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.
Showing posts with label walk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walk. Show all posts
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Cool and Fuzzy!
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.
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.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Short and Sweet
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!
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.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Tuesday Thoughts
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?
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?
Monday, July 11, 2011
A Cleaning Casualty
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!
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!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Welcome to the Wall!
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!
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!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Come On In - The Water's Fine!
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!
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!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Minor Setback
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!
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!
Friday, May 20, 2011
I'm Back!
Hi All!
Guess what I did this morning! Here is a hint!
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.
gj
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!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Monday Musings
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?TrishaVoice 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???
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?TrishaVoice 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???Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Cautious Steps
************ 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!).
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Spring Walk
Hi All!
Since this is my Spring Break week, I have been back to regular morning walks and it is beautiful! Today the thermometer read 64 degrees when I woke up! There was a nice, cool breeze blowing and the day was overcast so I wasn't harassed by the sun. AND - I know this is hard to believe - I actually remembered to take my camera with me! As I walked this morning I captured some of our spring scenes to share with you.
Our trees are a mixture of buds and leaves right now. Some of the buds are bright red - like these (even though they are muted by the dull day!).
There are daffodils blooming, daffodils done blooming, and daffodils just budding.
The Bradford Pear trees are blooming . . . and some are done blooming and studded with pale green leaves!
There are other trees blooming too - like this one (sorry about the blurry picture!).
The new buds on trees just fascinate me. These were rather large buds!
Forsythia is also in that state of flux - either just blooming or mixed with greenery.
It is amazing how many different things are blooming!
These are some of my favorites! They remind me of Spring in Ohio for some reason!
Nothing better than pretty pink/purple blooms!
The day continued to be overcast throughout my walk (the sun did peek out for a bit and I almost caught it in this blurry picture!).
xdfh
Yes! A blister! I was wearing my gardening gloves while I was working but . . . I get blisters anyway. What a pain in the finger!
This is what I did. I trimmed the tall holly up to where I could reach (I need a ladder for the rest), the two shrubs around the holly, and the two shrubs to the left of the holly. It doesn't look like much but we had five bags of trimmings to haul out back!
When I came in from my morning walk I found Skor waiting for me in an unusual place. Not because he is on the piano but because he is on the very edge of the piano. He fit just perfectly there!
Since this is my Spring Break week, I have been back to regular morning walks and it is beautiful! Today the thermometer read 64 degrees when I woke up! There was a nice, cool breeze blowing and the day was overcast so I wasn't harassed by the sun. AND - I know this is hard to believe - I actually remembered to take my camera with me! As I walked this morning I captured some of our spring scenes to share with you.
Our trees are a mixture of buds and leaves right now. Some of the buds are bright red - like these (even though they are muted by the dull day!).
There are daffodils blooming, daffodils done blooming, and daffodils just budding.
The Bradford Pear trees are blooming . . . and some are done blooming and studded with pale green leaves!
There are other trees blooming too - like this one (sorry about the blurry picture!).
The new buds on trees just fascinate me. These were rather large buds!
Forsythia is also in that state of flux - either just blooming or mixed with greenery.
It is amazing how many different things are blooming!
These are some of my favorites! They remind me of Spring in Ohio for some reason!
Nothing better than pretty pink/purple blooms!
The day continued to be overcast throughout my walk (the sun did peek out for a bit and I almost caught it in this blurry picture!).xdfh
The breeze blew (quite hard at times) the entire walk but I was still sweaty when I got home!
It was a super day for a super walk!
dgkh
Later today I am going to head out to purchase some new shrubs for our front beds (well, really only half of the beds!). Yesterday Hubby and I discussed things after I trimmed some shrubs. We have been talking about pulling everything out and starting over again. The builder put in shrubs and overcrowded them so that no matter how we trim them . . . they are just too much!
fgkfgk
Speaking of trimming shrubs. Can you see one of the results of my labor in this picture?
fgkfgk
Speaking of trimming shrubs. Can you see one of the results of my labor in this picture?
Yes! A blister! I was wearing my gardening gloves while I was working but . . . I get blisters anyway. What a pain in the finger!
This is what I did. I trimmed the tall holly up to where I could reach (I need a ladder for the rest), the two shrubs around the holly, and the two shrubs to the left of the holly. It doesn't look like much but we had five bags of trimmings to haul out back!
When I came in from my morning walk I found Skor waiting for me in an unusual place. Not because he is on the piano but because he is on the very edge of the piano. He fit just perfectly there!
As a final treat, I took a movie of a Mockingbird's song for you!
fhjdfj
Have a super day!
dghkdghk
Trisha
dfhkdghk
Voice Update: I am doing better with my exercises and massage! My voice isn't getting too much of a workout during this week but I am speaking enough to keep it on track!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A Migraine and The Gnome and Mrs. Meyers
Hi All!
Yesterday was fun - sort of. I started the day with my morning walk and chat with Mom. Then I headed out into the day. Everything went really well until I was in my car on the way to the grocery store. That is when it struck. A headache.
Luckily, I had aspirin and water in the car so I took full advantage of both. Then I soldiered on into the store. Somehow, the bright store didn't soothe my headache but rather amplified it . . . into a migraine.
I completed my shopping and headed home. Once there I dragged everything into the house and put away the things that needed refrigeration. The rest was left on the counter while I heated up some lunch (thinking that my headache was due to a lack of food).
The food was eaten and the headache actually ratcheted itself up at least two notches. Due to that, I headed to bed. Three and a half hours later I was awakened by Hubby sitting on the edge of the bed. I hadn't even heard him come into the house!
The headache was still there so I got up and took some Excedrin and then burrowed under the covers again.
Another three hours later I emerged with only the dull remains of a headache. Hubby and I enjoyed a nice dinner (with Hubby's homemade spaghetti sauce) and some conversation before it was time to head back to bed for the night.
This morning I woke up with the hangover feeling from the meds but no headache! My morning walk was refreshing (if a little brisk at 41 degrees!) and it was a good time for me to dive into a new podcast.
The podcast is called The Gnome and Mrs. Meyers by Susan Klein. The book is read by the author and is interesting. The basic premise is that a recently widowed woman is surprised by the appearance of a House Gnome in her living room. A real, live gnome! The gnome asks to stay at her house for three months after which the woman will get a wealth of gems in payment. Since the widow, Mrs. Brenda Meyers, needs money after her husband's long illness she agrees to the three month stay. That is when her adventure begins.
Despite the rather lack-luster reading voice of the author, the story has me hooked with its whimsy and unusual plot. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
Trisha
Voice Update: Still hanging in there. Hopefully today will be better (without headache and with time for exercises!).
Yesterday was fun - sort of. I started the day with my morning walk and chat with Mom. Then I headed out into the day. Everything went really well until I was in my car on the way to the grocery store. That is when it struck. A headache.
Luckily, I had aspirin and water in the car so I took full advantage of both. Then I soldiered on into the store. Somehow, the bright store didn't soothe my headache but rather amplified it . . . into a migraine.
I completed my shopping and headed home. Once there I dragged everything into the house and put away the things that needed refrigeration. The rest was left on the counter while I heated up some lunch (thinking that my headache was due to a lack of food).
The food was eaten and the headache actually ratcheted itself up at least two notches. Due to that, I headed to bed. Three and a half hours later I was awakened by Hubby sitting on the edge of the bed. I hadn't even heard him come into the house!
The headache was still there so I got up and took some Excedrin and then burrowed under the covers again.
Another three hours later I emerged with only the dull remains of a headache. Hubby and I enjoyed a nice dinner (with Hubby's homemade spaghetti sauce) and some conversation before it was time to head back to bed for the night.
This morning I woke up with the hangover feeling from the meds but no headache! My morning walk was refreshing (if a little brisk at 41 degrees!) and it was a good time for me to dive into a new podcast.
The podcast is called The Gnome and Mrs. Meyers by Susan Klein. The book is read by the author and is interesting. The basic premise is that a recently widowed woman is surprised by the appearance of a House Gnome in her living room. A real, live gnome! The gnome asks to stay at her house for three months after which the woman will get a wealth of gems in payment. Since the widow, Mrs. Brenda Meyers, needs money after her husband's long illness she agrees to the three month stay. That is when her adventure begins.
Despite the rather lack-luster reading voice of the author, the story has me hooked with its whimsy and unusual plot. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
Trisha
Voice Update: Still hanging in there. Hopefully today will be better (without headache and with time for exercises!).
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head . . .
Hi All!
Another picture dug from my seemingly endless archive of photos to illustrate the weather in my neck of the woods today! This is Q-Tip (yes, he looks a lot like Skor) posing with an umbrella. Isn't he cute (just ignore the glowing eyes!)?
This morning I took my walk in a fine, misty rain. Despite having an umbrella, I arrived home with all my clothes damp. The only part of me that remained dry was my head. I guess that is something, right?
sfjsfj
While I was walking I realized that my walking pants (really yoga pants from Wally World!) illustrated pretty graphically that I am not like most people. You see, I am what you might call short waisted. The distance between my waist and my crotch is much less that what the clothing industry believes is "normal." This small distance means that I can usually pull the waist of most pants up to my armpits (or thereabouts!). If I don't choose to do the high-waisted look, I end up with the crotch of the pants hanging down around my knees. Not too comfy!
sfj
So - this morning I walked with my waistband sitting a good eight inches above my belly-button. For some reason I just couldn't ignore this fact. It wasn't uncomfortable but it just felt weird. I guess when you are a person like me who is "slightly" out-of-the-box of normality, you have to expect this kind of stuff now and again!
sfj
It was nice walking in the rain. It was almost relaxing as it was quiet and tranquil and not too cold (it was 62 when I woke up). A good way to start the day!
sfj
Speaking of days, it has been a couple days since I last posted. As usual, this was caused by business and observation assignments. Am I the only one who thinks this phase of my life will never end?
sfjsfj
I am happy to report that Hubby is mostly over his man-cold. He still has some horrific coughing spells but is done with the fever, body aches, and stuffy head. Yeah! The bad thing is that he is still not willing to kiss me because he is convinced that he can still pass on this cold to me that way. Nice!
fjsfj
That is life, I guess!
ghk
Hope your life is going well!
dghk
Trisha
gk
Voice Update: Doing well. I am faithfully doing the massage and making sure to do exercises. I was thinking last night that it almost seems like I don't have SD at all - but then I thought about the time I spend working on massage and exercises and how my voice insists on giving me problems when I am tired, emotional, or in a noisy place. Apparently, I am just getting so good at the dance steps that I can do them without really thinking about it! Not too bad!
Another picture dug from my seemingly endless archive of photos to illustrate the weather in my neck of the woods today! This is Q-Tip (yes, he looks a lot like Skor) posing with an umbrella. Isn't he cute (just ignore the glowing eyes!)?
This morning I took my walk in a fine, misty rain. Despite having an umbrella, I arrived home with all my clothes damp. The only part of me that remained dry was my head. I guess that is something, right?
sfjsfj
While I was walking I realized that my walking pants (really yoga pants from Wally World!) illustrated pretty graphically that I am not like most people. You see, I am what you might call short waisted. The distance between my waist and my crotch is much less that what the clothing industry believes is "normal." This small distance means that I can usually pull the waist of most pants up to my armpits (or thereabouts!). If I don't choose to do the high-waisted look, I end up with the crotch of the pants hanging down around my knees. Not too comfy!
sfj
So - this morning I walked with my waistband sitting a good eight inches above my belly-button. For some reason I just couldn't ignore this fact. It wasn't uncomfortable but it just felt weird. I guess when you are a person like me who is "slightly" out-of-the-box of normality, you have to expect this kind of stuff now and again!
sfj
It was nice walking in the rain. It was almost relaxing as it was quiet and tranquil and not too cold (it was 62 when I woke up). A good way to start the day!
sfj
Speaking of days, it has been a couple days since I last posted. As usual, this was caused by business and observation assignments. Am I the only one who thinks this phase of my life will never end?
sfjsfj
I am happy to report that Hubby is mostly over his man-cold. He still has some horrific coughing spells but is done with the fever, body aches, and stuffy head. Yeah! The bad thing is that he is still not willing to kiss me because he is convinced that he can still pass on this cold to me that way. Nice!
fjsfj
That is life, I guess!
ghk
Hope your life is going well!
dghk
Trisha
gk
Voice Update: Doing well. I am faithfully doing the massage and making sure to do exercises. I was thinking last night that it almost seems like I don't have SD at all - but then I thought about the time I spend working on massage and exercises and how my voice insists on giving me problems when I am tired, emotional, or in a noisy place. Apparently, I am just getting so good at the dance steps that I can do them without really thinking about it! Not too bad!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
So - It Is Tuesday . . .
Hi All!
Happy Tuesday! We have made it through one day of this week. Should we be proud?
Today was my second day of walking - in a row - this week. When I am snuggled up in my warm bed it is so easy to forget that walking really does feel good when you are doing it. If only I could remember that feeling so that I just jumped out of bed ready and eager to walk each morning! The temperature today when I started walking was a lovely 57 degrees. There was a hint of rain and Spring freshness (!!!) in the air as I headed down the sidewalk. It was wonderful!
After such a great start to today it must surely be a wonderful day, right? Here is hoping that is true.
My trip to the speech therapist's office yesterday went really well. Susan was happy with my voice and my throat for the most part. She was a bit concerned about the tension in my shoulders and neck muscles (can you say research paper topic?) though. Tension in the shoulders and neck muscles can easily transfer to the larynx muscles if you aren't careful and tension in those muscles made talking even more of a chore! Due to the tension I have some new "exercises." I am supposed to use my masssager on my shoulder and neck muscles at least twice a day and can even con Hubby into giving me some massages in between times! Doesn't that sound "awful?"
So - it was a nice day yesterday. It was even topped off by Hubby making dinner (a great pizza) and providing a heart-shaped ice cream cake for dessert (from Baskin Robbins). I LOVE ice cream cake! It was a perfect dessert for Valentine's Day!
Hopefully today will be just as wonderful!
Trisha
Voice Update: I pretty much said it all in the post. It is good, people!
Happy Tuesday! We have made it through one day of this week. Should we be proud?
Today was my second day of walking - in a row - this week. When I am snuggled up in my warm bed it is so easy to forget that walking really does feel good when you are doing it. If only I could remember that feeling so that I just jumped out of bed ready and eager to walk each morning! The temperature today when I started walking was a lovely 57 degrees. There was a hint of rain and Spring freshness (!!!) in the air as I headed down the sidewalk. It was wonderful!
After such a great start to today it must surely be a wonderful day, right? Here is hoping that is true.
My trip to the speech therapist's office yesterday went really well. Susan was happy with my voice and my throat for the most part. She was a bit concerned about the tension in my shoulders and neck muscles (can you say research paper topic?) though. Tension in the shoulders and neck muscles can easily transfer to the larynx muscles if you aren't careful and tension in those muscles made talking even more of a chore! Due to the tension I have some new "exercises." I am supposed to use my masssager on my shoulder and neck muscles at least twice a day and can even con Hubby into giving me some massages in between times! Doesn't that sound "awful?"
So - it was a nice day yesterday. It was even topped off by Hubby making dinner (a great pizza) and providing a heart-shaped ice cream cake for dessert (from Baskin Robbins). I LOVE ice cream cake! It was a perfect dessert for Valentine's Day!
Hopefully today will be just as wonderful!
Trisha
Voice Update: I pretty much said it all in the post. It is good, people!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day and a Wedding!
Hi All!
Happy Valentine's Day!
As I was walking I saw this door all dolled up for the holiday!
dghkdgj
Somehow it made me feel peppier as I was walking by!
Not that I was feeling bad this morning - this is what greeted me as I set out on my morning walk. A lovely sunrise!
I also spied some Cedar Waxwings gathering in a neighborhood treetop. I wish I had a better zoom on my "purse camera" but you can't have everything, can you?
This weekend, Hubby and I went to the wedding of one of his co-workers.
Hubby and I did dance (the sister of the groom took our picture!) and the music was a bit softer closer to the stage. Oh - the band was a Vietnamese band and they sang probably 90% in Vietnamese. It was interesting.
Happy Valentine's Day!
As I was walking I saw this door all dolled up for the holiday!
dghkdgj
Somehow it made me feel peppier as I was walking by!
Not that I was feeling bad this morning - this is what greeted me as I set out on my morning walk. A lovely sunrise!
I also spied some Cedar Waxwings gathering in a neighborhood treetop. I wish I had a better zoom on my "purse camera" but you can't have everything, can you?
This weekend, Hubby and I went to the wedding of one of his co-workers.
dgkdgk
It was an interesting evening for us since it was a Vietnamese wedding reception and, of course, we aren't Vietnamese! We were lucky to sit with other people Hubby works with as well as five wonderful young Vietnamese people who helped us figure out what was being said and what we were eating.
dghkdgk
The food was wonderful - well, the tempura lobster wasn't that wonderful because they just tempuraed the shell and all so you sometimes got a bite that was nothing but shell - and the reception was lovely. My only complaint was that the music was LOUD! Apparently, the volume isn't unusual for Vietnamese receptions because we were the only ones (we being the people who work with Hubby and wives, etc.) who seemed to think the music was too loud.
Hubby and I did dance (the sister of the groom took our picture!) and the music was a bit softer closer to the stage. Oh - the band was a Vietnamese band and they sang probably 90% in Vietnamese. It was interesting.
Overall, I would say that we had a good time!
Today it will be off to Speech (hope things are still doing well but I know my neck will be hurting for a while after the appointment because Susan will have to loosen things up!) and then maybe some time at the lab . . . doesn't that sound exciting?
dfhj
Trisha
sfj
Voice Update: Doing good even though talking at the wedding (over the loud music) did set me back a twidge!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Blowin' On the Wind
Hi All!
We all knew it wouldn't last! Over the weekend my area enjoyed a bit of a respite from the unusually cold (okay - not COLD but at least chilly) weather which has accompanied this winter season. The weekend was beautiful- around 70 degrees (or more) and so mild. It was heavenly.
And then a wind started blowing . . . and we all just knew it was up to no good!
We were right! Check out what the wind brought up last night/this morning! (The thermometer reads 19 degrees by the way!)
Snow! Okay - it is really more like sleet. Tiny little ice balls. But . . . come on! We have been through this once already this winter! Once is usually our limit!
Yesterday, when I walked, I knew something was up because of this sky.
But the sight of these spring flowers starting to grow lulled me into a false sense of security!
This bird's nest made me think thoughts of spring when there might be new eggs inside . . .
We all knew it wouldn't last! Over the weekend my area enjoyed a bit of a respite from the unusually cold (okay - not COLD but at least chilly) weather which has accompanied this winter season. The weekend was beautiful- around 70 degrees (or more) and so mild. It was heavenly.
And then a wind started blowing . . . and we all just knew it was up to no good!
We were right! Check out what the wind brought up last night/this morning! (The thermometer reads 19 degrees by the way!)
Snow! Okay - it is really more like sleet. Tiny little ice balls. But . . . come on! We have been through this once already this winter! Once is usually our limit!
Yesterday, when I walked, I knew something was up because of this sky.
But the sight of these spring flowers starting to grow lulled me into a false sense of security!
This bird's nest made me think thoughts of spring when there might be new eggs inside . . .
This brave pansy with its bright face just kept me cheerful. I wonder what it is looking like this morning under all the snow . . .
sfgjsfj
Trisha
sfgjsfj
Voice Update: Still doing wonderfully! Yeah!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
One Down - The Rest of The Semester To Go!
Hi All!
This morning I started out a little later than I did yesterday.
The sun was actually working on getting into the sky this morning!
This yard has quite a worm problem!
I wonder what happened here?
Now I know why we have had snow already this year . . . .
This morning I started out a little later than I did yesterday.
The sun was actually working on getting into the sky this morning!
This yard has quite a worm problem!
I wonder what happened here?
Now I know why we have had snow already this year . . . .
sdghsdgh
Last night I had my first class of the semester. I think it will be a good one. The teacher seems very personable and reasonable - two good traits for a teacher. The other students are great - there are only two I have never been in class with before. The work load doesn't seem too heavy. I just might make it through this semester!
sfj
Hubby, the toenail-less wonder, is getting better everyday. In fact, the toe doesn't look as bad today as it did yesterday. That is progress! Hubby did well at work yesterday for a half day and is back to full days starting today. We will see how he feels when he gets home.
sfjsfj
Have I mentioned that I am trying to let my hair grow to a chin length bob again? Well, it is getting longer and that means that I actually have some "issues" to deal with now and again. One issue that recently came to my attention is that when I walk, my hairline gets sweaty. If I don't pull back my hair it gets sweaty too and then starts to flop into my face which is annoying! So - this morning I have four clips holding everything back. I am sure I look lovely! Grow hair! Grow!
sfgdf
Trisha
sdgsfg
Voice Update: Still holding its own. I did some extra talking last night after class to make up for not doing oral reading but I have to get on the ball with that soon! I did exercises in the car on the way to class but forgot on the way home (doink!). I am sure I will get better with remembering once I start driving everyday again. The massage and I are doing well. Doing well! I will say that needing to do so much work to keep my voice at its best (instead of just waking up and doing nothing like most people in the world) is a real pain in the neck!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Oh! My Aching Neck!
Hi All!
This morning I woke up with a sore throat. Actually it was a doubly sore throat - inside and out!
Yesterday I went to see Susan, my speech therapist. While I really enjoy seeing Susan I must admit that when I am not as diligent as I should be with my exercises I find myself in a bit of pain! This is because my neck gets "crunchy" or tight and Susan has to work hard to get things loosened up again. The hard work leaves impressions (literally and figuratively) on my neck. For the next two to three days my neck will hurt where Susan was doing her work.
Yes, my voice feels better but . . . my neck hurts! It makes doing my massage difficult because . . . well, my neck hurts just where I need to massage! However, I do work through the pain to do my massage.
This morning, I woke up expecting my neck to hurt but I wasn't really expecting my throat to hurt as well. It felt as if the left side of my throat was on fire. After thinking a bit I decided that this was likely due to drainage. My nose was a little blocked when I went to bed.
For breakfast I had two glasses of orange juice and two oranges. This seemed to cut through the drainage and solved one of my two pains. The pain in my neck . . . it will be hanging around for another day or so to remind me what happens when I don't do my exercises and massage faithfully!
Today was day four of my walking routine and I even added on an extra ten minute loop to the end of my walk for good measure!
While I am writing this morning I am listening to an episode of Gunsmoke (radio version) from May 9, 1953. This is thanks to my podcast obsession. I found a great source for these Radio Westerns called Old Time Radio Westerns. This podcast provides episodes of Gunsmoke, The Cisco Kid, Tales of the Texas Rangers, The Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, Have Gun Will Travel, and Challenge of the Yukon. These are fun to listen to and always have an interesting story.
I never thought that I was a fan of westerns but this podcast changed my mind and these episodes are some of my favorite things to listen to while walking each morning.
There is another podcast called Old Time Radio Thrillers which has shows like Dick Tracy, The Whistler, The Avenger, Inner Sanctum Mysteries, and The Shadow. Again - super listening while I walk.
If you like listening to stories I suggest you try out these two podcasts. They are well worth it!
Trisha
Voice Update: I pretty much said it all above but - my voice is doing really well now that my throat is loosened up and I plan on keeping it that way!
This morning I woke up with a sore throat. Actually it was a doubly sore throat - inside and out!
Yesterday I went to see Susan, my speech therapist. While I really enjoy seeing Susan I must admit that when I am not as diligent as I should be with my exercises I find myself in a bit of pain! This is because my neck gets "crunchy" or tight and Susan has to work hard to get things loosened up again. The hard work leaves impressions (literally and figuratively) on my neck. For the next two to three days my neck will hurt where Susan was doing her work.
Yes, my voice feels better but . . . my neck hurts! It makes doing my massage difficult because . . . well, my neck hurts just where I need to massage! However, I do work through the pain to do my massage.
This morning, I woke up expecting my neck to hurt but I wasn't really expecting my throat to hurt as well. It felt as if the left side of my throat was on fire. After thinking a bit I decided that this was likely due to drainage. My nose was a little blocked when I went to bed.
For breakfast I had two glasses of orange juice and two oranges. This seemed to cut through the drainage and solved one of my two pains. The pain in my neck . . . it will be hanging around for another day or so to remind me what happens when I don't do my exercises and massage faithfully!
Today was day four of my walking routine and I even added on an extra ten minute loop to the end of my walk for good measure!
While I am writing this morning I am listening to an episode of Gunsmoke (radio version) from May 9, 1953. This is thanks to my podcast obsession. I found a great source for these Radio Westerns called Old Time Radio Westerns. This podcast provides episodes of Gunsmoke, The Cisco Kid, Tales of the Texas Rangers, The Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, Have Gun Will Travel, and Challenge of the Yukon. These are fun to listen to and always have an interesting story.
I never thought that I was a fan of westerns but this podcast changed my mind and these episodes are some of my favorite things to listen to while walking each morning.
There is another podcast called Old Time Radio Thrillers which has shows like Dick Tracy, The Whistler, The Avenger, Inner Sanctum Mysteries, and The Shadow. Again - super listening while I walk.
If you like listening to stories I suggest you try out these two podcasts. They are well worth it!
Trisha
Voice Update: I pretty much said it all above but - my voice is doing really well now that my throat is loosened up and I plan on keeping it that way!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Through the Fog
Hi All!
This picture isn't really from today since I forgot to tote my camera along with me on my "shiver walk" this morning.
This picture isn't really from today since I forgot to tote my camera along with me on my "shiver walk" this morning.
However, the rainbow just barely peeking through the storm clouds (can you see it?) reminded me of this morning.
sdfgjsfj
Fog was settled over the lake and was so thick in places that you couldn't see the other side of the little "bay" (that isn't the right word - what is the water between two peninsulas called??). Normally you can see the other shore and houses, trees, and a golf course. Today . . . only fog with the very tips of a few trees piercing its surface.
djhdfhj
Birds appeared to be enjoying the fog as they darted in and out of the fog multiple times before finally getting down to business - feeding on bugs and fish from the surface of the lake.
sfj
It was mesmerizing.
sfj
There is just something about fog, isn't there? It can be mystical or it can be menacing. Today it was mystical. It felt like a tall ship with its sails unfurled to catch the Texas wind would burst forth from the fog at any moment. Or maybe a Pegasus would swoop out of the fog and bring a handsome prince to our world.
sdgh
There are just so many possibilities for fog.
sdgh
I can see why they use it so much in stage productions!
sdghsdgh
This morning I walked again (in case you missed that fact from the first sentence!). That makes three whole days in a row! Wow! Unfortunately, I did end up eating a bit more than normal yesterday - basically because we stayed up late watching the Sugarbowl - Ohio State was playing so we HAD to watch! I am trying to keep my eating under control (to hopefully lose some weight!) but . . .it is slow going. Currently, I am trying to write everything I eat down in the hopes that that will encourage me to moderate. It has worked (except for yesterday) so far!
sfjsfj
While I write this blog (and IM with Mom) I am trying to work out my new schedule for this semester. I will (hopefully) be taking two classes - both of which meet on Tuesday and Thursday - and will also be responsible for more practicum hours - this time doing some actual interpreting! I still want to visit with some friends one day a week (last semester it was Friday) but might need to change the day in order to optimize everything.
sgjsfj
There are also some workshops that I would like to attend but they are on three consecutive Saturdays and I don't know that Hubby would enjoy me being gone that much!
sfg
Life can be so complicated!
sfh
Trisha
h
Voice Update: Today I have a speech appointment at which I fully expect to be chastised for my lax exercise routine over the holidays. No doubt Susan will have to really work on my crunchy throat and she won't be too happy. Then again - she may be slightly happy that I still have a pretty good voice considering . . .
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