Productive Sunday

Today I made it out to drive around, grabbed the mail and picked up cat food.  Then came home.  Cleaned up the house, did some quick laundry and watched TV.  I laid around this morning so I was late getting started.  I debated about going to the grocery store but figured that I would need a reason to get out of bed on Monday so I left that task for then.  My plan is to grab breakfast out and then hit up the grocery store.  Let’s hope it happens.  I also would like to take a drive to visit a new place to eat that I discovered on the web.  It is about an hour away.  I am pretty sure that I can make it because my stamina seems to be back. 

I wish that I could get rid of the cough that seems to be lingering.  It doesn’t flair up as much as it used to but usually eating a meal or walking will make it happen. 

I do worry about Ms. Gator when I go back to work, the days I am home she will  be fine but the day or days that I am in the office are when I will be concerned.  I worked on the camera that I bought.  I managed to lock myself out of the camera because I didn’t record the password I set.  I could view and control the camera but couldn’t install an update.  I had to reset the damn thing and that took me about 45 minutes to get everything set back up and get the update applied.  Were all good now so I should be able to keep track of the little furry girl if she stays out in the living room.  I may get a second camera for my bedroom because that is her other place that she likes to lay. 

Speaking of Gator, I cleaned her water fountain today and changed the filter & water.  I discovered the damn thing has apparently sprung a leak.  Good thing that I put a pee pad down underneath it.  Gator likes to splash the water around so that’s why I do that.  She loves to come trotting into my room and ask me to pick her up and she is soaked.  She has a ball with that but I don’t like wet cat unless it’s minor and limited to her face. 

I got to see the Racoons today they are all curled up in my window well underneath the deck.  There are 2 adults hibernating and they look so cute but I want to keep them on the outside of the house.  I don’t feed them or give them water but they seem to flock back to the same area year after year.  I know how they manage to crawl under the deck is a path that Taz and Momma used to use when they were outdoor cats.  I leave the path open because I don’t know for sure outside of the Racoons what else may occupy the space.  The last thing I want is to cause something to get trapped and die, that would upset me.  So long as they don’t do any damage I am perfectly happy with things as they are.  If that changes then my position will adjust accordingly. 

Some good TV on tonight.  There’s Euphoria (which I have managed to get interested in but don’t fully understand the plot), The Righteous Gemstones (I enjoy seeing John Goodman and an added plus is Skyler Gizgondo & Adam Devine) and Last Week Tonight.  All on HBO.   

Here’s hoping it’s a good week for me and for you.  I’ve got 2 weeks left until it’s back to work and I am working up to getting back on track.  As if that won’t be a huge enough adjustment Daylight Savings Time will also be kicking in and that will take some adjusting to.  Nothing like a challenge!  Take care and be well!

No bad news

Yesterday I woke up after getting a full nights sleep and felt great.  Lots of energy and it was a pretty good day.  We had the first wave of our winter event so I had no plans to get out.  I did get the house cleaned a bit and got the laundry sorted out.  I still have plenty more things to wash and hopefully I will get through that soon.  The insurance company that coordinates FMLA leave bothered me saying they needed paperwork from my doctor.  I didn’t read their email quite right on my phone but when I got in front of my computer it all came together and my blood pressure shot up.  I already gave them this information earlier in the month.  I sent it again for the 4th time.  I got smart and copied a bar code they put on their form and put that on the first page of what I sent.  As soon as the fax was done I got an email confirmation they received some paperwork on my “claim”. 

Today I woke up and our second wave was moving in so no plans to do anything but get the trash out.  I did attend the meeting at work via my home phone.  While I anticipated something bad, thankfully nothing happened.  We made money last year but I already knew that.  Things look good for this year.  There are hopes to ease our masking policy soon and in the second quarter they hope to hold that meeting in person instead of remotely.  No change to our present in the office policy, which is presently at 3 days per week.  I do plan to be back in the office but I don’t know if I will start out with 3 days per week, kind of depends on the direction I get from my boss and what his expectations are. 

I heard back from the insurance company on FMLA and they approved my leave.  No need to bother the doctors office.  However, I will need to get a note that releases me to go back to work when my leave expires. 

I made a software purchase of a product called MO Backup.  It’s software that is designed to backup your Outlook.  You can automate the process so you don’t have to think about it.  It was under $30 and I figured for that price it was perfect.  I’ve had a similar product in the past but navigated away from this because I thought my on-line computer backup provider was backing up those files.  When I got bit last year it really hurt.  Now that I know and have this additional protection in place there shouldn’t be any further issues.  PST (the outlook backup format) files are notorious for getting corrupted and unless your careful when you create the PST you can easily get lost as to what email is where.  The product I purchase does a complete backup of Outlook including any PST files. 

I watched parts of the preliminary hearing of the parents of the Michigan school shooter from November.  I watched part of the kids preliminary hearing that was on a couple days ago.  Those parents did a horrible job and I can’t believe their attorneys again made a request for bail, which was denied.  The kid asked where his mail was he wanted to know where his hate and fan mail was.  He gets access to a tablet to correspond with others, which I think is unusual.  Normally when your in jail all your access to the outside world is cut off, unless its by US Mail, Telephone or someone comes to visit you.  The kid made a huge fuck up and took several individuals lives as well as caused injuries to others.  He changed lots of peoples (including his own) futures forever.  I don’t know if it’s possible to rehabilitate him but I also don’t think that he will be roaming amongst society any time soon, that of course is pure speculation on my part.  We have to let the justice system play out as all are entitled to a trial.

I need to push the trash out and of course there is snow and mostly ice so I will be walking on the grass.  I waited until later in the evening and now it’s close to bedtime.  Gator will be crying out soon, she needs her medicine, food and then I need to brush my teeth and get ready to turn in for the night.  I likely won’t fall asleep until after midnight. 

My hope for tomorrow is to get a shower, get out for some groceries and maybe a bite to eat.  Then if my energy level permits I’d like to continue to play catchup on my laundry.  Not exactly exciting events but these are tasks that aren’t going anywhere and if I don’t do them, no one else will.  Oh the MADEA movie should be out tomorrow along with 2 more episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.  At least there is some entertainment to look forward to.  Not exactly happy with Netflix because their prices went up again but I think that is a trend that will continue to happen amongst all subscription based services, look at Prime, Amazon raised their fee as well.  Here’s hoping that I get a nice pay raise when they are passed out this summer. 

Hope your all staying warm and doing well.  I will talk with you all again soon.  Be well! 

Motivation & Today

Not sure if your a fan of Tyler Perry and the character MADEA that he created.  I enjoy all of those movies and they have made me laugh countless times over the years.  I was thrilled to learn that in a couple days there will be a new MADEA movie out on Netflix.  I saw the preview for it and it looks to be very good and sure to evoke laughter out of me.  I am looking forward to it!

In browsing through YouTube I found the video below as a suggestion.  It’s motivational and really spoke volumes to me.  I thought I would share it in the hopes that it could be enjoyed by others. 

 

Today I shaved, showered and went off to grab some breakfast.  It was much closer to lunch time but that didn’t stop me.  Rain wasn’t in the forecast so I had planned on getting some shopping done.  However, by the time I was done eating I looked out a window and saw the rain just pouring down.  I opted to go for a short drive and then back home. 

I looked at my phone and saw that at 2p the rain would be moved out.  I told Gator about it and then managed to fall asleep.  She woke me up a couple minutes after 2p.  I wasn’t happy about it but used that as motivation to get going. 

I hit up Target for litter, my favorite casserole and some sundry products.  When I was done there I filled up my tank and then hit up Sam’s Club.  I got some soda, bakery and printer ink.  It was a most expensive day with the printer ink coming in close to $100 and the cat liter at $40, those were the two single most expensive items I bought.  I didn’t need the ink but I like to keep a supply on hand because you always run out at the most inconvenient time.  Cat liter is something I also stock up on and always have.  It goes way faster than the printer ink!

I need to rest after all of that effort.  The news about our next winter weather event was on my mind so I caught the evening news.  They know something is coming but the weather people are a bit perplexed as things haven’t fallen into place exactly like they were thinking.  It sounds like we will know more tomorrow, but that is also when the fun is suppose to start.  I can already see the temperature dropping fast like it saw a police officer.  

I checked my work email and there is no shortage of clusters brewing.  I am glad that I still have a little bit more time to myself before I get to get engrossed and caught up.  I can only imagine that things will change and perhaps I might not have nearly as much to do by myself but I am certainly not holding my breath.  Like with any job there are tasks I enjoy and others I wish someone else would do.  There is an all hands staff meeting this week and I am going to try to dial in for that, just to hear what if anything is brewing.  This is a large event so my hope is that I will just blend in with everyone else and no one will notice that I am there.  My gut is telling me that something is awry and bad news is coming, but I could be wrong.  I would rather hear the meeting first hand for myself than let someone catch me up after the fact. 

Nothing else noteworthy happening.  I plan to try to get to the grocery store on Friday provided the roads are in good shape.  Saturday will be reserved for cat food shopping and mail fetching.

I hope that your warm, safe and have a great rest of the week.  Take care and I will talk with you all again soon!

Errands

I got another 4a wake up call from Gator.  We had breakfast together.  I eventually went back to bed around 6a.  She wasn’t terribly happy about that because she was napping in my lap as I sat in a chair watching TV.  She really loves to be next to me or at the very least in the same room with me. 

I was laying around and not really wanting to get out but knew that I had to.  I got tired and went back to bed at 1p.  Gator wanted some food so I had to feed her in order to silence her meowing.  Then it was really cute she walked up to the recliner next to my bed and I saw her put her two front paws up, which was her signal to me that she wanted to be next to me.  We don’t spend time in bed together, in years past it was a nightly thing.  I went over and picked her up.  She got comfortable and of course with all of that movement I was wide awake and couldn’t fall asleep. 

I eventually tried to sneak out of bed but that woke her up.  She gave me a dirty look and promptly curled back up and went to sleep.  I got dressed quietly, told her that I was going out and that I would be back. 

The whole time I was gone I was thinking I hope she doesn’t fall out of bed or hurt herself jumping down. 

I hit up the post office and got my free COVID tests from the government.  I thought about BBQ and really wanted it but instead I drove to Cracker Barrel and ordered breakfast.  It was nice to be out around people.  However, when I was done my cough started up and even though I had my mask on I felt uncomfortable.  I got out of there pretty quick.  Picked up a prescription from the pharmacy and then got Gators food. 

This was an enjoyable experience up until then.  When I went to park I like to pull though so that I am facing forward and don’t have to back out of a spot.  Well I wanted to pull forward but Mr. Father of the year was too busy trying to fetch his little kid out of his Land Rover and he took forever.  I guess the kid was slippery.  Once the kid was out I figured okay were all set he will close the door and I can pull forward.  Nope then he had to pour some water on her hair and try to style it.  That took forever.  He had to know I was there but I waited him out.  Eventually I was able to park like I wanted.  Then I walked into the store and encountered a couple who was blocking the isle and talking.  They didn’t want to move but did, then as I said excuse me and went to pass them the man jumped in front of my cart.  I didn’t stop or say a word after that.  I didn’t hit him but it was a close call. 

After all of that I was ready to go back home.  I need to hit up Target for more cat litter not sure if that will happen tomorrow but for sure early next week.  Then there is the dreaded trip back to the grocery store.  I need to get some gas but outside of that no other running needs to be done.  I may venture off one day to try a road trip if I think I can make it. 

I have had a resting period and then came down to tinker a bit with the computer.  Now it’s back upstairs because my feet are cold.  Once that happens it’s game over.  I will likely be miserable until I go to bed, that is usually always the case when my feet get really cold like they are now.  My basement is heated but heat rises so it tends to be a little on the cooler side and of course I don’t have any shoes on. 

Hope you had a great day.  I feel like I am making progress and hopefully that continues.  Take care and be well. 

Watching TV & Taxes

I came across a network/channel on my Roku called Tubi.  They have all sorts of content TV Shows and Movies.  The best part is they don’t need any of your information for you to watch and it is 100% free.  Everything has ad breaks in it, which is kind of inconvenient when your watching a movie but then again Hulu throws in commercials when I watch movies.  Anyway I figured out under TV shows they have The Best of Gallagher.  It’s 14 1 hour shows.  I am watching them slowly.  I can only take so much of Gallagher but he is truly entertaining.  I remember back when I was a kid and discovered him, I think it was my brother who told me about him.  The Sludge-O-Matic is how he closes out most of his shows by smashing food and the infamous Watermelons on the crowd.  I wouldn’t enjoy sitting in the front row and getting sprayed with food but I see lots of people pick up what they get splattered with and eat it. 

I have completed and filed my Income Taxes for 2021.  I usually wind up owing money to the state that I live in but since my employer has been deducting taxes while I was working at home for my state that changed the game this year.  I am getting a refund.  I owe money to the state where my employer is located but thankfully it’s a very small sum and I’ve got the check written and will mail it out tomorrow.  What I don’t like is paying money to file my taxes but my late spouse swore by Turbo Tax and that’s who I have trusted.  I tried H&R Block because my employer offered a discount one year but I didn’t like their interface.  I use the on-line portal and don’t bother with loading software on my computer.  My account has 2 Factor Auth. on it and I get emails whenever my account is accessed as an extra measure of security.  I really wish that instead of getting a refund or owing money that I would just break even but if that can’t happen a refund is my preference. 

As per usual there is always something that gobbles up my refund.  I see that my auto insurance is due and while it won’t take up my entire refund it will eat a good portion of it.  As the saying goes a fool and his money soon part.  Lucky me. 

Our little Winter Weather event passed and was mostly ice.  I got the trash out last night but walked on my lawn instead of the driveway.  A little trick my late spouse taught me.  It went off without a hitch.  No one had their trash out at 7p when I was out.  However, I see this morning that at some point my neighbors joined the bandwagon.  I heard the trucks this morning when I was going back to bed after waking up at 4am to the crowing Gator.  We both had breakfast and then watched some TV until I got sleepy (when the sugar high from the cereal wore off) and went back to bed. 

I am feeling pretty much normal, just working on endurance and fighting fatigue.  When I get that figured out I need to work on my sleep schedule.  Work will be calling in a few more weeks and while it seems like it’s far off, I know that all too soon I will be back to the grind, like it or not. 

I am also fighting off severe depression.  That’s not exactly easy when you see the same 4 walls everyday.  Getting out even if only the grocery store, cat food store and/or post office helps a little bit.  Lasts week and again this week I went out for a drive for about an hour just making a full circle from where I started.  It helped break up the monotony and gave me a change of scenery.  Not to mention it also helped charge the cars battery, which goes flat if it sits all week.  I haven’t had to jump start it but vehicles are made to be driven.  With all of the advances in technology I get the impression that even though that vehicle is not running a computer is powered on and transmitting data.  That was the case when I had remote access to my vehicle, it was always listening for a signal.  I really wish that depression would leave me alone it’s been a life long thing but worsened with the loss of my spouse and I have been to some very low points. 

I have had a flood of memories both good and bad while I have been recovering.  I think about the way things used to be when I was a kid, when I first moved into this place and can mentally picture my late spouse walking in and out of the house, meals that he made and things we used to do.  While my life hasn’t exactly been a cake walk, I think that I had a pretty good life.  My life right now isn’t bad, just lonely and I would like to change a few things like where I live and potentially where I work.  I also think about my brother and have thoughts of reconnecting with him but I know deep down that is a very bad idea.  I do wonder if he thinks of me, but I think that his wife occupies all of his time and he really isn’t able to think for himself because she is in control. Perhaps I am wrong but those are my feelings. 

It’s late and unusual for me to be in front of the computer this late.  I am going to publish this and then get back up to see what Gator is up to and find something on TV to watch.  The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is back on and I have already seen the first two episodes.  Next Friday there should be two more to watch. 

I hope that your warm, doing well and safe.  Take care and I will talk with you all again soon. 

Working my way back

I got word yesterday morning that my medical leave has been extended and I am all set at the moment.  I’ve got a couple more weeks to continue to make progress before it’s time to go back to the grind.  When it gets here I won’t want to go back, sort of like when a Monday rolls around and one doesn’t want to go back to work.  However, I do think in a lot of ways it will be good for me to build a routine and I do plan on actually going into the office, even if only 1 or 2 days a week.

Gator has really been enjoying bossing me around and sleeping in my lap.  We have both had a good time together.  I have been telling her this fancy ride is all going to come to an end and life is going to go back to normal so enjoy it while you can.  I tell myself the same thing when I think of sleeping in or staying up late. 

Overall, I have continued to improve but still have the cough and some gastrointestinal issues.  My appetite hasn’t really picked back up but I think I have done a good job of forcing myself to eat.  Days like yesterday happen where all I want to do is sleep.  I try to watch TV but my body just shuts down with no warning and I am sleeping before I know it.  Hopefully, that goes away.  My memory in separating the days out or even figuring out what day of the week it is, is not the greatest but I am sure that will all return when I am back to work.  So long as I don’t miss trash day that is the most important day of the week, at least for now.  I’ve tried to keep Gator’s food shopping day set to Saturday and as for my grocery shopping I go when ever it is that I have to, it’s normally on Sunday but it is interesting to visit the store on different days and times of the week.

Yesterday I also got the supply of N95 masks that I ordered.  These things fit very tight on your face and it’s a night & day difference between an N95 mask and a Procedure Mask (the blue ones most commonly seen). I also finally got some replacement toothbrush heads so I am going to be swapping out my brush.  I like to do that once I feel I am well after getting sick.  It’s a mental thing but it does seem to help me.  

I ventured out today to the grocery store.  We have more winter weather coming and before I got trapped I figure might as well get the trip over with.  Were only supposed to get maybe 2 inches but a good portion of that will be all ice.  Heavy rain is coming first and then we go into the deep freeze.  ICE is one thing I hate to walk or drive on.  I will do it but only if it is a must.  I am sure I will get another early morning wake up call telling me the office is closed or opening late.  I have a lot of places I’d like to visit but haven’t yet.  Like Target for cat litter and there are a couple thing I could use from the home improvement store.  I’d also like to get to Sam’s to get a lot of soda for a little money and more ink for my printer.  I did pick up a frozen pizza while I was at the store and made that tonight for supper.  It was really good and there is only one piece left. 

I found a new restaurant that I want to eat at but it’s a considerable distance from the house. It will be a good trip to give me a different landscape to view and should also be a nice trip for the vehicle and my taste buds.  Not exactly sure when I am going to go but it’s on my list of things to do and eventually I will get there. 

Speaking of which no word from the dealer on my new modem and the manufacture has already taken away the remote features in advance of AT&T’s planned shutdown of their 3G network on the 22nd of February.  I really don’t want to spend the money for the new modem but I also don’t like that this messes with the resale value of my vehicle.  I do miss the remote features but I also remember life before technology came along.  This is kind of a catch 22 and I do think that the dealer has totally forgotten about me.

I am starting to get a little bored and restless but I keep reminding myself that I need to take it easy and just do this one day at a time.  If I rush it things won’t go well for me.  I do pray that I never get this sick again.  It’s really knocked me on my ass and made me feel quite helpless and scared.  At least I was able to recover at home and didn’t need to be away from Gator and she didn’t get it.  So there are plenty of things to be thankful for and the fact that I still have a job to go back to.  There are blessing all around, most of which we all take for granted. 

I suppose it’s time to publish this and venture back upstairs to see what Gator is up to.  I hope that your well and warm.  Talk with you all again soon.    

Blood Results

My blood work was completed and I got a nice lady who knew what she was doing.  I told her that my veins roll and she was able to only stick me one time, the vein tried to run away but she somehow got control of it and I was bleeding.  She tried to make conversation and asked me what I was doing for Valentines Day, I told her that my spouse passed away 8 years (will be 9 years in April) ago and she apologized.  I told her not to worry about it I wasn’t offended. 

The results took a little longer to become available to me but everything checked out and there is nothing to be concerned about.  The Nurse Practitioner that I had been working with chalks up my symptoms to a struggle in getting over COVID.  She didn’t give me any advice on how to speed this up or tell me to do anything different. 

I have started to feel a bit better.  I am dealing with dizziness now after I move and the cough seems like it will never go away.  It acts up after I eat.  Gator looks at me as if to say stop making that funny noise.  I won’t say that I am 100% yet but I am on the mend. 

I have had some wild and crazy dreams, where I see my pets, my late spouse, former co-workers and all sorts of off the wall things happen.  I even wake up partially and hear myself talking in my sleep.  There are some of these dreams that I wish were reality and others I would rather not visit. 

My employer has been itching to get me back to work and they have done a good job of nagging me.  I have told them that I am still recovering and it is planned that I will return on the 15th of March at the moment.  I didn’t tell them this but my hope is that I will be much better prior to this and be able to return.  I don’t want to get hopes up for anyone.  I also was told that since I will be off longer than planned they are going to have to use my time off to help supplement the medial leave pay I am getting.  I had to use 5 days of time to start this and now they are going to suck me dry of all of my remaining time off.  I don’t accrue anytime off since I am on medical leave but when I go back I will start getting time again.  I don’t like to use all of my time up or go negative because it’s a recipe for disaster.  I was in this position once before because of illness and I wound up owing time off but they don’t true up until the end of the year and that is when your pay is finally docked.

As if that wasn’t bad enough the insurance provider they use to coordinate the leave process has ignored the fax I sent to them last week that informed them I would need additional time.  I got an email today telling me my time is up at the end of the month and I should plan to return to work.  Prior to writing this post, I reached out to them and uploaded a copy of my fax to their portal as well as emailed the claims examiner who is taking care of my medical leave claim.  She has been the most helpful person in that whole company.  I hope that this all gets sorted and approved quickly so that I can relax and focus all of my efforts on getting better so that I can go back.  I pray that I don’t have anything else happen to me that places me in the position of needing to take leave again it’s truly a hellish experience.  Bad enough that your not well but then they compound things by making it difficult, I suppose in the hopes you will just give up and either go back to work or up and quit. 

While my time away hasn’t been a bed of roses, I have enjoyed not having to deal with the BS I normally deal with on a daily basis as well as all of the phone calls and meetings.  I know that this has caused a hardship for my team and I do feel bad about that but I do think everyone now knows how much I truly do.  I have always thought highly of my employer and been proud to work where I do.  However, with the advent of COVID and how they didn’t want to work with me to accommodate my request to continue working remote and how they forced my doctors hand, then the mandate to go back in the office for more days when COVID cases were soaring out of control to now where they are bugging me to come back it has placed a huge bad taste in my mouth.  I really don’t want to go back ever but I know that isn’t reality.  I am not as proud as I once was to work for them and have been looking here and there for other opportunities.  Problem is no one pays like my employer so they essentially have me trapped.  If I see an opening some place else that pays well and sounds like something I want to do then I will throw my name in the hat but I don’t have high hopes that will happen.  I do think I am stuck.  If that is the case I pray that things get better or at least that I can manage to wash out the bad taste out of my mouth.  Feeling good about what you do and where you work goes a long way towards overall happiness.  I will say they have been good to me but on the other hand I feel that I have been even better to them and have tolerated more than the average person would.  The only thing that I truly enjoy about work is the money and that is the only reason why I keep going back for more.  It’s the reason why most people work is to get money to live.  I work to live and don’t live to work but that wasn’t always the case.  I am a workaholic primarily because it helps me tune out the depression and gives me something else to occupy my mind. 

The one thing I can say for sure is that all of the isolation that has been associated with recovery on top of working from home for 2 years has made my depression much worse.  I have thought more times than I can count about throwing in the towel on life but then I look at my Gator and see her face, I can’t leave her here and not know how she will survive.  I think she knows that she has on more than one occasion she has saved my life and I think all of my other cats that have passed before her knew they too saved my life. 

Enough of this depression stuff, I need to get better and get back to a daily routine.  Try to manage to keep my mouth shut so that I don’t do any damage to my stellar reputation and just keep on keeping on. 

I didn’t realize that today was Valentines Day until half way through the day.  I see social media is full of couples and boy am I jealous.  I know that once the world is safer from COVID that I can begin my search again and hopefully find a love connection that will last.  That will go along way in helping my overall outlook on life and who knows might even help with my job.  I am ready for a vacation where I can enjoy time away with someone special and do fun things like travel.  I’m not getting any younger and life truly is too short to have regrets but yet I have them.  I don’t want to add to that list and want to get back to living my life and having some fun.

Well upstairs to be with my cat and watch some more TV.  Were binging between The Roku Channel on the old TV show Benson [there is a lot of humor and wit on that show] and then the other old TV show that is on Starz called Drop Dead Diva.  We watch, eat [she is eating much more than I am, but hopefully that will change soon] or use the bathroom, watch and then nap.  Then wake up and do it all over again until it’s time for bed.  Gator is just happy to be with me and that I am here to serve her every need.  I just hope that she adjusts well when it’s time to go back to the office, even if it’s only for a day or two. 

Happy Valentines Day.  I hope that you are all well. 

Where we are

I had a follow up visit with my doc today.  I am really not a whole lot better since this whole thing started.  I did see some improvement with being on antibiotics and really wanted to try something stronger to see if we could knock this.  However, it’s time to take a peek at my blood.  I am not terribly excited about this, particularly because of the poke of a needle.  There are a few tests that are being run and results should be available within a couple days.  I have to go to the lab later this afternoon.  Right now the thought process is that I some how contracted the flu.  I am not sure how that would be since I have really limited myself to staying at home except for getting groceries and cat food as well as a trip to the post office.  No one is ever at the post office when I go but I am around people at the stores but my encounter is short and I really don’t talk with anyone and always wear a mask. 

My employer is chomping at the bit to get me back to work.  There was a mix up at the company they use to coordinate leaves and I was supposed to go back next week.  That was just sorted out yesterday and I am good until the end of this month.  I asked for a few additional weeks so I am looking at returning mid month in March.  That paperwork was just sent today and who knows how long it will take them to sort through that but hopefully within a couple days I will have an answer.  My hope is that we can get this whole ordeal sorted out sooner and that I won’t need to be off that long.  It will start to cut into my pay for being out so long and that isn’t something I want to happen but I do have savings. 

The only thing I don’t look forward to on my return to work (whenever that is) is wading through the numerous emails that I have gotten and playing catchup.  Hopefully, I don’t get struck by COVID again this is no fun and pretty much everything around here has ground to a halt.  I just take care of the bare essentials.  I need a shave and haircut badly.  One day blends into the next and I just scroll and find something to watch on TV that is somewhat interesting to me.  I usually wind up falling asleep multiple times throughout the day.  I still have that childhood feeling that I get when I am sick, it’s like a warmness that is brief in my chest that tells me my body is sick.  Not to mention all of the other symptoms my body is telling me.

Hopefully, back to normal or some state thereof is in my not too distant future.  Fingers crossed.  Back to upstairs and all of the fun that holds.  Probably going to take a nap and finish up on a bottle of water.  I pray they don’t have to stick me more than once.  Hope your warm and doing better than I am.

Buried

My neck of the woods is impacted by Winter Storm “Landon” which has left a ton of snow.  Wednesday morning I thought I heard someone pounding on my front door but figured I was hearing things.  I thought surely if someone wanted to get my attention they would ring the door bell.  When I eventually was able to look, which was hours after it happened I saw foot prints in the snow that indicated someone was here.  I was expecting a package so I looked but there was no package it was likely neighborhood kids that wanted to shovel my driveway.  

I have mixed emotions when it comes to clearing my driveway and sidewalk.  I personally like to be out in the snow but it’s only for a little bit and that wears off pretty quickly.  I don’t clear either my driveway or sidewalk because there is a liability issue in that if you don’t clear it sufficiently and someone falls they can sue you.  I suppose the same is true for not clearing it.  However, no one comes to see me so I figure at the end of the day it would just be a wasted effort. 

I had a neighbor who would constantly clean his driveway when it snowed.  Never mind if there was more snow on the way he would wait about 4 hours and then start clearing.  It was like an obsession to him.  If I was clearing I would try to get it all done with one trip outside when I was younger I would have made two at most.  Plus I had a shovel and a snow blower to work with.  Today it’s just a shovel and my aching back. 

In years past I think the office would have closed one day but this year they are much more cautious and have closed yesterday and today.  That doesn’t mean no one is working or has the day off, were all expected to work remotely.  Except for me I am still out on medical leave.  I still get the phone call at 5am to warn me.  In years past they wouldn’t put the word out until 7:45a and by that time if I was traveling I was either close or already at the office. 

I am not eager to get out in this mess despite having 4 wheel drive.  It’s going to be fun putting the trash out tonight and everyone in my neighborhood is waiting for the snow to stop before they venture out.  Eventually I will get out there but I’ve got all night.  The snow plow gave up on my neighborhood sometime early this morning.  They were doing a good job of keeping up but now you can’t even see pavement.  The snow is expected to stop sometime late this evening the last I heard.  It’s weather were talking about so it’s all subject to change.  My best guess tells me I will get another early morning wake up call tomorrow saying the office is once again closed.     

I am still very much in recovery mode from COVID and wouldn’t have the strength to clean my own drive way, it’s a chore to just take a shower.  I am feeling a bit better but strength is not fully back yet and I still have the dreaded cough but that too is lessening.  I do still sneeze a few times a day and have the whole sinus thing going on.  It feels like I have a giant worm inside my ribs and it itches, I would love to reach inside an pull it out.  Not exactly sure what that odd feeling is but I usually get that feeling when I have a chronic cough. 

I was able to trim Gators claws this morning, she wasn’t terribly happy about it.  At one point she let out a scream just as I clipped and I figured I cut too close but no that was just her way of objecting.  Within a couple hours to a day she will have them all sharpened back up.  I saw her limping a little more than normal last night which is what prompted me to trim her claws they were a little longer than normal.  I think it was probably her arthritis acting up but she never screams in pain or lets it slow her down.  Not that she moves terribly fast anymore.    

Gator and I have gotten in our morning nap.  I enjoy her in my lap all passed out and snoring or making a moan as she starts to fall asleep.  You can just tell she hasn’t a care in the world and is totally safe and comfortable.  It doesn’t matter if I am comfortable or not. She stands at the foot of the rocker and I have to put the foot rest down, pick her up and then put the foot rest back out.  Most of the time this occurs after she has made a trip to the water fountain and she is either slightly or heavily soaked.  I never know what I am getting until I go to pick her up.  She loves to sleep using my leg or foot for a pillow and if I move that wakes her and I get a dirty look or sometimes she just readjusts.  She is going to miss me when I am back to work regardless if I am working from home or at the office.  I think the trip to the office will be much worse because she won’t have anyone to ask for food and she has become even more picky with the advent of the pandemic.  

I’ve managed to finally get the laundry out of the dryer from last month and throw a new load in.  Hopefully, it won’t take me another month to get this new load out.   I also finally ran out of laundry detergent but had backup waiting for me.  One large jug has lasted for at least 3 to 4 years.  Buying in bulk (a large jug from Sam’s) was always our preferred method.  Now I see they have pods out just like for the dishwasher.  I like that idea a bit better and think I really want to switch.

My neck has been bothering me for the last couple days and that was the warning sign the day before I was clobbered by COVID.  I really think I am over it and it’s just a matter of gaining my strength back.  I look forward to getting back to some what of a normal state.  Watching TV and generally being bored is starting to wear on my nerves a bit.  I enjoy it in the morning at at night but the middle of the day is when I start to get restless.  One can only watch so much TV or movies.  I think this might also be a sign that I am getting better.  I’ve peek a little bit at work email.  My inbox surpasses 1 thousand unread messages.  Doesn’t look like there is a whole lot going on since this winter storm arrived.  Things will thaw out eventually and the flood gates will once again open and I will probably have even more email to contend with.  This is the longest I have ever been away from the office I do not look forward to digging out from this. 

Hope your all doing okay and staying warm!

Progress

I am happy to report I do feel a bit more like my normal self.  I still have issues with fatigue and tiring out.  I am still mostly lazy just staying in my room and only leaving for food for the cat, myself or to use the bathroom.  This morning I went to stretch and felt something around my right shoulder pop, it was loud and then the pain set in for a few minutes.  It’s a little sore now but I suspect that I pulled something and it’s only going to hurt worse with time.  Ah, the joy of getting old.   

Today I ventured out to the grocery store.  It was all okay until I got home and then I just collapsed.  I didn’t spend nearly as much as I did the last time I was there but it still was a hefty amount. 

Gator continues to enjoy my company and the attention and food that I pass out for her.  She isn’t allowing me to sleep very much at night, which is something I need to change with her.  For now it’s okay but once I am closer to going back to work we will need to get her adjusted or I am going to be mighty tired. 

I found the food that she loves so much at Chewy dot com but I have put off creating an account and placing an order.  I created my account today and went to place an order, of course they are out of stock now.  Just my luck.  I’ve got an email alert that is supposed to fire when it comes back in stock.  That’s when I will place my first order.  I really don’t want a whole case but I don’t see another way to make the purchase and if it keeps my little fur ball happy that makes me happy. 

I got paid like normal so that worked out well, however it doesn’t look like I accrue any time off while I am out on medial leave.  That’s fine I still have a week and 1 floating holiday that I have accrued to fall back on.  Communication with my co-worker has stopped and no one is really reaching out to me, which is all normal and fine.  My boss did try to reach me over the weekend but my phone was turned off and he didn’t bother to leave a message. 

I found out last night that the horrendous hospital bill I managed to rack up was paid along with the doctors fees.  I expected that is the way it would work out but I will admit I was holding my breath a bit.  I have to pay my new co-pay amount to my doctor’s office for our last virtual video visit but that’s fine.

I gave a go at filing my taxes and the numbers look really great right now.  I do think there is something wrong and there is a form I need that hasn’t been published yet.  Once that is made available I will go back over my taxes a second time and then file.  I still have to shell out some money from the way it looks but there is a bunch coming back to me, which is not normal and why I think something is wrong.  I’ve got plenty of time but like to file early to get it over and done with. 

Can’t believe that it is already the start of the 2nd month of the new year.  Last month got off to a really bad start for me.  I hope that this month things are better and that by March I am back to work.  It’s kind of all up to me and I really don’t want to entertain the idea of going back until I can get rid of this fatigue and get my energy back, then get Gator to permit me to sleep at night and I should be back in business.  First of the month is always a busy time for me at work and I suppose that is now true for someone else, I am not terribly worried about it but I am concerned about what shape things will be in when I go back and have to clean up and catch up, that is the part I really don’t look forward to. 

Well back up to be with the fur monster and see what I can find on TV.  Hope that your staying warm and that you are safe.  Talk with you all again soon.