The Rain is back

Woke up to gray skies this morning but I know warmer weather is on the way sooner or later.  I didn't even attempt to go to bed last night and sacked out in the recliner as soon as I watched a Dexter episode.  I think I'll probably keep this routine until we get to the bottom of whatever is amiss.

I baked a carrot cake today. I think it was my first one. Maybe my second.  I didn't like the looks of the carrots in the fridge so I decided to bake them instead of tossing them all.  Smells pretty good.  I cut the recipe in half because I only wanted one layer.

Turned on GMA and noticed the guy they hired to replace Josh Elliott looks like a clone of Josh Elliott. I've become dissatisfied with both GMA and Today, and find myself turning them off fairly quickly.
Watched Dancing with the Stars last night and while I like to see the dancing, it sure is getting hard to stomach all the personalities on there.  Everyone (except Derek, my favorite) seems to be really puffed up with themselves.  Course I guess that's the whole point.  Showing off.

Been listening to the sound of chain saws, big trucks, and falling trees all week.  That nearby block is clearing out fast. I wish it was across the street so I could watch it more easily.  Timber work is interesting.

Big news (but not to me) is that Barbara Walters announced AGAIN that she's retiring soon.  Just go already!  Will be nice to not run across her annoying voice on tv but I would bet money she'll still be in front of the cameras.

Interesting thing I saw on Facebook today....

And here's a couple cartoons I got from Linda Farina in Tenn:

And here's a shot of how my old kitchen on San Juan Avenue looks now....

Saw Mary Norton on FB today.  (so now I know where she is)  Cute Mary!

And here's a couple pictures of the twins in an air tunnel they like to go to when they visit their aunt and uncle.  The first picture is Hunter and second is Maddie.

Tulips and Bluebells

Sure was nice to see the sun today, and was nice to not have it interrupted  with spells of raindrops.  I've got pigeons and quail visiting the back yard and two hummingbirds visiting the front.  I moved a bird bath to the middle of the front lawn but we'll see how long I keep it there.  The neighbor cats seem to think I place it there for them.

I managed to get the back and front porches swept today but that was the extent of my outdoor exercise. I ended up sleeping all night in the recliner again and still needed an hour nap at 3 o'clock today.  I probably should be more diligent about taking vitamins.  I certainly do feel rundown and tired lately.  Won't be much longer and I'll be able to soak up some sun on the deck while sitting in my lounge chair.

Going to have to get Hunter over here to cut the grass too.  But now that I think about it, him and Maddie will be staying here Thurs-Sunday while Jenni and Wayne celebrate their anniversary at the ocean.  I hope the twins are in a cleaning mood as I've got a list. (I'll pay, of course)

My tulips are trying real hard to come up, and I must admit I do love seeing the colors of spring.

Am waiting to get a referral to an orthopedic guy in Sequim.  My doctor has to send the paperwork over and then the ortho guy has his people call me to set up an appt. Unfortunately, I was told May is the earliest I can get in.  He has an above average rating on the internet so I'll patiently wait my turn and hope he can figure out why my shoulders and neck won't heal.

Sunday morning

Got my MRI results back in an email. Basically said normal. C6-7: There is a small left paracentral disc protrusion fillingthe lateral recess and possibly touching the cord, but not deforming it.

IMPRESSION:

1. Degenerative disc disease at C6-7, asymmetric towards the left.

Doctor asked if I wanted her to refer me to someone.  Well, yeah.... just wish I knew exactly what kind of physician I should see!  

I was feeling fair to okay last night but ended up in pain about an hour after going to bed. Moved to the recliner around 3 a.m. Certainly is puzzling (and aggravating) why the problem can't be pinpointed.  I guess I'll just keep on doctor hopping.  Such a nuisance when I'd rather be outside playing in the dirt.

Nothing much else to yak about.  Intend to play around with ancestry today.  Charlie B. has become such an irritant that I'm going to switch over to his mother's side of the family and see what comes up.

I've got what I think is a spotted towhee bird coming to my feeder outside the window.  Noisy thing.  And rats!  I just noticed the neighbor cat make a pounce to try and get another.  I suppose it's better dealing with a prowling cat than a neighbor playing loud music.  That would really send me over the edge.

for yvonne

First Saturday of April

Well, I survived my MRI.  I did take a couple of pills an hour earlier and I'm sure that helped.  I had a cloth over my eyes and the closeness of the tube wasn't that big an issue as it's been in the past.  I did, however, suffer through the whole thing.  Not because of claustrophobia but because my right shoulder was KILLING ME!  I should have had a pillow or towel placed under my arm/shoulder area but I was so intent on being brave that I forgot how much it hurts to lay on my back with nothing under my arms.
More than once, I had to bite my tongue and not request to be brought out so we could adjust for the pain.  I knew that meant we'd have to start over and I decided that wasn't an option I was willing to go through.

Jenni brought me on home (after a drive-thru at Jack in the Box so I could pick up a hamburger for supper) and I settled into my recliner to watch Doc Martin and one episode of Dexter.  I heated up the rice pad and turned on the heating pad and was thankful the ordeal was behind me.  I went to bed around 10 and managed to sleep through the night.  I'm sure the pills had something to do with that but it's been so long since I actually got to stay in my bed all night long, I was very thankful.

April is starting out with "can't make up its mind weather."  Looks like more of the same today.  Sunny a bit and then gray with rain.  I don't care.  I'm concentrating on my indoor hobbies right now anyhow.
Finding Charlie Blankenship, for example.  So frustrating but I'll write about that on my genealogy blog instead.

I've got a load of laundry in the dryer and that will be the extent of housework for today.  I plan on making scalloped potatoes for supper with ham chunks in it -- and whatever else catches my fancy.

I may set up my sewing machine on the kitchen table tomorrow and work on a quilt.  Have to be in the right frame of mind, as well as have some energy.  Sewing isn't that easy if your body is tired. There's a lot of up and down activity.  Gees, but I'm sounding more like an old granny every day. Ha!

I've done nothing but yawn ever since I sat down here.  Even with two cups of coffee, I'm thinking I got up too early.  There was a time when I was at my tip top best early but not lately.  Naps have become my priority.  And I find that disturbing because I've got things to do and no time to waste.

Gonna make a quick Walgreen's run later on to pick up a 5x7 reprint I had made up of a picture Mary sent me.  I wanted one of all four grandkids and this is the one I chose...

Your life certainly passes through your mind when you see your grandchildren at different stages of their life.  I remember in 1989 when Catie was an infant and toddler.  I could get on my hands and knees then and I was on the floor a lot to play with her.  In 2000, Hunter and Maddie as infants was just happiness all over again and the awe and amazement that two babies had come into our family all at once. And then, joy of all joy, along comes Jacob in 2014 - a huge blessing and surprise for the whole family.  I do think having grandchildren is the happiest period of my life.

Although you'd never know it to hear me complain about the body parts that are forever reminding me that I'm no spring chicken anymore.  You gotta take the good with the bad.  I'm fine with that.

And here's 11 of my favorite dog pictures I saw on Facebook...

Something you should try

I've been watching various videos on YouTube that had to do with ancestry searches and I came across one that google offered.  One thing led to another and I ended up watching a video about how google can help you find things.  I'm going to study it more.  For example, using Google Chrome do you see a little microphone on the search box?  Click on that and it will ask if google can access your microphone.

Then speak out loud and say what you want to look up.  I tried Port Townsend, my name, and will go back to start looking for relatives too.  There were other tips, as well about using quotation marks, plus and minus signs, and alternate searches.  Interesting.

Went to my chiropractor this morning and he suggested I go ahead and schedule that MRI on my neck.  He noticed I got a little relief when he pulled upwards on my neck  (Kind of like when you're in traction)  My pain has continued off and on so long that I've finally decided enough is enough and I'll go get in that dang tube and get it over with.  My appt. is tomorrow at 7 pm.

I went to get a shoulder massage this afternoon but I don't think it really helped any.  I didn't feel better afterwards, at any rate.

Here's a couple of interesting winter pictures I got from a friend today.  There were several of them but these were my favorites.

If you go to my alumni blog, there are some old pictures that Barb McCleary sent me. She's hoping to get IDs especially on the snow photo taken in Port Townsend.

http://alumniofpths.blogspot.com

Here's a photo of my grandsons, Hunter and Jacob.

Wanting to get outside

I can't seem to get out of first gear today.  I will never take a good nights sleep for granted. Ever!  It's been a long time since I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.  I miss that and I intend to get it back!  It's well known that patience isn't my strong suit.  I seem to be getting worse with each birthday I get to celebrate.

Tomorrow morning I get my third chiropractor adjustment and in the afternoon, my first massage in maybe two decades. I've got my fingers crossed that something good will happen.  I've done nothing but yawn all day long, and my neck and shoulders are so sore, even the recliner didn't welcome me.  I'm also dealing with a little earache that comes and goes.  I have to think it's all tied to one another.

Sammy is visiting me today.  Mostly he's taking advantage of the sun and sleeping on my back porch.  He's also letting all the neighborhood dogs know that he's here.  One bark from any one of them sends him into  action as he runs down to the back fence and says "I'm here! I'm here!"

He started off his day by napping in his bed in my back closet.  He's such a perv sometimes.  I caught him taking my underpants out of the laundry basket and rolling his head in them.  He's always done this. Not just with undies but with wash cloths and towels and socks, etc.  Silly dog!  I gave him his teddy bear but I guess his tastes are x-rated.

Earlier today I was outside looking over my pathetic pots on the side of the house that I have to clean up and plant with flowers (as soon as my body is willing).

I left this side of the house and walked around the corner to the back steps when all of a sudden, I heard Sammy yelp like he was either hurt or scared half to death.  He came running so I went back to investigate my pots and see if something was there that didn't need to be.  I pulled out each pot from the wall expecting a rat to come scurrying out. Thank God I found nothing.  It was still puzzling, though, as the dog was definitely in distress.

Three cats live on the other side of that fence but they'd run from him, not the other way around so I don't know what spooked him.  Maybe the wind blew some of the old flower stalks.  I still intend to keep my eyes peeled -- and to get those pots cleaned up and moved!

The yellow jackets that have built a nest under my steps are still active although the spraying I did killed a couple. I haven't quite figured out the best way to discourage their presence.

As I walked around the yard, I could see I am overdue for a mowing.  And a great deal of weeding.   I sure hope my shower chair will be steady enough for me to on sit as I work my way along the fence. Going to take me a while.  Here's how it looks now and how it looked last spring.

Forced myself to go to bed after one Dexter episode last night.  One was all I could take.  What an ending.  Funny thing is, the character that got killed off (although a nice person) was very annoying to me and I kept hoping she would disappear.  I didn't think she'd get killed off quite that dramatically.

The twins rode a Rocket bus yesterday to go visit Mary and Andy during their spring break. Their schedule (which made me chuckle when I read Jake's activities) goes something like this:

 

Wednesday:

Hangout.  They are playing with the www.singtrix.com now.

Coulon Park:Kidd Valley or Ivars for lunch; walk along water with Jake

Hunter mowing lawn to earn money for jeans

Pizza for dinner

Jake to bed

Hunter & Andy to movie:  Need for Speed

Maddie & Mary chick flick at home

 

Thurs:

Jake to daycare

Mall (I'm getting my hair done.  Kids will be on their own)

Dinner

Jake to bed

Mary & Maddie and maybe Catie to Divergent

 

Friday:

Jake to daycare

Indoor rock climbing w/Mary (afternoon)

Jake to bed

Indoor sky diving (6PM with Andy)

Dinner

 

Saturday

Breakfast at golf course

Driving range

Ferry  1:10 ferry.  Jenni - pick up at 1:30 in Bainbridge. 

Mary sent me a couple pictures of Maddie and Jacob but Maddie only gave me permission to show one on my blog.

I wrote on my Alumni and Town Kid blog today after reading another article in the Leader about the Redskins name being retired.  Irks me no end! 

Think I'm going to watch some more YouTube videos on how to search ancestry.com.  There's just so much to learn to search successfully.  I wish I could retain what I learn but the brain cells are as tired as I am lately.

Today would be my Aunt Lillian's 89th birthday.  I miss my aunts and uncles.  A lot!  And the folks.

And cousins and old friends.  I got a 90th birthday invitation yesterday so I may travel into PT next month.  I need to get some more Town Kid books down to Maricee's as she sold the half dozen I dropped off.

I thawed out a pound of hamburger yesterday so now I have to figure out something  to make for dinner. I really DISLIKE cooking these days.  Comes from eating alone, I suppose.  Have to be in the mood to read cookbooks and find new things to try.  I'd just as soon grab ole Marie Callender from the freezer.