I see a lot of specialists in a year's time. I've seen many variations and configurations of waiting rooms and treatment rooms. It shocks me that so many offices, whose primary business is to treat sick people, are so poorly designed when it comes to handling mobility aids.
Yesterday I went to see my eye specialist in West Branch. Office is in a one-story building, and the inner door to the office swings inward. There is a reception desk immediately to the right, and a coat area to the left, on the same wall as the door. The back wall is entirely a frames display. It circles around in both directions and takes up about 1/3 of each wall. There are small work stations for the tech to adjust your frames, and the rest of the room is seating. Five chairs on the left wall, three in the middle of the room facing them, three back-to-back with the other three and two on the opposite wall, next to the hallway leading back to the treatment rooms. There is no room to park a wheelchair that is not blocking at least one walkway. My rolling walker was almost as bad, but I was able to nab an end chair and position the walker so that it was almost in my lap.
I was the youngest patient there. There were two elderly people there with their attendants pushing them in wheelchairs. One person was on oxygen and was wheeling around a tank of oxygen on a little cart. Every time someone's name was called, at least three people had to move.
The other doctors I see have similar waiting areas. My endocrinologist (many older, diabetic patients with foot and leg problems), my dentist (even the HALLWAY is hard to squeeze down!), my kidney doctor (six seats, and if everyone is able-bodied, all six pairs of knees are dangerously close to touching in the center of the room. Don't even get me started on the waiting areas at Kresge Eye Institute in Detroit.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Remedy
Last Friday I went to lunch with my cousin Mike from North Carolina. I haven't seen him in about a dozen years. I was afraid he wouldn't recognize me because I'm twice the weight now as I was when he last saw me. But I needn't have worried because so is he.
Mike was traveling with his friend Dj from Brazil. Dj didn't talk much but he sure could pack away the food! One of those scrawny types that can eat like he has a hollow leg and never gain a pound. Wild Bill came along too, and we met at the Remedy.
The Remedy is a home-cooking type place right on Old US-27 in Harrison. It has a ramp leading from the left side of the parking lot to the front door, but the landing at the top is rather small. Tricky for me and my rolling walker; I wouldn't want to attempt it alone in a wheelchair. Coming up the ramp, one must face left to enter the outer door, then once inside turn left again to enter the dining area. Easy for most people but difficult to maneuver pushing a wheelchair. So probably not the best place to bring Gramps for lunch.
The burgers were big and sloppy but juicy and tasty. I had one that featured bacon and cheddar cheese, Mike had an olive burger, Dj had a chili burger and I forget what Bill ordered but he asked for "everything except tomato" on it. I was disappointed to find that their onion rings are no longer the big thick "real" rings but instead were skinny, overcooked chopped onions formed in a ring shape. Live and learn, I guess.
I have never used the restrooms since The Remedy is so close to home so I'm remiss. We sat in the second dining room so I could park my walker in a corner out of everyone's way, so that was comfortable and easy, at least. Bottom line: for the same type of food, go a block south and take Gramps to the S & R Diner.
Mike was traveling with his friend Dj from Brazil. Dj didn't talk much but he sure could pack away the food! One of those scrawny types that can eat like he has a hollow leg and never gain a pound. Wild Bill came along too, and we met at the Remedy.
The Remedy is a home-cooking type place right on Old US-27 in Harrison. It has a ramp leading from the left side of the parking lot to the front door, but the landing at the top is rather small. Tricky for me and my rolling walker; I wouldn't want to attempt it alone in a wheelchair. Coming up the ramp, one must face left to enter the outer door, then once inside turn left again to enter the dining area. Easy for most people but difficult to maneuver pushing a wheelchair. So probably not the best place to bring Gramps for lunch.
The burgers were big and sloppy but juicy and tasty. I had one that featured bacon and cheddar cheese, Mike had an olive burger, Dj had a chili burger and I forget what Bill ordered but he asked for "everything except tomato" on it. I was disappointed to find that their onion rings are no longer the big thick "real" rings but instead were skinny, overcooked chopped onions formed in a ring shape. Live and learn, I guess.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Small Town Post Offices
Since I moved to Harrison, I've been to our new local post office twice. Each time I was SURE I'd be run over and killed. The layout of the driveway, available on-street parking, the drive-up letter box and the front door of the building are such that anyone walking into the building from a parked car is taking their life into their own hands. Cars ZIP down the one-way street and through the parking area with reckless disregard for pedestrians and vehicles trying to back out of parking places. Once inside, the clerks are stiffly polite but largely unhelpful if you have questions about your mailing options. Overall grade: FAIL!
I also try to avoid the post office in Clare as well. No matter how long the line is or how complicated the process for the customer at the front of the line, I never see them open the second window. The building is okay, I guess: there is a handicap ramp next to the steps to the front door, but there is a heavy door that must be negotiated at the top that could be awkward for a person alone in a wheelchair or on a motorized scooter. There are two handicap parking spaces in the large parking lot, but a patron must cross the lane to the drive up mailboxes, so still something of a hazard. Overall grade: C+
I used to have to use the Gladwin office fairly regularly when my mom and aunt were still alive. This was a great little post office to use! Small and busy, but the patrons were happy to help you with doors and the window clerks couldn't do enough for you. The building was on street level and there was lots of on-street parking, with handicap spaces right outside the front door. There was also a parking lot in the back and a drive-up letter box, but I don't recall ever using them. Unfortunately, I think I read of some embezzlement that took place in that office, and hope it wasn't by anyone who ever waited on me! Always so polite and friendly! Overall grade: A-
The best little post office in the area is the Farwell post office. One handicap parking space closest to the door, but the other parking spots are also easy to use. There is a short flight of stairs from the street to to front sidewalk but there are only a few parking spaces at the bottom of the steps, and they needn't be used at all. Drive-up lane is also the entrance to the parking lot, but because of the hill and the angled parking, cars don't go ripping through to the letter box. Service at the windows is excellent! The clerks take time with each patron, especially the elderly and infirm like me. I've even had one clerk keep her window open several minutes past closing time because she saw me come in. This in contrast the the Clare post office, who shut their window promptly at 4:30, even if you are still standing in line! Overall grade: A+
So there is my review. We all need to use the post office at some time or another, so plan ahead to stop in at an out-of-town office if you are going to be out and about. Do it on the next sunny day, because the colors are turning in Clare and Gladwin Counties!
I also try to avoid the post office in Clare as well. No matter how long the line is or how complicated the process for the customer at the front of the line, I never see them open the second window. The building is okay, I guess: there is a handicap ramp next to the steps to the front door, but there is a heavy door that must be negotiated at the top that could be awkward for a person alone in a wheelchair or on a motorized scooter. There are two handicap parking spaces in the large parking lot, but a patron must cross the lane to the drive up mailboxes, so still something of a hazard. Overall grade: C+
I used to have to use the Gladwin office fairly regularly when my mom and aunt were still alive. This was a great little post office to use! Small and busy, but the patrons were happy to help you with doors and the window clerks couldn't do enough for you. The building was on street level and there was lots of on-street parking, with handicap spaces right outside the front door. There was also a parking lot in the back and a drive-up letter box, but I don't recall ever using them. Unfortunately, I think I read of some embezzlement that took place in that office, and hope it wasn't by anyone who ever waited on me! Always so polite and friendly! Overall grade: A-
The best little post office in the area is the Farwell post office. One handicap parking space closest to the door, but the other parking spots are also easy to use. There is a short flight of stairs from the street to to front sidewalk but there are only a few parking spaces at the bottom of the steps, and they needn't be used at all. Drive-up lane is also the entrance to the parking lot, but because of the hill and the angled parking, cars don't go ripping through to the letter box. Service at the windows is excellent! The clerks take time with each patron, especially the elderly and infirm like me. I've even had one clerk keep her window open several minutes past closing time because she saw me come in. This in contrast the the Clare post office, who shut their window promptly at 4:30, even if you are still standing in line! Overall grade: A+
So there is my review. We all need to use the post office at some time or another, so plan ahead to stop in at an out-of-town office if you are going to be out and about. Do it on the next sunny day, because the colors are turning in Clare and Gladwin Counties!
Dow Gardens
Sunday I participated in a Kidney Walk at Dow Gardens. I used to participate in Gift of Life walks right after my transplant, until they became to hoity-toity and high-priced, but nothing since then. But this walk was much easier to manage.
For one thing, the walk is all paved. For another,there's only about a mile of trails. I was there an hour before the walk started, registered, ate the free lunch, got a massage, helped make a poster and had a group photo taken and then did the walk on a borrowed mobility scooter and only wore the battery halfway down. The only problem I ran into was the conservatory area: if you approach it from the wrong direction, you have to walk down a short flight of stairs. Also there are no automatic doors on the conservatory so if you are in a wheelchair or on a scooter, you better have a companion to hold the door for you!
Bottom line: a beautiful place to bring your special-needs child, Gramma and Grampa, your disabled wife or fiancee...or anyone you love!
Bottom line: a beautiful place to bring your special-needs child, Gramma and Grampa, your disabled wife or fiancee...or anyone you love!
Wheel-Inn vs. Applebee's
This past Saturday, Wild Bill and I went to Potterville for a lawn mower racing invitational hosted by the Rough Riders. We stopped for lunch on the way down at the Wheel Inn in St John's. It's a home cooking/diner style place, breakfast anytime, plentiful food at good low prices. We've stopped there dozens of times but I don't remember ever having to use the ladies room.
I rate the potty an 8 out of 10. The overall room is small, but the handicap stall is huge. More than enough room to negotiate a wheelchair or walker, and handrails on (gasp) BOTH sides!
The restaurant itself is a little more difficult. Much of the seating is in booths, and the tables are close enough together to make it difficult to squeeze through with adaptive equipment. It can be done, but probably not without inconveniencing other patrons. Awkward!
After the racing, we went out to dinner with our friends Chris and Rich and their son Brandon. It was Chris's birthday and she choose Applebees. We went to one in the Lansing area, and it rates a 0 out of 10 for gimps. Number one, I left my rolling walker in the car and just used my cane and Bill's arm because there were STEPS leading from the parking area to the entrance. There may have been a ramp somewhere, but not close enough to find without an all-out search party.
Once inside, the restaurant is very dark and crowded. I needed to use the ladies and had difficulty walking with my cane to the door without getting run over by a waitress or one of the other patrons. The crowd at Applebees tends to be a younger crowd, and I have noticed many times over that as a group, people under 30 are less likely to look around them before leaping to their feet or suddenly changing direction, leading to many more collisions than you'll see in an older crowd.
The restroom facilities probably met the legal ADA guidelines, but not by much. Which means that a person with any physical disabilities will have a difficult time using them. A rolling walker or wheelchair would be enough to prevent you from using the potty at this place. Too bad, because the food is actually pretty good.
Now for the main event: the race track and pit area at Potterville! The ground is flat and easy to maneuver with my rolling walker. I used it all afternoon and my arms were neither tired nor sore at the end of the day. The drawback is the use of porta-johns throughout the park and track area. We saw no sign of any indoor flushies anywhere. But if you're only going to watch the races, not be there all day, it should not be a deal breaker. Go and enjoy some good racing!
I rate the potty an 8 out of 10. The overall room is small, but the handicap stall is huge. More than enough room to negotiate a wheelchair or walker, and handrails on (gasp) BOTH sides!
The restaurant itself is a little more difficult. Much of the seating is in booths, and the tables are close enough together to make it difficult to squeeze through with adaptive equipment. It can be done, but probably not without inconveniencing other patrons. Awkward!
After the racing, we went out to dinner with our friends Chris and Rich and their son Brandon. It was Chris's birthday and she choose Applebees. We went to one in the Lansing area, and it rates a 0 out of 10 for gimps. Number one, I left my rolling walker in the car and just used my cane and Bill's arm because there were STEPS leading from the parking area to the entrance. There may have been a ramp somewhere, but not close enough to find without an all-out search party.
Once inside, the restaurant is very dark and crowded. I needed to use the ladies and had difficulty walking with my cane to the door without getting run over by a waitress or one of the other patrons. The crowd at Applebees tends to be a younger crowd, and I have noticed many times over that as a group, people under 30 are less likely to look around them before leaping to their feet or suddenly changing direction, leading to many more collisions than you'll see in an older crowd.
The restroom facilities probably met the legal ADA guidelines, but not by much. Which means that a person with any physical disabilities will have a difficult time using them. A rolling walker or wheelchair would be enough to prevent you from using the potty at this place. Too bad, because the food is actually pretty good.
Now for the main event: the race track and pit area at Potterville! The ground is flat and easy to maneuver with my rolling walker. I used it all afternoon and my arms were neither tired nor sore at the end of the day. The drawback is the use of porta-johns throughout the park and track area. We saw no sign of any indoor flushies anywhere. But if you're only going to watch the races, not be there all day, it should not be a deal breaker. Go and enjoy some good racing!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Too Fat For Winter
I'm having a hell of a time finding a winter coat this year. My last coat suddenly shrank two sizes at the end of last winter and the zipper broke while I was in it.
My new coat or jacket has to be long enough to cover my butt and most of the shirt tails I wear. I wear everything tunic-length because I am long-waisted and my bare belly hangs out otherwise. Most winter jackets are a short style that I can't wear. I want my jacket to be somewhat water-resistant because I often find myself in wet snow or rain mixed with snow. I also intend to play outdoors in our woods, either on the Ranger or maybe on a snowmobile, so I don't want a wool, tweed, or other woven material.
I ordered a jacket from Land's End, and it arrived today. I bought a size 3X, the largest size they carry. I normally wear a 2X to leave room for the girls, but wanted to have a lot of room for bundling up underneath. The color was nice, the length was a little TOO long but not a deal breaker. The fit was, however. This size 3X fit exactly the same as my old 1X, wth? So back it goes. I ordered a coat for half the price on O.com tonight and we'll see how that goes.
What is frustrating to me is that the company I bout my 1X jacket from no longer carries many cold-weather jackets, and the two companies I buy most of my clothes from carry coats that are long on style and not meant to be worn by anyone who will spend any time outdoors. I tried places like Colombia and LL Bean, but it appears there aren't enough fat people who live in cold climates that go out in the winter. I've even Googled "winter jackets + womens plus size" instead of specific stores. I don't know what I'm going to do, because I sure can't seem to lose weight without getting sick to do it.
My new coat or jacket has to be long enough to cover my butt and most of the shirt tails I wear. I wear everything tunic-length because I am long-waisted and my bare belly hangs out otherwise. Most winter jackets are a short style that I can't wear. I want my jacket to be somewhat water-resistant because I often find myself in wet snow or rain mixed with snow. I also intend to play outdoors in our woods, either on the Ranger or maybe on a snowmobile, so I don't want a wool, tweed, or other woven material.
I ordered a jacket from Land's End, and it arrived today. I bought a size 3X, the largest size they carry. I normally wear a 2X to leave room for the girls, but wanted to have a lot of room for bundling up underneath. The color was nice, the length was a little TOO long but not a deal breaker. The fit was, however. This size 3X fit exactly the same as my old 1X, wth? So back it goes. I ordered a coat for half the price on O.com tonight and we'll see how that goes.
What is frustrating to me is that the company I bout my 1X jacket from no longer carries many cold-weather jackets, and the two companies I buy most of my clothes from carry coats that are long on style and not meant to be worn by anyone who will spend any time outdoors. I tried places like Colombia and LL Bean, but it appears there aren't enough fat people who live in cold climates that go out in the winter. I've even Googled "winter jackets + womens plus size" instead of specific stores. I don't know what I'm going to do, because I sure can't seem to lose weight without getting sick to do it.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Goofy friends
This is my goofy friend Jeanie Martin. I don't know how I would get around at most races without her! She helps me over rough terrain, keeps an eye on my sunburns, carries my plate and keeps me laughing!
Country Christian Church
Sunday Bill took me racing at Country Christian Church just outside of Lapeer. I don't know how a non-denominational church gets to be so large! They were having a family and friends day with a huge spread of food, services outdoors under a tent, games for little kids, giant blow-up bouncy toys, and of course the race track.
The ground in the pit area was nice and flat,and there were porta-johns strategically placed around the grounds. I had no trouble with my walker except while walking from the pits to the church hall to get some lunch. I had my camera with me and took pictures.
I took a LOT of pictures: something like 118 of them. And yesterday morning I posted photos on other people's facebook pages, with very positive results. I'm still not vain enough to try going "pro" with my photography, but it was satisfying.
The ground in the pit area was nice and flat,and there were porta-johns strategically placed around the grounds. I had no trouble with my walker except while walking from the pits to the church hall to get some lunch. I had my camera with me and took pictures.
I took a LOT of pictures: something like 118 of them. And yesterday morning I posted photos on other people's facebook pages, with very positive results. I'm still not vain enough to try going "pro" with my photography, but it was satisfying.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
fml, etc
I get so sick of browsing facebook and seeing all my younger "friends" say stuff like "fml" and "I'm bored." As someone whose disability leaves me very little time for fun, I can't imagine how anyone who can get up and go anywhere whenever they want, have time to watch a movie or read a good book, and aren't in constant pain can possibly be BORED all the damn time! And as far as "fml" goes, if the only thing going wrong in your life is not enough attention from the opposite sex and/or no one to party with, I have NO SYMPATHY FOR YOU WHATSOEVER! What whiny little shits you all are! Get a job, learn some responsibility, pay some of your own bills instead of letting Mommy and Daddy foot the bill, and if you can't get a job, take some initiative and improve yourself!
Daymares
I woke up early this morning with low blood glucose, and once I had it stabilized, I went back to bed. I had the most horrible dream! I dreamed that someone had stolen my dog! Not Cooper or Jerry, but Ace. Bill and I had to have Ace put down just about a year ago, and I guess my subconscious was dredging that up.
In my dream, I found the guy who had stolen my dog, and I was chasing him running as fast as I could. I guess in my dream I could still run. I caught up with him and was trying to beat the shit out of him to get him to tell me where Ace was, but he kept getting away. I was so panicked and my anger was out of control; I'm surprised I wasn't screaming with rage out loud. I'm not sure how I finally woke up; up until a minute ago I was thinking Jerry jumped on me for a kiss but now I realize Bill had taken the dogs outdoors with him to let me sleep.
The rest of the day was restful and stress-free. I love this late summer/early autumn weather! The slanting sunlight, the aromas of the woods and a touch of wood smoke in the air, and cool temperatures inviting the use of the oven and the creation of huge pots of soups and stews! It wasn't until I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner that I remembered that the anniversary of my mother's death is coming up as well. Mom died "suddenly" on the last day of summer. I say "suddenly" because I guess everyone else saw it coming except my sister and I. Mom and I didn't get along that well for most of our lives together. She was one of those people who had to find fault with everything, and I always felt that whenever she saw me do anything well it enraged her. The last few months that she was alive, she stopped being that way. For the first time in my memory, she stopped fretting about every penny everything was costing her personally. She allowed me to take her to the furniture store to get a lift chair for her apartment, and we talked about getting her a mobility scooter. And then she was gone.
In my dream, I found the guy who had stolen my dog, and I was chasing him running as fast as I could. I guess in my dream I could still run. I caught up with him and was trying to beat the shit out of him to get him to tell me where Ace was, but he kept getting away. I was so panicked and my anger was out of control; I'm surprised I wasn't screaming with rage out loud. I'm not sure how I finally woke up; up until a minute ago I was thinking Jerry jumped on me for a kiss but now I realize Bill had taken the dogs outdoors with him to let me sleep.
The rest of the day was restful and stress-free. I love this late summer/early autumn weather! The slanting sunlight, the aromas of the woods and a touch of wood smoke in the air, and cool temperatures inviting the use of the oven and the creation of huge pots of soups and stews! It wasn't until I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner that I remembered that the anniversary of my mother's death is coming up as well. Mom died "suddenly" on the last day of summer. I say "suddenly" because I guess everyone else saw it coming except my sister and I. Mom and I didn't get along that well for most of our lives together. She was one of those people who had to find fault with everything, and I always felt that whenever she saw me do anything well it enraged her. The last few months that she was alive, she stopped being that way. For the first time in my memory, she stopped fretting about every penny everything was costing her personally. She allowed me to take her to the furniture store to get a lift chair for her apartment, and we talked about getting her a mobility scooter. And then she was gone.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Cabos in Houghton Lake
Bill and I went shopping in Houghton Lake tonight- - a lawnmower store, Tractor Supply Co, Dunham's and Wal-Mart. Before we went into Wal-mart, we had dinner at Cabos next door. I had a chicken fajita quesadilla and it was amazing! I can't believe I ate the whole thing, but I did! Delicious cheese sauce and plenty of fresh,colorful veggies, oink oink!
Now to comment on accessability: The restaurant is in a strip mall so it is all level with the sidewalk. There is no flat spot near the entrance, however, making it a little awkward for a wheelchair or rolling walker. Standard glass door,but the tables are widely spaced. Restroom accessibility is as good as I've ever seen or used, but the dirty diaper smell is a little off-putting. Also when I was there, they had no toilet paper in the handicap stall, yikes! I hope this is not a common theme with them.
I forgot today was Monday, so I suppose we were lucky to find anyone open tonight. There were only two other occupied tables when we were seated, we spent about 15 minutes being the only customers, and three ladies came in just as we were leaving. Like most tourist towns in Michigan, Houghton Lake is a ghost town a week after Labor Day. Maybe it will wake up a little once the colors start to turn, but I doubt it.
Now to comment on accessability: The restaurant is in a strip mall so it is all level with the sidewalk. There is no flat spot near the entrance, however, making it a little awkward for a wheelchair or rolling walker. Standard glass door,but the tables are widely spaced. Restroom accessibility is as good as I've ever seen or used, but the dirty diaper smell is a little off-putting. Also when I was there, they had no toilet paper in the handicap stall, yikes! I hope this is not a common theme with them.
I forgot today was Monday, so I suppose we were lucky to find anyone open tonight. There were only two other occupied tables when we were seated, we spent about 15 minutes being the only customers, and three ladies came in just as we were leaving. Like most tourist towns in Michigan, Houghton Lake is a ghost town a week after Labor Day. Maybe it will wake up a little once the colors start to turn, but I doubt it.
Thanks, Terrorists!
This past weekend, F-16 fighter planes escorted a plane to Detroit International Airport because members of a family spent "an inordinate" amount of time in the plane's bathroom. Great, just another reason why I can never fly commercial.
As if the whole strip-searching idea isn't off-putting enough, there's also been the shoe thing. It seems terrorists like to pack C4 in their shoe soles or some such thing. My feet are grossly deformed to the point that I can't wear shoes on them. The back part, in the heel area, is fairly normal. But about the arch area they seem to take about a 45° turn outward, so it looks like my feet are on sideways. My medical insurance allows me ONE pair of custom-made shoes, complete with extra-depth for thick layers of orthotic inserts, per year. I am certain that if I take a commercial flight, the over-zealous inspectors will rip my shoes apart and demolish the inserts looking for suspicious substances.
And now I must also fear "spending too much time in the restroom." Will people be holding stopwatches on each other? How long is a reasonable amount of time, and at what point does your nervous stomach turn you into a suspected terrorist?
As if the whole strip-searching idea isn't off-putting enough, there's also been the shoe thing. It seems terrorists like to pack C4 in their shoe soles or some such thing. My feet are grossly deformed to the point that I can't wear shoes on them. The back part, in the heel area, is fairly normal. But about the arch area they seem to take about a 45° turn outward, so it looks like my feet are on sideways. My medical insurance allows me ONE pair of custom-made shoes, complete with extra-depth for thick layers of orthotic inserts, per year. I am certain that if I take a commercial flight, the over-zealous inspectors will rip my shoes apart and demolish the inserts looking for suspicious substances.
And now I must also fear "spending too much time in the restroom." Will people be holding stopwatches on each other? How long is a reasonable amount of time, and at what point does your nervous stomach turn you into a suspected terrorist?
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Errands
I need to make a run to the store for more Coke Zero for Wild Bill. Some time today. But I may also need to pick up a few things if we have friends over for a cookout tonight. I don't want to have to make 2 trips because it's so hard getting my sorry self into and out of my car, and to get my car unloaded. Wish they'd call!
Here is what an errand entails for me: if I'm going to the grocery store, I'll need a cart. That means leaving the walker behind. So I have to transfer my wallet, keys, glucose monitor, and cell phone from the pocket of my walker to my purse. The purse is hidden away in my bedroom, somewhere out of Jerry's reach. Then I have to find a cane to walk with. After that, I'm trying to limp-waddle out the front door without the dogs coming. After some coaxing, Jerry will usually sit and stay until I get out the door--IF Wild Bill doesn't decide to assert his presence and distract Jerry by giving him different orders. (sigh) I know he's only trying to help, but if he's not going to do his duty as a dog owner and train his puppy on a daily basis, he needs to STFU!
Once at the store, the Coke is heavy and awkward for me to handle, so of course someone else will need to squeeze by my cart and me at the same exact moment I'm trying to load my cart. Loud exasperated sighs usually ensue. Those who don't sigh offer to help. The jury is still out on which is more annoying.
I have learned to love the self checkout lanes.Since I can rarely get a cashier to help me bag and load my cart, and there is no such thing as a "bagger" anymore since the advent of bag carousels, at least I can set my own pace using these lanes. Sometimes all I need is just a tiny bit of control over my life!
Once home again, Bill is usually around to help unload my car. But putting things where they belong is distinctly MY job. Then I must remember to put everything from my purse back into the pocket of my walker and hide my empty purse from Jerry again. All this with my two next-to-baby toes rubbing raw inside my shoes because the toe boxes are too small and I can't get new shoes for 2-3 more months yet. Custom fitting my ass!
So I hope you can see why I hate to leave home more than once a day. If I were younger, I'd sign off by saying FML.
Here is what an errand entails for me: if I'm going to the grocery store, I'll need a cart. That means leaving the walker behind. So I have to transfer my wallet, keys, glucose monitor, and cell phone from the pocket of my walker to my purse. The purse is hidden away in my bedroom, somewhere out of Jerry's reach. Then I have to find a cane to walk with. After that, I'm trying to limp-waddle out the front door without the dogs coming. After some coaxing, Jerry will usually sit and stay until I get out the door--IF Wild Bill doesn't decide to assert his presence and distract Jerry by giving him different orders. (sigh) I know he's only trying to help, but if he's not going to do his duty as a dog owner and train his puppy on a daily basis, he needs to STFU!
Once at the store, the Coke is heavy and awkward for me to handle, so of course someone else will need to squeeze by my cart and me at the same exact moment I'm trying to load my cart. Loud exasperated sighs usually ensue. Those who don't sigh offer to help. The jury is still out on which is more annoying.
I have learned to love the self checkout lanes.Since I can rarely get a cashier to help me bag and load my cart, and there is no such thing as a "bagger" anymore since the advent of bag carousels, at least I can set my own pace using these lanes. Sometimes all I need is just a tiny bit of control over my life!
Once home again, Bill is usually around to help unload my car. But putting things where they belong is distinctly MY job. Then I must remember to put everything from my purse back into the pocket of my walker and hide my empty purse from Jerry again. All this with my two next-to-baby toes rubbing raw inside my shoes because the toe boxes are too small and I can't get new shoes for 2-3 more months yet. Custom fitting my ass!
So I hope you can see why I hate to leave home more than once a day. If I were younger, I'd sign off by saying FML.
Wind In My Hair
My main "helper," Vonnie, loaned me her late father's mobility scooter to take to the USLMRA's Championship Finals over Labor Day weekend, and I still have it here. Last night after we returned from the cancer benefit race in Mayville, I had a sudden whim to jump on it and run with the dogs. I've been wanting to do that ever since I discovered how much Cooper loves to run! I'd try to chase him, but he'd circle around behind and chase me instead, but it's all good! Maybe I'll make an offer to Vonnie to see if she'd sell it to me.
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