Grandma Merrill's Birthday

Picture of the Day for January 31, 2017. For some reason, I always remember my Grandma Merrill's birthday. Today she would be 117 years old!

Bell's Palsy

Picture of the Day for January 30, 2017. So, it looks like I've got a case of Bell's Palsy which is a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of the face.  It's a temporary condition but healing can be accelerated by taking steroids. I'm totally hitting up my ophthalmologist for a prescription at my upcoming post-op visit this week. This is driving me nuts. Also, I'd prefer not to involuntarily drool at an upcoming client meeting. 

Missionary Farewell/Inappropriate Photography

Picture of the Day for January 29, 2017. I attended my friend Shar's daughter's missionary farewell today. Lizzy will be going to New Mexico which I think is pretty cool since my nephew Rob spent a large part of his mission there too. I love New Mexico.

I totally took a stealth picture of Lizzy during the church service which is a bit of a no-no. My friend Jenny said there was someone sitting next to her during the service drinking coffee- even more a sin for Mormons for whom coffee = Satan juice. I have to admit I was amused by this minor act of rebellion. 

Icicles

Picture of the Day for January 28, 2017. So, in yesterday's post I complained about dealing with a leaky roof. How does that happen when it's freezing outside?

Leaky Roof

Picture of the Day for January 27, 2017. I guess when you leave a bowl to catch the water from a leaky roof  on the floor of your bedroom at all times along with a space heater to dry out the carpet, it's a clear sign that it's time to get a new roof.

Ice Cream Dynasty

Picture of the Day for January 26, 2017. My dad, the ultimate ice cream fanatic, would be so proud of his youngest great-granddaughter, Hazel. She loves ice cream too. She ate every single bit of this ice cream cone.

My niece Chantal was telling me that her daughter Sadie will get a bowl of ice cream and comment that Grandpa Bob would be so happy with her. Made me tear up. I miss the sight of my parents' freezer filled with cartons of ice cream -sometimes to the annoyance of my mother who often couldn't fit in actual food into the freezer. Who needs food when you've got ice cream?

Eye Surgery #1

Picture of the Day for January 25, 2017. Cataract/lens implant surgery #1 done. One more to go in March for the other eye. 

So here is what eye surgery is like. You're awake. Since your eye is being frequently irrigated with water, it feels like you are a few feet below the surface of a body of water looking up at lights that are just above the surface. The lights (which are actually from the microscope the surgeon is using to look into your eye) seem to keep shifting and changing colors- almost like a kaleidoscope. You can't see a scalpel coming out you. My surgery lasted a total of 20 minutes. So, for anyone facing cataract/lens implant surgery, there's nothing to be afraid of. 

Naughty Crochet

Picture of the Day for January 24, 2017. My sister Robynne crocheted these mandalas which adorn her hallway wall. One of them inadvertently ended up looking like a boob (according to her husband). That would be rather disconcerting to have that staring down at you from high. A boob overlord. 

Creative Pursuits

Picture of the Day for January 23, 2017. I've started a journal where I draw a picture to depict the story I want to tell. I spend so much time in front of a computer at work that I don't do much creative with my hands. I'm not the greatest artist but it's been fun. This entry describes an event at the care center where I play the piano for the Sunday church services. The old woman I drew ended up kind of looking like my mother. 

Mini Me Nieces

Picture of the Day for January 22, 2017. My niece Michelle is in town with her daughter Hazel who is a true "mini me" of her mother. Cute girls.

Surprise Snowstorm

Picture of the Day for January 21, 2017. Hmm...I think my car is under there somewhere...

Didn't expect to wake up to snow this morning. 

Inauguration Day

Picture of the Day for January 20, 2017. Well, it's Inauguration Day and Donald Trump is now the president of the United States. I arrived at the office in time to watch the proceedings from the break room with several other colleagues who had gathered there. It occurred to me that I've watched several inaugurations from this exact same spot. Presidents come and go and life still goes on.

Strong Opinions

Picture of the Day for January 19, 2017. I drove past this house today on my way to work. It would appear the inhabitants are expressing some strong opinions. 

Good-Bye Contacts

Picture of the Day for January 18, 2017. So, apparently the soul of a 95-year-old woman decided to inhabit my body while I wasn't looking. I've got cataracts in both eyes which is something I didn't expect to face for at least a two or three decades down the road. My first surgery is a week from today and I've got to stop wearing my contacts until then. I'm eyeglasses gal for the next week. 

Vintage Bed Sheets

Picture of the Day for January 17, 2017. These bed sheets aren't actually vintage but they certainly look like the ones my mother used in the 1970s. I needed some new sheets and I was feeling nostalgic so I couldn't resist this set. 

Last Man on the Moon is Gone

Picture of the Day for January 16, 2017. Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, died today. I have a special fondness for him. Starting in 2009, I started volunteering at Spacefest, an annual astronaut autograph show. Eight years later I still love space as much as I ever did, but I'm a little blase about meeting astronauts now since I've met so many of them and I've attended so many events. Back in 2009, Gene Cernan was the first astronaut I was assigned to help and I was positively GIDDY to spend three days with him. He was lovely and I was impressed (and still am) by how unfailingly polite he was with everyone who stopped by his booth to chat. Below is an excerpt from my journal describing my time as a volunteer and a picture he inscribed to me as thanks for being his helper. Great guy. 

A Pimple at My Age?

Picture of the Day for January 15, 2017. I've got a pimple on my cheek. The kind of pimple I used to get when I was a teenager. How I ended up with one at age 54 is beyond me.

Max Freeman Mystery Series

Picture of the Day for January 14, 2017. My latest reading obsession...the Max Freeman mystery series by Jonathon King. The series is about a former Philadelphia cop who escapes to the Florida Everglades after a traumatic event he experienced. Max lives in a remote hunting cabin that takes him an hour to reach by canoe. Despite his remote location, he gets pulled into helping solve crimes. I love the books (I've read the first three so far and now I'm on the fourth) because I'm familiar with the locations after all my travels to Florida over the past several years.

Llama Tablecloth

Picture of the Day for January 13, 2017. I'm trying to cut down on buying holiday decorations, but when I saw this Valentine's Day llama tablecloth, I knew I had to have it.

Christmas Leftovers

Picture of the Day for January 12, 2017. Was looking at a shelf of Christmas clearance items at Dillard's today and saw this gingerbread house purse. Couldn't decide if it's the worst thing I've ever seen or if I had to have it...

Time to Face the Music

Picture of the Day for January 11, 2017. Time to face up to the results of my Christmas season eating frenzy. Went back to Weight Watchers tonight after a month-long absence.

Plumbing Problems Solved

Picture of the Day for January 10, 2017. Yay for plumbers! The big wad of hair stuck in my bathtub drain has been successfully extracted and I get to take a hot shower for the first time in three days. Yay!

Mystery Judge

Picture of the Day for January 9, 2017. This is my third year of being a judge for the Florida Mystery Writers of America's annual writing competition where prospective authors submit the first 20 pages of their novel. Just got done with the last of the six entries I was asked to review. Lots of strong candidates. I wanted to know what happened after the 20-page excerpts in most instances. There was only one where the story was too convoluted to follow. 

Plumbing Problems Continued

Picture of the Day for January 8, 2017. I managed to get my bathtub to drain last night but now it's clogged again. I'm now moving on to Plan B- toxic and corrosive  chemicals. I'm sure the clerk at the grocery store was wondering what I was up to using cash to purchase rubber gloves, a face mask, and measuring cups. 

UPDATE: Plan B did not work. I'll be calling the plumber first thing in the morning. 

Plumbing Problems

Picture of the Day for January 7, 2017. My bathtub won't drain. I've been texting my plumber who is out of town this weekend. He said I could diagnose if it's a clog or a problem with the lever mechanism by removing the mechanism from the tub. If the barrel is still attached then it's a clog. From the looks of things,  I'm dealing with a clog. I want to point out that it's a HUGE deal that I, the least home maintenance-y person on the planet, did this. 

My Sister's Necklace

Picture of the Day for January 6, 2017. Awhile back I admired a Native American-looking necklace my sister purchased and she ended up giving it to me for Christmas. I know it pained her to give it up, but I'm a very grateful recipient. I've been wearing it almost every day. See how it matches the design in my shirt? That's a very clear sign the necklace belongs with me!

Christmas Loot

Picture of the Day for January 5, 2017. My niece Chantal always takes pictures of her kids in front of their birthday and Christmas loot so I figured I would do the same. Here are all of my Christmas presents In front of my poor excuse for a tree this year. When I was a teenager I used to make a list of every single Christmas present I ever received. I subsequently threw those lists away due to thinking they were unbelievably silly, but I'd love to see one of those lists now.  Mother made a great Santa and always did right by her kids. The Christmas season is always when I miss her the most. I miss listening to Christmas music while she was making her annual batch of peanut clusters. That's just one of a thousand good memories...

(In case you are wondering, no I have not put away my Christmas decorations yet.)

Huckleberry Germs

Picture of the Day for January 4, 2017. I've mentioned before how I often misread signs and labels upon first glance. I was walking past the cubicle at work today where the sugary treats are stashed. There's a lot right now since people are bringing in their unwanted Christmas chocolate. I caught sight of a candy bar that I initially read as Huckleberry Germs. I was wondering who in the world would want a Huckleberry Germ when I realized the word was "Gem" not "Germ." Phew- that's better. 

Chillaxin

Picture of the Day for January 3, 2017. I've decided I'm going to spend a few minutes each night chillaxin and reading a book before heading to bed- something I didn't do enough of during my uber stressful 2016. Chillaxin while wrapped up in my new fleece/sherpa blanket while it's snowing outside is sublime. 

Gnomes in Space

Picture of the Day for January 2, 2017. I asked my niece Lisa to paint me a picture for Christmas. Here's what she came up with- a gnome in a spacecraft traveling through space. This made me soooo happy. 

Good-Bye 2016; Welcome 2017

Picture of the Day for January 1, 2107. I'm back! After a 9-month absence. 2016 seemed to be a rocky year for a lot of people and that was no exception for me. It was one of the hardest years of my life, but I learned a lot of valuable lessons. I'll save the details for a later blog entry. In the meantime, I'm toasting the arrival of 2017.