BITS-N_PIECES

So this week....yeah, this week kinda sucked.  All week, I've had sinus issues.  And not just the pressure and headache, oh no, but the draining of the gunk, which gave me a sore throat, and, since it's draining into
my stomach, an upset stomach as well.  And it's NOT like that all the time, oh no.  Some days it's just the headache, with no draining, other days it's all three at once.  This week, out of 40 hours to be spent at work, I was off 18 of them.  I thought it might be a sinus infection, but it doesn't FEEL like a sinus infection (and I've had plenty of them to know), and also, it's not the same thing constant.  Like today, just a slight headache...but then my nose has been running most of the day.  Hopefully this is the end of it, though.
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Since I bought the house, the toilet as...leaked?  No, that's not it, but the water is always dribbling from the tank into the bowl.  And over time, it's gotten worse.  And since I've been here 4 years now, there's permanent, brown water stains on the back of the bowl.  So while I could just have the toilet fixed, I decided I want to go get a new one.  One with an unstained bowl, and a better bowl, one I like better than I one I have now.

So mom and I went to Lowes, and I found a toilet I wanted.  I took all the info down about it.  Then, since mom already had the plumber coming over to her place for some stuff, she brought him down to check out my toilet.  He measured and said he knew the toilet I was going to get and it was a good one and would fit.  So once I got the toilet, I just needed to let him know, and he'd come by and put it in.

Last Monday, Mom and I went to Lowes and I pulled the toilet off the shelf and put it on the cart.  Then I saw her put her purse on top of the box and start to root around in it.  I asked her what she was doing.  She said getting her credit card out.  And when I asked why, she stopped, looked up at me and said, "Didn't I tell you I was buying this for you for Christmas?"  I shook my head and she added, "Well I've told everyone  else!"  I asked who and she listed off her neighbors, some family members, the ladies she plays cards with, the lady she delivers Meals On Wheels with.  I told her she didn't have to do that, that I intended on getting it.  But she TOLD me she was getting it for me.  And as we pushed the cart to the register, I laughing asked, "Well are you gonna pay to get it put in too?"  And she said she was.  I tried to tell her no, I was at least going to pay for that....but seriously, when she gets something in her head....well, that's all there is to it.

So right how, I have a toilet, in the box, sitting in my dining room, just waiting for the plumber to get here.  All compliments of mom, for Christmas.

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I watched the Spartacus prequel and am halfway through the second season.  I'm still pretty meh about it all.  Perhaps it's because I'm watching them all back to back, like watching four hours or more of it at a time.  But really, there's entirely too much blood and boobs.  Way too many are simply gratuitous.  If I were watching them a week apart maybe I wouldn't think so, but that's not what's happening.  Still, I *AM*going to watch all of what remains of the second season and all of the third also.  Even though there's not anywhere NEAR enough male full frontals, there IS still a LOT of eye candy.
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This week, while not feeling well sitting on the couch, I watched the entire first season of Downton Abbey.  LOVED it.  Wished I had the rest of the seasons here to watch right now.  Had to order season two, that should be here soon.  I love nearly everything about it.  I love, just as is usual, simply everything that comes out of Maggie Smith's mouth.

"No Englishmen would dream of dying in someone else's house."

"Things are different in America."
"I know.  They live in wigwams."

"What is a weekend?"

"I take that as a compliment."
"I must have said it wrong."

Oh my God, LOVE her!
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DC Angel (remember him?) and I have been texting, attempting to get together again for another hookup, but with this week's sinus troubles...well it hasn't happened.  Hopefully soon.  Despite our problems a few years ago, he's really just pretty amazing in bed.
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The weather has been crazy.  Tuesday through Thursday, it was like late July: temps in the 90s and humid like a sauna.  Come Friday, its cooler, less humid, breezy, just awesome.  Temps were only a high of 75.  In the span of two days, it went from having to have the a/c on all the time here at home to needing to wear some Totes Toasties on my feet to keep them warm.  But I LOVE this weather the most of any.  Autumn, my favorite time of year.
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Grandma was in the hospital again last week, probably because of the weather.  She was having trouble breathing, her asthma was acting up again.  Badly.  But after two days in there, and few changes in meds, she's back home and doing...well, as well as an 89 year old lady with congestive heart failure who's had open heart surgery and a cancerous tumor removed from her colon can be.
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And of course, the Obligatory Bits-N-Pieces Eye Candy!

POLT

 So let's talk about the weekend. 

I took Saturday off.    So after work on Friday, I picked up Cedrik, and off we went to West By God Virginia...but just barely.  Just across the Potomac to Shepardstown, where we ate at the Blue Moon Cafe,  A delicious meal was had by both of us.  And honestly since my appetite's not what it used to be (because of the Ozempic), Ced ended up eating two of my six slices of quesadilla. 

Following this, on the drive home, he made clear to me that he wanted me to jump him, not only in the car right then, but even back at the restaurant.  Which he didn't really have to tell me, cause I could see it in his face while we were eating.   And I felt the same way.  Also, on the drive home, I tried to maintain the speed limit, with his help, as that's not an easy thing to do being a leadfoot that I am.   And I sang my fool head off too, which made him laugh, cause even though I can't sing, that doesn't mean I WILL NOT sing, ya know? 

We got home and went immediately to bed for some frankly awesome bedtimesexxyfun.   And then we went to sleep (sleeping with him is great, he's such a cuddlebunny....but I digress....)

The next morning, we got up a little later than usual, cause, ya know, we were tired and possibly worn out. We went to Rutters and got us some breakfast and then came home and enjoyed it.   Following this, for reasons I don't recall, he decided to give me an amateur pedicure.  Frankly, he did a great job, it was very relaxing.  And we got to chat more while doing so.   Afterward he wanted me to do his feet, and I tried, honestly, I did, but I couldn't do it as well as he had...he had done it before after all.  But honestly, he did most of his feet.  Then, after this, he dressed and left to visit a friend of his in town for alittle bit.  

While he was gone, I showered, I updated my checkbook and paid some bills, getting them ready to be mailed.  And I putzed around online for a bit.  When he returned he showered and got ready.  We both 'dressed up' bit.  I mean, nothing real fancy; collared shirts instead of tshirts, nice jackets instead of hoodies, etc.   We were going to Longhorn Steakhouse to eat and he wanted us a lil 'dressed up'. 

So off we went.  Getting there before 5 pm, we STILL had a 35 minute wait.  I hate waiting to eat, cause there is SO MANY restaurants to eat, but he said it wasn't too long.  And he had a giftcard he wanted to use.  So we waited. although we did go to a Michel's store and I bought some candles.  But we made it back before I was texted, telling us the reservation was ready. 

The meal was, as always delectable.  I got a steak and fries, he got chicken and ribs with fries.  And we both had big salads and bread.  I had trouble eating all of it, but I did.  He could only about half of his (which IS unusual as he ALWAYS eats do much.  Like he says, "I'm a fat boy in a skinny body").

After the meal we went to Ollies, and bought a few things, just wandered around really.   Then we headed out, for the second reason Cedrik wanted to 'dress up' a bit: we drove to mom's cottage so she (and Howard) could meet Cedrik and vice versa. 

We were there maybe 15 minutes, perhaps a bit longer.  But it seemed to go well.  We chatted (well mom and I did, like always.  Howard and Cedrik said a little, but it was mainly her and I).  When I introduced them, I did so as "Mom, this is Cedrik.  Cedrik, this is mom." he said, "Hi mom!" and leaned in for a hug.  And when we left, he hugger her again and said, "Bye mom."   He shook Howards hand and leaned in for a bro-hug and called him by name.  

I though it was all so cute.  I hope mom's okay with it, him hugging her and calling her mom.   I guess I'll find out tomorrow when she takes me to my retina appointment. 

We came back home and watched some TV, but were tired, so we went to bed, and had more bedtimesexxyfun.   Afterwards, he had this coughing fit (he's had a cough for a lil while, doctor said it  was a bacterial infection and put him on antibiotics.)  I've never seen him, or anyone, cough like that.  For like a half hour, he sat on the toilet, coughing up phlegm into toilet paper or the trash can.  And blowing his nose, did that so much he had a minor nose bleed.  But thankfully, after about a half hour, he calmed down and we went back to bed. 

And then, less than an hour later, I woke up with my guts roiling and feeling as if diarrhea was gonna be running out my ass right that moment.  I made it up to the toilet in time, but that was the first of three times, I made it to the toilet.  And oh my GOD it reeked.  I sprayed, but...well thank God Cedrik was in the bedroom asleep.

So anyway, after that, I didn't sleep well, cause after like 20 to 40 minutes of sleep, I would wake up cause I was afraid I'd start pooping again.   Not great night's sleep...but there was some cuddling with Cedrik, so that was okay. 

I got up and decided to pass on Rutters coffee with my stomach the way it was.  So I made a cup of tea and dry toast and after eating that my stomach felt better.  Cedrik had the leftover food from Saturday for and early lunch (he had actually gotten up about 5 am to use to bathroom and then decided to have a bowl of Fruity Pebbles, so that was his breakfast) and we chatted.  After this, he went up stairs because he wanted to Nair himself again.  Yep, he uses it on his head to make it bald and he uses it....elsewhere.  Nuff said.   I helped him clean it off, cause, ya know, he can't see the back of his head and all that.  And then he showered and packed up and I took him home. 

It was, we both agreed, a fantastic evening....despite the coughing fit and my roiling guts.  And we're both looking forward to doing it again. 

POLT

The silicon chip inside her head, switched to overdrive.....

As Bob Geldof and later Tori Amos said," I Don't Like Mondays". 

Today, I started off by getting up about 8:10.  Which I HATE doing on my day off (and which I've been doing a LOT of lately.  Just can't seem to sleep in anymore.  I think it's cause of the light coming in the windows, which didn't happen when I was in the apartment.  But I digress...).  And I had a light breakfast of yogurt and 2% milk.  I conducted my Maintenance Mondays, running two anti-viral programs.  I've been doing this every Monday since March, and have had no problems with viruses or crashed or whatever, so it must be working.

While this was going on, I showered, and threw a load of clothes in the washer and then dryer.   Also, when I sat on the toilet, there was this cracking noise.  Only when standing up did I see the seat had cracked, all the way through, on the one side.  Great.  As an interesting (or not) aside, when I was in the apartment for less than two years, the toilet seat cracked there as well.  And now, I'm in the house and the seat cracks here.  Looks like I'm setting some kind of tradition, eh?

Also, while putzing on the computer, I saw movement on the floor and thought it was a huge spider.  Turns out it was a piece of lint being blown in the breeze.  And I may or may not have screamed like a little girl when i first saw it.  SInce no one else was here, my dignity was saved.  And after this, I ate lunch, consisting of a leftover sandwich from aka Friscos that I went to on Saturday.

Also, throughout the day, I've choked down two Diet Cokes and one Diet Pepsi.  I'm determined to drink that stuff and not the "real" sodas anymore.  My disabetes can't take all that sugar.  But God, they taste bland.  Blech.  Yet another reason why I hate Mondays.

Then it was like 2:00 and I called the mechanic.  He had Sebastian to change his oil for me.  He said to give him ten minutes and it would be done.  It takes me 15 minutes to walk there.  SO I did.

Oh, did I mentioned it was crazy, stupid hot and humid out?  Cause it was.  Insanely hot and humid.  Like mid-August in Southern Mississippi kinda hot and humid.  And walking even 15 minutes in it, with little to now shade, was quite an ordeal.  Or at least felt like one.

SO after paying for the car, I drove to the post office to mail some junk.  Then went to the grocery store to get some stuff, including two containers of strawberries.  I came home and washed them and cut them up and ate several of them while doing so. I LOVE fresh strawberries.  Food of the GODS!

So I got the laundry out and folded.  I watered the flowers.  I went to mom's to see the dog and mom (even though the latter was out somewhere around town) and read the paper.  After returning here and putzed around again online for a bit, I realized I hadn't yet gotten a new toilet seat. 

So out into the heat and humidity again I went, to Wal-Mart.  I got the toilet seat, as well as a few other things I needed.  It was only when I got out to the car with stuff that I remembered I needed some spic and span for the tub, and a set of rubber gloves, cause I was NOT gonna touch the toilet with my bare hands.  And so, back into Wal-Mart I go again and get that stuff.

I come home and make supper.  This consists of this really thick steak my mom gave me over the weekend and a bag of steamed corn I got at the grocery store earlier today.  Oh and another Diet Coke. >:P  But the food was delicious, even if the drink...wasnt. 

And then it's time to change the toilet seat.  Getting the old on off was no problem.  Cleaning the toilet was...well the same as it always is, although not I cleaned parts I didn't normally get cause the seat was off.  But getting the new one ON...problem city. 

Mind you, I dont have any a/c in the bathroom.  So there I am, in just my boxers (great visual, I understand) kneeling in front of the toilet, sweat dripping off of my face and down my side like I'm in the shower, trying to get the damn bolts onto the screws.  I had to take a break and get up and walk around.  And in fact, I ripped the gloves off then, cause my fingers were getting in little lakes of sweat in the ends of those gloves.  And finally, and much struggling (cause nothing's ever easy when I try to do it), I got the stuff tightened and the seat in place. 

And I felt quite butch, cause I did something around the house all by myself.  Oh I know it was ONLY a toilet seat replacement, but come ON, baby steps, ya know?

Then I HAD to shower again.  And did.  And now I'm typing all this up while drinking a huge glass of water and waiting until it's time to go to bed.  Excitement abounds, I know.  But that was m Monday.

POLT

To knock on the lavatory door, accusing me of ruining the fun...

So this morning and afternoon Mom came down and helped me around the house with some things and then we went to do some shopping for some things I needed (curtains, bedsheets, wastebasket, runners, etc, etc, etc). And as always, its always an adventure when one goes anywhere with Mama Polt.

The shopping itself was rather uneventful, other than we didn't get everything we needed. But we also decided to eat while we were out. We finished eating and were sitting there ready to go and she said she had to use the bathroom. I pointed over her shoulder showing her where they were. There was a small alcove with two door on either side going to the bathrooms.

She got up, I leaned back to easier scope out one hot young black guy with an ass to make JLo sit up and notice, who was there with his wife/gf and their adorable baby, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw something.

I swung my head around just in time to see mom's back going into the MEN'S ROOM! I clamped my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing hysterically. I expected her to come running back out when she figured it out, like maybe as soon as she saw the urinal! But she didn't come out.

The doors faced each other, I was perpendiuclar to them, so I couldn't acutally see the doors. But I knew that was the men's room, I had used it at that restaurant before myself. Perhaps, I thought, they switched the rooms, even though that seemed unlikely. I got up and took a step over to see, and yep, there was a sign with the man sillouette on it and the word MEN underneath it. So I just sat there, laughing into my hand so hard I was crying. I thought perhaps I should to and prevent any other guy from going in. But thought better of it. How funny would that be if it happened?

After a short while she came out and was smiling a bit.

Mom: Why didn't you tell me -
Polt: Yeah? *giggle*
Mom: That I needed to comb my hair before we left?
Polt: *doubletake* What?
Mom: I saw it in the mirror, it's a mess.
Polt: *double doubletake* What?
Mom: My hair. It's a mess.
Polt: .......Mom, was anything strange in the bathroom?
Mom: No, why?
Polt: Nothing strange, like a urinal or something?
Mom: Why would there be a urinal in the ladies room?
Polt: You weren't in the ladies room.
Mom: Of course I was.
Polt: No, you weren't.
Mom:*questioning look* That wasn't the ladies room?
Polt: *pointing over her shoulder* NO! It was the men's room!
Mom: *looking over her shoulder, then getting up and taking a step to see, realization flooding her face* That wasn't the ladies room!
Polt: Ya think?

Oh, her face turned red, and she laughed and laughed. She said she wondered why the seat was up on the toilet, but she just put it down and did her business. And she swore she didn't see a urinal, even though I know there's urinal's in there!

I told that apparently she's reached the age where she can't be trusted to go to the bathroom alone in public. But the whole incident led to so much laughing, and crying, on her part, she had to pee again before we left. And thankfully THIS time, she used the ladies room!

POLT Listening to "I Fought The Law" by the Clash

Look, I'm 40, I'm single, and I work in musical theater - you do the math. What do you need, flash cards? - Nathan Lane

Would I lie to you, honey would I lie to you, Part 2...

This is the second part of a two part post. Please read the previous post first!

SO, Connie and Alecia dropped me off in front my house aroudn 200 am I think. I staggered back the walk, and was going to go to the door, when I decided I really had to pee. So there's a deck off to the right that overlooks the neighbor's yard. I just walked over there, leaned against the railing, pulled our little Polt and let loose. It felt great. It was one of those I-havent-pissed-in-a-long-time-but-I've-been-drinking-and-really-REALLY-have-go kinda pees. And it was quite a relief.

So afer peed for what seemed like forever, I put it away, staggered back to the door, and had a bitch of a time getting my key in the keyhole. But I managed to get it open. I walked in (which when I say walk, I mean stumbled over the door eave and damn near fell forward flat on my face) and upon recovering, turned around and shut the door, quietly, cause I didn't want to wake my parents who's room was almost right above where I was.

I stood there and rested my forehead against the door, cause the room was swaying slightly. And it was pitch black. So i turned on the ceiling light, and then turned around.

And sitting on the couch, was mom! In her nightgown and robe, arms crossed across her chest, obviously sitting there for quite some time, and never having made a sound. It's a damn good thing I had emptied my bladder outside, cause I very well could have emptied it right there! I think I might have made a small squeaking noise, not unlike a mouse.

Without changing her facial expression (which i couldn't see very well because my eyes were refusing to focus when i told them to), she asked how the parade was. I told her it was great, and that we had a great time, but I was really tired now. And I faked a yawn. At least I hope it looked like a yawn, God only know what it might have actually looked like. ANd thenI told her goodnight, and went to my room, being very careful to not mkae any clumsy or noisy errors in walking. And I remember as I lay in bed, before going to sleep (also known in some circles as passing out), and as the room rockedd around me, I thought, "Wow, I got away with it!"

...........Man, was I a dumb ass.

The next morning, i'd say, oh about 700 in the morning, my bedroom door flew open with such force it slammed into the wall and rattled the pictures hanging on the wall. And it rattled the teeth in my head too, or so it felt. And my mom said, in an extremely loud, yet not really yelling voice, "GOOD MORNING! TIME TO GET UP!" I'm sure I mumbled some sort of response, but she ignored it and shouted (still not sounding upset, just loud) again, "COME ON! BREAKFAST IS READY! YOU GOT TEN MINUTES TO GET DOWN HERE!" I tried to tell her i wasn't hungry, but oh, no, that wasn't happening. "GET UP AND GET READY AND GET DOWN THERE. TEN MINUTES. OR YOU'RE GROUNDED!"

And then I knew something was up. SO I figured I'd better do as she says, and maybe I can salvage something from all this. SO I went down. I dont know what she had made for breakfast but I knew a piece of toast was all i could handle. Dad was nowhere to be seen.

SO I crunched on the piece of toast a bit. I stared at the table, not wanting to look up. I knew I'd look liek hell warmed over. BUt when I did look up, I saw her just starting at me. I tried to smile, but all she said was, "Where were you last night?"

I got a look of confusion (or what I hoped was confusion. Hell I could have looked anything from constipated to castrated for all i know from the way I felt), and said, "I went to the mummers parade."

Keeping her elbow on the table, she lifted her hand and raised one finger up. "You're grounded for a week. Where were you last night?" She said without any inflection in her calm tone or voice. Like she was reading a recipe out loud or something.

I got all shocked and said louder, "I was at the mummer parade with Andy." She held up a second finger. "you're grounded for two weeks. Where were you last night?"

Okay, okay, she knew I wasn't at the parade. Try a new tactic: "I went to a party with Connie and ALecia."

"were you drinking?"

"Mom! Of course not!" Even I didn't believe me.

The third finger went up. "You're grounded for three weeks. Were you drinking?"

Abort abort! "Yes, there was drinking there and I had some. But not much." After this, we talked about it, she told me she knew I was lying to her almost from the start. And she grounded me three weeks for lying to her each time and another week cause I had been drinking. And then she went throughthe whoel parental Don't Drink Speech, and told me that if i ever got picked up for drinking and sent to jail, not to call her, cause she wouldn't bond me out. She's just make me sit there for being so stupid.

And while I did drink after that while in high school, adn beyond, I never really lied to mom after that about where I was going. It wasn't worth the grounding.

BUt she never was real happy with my drinking. Especially the night i came home, puked, thinking I had it all in the toilet, and did manage to get some IN the toilet, but there was also a lot ont he back of the toilet, the floor aroudn the toilet, the wall next to the toilet, ont he toilet paper holder... yeah it was bad. And then she later went to use it in the middle of the night.

It's bad enough being hung over, but it's even worse when you're hungover and having to clean up all your vomit at 500 in the morning because your mother walking and sat in it. I was gagging while I was cleaning. And had to listen to her screeching beside me like a banshee about what I had done.

SOmetimes, it's best to just stick to Pepsi.

POLT = listening to "Get Busy, Child" by The Crystal Method

Love is a dunghill, Betty, and I am but a cock climbing atop it to crow. - Cunningham, Rob Roy

I'm just a plumber, bummin' the shadow....

So, you may have heard, my cute lil Singaporean friend Louis, is visiting for the weekend.  So this week, I've been tidying up the house a little bit.  I've cleaned the dining room, living room, my bedroom, and the upstairs hallway.  I planned to leave the bathroom for this evening after work.

Last night, about 9:15 or so, I was getting ready for bed and I thought I could just clean the toilet and sink now.  So I did.  I cleaned the toilet, no problem.  I cleaned the sink, but as I was doing so, the gasket on the stopped popped off.

I put it back in and....it got stuck. Couldn't get it out.  Tried to use tweezers and such to pull it out, it wasn't happening.  My guess is that since the clevis strap and the pivot rod both moved, but the gasket wasn't moving, that was the problem.   And since Louis was coming up the next night, I didn't want to let it go too long.  But that late at night, what could I do then?

So the next morning at about 7AM, I called mom.  I explained the problem to her and asked if she could call a plumber and then come in and wait for them.  The only thing on her schedule was a dentist appointment in the afternoon, so she said she could do it, no problem.

At about 815 she called me at work and said she let a message at this one plumbers and then when they didn't call, she called them back and the lady claimed she was too busy to check the messages so far.  So mom said to me, "Screw them, you want me to call Martz plumbing?"  I was like sure, whatever.

So she called me a bit later and said Martz plumbing said there was a guy who was coming back soon and they'd send him over.  I told her that was great and asked if she wanted to me to show her how the remotes worked for the TV, and she said no.  She said, "I cleaned your kitchen sink.  And I put your recyclables out in the bin.  And swept the kitchen floor.  And I'm moping it now."

I sighed.  I told her she didn't have to do that, but she told me it was no problem.

So a bit later, she called me to tell me the plumber had called and was almost done with his lunch and he'd be at my house in about 15 minutes.  I said that's great and did she want me to tell her how the remotes worked?

Mom: "No, because I was upstairs to get the vacuum and-"
Me: "Wait, you were washing the kitchen floor, why did you need the vacuum cleaner?"
Mom: "Well there was some dirt on the dining room floor, so I had to clean that up, and then I saw they living room rug needed a bit of vacuuming-"
Me: "I just cleaned the living room earlier this week!"
Mom: "Well it needed it a bit more.  And anyway, when I went upstairs to get the vacuum I saw how dusty the hallway was-...did you say you cleaned the hallway?"
Me: "......yes.:
Mom: "Well I vacuumed that again for you and when I was near your bedroom I saw all this dust underneath your bed, so I had to get the broom to get under there to get it out, but after cleaning all that up I got some on the rug in there so I had to vacuum that too."
Me; "......sigh.......So, now that cleaned my entire house, do you need me to show you how to use the remotes for the TV?"
Mom: "Well not right now. I had a roast beef sandwich and some chips a bit ago and now I'm eating some cheese and having a Diet Coke.  Is that okay?"
Me: "You've spent the day at my house waiting on a plumber and cleaned my entire house and you're asking if it's okay if you eat some my food????  Eat as much as you want."

She laughed and then asked how she did turn the TV on, so I told her.  And we hung up with me chuckling.

End of the tale is that she called back and said the guy was there and did fix it.  But when I asked about the dentist appointment, she said when she got there they asked if she was busy tomorrow because he's way backed up.  So she got her appointment moved to tomorrow and didnt actually get to see him today.  But the upside is, he dentist is MY dentist, who is literally just across the street from my house, so she didn't have to go very far to find out her appointment was changed.

But still.....Mama Polt......she's a saint.

POLT

Someone book me a room (Part 130)...

Chapter 5, Part 11....

So Sunday night/Monday morning, really pretty much sucked.  It was SO FREAKING hot and especially HUMID in my bedroom, I could hardly stand it.  I had a window open, and the fan on, and blowing over me, and....it didn't matter.  I was still sweaty and uncomfortable.  I decided that HAD to change.

Monday morning, I got up early, cause someone had scheduled me an appointment at the Dermatologist for 9AM!  What the HELL was I thinking?  Anyway, I got up, showered, and headed out.  I got there about 8:40, and was done and on my way back to my car by 9:08.  Sometimes it does pay to show up early.  Everything went well. I'm just to continue what I have been doing, the subdermal dermatitis (or whatever the hell it is I have) is looking better. She also noticed four little spots that she said were probably just a reaction to the sun, since I'm very fair skinned, and unrelated to my other stuff.  She said she'd like to hit them with a blast of liquid nitrogen, to help get rid of them, or manage them, or something.  And I was like, okay, whatever, you're the doctor.  So she gave me the blast, it stung a little, but no biggie.  She said those spots would be dry and flaky for a few days.  No problem.  And we made an appointment for November for a followup, and, at her suggestion, she'd also do an all body look over, for any other problems.  Thrills.

After this, I came home, grabbed some breakfast from Rutters, came home and read the paper, and read some more in my book when my cousin called me.  She was leaving today to go back to Baltimore, with lil Morgan, obviously.  But she was stopping by mom's in the morning.  And she called me to tell me she was already there.

So I went to mom's and got to play with Morgan a bit, and hold him a lot.  And he got a little fussy, so I got on mom's rocker, and after he fought it for several minutes, he did go to sleep.  As mom and my cousin kept talking, I put my head back, closed my eyes and rested. I was NOT asleep, cause there was no snoring, but I was...dozing, shall we say?  My cousin snapped this photo:

She titled it: Two Sleeping Beauties.

Eventually, I came home, before by cousin left.  She and mom had grilled cheeses for lunch (Morgan had, I think, carrots, and nursed a bit), and then my cousin left.  Here at home, I was the computer a bit, and put a load of clothes in the washer.  But mom called when my cousin left, cause I needed her help with something.

She came down and we put the air conditioners in.  The big one downstairs in the dining room, as well as the little one in my bedroom.  And, we put up the new blind I bought last week, for the window in my bedroom.  And we did without having a single problem or issue.  Which worries me slightly, because we can do NOTHING without there being a problem or an issue.  But at any rate, that's all done, and now I can sleep in comfort tonight.

She had a coupon for gelatis at Rita's, and wanted us to go get one.  The only thing I had eaten was what was left of the amazing strawberry/cream/cake desert she had bought.  I had that for lunch, hoping I could work the carbs and sugar off throughout the day.  And I didn't want to eat gelati on top of that.  But, well, I have no willpower, and she had a coupon, so off we went.

The Swedish Fish gelati was absolutely incredible.  As always.  And it was so bad for me as well.  But eh, whatcha gonna do? (Coupon...no willpower...)  After this, mom brought me home. I switched the clothes to the dryer then got on the computer.

Then I thought again about the bathroom. I had been wanting to clean that for a while.  I periodically clean the toilet and sink, and the tub when it gets really disgusting.  But the bathroom only get a REAL good cleaning like once a year.  And now, I decided to do it.  I cleared the toilet, sink, tub, dusted off the lights, ran the broom along the ceiling, swept it out, moved EVERYTHING out of the bathroom, and then, on my hands and knees, with a bucket an rag, washed the floor.  Thank GOD, my bathroom is small.    I eventually had to take off my shirt, sweat was dripping off my face and even onto my glasses.

After getting the floor washed, I came downstairs to the air conditioning, sat on the couch and listening to my knees throb.  I putzed around n the computer a bit, before getting the clothes out of the dryer, folded them and put them away.  And then I put the stuff back in the bathroom.  I ate supper, and then settled in to watch the first two episodes of Babylon 5.

After finishing those, I went to bed, IN the beautiful, glorious air conditioning, read a bit and then went to sleep.

POLT

Someone book me a room (Part 186)...

Chapter 7, Page 4...

Welcome to Independence Day, America.

I woke up when my alarm went off at 8, went to the bathroom and saw it was raining.  So I figured that takes care of the Parade today, so I went back to bed.  I woke up again at 9:17, and looked out the window. It was overcast but had stopped raining.  So I thought, eh, maybe the parade's on.

Mom had told me it started at 10:00am, so I had to get moving. I hurriedly showered and dressed, although didnt bother to shave (it was my day of independence from shaving!), and then, making sure I grabbed an umbrella headed out.

I walked to Rutters for coffee and a breakfast wrap and then walked to mom's.  By the time I had finished the wrap, but not the coffee, and she was ready to go, it was like 9:54.  I told her we were going to be late.  She scoffed and said the parade's not gonna get to where we stand that quickly.  We each picked up one of her folding chairs, she got an umbrella and we started walking over.

Even with as slow as she walks now, it still took us less than ten minutes to get there.  But, about halfway there, it started raining.  So we put up the umbrellas.  Carrying an open umbrella, a mug of coffee and a folding chair was no easy feat, I assure you.  As we walked through a church parking lot, I mentioned how empty it was, and it's always full when there's a parade.  I told her it's probably canceled.  But continue on we did.

When we got to our usual spots, there were about three other people there, under umbrellas.  And no sign of my aunt, who was supposed to be there.  So mom called her.  It was then, at about 10:10 that we discovered, from my aunt, that the parade started at 10:30, not 10:00.  But since we were there, we decided to stay.  Check us out:

Mom, in her chair, under her umbrella, braving the rain, waiting on the parade, with no crowds to block her view.

Me, thinking, "It doesn't start for another 20 minutes...it's ALWAYS an adventure when you do something with Mama Polt".

Oooh, look at the crowds anxiously awaiting the parade.  From the clock tower you can tell it's like 10:10 or so.

Anyway, it soon stopped raining (and did not rain for the remainder of the parade), and then people came out to line the parade route.  And my aunt, cousin, her husband, and Lil Chris all showed up.  And we watched the Parade.  Since Lil Chris is just turned two years old, this was his first parade he got to watch in person.  He stayed glued to the same spot, just watching everything go by.  He wouldn't go out and get the candy, but the people around us had kids, that got all of it, and they gave some to him.  And the people passing out the flags left the road itself to step over and give him a flag directly. (as I've witnessed multiple times at the Gay Pride Parade, little kids get ALL the goodies!)  Near the end, as a fire truck let loose it's horn and it scared him, he wanted his mom to hold him.  And then, it was over.

Mommy holding Lil Chris as the fire trucks went by.  He still waved to them though.

Lil Chris enjoying the parade, flag in hand.

He finally turned around so I could get a shot of him.

After this, mom and I made our way back home, she was making burgers and dogs on the grill and had other goodies.  This is what my plate looked like:

Mom's baked beans, mom's burger from the grill, mac salad from a local store, pickles from a jar and chips I brought.  Delicious.  Also, this is what I had for supper later in the day, albeit, without the beans.

As I hadn't been feeling the greatest, still had those rumbley stomach issues, I didn't stay long at her place.  I also prefer to use the toilet in my own home, if at all possible.  I stayed here and read my book and was online.  

Later in the afternoon, mom called to say my other cousins were visiting her, and Morgan was there.  Since it was his first July 4th ever, I wanted to see him. (well that and the fact he's adorable as all get out!)  So I drove back to her house.  I hung out with mom, my cousin Tracy, her son Morgan, my cousin Trish, and he son Cam.  I dont think I was there for much more than an hour, cause as I said, my stomach and all.  But i enjoyed the time spent with them, although I forgot to take any pics.

I returned home and the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening just read.  I finished up the book I was reading and started another one, a Doctor Who book.  And then I watched a bit of TV.

As I don't DO fireworks (see the post below), about 8:30, I went upstairs, got a shower, turned on the fan and a/c in the bedroom and laid down to read for a while.  The noise was muted by the fan, a/c and room being shut up, but I still heard a little of it.  And then, I went to sleep.

POLT

You make my day every time, telephone...

My day.

I set the alarm for 8:00 and when it went off, I turned it off, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

About 10:30, I got up. I piddled around on the computer for a bit, then showered and called mom. I needed to go out and get somethings, and wanted to know if she wanted to accompany me, which she did. So I picked her up and we went to Wal-Mart (don't judge). We stopped by Lowe's to pick up something, and then off ot Hagerstown. We went to Sam's to get a few things, and then ate at El Ranchero. I think my tongue is still burning from the salsa, love it! We went to a grocery store to get a few things, and then off to a fabrics store for her. And then home.

Oh, I forgot, I finally remembered today to take Angel's Christmas gift over to her. I got her a blue and white, what I call a Dallas Cowboy, stuffed football toy with a sweakie inside. I showed it to her and she dropped the toy she was carrying. I threw it and she got and then shook it violently from side to side three different times. I told mom when she got home, Angel probably will have torn it apart already. After she got home, mom called me to say Angel had been carrying the football with her whereever she goes. She took it to mom once, but when mom tried to get it to throw it, Angel yanked it away and jumped up the couch with it. She laid her head on it. Mom got a picture cause it was so cute. And Angel still won't let mom come near it.

Anyway, after this, I knew Johnnie was coming down. He had called me last week to say he was back home from Philly for the holidays, and today was when he was coming down. So I gave him directions and then I cleaned the toilet and sink (it was time) and tidied up the living room some. Johnnie got here without problem. We hugged at the door, and then I gave him a grand tour of Casa De Polt. Then we sat in the living room and talked. We had a long debate over politics, as per usual. And we talked about football some. Then he was hungry so we walked up to Waynesburger and ate there, having a great meal, of course. Upon returning home, he mentioned playing "Road To The White House" by absolute favorite game. He's pretty good at it too. Ten years ago or so, he'd come to my apartment three times a month or so, and we'd play the game every time, sometimes more than once a night. Well this time, I, as the governor of Texas, beat him, as a Congressman from Massachusetts, which if you don't play the game, means nothing to you. After that, we returned to the living room and talked some more and watched ESPN pre-football game show. And then he decided to leave right before the game started. I'm glad he stopped by. I miss Johnnie. With him in grad school in Philly, I only get to see him like once a year now. But I'm very glad we still keep in touch. He's a great kid. (kid...hell, he's 27, not much of a kid anymore. But he'll always be My Little Johnnie, and I'll always be Uncle Polt).

And then following that, I'm just sitting here, farting around online and watching the football game. And I gotta go back to work tomorrow, even if it is a short, light week. So I probably won't be up late. Still, all in all, a really really fun day!

POLT Listening to the Vikings-Bears football game

We're your worst nightmare, you know. Vengeful mutants on drugs. - Kid Omega, New X-Men #136

Now the time is near, toilet talk is what is near...

So, as mentioned in THIS post previous, I got a new toilet.  Today, the came to install it.  I haven't used it yet, so I dont know...well how awesome I'm sure it is.  But it's one of those eco-toilets: handle up for less water to flush liquids, handle down for more water to flush solids!  Nifty!  Also, it sits a bit higher, which for long legs is a good thing, and bowl is deeper...and if there's one thing I hate, it's a shallow toilet bowl!

Old toilet.

New Toilet!

Mom told me she was getting the toilet for me for Christmas, so that's why they red ribbon is tied around it (that the Christmas "wrapping") and the card attached, says "Merry Christmas!"

Silly, isnt she?

Seeing these photos, though, make me realize how BADLY I need to change the flooring in the bathroom...

POLT

An utterance, information, I don't mind (Part 88)...

TMI Tuesday

These come from http://tmituesday.blogspot.com/.

Seeing as how I took an extended nap this afternoon, and am not a BIT tired this evening (or morning now), I thought I'd just to this now, instead of later on.

1. In the midst of a hangover have you ever promised to "never drink again?" How long until you broke that vow? Oh the first time I ever got THAT drunk, in Ocean City MD, right before I graduated high school. A stadium cup full of vodka, a stadium cup full of sloe gin, and I have no idea how many beers, and the next morning, I couldn't get up out of my red colored (thanks sloe gin) puked filled bed, but to crawl to the toilet to throw up. And I vividly recall, me head leaning on the coolness moist dampness of the toilet rim and promsing myself, if I lived through this, I would never EVER drink again. And I remember saying it a few times after that...in college. But after the first time, it was several months before I could drink any alcohol again without gagging.
2. What is the stupidest thing you have ever done while drinking (or not if it is really stupid) but thought it seemed like a good idea at the time? Coming home after a night of partying, puking in, on, and around the toilet, and figuring I'd just clean it up later. I was still living at home. Mom was none too please when she got up about 4:00 to use the bathroom. And i was none to happy to be cleaning it up at 4:10 am, while I gagged, hungover, and she yelled at me.
3. On a scale of 1-10, where do you rate green beer? I honest to God don't recall ever having HAD green beer. Seriously. but it sounds gross.
4. Have you ever kissed someone you shouldn't have (drunk or sober)? Yeah, absolutely. My good girl friend's boyfriend (THAT one blew up in my face later). My boss's girlfriend (thank GOD that did NOT blow up into anything later). My good gay friend's boyfriend (that just led to a few real hot blow jobs later....I should feel bad about it, but I have no shame). And sadly, I was sober at each time. I don't even have alcohol to blame them all on.
5. What is the stupidest thing you have ever seen a drunk do (besides driving a car)? One guy at a party, stuck his dick inside a bottle of some kinda alcohol, on a dare, to see if it would fit. And it did, sorta. But it got stuck. And then, when he pulled on it, it started to get hard, and got even more stuck. And painful. They had to take him to the hospital. *SIGH*....college days, good times, good times.
Bonus (as in optional): How do you cure your hangover(s)? The best cure is to stop drinking before you get one. Seriously. If I think I'm gonna have one, I take two Advil and drink two glasses of water before I go to bed. If I wake up with one, it's probably 4 Advil and constant drinking of water. If I'm not vomiting. If that's the case, I just lay next to the toilet until I realize just how disgusting that is. By then, the hangover's usually subsided a bit.

POLT Listening to "Living Dead Girl" by Rob Zombie

George W. Bush is the weakest, most out of touch president in modern time. Think Dan Quayle in cowboy boots. - Vic Gold, GOP consultant and author

Tuesday at work, in the morning, I got a call from mom.  She said she had been throwing up all night, and didn't get much sleep, but she felt better at that time.  Then in the afternoon, I got another call from her: she was the Emergency Room.   She said a man out at Quincy, Howard, had stopped by her place and made her go to the ER.  Which was a damn good thing!

After work, I went to the hospital, she was still there, finishing up her first IV.  The doctor came in and said she didn't have the flu that was going around, but she had some stomach bug and she also had a UTI...and she was dehydrated.  So after the second IV was done they were gonna release her.  Howard said he'd take her home, so I came on home.

Wednesday, I had to go get my car from the dealership since it was all fixed.  Howard had agreed to go with me, and so he did.

Thursday, I went to work with no problems.  But in the middle of the morning, suddenly my stomach started feel upset and I was nauseous.  I took some pepto and drank some tea, but it didn't really help.  So I left at noon.  Coming home from work, I was miserable.  I called mom and asked her to get me some Diet Ginger Ale and a can of chicken soup, I had wanted to stop on my way home and get it, but there was no way, I just wanted to get home.

I got here, and pooped and changed into lay-around-the-house clothes.  And then mom showed up.  I opened the Ginger Ale and poured a glass.  I had a sip, and felt really really sick.  I made it upstairs to the toilet just in time.  I threw up.  A LOT!  Like heaved up 8 or 9 times, I lost count.  And it was my morning coffee coming back up.  Oh, I HATE vomiting!

I came back downstairs and laid on the couch.  I felt better after I threw up, but I still didn't feel well. I had a fever, was achy all over and very sick to my stomach.  Mom told me Howard was feeling sick as well, and she was taking to the doctor appointment he made at 2:00.  So basically, whatever she had, she figured she gave it us.

It came on so quickly, and so sudden (kinda like someone just flipped a switch between feeling good and suddenly feeling sick), it was crazy.

I spent the majority of yesterday on the couch, dozing on and off.  In the evening, I had a cup of tea and about 6 spoonfuls of chicken soup.  I didn't have an appetite.  Last night, I tossed and turned, going from freezing and shivering to sweating and roasting.   Today, I'm not nauseous, I had half a sandwich and half a bowl of the soup.  I kept it down, even though I felt a bit sick afterwards.  And I'm still achy.

I called in a took tomorrow off work as well.  I think I need another day to rest, eat soup, drink ginger ale and tea, and doing nothing to recover.

Today it was almost 70 degrees around here [after being only 7 degrees on Sunday] and so I decided to throw on some clothes and a cap and drive to the Post Office to mail some cards I had.  So that was a nice change, it was nice to be able to do it.  But it wore me out even doing that.  I definitely need to rest.

So anyway, that's why I've not been posting too much the last couple days.

POLT

Of those who live in houses and in homes...

Okay, went looking at houses today. Prior to today, I had them listed in order of preference House 1, 2, 3, & 4. When the agent got here, she told us that house 4 was under contract now, so now seeing that one. That's okay, I thought, I was least interested in that one. First up, was house 2.

House 2 is 119,000, with 4 bedrooms. When we got there and went inside it was, to put it lightly, a piece of shit. The only good things about it were the kitchen, which was relatively new, and right off it was a room with a toilet, sink and washer and dryer. Other than that...ew. There were holes in the walls, cracks in the ceilings, rooms half painted or half wallpapered, no shower, the one bedroom was actually the attic, and to reach another bedroom you had to first go through a third bedroom. It was quite obvious that the people who lived there last did not in any way take care of the place.

Upon leaving, I was quite discouraged, cause I figured if that piece of shit was 119,000, then House 3 must be pretty crappy as well, and I wondered if I'd be able to find ANYTHING decent in my price range. But off to House 3 we went.

This one is only 109,000, but both mom and I fell in love with it. It's got nice first floor, with a modern bathroom and shower on the first floor. There's three bedrooms and a bath with only a tub upstairs. The attic is spacious. The basement, okay, although the stairs to get to them are rather narrow. It's got a deck with a roof, a patio besides, steps down to a yard with a large shade providing tree in the middle and a two car garage at the end of the yard. the only downside to the place was that it didn't have a stove refrigerator or washer/dryer. Other than that, and the dodgey basement stairs, it's very nice. Lots of plants grown large (it's been empty for 100 days), but we can rip all those out of the ground and get rid of them. There's some painting that needs done inside, but that's not a problem. And it's got a heat pump, which mom was a bit concerned about, but I told her I don't need a lot of heat, and that's true. having throughly enjoyed House 3, we moved onto House 1.

House 1 was quite nice as well, as I expected it to be since it was my first choice. But upon actually seeing it in person, and not just in photos on line, it lost some of it's luster. And it's 154,000, quite outside my price range. But it does have all the applicances and washer/dryer.

After coming home and thinking about it and talking it over with mom, I've decided to make an offer on House 3 (which should technically be House 1 now I suppose). I've been preapproved for 120,000, which is way more than I'd need for House 3. And my realtor said House 3 is bank owned, so I'll probably be able to get them down even lower. And as mom pointed out, it'll be cheaper to get this one, and buy a stove, fridge, washer/dryer, and it would be to pay more for the 154,000 house just cause it already has the appliances. Would be so even if I could get the sellers down some more.

So I'm waiting on the realtor to call me back and discuss an offer, to see what I should offer.

I decided June 1 that I would buy a house this year, and then was kinda like "eh, what's the rush?" with financing and looking for houses online, and calling the realtor and so on. but now that I've seen a house I want, I'm all like "let's do this NOW!" in a hurry.

I just hopes this all works out, cause I'm quite attached to this place now!

POLT Listening to "Testify" by Rage Against The Machine

How many times do I have to tell ya, father, don't bless the virgin until you get the receipt! - The Hanging Garden

 SO....

My weekend.  Well, it started, let's say, Thursday night. After work, I had a Cut-N-Color, and then I was supposed to hang out with Cedrik overnight, but that part unfortunately didn't happen.  I came home, hung around here on the computer and watching TV and stuff.  Nothing big.

Since most of my weekend would not be fun, I decided to take off Friday to have a good day.  I slept in a bit then headed out to Hagerstown.  I got gas, got my cards for the months of April and May, stopped by Ollies where I bought a few things, then went by work to get the two subs I had ordered (they're made by a ladies auxiliary to some local fire hall, and DAMN they're delicious! And they're probably the only thing that would get me to work on a day I took off!).  I then drove to mom's place and gave her one of the subs.  I usually order two, one to eat for lunch on Friday and then one to eat for lunch on Saturday.  But as I wasn't going to be there either day, I gave one to mom for her and Howard to eat.  Then I came home and chowed down on the other one!  And, as usual, it was delicious!

Friday afternoon and evening I just relaxed, binged some things on TV and putzed around on my computer.  I was an altogether enjoyable day. 

Saturday started my "Horribilis volutpat verstibulum".  I had a colonoscopy scheduled Monday morning.  I had one scheduled back in January, but after the prep and a day of fasting, I wasn't cleaned out enough so we rescheduled.   So this time, they gave me different prep and had me fast for TWO days.  And that was Saturday and Sunday (and hence why I took off Saturday from work).  So, over those to days, my intake was water and ice, ginger ale, some chicken broth, orange jello, a few lemon-lime jello cups and that was it.  Saturday was worse than Sunday, I guess after Saturday my body got used to not getting food and didn't demand it as much.   

I didn't do much of anything, all day: read my books, putzed around on my phone, watched TV, played around on the computer, and tried not to think about food.  

Sunday...well more of the same, although today I had a mug of tea and later coffee (with no creamer of course) in addition to all the other stuff.  THEN, at 530 I had to take an anti-nausea pill (always a positive thing), and an hour later, start on the new prep.  A 4 liter jug of the crap.  I had to drink 8 oz of it every 15 minutes.  I was supposed to take me 4 hours.  I think I got it all done in 4 hours and 15 minutes.  And after two hours, there was no sign of it working.  I was slightly worried until...well until it DID start working.  I think I was on the toilet twice before going to bed.  And yeah, it was working.  

Then, about 230 I woke up and had to go.  And then four more times that morning before mom picked me up for a trip to the hospital.  And then once AT the hospital.  But I didn't think it had cleared me out like it was supposed to.  Nurse Steve said as a diabetic, my stomach doesn't empty as well as it should and that could ahve something to do with why it wasn't emptying as well as the first colonoscopy I had four years ago.   And yeah, that could have been it.  So Nurse Steve had to give me two enemas.  Boy, that was fun.  Then the doctor looked at the results and said we could go.   So they hooked me up and wheeled me in.  

After talking a bit with the staff in there, waiting on the doc, the anesthesiologist said she was giving me the good stuff.  She pushed it into the IV and I laid there, thinking, oh, I'm still awake.  I'm not tired.  I wonder if she gave me enough.  I hope she-

-And then I'm waking up back in the prep room.  Another very nice nurse was asking how I was and offering me ginger ale and graham crackers.  And about 45 minutes had passed.   They said they hadn't found anything (unlike the two polyps they found 4 years ago) and once I was all put back together, mom brought me home.  

I was pretty much fine, except for some short term memory loss and a bit of dizziness, but still she insisted on making me toast and tea.   And after talking a bit, she saw I was fine and so she left.   She returned in the afternoon with some homemade chicken noodle soup, chicken salad and snickerdoodle cookies.  She is such a saint! 

I spent the rest of the day pretty much just recovering.  I watched a miniseries on Ben Franklin and then one on Leonardo da Vinci.   I do love documentaries.   And I did little else, which I suppose is exactly what I was supposed to be doing. 

Tuesday I had a dentist appointment, so I got up, got my coffee from Rutters (first coffee from there since Friday AND with creamer) had breakfast, read my book, showered and shaved and then went to the dentist for a cleaning.  Afterwards I headed off for the post office, to get a Passport photo taken.  And then to Wal-Mart for a stapler (since I cannot seem to locate the one I had here).  Afterwards, I called in a order for sweet and sour chicken to a Chinese place, ate it and then, since the stuff I had ordered from Amazon arrived, I put in the DVD for Salem's Lot, the 1979 tv miniseries and am now currently watching it.  (it's not much right now, but I assure back in the 80s when I caught it in reruns it was hella frightening!)

I suppose for the rest of today I'll continue to do nothing, to recover, and then go to bed a bit early cause it's back to work tomorrow, after a 5 day minivacation.

POLT

 SO, how was my Thanksgiving holiday weekend?  Why thanks for asking. Here we go. 

Wednesday, the county closed at 1pm.  My co-worker Rachel agreed to work the remaining 3 hours since she was already working Thanksgiving and the day after, both holidays. 

I left work and went to the tire place. I had made an appointment the day before the get two tires replaced.  And I did...and damn they were expensive!   After that I spent the night here at the house just relaxing and doing nothing.  

Thursday, I got up and watched all the Bob's Burgers Thanksgiving episodes while putzing around on the computer and drinking my coffee.   I did shower, but not shave, and then left for mom's, getting there about 11:30.  We ate at noonish. And, as always, it was delicious!   Turkey, stuffing, mashed taters, gravy, sweet taters, corn and cherry pie for dessert.  She also had sour kraut and oysters, but only she and Howard ate those, as I don't like either of those.  Then, after cleaning the table, we sat around an chatted until about 2, when I got my leftovers and came home. 

Getting here I putzed around online a bit more, and then settled in to do my Christmas Cards while  watching the end of the Packers-Lions game and all of the Cowboys decimation of the Washington team (the Commanders is a stupid name and I try not to use it).    It took me 4 hours and 15 minutes but I got them all filled out, in the envelopes, address, stamped and return address stickers on.  After that, the last game was on, but I wasn't in any mood to watch the Niners dominated anyone, even the Seahawks.  So about halftime I think I turned it off, went to bed, read some and was on my phone before going to sleep. 

Friday, for some reason, I woke up early, like before 7 and couldn't get back to sleep.   So I got on my phone for a bit.  And then I made contact with a fuckbuddy and soon thereafter, he was here for some bedtimesexxyfun.   After he left, I putzed around the house not doing too much of anything really, until

Mom came in. Despite having a real bad knee and getting it replaced tomorrow, she came in and "helped" me decorate the Christmas tree.  It took about an hour to get everything I wanted done, and it was great to hang out with her and have her help, as always. 

Afterwards the Jets-Dolphins game came on mid-afternoon.  The first ever game on Black Friday.  Hopefully, it's a regular occurance.   After that I did pretty much what I did all day: nothing.  Did order some wings from Dominos and devoured them.   But that was really it.  

Saturday I got up and got to work.  It was a thankfully uneventful day, so I go caught up on a lot of paperwork I needed to.   Upon leaving work I just came home because Saturday was also my birthday,  ! turned 56.  I watched some crap on TV, and then started to actually watch Good Burger 2.  No seriously I did.  I had enjoyed All That back in the 90s (even though I was like 30 when I was watching Saturday Nights before going out to the gar bar), and so I wanted to check this out.  It was fine.  I don't even know that it was a 'good' movie.  But considering what it was, what it was based on, it was fine.  And I did literally laugh out loud a few times.

But I didn't watch it all the through in one setting, because I got a text from another fuckbuddy, and so he came over shortly and we had some bedtimesexxytfun!  However, after he left, I did finish it.  And then eventually I did go to bed.   

Oh also, can't believe I forgot!  Before Good Burger 2 I watched the first of the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary specials!  With Russell T Davies writing and David Tennent and the Doctor, and thank GOD they're both back.  This was THE best episode I have seen since they left the series back in...what, 2010?  2011?   I don't know but it's been a LONG time!  And then after this, my friend FDot and I spent about an hour and a half on the phone, talking about many things, including Doctor Who!

Sunday morning, I woke up about 530 with stomach cramps and had to use the toilet.  I blame it on my cleaning up the Thanksgiving leftovers Saturday night for supper.  But I couldn't get back to sleep afterwards.  So after laying in bed on my phone for awhile, I got up, dressed, and got groceries, then had breakfast, drank my coffee and read some.   Also, at the grocery store, I got myself a slice of that layered rainbow cake these sell there, for a late birthday cake thing.  Ate it after lunch and supper. 

For lunch I ordered a Big Boy Sub from Toledo's (YUM) and then settled in the watch some football.  I had run the dishwasher Saturday night, this Sunday then was laundry day.  And I did a load of clothes.  While watching football tho, I was contacted by yet ANOTHER fuckbuddy, who later came over for some bedtimesexxyfun.  Afterwards, I just watched football, paid some bills, got some cards ready to mail and did little else.

Monday morning, for whatever reason I got up at 630 (i am NOT a morning person and I hate that I do this on my days off).   I got my coffee from Rutters and when I had finished, I went to the Post Office, to Advance Auto for some new wiper blades. And even though he wasn't the one to help me, that amazingly HOT guy with the big bubble butt was still working there.  Damn, his ass is SO FINE.

Anyhow, after this I went to Wal-Mart for a few things, stopped at AC&T for a sub for supper, came home and started a load of sheets in the laundry.    For lunch I made pasta, and spent the afternoon watching TV or on my phone or laptop.  

Also, I called mom with some phone numbers to give to Howard.   She's having her knee replaced tomorrow morning, and will spend a night in the hospital, but Howard will stay there.  If everything goes well, I'll just swing by after work.  But I wanted Howard to have some work numbers in case there's complication or whatever (God forbid), and he can call me. 

Also, yesterday mom made some chocolate chips cookies, but she forgot to put something in them and they look like, according to her, "pancakes".  There's too many for her and Howard to eat alone, so on their travels today, they brought a bag into me.  And they taste fine, even if they don't look like her cookies usually look. 

So for supper I had half of the sub, and now I on the laptop waiting for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to come on at 8pm.  Then I might go to bed a bit early, cause I am feeling tired, and it's work again tomorrow.

And that, friends, is how the Thanksgiving Holiday went.  

This week looks to be busy as I work all week, Thursday and Friday I have to go in early as Rachel's taking off, after work Tuesday I'm going by the hospital to see Mom, Wednesday after work I'm to see yet, yet ANOTHER fuckbuddy for some fun, and Thursday after work I have a Cut N Color.   Whew. 

 And some pics from the weekend: 

POLT

It's a gas, gas, gas...

Earlier this afternoon, mom came over. We rearranged the dining room a bit, moved the furniture around in the living room. Discovered my vacuum is broken and I need to get a new one, and talked about all the things we're gonna attempt to get done tomorrow.

Mom also had...well, really bad gas. Brought tears to my eyes. Then she to use the bathroom. And, God bless her, she clogged the toilet.

I lived in my apartment for 12 years and can only remember clogging the toilet once in that whole time. I've not lived in the place 12 days yet and she already clogged it. I didn't have a plunger, so while I went down to change some laundry from the washer to the dryer, she went to her house and got a plunger. She easily fixed it. And we laughed. It always ends up with laughter when Mama Polt's around.

POLT Listening to the Cowboys-Broncos football game

What a wonderfully wicked life you lead, you boys. You boys. - Oscar Wilde, Wilde

Like a top ten song, I head it all......

So, since it's December 31, 2019, it's time for My Top Ten Things Of 2019!

Firstly, there were a lot of things that happened that didn't make the list, so let's give an honorable mention to computer issues; car issues (battery died) and resolutions (new set of tires); walking 17 out of 30 days in June; dropping my A1C from 8.7 to 7.5; discovering how well Aleve works on muscle pain; getting another crown on a tooth; and meeting a few new hot guys as well as hooking up with a few I haven't seen in a few years.  And now, onto the list.

10. Hagerstown Museum of Fine Arts and The Cultural Trail

Nearby Hagerstown MD has in it's lovely City Park a Museum of Fine Arts.  I went there with my class when I was in school back over 35 years ago, but never since.  And in the last few years, the town opened up a cultural trail, starting downtown and winding through the town to City Park.  So back in June, my buddy Michelle and I walked the Trail to City Park, and went into the Museum.  Considering it's just in the town of Hagerstown, in the middle of nowhere, it was pretty nice.  Both the Museum and the Trail.  We plan on doing it again sometime this year.

9. Theater

My bubby Michelle and I have, for a few years, tried to see on average, one play a month each year.  Last year, we accomplished it.  This year, we did not.  She and I only saw 11 shows together.  But I did manage to see 12, the 12th one I saw with other friends, and Michelle was supposed to go with us, but she was sick.  This year, Michelle and I saw plays in Waynesboro PA, Hagerstown MD, Chambersburg PA, Frederick MD, Charles Town WV, Shippensburg PA, Gettysburg PA and in the Summer Stock theater The Totem Pole.  We even saw some Shakespeare In The Park here in town at Renfrew.  It was a a wide variety of shows and theaters, and an enjoyable time by all.

8. New Plumbing

This year, my toilet stopped working properly.  So I decided to just get a new one. And while I was gonna have the plumber in the house, I'd just let have him replace the faucets in my kitchen and bathroom sink.  I had always wanted ones that curved upwards, so I went and got some.  And they, along with the new toilet, are now in place and working great.

7. Amazing television on ROKU

There was SO MUCH amazing goodness on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBOGo and other channels on my ROKU.  I was quite surprised at all that was available and all I enjoyed.  Things like Russian Doll, Game Of Thrones, Umbrella Academy, The Watchmen, and the Mandalorian.  So much great programming.

6. Avengers Engame

The.  Best.  Comic. Book. Movie. EVAH!

When I watch the clips online of Cap catching Mjolnir and later when Cap says "Avengers......ASSEMBLE!"  I STILL get chills.   It's gonna be tough to top this one.

5. Baking Cookies With Mom

For the last 15 years or so, Mom and I have taken her homemade cookies, fudge and peanut brittle to my work for my co-workers.  We take quite a few packages.  This year, I went out the Sunday before Christmas to get the packages together, and we discovered we didn't have enough chocolate chip cookies or snickerdoodles.  SO she set out to make more batches right there.  And I she had me help her with some.  At the time, I was grumbling in my head thinking, "eh, I don't need to do this, she knows what she's doing."  But after it was all over and we were sitting waiting for the last batch to come out of the over, I thought back over the time we had spent doing it: the laughs, the converstaion, the, honestly, fun.  And I thought to myself, "Ya know, at some point in the future, when she's gone, I'm going to look back on this day, and remember it and smile."  It really WAS one of those memorable moments.

4. Illnesses

Those are  anti-biotices I had to take when I had strep throat this year.  But that wasn't all that I had.  In mid-March I had a pretty nasty stomach bug which resulted in multiple projectile vomiting bouts.  In late March I had an upper respiratory infection which consisted of constant coughing and issues gettting my breath.  In April I had a sinus infection, which resulted in some real bad tooth pain.  Anti-biotics from the dentist ended the sinus infection and with that gone, so did the pressure on my tooth and the pain.  In May I had another sinus infection, that wasn't as bad as the one in April and was resolved without anti-biotics.  In October, I had the strep throat...LOTS of fun that was.  In November, right before Thanksgiving,  I had ANOTHER sinus infection, this one being as bad as the one in April, cause it resulted in another toothache.  And again, anti-biotics from the dentist cleared both out.  And now, since right before Christmas I've had some kinda cold: head stuffy and nose fulla snot, mild cough, and this past weekend, my throat has been on FIRE!  Thankfully, yesterday, the pain subsided, so I think I'm getting over it.  But DAMN, that's been a LOT of illness! 

3. New Air Conditioners

When I bought the house 10 years ago, there were three air conditioners the previous people left here.  I've been using them since, a small one in my bedroom, a large one in the dining room for downstairs.  In June, I noticed the one in the bedroom didn't seem to be doing much cooling, so since it was at least 10 years old, I bought a new one.  And then in early-July, the one downstairs didn't seem to be cooling much either, so I went and bought a large one for down there.  And both of them worked GLORIOUSLY throughout the hot summer.  I replaced them just in time.

2. Changes at work

When I started at my current job, there were two other people in my department: Bossy Know-It-All Coworker (who thankfully retired in 2010) and Janis.  She retired the end of June this year.  And to replace her, they hired Todd.  Todd and I are never gonna be best friends, as we have next to nothing in common (he's a Republican, he loves to hunt, he likes camping, he does a lot mechanical work with his own hands, etc).  BUT, as coworkers we, and the guy who replaced BKIAC 10 years ago, all work together like a finely tuned machine.  Todd knows his stuff, and is always ready and eager to help or learn something new.   And that's such a change from Janis (who was a very nice person, but she was incapable of change or thinking outside the box).  FINALLY, after working in this job for 23 years, my department is working well together as a team and not at loggerheads with each other.

1. Falling on the stairs.

See those, last two steps there?  In July, for whatever reason, as I was coming down the stairs in my socks, my feet went out from under me and I landed on the edges of those steps with all my weight. I landed on my upper right back.  I thought I might have cracked a rib or two.  Went to Urgent Care and I didn't, but I did have a serious muscle strain.

The blue and yellow area on the right?  That's the part that I strained.  And oh GOD, the pain was horrible.  Worst I think I have ever felt in my life.  I couldn't go to work for a week.  I could lay down for a week, I had to sleep in a recliner.  When I could finally lat down, I still couldn't lay in my bed (it was too firm) for two week after that.  I had to sleep on the sofa.   Getting up and sitting down felt like someone was stabbing me in my back.  Once I was sitting, I was fine.  Standing was fine...but as I walked sometimes, I just turn slightly and feel the stabbing pains.  Coughing and sneezing were right out of the picture.  And I never know how many of your back muscles are involved in taking a dump!  Pooping was painful too.  It was truly one of the most painfully episodes I have experience in my life.  And it took me over a month until I could get everything back to normal.  So now I'm very careful going down the stairs, and I plan on putting some carpeting or something on them to prevent it from happening again.

POLT