Kinda Busy Today

 I had my annual Medicare Wellness Exam this morning and in anticipation, I had IBS yesterday.  At least I assume it was stress bringing it on. I sure did wish I could figure out if it's my diet or my mental state. I am going off ice cream and coffee for a while just to see if it makes any difference.  I can go weeks being healthy "down there" and then whamo!  Let's spend the day close to the bathroom instead of doing whatever else you had planned.

It was my first Medicare exam although I guess you're entitled to get them once a year.  I had to draw a picture of a clock and then set the hands to 11:10.  Also had to remember 3 words that she told me and then asked me later what they were. Otherwise, it was just a same O, same O appt except she didn't think I needed lab work until next June. Fine with me.  We discussed a couple other issues I was concerned about although her assistant had told me Medicare is pretty particular on what they'll pay for. What a racket! Thank God I've got a computer and can analyze my health myself a lot of the time.

I saw Elaine Arey there so I gave her a ride home afterwards. Poor Elaine.  She's had so many back issues and boy, can I identify with that! Now she has to have an xray to see if it's broken!  I've got an appt next Wednesday at the Bremerton pain clinic to see if a cortisone shot might help my back. I pray they don't want me to have an MRI.  The orthopedic guy I saw at the end of August said I didn't need a hip replacement and that the problem was in my back. Which I kind of suspected already.

Gees, but it's hot and humid in here today. I have three fans going and have changed my clothes into cooler shorts. Course I've been up and about doing chores too so that might account for it.  Did a load of laundry, put fresh sheets on the bed, put my foam topper back on the bed, made a grilled cheese for lunch, cut out a big ole pile of 5" squares, and managed to do some rearranging too.  Not furniture so much as bins & boxes and such and what I am storing in what.  It's an ongoing hobby and generally brings me a lot of happiness.

Dinner will be easy again tonight. Third night of the pan of enchiladas I made. Think I'll fix a salad too. I took my neighbor to QFC as she shops for other residents who can't get out but I think my work is done now and I can kick back.  UPS just brought me my Amazon order.  Got a quart of this stuff called Floetrol that you mix with paint to do various rock painting ideas. Saw it on Youtube and really looked cool.  Also got a new oven gauge. Mine is probably okay but I wanted a new one to see if my oven --my new oven! is not heating correctly. Also borrowed my neighbor's gauge so I can have all three going at once. I do have a pkg of refrigerator chocolate chip cookie dough on hand so that will be a good test. I suspect it isn't getting as hot as it's supposed to. Of course I won't be reporting it because I had to jump through hoops to get this new stove as it was!

Went over to my sister's yesterday as my brother was coming down to fix a recliner she had just acquired for free. She gave him his birthday present early (he'll be 71 next Wednesday) so I gave him mine too.  She gave us zucchini that her son grew in his garden so I'm going to grind it up and put it in the freezer to make bread later.

I'll start sewing my 5" squares tomorrow. I saw this video where you can make hourglass designs really easy. I'm continuing to find good entertainment on Youtube each night. Last night it was interviews with Paul McCartney. He's very personable and I enjoyed them all.

I finished my triangles quilt a couple days ago and have stored it away for when I need a present.

Got this picture on my phone (I think ) of Maddie and her dad taking Sammy out for a walk. His hind legs don't work anymore so Jenni or Wayne make sure he gets out daily. Poor thing.

Her and her husband will be driving to Mississippi in October. They already have a house bought.

Here's a picture Mary sent me of Poppy waiting for the school bus to bring Jake home. I think it is so cute.

We lost another resident last week. Earl across the hall fell outside and broke two ribs. He already had a lot of lung issues so I guess it was just too much.  That's the second person to die in that apartment since I've been here.  There have been 3 woman and 1 guy plus a couple went to Kai Tai and I think one moved back home with her daughter.  A new lady has moved in down the hall and I suspect another will be moving in at some point as that apartment is empty too.  A lot of turnovers in assisted living places --although this one isn't classified as such because they don't have any medical people onboard.  I still think it's kinda assisted living as they serve two meals, have bus service, a cleaning lady, and an activity director. I don't use any of those services, though.

I didn't sleep all that great last night so I'm hoping that means I'll be out like a light tonight. Am going to take a melatonin to help things along. I don't actually have any problems dropping off to sleep; it's staying asleep.  I wake up with foot/ankle cramps, nightmares, or testy bladder.  In case you wondered. haha

And I guess that's all I can think of  right now.  Here's two cartoons I saw on Facebook that made me laugh.