Sunday, October 27, 2013

Another beautiful week in Santa Cruz…

Monday was a pretty good day, it always goes by way too fast. I got to sleep in, got my massage, did some personal care and got a nice long hot bath. that was pretty much my whole day. It looks like I'm going to be without two of my caregivers this week. One of them had already asked for Friday and Monday off, she doesn't work on the weekends. The other one just called me and said she was leaving Wednesday after work and wouldn't be home until Sunday, she works Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It looks like I might be spending a little more time in bed. It seems like just when we think we have everything covered something happens.

Tuesday was not a very good day. I got up and it was cold, of course my van is still broken from Friday so I get to roll to my doctors appointment. Actually the weather wasn't too bad and I couldn't stop but I and waiting almost exactly an hour for my doctors appointment, Not to mention the half hour I waited in the doctors office thank goodness she is worth it. And getting all of my yearly appointments out-of-the-way and it feels good. When I left the doctors office Robby and I cruised down Westcliff and back, to the end of the work and back, to the end of the boardwalk and back and home, for some reason my neck was really hurting… Probably because of the cold. I came home and rest for a while and Teresa came and put me to bed, thank goodness we don't have to do anything tonight so I can watch TV and relax. Omar put the black light on my porch so now my back porch looks awesome…

Wednesday I decided to stay in bed. Karen did some personal care and I got to take another nice long hot, that sure feels great. On Thursday I'm going to go to the Lions Club in Aptos to do a demonstration with Robby. Roger, the guy that I have been talking to, sent me an email saying that there was a video and article of me on USA today… Front cover. They came and did an interview last week about how great Google glass is working out for me and told me that it would come out this week. It was actually very flattering and I got a lot of compliments, it feels really good. Tom went up to the burger place and we all had lunch together, I had bacon and blue cheeseburger with tater tots. Lee Claudia, my uncle and aunt and my mom and I played cribbage, My aunt was my partner and we won four dollars. W00t w00t.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/10/22/google-glass-aids-disabled/3006827/

Thursday was a really great day, I can't believe I forgot to wear my Google glass. I got up and took Robby for a really long cruise. I started to go down through the Lagoon but the road was blocked off because they were repairing it so I went through the parking lot of the depot park instead. I went down Westcliff Drive about halfway to the beach and decided to turn around, Robby was being such a good boy. While I was cruising along Westcliff I saw whales shooting up in the air, otters cruising around by the edge of the cliff and seagulls flying over-the-top in formation, Of course I forgot to wear my Google glass so people have to just take my word for it. I cruise to the wharf but they had part of it blocked off because they were repairing that also. I cruise down to the end of the boardwalk and Robby and I practiced some of his commands, he did so good and I'm so proud of him. We cruised back and rested for a while and then Kelly made us a snack of figs, prosciutto, cheese and olives, my favorite kind of snack. I watch TV for a while and then Tom and Kelly took me to the Lions Club in Aptos, they invited us there to do a demonstration with Robby and let them know how CCI in Santa Rosa helps so many people. everyone was so nice and came up and introduce themselves. The food was excellent, they had breaded chicken cutlets with mushrooms, red potatoes with mustard, zucchini and a salad. I wasn't as nervous as I usually am, I think because of all the interviews I did for Google glass. The guy that invited me to the Lions Club is the guy that first told me about my article on USA today, him and his wife saw it. The lift on my van was broken so we borrowed the toaster, the van that I sold my uncle to buy the one I have. As soon as we got home and pulled up the lift on that one didn't work, luckily we put the directions to manually put the lift down on YouTube in case we needed it while we were on our trip from here to Florida and back so we looked it up and I got out. Of course again I forgot to bring my Google glass and the guy asked me about them, everybody that was there was on the edge of their seats as I told them about them. One lady even signed up to get them when they come out, I told her that she was going to LOVE them.

Friday was a pretty good day. I got up and took Robby for a regular nice long lens, it was a little cold but bearable. I came home and rested for a while and Teresa came and put me to bed. We did some personal care and I got to take a nice long hot bath. Dr. Owens brought her puppies and came over for a visit, some things are easier to do in my hospital bed then at the doctors office.

Saturday was an awesome day. I think our last day of training jinx before she all of my personal care by herself next weekend, I think she's going to work out great. When I left Omar was installing another outlet in the front yard and to machines, it really looks cool. I wanted to take Robby for superlong cruise because I was going to the derby girls that night and I didn't want to bring him, too many people and too loud. Westcliff was not crowded at all and there were about 1 million pelicans flying, sitting and swimming all over it was awesome. I have been watching this drift log come in and out of the ocean down by the second dog beach on Westcliff for the last three days, the first day it was flowing in and out the second day and yesterday it was up on the beach drying out. I talked to Omar about going and getting it for me, I hope he remembers. I want to have it for when I redo my front yard, I'm hoping that since it was floating out the ocean there are no termites or anything in it. On my way back I heard somebody riding by on a bike say "hi Tammie", Of course I said hello but I didn't really recognize her. She told me "it's Marie" and I know exactly who she was even though I haven't seen her for probably eight years. She is the psychiatrist at Valley medical Center, where I was during rehab after my accident. I also saw her privately for a couple of problems that I had before I moved here, she is always so sweet and so helpful. Her and her husband were biking from natural Bridges State Beach all the way to Capitola and back, she is an amazing lady. I got to meet her husband, he is a very sweet man. We talked for a little bit and I gave my address and my email and hopefully she will keep in touch. I cruised back down to the wharf and we went out to the end and back and then went to the boardwalk. I was going to try to see if I could get some pictures with my Google glass of the chili cookoff but I could not even get close. The place was packed and everybody was enjoying chilling, I set off to the side hoping some areas would die down so I could get a couple of pictures but it just didn't happen so we came on home. I rested for a while and then Teresa and just came and we headed off to meet Alex at the Surfrider Café. I have been really looking forward to having a hamburger and onion rings from there but I misunderstood the time so we ended up going straight to the bout. Teresa got me a pretzel from there and the belt was really awesome, I love watching that. Unfortunately it's the last one but I'm going to try to get season tickets or at least go for every bout next year. I always run into a few people that I know there and this time it was no different. I ran into a lady from the Lions club in Aptos that we went to last week for a demonstration. I told her that I have gone to two Lions Clubs and I am so impressed with them and everything they do, she's trying to recruit me to join. I would join in a second if I had somebody to drive me to the meetings. Maybe I can talk Tom and Kelly to joining with me, that would be awesome and I think they would both enjoy it. I came home and Teresa put me to bed and I was sure glad that I was going to stay in bed the next day, I was exhausted and I'm sure Teresa is also, she has been filling in for Rosa and Karen while they are on vacation. As Teresa was putting me to bed we noticed that Robby was laying underneath the tree that Donna painted in my room so we took a picture, it looks so cool.



Sunday was a nice relaxing day. I woke up at four and watch TV for about an hour and decided to go back to sleep. I woke up at nine and I don't remember my mom coming down to feed Robby at seven so I called her, I left her a message last night but it didn't go through. as she was feeling me Kelly came across the street to see if I needed anything. I wanted to go back to sleep for a while. I woke up at 11 and Tom came in to see if I needed anything something got me something to eat and some coffee, I love coffee! I had some cod, some green beans and some spinach that Heather made, she is such a good cook. I tried to watch a couple movies from pay-per-view but my TV is screwing up again, they put a message on the screen you have to unplug the cord from the back and plug it back in. I called and they fixed it and one point and told me I would not have a problem but I'm having a problem so I just watch some of the TV shows that I have recorded. for dinner I had a steak, brussels sprouts and eggplant. I love being able to eat like this.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

It looks like the weather is going to be beautiful and it's going to be a great week…

Monday was a really good day. I got up early because the lady that's going to paint the mural on my wall is going to start today, I am so excited. She came and we talked for a little bit and then I went to take Robby for a nice long cruise because I wanted to stay out of her way, I picked it a couple times and it looked amazing. Robby and I took a cruise through the Lagoon and down Westcliff and back. Of all days of course today I didn't bring my Google Glass so I missed getting pictures the whale, the Dolphins and the pelicans, it was just a gorgeous day. I came back and hung out with Kelly for a while and then Rosa came to put me to bed. The mural looks gorgeous and I can't wait to get a picture.



Tuesday was not a good day, I was so bloated and uncomfortable but I had to get up because I had two appointments. The first appointment was with Andrei and Jack to get my laterals fixed once again, I think we got it this time. I was really glad that they didn't need to take my back brace because then they would see how my stomach was. We made it out of there at approximately 11:00 AM but unfortunately my next appointment wasn't until 4:00 PM so we decided to do a little shopping and come home and eat lunch. While Heather was gone on vacation we decided to try a group on that we got from fresh prep kitchen. The first bill that we had was portobello mushroom filled with ground beef and ricotta cheese and top with mozzarella cheese, it was awesome. We also had some roasted potatoes that were also really good. Some of the stuff is ready to heat and others you have to cook but the instructions are enclosed. I also tried some chicken tenders from there, the best chicken tenders I ever had. My second appointment was that I doctor, I haven't seen an eye doctor since lasic surgery in 2000. Teresa said behind me during the exam and couldn't believe how blind I am, guess I faked it pretty good all these years? She dilated my eyes, I definitely don't miss having that done, and gave me a prescription and sent me on my way. At least I don't have any eye diseases. We came home and Teresa put me to bed and we did some personal care and I got to take a nice long hot bath, my eyes are still extremely dilated.

Wednesday was a really good day. I got up and Tom, Kelly and I decided to go to natural Bridges State Beach Park and check out the Monarch butterflies. it looks like they were just starting to gather but is just an awesome home feeling to watch them, We will definitely be going back. We went to burger to get something to eat, I had Colby sliders and tater tots… Awesome. Rosa called and said that she was going to be late and tonight is cribbage night so my mom started putting to bed, she had done for a long time but she didn't miss a beat. Rosa showed up to finish and we had a nice cribbage game, My mom was my partner and we broke even.






















Thursday was an okay day. I was having stomach problems so we decided to do some personal care. We did some personal care and then I got a nice long hot bath and decided to stay in bed. After my bath I didn't really get to rest before Teresa came, we had an interview today with a lady who will hopefully start doing morning weekends. I watched a movie called the thing with Seth, actually I think I fell asleep couple of times.

Friday was such a great day. The weather could not have been more perfect and I was up and out of here by 10 AM. I took Robby for a really long cruise through the lagoon, up to the park, down Westcliffe past the dog park in back into the end of the war and back. I got back and rested for a while and then Kelly and I decided to go and get some tacos, we both love tacos. We came back home and Teresa was here to pick me up for my chiropractor appointment. The last time I went she made me feel really good and for a long time, I think just three days ago I started getting a little sore again. She made it feel great again and this time worked on my left arm little bit, the muscles are so tight it's always painful. I thought it was hypersensitive but she says she thinks that the muscles are just so tight in there that everything hurts. I think I'm going to start seeing her once a week. We got home and the lift for the van would not come out, we finally got it to come out with the crank so I could get out but then we couldn't get it to go back in. We tried a couple of different things and then finally called Tom down. I called the company and they told us what to do but it didn't work. Tom had to lift it up and ship it back in, of course this happens on Friday? I'll give them a call in the morning and see when I can get my van into be fixed, I hope it still under warranty. Rosa came by to put me to bed because Teresa hurt her back again.

Saturday the weather was great. Unfortunately I forgot it was every high school band in California come to Santa Cruz. Not only that but it was also the opening of the Undertow, the new ride on the boardwalk. Robby and I still cruised around and I got some good pictures with Google glass. I came back by and Tom and Kelly were cleaning up the bathrooms behind my aunt and uncles, they're going to move in there for a while. I'm really glad they decided to stay and not go back to Florida, it's really nice having them around. I came back home and rested for a while and then Rosa came to put me to bed. We did some personal care and then I got a nice long hot bath. stanley, Janet, Corrinne and two foreign-exchange students that they have living with them stopped by to say hello but unfortunately I was in the middle of personal care so I didn't get to say hello or meet their new friends.









Sunday was a nice relaxing day. It looks like the weather outside is beautiful, I hope we have many more days like this. I got to sleep in which is always nice and Kelly made me some eggs and some sprouted wheat toast and brought me some coffee for breakfast. I decided that I was going to cut gluten out of my diet for a while to see if that's why I'm having problems with loading, I hope it is because I could really live without gluten. I'm going to try to have oatmeal in the morning, what Heather cooks me for lunch and a salad for dinner and see how that works out. I found some green drinks, fruit drinks and nut drinks at Costco so I'm going to try to supplement with them. It was really nice to just relax all day and catch up on some of the TeVo programs and watch a couple of movies. I fell asleep and slept really good for a couple of hours. Then I watched once upon a time, I love that series

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Let the week begin…

Monday was a perfect day. The weather was awesome and it was just nice relaxing day. I took Robby went cruising around on our usual route. While I was cruising around Tom texted me to see if I wanted to meet him downtown to do a little shopping. Wednesday is not only Tom's birthday but Kelly and of course Kevin's. He didn't find anything so we cruised back and Rosa put me to bed. Kelly and I decided to watch chasing Mavericks, she hadn't seen it before.

Tuesday was a pretty busy day. It was kind of cold but I took Robby out for our regular Cruise, I cut it a little short because I thought I was going to cruise down to the dentist but it was too cold so I asked Tom to drive me. Teresa picked me up after I had my teeth cleaned and took me to her chiropractor. I have been having a lot of problems with my neck and shoulders and I have always wanted to see if a chiropractor could help, she made me feel so much better and I can't wait to go back. I know it sounds weird but she not only took the pain away but she put me in a way better mood, I haven't felt this great for a long time. Teresa took me home and put me to bed and we did some personal care and payroll. We put a black light on the front porch so Teresa went in to take a couple more pictures of everything with blacklight, it looks awesome!











Wednesday was a good day. It was cold outside so I decided to take a nice long hot bath and just go back to bed and watch TiVo all day. I rested and or slept most of the day so it felt really great after going to the chiropractor yesterday. Lee and Claudia, my uncle and aunt and my mom and I played cribbage, my mom was my partner and we did okay… I lost all of my money but then got three dollars back. I was so excited to show off my Halloween decorations to Lee and Claudia but of course nothing on the timer came on that evening so they didn't get to see any of it, they will be able to see them next week.

Thursday was cold but another great day. A reporter, Marco, and his crew came out from USA today, They were all so nice. They wanted to do a story more focused on the disability aspect of the Google glass and what it can do for the disabled community. The lady from Google PR, Anna, the one who has set up all of the interviews wanted to come out also to meet me… I was really glad to get to meet her also. I'm always really nervous before the interviews but when I meet the people everybody is always so nice and so easy to be around that everything goes really smoothly I think. Of course they love the Halloween decorations and were very impressed with Robby, Robby never has any problem winning people over. After everyone left we rested for a while and then my uncle and aunt took all of us out to dinner at the wooden nickel, it was Tom and Kelly's birthday, I really miss that place… They always give you a very ample amount of food and it's really delicious. I had calamari steak, rice pilaf, zucchini and a huge salad plus they always give you a little cup of coleslaw and the most moist chocolate cake I have ever had. We came back and Teresa put me to bed.











Friday turned out to be a great day. I thought I was going to be cold but it turned out to be pretty warm. one of the doctors down at Dominican rehab, Dr. Quinn, and his daughter wanted to find out the possibility of finding student volunteers to help out disabled people with tasks around the house. They wanted to have a meeting and the only people that showed up was Roger and I, besides Dr. Quinn and his daughter. We tossed around some ideas and decided it would be a pretty good idea so we'll see where goes from there. I thought I was going to have to ask for a ride down there but the weather turned around so I decided to cruise down there and back with Bobby. We got back just in time to rest for a while and then Tom, Kelly and my mom and I went to ristorante Italiano for dinner. We were so hungry and so excited to be there and we all forgot to take pictures. I had breaded veal in wine sauce, lemon and capers and vegetables… It was awesome. Kelly had the same thing and Tom and my mom had the same thing but with chicken. Rosa came and put me to bed, she brought her daughter with her because it was late.

Saturday was a pretty good day. I got to sleeping in and the day went by really fast. Karen came in at 9 AM and we did some personal and I pretty much got to rest the rest of the day, I ended up staying in bed. Stanley and Corinne came to visit from Modesto and I'm out with corinne most of the day, it was nice. my aunt brought over some beef stew that made me so that for dinner, I love their stew.

Sunday was an alright day. I was stuck in bed again but I got to hang out with my brother and Corrinne a little bit more before they went home so that was nice. Rosa came by and we did some personal care and I got to take a nice long hot bath.