http://greasy.com/beedith/ beedith's Blog en-us © 13:02:41 Greasy.com All rights reserved. Thu, Jan 13:02:41 8 GMT 30 http://greasy.com/beedith/t-shirts_persons_invisible_disabilities.html 1. I'm not stupid, I'm hard of hearing. 2. I have pulmonary fibrosis. I really can't unload this grocery cart. I'm not just some blonde b---- who wants to be waited on. 3. I have scleroderma. What's your problem? 4. In constant pain from fibromyalgia. 5. I'm not lazy, I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 6. I know I don't look sick. You don't know how sick I am. http://greasy.com/beedith/t-shirts_persons_invisible_disabilities.html#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:58:57 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/dying_weather.html Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody talks about dying. For individuals with life-threatening diseases, this is particularly difficult and isolating. I can joke about it, refer to it in a matter-of-fact, offhand manner, pretend it's not true, or ignore it, but the only person I can really talk to about it is a friend with Parkinson's. I called him up one day and said, "There's no one I can talk to about dying, and the two people I most want to talk to -- my husband and my sister - ... http://greasy.com/beedith/dying_weather.html#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:17:34 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/upson_downs.html The past few days have been a rollercoaster, but I am cautiously optimistic that all's well that ends well. We had one of those horrible doctor visits where they find more things wrong, order more tests, and refer one to yet more doctors. This time it happened to Robert, not me. Pobrecito. My beloved husband has had a lot of stressors in his life lately. Maybe we've turned the corner. I keep praying. Last night we went to Olive Garden. I haven't been to that chain in many years, and rememb ... http://greasy.com/beedith/upson_downs.html#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:01:55 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/stephy_update.html Stephy has been in the hospital, but is home and doing better. She asked me to post that she will be back online soon. http://greasy.com/beedith/stephy_update.html#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:53:45 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/cats_computers.html I'd like to write a post, but a large black long-haired cat would like to stand in front of the monitor. Sigh. http://greasy.com/beedith/cats_computers.html#comments Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:17:00 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/look_ma_cavities.html Good day today. The dental hygienist noticed improvement, and the dentist didn't find any new cavities. Yay! This makes three three-month check-ups in a row with no new cavities. Those of you who remember my Blogster entries may recall that after six months of chemo, I'd developed fourteen new cavities. Things are greatly improved these days. Later I went for the first time to a scleroderma support group. Interesting and educational. No emotional reaction yet. Did receive some good advice ... http://greasy.com/beedith/look_ma_cavities.html#comments Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:28:23 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/chicago_trip_report.html We went to Chicago over Labor Day weekend to visit my father-in-law again. The day we arrived, he had been transferred from rehab to the hospital. He's now back at rehab and my mother-in-law says he's improving and will be able to come home. With assistance, they think he can manage to stay at home instead of having to go to a nursing home. Thank goodness for long term care insurance. My father-in-law is a dear sweet man who has become very hard of hearing. He's living with diabetes and he ... http://greasy.com/beedith/chicago_trip_report.html#comments Tue, 9 Sep 2008 08:26:21 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/goin.html It's been an up and down day. I discovered a new organic supermarket, native to Arizona, called "Sprouts" and had a wonderful time shopping for healthy food. While I was there, my cell phone rang -- a dear friend was calling to let me know she'd been admitted to a hospital for a serious reaction to a new medication. We had a horrible connection, but I understood the name of the hospital and called back when I got home. I hope to learn more tomorrow. A kind policeman did not give me a ticke ... http://greasy.com/beedith/goin.html#comments Tue, 9 Sep 2008 08:11:11 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/lost_iron_survey.html I have looked everywhere in the house, closets, and garage -- except for three boxes way up on top of some garage cabinets -- and cannot find my clothes iron. I don't know what to do, so I'm turning the question over to Greasytown residents. Should I A. Ask for help getting those three boxes down, go through them, and ask for help putting them away again? B. Buy a new iron at Wal-mart? C. Take this as a sign from my Higher Power that I am meant never to touch an iron again for the remainde ... http://greasy.com/beedith/lost_iron_survey.html#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:53:27 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/housewarming_party.html Saturday was a good day. One of my friends from California was visiting, and our party went off without a hitch. Lots of people from Robert's job came, including his boss's VP and the President, both of whom brought their wives and housewarming gifts. I was so delighted to hear them, and Robert's colleagues, praise him highly. He is obviously well-liked and appreciated and respected. I'm so grateful that he works for a friendly, good company. We've been so busy, running back and forth to C ... http://greasy.com/beedith/housewarming_party.html#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:49:07 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/raragoe_inspired_post.html I used to write poetry. While finishing the massive filing project, I found some poems I'd saved. This is one I still like. It recounts a dream. Travels with Belle We were four, you and I and the two changed men. We ran uphill, across the long field. It looked like a parade, a celebration until I saw the soldier dead, one leg blown off and his chest bloody, his face death hard open mouth. We ran, sometimes I ran on all fours to keep up, the dry grass stiff under my hands. When the changed ... http://greasy.com/beedith/raragoe_inspired_post.html#comments Thu, 7 Aug 2008 10:26:46 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/doctors_tests_doctors.html Mammogram -- Passed, thank you G-d. Papbst Blue Ribbon Schmear -- Not quite normal, repeat in six months. Dexascan -- Still unknown. Pulmonary function tests -- Lost 20 points on lung diffusion capacity test, which sucks. Within normal limits on everything else. One more doctor -- "Oh, that's probably related to your scleroderma. We could do surgery." Don't even ask. Skin cancer screening -- Passed, thank you G-d. Immuno-suppressive medication monitoring -- Basically okay and I'm not still ... http://greasy.com/beedith/doctors_tests_doctors.html#comments Sun, 3 Aug 2008 11:26:02 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/beedith_vs_eic_--_penultimate.html Yet another set of letters from the Evil Insurance Company and the State of Arizona Department of Insurance a few weeks ago, requiring one more appeal letter before the State can investigate my complaint. With a deadline of August 1st. I did it last week, on time, after much procrastination, and am feeling great relief. Some day this will be resolved. I'm so grateful that the EIC is not my husband's employer's coverage provider any longer. We've been back with a Good Company again since Ma ... http://greasy.com/beedith/beedith_vs_eic_--_penultimate.html#comments Sun, 3 Aug 2008 10:50:28 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/lucky_300.html Oh my gosh, 300 visitors to my silly boring blog. I suspect that 100 of them are Stephy. (giggle) http://greasy.com/beedith/lucky_300.html#comments Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:45:46 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/catching.html So I went to bed on time for a change, and then lay awake for three frustrating, ache-y hours. My shoulders and legs hurt. Went over to Stephy's blog to find I'd just missed her, and caught up on her comments. I don't agree with her about Mr. Obama, but I admire and respect her passion. It was pleasantly hot today, clear and sunny and dry. I went out front and pulled weeds, and a stray wildflower. Regretfully -- I love flowers -- but the HOA is very strict about weeds in the front yards. B ... http://greasy.com/beedith/catching.html#comments Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:55:51 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/making_friends_50.html It's not like fifth grade, let me tell you. Remember asking, Do you have any brothers and sisters? What's your favorite color? Do you like Miss Crabapple? I've been venturing out to Newcomers and Welcome Club events here in Tucson, have met some nice women, and answered Where did you move from? countless times. One Scrabble luncheon was filled with interesting conversation. I've asked a neighbor over for coffee. We're planning a housewarming near the end of the summer. I've met some of the ... http://greasy.com/beedith/making_friends_50.html#comments Sun, 27 Jul 2008 10:00:39 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/know_.html ...how to update my location and weather on my blog page? http://greasy.com/beedith/know_.html#comments Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:49:38 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/housewives_lazy_wives.html This weekend I did ten loads of laundry, scrubbed and disinfected the master bathroom, cooked and washed dishes of course, went to Home Depot -- what Stephy would call an expotition -- changed litterboxes, took care of critters and husband, called my in-laws twice because Robert's dad is in the hospital again, mowed the lawn -- what a thrill! -- took out trash, watered the few plants that are not on the drip system, pulled weeds out front, unloaded all the junk that had accumulated in our ... http://greasy.com/beedith/housewives_lazy_wives.html#comments Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:32:00 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/sturm_und_drang.html Monsoon season in Tucson has begun. The rain -- what there is of it -- is accompanied by much lightning and thunder. I'm enjoying it. My garden is happy. We saw two tiny yellow finches the other day in our back yard. Pretty. Spent this morning at the audiologist with my beloved husband. Hearing aids were recommended. Bummer. My father-in-law is in the hospital again for some tests. Poor guy. He should get to go home tomorrow. Busy week, running all the time. http://greasy.com/beedith/sturm_und_drang.html#comments Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:44:48 GMT http://greasy.com/beedith/attack_calendar-impaired_junebugs.html Stupid little things are all over the screen doors at night whenever I turn on a light and step outside. It's JULY, you moron insects. Go away and leave me alone. The yards and plants are are doing well with the recent rain and heavy irrigation. Some of the grass is even green. Fairy duster is covered with red fluffy blooms, and lantana are blooming again. The live oak and the roses, which had looked awful, have tiny new leaves. The dwarf Japanese crape myrtle is flowering. Onward and upwa ... http://greasy.com/beedith/attack_calendar-impaired_junebugs.html#comments Wed, 9 Jul 2008 07:40:52 GMT