Another Trip To The Cardiologist Office

For another diagnostic test. And, I hope this is the last one for awhile. I can't imagine there being any more tests that I have not undergone regarding my heart. Yesterday's test was a Cardiac Nuclear Imaging Scan. I am so happy that this procedure is behind me. It takes approximately three hours to complete. The purpose is to assess how the heart responds to the demands of physical activity. There are several types of this test. Because of my back problems, I am not able to walk on a treadmill for this test. So, they introduce a medication via an I.V. that simulates the symptoms of a heart attack. THIS IS NOT A GOOD FEELING! They quickly reverse the medication/symptoms by introducing another medication. It takes a few minutes before you start to feel OK again! Imaging scans are taken before and after the medication administration as well as electrocardiograms. This is about as simple as I can explain the procedure.

The professional staff was WONDERFUL and I felt very safe and secure.

During a brief conversation with the Nuclear Imaging Technician I was so surprised to learn that he graduated about 30 years after I did from the same small high school that I graduated from in Southern California. And, then he went on to USC for his degree in nuclear medicine and thereafter to work at Stanford University Hospital. Then on to Stockton Cardiology Medical Group where my doctor has his practice. He was very familiar with where I obtained my Registered Nurse education.

Even though we did not have much time to talk, it was a lot of fun. He was so nice and we quickly exchanged memories of our childhood experiences even though it was generations apart. It was the first time I have experienced an exchange like this of meeting someone who related to my childhood memories. When I attended the high school it was a new school and I was in the first graduating class of the school in 1957!

After my diagnostic test, MSM and I went to Macaroni Grill for a great dinner. Since, I had been fasting prior to the test, I was hungry and I could not wait for a cup of coffee. : > } 

I hope you are having a Fabulous Day.

Rarely Seen Flower

Occasionally, you will see something that makes you take a "double look".  This cactus is a good example of just that. It resides on the street where MSM lives. It is so beautiful.  There are over 300 varieties of the Cactus Americana. From what I have read, the large leaves of the cactus at the base have characteristics which can help to identify the species.

I believe that this may be Agave Americana with the powdery blue leaves. Reportedly, it is the most tolerant of all the Agaves and for that reason it has the widest distribution.

Description: Solitary or slowly clumping large leaf succulent with a basal rosette (up to 4 m wide)

Leaves: Thick and massive grey-blue up to 150-200 cm long and 25 cm wide, and have sharp spines on the margins and tips. The margin spines are recurved like fishhooks and the tip spines can be more than 2,5 cm long.

Flowers: The inflorescence of the Agave Americana is branched can reach epic proportions, soaring 3 -7 m or more, and bears large (6-10 cm) yellow-green flowers. Inflorescences look like asparagus spears as they grow.

Sometimes it is called The "Century Plant" but it doesn't really take a century to bloom. But it does take 10 years or so in warm regions and as much as 60 years in colder climates. It dies after blooming,  but produces offsets or "pups" throughout its life and these remain to continue the lineage.

I thought this is so beautiful that I wanted to share it with all of you flower-plant lovers.

I hope you are having a Wonderful Day. My days have been filled with lots of activities. More on that next time.

Impressed With Neurologist

Following lots of confusion when scheduling a neurological appointment for evaluation of my recent lumbar spine MRI, I was delightfully surprised to meet a very professional  and impressive physician. I was taken to a exam room within 5 minutes of arrival. And, the doctor walked in shortly thereafter. He spent 45 minutes obtaining a very detailed history and completing a very extensive physical neurological examination. My current spinal neurological status was explained and my anxiety about serious changes in my back was calmed. All of my questions were answered.

Nothing dramatic is changing in my lumbar spine. The increased pain is associated with the progressive degenerative spine  condition. I have always known that my back pain is very likely to increase with age as the degenerative process continues. During the past ten years I have "just lived with it" doing all the various noninvasive procedures available to me including hypnosis. I have worked hard to live a life whereby "Even though I have pain, I am NOT my  pain ."

There are some treatments for pain management that I have not pursued because I felt that they did not have enough long range data for success rates. The neurologist brought the current  nerve block procedures to my attention and we discussed them. I may consider a consultation with Richard Derby, M.D. at Spinal Diagnostics and Treatment Center near Stanford University Hospital. Dr Derby is a well known spinal researcher from California who has perfected the technique of  Nerve Ablation and Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty which may be a procedure appropriate for me. 

For the time being, I am doing OK and my "glass is half full".

I am so grateful for yesterday's medical consultation. I feel blessed.

I hope your day is Going Well.

A Garden Project

I have a garden project that I would like to share with you. Let me show you the finished results first. Because I can't wait! And then I will tell you what I did.  The Rebecca At The Well Fountain is in service again and creating the nicest sounds in my garden!

I have had this fountain outside my dining room window for several years. It is a lovely three piece structure. The beautiful base is now covered by azaleas that were only one gallon plants when I planted them. Because we have had colder weather and  snow in the winter for the last few years the cement basin deteriorated and crumbled because I did not cover it with plastic protection some of the years. Seriously, I really missed hearing the sounds of the flowing water during the warm summer days. So, I decided that I was going to do something about it. The next photo was taken in spring time and it is a photo of the fountain amidst the flowering azaleas and without a basin! So - - -

 

I bought a very large plastic terracotta basin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

And, a couple cans of Krylon Stone spray paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 And, then a can of Krylon Sealer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  

And, now Rebecca is getting water from the well. And, I Love It.

Happy Summer Days to you.

Angelo's Is The Place

What a wonderful restaurant and evening. ANGELO'S  is one of the newer restaurants in town which opened around Easter time. The first night they were open we stopped by to see how it was. They were swamped with customers and had to turn some away. The food was good but it was clear that the wait staff was new and had a lot to learn about the computers and everything else. They were the previous owners of a small deli down the street named DeliNini's which was a top rate deli. We felt like they just needed a little time and they would have everything humming right along.  And, they did.

A couple months later we picked up some take-out of spaghetti and meatballs and we liked it a lot. For some reason we did not return until last night. Well, I guess we have very busy and not eating out as often, at my request!.

What a delightful dinner and dining experience! I had Caprese Salad, Lasagna (special of the day) and Bruschetta. It was the best lasagna that I have ever had throughout many years. MSM had Pear Salad, Sirloin Filet - Pancetta wrapped with Gorgonzola and garlic mashed potatoes. The steak was juicy tender and our food and service was outstanding!

And, look at this Creme Brulee Cheesecake we shared for dessert. I have not tasted a cheesecake that I like better. It was so smooth and creamy with the caramelized sugar topping. I have always been a big fan of cheesecake - and - creme brulee. So, putting them together can send me into ecstasy. Every bite was worth the calories!  I am sure we will be returning to Angelo's soon.

After having three days to myself, it was so nice to be going out for the evening.

After dinner, we walked over to the Veteran's Memorial.. Since it was installed last year, it had been vandalized. All of the repairs have been completed and it looked beautiful with the evening lighting.

If you are in the area, don't forget to stop in at Angelo's for a great meal.

Wishing you a Fun Filled Weekend.

I Got A Brand New Pair Of ~ Books

Do you ever get a song in your head and it won't leave for days? That is what is happening to me with the song "Brand New Key".  If you are one who remembers the early 70's, then you may recall ~ ~ ~ "I got a brand new pair of roller skates, you got a brand new key. I think that we should get together and try them out, to see . . . " Silly, how the brain won't let go of something like that!

Well, this is "my brand new pair of books". 

  

I have been interested in these books for quite some time and thought this was a good time to get them.  I have been having fun looking at all the different ways that I can do the borders on my Stripey Blanket. Stay tuned!

I hope you are having Fun on this Summer Day.

Rolling Right Along

And, WHAT FUN I am having. This is the project that my thoughts go to in the evening when I watch television. It is so relaxing and rewarding to work on my crocheted Stripey Blanket. I am a multi-tasker and always have been. If I am watching TV,  I am not happy unless I am doing something else. Or course, many times I am not able to multi-task , especially when I am lying dowm on the sofa because of my back problems. I have found the resting of my back in that manner is very helpful.

I love the colors. 

I love the Cascade 220 wool yarn. 

I love the feel of the yarn. 

I love selecting the "next" color.

I love how it is progressing.
I love the size it is going to be when finished.

YES, I LOVE IT. 

It seems as though I just ordered yarn, but it is time again. You can see where the Raspberry color ends with a strand of yarn. That is where I ran out of that color of yarn. I am also short on a few other colors. I know the border will take a lot of yarn. Just not sure what colors I want to use. I am planning on making about three or four rows of border, each in a different color.  I try to order enough yarn so I do not have to pay for shipping. Every penny saved, helps!

With the very hot weather, I have the air conditioning on when I work on this project because it is way too hot to work on a big and somewhat heavy project like this without the cool air.  

Stay tuned for the next progress report.

Take Good Care Of Yourself Today.

What Did The Doctor Say

Would you believe that the doctor was not there! ! ! ! !  How did that happen?

We drove  60 miles down the mountain to see a specialist and the office staff said the doctor was at the hospital and could not see me. Reportedly, they did not have the correct telephone number for me. I do not know why they did not try to locate it by trying to call the referral doctor/service. Needless to say, I am not happy about this. As, we drove home the outside temperature was 104 degrees! Not a good day to be out running around.

They said I could see the doctor on August 9th. After I resisted the long wait for another appointment they gave me an appointment for next week on Tuesday. Hopefully, I will get some answers then.

Sorry that I did not blog earlier in the day. I was just too upset.

Hope you are staying comfortable and having a Great Day.

235th Birthday

Today is the official July 4th holiday and the celebrations have been going on for days. I hope people realize how blessed we all are to have the freedoms we experience day after day. To me, it seems as though many (not all) of the younger people do not realize what patriotism means. We are such a young country. Today is America's 235th Birthday!

According to Wikipedia, “In 1777, thirteen gunshots  were fired, once at morning and again as evening fell, on July 4 in Bristol, Rhode Island. Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary in a manner a modern American would find quite familiar: an official dinner for the Continental Congress, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayers, music, parades, troop reviews, and fireworks. Ships were decked with red, white, and blue bunting.”

Never should we forget!

My holiday petunias have been blooming  nicely.  These six-packs were some of the healthiest plant I have ever purchased. Recently, a small nursery opened in another little town nearby. It is owned by a Mennonite family and it is very nicely managed and the plants are well cared for. The weather has turned HOT, close to 100 degrees. That means that I have more hand watering in the garden! And, I am grateful that I am physically able to do it!

Tomorrow is a big day for me. I will be going to a Neurologist (out of the area) to have my recent lumbar spine MRI evaluated, with hopes of gaining some information regarding future treatment and guidance about the bone spur protruding into the spinal canal.. When a local doctor used the word of potential paralysis I was shocked and very dismayed.

The report conclusion states "Scoliosis and multilevel degenerative disease. Nerve root impingement is suspected at several levels but the most prominent finding is at L4/5 where there is impingement on the left L4 nerve root within the foramen and possible impingement on the left L5 by osteophytes (bone spurs) intruding into the neural canal."

If you believe in prayer, I would be grateful is you would include me in yours!

I hope you had a Fabulous 4th of July weekend and everyone is safe and sound.



My Best Effort

This is the best I could do with my limited photography skills when taking a couple photos of the fabulous fireworks that we saw last night, right here in Murphys.  But then, what fireworks are not fabulous? I think I am beginning to sound like the Chamber of Commerce!

Maybe, these photos look more like abstract art instead of fireworks.    ; > )

 

After having dinner at a favorite restaurant downtown we went to see the fireworks at a local winery called Ironstone. Another time I will tell you more about Ironstone Winery. Since it is a big amphitheater and the event started at 4:30 PM we decided to drive up above the winery and view the fireworks from my car. I am blessed to have a great 1998 Chrysler Sebring JXi Convertible similar to this picture. Same color and all ~ emerald green with beige top and nice gold wheels. When I purchased the car about 12 years ago it only had 12000 miles. It was a mighty fine deal!

We reclined the seats and just lay back and enjoyed the show. Now, that's living! And, we did not have to wait in long lines to return home. A few years ago, I viewed the fireworks in this manner. So, I decided to show MSM how I take the back roads so I can go later in the evening and avoid the crowds. The fireworks display started at 9:30 PM.



Oh, I must tell you that I had the most divine Crab Macaroni and Cheese for dinner. Real crab, not the artificial! Believe me, it wasn't the time to count calories.

I really do not enjoy going out to dinner as much as MSM, primarily because of the high salt content and calories of restaurant food! He can go out every day and eat whatever he wants and not gain an ounce nor alter his health.. He has always been like that. It's just not fair. I would rather discipline myself by limiting the calories in the present instead of working at taking them off after gaining way too much. 

I hope you are Enjoying a Happy and Safe Holiday Weekend. We are having fabulous weather which is certainly an added bonus and blessings!

.

First Fridays In The Park

I live in a very small community that has such big spirit that you would be hard pressed to find another town that can put on a show like Murphys. Starting in June, the Murphys Community Club presents a free live music concert and optional dinner for fee. And, they continue throughout the summer months on the first Friday. Everyone is welcome to bring their own food. Picnic baskets are a common sight. The band was "Chains Required" and their music was great.

It was great music to dance to and there was lots of dancing in the park! Just look at all the people, young and old having a good time.

There were people as far as you could see in all directions, side to side and behind. And, the large dance area was filled with happy dancers.

Murphys is quite a wine tasting area with lots of tasting rooms and nice restaurants. Wine by the bottle was also available. 

The park is beautiful with trees and a lovely creek running through it. We saw so many people that we know from our neighborhoods , church and other local organizations. It was very enjoyable and it looked like "a good time was had by all". This was a nice event to start off the holiday weekend. 

Every morning when I awaken, I give thanks for the blessings I have received. And, one of them is for the good fortune to live in MURPHYS.

Wishing you a Great Holiday Weekend.

Shiny, Bright And Clean

I accomplished a very big task recently that was certainly way overdue. I thoroughly cleaned the China Cabinet! What a big job! It took me quite a few days whereas, in the past, it took me much less time. Age has a way of doing that to us. I cleaned all of the silver and of course, the china and glassware was washed. In addition, I oiled the furniture surface very well. It looks brand new.

I have always loved my China Cabinet and I have had one for as long as I can remember, even when I have lived in small apartments. There is something about dishes, glassware and silver/gold that has always made me feel happy. It could be the aspect of domesticity and entertaining that draws me toward these objects.

This china is a perfect set for eight and it was given to me from my mother's possessions. The pattern is Touraine by Haviland. It is from 1939, made in America and my father bought it for my mother about the time I was born. I enjoy using it and wish I used it more often. In the past I have had a large dining room and I was able to do more entertaining.

This Soup Tureen with lid and Sugar-Creamer Set also belonged to my mother.  The markings on the bottom say Premier Taylor Smith Taylor Co.USA. I think they are quite representative of the 1940's. And, oh, so Beautiful. The Tureen also has floral decor on the inside! They are treasured by me.

The China Cabinet has these wonderful pull-out shelves that are so handy with a small dining room because I can use them almost like a buffet when serving.

I have had the opportunity to have guests in for dinner recently and it was very enjoyable to have a nice "sparkly clean" China Cabinet. It is hard for me to believe how tarnished and dusty it looked before. But, it had been quite a long time since it had been thoroughly cleaned. I know I have been trying to squeeze in to many social activities with my new life style of having a man in my life. It is difficult for him to accept that I have household responsibility that take time and effort. I am working hard to find a balance that works for both of us! 

Have a Wonderful Day - OK!

I Won A Table Centerpiece

As hard as I try to get back to regular blogging, it just isn't happening. I think I may be making it too difficult for myself because I am always wanting to make it as interesting as I can and also include photos! Life has been rather hectic with medical issues and trying to find enough time to "please everyone" and yet have time for myself to "catch my breath", occasionally. I am certain that the majority of you are relating to what I am trying to say. So, with that said, I will try to pop in for a visit a little more often. It seems as though once you get out of the rhythm of daily (or almost daily) blogging something happens to your brain and you spend more time thinking about "must blog" than doing it!

As you know, I can never have too many flowers or garden related things in my life. Look at this lovely wildflower plant that I won at a Ladies Day Luncheon given by a California organization called SIRS (Sons In Retirement) this past week. It was a very nice affair with lots of lovely people. Yes, there always are social events to enjoy but it takes some effort to find the time to keep MSM happy.

The name of this plant in Clarkia Amoena "Godetia" and it is spectacular! It is an annual and I hope it will reseed next year. 

That's it for today.

Wishing you a Fabulous Day.