The downward slide......

My hollyhocks last year....this year they are twice as big!

Well, my Mom is back in the hospital.  She collapsed ~ on her first day back home from rehab ~ and broke her ankle.  Sadly my sister and I agree that was likely her last trip home.  After rehab this time, she will be going to assisted living.  It is a long and sad story that so many of us experience with our elderly parents that have so many health issues (Parkinson's, dementia, etc).  In the next month or two I will be driving to Texas to help my sister clear out Mom's house to put it up for sale.  It will be difficult.  Mom has lived in that house for over 50 years.  It is filled with memories, both good and bad.  Birthday's and estrangement, deployment and graduation.  I suppose those 5 years that I lived there shaped a good part of who I am.  It is where my babies went to be admired by their Grandmother.  Until I moved to New Mexico, I spent nearly every Christmas there, Thanksgiving, Easter......  Without those memories it is just a tired house, in need of some updating.

I don't know how Mom will feel about not going back.  It is where, up until the last four months, the place she felt most comfortable and in control.  Not long ago, she did tell my sister that maybe she should go to a nursing home ~ because she knew that her caregiver no longer has the strength to help if she falls, or has other trouble getting around the house.  Going in and out of the hospital has increased her dementia issues.  My sister visited her at rehab where Mom asked her where she was.  Still, even though we have some plans, everything is uncertain.  I'm not sure how long she will be in rehab this time. 

On the work front, our hygienist is still out.  The doctors she has seen seem unable to figure out what is going on with her.  I haven't heard about her COVID test, but I know I would have heard if it was positive.  She has debilitating headaches and very high blood pressure.  If I were her kid, I would encourage her to retire.  From what I've heard, she doesn't want to be home with her husband all day 😊  Another uncertainty....all we can do is wait and see.

We are having a rare rainy morning her in Albuquerque.  Usually we have storms in the afternoon and evening following a hot day.  It is so nice to see it, the air smells so fresh and scented with pinon, sage and lavender.  I love the smell of the desert when it rains.

Tonight I am participating in a painting class via zoom.  The subject:

Normally (haha) we would be at a pub or a bar, and drinking wine or beer while we paint....still should be fun!  And I need to replace the winter scene I painted last time I participated in one of these.  And make a run to the store for a few beers......alcohol does improve the painting process for me!

Enjoy your Saturday!

Love, 365

Tribulation.........

I'm not even sure y'all can read this.  Every time I want to read one of your blogs, I get this stupid redirect notice.  Would I click on your blog if I didn't want to read it?  Common sense is dead and lying in the gutter, my friends. 

I have been tempted to text my co-worker that was sick but didn't get a test, but I figure I'll see her on Tuesday.  I haven't heard anything about the hygienist yet.  I sent her a text this morning, but I haven't heard anything yet.

And what the heck is up with people?  George Floyd killed by police.  Amy Cooper calling the cops on Franklin Templeton just because he asked her to leash her dog.  I am both saddened and disgusted. 

I also haven't heard anything about our church opening.  We've been "attending" via you tube since March 15th.  We missed Pascha (Orthodox Easter) and so much more during the lock down.  No telling how it will look when we return, with the limit to the number of people allowed in the building.  Today I decided not to watch ~ sort of like deciding not to go on a particular Sunday.....

It is enough to go back to bed and pull the covers over your head.  I already avoid most news!  Should I sell my house and live in a cave?  Hmmmmmm

Good news, Amazon has unlocked my account.  I saw the charges to my bank account this morning, and thought "eureka!".  I don't want to go through that again.  It took almost a week, approximately 30 emails, and creating a second account to finally solve a problem that could have been resolved in 10 minutes on the phone.  But I won't go into it all again, I think I covered it yesterday 😐

Love to you all ~ 365

Well, isn't this nice...............

If it isn't stressful enough with all of the COVID crap, the work issues, reading the conspiracy theories on COVID, I have encountered a rather serious issue with my Amazon account. 

It all began with me putting in a different credit card as my primary payment, subsequently forgetting I had done that, and then disputing charges on the credit card as a knee jerk response to the charges I saw popping up on it.  After I freaked out, I realized those were our own charges and that I had completely forgotten that I had changed the preferred payment method. 

On Tuesday morning, I received a notice from Amazon that they've locked my account due to suspicious purchasing activity.  When they say they have locked your account, they mean we will prevent you, the account owner, access in every form.  You are left only with the ability to email them.  Over 10 emails later, with absolutely no response or change at all, my friend who has an account (who doesn't??) got on and initiated a chat where I was at least able to let a customer service person know what was going on.  They even called me!  But nothing changed.  24 hours later, I still can't get into my account. 

An indeterminate number of emails after that, still nothing.  Did you know that you cannot call Amazon?  And if your account is locked, you can't go through the chat help either.  It is like going to work and discovering they've changed the locks and the phone number and every time to go by, there is no one there. 

So yesterday I created a new account, for the sole purpose of being able to chat with customer service.  The person I spoke to said ~ after a 20 minute chat session ~ that the department that handles Amazon payments will send me yet another email, and to follow the instructions.  Which I've already done multiple times to no avail.  I did receive an email, and I replied, and then ended up receiving a "deceptive website warning".  So I had to go in to the new account again and chat with someone.  Again. 

I finally received the correct email, asking me to give them permission to pay for the orders involved in the ill fated dispute.  Which I have done. 

I would happily cancel it all, except that doing so would render my Kindle useless except for reading books I've already read.  I actually have a book sample that I want to buy, but I realized that I can't do that until my account is unlocked.  Yes, I could give up the streaming service and everything else but I don't want to lose my ability to read on my Kindle. 

It is my own fault, my own stupidity that created the problem, which should have taken a simple phone call to resolve. into a week long series of frustrations and anger.  For that, I say Amazon has to shoulder all the blame by removing themselves from contact with the exception of email. 

Love, 265

Update and other interesting news......

I should have anticipated this.....

but no.

Yesterday we were notified that our dental assistant tested negative for the virus.  I am not surprised, as I mentioned in my last post, she took a day and a half off because she felt dizzy ~ but a few of us in the office figured she was just jumping on the bandwagon of the other two that called in sick.  I also heard an unsubstantiated rumor that she had an interview, and apparently there are a lot of jobs being posted for dental offices.  There are a couple of us that would not be sorry to see her go, she is not really a good fit.  But time will tell. 

Our hygienist is having a test done, but she apparently has something serious as she has been out for 3 days in a row.  We're not sure what is going on, but I hope she's going to be ok.  She has been doing hygiene for a long time, and her patients really love her.  But you know, she may not be up to the restrictions and PPE mandates and might decide to retire.  It would not be the first time I've heard of experienced and long time hygienists deciding to quit, mostly due to arthritis and other physical ailments from leaning over patients for years.  It takes a toll.

My business staff co-worker was off for two days and came back today (it's my day off).  Although our office manager suggested they get tested, she said she wasn't inclined to do it ~ I'm not really sure why since she is the most paranoid of everyone.  Wouldn't you want to be reassured that you didn't have covid?  So, our office manager asked the docs if we would want any staff who has symptoms to have a negative test before they return to work, and he said no.  WTF??  I'm not sure of his thought processes on this decision.  I'm sure he has a logical reason, but the rest of us are now wary and concerned. 

On the patient front, even though we have asked patients to wear a mask (really, should we have to tell them????) occasionally someone comes in without one.  One lady forgot.  But a man and his son both came in without them.  So I have been handing out masks, both to those who don't have one and to those who ask me for them.  I asked the doc about it and discovered that we don't have enough spare masks to be handing them out.  From now on if someone comes in without a mask, or asks for one, we are to let them know there will be a charge for it.  One patient I had scheduled asked me if we were handing out masks to all patients, and I replied no.  She then said "I want you to give me one when I get there" ~ in a demanding voice, mind you.  After the discussion with the doc, one of us called that patient and told her how much the charge would be for the mask, and now all of a sudden she's going to wear a bandana instead, lol. 

My job is ever changing and challenging. 

Love, 365

Oh, the paranoia......

Oh, what a crazy day!  One of our hygienists called in sick for today ~ mostly she complained about a headache.  One of the symptoms of COVID.

Today, one of the four of us that works on the business side of the desk told us she was having stomach upset and diarrhea (cause you know, that's always something you want to share).  We told her to go home and rest.  Just found out that she is not coming in tomorrow either.

Around lunch time one of our dental assistants said she was feeling dizzy, and might have a migraine.  I gave her a couple of meclizine's and she went home. 

So, here it is, noon, and about a quarter of the staff is gone.  It was crazy busy, but we made it through.  Tomorrow another of the business staff is going to be late because she's also a property manager and is filing paper to evict a tenant.  She won't be long though, the last time she was in the office by 9am. 

For peace of mind, our office manager asked all 3 to get tested.  So, probably safe to assume that none of these people will be in until maybe Tuesday.  I just want to be transported to a warm sunny beach, where I could lay on the beach and drink cold beer for four days.

Now, I feel fairly confident that our hygienist is suffering from stress, and the fact that she became dehydrated....with all the personal protective equipment (ppe in case you didn't know the acronym) it is hard for them to drink enough ~ plus there's the consideration of having to go pee all the time.  She was tested before she came back to work (which was May 18th, so she's worked a total of 5 days over the last 8 days), and I thought the incubation period was at least a week, but apparently it's 2 to 14 days.  So, maybe?  My business desk co-worker is most definitely paranoid.  But when she gets sick she's nearly always out a week.  And as terrible as I feel about saying this, I think our dental assistant is making up her dizziness complaint and jumping on the bandwagon.  But, I could (and sincerely hope) that I'm just a mean bitch who isn't looking forward to the next few days.......

Hopefully all 3 will have negative results.  I also found out today that if you work in the health field that they can process your test and have a result in 24 hours...there's a bright patch on the horizon.

Oh, I wish I could retire now.......

Love, 365

Memorial Day is more than a day off from work......

Monday we celebrate Memorial Day.  We give thanks to all of those who have made great or ultimate sacrifices for all of us at home. 

Thank you for your service to us.........

Love, 365

We made it! (through the first "full" week back to work).......

I love Marigolds, they're just happy little flowers.....

We survived!  We went back to work this week, the only difference was we opened at 50% of our normal patient load.  Everyone must wear a mask ~ I was surprised that we had two patients that came in without one.  There's always two in a crowd?  I don't think that's right, lol.  We have also asked everyone to call when they are in the parking lot, but we had a bit of an issue with the patients that come at 8am.  We don't turn off our voice mail until after our morning meeting, and generally don't get the messages for 5 or even 10 minutes, because we have patients walking in.  One man became quite irritated with us because we weren't answering the phone at 7:50 when he arrived.  He didn't have a mask either.  He was a pill the whole time he was in the office, and we were super happy when he was done!  

Otherwise we adjusted to all this new stuff, and managed to get through the week.  The hygienists are adjusting to being without their beloved cavitron (the water jet that helps clean off tartar and stuff).  But they have to wear so much gear that the office feels like an ice box.  They are hot and uncomfortable.  I have to wear a mask (just one, where they are wearing two) and I chafe at that.  I don't know how they do it.  

Considering how many people have lost their jobs because the business shut down I am feeling blessed to have work.  Even though I sometimes complain about it....:-)

My hollyhocks continue to bloom....

As you can see, it is huge this year!  

Snapped a pic of some flowers while on my walk yesterday....lots of wild flowers blooming right now!

And with all those wild flowers and trees my allergies are in over-drive.  So I'm walking inside today.  I woke up this morning with itchy itchy eyes.   

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Love, 365

Dream a little dream......

Last night was as any other night ~ same routine.  Lock up, brush teeth and face, apply copious amounts of moisturizer, turn on the humidifier, read a little then off to dreamland.  Only that's not what happened.

Something woke me (could have been the dog) and I went to use the restroom, drink a tiny bit of water...sometimes I make a mental guess at the time and check to see how far off I am.  It was 11:55 or so, just before midnight.  I quietly returned to bed, made myself comfortable, closed my eyes. 

Nope.

I was wide awake.  So I lay there for awhile, listening to the sound of the humidifier, the occasional sound of a motorcycle race down the road that was repaved this weekend.  I could tell I was wasting my time.  Sleep didn't just allude.  It went on vacation.

I quietly gathered my kindle and pillow and crept downstairs to the sofa, grabbed a blanket and then went around turning off the night lights and the porch light (which is brighter than the sun, I swear I hate that bulb ~ of course it is an LED so it will last forever.  I may have to replace it when Romeo is out and about).  Romeo is really a fan of night lights downstairs, which I admit makes it easy to navigate in the dark of night.  I believe I turned off 3, plus the porch light.  I settle in, adjusting the pillow, snuggling under the blanket, moving the hair away from my neck (which tickles and bugs). 

This is where having an e-book with a built-in light is so handy.  I was on the last book in a series, a really fun read by Shannon Mayer (who is a very prolific fantasy writer ~ the Elemental series), and on the last 1/3 of the final bit of the story.  It was a very satisfying read, although the end was a bit sad, since ~ well, I won't say although I doubt any of you are reading it.  A few tears rolled down my cheeks, I wiped them away and switched off the kindle and turned to close my eyes.  Determined to sleep now.  I didn't check, but it was probably 1:30 - 2:00 am by then. 

Finally fell asleep to the song of crickets.

Love, 365

3 days to go.........

Abó ruins in Mountanair, NM

Was planning on walking my 3-5 miles today, but after yesterday my eyes are so itchy I nixed that idea ~ I guess I'll put some more miles on my treadmill.  I really need to get those allergy eye drops this weekend.  Spring is now morphing into summer temps, and the garden is doing well, and my marble sized tomato is now doubled in size.  I have noticed the loss of a few of the flowers, probably due to chilly mornings.  I certainly hope I have a lot of fresh home grown tomatoes, but if I only get 10, I'll be happy!

A shout out and brag on Romeo's abilities...this is the desk he built me, probably 14 years ago....

 He also made the letter holder with the bear...there is a drawer just below the desktop too.

 The hutch........

I love these little drawers...

 Garden marigolds......

 I love the texture of the Hollyhock flower buds...

They are starting to bloom too!

Have you noticed that baking bread has become the thing to do during this quarantine?  I recently began following a facebook site "perfect sourdough" ~ there's just no end to the posts.  It has flooded my feed.  If you search for sourdough on you tube, there are tons of how-to videos!  Bread baking at home is suddenly popular.  I wonder how long that will last when everyone is back to work?  

Well, it's time to get to work, still working on completing a few goals before Tuesday rolls around...

Love, 365

Rant and roll..........

View from the tram ride on the Sandia Mountains.....

I am still working on finishing up projects here at home before we return to work full time in a week.  Today I took all of the winter clothes from my master bedroom closet and moved it to the walk in closet in one of the other bedrooms.  One disappointment in this house is that there is no walk in closet in the master, but both of the other bedrooms do.  It's a small project....one small step at a time!  

Bad news on the refrigerator cleaning, it really ought to be done once every 4 to 6 months.  Other than maintenance cleaning, I've never done it that often.  I did put a reminder in my calendar to do it anyway.  I'll try to snag Romeo's help for the next one.

I have taken everything off of my desk and cleaned it too.  That took longer than the 2 hours for the fridge, but I took lots of breaks.   I still have a bit of a stack of papers but it's really not that big a deal.
************************
We had our "training" session at work today.  Let me tell you, I would quit right now if I could, it started off rather overwhelming and just went down hill on an icy slope from there.  I left feeling totally stressed out.  The first week back ~ next week ~ will be the worst, because we'll be tweaking the system as we go.  I get why clinical staff should change clothes, but I think admin. staff shouldn't have to.  Oh, and one of the bosses suggested we bring our clothes in a pillow case.  I'll feel like a hobo :-)  It's true though, if I were in a position to retire right now, I would do it.  So, I had my little melt-down at home, and as usual, Romeo had no clue how to deal with it.  Men can be so useless......

Well, I'm not thinking about it for now (Hello, Scarlett O'Hara!) and plan to enjoy my weekend as best I can. 

Love, 365

Happy Mother's Day!

To all of you Mom's out there, Happy Mother's Day to you!

Love, 365