Tommy's Birthday

 It is the middle of the night. I am having trouble breathing. My lungs make horrible noises as I breath in and out. The rest of me might be getting well. However, now Tommy is ill. 

I sang Happy Birthday to him after midnight. We are sort of postponing any birthday (71) for him since he will have to go in and collect cake and ice cream. I hope I can find his gifts wherever I put them. 

A therapist called Sunday night wanting to come at 9:30 in the morning. I explained that time would never suit me. And, that the nurse had not visited to enroll me because I was ill. So, he has to call office now. 

Tommy is going to call bath guy who insists on 15 more minutes. Tommy and I are both too ill right now to 'discuss' anything. 

I put the wool blanket back on the bed and have not gotten too hot again. I believe I was running a temp when I awoke soaked. I love the blanket!

Today, we had to cook! BSCB and potatoes were all we managed. I had that and something else. Tommy had the last of the green casserole and the last half of piece of pecan pie. 

If we can get it done, I want to make the bedroom next to living room into a 'gym.' We have several devices we both could use. It is a monumental job, but needed. It maybe be a silly idea and futile, but I intend to try. 

We are struggling but will make it. 

How are things with you?

A Few Things

 When the second guy was here, he was very insecure. He wanted to close the deal, that's all. I asked him the measurements of the teak bench attached to the wall. He held up his hands, measuring out a an indeterminate length and width. I spoke up and said, "That is not a measurement. How about giving me inches instead of an estimate. That showed me a real lack of professionalism. 

Him suggesting that they put in shower and we hire a handyman to tear out the tile and put in sheetrock annoyed me. Instead of putting in a block to make grab sturdier, he did a wag of his head, demeaning me say that they would attach it to a 2x4 as though I had never heard of a 2x4. The right way is to add something sturdier than one board. 

I talked to a young woman who works for a church, asking if she could find someone I could pay to help me. I did not want her to think I was just looking for free help. She asked what kind of help. Tommy said picking things up! So, maybe I will get help soon.

It is so cold! My blanket comes tomorrow. I wish I could use it instead of washing it first. We will be gone tomorrow, so I will get neighbor to rescue it from the porch. I don't want it stolen. 

Tommy walked past me and I noticed a tag on the bottom of his tshirt, two tags. Now, I have never seen a tag on te bottom of a t-shirt. It is white and V-necked. So, I had him take it off for me to examine. It is a Brooks Brothers t-shirt. I wonder if they still use tags at the bottom of their shirts. Someday, I will investigate this. Have you ever seen a t-shirt with a tag at the bottom? Tommy said the shirt is at least 30 years old.

Time for leg therapy. It really hurts when it is happening. But, it makes my legs feel better and less tight.

Unexpected Shopping

 I thought we had somewhere to go. I had Tommy wake me at 11:30. He did; I ate. When Tommy started the car, he asked me, "Where first?" I told him and he said it was cancelled. What? 

So, I had three hours sleep, washed my hair, got dressed nicely, and we have nowhere to go???

We went to a place with disability equipment. It was a long drive. It was also a disappointment. The more efficient and better employees helped other people. They did not seem to understand what a hoist to put a scooter or wheelchair in a car was. I took my hands and motioned while I said "lift the scooter into the trunk."

He assured us our car would not work, that the hoist would not attach to floor of suv. That news was pretty devastating. Then, after a few minutes he said, "Let me check." He came back and assured us it would fit our Odyssey. I asked Tommy if we said Odyssey. No. So, he had to go check for the CRV. I was frustrated. 

Next question, "How do you want to lift the wheelchair? Your husband?" At that point I was ready to leave. I also said I wanted compression socks. I had made it clear that I wanted them just to the knee. She also said, "I don't know what size you wear. Oh dear! She looked so lost. I told her that I told her I had measurements which she acknowledged and then, obviously, promptly forgot. So, I showed her again.  

I asked the guy how much a hoist cost. $4K. I asked how much the installation cost. $4. $8K for hoist and installation??? No, he laughed. Neither of these people had sales skills. Neither could remember what we said. Tommy noticed, too.

We were sitting right in front of walk-in showers, so we asked about those. They only sell the things to install. Another guy will do the installation. He refused to tell me the name of company who would do the installation. Whew! I can at least check the guy's reputation out online. 

The thing that frustrates me is that there is no large basket available to even buy separately for the scooters. I have seen large baskets available for wheelchairs. 

Also frustrating is the nylon in the compression socks. That would be so hot, even in the winter. We brought home five pages of info. 

We have someone coming to give a price for walk-in shower. Hopefully, this meeting won't be too stressful. 

Do you have a hoist in your vehicle for lifting a wheelchair or scooter into your vehicle?

TEMU Redeems Itself...sort of

 

This metal sign redeemed Temu's reputation for the time being. Yes, I ordered it from China. But, you can probably go to a local farm store and buy one. Nothing was broken. The sign is thick metal and the paint is rusty around the edge.

I TAKE IT BACK! The sign has dings on its back. The thin little packaging does not protect anything. 

We ventured out on this dank, dreary day to get two of my meds. And, then the meds were not there. Different story for both, but I don't have them. Some days, getting meds is a real pain. First world problem? At least they will be forthcoming, so I suppose I should not complain. 

Laughter is good for a body. Today, we got our belly laughs and snickers. Mike and Molly has got to be one of the funniest shows around. The writers outdid themselves on the four episodes we watched today. I would highly recommend this sitcom, but delicate ears should not be allowed in the room.

Christmas Note: I will unstack the three tomato cages so I will have three trees next year. I had two cheap strings of lights, but gave away one string.  I left the cages stacked for convenience this year. 

By putting back together the vacuum cleaner, I saved having to buy a new one. Tommy took it apart to empty the dirt. He said he put it back together, but the first time the cleaner touched it, it came apart in three pieces. She tried to put it back together, but I took it because she was not even putting the right pieces together. I tried for a few more minutes, and we all gave up. Finally, on Friday, I decided I would get it back together or we would buy a new one. 

I took all the parts off that Tommy had put back on. Well, he had not put them on correctly, so the rest would not fit. It took me two minutes, and the vacuum is whole again. I am good at putting things together, fixing broken things. So, now he did not have to pay for a new vacuum. When I take things apart, I pay attention so I can get the thing back together!

Tonight, I made a blueberry cobbler with fresh blueberries and twice the amount called for in the recipe. Delicious.

Dinner: honey baked turkey, cabbage, green beans, sweet potato. 

Tommy is considering getting a different tub or shower, something we can actually use. Does anyone have any caveats, recommendations, or thoughts on brands or dealers, anything?

Do you watch Mike and Molly?