Daily Ponderings

When I moved into my apartment back in 1999 (whoa, still can't believe it's been that long ago!), I signed up with the local cable company for tv service. There really wasn't many other options at that time. Years later, I decided to try one of the satellite dish companies. I know some people think satellite is not as reliable, and you lose the signal with a drop of rain. But honestly, in all the time I had it, I think I lost the signal a handful of times. So I thought it was fine for me! Last month, I decided to join this century and upgrade my big old hunk of tv to a flat screen. I really like it, but I wasn't getting the full effect since I wasn't paying for HD programming. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to. But I was also thinking long and hard about ditching satellite altogether and using an antenna to get the local stations, which is what I watch the most anyway! That is precisely what I did today. I bought an antenna at Target, paying a little more than I...

I have been taking medications since I was 2 years old. My oldest med is digoxin, a heart med which helps keep the heart healthy and the rhythm function stable. Since I have a congenital heart defect, my doctors way back then thought this med would help to keep it functioning better. I used to take the digoxin by dropper, and I still remember loving the taste and wishing my mom could give me more when it was time to take it! Ha! Eventually I moved on to the tiny pill form of digoxin, and that meant the beginning of childproof caps. I never worried about that for a very long time because my parents (well, my mom  mostly) gave me my pill to take every day. This also included pills like antibiotics and such for the times I was sick. There were a LOT of those times for me growing up. Being sick sure stunk big time!! Years down the road when I began to keep track of taking my meds on my own, I struggled with trying to open the stupid childproof caps on the bottles. Of course, I would...

I grew up hating the taste of coffee. I ADORE the smell of it, and often find myself in the coffee section of the grocery aisle sniffing in deeply. But the taste? Yuck! Until recently. I have become a "coffee junkie" as K. called me the other day!! Now, the biggest reason I have been drinking coffee every single afternoon for the last, oh, month and a half, is because of K. However, in the last several months, I have tasted coffee again and haven't found it to be too bad. It made me realize that the only way I had tasted coffee was when my dad had it as a kid, and I think he had his black. I definitely cannot have it black!! But with a little flavored cream (and there are sooooo  many out there!), I've been able to drink it, and like it a lot! I got the cute little 4 cup coffee maker above awhile ago from Amazon.com. It's perfect for me, and for whoever has coffee with me (mostly K.)! Like I said, I use it pretty much every day. I try to drink mostly decaf,...

Guess what finally decided to show up?? The storm started late last night in most areas around here, and it was expected. However, I'm not sure how I feel about it!! The snow is pretty, but it's accompanied by some pretty nasty high winds and bitter cold temperatures. Considering the last two days were almost 50 degrees, and yesterday was rainy, I guess I just can't appreciate the snow!!! I know we're right in the middle of winter, but we've been so spoiled this year so far. It had to end some time, though, and maybe it's no coincidence that we got winter back on Friday the 13th???

I never get my mail before 10am, or even before noon. So it was surprising this morning when I heard the doorbell ring and saw the postman standing there! I opened the door, and he had a package that needed a signature. After signing the paper, he handed the package to me, and I noticed that it wasn't for my upstairs neighbor, but for me! And then I saw that it was from Sunshine ! Oh yay, it was the recipe book I had won from her blog giveaway last month! I didn't have time to open the package right then since I was trying to get myself out the door to go to rehab. So I opened it shortly after I got home. I was excited to see the cookbook, a "vintage Cayman Island" Christmas card, and even a little bag of treats for Mittens! But I was especially excited to see a very cute panda amigurumi crochet animal that she made all on her own! It is so adorable!! I showed it to Mittens, and he seemed interested in playing with it, so I'm gonna have to keep it somewhere he won...

Those were the words used many times by a sweet phriend whenever she was trying to express frustration over something. Those were the same words many of my phriends who knew Annette used today when we found out she had passed away this morning. It came as a surprise to so many of us. She had some health struggles in the past year in regards to her PH, but lately, many who talked to her reported that Annette said she was feeling ok. Annette died in her sleep, which is the only thing that brings me some comfort. I am hoping that she went peacefully. Annette's PH journey began a little over 7 years ago. She posted quite often on the PHA message boards. She was a 1st grade teacher, and once she was put on Flolan, she tried so hard to keep up with her job. Eventually she had to resign, or retire. I can't remember which. After that, she did volunteer reading in classrooms. She also did so much with the Omaha PH support group. She helped raise awareness by being a part of a large fund...

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! I hope you're able to celebrate with loved ones. Remember that Christmas is not about the gifts we give, it's about the wonderful gift God gave to us: His son, Jesus. Jesus was born to show the love God has for His people, and to show that we should all be sharing that love with others. He is the reason for the season!

My youngest sister gets married tomorrow! Last night was the rehearsal and dinner. My sisters and I went out for a drink afterward, and had a nice time together. This afternoon I'm going with Joan to get a pedicure. Tonight's a dinner with much of my family at my parents' house. And tomorrow is the big event! I sure hope I have the energy for everything! I might need several days to recover!

I had purchased 2 paint by numbers in the spring to work on during the summer, since I didn't think I'd be so busy. Well, I was busy! So I didn't start the first one until the end of July. I worked on it mostly outside in the backyard on my new little table set. I finally finished it last night, and I love it! I plan on getting a frame and putting it in my kitchen. I started the other painting tonight, but that one is insane! It's so much harder than the other one, and will take much more time! I do love painting, though! I just wish I had a natural talent at it rather than relying on numbers!

Here it is, the middle of July, and another busy week is planned. This time, most of my time will be spent with my family. This includes Lisa, and her little guy, who both arrived in town tonight for several days! It was so nice seeing them even for a short while at my parents, and I look forward to the week ahead. I know one night my sistores and I are planning to go out for dinner and drinks! On Friday, we'll be heading to my grandma's for a night, and Saturday will be our family bridal shower for Joan. So, lots of stuff going on yet again, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to keep up!

Today I spent time with my 2 best friend's as we celebrated Eve's wedding from last September with about 100 people. The predicted weather for today was full of thunderstorms and clouds, but the actual weather turned out to be mostly cloudy with some brief appearances of the sun. It was pretty comfortable! The restaurant was right on Lake Erie, and it was so relaxing. Everyone seemed to enjoy the easy atmosphere! I'm happy for Eve. Her husband seems to be a lot better than the first one, and he even likes us! lol I've seen how much he's been supportive to her in many situations, and especially most recently with her brother's passing. So I truly wish them much happiness and love for the rest of their lives! It really was a great afternoon!

In the last few days, I haven't wanted to do much of anything. I figured Sunday was a given since I'd had a long and emotional weekend, so I let myself do nothing. But Monday and today felt just as uninspiring. The only good thing I did was finally get the dishes washed on Monday while on the phone with Mandy. I blame the weather mostly for the lack of energy. It's been colder than normal, and I think the sun went on strike. The rain has made things so damp that I've reluctantly put the heat back on. Tomorrow is another day of wetness, but I've been mentally preparing myself to tackle the laundry list of things I need to do (including the laundry!). I'm crossing my fingers that I can do it!

This weekend was mostly spent helping my friend say goodbye to her brother. The wake was 4 hours on Friday evening, and the funeral was Saturday morning. My other best friend and I went together to both. It was hard mostly seeing Eve's father looking so lost. He is 75, and told me that should be him gone, and not his son. The funeral was nice, and Eve's eulogy to her her brother was just beautiful. There was a nice luncheon in the reception hall afterward, too. I was glad to be there for her and her family, and I'll continue to pray for comfort and strength for them all in the days and months ahead.

Does it look to you like Mittens is starving to death? No? Yeah, well, he sure acts like I never feed him! He's been on my nerves lately with how much he wolfs down all his food for the day and then wants even more. I've been good refusing his requests until I go to bed, and then I give him maybe a small handful more. I keep having to tell myself that he certainly won't starve to death overnight! And of course, he greets me with meows the next morning that I know have more to do with feeding him breakfast than saying hello. lol

On this very holy weekend, when Jesus made the biggest sacrifice for all of us, I'm praying so hard for my best friends brother. After going back and forth between being stable and then losing ground, N. has been given 72 hours to live. My friend's on her way back down to WV with her father. I am completely sad for the family, and trying to pray so hard for a miracle.