Procedure Update

The day after my pain procedure and I am feeling pretty great.  A few hours after when the local had time to wear off I was pretty sore all around my neck and upper shoulders.  Some Ibuprofen stopped that and I slept really good last night.  They told me I would feel better for at least two weeks.  Maybe I'm the excerption to the rule.  I don't know.  I don't go back for 4 weeks.  I'll ask then.  But I am happy...today.  Oh and the procedure itself wasn't as bad as the tests, it wasn't fun at all but it's over and we will see how it goes from here.

This part is refering to later in the week(Sunday) after my procedure.  The pain has gotten much worse.  The muscles all around my neck and shoulder have tightened up and are very uncomfortable.  I have not been able to find a combination of meds yet that relieves the pain.  Even the muscle relaxer has done nothing.  Consequently I am cutting this short.

In case I don't make it back on before Christmas, I hope you all have a great one.  Hoping and praying for a better year to come.

Happy Trails

First Freeze? Procedure and Leak

The weather guessers predicted the first freeze of the season for our area this morning.  Didn't happen where I am, not even a little frost.  It's 40* here right now.  Who knows when it will happen bit it's getting pretty late in the year.  Sometimes we get frost and a freeze before a much of the area, sometimes we get none when others do.  It's just the way it is living in the hills.  But we still prepare all the tender outdoor plants anyway.  The day we don't is when it does freeze.  Then we have damaged plants that look pretty bad.  

Tomorrow is my procedure on the nerves in my neck.  Things like this don't usually bother me at all.  This one does a little.  Mainly because of the pain I will endure during and after.  The doc assures me I won't like him very much once the local anesthetic wears off.  It can take up to 4 weeks for the results to finally kick in.  After the pain of the two tests I do get second thoughts.  Even though they used a local it was pretty painful.  For something that will only last 1-2 years, is it worth it to go through all that I ask myself.  Especially when ibuprofen handles much of my pain.  Then I have a night like I had last night where the meds don't do much good and I'm ready to get it done ASAP.  I don't have a lot of pain other than when trying to sleep, so it's out of mind at those times.  But after 20 years of this, it is wearing me down.  So I tell myself to suck it up...I don't have to have it done again if it doesn't work out.  There's always neurosurgery...

Did a little plumbing on a sink drain that needed replacing.  We have those stupid cultured marble sinks and counter top that are all one piece.  The sink on my side apparently has a small crack in the marble around the sink drain.  So it leaks.  I pulled all the parts out and got some silicone sealant to use to try and seal the leaky sink.  It's working so far after 5 days.  The alternative is replacing the entire counter top and two sinks.  We aren't ready to do that.  The parts of the sink drain gave me new gaskets so I'm hoping all that will last a while.

Happy Trails

Miscommunication and Christmas Decorations

Due to a miscommincation my ablation did not happen.  They told me I was scheduled for the same test I had 2 weeks prior.  Medicare requires it.  OK, but somehow I did not get the message.  So I was tested again, and again it hurt, in fact it was more painful.  Probably due to my muscles being tense from anticipating the ablation.  The last test I got some immediate relief that lasted most of the day.  Same test this time and no relief, in fact I was in more pain than I was before the test.  I had to go back the next day to discuss the results of the tests.  This entailed them asking me if I wanted to proceed with the planned ablation or considering neurosurgery.  Of course surgery was not an option, yet.  So I told them let's continue with the ablation.  The doc said I will not like him much for a couple weeks after the procedure.  Not what I was expecting.  Evidently having the nerves burned off doesn't relieve your pain immediately.  In fact it takes up to 4 weeks and can be pretty uncofortable during that time.  He said it takes time for the nerves to stop doing their thing.  So we are scheduled to proceed on December 12.  It can't get here soon enough.

Christmas decorating has begun.  'K' has been at it for a few days.  First removing all the Fall decor.  Today the tree is up but not yet decorated.  This is not my thing.  She does an amazing job and am super proud of what she does, but I just don't want to be part of that except to put up the tree of lift a few totes.  

I have pretty much finished my part of the Christmas shopping (thank you amazon).  If I can't buy it online and have it shipped, y'all ain't getting it.  I detest shopping and espcially Christmas shopping.  

Happy Trails

Chilly and Upcoming Week

It has turned chilly the last few days and will be for a couple more.  Still no freeze or even light frost.  No rain either.  It's been pretty spectacular for the most part.  There is also something in the air that is playing havoc with my sinuses, which is typical for this time of year.  

Not a lot planned this week other than my ablation on the nerves in my upper back/lower neck tomorrow.  I'm praying it works as well as they say it will.

Thanksgiving went pretty well.  They ate almost all of my Carne Guisada.  I wish I had made more, not near enough leftovers.  I also made some salsa and it went fast too.  I will make some more soon, I really like this batch.  I smoked/roasted all the veggies.  Mom actually showed up.  She was pretty much her old self.  We think it's a combinnation of the meds and not having the dog to worry about.  Either way it's a good thing.

Today's walk got stopped shortly after it started.  Snickers slipped his harness.  Either he has lost weight or it didm't get put on right which is easy to do.  I called 'K' to help as he runs from us every time.  He saw her car and ran up and jumped in.  Little jerk.  I was still sucking wind pretty hard after running after him so I headed back home with Maggie.  A new harness may be needed if he has lost weight.  

Christmas shopping has commenced.  'K' surprised me with something she actually wants.  She never does that and always leaves me hanging for gifts.  She wants a new laptop since her WIFI has quit on hers.  So we put hers on my desk in the meantime with an ethernet cable connection.  She pointed out one she saw on Utube.  I checked it out and it was a piece of junk.  Son#1 helped me find one while they were here for thanksgiving.  It is now a done deal.  She will just have to deal with the new Windows 11 lol.  I am about finished now, just one or two more things.  

Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving.  

Happy Trails

Oops

I just forgot to post last week.  I got a little confused on what week it was and had already posted.  Nope, wasn't too busy at all.  Wish I could blame it on somethng like that but it's just a brain mur mur or something.  Shrug.  

And it almost happened today too.  I got busy trying to get an inspection sticker for K's car.  It expires this month which is just a few days away.  Here in Texas you need one to renew your registration and get the appropriate sticker.  It really serves no purpose other than inconveniencing drivers.  It is a joke how the inspection is.  Check lights, blinkers, brake lights, back up lights and wipers.  Nothing else.  In and out in less than 5 minutes at the place I use.  They collected their 7 dollars and I was home.  They used to be more stringent.  And the inspectors hate it.  The amount they collect isn't worth their time.  There are quite a few states that have done away with inspections.  The last two legislative sessions have had attempts made at abolishing it.  There are more extensive arguments on abolishing it but I won't get into that here.  I just wish they would cut it.  So we (K) will head to HEB to get a new registration sticker when she heads out for groceries for the upcoming feast.

Thankgiving will be my Carne Guisada by popular vote.  The Grankids wanted it and their parents agreed.  We will also have a batch of King Ranch Chicken to accomodate the non-beef eater.  Both are fairly easy to make.  The Carne Guisada takes mostly just time in order for the beef to simmer long enough to get really tender.  

Surprise of surprises my Mother says she will attend.  I won't hold my breath but she didn't offer excuses like she has for the last 10+ years.  She has pretty much become her old self for the most part ever since her dog passed.  Although she loved that dog very much it caused her a lot of concern and worry, most of it unwarranted.  It pretty much clouded her entire life.  So this will be new territory so to speak with her coming and being around this many family members in my home.  No, she has been here many time before but it's been a very long time and wasn't without Dad and her mental capabilities.  Hopefully she will enjoy herself.  

Happy Trails

Normal Routine Returns

Not much going on this past week and no plans other than the usual things for this upcoming week.  We are definately back into our normal routine since our trip to Ruidoso.  'K' will be off to pick up the Granddaughter and lunch with my sister in law.  So it will be quiet for a few hours until a very active 4 year old arrives.

The White Tail Bucks are in full rut here.  Consequently extra attention to driving in the neighborhood is called for.  They lose all sense of fear of man when in the rut.  They are pretty crazy.  Not to mention I have to be extra careful walking the dogs.  Sometimes they see those small dogs as a threat.  I don't need a 150 lb angry buck with daggers on their head geting mad at me.  We have had some incidents in the neighborhood with walkers and dogs getting hurt by them.  It's easy to cross over the road and not challenge them.

Barring any miracles or sanity the Texas Legislature is winding down another Special Session.  The House side of the legislature is a dumpster fire.  They take 5 day weekends every week and then claim to their constituents they ran out of time.  Don't buy it.  Almost every Republican is a democrat in disguise.  They DO NOT intend to pass any of the meaningful legislation that is beind called for.  What ever has gotten to the Governor's desk is a watered down worthless piece of trash.  Pay attention to houw your Representative votes.  They hope you don't.  And call them on it.

I got nothing else.  Thanks for coming by.

Happy Trails

We're Back

We are back from Ruidoso, new Mexico.  Not all that far from home.  But I found out, I don't tolerate long drives much anymore.  Took a couple days to get over the sore back while there, and I'm still sore from the trip home.  But that allowed me to just chill out on the deck of the house we rented and enjoy the great view.  Below is a panoramic of the view off the back deck.  Click for an enhanced view.  The deck is actually straight, no bend in it at all.

We got a little rain one day but it wasn't significant.  So we stayed inside and I got involved in a board game with the Grandson.  We were able to run into town and try some food.  Another day the ladies wanted to shop around downtown and we went with them.  We offered the kids a hike to some petroglyphs but they weren't interested.  We did take a short drive up one of the mountains to a lookout monument.  With so much altitude, I found out all the walking I do was no match.  While I didn't struggle for air, my legs were like rubber.  Glad it was short.  This is a shot looking West, and as you can see a fire had devastated this area in 2016 but we could see until tomorrow.

One morning we woke to temps at 39*.  We actually enjoyed it after the Summer we had.  The ladies did bundle up since we didn't use a heater.  In the shots below, I have zoomed in on the mountain you can make out on the left side of the pano above.  I think it's called Sierra Blanca.  The first shot is the first day we got there.  The second is the 39* day.  Can you see what I think I see?  Snow?  Pretty cool for this flatland Texas boy.

We saw some wildlife, not a lot but these wild turkeys feeding below the deck were pretty cool.

And a few Elk with this one small bull were something I have never seen in the wild so this was pretty great although no bugling.

There was a little color in the trees which is always nice.  

All in all it was a good trip.  I guess it was a scouting mission for the future.  A little over 500 miles one way and I know I probably won't try that again.  They are already talking about another trip next September and have determined we will break it into two days to get there.  Doesn't sound fun right now with my neck and back still sore.

Happy Trails