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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 16, 2024 13:15:51 GMT -5
Started this watching the noontime news weather guess at 12:06 in the afternoon.
Last night, I watched the Astros-Braves game still in the ninth inning. The Braves scored some more runs to cement their victory.
When the game was over at 10:18 PM, I switched to the ABC 13 news in progress. Saw the tail end of the news and Jimmy Kimmel Live. While listening to Jimmy Kimmel Live, I sent an E-mail to brother Bruce. When Nightline started, I started getting ready to go to bed. Asked Alexa what time it was when I was settled in bed. She said "11:59 PM."
Had a few comfort stops in the middle of the night, like usual.
Slept roughly seven and a half hours. Got up, pulled on my sweatpants, and went to the business room. Instead of ABC 13 or FOX 26 this morning, I decided to turn on "CBS Mornings." Shredded a few pieces of mail, got the trash bag out of the trash can, emptied the paper shredder shreds into the trash bag, fixed the top securely, and put it on the dining room table just in case Chalupa decided to mess with it. It had my used diapers in it, and I've learned Chalupa loves to drag my used diapers around the house. Then, I got a fresh trash bag and put it in the trashcan. By that time, it was 8:30. I knocked on John's door, he was already awake. Told him it was trash day and that my bag was on the dining room table.
Then, I decided to go to the kitchen for a tumbler and the gallon jug of sugar-free tea. Had two tumblers of tea.
At nine o'clock I switched the TV to CNBC.
About ten o'clock, AJ came in the business room and asked if there was any mail for himself or Isaiah today. I said that when I looked at Informed Delivery, there was one piece of mail for Occupant and two letters for me. One from the hospital bed supplier and one from my local bank.
About 10:30 AM, I took my morning pills. Plenty of time to them to be absorbed on an empty stomach because I'm planning to have lunch after the noon news ends.
Looked at the survey postcard from my Congressman. Discovered I could send in my answers online by scanning a QR code with my smartphone. Hadn't yet put a QR code reader on my phone, I've had it since last December. Loaded a QR code reader free from the Google Play store. Scanned the QR code and an URL popped up. Tapped the URL with my finger and up came the survey. Answered the questions and clicked the "SUBMIT" button. Only thing involved was a small investment of time.
When I commented about my experience with the survey to AJ, he said "Time is something you have plenty of!"
AJ left for his house painting about eleven. For the past two hours, I have watched the lunchtime news. Before AJ left, he said to make sure I have clothes to wear to the podiatrist tomorrow. I'll do that after lunch.
The tea and the water pills got to me and I needed a comfort stop. By the time I came back, it was after one o'clock and I switched to CNBC.
Right after I sat down to resume writing, my phone squawked out a reminder of tomorrow's podiatrist appointment.
Next thing on my agenda today is lunch.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 16, 2024 15:29:35 GMT -5
I've had lunch, the next thing on my agenda is at 3:30 PM. That's to go in my bedroom, find my "go to podiatrist" clothes for tomorrow, and put them in the washer. I just looked in the laundry room. The washer is empty, but the dryer has stuff in it. If it still does when I'm done washing, I'll get ahold of the boys and ask them who left their laundry in the dryer.
First trip to get something to eat was to go to the pantry and grab a package of HEB Fruit Cups. There were several. I looked at them and decided to have Mixed Fruit (diced peaches, diced pears, pineapple sectors). Ate two four-ounce cups. Then, I took my lunchtime pills. No chance of running out before I get my Social Security Retirement a week from tomorrow.
Second trip to get something to eat was to go in the kitchen and refrigerator. Looked at bread we had on hand. The bread that looked most appealing to me was hamburger buns. Then, I got in the refrigerator. Found a package of chicken bologna, and two packages of HEB Swiss Cheese with one slice each. Traveled back to the business room with lunch,
Had two sandwiches: a hamburger bun, a slice of Swiss cheese, and two slices of bologna. Got done about two o'clock, and decided it was time for another comfort stop. While I was eating the second sandwich, the trash truck came through. Now completely out of sliced cheese. Was mostly watching for the snail mail to come. So, I took the dishes and the buns back in the kitchen along the way to the comfort stop.
After the comfort stop, my third trip was to get a can of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry. Like usual, it was room temperature. Put in the freezer for 41 minutes. Set a timer on Alexa.
Timer timed out and I went to get up. Discovered my blood pressure medicine left me dizzy today. Tried to get up a couple of minutes later, got up slowly and wasn't dizzy. Made it in the kitchen and got my can of pop. It was cold but not frozen.
Currently watching the three o'clock news weather guess while drinking pop. Want to finish off the pop before 3:30 PM. Succeeded four minutes early.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 16, 2024 17:15:33 GMT -5
Got the clothes in the washer. Next interrupt is in two minutes. At that time, I will need to go place the clothes in the dryer.
Went in my bedroom and discovered there were no shorts in my clean clothes. So, I started digging through the dirty clothes basket. Pulled out everything I might want to wear to the podiatrist. It was not enough to make a full load.
Asked John who the clothes in the dryer belong to. He didn't know. Asked Isaiah who the clothes in the dryer belong to. He said that some of them are mine. So, I'll sort through the dryer, take mine to my bedroom, and put the rest on the sofa so whomever they belong to can find them. The only one I haven't asked is AJ.
We've got another Astros-Braves game coming up at seven o'clock tonight. So no stretching out on my bed until bedtime. It's on at least two channels that I get. The normal one for their games and TBS.
Just set my phone to set off an alarm at nine o'clock tomorrow morning to make sure I have plenty of time to get ready for my appointment at one o'clock tomorrow.
Just looked at Medicare. No more claims processed since last time. The oldest that I have out there were in January.
Called my local bank to make a payment on an account. They had to bounce me around between more than one person to get it made.
Just got today's mail. Four pieces of mail. The first one was a statement from the bank for the account that I'd just paid on a few minutes before. The second one was from T-Mobile; they were trying to sign me up. The third was from my medical equipment company; it had to do with the shower chair sitting in my shower right now. They complained they were not able to find it. The amount they are billing me for it is $38.89. If that's all it's going to cost me to keep the shower chair, I will because that is a good price for one. The fourth one was from my stockbroker: it was the annual report for the SiriusXM stock I sold last week.
AJ just got back from work.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 16, 2024 20:41:34 GMT -5
Main things that happened since last time is the laundry dried and was put away, we had supper, and I tried to call the family but zero out of four were at home.
Turned out the laundry in the dryer was part mine and part AJ's. I got mine out and AJ got his out. Then, I took my laundry to my bedroom and put it in the clean clothes basket.
After that, I went back in the laundry room, took the lint out of the lint catcher, opened the washer, and put the wash in the dryer.
Dryer said 35 minutes, so I set an Alexa alarm.
When the alarm went off, I went in the kitchen and heard the dryer still running. AJ looked at the dryer and said "Eighteen minutes to go!" I told him that I was going to set my timer for twenty minutes because I've been fooled by that timer before. Went in the laundry room when the timer went off and the dryer was indeed off. Took out the clothes and took them in my room. Put the laundry on top of the stack of clean clothes. Put the items that I will most likely want to wear to the podiatrist on top given the weather guess: a pair of black shorts and a gray T-shirt.
Soon after that, AJ asked what two toppings I would like on a pizza: pepperoni and mushrooms. Figured he was going to make the pizza, because we had discussed how much money I have left to last a week.
Imagine how flabbergasted I was when I walked in the kitchen and saw four Domino's boxes. Called AJ for an explanation and he gave me a good one. AJ has a friend that frequently comes around the house. When I come in the living room on trash day and I ask one of the boys to take it to the curb, he'll do it for them. Also the same thing about the snail mail. Turns out AJ was commenting that he hadn't taken out anything for supper and the friend offered to buy the pizza for us. So, we got free pizza tonight.
Decided I wanted a can of pop after supper and what looked the best was Canada Dry Sugar Free Ginger Ale. Like always, it was room temperature and I put it in the freezer for 41 minutes. Alexa just told me there was four and a half minutes to go.
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Post by edindetroit on Apr 17, 2024 5:41:03 GMT -5
The normal one for their games and TBS. TBS = Turner's Braves Suck
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soutxed
Champion Member
Posts: 4,834
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Post by soutxed on Apr 17, 2024 8:11:47 GMT -5
Uncle--Good luck in the playoffs. Is it like baseball if you win you go back and bowl against another team, or will it all be settled in one night? Even with Verlander, if the Astros don't score more runs they can't win. Do you have another blood donation soon? Media was posting stories that there is a shortage here in south Texas.
Sneakers--You should be used to CBS 10 PM news running late on Sundays. It happens all the time during NFL season. In addition to my family doctor retiring, my optometrist is retiring this May.
Did the lab yesterday and got the results this morning. Numbers look good but will talk it over with doctor next month.
Otherwise, a normal day. We watched the video of the Billy Joel concert last night. It is worth the time.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 17, 2024 10:06:32 GMT -5
The normal one for their games and TBS. TBS = Turner's Braves Suck Less than the Astros, the Astros were basically blown away. I sat through the game through the eighth inning, Braves ahead 2-1. Then I decided that I had sat up long enough today and took my bedtime pills, then I went to bed with my iPad. Bedtime pills soon were making me groggy and I gave in to sleep. Woke up this morning and found the game ended with the Braves ahead 6-2.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 17, 2024 10:20:10 GMT -5
Sneakers--You should be used to CBS 10 PM news running late on Sundays. It happens all the time during NFL season. In addition to my family doctor retiring, my optometrist is retiring this May. Sounds like everyone's doctors are retiring except mine.Did the lab yesterday and got the results this morning. Numbers look good but will talk it over with doctor next month. Usually get the results the next day but I typically get a letter in the mail from my internist with his comments about a week later.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 17, 2024 10:56:00 GMT -5
Got more than two hours left before I need to go to the podiatrist. So, I think I have enough time to write.
Last night about 9:30, I decided I'd had enough sitting up for the day. I decided to take my bedtime pills and stretch out on my bed with my iPad. Bedtime pills were soon rendering me groggy. So, I lowered my bed down and soon drifted off to sleep.
Had my nine o'clock alarm set but when I woke up Alexa said it was 8:58. So, I pulled my sweatpants on and got up.
Got some sugar-free tea to drink and wiped out the last of the jug. Used it to take my morning pills.
Saw AJ's friend and thanked him profusely for last night's pizza.
Decided to have a can of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry and put it in the freezer.
With about three minutes to go, I decided I needed to make a comfort stop. Could hear Alexa's alarm in the bathroom.
Got up, rolled to the freezer, and got out the can. Cold, but it hadn't started to develop ice inside. I'm drinking it sitting in the business room watching CNBC.
AJ came in and told me that we can be early for a change. Plan to start eating lunch at 11:00 and head for the shower at 11:45 for a 1:00 PM appointment. Think that will make me early.
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Post by Unclebal on Apr 17, 2024 12:06:49 GMT -5
We found out yesterday our bowling season will end one week later than we were told before. So Roll-Offs start next week. Because of this, two of my teammates said they might not be there for the last evening. There were a few disappointed people last night. soutxed, I had two games above my average at bowling Tuesday. The team we were playing against were hoping to lose all three games. If they did, they would be in the bottom of the two groups for the playoffs. That's where we will be. They got 5 of out a possible 7 points, but they might get what they wanted. We didn't try too hard once we found out what they were up to. Nice people on that team though. The playoffs are two evenings, the 23rd and the 30th. After the games on the 30th, the team with the most points above their team average, will finish first in their group. We are at the bottom of the whole league. Ouch. I knew we weren't very good, but, well we have a good time. So we will have to do our best on the 23rd and the 30th. patty7841, Happy Birthday! Happy Hump Day! Take care everyone.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 17, 2024 21:59:06 GMT -5
Started writing this during the fifth inning of the Astros-Braves game.
Had my lunch starting at 11:00 AM. Had two four-ounce cups of HEB Mixed Fruit and two sandwiches: HEB Monterey Jack cheese and HEB Uncured Beef Pastrami on HEB Hamburger buns (out of HEB Super Duper Butter Bread, my usual choice).
After I ate, AJ came in the business room about 11:40 AM. He asked me why I was on the computer while I had an appointment in 80 minutes. Got off the computer, went to my room to change out of my clothes, take a shower, and get dressed. Called AJ from the business room and said I was ready to go. He said for me to get in the Escape. I made it out the door and in the Escape before he got there.
AJ was driving and he glanced a look at his phone: eighteen minutes to go. What does he do then but turn in at McDonald's? He hadn't had anything today other than coffee. So, he got a McDouble and a large sweet tea. Resumed driving with one hand and eating the sandwich with the other.
Got to the doctors' office building, took the elevator to the third floor, walked in the office. Got there before the receptionist had completed her 12:00-1:00 lunch hour. While I was signing in, the receptionist arrived. They pretty quickly got me in a room. Then, Dr. Clause came in a few minutes later. We talked the whole time. He has a informational display in his office. One of them was about how many hours senior citizens should sleep. I said that I had pretty well slept that length of time. He then asked me if I woke up. I said that I had to make comfort stops every couple of hours. Didn't tell him that I don't have to walk to the bathroom because I sit on the edge of my bed and use a urinal. I also commented that I had never gotten the home health care people he talked about me getting last week yet. They did a follow-up on that but I left before they got the results. They said they would call, but no call yet.
Called AJ at 1:51 PM to get me. When I got to the door, he was behind a wheelchair van from IGNITE (the place I spent over two months in the end of last year). The driver of the van saw me, recognized me as a former patient, and asked how I was doing now. I said that I was improved but not yet 100%.
AJ got out of the Escape and put my walker in the back seat. Then he got in.
I told AJ that my next appointment is next Wednesday. He said he may not be able to take me. I said by then I should have gotten my Social Security Retirement payment and then I'll be able to pay for an UBER.
I then asked him where we were going next. He said Food Town (the place he shops for groceries). I wanted some sugar-free tea so I asked if I could go in and get it. He said he would be in there ten minutes. Gross underestimate.
I was sitting in the Escape with the windows open. After a while, the sun came out. Now too hot. AJ had left the keys. I started the Escape, turned on the air conditioning, and shut the windows. Had to unfasten my seat belt to reach the driver's side window button. Ten minutes after that, AJ came out.
I asked AJ if he got the sugar-free tea and he said "No." About a minute later, he put two jugs with yellow caps in them in the back seat and I realized he was kidding me. I was about to go off on him. Turns out the sugar-free tea was on special today and it cost less than the regular price at HEB. If it wasn't, it would be cheaper at HEB.
Got home just as the mail arrived, just a bit before three o'clock. I said "Mail's here!" and AJ said that he was carrying in the groceries. I said to get the groceries first and John got the mail. One of those magazines that I have a life subscription to and a postcard from a Toyota dealer. The postcard went in the shredder. AJ also got a piece of mail.
Called up the family. Called cousin Janet and told her about my appointment. We only talked a short time. Then, I called and got an answer from cousin Martha. We talked, largely about our respective medical appointments, for nearly an hour. I said that I was talked out and we wrapped it up.
By that time, it was four o'clock. Two o'clock in California. Had a phone call to place to California. Figured by then everyone would be back from lunch. It was to the medical equipment supplier that was looking for their shower chair. I talked to Bailey. I said they didn't ask me when they came by to get stuff and they didn't look in my shower for it. I said I needed one and their price for me to keep it was less than it would cost me to buy it on Amazon. I also said that I couldn't pay for it for a week. Bailey said to call back in a week and we will sell it to you. I hadn't even gotten to my second argument I had thought up: that they couldn't send a truck from their office in the Texas Medical Center to Friendswood and back for less than the chair is worth.
AJ is having to take care of all the vehicle stuff because I can no longer drive. He came in the business room and said he needed a current insurance card. I went out to the GEICO Web site, printed the card, and put it on the dining room table next to his chair. Then, I called him and told him where it was.
Started to feel hungry about five o'clock. So, I got more ice cream. I think I have scooped from it about four times. About half the half-gallon carton is left.
Then, I called brother Allen and told him about my appointment. Called cousin Sonja, got her voicemail, and left her a message. After I finish writing brother Bruce, which I have already done, I will have told all the family members I want to tell.
When the news was over at 6:30, I switched to the Astros-Braves baseball pregame.
While I was watching the game, Isaiah came in the business room and asked if I wanted fried chicken for supper. Haven't had it in a while, so I said that sounded good.
Beginning to wonder if I'm really going to run out of money before the 24th. Things are looking better than they were. Only six more days to go because it's too late at night tonight for any spending to be done.
Isaiah came in the business room with a piece of the chicken (it was a chicken nugget) to ask if it was too spicy. I said it was not. He's gone back to the kitchen to cook the rest.
Finished a three-page letter to brother Bruce.
Isaiah came in the business room with the rest of the supper. He asked me if I wanted BBQ sauce with it and he brought me the bottles of sauce. I picked out one, he went in the kitchen, and brought me a small cup of it. Ate all the food and took my suppertime pills.
A couple of innings ago, the live game suddenly got a "RE-AIR" graphic on the screen. i assume it is bogus.
Got an E-mail back from Bruce. He reported that he was working on the house but his wife Michele was not feeling well.
Chalupa just came in the business room looking for something to eat. I said to her "Everything's been eaten, nothing left for you." She then left.
Just looked at Informed Delivery for tomorrow. Two important letters for AJ and one piece of junk mail for me. Nothing yet on tomorrow's agenda.
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soutxed
Champion Member
Posts: 4,834
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Post by soutxed on Apr 18, 2024 8:42:31 GMT -5
Sneakers--Once again, Astros game blacked out here. Only see them when on Fox, I guess. Could you get in the doctor's office before the receptionist got there? Do they automate check in? The lab where I went does, but two couples ahead of me couldn't figure it out. An employee had to come out to the lobby and help them through the procedure. Glad all went well, not so with Baily. I agree with Patty, the boys generally do take care of you. My dentist is young so I don't think she will be retiring soon. But like some medical people, she could move from the valley.
Patty--Happy birthday (belated?) My blood work used to be bad, but the medications and diet seem to work things out. Hope things go better for you.
Uncle--The bowling thing sounds confusing, but you have lived with it so at least you know what your situation us. Verlander starts tomorrow night. See if he can get some hitting behind him and some victories.
Went to gym and then to optometrist as the nose piece came off my glasses.
Our son will be released from the halfway house tomorrow. Free at last, sort of. Still has to report to a probation officer for the next few years. We will go pick him up and take him to a place he found to live. Not much but at least he is free to come and go. Cannot own a gun and his computer use will be limited. He is choosing to stay in Corpus Christi as they have excellent VA facilities to take care of his health needs. It's a nice city where we enjoy visiting. Good fishing which he likes to do.
Not much planned today.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 18, 2024 11:21:26 GMT -5
Sneakers: You are really well cared for by AJ and the boys, especially Isaiah. I say Isaiah all the time, as he really sounds like a wonderful young guy. He has you taste the chicken nugget to find out if you thought it was too spicy. Then he gives you the bottles of BBQ sauce. You tell him which one you want and he gets it poured in a little cup for you. How nice is that!! Most people don't care anymore. Isaiah is a very calm and caring person. I really hope that he does well in his life.
The only thing I can hold against Isaiah that, despite having a Biblical first and middle name (Isaiah Adam), is not Christian. But he does wonderful things.
One Christmas, I decided to give him a C. S. Lewis book. I wouldn't be so blatant as to give him "Mere Christianity." So, I gave him "The Screwtape Letters." It's the story of a series of letters between a master devil and an apprentice devil. I thought it was funny and only mildly Christian. Also gave the same book to John. John devoured it and Isaiah turned up his nose at it.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 18, 2024 12:39:55 GMT -5
Sneakers--Once again, Astros game blacked out here. Only see them when on Fox, I guess. Could you get in the doctor's office before the receptionist got there? Do they automate check in? The lab where I went does, but two couples ahead of me couldn't figure it out. An employee had to come out to the lobby and help them through the procedure. Glad all went well, not so with Baily. I agree with Patty, the boys generally do take care of you. My dentist is young so I don't think she will be retiring soon. But like some medical people, she could move from the valley.
The office door was open with a sign that the staff had gone to lunch at the receptionist's desk. It said to sign in and have a seat. The sign-in was a manual form that you filled in one line on: name, what time you got there, when your appointment was scheduled for, which doctor you are scheduled to see, and two boxes: are you a new patient, and if your address or insurance changed.
The phone call to Bailey about the missing shower chair went very well. The letter that they sent me said they would prefer to retrieve the chair. But when I commented their price to keep it (I need a shower chair) was less than Amazon, she immediately came to the conclusion that I'd want to buy the chair, which I am very happy with. I didn't get to my second argument: that it would cost them more to send a truck to pick it up from their office in the Texas Medical Center to Friendswood, get the chair, and drive back than the chair was worth.
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