JUST A LITTLE SHOPPING

I declared about half way through our resting day at the apartment that I needed to buy two things: 1) a pair of soft slippers to rest my feet (I hadn't brought mine because I opted to use the space in the suitcase for a very small percolator; Goo doesn't drink coffee), and 2) a small pillow to use on the train home (something else I could have brought but didn't due to lack of space). So, off we trekked to find these two items.

The main drag, Wisconsin Ave., is about four blocks from Goo's apt. bldg. We bypassed the first two blocks of stores.

And walked on down another two or three blocks---I'll leave it to you to determine our rationale--- to TJ Max. There, as luck would have it, we were propelled by the escalator right into the luggage department. We spent well over half an hour checking their large inventory, but nothing seemed just right. Just when we thought we were leaving the area I stumbled upon one that really, really appealed to me. Goo volunteered to go 50/50 on it. She, obviously, didn't want to be seen in public with those old American Touristers with their little combination locks again. I held off.

We finally located slippers and that was a quick decision. Pillows were harder to locate and were in more than one place, but when we found the softest little round pillow it was the obvious choice. Color was the only decision: brown, blue, or dirty white.

Goo chose a bath mat, and we swung back by the luggage area as we went to check out. I snagged the suitcase I liked, and here are my purchases.

CHRISTMAS EVE - CHRISTMAS DAY

Goo's greeting in the baggage claim area of Union Station after hugs and kisses was, "You are not going home with those suitcases!" There was a reason for the old, cumbersome clunkers though. Amtrak had said no soft side luggage could be checked, and that's what mine was. So I'd bought these two hard side suitcases (estate sales, where else) super cheap because I needed something big enough to hold gifts, several books to pass on to Goo, a video, a DVD 3-pack, stocking stuffers, not to mention winter clothes, shoes, etc., etc. In other words, I had my reasons, and the suitcases cost less than postage for the gifts and books would have been. But I digress.

We took the Metro from Amtrak to her neighborhood where we caught the shuttle to her apt. bldg. The shuttle driver helped us with the "unwieldies." As soon as we arrived she began to prepare to go "work" the 6 p.m. service. While she was gone I unpacked, showered/shampooed, got my make-up on, did my hair and wriggled into my smashing dress. I called a taxi about 7:30 and headed to the cathedral to meet Goo.

Those working both services were having a buffet supper on the 7th floor, and I was invited to join them. She introduced me to maybe 15 people, some of whom I'd heard about. They started off to their assignments about 8:30, and I wandered about trying not to look suspicious to the security guards. I felt a little guilty looking at the long line of people waiting to get in as the doors were locked, and it was cold and windy. Someone who knew that there was a chair with my name on it down front suggested I go on in so as not the be trampled when the doors were opened. I did.

Goo said they estimated that attendance at that service (10:00 p.m.) was about 2800. It was a nice service, but it seemed a little non-denominational to me. I guess if you're the national cathedral you try to be as ecumenical as possible. When the service ended we proceeded to her office. I knew we'd gone to a lower level, but I didn't realize until later that we'd actually gone through a tunnel and were in a different building. We then walked outside to the coldest, windiest corner in D.C. to await a taxi back to her apt. I thought by being there I would get to bed earlier than when we talked long distance on the phone after that late service, but no. It was 2:00 a.m. when we turned out the light.

Goo toddled off to work the noonday Christmas service and arrived back a little after two. She said she was the envy of everyone in her new Christmas hat, one of her gifts from me. How do you like it? It was made in India and has a Neiman-Marcus label.

We then tackled the work of getting her entertainment center fully connected. The TV was already hooked up, but we added the DVD player and VCR. I had brought A Christmas Story, sort of a Christmas tradition in our family, but we discovered that the VCR was no longer in service as it began to spew the tape. So, we settled on the premier episode of The #1 Ladies Detective Agency and ordered Chinese food from Mei-Wah which delivers. Yumola!

By the time we finally opened our gifts it was dark, and we were quite full. I think that was the only meal we ate that day, but we had plenty left over for another meal a few days later. The gifts were fun and surprising, and we had plenty of conversation to keep us going until we finally made it back to bed---with no plans to get either of us up early the next day!

Stay tuned.

P.S. Goo bought a pre-lit artificial tree for this Christmas (I feel a small moral victory on this one because I figure that cut trees are a waste of trees and money.) Anyway, she didn't realize until she plugged it in that it also revolves. I thought that a good thing because I could sit on the couch and just catch ornaments as they passed when we were taking it down.

EVERYTHING'S UP TO DATE IN KANSAS CITY!

However, I didn't go there. My trip was to Washington, D.C. with a few hours in Chicago going and coming home. Those stops were fun, and I'll try to write more about that another time. As you know, or maybe not, I travelled by train which means I left my home at 3:30 p.m. on Wed., Dec. 22, and arrived in D.C.'s Union Station at 1:10 p.m. Dec. 24.

This is not actually my train, but one I borrowed from another application. My best shot of my train was on a curve in the Allegheny Mountains with snow all around, but my best shot wasn't very good. The scene, however, was wonderful---imagine it.

It seems imperative that I tell you first what "up to date" means these days. Example: In D.C., adjoining Chevy Chase, Md and in Chicago the pedestrian walk signs at big intersections have an attached window which clicks down the seconds remaining for the scurrying pedestrian to make it safely across the street before the herd of vehicles is untethered and free to mow one down. Wish I'd gotten a picture of them; alas, I did not. The thought, "Toto, we're not in Louisiana anymore," did cross my mind. I was tentative at first and didn't trust 22 sec. to be sufficient time, but soon leapt right out there if we had 16 sec. I really can move fairly fast, especially if the wind is not a factor.

But here's what you really want to know---the latest restroom technology. So, we're all accustomed to sensor toilets that flush automatically, faucets that go on and off, and paper towels that stingily dispense towels based on our motion. But how about this?

Above it were the directions which explained that one should push the red button to rotate the plastic wrapped seat before using the toilet.

Who knew that peeing would become a learning experience?

At the Newseum, the place I was most eager to visit, the restroom walls were also decorated with headline bloopers. Each stall had one or two as well as the common area. How much fun is that? (It reminded me of the father in Cheaper By the Dozen who had educational info posted everywhere in their home so that the children would be learning wherever they were and whatever they were doing.)

More to come . . . I hope.

NOT KEEPING YOU IN SUSPENSE . . .

The surgery went well, but I thought that it was totally different from last time. The clarity of light and colors during surgery was different; and I felt things I didn't feel the first time. However, when I asked my doctor about these differences today she said the procedure was the same and that about 40% of their patients report the same difference in perceptions, so apparently many of us have eyes that are different. Who knew? We thought we had a matched pair---like shoes or socks. But some of us don't.

One small drawback: a tiny blood vessel in my eye got in the way during surgery. Consequently, I have a large circle of blood around my eye which makes me look as if I have been in a car wreck or fist fight. It will dissolve eventually, but I just look at people and tell them, "Believe it or not, I won." It doesn't hurt, just looks really pitiful. There are still a few weeks of medicinal follow-up with drops, drops, drops---some as many as four times per day.

HOWEVER, last night and today I was/am watching TV with no glasses and was able to drive to my doctor's office without them as well, just the big shades. Still need the glasses for reading. Actually, this evening I discovered that if I do the arm extension I can read without glasses as well. So, I'm really excited. I will probably need to get "readers" though. I could read the 20/20 line with the more recent operative eye today and could read 2 of 5 letters on the 20/25 line with the previously operated eye---the one which regressed and became very blurred due to the loose epithelium. My doctor said I do not have a loose epithelium on this second eye. YEA!

So, that's the news for now, and let's all hope that everything continues on course this time. No pictures this time; I don't think you want a picture of me just now.

Have a terrific Thanksgiving; be thankful; I know what I'll be thankful for. (I know; ended that with a preposition; bad me.)

THIS IS THE WEEK THAT WAS

Our orchid society is hosting a national show in late April, 2011. Note that I voted against doing this, but being the stalwart democratic person that I am I have done what I could to support the society's decision. Consequently, I am on the show committee and in charge of clerks for ribbon judging and AOS judging for the show. I know that means nothing to most of you, but it's a big enough chunk of work for one person. Also I have done what I, in conscience, could do to raise money to cover our costs. Let me explain that. We were asked to take orders for candles at outrageous prices for what the buyer would get and to do the same for cookie dough---the same thing elementary school kids are sent out to do. Nope, couldn't bring myself to do that.

However, we finagled a booth at Les Boutiques de Noel, a high end shopping extravaganza, this year held at the Bossier City Civic Center where people have to pay to get into shop, to sell live plant arrangements. I launched into that whole heartedly, and by the time we were ready to do it I had collected 36 containers/baskets and lots of decorative items to decorate them including ribbons and bows---probably $150 worth, all from estate and garage sales. Of course, others had collected as well; some people spent $10 each on their containers; I had a $3 limit on what I purchased. But my point is that everybody contributed a lot. We bought the plants as none of us would have had enough plants in bloom to do this.

On this past Tues. we began putting them together. Approximately four of us had experience in doing this and were good and fast; the remainder of us (that includes me) were novices. But we had a lot of fun putting them together and learning. My pictures are not very good as I really didn't have time to set them up. But here's a sample.

(Remember you click on the pictures to enlarge.)

Oh, yeah, this container was one I got for $1 at an estate sale; originally a holder for a votive candle. I didn't do the arrangement.

Sorry the red bow is behind this because it doesn't show as well.

This container is another I purchased for $1 and is actually a cup; isn't it a great arrangement? I didn't do that one either.

On that Tues. we put together 49 arrangements. We should have stopped there; however we had high hopes and met again the next day to put together more (?). The preview party was on Wed. night, and the actual sale was Thurs., Fri., and Sat. I worked 1 - 6 on Thurs., on Fri. I had to take the cash box to the person opening on Fri., then came back later with material to pack around sold items to stabilize the containers in boxes. Sat. was orchid judging day and the other volunteer who usually works with me for that agreed to do the sales, and I would handle judging responsibilities alone. We were worlds apart, but really in distance it was probably only about 2-3 miles.

Our table on the first day of the sale.

Don't know the outcome of our efforts yet, but I know we were getting only about half the sales we expected. Definite downer! But if anybody is really curious I will let you know. I will say that some of us acquired new skills, even the two men in our society who showed up to help. (We have more men, but only two ventured into this activity. They had a great time and learned how to "glam" up an arrangement.)

So, what's next? Operation on the left eye will be this Monday morning. I am to report at the surgery center at seven a.m. (ouch), but Jaz has graciously accepted the responsibility of getting me there and back once again. The doctor says she will do something a little different this time and, God willing, the sight improvement will be much more immediate without change. The first time it was great 24 hrs. post surgery then went downhill. Who knew about my loose epithelial? BTW the left eye bag is different from the right eye bag. I know you are tracking that information. Here's the left eye bag:

Don't ask me about the cheesy shades in this one; I'm taking my big boxy shades from the first go round. Keep your fingers crossed and say your prayers for me, please. The right eye is still improving, but I don't think it's as good as it will be yet. I just really want everything to be done before the Tea Partyers/ Republicans rip Medicare into oblivion.

So this week is done, and it's on to a new one. Surgery, big holiday, family coming, ---Wow! So much to look forward to! Best wishes to all of you!

MIRACLES

Many years ago Goo declared "The Miracle of the Wood," credited to me. Here's what happened. The whole family was gathering for Christmas dinner, and my small dining table would not accommodate everybody. So I purchased a sheet of plywood (4 ft. x 8 ft.) and had it cut in half. We placed it on the small table, and voilA everybody could be seated. She made a great tablecloth. It worked out just fine.

A couple of years went by before we were all gathered again, and the plywood which had been in storage had warped somewhat. Being the miserly person that I am I was not about to buy another sheet of plywood. So . . . a few weeks before the gathering I put a plastic sheet on my nice but small table, placed the old plywood on it, sprinkled it liberally with water and placed cinder blocks (I love them) on top for weight. By the time we were ready to set the table everything had leveled out, and we were good to dine again. That was "The Miracle of the Wood."

There was another miracle Goo credited me with, but I can't remember what it was. I hope she can and will refresh my memory. I just take miracles for granted I guess.

But here's the latest. About a month ago I noted a wasps' nest in the corner of my carport. It was a little scary as I really didn't want to be stung by a wasp or wasps. A couple of days later I discovered that the wasps not only had the corner nest, but had a colony on the outside two sides of the corner with a multitude of wasps. There might have been 75 - 100 wasps in all. That was very scary. You can check with Jaz and Oyster who both witnessed this conglomeration.

I have a can of EcoSmart wasp and hornet killer spray which has a really long spray length. I had to use it on the front porch a couple of months ago, but that was fairly simple as I could spray and immediately duck back inside the house. In the carport I would have to spray and move 20-30 ft. to get back inside. Wasps do not take kindly to this kind of attack and keep flying around angrily for a day or two (literally) if they aren't among the casualties. Factor into this procedure my recent eye surgery, and I wasn't eager to attack and run for cover.

However, when I took Mack out for a few minutes this evening before the storm came I looked up at the wasp havens. They come home to roost at night. Guess what!!! They were all gone!!! I think this may qualify as "The Miracle of the Wasps."

Now if Goo can come up with the missing second miracle maybe I'm on my way to canonization. Does one absolutely have to be a Catholic to become an official saint?

RIGHT EYE UPDATE

Today was the day I thought we would be scheduling surgery on the left eye to remove that cataract; it was also the day we anticipated rain in our area. Neither goal accomplished. I can't answer for the weather patterns and their flow; we just didn't get any rain, and the drought continues.

As for the eye progress: my doctor told me on the day she completed surgery that the epithelial was loose. Today, one week post-op my vision is still very blurry in that eye. Others have told me that their vision was restored, better than it ever had been following this surgery, so I was very discouraged when I went in for the check-up today. My doctor dilated my eye again and did two tests after which she assured me that the underlying structures were in good shape, but the epithelial coating of the cornea was loose, and she sent me home with an armload of eyewashes to use for two more weeks. That's when I go in for another check. (Guess what: there are limits to how much individualism I wish to express. This ain't one of 'em.) I asked if the second eye would take as long to heal as this one, and she said not necessarily, but maybe.

However, this is the eye with glaucoma, the one with little vascular "explosions" (sorry, I can't remember the term) on the retina, and the eye which had one tiny bit of plaque in one of it's retinal pictures. All of these have been contained through very careful following of directions. My doctor noted today, "You've never had a problem with the cornea before." How much is left to go wrong(?) I wondered. Anyway, we are mustering through.

My hope is that the left eye when it comes due won't have as many problems since it has been relatively free of the other problems. We'll see---hopefully-literally!

So that's where I am, and here is a picture to bleed your tears, sympathy, and condolences:

I only have to wear this shield at night and usually I don't have this much tape on it. It started to come loose during the night, and I added tape, so save a few tears, o.k.? The good news is that I got to wash my hair tonight, and I am feeling so good. YEA!!!