The Cable Guy...

Marc and I moved into our house in 1998.  We live pretty rural, although a main highway passes near us.  At the time, we tried to get cable but it didn't even go down the main road.  So we got Direct TV and used dial-up to access the internet.

A few years later, they ran cable down the main road.  We were excited not just so much for cable, but for getting high speed internet.  But even though the cable went .25 miles from us, Time-Warner told us that the cost would be $11,000 to run it!  Are you kidding??

They then ran it down our remote road from the opposite side.  And stopped .7 miles from us.

We have been battling, battling and battling with them for years.  I've written nasty e-mails to them.  I've called and harassed them.  And still we were living in the hell of no high speed internet.  We bought a Mifi card a few years ago.  Better then dial-up, but still agonizingly slow.  We talked about paying for satellite, but it is extremely expensive and people we know  who have it are largely unhappy with the service.

So we can't watch videos or anything streaming.  We can't download anything as even a small file takes hours.  With the internet increasingly being necessary for everyday things, it has been a little slice of hell.

This summer we noticed a company running a line from a cell tower near us to the road.  The workers  were contracted to run it and told us it was a fiber-optic line and they didn't know anything else. 

Hoping against hope I called Time-Warner again.  I actually received a call back from a local employee named Phil.  He knew exactly who I was and where I lived (I wonder if he knows all the nasty things I've said about his company?!)  He told me that T-Mobile had contracted with them to run and line and yes, because of that, finally, after all these years he could get us service.  He said that he had been "trying to get you guys service for years!"

He told me it would take up to three months to run the line.  I told him I didn't believe it would really happen and he assured me it would.  July ended, August, September passed and we saw nothing.  I called Phil's cell phone and he assured me that they were waiting for a "build order" from the powers that be, but it was going to happen.  And then?  2 weeks ago Marc saw them running a line to the pole near us.  Could this really be happening?

After not hearing from them, I called Phil again on Friday and told him it was his favorite stalker calling.  He laughed and said that line was all set but now they needed a "turn on order". 

So last night we arrived back from our ride and I told you guys that we heard the doorbell.  It was around 6:30 PM and we wondered who the heck it cold be.  It was David from Time-Warner.  "I hear you want internet?" he said.  I said "Since 1998!!"  He laughed.  I'm glad he thought it was funny! 

And within minutes there was a signed contract and the promise of "in a few days" he would have us up and running.

Marc is beyond excited.  I am happy, but until I am able to sit down and easily watch my first cute kittens playing video on Youtube, I'm not going to believe it's real!!! 

Sometimes things fall into place...

I get so frustrated when I make plans and they don't work out.  Sometimes - amazingly - things just fall into place!

That was today.  A few weeks ago I started thinking that I had a small gift certificate to use in a store that we don't have here, but there is one in Syracuse.  I told Marc that I had Veteran's Day off, and if I took off today I would have a 4 day weekend, and if the weather held up that one of the days we could take our bikes down, ride a nice trail system down there, and then head to the store to use my gift certificate.

The weather predictions all this week showed that today would be perfect - not much wind, partly sunny and temps in the 50's.  And - for once - they were right!  Bikes loaded we headed down to the Onondaga Lake Trail.

It was an awesome ride.  What a difference riding on a long, fast, flat trail rather then the hilly, windy, high traffic areas around here!  It was a beautiful day.  We only went 20 miles, but had a great time!

We then headed over to another short trail and checked that out.  Finally we hit the store and then headed back.

We stopped at Walmart to grab a couple of things and to get something for dinner.

We got home and all I wanted was a HOT shower, my PJ's and dinner - I was starving!

We barely walked in the door when our doorbell rang.  I almost yelled for Marc to ignore it, but then I heard him say "Hi!" - and BOY - was I glad he answered the door!!!!

To be continued....

I remember you!

I was obese for much longer in my life then I have been not obese.  So you would think that it would take an extremely long time – if ever - for the memories of being that person to fade.

And in some ways – many ways - it is true.  The psychological fear of becoming fat again, the physical reminders of my obesity – those are here to stay.

But in other ways, the memories I have of who that person was and what her life was like – they seem like something I read about – not something that I actually lived with.

I thought about this the other day when I went to the upstairs of our house to put something up there to store.  And I saw this bag.  At first I wasn’t sure what  it was – I looked closer and saw that it was my old CPAP machine.

From the time Marc and I moved in together I snored terribly.  It used to be something I would laugh about.  But it was truly disruptive to Marc’s sleep – especially since he is a horrifically light sleeper as it is.

And it wasn’t just the snoring.  I would go to bed on a Friday night – exhausted from the week – at 11PM.  I would sleep until around 10:30 AM.  Even though I felt as if I had slept, I would emerge with a pounding headache and not feeling rested.

I finally went to the doctor’s and was scheduled to see a specialist.  I spent the night in a hotel like room in the hospital with a ton of wires attached to my head.  I was stopping breathing multiple times per night and, even worse, the non-breathing episodes lasted 30 seconds or more and my oxygen levels were dropping to 59%!!

I was given a sleep apnea machine which I soon became completely dependent on.  Not only did it look incredibly sexy:

But I had to haul the machine and all of it’s extras (like distilled water) with us everywhere.  I had to have it when we camped – stuck next to our air mattress.

And I didn’t think a thing about it – it is amazing what we can – and do – get used to.

Interestingly enough, neither my doctor or the specialist mentioned my weight and how losing weight could probably solve the problem.

When I started to lose weight, I continued to wear the machine.  I had lost quite a bit and then suddenly realized that it was not comfortable and that air being forced into me while I slept didn’t feel normal. 

So I tried not wearing it.  I slept great and Marc said I didn’t snore.  I woke up early.  I felt refreshed.  So the machine was retired for good.

Fortunately I lost weight before I started to have other, more serious, health issues.  I knock on wood that I never had to take cholesterol or high blood pressure meds and that I never developed diabetes.  I wonder if I had if that would have made me wake up…

Climbing out of a hole…

Yesterday was a rotten day.  I started it off with physical therapy, which was fine, EXCEPT it effing COLD out and  the appointment was first thing in the morning and the place wasn’t warmed up yet and I got chilled while lying there letting the electrical stimulation go on for 15 minutes on top of the 5 minute phonophoresis treatment.

I get back to my office and despite a large coffee and hot oatmeal, I sat there in my – for most people oppressively – warm office and just shook.

I swear, if it weren’t for the fact that I was tested just a few months ago AND that my skin, nails and hair are in great shape, I would think my thyroid had fallen out of my body.

By lunch time, I was miserable.  The thought of working out – pathetically – made me want to cry.  All I wanted to do was eat.  I plowed through my salad with tuna and was completely and totally unsatisfied.  All I could think about was carbs carbs carbs.

Driving home it was lightly spitting a cold snow/sleet so when I got home and the pity party continued.  I had agreed for this survey company to dye my hair and they had sent me a kit.  I dyed the hair and while rinsing it out stood underneath HOT water.

I ate dinner which despite being a completely healthy normal dinner, again left me feeling empty. 

I sat on the couch just waiting for the day to end so I could go to bed.

A good night’s sleep refreshed me somewhat, but I was out of sorts this morning, as well.  I did manage to haul my ass to the basement for a weight heavy workout.

Then we went in to my hair salon where I saw my stylist and gave her something I had made for her.  At our last appointment she told me that there would be no wigs for her.  As soon as chemo ended and she had even a bit of hair, she told me, she would “rocking the lesbian cut!”  I gave her the scarf and hat I made for her:

And told her I was all for her rocking that cut, but she would need to keep her head warm during her long walks!

Beyond that, it was an uninspiring day.  I did do some yoga and was at least gratified to see that my flexibility, lack of pain, and balance is proof positive that I am definitely healing.

But I have once again, lost that wonderful mojo.  And I am terrified that this long winter will push my weight even further up the scale!

This post is for the animals!

Remember those cute little black baby chicks - Tony's last hurrah?  Well they have developed into some of the nicest, friendliest and cutest chickens we've ever had!  They follow Marc around and beg to be hand fed - it is adorable.

But - they are growing little pigs - scarfing up food - and I noticed 2 of the roosters getting into a mini fight - more posturing really - but I knew the time had come.

So Tuesday I went out and got a head count.  5 roosters and 5 hens.  I posted on Craigslist and got an immediate response from 2 people.  I reluctantly contacted the one guy - I hated to see such nice animals gone - especially not knowing if they were going to be dinner, but we can't have 6 roosters in our small flock.

The guy came yesterday when Marc was home, and - I'm thrilled to report - that he had established a flock of about 40 hens and had no roosters!  So he wanted them for his girls, not for his dinner table!

He emailed me last night thanking me and saying they were getting used to their new home!!

Archer is doing so much better!  He's getting back to his old self.  And when I clean out the port hardly anything is coming out - just some blood - and the port keeps trying to come out of the ear - a sure sign of healing!  And last night this disgusting black thing - part of the infection from deep in the ear - came out while I was cleaning it.  Frigging gross but leaving nice pink skin under it.  So good news there!!

Finally, an update on my wonderful little fatboy, Chakotay.  He still - like his mommy - wants to eat and eat and eat.  I have been a little lazy about tracking his measurements.  He is such a sweetie - when I call Archer in to clean out his ear, he comes running and stands beside me - supervising.  As soon as we are done he runs around trying to Archer to play and chase him!

Anyway I pulled out the tape measure today and wrapped it at and him.  I was so happy to see that since the last time I measured - 3 months ago - he has lost 1/2 inch from his chest, and stayed the same in his waist.

He - like me - is just never going to be thin.  But he is clearly maintaining well, and for now, I'll take it!!!

Shock therapy…

My friend did not win last night.  I am sad for her and, honestly, sad for the community.

This morning I went to PT and was seen by the actual physical therapist for a reevaluation.  She feels that I have made significant progress, but I still have pain and swelling, so she started today adding electrical stimulation.  Basically she took a sophisticated TENS unit and hooked 4 electrodes up and I received the stimulation for 15 minutes.  We'll be continuing that for a few sessions before deciding if we need to take another course.

My Achilles feels fantastic right now - of course I haven't run since Sunday, so that is probably part of it too.  But I am hoping that this  - quite literally - shocks my Achilles into submission.

My weight is holding stubbornly at 126.  I asked myself last night, again, after Marc offered me a mini Snickers bar (80 calories) and I reluctantly refused - how my life will be better if I can get back down under 120 - hell, I'd take under 125 at this point.

I don't have a concrete answer for that but my brain believes all would be right with the world if that was to happen.

I think that is magical thinking.  I also think that I'm making progress on that, but I'm not quite there, yet...

Getting out to vote

And I hope you did too!

I have voted in every election since I was 18.  That includes absentee voting when I was at college.

I take this privilege seriously.  And since I get the day off of work – don’t ask me why that’s a holiday for us – I have ZERO in the excuse department.

This year was special.  Although I have personally known people before in our local elections, this is the first time that someone I consider a friend is running for office.

An office that is important and that I think she would be spectacular in the role.  So voting for her – it took on a special meaning. Especially since I know she is running for all the RIGHT reasons.

Today was a day when everything seemed to fall into place.

Marc and I got around this morning and went in to vote.  I took advantage of the day that most people don’t have off and didn’t have to wait in line to get my oil changed, to fill up Dexter and to get a few groceries.

After lunch, although it was pretty windy, it was – for this area – a positively tropic day.  Marc and I took advantage of it and headed out on a bike ride.  30 miles later I arrived home spent and happy. 

I threw a pork, apple and sweet potato casserole in the oven and then relaxed. 

Today was a good day and I’m keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that it ends the same and my friend emerges as the victor!