Haven't posted since the 4th.    I get tired of the computer fast.    I read some of my favorite blogs, check email and correspond with a few people, play the scrabble games on Facebook and look up what is good to watch on TV.   No creative writing.   My muse is named Blah!

Daughter had a birthday.    I'm not telling her age.  Suffice to say, I have no more children in their 30s or even early 40s.    Eldest had a birthday in May, he's past 50.    Someone is getting old.    

Hot summertime is here with every day in the 90s and no rain for quite a while.   I see some of the plants are suffering, but there is nothing to be done about it.  

I have been seeing two cats in the back yard and on the patio.   I think I have discouraged them from coming on the patio with the broom and the waterhose, but I see them in the flower beds.     If someone dumped them here I am wishing bad luck on them for sure.     Very callous and uncaring.    Of course I am a bit callous too because I am going to have to call the city to pick them up if they stay too very long.    My cats sleep on the patio in their crate and I don't want stray cats giving them fleas or something worse.    Of course right now Rumpie and Stumpie growl and hiss, but they might get used to them coming around.   I am not feeding them.    I am careful to keep the catfood sealed up and out of their reach and when I put it in the crate, it's where they would have a hard time reaching it.    Maybe they will leave and find someone who wants them.  Our local shelter is full and not taking any right now.

I vacuumed and did a little bit around here this morning and they after I showered, I went to the PO.    I would like to go to the grocery store, but Gordon won't hear of it.   He says it would be too much for me.    It reminds me of mothers who make their children wear jackets because the moms are cold.    I think I know what I can do, but he won't believe me.   

Now I need to go see what's in the freezer to cook for supper.      

Hello all you gorgeous readers out there.   You know who you are.  Go ahead.  If you need a reminder, just take a peep in your mirror.   See?   You are mahvelous, dahling.

Me, I am making great progress at getting to be that old witch that lives on the block.   Or you may use the optional B spelling. 

Our neighbor's dogs are driving us crazy, barking, barking, barking...  So around 9am last Saturday, I took myself over there and rang the doorbell which I am sure is not working.    (You would have to see the state their home is in to appreciate this.)    So I knocked rather loudly, well, I sort of banged on the door with my fist....a few times.    I could hear the inside dog barking up a storm and finally the man of the house answered, dog in his arms.    I told him that his outside dogs were disturbing us, waking us in the morning and keeping us from going to sleep at night.   He assured me that he only puts the dogs out when he is leaving for work (untrue) and takes them in right after supper (also untrue).      I suggested a no bark collar.   He laughed at that, as if it was totally ridiculous.  

But wait, then the wife got up.   Oh my, while she is an attractive lady when she is ready for work, she is not so when she has been awakened by the witch next door banging on her door.  

"WHO IS THAT?"

I told her I was there to complain about the dogs barking so much.

"THEY'RE DOGS!   THEY ARE GONNA BARK!!!"

I started to say something else and she shouted to the husband.

"JUST SHUT THE DOOR, N______!!!  (Not much chance they would read this, but just in case, no names.)

He obeyed his lovely wife by doing just that.

I called that I might just have to call the city.

"WELL, I'LL JUST REPORT YOU TO THE CITY!!!"

I learned my lesson.    Never try to talk to idiots.

That tested my patience, but I have other tests to speak of.

It finally happened.   My primary care doc told me to see a cardiologist.   An appointment was made and I made the acquaintance of Dr. Dia Abochamh.     He's a very personable fiftyish man, graying curly hair, broad smile and caring attitude.    I filled out forms, more forms and finally talked to the doctor.    He looked me over well, poking and prodding, listening and nodding, all the while asking questions.    I told him that I simply had to be well enough to take care of a sick husband and he promised me he would do it.    I neglected to get that in writing, however.    

So tests were ordered.  O ye yi, were tests ordered!!   Chemical stress test and holter monitor fitting was yesterday.   A totally weird experience when the persantine was injected into my IV port.    I felt like a Macy's parade balloon.   I left the office with a dandy little electronic thingy dangling from a cord around my neck.   I am plugged in!!    I bring it back later today.

On the 19, I get an EKG, ECHO, and a PVR.    I feel like a double agent.  I am familiar with the first two tests, but I had to look up the other.   (A PVR study is a non-invasive vascular test in which blood pressure cuffs and a hand-held ultrasound device (called a Doppler or transducer) are used to obtain information about arterial blood flow in the arms and legs. Non-invasive means the procedure does not require the use of needles, dyes, radiation or anesthesia. The blood pressure cuffs and Doppler are used to determine the presence, severity and general location of peripheral arterial occlusive disease. )   Well, waddya know.   

On the 26th I get a carotid ultrasound and something called an ANSAR.  According to what I can find on the web it is a way to measure a patient's autonomic nervous system.    It's non-invasive and is done with a machine that works with electrodes and wires.  

After the doctor has seen the results of all these tests, he will see me again and let me know what I will need to do to help stop the weakness, fatigue, near fainting and weird b/p fluctuations.   I figure he will prescribe more meds, and maybe stop some I have been taking.   He did mention I might need a pacemaker.  

This morning I took Gordon for his annual labwork.     Other than that, I plan on being a real lazybones till it's time to cook supper.    Oh, and the ever lovin' PO too.    I could use a few things from Walgreen's or Walmart, but I am not going today.    Yesterday's tests about wore me out and I have an idea it will take several days to recoup from it.

We had a short rainshower this morning, nothing much.    It's already getting hot, in the mid 80s and very humid.   Wind is down a bit today, but it has been blowing to beat the band lately.  

I have one major complaint about Dr. Abochamh's office.    Everyone there is super nice and it's run very efficiently, plus there is a huge waiting room, comfy couches and all.  But, you know those wall mounted monitors that keep showing the health tips over and over again?   There are three in that room.    All just a few beats behind the others, making a sort of echo of garbled words.     On top of this is a blaring TV, with of all things Dr. Phil and a bunch of crying, whining family members all blaming the other for their problems.    I sat as far away as I could from the set, but I could still hear it plain as day.    I'll bring my new Mp3 player with me next time I go.   I haven't learned how to put music on it, but I can use the ear buds to block out some sound.   

So that's all my info and gripes for today.    Katz are doing well, shedding like crazy, but they are my joy.    Poor Gordon still suffers daily with his pain and I am getting crabbier by the second.   

Ya'll have a great weekend.    I am praying for those who are ailing and blessing those who who inspire me daily.

Happy Easter to all who celebrate it.     It's another gray windy day, but maybe those who wear Easter finery won't get wet this morning for church and any egg hunts are pretty sure to stay dry enough.

This is Mama, my sister Barbara Ann and me on an Easter many years ago.    I was about 12, my sister probably 6 or 7.      I don't know why Mama and Sis are not wearing their hats.    I was really proud of mine.   Mama made our dresses, of course.    I think the year was about 1948.