Literally....Holy CRAP!!!

That is all you need to know. But I think the problem is solved! Let's put it this way...it better be.

Then, we thought another VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM!! No hot water in 2 units. Do you know why it was serious??? Because it affected ME!!! That my friends, makes it a VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM!!! It was a circuit breaker on the hot water heater itself. That's a first for me. All of the 'other' hot water heaters I have had personal contact with here were not like this one. Lesson learned. Push in button - wait 30 minutes - HOT WATER!!! I love this country!!

Then...well there were a 100 thens. All kinds of shit today. Tomorrow will be the supreme bitch of a day. Oh well. I get paid VERY well. I'm worth it. And I'm not being my usual smart ass. I work very hard. So there.

Guess what? I don't have to make the cupcakes. Someone asked what they could do...so I asked if they wanted to make some politically correct cupcakes...and they said YES!! Goody!!

My Tuesday list is getting shorter. I just have to stay focused.

I really need to put some Nice and Easy #117 on my hair. Maybe tomorrow night. And I really need to get some pants that fit me. Remember that pair of pants I told you I had ordered? Well, I got them...They are long, which is fine, but the waist is a little snug. That's the bad thing about lady's pants. They naturally assume that you have a waist. I think that is a rude assumption! Consequently, I will have to put these pants on very early in the morning before gravity has had a chance to interact with my body mass. It's not pretty. Trust me.

It was 91 degrees today. Didn't expect that. It's so comfortable at night. Cool. Jacket weather.

I'm getting a 'post not saved due to form errors' at the bottom of this thing. I think I publish this so I don't lose it. Might be back later...if not...have a nice evening!

b

OK, I ate some salad and cheesecake...now I need real food

I'm not full...that's for sure, so I'll be thinking about what I really really want to eat while I am writing this.

Let's see....got almost all the floor tiled today. There is a reason we didn't finish. Want to hear it? I had a headache. Not a slammer, but it would have been if I had fired up that tile cutter. Consequently, We only squared off the room. And we are so very busy this weekend, that we may not get back to the room until maybe Monday...possibly Wednesday. I will be very busy on Tuesday with the Meet & Greet and wlll take that day off anyway.

Some of the lights in the trees got hung today...but most of the physical stuff will be done tomorrow and Sunday. I am comfortable that everything is right on schedule. Tough shit if it's not.

Husband has serious back pain, and although we have a new mattress...he just can't get comfortable. So I went on line and researched some of those memory foam pads. There are a lot of them. Various degrees of thickness, weight, volume per pound (go figure)...

I decided on a 3" thick Serta Memory Pad. It had great reviews and an amazing price. It arrived on Tuesday and I put it on the bed immediately. Since I have deep pocket fitted sheets, mine fit the extra height fine.

What a great night's sleep! I thought I was comfortable until I slept on this! Excellent investment. Husband is very pleased.

Jezus Kerist! I just had to go put a doorknob on a door! Don't even start with me...I know...where else would you have put it! Evidently the set screw had backed out and the doorknob just spun around! NOT a good thing!! I found another knob and just replaced it for tonight, but I'll check it tomorrow. That would be unnerving...Not getting in is one thing...not getting out is scary! There is a window...but that wouldn't be my first choice either. And it's 9:00 already!!

It's time to take a shower. I didn't expect the interruption. Sorry. I'll be back tomorrow...

b

Progress - it's a GOOD thing!!

Gosh and golly! I have accomplished a plethora of 'stuff' today! Jobs, chores, working, painting, cutting, sanding, screwing (don't go there) sawing, hammering, cooking... Whew! I'm exhausted!

Seriously, I got lots done today. I feel good about it. We will be tiling the floor tomorrow. What a milestone for us. Not as much got done in assigned jobs...but it's something I have to deal with. I'm not real happy about it.

Husband baked a chicken for supper. I smells wonderful. I made wild rice (hence the cooking).

I ordered a pair of jeans on line and received them today. I may have made a mistake. The waist looks pretty small. I have flab around my waist. Rolls of it. Maybe I can shove it down in the pants...I sure don't want a layer or two hanging over the waistband! Maybe I'll just put them in the drawer. Maybe I should quit the coconut pie and paydays.................pahleeeeze!!

I looked up sanders. I think I'll just get a cheapo hand held orbital style sander for now. I need a belt sander, but it may be a while. First, they are expensive, although worth it...and second, right now I don't really need one that nice. Want it...but don't necessarily need it. I am so backlogged on what I need it for, it will sit next to me for a month before I use it. Maybe I would be inspired if I actually looked at it....something to think about.

It was a beautiful day today. A comfortable chill in the air this morning. Great weather to work in.
I sure hope it holds out through next week. I'm thinking it's supposed to.

Nothing from the VA today. Now remember, they work at their own speed. Husband will ignore them. Not that he would ignore any call because he won't do that...he'll It's because he has a plan for next Tuesday and the closer it gets, the more he won't go to the hospital until after this event. Plus the fact...there is a Monday holiday. Nothing will be scheduled until after then with the VA and it's already Wednesday and these people don't shit in their own nest.

Since the reception on Tuesday is primarily a Democratic party (hey! that was clever!) I think I'll make a sheet cake with a donkey on it...what do you think? And some red, white and blue frosting and little flags!! I love it!! Or maybe just cupcakes...with R,W & B frosting with little flags...Depends on how I feel Monday night. I expect to hear back from some of the 'other' candidates and if anybody offers anything...cupcakes for everyone!! That way I don't have to do anything!

Husband is tormenting the cat. The cat loves it. They are both demented.

My eyes are messed up. I think it stems from working around the paint fumes, sawdust, regular and irregular dust...they itch like crazy and are blurry. I can't stand putting drops in them although that might solve the problem...I am just a chicken.

Well...I have a few things to do. Still have to keep up with a few lists. Have a nice evening.

b

I'm behind schedule for today

In my personal life that is. I got stuff that needed gettin' done...done...last night. But I haven't started my gettin' done stuff for tonight. And I may not. Well...no...well...I don't know...I might. I am just not feeling like doing anything .Period. But I might.

It was another of those, if it can go wrong..it will...days at work. So damn frustrating. And I am already not looking forward to tomorrow. It was physically tiring today. I guess that's why I am just sitting here tonight.

I have several letters to get out tomorrow regarding the Meet & Greet. Out of towners.

I sorry, I just have to lie down for a while. Can't promise I'l be back tonight. Bye!

b

Coconut Cream Pie

I had a piece of coconut cream pie tonight. It was delicious. Better than yogurt. (And it was a big piece!)

Moderately busy today. I was home early enough to get quite a few things accomplished. I have a bit more to finish tonight and I will be right on track. It's the 'just a week left' until the Meet and Greet for Hector Uribe. We decided today that the food would be Russ' BBQ with all the fixin's.

I plan things backwards. My calendar starts with Tuesday October 12 from 4-7. That's when the party starts.

Since I can never remember anything...Did I mention that we are having a M&G for Hector? He's a friend of ours who is the  'Democrat for Texas Land Commissioner' candidate. He and his main squeeze, Pamela (Pia) who is a dear friend of ours will be coming down on Monday for the M&G on Tuesday. I, the hostess with the most-ess, have sent out press releases and invitations (hence the stuff I have been working on) and will have my email and phone campaign launched on Wednesday. There may be 20 people here...there may be 200. Who knows...but it will be fun. I'm sure there will be 'film at 11'.

Husband spoke with the VA today...who assured him they would be back in touch with him before the day was out. Guess what!! You guessed it! Nothing! As in 'no phone call'. He will call again tomorrow. He is still wearing his hospital bracelets.

When I talked with Pia today regarding food to serve she said we could just do the cold cuts in case Husband was in the hospital. She didn't want him stressed over this.I told her that he would more than likely be here...and it was a week away. And he had already made the commitment. That's how he is.

He thrives on cooking and planning and is good at it. I know I have mentioned that he has a couple of young men that assist him in everything and they enjoy being part of Husband's team and participating in the festivities. I really appreciate them. But between you and me, if they tell Husband to be in any hospital this week...he will go. I can handle this reception and he needs to take care of this situation ASAP.

They just had somebody eating this massive New York style cheesecake on TV. Doesn't that sound good??

Well...I have a few things to do before I sleep. Busy day tomorrow. Several things to finish up so we can start tiling the floor. Oh happy day...Nite!

b

I am sad today

I went to work. Extraordinarily depressing. Then Husband called to tell me that our horse had died during the night. This made me so sad.

His name is King and he was born with us. He was 30 years old. I will no doubt refer to him as 'is' and 'was' forever. He was a beautiful paint horse. I'll find a photo of him and post it one of these days. We have a young man who feeds for us and he called Husband around noon and told him he had found King this morning when he went out to check on the horses. Evidently, King had just laid down and went to sleep. Husband took care of everything and brought me some of King's mane and tail hair. I have been going down memory lane thinking about him all day.

And now...here is a photo of Tom...being taunted by Husband. With his own whisker. Well, he shouldn't leave them hanging around! Right back atcha Tom! He has been all over us since we got home. Even me! Normally, Tom is Husband's cat. Never leaves his side and keeps asking to be tormented. I, on the other hand, am his meal ticket. His yogurt ticket. His clean cat box ticket. But today when I came home from work, I became really tired. (A good escape route when you don't want to think about stuff) So I took a nap. I must have really out because Husband said..."I was trying to keep Tom away from you while you were asleep".

I said..."Oh thanks, but I never felt him."

"Really?"...Husband said, " He was licking your face!!!"

HORRORS!!!!

"No shit? I never felt it!" I said.  I'm thinking I was really asleep.

It smells good in here. Husband is making some BBQ sauce. I think if it as 'dipping sauce'. A couple of pieces of bread...a bowl of sauce...doesn't get any better than that!

Have you ever tried Lean Pockets? I had never had one until tonight. It was the Turkey, Broccoli and Cheese one. I mean two. I ate them both. There was 800 mg of sodium. Total. Not good...but not bad I don't think. I have definitely eaten worse. Actually I ate worse earlier. I ate Ruffles (ummm...Ruffles Lightly Salted, I might add) and Green Onion Dip. Made me full.

I have several things I really need to do tonight which earlier I didn't think I was going to get done...but I have changed my mind. It must have been the nap.

I have to give Tom some yogurt now. He's giving me the very evil eye. See ya later.

b

We are home...nuts to the VA

Suffice it to say...it was not the best of visits to the VA. Normally, I don't go with Husband and he (pretty much) always comes home with nothing done. I wasn't quite that way this time, but pretty much.

We got there Thursday evening, ate dinner, checked into the hotel and watched TV. Up at 6:30 to go to the hospital for blood draw and 'prep'. The hospital called (while we were there...) to let Husband know that there was a cancellation and he could come on in. He told them he was already here and was in Ambulatory Surgery waiting for the DR to come back in!.

"(Ha Ha!) OK, well...thanks!! We'll see you, then!!

Now...let me interject this...(sorry Mumsy) I am going to copy most of the email I sent to her last night so I don't have to write t all over again...here goes....

I am in the waiting room. Husband walks by and goes to the Radiology Dept. They hadn't done the correct x rays, and needed them now. The Tech said she couldn't do anything until 3:30!! They were packed.


By now, I am standing there and said...so what will happen after 3:30. It's Friday! Who is taking care of this? She calls back over to the 'prep' area and talks to the DR and explains this to him. He says, I don't need and x-ray...I need an ultrasound to determine the density of the mass. We (I went this time) went back to see the DR...and he says...I need to draw the fluid from the 'soft mass' but it's behind the 'firm mass' and I have to see what I have to work with.


The 'Tech' comes in and says she can do the ultrasound right now if he wants it and will he be in there to view it so they don't have to do whatever they do that takes extra time to process it. He says...definitely...so Russell goes in for the ultrasound.


The DR is in there with RC, and he comes out to tell me that he, personally, will not be able to remove the 'hard mass' because of it's location and the soft mass must be biopsied and drained. By now it's 2:00 and he is determining what's what.


He goes back to his office area and comes out say that he wants Russell to have the mass drained...OK...and he will send the biopsy to MD Anderson in Houston. He agrees that ALBUQ is not the place for the 'hard mass' to be removed, but will set it up.


I asked him...so we came here for what? He says...I thought I was going to be able to just make an incision and remove the mass. Unfortunately, there is more to it than that. He said he was not capable of that particular surgical procedure and was not comfortable doing it, primarily because of the location.


I asked what was next. He said he would draw the fluid, now, send it off and set up a surgery appt. I know Russell was frustrated and pissed. I told this DR that Russell had gone through this same bunch of bullshit so many times that he may not come back. He explained that this mass really needed to come out and he was sorry that RC was being sent here and there but he would make it happen. I told him he better make it happen pretty damn quick.


They drew out fluid and put in a drain tube that will stay in until the surgery. We didn't get out of there until 5:45.


Now I understand and know how he feels when they send him home. I can't even blame the DR as he really didn't know what he was looking at until he saw the ultrasound. I asked if we should have had it done a few days ago, and he said no, as the mass(es) change daily.

I am so frustrated for Husband, but rest assured I will be on the phone Monday morning with somebody. Perhaps Husband will end up in Houston, I just don't know.

That was it in a nutshell. 

Question of the day...What DID get done while we were gone??

I crocheted 5 (count 'em...5!) hats!!  And we got some goldfish for the fountain...Yippee!!

I can honestly say it was good to get away from here. Everytime we leave, I just don't want to come back to work. I have lots of irons in the fire right now and will be very busy for the next two weeks....and this is stuff that I really enjoy doing! Working is hindering my 'things to do!'!!

We just had company for a couple of hours, which was enjoyable...but I have several things to finish tonight...it's on the lost...and if I don't get them done...well, you know the drill...I will be behind and do NOT want to try to catch up tomorrow. 

It's been a tiring time so I'll close and get my 'today' stuff done. Thanks for letting me vent...

b