28 years old today

I got up a little after 7 to take my first supplement and then I went back to bed. I got up later to finish the course and take a shower. After getting dressed, I sat at my laptop until almost 10. Then I went downstairs to be available when Cecily was ready to go to the Asian market.
At 10, we went to the Asian market for clams and shrimp. I got a can of coconut milk and a young coconut. Chris and Al dropped us women off at the house to handle the seafood, while they went to another grocery store for a few other things. Carol and Cecily talked about how to cook the clams and make the soup.
I made and ate breakfast in the dining room. Chris and Al came back and Chris started making brownies. I went upstairs to use my laptop. I read e-mail and watched videos. I bought a Groupon for a massage and had to talk to customer service about getting it redeeemed. In the end I made an appointment for next week.
At an interval after breakfast, I asked Chris to open the coconut. He sawed the top off and gave it to me. I drank the water out of it and scraped all the meat out with a spoon. It was a young coconut so there wasn't much meat. And that was lunch.
I went back to my laptop. I was listened to a video when I heard Marie come home. She was tired and laid down for a nap. I stayed with my laptop until I heard Michele arrive. Then I went down to talk to her. We all sat comfortably in the liviing room, except for Cecily and Carol who were working in the kitchen.
When we sat down to supper, there was a large pot of Rhode Island clam chowder, which Michele had requested. It was made without milk or tomatoes. And it was very good. There were also Red Lobster cheese rolls, fried rice, and shrimp. And wedges of lemon. Everyone remarked about how good it was. For dessert, Chris had made a pan of dark chocolate brownies with cream cheese patches. There was heavy cream for Michele to pour over hers and ice cream for the rest. I brought down what Faye brought for Michele and the bag with the shark. She opened Faye's card first. She rolled her eyes expecting it to play music when she opened it. But it didn't. On the last page, there were little flaps to open. Michele read each one out loud as she opened it. When she opened the last one... it played music. I did not recognize the song, but we all laughed.
Michele read the rest of the cards. Cecily gave her a set of steak knives. Then I stood back with my camera to catch her expression when she opened the bag with the shark. She liked it! She said she was going to use it at Comicon.
Carol cleared the table. We stayed to talk. Then Marie and Cecily went to bed. Chris and Michele moved to the living room to watch the food channel. Al and I talked about Korea and Vietnam. Then I went upstairs to the computer room. Rowan was asleep on the bed. I wanted to finish a video and post to my blog before Michele came up to spend the night. But she arrived before I finished. She tickled Rowan's feet with no success. Then she lifted the blanket until Rowan reluctantly moved off the bed. I unplugged my laptop and moved to the living room so Michele could sleep. Chris was already in our bed. I finished my blog downstairs and got ready for bed.
* Nothing says "Don't mess with me" like having a predator hanging on your shoulder. *

Resistance is futile

I woke up about 8 and started taking supplements. I washed up and got dressed. I sat at my laptop reading e-mail. Al and Cecily took Carol shopping to get the 5% senior discount. Chris read his e-mail. When they got back, they put groceries away. I went outside to sit in the sun. I pulled some weeds growing in the rock garden by the side of the house. After awhile I went back inside. I sat at the diningroom table and ate leftover chicken and salad for lunch. Then I went back in the livingroom to read e-mail while Cecily watched the food channel.
I put on headphones to listen to a podcast. Rowan, a large Australian wolfhound, came over a few times and inserted her head between me and my laptop. I would pet her and then ease her out of the way. At one point, there was thunder outside. I didn't hear it because of the headphones, but the dogs did and they sought solace. Rowan stuck her head in my face, but this time, she continued to get closer. Resistance was futile as she made her way into my lap. Carol tried to dislodge her and Chris moved my laptop out of the way so she wouldn't step on it. I was hidden by a wall of fur. As soon as I got the chance, I made a break for it.
I took my laptop and went upstairs. I called Dad to see if he had eaten his fat bombs. He said he had just put them in his mouth. I read e-mail and listened to an audio on essential amino acids. I was impressed enough to order some from Bodyhealth.com because they had 25% off and it was the same product Ben Greenfield was selling at 10% off.
I listened to an audio on parasites until Chris came to say that supper would be ready in 15 minutes. He left, and I wrapped up what I was doing and went down to the living room. They were still watching Bobbie Flay. Then we gathered in the kitchen to carry dishes to the dining room.
We ate supper. Carol and Cecily had prepared burgers with cheese inside. We also had tater tots, brussel sprouts, and sauteed mushrooms. Afterward, Chris and Al shared the last piece of cake and the last of the strawberry ice cream. I asked Marie if Kurt could come to Michele's birthday party and she said yes. So I went upstairs to call Kurt to invite him to the gathering for Michele. We got into a conversation until he had to go. I watched the rest of the memorial day concert with Al and Chris. I looked up the co-hosts, but didn't really know them. Then we watched a short documentary on slavery and emancipation.
At 10 I sat down to write my blog. I took my evening supplements and then was ready for bed.
* I didn't take any pics today, so here is one my sister sent to me from our cousin Donna. *

The grown version of Michele

I slept pretty well last night, on cushions on the floor. I got up when I heard Chris get up. I started taking supplements. I did a clearing for gold, and went through the lower back exercises. I could not find my socks, so I just put on the shoes. I read a bit of e-mail until I was sure Cecily didn't need the bathroom for awhile, then I took a shower and got dressed. Cecily had mostly packed the day before, but she still had a few things to do. I deleted most of my e-mail, and packed my suitcase. I made breakfast in a small tub to take on the trip, along with my breakfast supplements. Al and Cecily packed their car and left about 9. Chris and I packed our car and left about 9:11.
We listened to a Janet Evanovich book on CD. I waited an hour, then ate my breakfast and took my supplements. I might have fallen asleep for a short period of time. And then we reached Marie's house. The Prius was nowhere to be seen, so Chris thought we passed his parents. But Al came out of the house and said their car was in the garage. He helped us unpack our car. Carol quit mowing the lawn to come and in see that we had what we needed. I carried luggage up to Michele's room, which she had theoretically moved out of. But looking around, you would never know. There were no empty flat surfaces and the closet was full of clothes. Al went to Subway and came back with subs and a salad. Cecily had already eaten her lunch. I ate with Al and Chris. Then Al and Cecily took Carol to the grocery store. Chris and I set up our laptops in the living room.
When they got back, Cecily turned on the food channel. I had a nice chat with Carol, then sat in the living room to read e-mail and ignore the food channel. I wondered if Cecily spends so much time watching food prepared that her brain was tired of it by supper and that's why she doesn't eat much.
Marie came home from Vietnamese language school. The dogs were happy to see her. She went upstairs to start her homework.
I sat in the sun on the back porch. I walked around the backyard, noting the lovely dandelion leaves. But the dogs probably peed on them so I did not pick any. I sat down again, and dozed off. Later, I went back in the house. Carol and Cecily were making supper. Cecily talked to me about something. I got a glass of water, then I sat in the living room again with my laptop. The news was on, but I donned headphones so I could listen to an audio. Later Cecily came to get my glass and refill it. She put it on the table for supper. Michele arrived. The dogs were happy to see her. As were her parents :)
Soon we were all seated at the table in the dining room. We held hands and Chris said the prayer. Then we ate chicken, salad, pea pods, rice and gravy. After the meal, Cecily brought out Chris' birthday cake. But this time Marie served the cake and ice cream. We sat around the table talking. It was nice to have Michele there. Then Marie went upstairs to do her homework. Cecily went to bed. Chris and Al and I talked to Michele. At one point, she accidentally set off her car alarm and had to go running out to turn it off. Al put a chair in her back seat so she would have one to go with her desk. Finally it was time for her to go home so she could get up in the morning. I took a selfie with her and she left.
Chris and I retired to our laptops again. I called my dad and he was ok, but had not eaten any fat bombs yet. Apparently the visiting nurse did not come back today as her note indicated she would. Patrick wasn't home yet either. After hanging up, I wrote my blog post for today and got ready to take the evening supplements.

24 hour wi-fi

Last night I laid down in the bedroom with Chris, but my ears were ringing because the router was in the next room. I took my pillows and made my way in the dark to the living room. I laid down on the antique settee and settled as best I could. It was just barely long enough to accommodate me. I covered myself with the EMF shielding fabric, which is amazingly warm for something you can see through. It was hard getting to sleep, but I did. When I saw daylight coming in, I moved to the couch, which was longer. But it wasn't as firm.
Eventually I gave up trying to sleep and went into the den to read e-mail. Chris got up soon after. He said he would find out how to turn off the router so I could sleep in the bed with him. Then Cecily and Alfred got up. Chris and Al ate breakfast. I took my supplements. I asked Chris to help me treat for sensitivities to strawberries. Al and Cecily went to the store. I washed up and got dressed. I was making my breakfast when they got back. I ate, then read more e-mail, occasionally listening to short audios. No summits so far this week.
I did my lower back exercises on the floor. I called my dad to remind him about the fat bombs. He said he was just putting in his dentures. Chris told me he could not turn off the router at night because the AC system was tied into it. He said he found the couch in the den to be comfortable to sleep on. Cecily put on the food channel. She says she doesn't get hungry and she eats very little. But she must certainly find food interesting to watch all those cooking shows and challenges.
I went outside and spent some time in the sun. The deck was very hot under my feet. I did some stretches. I ate some wild strawberries in the lawn. I noticed an inflamed taste bud. I looked it up on the internet. Baking soda was recommended. I put a packet of vitamin C in my mouth covering the taste bud. It felt better for awhile.
Cecily went into the kitchen to work on supper. Chris and I read e-mail in the den, eventually watching the cooking shows. At 6:30 Cecily announced the supper was ready. We sat around the table and prayed. Then we dined on chicken cacciatore, salad, asparagus, noodles and wild rice. Chris had to get wine refills for his mom since he was the youngest at the table. After that, out came the cake and ice creams. Chris served. Then Cecily cleaned up. She refused help.
Al talked to me about identifying who should make decisions for my dad and what kind of help he needed or where he might go to get help. Then we talked about getting old and the descent into fragility. Cecily, who had just gone to bed, came back and said the lights were out. So Al went back there and found a burnt out bulb. Then he ran the dishwasher and went in the back. I sat in the den with Chris and typed up my blog. I think tonight I will put the livingroom couch cushions on the floor and sleep there.
* Generational pictures. Both little girls have birthdays in May. *

Birthday boy has to work

I think I slept pretty well last night. I woke up before the alarm, but stayed in bed (hide-a-bed) until after it went off. I took a Purozyme and went back to bed for 20 minutes. Then I did the foot and lower back exercises as best I could remember them. I washed up and got dressed. Chris folded up the bed and made himself a melted cheese sandwich for breakfast. I took more supplements and swished while checking e-mail. Patrick, who had spent the night on the couch in the den watching TV (or sleeping in spite of it), went to bed.
I made my breakfast and ate it while listening to an audio. I started packing up things lying around. I had Chris get some more canning jars from the utility room to take to his mom.

Around noon Patrick woke Dad up. I was surprised he slept so long because I did not hear him get up during the night. It took him a while to get ready and come out to the den. I noticed his face was puffy and his left eyelid seemed droopy. I mentioned it to Chris and Patrick but they saw nothing unusual. I suggested a fat bomb and Dad ate two. Then I made up Dad's pills for the week. I was surprised that he let me. I also did his Synthroid, which is in a separate pill minder. He tried to make his breakfast, but was confused by a box of Product 19, saying it did not have enough calories. So I took it away. I opened a box of Shredded Wheat for him and he had to take the liner out, and make sure the seam was facing the back of the box. He still seemed indecisive, but it was getting late and we had to go. I told him to focus on eating chicken and liver while he figured out how to measure cereals to put in his bowl.
Chris had the car packed and we went to his parent's house. We each brought some stuff in. Then he and his dad brought the rest in while I talked to his mom. The four of us sat around the table and talked. Cecily started working on supper. I went outside to sit on a chair on the deck and soak up some sun. Alfred talked to me for a little bit, then watered the bird bath and disappeared. The sun went behind a cloud. I started falling asleep and kept waking up when my head fell forward. So finally I took the chair and went in.
Cecily was cooking and the guys were in the den. I laid down for a nap, but I don't think I ever fell asleep. Chris came to get me when supper was almost ready. We sat down to a meal of pork chops, broccoli, corn, wild rice and apple crisp.
After the meal, Cecily brought out a cake and put candles on it. Al got out the ice cream. Chris had to light the candles, listen to us sing, then blow them out. He also had to hand out cake and ice cream before he could eat his own. Poor Chris. His mother kept calling him a senior citizen.
Cecily had Chris call Michele. Michele did not sound like she wanted to talk. Cecily offered her bacon fat for her room mates. But Michele declined. Cecily gave Chris a card, which he read out loud. It was shorter than the one that Faye gave him yesterday. Cecily cleaned up in the kitchen. I was listening to Al talk about something and missed my chance to help. Then I went into the den and got on my laptop to check e-mail. But the others came in and I laid the laptop aside to participate in the discussion.
Not much later, Cecily went to bed. Al talked to us for some time about his graduating class and his paternal family history. He had a book (in French) with all of the descendants of Matthew D'Amour. After he went to bed, I took my evening supplements and wrote to my blog.
* 55th birthday *

Making room

I woke up early, took the Purozyme and went back to bed. Between the AC unit and hot flashes, I was either too cold or too hot. It was not conducive to sleep. I got up about 7 and started my morning ritual. I washed up and got dressed. When that was over, I checked on my father. He was dressed and sitting on the bed. We walked out to the den where he put his shoes on. I fed him two fat bombs. Then he made himself breakfast and I made my breakfast. I watched an interview from the digital dementia summit. I paused it several times to help Dad. When the interview was over, it was just after 10. We got Dad and his stuff in the car and headed to church. But on the way, Dad found that his glasses case was empty. So Chris turned around and went back to get his glasses.
When we finally got to church, Chris let us off at the door. Dad pushed his rollator down the sidewalk and up the ramp. I held the door so he could go inside. The choir was already warming up. We went in, but didn't find the right spot in the music until the last note. Oh well.
People greeted us warmly. I turned Dad over to Faye who got him situated in the first pew. I sat with Chris on the other side in the second pew. The bell choir rang a pretty medley. It was nice to be in church with Chris. He held the hymnal and sang the songs with me. When the choir assembled up front, Faye put a chair up and got Dad seated in it. Then they sang the anthem, which was pretty long and very syncopated.
After the service, Chris and I talked to Sandy for some time. He explained to her that he was going to Honduras in June for 2 or 3 months. I was shocked because that wasn't my understanding of what he said to me several weeks ago. Good thing we had this conversation.
Chris went to the fellowship hall to get me a cup of water. I drank it and he brought me another one. Then Sandy and I walked over to greet people. A retired pastor I had never met started talking to me and went on and on. I nodded at Chris and he came over and took up the conversation so I could sit down. I talked to Faye and Judy for awhile. I also greeted Larry. Then we had to go.
Dad rode with Faye and I rode with Chris. We went to Subway. Michele called and I talked to her while Faye and Chris did the ordering. Faye gave Dad an Ensure to drink while she ordered. Dad started drinking it, but fell asleep and dropped it. Chris cleaned it up with paper napkins. Dad got a bunch of subs (for today and the rest of the week). Chris ordered me a salad. We talked as we ate. Then Faye pulled up the van and she loaded Dad in. I got in with Chris and we followed them back to Dad's house.
Faye had a list and went around the house checking for what Dad needed. Dad fell asleep in the chair while Faye went shopping. I read e-mail and Chris made rice pudding to use up the milk Dad had left which was past the date. Faye came home with groceries and somehow managed to get them in the fridge.
Faye wanted to rearrange the utility room to make more space for the rollator to go through. But there was heavy stuff in the way. The freezer was in an odd place, but due to the length of cord and the outlet, we could not move it. But she did get another 3 inches of clearance. I didn't do much because of my back and foot. I almost had Chris fire up the mower so I could cut the front lawn, but then came to my senses.
Faye stayed until Dad gave her his checkbook so she could write herself a check for the food. I also wrote her a check for the usual cleaning and cooking. By the time she left, it was after 7. I ate some chicken and liver. Dad had chicken, then we both ate some rice pudding. Chris tried it, too. William came over to check out the utility room. I don't know if he moved anything or not. He talked about his experience with fracturing a metatarsal. Patrick came back from somewhere and he tried the rice pudding. The three of us talked about fixing the Electrolux. I looked up repair videos. William went home. Patrick watched some of the videos with me, but lost interest. I did not quite find the info I was looking for.
When I realized how late it was, I sat down to quickly type up my blog post so I could turn in at a reasonable hour. Ha.
* A pic from show-n-tell last week. *

Fat-n-protein bombs

I woke up early with hot flashes. I tried to go back to sleep but finally got up and did lower back exercises. I puttered around, out of my element. I took a shower, and supplements. I had Chris treat me for magnesium. Then I made and ate breakfast.
Digital Dementia summit: Being on a digital device all day leads to too much stimulation of the left brain. This creates imbalance. Getting outside and moving and interacting with people builds brain cells and makes children smart. Too much left brain activity leads to outbursts of anger and frustration. Right brain is the side that does reality checks.
We gathered stuff together to take to the car. Chris took most of it out while I checked for anything left behind. We checked out and stopped for gas before getting back on the road. We resumed our book on CD. Chris stopped at a Hardees for a breakfast sandwich. It took a long time so I got out and stretched my legs. When the book ended, we started another one. I nearly fell asleep several times, but Chris ran a tire off the road
We arrived mid-afternoon, just as the book on CD finished. Dad was in a confused state. I encouraged him to eat a fat bomb, chicken, and a protein shake. I also gave him some mineral drops. I found two bills: one wasn't due for weeks and the other was way over due. I wrote checks to cover them and Dad signed the checks. I got them ready to go in the mail. Then I found a bill that is due in 5 days. I paid it online with my credit card and Dad gave me cash. Chris showed me a note on the door that said the visiting nurse came by on Thursday but Dad never answered the door. Maybe we need a sign that says “Knock loudly”? Dad says the nurse told the PT and OT not to come anymore, thinking that is what Dad wanted.
Chris dropped Patrick off at Subway and went to the store for liver and onions and also got me three containers of coconut oil and a large whey protein. He put the liver in one pan and the onions in another and stuck the pans in the oven.
I mixed the coconut oil with the whey protein and made protein/fat bombs. I used an egg carton from recycling. When one batch hardened in the fridge, I popped them out and made another batch. I put the hard ones in baggies in the freezer. There were a lot of the white fat bombs left from 4 months ago. Someone hasn't been eating his fat bombs.
I ate liver and onions for supper with a bit of kimchi. Dad ate a sub with a bit of liver. Chris made a cheese and onion sandwich.
Dad sorted through a bunch of cords. I think he was looking for the cord that was plugged into his shaver. I moved all the other cords out of the way. It took him a while to feel like he was ready to shave. I read e-mail for awhile. When he was done, his left side was still hairy. Then he took stuff out of his pockets and I asked Chris to give him a shower. I sat down to write to my blog. I also listened to a podcast. When it was over, I posted to my blog and intended to go to bed – unless Dad needs me.

Late start, late finish

I got up before 7. I started the supplement regimen. I rinsed the sprouts and made tea and a colostrum fat bomb. I treated myself for any remaining sensitivities to egg. I wrote down the name of the video that showed the updated form of NAET.
I made and ate breakfast while checking e-mail. I packed the breakfast box and hardboiled eggs. I filled 6 bottles with turmeric tea and water.
At 10 I went to the naturopathic doctor. I gave her some sumac berries. She tested me and said I passed chicken level 1 but not chicken level 2. (Apparently one can be allergic to chicken on a physical, mental or emotional level). So she treated me for that and I have to avoid chicken for the next 25 hours. I let her use needles this time because they might work better than the stim unit. I told her I was giving her protocol 3 months and if I did not see improvement, that would be the end of it. She said it takes longer that that. On the way out, I bought more supplements.
When I got home, I realized I had forgotten to make my next appointment. So I called and made one for when we get back. I also made the three-month appointment where she will repeat the urine and saliva test. I hope to see some progress.
I packed a supplement box, and a food box. I chose clothes to go in the suitcase. I made salad and ate it while listening to a podcast. Chris came home (early). He packed in five minutes, then went to library for books on CD.
I finished packing. Chris came home with the CD's and put stuff in the car. Then we were on our way north. I put in the first CD and fell asleep. I woke up when Chris wanted the next CD. I did not sleep after that. I took off my shoes and put my feet up on the dash board. We did not stop for food or bathroom breaks. We ate hard boiled eggs and nuts from the food box. I ate some seed crackers. I drank a water bottle of turmeric tea on the way. We ran into traffic so did not get to the hotel in Bristol until 9:30 Eastern.
Walking from the parking lot into the hotel was the longest I have walked in 6 weeks. I sat in a chair in the lobby while Chris checked in. Then we took the elevator to the 10th floor. I ate a bit of kimchi and an orange. I took the rest of today's supplements. Then I sorted through tomorrow's supplements and pulled out all the duplicates, which I will save for lunch. I read e-mail for awhile, then took my evening supplements. I typed up my blog post and got ready for bed.
* This is one of the ladies at show-n-tell for the modern quilt guild. *

Unquilting

I got up at 6. I took the Purozyme, then read for 20 minutes while swishing. I read again until 7. I laid down until 7:30. Then I washed up and got dressed.
In between rounds of treating myself for sensitivities to chicken, I watched NAET videos to make sure I hadn't left anything out. But I had. My memory had dropped a few details. I finished my morning supplement routine, soaked the sprouts, etc.
I watered the plants, then got my stuff together to go to the chiropractor. I did not sit long in the waiting room, but was shown back to the decompression room. After 12 minutes there, I sat in the back hall waiting for my turn to see the doctor. A lady came and sat in the next chair. She noticed my purse and began to tell me about hers and how it was wearing out and she was going to miss it. I admitted that I made mine and she asked if I could make her another like hers. I examined it. No zippers but lots of pockets and a snap. I did not answer and she said to think about it. We got into an interesting conversation. She said very nice things about me, and when I asked, she said she could read people. The doctor saw her next and our conversation ended.
I went into exam room 3. I read my book until the doctor arrived. I brought him a jar with some pickled beets I had done last year. We talked about the lower back and foot exercises. He said I was progressing well. Then he adjusted my neck and then my spine. He handed me the clipboard and I went to the front desk. No payment necessary.
When I got home, I made three breakfasts. I ate one while watching a documentary on the microbiome. I played solitaire while listening to a tapping audio. Then I made enough spice mix to last through vacation. I put on skimpy clothes and did my lower back exercises in the back yard to get some sun.
When I came in, I added some quilting to the banner to outline the arms of the cross. Imagine my face when I realized I had inadvertently sewed hanging sleeve shut! I took those stitches out and tied off the ends. I put away stacks of fabric from finished projects. I listened to a podcast on young blood transfusions. Apparently it does wonders for older people.
I made more green powder mix. I had chicken and kimchi for lunch. I added more quilting to the center of the quilt. I laid down for a nap, but could not fall asleep. Chris put a load of laundry in the washer. I threw in my socks and made seed crackers. While they baked, I made lots of salad. My tapping buddy signaled me before I was finished eating. It took me 5 minutes to finish the salad and take all the supplements associated with supper.
We tapped together for almost 2 hours on self-talk around saying no to requests. Then Chris and I watched two episodes of ST:NG. He went to bed and I stayed up to blog and look up when the blackberries bore fruit last year.
* This is Trina's tie quilt. *

First coffee morning in months

I slept with moonstones from Jennifer under my pillow. She said hers stones helped her sleep better. I am not certain if they worked for me.
I got up when the alarm went off. I started my supplement schedule. I treated myself for sensitivities to EMF and other non-native frequencies using a piece of paper with the words written on it. I know, it seems even more woo-woo than holding the offending substance in one's hand, but the doctor said that is how EMF's are treated.
I ran the vacuum because the lower back exercises are to be done on the floor and it was dirty! When the supplement morning schedule was complete, I turned to the coffee morning schedule. There was no rebounding because the chiropractor said no more rebounding for me – ever. I also modified the exercises due to the limitations of my foot. I got a lot of tapping and meditating done, though.
Afterwards, I cleaned the bathrooms. Then I turned on the router and made breakfast. I ate while sifting through e-mail. Then I laid out in the sun for awhile. After another round of e-mail, I ate some chicken and pickled garlic as lunch.
Chris came home while I was watching a video. After the video, I added some quilting to the banner. Then I went to the Korean clinic at 5. Traffic was really bad. Dr. Lee wanted me to verify that he had all the papers for his application and that everything was filled out properly. I did that and filled in a few blanks. Then he gave me two boxes, one of jujube juice and one of onion juice. She gave me bottled water. I let them know I was going to be away for awhile, and I left. Traffic was a little lighter on the way home.
I drank a packet of onion juice when I got home. When Chris was done making his supper, I made a bunch of salad. I ate it while watching John Bergman videos. He is a chiropractic doctor in California who addresses topics like sleep, high blood pressure, etc. He says discs can regenerate, but not in the presence of NSAIDs. He also said the cure for insomnia is to go to bed at 10pm and get up at 4:30am for 21 days in a row. After 5 days the insomniac will be sleeping soundly. (That last part sounds great, but the 4:30 wake-up call - not so much)
Chris made his lunch, and then we watched two episodes of ST:NG. Chris closed the doors and turned on the AC. He went to bed and I stayed up to blog.

Setting up the supplements

I got up soon after I heard my alarm ring in the distance. I took my supplements according to schedule. I treated myself for sensitivities to corn. I made up 7 days of supplements in the pill minders. I was substituting some of my stuff for hers and had to change the dosages by splitting the contents of a capsule into 4, 5 or even 6 parts. It was tough working with such small amounts.

At 10, I went to quilting. I was going to help Beverly cut her strips, but she was helping Anita and Robin to sandwich quilt tops. So I sat and talked to the other ladies who were sitting down. I asked them if old age meant always feeling some discomfort - in the feet, or the back, or the stomach, etc. They said it depends on the day.
I spent the most time talking to the lady who used to teach science. After she left, then I talked to Beverly. She didn't have much time left before going to work as a crossing guard now that schools are on half-days this week.
When I got home, I made and ate breakfast. I made up 10 days worth of supplements in small bottles to take on vacation. It was easier because I decided to a modified stack that I could take once in the morning and be done with it. The doctor wouldn't approve, but I don't want to ruin vacation with an unwieldy supplement regimen.
At 2, I went to the church to count money. When I got there, the secretary was just coming out. We agreed to see each other at the meeting tonight. I went to my box and found the moonstones that Jennifer put there. I got the money and the paper from the safe. I turned on the computer. Then Jennifer appeared in the doorway. We had a long chat about our favorite people to listen to on the internet.
After she left, I entered all the offering info into the computer. I printed out the reports. One of them came out differently and I had to stop and think about how to proceed. I decided it was ok and made two copies of it.
From the church, I went to the bank to deposit the cash and checks. And then I went home. I did not pass the farmer's market, although I would have liked to. It was too much walking.
Chris got home right after I did. I ate some chicken and kimchi as lunch. I read some e-mail. Then I got together some stuff for the meeting. I watered the plants, then got in my car.
I drove to the meeting of the modern quilt guild. It took longer to go down Jordan than to travel down University to the store. I parked and found a seat inside. A lady handed me a bag of scraps for dog beds. Linda, our church secretary came a few minutes later and sat near me. Soon the meeting started. For Show-n-tell, I presented the wool pressing mat and the shark purse. I passed them around for others to look at. Linda showed her plus sign blocks. I took pics of what other people brought. As the meeting progressed, I put stars on the program by things I wanted to check out later. After the meeting, Linda introduced me to Barbara who works at the base library. We chatted for a bit on the way out.
When I got home from the guild meeting, I made and ate two bowls of salad as supper. We watched two episodes of ST:NG. The second one was about the crew not getting any REM sleep and looking really tired. Chris fell asleep watching it and I was particularly tired myself. But I stayed up long enough to post to my blog (from scratch) and do a few stretches before heading off to bed.
* Our program tonight was about making a design wall. She is using a flannel back table cloth and insulation board. *

Permission to exercise

I got up about 8, washed up and got dressed. I took supplements on schedule. I treated myself for wheat allergies. I rinsed sprouts and boiled water to soak nuts, wondering how I was going to do that on vacation. I washed dishes and cleaned countertops in the kitchen.
Then I went to see the chiropractor. The lady at the desk handed me the sheet of lower back exercises that I forgot on Thursday. Then I was surprised that I was ushered into the decompression room soon after I sat in the waiting room. After 12 minutes of having my spine pulled, I was released and sent to exam room 3. I started reading my book. But the doctor came in. I asked about going on long car trips and he said it was ok. He said my back was stable but I had to wear the stiff heavy shoes and sit upright. Uggh! He gave me a sheet of foot exercises and told me to take them slow. He adjusted my neck, saying that he had the same problem and that he was using the technique that he developed for himself. I asked if there was anything I could do at home to assist the process and he said no. He also adjusted my back by pushing on the thoracic part. He also commented that this was the biggest difference he had ever made in someone's alignment.
When I got home, I made and ate breakfast and took breakfast supplements. I took my banner and fish and went to quilting. I showed off the shark, the finished handsewing the hanging sleeve on the banner. I had a good time talking to the ladies there. I stayed longer than I intended, then went home.
I put on a bathing suit and laid out in the back yard to make some vitamin D. When I came in, I ate some chicken and took the lunch supplements. Then I read e-mail for awhile.
Chris came home with check from Crestwood Medical Center. I was about to call them to find out why, when William called. He wanted to talk about sewing machines. Afterward, I called the hospital, but they were closed. I went back to reading e-mail.
At 6 I tried to take a nap, but I kept thinking about how to take the supplement regimen on vacation. I got up and watered the plants. I also uprooted the poison hemlock. It was too large and unruly. Then I returned to e-mail. I was inspired to use the HeartMath machine. But it was too easy to make and keep the light green.
I made and ate salad and took supper supplements. I looked up why discs don't regenerate and watched related videos. When Chris was ready, we watched four episodes of The Good Place. It was hot and I sweated like I was in the bad place. I had taken off my shoes and it was just too hot to put them back on.
I took my evening supplements and posted to my blog while sitting against my chillow. Chris made his sandwich and went to bed. I followed.
* Alice made this and is going to have it quilted. *

Taking steps

I got up and took a shower, discovered it was already 8:15. I put on grey pants to go with my grey athletic shoes. Then I searched for a top that would dress it up, but not so much that the shoes looked out of place. I took 45 minutes of supplements. I read e-mail, practiced my choir music, then went to church.
I walked in when the choir had just assembled. I sat on kneelers to practice the anthem. Then I got a bulletin and sat in my pew. Don did not come. I talked to the McCollums. They are each writing a book.
During the service, I stood on one foot to sing the anthem. Then I held up the line for communion so I could get a close spot at the rail. I would have motioned the people behind me to go ahead, but they needed a close spot too. Afterward the service, I sat in the pew waiting for people to clear out. Jennifer brought me an announcement for a lightworker talk. I handed in my choir folder. Scott talked to me about retiring. Him, not me.
I walked out the side of the church to where I parked. I drove home. Chris was still there, on his laptop. He asked me to write anything I needed on the grocery list. I put a few things on there and wondered what we should have for snacking in the car on the trip.
I listened to an interview with a rabbi about suffering. I treated myself for sensitivities to nightshades using a green tomato that fell off of one of my plants, plus a cashew and an orange sweet pepper. I made and ate breakfast.
The internet quit working after Chris went to the grocery store. I tried disconnecting from it. Then I tried putting my laptop to sleep. But it was so hot that I did not turn it back on. I went to the desktop and worked there. When Chris came home, he rebooted the router and was able to get back on the internet. Mine connected too. The keyboard was cool when I turned it on, but heated up pretty quickly. But Chris' laptop was hot, too and he thought nothing of it.
Chris needed bread for this coming week so I loaded the bread machine with flour and such. I looked for pictures of the plant growing outside my front door. Survey says: poison hemlock. I changed my clothes and put on shorts.
I added stuffing and finished sewing on the mouth of the shark. But it was unsatisfactory. There was too much fabric and it caused wrinkles. So I took out the mouth and the teeth. I folded quite a bit of white out of the way, then basted the teeth back on. Then I sewed the lining of the mouth between the rows of teeth. It was better.
I walked outside to water the plants. I felt a few rain drops and wondered why it was raining since my car windows are up. I tried stuffing the fins some more. Chris announced that the chicken was done, so I ate a leg and a wing. I played solitaire and jotted notes for my blog. I put two slices of pickled beets in a jar for the chiropractor.
After putting the food away, Chris and I sat in the livingroom to watch TV. I don't know how many episodes of The Good Place that we watched because they are short. Kind of like eating popcorn. But we cut it shorter than last night. My blog was basically written so I just added the last part and I was ready to go to bed.
* Poison hemlock. Why is it growing in my flower bed? *

Slow day

I was dozing in bed when I heard my alarm ringing faintly from the diningroom. Chris got up first. When he was done in the bathroom, I got up. I brushed my hair and teeth. I swished with coconut and clove oil. I took supplements. I put on an episode of The Quilt Show, while I prepared broth and tea and colostrum.
I treated myself for any allergies to thyroid tissue using a bottle of desiccated thyroid capsules. It was after 11 when I stopped to make breakfast. I kept checking e-mail as I read.
I sat outside in the sun for a bit, taking off my shoes and getting some fresh air. On a puzzle site, I pieced flower puzzles while listening to audios and stuff. I finished the binding of the banner and started on the hanging sleeve. Then I paused that to work on the shark. I sewed buttons on for eyes. I also cut a circle of red for inside the mouth and tried to sew it in place. If not for the lining, it would have been much easier.
Chris put the battery in the mower and mowed the lawn. He was surprised how quickly the battery ran down. But as it turns out, the charger wasn't plugged in. Still, I was amazed he got through the entire lawn.
At 6,I laid down for a nap. Surprisingly I woke up in half an hour, feeling like I'd slept for hours. I rolled outside to water my flowers. I picked a leaf from a tall weed and brought it inside to try to identify it. The closest thing I could find on the internet was poison hemlock.
It was almost 8. I made salad and ate it so I could take my supper supplements. Chris cued up Netflix on the TV. We watched a lot of episodes of The Good Place, which turned out to be … well, I won't spoil it for you. But when I checked the time, it was 11:20. Chris pulled clean sheets out of the dryer and we dressed the bed. Then I took my evening supplements and quickly posted to my blog.
* This was the featured quilt on TQS *

Oh me of little faith

I woke up, probably hearing Chris shut the front door when he left. I tried to go back to sleep, but it occurred to me that it might be later than I thought. So I got up. The stones I had wrapped up to put under my pillow did not help me sleep, so I took two of them out and put them back in their bags. I left the other two inside the rolled up towel.
I washed up and got dressed. I took supplements and boiled water and soaked the next batch of sprouts. I did some tapping for clearing what I thought she was going to test me on today. I started watching something while I read e-mail. But soon it was time to go.
I looked at the packet of papers that the chiropractor gave me to give to my naturopath. I looked to see if they had included the paper with range of motion scores. There were papers I hadn't seen before so I quickly turned on the scanner and made copies. Then I walked out to the car with my handbag. At that moment I realized I had forgotten my folder, but I didn't want to spend the time to hobble back to get it. So I headed out to the doctor's office.
I was only a minute or two early. I read a page by the time she called me back. She tested me for the BBB vial and the Egg mix. I passed that. But instead of moving on, she said she would test me for the individual ingredients. And I failed chicken, which was part of the egg mix. So she treated for that. I kind of gave her a hard time about how I had no faith in her method of treatment and the computer program which said I was allergic to all these things. I said I hadn't noticed any improvement. She responded that it was ok, and if I decided not to continue that she would not take it personally. But she said this was the only way I would get better, and that my body just needed a lot of treatment to go deep into all the layers. Then she triggered all my existential issues by talking about faith and how she turns to God for everything and submits to his will even though she would like to be made well again. And I should do the same. She promised to pray for me. I told her how much anxiety I had over all the supplements I had to take and that it was going to be even worse on vacation. She said, literally, suck it up, buttercup.
When I left, I paid for the visit and bought another bottle of one of the supplements. Then I went home. I was very upset. I did a lot of tapping to calm down.
Eventually I went back to the video I had started. I made breakfast. I was going to do the exercised that the chiropractor had given me, but apparently I didn't bring them home. I called the office to ask them to e-mail me a copy, but got the message that they close early on Fridays.
I watched a video called Secret Ingredients. While it played, I put together colorful puzzles online. Then I put on another video. While it played, I sewed some of the binding for the banner. A quilting friend contacted me about needed a dress form. I took a pic of my older one and sent it to her. I got a text from Silvia. I ate some beef and sauerkraut. Then I talked to Linda. Chris came home from work. We talked about our plans for Memorial Day week. I called Dad to see how he was doing and to remind him to eat the rest of the fat bombs. Then I talked to Faye and told her our plans. Cecily called Chris to find out what our plans are and there was a discussion.
II watered the plants outside from the comfort of my rolling chair. I made and ate salad. Chris talked animatedly about the problems he faced at Chinhae. Then he killed the boss (it's a gamer thing) while I listened to a meditation audio and drank turmeric tea.
We watched the last three episodes of Lucifer. Kind of gory. I got hot flashes and was soaking wet. I had to sit with perfect posture because of pinched nerve pains in my back. Then I wrote to my blog and went to bed.
* I think my dress form needs a chiropractor. *

It's all in the neck

I got up just before the alarm went off. My ears were ringing and I thought Chris had left the router on. It was off when I checked. But maybe he had it on longer this morning than usual?
I swished with coconut and clove oils. I took my supplements. I treated myself for sensitivities to soy. I had the bone broth drink followed by the mix of coconut oil and colostrum.
I turned on the router. I checked e-mail. There was one from Chris asking me to forward the message I sent to Housing. So I did. I meant to also go to the Housing website and file a work order. Apparently e-mailing them is not sufficient. But I got distracted. First I got four texts on my phone from 4 different numbers that were oddly similar to mine. Each one said “Stop”. It must be some new form of spam. I looked that up on the internet but did not find anything. There were also texts from Jennifer. I started watching the last episode of Interconnected, but had to pause it just before 10.
I put my laptop to sleep and went to see the chiropractor. I sat in the waiting room and read my book. The test (in the book) I had taken yesterday said I had a gaba nature, but I didn't believe it, so I read about the dopamine nature. Then I got called back to a seat in the hallway. I read some more, and then went in for decompression. After 12 minutes of that, I sat in the hall again and got quite a bit of reading done. Then I went to the laser room. I remarked on the higher setting from last time to make certain she used it. It was my 10th and final session (unless I buy another package of 10). I went in an exam room to wait for the doctor. When he came in, I handed him a sticky note with info on something we had talked about last week. He showed me my latest x-rays and range of motion scores. He said I was doing really well. Scores for my lower back were better than normal for my age, right for someone in their 20's. What was still off was my neck. But it had gone down from 11 degrees off center to 3 degrees off. He gave me exercises for my back, but said not to do any twisting, and no exercises for my neck, yet. He was glad my foot was better, but no exercises for that, yet, either. It did not hurt to limp, but walking did, or any flexion. He adjusted my neck and back. Then he said I didn't need orthotics after all (which the preliminary report called for a month ago). I went to the front desk. They did not charge me anything. She gave me a packet of papers to give to my primary care physician.
On the way home, I stopped by the post office, but there was nothing in the box. I went home and found Chris there. He had brought me a package from the post office. We talked briefly and he left, I found the e-mail he wanted and forwarded it to him. I unpacked the box. I washed all the bowls in the sink. Then I made breakfast and finished the last episode of Interconnected.
I listened to a podcast on hydration. She recommended mixing ground chia seed with water or juice to make it more hydrating. I found two unheard messages on my phone. One was from CCAOM for Dr. Lee, so I sent him an e-mail with a form he needed to fill out.
I put on shorts and laid outside in the grass. The doctor had told me to spend 20 minutes a day lying on the floor with a rolled up towel under my neck. So that was my version of it. After 15 minutes, I thought I heard something in the house, so I went in.
There was no one there. I listened to an interview on EMF's, and one on tapping. Then I put on one about the microbiome. I turned it up so I could hear it in the livingroom. I searched for and auditioned dark orange fabrics and brown fabrics as a binding on the banner. I chose a brown print. I ironed it, then cut off 5 strips and sewed them end to end. I ironed it in half lengthwise. I pinned one edge of the banner and started sewing. Then I stopped and made a sleeve. I continued sewing binding until I reached the top of the quilt. Then I pinned the hanging sleeve on. After that, I finished the binding and joined the edges at the bottom of the banner.
Chris came home really late. He put something in the washer. I ate some goat cheese with seed crackers. I took the lunch supplements. There was a jar of coffee in the fridge that had been there over a month. I poured it into the watering can, diluted it, and used it on the flower bed. I hoped it would do some good.
Then I realized it was 7. There was a greeting on Skype from my tapping buddy. It was her turn to be the client, and I chose to use the 'tell the story' technique. But it went long, trying to catch all the elements of her event. By the time we finished, it was after 9.
We watched one episode of Lucifer. Chris went to bed. I stayed up to blog. Jennifer had told me she spent the last three nights with a moonstone under her pillow and she slept really well. So I searched the dining room table to find the little stones I had bought at the gem and rock shop. None of them were moonstones, but it was worth a try. A good night's sleep is priceless.
* This is from an ad. Everytime I see it, I want to make one like it. *

Shark's teeth

I heard my alarm go off at 7:30 but the ring was cut short. I don't know why. I got up about 8. While swishing, I made more chia-flax mix. I printed out another sheet of my supplement regimen. I saw my book sitting in front of the laptop and it reminded me that I was going to answer the questions. It was a test to determine what neurotransmitters were out of balance. Answering the questions took a while, and then I read a few pages about the results.
I did one treatment for sensitivity to beef. I pulled hair and threads from the wheels of the rolling chair. I mashed some colostrum powder with coconut oil for a gut-healing fat bomb. I also made a drink of vit C, bone broth, turmeric and ginger. I finished the rounds for beef.
I listened to Interconnected, talking about faecal transplantation for c. diff. Apparently for it to make a longterm difference, the patient has to eat what the donor ate. Then I made and ate breakfast. I read more e-mail and watched a short video. I noticed it was suddenly raining and my car windows were down.
I took a shower and washed my hair with the shampoo I made recently. It seemed to work ok. I dried off and got dressed. I set a fan in the bathroom to dry it out before the mildew grew. I read e-mail while my hair dried somewhat.
Then I picked up a towel and went to my car. The seat was wet so I covered it with the towel. I went to the Korean clinic. They were happy to see me. He busied me with filling out forms and making sure he had them all and knew where each form should go. They have decided to move to Georgia and practice there. She handed me some letters from the state about car insurance. So I had to call and get that straight. She went and got me a package of kimbap. She also gave me a bag of moringa tea bags.
When I got home, I finished the kimbap with kimchi and took the lunch supplements. I saved the colored radish pieces for Chris. When he got home, he said there was no house mail and that he didn't get to the post office before it closed.
I ironed a strip of stabilizer to a piece of white felt. At least I hope it was white felt. It was a little softer and might have been dense, low loft batting. I cut the strip off. I read e-mail and cut the strip into shark teeth. I handsewed them to the shark's mouth.
I was tired so I laid down for a few minutes, which turned into a few minutes too many. I got up and hurried to church. The meeting was already in progress. They were kind enough to have it in the sanctuary which is closer for me. The council president was getting a list of what each of the stewardship members does. Apparently someone has a problem with more than one person knowing what each person gives. They want one financial secretary to do it all. Lars pointed out that we need a backup person in case something happens to that one person.
The meeting was drawn to a close so some of us could go to choir practice. The choir practiced a song for this Sunday, then went up front to sing it like on Sunday morning. I sat on the kneelers to sing. Then everyone who was leaving for Memorial Day was excused. I gave Jennifer a bag with her jars in it. She gave me some dandelion blooms. She said there were more blooming in front of the church. But when I got out there, the lawn looked freshly cut.
I got in my car and drove home. It was almost 8. I made a salad to eat so I could take my supper supplements. Chris cued up Lucifer and we watched two episodes. I started writing my blog post. I stopped to look up Lillith, who was mentioned as Adam's first wife, before Eve. Interesting legend. I wondered if the character Lillith in the show, Frazier, was named after her. Then I finished my post and went to bed.
* My friend Myra made this. *

Magnesium water

I woke up ruminating. It seemed early so I was in no hurry to get out of bed. I listened for my alarm. However, when I got up, it was almost 9. I swished with coconut oil and clove oil. Beverly called to see if I was coming to quilting this morning. I boiled water for nuts and rinsed my sprouts. I started laying out the next week in supplements while taking the last ones. I did one round of treatment for sensitivity to grapes.
I grabbed my banner and went to quilting. I parked in a handicapped spot. When I got in, I saw Jane and showed her my shark. Then I quickly found a chair to sit down. Another lady said I should sit by her so I moved over there. It was nice to talk to the ladies at the table. Jane brought the shark back to me. One lady pointed out that I had a swollen spot on the side of my foot. I had not noticed it before. They all said I should insist on an x-ray.
There was free fabric laid on the table, but it was too much effort to go over there. When most of the ladies had gone, I took my banner to the cutting mat to trim it. Beverly helped me turn it for each corner. Then I trimmed two of her quilts. In order not to stand on my foot, I put my left knee in a chair. The height was pretty good. Then Beverly showed me all the cutting she needed. Anita sat and talked to us. It got really late, so I visited the restroom, and then went home. I did not stop on the way for kimbap.
I finished placing supplements in the pill minder. Once again, I rehearsed telling the doctor just how stressful it is to keep up with all her pills and supplement schedule. Then I made and ate breakfast, even though it was 2:30 by then. I took the seltzer water from the fridge and made magnesium water. I was trying to keep the carbonation in the bottle, but when I added the magnesium, the water bubbled up and cascaded out of the bottle. Still, I followed the directions by capping the bottle and shaking it and putting it back in the fridge.
I listened to the next episode of Interconnected. My neighbor came by to return the potato masher. We talked and I did more standing than I intended. I heard my phone ring while we were talking. So afterward I called the last number in my phone log. It was Jennifer but she said she didn't call. We talked about how we have learned so many good suggestions for physical and mental health that we can't keep track of them all. She suggested I put some lavender essential oil on my hands, listen to an audio she sent me, and then massage frankincense on my foot.
But right after she hung up, Chris came home with a package. I opened the box and put the contents away. I checked my phone log and William's name was right below Jennifer, so I called him. He was at Lowes buying plywood with Faye. I talked to Faye for a minute, then they had to finish their transaction. But soon William was calling me back to say Faye had to go to the hospital to meet the ambulance with Kevin in it. He had been in an auto accident.
I asked Chris to give me a dish of pork for lunch. I was heating my foot at the time. Then I called Faye to find out how Kevin was and she said she thought he was ok. I finished the audio. Then I rolled outside to water the plants. I was happy to see the cherry tomato was fruiting. When I came in, I made and ate a small salad so I could take my supper supplements.
I watched a video from a link in an e-mail, then went on to start another one that Youtube suggested. I paused it when Chris was ready. We watched two episodes of Lucifer. Chris went to bed. I stayed up to finish a Youtube video (while playing Solitaire) and write to my blog.
* Someone did a lovely job of decorating the church wall. *

Unexpected X-rays

I got up thinking I had heard my phone alarm go off. But it was only 7. I brushed and swished, this time with coconut oil and a drop of clove oil. I took my supplements on a schedule, but stopped just short of breakfast. I got dressed and checked e-mail. I took the last dose of orotate minerals and refilled the pill minder.
At 9:55 I left the house and drove to the chiropractor. I sat in a squeaky chair to read my book while I waited. I was asked to fill out a progress sheet. I answered the questions and noted that I thought the laser and the decompression were negated by walking and sitting. Then the assistant called me back, but not to the laser room. She took me to the hall with the x-ray room. She put some sensors on me and asked me to do full range of motion movements. I did them guardedly because only last week the doctor was reminding me not to do any twisting. Then she said they were going to take x-rays. I said I wasn't prepared, hadn't taken the right supplements. But then I remembered that I had two packets of lypospheric vitamin C in my bag. I swallowed the contents of both packets and then went off to be x-rays. For some reason, the only part she x-rayed was my neck. She took a front shot and a side shot. Then she had me sit in the hall to wait for the doctor. He moved me to exam room 3 while he worked in exam room 2.
When he came to see me, I gave him a baggie of bamboo salt. I told him how disappointed I was that my foot hadn't made much progress in a month. I said that walking negated the benefits of the laser. We chatted while he adjusted my back. Oddly, he did not do my neck. I mentioned that my bursitis was gone. He said it was probably a pinched nerve.
He released me to a chair in the hallway. I waited for my turn in the laser room. When I got in, she was turning up the laser setting. Then she did my foot as usual. But it went on longer than usual and I had to lay back to protect my back. I guess the doctor wanted to make sure I got some benefit from the lasering. After the treatment, I went to the decompression room for a good stretch. It was ok. Then I took my file to the front desk. She said I had met my deductible and did not owe anything. I confirmed my appointment for Thursday and went home.

It was after noon. I made and ate breakfast. I finished the episode of Interconnected. I sat out in the sun for a bit. I looked up the recipe for magnesium water. I put the seltzer in the fridge. I had some pork and kimchi and pickled garlic for lunch. I put my homemade shampoo in an empty supplement container. I separated the recyclables and left them on the front porch for tomorrow. I realized I had never posted a pic of the bamboo salt on the Korean clinic website, so I took a bunch of pics using different fabrics in the background. It changed the color of the salt. In real life, it is purple, not blue.
Chris came home from work late, which means he stopped by the post office too late to pick up any packages from the front desk. He brought me ads and such. He said he might be late for the next 4 to 6 weeks.
I listened to an audio while playing Russian Solitaire. It made me sleepy, so after the audio finished, I laid down for a nap. My first thought was that it wasn't working, but then I did doze off.
I watched Chris mow the lawn. I was surprised because he did not raise the deck of the mower and the grass was pretty high. But he got through all of it before the battery ran down.
I made lots of salad and ate it while playing a version of Solitaire.
We watched two episodes of the newest season of Lucifer. Chris made his lunch and went to bed. I wrote my blog post. I examined my foot for laser burns but did not see any. I took my evening supplements and went to bed.

The Great Disappointment

I woke up with the early rays of daylight. I tried to go back to sleep. I was tired. But I had to get up for a quick trip and that was enough to tell me my foot was not good. It was very disheartening. I followed the morning schedule anyway. I wrestled with the question of whether or not to go to church. Fatigue won and I texted the choir director that I wasn't coming.
I took a shower and got dressed. Chris texted from the airport. I cleaned the countertops and stove top. I made some turmeric and ginger tea. I ground up some chia seed and mixed it with water and soap, hoping to make shampoo. I put it in my shampoo bottle in the shower area. Chris arrived. I told him how sad and disappointed I was that my foot wasn't any better after all. He left a card on my computer and went to unpack. I opened the card and read what he wrote about me being a good mom. Tears came to my eyes. Then he sat and comforted me. One thing led to another...
And then it was almost noon. I made and ate breakfast. Michele called from the bloodmobile to say Happy Mother's Day. I asked questions about her apartment, but all I got were one-word answers. Then she had to run.
Chris had me write what I wanted from the grocery store. Then he wrote some things down and went to Publix. I finished reading e-mail and turned to the shark. I stuffed the fins and pinned them in place. I found a piece of white fabric and cut straps from them. I ironed pieces of interfacing to cover each strap, then folded them in fourths lengthwise. My neighbor came over to borrow a potato masher.
I stitched down the side to hold the layers in place. Then I pinned the straps to the shark and handbasted everything in place. Then I sewed around the body and turned it inside out through the mouth. It looked shark-like at that point. I got some fluff to stuff the tail with.
Chris had roasted beef in the oven and cooked rice. I laid the shark aside to have supper, and take the intended supplements. I also ate some pickled garlic with the beef. I watched videos on good sleeping posture. I checked out homemade shampoo recipes. I poured over the list of items that the naturopath says I am allergic or sensitive to.
When Chris was ready, we sat in the living room to watch The Good Place. There were 7 episodes on the DVD and we had already seen 3, so we watched the rest. Then I went to Netflix to put the next DVD in our queue. But it looked like we could stream it instead of ordering it on CD. He made his lunch and went to bed. I stayed up to blog.
* At some point today I realized that my bursitis is gone. I wondered if one of the adjustments did it? *

A rainy sewing kind of day

It was a long and difficult night. I went to bed and turned on the sleep ap. I put on my mp3 headphones and tried to sleep, but an hour passed. I took off the headphones. I realized there was a bell ringing in my right ear. That's what happens when the router is on at night. So I got up to check, and it was on, so I turned it off and went back to bed. Well, I hadn't put on my shoes to check the router so my foot was complaining. I fell asleep later, but then woke up again. When I realized I was awake, I figured it meant a pit stop. So I did that. And as soon as I laid down, the restless leg feeling took over. Uggh! I tried to puzzle out how the two events were connected. I got up to have a sip of water. But after laying down, I realized it didn't work. Finally I had to get up again. This time I put on the shoes. I got some more water, some magnesium, and a little potassium. I always take magnesium before I go to bed, so why did I need more?
Anyway, that got rid of the RLS. I had trouble getting my mind calm enough to go back to sleep. Then when I did, the sleep app woke me up. Five minutes later, the alarm went off. But then I fell asleep and dreamed that I had trouble operating my phone. I was trying to call up the sleep app to see how I did last night. When I awoke at nearly 10, the app gave me a score of 51.
So then I started my day. I tried the spit test for candida. I got ready for the day and took supplements at intervals. I had to use the rolling chair because my foot was still irritated from last night. I treated myself for sensitivities to avocados. The spit test was negative (although that can be inconclusive). I worked on the shark purse. I read through the instructions and thought that the first line ought to read: if you value your sanity, do not use minki. There was minki fluff everywhere. I stay-stitched it where the zipper was supposed to go. I found a piece of red fabric and cut what seemed like the appropriate shape for a lining. The pattern did not call for a lining. So I had to look up videos on Youtube to watch zippers put in with lining.
I took a break to make and eat breakfast. I found some audios to listen to. The day started out sunny, but then the clouds came and it rained. For lunch I had some sprouts, kimchi, and four parboiled eggs. Thankfully Chris will be home tomorrow and will go shopping for me. Beverly called and we talked about the quilt she is currently working on. I told her about my night and she suggested I might wear my shoes to bed.
I hand-basted the zipper to the purse, then sewed it down with the machine. Then I sewed the lining together with a large stitch (in case I would have to take some of it out). I whip-stitched it to the inside of the zipper. Then I pinned the bottom of the shark to the top of the shark. It seemed to be ok. But I knew that somehow the fins and the straps (which I didn't have yet) needed to go into that seam.
I was tired, so I drank a lot of water and laid down for a nap. I figured the water would keep me from sleeping too long. Not long after I laid down, the door bell rang. It was my neighbor asking me if she could put up my car windows for me. I felt quite addlepated because it had been raining for some time and I never gave my car a thought. So I thanked her and handed her my keys. She put up my windows and she got my mail. God bless her.
I went back to bed, but could not sleep. As usual, my mind was jumping from subject to subject. So I got up. It was almost 8. I put on the next episode of Interconnected. I foraged for supper. I found some seed crackers and goat cheese, and then a can of tomatoes. I paused the episode to watch several episodes of Frazier. Then I turned off Frazier so I could post to my blog. Maybe the sound of rain will help me sleep tonight.
* Just a little something from the chiropractor's office on Thursday. *

It's about time

I ran my sleep app last night. This morning it woke me at 7:05 and gave me a score of 91 with no snoring. I stayed in bed until the regular alarm rang. Then I got up to start my day.
I printed out another 5-day sheet of the supplement regimen. I wrote the dates at the top. I treated myself for any reactions to vitamin C, which I thought was the next thing on the naturopathic doctor's sheet. But when I double-checked, the next thing was calcium. So I did a few rounds for that as well. I also did a round for egg just to make sure, using one of Tina's eggs.
I went to the naturopathic doctor at 9:30. We reviewed my progress over the last month. I didn't notice much so she decided I needed even higher doses of what she had already given me. Sigh. She gave me some extra pill minders because I said it was too much to take on vacation. But they look tiny. I gave her a copy of the seed cracker recipe. She was also interested in the book I was reading and took down the title and author.
Then she tested me for reactions to the BBB, and then egg mix, and then the two together. I didn't pass the combo, so instead of moving on to calcium, she treated me for the two together. Arrgghh!
So I paid for the treatment and the consultation. The secretary asked if I needed to refill any of the supplements and I said I didn't know. Then I went home. I was hungry so I ate the handful of soaked nuts. I searched my blog for what happened last time I hurt my foot four years ago (the other foot). Apparently it didn't slow me down much. And I would have said it was worse that time. (They say memory is the second thing to go.) I used a lot of ice back then.
I listened to episode 3 of Interconnected:
The higher the use of antibiotics in a state, the higher rate of cancer per capita. There are three classes of probiotics, so if one doesn't work, try another from a different class. Lacto and bifido; saccharomyces; soil bacillis.

I made and ate breakfast. I read e-mail and listened to shorter audios. I ate the last of the pork, pickled garlic and kimchi and took the lunch supplements. I sat outside with my bare feet in the grass. The rain had stopped, but the sky was overcast. Chris called to say he was at his mother's house, and that his interview went well, but he didn't think he'd be offered the job. I told him I was walking more. He asked what I attributed it to. Well, the chiropractor would think it was his laser treatment. The naturopathic doctor would say it was her homeopathic drops. I would say it is about time.
I also texted back and forth with Denise.
Then I went inside and put on an audiobook. I started cutting shark pieces from fleece and velour. I sewed two fin pieces together, but then read the instructions and decided that it should have been a gray fin to a white fin, not two white fins.
Dad called, so I stopped to talk to him. He said his doctor chided him for not gaining any weight. We talked about that and his new medication. I laid down while talking to him. Afterward, I ate the last can of soup for supper. I also ate the last of the salad. Our next door neighbor came home and walked over to get the lavender tree. It was raining again.
I listened to more of the audio book. Then I paused it to watch the next episode of Interconnected. I looked up colors to find Purple 24C. But I found no results for that. I did find articles questioning the validity of Zyto, which told me I need more purple 24C in my life. I watched three episodes of Frazier for some entertainment. Then I looked up tests for sibo and candida. I took my evening supplements, and wrote to my blog.
* This is one of Myra's quilts. I really like it. *

A missed milestone

I got up soon after my alarm went off. I had to stop and think about everything I needed and how to accomplish it in the fewest number of steps. Soon I was dressed and ready to brush and swish. I don't remember doing anything out of the ordinary. It was a cloudy day.
I turned on the router and finished watching the Money Revealed QnA. Very negative on IRA's, or any tex-deferred vehicle. Charitable trusts were mentioned as a better alternative. Then I put on the next episode of Interconnected. Again, they were talking about the microbiome and specifically leaky gut.
I paused it to go to the chiropractor. When I parked, I noticed that my odometer had passed 10K forty miles ago. I was early so I read my book. I was called into the laser room where a different assistant lasered my foot. She moved it well outside the usual parameters. I thought it was a waste. Then I went for decompression. This time it made my right leg hurt a little. But that was over by the time I hit the restroom and then waited for the doctor. When he came in, I asked him about the dried natto and he said he hadn't eaten it yet. He said he was avoiding calcium while getting chelated for plaque in the arteries. He adjusted my neck and spine. Since this was my last visit of the week, I had to pay at the front desk. Then I left.
I went to the post office and limped into the box area. I checked our mail and threw out the ads. I brought the rest home. I put it in a pile for Chris. I ate my handful of soaked nuts, then made and ate breakfast. I finished the episode. I downloaded pics from my phone that Myra sent. The giant voice system announced a tornado warning and advised seeking cover immediately. I texted Chris and said goodbye. I took pics of my posture and downloaded them to the laptop, where I was able to mark them with the date. My intention is to take pics each week after the final adjustment.
I read and deleted e-mail. Pat called to say she was going to the PX and would stop by. I dealt with the rest of the supplements in the Swanson's box. Then she arrived. I listened to her talk for hours. And then she had to go. I had a bite for lunch. I looked at packages of sesame seeds online. I also compared packages of colostrum, which is supposed to be good for leaky gut.
I laid down for a nap. I am not certain if I fell asleep or not. When I got up, it was almost 7. I made a salad and finished it at my laptop. In a few minutes my tapping buddy was on. We did not get far before my laptop froze and I had to reboot it. But then we spent almost 2 hours tapping and chatting.
Afterward, I took supplements and watched three episodes of Frazier. Then I posted to my blog and got ready for bed.
* My car's odometer *

It's a trade-off

I got up late, but I slept well. I took a shower and got dressed. I decided that I needed a better shampoo. I started the supplement routine. I had a few minutes to check e-mail. Then I packed my bag and went to the chiropractor.
I read a book while sitting in the waiting room. I was the only patient practicing good sitting posture. Then my phone rang. It was Dr. Lee saying I did not need to come help them today. Soon after the call, the assistant called me back to the laser room. She forgot to ask me what my pain level was, and just started lasering my foot. I told her that my pain was still a 3, but that I could get around more without it going up. She made a note.
Then I went to the decompression room. I laid on a table, having my back stretched, for 12 minutes, relaxing as best I could. Then I was put in exam room 3. I stood for a bit, then sat to read my book. When the doctor came in, I gave him a baggie with dried natto in it. We talked about that, and then kimchi. He adjusted my neck and back, but not a lot. I think he saves the big moves for the last visit of the week.
When I got home, I treated myself for any sensitivity to honey while listening to the first episode of Interconnected. Here are a few notes:
The composition of breast milk changes in response to the baby's developmental stage, and even to the particular cry. A healthy microbiome transfers downstream generationally through the birth canal. Breast milk is full of prebiotics to feed the good microbes. Getting the microbial 'inoculation' as an infant can affect health as an adult.
I watered the plants, but this time without my chair. I clipped the spent blooms from the lavender tree. I swept the floors to keep the dirt from catching up in my wheels.
I made and ate breakfast. I swept the bathroom floor because it was so dirty. Caked dirt was coming off of my right shoe. Afterward, I spread a towel on the grass in the backyard and laid on it to get some sun.
I found a gray minki item in my closet that would work for the shark project, but it made the white minki dot look too busy. So I rummaged through my bins and boxes until I found a piece of white velour that would work. I made changes to the instructions to neaten them up. I measured the pieces and calculated how much fabric was needed and added that to the instructions. I added seam allowances to the pattern pieces with a ruler, then cut them out roughly.
I listened to an interview on a QI machine. I ate some lunch. William called, probably just to talk. After he hung up, I went back to the audio, but then the doorbell rang. I rolled over there as fast as I could, but whoever rang it was gone. However there was a package from Swansons. I opened the box and put some of the things away. I added others to my pill box.
I sat with my foot up to rest it for choir practice later. However, sitting that way must have been bad for my back because it began to ache. So I skipped choir after all. Then Myra called me and we had a nice chat. We haven't talked in a long time. While we were chatting, Chris called. So after the chat, I called Chris back. He didn't have much to say. So we kept it short.
After the call, I watched the last of Lauri's movies: Hotel Transylvania. Then I sat down to write my blog and listen to a QnA from Money Revealed.
* This is the lavender tree before I clipped it. *

Delightful surprise

I made up a week's worth of supplements last night so I got to bed late. I woke up in the middle of the night but somehow fell asleep again and didn't get up until 8:20.
I brushed and swished. I put on the heavy stiff-soled shoes. I hope they are worth having hot feet. I listened to an Esther Hicks audio while I made more green powder mix.
I read an article on orthorexia. A quote from Karin Kratina, PhD, RD, LD/N:
”Orthorexia appears to be motivated by health, but there are underlying motivations, which can include safety from poor health, compulsion for complete control, escape from fears, wanting to be thin, mproving self-esteem, searching for spirituality through food, and using food to create an identity.
This is not a joke. It is considered an eating disorder.
Chris texted me to see how I was doing. We texted back and forth. I finished the Esther Hicks audio and played another one while I ate and played Solitaire. I bagged up the garbage and put it on the front porch. I read about digital strip searching; where border agents can demand your phone and password and access whatever you have on it, plus whatever your apps give them access to. They don't need a warrant or state a reason. I posted an article about it on Facebook so other people can be aware.
I made seed crackers. While they baked, I looked up how I made cheese from goat milk so I could tell the chiropractor tomorrow. I had to read a lot of my blog posts from August 2015 to find out how I did it. After 20 minutes, I turned the oven off, but left the crackers in to get crisp.
I caught a baby rabbit eating my petunias. When I banged on the door, he scooted under a bush, where there might be a nest. I put the trash in the can and drove to church. I entered all the offering info on the church computer and printed out the reports. Then I took the money to the bank and deposited it. The farmer's market was not far away, but I decided it was too much walking.
On the way home I took a small detour. I drove to the back of the neighborhood where the police car sometimes parks. I waded through the brush to check on the peony bush. It was in full bloom. I was glad I hadn't waited any longer to check on it. I picked two blooms and drove home. Wading through the brush is probably a no-no, but it was a sight I didn't want to miss.
When I got back, I moved my rolling chair out to the sidewalk. I transplanted petunias into different pots and placed them on the wire stand to get them out of the rabbit's reach. Then I watered all of the plants in my care.
I took the seed crackers out of the oven. They were a little over-done. I went out back and picked some dandelion and soaked salad greens in a tub. I checked e-mail, then called Dad. He seemed a little harried and confused. But he was able to hold a conversation.
I went looking for a piece of gray fleece for the shark project, and found one, but it wasn't big enough. I know somewhere I have more. But finding it might involve moving heavy boxes.
I washed the greens and made salad. After I ate, I got ready to watch a movie. Then Chris called. We talked, but not for long because he was getting ready for bed. Then I watched a DVD called Epic. It wasn't bad at all for an animated movie. I looked up some of the voices. I took the last of the supplements and wrote to my blog.

The right shoes make a difference

I got up sometime after the alarm went off. I brushed and swished and got a head start on the water. I made up 7 days of super minerals and took one. I had to divide the potassium capsules in 5ths to equate what is in Dr. Grey's formula. I used a small piece of paper rolled into a funnel.
I sorted through e-mail while resting my foot in the chillow. Then I listened to episode 10 of Money Revealed while heating my foot. I paused it to clean up and get dressed. Then I watched a little more before throwing a book in a bag and going to the doctor.
When I got there, the assistant indicated I should go to the laser room. But when I got there, someone was already in. So I sat in the chair in the hallway to read my book. When it was my turn, I explained that my foot was not benefiting from the laser and so could she do my spine instead. She said I would have to discuss that with the doctor.
My next stop was the decompression room. I didn't think that was helping either, but I went along with it since it didn't hurt. I laid there doing the mudra for relaxation. Immediately after the decompression, I was shown into exam room 2. I read my book again. My phone rang. It was Pat. I whispered that I would call her back.
When the doctor came in, I gave him the seed cracker recipe. He had me lay on my back. He said I should wear stiffer shoes. Then I rolled on my side so he could adjust my neck. Then over to the drop table so he could do the rest of my spine. He said he would adjust my foot when it got better.
He gave me the clipboard to take up front. I let the receptionist know that I did not have a laser treatment today. She seemed concerned. She went to see the doctor and came back saying I should have my foot lasered. I have only had 5 treatments and for some reason 7 is the magic number. I skeptically agreed. I hobbled back to the laser room and waited in line. She lasered my foot and I checked out again and went home.
When I got home, I called Pat back. She needed to come by and pick up some guild library books. I made and ate breakfast listening to the rest of the episode. The speaker said if people binge-studied their financial future like they binge-watch Game of Thrones or some other show, they would be in much better shape.
I watered the plants and moved some of them to a sunnier location, all from the comfort of my rolling chair.
Pat came over while I was listening to something else. I invited her in and we talked for some time. Hours in fact. I sat on the couch and tried to maintain proper posture. It was tiring. Then she had to go. I asked her to bring in the mail for me and she did.
I ate lunch even though it was supper time. I tried on stiffer shoes as the doctor suggested. I had tried them a week or two ago and could not get them on. But today I did. After a few steps, they became almost comfortable and I could walk. It was a great feeling, but I wondered if I dared trust it.
It made me so happy that I sat down and played the piano. William called to tell me about the fresh ground almond butter he gets at Fresh Market. We also talked about stiff-soled shoes. He recommended Hoka Bondi 5.
I made salad. I texted Chris and he called me. I jotted some notes for my blog. Then I put a DVD in the player. I watched Nanny McPhee Returns. It was definitely a kid's movie, but it was a bit diverting. And now there are only two of Lauri's movies left to watch.
I took the shoes off, heated my foot one last time, and went to bed.
* My petunias *