The mess I can talk about

 This one I can talk about.  

I took a nap with Biscuit, the cats were very attentive to me today and absolutely precious.  I COULD NOT have better cats.  

I got Ron to take some Coconut oil it is a really good antiviral and good for skin.  His psoriasis is flaring so he could use a boost.  Hopefully it will help; at worst it can't hurt.  

So I took a nap.  When I woke up Ron had spilled about 1 liter of vodka all over his bed.  I have his bed set up with a rubber sheet, fabric sheet, washable "chux" pad (about 3 foot square), and disposable bed pads.  The last got everything, the fabric sheet was fine, so easy to clean up.  

The chux pads came in a 4 pack so easy to throw a fresh one down with some of the disposables, get him a bath (while I'm at it) and back to bed.  Now I would never talk about any other sort of messes (to preserve his dignity) but I can talk about this.  All the pads did their job.  I had an easy cleanup.  

Then I washed the chux that needed it, with another one in the washer for balance (I have a top loader, which I prefer).  It takes a while to dry... my dryer is very good - let's not forget it had TWO leaks on it, the ceiling fell in on it, dragged around by my workers, but the low cycle has never really been warm enough to my liking, even before all the drama.  I don't want to dry it on high so I just dry it on low for a while and finish it air drying.  

Ron wanted some split pea soup.  He called an old friend (male) while I cooked and talked about it.  Ron always says Ed is my #1 fan he just thinks I am the best wife ever and has told Ron he envies him.  Anyway, Ed said someone from Ron's schooldays, a woman, was asking about him.  Ron wasn't interested in talking to her.  But he kept talking about how great I was which I found endearing.  

I am feeling about 80% now I should be OK for work tomorrow.  I had better be! 

The damned thing came back (Thursday morning)\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

 Harris county is at "threat level red" for the virus so I have to think I got sick to prevent me getting the virus at Sam's Club or work, today.  I woke up in the middle of the night, miserable, and it has gotten worse since then.  

I am clearly OK for Bible Study and computer but not picking up and stocking heavy cases of water.  I had planned to call Jack today but not happening.  "Something" told me to wait on calling him until this morning.  

Happily not vomiting but just an overall crappy feeling and a drilling pain on the right side of my head.  I did take care of Ron and paid the water bill, did my Bible study.  

Lately I have been hitting various books of the Bible a couple different ways, one reader, a couple days later start the at the beginning with another reader, and a third one with some commentary just to keep me fresh.  It works I feel I am "getting" more out of it.  For instance I just finished up Romans.  I have 2 "daily readers" that just covered it and I also had a booklet from World Missionary Press that was very good.  Then I started on Revelation with the WMP booklet, and then my 2 daily readers will start covering it in a week or so.  So I will be soaking it up different ways, kind of like when I water a plant outside, soak the ground, let it absorb, and soak it some more.  

I used to have excellent reading comprehension but my medication has done a number on that.  I probably read at about a 7th grade level now and I used to be college level when tested in my teens.  I remember one of my favorite books as a teen was "Crime and Punishment" pretty tough reading.  I don't do a lot of reading but non-classic literature seems to be OK.  Everything I've done on my kindle, when it was working, etc.  

Hopefully I get the tablet this year I do miss the Kindle.  My adoptive mom said she had ordered one present which was one the way and should arrive next week.  Then I think a gift for Ron, and the cats.  The cats are easy, Temptations treats in any flavor.  Ron I suggested an inexpensive radio or two or the back massager he loves.  He burns them up every month or so with constant use but doesn't care, and they are a lot cheaper than Gabapentin (which didn't really help).  A new one will be appreciated.  

Ron is very easygoing these days he loves his radio, his little setup with the bed.  This morning he asked me for help getting a urinal, Torbie was in the way and he would have to squish her if he got it himself.  Of course I came running.  😂  Other than that he doesn't bother me if at all possible.  

I did explain a few times this year there is only one of me, I can only do so much, he would have to do what he could for himself or we would have to look at a placement.  He got it.  

I am listening to Christmas music and really enjoying it.  It is much more positive than the usual crap in my playlist.  

And Ron gave me permission to tell a Christmas story from his childhood.  As I've said he grew up in a notorious ghetto in Houston.  Even today it is a wasteland of heavy manufacturing, train tracks, and falling down shacks.  

There was a drug addict lived across the street with his parents.  Anyway, it's Christmas.  Ron's family was one of those that always went above and beyond back then buying gifts for everyone in their circle of family and friends.  They had a huge pile of gifts under their little tree.  

Ron was in a pretty good school, better than the ones his siblings attended because he was blind and they had one magnet school for all the blind children in Houston, back then.  They told him about Santa Claus and chimneys.  But he got to thinking "My house doesn't have a chimney"  He thought about it some more "Santa won't be able to get in because the front door is always locked."  So, he unlocked the front door before they went to mass Christmas eve.  Ron was very proud of himself.

His family was one of those that always used the back door, front door was for visitors only.  They came back from church and the house had been robbed!  All the presents were gone except a few for the family who lived there, Ron, his siblings and his parents had their gifts but all the other ones were gone.  His parents were livid "Who unlocked the door?!" and Ron tearfully confessed.  That's when they told him Santa didn't exist and grounded him.  

My poor baby.  😂  Side note, this house doesn't have a chimney either.  😂  When the house got robbed in 2012 I had gifts actually in the house, but they were in shipping boxes and ignored.  They only got the one computer but they sure ransacked the place.  For some reason they didn't want my little 24 inch TV.  That's the nice thing about treasures in heaven.  

And they never found my jewelry which was in a bag at the bottom of my laundry hamper.  The movers got my jewelry last year so I can share the hiding place.  They sure looked, though, threw my mattress off the bedframe, into the wall, pulled out all my drawers, etc.  

That was one thing I HAD to do, wash all the underwear in the HOTTEST of water settings because God knew what those men had done to it.  It did look very festive spread all over the bedroom.  😂  I can laugh about it now.  

So I will try to see this as a day off and not flog myself for all the things I should have been doing today.  I really do suspect someone was contagious walking around where I would have been and this is how God kept me home; because it takes a lot to keep me away from work.  

That's it for now.  

Wednesday Afternoon

 It's a good thing I had my bucket.  The iced tea didn't stay put. Not much fun but I did feel better after I got rid of it.  This wasn't too bad as the migraines go (through around 2 PM).  

I cleaned the bucket after I got sick and went to bed with Spotty, Cleo, and Biscuit.  It was a little crowded so Spotty went back under the bed.  I was still hurting but not as bad, and was OK as long as I stayed still.  

The cats have an astounding capacity to occupy space; it was especially bad when I was sleeping on the cot.  I'm amazed I got even a minute of sleep.  Biscuit was the worst offender occupying the middle and bottom half of the bed.  I managed, though, until the power went off.  

I decided to get up and unplug the computer, went back to bed.  The power came on some time later.  

Ron was very quiet and needed very little help aside from a boost sitting up in bed so he could get on the commode. Praise God.  I really wasn't up for it.  

I didn't even do the accounting report, looks like I will do that Friday morning.  It isn't due until Wednesday.  Since I am feeling better I will call Jack and set up a ride to go to Sam's tomorrow.  We're not going to make any money without inventory.  

It is interesting, Ron never really trusted me to take care of his business.  Part of that is my fault.  When he started the business I was only supposed to help with some things, but, like some sort of squid, pretty soon he wanted my tentacles in everything.  I would tell him "It's not my business" he had been very clear when we set it up it would be his.  So I threw that back in his face.  

But of course over time I ended up doing more and more.  When I came home the other day he was really surprised and impressed with my report.  Good to know.  

If I have my way he will not go back to work until next spring or when the virus has died down.  Harris county (where I live) is still in the red zone right now.  

I have a pretty strict policy when I go out, these days.  When I come home I immediately wash my hands.  I put things away if I have them.  I get undressed, put the clothes in the laundry room, and take a shower.  It is a little bit of a hassle but I feel better doing that.  

The absolute worst thing I could do is go out, come home, and say, give Ron his medication (involves me sticking fingers in his mouth) with unwashed hands and expose him to whatever I touched that day.  At any rate I am drinking some gatorade.  

I can't say this enough, buy yourself some of the gatorade powder and take it as needed when you have been vomiting, and feel better enough for some fluids.  It is really important for me to stay hydrated and keep up my salt intake, the lithium can be pretty harsh.  It is just a really good thing to have on hand.  I have "fruit punch" right now, but I need to buy some more as I am down to about half a can.  It's good stuff, easy to mix, tastes good.  

I was craving very cold drinks so I put some ice in mine.  👍

I plan to take it easy the rest of the idea and have NO idea what I am doing for dinner.  I may do a cup of noodles.  That's it for now.  

Nurse cats, or Wednesday morning

 Migraine today.  That was not fun.  

I will say God did something to me while I was helping Ron with the toilet, took the pain so I could assist him.  That was very nice.  

I do find it funny Ron always wants to discuss what came out.  😂  Oh, well, it's his body.  Looked fine to me.  

I had planned to clean the house today but I was lucky to get the toilet.  I had a hell of a time getting the lid off the toilet bowl cleaner, as usual, so I left the lid off and put it in a leftover gallon ziplock I had.  

Then of course the vomiting stage of the program, all I had was some iced tea.  Hopefully I soaked up my medication before I tossed my cookies.  I actually feel OK now but suspect it will come back.  

My guess, if I had one, we had a cold front come through last night, I am on day 3 of my period, and I had a protein shake last night.  Now the shake has been implicated in minor headaches but nothing like this.  So now accounting today; even without the majority of the pain (at present) I still feel like crap.  

I still plan to do my supply run tomorrow but that may change.  Jack let me know he is available pretty much anytime so I won't feel bad calling him tomorrow, to go tomorrow, if that's how it works.  

Biscuit and Spotty were super cuddly cute little nurse cats.  

I am going to take a nap.  

Tuesday evening

 I had a pretty good nap and woke up for Pill Time at 5PM.  

After I did that I called my brother.  He is doing pretty well.  He bought some land and has a nice little setup.  He is a type one diabetic.  That is important to know, my Dad and now my brother.  He did say his blood pressure was good.  

I may not have understood him but it sounded like he said our sister is dead?  If so I don't have to worry about her stalking anymore.  I didn't get into any of that with him I kept it very light and positive.  I got his address so I can send him a care package.  And I have his number.  

Overall it was a good conversation.  His ex died (not good) and it got him thinking about people in his life so he is looking everyone up.  

Tuesday noon

 I went to Walmart, EARLY this time.  The store was very well stocked.  I got everything on my list, including a 6 foot artificial tree, lights, and ornaments for $10 under budget.  

I got some McDonald's for Ron as the store doesn't carry the thing he wanted, anymore.  I called Arturo to go home he is having hard times just like we are, and I try to look out.  

I put the perishable things away and talked to Ron, took out the garbage, took my clothes off, washed them, took a shower.  I am going to take a nap and then call my brother later when I get up.  Apparently my nephew mentioned me in passing during a phone call and my brother wanted to hear from me directly.  

It is likely our sister filled up his head with tales of me being abused, brainwashed, and overwhelmed so he wants to hear my side.  Happy to tell the truth.  

I went ahead and did a zinc lozenge just because I felt it was a good idea and it's been my experience to trust my gut.  

Tomorrow will be work because I need to do the monthly report, housework, put up the trash cans.  

I gave up a significant chunk of my pay to buy inventory; good news I have a nice sum to spend now on inventory.  I just need to figure out what day I am doing that.  I have enough to pay my bills, $20 for online fun money, and a little money for Walmart this week and next.  I even managed to get a very nice pair ($10) of sweatpants for me.  

The cats sniffed at the tree but don't seem terribly interested.  I put up the tree, the lights, and a few ornaments.  I will finish the ornaments later.  

Anyway I'm going to take a nap.  

Tuesday morning

 I need to file the monthly report, but I have until the 9th to do it.  Ron and I made an executive decision to do it tomorrow.  

I got a couple of things from Amazon yesterday, the "chux" (washable absorbent bed pads) for Ron.  I eagerly awaited the arrival of the dark roast coffee (Seattle's Best Post Alley Blend, a French roast) and a timer.  

I was looking for an Amazon truck and they sent it regular mail but I did "catch" it around 8 PM when I actually looked on Amazon.  I got it and brought it in the house.  I had a learning curve on the timer and didn't figure it out completely until this morning, and accidentally brewed a pot of my fancy new coffee.  It looked really good so I drank it (I only brew 12 ounces at a time).  It is very good and not burnt tasting like Starbucks, but it has a ton of flavor and some good depth to it.  

I used to work at a coffee shop for a couple months and got a taste for good coffee, but I didn't understand regulating caffeine, had some anxiety and insomnia issues, stopped drinking coffee.  But I am manic for coffee now so I am riding that a little within reason.  So, the coffee is very good.  If you like a good dark (leaded) coffee I recommend it.  

I went to bed late and had a hard time getting up.  I did and gave Ron his pills.  He was fine in bed under his blanket (it was cold last night) with the massager going and Torbie right next to the massager.  She loves that thing.  I know she is very old so I am glad she is comfortable.  She also likes electric blankets.  

I figured out the timer, I had the little tabs reversed, I had them up instead of down or vice versa.  I got that fixed and was up after that so I said heck with it and stayed up.  I did get the timer to brew me a cup of coffee and it was very good.  

I think my problem with the pecan coffee I had yesterday it sat overnight (unbrewed) and all the flavor evaporated from the grounds.  It would probably be fine if I made it fresh but I don't have the brains to set up a whole coffee pot first thing in the morning.

I am still debating what to do with the pecan coffee.  I have a limited amount of room in the cabinet.  So I drank the good stuff and got online.  

I have a half sister and a half brother.  They have the same mother and a different father than me.  My mother was married several times so I am honestly surprised I only have 2 living siblings.  Anyway my sister had 3 kids.  My brother had 2 I am Facebook friends with.  My nephew Shane contacted me today, says my brother is looking to talk to me.  

First thought: My sister is dead.  We will see.  

Second thought: He is going to yell at me for cutting off contact with my sister.  

Third thought: He probably needs money.  But I have, "like" zero at hand.  But I am not worried he is very easygoing and works hard at that.  

I know he is not in Houston because he said he hated the city.  I hope he is doing well.  He's a good guy.  He made me a necklace for the wedding which I wore proudly, he is a craftsman.  The necklace, happily, was NOT stolen along with my other things.  I am glad to have it, never any question about keeping that in my mind.  

So I gave Shane my email, he can email me my brother's number and I will call.  Hopefully he just wants to catch up, it has been a few years.  Last I heard his friend died suddenly and the guy's family evicted him with very little notice.  

I plan to get dressed, do my God Time, and then head out to Walmart before it gets too crazy.