Surprise Package!

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

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. 

Glasses and Tree Shopping

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!

Hair - Before and After

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.

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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!

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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 Minor Miracle . . .

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.
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Notice the OPEN WINDOW!
xsj

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

fjdfj

Am I nuts????

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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!
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Before this summer, this plant only had three leaves. Now - just look at it!
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Okay - quick story before I go.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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!

A Squirrel Visit

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.

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Doesn't he look comfortable?

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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.

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

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??

What's That On the Wall?

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.

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Now he is literally climbing the walls!

dghk

I like him!

dh

Trisha

ghj

Voice Update: Doing well.

Beautiful Bermuda - Last Stop Before Home!

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

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