Retirement Realization

 Labor Day is Monday, and that means a day off for workers.  Last night, I was thinking about it and  I told the Old Man that the day is no different for me than any other of the days of the week, other than we won't get mail that day.  

Not So New Product Review

 

I've always loved any kind of dried beans - pintos, great northern  beans, navy beans, black eyed peas, etc.  Although, black eyed peas are little to "earthy" for my taste.  But I digress. Years ago, my Sweet Mother bought a can of field peas and the Old Man and I loved them.  All they are is what we called the "shellies" - the little peas inside green beans.  They are awesome.  They don't taste as earthy as black eyed peas.  And the Glory brand are awesome.  They definitely get the TWIT Seal Of Approval, and get two thumbs up. 

Week # 3

 Today starts my third week dealing with shingles.  The coughing has eased up, but the itching was a bit worse the past two days.  I still am very tired and have almost no energy.  Unfortunately that side effect can last for weeks, even months.  But I make myself walk around the house once an hour, and go out and walk up and down the driveway a time or two every day.  And yesterday, I got more exercise - I did laundry and made 5 trips up and down the basement stairs.  I will make a couple more trips down there today to lug the laundry back up.

As I said before, this sure isn't how I envisioned the start of my retirement, but I know it could be a lot worse; for that, I am still thankful. 

Shingles Update

 I'm happy to report that I slept better last night, and didn't have to get up and put on any anti-itch cream.  The itching has really eased up, thank goodness, because I don't think I could stand it dealing with the shingles cough.  But my cough has eased up, too. I only had one coughing spell last night, thank the Lord, and have only coughed a couple of times today.  I'm still tired, but still moving around; the dishwasher isn't going to unload itself, nor is the garbage can going to roll back to it's place by the back porch.  

Stay tuned. 

Shingles Update

 On a happy note, my itching has eased up thanks to the meds I started taking on Monday.  On a not so happy note, I have an annoying cough.  After using two of our many Covid tests, which both came out negative yesterday and today, I did what everyone else would do - Google.  I was relieved to find out from many reputable sites that coughing is a symptom of shingles; as is fatigue.  I repeat - I'm relieved.

Updates From The Compound

 Dealing with shingles combined with my work yesterday left me really tired today.  I didn't sleep well last night - my head was all stopped up and we were out of Breathe Right Strips so I had to tough it out.  I picked up a box today so hopefully my nasal passages will be clear tonight.

I did a little work today but I'm taking it easy for a few days and do nothing.  Just because I am retired and I can do nothing. 

Second Retirement Project: Complete

After procrastinating, this morning I tackled another retirement project: clearing out the jungle that was in Large Marge's pen.  It wasn't easy, but I did it.  And she seemed to appreciate it.  

 

Shingles Update

 The itching continues, and I have two small patches of the red bumps, but thank the Lord and the vaccine there is still no pain or burning.  I started a new med today, and after just one dose of it, I honestly think that it is already helping the itching.

Stay tuned.  

Flashback Saturday And Sunday

 The Kentucky State Fair started on Thursday, and it always brings back a lot of awesome, happy memories.  

Every year until 2019, the 'Rents and I would go to the fair.  When I was younger, we would always go on the first Saturday of the fair, because that is when they would have the rodeo.  I would rush the 'Rents through eating breakfast so we could head out to the fair.  

Even though we had eaten breakfast, our first stop was the first corn dog and lemon shake-up booth that we would see.  Then we'd eat our corn dogs as we made our way to see the livestock, being careful to dodge the piles of cow manure as we walked through.  Then they would take me to the midway.  I've said before that I find nothing amusing about amusement parks, so there were very few rides I would get on.  But you could always count on the pony rides.  They would buy enough tickets for me to ride at least three times.   And then they would peel more money so I could try (key word) to win some cheap toy.  One time, I won a goldfish.  Side note: the fish made it home alive, and lived about a year.  But I digress. After the midway, we would go to the other side of the fairgrounds for the rows and rows of vendors.  We always had to stop at Hodson's for fudge "like grandma TRIED to make".  When we finished walking up and down every aisle, we would go to the Cattleman's booth and get the most tender ribeye sandwiches ever.  

By this time, we would be pretty tired and were ready for the best part of the Saturday trip to the fair: the rodeo.  We would go in early and sometimes would fall asleep in the comfortable air conditioning while we waited for the rodeo to start.  They would always have a big named country music star perform halfway through the rodeo.  One time we saw Lynn Anderson, who after I went down to where she was waiting to perform, she gave me an autograph and even picked me up and let me sit on her horse.  Another time, they had Dolly Parton perform.  She came into the arena in the back of a black pick-up truck.  

It would be late when we got home, but Grandma would always be waiting up for us.  Instead of being tired and sleepy, I would spend a half hour telling her everything I did at the fair.  

The Sunday after the fair day was our day of rest.  It was pretty much the only Sunday of the year that we stayed home from church so we could sleep in a bit and get rested up. 

As a follow-up, the last time that the 'Rents and I went to the fair together, I think we set a new record.  We stayed maybe three hours before heading back home, worn out.  

Flashback Friday

 I went down to our local 'hood fish place to get a fish sandwich for me and the Old Man for lunch, and as I was driving down the road, I passed by an old landmark: Mickey's Egg House. 

When I was a kid, if I wasn't here at The Compound, I was next door at the Jones' house.  They were a second set of grandparents to me.  In the summer when I was out of school, I would go with Alice Jones aka Muggs whenever she would run an errand, go bowling or to the beauty parlor.  One of my favorite errands was when she would go to Mickey's Egg House.  I never saw the coop where she had the hens; who knows - maybe she didn't have hens and bought eggs from someone else.  But she had a small little concrete block building, maybe 10 feet by 6 feet, and it was filled with racks of dozens of eggs.  When I looked over and saw that little egg building still on the property, it brought back lots of memories riding in Muggs' 57 Chevy to the egg house. 

Shingles Update

 As I type this, thankfully I still don't have any pain nor any of the red blisters that are a part of the shingles symptoms; just dealing with itching.  Yesterday, I took a couple of naps, courtesy of the Benadryl.  But that's something I can sure handle!

And let me urge you, faithful readers, to get the shingles vaccine.  I am proof that it does work. 

Itching Update

After we got home from the Old Man's check up this morning, I called the doctor and told him about my itching.  It didn't take him long to say it could be shingles.  Luckily I have had my shingles vaccine plus the booster last fall.  He said that could be the reason I wasn't seeing the horrid blisters that are associated with shingles. So as of right now, I am thankful for the strength of the vaccine. 

He told me to use Benadryl cream or spray, and take Benadryl in pill form for the itching, and said to call back if any rash or the little red blisters appear. 

Thank goodness as of right now, there is still no rash or bumps - just itching.  I'm getting ready to take the Benadryl pills and if it makes me fall asleep, so be it.

I'll keep you posted.  Stay tuned.

The Itching Continues

 The itching had eased up a bit last night, but it was back again this afternoon.   When we get home from the Old Man's Dr's appointment tomorrow morning, I'll be calling my dermatologist to get some relief.  It's still crazy - there's still no rash or bumps - just itching.  And the itching ist just on my upper arms, shoulders and lower back.  

Stay tuned. 

The Birds

 All of my life, my family have fed the birds.  We always had a bird feeder in the yard, as well as a waterer.  And now I am continuing on this tradition.  We have a finch feeder that we keep filled with thistle seed, and we have a big feeder that is squirel- proof, that I continue to till. 

I do this because I know how much my Sweet Mother enjoyed sitting in her recliner and watching the bird feeders during the day.  I will keep her tradition going by buying more bird feed and keeping the feeders filled. 

Flashback Friday

That time I rode a camel.

Thursday Updates

 I did a little more cleaning in the garage yesterday, and then lugged three big garbage bags, a box and the heavy garbage can out to the end of the driveway.  Today's cleaning will be indoors - it's beyond time to clear off the island in the kitchen, as well as a small table we call Snack Mountain.  After those two projects are done, I will grab the glass cleaner and clean the glass in the French doors.  

As for my itching, it's better today than it's been all week.  Still no spots, bumps or rashes; just some minor itching, thank goodness. 

Stay tuned.  

The Itching Continues

 The itching wasn't too bad yesterday, but it sure has been today.  There still aren't any bumps, rashes or spots - just itching.  It's very annoying, and I'm trying my hardest not to scratch.  After supper tonight, I"m going to take a hot shower and use my new long-handled back scrubber and wash all over with the trusty Hibi-Cleanse. 

Stay tuned. 

My First Retirement Project: Underway

 I took last week to just do nothing, but this morning after breakfast, I was out in the garage starting my first retirement project: cleaning/clearing/reorganizing the garage.  I made great strides today - I filled up three big garbage bags of stuff to throw away, and filled the big garbage can half-way.  I plan to give it an hour tomorrow morning.  

I'm pooped right now, but it is a great feeling to see such progress.  

Stay tuned. 

Itchy Sunday

 I've had crazy itching for the past few days.  There aren't any spots or rash - just itching.  I' just started using the Old Man's prescription cream for his skin issues, so I'm hoping it will help or else I'll have to call my dermatologist. 

Stay tuned.  

Another Saturday

 Today was the sixth Saturday that I've had this week.  And I kinda like it.  

Finally Friday

 Normally, on Fridays I would post about being glad it was finally Friday.  But now that I am retired, Friday's really don't mean much to me now, other than Fridays are when we have fried fish for supper.  And while I'm on the subject, tomorrow is Saturday.  But being retired, most of the days will seem like Saturdays.  Normally, Saturday morning would be the only time I had to go my grocery shopping, but now I can do it any day I want.  Just because I can.

Thankful Thursday

 I went to Hobby Lobby this morning for some things for a special secret craft project I want to start, and at the big intersection at Dixie Highway, I happened to glance over at the Walgreens on the corner.  There in the grassy area by the parking lot, I saw a man I presumed to be homeless.  He was sitting in the grass, and then he fluffed/ruffled up his backpack, put it down on the ground and used it as a pillow and probably took a nap.  

Before I saw this guy, I saw another guy walking up my road carrying two big garbage bags.  On my way back home from Hobby Lobby, I saw him coming out of the laundry on my road.  

Both of these men really made an impact on me.  It took seeing them to make me realize once again how thankful I am and how blessed I am to be where I am right now.  I have a very comfortable queen-sized bed to sleep in every night in air conditioned comfort.  And even though it takes a few cycles to get my laundry dry, I have a washer and dryer in my basement to clean and dry my clothes without me having to lug them in garbage bags to the laundromat.   

Third Official Day Of Retirement Recap

 After a trip to Meijers yesterday morning, I came home and took a nice long nap. Just because I could.  

Second Official Day Of Retirement Recap

 The second official day of my retirement was much, much better than my first. 

First of all, I slept much, much better last night than the night before.  I slept in until almost 8:00.

Second, the Old Man and I had hair cut appointments this morning, and my long-time stylist gave me my haircut for free as a retirement present.

Third, the Old Man and I had a great brunch at Cracker Barrel. It was a big thing for him: it was the first time he had been there since he had his aneurysm there back in 2018 and almost died.  He didn't reminisce about it; he merely said "This place sure has changed a lot since we were here."  

Fourth, I got $150.45 deposited into my checking account today from a class action suit against Amazon for price fixing.

You can't ask for much better.  

First Official Day Of Retirement Recap

 My first official day of retirement didn't quite go as I'd planned, but it could have been a lot worse. 

The day started out bright and early at 4:00 when I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep.  

After a cup of coffee, I started laundry. And then I mopped the kitchen and bathroom floors.  

Then I made a trip to the credit union to get a new debit card because some lowlife in Delaware tried to buy a total of $71.49 at Taco Bell.  Thanks to the security folks at my credit union for catching this. 

Back home, I took a well deserved nap, and then got our favorite Bonnie and Clyde's pizza for supper.  Now it's time to get my book and settle back on the couch . . . just because I can.