Leroy still at home

Hello,

Leroy is not terribly sick, but his nose keeps feeling full and he is tired. Luckily he has no other symptoms. Yesterday he was to spend much of his day with people 80 years or over that. He thought it best not to expose them to anything that they would not like to have. Today he was to be part time at the museum and part time making hospital calls. Because he was tired he did not go the museum and the hospital might not like him spreading germs around. He tells me he has been home long enough to get bored. I figure he is not ready for retirement.

I went to work yesterday. I “led” yoga, but used the CD. There were only three others there so it was fine. My voice got better through the day and today it is still raspy, but returning to normal. I went on my usual stopping trip, but was quite glad to drag home. I only forgot shaving cream for Leroy. He does have some he can use, but he does not like it.

Last night was a wild night for not sleeping. We went to bed early. Just that made me a little uneasy, but waking up every hour in the early part of the night did not settle my soul. Then I had a rather extended dream in which we had a bear in the house. Amazingly I was not afraid of it as long as it was asleep. When I told Leroy about this dream, he wondered if we did not have doors to just shut it out. Seems to me it would go out and come back in. Leroy found it hard to breathe so he was quite restless most of the night. One of the difficult things about sleeping in the same bed is when one person can’t sleep the other gets the vibes and shares the wakefulness.

I keep telling myself that tonight will be better.

Paula

No Voice

Hello,

The last two nights I went to sleep noticing that my throat had an odd feel to it. This morning I was hoarse. It has stayed with me all day even though I have not talked much. It is my day off and that is nice so I do not have to decide about work. Leroy was also home. His nose has been quite active for the last two days. Both of us are planning to go to work tomorrow.

I do yoga in the morning. Most of the time, I do a lot of talking for the class. I have a CD that I have used a couple times. It is time to get it out once again. That will keep my mouth closed. It is a good workout. Not sure I will feel strong enough to keep up, but maybe in the morning I will feel more energetic.

Leroy tells me he has things he must do tomorrow. He thinks he feels better than he did this morning so that is good. At least it is not supposed to be so cold tomorrow. That is something to look forward to.

We have started a book club at the library. I am pleased. There were six of us there for the first meeting. Later someone told me they would have liked to have been there. So maybe they will come next time. The assignment for next time is to read a book that is not in our usual genre. For me that could be horror or sci-fi. It is hard to know which to choose the negative myself. We will put up a display at the library. Perhaps that will narrow the choices. Generally I prefer clubs where everyone reads the same book so I am adjusting to a new way of doing things.

Paula

Chopped Ice

Hello,

On Friday I chopped ice until my arms ached. That cleared out quite a space by the garage. When I had come home from shopping, pulled into the alley, drove through the puddle of icy water, the car hit bottom as it came off an ice pillar. Clark, my landlord was out chopping between the garages. I told him about that experience. He said he would go to the end of the alley and work. After storing the groceries, I went out and joined him. He had already taken off the offending tower. Between the two of us, mostly his work, we created a trough for the water to run off which it did some. We also removed quite a bit of ice. We could not get it all out, but improved the situation quite a lot. I continued chopping by the garage until I figured I had burned more calories than I would eat for lunch. Not that I count calories. But I was tired and very hungry.

The butter almond stolen package said that it could make nine servings with 310 calories. I thought that sounded like a lot, but Miriam tells me that they occasionally get a cheesecake slice that is over 2000 calories. I have a hard time knowing where that much energy must come from. She also tells me that they share it among the four of them. Sounds sensible.

The new book club at the library has, as the first selection, any book that has been made into a movie. Even though I had read one Harry Potter book years ago, I decided to try it again. I finished last night. It was ok, but still not my favorite type of book. It did have some points to make, but I would like to find these life supports in a different setting. I may still tackle the second book just so I can speak with my granddaughters about it. Leroy should not have all the fun there. Oh I must remember to bring home the movie so I can see that once again.

Paula

Vagaries of Life

Hello,

Leroy has returned, or is in the process of returning, all of his Christmas presents but two. One keeper is a belt that fits him; the other is some trail mix. One was a cover for his tablet that did not fit. He now has a cover that fits. A cover that includes a keyboard. It was supposed to fit a different brand, but it works even if he did have to cut off a bit of it to get at one control. It was at good clearance price now. He still cannot figure out how to connect his tablet to the TV so he can use it as a remote. The device bought for that purpose did not do it. Because it was mail order, it has not yet been returned. Hopefully that will happen soon.

Yesterday I noticed a walnut growing in the Christmas cactus pot. Leroy needed to help me get that heavy plant off the file cabinet. Today when we finally got the job done this plant seems to have grown about two more inches. I suspect that is why I had so many broken branches before I brought this plant inside. My guess is that a squirrel planted it. I have the idea that the outdoors is good for the cactus, but obviously not all aspects.

Today when Leroy and I walked to church we bundled against the negative temperatures. It was above zero for the walk home, but it felt worse as the wind was much stronger. I am grateful for my down coat, leg warmers, and face protector. Leroy has a better face mask, but I do not see the ground so well if I take my glasses off. My breath does a great job of steaming glasses up if I have a snuggling face mask. Leroy walked to the nursing home this afternoon only to find that one solitary person came for the service. He said, “I think the staff, had not let people know about the service.”

He said he was ok on the walk as once again he was quite well wrapped so the wind did not get too close to his skin. He walked four miles today.

Here is a picture of that walnut tree. 

Paula

Little Fixes

Hello,

Leroy fixed the bottom drawer on the desk. It gives me so much pleasure to be able to open it with ease. In a few months time I will not think about it, just accepting it as the norm, now it is appreciated.

We moved the Christmas cactus on top of the four drawer file cabinet, freeing up the dining room table space. It creates a better view when walking into the computer room. That somehow lightens my mind and feels so much better.

I took down a picture that was in the spare bedroom. It was one we had gotten in Germany at an art museum. Our friend Dorte assured us that it was by a well respected German artist. It may be a good artist, but it is not for us. It cast a rather dark and gloomy patina over the room. The fabric picture from Panama brightens the aspect of the room.

Leroy gave me a rice cooker for Christmas. He knew I could not make up my mind about small or large size. He seized the decision and gave me a small one. It is great and I have found a home for it in the kitchen closet. It is so great because I can delay the start allowing me to set it up for the evening meal without needing to be home. Freedom indeed!

Leroy also gave me a Yoga DVD that I had hinted I wanted. Well it is quite challenging with its fifteen minute sessions that I thought would be a breeze. Some of the postures are not in my repertoire. They may never be included, but I have found I can do most of them. Will I be stronger when finished with the week? Surely it is just a little fix on the road to health. Think positive! I can do it.

Paula

Visitor and Visiting

Hello,

We had a nice visit with Gerald. He did not want to see any football in particular and none was fine with him. So many people are so interested in the games that I am always a bit astonished to find there are more people like us out there. Guess we just do not often announce we do not watch or pay attention to it. Is it something to be ashamed of?

Gerald and Leroy hung out in the morning while I went off to work for the day. They even went out for a little bit of shopping. They rode in Gerald’s car which is a new Mustang. Not surprising as he is partial to that brand. Gerald then went on to visit my brother.

Last night we went to an after Christmas “office” party for the church staff. Before Christmas does not fit well in the lives of church workers. Besides, it is still the Christmas season. I felt much more comfortable this year because I know some of the people a bit better and I had been there once so I knew what to expect. We exchange white elephant gifts, so I had some idea of what to bring. I am never sure what is appropriate. I must care too much about fitting in.

I was able to pass on things that I have moved a few times, but never used. We also gave back an obnoxious gift item we got last year. Leroy was especially pleased because he had some tea given to a non-tea drinker who was happy to pass it on. I got a candy cane and a rather attractive basket. Sometimes indeed one’s trash is another’s treasure.

Our tree and other items will be stored away on Wednesday which is the beginning of the Epiphany season. This year it seems to have come quickly. I am not as ready as some times to put things away.

Paula

Happy New Year

Hello,

Before we got out of bed Leroy asked what we would plan for this year. At that moment I was not in the mood for such deep thinking so I brushed it off. He told me he had been awake for a while. Guess that gave him time to think.

Generally we do not do resolutions, but perhaps we should this year, but what would that be?

We are having a quiet morning as we wait for Gerald, brother-in-law, to come this afternoon. Leroy watched the Rose parade some, but since I am not watching he mostly flipped channels and went back to reading. I am not sure why, but I do not enjoy watching it too much. I get fidgety.  Even though, growing up, it was a big deal to go to Aunt Gladys’ and watch on their TV since we did not have a TV until I was in 6^th grade. Neither of us watches sports events. I am not sure if “the game” is on regular TV or not. I think it is remarkable that I know that local team is playing. Gerald might like to see that, but I do not think we can oblige as we have no cable available.

We will have the rest of our ravioli for supper. It is great to have something already planned out. I am also making bread. Now what can we have for dessert? Something or nothing as usual?

Leroy is out chipping away at some of the ice on the sidewalk that leads to the compost bin. It was too hard from me when I tried earlier. The sun has been out a bit now.  It is truly amazing how much deep, dark shade is produced by one leafless tree in the winter time. The rest of the sidewalk gets sun so it is easy to remove the ice, but here the ice is cared for as if it is of great value.

It is a beautiful cool sunny day. Nice way to start the New Year.

Paula