Thursday, January 31, 2008

Crazy day...

It is only one 1 p.m. and the day has already been crazy.  I had a health and safety inspection on my house and they were pretty much asking me questions I know nothing about.

I have been having problems with chatting on Yahoo and chatting while playing games on Pogo so I finally got together with Dan the computer man and he fixed everything as he always does.  I don't know why I always put off stuff like this because it always feels so good when everything is fixed.  One of my goals is not to put things off.

Dave called and said that he would be willing to install Multimedia Max and all that that involves when I move.  Dan the computer man is trying to semi retire and so he is going to talk to Dave over the phone on things that he needs consulting.  He's also going to find me a new computer as this one has so much junk on it now, something I've come as myself I would not do but I did anyway.  I'm going to have one computer to run multimedia Max and another computer for everything else, we were going to do that before because it sounded like a good idea.  David also explain to me how he fixed my chair last time I broke down at his house so mostly I will be able to use her walk Aiesha threw it or my mom when she gets done playing cards, please everybody keep your fingers crossed.

Break down...go ahead and give it to me

When Dawn came Tuesday morning to do my manicure and pedicure she brought me some shrimp chow fun, it was so good.  Every time she comes to brings me something different to try.

This morning my mom and I went over to check out kitchen appliances, now I know nothing about kitchen appliances so I just picked out the cutest ones and hoped for the best.  While we were there we decided to go to Starbucks and have some coffee and a slice of bread and I saw Lulu and her daughter Stalena.  I was kind of hoping that Brodie would have seen her because I know that she really misses her, actually I do also.  She worked for me for almost 8 years.  When I came home Aiesha was already here so we loaded back up in the van and went over to the dog park to meet rich.  While we were at the dog park my chair just quit working.  I quit working before we loaded into the van while we were talking in the kitchen but Aiesha was able to get going again but this time nothing.  She pushed me up the ramp into the van and on the way home I called my mom and she met us down at my house and of course Keith and Jerry were not home so we called Jeff and she came and pushed me up the ramp, he is my new hero.  It is always embarrassing when you have to ask somebody for help but everybody is always so nice.  Needless to say I'm going to be without my chair for who knows how long.

The last time I went to Georgia might share did the same thing, when you pushed it to go it would just click and then not move, so my brother David ended up having to fly back with us and he fixed it in no time.  I remember he took something apart and cleaned it with that spray dust cleaner so hopefully I can call him tomorrow and he can coach somebody over the phone and I will be back on my wheels in no time.

I am a little frustrated because I was going to get this chair fixed and use it as a backup but my aunt didn't think that that was a good idea and said that I should just donate it, I would have gotten my chair back last Tuesday or Wednesday all fixed.


Tuesday, January 29, 2008

New appliances

Rich and Vanessa had their baby girl about 4:00 yesterday afternoon, January 28, 2008.  Luana Margaret weighed 8 lbs, 2 oz and was 21 in long.

I had to take Brodie back to the vet AGAIN today.  She's having a lot of problems with an infectious in her left ear which is very frustrating because she had hurt your drum removed, this time it was the right ear but they still want me to take her back to the surgeon to check and see if they miss something while they were in there.

Tomorrow my mom and I are going over to see what kind of appliances if we want for our new place, I really knows nothing about appliances, I just know I want them to look good and the stainless steel.

Monday, January 28, 2008

New baby

I talked to Lee again last night, he is a funny guy.  I feel really sad that we just started talking again and he's moving to Tennessee but we will still be able to talk and keep up.  It sounds like he's going to be moving around the same time that I will be moving.

Today I finally made it back over to Safeway to pick up my meds.  When I dropped them off on Thursday the lady told me it would be half an hour so I told you that I would be back the next day but I never made it back.  I seem to always make it over there during their lunch hour so I walked around the store a little bit and bought a few things that I didn't need.  Brodie and I ran around the parking lot for a while and then we came home just in time for the rain.

Charlie called me last Friday and asked me to go online and pick out what kind of appliances I want in my new kitchen, I never really thought about what kind but I know that I want stainless steel.  He told me to look at the dual fuel ranges so I picked out what I thought looked cool.

My aunt called me and said that Richard and Vanessa are still in the hospital waiting to have the baby so my aunt has Alexia and Seth, I know that she loves that.  My mom just called and said that Vanessa had her baby about an hour ago and I are both doing fine.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Second thoughts

This turned out to be a really good weekend.  Stanley and David showed up on Friday to stay for a couple of days, they have a bunch of teenagers now so it's really nice to be able to get to see them when we can.  On Friday we watched Ratatouille, very cute movie and tonight we watched The Bourne Ultimatum, it looks like it's not going to be the last one because he lived and we had pizza.  Tomorrow were going to go to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds where they're having a bird show.  My mom is looking for some new cages for her birds so I hope she finds what she needs, and I just love to look at all the birds.

One thing that I was really excited about with the wheelchair that I got is that it has a little display window that comes up so you can run all of the ex-10 features in the House.  All of the lights, doors, fans, televisions and radios in my new house are going to be ex-10, I'm not quite sure how it works but David was excited so so am I.

I don't know why I chose the Quickie Rythm power chair , I kind of explained what I wanted and they brought to cheers for me to try out and this one just looks the best.  I have always had the Action Storm, okayed the two chairs that I have had and now I'm starting to wonder if I made the right decision... if it ain't broke.  The OT and the vendor said that this will be a good chair for me to cruise around Santa Cruz, camping and hiking so I guess I'm just going to try it and hope I didn't make the mistake.  I'm sure that if I did they will let me start over, a really good about stuff like that.  I'm trying to read about the difference in chairs online but I think because I already chose the Rhythm I'm trying to make it look the best in my mind so I don't think looking is doing me any good.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Surviving another week...

Today I got a lot more done than I thought I would.  I have been looking for some turtleneck sweaters and I ran across a place called dd's discounts so I went in to check it out and it was kind of like Ross's which I love.  I bought for turtleneck sweaters.  I have also been looking for a place to buy dye for my shirts and I found that also.  I also went by Safeway to get my prescription medication.  I have been taking Ditropan since my injury, it is for bladder spasms, and when I went last week I got a new prescription for Xanax, I don't use it that often but it sure is nice to have when you need it.  Everything else that I take is vitamins and I hope to quit taking those since I am trying to eat a lot more fruits and vegetables.

Charlie called yesterday and said that there is snow on Highway 17 and strongly advised that I did not take a trip to Santa Cruz this weekend.  It looks like I'm going to be getting a new caregiver so I think it is for the best.  Stanley e-mailed me and asked if we were up for company this weekend so that will be nice.

Every day I hear more about the actor Heath Ledger and I still cannot believe it.  Except for family tragedies this is the hardest hitting news that I have ever gotten. He was a very talented actor and from what I have heard just an all around good guy, he will definitely be missed.  I am just starting to realize how very hard it must be to be an actor or a singer.  I guess the hardest part would be all of a sudden making a lot of money and never really knowing who your true friends are into likes you for yourself or for your fame/Money .  Every day on the news it shows just how hard it is to cope with.  Instead of being a true friend and trying to help for just sitting the person down and saying "you are out of control and you need to get help" too many people just go a long and help them get whatever they want even though it is killing them. it almost makes me glad that my career did not go in that direction lol.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Chair choice

Everything went really well and really fast at my chair picking out appointment.  We were supposed to do it in two days but we got everything finished yesterday so there's really no need to go back on Friday.  The chair that look the best to me is called a Quickie Rhythm.  One of the options that I battled with is a sealift function, you can list the seat of the chair up about 18 inches.  At first this sounded really cool but after thinking about it and talking to a couple of people I decided against it.  The other option that I chose was to get the chair that I have now fixed but I figured it runs really well so why spend the money?  I haven't yet decided if I'm going to keep it as a backup or just donate it.  Lynn, the OT, said that they do have a program where you can donate your chair and they will fix it up if needed and give it to somebody who has no insurance and needs a chair.

Today I'm going to try to find some more dye for my shirt's because they are all fading.  I have been afraid to try to let somebody new dye them for me because I'm afraid that they will make a mess but Aiesha did a couple of him this week and she did a really good job.  I tried to find some at target but I think they only have like three colors, I need to find a fabric store I think.  I really wish that I didn't have to die them but the only color that they come in is white and white is not a good color for me, I spill a lot.

I can't believe the week is almost over already.  I talked to mark last night, a guy that I met through one of my caregivers at Comfort Keepers, and he said that he was going to be going to the mall to cruise around and it sounded like a lot of fun.  When it rains I like to go to the mall and cruise around just to get out and get some exercise for Brodie.

This Saturday or Sunday I was supposed to go to Santa Cruz to check out the progress on my new house but it sounds like it's going to be snowing on Highway 17 so it looks like I will have to wait until the weather gets better.  They have the sheetrock up so I can't wait to see what it looks like now, it is really coming along fast.  Luckily my end is taking progressive pictures were made.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

My new chair

There is nothing more calming and relaxing than laying in a nice warm house and listening to it rain outside.  I find myself wanting to shut everything off and just listen to it and it just puts me in the best mood.

Today is the big day.  I meet with Lynn and the wheelchair vendor to figure out what my next chair is going to be.  Usually I go along with us what the OT and the vendors say but this time I'm going to make sure it's what I want.  Whatever it is I'm going to make sure that it is a little more all terrain than the one that I have now, better for camping and hiking, rolling over railroad tracks and more traction in the sand.  Apparently they have ones now that are almost like a bucket seat and that sounds interesting.  I was so excited I could not sleep last night.  I tried to but then I would find myself sitting up and searching the Internet for the different kinds of wheelchairs.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Open house

One annoying thing that I keep doing is living with something that is very uncomfortable and then one day I get a bright idea to try something a little new and it feels 100% better.  The last time they fixed my chair they raised the armrests up really high, so high that they were really wobbly and the Post kept coming out of the socket.  Yesterday my mom went to put the post back into the socket and she accidentally lowered the armrest and I don't really good, especially when we went to eat.  It was nice to not have to lift my arm of over the armrest to feed myself.  Of course I find this out when I'm ready to get a new chair but at least for now might cheer is a little bit more comfortable.  I have an appointment on Tuesday to talk to Lynn and try to figure out what kind of chair I want and even more important what kind of laterals, the ones that I have right now are always in the way and they're also stripped so I haven't been able to get them off.  I'm really excited about getting my new chair.  Next I'm going to work on my bed.  When I got this bed I remember somebody telling me that it's very uncomfortable because the part where your butt goes is too low.  I have tried raising it up with foam but it just doesn't seem to be as comfortable as it should be.  The mattress is pretty comfortable and it is an alternating one but it seems like one of the alternating chambers is always low, of course also where my butt is... I'm starting to get a complex.  I have had this mattress replaced three times and it always seems to give out in the same place.  I'm sure there's something better out there.

The open house didn't go as well as everyone expected but it just isn't the time to sell property.  My mom and I both had three couples looking at our place and it sounds like one wants to make an offer on my mom's place, it sounds like she might end up moving in with me instead of me moving in with her.  On the bright side my house looks great, got rid of some of the clutter, and I'm going to try to keep it this way.

Today I think I'm going to just relax and do nothing.  The massage therapists is going to be here and then I have been wanting for a while to read dye some of my shirts because they are fading.  I had a bunch more pairs of pants made because I think that once I getover the hill to Santa Cruz it might be hard to find somebody to make them for me.  I got a bunch of really cool fabric at Beverly's fabric because they were going out of business and some more on eBay.

Charlie called and said that he was playing around with the title that we picked and he sound something better, I love when he does that because he has the best eye of anybody I have ever met for stuff like that.  I always tell him to do what he thinks looks best and it always turns out awesome.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Picking out tile...

Charlie came over this morning with some samples of title and they were all so gorgeous it was really hard to choose.  What I have to do is look at them all and the one that looks the best I just decide on one real quick before I could change my mind and I'm always happy with my decision. luckily Charlie narrowed it down and I think I picked one that he likes the best also, that makes it feel even better because he has been doing this for a long time and he really knows how to put stuff like this together.

Today we really got a lot accomplished.  It seems like for some reason my house seems to get cluttered and it usually takes a day or so to put everything back in its place.  Since I lost my two caregivers and had to break in some more the clutter got worse than it ever has been so two of the girls worked pretty much all day and everything looks great.

I thought I was going to have to stay in bed tomorrow so the girls could finish cleaning out but it looks like I'm not going to have to, I would be going crazy.  I need to go to Costo and Brodie to the dog park for a while.  Yesterday we have a lot of fun and she ignored the dogs like she supposed to.

I think Brodie was a lot older than I was told.  She supposed to be 7 now and she looks more like 10 and she's having a lot of health problems so I think when I moved to Santa Cruz I'm going to retire her and get a new service dog, now it's time for me to take care of Brodie.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Santa Cruz was beautiful...

Today was a beautiful day and I got go see my new house which made it even better.  There is electricity and the installation and sprinklers are done.  I got to see the layout of the cupboards and the closets and there's even a place for my stereo equipment and all the wiring is done for my surround sound in my bedroom and in the living room.

I also got to see my Uncle Dick, Aunt Kathy, my cousin Rich, his wife Vanessa, Alexia and Seth and I met one of Alexia's friends Zoey.  As we were leaving my new neighbors from across the street came over to say hello, they are such a sweet couple and they have two great children and a dog that looks an awful lot like Brodie.

Next Sunday my mom and I are both going to have an open house.  The realtor is going to show both of our places so we are going to have to go somewhere for about four to six hours, we decided to maybe go see a movie and out to eat.

I talked to Lee tonight on Yahoo and it brought back a lot of really good memories.  When I worked at Xicor I met him, he worked in the maintenance department.  It feels really good to reminisce and I'm really glad that after all these years I do remember a lot of people there.  Lee and his wife, Shelia, and his daughter, Brianna, are getting ready to move to Tennessee in April.  It's too bad we couldn't have gotten in touch earlier so we can catch up in person but at least we have e-mail and Yahoo.  I had to go because I was getting tired and could not keep my eyes open but as usual now I'm wide awake.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Friday already?

It really is great to have Madonna back in the morning.  For some reason when you get somebody that is used to the way you like things done and they do it exactly right it just makes your whole day better.  Sometimes when I have new caregivers I really just don't want to get out of bed, I know I shouldn't be like that but that's how I am.  I'm keeping Comfort Keepers to come out in the afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to drive me around on errands and to take Brodie to the dog park.  Tomorrow I have an appointment with Tony to get my SP tube changed and if the weather is going to cooperate go to the park for a while.

My brother David called me tonight on his way home from helping out in the kitchen at one of his retreats.  Since the first time he has done it she just fell in love with it and it sounds like he has met some really great people.  He told me that a friend of his has a teenager that ran into a tree while skiing and is now paralyzed, it's always sad but more so for young kids.  I've been wanting to go back into my chat room and I think I'm going to start making myself because I really didn't enjoy it and use going to get this guy and/or his family to come in so that we can help them with any questions they have.

On Saturday I'm going to Santa Cruz to check on the progress of my house.  They already have the sheetrock up and it sounds like they're getting ready, if they haven't already started, to put in the cabinets and by the end of the month they're going to put in the title, it gets more exciting everyday.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Madonna...

It is so cool getting back in touch with my old friends that I used to work with at Xicor.  I think about them a lot and wonder what they're doing now.  I thought it would be awkward talking to them again since they have not seen me since my injury but it is not that way at all, we get along just as we always did.

I got a call from Madonna last night and she said that the other morning job that she got did not work out, they did not tell her it was only temporary.  She asked a she could come back to work for me and of course I was thrilled.  I am very happy with everybody that I have met at Comfort Keepers but they can not do any nursing or personal care.  I'm going to keep Comfort Keepers for running me around on errands and putting me to bed, they really are a great group.  It will be nice to be able to go shopping again and to take Brodie to the dog park.

Tonight my mom and I went out to dinner and then we wait to Lucky's, I usually don't eat sweets but I LOVE their gingersnap cookies from the bakery.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Pizza and a movie...

My boss from when I worked at Xicor e-mailed me a couple of nights ago and gave me the e-mail of a good friend that I worked with, I have not talked to him for probably 12 years.  He worked in maintenance and I was a custodian at Xicor and we hung out and talked a lot.  I worked for Xicor for 10 years and I always pictured myself working there for the rest of my life, I loved my job and the people that were there.  Xicor is not around anymore, it was bought by a company called intersil and some of the people from Xicor still work there.

Tonight my mom and I got a pizza and watched a movie.  Usually I only eat about two pieces but I think I ate half of the pizza, I thought I was going to feel really bad but I don't.  The movie was Ratatouille and it was really good, by the previews that I saw I thought it would be.

I have not heard from my massage therapist, usually she calls me on Sunday evening to verify our appointment on Monday.  I have not seen her for two weeks because of Christmas and she went on a cruise so I am really ready for our session.

I hope that it's nice tomorrow because Brodie and I both need to get out of this house and breathed some fresh air.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Queen of the wharf... Gilda

My aunt just called was some really bad news.  Gilda, Queen of the wharf they call her, that owns and runs the restaurant on the wharf in Santa Cruz, Gildas, passed away Friday.  Apparently she had a massive heart attack while getting out of her car at work.  Our family has been going to that restaurant for many many years and she was a really good friend of my grandpa's.  We were just there last Saturday and talk to her, she was a really special lady.

Also my Aunt Ruth ended up in the hospital again.  It sounds like she is having an operation to help the circulation in her legs.  It also sounds like she has two pressure sores from bad circulation, luckily I can give her some advice about pressure sores and how to heal them.

I was playing on Pogo last night and some guy was telling me that his dad won the lottery and gave him $100,000 so he was going to retire and buy a house... obviously he does not live in California.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Dr. Phil...

I was watching Dr. Phil tonight and I could not believe what I saw.  I guess the newest fad for teenagers is mattress surfing.  They tie a rope on the mattress and then tie it to the back of a vehicle and somebody sits on the mattress while being dragged from behind, it seems like kids are just trying really hard to invent new ways to break their neck.  I remember when I was young and my parents used to say to me "knock that off or you're going to break your neck" when I did rehab in the hospital we used to joke about that a lot.

After watching a little bit more of the show it gets a little bit frustrating.  There are people who are diabetics and they don't take their insulin so they can lose weight they are called Diarexias basically it's a combination between diabetics and anorexia.  They seem to know what they're doing to themselves but staying thin is more important, one lady even has two children.  I guess the reason that it is so frustrating is because I have so much time to sit around and miss everything that I took for granted before my injury.  I would love to be able to get out of bed and walk outside, without it taking about a four hour process, and all I had to do is watch what I eat and give myself a shot.

Rain rain...

The new caregivers are working a really good.  It's nice to train somebody that actually catches on the first couple of days and remembers everything.

On Saturday I'm going to Santa Cruz to meet with the cabinet/flooring guy to pick out colors, I have basically already picked out what kind of wood and the color stain that I like but it's just finalizing everything.  I can't believe within three months I will be in my new home.

I finally found another mobile dog grooming company to come out once a month and give Brodie a bath.  The other company that I used got into an accident and ruined their vehicle and the guy hurt his back so they could no longer lift up Brodie to put her in the tub.

A friend of Lynn's is coming over on Friday to check out my Smart home, weather permitting.  We're supposed to have a really big storm starting today and lasting through the weekend.  I do love the rain but only if I'm inside of my nice warm house and I could watch it through the sunroof or even through the open doors, the sound is so soothing.