In My Dreams I Can Talk

DVR Dump

2012-01-30T09:35:00.000-06:00

Hi All!

Despite the fact that I claim not to watch too much television . . . I have become absolutely addicted to our DVR.

True, I don't watch much tv when the shows actually air - I just watch them later. This is usually so that I can keep peace with my darling Hubby who wants to watch "his" shows in the evenings. I record "my" shows and watch them during the day when he isn't home. A good arrangement.

On a normal day, my DVR recordings list has about 20-30 things on it waiting to be watched. Yes, about half of those things actually were recorded by Hubby and I will (hopefully) never have to watch them but, half are mine! I watch current things first and then dabble in the older things - generally movies recorded during the "free preview" weekends.

Imagine my shock (terror, surprise, horror) when I pushed the "recordings" button on my DVR and the list which came up contained only TWO items. BOTH of which were Hubby's shows!

Yikes!

Where did all of my stuff go?

Where is my Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 1)? Where is my recently recorded episode of the sit-com whose name I can't recall? Where is my "Eat, Love, Pray?"

Where did everything go?

Now, this has happened before. I have gone into a shocked mode and . . . a few minutes (or hours) later, the recorded material "pops" back up.

Not this time. It has been three days and still nothing.

The DVR has dumped my stuff.

Shoot!

Trisha

Hair Dilemma

2012-01-27T09:26:00.002-06:00

Hi All!

Recently, I have been growing my hair. For most of my life, I have gone from having longer hair (the longest was in college when it was halfway down my back) to having short hair (and I mean short!). Since my hair grown quickly, growing it out isn't too much of a hassle. Yes, I have to deal with awkward in-between stages when my hair looks . . . .odd but, generally, those stages are over pretty quickly.

However.

My hair is thick. Every time I get my hair cut, my hairdresser "thins" it to make it look less like a bush and more like human hair. Normally, I don't mind having thick hair and my mother is envious of my thick hair (yeah, just let her live with it for about a month and that will be over!). When my hair is longer though, the thickness of my hair can become an "issue."

Why, you may ask?

Well, in case you don't know, thick hair takes FOREVER to dry. I am really not exaggerating too much with that time frame either!

I can wash my hair and let it air dry and it will still be damp over two hours from the time I step out of the shower. And, yes, I towel dry it well.

If I need to have my hair look more "finished" than its normal haphazardly dried look ( one side goes under and the other flips out while a few rougue waves in my otherwise straight hair makes things look . . .interesting), that required blow drying.

Blow drying is fast, right? Think again, my dear friends!

To blow dry my hair it takes at least (at LEAST) half an hour. And that is without really doing a lot of styling. For me to control how my hair looks at the end of the blow drying requires even more time (since I have to dry stategically). Sometimes it can take upwards of forty-five minutes.

My arms get tired! I get sweaty! I get cranky.

I do like how my hair turns out though!

The price of having long hair.

Hummmmph.

I could do without it.

Trisha

Do You "Word With Friends?"

2012-01-26T09:32:00.001-06:00

Hi All!

Recently, I started playing "Words With Friends." It has been a very humbling experience.

I am a very literate person. I have college degrees (notice the s!). My English vocabulary is vast.

Why then can't I beat people on this game?

Could it be because I get selections of letter like this:

X Q I R R O N N ?

OR like this:

S T R G N V L ?

OR how about this:

I E E E O A Y ?

*sigh!*

Trisha

I Have Class

2012-01-24T09:03:00.000-06:00

Hi All!

Yes, it has been a long time - again! I haven't gotten back to a place in my life where I can think about blogging regularly but . . . . I think it is getting closer!

Anyway - thank you to everyone who still reads my blog when I do post. Your comments really lift my spirits (and yes, that darn curd was ridiculous!).

Yesterday was my first class for this semester. This class is the last class I need to finish my education in the Interpreter Preparation program.
In case you don't know, I am taking classes in order to become a certified American Sign Language Interpreter. After finished all classes (the end of this semester) I will take a test to become certified so that I can (hopefully) start working as an interpreter.

So far, it looks like this will be a good class for me. I know everyone in the class (as far as students go) and the teacher seems nice. My only concern is that there is one student who has "glommed onto me" in the past and I am just not ready to deal with that this semester. We will see how that goes.

In other news . . . not a whole lot is going on in my world. I am struggling to continue walking each morning. I think I am getting (or have) shin splints because when I try to push myself to walk quickly, the fronts of my shins/ankles really hurt. When I stop walking and am bumming around home or when I am just walking leisurely, everything is fine. This is frustrating! This morning I managed to just keep walking - at a slower rate than I would have liked - but the shins/ankles weren't too bad.

My beautiful kitties are doing well even though Miss Cleo took an unexpected (by her) slide into the bathtub this morning! Skor is just as feisty (and annoying) as normal while managing to be completely adorable at the same time. I am not sure how he does that!

Everyone in my family is doing well as far as I know. This statement, however, can be patently false and I wouldn't know because, apparently, family doesn't call when people are in the hospital!

Let me explain.

My husband's brother (and best friend) was recently in the hospital (in a different state) for four days and no one called to tell us. FOUR DAYS! I would think that would merit a phone call. What do you think?

Hubby is a bit upset that he wasn't told about it before his brother was home again.

Not that telling us about it would have changed anything but it would be nice to be kept "in the loop."

On a totally random note - do you have a wall calendar that you really like? Over the past several years we have had several with nice pictures (but I hate it when they "preview" the next month's picture at the bottom of the current month! There is no surprise and I feel like I have seen the picture before - which I have!) but, honestly, I get bored. I would like a calendar with facts for each day or little challenges to solve (math??) and things to think about - but in a wall calendar and not the one page a day calendars that sit on your desk. Have you ever seen something like that?

Maybe that will be my next project!

Thanks for reading my rambling - if you made it this far!

Have a fabulous day!

Trisha

P.S. It seems like my spell checking doesn't work for some reason so if you see misspelled words, please let me know!

The BIg Curd

2011-12-15T09:26:00.001-06:00

Hi All!

Lately I have been trying to lower the amount of carbs I eat so I have been eating cottage cheese for breakfast. I prefer the large curd variety because it is fun to squish the curd while eating. Yes, I know that is a bit strange but consider the source!

Anyway - I was making my way through this week's container of cottage cheese when I found this.

One giant curd!

Talk about committment to living up to the label on the package!

Trisha

Visions of Sugarplums

2011-12-14T09:21:00.002-06:00

Hi All!

Generally speaking, I enjoy baking and cooking but don't have the time to do it as much as I would like. Sure, I cook dinner pretty much every night but what I really like is that holiday baking.

Sugar cookies with frosting. Spritz cookies with colored sugar sprinkles. Pies.

Then there is the holiday candy. My specialty is the iconic Ohio Buckeye candy. This is basically a ball of sweet peanut butter coated in chocolate with just a bit of the peanut butter showing to look like the Buckey nut.

Everyone LOVES my buckeyes.

They are delicious but take a lot of time to make and the end result is not only the candy but also a backache for me from all of the hand rolling of the candy.

After finishing the buckeyes there is always left-over melted chocolate to have fun with. I coat pretzel bites, almonds, raisins, and anything else that might be handy. I give the buckeyes away but the miscellaneous stuff I dip is all mine!

This year I have had a particularly strong urge to bake and make candy. In fact, as I type this, I am contemplating making carmel because my Great-grandmother used to make it and it was always a wonderful treat.

True. She made it for Easter but . . . that is just splitting hairs!

In addition to my yen to make caramels, I want to make cake balls to send to my sister-in-law and spritz cookies for my Hubby (they are his favorite!).

There is a strong possibility that a trip to the store is in my near future.

Trisha

Gadgets

2011-12-12T09:31:00.001-06:00

Hi All!

It seems like, over the years, our lives have become cluttered with gadgets. Things to make our lives "easier." Cell phones. E-readers. IPods and MP3 players. Laptops. Tablets.

Well, I hate to admit this but, I am a gadget addict.

I LOVE gadgets.

Anything electronic can keep me occupied for a while.

First it was the computer. Yes, I am of the generation where computers weren't part of my formative years and so they were fascinating (and still are).

Then it was the iPod. This got me into podcasts which are another addiction of mine.

The whole cell phone/smart phone thing has gone by me, however. Hubby and I don't call each other a whole lot and so have never really seen the need for a cell phone. After all, if we go on trips, it is normally together so why would we need a cell phone to call each other?

Yes, I am aware of the safety perspective of having a cell phone - especially since they have systematically taken out the pay phones across the country. I DO have a cell phone - prepaid and VERY basic - that I take with me for safety. Hubby has the same set up himself but . . . he never takes his phone with him so I suppose it isn't worth too much.

Lately, Hubby and I have been talking smart phones. With my future career pretty much requiring smart phone accessibility, a smart phone is certainly in my future. We just aren't sure WHEN in my future.

AND.

We are so far out of the "loop" in terms of cell phones, we have absolutely no idea where to start.

Luckily, Consumer Reports' most recent edition is about smart phones and service providers.

I guess it is time to read up!

Trisha

Festive

2011-12-09T09:21:00.001-06:00

Hi All!

Surprisingly, yesterday I felt festive. I actually got out my Christmas decorations.

Okay - I didn't get them ALL out. The would involve the Christmas tree and garlands and lots of ornaments.

I got out the Christmas decorations I put out when I don't get the tree out.

The wreath got put up on the front door. Red ribbons were hung on the porch lights. Fake candles were placed in the front windows. I even crafted a pseudo ball of ornaments with a nice bow to hang on my banner hanger.

Then, I went a bit wild - for me!

I actually added stuff to the wreath! New red berries (the old ones were showing their age by splitting and showing the lovely white foam they are made of) and read and green ornaments were wired into the wreath to give it "new life."

That is wild for me!

To top all this "hoopla" off, our Christmas cards are actually in the mail.

I know - amazing!

You see. I don't get too excited about decorating for the holidays. Somehow, it always just makes me sad.

So much time is spent "decking the halls" and preparing for the season and then it is gone in an instant. On December 26th, the decorations already look a bit tired.

Then you have to take everything down.

That is such a bummer.

Nothing ever goes back in the box quite right and then fitting everything back into the closets . . . what a chore.

I love the look of decorations and lights.

I just get sad when I think about having to take them down.

Trisha

Maybe

2011-12-08T09:55:00.001-06:00

Hi All!

This is the season of remembering.

Do you remember your childhood?

The other day I got a message via Facebook from a boy I knew in elementary school. Of course, he is a man now but, he will always be a boy in my memory. It was a strange experience for me. This boy was someone I had a crush on and he remembers having a crush on me. In fact, he remembers so well that he even mentioned it to a person he met before heading out to the Navy. Another man who said he was from the same hometown. Another man who just turned out to be my brother!

Imagine! A boy who had a crush on me in elementary school remembering my name (and the street I lived on) long enough to mention it to someone he met after finishing high school.

Imagine that.

Someone remembering ME!

The messages on Facebook got me thinking about a lot of stuff.

Would my life have turned out so differently if I hadn't moved the summer after discovering my crush for this boy? Would we have "gone out" if I had stayed? Would that have led to more relationships?

Before moving I think - I THINK - I had friends. After moving, making friends was difficult.

After moving - which is the period of time I remember the most from my childhood - I was unsure of myself. I remember thinking that I would never have friends again - let alone boyfriends. I didn't have boyfriends in middle schol (they all called me Grimace from McDonald's!!). I didn't really have boyfriends in high school (partly because of the whole Grimace thing and partly because my Dad was my high school principal for the last two years!). I had lots of boyfriends in college and didn't really know how to handle them.

Of course, my life has ended up pretty darn well in that area - I have a wonderful husband who I love more than anything. If I hadn't moved - I probably would have never met him.

But - I still have to wonder what it would be like if I hadn't moved.

Maybe I would have been the popular girl.

Maybe.

Just maybe.

Trisha

Thursday

2011-10-13T09:21:00.000-05:00

Hi All!

My how time flies! It is Thursday already!

This morning I had all kinds of wonderful things to show you and tell you and then . . . my mind decided that I shouldn't show or tell you!

Darn my mind!

Oh well!

Maybe I will remember what I wanted to say tomorrow!

Have a fabulous day.

Trisha

So Pretty!

2011-10-11T09:58:00.001-05:00

Hi All!

Things in life are a bit "confused" these days for me so it is wonderful that I can go out to my garden and see this beauty.

Such lovely Columbine (which isn't supposed to be able to live in my climate!) and a Cone Flower - which I thought was dead!

On my way home one evening from class I saw some lovely cloud formations!

I couldn't quite get the right shot to show the nice pinkish red coloration that was in the sky!

It was a perfect day for finding shapes in the clouds. What do you see?

Trisha

Non-motivational

2011-10-04T09:31:00.001-05:00

Hi All!

Just a short "check in" to let you know that I haven't forgotten all of my bloggie friends! I have just been dealing with "stuff" like medicine and glasses and rehearsals for the play (which opens on Friday with my team interpreting!).

With everything going on - I haven't had a lot of time to think of things to blog about.

However, I will tell you about the new CD I got in the mail (for free!!) yesterday. It is from the people who publish Our Daily Bread - a devotional booklet. Of course, the CD is religious music - this one is "Favorite Hymns of the Summer." It is a bit late for summer but - it is FREE - and I am not going to complain!

The music is good and is perfect for times when I need to be in a more meditative and prayerful place.

The funny thing about the CDs - I have gotten several free CDs from this entity over the past couple years- is that my mother gets the devotional booklet as well and NEVER gets information about free CDs. I get the information all the time (well - probably two to three times a year). Since we both like music, it is a mystery how I got on the mailing list of people who "like music and would love free inspirational CDs" while Mom has not.

At least I send the CDs to Mom after I have uploaded them onto iTunes so she can enjoy them as well.

If you would like some devotional material and haven't found a good source yet, I highly recommend checking the RBS out. They have lots of stuff online and you can get the devotionals via email as well!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well. The other day a woman called me about the SD support group. I was mystified as to how she got my phone number since I have had it removed from all SD stuff for about a year now (has it been that long??). Apparently, she had an old flier from when I was support group leader. Anyway - I talked with her for about half an hour giving her information and places to find more information (NSDA is the best place). I wasn't comfortable doing this when I first called her back but it turned out okay. It doesn't make me want to return to my former role with the NSDA though!

Surprise Package!

2011-09-27T09:09:00.000-05:00

Hi All!

Yesterday was an interesting day. I finally took a tiny, little, baby step in technology and got a webcam so I could Skype with classmates. Yeah! AND I actually had a two hour session with the classmate who is my team for interpreting the play.

Skype is so neat. Now I just want to Skype everyone! Of course, that means needing to look halfway decent when I am on the computer . . .so . . . that might not work too well.

In addition to Skype, I made cake balls yesterday. Red velvet with cream cheese frosting! Yum! The cake balls are for a speech I have to present in class today. While it is an ASL class, we all give speeches (spoken English speeches) so that classmates can practice their interpreting. I made the cake but I still haven't really organized my speech. I am sure I will think of something by class time today!

Then, Hubby got the mail and I had a pleasant surprise!

A package from Australia!

Inside was a note and two CDs.

Hubby and I met a very nice couple while we were on the cruise and the husband is a musician who has made a couple cds. Being ever on the lookout for new music, I asked him about his work and he promised to send me a cd.

Of course, I promptly forgot about that when I got home so when the package showed up in the mail yesterday, I was surprised!

I have the music loaded onto iTunes and am listening as I type this post. One cd includes vocals and one is all instrumental. Nice!

Isn't it nice when you get surprises?

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well. Honestly, I haven't really thought about my voice too much lately as I have been dealing with classes and medication side effects. I need to get more focused on my voice to keep it in top shape.

On a related topic - I have been getting information via email and the mail about the NSDA (a very wonderful organization for people with SD and those interested in learning more about SD). This has brought up some old feelings. I am not really sure how I feel about all of that yet.

Wally World and a Treasure

2011-09-26T09:37:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Blogger's new interface is still confusing me but, hopefully, I have it worked out enough to get this post (with pictures) done today! Keep your fingers crossed!

This weekend I was THRILLED to discover that I can SLEEP! If you recall, my new medication was leaving me sleepless. Now, it seems like my body has adjusted a bit to the meds and I have been able to sleep. This "new" phenomenon started Friday night. On Saturday, I woke up and felt . . . weird. It took me a while to understand that what I felt was rested!

Of course, my meds didn't want me to feel too good so it kicked into intestinal upset mode for the day (Saturday). Lucky, lucky me!

That didn't keep me from going with Hubby to watch Ohio State (his alma mater) play football. Hubby really wanted to go since the freshman quarterback was starting for the first time. They won but my stomach "issues" didn't let me appreciate the game too much.

Yesterday I had another chance to go to rehearsal for the play that my classmate and I are interpreting. I think we are getting it! Slowly but surely!

Today I have to work on my "how-to" speech for class (due tomorrow) and finish up a paper for group project (also due tomorrow). Doesn't that sound like fun? I was supposed to meet my classmate to work on the script (for the play) but, I went to Wally World this morning and bought myself a webcam so we can Skype.

Welcome to the new technology!

Wally World is actually sort of peaceful at 7:15 in the morning. Not too many people roaming around. Of course, there aren't too many check-out lanes open either but you have to decide which is more important.

On the way out of Wally World, I walked by this machine.

Hubby checked this machine out the other day (we go to Wally World a lot since it is the most convenient store for us!). Hubby thought it was great that there was a "can of Spam" in the machine. Can you see it?

I thought it was a bit strange that there was a can of Spam in a machine so I took a closer look.

Spam The Dice Game!?!?

I had no clue there was such a thing. It almost makes me want to play the game to try to get the game. Just to see what it is all about.

Have you ever seen the dice game?

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing really well.

Flowers!

2011-09-24T09:10:00.000-05:00

Hi All!

Honestly I am having problems getting Blogger to work with me this morning so . . . I think I will just let you see my lovely Moonflowers.

Monday I will try to tackle Blogger again!

Have a super weekend!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing extremely well at the moment.

Ya Ain't Got A Thing If Ya Ain't Got That Swing!

2011-09-22T09:08:00.000-05:00

Hi All!

Well, I am sad to say that I am still not feeling quite up to "par." I have always wondered about that saying because, generally, par is pretty low. It I don't feel up to par does that mean I am below a 3 or 4? It seems like even if I WAS up to par, that still wouldn't be very high. Maybe it should be "I am not feeling up to cruising altitude." instead. What do you think?

My new meds are treating me to a "lovely" variety of side effects which include stomach "issues," sleeplessness and headaches. Of course, to be fair, the headaches are probably caused by the lack of sleep and not by the meds themselves. I wouldn't want to be said to be unfair to medications!

This whole sleepy, headachy, grumpy thing is starting to get me down! It feels like I can't do everything I want to do since I am in a "fog" of sorts.

Of course, I am not sure if the "fog" or "funk," which may be a better description of the phenomenon, is actually medically caused or if it is just the way I am. I have been in this "thing" since summer. Then again, I have been dealing with medicine "issues" since this summer.

So - which came first - the funk or the issues?

Anyway.

Have I told you that as part of my ASL experiences this semester I am volunteering to interpret a play? Another student and I will be working as a team and will be interpreting the entire play in case a Deaf person shows up (we aren't sure that any will and are actually hoping that they don't so we don't feel as pressured!). The play is called "A Samurai Nosferatu" and is about . . . . Samurai warriors and vampires.

To be perfectly honest, I had never heard of Nosferatu before this play and was woefully behind in my vampire and monster "lore." Apparently, my education in lacking in that very important genre of movies - the B monster flick.

At rehearsal last night, everyone was talking about the various monster flicks they grew up watching and me . . . I had nothing to share (can I blame my parents for this???). I am a quick learner though and I do have internet access so I am trying to catch up. I won't be watching the movies though - monster films (good or not) freak me out!

Actually, the play must be freaking me out as well. Last night I dreamt about vampires!

I think I need a break. Or something!

Trisha

Voice Update: Still doing really well. My neck hurts from Susan's "work" on Monday but it is still loose and working well.

Glasses and Tree Shopping

2011-09-20T09:57:00.001-05:00

Hi All!

Okay - I am using Blogger's new "interface" and it is just a bit . . . weird! I am not certain how the pictures I am posting will turn out (size and position wise!) but . . . I guess there is a first time for everything, right?

So - here we go!

I recently got glasses. And they are bifocals! I feel so old! I think they look okay though. I had the woman at the eye doctor help me pick them out since I am pretty much clueless about that kind of thing.

About the picture - Hubby took it and he isn't too good at working the angles to make sure that my double chins don't take center stage. Oh well!

In other news, Hubby and I took a trip up north in Texas to a tree farm to pick out a new tree for out front. That will get the home owners' association off our backs! The tree farm was huge (I didn't actually get pictures of the farm) and we had fun walking around looking at the trees. Next to the farm's outdoor office was this wonderful pond. There was a nice flock of ducks and this visitor.

A beautiful heron! This is as good as my purse camera would zoom. A bit later - when we were ready to leave - there were two more herons but I didn't get their picture. So fun!

After buying a tree (an October Glory Maple to be delivered in October), Hubby and I decided to do a bit of exploring since we were out of our normal neighborhood. We ended up eating at Lucy's Diner in Celina, Texas. It was a nice little restaurant in a historic building. After a lunch of BLT (for Hubby) and Beef Dip (for me), we heading to Pilot Point for a Dairy Queen Blizzard. It was a nice little road trip for us!

Yesterday, I had speech. Susan was happy with my voice and not too happy that my neck - especially up under my chin where I simply can NOT get to on my own- was a bit tight. She also told me that she plans to retire in January! What in the world am I going to do then?????

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well and have a sore neck from Susan working on it for me!

Short and Sleepy

2011-09-16T09:20:00.001-05:00

Hi All!

Just a quick post to let you all in on another side effect of my new meds. Trouble sleeping.

Yeah!

I think I woke up forty times last night and I certainly feel it this morning! Too bad I have things to do (and people to see) today and don't have time for a nice, morning nap.

By the way - the temps here yesterday (and today if rumors prove true) - have been lovely! I actually have windows open this morning and drove to classes with the windows down in my car (and the moon roof open)! Yee-haw!

More tomorrow when I have hopefully had more sleep!

Trisha

M.I.A. Kitty

2011-09-15T09:20:00.000-05:00

Hi All!

First of all - I am trying the "new" blogger interface so . . . I am not really sure how this will go today so be patient!

Next, a report on the new meds. So far, it seems like my body is starting to get used to the new meds. My stomach still gets a bit upset but nothing like the first day I took the meds. Saturday marks the one week point as well as the point where I "get" to up the dosage. Hopefully, it won't up the stomach "issues" as well!

Speaking of meds, I got two prescriptions filled yesterday and one had tiny little pills in a tiny little pharmacy bottle. Then I pulled the other out of the bag - it is HUGE! The pills are HUGE and the pharmacy bottle is HUGE. It was a bit of a shock to see that HUGE bottle. It makes me feel like an old woman with that big bottle in my cabinet.

In other news, I am behind in class. This is something that is totally and unequivocally my own fault. Well, I will blame the meds a bit but . . . I am sure that I could have done what I needed to do if I had just tried a bit harder. Being behind isn't that big of a deal since I am really only about one day behind. However, it means that I will be working like the dickens today to get everything done before class!

Last night, Miss Cleo gave me a bit of worry. Hubby was home all day with a hurting back and as I was puttering around the house putting off my school work, I noticed that Miss Cleo was missing in action. I called her name. I put food in the bowl. No Miss Cleo. Finally, Hubby found her in the guest room curled up on the chair. She looked up when he came into the room but didn't move.

Now we knew where she was but . . . why was she in there all day?

We went about our normal business and she stayed in the guest room. On the chair.

We went to bed and I had a hard time sleeping. I was worried about class (being behind will do that to you!) and Miss Cleo (just why hadn't she come out?) and all kinds of other things I can't remember now.

In the morning hours (EARLY morning hours!), Skor came in to let me know that he was lonely (Miss Cleo was STILL in the guest room on the chair when I peeked in) and needed someone to watch him eat breakfast. Silly cat.

Now I am thinking that I might have to take Miss Cleo to the vet.

Then - right as Hubby was leaving for work (his back is much better - thank the Lord!)- Miss Cleo sauntered out and casually checked out the food dishes.

What is up with that????

Doesn't she know that we worry?

Kids. Uh - I mean - Kitties!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well. Doing well.

Reaching for the Record

2011-09-13T08:59:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

In case you don't know (and why WOULDN'T you?), North Texas is reaching for the record for the most days at or above 100 degrees in a year. The old record (which we tied yesterday) is from 1980 - one of the worst summers on record for this part of the world.

Well folks, it looks like today will be the day. Today will be the day that we break that old record.

Interestingly, people are a little excited about breaking this record.

I would think that people wouldn't want the record broken because breaking it means that it is HOT here and we have to live through it. However, people are saying that if we are going to live in Texas and deal with these ridiculous 100 degree plus days we should have a record to point to.

True, those people I have been talking to about the record are people who did NOT live here during 1980. These people want to be part of a record.

Weird.

I just want to be part of the air conditioning!

No matter what we want, I do believe that we will be breaking the old record. If not today - certainly this week since it is fore casted to be above 100 all week.

I wonder where we are with the record for no rain.

Or the record for state-wide wild fires.

Welcome to summer (yes, here summer continues well into October!) in Texas!

Trisha

Voice Update: I have a tinge of a sore throat this morning. Maybe because I didn't drink enough water???? I am drinking about a gallon to see if that helps me out because I don't want something else to continue my bad summer.

Hair - Before and After

2011-09-12T09:30:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

It has been a while since I last posted. Partly due to my laziness and partly because of my new meds and their "lovely" side effects.

Long ago, I discovered that there are certain side effects that will ALWAYS happen to me if there is even the slightest chance that a medicine might cause them. Due to this, I have become very good at reading the medical information that comes with new medications and have also become good at questioning the doctors about side effects when discussing thing in their offices.

However, this medicine was given to me by the new doctor. A doctor who hasn't learned that I really, honestly, do know what I am talking about in terms of side effects. Also, this particular medicine is something that the doctor hasn't worked with before so she may not be well versed on the side effects.

So . . . .

Hello, side effects! I am hoping that my body will be able to adjust to this rather quickly. Of course, this isn't the only medicine with this particular side effect. My endocrinologist has given me one with the same side effects and I have been tolerating that pretty well. Maybe the combo of two medications with the SAME side effect is just too much for my body!

Don't you wish you could "play along?"

No?

Can't say I blame you. Not one bit!

On to other interesting things.

Have I mentioned how much I love my hair lately? It is just so well behaved and fun to work with.

NOT!

I actually was laughing at myself on Saturday morning (before the side effects took hold) when I was getting ready to go out with my friend, Donna, for breakfast. As my hair has gotten longer, it take more and more time and effort to "do" it each morning. In fact, I am developing new habits to take care of it (and help me be as lazy as possible!). One such habit is keeping my hair in a towel for a while after getting out of the shower so that it can dry a bit before I get out the hair drier.

Saturday, I took my hair out of the towel and combed it. Then I took a photo so you could love the way it curls up on the ends as much as I do.

Now, this picture doesn't quite do the curling justice. In real life, the ends of my hair are flipped up all around my head. Not really the style I was going for!
cbn,cgj,
Also, don't mind the make-upless face or the funky half smile. The make-up doesn't happen until after the heat of the hair drier and the half smile is for Mom - who always says "You could have at least smiled!" when I take pictures to show her my hair.

This picture is after some drying. My hair isn't totally dry (that would take a LONG time and I wasn't willing to invest that much time Saturday morning) but it is more in control. Note the gentle turn UNDER of the ends.

dfhmdfhj

Again - don't look at the missing make-up or the funky smile. Or in that case - don't look at the double chin either!

fhjdfhj

The hair is much
"poofier." This is something that would happen on its own as it dries. Apparently, the body in my hair just can't be held down. Not that my hairdresser doesn't try her hardest. But that is a whole different story.

sfjfsj

Trisha

dfj

Voice Update: Still doing really well. 'Nuf said!

A New Doctor - the "Try-out!"

2011-09-08T09:08:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

After my rather recent "go-round" with my old general practitioner, I decided to find another, more sympathetic, doctor. Then I proceeded to procrastinate a bit (just a month or so!). However, I FINALLY tried out a new doctor yesterday.

This doctor was recommended to me by my endocrinologist (whom I adore) and so I felt good about trying her out. True, I can't quite pronounce her name (Indian maybe?) but, the first appointment seemed to go well.

The doctor took the time to sit down and talk with me. She even took notes about different things in my medical history (like the whole SD thing - she had never heard of SD so I did a bit of educating!). She asked questions and then actually listened to my responses. We ended up changing my meds a bit (the same meds that the other doctor was playing with). Hopefully, the change will go well.

Hubby is already anxious about the med change. We discussed it last night (and he read the package insert from the new meds) and he wanted to know what we would do if the new med turned me into a zombie. I guess he didn't enjoy that period of time! Gee - I wonder why?

Keep your fingers crossed that this doctor and this medicine work out for me. I REALLY don't want to have to keep trying to find another doctor!

In other news, today is the third day in a row that I went out walking. It was very nice out - a cool 68 degrees - and listening to my podcasts and walking just felt so right. Except for my shins which were feeling a bit "shin-splinty," of course.

Next week the "normal" Texas weather is supposed to return. That means temperatures in the 100s again. Lovely.

I guess I should enjoy the cool weather while I can!

Trisha

Voice Update: Still hanging in there. Another couple of weeks until my next speech appointment so I hope things continue as well as they have been lately.

Cool and Fuzzy!

2011-09-06T08:42:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Yesterday was a blessing of cool temperatures and cool breezes. Something completely unusual for Texas at this time of the year. Normally, we are in the upper 90s and low 100 straight through until October or so (yes, really!). However, yesterday was in the upper 70s to low 80s. Heaven!

Then, I woke up this morning to see this on the weather station . . . .
That is 59 degrees with 56 % humidity.
sfgj
What??
sfj
Another cool day?
dfj
Amazing, isn't it?
dfhm
In other news, since it was so nice out, I decided today would be a perfect day to start walking again. It has been a while since I walked due to the heat and I also haven't been swimming due to the eye infection(s). So - today was the day.
dfhjfdhj
I actually enjoyed it. I listened to my podcasts (this morning it was The Cisco Kid) and took in the neighborhood. It was my intention to take some pictures during my walk to show you but . . . .there wasn't anything too exciting. Everything is still pretty brown and dull from the summer heat.
gfhkgfk
Tonight in class I "get" to give a speech. Wonderful! Yesterday, instead of resting and relaxing, I worked on my speech and PowerPoint while Hubby waxed his car and then did whatever else he found to do in the garage.

Trisha

Voice Update: Still hanging in there.

A Minor Miracle . . .

2011-09-05T09:00:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

Something weird is happening here this morning.

I think it may just be a minor miracle. Check it out.
Two kitties sniffing at air from a recently opened window.

A mischievous kitty taking advantage of an OPEN WINDOW.
sfgj

Notice the OPEN WINDOW!
xsj

It is September in Texas and I have two windows OPEN!

fjdfj

Am I nuts????

dfhjfdj

Actually, the temperature has miraculously lowered into the refreshing range. Quite a change from the "Oh my!" range we have been living with for the past months.

dfhmdgh

Heavenly!

In other news - Texas is home of longhorn cattle but these "longhorns" are a totally different breed. Check them out (you may need to enlarge the picture to get a good look! I was taking the picture from my car across the street and my purse camera doesn't have a strong zoom!)!

This is a date palm I started from seed. It spends the summers outside and, from the number of leaves it now has, it seems to enjoy it!
sfjsfj

Before this summer, this plant only had three leaves. Now - just look at it!
dfhjdfhj

Okay - quick story before I go.

rueru

Skor, my lovely, innocent kitty, has been getting up on our kitchen bar lately. Both Hubby and I have had to reprimand the little bugger several times. Neither of us could quite figure out just why the bar was suddenly so attractive to Skor.

fgjkfgjk

So - we attempted to take everything we thought Skor was interested in off the bar. Apparently, that didn't do the job because the other morning (at about 7:00) I got up and noticed some papers (formerly on the bar) on the floor. When I looked closer, I also saw a candle - the kind in a glass container - on the bar stool. Shattered!

dfhj

Not just broken or cracked a bit - SHATTERED!

ghk

There were glass shards everywhere across the living room! Pieces on the carpet. Pieces on the rocking chair. Pieces on the sofa table. Pieces on the couch!

dfhjdfj

Glass everywhere!

fhjfdj

I got Hubby up to help me clean up and . . .more than forty-five minutes later we thought we were done. Of course, we are still finding little bits of glass in weird places.

fhjdfj

Bad Kitty! Bad, bad Kitty!

dgmdgkh

The good news, however, is that he hasn't been back on the bar since!

sfj

Trisha

dghkdg

Voice Update: Doing really well!

So . . .

2011-09-03T08:59:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

This week has been a bit crazy with classes, going out on observations, and, of course, the eye infection.

Hopefully, things will settle down a bit soon.

Well, I know it will be at least another week of eye drops since I went to the eye doctor again yesterday and learned that the infection, which had been in my left eye, is now in my right eye!

Wonderful!

Now I get to put drops in that eye plus the left eye (to try to keep the infection from going BACK there!).

Yee-haw, what fun!

As you may remember, classes last semester got a bit complicated due to conflicts between students, students and teachers, etc. Well, friends, I was hoping that this semester would be much different but . . . we have already had a misunderstanding about something the teacher said in class. This resulted in the teacher being called a racists and a bigot (not in class but apparently via email or phone and to the higher-ups at the college)!

Really?

I mean . . . really?????

How frustrating.

We then had to have a fifteen minute conversation about the intent of the teacher's comments and how they weren't meant to offend, merely to illustrate - which most of us understood the first time around.

I think I am getting too old for this.

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well but for the past couple of days my neck has been hurting - the muscles, not the larynx. I don't know if it is how I am sleeping or the stress of the infection, classes, observations, etc. It seems like it is always something!

A Squirrel Visit

2011-08-30T09:35:00.004-05:00

Hi All!

Happily, my eye infection is on the decline. The blood is all gone - a wonderful sign! However, my eye still hurts -back behind my eyeball. This happens mostly when I am tired - have been using my eyes a lot. For example - when I am communicating in sign language which is all visual, my eye starts to hurt after a while (a couple hours).

Maybe I should call the doctor and ask if this is "normal" for an eye infection. What do you think?

In other news, we have been having daily visits from a friendly male squirrel. I am positive that the visits have NOTHING to do with the food that is out (including some less than edible berries. Edible to humans that is!) and more with the fact that he LIKES US! Yeah, right!
Here is our friend trying very hard to get into our bird feeder. So far, he hasn't managed to figure out how to get the seed but, maybe he will someday!
dfj
Then we will need to buy another, more squirrel-proof feeder to continue the "game."

You might ask how we are sure that Mr. Squirrel is a Mr. and not a Mrs. or a Ms. Well, let's just say that there are times when he really "lets it all hang out." If you look very carefully at this picture, you will see what I mean. I apologize for the darkness of the picture but it is taken through tinted windows and from the shadows.

After munching on our fruit offerings (which are more for the birds than for Mr. Squirrel but they are willing to share!), Mr. Squirrel sometimes likes to take a nap on the fence. I have been trying to capture this particular pose for quite a while but, normally, he scurries away while I get my camera ready and I miss the shot.

sfj

Doesn't he look comfortable?

sdfgjsfjfjxfj

Skor has really been enjoying Mr. Squirrel's visits. Sitting on the kitchen windowsill (the feeder is right outside the kitchen window), Skor "chats" to the squirrel the entire length of his visit and then looks quite forlorn when Mr. Squirrel flits off to visit another family or feeder. Sometimes, Skor remains at the window waiting in vain for his little friend to return.

dfjdfhj

Hubby and I are just happy that our plan for a "kitty entertainment center" has worked out so well. Between the feeder, the plants, the bird bath, and the fruit offerings, Skor has a lot to watch during the day. This keeps him busy and keeps his mind off of other, possibly more destructive, ventures.

sfjsfgj

Now, if we could just keep Miss Cleo from opening all of the closets when she is bored . . .

sfgj

Trisha

sfgjsfj

Voice Update: Still doing really well. My throat is a bit "crunchier" than usual but I am starting to really work on that. I need to get out the "thumper" to help me in the process.

And the Verdict is in!

2011-08-27T09:45:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Went to the eye doctor yesterday because I had some blood in my eye. Luckily, it is neatly contained under my eyelid.

Anyway - went to the eye doctor and was told that I have an eye infection - basically I have pink eye!

Not having been around any kiddos with the problem nor any adults from whom to catch the infection, I asked just how I could have gotten it. The nice doctor told me that sometimes it is the result of a cold or upper respiratory infection.

Interestingly, I have just had one of those!

Can we all say "Thanks, Hubby!" together?

So for the next week it is drops in the eye four times a day and trying not to rub my eye. Of course, as soon as someone says "Don't rub your eye!" I feel like doing nothing BUT rubbing my eye. I guess I will just keep a bottle of Purell next to me at all times to disinfect my hands!

What fun!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well. Still not quite up to pre-restaurant quality but not back to horrible voice days. Mom talked to me on the phone yesterday (when I relayed the infection diagnosis) and was surprised that my voice wasn't really bad. These days, my voice has been so good that even a little slip backwards is BAD to me!

Here's Mud - I Mean Blood - In Your Eye

2011-08-26T09:04:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Yesterday's class was fabulous. I think (feel, hope, believe) that this semester will be wonderful. Compared to last semester it would be hard NOT to be but .. . . anyway.

After class last night I went to the Bavarian Grill with two friends from class. We had a good time chatting and listening to the accordion player. Since we were seated at a table right next to the stage, we even got to ask the player to play some songs for us (The Lonely Goatherd from the Sound of Music and In Heaven There is no Beer). It was a fun, fun night. AND the food was delicious!

One the way home my eyes were sort of bothering me but I just thought it was from the length of the day. So- I headed home. No problems. Got home. No problems. Got ready for bed (after playing with the cats and feeding them, etc.). No problems. Tossed and turned in bed (for some reason). No problems.

Woke up this morning. Slight problem.

My left eye/ eye lid hurt. I happened to rub my eye and instantly regretted it! Ouch!

I didn't think much of it and got up and got ready for swimming. Then, I decided to take a look at things in the mirror. My eyelid looked fine - no swelling and no redness. Then I peeled back my eye lid and saw this.
sfgj

Hmmmm!

sfj

Blood. Plus a spot that seems to be the "epicenter" of everything. Not good.

sfgj

This is the first time I have ever had blood in my eye (which is why I am not too talented at taking pictures of it - as you can see!)

sfj

Blood in the eye plus some aching pain. Not good.

sfj

I called my eye doctor (it is time for my eye check up anyway!) and made an appointment for this morning so, hopefully, she will tell me it isn't anything to worry about!

fgj

Keep your fingers crossed.

sfgj

Trisha

sfgj

Voice Update: Sitting that close to a stage with an accordion player wasn't a good idea. It was sort of noisy so I had to raise my voice too much. That left me with a nice, hoarse, tired voice which I will no doubt pay for today. When will I learn??

Musings on Friendship

2011-08-25T09:21:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

This morning I was snooping. I admit it! I went on Facebook and snooped in photos on other people's walls.

This is something I do now and again.

Normally, I do this to people who I have not communicated with for a long time. Yes, they are facebook friends but they never comment on my wall nor I on theirs. These people may be friends from long ago who "reconnected" with me on facebook or they may be casual acquaintances I have met more recently.

Today it was friends from the past. One from Junior high/ High school and one from college.

As I scrolled through pictures of children ready for the first day of school and family photos as well as photos from the past, I started musing on friendship.

Now, I have always had lots of friends. It seems like people like me and like to associate with me. However, most of these "friends" are what I would call "surface friends." By that I mean that they are friends who I chat with when the occasion arises and I may even do something with them (like dinner or a movie) but, they are not the kind of friends who come to my house and hang out. Not the kind of friends I spill my guts to. Not the kind of friends who really cares enough to give me a call when I seemingly fall off the face of the earth.

These "surface friends" might hang around for a while - years in fact - but they never really fill that friend space in my life. Some of these friends may even drift away almost before we become friends.

Some "surface friends," especially ones who have been in my life for years, cause me to look back and think "What if?"

What if we had made a deeper connection? What if they had responded to that Christmas card I sent? What if I had asked him/her to my house for dinner once or twice or had gone out with him/her more often?

Would those "surface friends" have become "real friends?"

In fact, some of the friends seemed like "real friends" at the time of our friendship and then drifted away like "surface friends." These friends give me pangs of regret when I snoop on their pages.

If we had stayed friends I might know the children in the photos and the friends shown grouped together at the restaurant.

Oh well!

I guess that is the way things work out, right?

It still makes me lonely for their friendships at times, though.

*sigh*

Trisha

Voice Update: For some reason, my voice is a bit hoarse this morning. I do have more drainage and have been coughing up "gunk" left over from my "lovely" cold. I am sure that is what is going on. Just not fun to hear. Whenever my voice is less than perfect - even if I am the only one who can tell that it isn't perfect - I start to worry about ABSD coming back full strength again. I wonder if that fear will ever dissipate.

What's That On the Wall?

2011-08-24T09:42:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

Well, I FINALLY got registration for my class figured out. It only took a 30 minute wait in line and then a 45 minute "discussion" with the people in Academic Advising. It wasn't that my English requirement wasn't satisfied now, it was that the computer had no record of my ASL classes (also prerequisites) even though my transcript on the SAME computer had all of the ASL classes listed.

Duh!

So - after all of that - I went to class. I think it will be a good one this semester. There is a different mix of people and it should be interesting.

This morning, I am sad to say that I did NOT swim. I know - Boo me!

However, I do have an excuse. Not a good one but and excuse nevertheless!

Last night was the first night that Hubby was away at his conference and I can never sleep the first night he is gone! I tossed and turned and tossed and turned well into the wee hours of the morning. When I finally did fall asleep, it seemed like only seconds later my alarm clock was blaring.

What did I do?

I got up and took my medicine I have to take on an empty stomach and then . . . . went back to bed.

After all the mess with the college AND starting classes again I figure I sort of deserve to sleep in a bit.

Maybe!

Something new has been added to my music room.

Sorry the picture is so dim - I took it the other morning in a hurry so . . . didn't take the time to make it "pretty."

dfjdfj

This is a frog that Hubby and I bought while in Mexico ages ago. He (the frog, not Hubby) has been wrapped up on my dresser ever since. While cleaning up, I finally ripped open the paper and pulled Senior Frog out.

dghk

Now he is literally climbing the walls!

dghk

I like him!

Trisha

ghj

Voice Update: Doing well.

Today is the Day

2011-08-23T09:08:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

Well, today is the day that classes start again for this semester. However, things are turning out significantly different from what I thought they would be.

First, the only class that I really needed to take was Interpreting III. Of course, that class was cancelled yesterday (through the grapevine because calling would be too logical!). So - ANOTHER semester of classes. I don't think I will ever finish this stinking program!

Next, I have been trying to sign up for Transliteration class (a type of interpreting) and the school has been adamant that I don't have enough English skills to take it. So - after MANY phone calls, I got a call from the school telling me that everything is worked out and I can register. I go online to register and . . . . guess what! I can't register!

And of course, I can't call to get things worked out because yesterday was the first day of classes and the Academic Advisers are all busy.

Should I tell you what I am thinking of the Academic Advisers at this moment?

At least the teacher of Transliteration told me to come to class tonight even if I can't get registered. That is good.

Finally, since Interpreting III is cancelled, I will be finished with classes much earlier than I anticipated. That is a good thing!

Whew!

Now that I have all of that off my chest.

I swam for the second day in a row (cheers, please!) today. Hubby was up early to head to the airport for his conference and so I got up early too and hit the pool before 7:00 A.M. Nice! The water was a tad bit warmer than it was yesterday but still refreshing!

After a few weeks of not wanting to read (this is a BIG deal since I read ALL the time normally), I forced myself to pick up a book last night and now I am hooked. It is a "fluffy" book - just right for my mood at the moment - and it is good. In fact, I think I will be reading for most of the day (after a quick nap to make up for getting up so early!).

It sounds like a good day!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well despite a cough hanging around now and again. My throat has been a bit sore but I think that is due to drainage (hopefully, the END of the cold not the beginning of another!).

Getting Back Into the Swim!

2011-08-22T08:59:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Splish! Splash!

I went swimming today for the first time in forever (okay - not really forever but for a long time - since before the cruise!)!

My cold/cough/upper respiratory infection is finally gone enough that I can do physical activity without dissolving into a coughing fit so I decided that today was the day! True, I did "cheat" and drive to the pool but - I thought I would start slowly. Well, that and it was 84 when I started out and I didn't feel like getting that sweaty by walking!

The water was nice and wet even if it was a bit warmer than ideal. There is no possible way that it could be nice and cool when we haven't had a day under 100 degrees for about a week now. I guess I can't really complain.

The pool was my own private relaxation station this morning and I enjoyed it to the fullest. The sky was lovely with clouds (! We haven't had many clouds around lately either!) spotting the sky and birds flitting here and there busy with their morning routines.

Then it was back to the house for a shower and my morning "chat" with Mom.

What a wonderful way to start the day.

To be perfectly honest, I am trying to stave off my anxiety about Hubby leaving town tomorrow morning AND classes starting tomorrow afternoon. Two big things that I don't really want to happen.

Hubby is going on a work business trip. I hope he relaxes and has time to socialize with friends while he is away.

Classes. I used to be very enthusiastic about classes. Now. Not so much.

This turn-about in attitude may be because of last semester's conflicts. Then again - it may be because this summer has been such a bummer for me. First the months on the "zombie pills" and then topping off a lovely, wonderful, amazing cruise with a horrible upper repsiratory infection that laid me low for two weeks plus.

Could it be that I didn't really get much of a "break" this summer?

Hubby and I have discussed this and have agreed that if things don't improve attitude-wise, we will have to decide if taking classes this semester is really the right thing for me to do or not. I know he is hoping that I will love classes once I get started.

I hope so.

Trisha

Voice Update: Still doing remarkably well. Honestly, I thought the coughing would set me back major time but . . . so far that hasn't been the case!

Beautiful Bermuda - Last Stop Before Home!

2011-08-18T09:04:00.014-05:00

Hi All!

Yesterday was a busy day for me. I tried to work out my registration for classes (so far that hasn't been worked out!! I guess it is another call this morning!). Then I researched selling on eBay. I have a bunch of teaching stuff that I am thinking of selling (to get out of storage in our bonus room!). After spending forever on the computer researching how to sell on eBay (it is complicated!), I headed upstairs to make Hubby a pillow from two Guinness bar towels purchased in Ireland. While I was upstairs I also sorted through my teaching stuff to see what I had and what I might be interested in selling.

Sweaty work!

Needless to say, I was ready for a nap by the time I was finished. Unfortunately, Skor didn't seem to think that I needed a nap and bothered me the entire time I was on the bed!

Maybe I will get that nap today instead!

Today I will be showing you the last batch of photos from our cruise. This time, they are from Bermuda (even though I didn't take a picture of the flier saying Bermuda!). Thanks to the mysterious ways of Blogger, some of the pictures got out of order - Hubby's fish and chips was supposed to be right before my chicken pot pie. Also, some shots of scenery are misplaced but I think you may still find them enjoyable!

Oh - the photo of the Hog Penny- that is the restaurant where Hubby and I had our meals shown in the photos!

Trisha

Cobh - A Hidden Treasure for Aussies

2011-08-17T08:49:00.014-05:00

Hi All!

Well, each day I am feeling better and my cough is subsiding. That is good. Yesterday, I was very, very cranky. That isn't good.

Today - I haven't decided what it up today yet so we are going with it being a wonderful day!

Today's pictures are from Cobh, Ireland (pronounced "cove"). This is the gateway to Cork and is the port for that fine city. Cobh is also known as the last stop for the ill-fated Titanic before it met disaster. Interestingly, Cobh is also where rescue operations for the Lusitania were originated from and where the survivors from that ship were taken. In addition to this rich history, Cobh is proud that many Irish people set off for Australia from its port.

Since our ship originated its around-the-world trip in Australia and the majority of the passengers were Australian, Cobh set up a celebration to welcome the Aussies and to remember the connection between Cobh and Australia. It was "Australia Day" in the city with local musicians performing, dance troupes, and various ceremonies to honor the day.

It was a fun thing to experience even though Hubby and I are not Australian!

Trisha

The Fair Dublin City

2011-08-16T09:11:00.012-05:00

Hi All!

For some reason, I am feeling a bit cranky today so I will keep the "chit-chat" to a minimum.

My cold/cough is still improving. Now I really only cough a bit unless I exert myself and then I have a nice coughing attack. I determined that after grocery shopping and getting all the food into the house only to have to sit for a minute to recover from a serious bout of coughing. Not good!

This morning I spent an hour out amongst my flowers in the front bed. I think I told you that a couple of my shrubs are really struggling with the summer heat (and from me not being home for two weeks!). Today I gave them a good trim hoping that getting rid of the dead wood will encourage what is still alive to grow.

In addition, I cut back my two sage plants (one white and one purple) so that they are more the size I want them instead of the gargantuans I came home from vacation to find in my flowerbed! Hopefully, I can keep them trimmed and in control or I will have to replace them for something slower growing.

Okay - chit-chat done. Time for pictures of Dublin, Ireland.

Trisha

fgdkdg

Voice update: Since the cold is receding, my voice is slowly improving again. Yesterday I listened to some stories I recorded for classes a couple of semesters ago. I was shocked to hear hesitations and words I couldn't say correctly. I guess time does make a difference!

Another Port!

2011-08-15T09:32:00.009-05:00

Hi All!

It has been a tough week around here. Both Hubby and I got taken down by what we lovingly call "cabin cough." This is generally an upper respiratory infection caught on the ship from all of the people being in such close living quarters.

Hubby came off the ship starting to show symptoms and I was "healthy." However, it only took a few days at home before Hubby kindly spread his germs to me. Isn't he a sweetheart?

Anyway, I managed to get the entire she-bang. The cough, the congestion (both chest and head), the runny nose, the fever, the aches. Fun, fun! That is what I have been doing for the past week or so - trying to live through this and get rid of it!

Because I have had a "falling out" with my internist (the doctor who gave me the pills that made me a zombie and then told me to take a walk to get over the side-effects!), I haven't been to a doctor for my cough. However, I don't think I really need to see a doctor since Hubby went and said the meds didn't make him feel any better!

Luckily, I am at the point where I am feeling better every day. Hopefully, I will be feeling as good as new by the end of the week (my fingers are crossed!).

Despite having the illness - we did manage to get our new oven installed on Friday. Now I can bake! I have baked bread (from frozen bread dough) and made tater-tots for dinner last night. We have also had a Digiorno pizza. It is nice to have an oven again!

Now, here is the third stop on our recent cruise, Greenock, Scotland. This is the port of Glasgow but Hubby and I didn't venture all the way to Glasgow. We hung around Greenock and Gourock, the neighboring town. It was nice even though we couldn't understand everything that our Scottish taxi driver said!

Trisha

sfhjfxj

Voice Update: All of the coughing has made my voice a bit raspy but . . . still doing pretty well.

Beautiful Bergen

2011-08-09T08:33:00.007-05:00

Hi All!

Hubby's cold and cough really spread well . . . to me! I am now sick. I am coughing and congested and have a headache. Lovely!

Yesterday I went to see Susan and things are still pretty good with my voice. Of course, the cold thing meant that my voice was a bit raspy and my throat was tight (I just can't do the massage as effectively as she can!) but, overall, things are good.

Susan and I did have a conversation about inhalation therapy (talking all on the inhale) and how it has helped several of her ABSD patients. She did mention that the patients who were helped (including me!) were the ones who really worked at the therapy and did what they were supposed to do. Wouldn't it be great if more people with ABSD could get therapy like I did and recover voice? Then again, I know Susan has many ABSD patients who refuse (!?!) to do the exercises and they don't improve as much as those who actually comply.

It is nice to know that I am not the only ABSD patient Susan has worked with who has done the therapy and have improved drastically! Maybe the SD community needs to take note of that when they start saying my improvement means I never had SD!

Enough of that.

We finally have a date for the installation of our oven - Friday afternoon! YEAH! Soon we will be able to bake. And, no doubt, once we have the ability, we won't want to!

Oh well!

Here is the first official stop on our cruise - Bergen, Norway.

We were supposed to go to Amsterdam but the weather made getting into the port dangerous so it was cancelled (much to my dismay!).

Enjoy the pictures of Bergen (including the ones showing what the weather was like when we first got off the ship!).

Isn't Bergen beautiful? We took the funicular up to the top of the mountain to take in the scenic views (after the downpour stopped!)

dghk

At the top of the mountain we made friends with a large Troll.

sgj

What a visit!

fgjh

Trisha

The White Cliffs of Dover

2011-08-06T08:46:00.004-05:00

Hi All!

The new washer is working well and the new oven is sitting in my entryway just waiting to be installed.

Our AC shut down yesterday for about four hours and after waiting for the repair guys to come out, we found out that our new, high tech unit shut itself off because the power grid is having some brownouts due to the increased demand caused by the heat (It has been above 100 degrees for the past 30 something days in a row and has been hovering around 110 for the past week or so).

The AC shut itself off so that the lower power didn't hurt the control boards. Nice, huh? Since we have a "high tech" unit, we will suffer through outages if and when the power grid has brownouts. Wonderful!

Anyway - just another "fun" thing in our lives!

In addition to AC trials, Hubby and I have been fighting off various levels of illness. Hubby actually got so bad yesterday that he called Doc Feely and got some antibiotics and a powerful cough medicine. Me - I am not nearly so bad so I just made sure that I slept a lot yesterday. Hopefully, that will stem the illness from getting any worse!

Well, I promised some vacation pictures so . . . . here we got. Today I am showing you some photos of Dover, England, home of the famous White Cliffs of Dover. The white cliffs are chalk and really are impressive in person.

Unfortunately, our view of the cliffs was a bit hazy due to the wet, rainy weather. Also, since we had just traveled for over 36 hours straight and were a bit tired, we didn't take a whole lot of pictures.

Enjoy what we did take!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well but the coughing thing isn't doing my voice much good. Hopefully I can keep the coughs at bay so they don't mess with my voice too much!

The Day of the Appliances

2011-08-04T08:40:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

Can I just say that I find it ironic that my last post was about spammers finding my blog and one of the comments I got on that post was FROM A SPAMMER?!?!

Anyway - hopefully, my distraction is now over. What was it, you may ask? It was a cruise! Yes, Hubby and I were on a cruise around the British Isles and then across the Atlantic to Bermuda and landing at Fort Lauderdale. It was a segment of a world cruise which started (and ends) in Sydney, Australia. We are not quite to the point where we can afford to cruise for 104 days so we only did a 16 day segment!

Hopefully I will have photos for you tomorrow - I haven't gotten them uploaded to the computer yet because life has been busy since we got home.

First of all, Hubby came home with a cough and congestion in his chest (not good!). Then, when we tried to wash clothes, we discovered that the washing machine is the latest in a long line of appliances to die. Next, we realized that our air conditioning wasn't working. AGAIN! Luckily, the guys arrived and fixed it (twice since it stopped working five minutes after they left the first time and they had to return to fix it again!). Finally, I am afraid that I am getting Hubby's illness. I have a "baby" cough and some congestion is getting in my chest.

Boo!

The good news? Today is the day that our new appliances arrive. We are getting both a new oven and a new, high tech washing machine. They are coming from two different places and, with our luck, they will probably arrive at the same time!

I must say that I am looking forward to making a pizza in my new oven and then I am going to do about a million loads of laundry (all of our clothes from the cruise!).

Doesn't that sound like a great way to spend a Thursday?

Oops! Just remembered that I won't be cooking anything in my new oven for a bit since we are having someone different install it and they aren't installing it today. I am not exactly sure when that will happen.

*sigh*

I guess I will just have to go without pizza for a while longer!

Trisha

Voice Update: My voice is doing pretty well considering I didn't do too much with it while on the cruise. My next appointment with Susan is next Monday (I think) so we will find out how I am really doing then!

How Do They Find Me?

2011-07-26T12:29:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Just a brief check-in. My life is still a bit "out of the ordinary" at the moment but I did do laundry today so that was a touch of normalcy!

Anyway - my "distraction" will be over soon (I hope) so I wil be back to being a better blogger!

I just stopped by today to ask "How in the world do those spammers find me?" I mean, my little blog isn't read by too many people (as demonstrated by my low comment numbers . . . . just sayin'!) and it certainly isn't discussing things on the "hot topic" list so - just how in the world do the escort services, the drug pushing people, and the filth mongers find me?

Now, luckily, I must approve all comments before they appear on my blog so you don't "get" to see all of the interesting comments but . . .really! How many comments do I need saying things like "The topic you discuss helped me on my paper. I want to read more about the same." and "Thank you for your post. Most interesting?" Let's get real!

To all of those spammers out there - LEAVE MY POOR LITTLE BLOG ALONE!

That is all for today!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing surprisingly well. I did have one evening where I talked too much and my voice showed it but, other than that, I am doing wonderfully!

A Bit Distracted of Late

2011-07-21T10:53:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

So sorry that I have been M.I.A. lately. No - the bad, bad medication is not back and no, I didn't have to abandon the house because the AC wasn't fixed. In truth - I am just having some adventures and have been a bit distracted lately. Being distracted isn't good for blogging, apparently!

Anyway - an update on the AC situation - well, we now are the proud owners of another air return vent. This addition made the air conditioner run much quieter but it did not stop the "revving" which it was intended to stop. Now Hubby and I are trying to determine if it is worth the hassle to have the AC guys (whom I now know by name) around the house even more or not. Maybe we can just live with it as it is. If now - we will contact the "boys" again once my distracted phase is over.

Luckily, during the most recent AC adventure, both cats stayed firmly embedded in their hiding places so neither raced out the door and both are safe. Miss Cleo did come out of hiding for a bit when the noise level decreased and looked absolutely bewildered when the door opened and a strange man walked in. Poor little girl! At least that is done for a while (or at least until Hubby and I decide what exactly to do about the AC now!).

As you may remember, the last time I posted I told about getting my hair cut. Well, I am continuing to grow my hair from its VERY short style (sported on my profile pictures for Blogger!) into a nice bob. It is frustrating! The bit of hair around my left ear isn't quite covered up by the longer bit from the top and to prove that it is still showing, it likes to stick straight out from my head! NOT a good look!

The hair around the ear on my right side doesn't have to resort to such measures as it is covered by hair from the top. Somehow the top hair is a bit uneven!

When I asked my hairdresser about that annoying bit of hair, she was hesitant to cut it (I wanted her to just shave the bit so it wouldn't stick out) so, being the wimp that I am, I am still contending with the sticking out. Talk about something making you want to just shave your head.

For the moment I just have to keep chanting "It WILL get better. It WILL get better!"

That is it for now - my distraction is returning (no - it isn't a real person!). I will try to post a bit more in the near future!

Trisha

Voice Update: Despite doing a bit more talking than is probably wise and getting a little hoarse, my voice is doing very well. I am trying to keep up with my massage despite being distracted by things. So far - so good!

Short and Sweet

2011-07-14T09:20:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Well, the AC guys are back up in my bonus room trying to fix the problem with the NEW AC unit that we got two weeks ago (maybe three by now). The problem - so they say - is that the system isn't getting enough return air so o o oo . . . . they are putting another air return in.

That means a hole in the wall and lots of thumping and banging and who knows what else. Wonderful!

At least (maybe) this will fix the problem (fingers crossed!). I can't recall if I told you about the problem or not. The new system - which was supposed to be so quite that you "hardly notice it when it is on" was as loud as a freight train. Also, the two phase motor was supposed to "ramp up" when needed. Instead, the motor sort of "revs" so that the air blows hard, then soft, then hard, then soft . . . you get the idea! Anyway - the problem might be that the system isn't getting enough return air from our two existing air returns. SO - they are putting in a third.

If this doesn't fix the problem I don't know what I will do. I am sick and tired of seeing Mike (the AC guy)!

In other news - didn't walk or swim today since I had to hang at home to await the arrival of the AC guys. I did play the piano (it didn't go well today) while I waited though. I guess that is a good thing!

Tomorrow I don't know if I will get a chance to blog in the morning since I have a hair appointment. This is how the "growing out" is doing so far.
Just so you know - this was taken after swimming before shower and without benefit of any comb (or makeup) action!

shf

Not too bad, right?

sfhj

The only real problem I have with with the "flippy" stuff that you can see in the right side of the picture in the vicinity of my ears. This is hair that is short and has been kept short while waiting for the top to grow down to meet it. Apparently, this hair feels that it needs to show itself through the longer hair and absolutely refuses to lay flat!

Do you see this? This was taken the last time the AC guys were here. I managed to corral the kitties in the guest room and they felt confident enough to peer out the window (before they guys started thumping and thudding upstairs).

xdfhjsfj

Today I didn't even think about getting the cats into a "safe" room. So - Skor is hiding under the bed in our bedroom and Miss Cleo is in her classic hiding spot behind the couch.

sfhjfsj

I told the guys to make sure that the door is closed in case a cat decides to bolt but I think they are both hidden for good - at least until they guys are done.

*sigh*

sdfgjsfj

I wish it was this time of the day already and all of this was already done!
sfjfs

Trisha

sfgjfsj

Voice Update: Doing really well. I actually did about fifteen minutes to twenty minutes of oral reading last night to the kitties during our pet-fest. They seemed to enjoy it.

The Morning After the Storm

2011-07-13T09:03:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Another morning of swimming! Yeah! Of course, this morning I woke up with a stiff neck and a sore wrist so I decided to drive to the pool instead of walking (really, I was just feeling lazy!). I did 18 laps. One more than yesterday!

As I sit an type this I should be in my car on my way to see Doc Feely. However, as you may notice, I am NOT in the car. After much debate last night (the "storm") I finally got Hubby to agree that I shouldn't go back to see Doc Feely after the whole medicine fiasco of the past months. For some reason, Hubby was adamant that I keep my appointment with Feely. Of course, I was just as adamant that I shouldn't keep the appointment.

Anyway - the debate ended late at night with both of us pretty much worn out. That lead to a less than wonderful morning.

Don't worry - we are still happy together and love each other - we just weren't at our best this morning after staying up later than we normally would. And - I am happy to say that after our debate we are both on the same page about Doc Feely even though I am much more angry about the situation that Hubby. I was the one who went through everything while he was just observing from the outside!

Lately I have been hemming pants for Hubby. He is a bit height challenged and so when he buys pants he can never find the perfect length. After years of telling him that I can hem the pants for him - he finally has agreed.

Actually - he has let me hem pants for him for the past couple of years.

However, he is very, very paranoid about me getting the pants too short. He insists on checking the length before and after the hemming to ensure that they are "just right." What a picky guy! Considering he is saving a fortune in tailor fees!

So - I have been hemming pants. In some ways it is soothing to work upstairs by myself. Sewing is rather repetitive so it can be soothing by itself.

Today I have one last pair of pants to hem and then a shirt to hem (Hubby doesn't like shirts to have a "tail"). Then I get to have some fun by making a patch for one of Hubby's shorts. He picked out fabric for the patch.

Monkeys!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing really well but still not talking as much as I probably should. I wonder if I need to get back into the habit of talking to myself again!

Tuesday Thoughts

2011-07-12T09:48:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Another day, another walk and another swim. The walk was ridiculously sweaty! I guess that is bound to happen when it is in the upper 80s at 7:00 A.M.! The swim was heavenly. The water was nice and cool (they must be adding water every morning to keep it cool) and I had the pool all to myself. I upped the lap count by one to 17 (!) and it felt good. I feel stronger each day I swim.

Of course, then I have to walk home and get all sweaty again!

Watering the flowers helps a bit since I can "accidentally" spray myself when I get too hot.

Mom pointed out that I didn't tell you all that I did buy a new oven to replace the clean, dead one. It has to be ordered because I am terribly unfashionable and want white instead of stainless steel (all of my other appliances are white and I don't want mismatched appliances AND I just don't fancy stainless steel too much. I know - that makes me a bit of a freak but . . . they just remind me too much of industrial cafeterias!). Anyway- the oven will be here - eventually! Until then it is a bakeless life for Hubby and me!

Speaking of Hubby. Last night he said something that triggered a memory for me.

We were watching a show called something like "Rick's Restorations" or something. Anyway - the man who does the restorations, Rick, apparently fascinated Hubby. He said "That guy just seems like a neat guy. I like him."

That comment - the "neat" part - reminded me of hearing my dad, the high school principal, talk about this kid or that kid and say that they were "neat." He would always say this with such admiration that I wanted to be a "neat kid" too. I wanted someone to look at me and say I was a "neat kid" with admiration - the way my Dad said it about these other kids.

Now, I am not saying that this has been the guiding principle of my life - to be "neat-" but, it has always been there in the back of my mind somewhere. Even when I was messing up colossally (and I do everything in a big way!). I wanted to make a positive impression on someone, somehow.

For a long time, I thought that I would make an impression as a teacher. I thought that parents and kiddos would look back on their time in my class and think that I was a "neat" teacher. Well, I am not really sure that I met that mark. Yes, I do have many students who still remember me fondly but did they think I was "neat?" I just don't know.

Once the whole teaching thing was taken from me due to my "dance" with SD, I found myself floundering in so many ways. In the midst of trying to deal with my voice and its sudden demands on my time and consciousness, I struggled with wanting to do something that people would appreciate and admire.

During my most intense dance with SD I was dedicated to spreading the word about SD to people. I started up a podcast to let people hear someone with an SD voice. Then I started this blog. The purpose for the blog was to talk about SD. Maybe, just maybe I could help someone with their own SD dance and they could (possibly!) think I was "neat."

However, both the podcast and the blog (at least the part focused on SD) lost momentum as my voice got better and more and more people expressed doubt about me even having SD. This really knocked the legs out from under me. I found myself struggling with all kinds of self-doubt and feelings of anger and frustration. I had worked so hard and so darn long to improve my voice and as soon as it was better (through the grace of God and a lot of hard work with a FABULOUS speech therapist) people had the nerve to tell me to my face that they thought I was a fake!

Definitely not thinking I was "neat," were they?

After much self-examination, I decided to veer away from my SD mission. Yes, I still have SD. I STILL HAVE SD. It won't go away. Even though my voice is WONDERFUL, I still have SD. Just stress me out or make me upset and you will hear the SD come right in to lead the dance!

Now I am trying, once more, to find something to do with my life that might make a favorable impression. A lasting impression. I am training to be an American Sign Language Interpreter. Sign language fascinated me and I like being able to communicate with Deaf people. However, I find myself struggling. Is this really what I should be doing? This summer, with its medicine issues, has kept me from really working on my ASL skills (which really need work!). Now I am thinking . . . is this the way I want to go? Will I ever be able to do this?

Am I just trying to do something that other people will think is "neat" or am I doing something that I really like?

Can't people just think I am "neat" because of who I am? Does it have to be dependent on what I do?

Trisha

Voice Update: I am pleased to say that I am back on top of the game with my massage. I haven't been doing too many exercises and I probably should be since I am not really talking to many people (and thus exercising my voice) this summer. It seems like there is always something else I "should" be doing! However, it is all worth it in the end if my voice keeps rockin' and rollin' right?

A Cleaning Casualty

2011-07-11T09:20:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Swimming this morning was wonderful! The water was cool and the weather was warm (VERY warm!!!). I managed to do sixteen laps AND also walked to and from the pool! A good morning workout! Of course I was sweating buckets by the time I got home. A perfect excuse to spray myself while watering my flowers!

Cleaning has never been one of my favorite things in the world. It just seems like there is always something more important to be doing than cleaning. Now I have proof that cleaning is actually BAD!

You see - I cleaned our oven the other day.

This is the oven that came with our house and it has only been spot cleaned during the past eleven plus years. Both Hubby and I have agreed that this is all the thing needed. If something we baked leaked and dripped we cleaned it up. This wasn't the perfect solution since we had some "interesting" odors a time or two but, it worked for us.

Then I made a pizza which decided to spew all over the oven!

Looking at the mess, I decided that I might as well break down and actually clean the oven.

Now, our oven has the "auto clean" feature so I tried it out. I took the racks out and turned on the cleaning feature. Five and a half hours later it was done. About seven hours later I looked into the oven and was less than impressed with the cleaning job.

So . .. I got myself down and dirty and actually started cleaning the darn thing by hand. It came out really well. I am impressed (still!).

Then I tried to turn on the oven to bake some bread.

Nothing.

The oven had been "acting" up for the past couple of months so, initially, I thought this was just another part of the dramatics. I turned the oven off and tried again.

Nothing.

By now, Hubby decided to get into the action.

He turned the oven on.

Nothing.

He turned it off and tried again.

Nothing.

He got down and "jiggled" the heating element.

Nothing.

He dug out the manual and accused me of getting the heating element messed up while cleaning. He took the element to the local "appliance guru" and had it tested. It was fine.

Back home, Hubby put the heating element back in and tried again.

Nothing.

He decided to try the broiler (different element!).

Nothing.

The oven is officially dead.

I KNEW that cleaning wasn't good for things!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing really well!

Welcome to the Wall!

2011-07-09T08:53:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

As you might know, I have had more energy this week than I have had in a long, long time. I have been able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. I have been able to run faster that a speeding bullet . . . no, wait. That isn't me.

Personally, I have been able to get up with Hubby in the morning and stay up. I have been able to go swimming in the morning without worrying about falling asleep in the water and drowning! THAT, my friends is what I have been able to do.

However.

It now seems that I have hit the proverbial wall.

Yesterday I got up with Hubby and felt tired. Still MUCH better than I did several weeks ago but, tired. Instead of walking to the pool I actually drove. The entire time there and back I felt like I was cheating by not doing the walk part as well. Yes, I did an extra ten minutes of swimming and an extra five laps but . . . still guilty!

Then, after returning from swimming I was TIRED. I could hardly keep my eyes open while IMing with Mom. Not normal for my post-medicated state.

I ended up taking a long nap yesterday and not really doing much of anything. All evening long I was tired as well.

What is up?

Am I just suffering a kind of a "rebound" from having so much energy earlier this week?

Am I coming down with some illness?

Is someone sneaking those darn pills into my food?

Last night I slept well despite the long nap during the day and this morning I am still a bit tired. I am hoping that this is just sort of a reaction to suddenly doing all kinds of stuff after not really doing anything for such a long time.

What do you think?

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing really well. I am proud to say that my neck is loosened up nicely and my voice is smooth as silk. Now to get the knots out of my shoulders!

While I Was Sleeping . . . .

2011-07-07T09:03:00.007-05:00

Hi All!

First of all, today was my THIRD day being awake in the morning! YEAH! It was my SECOND day of walking and swimming. I am feeling like I am getting back to my "normal" life!

Thought I would show you some of the things that happened during my "Sleepy Time."

We got both of our H/AC units replaced. Of course, it was during the summer. And in Texas. Just think about that for a minute!

First of all, the guys showed up in two trucks and started unloading stuff.

They also pulled out our old units.

They had to replace the outside units - complete with replacing the old plastic bases with concrete! This is Jose - he did a lot of the outside work.
Another truck showed up to haul the old units away to be recycled.

The trucks reminded me of clown cars. There was just so much stuff packed into them!

We got changed over to four inch filters at the unit instead of the thinner filters at the returns.

There was a lot of metal hanging out waiting to be installed.

As the day wore on it got hotter (it was actually pretty cool in the morning) especially in the attic!

Lots of tools were used - even some that I couldn't figure out.
Jose is just about done with the outside units!

By the end of the day I was extremely sweaty (however, I wasn't even close to as sweaty as the guys were!) and cranky! Luckily, Hubby agreed to take me out to eat and we went to the coldest restaurant that we could find. By the end of the meal I was cool and ready to go home to our new system and a cool house!

We do have one slight problem with our new AC. Instead of being quiet and smooth when working, the unit sort of "revs." Low to high and then back again. It is loud and not right. We called the guys back and they are investigating the fact that we may need another air return in the house.

*Sigh!*

So many issues!

However, we are cool!

Trisha

Voice Update: Not a whole lot to say except that I am working on my massage and getting it up to par.

Come On In - The Water's Fine!

2011-07-06T08:57:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Just an update on the doctor front - I asked my endocrinologist for the name of a good internist and I will try out the person she gave me a bit later this summer.

This morning I am awake again! Yeah! While I didn't sleep quite as well last night as I did Sunday night, I got enough sleep to actually feel up to walking AND swimming this morning! True, my walking was a little slower than it has been and my swimming wasn't as many laps as last summer but I walked and swam and survived!

I am even still awake after doing all of that plus watering!

Amazing!

Hopefully this good streak will just keep getting better.

Yesterday, after a really strong and positive start, I did end up winding down a bit in the evening feeling very tired. It was a good tired though - not a drug induced tired. That is a good thing!

Today I don't have any plans. I think I will kick back and read a bit, play the piano a bit, and goof off for a bit. Sound fun?

Trisha

Voice Update: Since I have a bit more energy these days I am getting back to some massage. That should keep my throat flexible. Now to get the big knots out of my shoulders and the sides of my neck!

Emerging - Continued!

2011-07-05T12:34:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Well, I am back from the endocrinologist and ready to get back to the "interesting" story of my life of late.

By the way - my doctor's visit went well over all. I need to lose weight (what a shocker) and will be switching some meds around to try to deal with things in a different way but other than that, super, duper! It is so good to have a doctor who actually listens!

So . . . the story.

Where was I? Oh, right. From bad to worse.

Doc Feely switched me onto the anti-psychotic. I certainly didn't feel depressed and I never felt anxious while on the medication. That is primarily because I was so darn tired all the time that I was lucky to stay awake 6 hours out of every 24!

Normally, I am a morning person. I wake up ready to go and in a good mood. However, with this med, I woke up (sort of) feeling more like a zombie than a real person. I had problems keeping my eyes open long enough to make Hubby's lunch. In fact, some mornings I just couldn't drag myself out of bed to do even that!

This was quite a blow to me since I had been looking forward to walking and swimming (!!) each morning. Now I could barely walk through the house let alone to the swimming pool. Even if I was able to make it to the pool, there was no way I could swim safely by myself. I was terrified that if I tried I might fall asleep while swimming and drown or that I would suddenly be too tired to make it to the edge. Not a good thing!

Like I said - this was for sixteen days. That was how long I had samples of this medication for. On the seventeenth day I was back in Doc Feely's office for a check up. I told him about being bone tired. His reaction? To merely decrease the dose and tell me that I would eventually "get used to it."

Heartened by the idea that perhaps the lower dose would make things better, I left the office and filled the prescription for the lower dose.

Then I took the medication and waited. And waited.

Not too surprisingly, the change in dose did little to improve my tiredness. Sure, now I could stay up for ten hours a day or so but I still couldn't drag myself out of bed in the morning without much effort. In fact, the best way for me to get going was to sleep until about noon. Then I could get up and do stuff around the house.

At least until after dinner when I took the next dose of medication. From that point on, I just got more and more tired until I fell asleep and slept like a rock all night (yes, even after sleeping until noon during the day!).

Sleeping like a rock was sort of nice since I have always been a very light sleeper and have perpetually had difficulties actually falling asleep. With this med there was no difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It was the waking up that was a problem!

In addition to the sleepiness I was dealing with mental fogginess when I was awake as well as some "disconnectedness" where my mind and my mouth just couldn't seem to set in sync. I would be thinking stuff but couldn't get the words out. I even forgot words at times. NOT like me at all! Beyond the mental stuff I also started to get "restless joints." My knees and elbows felt like they were full of tension and the only way to get rid of the tension was to move, move, move.

Not too much fun when trying to fall asleep but even this didn't keep me from falling asleep quickly!

During the time of the "lowered" dose my parents came to visit.

Normally, I love when my parents visit. I go shopping with my mother and walk in the mornings. I stay up late talking to them and generally having a good time. This visit, however, was a bit different.

I did walk with my mother in the mornings but would then be forced to take a three hour nap as soon as I got back to the house to prevent becoming a nasty person due to being tired. When I was awake I didn't really feel like doing too much. I was too tired. When we did actually do something, I had to really push myself to do it. I also had to watch myself closely to keep my crankiness from rearing its head too much (I get remarkably cranky when I am tired!).

Not fun!

By the time my parents went back home I was feeling horrible. I feel like I was cheated out of a real visit with my parents. I also feel horrible that they came all this way and then I ended up sleeping most of the time.

Now, please don't think that I just let this period of extreme sleepiness and fogginess fly under Doc Feely's radar. I sent him an email documenting the side effects I was feeling (and including my speech therapist's concerns about the mental fogginess being neurological and not being a good mix with my SD - also neurological). The email listed everything that was going on and asked if these were "normal" side effects. True, I didn't really say that I wanted off the meds but I was hoping that with so many problems, Doc would come to that conclusion himself.

Wrong!

The email I got back simply copied my question about these all being side effects and said "Yes. Take a walk every day and you will be better."

What?????

I was stunned that this was the only response I got back from a DOCTOR who had given my anti-psychotics!

After digesting this response for a few days (so that I didn't respond with too much anger), I emailed again asking if he was serious. I also told him that this was a reason I didn't give him too much feedback between visits.

His response? Two words. Yes (meaning he was serious) and no (meaning he wasn't surprised that I didn't tell him much between visits).

Two words.

Two. Words.

Yikes!

Talk about depressing! I was rapidly reaching the end of my rope. I felt hopeless. Like my life would get no better and, if it didn't, it wasn't really worth living. The deep pit of depression opened up before me just inviting me to jump in and wallow.

I will admit that I did a little wallowing while trying to figure out what in the world to do.

I also talking to my parents and to my friend, Donna.

Both my parents and Donna told me to stop taking the medication since it was obviously messing me up. I contemplated this for long hours (well, the hours I was awake). I finally decided that I was going to quit the meds.

Then I told Hubby. I had been relaying everything to Hubby about my side effects and Doc's emails and how I was feeling. He wasn't happy. He was very upset that I was so depressed and upset but he still couldn't bring himself to accept that I would stop taking meds that Doc had prescribed. After a rather heated exchange over dinner one night, I relented and agreed to continue taking the meds.

This was the lowest point during this entire experience.

Suddenly, the hopeless situation became even more so. I was going to be condemned to live like this for the rest of my life.

Talk about depressed.

I did start walking each evening (I would prefer to walk in the morning when it is cooler but - I couldn't get myself up to do that. That meant that I had to walk in the evening so I could avoid the sun.) Feeling bad for me, Hubby started walking with me.

During our walks Hubby started noticing that I was bone tired. Some evenings I could barely drag myself to the end of our normal walking route. He also noticed that my mood was depressed and that I didn't have any of my old "spark."

After less than a week, Hubby told me that he wanted me to stop taking the medication. He told me that he didn't want me to be a "zombie." He told me that anything would be better than having me feel like I did on the meds.

Yeah!

With the support of Hubby, I stopped the meds cold turkey (probably not the right way to do this but do you think I was going to email Doc Feely and ask his advice on weaning myself off???). That was last Friday. The last pill I took was Friday after dinner (we didn't have our talk about stopping until our walk later in the evening).

For the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope.

On Saturday morning it was business as usual - remember, I had taken the meds the night before. However, I didn't take any meds on Saturday so Sunday morning I was much more awake than I have been for months! Not quite normal, mind you, but much better. The only bad thing was that I couldn't fall asleep at night. In fact, I think I only slept three hours Saturday night.

Sunday night wasn't much better. I ended up "playing" on the computer until about 4:30 A.M. then tossing and turning for another hour or so. I drifted into sleep only to be awakened by Skor at 6:20 or so. After making sure the cats had food and taking my meds (NOT the anti-psychotic causing all the trouble) I went back to bed for about an hour before being woken by a phone call from my dad. He was trying to get his phone system worked out.

I stayed up to chat with Mom on IM and then took a short nap. I was determined not to sleep all day since I was already having problems sleeping at night.

By Monday night I was exhausted. Hubby and I took our evening walk and I kept myself up longer than usual on purpose.

Then, miracle of miracles, I slept!

I actually slept!

Now, I didn't sleep really well but, I actually fell asleep with little trouble and slept!

This morning I woke up feeling better than I have felt in months. I felt awake and bright and full of enthusiasm! I even found myself dancing along to music from a podcast as I got dressed!

What a difference!

Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come and this entire, horrible experience will be behind me forever!

Did I mention that I am looking for a new doctor?

Trisha

Emerging

2011-07-05T08:11:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone!

It has been a LONG, LONG time since I last posted and there have been some . . . well, let's call them "interesting," things which have interfering with my creative process.

Where to start? Where to start?

I guess the best place to start is the beginning.

The beginning of this rather "interesting" tale was around the end of April. That is when I went to see my general practitioner, Doc Feely. Now, Doc Feely isn't exactly my favorite doctor and is even less so after this "experience," but, he has been the doctor who has been giving me my "happy pills." As such, he insists on seeing me at least once a year (I guess to make sure that I am alive and to get that money!).

In April I told Doc that I wasn't feeling like my current "happy pills" were doing the job. Sure, I wasn't too depressed but . . . there were some side effects that I just wasn't going to deal with anymore. You must admit that night sweats each and every night can get a bit "wearing" after a while!

Anyway, I told Doc that I wanted to change things up. He agreed and was actually sort of excited. In his words he was ready to "experiment" with my meds.

That should have been my first warning.

However, I ignored it and went along with him. Trusting him.

Stupid me!

Well, the first change of meds coincided almost exactly with finals week. Imagine, if you will, changing medications that have an impact on your mood while trying to handle the stressed of finals. And, not any regular finals, finals with a teacher with whom I just couldn't "win."

Yes, it wasn't a walk in the park!

Add to the finals week a trip to Houston with three other students and boy, the fun ensues!

I survived that month but had some interesting anxiety attacks - like the one on the way to my hairdresser's for a hair cut! What? I love my hairdresser! Why would I be anxious to get a haircut?

This led to another change in medications. One which really started things spiralling into "interesting" land.

This time I was given a med which I later discovered was an anti-psychotic med used for people with Bi-polar disorder and other "serious" emotional problems. I don't think that, had I been aware of it at the time, I would have agreed to take this particular medication. I mean - I have depression but I am not Bi-polar or in need of anti-psychotic medication! Really!

So - off I went with samples for sixteen days.

Sixteen days in which things went from bad to worse.

To be continued . . .

(Don't you hate a cliff-hanger ending to something? I have to stop blogging right now so I can finish my preparations to head off to the doctor - NOT Doc Feely! This time is the endocrinologist! I LIKE this doctor!)

I will try to continue this story a bit later in the day but, if not, I will pick up tomorrow!

Hope you are all doing well during my "interesting" time!

I have missed blogging!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing remarkably well for what I have been going through. My neck has been a bit tight since I haven't been focusing on my massage or exercises but . . . I am still speaking and doing really well!

A Wonderful Wednesday

2011-05-25T09:04:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

It is Wednesday! Yeah!

Why am I so excited?

I have absolutely NO idea!

Anyway - it is going to be a good day. The tornadoes went by us last night (not even close) and in Oklahoma they missed my brother and his family. That is worth having a good day, don't you think?

The storms we had last night were the latest in what has seemed like an endless stream of storms. It really hasn't been daily but it sure seems like it! While the weather was "severe" we actually didn't even get too much rain - about an inch or so.

I haven't watered my flowers for about a week now!

I also haven't been swimming since the rain water (and the cold nights) means that the pool water is cold, cold, cold! Hopefully the rain will be over soon and the days will heat the water up to a nice swimming temperature - but not the bathtub temperature!

Yesterday I got my free oil change and then bopped to a lunch with a friend who is in town for a little bit from Washington D.C. This friend is a student at Galluadet University - the best known and first college for Deaf students. Galluadet has an excellent interpreter program and I really wish I could go but . . . I don't think it will happen. Spending two years away from home . . . just won't work at this stage in the game!

Back to the lunch. Six of us met at Pei Wei and had a nice long lunch chatting and just catching up with each other. Such a wonderful time!

Pictures were taken but not by me so I don't have them to show you . . . yet. I am hoping my friend puts them on Facebook so I can get them!

Today I plan to read some and then head to the store to get a prescription refilled and to pick up some strawberries! Doesn't that sound like a nice, laid-back kind of day?

So - how was your day yesterday?

What are your plans for today?

Whatever you do - enjoy!

Trisha

Voice Update: Still doing wonderfully well! Yeah!!

Minor Setback

2011-05-23T09:05:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

My weekend started off wonderfully. I swam on Friday (Saturday I ended up sleeping through my alarm) and then got right to work on Saturday on cleaning the next room on my Spring cleaning list - the laundry room.

Since we have never really deep cleaned the laundry room - it took some elbow grease. The baseboards had collected a bunch of "gunk." Unfortunately, the "gunk" wouldn't just wipe off with a dust cloth. It wouldn't even budge with a wet cloth. No dice on the cloth with the cleaner on it. No - I had to get out the old toothbrush and scrub!

Around the room I went with my little toothbrush scrubbing the baseboards and . . . they did come clean!

Hubby swept the carpet for me and even got out the crevice tool to really get into the corners!

After everything was done - the room looked great!

Next up is the kitchen!

However, after cleaning the laundry room, I started feeling some pain in my chest again (don't worry - not heart attack pain - the pulled muscle from a couple of weeks ago pain!). The pulled muscle had gotten so much better that I barely noticed it but . . . apparently the toothbrush scrubbing was something that the muscle didn't like.

I spent Saturday evening, Saturday night (Hubby had nightmares again and that woke me up - then I would have to turn over and that HURT!), and Sunday morning trying really hard not to anger my chest muscles so they wouldn't hurt. That isn't too much fun!

Luckily, Sunday evening, things started to get better.

Hubby and I watched the season finale of The Celebrity Apprentice to see Marlee Matlin and her interpreter. Even thought Marlee didn't win, she did make it to the final two and no doubt brought a lot of awareness to Deaf people and their ability to do anything they set their minds to.

During the end of the show John Rich (a country music star) and Marlee sang a song John had written for his charity (St. Jude's Hospitals). It was neat to see so much focus on Marlee actually "singing" the song in ASL! In addition to Marlee signing, there was a group of students from the New York School for the Deaf who signed in the background as a chorus. Very nice to see ASL getting this much coverage on prime time television.

Even more touching was the fact that after the song was done, you didn't hear one clap. Instead, the entire audience, including the Trumps, applauded in ASL - that is holding up your hands and wiggling your fingers. It was amazing to see an entire audience applauding like this!

I had goosebumps!

Anyway - today I walked (I didn't swim since we had rain and a cold night last night and I didn't want to upset my chest muscles by hitting cold water again!). It was 74 when I started out and, let me tell you, that is a good temp to work up a sweat. Especially with 65% humidity!

Happy Monday!

Trisha

Voice Update: Still doing really, really well. Thankfully!

I'm Back!

2011-05-20T09:03:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

Guess what I did this morning! Here is a hint!

Yes, I am back to walking and swimming!

dfghk

Of course, as this has been the first morning it has been warm enough to swim and the water was COLD!

xsdfhj

After taking half a lap to get my breath back and another half to get warmed up enough to not feel like an ice cube, I managed to complete ten laps. I could have done more but felt like floating for a while. It was wonderful!

dfhj

Now all I have to do it work up to my optimum number of laps and I am golden. Hopefully it will get MUCH warmer but not too warm (that bath water swimming isn't too fun!).

ghk

Yesterday, the roofers finished up my roof (I didn't post because I was out talking to them - telling them not to smoosh more plants - and then decided to have a computer free day) and today it is blessedly quiet. Both cats appreciate the lack of pounding and, so do I!

dfjh

It was amazing that yesterday I managed to take a short nap in the midst of the pounding. I guess that shows just how tired I was! I didn't get too much sleep the night before so I was tired, tired, tired!

dfj

This morning I am checking out some books on Amazon that a college friend of mine has written. The Veil and The Forgotten Paths by Beth Schiemer. I haven't read them but am planning on buying both (she has a third book that is available in electronic form only) to support my friend. One review on Amazon for The Forgotten Paths give the book and the writing high praise. I can't wait to see what I think of them.

I would like to get autographed copies so I am holding off on ordering the books until I hear from Beth about if I can do that and if so, how.

sfjsfj

If you are looking for some new books to read, check out these online and possibly order them. Also, if you are a Kindle, Nook, or other e-reader lover, check out the third book (I don't know the name but I am sure you can search under the author's name).

Hope you have a great Friday!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing really well. My neck is a bit tight (maybe due to the stress of being in the house during all the pounding??) so the massage is a bit more difficult but . . . I am working on it!

New Roof - Part 2

2011-05-18T13:22:00.005-05:00

Hi All!

Here is the second installment of our roofing adventure! I got the pictures out of order so you might want to start at the bottom and work your way up!
These are some of the new shingles. They look pretty much the same as our old ones. The thick pieces of foam keep the workers from having to sit/kneel on the hot roof surface.

All of the workers are brothers (and one nephew) and they work together really well - they almost don't need words to communicate!

Here they are putting new shingles on the front overhangs. It doesn't look like a comfy position to work in, does it?

The nephew had the job of hauling everything up onto the roof.

This is the job boss.

A blurry shot of them working on the valley of the house - they put down all new felt paper and flashing.

I almost got them all in one shot!

The uncle was heckling the nephew about not climbing the ladder fast enough with the shingles! I don't think I could lift the shingles let alone climb a ladder with them!

This side is all ready for new shingles. I am amazed that the guys can walk on the roof like they do!

This video is of the hallway but is meant to show you the sound of being in the house while getting a new roof! This was with only one guy hammering. After a while all four of the brothers had hammers - THAT was loud!

sfj

Trisha

New Roof - Part 1

2011-05-18T09:49:00.009-05:00

Hi All!

Today is the day!

There are men on my roof!

They are tearing off the old shingles.

Taking some time to pose for the camera!

Pounding staples into the roof so they can put the new roof over them.
Carrying old shingles to the dump truck.

The new shingles are being delivered!

Some are put out front!

Here is the truck waiting for more old shingles!

Some shingles are delivered out back.

sgjsfgj

How exciting!

sdhsdj

Trisha

Back to "Old Faithful!"

2011-05-17T09:06:00.009-05:00

Hi All!

Well, I got out my "purse" camera again today and took some shots of my gardens - mostly for my mom but . . . I thought I would share with everyone!

It has been a lazy week for me - yesterday was my birthday so I slept in and then this morning it was only 57 so I slept in again. But - I am so proud - I did walk in the evening yesterday and will do so again!

Now to get the mornings going and the swimming! I can hardly wait!

I love little green tomatoes - they hold such promise of good things to come!
sdghjsfj
I have already had FOUR tomatoes from this plant and they were very delicious!

My Hostas are growing. They get a bit bigger each year!

Since I fenced in my Coneflowers they are doing really, really well. This is the second bloom this year.

And another is hot on it's heels!

This is a new addition to my garden this year. I keep picking off the dead flowers and it keeps blooming. I don't know that it likes the sun too much though. It is in a place that doesn't get too much and still the leaves are a bit crispy!

Sorry about the blurriness - Hubby took this last night to show me how the kitties were curled up for the night. I think they like each other!
sdfgjsfj

Skor was sick last night. He kept walking backwards and then vomiting up greenish yellow liquid. He wanted to play with his toy but when I got it out he just chased it one time and then laid there watching it. Poor little boy!

dghkdgj

Luckily, he seems to be better this morning!

Here is the beautiful cake that Hubby picked out for my birthday! He said that the woman who took the order was impressed because he knew exactly what he wanted and most men don't!

sfhj

To celebrate my birthday, we had cake and ice cream for dinner! Not very healthy but fun, fun, fun!
sfh
Trisha
gjk;
Voice Update: My voice is still doing really well but I continue to have problems saying the word "two" in certain situations. That is frustrating - my voice sounds perfectly normal until I get to that darn word and then . . . trouble! Oh well! I guess only having one word which is giving me trouble isn't too bad, is it?

Cameras

2011-05-16T09:19:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

No pictures today! The reason?

Well, I have two cameras - one is a "purse camera" that I can stuff in my purse to have on hand all the time and the other is a "better camera" with a more powerful zoom and lots of neat features. My "better camera" has been acting up so it has been on the shelf for a while waiting for Hubby to send it to be repaired (he promised he would about six months ago!).

Recently, I have been prodding Hubby to get the camera sent off for repairs. He finally got around to thinking about it and wanted me to try the camera out again to see if it still had the problems.

Well, I played with the camera and it seemed to be working.

SEEMED to be working.

Since I have been testing out the "better" camera I have left the "purse" camera on the shelf for a while (so no pictures from it).

Last night, Hubby and I went walking (!) and spelunking (is that spelled right?) and I took along the "better" camera to take some sunset shots. Well - just imagine what happened!

Yes, the camera went on the fritz just as the sun hit that perfect spot to make for amazing pictures! Rats!

That is why there are no pictures today.

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing very well. Almost too boring to talk about!

Past Days in Pictures

2011-05-12T09:14:00.000-05:00

Hi All!

Yesterday I didn't blog because I slept in. It was a lovely rainy day and I just couldn't resist sleeping while listening to the rain pattering on the roof! My favorite time to sleep in!

We ended up getting quite a bit of rain yesterday. There was quite a bit of thunder and lightening all day and just when you thought it would stop raining - it would start up again (usually when you snuck outside to put something in the recycle bin!).

We needed the rain!

I thought I would show you some pictures of what I have been up to lately.

First, I played neighborhood photographer so Hubby could show this yard to his brother. He thinks it looks just like a Texas yard should look!

Then I was driving around and noticed that my odometer looked rather uniform.

Of course that only lasted for a mile! Then it rolled over to this!
sdfghsdhg
Hubby isn't too happy that I have this many miles on my "new" car already and it isn't even a year old (it will be a year in July!).

After driving a bit (I am sure I went to class in there somewhere to finish up my last final!), I went to the grocery store (wait- that was BEFORE the final!). And, as usual, I had some . . . problems . . . with my berries!

*sigh*

sfj

These blackberries look so juicy too!

sfgjsfj

I have to admit that I picked these buggers up, washed them off, and am eating them! They are delicious!

That is about what I have been up to! I hope you have had an exciting couple of days!

Oh - I forgot. I am including a short video I made trying to catch Skor's antics when we change sheets. He was a little inhibited because of the camera. Normally he is rolling and scooting around like mad!

Trisha

sfjxfj

Voice Update: Doing well. Doing well!

Finally, a Final!

2011-05-10T09:24:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Today is the day for my last final of the semester! Yeah! I hope that it is going to be as easy as the teacher claims it will be. IT shouldn't be too hard since most of the questions are being taken from previous quizzes we have had.

I guess I will find out!

Yesterday's speech appointment went well. My throat was a little tight (as always) but my voice get the seal of approval from Susan as doing well. I am definitely on the correct track with everything I am doing!

This is going to be a brief post as I am going to look over my notes and quizzes for my final. Hubby wants me to do my best! It was so nice - this morning while he was leaving he wished me luck. What a sweetie!

Have a fabulous day!

Trisha

Sam Houston

2011-05-09T08:36:00.005-05:00

Hi All!

During my trip to Houston with three other members of my class, we passed the HUGE statue of Sam Houston. On our way home we stopped to take a closer look and to get some pictures. This statue is amazing!

This must be an extra face or a first try???? The visitor center was closed when we were there and there was no information plaque so the explanation for this face was left up to our imaginations!

Such a proud stance!

A view from the front.
sdghs
Sam is 67 feet tall and can be seen for miles when driving down interstate 45 towards Houston, Texas. Remember - they say everything is bigger in Texas!

sfjsfj

Today I have a speech appointment and I am eager to see what Susan thinks of my voice this time. It seems to be doing really well despite the stress in my life recently. We will see what the "official" opinion is!

sdgh

As I am writing this, I am listening to iTunes (on shuffle, of course!) and there is a lovely Christmas tune playing. Vince Gill singing "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

dfgh

This leads me to wonder, once more, just why people relegate Christmas music to only one month out of the year. Yes, I know that it is Christmas music but what is Christmas music anyway? Basically a celebration of the birth of Christ, right?

sfgjsfj

Shouldn't we celebrate that every month of the year instead of just one?

sfjgs

Trisha

fhjsfj

Voice Update: The past few weeks have been stressful for me. First I had a really (REALLY) bad cold that involved coughing and drainage and wonderful stuff like that. Then, I recovered from that to enter into the "busy" part of the semester for classes. You can just read "busy" as "stressful." When I am stressed, my voice takes a beating. It is generally not very good in times of stress. However, this time, I didn't notice too many problems at all. Maybe I am getting the hang of keeping SD at bay!!

sdhsdhf

Did I mention that the NSDA national symposium is happening? Since my decision to separate myself from the NSDA I have also decided to not go to the symposium. However, (if I haven't missed it), if you are interested, go to the NSDA's website for more info!

Getting Back to It!

2011-05-07T09:18:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

It has been a while since I have sat down to write a post. In fact, it has been such a while that I am now out of practice, rusty! I really don't know where to start!

There are many things that I feel I could write about. I could write another post on my frustrations with classes - well, I don't know if it is really with classes or if it is with the people in the classes. And not all of the people.

I could write about waking up one day with a weird pain in my chest and how I had to figure out if I was having a heart attack or not. It turned out to be pulled muscles (?!?!) which were painful but much better than a heart attack!

I could write about the amazingly huge bruise I had on the side of my hand. I had no idea how I got it but it was huge and it hurt like the dickens!

Let's see . . . there is the research paper I finished and honestly think is not my best work. The teacher gave me full points and went on and on about how well written it was.

How about the other teacher who decided to take a class activity for points on the ONE day that I missed class because I was really sick? How I asked her to reconsider and she said no - only to decide a day later to change her mind!!! Yeah, her!

What else? Oh - how about the doctor changing my meds because he wants to "experiment" to see what works best. Right in time for finals!

Then again, I could write about all of the wonderful friends I have met in class and how much they have helped me through the semester with smiles and laughter.

I could write about how Hubby has been concerned about me lifting ANYTHING with the pulled muscles in my chest and has been making sure that I don't.

Another thing I could write about is the fun I had with three friends from class when we headed down to Houston for the weekend.

Also, I could write about the feeling of relief I have that the semester is over.

*sigh*

If only I could think of something to write for this blog post!

Trisha

Voice Update: I have a speech appointment on Monday (amazing how six weeks flies by, isn't it?) and I think it will be another good one since my voice is doing well.

Not Off the Edge of the Earth

2011-05-06T09:32:00.001-05:00

Hi All!

Just a short little blog to let you know that I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth. I am fine - just really, really busy! My classes are now almost over and so I will be able to get back to my "regular" schedule soon!

Miss you all!

Trisha

What a Day!

2011-04-27T09:11:00.004-05:00

Hi All!

Today I am attempting to add some pictures to my post even though that means more work for me - trying to get the html code correct so everything shows up right.

What a pain in the neck!

Before I get to the pictures . . . yesterday was quite a day! It started off with a trip to my general physician for a check up. At that appointment I talked to Doc about my depression/anxiety meds and how I didn't feel that they were working well enough. That led to a gleam in Doc's eye and an "experiment."

Don't worry. There isn't anything radical going on!

The experiment is simply to see which is the more "overpowering" force - the depression or the anxiety. So - we really put a handle on one and see if the other is "livable." Doesn't that sound like lots of fun???

I am not too thrilled but . . . if it helps in the long run!

After visiting the Doc, I headed to the pharmacy to pick up the new meds. That wasn't too bad since I got to wait and read my book while I waited! These days I don't get too much time during the day to read so that was a bit of a treat!

Back home from the pharmacy I decided to check in with my "stalker" to see how her research paper was going.

Wow!

It turns out that writing a research paper is a major stressor for her! It took me a while to talk her down and convince her to take a break. Then we agreed to meet before class so that we could talk about the organization of her paper - which is what was hanging her up.

I will admit that after that phone call I took a nap. Just an hour but I needed to recharge!

After the nap I got up, got some lunch, and headed to school. Now, I am not too crazy about the class I have on Tuesdays and Thursdays - as you may have figured out from a previous post! So - I wasn't too eager about going to school. Anyway - I got there and logged in almost three hours of lab time! I met with my "stalker" and we worked on her paper so that she felt better about the organization - now all she has to do is the actual writing. Fun, fun (am I saying that a lot this post??).

After class I headed home (it was still light since class ended early!!!!!!) and had some "down time" with Hubby and the cats. That was nice.

Today all I have to do is finish my research paper, meet with the insurance adjuster about the roof damage, and have my hair cut. Then I will worry about the video I need to have for tomorrow's class!

Now for the pictures.

My cactus is blooming. It is really blooming even more than shown in the picture but I haven't had time to get out and get new pictures.

I love the way the delicate flowers look along the nasty looking spines on the cactus!

This is the Sweet William blooming in our front flowerbed. Small but lovely!

Here is the "cage" I had to build to protect my Balloon Plant and Black-eyed Susans from the bunnies. I may need to get more fencing as the plants grow taller!

I hope I get through this week!

Trisha

Voice Update: Still doing boringly well!

On Again Off Again

2011-04-25T09:02:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

Happy belated Easter to everyone! There is nothing like Easter to really remind you what life is all about, is there?

Well, let's see what has been happening around my neck of the woods lately.

Do you remember our tree which died in the front yard? Well, as you may remember, we had the tree removed and the stump ground down in preparation for a new tree to be planted. However, we planned on waiting for Fall to plant the tree - that is the best time to plant trees in Texas. The reason for that is that we have such brutal summers - with hot, windy days - that the trees really root better in the winter.

Anyway. We planned to wait until Fall - we really still plan to wait. Our Home Owners' Association seems to have other plans though!

We have gotten two "friendly reminders" that each house is supposed to have two trees in the front yard. We have been told that if we don't plant a tree within ten days of the notice (I think we are past that timeline now), we will be fined and could be taken to court! Imagine that!

Hubby and I drove around the neighborhood last night to see if we were the only property with only one tree. Surprise, surprise! We are NOT!

Despite the fact that we believe this is a bluff from the HOA, it is sort of stressing me out! They also said they would take away our privileges - including use of the community pools! I want to swim this summer!!!

Such issues!

In other news, our air conditioner is on the fritz again. We just got it fixed last Tuesday and it isn't working AGAIN!

Do I need to tell you that this isn't the time of the year that you want your air conditioning to not be working? It has already been in the 90's here!

Luckily, it is cooler today since we had thunderstorms rolling through the area last night (more shingles off the roof!!). When I woke up it was only 71 here and I hope it doesn't get much warmer. I have already sweated it out for two weeks with no air before they fixed it. I don't really want a repeat performance! Just so you know - the AC guy is supposed to be coming this afternoon! I guess you get priority when they fix your unit and then it breaks less than a week later!

Trisha

Voice Update: As boring as it seems, everything is still doing really well. I am shocked!

A Heavy Heart and a Lower Grade

2011-04-22T09:04:00.002-05:00

Hi all!

Today I am going to vent. In case you don't know what that means . . . it means I am going to complain about something to get it out of my system.

I know that some people don't like reading posts that involved venting so I am warning you up front. If you are that kind of person - stop reading now!

So . . .being a teacher myself, I don't like to complain too vehemently about teachers. I honestly try to give teachers the benefit of the doubt because I have been there. I have done things as a teacher that must have seemed insane to some of my students so I try to cut teachers some slack.

However.

When you are grading a project - any project - as a teacher it is always a good idea to have some kind of rubric to guide you as this helps keep you "honest." If you follow a rubric you can't arbitrarily give a grade to a person because they "normally" don't do well or because they upset you in class that night. It is also a very, very good idea to make sure that your students understand how you are grading them and just what you are looking for on assignments and tests. If you don't make your expectations clear students flounder trying to give you what you want without having any clue about what they should give you!

There is a teacher in my life, currently, who - as I am sure you may have guessed, has shown no evidence of doing either of my two recommendations. There have been rubrics from things like finals and some videos but papers (yes, we are back to papers) - uh-uh. Also, some grades are given with little or no explanation of why they are given.

One example from my personal experience is a paper on which I got one point off (yes, I know it is minor but it is an example of a way of doing things) while there was not one negative comment or mark on the paper. Just a random grade?!?

The only comments on the paper were positive so that left me wondering just why I missed that last darn point!

This "trend" of grading without clearly stating why points were taken off of why certain things result in certain amounts of points being taken off has apparently touched other students.

Last night I was faced with the frustration of a couple other students about the entire grading issue.

As these students vented (and I completely understood their frustrations personally), it also became clear that this teacher's grading ambiguities were causing a general sense of disheartenment (is that a word?).

These students, whom I consider to be promising students, are now feeling like they are not capable and that they should not continue in their chosen career path. All because of a particular teacher's grading.

Well, that and a seeming favoritism. You see, about half of the class had this teachers last semester for another class and somehow, that half of the class always seems to do much better than the half of the class who has never had the teacher before.

What can account for this?

When the semester started I thought that this was simply because half of the class knew how the teacher graded and how the teacher liked things done while we (yes, I am in the "new" half) had no clue. Sometimes this was verified by things that were expected but not explicitly told to the class. The teacher would later claim that the class had been told only to realize that it was LAST SEMESTER'S class that had been told. Fun, fun!

Another frustration is that another teacher (same program, different class)is close friends - VERY close friends - with several of the students in the program. This friendship is not hidden from the other students and is very obvious in many ways.

While I personally think that the teacher doesn't show favoritism in ways that could hurt the other students, some people believe that the friendship leads the teacher to provide opportunities to the "friends" that are not provided to the rest of the class.

How can the teacher avoid this when talking to the friends daily and being in constant contact with them and not in constant contact with the rest of the students?

Another issue with the friendship is that some of the "friends" are not very friendly to other students. Again- I haven't experienced this personally but I have seen it in action towards other class members.

There are inside jokes which are laughed at in class. There are comments made in class which can be taken as "we know this so we are better than you." There are looks and facial expressions (and women are so sensitive to these!).There are even comments about activities done by the "friends" and the teacher which, honestly, make the rest of the students (okay, maybe not ALL of the students but the ones I have heard from) a bit uncomfortable.

Not good!

As one of the more "seasoned" members of the class (read that as oldest!), I look upon this behavior, by the "friends" and the teacher, as rather immature and sometimes downright mean. This does make me pause though because several of the "friends" are old enough to know better.

They are old enough to know that there really should be a clear line between student and teacher. That there should be a reservation of behavior among people who are not included. After all, who doesn't know that you shouldn't pass out Valentine's to only SOME members of your class? This makes the people who don't get Valentine's feel bad! Some principle!

Is it only because we are talking about a program where almost all of the participants are female? I do understand that females are naturally catty - I think it is hard-wired into the brain. Yes, some (if not most) of us recognize our ability to be catty and work hard to control the urge but some . . . .just let it fly!

This behavior - both by the random grading teacher and the group of "friends"- is damaging people. It needs to stop.

The question is - how?

Am I personally strong enough to stand up and deal with this knowing that there will almost certainly be ramifications? (oh - did I mention that it seems like if someone other than the "favored" half of the class or the "friends" complains or questions something - they seem to get some retribution?)

I like to think I am a strong person but, am I THAT strong?

Even if I AM that strong. Should I be?

Trisha

A special message for my friend Sarah - if she reads this - I am thinking about you and love you!

Voice Update: Boring as usual - doing well!

Papers, Papers, Papers!

2011-04-21T09:05:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

It is Thursday already! Somehow it seems like it was just Monday yesterday. How did I miss two days??

Anyway . . . I went to class on Tuesday evening and it exhausted me! I guess I am not totally well yet. That is basically why I ended up "missing" Wednesday - I slept all day!

Tonight I have two classes so I am hoping that yesterday's sleep-fest will be enough to keep me going to both classes.

Speaking of classes - I have papers to write! Papers, papers, papers!

For one class tonight I have to write a text reaction paper over the required text for the class. This is the only thing we have to do with the text all semester. We haven't discussed it in class - nor will we! The book won't be on any tests - we just have to write this paper! Yuck!

It seems to me that if a teacher wants a class to read - and understand - a book for a class, there should be some kind of class activity - besides a paper - centered on the book. To allow the students to read independently with no discussion or guidance of any kinds allows the students to garner their own - maybe misguided - information from the book. Seems a bit weird to me!

Oh well! Griping about it doesn't mean I can NOT write the paper! *sigh!*

The second class requires a RESEARCH PAPER! I have done enough research papers to know that I really don't want to do another research paper! However, I have actually done the research and now all I have to do is to actually WRITE the paper.

The writing of the paper(s) isn't the hard part for me - it is actually just getting motivated to sit down and write the papers. This is especially hard when I really, really, really have no interest what-so-ever in doing the papers!

Maybe I will actually start on the papers when I am finished blogging . . . .

Anyone know the world's record for the longest blog post?

Trisha

Voice Update: As boring as it is to report this . . . my voice is doing well. I shouldn't complain about this being boring to reports since it has taken me a long, long time to get to a place where my voice is good and holding its own.

Where is Miss Manners When You Need Her?

2011-04-19T09:12:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

Happily, I am feeling slightly better than I was feeling yesterday - and that is an improvement over the past week! Hopefully, I am on the downward end of this nasty cold!

Tonight I have class and I am sure that I will make it. I may not be the brightest bulb in class tonight but, I will be there, red nose and all!

Yesterday was a day of contrasts. I felt well and ill (at different times of the day). I was invigorated and exhausted. There was good news (our AC will be fixed today!) and bad news (it looks like we need a new roof!). There was excitement ( police cars and the medical examiner at a house across the street) and boredom (just what do you do when it is 90 degrees and you have no AC?).

The police cars have brought up a question worthy of the infamous (or is it famous?) Miss Manners. While I was out getting the mail (and watching the police cars) I saw a woman sitting on the front steps of the house the police were at. I wanted to know what was going on but, I also wanted to know if the woman needed any help. Would it be impolite to approach the woman to ask if everything is okay? We aren't close neighbors - we pretty much never talk. My motivation is 75% curiosity and 25% concern.

I didn't go up to the woman. I just went back into my house and peeked out the windows now and then to see how long the police cars stayed (something like 4 hours!).

Nosy neighbors!

I hope everything is okay!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing okay. I haven't been talking too much lately due to the sleeping all the time thing but . . . my voice is still doing well.

Healing and Hope

2011-04-18T08:51:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

Here is hoping that Blogger is better and I don't have to do the html coding myself today.

Lately I haven't blogged because I have been sick, sick, sick (the men are marching). I have had quite a doozy of a cold and I have been spending most of my time flat on my back in bed sleeping. Well, that and trying to get air into my lungs through my totally stuffed up nose. The same nose that now looks like it has been through the ringer (poor little chapped nose!). I had to miss classes on Thursday due to my progressing illness (and I NEVER miss class!) and then a wonderful opportunity to see the ASL comedian Keith Wann on Friday.

I was well enough (just barely) to take Miss Cleo to the vet for her annual check-up and everything is good there. However, as soon as I got home . . . I was back in bed totally exhausted from the hour long outing!

On Saturday, Hubby and I went to see Burn the Floor. If you don't know, it is a stage production of ballroom dancing. There were lots of beautiful girls and handsome men doing amazing steps on stage.

Ballroom isn't really my thing - I like it once in a while - but this was a good diversion. It was amazing that these dancers could keep going for the entire show - they were really dancing up a storm - or should I say that they were "Burning the floor?"

In other news, I was watching the neighbors' cats while they were gone on a long weekend. They have two adorable cats that actually come out to see me when I go over to take care of them. The older cat, Callie, is a bit of a curmudgeon but she actually lets me pet her. I just have to make sure that I stay well away from her teeth when she is done being petted!

Did I mention that Hubby baked me a delicious carrot cake (from a mix) while I was sick because I was craving cake (I always seem to do that when I am sick)? He is such a wonderful husband and he felt so helpless because he couldn't make be feel better. I love that man!

As I am quickly running out of steam and will probably need a nap before tackling my research paper, I will show you these . . . . pictures of my parent's goats. They are adorable little critters!

Have a super Monday!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well despite the long days of sleeping. Could work on some extra massage because of my stiff neck and shoulders (thank you, cold!).

Wednesday Woes

2011-04-13T08:33:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

I just want you to know that I really can't deal with Blogger's "issues" today so I apologize if this is difficult to read (due to lack of spaces, whatever). We will see how it goes.

This week has been busy, busy, busy! And . . . . "interesting."

I started off with a night assignment on Monday followed by a day assignment and class on Tuesday. Can you say "little sleep?"

Add into this mix the fact that I have been struggling with what I now believe to be allergy issues. Lots of drainage and a stuffy nose (NO air making it through) when I do manage to get sleep. The drainage makes my voice sound bad, bad, bad. In fact, Hubby commented on it this morning! I am doing my massage (even though my throat is a bit sore with the drainage) and exercises (just in a really deep, raspy voice!).

Okay - I can't stand the no spaces thing so I will do a bit of html editing. Gah! I HATE having to do that! Do I need to contact Blogger about this individually??

At least I am learning a bit of code to get the paragraphs separated. Not exactly what I wanted to learn but . . . I guess you do what you gotta do, right?

Maybe I will really get into the html stuff and just forget trying to do it the easy way.

And maybe I will be an astronaut too!

My parents have gotten a new "crop" of goats for the summer. This time they have 12 goats (they had 7 last year). They are cute little buggers! I can't wait to see what they get into this summer. They are always worth a few interesting stories!

Well, that is about all I have energy for so I am off for a nap!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Trisha

Voice Update: I am sounding a lot like Bea Arthur at the moment. I am keeping up with my massage and exercises though in an effort to counteract the damaging effects of the drainage and the coughing which accompanies this "wonderful" condition!I have also been taking cough medicine when the urge to cough is the worst to try to circumvent that bad behavior (in case you didn't know, coughing isn't good for your vocal cords since it basically slams the cords shut as you cough - not good treatment for such delicate things!).

Lately I have been having a lot of conversations about my voice and my SD. I am not sure why but - I am still spreading the word about Spasmodic Dysphonia. Okay - I should say I am not sure why I have been discussing my voice a lot lately. It sounded like I was saying that I wasn't sure why I was spreading the word. I AM sure about that. More people need to be educated about vocal disorders so that they don't treat people who have difficulty speaking poorly.

Remember, people, think of how your words will be taken before saying something which could be hurtful!

Monday Musings

2011-04-11T08:32:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

Happy Monday!

If only I felt as happy as I would like you to feel!

Well, actually, I don't feel too bad at the moment. There was a nice rainstorm last night (and I LOVE rain) and my morning walk was beautiful. I was greeted by this wonderful sunrise when I left my house.
Hopefully, I have gotten the spacing down on the blog for today - I am dabbling in HTML code . . . However, I still am not sure what I am doing with the pictures.

If this text is in the correct spot, it should be after the picture of my neighbor's tulips. I should have taken the picture yesterday because the rain got to some of the blooms!

Okay - this picture should be of one of the "lovely" ant hills which pop up right after the rain. Don't step in them!

I "helped" this frog get up on the curb to the grass before a car smooshed him. He didn't look too thankful.

Hubby and I finally go the last of the old shrubs out of the flowerbed (okay - only one half of it) and planted our remaining shrub. Now to get more mulch to finish the job!

In other news, I have been sufferring from some weird gunk. At first I thought it was just drainage from allergies but this morning my throat is sore when I cough (to try to clear the gunk - which is not good for my voice, I know!) and my voice sounds like it has gone down about four octaves.

I am supposed to have a night observation again tonight but I am wondering if I should cancel due to illness. Of course, am I really sick or is it just drainage? How do you know?

Did I tell you that our air conditioner picked yesterday to start blowing hot air instead of cold air? No? Of course, it had to be a day when the temps were hovering around 90 degrees!

Such are the troubles of living in Texas!

I do wonder just what is going on since the AC guys were out in February to check everything out and said everything was fine. I guess we will find out, won't we?

Trisha

Voice Update: This morning it sounds like I have dropped a few octaves and that I am losing my voice. Again - is this due to "gunk" or is it due to illness? Who knows???

Visiting With the Eagles

2011-04-09T08:59:00.002-05:00

Hi All! It is time to check to see if Blogger is still insisting that there are no spaces between my paragraphs in my posts! Yeah! As usual, this past week has been busy, busy, busy! I am happy to say that I am now at 200 hours for my practicum class. So everything from now on will be "gravy!" That will let me relax a bit! I do need to "remove" some hours from a workshop so that I can write a paper on the workshop. That isn't good! I guess I will need to rack up some extra time to cover that! I don't think that will be too hard - I do have almost a month to go! Thanks to my mother I have a new "addiction." There is an Eagle's nest in Iowa which has an awesome webcam. There are three chicks and you can see them poking out from under their parent - still can't figure out which is the mom and which is the dad - from time to time. It is fascinating. At least to me. If you want to check it out, go here! Just be careful! It IS addicting! Trisha Voice Update: Doing my massage and my exercises like a "good girl!" I am hoping to spread out my speech appointments just a bit more!

Cautious Steps

2011-04-06T08:33:00.003-05:00

************ Note. When I originally wrote this blog there WERE spaces included. Blogger apparently has switched gears and needs some special "space code" to indicate where the spaces should go. Does anyone know what in the world is going on????? Hi All! The computer is on and I am logged in to Blogger. I am attempting to actually blog - without spacing issues. This post is sans photos to see if it is the pictures which cause the problems. This morning was a lovely morning for a walk - my second of the week! Yeah! The birds were singing and the wind wasn't quite as strong as it was on Monday (when I was almost blown off the sidewalk a few times!). There are some tulips blooming along my route (white ones in my neighbor's yard and some pink ones around the corner). The sun was peeping above the rooftops and tinting the sky a delicate pinkish/orange. It was a beautiful morning! Here is hoping that it continues to be such a beautiful day! Trisha Voice Update: Working the massage each time I apply lotion and starting up those exercises again (I forgot them yesterday!).

Spacing Issues

2011-04-04T09:09:00.002-05:00

Dear Blogger, Why, oh why, do you insist on messing with my spacing? I make everything look so nice when I am composing and then . . . you mess it up when I post. What is up with that? You are just making me frustrated because I think my readers (the few people who read my blog) might think that the spacing issues are MY problems! Get it together, Blogger! Thank you! Trisha

The Corner Garden

2011-04-04T08:12:00.005-05:00

Hi All! sf gjfsj It has been a while. sfjfsj Has anyone noticed?? sfjsfj Okay - I am done feeling needy for the moment. sfjfsj Last week . . . . well, it was a week. I had stuff for class to do and stuff for life to do and then I wasn't feeling very well so it just sort of flew by without me blogging. Or walking (not good, I know!). Or doing much of anything! sfjfsj That isn't true. I did stuff but nothing too memorable. During the weekend I went out and set to work in my corner garden.

sfjsfj

First, I dug out another foot or so.

That was SOOOOOO much fun! The ground was hard as a rock since we haven't had too much rain here lately. dghdghk ***With that said, I should note that it rained/stormed last night and today the ground is much softer! After getting new soil mixed in and the border up I struggled with this fencing - in an effort to keep the bunnies from munching on my cone flowers. I am still not too happy with the fence and think I am going to put posts in at the corners. Eventually! I added two and a half bags of mulch - doesn't it look pretty and fresh? Some plants were rearranged.

And now the corner garden is ready for another summer of fun!

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Hubby isn't too sure why I put so much work into the garden. He doesn't see much use in it.

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Of course, he does like looking at the blooming flowers during the summer!

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Speaking of flowers. I haven't decided if I am going to plant Moon Flowers this year or not. It might be nice to have a year off. Then again - they are lovely things.

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Such decisions!

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Here is to another busy week! At least I started off on the right foot with a walk in the VERY WINDY weather. We will see if I will be able to walk for more than one day this week!

sfjsfj

Trisha

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Voice Update: Last Monday I went to see Susan. She was very pleased with my voice - no skips or breaks or anything when I walked in. That is a bit of a feat, I must say! Susan was happy with the work I have been doing at home but did have to work on my neck a bit to get the "crunchy" out. Can you say sore neck for the next three days? Now to keep up with it!

Gardening . . . .And Stuff

2011-03-28T09:16:00.005-05:00

Hi All! xsfjsfj Is it just me or has it been forever since I last posted?? dghkdgk Lately, it seems like I have been running around like a crazy woman so posting has been a bit "out of the question." I have thought about you all though. I have WANTED to check blogs and to post but . . . that is hard to do when you aren't home or when you are sound asleep! fhjkfjk Anyway - I am doing really well on my practicum hours but not so well on my sleeping hours. I am sure it will all work itself out soon! ghklgkl In the meantime . . . the front flowerbeds have continued their transformation. Hubby has been steadily working on removing shrubs (basically one or two a day) and we actually planted shrubs yesterday. Take a look. fgjkfg This is what the bed looks like now (remember, we are only this far along on one side of the front!). MUCH smaller plants and the rock (yes, I had to buy a rock since they are rarely seen roaming wild around this area!). fhj Another view of the bed. I can't wait to get mulch on the ground and maybe a few more perennials thrown into the mix. Oh - and the last three "old" shrubs out of the picture! dghk The rock is being kept company by perennials - including black eyed Susan's, bee balm, butterfly bush, pincushion plant, and balloon flower. The new plants are so much smaller . . . They need to grow some but not TOO much!

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Trisha

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Voice Update: My neck is a tiny bit "crunchy." I have an appointment with Susan today so I am sure it will be hurting tonight and tomorrow!

Back In The Swing

2011-03-23T08:41:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

Well, Spring Break is, regrettably, over. Now it is time to get back into the swing of life at full speed again. Honestly, I am not certain I am ready for this! Yes, it is good to see people I haven't seen during the break (it seems like forever since I last saw them!!) and I get to resume some of the fun things about my classes - like the observations. However, I also must resume the not so exciting things like researching for my paper, making videos of myself interpreting, and quizzes. Bah!

One exciting thing is that it was Hubby's birthday yesterday! He had a nice, relaxing day since he took a day off of work to "pamper" himself. He also was having some back pain (can you say digging shrubs?) so the day off helped that as well. Sadly, I wasn't with Hubby all day since I was out on observations and then at class. Oh well, at least the kitties kept him company!

Due to my early observation yesterday I didn't get in my morning walk but I did this morning. It was a nice morning for a walk - just a hint of coolness in the air and a nice breeze. Warm enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt. Some remaining spring flowers. Fresh new leaves on many of the trees. This walking thing can be addicting - even when I would rather just snuggle under the covers! I MUST stay motivated. I MUST stay motivated!

Wish me luck with that!

I hope that your week is off to a good start! Have a wonderful day today!

Trisha

Voice Update: Doing well. I haven't been saying too much because everything is pretty much "status quo" lately. If you have questions, let me know!

Spring Rock!

2011-03-21T08:38:00.004-05:00

Hi All!

The remaining tree out front finally agrees that it is Spring!

Leaves! Tiny leaves, yes, but they are still leaves!

dfhjdgk

As you know, Hubby and I have been working out in the front flowerbed. Hubby has been digging out old, overgrown shrubs and I have been trimmng shrubs which will wait a while until they are dug up. One of my plans for the beds was to put in a big rock.

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So - Hubby and I went rock shopping on Saturday and we got this.

I like it! It has some lichen on it and some holes in it. It has interest!

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Around the rock are perennials. Right now I am thinking that this end of the bed will be all perennials and no shrubs but . . . that could change!

Here is the rock closer up.
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Now we just have to keep up the digging of shrubs and get the new shrubs planted! Not too much more work, huh?

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Trisha

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Voice Update: Still doing really well!