This and That

There has been no squeaking around lately.  The last DJ sitting was even uneventful.  Part of the reason for that was we sneaked her in at 10:30 each night and then take her home before 7:30 the next morning.  Most of her previous antics had been late-night adventures in her own yard.  Well, there was the night she pooped in the living area and Robbie the Robot made a mess of that.  Now we turn Robbie off in the event of another accident.

On the 15th the social committee of PEO met for a bit of a project.  We were making Christmas card invitations to send to the ladies in our chapter.  It was fun just being ourselves with each other as we work/giggled through the project.  We only needed to make about 32 cards.  We only finished 24, I think.  There were no adult beverages involved, only women doing something out of our comfort zone.  

Last Wednesday our 2014 TV died.  Hubby says the backlight went out.  There had been slightly darker spots appearing for well over a year.  Thursday in the middle of Ken Burn's newest project the screen flashed a few flickers before turning completely black.  Having known for the past few months that death was inevitable research was done by me.  Hubby would put in some points along the way.  We had a fair idea of what would be wanted.

Thursday morning started the search in earnest.  Once more we looked at the pros and cons of QLED and OLED technologies.  I gave Hubby a web address to visit to read about the two one more time.  He liked the OLED the best.  Hubby stated he had been very pleased with his Samsung phone.  So the TV search was narrowed down even more.  We know we did want about the same size of the set as before.  With all the criteria in place, it was time to find the exact model.  To stay within the pricing, which was one of the biggest criteria, we went with 4K.  The OLED's smallest size from Samsung was 55", 5" inches bigger than the burned-out LG.  We just compromised and decided on the 55" Class S95B OLED 4K Smart TV (2022).

With the model found, pricing arranged, and everyone okay with the decision, the purchase button was enacted.  Delivery would be on Monday.  Good.  Those days would give us time to remove and dispose of the old set.  We, also, wanted to install wheels on the credenza that sat below the TV and sound bar.  Hubby asked if there was something I wanted to do on Thursday afternoon.  "Nope, I am too tired out from all the shopping."  I had not even moved from my recliner the entire time.  Decisions can be tiring.

Friday morning found we were ready to tackle the beginning of the project, removing the TV from the wall.  The simple removal required moving all the decorations off of the credenza.  Remove pictures that were hanging.  Emptying all the stuff in the credenza and putting it in boxes.  The device the old set hung on was a heavy weight.  Hubby wanted to try a different way to take the TV down.  I should have listened cause the hanger was really heavy.  However we did it, it was done.  Before we could actually get all of the above tasks done, there was a knock at the door.  The new set had arrived.  

Okay.  So much for spreading the work over 3 or 4 days.  We hopped to the tasks and had everything ready to install the hanger on the back of the new set.  I had missed one criterion.  Dimensions of the set mounting holes.  Nope.  Was not going to fit.  Fiiiine, we will set the TV on the credenza.  Now what to do with all the decorations.  That even includes the items on the wall.  Ugh.  There was only time to place the TV on its stand, which was a whole nother project.  With the Tv finally on the credenza, it was time to rest.

Not so much.  It was time to get dressed for Grandson #3's football game.  Also, Grandson #4's choir was singing the national anthem before the game.  We made it to the field in time to stand at the ticket stand and listen to the music.  Ugh, again.  We did see Grandson #3 come rushing on the field with his teammates.  We had forgotten our stadium seats so it was 3 hours on aluminum bleachers.  And btw, it was in the high 90's.    It was going on 11 PM when we finally arrived home.  We collapsed into bed very soon.

 #3 G is in there somewhere.

Neither of us got out of bed till almost 11 Saturday morning.  We both dozed on and off all day Saturday.  Then slept in again on Sunday morning.  We were a bit more alive on Sunday but not by much.  Monday we finally took the LG to the recycling center. Rearranged enough stuff in the storage room to store the shipping box to use when moving the new TV next year.  With all the box dust it caused a breathing problem for a bit.

It is Tuesday afternoon.  The wheels for the credenza have arrived.  The shaft is too long.  Hubby plans to cut the screws shorter.  That will have to wait until #4 GS is picked up from school and taken home.  Until then the living area is not open for guests.  In addition, about every level surface has something piled on it.

Hubby made it home.  The screws were cut to length and filed for smooth installation.  An additional platform that had previously sat on the credenza is lifting the TV for easier viewing.  I still have to decide how and where to place all the things that will no longer be set on the credenza.  In addition to the TV stuff, I have been doing laundry.  Nutrisystem dinner was served and now all I want to do is sit in my recliner.  We still have to figure out where to put the soundbar.  We are both not prepared to do anything else tonight.  

All I can think of is how on earth will we ever get ourselves moved.  Ugh.

Take care out there.

Janice

  

Book Club

Today was the monthly PEO book club.  I had never been to a book club until last fall.  I read what interested me but seldom talked to folks about what I read.  I've never been one to recommend books or restaurants.  The few times I did folks told me I was wrong.  I realized my standards were/are different from other folks.  This month's read was Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine.  It was a recommendation of a former member of the group.

The first question that was asked by this month's leader was did we like the book?  Opinions differed.  Most said it was a bit of a difficult book to read in the beginning.  All agreed the main character was really quirky.  The man, Raymond, was a 'typical' IT type.  They finally began to enjoy it somewhat. Were 'into it by the end'.

Finally, I spoke about my preference.  "I totally identified with the book".  Judy's response was, "Well, of course, you did!"  JoAnne leaned into me and said something like you're not nearly as quirky as the main character.  Seems they have my number.  I almost pulled out my squeaker and squeaked them!

Y'all have a great day!

Janice

Squeaker III

The squeaker showed up again on Tuesday.  A follow-up mammogram and sonogram actually allowed for two more times for fun.  With my appointment being in the afternoon, the technicians had already seen their share of women with requirements for a second look and immediate assessment.  It was my job to help make their day a bit brighter.

Not mine but similar

The follow-up mammogram was for my left breast.  (Why was the word breast hard for me to type?  Old hangups, I guess.)  There were different size plates used.  The first was about 10 inches wide.  The pressure on that one was not so bad.  The second plate was about 3 inches wide and more focused.  In addition, the pressure was more like the mammograms from the 1980s.  Ouch.  And one must hold one's breath so there is no breathing through the discomfort.  It was definitely squeaker time!  The young tech started looking around and searching her pockets.  I fessed up and of course, she cracked up with me.  She thought she had managed to bring one of her toddler's toys with her to work.  She gladly took the squeaker to 'have some fun at work'.

From the mammogram room, I went to a waiting area with other women in bathrobes and/or hospital gowns.  I could see the worry on some of the faces.  We were all waiting for the next phase to determine which door our lives would take.  Would we be released after the sonogram with good results?  Would we be given back to our doctor to schedule the next step of biopsy and/or surgery?  I did not use my remaining squeaker but shared what I had done.  We all had a giggle.  Then a twenty-something lady came into the room.  Her countenance was filled with fear and she needed encouragement.  She noted how painful the procedure was.  All us old pros started talking about our past experiences.  We did our best to give her support.  Because cancer is scary.  All the while I kept hearing the occasional squeak out in the hall followed by laughter.

The waiting room ladies were called one by one to have the next exam.  New women came into the small room.  At times there was not enough seating.  My name was called.  Just to confuse things there were two of us "Janice" in that small room.  It was not my turn, wrong last name.  A couple more of the ladies left.  Then, finally, my turn.  I wished the twenty-something good luck with the results.  I had even shared about the ex-DIL having the same situation just 2 or 3 weeks before that 1996 wedding day.  All had been fine after the biopsy showed the tumor was benign.

Let me give a bit more, probably unwanted information.  Breasts are categorized.   It is not cup size but density that makes the difference when screening for tumors.  Read here for more information.  My breasts are considered dense, level 3 the techs tell me.  That makes me 4 x more likely to develop breast cancer.  Yeah!  In addition to the silly, no longer useful things that have caused distortions in my bone structure from bra straps, now this.  Yearly mammos it will be for me.

So much for that.  On to the sonogram room.  On my back with half of me exposed.  In addition, my dense but saggy boobs were halfway into my armpit.  I could apologize for that unflattering image but more important things were at stake at that time.  A squirt of the warm lubricant and the sonogram process began.  The tech was having difficulty locating whatever it was on the mammogram.  I did the squeaky thing and she laughed.  Said she had heard about me.  We chit-chatted while we both looked at the monitor.  Still nothing.

I said it had probably slid into my armpit.  She answered that there was very little probability that anything had spread into my armpit.  I smiled noting I was not talking about a cancerous tumor, just my orange-in-a-tube sock boob.  Most of it was in my armpit.  Well, that cracked her up.  "Most people come to this room either planning their funeral, or crying, or dreading telling family members.  No one comes in cracking jokes."  I told her my family met adversity with humor.  "You are now officially my favorite patient today".

Once she had enough photos of my tube sock for a boob, she went to the specialist for a reading.  I gave her a squeaky toy.  She said the specialist was a bit grumpy this time of day.  She, also, noted that if she ever had a bad read, the specialist would be her pick for the reading.  In the time she was gone, I just did not do much.  Looked at the room, checked my phone, and prayed I would not have to tell my sisters we were going through another cancer treatment as a team.  

The tech returned.  Get dressed and go home, all is good.  That was for sure!  I dressed and started walking down the hall.  At different stations, the technicians had smiles and giggles going on.  Seems that had all been having a bit of fun with the squeakers.  It was a glorious way to end the visit.

Stay safe out there.  Don't forget your mammograms, colon checks, and other things that could avoid cancer.

Love,

Janice