For some unknown reason, since Fred died, I have not been able to read any book all the way through.  I can't believe there is any correlation between the two events, but.................

People have raved about books they are reading and loaned them to me to read and three chapters in, I'm like "Meh" and put it aside.

Maybe it's because my memory has dwindled and when I pick up the book to read the next chapter, I have forgotten what happened in the chapter before?

I don't know.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I was reading a blog I follow:

http://cominghometomyself.blogspot.com/ and the author stated she had finished a book she has been working on for 20 years.  It was on Amazon.

I read a description of the book and also because I wanted to support a fellow blogger, I ordered it.

OH MY GOSH!!  I love this book!!!  I can't put this book down!

I love the way the publisher set it up--nice large print, so it's easy to read.  The style in which the main character's thoughts are printed.  The whole store line.  It is fascinating.

Just go to Dee's blog, the link above, and she has a description of the plot.  You might be interested too.

I guess there is nothing wrong with my memory or my interest in reading.  It just takes a very special kind of book to hold my interest.

Thinking of Bella Rum and not knowing what is going on.  In my funeral papers I have told my daughter Pam to post on FB and this blog that I have died, if it is sudden.  Maybe by the time I die, I won't have a blog.  Who knows?  Do they even allow personal computers in the nursing home?  

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Speaking of dying.  I went for my six month check-in at my primary guy today.  My blood work was perfect, not one deviation from the reference norm.  He came in the exam room, listened to my heart, lungs, carotid arteries and then said, "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Go home healthy woman and come back in March."

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Wednesday my daughter Karen her daughter Helene and the two Grand babies, Della and Harrison, came for an afternoon visit.  The little guy is 7 weeks old and already smiling and cooing at me.  Even Della at nearly 3 and has never been to friendly toward me, played with me and when they were getting ready to leave, I asked if I could get a hug goodbye.

Karen interrupted and said, "She doesn't really like to hug," as Della was coming over with arms wide open to hug me.  There is still hope for our relationship. LOL

  

Have any of you been following Bella Rum's blog?  "What Shes Thinking?"
She hasn't posted in 3 months and I am worried.
I sent an e-mail , but no response.
If any of you hear or know what is going on, please let me know.

Well, what have I been up to?
5'11", but now I'm 5'10'.
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Nuttin' much going on here.
The Stink Bugs are back, ever trying to get into the house to "winter-over" up in the ceiling trim and produce more Stink Bugs in the spring.

I keep telling myself I need to get outside and cut back and clean up the perennial gardens, but for some reason, I don't.  There are many excuses.

#1.  The yard waste people just came and they won't be here for another two weeks, so I have plenty of time.

#2.  It isn't even Autumn yet, so I have plenty of time.

#3. I have to drag so much stuff out of the shed, in the wheel barrow to get it done.

#4.  The sun is too hot.

#5.  It's too cloudy and it might rain.

#6.  It's going to make my back hurt.

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It is such a procedure nowadays!.

Gone are the days when I could work outside for 4-6 hours and enjoy it and live to tell about it.

Now...I have to load up my wheel barrow with: Loppers, small garden shears, electric hedge trimmer, long extension cord for said trimmer.  The yard waste bags.  My trowel.  The rake.  My hand digger.  My folding chair so I can sit to do most of the job.

Today would be a perfect day.  My back feels pretty good.  The sun is nice and it is only 74, but...the yard waste guys came this morning so that means, if I cut back/cleaned up, I would have to store the full bags in my shed and then haul them out September 30th.

Maybe, if conditions are right, I will get out there on Saturday the 28th.  I don't work on Sundays, no matter how nice it is outside, so that takes out the 29th.  Besides, the 29th is Rosh Hashanah.

Oh good.  Another excuse.  If it is a special Jewish or Catholic day, I can't work.

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I had lunch with the Old School Gal Pals last Thursday.  Our Senile friend was picking on someone other than me, for a change.  She tells these "stories" and then turns to someone and says, "You remember Ruth.  You were there."

Ruth does not remember because it never happened.

Like the time my friend Bethie wasn't at lunch and Senile Liz went on about how Bethie's husband offered me a ride home, but he kept stopping and the ride home took seven hours and I thought he was kidnapping me?

"You remember Judy.  How you told me you were so scared you'd never get home?"

Never even close to happening.

We don't know where she comes up with these things.  Some are humorous and we laugh, unless it involves one of us.  Then whomever she has involved, looks confused and says something like, "No.  That wasn't me.  Must have been someone else." and we keep on eating, or someone will jump in with another subject.

Ah--the joys of getting old!

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I did get to stop in for a visit with my sister at The Farm.  Probably the only reason I go to the luncheon.  If they are held in the town near The Farm, I use that day for a visit with Sister.  When "they" want to go some where else and it is not convenient for a stop on the way home at The Farm, for me, I usually do not attend.

Although with Senile Liz, I probably should attend all the luncheons if only to defend myself.

Sister and I sat in her smaller living room, which used to be the parlor in the olden days.  Very nice and cozy and we just talked--about her son and my kids and her giving me information about my daughter Jennifer and Jen's oldest, my grandson Andrew who, at 17 years old, just started college at some private college near Boston.  He hates it!

I think he should have taken a year in between high school and college.  What do they call that year?  I know there is a name for it.  Of course, I have not mentioned my thoughts to anyone.  I feel like there are spies in the family that would report back to Jen of "Do you know what your Mother said?!"  

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My snoopy, gossipy cousin who got me into trouble with Jen and caused me to delete my original blog and make this new, unable to find in any search list one, has somehow gotten on my friends list on Face Book.  Every time I post something, I can feel her lurking in the background.  I am putting her on my "restricted" list so she can't find me.

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That's about it.  Here I sit, with my excuses and my paranoia.  How pitiful. LOL 

I don’t do much, so when I go to the grocery, it’s like an “outing” for me.  I sometimes engage with people and I intentionally look for old, short or electric buggy people so I can help them get something off the tall shelf.

I went to Meijer to get in on their “10 for $10.00, 11^th one Free” sale.  Had to get my Diet Pepsi.

This time I was the one who needed help.  The shelf where the Diet Pepsi is, was empty.  I looked behind me and they had stacks and stacks of it, in the plastic cartons they bring into the store, but, there were stacks and stacks of other Pepsi drinks on top of my Diet Pepsi.

I turned and saw a guy loading up his cart with Coke.  He had a cammo TRUMP baseball cap on.  He was about my height, but he had a big torso—you know what I mean, a big tummy.  I made a judgment that he had a bit of Red Neck attitude so I knew, he’d be polite to an elderly woman.

“I like your hat,” I said.

He looked at me as if I might be being sarcastic, I wasn’t.  Then I asked, “Could you help me?  I need to get at the Diet Pepsi, but it’s too heavy for me to lift those other cases off it.”

“I’d be glad to Ma-am.  How many bottles do you want?”

“Eight of the Diet Pepsi and three of the De Café Diet.”

He proceeded to get the other cartons off the top and, I could see him counting to himself as he put what I had asked for, in my cart.

“Thank you so much,” I said.

“You’re welcome.” He said.

A man of few words.  He didn’t ask if I wanted more than eleven.  He didn’t mention anything political.  He paid attention to what I had asked him to do and he just did it.  I liked that.

Stopped in the dairy department to get some milk.  Along the way, there was a lady in an electric buggy, trying to stand up and reach for some lunch meat.

“May I help you get something?” I asked.

“Oh, thank you so much Honey,  you’re so kind.”

“What would you like?”

“I’m getting bologna.  My brother will only eat Oscar Meyer and he will only eat the beef kind.”

So I reached up to get a package.

“Now, is that thick cut?”

“Nope.”

“Oh, he has to have thick cut.”

I found it and handed it to her.

“Well, now, that’s too much.  Is there a smaller package?”

I didn’t see any so I told her, “You can freeze it.  Use some and then put however many slices you need into those Ziploc bags and freeze it for next time.”

She laughed and laughed. Hm-mm.

“Did you see this mop I had to get?”

“Yes.”

“My brother wanted this kind of mop.  He doesn’t do the mopping, I do, but he told me to get this kind.  I don’t know why his daughter doesn’t come over and clean for us, but she don’t.  I can barely walk, but it’s up to me to clean.”

I am starting to ease away, so she follows along, in her buggy, talking about how the kids won’t come over and help…mow the lawn…clean the house.

“But they think they are going to get everything when he dies.  Well, I have joint title to the house, so if he dies first, I can stay there.”

By now we are up by the bakery and I am trying to get to the check-out.

“They’ll probably try to kick me out of the house.  Dang kids nowadays. They don’t have time to help—all too busy, but…..hanging like Vultures over your head.  Waiting for you to die and then will come in and pick and take what they want.”

Then she sort of veered off to where the bread is displayed.  “Oh my.  I almost forgot to get his rye bread.  He’d sure be mad if I did.  Thank you, Honey.  Bye. Bye.”

Whew.  Okay, into the check-out lane.  With my new Meijer charge card, I got $15.00 off my order!  When I got gas, I got 0.10 a gallon off the Meijer gas.

It was quite  an adventurous outing today!

  

I just had the best time yesterday!

I had an appointment to get my hair cut and had my $$ saved up in the envelope for it. I had to get cat food and milk and water and some food for me.

I just got a new Meijer card. $10.00 off the 1st order and I had my $16.00 for food on my Bridge card.

As I was getting ready to leave, my sister and Chuck stopped in with bags of groceries for me, including ground beef! YAY.

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So I took off and after my hair cut as I was paying, a lady walked up to me and smiled. I didn't recognize her, but she did look familiar and I thought, "Oh no! She knows Karen, or her kids danced with Maddie, or were in the band......I'm suppose to know her."

So I stuttered, "You look so familiar, but I don't remember your name."

She replied, "No, we don't know each other, but I wanted to tell you. I was watching your reflection in the mirror while you were getting your hair cut and you have the most radiant smile!"

I was flustered and ready for a sarcastic remark like, "You must be mistaken...are you sure it wasn't a grimace?" BUT thank God, He kept my mouth shut and I just thanked her. and kinda floated out to my car. It's been a long time since I've received the gift of a compliment.

==============

Up to Meijers and up and down the aisles, helping short women or people in the electric carts with reaching stuff they needed off the tall shelves.

Up to the check-out line and got behind an old guy with not too many items. He must not have realized I was behind him because he backed into my cart. He turned with kind of a grouchy look and I said, "Hey watch it. I'm old and I'm cranky."

He said, "You aren't as old as I am."

I said, "Wanna bet?"

"Can you top 80?" he says.

"Depends on the month. When is your birthday."

"October 16th--I will be 80."

"Hah! I was 80 on June 21. Got you beat by almost 4 months. Now pay up the bet."

"Damn! You women are always right!"

"And don't you forget it," I said.

By now we both had our stuff loaded on the belt and I notice an older women behind me...holding a birthday card.

"Please go ahead of me," I said.

"Oh thank you. I just hoped I'd find a nice person today. I have to get this card to the post office before the five o'clock pick up." (It was 4:20.)

==============

Something was happening with the old guy. He was arguing with the cashier. "But why do they all look alike?" he asked.

I whispered to the clerk, "I'll help him if you can take this lady right now."

So I went up to him and said, "Is there something wrong?"

"Yes. I got all these jugs of water and I thought they were all the same, but some cost more than the others."

I checked the water jugs and asked him, "What kind of water did you want?"

"I want spring water."

"You have two spring water and four drinking water."

"I don't want drinking water! How can you tell?"

"Well, the spring water jugs have a green cap and the drinking water jugs have a blue cap."

"I don't want no drinking water. I want spring water."

Meanwhile the cashier is ringing up the rest of his order.

The aisle next to us was closed so I suggested, "Put the jugs with the blue caps over here. Someone will take them back for you. Just get the jugs with the green caps."

Which he did and was soon gone.

I stepped up to the cashier and said, "Don't you just love checking out old and cranky people all day?"

She said, "I can tell you aren't one of them. Thanks for your help."

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I'm here to tell you, every time I go to the store, I have so much fun.

To top it off, when I got home, my neighbor was outside and came over and carried in all my groceries for me.

I had a wonderful day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a quiet week.  Most of my weeks are, but this one has been particularly boring quiet.

On Wednesday, I went to the Cardiologist for my yearly check in.  It is such a waste of time because there is nothing wrong with my heart, but I suppose it is a good thing, at my age, to have a Cardiologist on "reserve.

Besides, this one was the man who saved Fred's life--after two other Cardiologists told us, there was nothing they could do for Fred.  This doc and I have a mutual admiration for each other.  He really liked Fred and every year, he tells me, that he still thinks about Fred and what a nice guy he was.

I got tears when this doc told me he won't be coming out to the Brighton office anymore, but he added, "When you start having heart problems in twenty years, come down to St. Joe's and ask for me.  I might still be practicing."  Then he hugged me and out the door he went.

When the nurse came back in, I had tears on my face and trying hard not to lose it completely  She said doctor had assigned me to another "really wonderful" Cardiologist, but like I told her, "It won't be the same!"

I guess it was the connection to Fred that he and I shared that made him so special to me and now another connection to Fred is gone.

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The rest of the week, I spent a lot of time sitting in my recliner, watching the Little League Baseball World Series and the Championship Golf Tournament.  They both ended today.  No more watching golf until next spring.  BUT---

College football begins next weekend, so..............

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Next month is my month to go to my primary care doc for my 6th month blood work and check-up, prescription renewal.  Also my 6th month dental cleaning and my 6th month check-up at the Pulmonologist.  I also have another appointment with the joint/spinal doc, which is another waste of time.

He insists the only help he can give me is injections in my back.  I insist that I tried that 4 years ago, it did no good and I'm not going to do it again.  Especially when it would have to be done in his primary office, 30 miles away and someone would have to drive me there and back.  I just wish he'd give me a Prednisone taper pack to use when my back gets really bad.  That works the best for me.

When last I visited him in June, he prescribed one for me.  I didn't use it until July 18th, when my back was so bad I could barely walk.  Well, the effects from that have lasted six weeks.  My back doesn't hurt continually anymore and doesn't hurt very often.

If I do something strenuous and it starts to hurt, I just sit and rest for about 15 minutes, than go back and finish the job, or lay down on the couch and do some back exercises.

I know people that take 20 mg of Prednisone on a daily basis.  While I don't want to do that, I don't see why he couldn't prescribed the taper pack when/if I need it.  Maybe I would only need it every 3 months and the effect would last 3 months.

Oh well, I will ask him.  Without that, I am not going back to him.  It begins to feel like he wants a visit from me every two months so he can get a nice payment from Medicare.

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I have to get to work now figuring out my September budget.  I thought it was a good idea if I posted to this blog first.  You know after trying to spread out my money and ending up in the hole--LIKE I DO EVERY MONTH, I would not be very good company.

We are enjoying nice cool 70's with low humidity.  At least that helps my overall mood.

Thanks for listening.