Look Ma, No Cavities

Yep, I just got back from my bi-annual visit with the dentist. Of course while she was cleaning my teeth, my crown came lose and she said something about the gums. I couldn't hear her because my thoughts were "it hurts", "when is she going to be finish", "I can't breathe", "Ow", "hurry up". All I heard was to do warm rinses. But overall, I'm done until 6 months from now.

I am so glad January is good. It truly was not a good health month for me.

Books Galore: I got Killing Fear by Allison Brennan, The Murder Game by Beverly Barton and Three In Death by J.D. Robb delivery from Barnes & Noble this afternoon. I also have waiting for me to pick up at the library Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz, Last Seen Alive by Carlene Thompson and Deadly Neighbors by Merry Jones. Yesterday I got Guns Will Keep Us Together by Leslie Langtry delivery from B&N.

Marianne asked if it was hard sticking to my eating healthy regime and did I love it? I try very hard to stay on track without straying. It helps that I don't have food that I shouldn't eat in my house. I've been good during lunch by watching how much food I eat. If I continue like this I will not miss what I've lost.

Melissa, thanks for explaining about the books you are judging . Did you chose categories that you normally don't read?

oh a funny thing, I ordered a pair of oxford shoes with arch support that don't look like fuddy duddy shoes. I was getting ready to leave the office for home, when a co-worker told me to be careful with my shopping bag that I don't leave it on the subway. I told her I'm not leaving this bag on the train because my books are in it. I didn't care about the shoes, it was all about the books.

Now, I'm starving. Off to make two hard boiled eggs.

Blogger won't let me use spell check.

Steps taken today: 8,112

Reading: Three Shirt Deal by Stephen J. Cannell

chatting

I should have mentioned that the books from Barnes and Noble were ordered online. It is much easier since every time I go in for certain books, they don't have it yet, whereas I can get it online and in the city, I get the books the next day. Anyway, when I made my order all the books were in stock. I got my email saying my books will be shipped the same day. This morning I got an email informing me that 3 of the books will not ship until February 5. Geeze. When I return home this evening, I get an email telling me that the 3 books have been shipped. The book that was shipped was the one I most wanted to read anyway.

Sarita asked do I read ebooks? If it wasn't for Marianne and Allie, I would not be reading e-books. The short ones are easy to read since I can print them and can read them on the subway. The long-length ones take times since I have to sit at my computer, away from my comfy recliner. I did try reading an e-book on my PDA, but it drove me crazy.

Good news for me. By eating healthy, I've lost another 5 pounds. I'm finding myself eating breakfast now (boiled eggs, pineapple chunks, or a banana), my snacks are unsalted nuts; my lunch is all about moderation (grilled chicken Caesar salad, steamed rice and beans) and dinner (bowl of soup, cereal or whatever I can prepare in under 30 minutes)

Woo hoo: I just checked my blood pressure and it is 127/59 down from 160/100.

Melissa, are you a reviewer for the RITA awards? As a member, do you have to read the books that are sent to you?

I didn't do as many steps today due to multiple meetings and the weather.

Steps taken today: 4,960

Reading: Last Look by Mariah Stewart

random thoughts

The pedometer that I bought at CVS is LifeFitness Deluxe Digital Pedometer: Model HJ151LF. I tried to do a search for this brand and I couldn't find it. However, I believe it is really the Omron brand branded with the company's logo, since the one that I'm wearing looks exactly like this.

Sad news in the writing world: Margaret Truman Daniel, Harry Truman's only child, died today. Her mystery series started with "Murder at or in or on". She published her last book Murder on K Street in 2007.

Thanks for everyone's suggestion about finding a local natural store. I found one three blocks from the office and they had one of the herbs (Nettle). Since I already purchased the items online, at least when I have to replenish, I can go there. I will also see if Whole Foods can order vitamin/herb products for me as well.

I do have to say that I'm reading more and more these days with less TV watching. The replacement shows being broadcast do not interest me at all.

I used my Barnes and Noble gift card and bought the following new books: Killing Fear by Allison Brennan, Guns Will Keep Us Together by Leslie Langtry, The Murder Game by Beverly Barton and Three In Death by J.D. Robb. I still have one more B&N gift card to use and I'm saving that for the next J.D. Robb book that comes out in February.

Steps taken today: 7,606

Reading: The Nanny Murders by Merry Jones

no success

I went to the other Whole Foods at Columbus Circle and again I had no luck in getting the remaining two herbs/vitamins. Oh well, looks like I'll have to order it online. My friend gave me a discount organic food website and they had both items I'm looking for. I really didn't want to wait for shipment, but it looks like I'll have to go that way.

oh I forgot to mention, my pedometer automatically resets itself at midnight so when I put it on in the morning, it's all ready to record my first step.

Steps taken today: 6,983

Still Reading: The Face of Death by Cody McFadyen

odds and ends

I got a new pedometer. The other one was a cheap one that reset itself with slight movements. The one I got cost a little bit more and has not reset itself. Besides telling you the number of steps you've taken, it tells you how many steps you took per minute; number of calories burned and the distance in miles that you stepped.

I found out today that the New York Times Great Read will be held on October 5th. The first time I went to the NYT Great Read in the Park, it was an outdoor affair with many authors, books and activities. They also had two author's events, one a brunch and the other a tea. I attended the tea because my two favorite authors, Nora and Tess, were speaking. Last year they changed the whole concept to a brunch and that is what they are doing this year again. It will depend on which authors are participating for me to attend. I really wish they would go back to the concept that they did in 2006.

Today while food shopping I noticed the strangest thing, most of the food in my cart were vegetables. Amazing.

Speaking of foods, I have rules and the number one being I won't eat cooked fruit. My friends thought I was crazy with my rules, but guess what, I just found out that Allie doesn't like cooked fruit either. I feel vindicated.

There is a new episode of Shark on TV tonight.

Step taken today: 4,778

Reading: The Face of Death by Cody McFadyen

new experience

My adventure to Whole Foods was interesting. I went to the one in Union Square and got there around 8:30a and there was a lot of people there. I really didn't expect to see a lot. I was able to find 2 of the 4 herbs/vitamins that my nutritionist wanted me to get. I also found Brown Rice cakes but didn't know which ones to buy so I bought all three brands/varieties.

Because I had to go down the escalator for the herbs and didn't know what else I'll find, I took a shopping cart. I didn't know how people got their shopping cart upstairs to the cashier until I saw the up escalator and next to it was the one for shopping carts. That was so kewl and I wish I had a camera to take a picture of it. You roll the cart onto the thing and it travels up with you and pushes itself out the little gate.

Then they had five waiting stalls and you enter anyone and the aisle that you go in is color-coded and there's a screen that you watch for. When you get to the front of the aisle, you wait for your color to light up with a number it tells you go to cashier #17. That was so kewl!

It just amazed me we had something like that in NYC. I couldn't find the Trader Joe store though.

I watched The Game Plan this afternoon and boy am I a sentimental fool. Tears were flowing from my eyes at the end. I enjoyed this Disney movie.

Steps taken today: 10,000

Reading: Dead Copy by Kit Frazier

Potpourri

Another busy day at the office programming surveys, launching surveys, sending out more notices and analyzing data for an upcoming presentation.

I wanted to go to the Whole Foods on Columbus Circle at lunch, but didn't have the time. It was too cold to go after work, so I may go to the one in Union Square tomorrow morning and then stop by Trader Joes.

I heard back from United Airlines. First they told me to call this toll-free number and when I did, I could not understand the person and was promptly transferred to the supervisor in charge. We had a nice conversation where I repeated my experience and he apologized for the way I was treated, in particularly, not having access to my luggage. He mailed a written letter of apology (he faxed me a copy) and gave me a $100 voucher off my next flight on United. I appreciated the conversation but they really need to do better on their customer relations.

I'm waiting for two more tax forms before I can make an appointment with my financial advisor to get my taxes done. I was looking at my investments and temporarily freaked out because it was down a lot of dollars. I have to remember this is not for now, but for the long run and hopefully my investments will rebound.

The Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts has been receiving some great reviews. If you haven't read this book and you enjoy a good mystery and want to enter her contest, check it out here.

I stopped by the library and picked up the following: The Nanny Murders by Merry Jones, Three Shirt Deal by Stephen J. Cannell, City of Fire by Robert Ellis, The Face of Death by Cody McFadyen and Last Look by Mariah Stewart.

Steps taken today: 10,122

Still Reading: Strong and Sexy by Jill Shalvis

steppin

Finally, the honeybell oranges that I order a couple of weeks ago arrived. Everyone around me who also ordered received their goodies, but not me. I don't know why it took so long for mine to come. Oh well, I will enjoy them though.

Another busy day at the office that I forgot to do several personal things. I forgot to call the doctor, make my dentist appointment, research new cell phones (my plan is up in May), check Whole Foods to see if they have the vitamins the nutritionist wants me to take, go to the drug store and pick up some items. It did however make my day go faster.

Oh United Airlines returned my called today, but I missed it so I will be speaking with them tomorrow.

I met my friend for dinner. She's celebrating the big 5-0 so we went to Birdland for dinner. I had blackened catfish, collard greens and rice. She had warm goat cheese salad and her favorite dish, macaroni and cheese. For dessert I had ice cream and she had tiramasu. She's studying for her PHD this year and this was a break for all her studying. We also reminisce about our college days and some of the friends we haven't seen in years. We couldn't believe it but we've known each other for over 30 years. Man I'm old.

Steps taken: 9,392

Still Reading: Pushing Up Bluebonnets by Leann Sweeney

a tired day

I was so busy catching up on blogs, and taking care of bills that I forgot to post something tonight.

Not much to say only that I'm tired and it could be because of the medication or the weather or just the recent activities catching up to me.

I finally sat down and read all the information that the nutritionist sent to me. The main goal is to lower my blood pressure; improve my immune function and support my kidney insufficiency. She gave me a seven day menu which includes six small meals which I could do. She also gave me several very easy menus for soups, beans, veggies and enchilada. There are a couple of things on the menu that I don't like or won't eat but overall, the daily menu is doable.

I bought a pedometer. 10,000 steps what I need to post on a daily basis.

TV Tonight: Criminal Mind, CSI: NY

Reading: Pushing Up Bluebonnets by Leann Sweeney

2 hours and 45 minutes

is how long I sat in the airplane, while taxiing to take off, while not taking off, while taxiing to the other side of the airport and while sitting on the tarmac waiting to see if we were going to take off. After 2:45 minutes, the plane went back to the gate and we were told our flight was canceled. We went to customer service to rebook and was told that our flight was not cancelled. We went back to the gate and was told our flight and no planes were landing in LaGuardia. Why? They did not know. Something about air traffic control. We had to go back to customer service and we took the second flight out this morning. I was not allowed to get my baggage which contained my books, my clothes and my toiletries.

During this whole ordeal, I developed a migraine and had no way to alleviate it. The lights were too bright and it was too loud in the airport. Thankfully I was visiting friends so I called them and they drove me back to their house. United Airline has some explaining to do and I've already made my phone call and I better receive a satisfactory answer to why they said no planes could land in LGA when planes from other airline did land and why I couldn't get my luggage.

Needless to say I did not go to work today. I had a doctor's appointment to go over the results of the echocardiogram and I knew I would be stressed when he took my blood pressure and sure enough it was high, but not as high as before. The results were not good, not bad, but not good. The average person pumps blood through the heart in the 70% - 80% range, me, not even close; mine is in the 40% - 50% range. He put me on another heart medication.

My meeting with the nutritionist went well yesterday. Her mantra is Go Green, Go Brown and we're going to work on achieving that goal.

I just saw that Heath Ledger has been found dead. We also lost some notables: Suzanne Pleshette and Allan Melvin.

If I would have returned home yesterday like I should have, the title of my post would have been "BACK FROM MY TRAVELS".Yesterday was football day here. I'm not a big football watcher or fan, but I will root for the home town team if they are playing. I didn't think they would do it since they really didn't have a good regular season, but the NY Giants are in the playoffs. No one believed they would beat the Cowboys and no one truly believed they would beat the Packers especially on their field in their weather. Go Giants. I don't believe they will win against the Patriots, but then again, they beat the other two teams.

the party

Our day started early yesterday. I went with my friend's next door neighbor shopping for the food that was needed for their annual Longaberger Basket Party. The party is similar to the Mary Kay or Tupperware parties where you look at the goodies and buy, buy, buy.

Then we came home and set up the kitchen area for beverage, mainly mimosa. I had more orange juice and a dash of champagne while the others had a higher percentage of champagne versus orange juice.

The food that was served were: wrap sandwiches, vegetable tray with celery sticks, carrots, grape tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli and dip; fruit try with melons, mango, papaya, grapes; tortilla chips with homemade salsa, regular chips, BBQ meatballs made with Jack Daniels barbecue sauce; and little brownies and mini chocolate chip cookies for dessert. I think I'm missing something else, but there were plenty of food for us to eat.

Once the guests arrived and we filled out tummies, and drank our bubbly, we proceeded to look at the baskets that were displayed and saw some items there were not in the catalog. I've been looking for a horizontal napkin holder and was not able to find one, but they had one that I liked which would match the other baskets that I have. So I bought that and they also had a cute little coaster basket. So my purchase selections was a success.

After the clean-up, we stayed next door and chatted awhile before going back to my girlfriend's house. Later we went out to dinner at The Original Steak House and Sports Theater in Ashburn Virginia. I was going to get the Jambalaya Pasta as my meal but my friend said to me, pasta in a steakhouse, so instead I got the Cheese and Steak Sandwich. All in all it was a delicious meal. We came home and watched The Weather Man with Nicolas Cage and Michael Caine. I found this movie to be weird.

in Virginia

Did you know that what I knew as stewardess and stewards are now called staff professionals? That's what the purser said when she was introducing the people that were working along side her.

My flight was okay, a little late in boarding since the plane had to arrive from Buenos Aires. After we boarded, we sat on the tarmac for a few minutes before leaving the gate. Then we sat on line waiting for our time to soar into the skies. Due to winds in the Dulles area, we had to fly south into the airport, but otherwise the flight was okay.

Oh, when you check-in online, you are asked if you want more leg room. Of course I said "yes" and then I had to pay extra (which I didn't mind) because not only did I get a front row (row 7), but I got the preferred window seat (on the pilot's side) and no one sat in the middle seat. My original seat assignment was 18F, in the back not on the pilot's side.

Then I decided because of all the travel restriction that I would check my bag into Dulles. Big mistake. The carousel that we were assigned had 10 other flight baggage and we had to wait for 6 flights before we started seeing our bags. I waited 40 minutes before the bags from my flight came down the chute. The good thing was...my bag came down first. Hooray, and off to my weekend in Virginia.

BTW, it's cold down here, 20 degrees.

Reading: Strong and Sexy by Jill Shalvis

traveling

Work was good. Had some good news.

I'm packed. My suitcase is by the day as well as my backpack. I found this backpack that is supposedly made for a woman's body. When I put it on, it actually felt more comfortable than the general-type backpack that is sold in stores.

I took my blood pressure, it's still high but not as high. I lost another 2 pounds.

Reading: Tumbling Blocks by Earlene Fowler

the traveling bug

My niece is having a little gathering with a couple of her friends at a local hotel where they will swim in the indoor pool, hang out in a hotel room and go the movies the next day. She has requested my presence, so I spent the last hour looking for an inexpensive flight to North Carolina and once I found one, then I had to book a hotel room for myself for the one night that they kids are together. I think the travel bug has hit me.

I still have to plan my mother's trip to Texas and I have been thinking about taking a cruise later in the year.

Reading: Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper

busy

I had a busy day at the office. I launched two surveys, wrote up two reports and created a spreadsheet of the results and started a presentation. The good news is that they are not due at the same time.

I moved my things to my new location which is 6 cubicles away. I'm diagonal from the copy center but further away from the rest room and pantry. Tomorrow the IT guys will move my computer, printer and phone to the new location. I did bring my chair and did a swap. The chair in the new space tilted too far back and I almost fell out of it. I do not need any more injuries this month.

I picked up Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper this evening. Since I didn't get a chance to start the Strong and Sexy by Jill Shalvis, I will read Blood Dreams first. Besides I don't like taking library books out of the state and since I'm traveling this weekend, I'll bring Jill's book.

Oh yeah, I'm taking an impromptu trip this weekend to North Virginia to visit my girlfriend and her husband. I haven't seen them or at least her since August when we went to see Jersey Boys on Broadway. I'm leaving Friday night and will return home on Monday. While I'm in Virginia, I will be attending a Longaberger Party and then I will meet with the nutritionist. My friend is in the medical profession, so she recommended this nutritionist.

This morning, because I woke up earlier, I started gathering the articles of clothing and toiletries and placed them in my suitcase. When I returned home from the library, I made dinner and then folded the clothes properly and packed in the suitcase. On Thursday, I want to do a load of laundry before heading out.

I got my package of unshelled unsalted sunflower seeds and oh my what a difference it is to take a handful and not worry about cracking the shells. I also bought another bag of shelled unsalted peanuts.

the storm that wasn't

hI was prepared to wake up at 4am and see snow flurries. I was prepared to re-wake up at 6am and see the ground covered in snow. What did I see? Nothing. Nada. Nil. Again, nothing. The newscaster kept saying it was raining; not by me.

I'm seeing a nutritionist next week to help me with my eating healthy and perhaps to alleviate the high blood pressure so that I can no longer take drugs. I had to fill out the form and it was asking me all kinds of questions like last surgery I had; my cholesterol, glucose and thyroid numbers; my typical lunch and dinner and other stuff. My doctor sent me my blood work and I had to sort through it all in order to fill out the form.

One of the things I've been doing is not adding salt to my finished meal. As I mentioned before I'm buying low sodium food. One of the items that I bought was unsalted sunflower seed in shell and roasted unsalted peanuts in shell. The roasted peanuts was a breeze to crack open and eat, but that darn sunflower seed wouldn't crack open. I know my teeth are strong and after trying to crack several more, I gave up. I placed a new order and got unsalted sunflower seed without the shell.

Oh I was watching last week's episode of CSI: NY and the scene with the street vendor warehouse and all the unsanitary stuff made me go "eeewww". It's no wonder I don't eat street food.

I finished reading The River Killings by Merry Jones and will start Strong and Sexy by Jill Shalvis tomorrow.

purchases

Many times throughout the years, I've asked my mother if she wanted a cell phone and she said no because she really doesn't go anywhere. Lately since she's been traveling to North Carolina, I again asked if she wanted a cell phone and again her reply was "no". On her last trip back home from my sister, she mentioned that while on the train, that mostly everyone had a cell phone except for her and she's thinking of getting one. She said she would use it only to call if on the road or was on errands or at the doctor's.

I told her I would put her on my plan but knowing that I hardly use the minutes I have and the fact it would cost an additional $30 per month when we hardly use the phone, I decided to get her a prepaid phone. So after doing some research and the fact that my sister uses them, I got her a Virgin Mobile account. I set everything up and I'm taking care of her payments. All she has to do is put $20 on her phone every 90 days.

Because she is technically challenged, I put in all her daughters' various phone numbers as well as names I have in my phone book. I then have to show her how to turn on, make and receive phone calls using the cell.

I got this from Marianne

What Your Name Means

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way. And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life. You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

a list

This is the cake my neice wanted for her 16th birthday.

Not much to say today, but I could make a list

1. Went to Barnes & Noble at 8am to pick up The River Killings by Merry Jones


2. Walked past the Today Show - couldn't see who was outside


3. Had a cup of hot chocolate


4. At 8:30am, called neice to wish her a happy birthday


5. Reconciled 2007 budget


6. Chatted with co-workers


7. Programmed a survey


8. Had lunch


9. Wrote clients regarding research project


10. Launched an online survey


11. Chatted with co-workers


12. Went to credit union


13. Talked with supervisor


14. Time to go home

Reading: Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich

wine event

What a difference a day make. Yesterday it got into the high 60s or low 70s and today it's in the 40s. I walked another mile today.

I went to a cheese fondue and wine tasting event and I had a good time. We sampled five kinds of white wine and four kinds of red wine as well as having Swiss cheese medley fondue with chunks of bread. A good time was had. For my beverage, I had a glass of cranberry juice.

My friend gave me a big ole juicy orange and oh my goodness it was delicious. When I peeled it, juice squirted out across my desk. It was awesome. As I continue peeling, juice went all over my face, desk and shirt but still I embraced the taste and juiciness of it. It was a HoneyBell orange from which is only available during the months of January. HoneyBells are a hybrid of Dancy Tangerine and Duncan Grapefruit. Because it was excellent, I bought a five pound case of it myself. Oh, they ship a bib with the oranges because of all the juices that will miss your mouth.

I got another Barnes & Noble gift card :)

This morning because I woke up at 3am, I got out my niece's baby books and enjoyed looking at her growing up through pictures. Every picture had a story or an event behind it and it was fun to reminisce.

Still Reading: Hand of Evil by J.A. Jance

back in the swing of things

I think the temps got into the high 60s. I saw several people walking around with no jackets or coats. I even saw a couple of people wearing shorts. I kept my coat on because this is one way to re-ignite my cold.

This was my first day back at the office and boy was I busy catching up on year-end data. I started a couple of projects that have to be conducted by end of January. I was so busy that I didn't even have a chance to check out my news sites.

While I was out two people have left and I'm being moved to another office cubicle. So today I had to start cleaning out my office space. The funny part is that it is so organized that I can get every thing in one box and move right now. I'm not scheduled to be moved until next week.

I walked a mile today and later made a stop at Barnes & Noble to pick up Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich.

I can't believe my niece is turning 16 on Friday. I remember when she born. My sister made me hold her when she was a few days old and ever since I've loved and spoiled her. (I had an aversion to holding babies under 2 months) I asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she said she wants a SpongeBob SquarePants cake over getting extra minutes on her cell phone. I'm going to get her both. You only turn 16 once.

Reading: Hand of Evil by J.A. Jance

vacation is over

Today I believe we got into the 60s. I walked a little over 3 miles. It was so nice strolling with so few people jostling for space.

Have you ever heard your heart through an echo machine? Here I thought the heart sounds like bump, bump, bump but instead my heart sounded like swoosh, swoosh, swoosh. Freaked me out when I first heard it but at least it kept rhythm to a beat.

He checked my blood pressure again and it was still high. Since I've only been on the medication 2 days, the results would not have changed. I have to see him in two weeks to discuss the results of the echo exam and check my blood pressure which hopefully should not be as high.

The doctor also wants me to check my blood pressure every other day so I bought OMRON Automatic Blood Pressure machine.

He also checked my finger which is still swollen and bruise and said if it would have happened yesterday he would have taken an x-ray but the fact that I can move it and yep, I'm typing with it too (it's tender though) it's not broken. He said the bruising and swelling should go down and if it's not by next week, to come and see him.

Today is the last day of my vacation and tomorrow I go back to work.

Still reading: Bowled Over by Kasey Michaels

untitled

What a beautiful day we had. The temp was in the 50s. I walked a mile today and the ocean air felt good.

January is not looking up as a healthy month for me (cold, cough, high blood pressure, heart situation, jammed finger), so I'd rather wish the next 11 months to be healthy experience for me.

Modern technology is so kewl. I got an e-mail telling me that my prescription was ready for pick up. I didn't even know I signed up for that.

I love award shows. I like seeing my favorite movie stars, TV stars, singers, performer dressed up and showing us their best. This week was supposed to be the Golden Globe award show and I just heard that the traditional showing of it has been cancelled. We will find out the winners in a sort of newsy-type newsbreak.

Reading: Bowled Over by Kasey Michaels

short day

I went to the movies with my friend and we saw Enchanted. I enjoyed this movie and love the animated and real life co-existing. While looking for seats in the theater, I fell and jammed my left finger. It looked normal then all of a sudden it was swollen. I also think I scraped my arm because it feels tender. But hey, the cold is better and I'm coughing less.

TV Tonight: Cold Case, Shark

Still Reading: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

visiting

My mom returned last night from North Carolina so I spent the whole day with her. We had a good time, just talking and then we watched Hairspray. My nephew was there with his best friend and I had a good time enjoying his company. He loved me because I cleaned out my kitchen cabinet of food with high sodium content and gave it to him. He will be enjoying boxes of cheddar crackers, a variety of soup, pasta sauce, an assortment of nuts, pretzels, cold cuts and other stuff. Tomorrow I'll go food shopping with the intent of checking sodium content of foods, and buying more fresh produce.

It was good to see a new episode of a TV show last night. I can't wait for next week when more new episodes will be shown.

The cough that should be leaving is still with me. More and more gunk is coming up.

Still Reading: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

doctor visit

I can feel that I'm towards the end of this long suffering cold.

I went to the doctor today and after taking my blood pressure three times, I was told that I have high blood pressure. He put me on high blood pressure medication but unfortunately the one that was prescribed for me interacts negatively with sulfur which I'm allergic to and when the pharmacist called his office, it was closed so they can't get a non-sulfur based medication until Monday. He also didn't like the results of the EKG so now I'm scheduled to get a sonogram of my heart next Tuesday. Finally, the pain that I was experiencing in my back is a pinch nerve which means I have to wear a neck brace again.

The good news is that I lost 7 pounds.

TV News: The last 3 episodes of Bones won't air until the May sweeps.

Reading: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

The face behind the blog meme

I'm introverted. I'm shy. I'm quiet. I'm a great listener. I hate having my picture taken. If I do get it taken, it is a far away view. So this is me in France.

Ever since I caught this cold and been on vacation, I've been waking up at 4am and once I'm up, I'm up. So I watch Nick at Nite until 5am when I watch the local news. At 6am I turn on the computer and start perusing the news site, my two e-mail accounts and then I start reading my daily blogs. Around 8am I figure it's time for breakfast and today considering that it is 15 degrees I may have to run out all bundled up and get some breakfast food. I have no eggs, no bread, no cheese, but I do have a box of Frosted Flakes, but they say milk is not good to have when you're trying to get rid of excess phlegm.

Here's me at my quilting station with the last quilt that I made. Later I will take out my folding table and some material and start a new quilt project. I may make another sampler, but then again, I have several excess material and I'll use that to make a crazy quilt which is basically something crazy but creative and unique.

It appears that next week they will be new episodes of Criminal Mind and CSI: NY.

Still reading: A Tisket, A Tasket, A Fancy Stolen Casket by Fran Rizer

another day

I got my new folding table today to be used when I quilt. In the past I would use my old kitchen table to place the pieces and baste, but now I needed one because I don't want to mess up my new kitchen table. The good news is I found a spot out of the day for it. This I didn't need to assemble.

I got my new computer chair today and this I needed to assemble. Everything was going along swimmingly until that last bolt that wouldn't fit in the hole. No matter how hard I tried it just would not turn. I needed another person to push while I screw but that wasn't going to happen. Then I thought of a solution, take a pillow put on wall, push chair on pillow on wall and hold with legs and yes, I was able to put the screw in. But it still wouldn't screw down, so I rub the screw with soap and then got the power drill and voila, it screwed in. I really dislike assembling.

Being sick on vacation is not fun. You can't go out for fear of having a repercussion. You can't go to the movies for fear of coughing too much. You can't really do to much until you're at least 95% healthy. And why when you're at work, all the great movies is on TV, but when you're home sick, there is nothing interesting to watch? Stuff is coming up so that means I'm getting better and I can't wait.

There are several books that I'm looking forward to reading:

Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz
Deadly Deceptions by Linda Lael Miller
Hard To Handle by Lori Foster
7th Heaven by James Patterson
Stranger in Death by J.D. Robb
Alibi in High Heels by Gemma Halliday
Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark
Notorious by Michele Martinez
Quicksand by Iris Johansen
TailSpin by Catherine Coulter
Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
Death Angel by Linda Howard
Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner
Tribute by Nora Roberts
Damage Control by J. A. Jance
Death's Half Acre by Margaret Maron

Reading: A Tisket, A Tasket, A Fancy Stolen Casket by Fran Rizer

Happy New Year

2008 came in without me. My mind and spirit was willing but my body wasn't and it was best to get as much rest as I can. The cold is improving, I'm not coughing as much as I yesterday. That Mucinex really helps.

I had another day of rest where I read, watched TV, listened to the radio, stood on my terrace (for fresh air) and then napped. I'm hoping two more days and I can begin to venture out into the city for some fun. I want to check out several movies, Enchanted, National Treasure 2 and I know there's another one, but I can't remember.

I had a lite dinner of collard greens and black-eye peas which is suppose to be good luck and wealth in the coming year.

Reading: Born To Be Wilde by Janelle Denison