New Haircut from Cierra

 New haircut from Cierra. She moved to Escondido and her baby is 18 months old already. She has an individual room so is doing business.

I got really panicking when I plugged in her address and it said 39 minutes! I had forgotten I had put in my phone to do it without freeways to Linda's house and did not change it. I could not figure out which way the freeway was so I had to plug that in. When I came home I pulled up a map of Rancho Bernardo and really oriented myself on where I live and directions etc, it is so confusing!

Happy Birthday Again!

This was a bad picture not even capturing the target cake that the Masseys brought over.  It was a Gluten free chocolate cake with white frosting and sprinkles.  I had the Pepperidge lemon cake and two kinds of ice cream.  So even tho it was getting near supper time we had had as much cake and ice cream as we wanted to celebrate my birthday.  It was fun!  

They also gave me a Hummingbird feeder!!  What a perfect gift.  I love watching the humming birds in the bottlebrush tree, now I can see them from my living room.
 

Carole in Hospital with Covid

They were together at Christmas and then for a birthday party for Len, who is deceased, and then Jon's family, Chris, Dave and Carole all came down wth the Covid.  I think Carole showed the symptoms last.  Dave had it bad cuz of his asthma. 

 They were tested last week and came back positive and Carole was told by her doctor it could get worse around the 8th or 9th day and she wanted her to come in for an infusion.  Carole somehow missed the call with the time and so missed it.

 She sounded terrible when I talked to her on Thursday and she got worse from there.  She said last night was really bad.  She went to ER around noon on Saturday the 24th and they have her on steroids, fluids, and nausea medicine and keeping her over night.  She said the nausea was the worst but she also has a horrible cough, whenever I talk to her. Her oxygen level was ok.  They wondered earlier if she had a way to measure that at home.

One of the things I was told was that if you have covid you should not get the vaccine until 90 days after recovery.  Yet today I read that a lady had covid in December and got the vaccine  this week and died so lots of rumors and there is not enough vaccine.

I have not been able to get an appointment yet and neither has Marilyn.  Jeanne had hers a few weeks ago.

Carole did not come home from the hospital until January 28th and she came home with oxygen tank and way to measure it.  It got down to 85 in the hospital, she is to keep it above 92.  She is also on blood thinner because of the heart flutter they detected and that helps to prevent strokes.  Someone is coming on Monday for two hours to give her help on how to take care of herself, etc.  

They think that Sage contacted the virus first from someone in school and she was quarantined and only attended about 4 days of school in January.

Thanksgiving News

I am so impressed with the videos the Masseys put on You Tube.  This one has Keira as the anchor woman and it is good.

Evidently Matt is the director and producer and they are well done with some real edgy news of the day plus lots of  humor.

 

Classical Stretch on PBS

I think II have found a exercise program I can commit to.  I have been recording for a long time this program on PBS station.  The lady is Miranda Esmonde-White and it is only 22 minutes and the purpose is get the body mobile and strong.  Just what I need.  

I am starting with #1 and have 60 classes recorded or you can buy from PBS for around $65 and use cds.  I am glad I recorded.  I feel better all ready.

 And I have the proper gear to wear which makes you feel more like exercising than just being in your pajamas.  I bought this outfit about 2 years ago when I thought I was going to start going to exercise classes provided by my health insurance.  Linda took me shopping and I tried on quite a few before I found one that fit right.  At the time I did not realize I should be zipping the jacket shut but it does work better that way and shows all those bulges you want to get rid of.

So we will see if I can keep up with it and get feeling good.  She swears she has only done this each day for 30 years and that you do not need to put hours in the gym to stay in good shape.  She is now 66 and has been the coach for many athletes and dancers over the years.

Happy Birthday 88 years!!!!!

I had an extended celebration this year.  Linda took me to lunch on Wednesday, bearing gifts and giving me a trial run to my haircutter's new place in Escondido, then I had my good Dr. apt on Thursday and had lunch with Maria, and fun gifts have been coming in from Amazon from her, plus she gave me fresh medjool dates and walnuts plus the recipe for a date shake and Friday Camber and James took me to lunch after bringing beautiful plants for my home.

Meanwhile I had birthday greetings on Facebook, Messenger, Messages, Instagram so it was a fun birthday even though if I am in San Diego for the winter we usually have a party.

Maria said to take a picture and it is good to mark the day so here it  is to mark 88 years of which I probably remember the first 8 the best!!!!

When Linda asked what I wanted I said the Pepperidge Lemon layer cake.  I only recently discovered this little gem but I have bought the coconut layer one for years...if hungry for cake these are really great.

Call from Stewart House twice, once here and then latter from the children and sang Happy Birthday each time.  Maria and her crew called on my tablet and sang while serving Birthday Cake Michael had made that day!

 

One thing James did before he left  my house is to get my key to grasp and let me have a fire in the fireplace.  My minister Bro. Williams had been so kind to find one that fit and brought it over along with a lighter and worked very hard to hook it on and then teach me how to do it.

Unfortunately I was not able to get it to grasp on the nexxt day or ever after.  James showed me how to slant it and get a good grasp by being gentle till it really latched.  

Then the second problem had to be solved.  My hand is not strong enough to turn it with just one hand while the other one is holding the fire torch.  So the first time I used a paper towel and lit it but this makes too big of a mess to vacuum up later.  Now I have one of my little candles that I use to light and then use my salad tongs to pull it out of the fire.  Life is so complicated when you are old and alone but never give up!!!!

Good Health News

Today I met with Dr. Rod Serry and after reviewing the latest tests plus all he received from Scripps he does not feel we need to do anything yet.  YEA!

If I start having more symptoms I should call, otherwise I will get tests again in June and go from there!!!  He said the stenosis is about the same as it was last June but he does not want to wait any longer than 6 months to test again.

He said to keep doing what I am doing.  Actually I think I should be doing more walking and dancing. 

However, if I am going to live longer than 2 years I need to start looking for cheaper housing.

Maria sent over a list in Carlsbad to start on.....

He also explained that in the last 10 years or so they have determined that the statins help prevent heart attack and stroke and lesson the plaque.  Even without thinking about the numbers...definitely I should have been taking for this reason with my familial heart disease.  

Inauguration Day

 

Today will go down as one of the best inaugural days we have had.  I thought President Biden's talk was the best I have heard since Kennedy.  He was very well prepared and seemed sincere and determined to put across a message of We, not I, and his determination to be the President of all the people.  I was very impressed. If only, the positivity and comradery can keep going.

Lady Gaga's singing of the National Anthem was the best I have ever heard, I think.  And Amanda Gorman, the poet laureate wrote and spoke an incredible poem about these times.  Just amazing. 

Whoever was responsible for the planning and carrying out of the day did a really great job.

Of course, it was very disappointing when he signed 17 bills changing a lot of the good that Trump did and reverting to Obama days, so despite the speech it is all about politics and paying back who he owes a favor to, politics not America needs... again. So sad. 

  

Mitchie, a New Friend

 Charli wanted her Mom to send both Marilyn and I some of her "not needed anymore" comfort stuffed animals, "because we are all alone."  Nico immediately loved it and named it Mitchie!!  Thanks,Charli!!!

New Primary Doctor and Statins

On 12/8/2020 I met my new Primary Doctor at Arch Health.  He is older and has worked other places.  He is a little gruff but very preceptive.  We talked about what I wanted from him. He had already looked at the records Dr. Serry has but I had not brought him any except very little information from Dr. Vaccarri, my Scripps Doctor.

Actually I have to have a Primary Doctor and he knows that but other than my aortic valve problem which is for Dr. Serry to take care of, I told him I want to build up my immune system, take care of any UTI's I get and find out about the Chronic Kidney Failure that is now listed on my charts.  He wants me to come in January after having blood and urine tests and we would talk about all that.  He said it means I have rust in my plumbing ???

Update, I met with him after the tests and sugar looks ok, CKF not a problem, but he talked me into trying statins again, can't use the expense excuse.  It is the generic of Crestor, only $9.62 a month with Good RX coupon at Sav-On and wants me to go for 3 months and see how it does.  He swears it will help my plaque.  However, I read later that statins have never been tested on people over 75 so, you know, is it really too late for that?  Also, I had a current UTI, why was I not aware?  I think I was so committed to finishing my puzzle, I was not paying attention.  Dumb me.  I like that he gave me 3 pills a day and called for a call back to check again.  He is thorough.   

Beautiful Sunset even in Rancho Bernardo!!!

I usually take my walk with Sadie between 4 and 5 and I think it was closer to 5 this evening.  I could not believe the gorgeous sky even out here.  Next day Meagan had pictures that were almost the same as they were down at the bay.  And Carole Warburton in Utah had almost the same except her picture had a little yellow in it.  Wonder what was going on in the world that we were treated with this beautiful sunset!!!
 

High Tide at Bathroom Rock

 Maria sent a picture of the high tide at Bathrub Rock today, that is where we walked to and climbed up on to throw John's ashes into the sea.  This was a favorite place for him to come with his surfing friends.  It is at Torrey Pines State Park.

Four Generation Pictures with the Stewart Family

Linda and the Stewarts came over today and we did 4 Generation Pictures.

Linda, Kristi, and I look quite a bit alike, I think!!!

Molly

Brynn

Kate

Ryan