use it or lose it

That applies to a lot of different scenarios in my life, first and foremost the back injury.  Trying to work through the pain here and get to where I can stroll the lane with my dogs and my kids.  They came today and graced me with a long visit because "quarantine."  Reaves jumped in muddy puddles and didn't get a nap but it was all good.  She painted with yogurt and colors and all the things at her little spot in my office floor.  She's kind of used to me having to stretch back in the chair on a regular basis..

PT and nursing came to see me today and I got some ultrasound on the butt.  I'm a gonna' shop for a TENS unit here shortly.  Priorities, y'all.  I am acutely aware of them at this point.  What makes me feel better is on the top of the list.  Yes, it is all about me.  

Happy Thursday...I think ^j^

crazy

That's where I'm headed and some days I think I'm already there.  Like everybody else, really.  Only with a mighty sore butt.  The improvements have been incremental but I'm hoping that more physical therapy will move the process along.  I did the exercises before I got up this morning and managed to make it through Kroger and into the house with my stuff.  Plus I stopped by to check out a car that my brother had recommended.  By then I was hurting too bad to take it for a spin but I will when I get better.  

It seems I'm losing my creativity these days and words are harder to come by.  I blame it on the entire shutdown drama which adds layers of stress and worry to everybody's life.  All that's on the radar is taking baby steps.  I found a tick on my neck yesterday and I acted on impulse and yanked it out.  Evidently he was dug in because it's itchy today.  I do not need a tick borne disease at this point, seriously.  

Y'all be happy and healthy and keep the faith ^j^

negatory

Wow!  An overnight response from COVID testing tells me that I'm negative.  I was given a TAT of 2-5 days so that's pretty phenomenal.  I received a call from one of my nurse friends back in the day who now works at the health department.  

Any of you who live near Samaria Bend Road are aware that the crossover on Highway 51 is extremely dangerous any time of any day.  After my PT visit I went to the store and there is an apparently abandoned 18 wheeler parked on the side of 51S blocking the view of traffic at the crossover.  I did my civic duty and reported it to the Dyersburg PD before somebody gets killed.  My mother totaled two cars and Daddy one truck at that very spot.  

The farmers are hard at it today trying to get planted and beat tonight's rain.  Pretty soon we'll be seeing baby corn sprouting.  And then....come the creepy children.

Our state is gradually re-opening but I'm still being very cautious and will remain so.  So should we all.  I mean just use common sense.  As for me, I wouldn't want to eat at a place where everybody is wearing a mask to serve your table.  I have never had a dining experience worth all that drama.

Four months later my Markplace Appeal is in the "final stages" of review whatever that means.  You will be notified, he said.  To be fair I guess the feds are a bit overwhelmed right now.  If I lose this appeal, it won't be because I didn't do my homework.  Complete with documentation of names and call dates.  I consulted with West Tn Legal Services over the thing and still haven't gotten hooked up with a lawyer but it's pro-bono and they are spread thin.

I suppose we shall see what tomorrow brings....and the day after and day after ^j^

the test

During my career as a medical technologist I have both collected and tested thousands of NP swabs so I knew what I was signing up for when I pulled into the health department parking lot. These folks are out there every day doing drive up testing.  It is not a pleasant procedure by any means but one I was willing to do voluntarily since I am immunocompromised.  I was told I would be contacted in 2-5days with the results and to self-quarantine in the meantime.  No prob.

The farmers are hard at it getting ready to plant the corn box around me.  You know, the one where the children hide and if you build it they will come.  It is such a part of the cycle of life on the farm that I know what's what with any given pass of a piece of farm equipment.  The grass has been killed and now the plowing commences.  

So it looks like our state is easing toward the grand opening yet I read that we had the biggest single jump in cases over the weekend.  I don't know about y'all but the mask will still be with me as we move forward with the "essentials."  It is predicted that meat will become scarce so look for that to be the next hoarder's delight.  Maybe we can find toilet paper when that happens.  

My pain is a 5 today and it didn't take nearly as long to get mobile today though I'm still using a cane and walker.  I totally forgot PT was coming today and she called me while I was still in the health department parking lot.  Ooops!

I can hear the tractor getting closer and closer to my house and it's a comforting sound for an old country gal.  Maybe someday we can get Reaves a ride in one of them.  She would squeal!

I was sitting on the porch waiting for DoorDash to bring mexicans yesterday when Lauren surprised me with a visit.  I love it when that happens.  Reaves is back in daycare today so that she can ease back into the routine when her momma returns to work.  It will be a gradual process with people counters at the door and everybody wearing masks.  They can only operate at 50% capacity during phase 1.  

Church is planning on another drive in service next Sunday, weather permitting.  The staff has been so innovative with outreach during the past weeks to keep us all connected as a church family.  What a blessing from Big Ernie.

Y'all be faithful and safe ^j^

 

on the road again

I was just beginning to start short walks when this butt incident put the brakes on that.  Tomorrow it will be two weeks and I've got a long way to go but I refuse to give up.  I do have a stubborn streak in me like my daddy's.  He is sending me birds daily as a reminder.  I have never seen a squirrel before up close and personal but I was able to observe one furry little dude hanging outside the bathroom window.  I watched in wonder as he shook that tail and searched for something.  

Today's sermon was a true blessing.  As Easter Sunday plus two weeks came,  the scripture was my favorite.  Travelers on the road to Emmaus were joined by Jesus only they didn't know it was him.  They gave him a factual account of the miracle that had happened and invited  him for supper where he revealed himself to them.  Mary Beth urged us all to spend this downtime seeking quiet time with God instead of fretting.  Yes, everybody is half crazy with worry and cabin fever.  Incomes are reduced or gone.  We haven't flattened the curve.  I am a solitary soul by nature so it's not that big of a deal personally.  I rarely eat out choosing my food to go or eat in the car which is what EVERYbody is doing now.  

When I was in the hospital in January I distinctly remember watching Wuhan turn into a nightmare that spread to us.  I also watched most of the end of the impeachment, until I got bored with the grandstanding.  The road from there to here has been as long as my chinny whiskers.  I feel my age in not being able to bounce back as quickly.  I have to keep reminding myself that I am only three months post-op from a YUGE surgical intervention that saved my life.  Therefore, I am still here for a reason.  

I gave myself to God the night I almost wrecked on the way to the ER that first time.  Death was staring me in the face in the form of a giant embankment and deep ditch.  That's when Jesus took the wheel and pulled me away from that scenario.  It wasn't my time or way to go.  Not on that beloved road that I have driven and walked a million times.  And not even from emergency surgery two weeks later.  I am present and in the moment which is pretty scary.  Nobody knows what will happen next as much as we bitch, moan and worry.  That's when it's time to turn it over.  If you are present and in good health, take this as a wakeup call to slow down in your travels from here to there, quickly and not noticing details.  Live in the moment ^j^

sarcasm

Now, I can be pretty sarcastic in my own non-passive aggressive way.  That is normally when I experience a "here's your sign" moment" that brings a loud DUH.  There is no place for sarcasm in the leadership of this country.  To turn around and say "i was just kidding" IS indeed very passive aggressive and a lie.  If you don't mean it, don't say it POTUS.  Even his aides were flabbergasted over that debacle.  The best thing he could do at this point is to shut the hell up and let medical experts advise us but we all know that won't happen.  

Go buy some stamps y'all.  His plan is to kill the USPS and their reasonable rates by privatizing.  This is not good.  Neither is squashing the right to vote by mail.  Most everything that he does is aimed at his political aspirations and a deep rooted sense of greed and desire for power.  He is an agitator during a time when we need solidarity and unity.  

I just had my 2nd Home Health intake for the year due to the fall.  I'm two weeks out and can finally tell a tiny bit of improvement but I'm a long way from pain free walking.  Lauren brought in the mail yesterday which contained my stimulus payment and the whole wad she brought in was covered in ants.  Evidently they have taken up residence in the mailbox.  

I finished Ozark last night and that's a bummer but now I can broaden my horizons with a list of movies that Yaya has suggested.  This is how we roll in times of social distancing.  BTW Reaves managed to order a free app yesterday while she was on my laptop.  Ooops!

Y'all be blessed and keep on keeping on ^j^

my day....in a nutshell

I can't sleep very well anymore because of the back pain.  This morning I was desperate enough to find a PT video on YouTube and commence to laying on the hard ass floor to rehabilitate.  Lifting my pelvis, so to speak.  I almost didn't get up but persevered.  My girls came and it killed my soul not to be able to be in the yard with them.  More muddy puddles and flower picking dontcha' know.  I have to sit on a pillow so it's kinda' hard to keep up.  They live in Jackson and I live here.  Looks like the state will be shut for a bit so we shall see.  In a huge way, it's a blessing to have this free time.  I watch their mayor daily and I really think he's doing a good job.  I mean WTF?  He preaches safety during the re-opening of our state which is all on Governor Bill Lee.  Digest that.

In the meantime it's Doordash for me ^j^