The Lighter Side Cafe - Mon-Wed 4/15-17

Hi Sue,  I've been thinking of you and I had a feeling something might be going on. I hope you can see the doctor soon to get your DH on the road to full recovery.   Like you said, it's hard to second guess ourselves when we really don't know.  Sending you hugs and prayers. Keep us posted.  xoxo

I am feeling a tad better today but still headachey and still tired. Not sure why this infection is hanging on and on ....and on...  I did sleep better last night but again in a Lazy Boy. I can't lie down without erupting into horrible coughing fits within 2 minutes.  

I am taking today again as a sick day to try to recover...

Sending all good and healing thoughts to everyone...

Well, once again I typed a nice long, newsy post only to have it poof away. When will I ever learn to type it in Notes first and copy to the thread?? Oh well, here goes the shorter version:

We had very bad weather last Wednesday morning with tornadoes all around us. One was only a few miles away on the outskirts of our village. It dropped a huge oak tree onto the railroad tracks and tore down numerous trees and power poles. Our Generac kept us in power, but many didn't get electricity back until Friday. Cable was out and even cell phone service was wonky Wednesday with messages and calls not going through. DH had to reschedule his doctor's appt. that was scheduled right in the middle of the worst weather. I missed a meeting and had to reschedule picking up the car from the dealership after getting the windshield repaired. Wednesday evening was Anna's Confirmation Mass and reception. By then the roads had been cleared of trees and debris. They had electricity until it suddenly went out during the reception. DH and I were ready to head home by that time anyway.

Friday DH and I made the 5 hour drive (which ended up taking 6 hours due to horrible traffic on I-10 after an accident) to League City, TX where my old college roommate and her DH, a friend of DH's, hosted what we dubbed the Big Chill Weekend. Fifteen of us were able to make it and we had a blast! Lots of reminiscing about our college escapades and lots of laughter. We enjoyed bbq on Friday and a crawfish boil on Saturday. We played a trivia game about our college days and what has transpired in our lives since then. After a lovely breakfast on Sunday we made the drive home and I was able to attend Mass at 5:30. It was in Spanish, but I always follow along pretty well.

Unfortunately, I paid for all my fun and gasped when I hit the scale this morning. I was discharged by the surgeon today and released from OT, so will have more time to devote to exercise. I made several appts. for private Pilates classes with my instructor so that I can catch up before trying a group session. She has combined our class with a younger group and I want to be able to keep up.

Sue - I'm so sorry your DH is still not feeling up to par. I agree, he needs to consult with his doctor. At least he is home and can rest better and I'm sure get tastier food.

Judy - You have had an awful time with this respiratory thing! Hopefully another round of meds will get rid of it. I hate that you had to cancel your vacation.

Well, typing this twice has kept me up late and I have my annual checkup with my PCP at 8:30 am so I'd better get to bed. Sweet dreams!

Hey friends,

Nice to see both of you here and to catch up on the news.

I wondered about the tornado impact on your area, Pam.  Glad you were not directly affected except for the loss of power and glad you have the Generac.  I loved hearing about the Big Chill weekend.  HOw fun!  I am hearing the music as you all danced around the kitchen to Heard it on the Grapevine.  Lifelong friends are so precious and so great to be with people who knew us when we were in our "salad days." :-)  

Sue, I wondered about the BP machine, too.  We invested in a good one last year as we had one that was not as accurate as we wanted.  It's pretty much spot on and helps a lot with DH's issues.  Might be worth investigating as Pam said. How is your DH doing today, Sue?  

I am feeling somewhat better!  Hooray.  The new meds must be doing their job so I am glad I called. I even got out for a brief walk with Daisy to the beach and visited briefly - from a distance - with a neighbor. 

I am working part-time today and catching up on a few things.  Nothing too strenuous :-)

I have not been on the scale in a week. I need to WI but haven't had much appetite or eaten much.  HOwever, the steroids usually do a job on my system so I expect to be up and will be until the 10 days are over.  Health first...weight next. I am not thinking much about it. 

It's a lovely day here today - sunshine helps and I am trying to think positively.  I am sad about not being with my DGKs this week, but I had no choice. I think DD and the kids will be here over July 4th week.  Hope so.  

Have a great day all. 

Hey all,

Happy Hump Day!  I think I am over the hump as far as my sickness goes.  I slept well and my voice is coming back. Not coughing as much so I guess this last round of meds is doing the trick.  Thank goodness. 

I am easing into working from home today and catching up on things.  It is a nice day so I hope I can get Daisy out again for a little walk to the beach.  

DH had to be up and out very early for a doctor's appt an hour away.  I don't expect I'll see him until later today.  I'm planning to make salmon for dinner - we have done a good job eating out of the freezer since I've been sick.  He has made a few trips to the grocery for F&V and juices etc.  I was pleasantly surprised (I think) to find that my weight has stayed the same despite 2 weeks of steroids.  Could be worse for sure.  

Pam, I am sure your doctor loves you - you do take such good care of yourself and you are a good patient doing all he says!  If only all of the patients were like you. Your eggplant parm sounded yummy.  How lucky to have such a great chef in house! :-) Mine does not cook at all, but he is a great cleaner-upper! Those pans sparkle so I'll take it since I love to cook for the most part.  Congrats on reining in any weight gain over the Big Chill weekend! You really have this down pat. 

Have a good day friends.  I'll check in later on.  Thinking of you Sue and hoping your DH is feeling better. 

Sue, I am so sorry you are going through so much with your DH and his respiratory issues but very glad he is in good hands now in the hospital. You must be absolutely exhausted, and I know it's scary and tough to go through so many ups and downs.  I wish I could help you! I hope you are taking care of yourself and resting when you can. Do you live close to the hospital?  Hope you don't get too worn down.  Hugs and lots of prayers to you.  I had a feeling it was a rough patch after his release from the procedure. Keep us posted - I'm here to listen and care. 

Hi all,

We were up bright and early.  Stanley Steemer showed up to do our area rugs - they did a great job and also cleaned the mudroom carpets and a couple small runners.  Looks great and feels clean. They were in an out in an hour.  They were able to remove a small cranberry juice stain I spilled a year ago.  Yay. 

The lawn service is coming today today to start an annual maintenance and get the grass looking good.  So we are in the spiffing up mode today for sure. DH is going to do the mowing himself this year - that's his thought.  He always did it all and enjoyed every part of gardening and lawn care but needs help now.  He'll focus on his flowers and the mowing. 

Sue, I hope your DH is doing well in the hospital and I'm glad he is getting the best of care in the right place.  Sending along thoughts and prayers, too.  

Pam, I miss TCM. We used to have it but we have just the basic cable now plus our favorites like Britbox and Acorn, Amazon and Netflix.  I love Guys and Dolls.  My cousin was in a theater production of it and it's so fun.  Love those old movies the best. I wish I could just subscribe to TCM separately but not sure if that is an option.  I don't want the expanded cable - we don't find much else to watch on network tv these days.

I am enjoying reading Horse and learning more about horses than I ever dreamed.  

Have a good day.  I had to skip TOPS today. I thought of going with a mask since I am feeling about 50% better now, but we have a lot of elderly membrers and it's not fair to them overall.  They sure don't need me hacking and coughing even behind a mask. 

Make it a great day - oh, I cooked salmon and broccoli in foil packets last night. I made homemade Rice Pilaf to go with it.  Was a hit. Found a recipe with some good spices including a bit of Siracha. 

TTFN.