Rootin’ tootin’ shootin’!

A local, certified firearms instructor offered to give me a free (first time) private class, as I’ve been getting an interest in guns. So he met me at the gun range yesterday. For the most part it was great and I learned lots of nifty stuff and had fun shooting. Didn’t have much fun with the heart freaking out and ruining our fun with an ambulance arrival :p

Short story long:

We met in the parking lot so I could learn some basics before just going right in and getting ahead of myself. This is okay with me, as I’m in no rush and realize it will take time getting to know about guns. He showed me all about bullets, casing, priming, cleaning, loading, general safety tips, etc. I asked questions, got clarifications, and I hope I’m a good student 🙂

So then we go inside and get to the cleaning supplies so I can see the different oils and brushes and all that good junk. Then to the counter to rent an aisle (free! Apparently Tuesday is Ladies Night) and a gun. Another .22 but a little bigger than mine, and honestly a little intimidating. But I guess bigger is better for my worries of the noise and recoil and all that junk. Got the ear and eye gear on and went into the shooting booth.

I expected it to be noisy, but good grief! That gunfire was still loud even with earmuffs, and I could also feel it physically in my chest. And it startled me the first couple times, as nobody gave any warning (aren’t you supposed to yell “Fire in the hole!” first? LOL) just all of a sudden BOOM!  … BAM!  But after a few times I got used to it and focused on him and learning more. At this point I’m thinking “Okay, this is it, I’m really doing it” and getting both excited and a little nervous. So my heart is a bit jumpy – but I figured that would happen. No big deal.

We get to our aisle, and I wanted him to shoot first just so I could watch how that particular gun (the rental, not mine) sounded and acted when shot. I have seen slow-mo video on YouTube and know that there’s a small fire burst when they’re shot, and wondered if it would sting my hand. Also worried that any recoil would make me drop the gun, since I have wimpy weak little hands. Over-all I’m just sort of worried about shooting and ending up hurting myself.

So he did a few first, and my heart starts pounding a bit faster as it gets to be my turn. So I adjust my hands how instructed, take a deep breath and slowly pull on the trigger. Click. Eh? “I think I broke it!”

Nope, he messes with it a moment and hands it back. Another deep breath, clench my teeth and slowly pull the trigger… BOOM! goes the gun, and BOOM goes my heart too.

It didn’t hurt. In fact, it really didn’t even ‘kick’ at all. The only thing I wasn’t expecting was a dull tingling in my trigger finger (kind of like how you hold a vibrating thing for a while – vacuum cleaner handle, electric screwdriver/drill, etc.) and have a mild numby feel). It wasn’t painful, just odd and unexpected.

And it was fun!

But my heart decided I was having a bit too much fun and excitement and kept pounding and racing. I sat down and tried to relax a bit. Big steady breaths, clearing mind…. He suggested I go out into the shop where it wouldn’t be so loud and cramped. So I do and take all my head gear off and take another breather. After a couple minutes I could tell that it was “stuck” in an episode I’ve had before…200 beats per minute and pounding hard! The only fix is IV meds. Oiy!

So. I got to shoot ONCE, and we were only there maybe 20 minutes or so. I feel bad for ruining the fun so quick. And kind of embarrassed to be toted off in an ambulance! LOL

Since I haven’t had SVT in a few years, and it took over an hour for the meds to fully work (they’re supposed to work instantly, but I needed 2 doses and my heart kept trying to go back to speeding), they decided to keep me overnight for observation. And I got new meds.

The morning doctor who came to see me said maybe I shouldn’t do gun shooting for my poor little heart’s sake. But MY doctor (who came in the afternoon) actually encouraged it. He wants me to not only be out, active and enjoying life, but wants to see if these new meds work. I hope they do! And now that I know better what to expect, I probably won’t be nearly as nerve wracked either…I’m looking forward to next week! 🙂

Excuses, excuses…

I have to rant.

Whenever people (usually online, sometimes in “real life”) find out I’m on Disability/SSI & food stamps, 99% of the time they automatically make the assumption that I’m a lazy moocher and tell me “get a job!”.
Good grief, you don’t think I’ve tried?? For one thing, this economy doesn’t make that task the easiest to fulfill. For another thing, I am limited in what I can do on a daily basis.

Here’s a history of what jobs I’ve tried – and failed.

These are jobs I got when I graduated high school AND had Voc. Rehab “assisting” me.
3 months = Video game store at the mall. – Yes it was seasonal, but they did say employees could stay after the season. Obviously I wasn’t good enough to be ‘rehired’ after New Years.
0 = McDonalds. Interviewed but not hired.
0 = Wal-Mart. Didn’t even get called in for an interview at all.
0 = TONS of secretary/office clerical jobs that I applied to. Never got past a first interview, if even that far.

I decided that Voc. Rehab was not being very helpful, so I started looking for jobs on my own. While I knew I had to be a little picky (couldn’t physically do stuff like construction work or anything requiring more education than HS Diploma), I did try to do what I thought I was able.

2 months = soup & sub sandwich shop (quit because standing for 6 hours was KILLING my back, even though I liked the job…didn’t like the daily pain that made me lose focus halfway through my shift because I was so distracted with HURTING!)
3 months = “bather” at a dog grooming place (I can’t lift more than 20 lbs, so was constantly having to pull other workers away from their jobs to help me with hefting dogs up into and back out of the tub)
3 weeks = Target (explained my disabilities and they said they’d work with me… yet 3 weeks later I was fired for being “inefficient”). Really the only reason I got this job at all, was my sister works there and put in a good word for me.
2 years = telemarketing (had 2 heart attacks where the ambulance had to come get me, and I finally quit from the stress)
2 years = accounting (also had a heart attack with ambulance called AND had a stroke and heart surgery before they finally let me go).

So when people say “just get a job, and stop giving excuses”, it really annoys me. Easier said than done.  Mentally, I would love to work. I am more than WILLING! However, actually being ABLE to is another matter.
Yes I help a friend (also with disabilities) do her house chores a few times a week, but it’s only for a couple hours (10 per week max). And unlike a regular employer, she lets me go slow and take a break if I need to. There’s been many times that I end up taking a nap in the guest room halfway through chores, and resuming later after I feel better. It takes me a good 3 hours to do 2 hours of work. No true employer is going to be as lenient and accommodating (even if they SAY they will, like Target had).
Doing simple things either put me in pain, or aggravate my heart problems. Sweeping or vacuuming a floor gets my heart pounding and fluttering. Standing to cook or wash dishes makes my back hurt and cramp.
I understand there’s lots of fraud with the government assistance programs, and it irritates me too…because it’s not fair to the people who REALLY need it to be ruined by the few “bad apples” in the system.

Oiy!

Such a busy weekend!

5/16 Thursday – The weather was stormy. A little too chilly for my liking, but certainly nothing like winter…sooo glad THAT is over! Anyhoo…there were dark rainclouds high in the sky, and the white cotton fluff kinds hanging along the mountain side, and just enough sun peeking through to illuminate everything beautifully! I wish I could have taken a picture, but I was driving where the most beautiful scene was.

My dad went to the emergency room because he was worried about not having a bowel movement since his surgery on Monday morning. Apparently the narcotic pain killers they gave him made him very constipated. An injection of some sort, prescription strength Metamucil, and he’s just fine now.

I took in four kittens who are about a month old. One I gave to Gabi because it just wasn’t gaining weight, but otherwise seemed healthy. The other 3 are a pound, though I wish they would gain a bit more. However, they have plenty of energy!

 

5/17 Friday – Went to help Gabi with chores a couple hours early. Then we drove to Salt Lake City and went to a German deli/grocer so she could get her “homesick fix” with buying lots of breads and meats (she stores them in the freezer and has a supply to last a few months – then she goes back and does it all again, 3 times a year or so). Then we went to a Brazilian Grill type restaurant where they bring the roast meat to your table and carve it right off the spit. I have been there about half a dozen times, this was Gabi’s first time…and certainly not last! We kept thinking of all the times we could have the excuse to go there…birthdays, anniversaries, or just for the heck of it. That place is wonderful!

 

5/18 Saturday – My birthday. But did I get to have the day off and be pampered? Noooo, I’m too nice for my own good. Work at the cat shelter at 11am, then drove cats 30 miles up to the adoption event at Petco. Of course this was the day that the store was crowded (dreary weather seems to bring everybody to the pet store) and we were understaffed with volunteers, so I stayed the whole time. Usually I don’t do much other than sit around and answer customer questions, but with fewer other volunteers, I actually worked! Made sure all the cats had food and water during the day, changed soiled litter boxes, and finally packed up cats and drove them back to the shelter. I didn’t get home until after 8pm!

 

5/19 Sunday – Since I was so busy yesterday, today was the family birthday party. My sister and dad each gave me $35 (a dollar for every year), my 6 year old nephew gave me a penny (he couldn’t find anything else! HAha!). I got cookies-n-cream cake, and actually was able to blow out the candles… since my sister was nice and didn’t use the trick ones this year that re-light.

The directors and supervisors at ANBAR gave me a cat tower/condo, since I don’t have one and always wanted one (I have a little scratching post, but nothing elaborate for my kitties to climb on/in).

I used my birthday money to buy a futon, since I really have no furniture in my apartment. I don’t like to use my bed for anything other than sleep, and my computer chair really isn’t the greatest for lounging around and reading a book or something. It will be delivered some time next week.

 

Yesterday I let the kittens out of the bathroom, since they have been meowing pitifully for a while the other day. All my cats are vaccinated, so I figure it’s okay. And I supervise the outtings, and now they’re basically out the whole time. I do put them back in the bathroom when I leave the house, though…just in case!

Elly doesn’t like them too much. She gets all growly if she even hears them. Nebbie will sniff noses, but if they try to cuddle up to her, she gets hissy and leaves. Xanthe also growls, but is usually in the other room anyway. Zinny seems more scared of them, and will jump back and run away when they get close.

I clipped their claws (very carefully!) today, as they are just shredding my legs to bits when they try to climb up me.

And I still haven’t chosen a name for Scooter…

Food survey

The dieting community I’m a member of had a food survey posted. So I decided to take it, just for fun.

1. How do you like your eggs? scrambled with lots of shredded cheddar cheese melted in with them

2. How do you take your coffee/tea? 1 drop with 8+ oz of milk

3. Favorite breakfast food? Fresh/warm croisoint with all natural fruit preserves (none of that junk with high fructose corn syrup and dyes)

4. Peanut butter, Almond butter, or Nutella? If PB,Smooth or crunchy? Nutella

5. What kind of dressing on your salad? Depends on my mood…usually buttermilk ranch or bleu cheese

6. Pepsi, Coke, or Sprite? Sprite. Root beer is my favorite soda-pop

7. You’re pressed for time, what do you make? Carnation Instant Breakfast powder in 10 oz whole milk

8. You’re feeling lazy. What do you order in (must choose something)? Call my sister to see if she has any leftovers in her fridge she wants to bring (too poor to order from a “fast food” place!)

9. You’re in a cooking mood. What do you make? …I’m NEVER in a cooking mood! But if I do, it’s usually slow-cooker stuff that I just dump in and leave for a few hours. Lamb with brown sugar and pinapple sauce is my favorite healthy food, berry cobbler is my favorite dessert.

10. What food reminds you of your childhood? Peanut butter…which is probably why I don’t like it (rough childhood)

11. What food can you remember hating that you now like? Tomatoes (like…not love!)

12. Is there a food that you currently refuse to eat? pickled beets

13. What was your favorite food as a kid? ice cream (and I still like it)

14. Favorite restaurant meal? roast elk with stewed cherries (had it in Wyoming on summer holiday a few years ago…yuuum! Worth the $40/plate price!)

15. Favorite junk food? Only one??? caramel filled chocolate stuff (Rolos, Mily Way, Caramelo, etc.)

16. Food creation that you love and others think is weird? Ranch salad dressing on meat

17. Favorite dessert? Just about anything if it has caramel in/on it, or caramel based

18. Food when you’re sick? ramen noodles and 100% mixed fruit juice

19. Food for celebrating/special occasions? seafood (lobster, preferably)

20. Frozen/Canned/Pre-made meal? The Bertoli bag stuff is pretty good.

21. Food you’re most confident preparing for guests? A glass of water.

22. Food you eat most often? (ex. I eat X every single day–which is more than you eat any other food) MILK!!!! Okay it’s not a food, but I -do- have it every day…several times a day. In fact, I think I am literally addicted, thanks to the casomorphin in it :p

23. Fruit you’re most likely to eat on a daily basis? Bananas, but that’s cuz they’re cheap. If I could afford it, cherries, mangos, mulberries

24. Veggie you’re most likely to eat on a daily basis? (notice i didn’t say “favorite”) None. If I could afford it, spinach, asparagus, brussel sprouts – produce is expensive!

25. Favorite packaged snack food? Flipz (chocolate covered pretzels). Or again, caramel stuff.

Daily Meal Plan

I recently joined an online community for dieting. In the group of weight gain, it’s always being asked about what a good meal plan should consist of. Basically foods that you like to eat, and WILL eat (a lot of the members are recovering (or trying/want to) from an eating disorder like anorexia), as long as your daily caloric intake is no less than 2,500 and 3,000+ is optimal. I do not have an eating disorder, but it’s hard for me to gain/keep weight because of my deformed/weak/failing heart.

Many members want to be healthy, but find it hard to get so many calories in the typically healthy foods. However, junk foods are usually high in calories but don’t make you feel too full so you have room to eat more in another 2-3 hours. Now, while I can’t say that everybody should do this, I can say that MY doctor allows me to do this (eat lots of junk food, as long as I take a daily multivitamin). As such, here is a disclaimer, not just for legal issues, but for my own peace of mind.

This meal plan has been formulated for ME, with help/suggestions from my cardiologist. All food is REAL food; for instance, the eggs are real chicken laid, not imitation stuff. The milk I drink is from cows, not soy/almond/rice varieties. I understand if people want to be vegetarian/vegan for ethical reasons, and that’s fine. Also, I am not allergic to anything or have any other food restrictions for medical issues. All foods are full fat (milk is the “whole” 3.25%) and NEVER any “lite”, low calorie, low carb, or other typical diet variety.

Again, people should work with their own doctor to make a meal plan based on what that certain individual needs.

For each meal, I choose whatever I want to eat from the list. I have to eat as many items as will equal AT LEAST the number next to the meal title. Example: breakfast could be cheddar omelet and 1 PB toast and apple punch to total 540. Or I could just have 2 PB toast and apple punch for 600. Also, a lot of these foods can be eaten hot or cold as reasonable. My A.M. & P.M. drink is heated to be “hot chocolate” in the winter!

This list is not complete. It’s just what I eat the most often, on a regular basis.

Solid snack foods are listed at the bottom.

 

BREAKFAST: 500+ calories

FOOD

170 = cheddar cheese omelet (1 medium egg with 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese scrambled into it)

180 = Pillsbury Toaster Strudel

240 = PB toast (1 slice white bread, 1 TBS peanut butter, 1 TBS fruit preserves)

250 = toast (1 slice white bread, 1 TBS dairy butter, 1 TBS fruit preserves)

280 = cold cereal, 8 oz milk (cereal is usually Reeses Puffs or S’mores by Kellogs)

??? = solid snack food (like a muffin or a donut)

DRINK

120 = 8 oz Apple Punch (100% juice, not “cocktail” with corn syrup!) I usually only have juice for breakfast, and save my milk for all other meals. Milk and my berry flavored liquid multivitamin just tastes NASTY together!

 

A.M. snack: 500+ calories

FOOD

330 = Carnation Instant Breakfast powder mixed with 10 oz milk (okay so this is technically a drink, but I consider it to be the base of my snack PLUS whatever else)

??? = solid snack food

 

LUNCH: 500+ calories

FOOD

220+ = nachos (tortilla chips, 1/3 cup shredded cheese melted with salsa mixed into it for dipping the chips in)

250+ = salad (romaine lettuce, and other stuff for calories including raisins, chopped hard-boiled egg, chopped chicken, sliced olives, halved grapes, chopped apples, etc. & dressing…which is usually buttermilk ranch or bleu cheese)

250+ = chicken pasta salad – hot or cold (1 cup cooked pasta such as macaroni, bowtie, shell, etc., 1 TBS Miracle Whip, cubed chicken, halved green grapes, chunked pineapple)

300 = egg salad sandwich (hard-boiled egg mushed up with 1 TBS Miracle Whip on 2 slices white bread)

340 Honey-butter sandwich (1 TBS peanut butter & 1 TBS honey mixed together, 2 slices white bread)

350 = tuna salad sandwich (2 slices white bread, tuna, 1 TBS Miracle Whip)

350 = turkey & cheese sandwich (2 slices white bread, honey smoked turkey lunch meat, 1 slice cheddar cheese, 1 TBS condiment such as buttermilk ranch salad dressing, honey mustard sauce, Miracle Whip, etc…whatever I’m in the mood for)

440 = PB & J sandwich (2 slices white bread, 2 TBS peanut butter, 1 TBS fruit preserves)

??? = anything from DINNER or SNACK list

DRINK

100+ = soda pop, any flavor

120 = apple punch (8 oz)

200 = milk (10 oz)

 

P.M. snack: 500+ calories

330 Carnation Instant Breakfast powder mixed with 10 oz milk

??? solid snack food

 

DINNER: 500+ calories

??? = anything from LUNCH or SNACK list

350 = beef stew, 1 slice white bread (I always have bread with my stew to dip in the gravy!)

390 = ramen noodles

510 = “Russian ramen” (cook noodles in water and drain. Add seasoning packet to 2 TBS sour cream and mix well, then add to noodles and stir it all together!)

510 = beef burrito, 2 slices cheddar cheese, 1 TBS ranch salad dressing

And of course a drink of milk, punch or soda

 

BEDTIME SNACK: 300+ calories

FOOD

220 = Oatmeal(1/2 cup oats, 5 oz milk)

320 = Banana oatmeal (1/2 cup oats, 5 oz milk, 1 banana mushed in)

500 = PB banana oatmeal (1/2 cup oats, 5 oz milk, 1 banana and 2 TBS peanut butter mushed in)

DRINK

150 = 8 oz milk (I do not have soda or punch for bed, as they are not “snooze foods” with balanced carbs and protein to stimulate serotonin from your brain!)

 

SOLID SNACK FOODS

140 = granola bar (Quaker chewy Dipps, usually)

140 = tropical dried fruit mix (1/4 cup)

190 = Blueberry muffin (Little Debbie brand)

200+ = donut

220-280 = candy bar (Snickers, PayDay and BabyRuth are my favorites)

350+ = ice cream sundae (1 cup ice cream of any flavor, sauce of any flavor such as caramel or chocolate (though I do like Jelly Belly strawberry cheesecake topping sauce!) drizzled, 4 maraschino cherries, and sometimes a scattering of Grape Nuts cereal if I want some crunch…I don’t like to eat real nuts!)

One step forward, one step back

All those goals I set… sooo not happening. YET!  Hey, tomorrow is a new day, fresh start, and all that good junk.

I have taken a few pictures, but not every day like I wanted. Still, probably more in the last couple weeks than all of last year.

Articles….eh, I keep looking at the work list, and just can’t get into the writing mood. I really need to shape up with that though, because being in debt is starting to get more annoying than having to drudge through work.

Diet. Oiy! I was really good yesterday and ate 4 of 6 meals and got more than 2,000 calories. I even weighed an additional pound this morning (77.4 lbs). Then I ended up slacking off today about the diet thing. I did plan out meals, got everything all ready to go… then got distracted with other stuff and just didn’t bother being self disciplined enough to take breaks to eat. Bleh…so now my weight will probably go down to the starting mark again (76.6).

And of course blog posts aren’t getting done too often. But I did one now, really quick, before I go to bed early! (got my TV fixed yesterday and stayed up until 2am watching “Law & Order: S VU” for 8 hours)

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

It’s that time again…setting goals and trying not to break them after a week or so. Here’s mine, in order of importance:

SPIRITUAL

* DON’T COMPLAIN
I am such a whiner…about everything! I need to remember that I’m living a WONDERFUL life, compared to other people, and I should be grateful rather than grudging about what’s “wrong”.

* Pray and read scriptures every day.

* Go to church at least once a month.

* Use less vulgarities (yup, I got a potty mouth. I should at least start using words that would be appropriate in front of kids if I have to cuss)

HEALTH

* Gain weight (15 pounds (to be 90+ lbs) by the end of the year at the latest! Sooner is better.)

* Eat healthy (or healthIER anyway)

* Take ALL medications and supplements (I’m bad about being lazy and “eh, I’ll do it tomorrow”. Not so bad with vitamins, but very bad with Coumadin!)

* Wear oxygen 15+ hours per day (7+ at night with AvAP, 5+ during the daytime)

* Wear AvAP no less than 5 nights a week.

* Walk 15-30 minutes 3+ times a week. As it is, I can barely make it halfway across a store parking lot without feeling like I’m gonna die. Gotta get my heart stronger!

PERSONAL / FUN

* Spend time for ME and relaxing. I have been so busy lately with volunteering, working, and just saying “yes” to anybody who wants something. This year I would like to still help out as much as I can without getting burned out (which then leads to me to the complaining part, when I should be doing it heartfelt)
I would love to be able to go camping at least once a month during the warm season, and just sit around with a good book and hot drink for a while during the cold season and not have to worry about being selfish.

* Take at least one photo per day. I want to take one photo of the view out my front door every day, and at the end of the year compile a slide show of the changing of the seasons. I would also like to take 1+ pictures of things I find beautiful, interesting, fun or just plain random every day.

* Make at least one blog entry per week. (and of course this isn’t the first time I’ve set and broken that goal!)

FINANCIAL

* Don’t use credit. Pay everything with cash – if I can’t pay in full at the time, I don’t get the item/service. (exception is car stuff: insurance ($400/yearly) and car registration ($200/yearly). Had to use credit for new tires last year too as they were $300 all at once! And now my intake manifold gasket is leaking and gonna be a good $200 if I can do it myself…$700+ if I take it to a shop!)

* Pay off debt as much as possible. I will not be totally debt free this year (though that would certainly be nice!), but I need to stop just doing the minimum payments and put more into it so it gets done faster.

* Put money in savings…and keep it there! Last year I did have savings, though it was a “dedicated” account to remodel my apartment. I got that done! I probably should have another “dedication” or else I won’t have a clear reason not to dip into at random times.

* Earn extra money. I do have a fixed income, but it barely meets the requirements of meeting the above goals. It would be nice if I could get another $100 a month and split it between savings and debt paying.

That’s it, really. There are tons of other “little” things I want to improve, but mostly they tie into the bigger goals anyway. Now…let’s see how long I actually do all this!

Not the brightest bulb in the lamp…

Sometimes my (lack of) smartness amazes me!

I feed a group of ferals on my dad’s property. A bag of food and a couple gallon jugs of water are replenished once a week, but otherwise stay outside next to the feeding area in a plastic storage bin, so that I don’t have to lug stuff to/from the house every day.

A couple weeks ago the water was half frozen, so I had the idea to just whack it with my fist and break up the layer of ice so I could pour out the water underneath. I was wearing gloves, so figured my hand would be cushioned…right? Nope! Hit that jug with the outter side of my hand and it STUNG!!! Burned for a couple minutes, but then I was fine. Left no bruise later. So guess what’s hurting right now? I have no idea why it decided to be sore NOW.
My hand didn’t break, but neither did the ice. I got the ice broken by banging the jug against the storage bin, which I probably should have done in the first place anyway.

 

Also, Zinny came back after being missing for 5 months. But as it’s currently 4 am, I’ll have to post that later. Now I’m goin’ back to bed!

Going up makes me go down!

So…apparently my body doesn’t like high elevation. Less oxygen (forgot my oxygen tank this time!), makes my heart work harder and use more energy…lots of energy!

Weighed myself yesterday morning, and was 74.8! I’m usually about 80-82! So yesterday I tried to really stick to my diet and eat every couple of hours. This morning’s weight is 75.4 which is barely over half a pound.

Today I’m going to try to stick to the diet again. It’s only 9:45 and I’ve already eaten twice. Of course, they weren’t big meals or even very healthy…but at least I got calories in me! Twix candy bars (150 cals) at 8:30 and now I’m trying to gag down some Carnation Instant Breakfast made with whole milk (280). It’s not that I don’t like it, usually…but silly me, I brushed my teeth an hour ago, and now it tastes weird! Plus, even though I slept decent last night, now I’m already tired, and I don’t like eating when I’m tired… well, don’t like doing ANYthing when I’m tired.

Gotta scoop my 2 litter boxes, then off to work to do Gabi’s grocery shopping and scoop her 25 litter boxes! Maybe I can get home early and go to bed early…maybe…hopefully…

Winter is unofficially here. Bleh!

Got home from the annual family vacation yesterday (it’s at a ski resort, up in the mountains, during the 42nd week of the year – so basically the second to last week of October). It snowed quite a bit in the morning. When the weather cleared up in the afternoon, I decided to leave. I drive a sedan with only basic tires, and didn’t want to get stuck at the resort if the canyon closed because of weather conditions. But I don’t mind the shortened vacation – still had half a week with the family and some fun time. Everybody else (dad, sister, nephew, sister’s boyfriend) is still up there, because they drove vehicles with 4-wheel drive. My dad has Blazer SUV and sister’s boyfriend has a pickup. When I woke up at home this morning, there’s a couple inches of snow…which means the mountain probably got at least half a foot, added to the couple inches the other day.

The only thing I like about snow is it’s pretty when it’s fresh. Other than that, it gets dreary when it becomes dirty and sludgy, it’s cold and wet, and can be hazardous. I hate winter!

Today I need to work on cleaning the apartment. I have had just about no time the last couple months for it, because of taking care of my friend who’s recovering from hip surgery and MANY complications afterward. Other friends have taken over this week, so I will use this time for myself. Back to nurse-maid work tomorrow, though!