Category: My Life

Okay, I have to admit that this Vaccination has not been what I expected. I’ve had flu shots for over 33 years. Just before that, I got the flu so badly that I prayed for death. (not really, but I was so sick) So, even though I have gotten the flu off and on over the years, despite having my flu shot, I have always felt like it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

Flash forward to November of 2019. I got what I thought was the common flu, but I was so sick that I stumped all the doctors I saw. I couldn’t breathe, so I was put on an inhaler every couple of hours. The cough was terrible and they had me on special pills for that.

Worst of all, I didn’t get well. I ran a high fever for weeks, couldn’t eat, and forced myself to get liquids in, but it was like drinking liquid cardboard. About the time that the doctors wanted to admit me, I started to do a little better, but it took me a good 6 weeks of doing nothing but staying in bed.

Was it Covid? I’ve always thought it probably was, but back then they did not have a test. However, my medical team thinks it probably was, after seeing so many cases of it over the last year.

So, yes, as soon as it was offered I went in for my first shot. Moderna. The first day wasn’t too bad. Mostly fatigue. The second day I was achy, tired and the old arm was sore. The third day, I woke feeling great until about noon, when I was so tired I fell asleep in my chair.

Just working through all the after-effects of the shot, but really convinced that this is the right path for me. The sickness I had in 2019 was bad news!

I hope that those I love will be vaccinated soon.

On Friday night I did not sleep well. I was nervous and anxious and also a bit excited about going to get my Covid Vaccine.

I woke far earlier than I needed to, had some coffee and yogurt, and headed out the door, way before I really had to.

One of my greatest character flaws is that I am always early for everything! I mean not by a few minutes, but usually by more than half an hour.

I blame my father who was always early for everything and chastised us if we kept him waiting!

In any case. I arrived at the vaccination site 35 minutes early. I went to the initial screening area and apologized for being early. They were not overcome with clients and so they brought me right in, I did my paperwork, and the next thing I knew I was having the shot, and then waiting the requisite 15 minutes to make sure I did not have an allergic reaction. I felt fine. Really. And also happy to be done half an hour early.

I drove up to Market Basket and did my grocery shopping. About the time I got to the checkout, I felt this wave wash over me. It was like I’d just finished running a full marathon. I was exhausted.

I drove to get gas in the Highlander and then drove home. I started feeling aches in my body and my arm felt heavy. It was so strange to feel this. Jack helped me bring up the groceries and put them away, and I had a small lunch. I started having chills, aches, and a headache.

They’d told me that these side effects are perfectly normal. They say it will last 24-36 hours. Also, they gave me a form to fill out telling them what my side effects are.

Here I sit tonight after having a small dinner, and I just want to go to bed. However it is only 7:30 and I would feel silly, but I may go ahead and do just that.

It’s not how I would wish to spend a day, but if this keeps me from getting a full-blown case of Covid and dying then I am willing to take the chance. I have way too much to live for!

Here we are my busy week. It all started early today when I knew I needed to go out and get my new glasses. I was excited because they are a bit different. Although the viewing area is about the same, the frame is an octagon shape. Here is a picture of me before and then afterward wearing my new frames.

But the very best part of my new glasses is that I can see! I needed a stronger lens on the left side and then I asked if I could adjust my readers for the computer. I measured the distance from eyes to screen before I went and so we planned this. I cannot tell you how wonderful my vision is with these new glasses!

Then I was off to get some groceries and the mail! Which I managed to do in record time. I was back at the house by 10:45.

It never really warmed up here over the course of the day. The wind blew, and our temperatures never for over 14 degrees! Oh, I am so over Winter!

I have also started looking for a new wire-haired dackel baby. I know I’ve said I wouldn’t do it, but I think I need to start as it could take me a very long time. With Germany still in lockdown, and this darned virus, who knows when I might be able to find this new addition to our family. So I am writing letters and starting my quest.

I do not want a designer dackel. I want one that looks like Greta and Anneliese. A really good, proper, German dackel.

Well, I have now reset all of the clocks that are not automatically reset. Two of the items are over 20 years old, and their idea of setting the clock is archaic!

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

I woke up on Saturday and felt like doing nothing! Usually, I have at least a desire to do one thing, but on Saturday, nope. I just had no desire to do much of anything.

I did know it was time to clean out my purse. And I knew this because I knew what was in there. and I knew it was time for me to put it away.

You see, Anneliese’s collar was in my purse. I haven’t even wanted to look at it. Today, after thinking about this, it was finally time for me to put it away with her ashes.

That collar was hers from the time she was very little. The first collar I got her, was guaranteed not to break. Anneliese chewed it in half! So we got a new one. This one made it through her fourteen-year life.

It is put away and now, I need to turn the page and start a new chapter with Arnie and Lili. This chapter will be called, My Life With Two Dogs.

I will tell you that in the last two weeks I have spent more time with Lili and Arnie. We play more and cuddle more and now that the stress of Anneliese’s illness is over, I find I am calmer and able to enjoy things again.

Oh, I still miss her, but as the song goes, “Oh yeah, life goes on…”. And so it does.

Once again I am down and out with a winter cold. This one is all in my head, making me stuffy, feverish, and very tired. I’ve spent two days in bed, only getting up to prepare meals for the dogs and for us. And even then it’s minimal.

The TV drones on and mostly I sleep through it. I’m glad I stocked up on soups and crackers.

Arnie is a very good nurse. He never leaves my side. I’m a lucky girl. Until I am better I suspect my blogging will be minimal.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and have a good week!

Oh my goodness, Saturday was really cold! It wasn’t just the actual temperature outside, but the wind brought the windchill down to the single digits! In fact, it was so cold, I broke out Arnie’s sweater as he was shaking like a leaf!

It brought to mind the fact that during the winter of 1999-2000, I was standing outside, with four feet of snow around me, smoking a cigarette. I had just a few left in the pack when I was overcome by good common sense. I came in, broke the cigarettes in half, and covered them with Dawn Dish Liquid.

Jack asked me what I was doing and I told him I was quitting cold turkey! He looked at me, with a concerned look of disbelief, and shook his head.

I told myself that I could never smoke another cigarette or I was done. I would be a smoker until the day I died.

But I never did start again. I never even caught myself sniffing the smoke when people were smoking near me. In fact, I really detest the smell of smoke now, unless it is in a fire-pit.

So tonight, as the wind blows, and the temperatures drop, I am so grateful that I am no longer a smoker!

I am having trouble with my shoulder again. It makes me quite angry because I feel like an old lady. I will be doing something easy, like scooping out a can of dog food for Lili, and suddenly pain grips my shoulder and I do things like drop the can or spill something.

I was actually supposed to get it x-rayed this week, but my doctor is out because she is sick. So I have to wait a bit for the x-ray. Meanwhile, I am living on Advil and Tylenol and I am hoping for the best.

It’s funny, you know, it’s not like I have done anything to injure it. The pain simply arrived one day and it seems to be getting worse. Old age, I am sure.

Meanwhile, this weekend I got caught up on laundry, read more of my book, and actually watched several episodes of a British comedy, “As Time Goes By”, as well as a movie, “The Queen”.

On Sunday I would like to put away my Christmas Stuff. Whether or not I actually do, who knows.

I love the lights and right now the little Christmas tree all lit up makes me happy.

After several weeks of madness and mayhem with my eating, I reigned myself in on New Year’s Eve. I planned my meals, started to weigh and measure things, and removed all sugary things from my diet.

The first couple of days were hairy, but I am back in the groove again and this week I lost 4 pounds. Now I am sure most of that is water weight, but I will take it.

My goal this year is to get to my goal weight and stay there.

It is so hard to admit that you are not only a sugar addict, but that the things you love to eat are laden with sauces, breading, and are calorie and carbohydrate filled.

So yes, I am a sugar addict and a carboholic! I need to become a bunny rabbit who eats their leafy greens! Or an eagle that swoops down and grabs a fresh fish for its meal!

How did you all do over the holiday? Did Santa leave you with more pounds than gifts?

Next year I do not plan to indulge the way I did this year. I will limit my celebrations to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. That really is enough.

So for now, on this 5th day of January, I am Back In The Saddle Again!