The Dackel Princess

This week flew by for me. Here are the happenings in my wild and crazy life.

1. While listening to the TV, It had it turned itself off. I got up, changed the batteries in the remote control, and tried again. Nothing. I completely unplugged the TV, hoping that rebooting the machine would resolve the issue. It did not. I remembered that we’d gotten this Vizio TV nineteen years ago in January. Nineteen years! Well, so much has changed in nineteen years. I’m not sure where to start. Meanwhile, a good friend took the TV to see if he could repair it. I use a small flat-screen TV in my bedroom.
2. I went to see my Eye Surgeon on Tuesday. I was not at all surprised that he told me my eye is still full of debris. The good news is that the lens that he adjusted is in good shape and the removal of the debris should restore my vision. This makes me feel hopeful. My tentative surgical date is the 25th.
3. My sister and her husband, Ron, along with their daughter, Jin, and granddaughter, April, will arrive on Monday. I am so excited.
4. I’ve been thinking about the things I miss right now. Dropping and going when I feel like it. You know, just grabbing my car keys and driving out to the farm stand. Also in this category is peripheral vision. At first, I was fine, and then I started hitting walls. Talk about frustrating.
5. Does anyone have a feature on their TVs that they look for? I don’t want a super large TV, around 50 inches. My last TV (19 years old) was a big deal because it was an HD TV. Yes, I was genuinely impressed.

Update: After consulting with a good friend, I have ordered a new TV, which is expected to arrive tomorrow. After 19 years, the loss of the other TV made me sad, but now, I am so excited about the new one! Fun, fun!!!

So life goes on, and I’m right in the middle of most things.

This week seemed to fly by. I managed to accomplish a lot, as I can get a great deal done on the phone.  Here’s what’s happening in my neck of the woods.

1. This was my lawn and yard trimming week. Lafe was here, and he mowed and weed-whacked; everything looks terrific. Best of all, it is lightly raining today, helping to water the lawn naturally.
2. I created a home delivery list from the local grocery, and it was delivered. I then put everything away, and tonight I will make an easy dinner.
3. A good friend of mine whose Post Office Box is near mine went in and cleared all the mail and packages. It was like Christmas and my Birthday all in one, as I’ve ordered many new things.
4. Our neighborhood Doe gave birth to twin fawns this year. I haven’t seen them yet, as they avoid Heidi.
5. I have an appointment on Tuesday with my eye surgeon. I am hoping for a good report.

Nurse Heidi is on duty.

It’s been a tough week. But I tell myself I’ve made it through 66 years and I can, and will make it through this. So, without further ado, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. I went for an Ophthalmologist appointment on Tuesday. It was an early appointment in Salem, NH, so I Ubered down on Monday, stayed at the Holiday Inn overnight, and Ubered home afterward.
2. Since my surgery three weeks ago, I have had virtually no vision in my left eye. I’m still on a lot of drops and meds, and my doctor tells me he is hopeful, but I’m afraid I am starting to lose hope of getting my vision to return.
3. In the meantime, Heidi is taking good care of me.
   

   She follows me everywhere, and I wonder if there is a Dachshund School for teaching a dackel to be a guide dog? I can almost imagine little Heidi as a guide dog.

   

4. It’s incredible how losing the vision in one eye affects your balance and also your ability to navigate the distance between that eye and a wall. Driving is a definite No-No.
5. The next few months will tell if I regain any vision. I’m trying to think positively, but then I start thinking about the alternatives, and it scares the heck out of me. Oh well, life goes on…

Have a happy Weekend!

This week has made me think of my place in this world. I am learning to appreciate things that I have always taken for granted. Here are my thoughts in my Friday Five.

1. I will never take vision for granted again. After nearly five days, I still have no vision in my left eye. I am hopeful that eventually the vision will be restored.
2.  I am fortunate that I have a sound support system. Here in Meredith, I not only have friends who will help me, but I have hired a few people to do the heavy work.
3. Miss Heidi continues to be my little nurse. She follows me everywhere and has such a calming effect on me. I am so lucky to have this little bundle of love!
4. During my recovery, I have been watching a great show on Netflix. It’s called “Somebody Feed Phil!” It stars Phil Rosenthal, who wrote “Everybody Loves Raymond,” as he travels around eating and learning the history of the area he is in. It is a happy, feel-good show and always leaves a smile on my face. There are eight seasons so far, with more to come!
5. Lastly, I feel incredibly thankful for all that surrounds me. I feel so fortunate in so many ways.

Here we are. Already the Fourth of July! Another year is flying by us! Last week was a busy one for me. Here’s what’s going on.

1. I saw my eye surgeon on Monday. After weeks of trying to get my records from Tufts, he had finally received them—fourteen pages of surgical notes. My inserted lens (following cataract surgery) is still shifting around. Some days, it is folded up like a taco, giving me double vision in the left eye; other days, it’s just sliding around, giving me somewhat distorted vision.
2. Surgery is set for Monday morning. It is a rather extensive surgery, but afterward, the new lens will provide me with stable vision.
3. The Puppy Nanny is standing by to take care of Heidi. The best part is that she moves right in, so Heidi’s world isn’t too upset when I am away.
4. I had ordered a wooden crate for Heidi. It’s a lovely piece, and it gives her a lot more room. I hadn’t counted on the assembly. I got out my trusty Black & Decker drill, and in no time, the new crate was put together.

   As you can see, it’s pretty, and best of all, she loves it.

5. I finally broke down and got a Keurig coffee machine. Since it was just me having coffee, using a 14-cup coffee maker didn’t make sense. I love having the ability to create just what I want. The 14-cup coffee machine went to a good friend, along with the coffee mill and beans.

So that is all from here. I will try to write on the blog when I can. I don’t know how long the left eye will be down and out.

Happy 4th of July!!!