Last Thursday evening, I was sitting in the lobby of my hair salon waiting for my appointment and admiring the shadows on the wood floor.
Suddenly, a woman entered the lobby from the salon area; she was accompanied by a small white dog wearing –get this–sunglasses.
As you know, I love dogs, and I watched curiously to see what this little guy would do while his mom was checking out. He made a tentative approach to another customer who ignored him, so he backed off and considered his options. Before I knew it, his cute little self was trundling its way toward me. (Sorry for the blurry picture.)
He got to my chair and looked up at me as if asking permission.
And then he stuck his small nose between my ankles and just stood there, which we all know is dog talk for, “Pet me, please.” My mama heart leapt, and I immediately reached over to pat his head and say all sorts of cooing doggie phrases.
When his mom got done paying, I saw the reason for the sunglasses.
This was not merely a cute, fluffy dog. No, sirree, this was a serious, dedicated Motorcycle Dude. His mom tucked him into a little backpack on her chest, donned her helmet, and the two of them disappeared out the door to new adventures. Sure made my day!
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was put on a new medication called meloxicam for the pain in my ankle. I was really excited about it, because after a week or so, my ankle and back pain had mostly disappeared.
But then the following week, I started into several days of a cough, sore throat, and laryngitis. (Which makes it tough to do a job where I talk to people all day.)
My doctor was booked up, so I went to an Urgent Care. When the nurse took my BP, it was 144/79, much higher than usual. The doctor told me to monitor my BP for the next few days and send the results to my family doctor. My blood pressure got as high as 170/78, and my sore throat and laryngitis continued.
I Googled meloxicam, and it turns out it can cause high blood pressure, as well as sore throats and cold-like symptoms. Sigh. Even though it was helping me immensely, I got off it immediately. My BP is down a little but is still way higher than normal, and my doctor has put me on a blood pressure med.
So now, once again, Steve and I are setting our usual example of raucous, rowdy living. Our entertainment is sitting at the dining room table and taking turns taking our blood pressure. How do we even stand the excitement?
On a recent Saturday off, I dumped the contents of three dresser drawers on the bed.
It drives me crazy to have a dresser full of a mishmash of stuff and that’s what mine had become. I’ve been working on this dresser for several weeks now, doing a drawer at a time, and I’m always astonished by how much miscellany has collected.
Have you ever asked yourself, “Where did this stuff come from?” I think that while we’re sleeping, it sneaks into the bedroom from the far corners of the earth and takes up residence in the far corners of our drawers without making so much as a peep.
I did manage to get it pared down a good bit but there’s still lots of work to be done.
I ran across this video and thought it was fascinating. It’s cool look at how the ways we spend our time has changed since 1920. Very much worth the watch.
This is probably a wacky thing to do, but on the rare occasions when I pump gas (Steve usually does it), I pass the time by seeing how far through the alphabet I can get by looking at all the words printed on the front of the gas pump. (No including, of course, the number pad that has the ABCs on it.) I think I’ve made it as far as “p.” You’ll have to try it and let us know how far you get.
My friend, Cheryl, who knows how much I like new and interesting words, sent me this one one recently. Isn’t it so fun to say? Try to use it in a sentence this week. Or even put it in a sentence in the comments so that we can all be entertained!
Yesterday, we had the double joy of having Nathan attend church with us and come to lunch at our house afterward. Meagan and the kids are with family in Florida, so he is batching it for a few days before joining them. Always a joy to worship with (and feed) one of my children.
He also stopped in on Saturday and grabbed this photo of Steve and I and our “kids.”
One of the families in our neighborhood added a new baby to their lives two weeks ago, and now they have three boys under the age of five. Steve prepared salmon, mixed veggies, and sweet potatoes for them, and we walked the food over together. We have been on the receiving end of many meals; it was nice to return the blessing.
Here are a couple of photos of him cleaning up when it was all over, accompanied by his constant companion
It looks a little like he doesn’t have a head but I assure you, it is still attached.
(Note: the two photos of a good example of how changing perspective makes such a big difference!)
What about you?
Do you check your blood pressure on a regular basis?
Have you heard the word “frippery” before? (Hooray! I just used it in a sentence.)
If you try to get through the alphabet at a gas station this week, let us know how far you get!
Anything in particular you’re looking forward to this week? Or anything you’re dreading?
Only have a stuffed dog, who breathes and snores with the battery in. Have not named him. Love the pictures of your headless husband – doesn’t happen to ride a horse does he? Talking about your sore throat and laryngitis, when I was working as a receptionist and legal secretary – there were about 30 attorneys, so the reception room was busy. One day I did have laryngitis, didn’t have a sore throat or a cold, so it was interesting, using the mike to let an attorney know someone was waiting for them. I was there for about 1 hour and one of the attorney’s came up to me and said, “we were wondering how we could get you to go home” Apparently my voice cutting in and out was not pleasant. I did leave and it was gone the next day.
There is a BP machine where we work out and I will use that on occasion. My husband has one near his computer and have used that. Have never heard of frippery. Sounds like a word I would say if I was extremely tired and knew in the winter it was frippery outside!
Sharyn
I like your definition of the word “frippery” being an outside condition. Makes perfect sense!
I can only imagine how busy you were working in a law office with 30 attorneys. Kudos to you for at least trying to get into work and use your voice as much as you could. But I guess you were fighting a losing battle since you couldn’t really communicate. Been there, done that!
Glad you and your hubby check your BP from time to time; you don’t really know it’s changing if it’s only checked once or twice a year.
Have a great rest of the week.
I loved the picture of you, Steve & your fur-babies!
I sometimes take my blood pressure (when I get “that feeling” of being shaky inside that is my indicator for high BP). I started taking a BP prescription this past school year when my BP started trending upward.
Thank you for introducing me to the word frippery, it’s a fun word to say!
If I get gas this week, I’ll try your alphabet game; but fortunately during the summer I don’t do a lot of driving and only have to fill up every 2-3 weeks unless I’m traveling.
This week I am enjoying our “cooler” temps – today was cloudy and our temp is already down to 84 at 8:00 pm (last week I think we had a couple nights it did not even cool off to 84 overnight)
I hope you all have a wonderful week!! And so glad you got to spend some extra time with Nathan while he’s “home alone”.
Sue Ellen,
It’s good you have symptoms to let you know your blood pressure is on the rise; that helps you keep a closer eye on things.
I was excited about our weather in Charlotte because it’s going to get down to 67 one night. Hooray! Sorry to hear you’re still stealing with the 80s at nighttime. Ug. Makes you wish for autumn!
I thought your video of how we spend our time fascinating and a little scary. It has made me think I need less screen time and more time reading, playing games and time with friends. I check my blood pressure occasionally. I started getting lots of leg cramps. Then I took magnesium supplements ( over the counter variety) and my blood pressure dropped a lot. Most medications in my opinion do as expected but have side effects.
Mary,
Yes, I also thought that video was fascinating. I loved the info presented and am also impressed by how much work it must have taken to put that together.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about magnesium; will have to look into it!
It is so disappointing when a new med works our and then causes side effects. Hope you find a balance soon. I have so many drawers and closets that need attention…someday.
I don’t check my BP regularly, but do check my pulse. BP is rather stable but I have a rapid pulse that I have to watch.
Never heard of “frippery” but will have to look for an occasion to use it.
I still try the ABC game while driving and try to make a sentence of it. I’ll have to give it a try at the gas pump.
I am looking forward to some relaxing inside as I am dreading the heat wave that is coming this week.
Patti,
Now that’s a new twist on an old game–making a sentence out of the words!
Lots of heat waves in lots of places right now. NC has been in severe drought so we are thankful for rain we’ve gotten recently. I love a good, green summer!
Actually, yes I do check my blood pressure on a regular basis and keep the results in the notes in my phone. It’s always really good. Then when I get to a doctor’s office, it’s usually high. I’ll tell them about my home results and sometimes show them. It’s awesome.
I’ve never heard of frippary. Might have to give it a try. 😉
Looking forward to a visit this week from friends to help celebrate Jeff’s 70th birthday on Thursday. Can’t wait!
I love the doggie with the sunglasses. It’s amazing that he leaves them on. How cute! They’re probably just made for dogs. 🙂
LeeAnne,
I keep my BP on my phone, as well. So convenient!
I’ve heard that a lot of people’s BP is higher at the doctor’s. It’s called White Coat Syndrome. Interesting how our bodies react in different situations.
Happy 70th birthday to Jeff in two days. A big milestone with many good years to come!