Batten Down The Hatches....

We have been having weather reports of possible storm this weekend...with high winds...I needed some new writing pens...(I am a freak for a particular nib on my pens...I prefer the PAPER MATE Profile pen with a medium 1.0 mm point) We decided I would run some errands and then we would go out....My back is feeling a lot better, so we wanted to celebrate...This morning I got my hair cut.  When I wear it short, I must get it cut every month...my hair grows like a weed. Cutting it always makes me feel "thinner".

I forgot my list of what I needed, so I called my husband to see if he could look on my list and give me the items...

When I called my husband, he told me he was ready for an adventure... so I picked him up and we went to In and Out for lunch.  We needed some dog food for Izzy (and my pens) and the cheapest place is Wal Mart....but my husband REFUSES to step foot in that particular store...HE HATES IT.  So I went in alone and accomplished my errands....

We planned on seeing HALL PASS.  We go to the South Point Casino, because seniors (62 and over) can see movies for $3 with a player's card, Monday through Friday, any show before 4 PM.  We were early, so I suggested he play a Keno machine, and I would watch.  Just before we were to go up to the show, he hit a nickel five spot and won $80.  Whoopeeee!

Personally, I thought the movie was going to be stupid...but since my husband saw THE KINGS SPEECH and 127 HOURS for me (which were both excellent by the way...)  AND went country dancing... 
I owed him... and had to see the movie of his choice.

I have to say, I was laughing at the movie...some parts I was wheezing and choking from fits of laughter...but I was also laughing with my husband, as he has a very infectious laugh...

There are some parts, which would definitely be considered, X-RATED and not suitable for a child...or even a young person under 21, in my opinion... Even I gasped with surprise shock in one particular scene.

Anyway, after the show, we got ourselves a dish of ice cream and sat at another Keno machine.  My husband put in another $20 and hit another 5 spot for another $80.  Whooo-Hoooo!!

With that, we cashed out and decided to leave and pick up salads from Rio Cafe, to go.  Delicious, big, and only $7 each.

The winds were starting to blow and it was very chilly outside...  There are high wind warnings for tonight -- 70 miles per hour!  We may also get some rain and snow.  So we were anxious to get home...

Now we are safely home and cozied in. I took down all our wind chimes and covered my herb barrels.  We have battened down the hatches and are settled in for the night. Izzy is crunching away on her kibbles and we have enjoyed our yummy and filling salads.  Now it is snuggle time...get in the PJ's, have a nice cup of cocoa or tea and watch a good movie...

Happy weekend everyone!!

Magpie #54: Some Of The Pieces Which Make Me, Me.

Photography by Tess Kincaid

Challenge by Magpie Tales

jigsaw puzzles and untangling chains

taking the path less traveled
faith

family

research

exploration

creating

writing

hunting for treasure

finding bargains

repair

music

dancing

refurbishing something old

the mountains

the ocean

challenges

organization

resolving problems

learning

using tea cups with saucers

or mugs

laughter

furry critters

meeting new people

are

some of the pieces

which make

me, me.

~dkb~

Microfiction Monday #71: Rudeness and Screams...

Photo and Challenge by stony river



"Nice to meet you ----- OW!  Rodan, I've had it with your fly bys. 

You are not setting a good example for Robodogzilla."

~dkb~

opps....I don't know how I did it...but I got the wrong photo for today's challenge...so here is the correct one below:

SCREAMS

 

Photograph and challenge by stony river

"The hallways were eerily quiet as she looked in the direction

of the blood curdling scream..."

~dkb~

Six Word Saturday: Many, Many Thanks...

Thank you for the good wishes...

Thank you to everyone for all your kind phone calls and emails in regards to my sore back.  It has been a long four days and I am HOUSE BOUND!!  My honey is taking me out to dinner to get out...RAIN OR SHINE...looks like another storm is coming in...

Magpie 53: She Kept Her Perfume In A Crystal Salt Shaker...

Photo by Tess Kincaid

Challenge from Magpie Tales

she kept her perfume

in a crystal salt shaker

she wore her hair

long and piled on top of her head

fastened

with two walnut

hair sticks

embedded with turquoise

she wore only dresses

and long skirts with flowing blouses

every night

she read poetry

by candle light

she disliked shoes

preferring to go bare foot

she lived out and away

at the base of the mountain

in an old school bus...

different colored silk scarfs

curtained each window

lit up at night

as a Kaleidoscope

while she danced in the moon light...

~dkb~

Microfiction Monday #70: Linger For Love...

Photo and Challenge by stony river

"Why do I torture myself?' Digging his finger into the clef in his chin nervously.

"Her beauty is no excuse. She keeps me waiting and I linger..."

~dkb~

Oh My ACHING Back!!!

I may not be online much.... Apparently these purging is more lifting and taxing than I bargained for..
My left shoulder blade, the bottom tip, (my Infraspinatus muscle) fills like there is a HUGE BUTCHER KNIFE sticking out of it.  It is the same shoulder where I had my slip and fall two years ago, this coming July.

My left side has always been my worst.  I was in a bad car crash Christmas Eve, 1966.  My sister and I were going Christmas shopping in my 65 VW bug and were rear ended by a man who was too busy fighting with his wife and did not see us stopped ahead of him.

Luckily, I was looking in my review mirror and saw his head turned sideways, yelling at a woman.  I had heard some where to take your foot off the brake, should this ever happen, so I did.  I also reached out instinctively with my right arm to protect my sister in the passenger seat.

My engine to my VW was in my back seat and I tore all the muscles in the left side of my back.  I was in therapy and doing back exercises for over a year.  My sister was sore, but fine.

It hurts to sit and type, so I am off to take a Motrin and an ice pack...

Happy Valentines day to everyone in case I am not back in time...

We are leaving for Laughlin on Sunday for a couple days.  We are going to meet up with one of my blogging buddies, Jeanie from Living Consciously.  I have three days to get better...but I am taking my ICY HOT PACKS just in case...

Magpie #52: Fills My Heart With Gratitude...

Photo by Tess Kincaid

Challenge: Magpie Tales

the weather report

said, "more snow"

oh  please keep me sane

as the winter winds blow

this tiny abode

a small green cottage

with a roaring fire

to save on the wattage

cuddle me in

my cozy fate

pj's and slippers

I'm ready to create

first things first

need something to eat

all bets are off

I want something sweet

drape the apron

around my neck

let's bake some cookies

what the heck

munching the cookies

sipping hot tea

balancing my laptop

upon my knee

tapping the keyboard

sending emails of love

reaching out to family

I feel deprived of

gotta keep myself busy

with them so far away

living lives of work and kids

as I seek to fill up my day

Happy now as this I think:

the weather may force my solitude

yet, visiting my blogging friends

fills my heart with gratitude

~dkb~

Microfiction Monday #69 : Guilt

Challenge to write a story in 140 characters
 prompted with a photo by Susan at stony river

Hostess of microfiction Monday...

He walked slowly, heart pounding, stealing a glance.
Someone had boarded the broken windows.
Guilt was heavier than his backpack of books.

~dkb~

Six Word Saturday...

Company this weekend...happy Super Bowl!

Saw 127 Hours, really liked it.

Raise your hand if hating snow...

 

First Night Wearing the CPAP Mask At Home ...

My husband had fallen asleep on the couch, so Izzy and I went in the bedroom to hit the sack...actually, she was in there with me earlier when I was setting up the machine and filling up the reservoir of the humidifier with distilled water.  She curled up and got comfortable...

Set up beside my bed minus the hose on CPAP machine



I had to call Nocturna Sleep Center to ask what size nasal pillows I wore, because I had three sets in my bag.  One of the nice ladies called me right back and told me I was size Medium.  I asked how I could tell and she said it should have an "M" on the side.  Sure enough...I had the right one...but guess I could have saved myself a phone call if I would have turned on brighter lights in my bedroom...

The lady offered for me to bring down my mask and machine and they would give me the run down on everything and make sure it fit.  I explained I no longer had the insurance which covered me there...she told me it didn't matter, they would be happy to help me.  How nice is that???

I thought the Home Health place I went to pick up everything was supposed to show me...but she only showed me how to turn on the machine, fill the reservoir and change the filters.  She never even took the mask out of the box....some Respiratory Therapist she was! (If she even was....)

I wish I could have taken a picture of Izzy's face when I dawned my head gear and attached the mask and chin strap.  She actually sat up in bed and did the "cocking of the head back and forth"... I could just hear her thinking, "What the..?  Mom? is that you??"

Mask and chin strap

This long hose attaches to the CPAP machine & humidifier.

I told her it was OK and she laid back down.  It took me a bit longer to get to sleep...but I slept well.  I put the mask on too tight because I had the strap marks embedded across my face and my nostril holes were sore... I put that long hose over my headboard, so it kept it away from the back of my head so I would not wrestle with is during the night...

I lost the chin strap during the night...so that thing does not work...

According to the instructions, I have to wash the nose pillows and air dry...and change the filters once a month... or was it once a week?  Guess I better re-read...

I looked on line for some CPAP forums or support groups...just curious to see how people actually live and sleep with these contraptions... I feel like I am preparing to climb into the cockpit of a jet plane...for Pete's Sake!

Magpie 51: Going In The Right Direction...

Photo by Tess Kincaid

Challenge from Magpie Tales

early on

happiness

was my goal...

 decisions to

 lay out my life

like purposely laid bricks

digging deep enough

to level my base

for a good foundation

giving thought to each

brick

as a lesson

an experience

an opportunity

taking into consideration

how each will fit

coordinate

blend, mesh

how it feels... 

cautious, deliberate

taking the time

but often

spontaneously

randomly leaping

across and back...

facing fears

 enjoying the challenge,

one by one

until it formed

my path..

filling it in

with sands of time

molding it

with tears of joy

and sorrow

learning

strength comes

from diligence

and gentle thoughts

remembering

it is custom made

according to

what is

close to my

heart...

over the years

it has become weathered,

worn,

well tested...

the elements have

chipped out pieces

yet my foundation

is strong, 

keeping it together

despite occasional trips

or falls...

to get back up

 keep going

 having the knowledge

to re-do

or replace

what needs fixing.

putting forth

my best effort

expecting

optimistic results

step by step

getting older

hopefully wiser,

 occasionally

looking back

comparing,

adjusting,

growing,

knowing

as long as

my face

wears a smile

I know

I am going

in the right direction...

~dkb~