Friday, April 26th, 2019
Friday Five
TGIF. Time to share five random things about our week. Here’s mine:
- Turbo (my grandson) is sick with a mild ear infection
He’ll be fine, of course. His parents take excellent care of him, but his grandma is sad for him. I wish I lived closer just so I pop over, hug him, then leave him to rest in his mom’s care. - It’s hot here, and it’s slowing Maggie down. She hasn’t really wanted to go on a second daily walk in the heat. Our girl is getting a little older now. But she drinks plenty of water, eats fine, and plays in the backyard patrolling for lizards. Since I had planned to stop the second daily walk when it got hot anyway, it works out. Now Wizard and I have to negotiate morning walks
- I saw my surgeon for another follow-up on Wednesday. It was 90% a great visit. I’m so thrilled that my latest x-ray is showing excellent healing. He was able to put three x-rays I’ve had since the surgery up side by side, and they showed very clear progression of growing bone. I can continue with all that I’m doing now, including the gym, and I can swim if I want to. He said wait three more months for more intense activity, and an example of that would be going in my son’s dune buggy in the desert (I specifically asked that). Which also means I can’t go ziplining in Hawaii Okay I wasn’t going to, but one day, I’d like to try ziplining if my neck can take it. But back on topic: The one thing he’s not happy about is I still have some pain, probably about 30% of what I was having, which means I’ve had a 70% improvement on most days, which is pretty good, right? Of course, it’s his job to worry, and he wants to fix it perfectly. The problem is–my neck isn’t perfect. Two other disks have minor bulging (we knew this), I have some age-related arthritis, and in one place, my spine has a Z in it where it should be straight. All that, coupled with the two years of severely compressed nerves likely causing some permanent damage, is probably causing the pain. I can live with this. So the doctor and I negotiated–he agreed release me from further visits as long as I call him if I have any progression of symptoms. I happily agreed, and I will follow through if that happens. For now, I’m just pleased that my bones are healing so well and I’m living a better quality of life than I was.
- We’ve booked two tours for Hawaii. One is a Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour. Unfortunately, the dock to the Arizona Memorial is under repairs, but they’ve replaced that with a boat ride tour of the harbor to see the area. We can still go on the USS Missouri, and a few other things. Since my dad was a fighter pilot in WWII, this is something I really want to do. The second tour is a North Shore tour and I’m really excited about that one. One part of it I’m weirdly thrilled about is going to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. I think it’s going to be a fun trip!
- Wizard and I met a friend for dinner this week, which was really nice! Since it was happy hour, we ordered an appetizer and drinks. I tried a mint cucumber martini. I was a little hesitant at first, but the drink was small (yay–I’m a lightweight with mixed drinks, and super duper careful not to trigger a headache), and it was light and delicious. I was totally surprised. I also had a yummy steak salad. I only chose it because it was literally the lightest thing on the menu, and it turned out to be a fabulous choice. I’d go back just to eat that. Sometimes luck is on our side!
So that’s my long-winded five. Saturday we’re going on a secret mission having to do with one of our kids I’ll tell you more in a week or so, once things are more certain. And now I’d love to hear five things about your week!! I hope everyone has a great weekend!
April 26th, 2019 at 5:18 am · Link
Sorry to hear about Turbo’s ear infection. Those suck. Poor little guy. Bummer for Maggie’s second walk. Pets getting older sucks. Yay for progress after your surgery! Yeah, the hope is for 0% pain, but 70% better than before is awesome. I hope you two have a blast in Hawaii. Yay for dinner out with friends! Sounds like it was yummy and fun.
1) I made oatmeal cookies again yesterday, but this time I used walnuts and caramel chips instead of raisins. Big hit with Hubs.
2) I actually made some progress with my editing this week. I’m hoping to have this phase – reading it and taking edit notes – done today. There’s a lot of work left to do, but I still love this book.
3) Spring has hit the gardens. The redbud and the lilac are done for the season, but the azalea is covered in red flowers, the irises are popping, the roses are full of buds and so are the peonies, and the bugle weed is blooming.
4) The packrat is still staying away. The only niggle to chasing her out is that when I used my defroster in the car yesterday, my eyes started to water from the essential oils I sprayed under the hood. Smells nice, though. I would’ve opened the windows, but it was pouring rain. :shrug:
5) I finally remembered to pick up Mother’s Day cards for the Moms. Gotta get those in the mail so they reach MI (my mom) and FL (his mom) in time.
April 26th, 2019 at 8:08 am · Link
Poor Turbo.
Ear infections suck. See? Maggie’s looking after you and I think you and Wiz need to compromise and BOTH walk her in the mornings. 
Yay for 90% good MD report! Getting old sucks, too, along with the physical stuffs that come with it. Your Hawaii trip is going to be a blast! Not sure I could do mint and cucumber. I…cucumbers…just…NO! 
But fun with friends is awesome and steak salad for the win! I love one I get a local restaurant. Okay, my five:
1) Rain. We’ve had some and my peony that hates to bloom has soaked it up. Pun intended. It has 5 or 6 buds. Crossing fingers.
2) Stormy had dental work this week. It was serious enough they put him under. Only called me on the way home and was laughing. He was fine–a little sore–but still “drunk” from the anesthesia. They stopped and got popsicles, his prescription, and Stormy-sized ice packs.
3) Lawyer Guy is back to VA today for more tests. Gonna be a long afternoon.
4) The OKRWA program with the Criminal Intelligence Captain from OCPD was awesome. Programs normally last an hour. We kept him for over 2!
5) Had a long talk with Mr. HQEd. Mostly personal stuff, just catching up. I do adore that man! His year has been a lot like mine. We commiserated, talked only briefly about the book due in June, and made tentative plans for NYC. He wants to do something with Only and me. Which is awesome.
And that’s my week.
April 26th, 2019 at 3:22 pm · Link
1. Poor Turbo. As soon as the antibiotic kicks in he’ll feel so much better.
2. Yuck, hot. I feel for Maggie.
3. That’s great news. A “Z” in your spine? You are special, aren’t you ;).
4. Smart to plan ahead and book tours and stuff. I always seem to forget stuff like that.
5. It’s always great to go out with friends. Good to catch up.
1a. Rainy and chilly here. I think we need to light a fire. Spunk loves them.
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2a. Hubs watched Harrison last night and had a blast. The kid kept getting out his pj’s. Hubs finally gave in and left him get ready for bed at 6:30.
3a. My best buddy sold their house and are going to move to their house in FL. I’m bumming for me and happy for her. They’re from England and can’t stand this weather up north.
4a. Nearly got in an accident this morning. This woman ran the light as I was turning left. She had no idea she did anything wrong as she continued to sip her coffee and drive on even though I was blasting my horn
5. I’m dying for guacamole. Guess I’ll be making some tomorrow.
Have a great weekend!
April 26th, 2019 at 5:02 pm · Link
B.E., thanks on all! Now for you:
1) Cookies are always a win!
2) Yay on edits!
3) Your garden is thriving.
4) Good news that the packrat is staying away. And at least it smelled good, even if it was strong
5) You’re ahead of the game for the Moms!!
Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy those cookies!
April 26th, 2019 at 5:09 pm · Link
Silver, we could both walk her. I’m okay with Wizard walking her when he wants to though. He’s enjoying her, and I’m very supportive of that. Now for you:
1) I’ll cross my fingers for your peonies!
2) Oh wow, Stormy did have major dental work. But LOL on Only calling you when he was still “drunk” coming out of anesthesia. My kids were pretty funny when they were like that after their wisdom teeth extraction. Hope Stormy recovers quickly with minimal pain.
3) Oh Silver, all I can say is HUGS. I hope the tests give you guys some answers that will help find ways to manage LG’s condition.
4) What a great program that was!!
5) You and your editor have developed an amazing relationship that goes beyond work! That’s wonderful. I’ve heard great things about him for years.
I hope LG is feeling as well as possible, and hope you both have a good weekend.
April 26th, 2019 at 5:16 pm · Link
Viki, It’s not exactly a Z but I don’t know how to describe it. I’m sure I was born with it, but several doctors before this one thought I’d been in an accident. I chose this doctor as he seemed the most knowledgeable, and able to read tests AND my symptoms to form a full picture. And I wondered off topic, LOL! Let’s talk about you:
1) I’m a little jealous of you cooler weather since it’s hot here. But it’s going to cool down enough this weekend to be pleasant not hot. So cute that Spunk likes the fire!
I know you’re happy for them, though.
2) Harrison getting out his PJs made me laugh. He must really like them!
3) Oh man, that’s a bummer for you that your best friend is moving
4) Doesn’t that just tick you off???? I had a man in a big SUV make a right in front of me today. He never looked either. But you sound like you had a much closer call than I did–I saw him and guessed what he was going to do. I’m so glad you didn’t get in an accident!
5) Guacamole is so good! Today I bought some dark chocolate covered almonds, and both Wizard and I already ate some.
Have a great weekend!