And So It Goes

I wish I could report that my vision in the left eye had returned, sadly, it has not.

I woke this morning, opening my eyes, and for a fraction of a second, I thought the blindness was gone. When I removed my patch, I realized my brain was playing a trick on me. Still no vision.   I took a shower and started my day.

Yesterday I took a frozen pot roast, threw it in the crockpot along with some water and a pot roast mix. Janet peeled some carrots, onions, and celery, and we set them and forgot them. Eight hours later, dinner was ready!

e8437520-fee0-441a-87f0-852cfe96a01c

Pot roast picture by Janet.

The aroma was fantastic, and the pot roast was the best I’d ever made!  Truthfully, it really was tasty!

Heidi continued to snuggle me and then snuggle Janet, spending equal time with both of us.

7b99114e-aa1c-40c5-93ed-2e85e2713235Miss Heidi, by Janet.

I think Janet is going home today, and I will miss her tremendously. All my life, Janet has been there, and she always has a calming effect on me..

I Have Faith

I am sitting in my chair at home. Quite happily so. I always feel at peace when I am here with my little Heidi girl!

51518a37-263a-456e-9b7c-7f2314cb3090Photo by my cousin Janet.

I was operated on on Monday morning. It turned out to be a bit of a challenge as the old lens refused to come out. Because the doctor could reach the current lens, he stitched it in place, hoping that this would resolve the problem. If it does not, then I will need a much bigger surgery with a much more extended recovery period.

I was okay with that, but this morning, when they undressed the eye, they asked me how my vision was.

I hate to admit it, but I have no vision in my left eye at all. After the exam, it was determined that there had been a lot of bleeding, thus causing the blindness.

I am to rest, and unless things change, I am due to go back next week. I am a bit concerned, but I have faith.

7216cf30-fe7f-4ae5-be81-ecfdbd3fc8e5

And The Eye Has It…

Last Saturday night, after slaving over a hot crockpot for 8 hours I  served up a delicious meal. All was  going well when I noticed blurry vision in my left eye.

I refused to overreact,  believing it was the cooking that had caused this. I decided to sleep on it and allow my body to reboot.

Yeah, like that was going to fix anything!

On Sunday I went to the Emergency Room. All I knew was to see an Ophthalmologist first thing on Monday.

Which I did, only to discover my intraoccular lens had folded in half like a taco!

I will see the special surgeon today. My corrective surgery will be on Monday.

I asked how common this problem is in the world of cataract-land lenses. I was told it is a highly unique problem.

Ah, but of course it is, which is why I have it!

And Just Like That…

I am constantly amazed at how quickly time flies by us. With my enforced slowdown, due to the vertigo, I sit, and it’s like being in a tornado in The Wizard of Oz. Everything is spinning around me. (No pun intended with the vertigo!)

We have had a lot of rain, wind, and cold. However, we expect warmer and drier weather this week. It’s June, after all!

Now, back to my reflections on Life.

Two years ago, I bought a new phone, a Galaxy S23. At first, it seemed incredible. But within a month, I knew this phone was a mistake!

Fast-forward to 2025. During Memorial Day Weekend, my Galaxy 23 received an update that wreaked havoc on the phone. I walked into Verizon, and I was not happy about the phone.

They were very kind, and once they looked up my phone, they found that I was suitable for an upgrade! I have used Samsung forever, but I was so unhappy that I thought perhaps I would switch to an Apple. But after looking at the new Samsung S25 Ultra and the newest Apple, I decided to stay with the Galaxy.

10579dcb-9c4b-4bc9-a231-fd741a3611ecThe guys were invaluable in moving my things from one phone to another and teaching me how to download my files onto my laptop. I took all the games off the phone, and now it is pristine!

I was sitting here this morning when Heidi came up and sat down. I immediately smelled something. I checked her left ear. That was fine. But when I flipped her right ear… eww! She has a yeasty ear!

Lili got one a year before she died, and they tried a new FDA medication. It worked wonders for a dog who had long suffered from the problem.

Betamethasone acetate is a glucocorticosteroid with anti-inflammatory activity.
Screenshot 2025-06-01 165608
The otic gel dissolves in earwax and is slowly eliminated from the ear. It also fights yeast infections for up to 45 days. I will call and get her in tomorrow.

During my vertigo (it’s been over two months now), Heidi has been the very best thing that could have happened to me. What a sweet, faithful dog. Just by being with me each day, she puts a smile on my face.

Heidi’s breeder sure knows how to raise the sweetest pups. Heidi is among the best dogs I have ever had.

9943aeb5-496f-44a6-bed7-3aa49dbb6ff8

My Life ~ Sea Sick

I decided to sit down today to catch you up on all the happenings in my life. As you already know, I got sick on the cruise. I had three days of good health on the ship before the Norovirus hit.

I have only a few pictures of me that came out well instead of green and sick!

2024-12-23-15-33-45-973

Yes, I was in isolation for eight days due to the Norovirus. You have never had real fun until you have had that! About a third of my ship had it. I slept, sipped ginger ale, and slept some more. I came home having lost six pounds.

No sooner had I returned than I started experiencing flu-like symptoms. I waited but eventually went to see my doctor. With her guidance, I started my recovery. So, what should have been a relaxing vacation turned into a fight for health.

I am so thankful to Hannaford for home delivery of groceries. I needed food, so I ordered everything from the comfort of my recliner with Heidi in my lap.

131059219_2793054987613754_7347382249664705514_nIt is -10 this morning, and I think this winter will be a bear. Meanwhile, I am making some hot tea and snuggling with Heidi.

Sixty~Six

Yes, it’s true. Today is my birthday, and I am officially sixty-six years old. How in the world did that happen?

I was born and raised on Cape Cod in the 1950s-1960s. Back then, I could ride my bike all over town and pick up things for my mother at the local convenience store.

I recall going to the beach, lying on the sand, and thinking that this part of my life was far away. Yet, here I am.

img684I was a little raggamuffin, often without shoes and in junkie clothes. I rode my bike, climbed trees, and walked along the shore.

I married twice, had my babies, and started my travels worldwide.

img032Mandy, Katie, and me.

I fell in love with wire-haired dackels and traveled to Germany to get Greta.

Greta oct 13What a significant part of my life Greta was.

Jan 17 003Anneliese, Arnie and Greta.

She gave me Arnie and Anneliese. I thought it could not get any better.

Then came Heidi and I thank the good Lord who knew I needed a best friend because she sure is!

20240630_143803Heidi

I’m so lucky to have my daughter and grandchildren, Savannah and Quinn.

20241116_110431Savannah

20241116_101621
Quinn
2024-11-16-13-07-43-173Amanda and me.

I have also picked up two sons and a daughter. Stepchildren, but I think of them as my own.

At sixty-six, I think of them all with great love, and seriously, I wonder how I got here so darn fast.

Ah yes. The age of decrepitude!

2024-11-17_07-59-55So here’s to these years. May old age be kind, and may they be full of fun and laughs.

Old Cape Cod & Me

I have been thinking about life lately, perhaps because we have lost so many talented people who have entertained us.

It seems like just yesterday, I was climbing the jetties at Surf Drive Beach. Many people liked to lie in the sand and soak up the sun. However, as a child, I could never sit still.

We had picnics at the beach, eating somewhat sandy peanut butter and fluff sandwiches. It didn’t matter. Looking back, it was the best.

Imagine living in paradise and not even knowing this. So was my childhood growing up on Cape Cod.

All summer, I went around in bathing suits and bare feet.

img657Of course, back in the 1960s, I could ride my Schwinn bicycle all around town without worrying anyone.

Dairy Queen treats and trips to Elsie’s Restaurant, where she served the best German food!

elsiesHenry and Elsie Baumann

Life was simple and carefree, and today, as I am living out the final decades of my life, I appreciate that time even more.

Oh Yeah, Life Goes On…

The last few weeks have found me establishing a new normal for myself.

I have been slowly making this house my own, and during this process, I realized that it was the very first time in my life that I was living my own life.

Having gotten married at 17, I have been living the lives of my two husbands.

It’s not that this was bad. Our beautiful daughters came with my first husband, and with my second husband came the ability to travel the world.

However, I never decorated a house or selected my dishes or glassware.

Since last July, I have sold many pieces of furniture and selected the things I like.

20240325_160119

20240325_160106

The walls have been painted, the bathrooms refurbished, and a new reclining bed installed.

20240425_083715

Finally, I am not sleeping in my recliner.

Also, my first foray out was to a local diner. “George’s”. It’s become my place. They know me, and when I go in, I feel looked after. That’s such a nice feeling.

So my life is going on.

20240506_122037

My Life Right Now

I usually post a Friday Five each week, but this darn COVID has taken control of me, and although I am not contagious, it has settled in my chest, and I have been running a fever and coughing.

Yesterday, I was forced to do a load of whites, as I was down to my last pair of underwear. Miraculously, I got that done.

However, being sick and trying to manage the stairs to the basement have been a challenge. I have decided to do a remodel. I have a huge master bath, and I plan to remove the jacuzzi tub and put a washer and dryer in that room, along with the sinks and walk-in shower.

So, slowly, I recover with wonderfully warm and peaceful naps with my girls.

.pending-1707144085-2024-01-29-09-41-25-058

 

Life As I Know It

It’s been a while since I sat down to write. Not because nothing is happening but because too much is happening.

We filled another dumpster in my quest to get rid of all the junk, extra clothing of Jack’s, and all the things that do not bring me joy.

Social Security is still driving me nuts, and it required a fourth trip on Monday to prove I am alive.

So, I spent time there, and then it was on to my cell phone provider. I am still having trouble getting the bill switched over. From what they say, it cannot be done.

Did I mention that I became pretty ill on Thanksgiving Day (my favorite meal day)? After loading up with Pepcid and Mylanta, I start to feel a little better, but I must be careful because all this stress is hitting me in my stomach.

I have one more thing to do this week, and then I will sit down and write Christmas Cards.

So, don’t give up on me. Just know that I hide in the closet when the stress gets too great.

What on earth were we thinking when we wanted to grow up so fast?

30710763_1810349852362230_4938681845974827008_n