Sunny Sunday

[PeggyinCT]

Good morning from “it’s going to be a beautiful day” Connecticut. Many areas are still without power from Thursday’s tropical storm Isiais, but we didn’t lose electricity in the city. We also didn’t get much of the rain and everything is so dry. I water my pots and a few of my special plants, but letting nature deal with the rest. My last water bill was $74.87 for a month!
Our libraries have opened partially in that you can request books and when the book is ready you are given a 15-minute time slot that it will be available for pickup. Only one patron at a time can enter the lobby to pick up the book. No browsing.... when I went to pick up my books I was one of the lucky ones who could select a bouquet of flowers. I don’t the criteria for who got the flowers. I selected a bouquet of white roses, my lucky day.

Hope you have a lucky day today. Keep smiling behind your mask and keep washing your hands. Peggy

[Bethers]

Very neat about the flowers. I'd probably be 1/2 an hour early for my book pickup, waiting on my cat, afraid something would make me late and I'd miss my turn. I like that they're keeping everyone safe.

I have a grocery pickup scheduled for today. There are a couple items I want that can't be done with pickup, so I'll probably do a quick run in the store for those. I'll decide that after I get there.

Now I'm heading down to the store to see what our numbers from last night are. So far, nothing to write home about. That said, this whole summer of tourists is making me nervous. I'm looking forward to it ending and going into a somewhat hibernation. And fingers are crossed I get there healthy.

[Cudedog]

Very neat about the flowers. I'd probably be 1/2 an hour early for my book pickup, waiting on my cat, afraid something would make me late and I'd miss my turn. I like that they're keeping everyone safe.

I have a grocery pickup scheduled for today. There are a couple items I want that can't be done with pickup, so I'll probably do a quick run in the store for those. I'll decide that after I get there.

Now I'm heading down to the store to see what our numbers from last night are. So far, nothing to write home about. That said, this whole summer of tourists is making me nervous. I'm looking forward to it ending and going into a somewhat hibernation. And fingers are crossed I get there healthy.

Beth, when is the end of the season for you, when you are finally able to leave?

Anne

[Redetotry]

It is raining off and on here and supposed to get much warmer. We had several days of beautiful weather. Peggy I'm glad your electricity stayed on! Our water bills are always over $75.00..
Beth I will be glad when you are safely out of there!!

I went to urgent care yesterday morning and the young nurse who called me back did not have on a mask!! I asked her and she's like, oh I forgot and went to get one. Several among the staff were walking around without one on!! It must have been too early for her as she took my BP, entered it in the computer, looked at me and said, ok I'll check your BP now !?!? I reminded her gently she had just done that. I had several symptoms of a UTI infection but was told nothing showed on their test so they would send it out to their lab for more testing. Of course that takes takes a few days and I believe their labs are closed until Monday.Needless to say I was not impressed. I would love to report them but I think I already have black marks on my chart for what they refer to as 'Non Compliant" which means I refuse a lot of their vaccinations and a few other tests. Thank goodness I feel better today. I used also have a doctor in St Louis and always felt more confident in her but it is hard to get an appointment and it is 100 miles away.

The mobile groomer is here and Emma is home. She is very upset that Toby disappeared with a stranger and keeps barking at the door. I finally shut her in with DH in his studio!!

[Bethers]

Beth, when is the end of the season for you, when you are finally able to leave?

We'll be closing the store the end of September and I'll be on the road the beginning of October.

[Acadianmom]

I was thinking about going to mow and it just clouded up and rained. That dropped the temperature 8 degrees. I wish I had some of the BBQ chicken they sell in town on Sunday but too lazy to go to town or cook some.

Beth, I have seen all the bikers in Sturgis on TV several times. I don't know how close that is to you. Looks like your business would improve with all those people.

I told my son that we could go to the campground in Lafayette with all the swimming pools some weekend so they could swim. Not sure that is a good idea. They don't social distance very much and are going to Baton Rouge this weekend. It's bad when you are afraid to be around family.

Peggy and BJ, I'm glad I don't have your water bill. Mine is only $16 but it's that even if I don't use that much and more if I go over. I don't remember how many gallons we are allowed. Of course, I have a well at the barn that I can use to water if I want. I went to wash something on the old carport and the new spray nozzle I put on the hose is gone. I don't know who or why someone would have taken that. I really need to wash the camper but need to remember to get a new nozzle. The ones at Walmart aren't any good so will have to go to Lowe's.

Martha

[Cudedog]

I went to urgent care yesterday morning and the young nurse who called me back did not have on a mask!! I asked her and she's like, oh I forgot and went to get one. Several among the staff were walking around without one on!! It must have been too early for her as she took my BP, entered it in the computer, looked at me and said, ok I'll check your BP now !?!? I reminded her gently she had just done that. I had several symptoms of a UTI infection but was told nothing showed on their test so they would send it out to their lab for more testing. Of course that takes takes a few days and I believe their labs are closed until Monday.Needless to say I was not impressed.

Interesting that you had an UTI. Must be something "going around".

I woke up with a really dreadful UTI about a week ago. I refuse to go to my local Urgent Care unless in extremely dire straights, because it is mostly staffed by PA's rather than MD's. I have three times thus far been mis-diagnosed by PA's, which does not inspire confidence.

Anyway, I knew I needed to be seen, but also remembered that my local medical affiliate had instituted experimental "video visits" about six months or so before this pandemic thing began. So I phoned my doctor, and asked about doing a "video visit". They sounded a bit surprised, but were willing to set one up with my regular doctor! So, about two hours later, I am video conferencing with my doctor via the video cam on my computer!!

It went extremely well! He asked me a few questions, sent a prescription to my local pharmacy, and said that if it didn't clear up by the time the meds were gone - 5 days - to call back and I would then need to come in for a urinalysis.

Today is the 5th day, and I am feeling great. The best part of all of this is that I didn't need to go anywhere for the "doctor visit", and picked up the meds at the drive-through window. No face-to-face with anyone!!

If anyone here has the ability to do a "video doctor visit" (LOL - a wave of the future, I think!) I certainly recommend it!! Worked for me!

Anne

[Cudedog]

It's bad when you are afraid to be around family.

Martha

Martha, you are not alone on this.

I feel as you do. I am afraid to be around family.

I have always gotten together with my kids at sometime over the Christmas holiday. It is tradition for us. We might not get together on "the day", but a few days before or a few days after has always worked for us just fine. What is important is getting together "during the holidays", not a specific day and date. Whenever it is, we just call it "Our Christmas" and celebrate accordingly.

Probably not this year. . . But we still have "plans!"

We are in process of planning a "Video Christmas", where we can all "be together", real-time, via video chat. Hopefully, we can have the video going for most of the day. . . we plan to do the usual things, opening presents, having snacks "together". . . just like "always". Maybe even watch a movie "together" (which is also a tradition in our families). Another plus to this is that more extended family can be added to the "celebration", that have not been able to spend the holidays together before.

My daughter's husband, who works high-level Information Technology, is looking into how this might be easily set up, without a lot of extra expense.

I am really looking forward to it. . . and hoping that it works out.

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

Good morning gals!

Sheila, glad you didn't break anything! Darn dogs!

Beth, stay safe!

Yeah, summer is still very much alive and well here in the desert! Probably mid September before it starts cooling off around here.

BJ, I can't believe that an urgent care would allow nurses to not wear masks! That is awful! I don't blame you for being upset.

FYI: There is a website called "Virtuwell" that anyone can use that will ask some questions and give you meds for minor things. I have used them several times for UTI's with no problem. They accept most insurance so you just pay your co-pay, otherwise the out of pocket cost isn't that much. I highly recommend them! Virtuwell.com


Martha, Beth is fairly close to Sturgis and she is normally very busy this time of year with bikers going up to Mt Rushmore and the parks up there. Not sure why they aren't as busy now but it might pick up. Maybe there won't be as many bikers as they are expecting tho, at the rally. Not all bikers are careless.

Judy, so glad to hear you are done with your tests now! That must be a huge relief for you!

Nothing much new here. Just putz around the house today. Already watched church online.

Have a good day!

[MandysMom]

Today is another, headed to triple digit temp, day. We had a few days low 90's but it is August. I guess schools here are starting their online classes this week. My friend said, her children's school will begin at 0830 tomorrow and the teacher will take attendance, and the day will be run by the normal bell schedule, the usual length of day, all on video/zoom chat. At least that gives the children some structure resembling normalcy.
I saw my original eye Dr Friday, in downtown Sacramento, a 23 mile drive. Unfortunately, he indicates, the other Dr screwed up my eyes, misdiagnosimg the problem. The other Dr said my issue was that cloudy membrane at the back of the lens capsule and astigmatism. I didn't think so but went along with it because he assured me the laser was my best option, then he said I need LASIK for astigmatism. My Dr, who I tracked down, after the other Dr told me my Dr had left the area, said he could see from the fragments left of membrane that it was clear, not cloudy. And because bad Dr totally destroyed/ removed it, my Dr can no longer replace my IOL as he would have! Now my only option is LASIK. So he is going to research a place to get it done for the least charge to me. He said my astigmatism is gone and that's not the issue. He said I'm actually farsighted and fixing the left will help with my tired eyes from fighting having right 20/30 and left 20/50. He will call me in next few weeks. I am still mulling over a call to a lawyer, to at least get that bad Dr to pay for LASIK. I don't want to,spook my Dr by having a lawyer call him for evidence, so may just drop it. Depends on how happy i am with LASIK. I so wish I had been able to track down Dr Kira sooner. I think I know now why he left the bad Drs practice.
I've been having fun talking with my 10 year old Grandaughter almost daily. Then my son told me, actually she was not supposed to be on tne phone all day and has been sneaking the phone out of the house to call her friends and I. Said he encourages contact with me but not so much hours on phone with friends combined with me. I'm going to not make myself quite so available as she will talk and take me all over their property talking a mile a minute like most active 10 year olds. I'm grateful for contact, but being tied up hours at a time daily is not helpful to my getting stuff done. Have to find balance I guess.
I need to find a way o get Suzie bird and Mandy cat to vet soon. Bird needs nails trimmed and nose flushed (chronic issue for her ) and cat needs blood draw. Not sure if vet is letting you go in with pet or not, but sitting in car in 100 degree day is not my idea of fun.
Also this week I hope to get a car load over to Goodwill as that's the only local charity taking stuff. I'm going to try using Nextdoor and FB marketplace to see if I can make a few bucks anf get rid of some stuff.
I signed up for my Curves on demand video option plus local Curves zoom class until they can reopen. Hope to get better about doing the classes as I did pay for them! That's my goal this week, do at leat 3 classes and walk on treadmill.
Have a good week everyone and stay safe.
Velda

[Bethers]

We're busy, but I think because we've been busier all summer it's not as noticeable. And while they are predicting 250,000 bikers in the area, that's less than most years. (About 1/2 of last year's attendance). It's hard to follow this table the way it posted, but the first number after the year is a traffic count, the 2nd is the official attendance #. Crazy, eh. I can see the difference. Most years I wouldn't have considered driving into Rapid like I did today. While Sturgis is less, and motels aren't full, our business has been about 15% up from the get go this year. It's not a normal year in any way. And it IS my final year here.

Year SDDOT traffic count Official attendance
1990 528,676 400,000
1999 539,475 325,000
2000 604,441 633,000
2001 530,667 410,000
2002 561,752 450,000
2003 605,140 502,000
2004 547,370 514,951
2005 524,656 525,250
2006 449,527 456,968
2007 461,507 507,234
2008 405,475 414,917
2009 394,009 442,163
2010 459,968 466,769
2011 415,367 416,727
2013 516,378[8]
2015 c. 1,000,000[9] 739,000[1]
2016 c.360,000[10] 448,000[11] – 463,412[12]
2017 376,033[10][13]–469,100[8] 480,000[11]
2018 505,969[8]
2019 499,654[14] 490,000 [15]

I feel sorry for all of you dealing with so many triple digit days. I get upset when it's hit 90 here so much this summer.

Velda, I'm so sorry about your eye problems. I hope it gets taken care of and you can see like you should be able to.

Barbie, thanks, I hope! I'm just not confident. The good thing is they're saying being in contact short periods isn't nearly as bad as sustained. At the store it's all short. The biggest danger is if any of the employees get it, most likely we all will. Personally, I haven't gone into a restaurant to eat, etc. I've only been in grocery stores a few times and I don't think ever for more than 5 minutes. I mostly, other than work, stay home and walk Ty.

[Redetotry]

Good morning gals!

Sheila, glad you didn't break anything! Darn dogs!

Beth, stay safe!

Yeah, summer is still very much alive and well here in the desert! Probably mid September before it starts cooling off around here.

BJ, I can't believe that an urgent care would allow nurses to not wear masks! That is awful! I don't blame you for being upset.

FYI: There is a website called "Virtuwell" that anyone can use that will ask some questions and give you meds for minor things. I have used them several times for UTI's with no problem. They accept most insurance so you just pay your co-pay, otherwise the out of pocket cost isn't that much. I highly recommend them! Virtuwell.com


Martha, Beth is fairly close to Sturgis and she is normally very busy this time of year with bikers going up to Mt Rushmore and the parks up there. Not sure why they aren't as busy now but it might pick up. Maybe there won't be as many bikers as they are expecting tho, at the rally. Not all bikers are careless.

Judy, so glad to hear you are done with your tests now! That must be a huge relief for you!

Nothing much new here. Just putz around the house today. Already watched church online.

Have a good day!

Thanks for the information Barbie. You can also buy the urine test strips they use at most urgent care centers at any drugstore, might be good to use before virtual visit. But most of us know what it is when it happens!! I was the first patient of the morning but still she should have had a mask on as should the rest of the people working there. I think I they have been reported or soon will be, I told a friend what happened and she said she knew someone who follows up on facilities not following the laws.

[snowball]

am actually getting around a bit more came up earlier then home and actually watered my plants as well as fed the birds... it was like they had gone away but after a few hours saw a few at the feeder's came down for supper and then computer time will go home in a bit as I don't want to go home in the dark so will do family chat on the phone. don't like to as the screen is small oh well really not wanting to walk in the dark...
I didn't bruise which as I indicated I think would think one would when one falls as hard as I did but nothing to show for it other than feeling like a woose cause it hurt to walk
and or stand...
text my nephew about what colors he wants for his afghan which will be the next one I believe to start surprised me in his choice of colors now to find them dark blue orange red and orange-red asked if he could come up with a alternative for the orange-red if I can't find that color looking at two brands I didn't see one..but will continue looking..
we had chicken adobo tonight for supper so yummy it's a Filipino dish
well mind isn't working so need to play a game then head for home.... talked with one my old friends for about an hour was so good visiting with her
sheila

[JudyJB]

With blood tests, cat scan, and doctor appt this week, I have really been exposed. Also, had an old friend visit today--outside only around the picnic table. And two weeks ago, I was with son and grandkids.

So, I think I also need to just hibernate for a couple of weeks. Only problem is that I have three big loads of laundry to do, plus a couple of rugs. I might try one overnight at a commercial campground next weekend to use their laundry rather than try a commercial laundromat. Just too many people in one of those.

Washed my RV yesterday so it is spiffy clean today. Nice to get in and out of it without staring at a bunch of smashed bugs!!

[BarbaraRose]

Crap! I was watching America's Funniest Videos and started laughing while I was drinking water and started choking. So I went to get some milk thinking it would sooth my throat. Well, I took a big swig before realizing it was sour! I swallowed some of it. Yuck! I hope I don't get sick from that. It was good yesterday.