bread, and continue to take my supplements. And lifting weights and building muscle is supposed to help burn calories.
So is it getting terribly cold where you live or is it still pleasant? One of my Canadian friends said it is already -20C where she lives in Alberta. D:
That's good. I'm still waiting for it to get chilly here. There's supposed to be a cold front this week, but unfortunately it will be stalling north of the lake and we won't be getting any here. 😬
I had a nice walk today.
That's one of the things that I miss about work. Since it was downtown, it was within walking distance to a restaurant that I liked. And since where I worked was next to the New River, you could walk to it down the Riverwalk.
I made a rice and beans dish today.
What sort? Like Spanish style or something else? Beans and rice is very popular in Latin American countries, but the recipes vary by country. You definitely need the correct spices to get it right or it could turn out bland.
Since it was downtown, it was within walking distance to a restaurant that I liked.
Not a lot of things are within walking distance from you house, I guess?
Like Spanish style or something else?
No particular style. I just used what I happened to have in the house, which was very little. Just brown beans, rice and veggies. Plus some nasi spice powder and a little pasata I usually put into the bean soup and the pasta. I had to improvise.
Not a lot of things are within walking distance from you house, I guess?
Nothing good is within walking distance. :/
No particular style. I just used what I happened to have in the house
I like Cuban style black beans and rice. I've made them from scratch before, but is easier to just buy a can of them. I usually get the Kirby brand which is nicely seasoned. I've also bought the Aldi brand which wasn't bad. Red beans and rice is also good. That's more of a Cajun thing, though.
I made a delicious brisket the other night. It came out nice and tender. And I cooked a spaghetti squash to go with it. ☺
A can of beans and rice? Just a whole meal ready made?
It's just the beans. You have to provide your own rice.
I've never heard of spaghetti squash. Is it better than ordinary squash?
It depends on what you mean by ordinary. It's a hard squash like pumpkin, butternut, or acorn. It's yellow and oval. When you cook it and scoop out the insides, it kinda resembles spaghetti. It has a mild flavor. I usually season it with lots of butter and salt & pepper.
I bought 2 butternut squashes ahead of Thanksgiving, so I'll cook at least one of them. I bought an extra ham last Easter before the prices got crazy, so I'll be taking that out of the freezer to cook for Thanksgiving. I'll still make stuffing even though we're not having turkey.
Is she still getting enough food in her then? What about vitamins etc.?
IMO no. She must be using all the stored fat on her body. She just lays in bed all day every day and makes no attempts at getting up, so it's not like she's burning a lot of calories. I tried to get her to take some vitamins, but because she's very suspicious & paranoid, she won't take them (she thinks I'm trying to poison her with them).
What is bike riding in Florida like? I kind of imagine it's less than safe. :)
You would be correct. If you were suicidal it might be a good option. Over the past few years, bike lanes have been marked on most all the streets, but almost nobody uses them. A lot of people call them the suicide lanes. If you ride in the street with the cars it's only a matter of time before someone will run into you. People down here are horrible drivers and don't pay attention to where they are driving.
If you want to ride your bike, the safest option is to stay on the sidewalk which is legal here. There are no pedestrians, so it not like you will be sharing the sidewalk with anyone. Or you can ride at a park or along the beach. Hollywood Beach has a paved "boardwalk" which is very popular with bike riders. Fort Lauderdale beach has a very wide sidewalk area next to the beach that people can ride on.
It's a classy place. 😜 Idk, it's kinda a standard thing.
Wait, why are there no pedestrians?
Everyone drives everywhere. And it's too hot to walk most of the time. When I worked in downtown FtL, you'd see people walking because there's limited parking down there, so you have to park in a garage and then walk to where you're going. But that's one of the few places where you see anyone walking.
Why? It's hot & humid here for 8 months of the year.
In how much time?
10 minutes. I start out at a normal pace and then do the last quarter of a kilometer at a sprint. Then I'm gassed out lol.
Anyhoo, it is monsooning here ATM. The weather dude said we were at almost 4 inches of rain about an hour ago. At the rate that it's coming down, I think he could probably double that number. I think it's supposed to be raining until tomorrow morning. :/
It's supposed to be dry but hot for Thanksgiving, then a "cold" front will come through and it will be somewhat cool on Sunday. I'd like to get a decent cold front so I can have an opportunity to wear the boots that I bought last year.
So not having to walk around is considered a status symbol? A symbol of wealth? :)
No, because even poor people here drive cars. And the ones who don't take the air conditioned bus. Even the poor people don't want to sweat. 😜
Surely you've been wearing them inside the house while wearing nothing else but a bikini? I mean, that's what I would do. ;P
Well if you ever get some tall boots you're going to have to send me a pic of that ensemble. 😂😜
Today when I went out to my car to go to the store, the damned thing wouldn't start. It had enough battery juice to open the door and for the radio & dome lights, but not enough to get it started. It just made the dreaded clicking noise. I called AAA to get a jump start and I intended to just buy a battery from them, but the guy quoted me $216 (which is insane). He didn't have my size battery with him, so while he was calling someone to bring one, I looked up how much they charged at Sam's club ($129). I told the AAA guy to forget it, I'd be going to Sam's club (I was going there anyway for a few items). At least Sam's is usually the cheapest & they install it for free. And they actually had my size battery when I got there. ☺
Anyway, the rest of the store was packed since it's 2 days before Thanksgiving. I was going to go to Aldi as well, but the way every store was crowded I decided to skip it.
I'm not cooking a turkey. I decided on ham. And since I bought an extra one around Easter and froze it, I didn't have to pay the obscene amount that they were charging this year. The only thing I actually have to cook from a recipe is the stuffing. Everything else(sweet potatoes, butternut squash, green beans) can be nuked in the microwave. I'll just have to use the oven to heat up the ham and stuffing.
Roxy and her mom were supposed to go to her sister's house. She doesn't get along with her sister. She told me that a customer tipped her with THC edibles last night at the hockey game, so she's prepared to deal with her sister today lol. Also she'd be taking the dog for very long walks while she's there. I guess I'm lucky that I don't have to deal with a bunch of people on holidays. Just dealing with QoH is bad enough (even though she's been fairly behaved recently).
Well lets hope they're not spiked with anything nasty.
I don't understand her trusting drugs from a random person when she claims to only buy from the dispensary or The Green Baker. You never know what could be in it otherwise.
How was Thanksgiving then?
Uneventful. I cooked the food on Tuesday and Wednesday so it was all ready to go on Thursday. Everything came out delicious. QoH has been eating it without complaint. ☺
In other news, I have free HBO & Cinemax for the long weekend. I already recorded the House of the Dragon marathon (season 1, 10 episodes) and a couple of movies. One of the movies was Cold Pursuit with Liam Neeson. It seems like all his movies are just variations of Taken lol. This one was fairly entertaining even though it was predictable. I also recorded Dear Evan Hanson which was based off the musical. That played at work, but since I never saw it, I was willing to see what it was like. It was awful and 3 hours long. I think I made it through 30 minutes and couldn't take any more, so I deleted it. I'm not a fan of musicals to begin with, but I don't know how that awful thing was as popular as it was. :/
I watched The Batman with the sparkly vampire dude last night. It wasn't too bad, but it was almost 3 hours (could've used some more editing) and kinda slow paced. It wasn't cartoonish like other Batman movies which was different but not terrible.
I only watched the first episode so far, so I can't say if I like it or not.
You really think Nolan's Batman movies are cartoonish?
As you know, I'm not a huge fan of superhero and comics movies, so I haven't seen every Batman movie that ever came out. I'm remembering the older ones from when I was younger. This version was definitely more realistic.
I don't think I've seen any of the newer ones other than the one I just watched. The only comic book movies that I've really enjoyed have been the Deadpool movies.
I've bought a copy of the 2nd season of Star Trek: Picard. So I'm watching that now.
Do you have the first season as well? Do you buy many movies?
I am working my way through House of the Dragon. I think I'm up to the 8th episode. It's not terrible, just kinda meh.
I also recorded Hellraiser: Hellseeker and The Grand Budapest Hotel so I'll have a couple more movies to watch when I get bored.
The only comic book movies that I've really enjoyed have been the Deadpool movies.
Well, those are pretty good. I'm looking forward the next one which is supposed to have Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine in it.
Do you have the first season as well? Do you buy many movies?
Yeah, I have the first season as well. I rarely buy movies (I rarely buy anything). I do try to buy movies or tv shows that I can re-watch a lot (though I rarely watch TV).
I also recorded Hellraiser: Hellseeker
I don't think I've ever seen that one. Now and again I re-watch the first 2 and maybe the 3rd on youtube, if I can find it there. Hm. Maybe I should finally get round to making that puzzle box. :)
I'm looking forward the next one which is supposed to have Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine in it.
Yes, me too. ☺
I don't think I've ever seen that one.
There have been a few that were made after the first two. I think last Halloween there was a film festival at a theater in Fort Lauderdale (that is an old church that was converted to a movie theater) which was showing Hellraiser 1 & 2. I really wanted to go, but alas, I didn't because I had no one to go with me. :/
I feel alone in a crowd of people. It's more fun to go with someone.
Anyway, I'm almost done with House of the Dragon. I was trying to watch the last 2 episodes, but my stupid DVR is f'ing up and doesn't want to play episode 9. It wants to keep skipping to episode 10. I guess I'm going to have to troubleshoot on my own. :/
And I watched Hellraiser: Hellseeker which was awful and not worthy of the first 2 in the franchise. What a piece of crap! Definitely don't recommend.
You don't seem to have trouble connecting to people though.
I don't have anxiety like I used to and I guess I'm less introverted as well, but I still prefer doing fun things with with a friend rather than by myself. Grocery shopping, however, I prefer doing by myself lol.
Okay. I don't necessarily dislike bad movies though. :)
The guy who plays "Mayhem" in the insurance commercials is in it. It doesn't really get watchable until the last 15 or 20 minutes when Pinhead comes for him. ☺
I still prefer doing fun things with with a friend rather than by myself.
So you're using a friend as a kind of security blanket?
The guy who plays "Mayhem" in the insurance commercials is in it.
I've never seen those but I think his name is Dean Winters? I've checked out some pieces of the movie on Youtube and it doesn't seem to be much of a Hellraiser movie. Like they wrote a different movie and then decided to add the cenobites to it. IDK.
Anyway, is Roxy still alive after taking that stuff from a stranger?
Yes, I was texting with her earlier. She was eating her own edibles this time lol. It seems like everyone is into weed now. I personally can't stand the smell of the stuff. It makes me sick. IDK what an edible would be like. People say that you can still taste the weed. Sounds nasty. I'll stick to alcohol.
Speaking of nasty, QoH is back to being her miserable self. She has been keeping me up until the wee hours. I don't think I've gotten to sleep before 5am once this week. I feel like shit and QoH is doing it deliberately. :/
And I'll stick to.. ehm.. cheese, I think... Yes, cheeeeeeeezzzzz... ;P
LOL I like a good cheese as well. I bought a few interesting ones from Aldi a couple of weeks ago. Two were goat cheese: an everything bagel seasoning one and a cherry one. The cherry was especially good. And also a Transylvanian salt cave cheese. That one tasted like parmesan. I bought 2 flavors of that one; a plain and one that was soaked in red wine. Both were good. :)
Yay? I mean, is that a good sign or a bad one? :o
No, it's a bad thing. She's back to name-calling and staying up all night.
So what does she do?
She stays up all night and yells for me every 2 or 3 hours wanting the bed pan so she can pee/poo, fix her TV, or bring her tea/milk/food. I don't get any sleep because it takes me forever to fall asleep then if I do and she wakes me up, it takes me at least 2 hours to fall back asleep. Then the past few days my ovaries have been painful, so it's hard to sleep with that nagging pain. Last night it was really bad. It felt like my right ovary was going to explode from about 3am to 4:30am. I was concerned that I might need to go to the hospital. :/ Thankfully it stopped hurting on its own. QoH was yelling for me at 8:30pm, 11pm, 1am, 4am, & 4:30am. I maybe fell asleep after 6am then QoH woke me up at 9:30am. 😡😡😡
Is that period related or random? Sounds bad either way.
It's ovulation related. I've had them be achey before, but this time it was excruciatingly painful.
Does she not sleep at all at night?
No, she does not.
I couldn't get to sleep once again last night so I took a sleeping pill. That barely worked. I really hate taking those because I don't get good sleep with it. I don't feel rested and I get up feeling wonky & drugged. Anyway, I ended up "sleeping" until almost 1pm. I got up feeling like shit and still feel like shit.
I had to run a few errands and then went to Aldi earlier. I was gone from the house for a while. Hopefully I'll feel worn out enough tonight to fall asleep naturally.
Ah. Well, thank medical science for painkillers. :)
No, she does not.
She sleeps during the day then? She reversed her day/night cycle?
That barely worked.
Because you gave the sleeping pill to the wrong person. ;P
Hopefully I'll feel worn out enough tonight to fall asleep naturally.
I don't know how it is for you but if I don't get enough sleep one night then I will sleep very well the next night. Lack of sleep will do that. Of course, I don't have a QoH working to wake me up at unearthly hours.
that was the case before she went into the hospital & rehabs
Before the rehab her cycle was reversed, during rehab it was normal and after it was reversed again? So she is able to sleep at night, under the right circumstances.
Okay. In order to get her to fall asleep at night I guess you'll have to make sure that she doesn't sleep during the day. Keep her awake?
during rehab it was normal and after it was reversed again?
I don't think it was normal when she was in the rehab. I would only go to visit for a few hours in the afternoon and she would nod off while I was there.
Keep her awake?
I know that that would be the logical thing to do, but it is nice when she's asleep and not bothering me during the day.
Anyway, she woke me up again last night after I had slept for maybe an hour. I got into a big fight with her about it. I couldn't get back to sleep afterwards so I took 2 benadryl. That knocked me out for at least 6 hours. Amazingly, QoH didn't wake me up during that time.
You can't go on taking pills. It's not good for you.
I don't like taking them. I took benadryl twice this past week, so it's not like I'm taking them every night.
An anti-histamine that has drowsiness as a side effect.
The stupid thing about that is it's diphenhydramine HCL 25mg whether you buy it as allergy relief or as a sleep aid, but you can get 100 tablets packaged as allergy meds cheaper than you can get 24 packaged as a sleep aid. :/
Anyway last night I went to bed at 1am, QoH woke me up at 3am to tell me that the rodeo was on (I don't care about the rodeo!)but managed to get 6 hours uninterrupted sleep after that. I think I woke up at 8am feeling rested.
I cooked 2 slabs of ribs today and they came out very tender. I also made a guava barbecue sauce to go with it. Very yummy! 😋☺
I cooked some chicken thigh fillets and they also came out very tender.
Sounds good! Chicken thigh fillets are also good for making bourbon chicken. 😋
We had this with spinach-mashed potatoes BTW. :)
I've never had that, but I do like both spinach and mashed potatoes.
It was 16.5 deg. Celsius in my bedroom. Chilly.
That seems uncomfortable. We are finally getting overnight temperatures below 70F degrees, but it's not cool enough for my liking. It's still going up to about 82F degrees during the day. :/
I do kinda like the cold. It's much better than the summer heat.
Yes it is. :)
Well once again I got no sleep last night. I went to bed a little after midnight and it took me a while to fall asleep. QoH then woke me up at 2am. I couldn't get back to sleep to save my life since QoH kept turning up the volume on her TV too loud. I could still hear it with my door closed and my fan on full blast.
Then I got into a massive fight with her when she wanted to pee but wouldn't cooperate with me when I got the bed pan. She ended up getting out of bed but her legs were hurting her since she's not used to standing on them and got stuck. She wouldn't allow me to help her and she was just being ridiculous so I called the paramedics at 6:30am to come deal with her. They got her back in bed and after they left she decided to cooperate with me getting the bed pan under her.
She's such a fucking ridiculous bitch! I think I finally fell asleep around 8am and got maybe 3 hours of sleep. Needless to say I feel like absolute shit! 😡😡😡😡
Sorry to hear that. I guess it would help to take a nap?
It's a frustrating situation you're in. It seems like QoH has more control over your life than ever before (unless I'm overlooking something). I think it's good you called the paramedics. She probably didn't like that. She needs to see visible consequences to her behavior.
Anyway, I *did* manage to get some sleep last night/this morning after QoH pulled her usual shit at 2:30am & 6:30am. I managed to get 5 solid hours and woke up at 11:30am.
And she didn't sleep all afternoon today. IIRC she slept a little past noon and has been up ever since. It's now 9:45pm. And she hasn't been too much of a pain in the ass today.
I'm probably going to finish up clearing the overgrowth in the back yard. I cut back some of the corn plants last week then cut those up today and put them in the wheelie bin. Yesterday I cut back a lot of the bougainvillea that was getting out of control. I'll probably go cut it up into smaller pieces tomorrow so it can go out with the next trash pickup. The temperature has been comfortable so it's much easier to work in the yard and get stuff done. And since QoH is bedridden, I can severely cut stuff back without her knowing or complaining. ☺
That's actually a really nice looking plant. What colors do the flowers have? Pink?
Most are magenta and I think there's one with purple flowers. It's very pretty when it's in bloom, but it is technically a vine and can get out of control if it's not trimmed regularly. The lawn service that the people in back of us use never trim what grows on their side, so it can be problematic. And it's covered with really wicked thorns. I was wearing my flip flops when I was trimming it and one managed to penetrate straight through and went into my big toe. Hurt like a bastard! And I usually get scratched up any time I have to trim it no matter how careful I am. :/
It's usually way too hot. And the thorns are so big and sharp that they pierce any clothing that I wear. The worst is getting hung up in it and carefully trying to extract myself so I don't get cut up.
You need better gardening shoes though. :)
I'd have to wear my military boots. Those damn thorns will go through most rubber soles.
Anyway, I ended up not working in the yard this weekend. It rained a little both Saturday & Sunday just enough to get everything wet and I hate working with wet plants.
There's supposed to be a "cold" front coming down this week in time for Christmas. I think it'll be 65F on Christmas day, so that will be nice. It makes it feel more seasonal when it's cold. ☺
Nah. We've had freezing temperatures and frost on the ground and roofs. No snow. In some places it was cold enough for water to freeze to a point that it could be skated on.
If we do get snow it will be in January, I think. I am not expecting a white Christmas.
We've had freezing temperatures and frost on the ground and roofs.
Close but no cigar LOL.
In some places it was cold enough for water to freeze to a point that it could be skated on.
I'd be afraid of falling through the ice. D: I haven't ice skated in ages. There used to be a couple of ice rinks not too far from where I live but both closed long ago. The nearest ones are almost 20 miles away IIRC. I think the Florida Panthers are supposed to have a rink that is open to the public when they finish building their new practice facility. That is supposed to be near my old workplace, but I'm not sure when that is going to be finished.
And that's why I'm leery of frozen lakes, ponds, canals, etc.
Not enough cold winters and my skates are MIA ATM.
I used to have a pair of hockey skates but I think they got damaged when we had a leak in the plumbing and I threw them away. I *did* find a really nice pair of figure skates in a thrift store some years ago. Those are in my closet collecting dust. :/
And on a whim I bought a pair of holographic quad roller skates on Saturday. They are supposed to be delivered on the 28th. :)
So I just looked this up and apparently Florida does actually have panthers.
Yes, but they are an endangered species and very rare. They are mostly in the Everglades & Big Cypress and even then a lot get killed by trucks.
Have you ever seen one on the wild?
No, I have not. The only large cat species that I've seen in the wild is a bobcat. My family was on vacation and we stopped at Spook Hill in Lake Wales. While we were playing with the spooks, a rabbit ran out of the woods being pursued by a bobcat. It was very memorable. QoH told me that she saw a black panther by the railroad tracks when she was a little girl walking to school. That may have been an animal that escaped from a traveling circus or some roadside attraction.
We also have wild monkeys up in Dania/Fort Lauderdale by the airport. I've seen them a few times. And years ago when you could just drive into Port Everglades by the FPL power plant you could see manatees, giant turtles, and all sorts of exotic looking fish in the cooling canal.
They had put up a very tall chain link fence by the canal many years ago to prevent people from feeding the manatees & fish. Then several years ago they demolished the power plant. The last time I went by there a couple of years ago, the fence and canal were still there. I'm not sure if the manatees and other sea creatures still go there. Then it hasn't been all access since after 9/11. They have guard gates at both port entrances and you have to show ID and have some kind of official business to go in there, either truck drivers who haul containers, port workers, or people going on cruises.
Well today I got around to cutting up the bougainvillea trimmings and putting them in the garbage bin. I didn't realize just how much there was. It's going to take a few garbage pickups to get it all. :/
Since QoH no longer leaves her bedroom, I'd like to start clearing out a lot of the ferns and random plants that are growing all over the yard. It's getting too jungle-y for my liking.
Well while the rest of the country is experiencing an insane snow storm, it is still hot down here. It's supposed to go down to 45F here on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. A friend of mine who lives in Canada just laughed when I said people down here think that is really cold. It was -33C last night where she lives. D:
I heard about that. It was predicted that there would be this huge cold front over the US. They have freezing temperatures in Texas ATM. I guess you guys are lucky? Or would you have liked that kind of weather as well?
Yes. I have a friend in Dallas and it is right at 0°C ATM.
I guess you guys are lucky?
I am thankful to be living in South Florida. It is around 8°C here ATM. It's supposed to get a little colder overnight. At least I haven't had to put on the heat. I put the little space heater in my bathroom a while ago and cranked up the water heater to the hottest setting and had a nice hot shower and washed my hair. I looked like a cooked lobster when I came out, but it felt really good.
I think the only other place in the country that is escaping the snow storm is southern California. I have an Instagram friend who lives in San Bernardino and he said it was 74°F there (23°C) which is much warmer than here.
And a Merry Christmas to you, too, Arekini-san! 🎄🎅🎁😘
Time to put on some extra layers of clothing.
I was wearing a hoodie yesterday. It felt very cold in my bedroom this morning (16.5°C) so I broke down and exchanged my booty shorts for pajama pants. And I have the space heater running in my room at the moment because my room is always the coldest in the house.
You mean the area that has the hottest place on Earth during the summer is still warm in winter?
Yes. SoCal has beautiful weather year round. It doesn't get humid like here. Death Valley is hot like hell, but nobody lives out there. LA and San Diego have very nice weather. It's just unfortunate that the state is overrun with and run by lunatics. It really is a beautiful state.
Does your friend even know what snow is? ;)
Yes. He said 12 miles up the road from him it was snowing lol.
Well on a whim I ordered myself a pair of holographic quad roller skates for my Christmas present. They are supposed to be delivered on the 28th if they make it out of Los Angeles lol. We shall soon see if I retained my skating skillz or if I will bust my ass. ;P
I think 12 miles up the road it's a higher elevation. They have mountains unlike here.
When did you last skate?
Probably more than 20 years ago. I'm hoping it's like riding a bike and not a skill that you lose.
Well it was cold again today. We set a record for coldest Christmas since 1977. Today I actually got to wear those boots that I bought. I had to run some errands so I took the opportunity. The boots were actually pretty warm as they were lined, not like the usual Florida boots that are just for looks.
Wow. That's from before you were even born, right?
I think I was a baby. 1 year old or less.
What exactly were the temperatures then and yesterday?
I don't remember what they said the previous low record was, but it got down to 45F for the past 3 days. That's unusual for December.
Didn't you have snow at some point?
There was snow back in 1977. My brother told me that he remembered the snow covering the field next to his school back then. We didn't have any snow this time.
Just in the house on the terrazzo. I didn't want to ruin the wheels outside.
Did you wear some protective gear?
No. I had faith in my abilities. ;P
Meh, the important thing is that you enjoy yourself.
Exactly! And I'm inspiring other women my age to buy some as well. I posted about it on Instagram and had 2 friends respond that they were also going to buy some skates because it's so much fun. :)
No. I'm just going to stay in and watch the fireworks on TV. I'm ready for this year to be over even though every year seems to be getting progressively worse. :/
LOL It can always get worse than you can imagine. ;P
Happy New Year in advance BTW. I'll be sleeping in tomorrow. :)
Happy New Year, Arekino-san! I slept in as well. They went crazy around here with parties and fireworks so I didn't get to bed until 1am, then QoH woke me up at 4am needing to pee. 😩 I went back to bed and slept another 5 hours so I don't feel terrible.
They went crazy around here with parties and fireworks
Over here as well. It's like they'd been saving up fireworks for the past 2 years.
I went back to bed and slept another 5 hours so I don't feel terrible.
I went to sleep at about 00:15 h and woke up refreshed at 08:00 h. I don't usually wake up refreshed so I'm kinda puzzled by that. We're having the warmest Jan 1st ever BTW.
It's like they'd been saving up fireworks for the past 2 years.
It was worse here when Trump was in office. Everyone had more money to spend back then.
I don't usually wake up refreshed so I'm kinda puzzled by that.
Same here. It's been a while since I woke up refreshed. QoH woke me up from a dead sleep at around 4:30am this morning and then I couldn't get back to sleep for nothing. I laid there for almost 3 hours then decided to just get up.
We're having the warmest Jan 1st ever BTW.
Same here. The weather dude said it was the second hottest on record.
The logical conclusion seems to be that you should exercise at night.
I usually work out in the afternoon. Yesterday I took a 2 hour nap. I didn't get much sleep because of QoH the night before so my body just decided it was shutting down at 6pm. I slept a little past 8pm.
Last night I took a benadryl before I hopped in the shower before bed. I think I was probably out by 1am and QoH didn't wake me up until after 7am, so I actually got 6 hours uninterrupted and feel mostly rested.
Because QoH is acting completely ridiculous and like she's a paraplegic, I often have to drag her back up higher in the bed because she has a habit of getting on the edge and too far towards the foot of the bed. She's still overweight, but I have no idea how much she weighs. Definitely more than me.
I dragged my barbell and weights up from the basement yesterday to see exactly how much I'm capable of lifting. I weigh 128 pounds so I put 125 on the bar to see if I could lift it. I got it about an inch off the floor lol. I then took 20 pounds off and easily lifted that. Then I put on another 10 and managed to lift that. I think that is my max at the moment. I tried it again a while later and my back refused lol. I went back down to 105 and could barely get it up so I decided to quit while I was ahead. In almost 30 years of catering I've had to do a lot of heavy carrying so I'm still pretty strong for my size. I'll just have to add the deadlift to my workout routine so I can get stronger in that area.
I mean, you're laughing now but if you pull a muscle then that would make life 10 times as difficult for you. Please take care.
You are the second person to scold me about this lol. I put the barbell and weights back in the basement. My lower back muscles aren't exactly sore, but I can definitely tell that they were activated.
Having to pick up QoH is much worse. Half the time when she asks for help, she then fights me and makes it more difficult. I was trying to clean her & put a fresh underpad under her a while ago and she wouldn't let me turn her so I could get it all the way under her. She used her legs to push herself hard into the bed. She's heavy enough and when she does shit like that it makes it impossible. I just walked away at that point. I don't need to injure myself for someone who is completely ungrateful for what I do.
Probably the best thing to do if she can't be reasoned with.
I'm doing that more and more often. At this point I don't care if she screams and yells and calls me every name in the book. I have no patience for her bullshit.
As long as she chooses to stay stuck in the bed, I have the upper hand on a few things. ;)
Today I cooked a delicious Buddha's Delight. I had been craving some Chinese food for a while. Now I need to go to the Oriental store and buy some supplies because I used the last of my oyster sauce and I'm running low on a couple other items. I'll probably go next week.
I use bok choy, snow peas, carrots, mushrooms, water chestnuts, sliced bamboo shoots, and scallions. Then for the seasoning I use sesame oil, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
Did I tell you that I bought roller skates? I think I did. Now Roxy is looking into buying a pair. The ones that she likes are almost identical to the ones I got lol. And I talked to my cousin on the phone yesterday. Apparently he was a skating maven back in the day and he gave me some pointers.
Yes. She was telling me that she used to have expensive K2 inline skates, but her mother gave them to her nephew (and she was pissed about that). She said she had the skates she wanted to buy in her cart (I think she was shopping on Amazon when I talked to her).
What kind of pointers?
I was telling him that the quads feel really different than the inlines. He said that you control quads with the front wheels whereas inlines you control from the back. I had kinda worked that out, but he confirmed that I was doing it right. He said to keep practicing and get a feel for them.
What kind of skates do you have? I assumed it's the nice type where you have like a boot with wheels underneath and a rubber stopper at the front?
That's what they are. The ones I got are silver holographic with sparkly teal laces and wheels and purple padding inside. They look cool, but they're not an expensive brand. They are more fashionable than anything although they seem to be really fast IMO.
I remember those metal kind. I think my mom found a pair in the thrift store for me when I was a kid. Then I upgraded to the boot kind (also from the thrift store lol).
They are more fashionable than anything although they seem to be really fast IMO.
They're not motorized are they? :)
Then I upgraded to the boot kind (also from the thrift store lol).
I'm not sure the boot kind were even available when I was a kid. Even if they were, they must have been very expensive in those days. And we were kinda poor.
I guess we were, too. But when I look back on things, I think my parents could have done better at managing money. My dad was very unambitious and stayed in a crappy job because he was comfortable with it. If he had stayed in the elevator union like his brother he could have made twice as much money and we could have had a very good life.
And the ball bearings in the wheels seem to be well greased.
So you and QoH were the ambitious ones?
Mainly QoH. She was the one who got all the catering gigs.
In other news, I had been wanting to go to the beach for a couple of weeks. The weather was pretty perfect for it today and I was determined to go, so I did. Unfortunately for me I forgot to bring my sunscreen so I didn't stay to long, maybe only a half hour.
Like I said, it was perfect. The water was a beautiful aqua color. I can't remember the last time I saw it that color, usually it's an ugly blue/gray color. The water was a little too cold for swimming, though, and it was partly cloudy so it wasn't too hot. I ended up walking barefoot in the sand by the water line for about 3 lifeguard shacks then turned around and walked back. It was really nice to get out and enjoy the nice weather and fresh air. The only problem was the amount of snowbirds that are down. Traffic was insane and I couldn't find a parking spot on Hallandale beach so I had to go up to the southern end of Hollywood beach which was actually nicer as far as the parking situation.
It was really nice to get out and enjoy the nice weather and fresh air.
Sounds pretty great. Personally I quite like the salty smell of the sea.
So it turns out father may suffer from Parkinson's. He went to to a doctor today (Friday the 13th BTW) and got this diagnosis. They still have to do more test apparently but looking over the symptoms described on the Wikipedia page, the diagnosis may very well be correct.
Personally I quite like the salty smell of the sea.
Me, too. I actually had that scent on me for a while after I got home.
So it turns out father may suffer from Parkinson's.
I'm sorry to hear that. That's not a nice disease to have (not that any are nice). Hopefully the doctors can prescribe meds that can control the usual symptoms.
I actually had that scent on me for a while after I got home.
Ha! Free perfume. :)
That's not a nice disease to have
The symptoms are still pretty mild. They're going to do an MRI to make sure, I guess. I think my father is still a bit in denial over it although he's been reading up on the condition.
I probably haven't watched it in 20 years also, but my brain remembers silly trivia like that lol.
And the medication to lessen the symptoms can have serious side effects.
Unfortunately, that seems to be the way with medications.
In other news, it got quite cold here last night (upper 30's F) and was cold all day today. I even had to turn the heat on a couple of times. It's supposed to warm up for the rest of the week and be dry and not humid which is perfect IMO. :)
Yes, definitely. ☺ Also perfect for going for a nice walk in one of the nicer parks or on the beach. I might try going to Greynolds Park some time this week. I don't think I've been there since high school.
Unfortunately for me, Ma Nature is paying me a visit, so if I go anywhere it'll have to wait until Thursday or Friday. :/
There used to be alligators in there according to Wikipedia.
I can verify that. The last time I was there was during a high school field trip. We went to the Ancient Spanish Monastery which is nearby, then to Greynolds to eat lunch and kill time before we went back to the school. I was playing football with some of the guys when the ball bounced down by the water. When I went to retrieve it, I noticed some very large alligators in the water. 😨
How is that part of your body ding BTW? Is the benign growth giving you any trouble?
I haven't had any bladder issues for a long time and since I've been taking the turmeric and other supplements consistently I haven't had any bad menstrual cramps. My only issue is my lower abdomen has been getting bloated. I have no pain or discomfort though. It just looks like I'm about 4 months pregnant which is terrible for my ego lol.
I started drinking about a quart of Jason Winters tea per day as of yesterday. It's good for getting rid of tumors and detoxifying the body. I'm hoping it can straighten out whatever is going on with my body & hormones.
Yes, I'm definitely retaining water. It's hormone related. Unfortunately during perimenopause, hormone levels are all out of whack and these things happen. And the stress of dealing with QoH just adds to it. Cortisol causes fat to accumulate in the abdomen. :/
So this bloating has never happened to you before?
No. It's a phenomenon that started a couple of years ago.
Sounds possible. But how can you be sure?
Well I'm 46 and soon to be 47. I'm in the perimenopause stage of life. Unfortunately everything gets crazy before menopause.
So you think it's fat?
Some of it.
I seem less bloated today so that's good. I did a pretty good poo this morning so that helped. It's definitely cycle related.
In other news, I had to go out to the Hot Topic at Pembroke Lakes Mall today to pick up a t-shirt that I had ordered. I had a 25% off coupon that they gave me with the order so I bought a studded belt to replace my old one that disintegrated. :/ At least it is the type that has the snaps to swap out the buckle. I had been wanting to get one of those so that I could use my belt buckles that I got from Grif's a couple of years ago.
Are you looking forward to getting past menopause?
Yes and no. Yes because no more periods, but no because you start aging quicker after that.
What kind of t-shirt?
An L7 t-shirt. I got a really good deal. It was originally $26 but I got it on sale for $10. 😎
What happened to it?
It looked like it melted. It was that crappy "bonded" "leather". I had it in a drawer in my dresser and the last time I took it out it was all sticky and gross like whatever chemicals they used to make it were decomposing. :/
Yes. An all female band that was popular when I was in high school. They are very heavy. ☺
In other news, I worked out last night and just a little while ago. My stomach bloat has gone down a little more so I did sit-ups and Russian twists along with my arm workout.
Well I think I've managed to work out 3 days in a row. I have a friend in Tampa who has been very consistent with working out since New Year's and it helps to keep me motivated. Today was leg day. I did exercises with my ankle weights for a half hour and now my legs feel like jello. I didn't even do glutes and calves yet. I guess I'll do those later.
Huh, I had a whole long comment yesterday and it seems to have disappeared. :/
I think I was talking about all the stuff I got done yesterday since QoH woke me up at 4:30am and I couldn't get back to sleep.
Well, she woke me up that early again today. I didn't get as much done today. I just wrote out some bills and mailed them then pulled up some more of those damn Boston ferns from the back yard. Now I'm drinking a beer. :)
I think tomorrow I might try to go to West Lake Park and walk around a bit. I think it's free to go in there in weekdays. :)
The park isn't open that early and it would still be dark lol. I *did* go there today, but around 12:30pm. I took my bike and rode it around for about a half hour. I'm very out of shape lol. Then I put my bike back in my car then went walking on the boardwalks around the park.
It was a little hot today (around 85F), but there was a nice breeze so it felt really nice. There were quite a few snowbirds in the parking lot. A few had RV's. I don't think they allow overnight parking there, but I guess the park employees don't bother them about it.
I think the next time I go, I'll go to the south side of the park. Today I went on the north side by the Anne Kolb Nature Center. The exhibition hall was closed for repairs, so that was a bummer. The boardwalks were nice and went along the water. I think the south side of the park (which is across Sheridan Street) has more trails to bike on. I was a bad girl and took my bike on the boardwalk next to the Intercoastal Waterway (not supposed to ride bikes on it) but nobody was there, so not like someone would know or complain lol.
I'm a little surprised you still know how to ride a bike. ;P
That's not something you forget. ;) I took the bike out for a spin around the hood today. My calves were sore from yesterday and my quads were fatigued so I only rode around for about 20 minutes.
What's a the south side of the park?
The way they have the park divided up is kinda strange. Sheridan street runs though the middle of it going east and west. The nature center and boardwalks are on the north side. Then there's an area on the south side that runs along the intracoastal waterway that has a gravel loop trail for bikes/hikes. Then more towards the west on the south side there's a regular park area that has basketball courts and I think a playground. The next time I go I'm going to do the loop trail. It was kinda confusing the way it was labeled at the park, but after I got home and looked up a map on the interwebs, now I know how to get to it.
It's a bit disconcerting to think about how isolated the loop trail is. If someone wanted to harm you down there, no one is around to hear or see anything. I'll have to make sure I have my self defense weaponry easily accessible just in case.
Do you see it as an exercise or just a way to relax?
Riding around the hood is for exercise. If I go to a park it's a little of both.
And listen to your instincts. If they're telling you to GTFO of there then run.
Oh definitely. When I was walking the boardwalk I was thinking that the snowbirds didn't pose a threat. Most of them were older couples. There was one woman with 3 kids and 3 single dudes. One of the dudes pinged my radar a bit, but he was leaving as I was going in. Plus there were some snowbirds behind me so I didn't think too much of it.
When I went up to the top of the observation tower there was a woman sleeping on the floor. I thought that she was taking a big chance doing that. Maybe she had taken some drugs or something. There were definitely people smoking weed in the parking lot because it reeked when I first got there and I could still smell it a little when I was leaving.
308 Comments:
I guess your food is better than the food they serve there?
Definitely. The food they serve sucks. The soups and vegetables are usually cooked to death and the fruit that they send is canned. Sometimes the meat that they put for the meals tastes OK, but QoH doesn't eat any of it. If her lunch is still on her table when I get there I usually eat it. QoH says that I have a cast iron stomach lol.
Anyway, I got a call from the rehab this morning. They are going to discharge QoH this Friday. I'm hoping it's not too soon and that it will not turn into a fiasco like last time. At least she seems to be more coherent and her legs are healed and back to a normal size and she's lost a ton of weight which should help with her mobility.
They are going to discharge QoH this Friday.
What does that mean WRT her treatment? No more anti-anxiety meds? No more exercise?
What does that mean WRT her treatment? No more anti-anxiety meds? No more exercise?
Usually they give a prescription for the meds that she needs to take and it can be filled at a pharmacy of her choice. The insurance pays for someone to come to the house to do the physical therapy and she'll probably have follow up appointments with a doctor from the rehab.
I convinced her to change her insurance back to the one she had before so that she can go back to the doctor that she used to see before she quit going. The other insurance was better and more doctors took it. And I like the way the old doctor's office was. They had many specialists in their group, so you only had to go to the one office. It was basically one stop shopping. I just hope that she has learned her lesson with this experience and will start going to the doctor again and continue taking her meds and doing her physical therapy.
Have you taken any measures to try to make the situation easier for you both at home?
Have you taken any measures to try to make the situation easier for you both at home?
I have been trying to cull some crap, but that is a slow process. It would be really helpful if our carport was closed in, then I could take the excess crap and store it out there.
Anyway, QoH is now scheduled to go home on Monday. The case worker is supposed to order a hospital bed for QoH's bedroom and he's trying to get expedited delivery for Friday. This morning I disassembled QoH's queen size bed and put the mattress & base in the carport. The headboard & footboard I left in her room. The side rails & support pieces I put in the basement. It was really fun trying to maneuver that big ass memory foam mattress out of her room, down stairs, and outside. /sarcasm :/
It was really fun trying to maneuver that big ass memory foam mattress out of her room, down stairs, and outside. /sarcasm :/
I hope you didn't pull a muscle.
When I had to move my old mattresses from my bedroom to downstairs I rolled them up first and tied them up with these flat fastening bands. Made a lot of difference I feel.
I've started putting the exercise bike back together today. My back no longer hurts so I felt it was time.
I hope you didn't pull a muscle.
I didn't. It was a pain in the ass because of the tight space in the hallway and the tight turns.
I rolled them up first and tied them up with these flat fastening bands.
Unfortunately I didn't have any of those.
I've started putting the exercise bike back together today.
It's been a while since I've had a good exercise session. I've been too busy with QoH.
Anyway, the PT got her to stand up twice from the bed with the help of a walker and him giving a bit of a lift assist. I think her main problem is she's afraid of falling, so she's reluctant to try. She wanted to refuse the therapy again when he got here, but I convinced her that it's important to do it. At least they are supposed to continue with the therapy at home when she is discharged from the rehab.
At least they are supposed to continue with the therapy at home when she is discharged from the rehab.
So they do home visits? That's a little surprising to me in this day and age. But I guess it's necessary.
but I convinced her that it's important to do it.
Let's hope she will stay that reasonable/obedient when she's home. :)
Yes, amazingly. I think it became a lot more common after the covid crap, and I guess it's a lot cheaper for the insurance company.
Let's hope she will stay that reasonable/obedient when she's home. :)
Yes, I definitely hope so. Her being agreeable is a nice change of pace.
I guess it's a lot cheaper for the insurance company.
How is it cheaper? Aren't home visits usually more expensive?
How is it cheaper? Aren't home visits usually more expensive?
It's cheaper than her staying in the rehab (skilled nursing facility).
Anyway, I texted my cousin to see if he is available to help me out with QoH on Monday. He is. Just in case I need a hand with getting her upstairs or with the hospital bed if the delivery person doesn't take it upstairs to QoH's bedroom.
to QoH's bedroom
Why not move the bedroom downstairs?
Why not move the bedroom downstairs?
The bathrooms are upstairs and there's too much stuff downstairs. QoH isn't going to let me get rid of anything.
Well, it's Monday, I guess. Did she make it home? How did it all turn out?
They never delivered the hospital bed
Will it still be delivered at some point?
Then I got her the bed pan so she could pee then changed her diaper.
Blech... that's going to be a daily thing now for you, isn't it? Is it just a diaper for urine or for feces as well? Can she wash herself?
I remember changing my nephews' diapers when they were babies. It wasn't too bad but, man, all that poop...
Will it still be delivered at some point?
I have no idea. Allegedly the company that provides the bed is waiting for the insurance company to approve it. I'll probably have to call the insurance to find out if they are going to approve it.
that's going to be a daily thing now for you, isn't it?
Yes. It would be so much easier if she had the hospital bed. It's not fun but it's not that difficult to do. And yes, the poop is the worst.😝
Anyway, I took her prescriptions to the pharmacy this morning to be filled. They are supposed to be ready after 3pm. I also have an appointment with the satellite dish company to come out today to swap out the receivers for new ones. The old ones are obsolete and the company is replacing them at no charge. Someone is supposed to come out between 1pm & 2:15pm. Hopefully that doesn't take too long. The pharmacy closes at 7pm and QoH needs her meds.
Then I have to call the home physical therapist to do an evaluation. He called yesterday & today but I have too much going on to call him right now.
And yes, the poop is the worst.
Do you have to wipe her butt for her as well? From my babysitting days I remember the poop just going all over the (private) place.
Might as well just hose her down. ;P
How is QoH enjoying being home again BTW?
She's very happy & thankful to be home. She's been acting civil so far.
Okay, sounds good.
Well today she needed the hose down. I knew it was a matter of time before she needed to 💩 and today was the day. And it happened dramatically while I was out grocery shopping. When I got home she had a massive amount of diarrhea that escaped the diaper and got onto the pad underneath. I cleaned up that mess and put a new diaper & pad and then a few minutes later she 💩 that one! Then I had to change & clean her again. 😩
Anyhoo, today she had 3 different people visit her for evaluations: an occupational therapist, a nurse, and a physical therapist. The nurse was a very gregarious gay man from Cuba. I think QoH liked him. He approved her for all the therapies that she might need.
Hopefully the PT will get her walking soon. He said that elderly people lose a lot of strength when they are in the hospital, but he thinks that she'll be able to regain her previous strength and mobility.
she had a massive amount of diarrhea
Why diarrhea? Is she sick? Also, why so much of it? Is she eating too much again?
he thinks that she'll be able to regain her previous strength and mobility.
She'll need to do a fair mount of exercise for that.
Why diarrhea? Is she sick?
I have no idea. She hasn't been eating much. She complains about feeling nauseous every day. IDK if it's because of the medications that she's on or something else.
She'll need to do a fair mount of exercise for that.
Yep. She's very lazy, though. And she uses the nausea as an excuse to not do anything. If it was me I'd be going nuts if I was confined to bed for this long.
She hasn't been eating much.
Is she getting enough fiber?
IDK if it's because of the medications that she's on or something else.
Have you asked her doctor/therapist?
Is she getting enough fiber?
Probably not.
Have you asked her doctor/therapist?
No, but she skipped taking the meds today and didn't have the nausea. She also managed to eat a little more.
In other news, I'm starting to see some progress in culling the crap. I've been trying to throw away a little each day. I also trimmed a bunch of stuff in the back yard today, too.
she skipped taking the meds today
What are those meds for?
I've been trying to throw away a little each day.
How much is there left? Like, could it all fit into a shipping container for instance?
What are those meds for?
Blood sugar, blood pressure, blood thinner, & anxiety. It all seems unnecessary since her sugar & BP aren't very high. She continues to lose weight and like the Dr told her, that's the key to all her problems.
How much is there left? Like, could it all fit into a shipping container for instance?
I'm about halfway through the paperwork. The furniture and catering stuff would probably fit in a shipping container (depending on the size). The dining room already looks much better.
I'm trying to clear a space in the basement so that I can put the 18 containers of linen that's in the living room and dining room down there. I'll probably have to donate more stuff to Salvation Army for that to happen.
It all seems unnecessary since her sugar & BP aren't very high.
What's her blood sugar level? How often do you measure it?
She continues to lose weight and like the Dr told her, that's the key to all her problems.
I guess diarrhea does help with losing weight.
18 containers of linen
I hesitate to ask but why does she have 18 containers of linen?
What's her blood sugar level? How often do you measure it?
She doesn't measure it at home. Every time anyone checked it in the hospital or the rehabs it was always normal.
I hesitate to ask but why does she have 18 containers of linen?
Because she always has to have a ridiculous amount of everything. She acquired all of that when we were still doing catering. She used it for buffets and house parties.
A PT is supposed to come to the house on Tuesday. QoH was pissed when she found out that I scheduled that and wanted me to cancel(said she's not ready) and said that she doesn't want me making appointments for her. I didn't cancel. She needs to do PT. If I wait for her to "be ready" it will never happen and she'll stay in bed like an invalid for the rest of her life. She accused me of being the reason she was in the hospital and rehabs (instead of her poor choices which caused her health to deteriorate to the point of needing to go to the hospital). It really pisses me off how she never takes responsibility for her own actions, but that's par for the course for a narcissist.
It really pisses me off how she never takes responsibility for her own actions
Did she not do that in rehab either? Or was she different there?
How did the PT go?
Did she not do that in rehab either? Or was she different there?
At the first rehab, the therapists were more forceful when she was well enough to do the PT. Unfortunately she only did PT for the last 7 days that she was there. In the second facility whenever PT or OT would come she would say that she was too sick and they wouldn't make her do anything. The only time they did is if I happened to be there when they came, then I would coax her into doing it. I think she just liked to lie there and feel sorry for herself and blame me for her being there.
How did the PT go?
The physical therapist got her to do some leg exercises for about a half hour while she was lying in bed. Then the occupational therapist came and got her to do some arm exercises. She stayed about 20 minutes because QoH was a bit resistant after having already done PT. Anyway, they both will be back out on Thursday, then probably Tuesday and Thursday of next week. The stupid insurance only approved 4 sessions. That's not nearly enough to get her walking again IMO.
That's not nearly enough to get her walking again IMO.
I guess she'll be staying in her bed for the rest of her life.
So, what are you doing for fun these days? :)
I guess she'll be staying in her bed for the rest of her life.
That's what I said. :/
So, what are you doing for fun these days? :)
Not much. I'm trying to coax Roxy out on Sunday so we can go to Wilton Market, but I doubt that will happen. My cousin wants to go to some sports bar called Geronimo's, but I told him that I don't feel comfortable leaving QoH by herself until she can get out of bed to use the bathroom on her own. Based on her behavior, if I wait for that to happen then I'll never be able to go out again. Other than that, the weather has turned nice so I've been trying to get some sun. I sat out in the backyard in my bikini top yesterday & today.
I really need to trim the trees in the yard, but that's kinda an involved job. The worst part is dragging out the big-ass heavy ladder. Then trying to get a good angle on the branches that need to be cut using the pole saw. That thing is very front heavy and my arms tire out quickly. Realistically I would only do one tree per day. The thought of having to keep dragging the ladder out is discouraging. :/
if I wait for that to happen then I'll never be able to go out again.
Maybe you can get her a babysitter? :)
I sat out in the backyard in my bikini top yesterday & today.
You still get that much sunshine? Over here it's nice weather for taking a walk (which I did) but it's to cold to sit around without a jacket on or something.
Maybe you can get her a babysitter? :)
I wish I could. She doesn't want anyone in the house. She's so paranoid about that.
I ended up cancelling her PT & OT today. She would have been uncooperative anyway. Both therapists were female and she's particularly hostile with females. The PT asked if I wanted to reschedule and I told her that QoH doesn't want to continue with the therapy. She said she'd let the agency know.
You still get that much sunshine?
Yes. It still stays daylight until 7pm (until we have to change the clocks back :/ ) This time of year is perfect for getting some sun. The humidity is low and it's not too hot. Today and the rest of the week it's going to be 84 or 85 degrees.
I ended up dragging the big-ass ladder out today and cut one branch on one of the black olive trees. I actually need to use the bigger of the 2 extension ladders that we have. I couldn't get high enough to cut the branches that need to be cut. I really need a cherry picker, but those cost nearly $300 per day to rent. I'll just have to get creative with the ladders. :/
she's particularly hostile with females.
Any idea why that is? Is it just female doctors or women in general?
I'll just have to get creative with the ladders
Why not get rid of the trees?
Any idea why that is? Is it just female doctors or women in general?
I have no idea. She seems to not like females in general.
Why not get rid of the trees?
They look nice and they provide a lot of shade which keeps the house & property from getting too hot during the summer.
Today I cut down a couple of branches from the avocado tree in the back yard. They were getting too high and close to the power lines and telephone lines that run through the back of everyone's yard. Unfortunately the highest one tumbled over the fence and into the neighbor's yard. I'm not sure if I'll jump the fence to retrieve it or just leave it for their lawn service to get.
I was wondering, you said:
I don't feel comfortable leaving QoH by herself until she can get out of bed to use the bathroom on her own.
but you have to leave her on her own regularly to do the shopping, right?
but you have to leave her on her own regularly to do the shopping, right?
For about an hour once per week. I don't feel comfortable leaving her alone for longer.
I don't feel comfortable leaving her alone for longer.
Is that really a thing you can realistically do for maybe years?
Is that really a thing you can realistically do for maybe years?
I doubt it. I'm hoping this is only going to be a short term thing and that she'll eventually get tired of laying in bed and make an effort to be mobile again. And who knows how much longer she'll live. Since she's not taking her meds it's possible that she could get another blood clot that could kill her. Or the AFIB could get her. She has lost a lot of weight, but she's still probably 50 or 60 pounds overweight and that is not good for longevity.
that is not good for longevity
It could make her situation worse. She might get a blood clot that damages her brain but leaves her alive. Not fun.
She might get a blood clot that damages her brain but leaves her alive. Not fun.
It would be par for the course. Being dramatic and taking a long time to do very little is her style. Of course she couldn't just suddenly drop dead like my dad did. :/
So what does your day look like these days?
So what does your day look like these days?
I mostly stay at home all day. Sometimes I go to the Aldi or Walmart or to the post office to mail bills. Two or three times per day I have to bring the bed pan to QoH so she can pee or poo. She doesn't eat much, so I don't spend much time preparing meals. Unfortunately I tend to eat or snack out of boredom, so I'm gaining a little weight. I'm going to have to cut out all the carbs that have slowly crept back in to my diet. At least now that QoH is home I have plenty of time to lift weights & work out.
At least now that QoH is home I have plenty of time to lift weights & work out.
Yeah, you're going to be the fittest looking person in Florida. :)
What about movies? Seen any good ones lately?
Yeah, you're going to be the fittest looking person in Florida. :)
Maybe. It was easier to stay in shape when I was working because I burned a lot of calories from all the walking that I did.
What about movies? Seen any good ones lately?
None that I can recall. I have been watching the new season of American Horror Story. Someone commented about it on the Wilton Manors fb page and I decided to check it out. I had stopped watching that series because it got too gory for my tastes. This season seems to be more suspenseful and there's hardly any gore so far. I am enjoying it and look forward to new episodes.
It was easier to stay in shape when I was working because I burned a lot of calories from all the walking that I did.
Maybe you can get yourself a cheap treadmill somewhere?
Someone commented about it on the Wilton Manors fb page
You've mentioned Wilton Manors before IIRC. Are you still interested in working or living there?
Maybe you can get yourself a cheap treadmill somewhere?
I have one. And it was super cheap since it was free. 😜 Someone from the apartments across the street from my sister's apartment had thrown it out in the garbage pile by the street. 😎
Are you still interested in working or living there?
Yes. It's a nice area and near all the restaurants and breweries that I like. I was looking into buying an apartment as an investment, but anything nice is too expensive. At least it seems we are past the peak of insane real estate prices. The prices have come down a bit, but are still too high for my liking.
I have one.
Cool. Do you use it to exercise with?
The prices have come down a bit, but are still too high for my liking.
Are you considering any alternatives?
Cool. Do you use it to exercise with?
Sometimes. I had started to use it regularly just before QoH got sick. Then with everything I had to deal with, I stopped using it because I didn't have the energy. I used the exercise bike yesterday and today, though.
Are you considering any alternatives?
I had looked at some places in Oakland Park which is next to Wilton, but they are getting too expensive as well now that it's getting gentrified. I didn't want to deal with condos, but that might be the most affordable option if I want to get anything in that area.
I used the exercise bike yesterday and today, though.
Do you have preference? Do you like the bike better or the treadmill? I prefer walking over cycling.
but they are getting too expensive as well now that it's getting gentrified.
Well, Florida is a large area. Lots of other places to consider, I expect.
Do you have preference? Do you like the bike better or the treadmill?
I think I can get a better workout with the bike since I can adjust the resistance. My legs, ass, and lower back were a little sore this morning from using it for the past 2 days. I mowed the yard today, so I did plenty of walking and got more than enough exercise for the day.
Florida is a large area. Lots of other places to consider, I expect.
Sure, there are other places in the state where there are affordable properties, but for now I'd like to have something close that wouldn't be a problem to check on if I bought it. I'm not in a position to be able to drive across the state to check on a property at the moment.
got more than enough exercise for the day.
Do you still use the leg weights? I was looking through some of the pics you've sent me over the years and one of them is of your sturdy legs with the leg weights on them. :)
I'm not in a position to be able to drive across the state to check on a property at the moment.
I'm a little struck by the similarity between what is currently your life and what is my life. You made significant progress over the years and now here is QoH dragging you down again (with some help of COVID, of course).
Do you still use the leg weights?
Yes, occasionally. I used them a couple of days ago.
You made significant progress over the years and now here is QoH dragging you down again (with some help of COVID, of course).
Yes, that was a perfect storm of events. First covid(that put me out of work), then my dad died, then QoH being in the hospital & rehabs for 2 months, now she's acting like an invalid. It is infuriating. Just when I had a little bit of freedom and feeling a bit like a functional adult, then all that happened and I'm back to being stuck to the ball and chain.
she's acting like an invalid
She actually is still an invalid, isn't she?
I'm back to being stuck to the ball and chain.
Might as well accept it. ;P
She actually is still an invalid, isn't she?
She's choosing to be one. She refuses to get out of bed even though she's capable of doing so. If she would just practice getting out of bed and standing for a bit, she'd get her strength back. She'd rather just stay in bed and let her muscles atrophy from lack of use. I just don't understand the logic (or illogic as it were). 😡
Might as well accept it. ;P
I guess I have somewhat. :/
In other news, the stupid late season hurricane has finally cleared out. It rained here all day yesterday. There was a little bit of damage to 2 piers up in northern Broward county due to the rough surf. I think there was damage all the way up the eastern coast of Florida at the beaches. I'm glad that we in Dade county once again escaped any damage. It's kinda nice outside at the moment, but still a little windy.
I watched the 2 episodes of American Horror Story that I recorded last night. There's only 2 episodes left. I'm looking forward to seeing how they wrap it up.
I just don't understand the logic (or illogic as it were).
Her bed is literally and figuratively her comfort zone. ;P
It's kinda nice outside at the moment, but still a little windy.
We've got no hurricanes over here, yet. Just a nice chilly morning, perfect for taking a walk, getting some fresh air. It has been ridiculously warm for this time of year.
Just a nice chilly morning, perfect for taking a walk, getting some fresh air.
Must be nice. There was a meme circulating on fb about those of us in Florida wanting some cool air so it would feel like Autumn, but the best mother nature could do was a hurricane. :/
It has been ridiculously warm for this time of year.
Same here. I'm really tired of the heat and mosquitos.
Must be nice.
Oh, it is. It. is. ;P
Well, I bought myself a comic book. First one in over a year, I think. Good old Batman. It's still fun. :)
Well, I bought myself a comic book.
Might as well do something that you enjoy. :)
I did a few minutes on the exercise bike today. I think that's 3 days in a row. I'm terribly out of shape. I'm going to have to keep doing it every day to build up my stamina. It's amazing how fat and out of shape I've gotten in just a year. I managed to stay my ideal weight during the covid crap, but after I got let go after returning to work it all went downhill from there. I need to lose 10 pounds, but the weight isn't budging. I'm pretty sure it's because of my hormones being whacked out from perimenopause. :/
It's amazing how fat and out of shape I've gotten in just a year.
Do you think that that is from not exercising or from taking in extra calories?
I'm pretty sure it's because of my hormones being whacked out from perimenopause.
Not much you can do about that, right?
Do you think that that is from not exercising or from taking in extra calories?
Both. I was managing to stay fairly fit until my dad died. Then with all that I had to deal with, working out went on the back burner. Then with QoH being sick this year, I got kinda lazy and let refined carbs sneak back into my diet. And I didn't feel like exercising or cooking when I was having to go visit her every day for over 2 months while she was in & out of the hospital & rehabs.
Not much you can do about that, right?
No. I can't control the hormone fluctuations. The best I can do is try to eat more protein, cut out the junk food and bread, and continue to take my supplements. And lifting weights and building muscle is supposed to help burn calories.
So is it getting terribly cold where you live or is it still pleasant? One of my Canadian friends said it is already -20C where she lives in Alberta. D:
So is it getting terribly cold where you live or is it still pleasant?
It's still nice and chilly. Like my dad sometimes says:"it's the best weather in the world!" :)
Also, I had a nice walk today.
Oh, I made a rice and beans dish today. It was eatable but a bit lacking in taste and texture. :/
It's still nice and chilly.
That's good. I'm still waiting for it to get chilly here. There's supposed to be a cold front this week, but unfortunately it will be stalling north of the lake and we won't be getting any here. 😬
I had a nice walk today.
That's one of the things that I miss about work. Since it was downtown, it was within walking distance to a restaurant that I liked. And since where I worked was next to the New River, you could walk to it down the Riverwalk.
I made a rice and beans dish today.
What sort? Like Spanish style or something else? Beans and rice is very popular in Latin American countries, but the recipes vary by country. You definitely need the correct spices to get it right or it could turn out bland.
Since it was downtown, it was within walking distance to a restaurant that I liked.
Not a lot of things are within walking distance from you house, I guess?
Like Spanish style or something else?
No particular style. I just used what I happened to have in the house, which was very little. Just brown beans, rice and veggies. Plus some nasi spice powder and a little pasata I usually put into the bean soup and the pasta. I had to improvise.
Not a lot of things are within walking distance from you house, I guess?
Nothing good is within walking distance. :/
No particular style. I just used what I happened to have in the house
I like Cuban style black beans and rice. I've made them from scratch before, but is easier to just buy a can of them. I usually get the Kirby brand which is nicely seasoned. I've also bought the Aldi brand which wasn't bad. Red beans and rice is also good. That's more of a Cajun thing, though.
I made a delicious brisket the other night. It came out nice and tender. And I cooked a spaghetti squash to go with it. ☺
but is easier to just buy a can of them.
A can of beans and rice? Just a whole meal ready made? I'm not sure they have that here.
I cooked a spaghetti squash
I've never heard of spaghetti squash. Is it better than ordinary squash?
A can of beans and rice? Just a whole meal ready made?
It's just the beans. You have to provide your own rice.
I've never heard of spaghetti squash. Is it better than ordinary squash?
It depends on what you mean by ordinary. It's a hard squash like pumpkin, butternut, or acorn. It's yellow and oval. When you cook it and scoop out the insides, it kinda resembles spaghetti. It has a mild flavor. I usually season it with lots of butter and salt & pepper.
I bought 2 butternut squashes ahead of Thanksgiving, so I'll cook at least one of them. I bought an extra ham last Easter before the prices got crazy, so I'll be taking that out of the freezer to cook for Thanksgiving. I'll still make stuffing even though we're not having turkey.
to cook for Thanksgiving.
So I guess QoH is eating well? :)
So I guess QoH is eating well? :)
No, actually. She doesn't eat much any more. I make food for her and she usually just eats a few bites.
Anyway, I did 4 km on the stationary bike today. I'm trying to get on the bike every day and build up my minutes.
She doesn't eat much any more.
Is she still getting enough food in her then? What about vitamins etc.?
I'm trying to get on the bike every day and build up my minutes.
That's the way to do it, I'd say. Steadily build up muscle and endurance.
What is bike riding in Florida like? I kind of imagine it's less than safe. :)
Is she still getting enough food in her then? What about vitamins etc.?
IMO no. She must be using all the stored fat on her body. She just lays in bed all day every day and makes no attempts at getting up, so it's not like she's burning a lot of calories. I tried to get her to take some vitamins, but because she's very suspicious & paranoid, she won't take them (she thinks I'm trying to poison her with them).
What is bike riding in Florida like? I kind of imagine it's less than safe. :)
You would be correct. If you were suicidal it might be a good option. Over the past few years, bike lanes have been marked on most all the streets, but almost nobody uses them. A lot of people call them the suicide lanes. If you ride in the street with the cars it's only a matter of time before someone will run into you. People down here are horrible drivers and don't pay attention to where they are driving.
If you want to ride your bike, the safest option is to stay on the sidewalk which is legal here. There are no pedestrians, so it not like you will be sharing the sidewalk with anyone. Or you can ride at a park or along the beach. Hollywood Beach has a paved "boardwalk" which is very popular with bike riders. Fort Lauderdale beach has a very wide sidewalk area next to the beach that people can ride on.
she won't take them
What about fruit? Like a banana or something?
If you were suicidal it might be a good option.
Yeah... I just looked it up and apparently Florida is he state with the largest number of fatal bicycle accidents. Hm.
There are no pedestrians
So then why is there a sidewalk? Wait, why are there no pedestrians?
What about fruit? Like a banana or something?
She usually eats a banana and a pear each day.
So then why is there a sidewalk?
It's a classy place. 😜 Idk, it's kinda a standard thing.
Wait, why are there no pedestrians?
Everyone drives everywhere. And it's too hot to walk most of the time. When I worked in downtown FtL, you'd see people walking because there's limited parking down there, so you have to park in a garage and then walk to where you're going. But that's one of the few places where you see anyone walking.
Anyway, I did another 4 km on the bike today. ☺
it's too hot to walk most of the time
That's hard to believe.
I did another 4 km on the bike today.
In how much time?
That's hard to believe.
Why? It's hot & humid here for 8 months of the year.
In how much time?
10 minutes. I start out at a normal pace and then do the last quarter of a kilometer at a sprint. Then I'm gassed out lol.
Anyhoo, it is monsooning here ATM. The weather dude said we were at almost 4 inches of rain about an hour ago. At the rate that it's coming down, I think he could probably double that number. I think it's supposed to be raining until tomorrow morning. :/
It's supposed to be dry but hot for Thanksgiving, then a "cold" front will come through and it will be somewhat cool on Sunday. I'd like to get a decent cold front so I can have an opportunity to wear the boots that I bought last year.
It's hot & humid here for 8 months of the year.
That's true for a lot of places on this planet and people still walk around there.
so I can have an opportunity to wear the boots that I bought last year
I guess that would be nice. Have you not worn them yet?
That's true for a lot of places on this planet and people still walk around there.
Well good for them! I prefer to stay in AC and not walk around. 😜
Have you not worn them yet?
No, I haven't. It's not like I ever go out anywhere where it would be appropriate to wear them. :/
I prefer to stay in AC and not walk around.
I see. So not having to walk around is considered a status symbol? A symbol of wealth? :)
It's not like I ever go out anywhere where it would be appropriate to wear them.
Surely you've been wearing them inside the house while wearing nothing else but a bikini? I mean, that's what I would do. ;P
So not having to walk around is considered a status symbol? A symbol of wealth? :)
No, because even poor people here drive cars. And the ones who don't take the air conditioned bus. Even the poor people don't want to sweat. 😜
Surely you've been wearing them inside the house while wearing nothing else but a bikini? I mean, that's what I would do. ;P
Well if you ever get some tall boots you're going to have to send me a pic of that ensemble. 😂😜
Today when I went out to my car to go to the store, the damned thing wouldn't start. It had enough battery juice to open the door and for the radio & dome lights, but not enough to get it started. It just made the dreaded clicking noise. I called AAA to get a jump start and I intended to just buy a battery from them, but the guy quoted me $216 (which is insane). He didn't have my size battery with him, so while he was calling someone to bring one, I looked up how much they charged at Sam's club ($129). I told the AAA guy to forget it, I'd be going to Sam's club (I was going there anyway for a few items). At least Sam's is usually the cheapest & they install it for free. And they actually had my size battery when I got there. ☺
Anyway, the rest of the store was packed since it's 2 days before Thanksgiving. I was going to go to Aldi as well, but the way every store was crowded I decided to skip it.
I'm not cooking a turkey. I decided on ham. And since I bought an extra one around Easter and froze it, I didn't have to pay the obscene amount that they were charging this year. The only thing I actually have to cook from a recipe is the stuffing. Everything else(sweet potatoes, butternut squash, green beans) can be nuked in the microwave. I'll just have to use the oven to heat up the ham and stuffing.
I'd be going to Sam's club
How did you get there? Did you walk?
And they actually had my size battery when I got there.
So you have 2 batteries now? I guess a spare is handy.
I decided on ham.
I wonder if this is the year when you can actually eat most of it yourself. :)
How did you get there? Did you walk?
No. The AAA guy had jump started the car and it had enough juice when I restarted it so I just drove to Sam's immediately.
So you have 2 batteries now? I guess a spare is handy.
No. They take the old one to recycle it or dispose of it properly whenever you come in to buy a new one. I think it might be some kind of law.
I wonder if this is the year when you can actually eat most of it yourself. :)
There's over 8 pounds of ham so I'm glad that I'll have some help eating it. 😜
There's over 8 pounds of ham
Geesh, how big was that pig? :o
Happy Thanksgiving BTW. )
Happy Thanksgiving BTW. )
Thanks!
Roxy and her mom were supposed to go to her sister's house. She doesn't get along with her sister. She told me that a customer tipped her with THC edibles last night at the hockey game, so she's prepared to deal with her sister today lol. Also she'd be taking the dog for very long walks while she's there. I guess I'm lucky that I don't have to deal with a bunch of people on holidays. Just dealing with QoH is bad enough (even though she's been fairly behaved recently).
a customer tipped her with THC edibles
Well lets hope they're not spiked with anything nasty.
even though she's been fairly behaved recently
How was Thanksgiving then?
Well lets hope they're not spiked with anything nasty.
I don't understand her trusting drugs from a random person when she claims to only buy from the dispensary or The Green Baker. You never know what could be in it otherwise.
How was Thanksgiving then?
Uneventful. I cooked the food on Tuesday and Wednesday so it was all ready to go on Thursday. Everything came out delicious. QoH has been eating it without complaint. ☺
QoH has been eating it without complaint.
Something to give thanks for, I suppose. :)
Something to give thanks for, I suppose. :)
Yes, lol.
In other news, I have free HBO & Cinemax for the long weekend. I already recorded the House of the Dragon marathon (season 1, 10 episodes) and a couple of movies. One of the movies was Cold Pursuit with Liam Neeson. It seems like all his movies are just variations of Taken lol. This one was fairly entertaining even though it was predictable. I also recorded Dear Evan Hanson which was based off the musical. That played at work, but since I never saw it, I was willing to see what it was like. It was awful and 3 hours long. I think I made it through 30 minutes and couldn't take any more, so I deleted it. I'm not a fan of musicals to begin with, but I don't know how that awful thing was as popular as it was. :/
I watched The Batman with the sparkly vampire dude last night. It wasn't too bad, but it was almost 3 hours (could've used some more editing) and kinda slow paced. It wasn't cartoonish like other Batman movies which was different but not terrible.
I already recorded the House of the Dragon marathon
I assume you like that show then?
I watched The Batman with the sparkly vampire dude last night.
I've seen that as well. I thought it was pretty good. I didn't even notice the length of the movie.
It wasn't cartoonish like other Batman movies
You really think Nolan's Batman movies are cartoonish?
I assume you like that show then?
I only watched the first episode so far, so I can't say if I like it or not.
You really think Nolan's Batman movies are cartoonish?
As you know, I'm not a huge fan of superhero and comics movies, so I haven't seen every Batman movie that ever came out. I'm remembering the older ones from when I was younger. This version was definitely more realistic.
I'm remembering the older ones from when I was younger.
Oh, sure, those were definitely cartoonish in style. I thought you'd seen at least The Dark Knight, with Heath Ledger amongst other actors.
I've bought a copy of the 2nd season of Star Trek: Picard. So I'm watching that now.
I thought you'd seen at least The Dark Knight
I don't think I've seen any of the newer ones other than the one I just watched. The only comic book movies that I've really enjoyed have been the Deadpool movies.
I've bought a copy of the 2nd season of Star Trek: Picard. So I'm watching that now.
Do you have the first season as well? Do you buy many movies?
I am working my way through House of the Dragon. I think I'm up to the 8th episode. It's not terrible, just kinda meh.
I also recorded Hellraiser: Hellseeker and The Grand Budapest Hotel so I'll have a couple more movies to watch when I get bored.
The only comic book movies that I've really enjoyed have been the Deadpool movies.
Well, those are pretty good. I'm looking forward the next one which is supposed to have Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine in it.
Do you have the first season as well? Do you buy many movies?
Yeah, I have the first season as well. I rarely buy movies (I rarely buy anything). I do try to buy movies or tv shows that I can re-watch a lot (though I rarely watch TV).
I also recorded Hellraiser: Hellseeker
I don't think I've ever seen that one. Now and again I re-watch the first 2 and maybe the 3rd on youtube, if I can find it there. Hm. Maybe I should finally get round to making that puzzle box. :)
I'm looking forward the next one which is supposed to have Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine in it.
Yes, me too. ☺
I don't think I've ever seen that one.
There have been a few that were made after the first two. I think last Halloween there was a film festival at a theater in Fort Lauderdale (that is an old church that was converted to a movie theater) which was showing Hellraiser 1 & 2. I really wanted to go, but alas, I didn't because I had no one to go with me. :/
I didn't because I had no one to go with me
I can't believe that stopped you. Seems out of character. :)
I can't believe that stopped you. Seems out of character. :)
Not really. Stuff like that I prefer to do with someone. I feel awkward going by myself when most everyone else is coupled up.
I feel awkward going by myself when most everyone else is coupled up.
What do you find awkward about it?
What do you find awkward about it?
I feel alone in a crowd of people. It's more fun to go with someone.
Anyway, I'm almost done with House of the Dragon. I was trying to watch the last 2 episodes, but my stupid DVR is f'ing up and doesn't want to play episode 9. It wants to keep skipping to episode 10. I guess I'm going to have to troubleshoot on my own. :/
And I watched Hellraiser: Hellseeker which was awful and not worthy of the first 2 in the franchise. What a piece of crap! Definitely don't recommend.
I feel alone in a crowd of people.
You don't seem to have trouble connecting to people though. At least not when doing your catering job. Or when you go shopping or something.
What a piece of crap! Definitely don't recommend.
Okay. I don't necessarily dislike bad movies though. :)
You don't seem to have trouble connecting to people though.
I don't have anxiety like I used to and I guess I'm less introverted as well, but I still prefer doing fun things with with a friend rather than by myself. Grocery shopping, however, I prefer doing by myself lol.
Okay. I don't necessarily dislike bad movies though. :)
The guy who plays "Mayhem" in the insurance commercials is in it. It doesn't really get watchable until the last 15 or 20 minutes when Pinhead comes for him. ☺
I still prefer doing fun things with with a friend rather than by myself.
So you're using a friend as a kind of security blanket?
The guy who plays "Mayhem" in the insurance commercials is in it.
I've never seen those but I think his name is Dean Winters? I've checked out some pieces of the movie on Youtube and it doesn't seem to be much of a Hellraiser movie. Like they wrote a different movie and then decided to add the cenobites to it. IDK.
So you're using a friend as a kind of security blanket?
When I was younger and had really bad anxiety I did that. Now it's just more fun to have a friend along.
it doesn't seem to be much of a Hellraiser movie.
It's not. It was terrible. I kept fast forwarding through it to get it over with faster.
Now it's just more fun to have a friend along.
I'm sure it is but you also said I feel awkward going by myself when most everyone else is coupled up.
Seems to me like there is more going on. :)
Anyway, is Roxy still alive after taking that stuff from a stranger?
Anyway, is Roxy still alive after taking that stuff from a stranger?
Yes, I was texting with her earlier. She was eating her own edibles this time lol. It seems like everyone is into weed now. I personally can't stand the smell of the stuff. It makes me sick. IDK what an edible would be like. People say that you can still taste the weed. Sounds nasty. I'll stick to alcohol.
Speaking of nasty, QoH is back to being her miserable self. She has been keeping me up until the wee hours. I don't think I've gotten to sleep before 5am once this week. I feel like shit and QoH is doing it deliberately. :/
I'll stick to alcohol.
And I'll stick to.. ehm.. cheese, I think... Yes, cheeeeeeeezzzzz... ;P
QoH is back to being her miserable self
Yay? I mean, is that a good sign or a bad one? :o
She has been keeping me up until the wee hours.
So what does she do?
And I'll stick to.. ehm.. cheese, I think... Yes, cheeeeeeeezzzzz... ;P
LOL I like a good cheese as well. I bought a few interesting ones from Aldi a couple of weeks ago. Two were goat cheese: an everything bagel seasoning one and a cherry one. The cherry was especially good. And also a Transylvanian salt cave cheese. That one tasted like parmesan. I bought 2 flavors of that one; a plain and one that was soaked in red wine. Both were good. :)
Yay? I mean, is that a good sign or a bad one? :o
No, it's a bad thing. She's back to name-calling and staying up all night.
So what does she do?
She stays up all night and yells for me every 2 or 3 hours wanting the bed pan so she can pee/poo, fix her TV, or bring her tea/milk/food. I don't get any sleep because it takes me forever to fall asleep then if I do and she wakes me up, it takes me at least 2 hours to fall back asleep. Then the past few days my ovaries have been painful, so it's hard to sleep with that nagging pain. Last night it was really bad. It felt like my right ovary was going to explode from about 3am to 4:30am. I was concerned that I might need to go to the hospital. :/ Thankfully it stopped hurting on its own. QoH was yelling for me at 8:30pm, 11pm, 1am, 4am, & 4:30am. I maybe fell asleep after 6am then QoH woke me up at 9:30am. 😡😡😡
the past few days my ovaries have been painful
Is that period related or random? Sounds bad either way.
QoH was yelling for me at 8:30pm, 11pm, 1am, 4am, & 4:30am.
Does she not sleep at all at night?
Is that period related or random? Sounds bad either way.
It's ovulation related. I've had them be achey before, but this time it was excruciatingly painful.
Does she not sleep at all at night?
No, she does not.
I couldn't get to sleep once again last night so I took a sleeping pill. That barely worked. I really hate taking those because I don't get good sleep with it. I don't feel rested and I get up feeling wonky & drugged. Anyway, I ended up "sleeping" until almost 1pm. I got up feeling like shit and still feel like shit.
I had to run a few errands and then went to Aldi earlier. I was gone from the house for a while. Hopefully I'll feel worn out enough tonight to fall asleep naturally.
but this time it was excruciatingly painful.
Ah. Well, thank medical science for painkillers. :)
No, she does not.
She sleeps during the day then? She reversed her day/night cycle?
That barely worked.
Because you gave the sleeping pill to the wrong person. ;P
Hopefully I'll feel worn out enough tonight to fall asleep naturally.
I don't know how it is for you but if I don't get enough sleep one night then I will sleep very well the next night. Lack of sleep will do that. Of course, I don't have a QoH working to wake me up at unearthly hours.
that was the case before she went into the hospital & rehabs
Before the rehab her cycle was reversed, during rehab it was normal and after it was reversed again? So she is able to sleep at night, under the right circumstances.
Okay. In order to get her to fall asleep at night I guess you'll have to make sure that she doesn't sleep during the day. Keep her awake?
during rehab it was normal and after it was reversed again?
I don't think it was normal when she was in the rehab. I would only go to visit for a few hours in the afternoon and she would nod off while I was there.
Keep her awake?
I know that that would be the logical thing to do, but it is nice when she's asleep and not bothering me during the day.
Anyway, she woke me up again last night after I had slept for maybe an hour. I got into a big fight with her about it. I couldn't get back to sleep afterwards so I took 2 benadryl. That knocked me out for at least 6 hours. Amazingly, QoH didn't wake me up during that time.
I got into a big fight with her about it.
But at least it's nice when she's not bothering you during the day. ;)
You can't go on taking pills. It's not good for you.
benadryl. That knocked me out
An anti-histamine that has drowsiness as a side effect. Has some bad long term effects. You probably shouldn't rely on them for getting some sleep.
You can't go on taking pills. It's not good for you.
I don't like taking them. I took benadryl twice this past week, so it's not like I'm taking them every night.
An anti-histamine that has drowsiness as a side effect.
The stupid thing about that is it's diphenhydramine HCL 25mg whether you buy it as allergy relief or as a sleep aid, but you can get 100 tablets packaged as allergy meds cheaper than you can get 24 packaged as a sleep aid. :/
Anyway last night I went to bed at 1am, QoH woke me up at 3am to tell me that the rodeo was on (I don't care about the rodeo!)but managed to get 6 hours uninterrupted sleep after that. I think I woke up at 8am feeling rested.
I cooked 2 slabs of ribs today and they came out very tender. I also made a guava barbecue sauce to go with it. Very yummy! 😋☺
I cooked 2 slabs of ribs today and they came out very tender.
I cooked some chicken thigh fillets and they also came out very tender. I poured some soy sauce over it. Also, very yummy. ;)
We had this with spinach-mashed potatoes BTW. :)
I woke at 8 am as well. I usually do because my clock alarm goes off at time time. It was 16.5 deg. Celsius in my bedroom. Chilly.
I cooked some chicken thigh fillets and they also came out very tender.
Sounds good! Chicken thigh fillets are also good for making bourbon chicken. 😋
We had this with spinach-mashed potatoes BTW. :)
I've never had that, but I do like both spinach and mashed potatoes.
It was 16.5 deg. Celsius in my bedroom. Chilly.
That seems uncomfortable. We are finally getting overnight temperatures below 70F degrees, but it's not cool enough for my liking. It's still going up to about 82F degrees during the day. :/
That seems uncomfortable.
It's fine until I get out of bed and put my bare feet on the cold linoleum floor. :|
It was even 2 degrees colder this morning. But at least it's not freezing inside, as it is outside.
I do kinda like the cold. It's much better than the summer heat.
I do kinda like the cold. It's much better than the summer heat.
Yes it is. :)
Well once again I got no sleep last night. I went to bed a little after midnight and it took me a while to fall asleep. QoH then woke me up at 2am. I couldn't get back to sleep to save my life since QoH kept turning up the volume on her TV too loud. I could still hear it with my door closed and my fan on full blast.
Then I got into a massive fight with her when she wanted to pee but wouldn't cooperate with me when I got the bed pan. She ended up getting out of bed but her legs were hurting her since she's not used to standing on them and got stuck. She wouldn't allow me to help her and she was just being ridiculous so I called the paramedics at 6:30am to come deal with her. They got her back in bed and after they left she decided to cooperate with me getting the bed pan under her.
She's such a fucking ridiculous bitch! I think I finally fell asleep around 8am and got maybe 3 hours of sleep. Needless to say I feel like absolute shit! 😡😡😡😡
Needless to say I feel like absolute shit!
Sorry to hear that. I guess it would help to take a nap?
It's a frustrating situation you're in. It seems like QoH has more control over your life than ever before (unless I'm overlooking something). I think it's good you called the paramedics.
She probably didn't like that. She needs to see visible consequences to her behavior.
Anyway, I *did* manage to get some sleep last night/this morning after QoH pulled her usual shit at 2:30am & 6:30am. I managed to get 5 solid hours and woke up at 11:30am.
And she didn't sleep all afternoon today. IIRC she slept a little past noon and has been up ever since. It's now 9:45pm. And she hasn't been too much of a pain in the ass today.
I managed to get 5 solid hours and woke up at 11:30am.
Great. It seems QoH is managing to change your sleeping hours though.
And she hasn't been too much of a pain in the ass today.
Maybe her sleeping habits change in cycles?
At least I got plenty of sleep and feel refreshed.
Nice. So what are you up to this weekend? :)
Nice. So what are you up to this weekend? :)
I'm probably going to finish up clearing the overgrowth in the back yard. I cut back some of the corn plants last week then cut those up today and put them in the wheelie bin. Yesterday I cut back a lot of the bougainvillea that was getting out of control. I'll probably go cut it up into smaller pieces tomorrow so it can go out with the next trash pickup. The temperature has been comfortable so it's much easier to work in the yard and get stuff done. And since QoH is bedridden, I can severely cut stuff back without her knowing or complaining. ☺
Yesterday I cut back a lot of the bougainvillea that was getting out of control.
That's actually a really nice looking plant. What colors do the flowers have? Pink?
That's actually a really nice looking plant. What colors do the flowers have? Pink?
Most are magenta and I think there's one with purple flowers. It's very pretty when it's in bloom, but it is technically a vine and can get out of control if it's not trimmed regularly. The lawn service that the people in back of us use never trim what grows on their side, so it can be problematic. And it's covered with really wicked thorns. I was wearing my flip flops when I was trimming it and one managed to penetrate straight through and went into my big toe. Hurt like a bastard! And I usually get scratched up any time I have to trim it no matter how careful I am. :/
And I usually get scratched up any time I have to trim it no matter how careful I am.
You should wear protective clothing. Or it is too warm for that maybe? One if the downsides of living that close to the equator, I suppose.
You need better gardening shoes though. :)
Or it is too warm for that maybe?
It's usually way too hot. And the thorns are so big and sharp that they pierce any clothing that I wear. The worst is getting hung up in it and carefully trying to extract myself so I don't get cut up.
You need better gardening shoes though. :)
I'd have to wear my military boots. Those damn thorns will go through most rubber soles.
Anyway, I ended up not working in the yard this weekend. It rained a little both Saturday & Sunday just enough to get everything wet and I hate working with wet plants.
There's supposed to be a "cold" front coming down this week in time for Christmas. I think it'll be 65F on Christmas day, so that will be nice. It makes it feel more seasonal when it's cold. ☺
Have you had any snow yet this season?
Have you had any snow yet this season?
Nah. We've had freezing temperatures and frost on the ground and roofs. No snow. In some places it was cold enough for water to freeze to a point that it could be skated on.
If we do get snow it will be in January, I think. I am not expecting a white Christmas.
We've had freezing temperatures and frost on the ground and roofs.
Close but no cigar LOL.
In some places it was cold enough for water to freeze to a point that it could be skated on.
I'd be afraid of falling through the ice. D: I haven't ice skated in ages. There used to be a couple of ice rinks not too far from where I live but both closed long ago. The nearest ones are almost 20 miles away IIRC. I think the Florida Panthers are supposed to have a rink that is open to the public when they finish building their new practice facility. That is supposed to be near my old workplace, but I'm not sure when that is going to be finished.
I am not expecting a white Christmas.
Me neither. ;P
I'd be afraid of falling through the ice.
That did happen to some people, yes.
I haven't ice skated in ages.
Me either. Not enough cold winters and my skates are MIA ATM.
the Florida Panthers
So I just looked this up and apparently Florida does actually have panthers. Have you ever seen one on the wild?
That did happen to some people, yes.
And that's why I'm leery of frozen lakes, ponds, canals, etc.
Not enough cold winters and my skates are MIA ATM.
I used to have a pair of hockey skates but I think they got damaged when we had a leak in the plumbing and I threw them away. I *did* find a really nice pair of figure skates in a thrift store some years ago. Those are in my closet collecting dust. :/
And on a whim I bought a pair of holographic quad roller skates on Saturday. They are supposed to be delivered on the 28th. :)
So I just looked this up and apparently Florida does actually have panthers.
Yes, but they are an endangered species and very rare. They are mostly in the Everglades & Big Cypress and even then a lot get killed by trucks.
Have you ever seen one on the wild?
No, I have not. The only large cat species that I've seen in the wild is a bobcat. My family was on vacation and we stopped at Spook Hill in Lake Wales. While we were playing with the spooks, a rabbit ran out of the woods being pursued by a bobcat. It was very memorable. QoH told me that she saw a black panther by the railroad tracks when she was a little girl walking to school. That may have been an animal that escaped from a traveling circus or some roadside attraction.
We also have wild monkeys up in Dania/Fort Lauderdale by the airport. I've seen them a few times. And years ago when you could just drive into Port Everglades by the FPL power plant you could see manatees, giant turtles, and all sorts of exotic looking fish in the cooling canal.
That may have been an animal that escaped from a traveling circus or some roadside attraction.
Or just a somewhat large black cat. :)
you could see manatees, giant turtles, and all sorts of exotic looking fish in the cooling canal
But not anymore?
But not anymore?
They had put up a very tall chain link fence by the canal many years ago to prevent people from feeding the manatees & fish. Then several years ago they demolished the power plant. The last time I went by there a couple of years ago, the fence and canal were still there. I'm not sure if the manatees and other sea creatures still go there. Then it hasn't been all access since after 9/11. They have guard gates at both port entrances and you have to show ID and have some kind of official business to go in there, either truck drivers who haul containers, port workers, or people going on cruises.
Well today I got around to cutting up the bougainvillea trimmings and putting them in the garbage bin. I didn't realize just how much there was. It's going to take a few garbage pickups to get it all. :/
It's going to take a few garbage pickups to get it all.
Can't you recycle it? Maybe use it as fertilizer?
Can't you recycle it? Maybe use it as fertilizer?
It has too many thorns.
Since QoH no longer leaves her bedroom, I'd like to start clearing out a lot of the ferns and random plants that are growing all over the yard. It's getting too jungle-y for my liking.
Well while the rest of the country is experiencing an insane snow storm, it is still hot down here. It's supposed to go down to 45F here on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. A friend of mine who lives in Canada just laughed when I said people down here think that is really cold. It was -33C last night where she lives. D:
It was -33C last night where she lives.
I heard about that. It was predicted that there would be this huge cold front over the US. They have freezing temperatures in Texas ATM. I guess you guys are lucky? Or would you have liked that kind of weather as well?
They have freezing temperatures in Texas ATM.
Yes. I have a friend in Dallas and it is right at 0°C ATM.
I guess you guys are lucky?
I am thankful to be living in South Florida. It is around 8°C here ATM. It's supposed to get a little colder overnight. At least I haven't had to put on the heat. I put the little space heater in my bathroom a while ago and cranked up the water heater to the hottest setting and had a nice hot shower and washed my hair. I looked like a cooked lobster when I came out, but it felt really good.
I think the only other place in the country that is escaping the snow storm is southern California. I have an Instagram friend who lives in San Bernardino and he said it was 74°F there (23°C) which is much warmer than here.
Merry Christmas, Xul! :)
It is around 8°C here ATM.
Okay. That's not warm. Time to put on some extra layers of clothing.
I think the only other place in the country that is escaping the snow storm is southern California.
You mean the area that has the hottest place on Earth during the summer is still warm in winter? Does your friend even know what snow is? ;)
Merry Christmas, Xul! :)
And a Merry Christmas to you, too, Arekini-san! 🎄🎅🎁😘
Time to put on some extra layers of clothing.
I was wearing a hoodie yesterday. It felt very cold in my bedroom this morning (16.5°C) so I broke down and exchanged my booty shorts for pajama pants. And I have the space heater running in my room at the moment because my room is always the coldest in the house.
You mean the area that has the hottest place on Earth during the summer is still warm in winter?
Yes. SoCal has beautiful weather year round. It doesn't get humid like here. Death Valley is hot like hell, but nobody lives out there. LA and San Diego have very nice weather. It's just unfortunate that the state is overrun with and run by lunatics. It really is a beautiful state.
Does your friend even know what snow is? ;)
Yes. He said 12 miles up the road from him it was snowing lol.
Well on a whim I ordered myself a pair of holographic quad roller skates for my Christmas present. They are supposed to be delivered on the 28th if they make it out of Los Angeles lol. We shall soon see if I retained my skating skillz or if I will bust my ass. ;P
He said 12 miles up the road from him it was snowing lol.
I did not see that coming. :)
We shall soon see if I retained my skating skillz or if I will bust my ass.
When did you last skate?
I did not see that coming. :)
I think 12 miles up the road it's a higher elevation. They have mountains unlike here.
When did you last skate?
Probably more than 20 years ago. I'm hoping it's like riding a bike and not a skill that you lose.
Well it was cold again today. We set a record for coldest Christmas since 1977. Today I actually got to wear those boots that I bought. I had to run some errands so I took the opportunity. The boots were actually pretty warm as they were lined, not like the usual Florida boots that are just for looks.
We set a record for coldest Christmas since 1977.
Wow. That's from before you were even born, right? What exactly were the temperatures then and yesterday? Didn't you have snow at some point?
Today I actually got to wear those boots that I bought.
It pays to be prepared. :)
Wow. That's from before you were even born, right?
I think I was a baby. 1 year old or less.
What exactly were the temperatures then and yesterday?
I don't remember what they said the previous low record was, but it got down to 45F for the past 3 days. That's unusual for December.
Didn't you have snow at some point?
There was snow back in 1977. My brother told me that he remembered the snow covering the field next to his school back then. We didn't have any snow this time.
It pays to be prepared. :)
Yep. And they looked very stylish, too! 😎
My brother told me that he remembered the snow covering the field next to his school back then.
If that's true then the ground temperature must have been below zero degrees Celsius or else the snow would have melted.
And they looked very stylish, too!
So what do you wear with that? A winter coat? A knit woolen shawl and cap?
So what do you wear with that?
A black leather bomber style jacket, skinny jeans, and one of my keffiyeh scarves (brown & black with skulls motif).
My roller skates were delivered today! And I didn't bust my ass! I'm definitely rusty, but I'm sure I can get back in top form in no time. ☺
And I didn't bust my ass!
Glad to hear it. :) Also, congratulations! :)
Where did you skate? Did you wear some protective gear?
I'm definitely rusty, but I'm sure I can get back in top form in no time.
Meh, the important thing is that you enjoy yourself.
Glad to hear it. :) Also, congratulations! :)
Thanks. ;)
Where did you skate?
Just in the house on the terrazzo. I didn't want to ruin the wheels outside.
Did you wear some protective gear?
No. I had faith in my abilities. ;P
Meh, the important thing is that you enjoy yourself.
Exactly! And I'm inspiring other women my age to buy some as well. I posted about it on Instagram and had 2 friends respond that they were also going to buy some skates because it's so much fun. :)
So, last day of the year. Do you have any plans?
So, last day of the year. Do you have any plans?
No. I'm just going to stay in and watch the fireworks on TV. I'm ready for this year to be over even though every year seems to be getting progressively worse. :/
I'm ready for this year to be over even though every year seems to be getting progressively worse.
Oh. come on. How bad can it really get? ;P
Happy New Year in advance BTW. I'll be sleeping in tomorrow. :)
Oh. come on. How bad can it really get? ;P
LOL It can always get worse than you can imagine. ;P
Happy New Year in advance BTW. I'll be sleeping in tomorrow. :)
Happy New Year, Arekino-san! I slept in as well. They went crazy around here with parties and fireworks so I didn't get to bed until 1am, then QoH woke me up at 4am needing to pee. 😩 I went back to bed and slept another 5 hours so I don't feel terrible.
They went crazy around here with parties and fireworks
Over here as well. It's like they'd been saving up fireworks for the past 2 years.
I went back to bed and slept another 5 hours so I don't feel terrible.
I went to sleep at about 00:15 h and woke up refreshed at 08:00 h. I don't usually wake up refreshed so I'm kinda puzzled by that. We're having the warmest Jan 1st ever BTW.
It's like they'd been saving up fireworks for the past 2 years.
It was worse here when Trump was in office. Everyone had more money to spend back then.
I don't usually wake up refreshed so I'm kinda puzzled by that.
Same here. It's been a while since I woke up refreshed. QoH woke me up from a dead sleep at around 4:30am this morning and then I couldn't get back to sleep for nothing. I laid there for almost 3 hours then decided to just get up.
We're having the warmest Jan 1st ever BTW.
Same here. The weather dude said it was the second hottest on record.
The weather dude said it was the second hottest on record.
And yet I seem to have caught a cold. How do I do these things? :/
Oh, well.
...Aaaand it's gone. :)
I even felt well enough to take my first walk of the year. Gotta get rid of those Xmas calories. :)
And yet I seem to have caught a cold. How do I do these things? :/
Tis one of life's mysteries. ;P
...Aaaand it's gone. :)
Well that's good! At least it didn't linger too long. :)
I even felt well enough to take my first walk of the year. Gotta get rid of those Xmas calories. :)
I'm trying to get back in shape as well. Not easy with QoH waking me up several times per night so I feel like shit all day. :/
Not easy with QoH waking me up several times per night so I feel like shit all day.
The logical conclusion seems to be that you should exercise at night. An added benefit is then that you get tired and will sleep tighter. ;P
The logical conclusion seems to be that you should exercise at night.
I usually work out in the afternoon. Yesterday I took a 2 hour nap. I didn't get much sleep because of QoH the night before so my body just decided it was shutting down at 6pm. I slept a little past 8pm.
Last night I took a benadryl before I hopped in the shower before bed. I think I was probably out by 1am and QoH didn't wake me up until after 7am, so I actually got 6 hours uninterrupted and feel mostly rested.
Because QoH is acting completely ridiculous and like she's a paraplegic, I often have to drag her back up higher in the bed because she has a habit of getting on the edge and too far towards the foot of the bed. She's still overweight, but I have no idea how much she weighs. Definitely more than me.
I dragged my barbell and weights up from the basement yesterday to see exactly how much I'm capable of lifting. I weigh 128 pounds so I put 125 on the bar to see if I could lift it. I got it about an inch off the floor lol. I then took 20 pounds off and easily lifted that. Then I put on another 10 and managed to lift that. I think that is my max at the moment. I tried it again a while later and my back refused lol. I went back down to 105 and could barely get it up so I decided to quit while I was ahead. In almost 30 years of catering I've had to do a lot of heavy carrying so I'm still pretty strong for my size. I'll just have to add the deadlift to my workout routine so I can get stronger in that area.
I tried it again a while later and my back refused lol.
I mean, you're laughing now but if you pull a muscle then that would make life 10 times as difficult for you. Please take care.
I mean, you're laughing now but if you pull a muscle then that would make life 10 times as difficult for you. Please take care.
You are the second person to scold me about this lol. I put the barbell and weights back in the basement. My lower back muscles aren't exactly sore, but I can definitely tell that they were activated.
Having to pick up QoH is much worse. Half the time when she asks for help, she then fights me and makes it more difficult. I was trying to clean her & put a fresh underpad under her a while ago and she wouldn't let me turn her so I could get it all the way under her. She used her legs to push herself hard into the bed. She's heavy enough and when she does shit like that it makes it impossible. I just walked away at that point. I don't need to injure myself for someone who is completely ungrateful for what I do.
You are the second person to scold me about this lol.
Who was the first?
I just walked away at that point.
Probably the best thing to do if she can't be reasoned with.
Who was the first?
One of my Canadian friends.
Probably the best thing to do if she can't be reasoned with.
I'm doing that more and more often. At this point I don't care if she screams and yells and calls me every name in the book. I have no patience for her bullshit.
One of my Canadian friends.
Must be a Dutch-Canadian. ;P
I have no patience for her bullshit.
Yeah. Her turn to be patient. :)
Must be a Dutch-Canadian. ;P
LOL No, half Finnish.
Yeah. Her turn to be patient. :)
As long as she chooses to stay stuck in the bed, I have the upper hand on a few things. ;)
Today I cooked a delicious Buddha's Delight. I had been craving some Chinese food for a while. Now I need to go to the Oriental store and buy some supplies because I used the last of my oyster sauce and I'm running low on a couple other items. I'll probably go next week.
LOL No, half Finnish.
Oh god no! Not the Finnish! ;P
(It's a joke because Finland often keeps the Netherlands from being at the top spot in statistics)
Today I cooked a delicious Buddha's Delight.
Apparently the specific ingredients used vary greatly both inside and outside Asia. So what's your recipe?
Oh god no! Not the Finnish! ;P
LOL
So what's your recipe?
I use bok choy, snow peas, carrots, mushrooms, water chestnuts, sliced bamboo shoots, and scallions. Then for the seasoning I use sesame oil, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
Did I tell you that I bought roller skates? I think I did. Now Roxy is looking into buying a pair. The ones that she likes are almost identical to the ones I got lol. And I talked to my cousin on the phone yesterday. Apparently he was a skating maven back in the day and he gave me some pointers.
Did I tell you that I bought roller skates? I think I did.
Yep.
Now Roxy is looking into buying a pair.
Do you think she'll buy a pair?
he gave me some pointers
What kind of pointers?
Do you think she'll buy a pair?
Yes. She was telling me that she used to have expensive K2 inline skates, but her mother gave them to her nephew (and she was pissed about that). She said she had the skates she wanted to buy in her cart (I think she was shopping on Amazon when I talked to her).
What kind of pointers?
I was telling him that the quads feel really different than the inlines. He said that you control quads with the front wheels whereas inlines you control from the back. I had kinda worked that out, but he confirmed that I was doing it right. He said to keep practicing and get a feel for them.
He said that you control quads with the front wheels whereas inlines you control from the back.
What kind of skates do you have? I assumed it's the nice type where you have like a boot with wheels underneath and a rubber stopper at the front?
I used to have skates as a kid but those were the cheap ones. Just a metal platform with leather straps, and wheels underneath, of course.
What kind of skates do you have? I assumed it's the nice type where you have like a boot with wheels underneath and a rubber stopper at the front?
That's what they are. The ones I got are silver holographic with sparkly teal laces and wheels and purple padding inside. They look cool, but they're not an expensive brand. They are more fashionable than anything although they seem to be really fast IMO.
I remember those metal kind. I think my mom found a pair in the thrift store for me when I was a kid. Then I upgraded to the boot kind (also from the thrift store lol).
They are more fashionable than anything although they seem to be really fast IMO.
They're not motorized are they? :)
Then I upgraded to the boot kind (also from the thrift store lol).
I'm not sure the boot kind were even available when I was a kid. Even if they were, they must have been very expensive in those days. And we were kinda poor.
They're not motorized are they? :)
No. They are powered by Xul. ;P
And we were kinda poor.
I guess we were, too. But when I look back on things, I think my parents could have done better at managing money. My dad was very unambitious and stayed in a crappy job because he was comfortable with it. If he had stayed in the elevator union like his brother he could have made twice as much money and we could have had a very good life.
They are powered by Xul.
Must be why they're so fast. :)
My dad was very unambitious
So you and QoH were the ambitious ones? Setting up a catering business and all?
Must be why they're so fast. :)
And the ball bearings in the wheels seem to be well greased.
So you and QoH were the ambitious ones?
Mainly QoH. She was the one who got all the catering gigs.
In other news, I had been wanting to go to the beach for a couple of weeks. The weather was pretty perfect for it today and I was determined to go, so I did. Unfortunately for me I forgot to bring my sunscreen so I didn't stay to long, maybe only a half hour.
Like I said, it was perfect. The water was a beautiful aqua color. I can't remember the last time I saw it that color, usually it's an ugly blue/gray color. The water was a little too cold for swimming, though, and it was partly cloudy so it wasn't too hot. I ended up walking barefoot in the sand by the water line for about 3 lifeguard shacks then turned around and walked back. It was really nice to get out and enjoy the nice weather and fresh air. The only problem was the amount of snowbirds that are down. Traffic was insane and I couldn't find a parking spot on Hallandale beach so I had to go up to the southern end of Hollywood beach which was actually nicer as far as the parking situation.
It was really nice to get out and enjoy the nice weather and fresh air.
Sounds pretty great. Personally I quite like the salty smell of the sea.
So it turns out father may suffer from Parkinson's. He went to to a doctor today (Friday the 13th BTW) and got this diagnosis. They still have to do more test apparently but looking over the symptoms described on the Wikipedia page, the diagnosis may very well be correct.
Personally I quite like the salty smell of the sea.
Me, too. I actually had that scent on me for a while after I got home.
So it turns out father may suffer from Parkinson's.
I'm sorry to hear that. That's not a nice disease to have (not that any are nice). Hopefully the doctors can prescribe meds that can control the usual symptoms.
I actually had that scent on me for a while after I got home.
Ha! Free perfume. :)
That's not a nice disease to have
The symptoms are still pretty mild. They're going to do an MRI to make sure, I guess. I think my father is still a bit in denial over it although he's been reading up on the condition.
Ha! Free perfume. :)
Like that episode of Seinfeld when Kramer tried to make the smell of the ocean into a cologne lol.
The symptoms are still pretty mild.
That's good. I've seen people who had progressed in the disease and it wasn't pretty. :/
Like that episode of Seinfeld when Kramer tried to make the smell of the ocean into a cologne lol.
Oh gosh, I probably haven't seen that show in 20 years. And even then I never watched all of the episodes. I can't believe you remember that scene. :)
and it wasn't pretty.
And the medication to lessen the symptoms can have serious side effects.
I can't believe you remember that scene. :)
I probably haven't watched it in 20 years also, but my brain remembers silly trivia like that lol.
And the medication to lessen the symptoms can have serious side effects.
Unfortunately, that seems to be the way with medications.
In other news, it got quite cold here last night (upper 30's F) and was cold all day today. I even had to turn the heat on a couple of times. It's supposed to warm up for the rest of the week and be dry and not humid which is perfect IMO. :)
It's supposed to warm up for the rest of the week and be dry and not humid which is perfect IMO.
Perfect for roller skating?
Perfect for roller skating?
Yes, definitely. ☺ Also perfect for going for a nice walk in one of the nicer parks or on the beach. I might try going to Greynolds Park some time this week. I don't think I've been there since high school.
Unfortunately for me, Ma Nature is paying me a visit, so if I go anywhere it'll have to wait until Thursday or Friday. :/
I might try going to Greynolds Park some time this week.
There used to be alligators in there according to Wikipedia.
Ma Nature is paying me a visit
How is that part of your body ding BTW? Is the benign growth giving you any trouble?
There used to be alligators in there according to Wikipedia.
I can verify that. The last time I was there was during a high school field trip. We went to the Ancient Spanish Monastery which is nearby, then to Greynolds to eat lunch and kill time before we went back to the school. I was playing football with some of the guys when the ball bounced down by the water. When I went to retrieve it, I noticed some very large alligators in the water. 😨
How is that part of your body ding BTW? Is the benign growth giving you any trouble?
I haven't had any bladder issues for a long time and since I've been taking the turmeric and other supplements consistently I haven't had any bad menstrual cramps. My only issue is my lower abdomen has been getting bloated. I have no pain or discomfort though. It just looks like I'm about 4 months pregnant which is terrible for my ego lol.
I started drinking about a quart of Jason Winters tea per day as of yesterday. It's good for getting rid of tumors and detoxifying the body. I'm hoping it can straighten out whatever is going on with my body & hormones.
My only issue is my lower abdomen has been getting bloated.
Is this related to Mother Nature visiting? Are you retaining water or gas? Maybe you should see a doctor?
It's good for getting rid of tumors
Yeah, I don't know. I guess it's a good thing your tumor is benign anyway.
Is this related to Mother Nature visiting?
It could be.
Are you retaining water or gas?
Yes, I'm definitely retaining water. It's hormone related. Unfortunately during perimenopause, hormone levels are all out of whack and these things happen. And the stress of dealing with QoH just adds to it. Cortisol causes fat to accumulate in the abdomen. :/
It could be.
So this bloating has never happened to you before?
It's hormone related.
Sounds possible. But how can you be sure?
Cortisol causes fat to accumulate in the abdomen.
So you think it's fat?
So this bloating has never happened to you before?
No. It's a phenomenon that started a couple of years ago.
Sounds possible. But how can you be sure?
Well I'm 46 and soon to be 47. I'm in the perimenopause stage of life. Unfortunately everything gets crazy before menopause.
So you think it's fat?
Some of it.
I seem less bloated today so that's good. I did a pretty good poo this morning so that helped. It's definitely cycle related.
In other news, I had to go out to the Hot Topic at Pembroke Lakes Mall today to pick up a t-shirt that I had ordered. I had a 25% off coupon that they gave me with the order so I bought a studded belt to replace my old one that disintegrated. :/ At least it is the type that has the snaps to swap out the buckle. I had been wanting to get one of those so that I could use my belt buckles that I got from Grif's a couple of years ago.
Unfortunately everything gets crazy before menopause.
Are you looking forward to getting past menopause?
a t-shirt that I had ordered
What kind of t-shirt?
my old one that disintegrated
What happened to it?
Are you looking forward to getting past menopause?
Yes and no. Yes because no more periods, but no because you start aging quicker after that.
What kind of t-shirt?
An L7 t-shirt. I got a really good deal. It was originally $26 but I got it on sale for $10. 😎
What happened to it?
It looked like it melted. It was that crappy "bonded" "leather". I had it in a drawer in my dresser and the last time I took it out it was all sticky and gross like whatever chemicals they used to make it were decomposing. :/
An L7 t-shirt.
I've never heard of L7. It's a band?
I've never heard of L7. It's a band?
Yes. An all female band that was popular when I was in high school. They are very heavy. ☺
In other news, I worked out last night and just a little while ago. My stomach bloat has gone down a little more so I did sit-ups and Russian twists along with my arm workout.
An all female band that was popular when I was in high school.
Do you still listen to their music?
Do you still listen to their music?
Yes, I love them!
Well I think I've managed to work out 3 days in a row. I have a friend in Tampa who has been very consistent with working out since New Year's and it helps to keep me motivated. Today was leg day. I did exercises with my ankle weights for a half hour and now my legs feel like jello. I didn't even do glutes and calves yet. I guess I'll do those later.
Yes, I love them!
Okay. Their music seems a bit dated to me.
now my legs feel like jello
:)
But nice going. #thumbs-up-emoji#
Huh, I had a whole long comment yesterday and it seems to have disappeared. :/
I think I was talking about all the stuff I got done yesterday since QoH woke me up at 4:30am and I couldn't get back to sleep.
Well, she woke me up that early again today. I didn't get as much done today. I just wrote out some bills and mailed them then pulled up some more of those damn Boston ferns from the back yard. Now I'm drinking a beer. :)
I think tomorrow I might try to go to West Lake Park and walk around a bit. I think it's free to go in there in weekdays. :)
I think tomorrow I might try to go to West Lake Park and walk around a bit.
Not at 4:30am, I hope?
Not at 4:30am, I hope?
The park isn't open that early and it would still be dark lol. I *did* go there today, but around 12:30pm. I took my bike and rode it around for about a half hour. I'm very out of shape lol. Then I put my bike back in my car then went walking on the boardwalks around the park.
It was a little hot today (around 85F), but there was a nice breeze so it felt really nice. There were quite a few snowbirds in the parking lot. A few had RV's. I don't think they allow overnight parking there, but I guess the park employees don't bother them about it.
I think the next time I go, I'll go to the south side of the park. Today I went on the north side by the Anne Kolb Nature Center. The exhibition hall was closed for repairs, so that was a bummer. The boardwalks were nice and went along the water. I think the south side of the park (which is across Sheridan Street) has more trails to bike on. I was a bad girl and took my bike on the boardwalk next to the Intercoastal Waterway (not supposed to ride bikes on it) but nobody was there, so not like someone would know or complain lol.
I'm very out of shape lol.
I'm a little surprised you still know how to ride a bike. ;P
I'll go to the south side of the park
What's a the south side of the park?
I'm a little surprised you still know how to ride a bike. ;P
That's not something you forget. ;) I took the bike out for a spin around the hood today. My calves were sore from yesterday and my quads were fatigued so I only rode around for about 20 minutes.
What's a the south side of the park?
The way they have the park divided up is kinda strange. Sheridan street runs though the middle of it going east and west. The nature center and boardwalks are on the north side. Then there's an area on the south side that runs along the intracoastal waterway that has a gravel loop trail for bikes/hikes. Then more towards the west on the south side there's a regular park area that has basketball courts and I think a playground. The next time I go I'm going to do the loop trail. It was kinda confusing the way it was labeled at the park, but after I got home and looked up a map on the interwebs, now I know how to get to it.
It's a bit disconcerting to think about how isolated the loop trail is. If someone wanted to harm you down there, no one is around to hear or see anything. I'll have to make sure I have my self defense weaponry easily accessible just in case.
I took the bike out for a spin around the hood today.
How fast do you ride your bike? Do you see it as an exercise or just a way to relax?
I'll have to make sure I have my self defense weaponry easily accessible just in case.
Yeah. And listen to your instincts. If they're telling you to GTFO of there then run.
How fast do you ride your bike?
I guess at a moderate pace.
Do you see it as an exercise or just a way to relax?
Riding around the hood is for exercise. If I go to a park it's a little of both.
And listen to your instincts. If they're telling you to GTFO of there then run.
Oh definitely. When I was walking the boardwalk I was thinking that the snowbirds didn't pose a threat. Most of them were older couples. There was one woman with 3 kids and 3 single dudes. One of the dudes pinged my radar a bit, but he was leaving as I was going in. Plus there were some snowbirds behind me so I didn't think too much of it.
When I went up to the top of the observation tower there was a woman sleeping on the floor. I thought that she was taking a big chance doing that. Maybe she had taken some drugs or something. There were definitely people smoking weed in the parking lot because it reeked when I first got there and I could still smell it a little when I was leaving.
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