Sunday - Day of Rest

Well, I managed to finish off another week.  I got my blog current (well that was then), cleaned house, went to the doctor..... it's just amazing. 

Thursday, Sheila and I played golf with the FWGA gals.  For the first time that I can remember for the past couple of years, we were paired in the same cart.  It was the first time in a long time for either of us to play golf at all.  Sheila is starting to slowly fall apart from old age (smile).   Sheila did fairly well..... she shot a 90.  I didn't do so well, I shot a 110.  Gag!  Oh well.  We were both proud of ourselves for the fact that we finished.  It was a tad on the warm side though.  Neither of us stayed for lunch.  I went by the doctors office to pick up some xrays and Sheila went home to ??????  I have no idea.

Friday, I went to my doctor.  I am tired.... exhausted is more like it, and feel terrible.  Just dragging my arce, and THAT is a lot to drag.  To be honest, I've lost a couple more pounds.  I explained to the doctor that I'd backed off the diet cause I was on vacation, but still lost 5 pounds.  Got on her scales, and I'd lost 2 pounds more than I thought.  She determined that my blood pressure is too low.  Hence, I'm tired all the time.  Also, Loraine (her assistant) said my thyroid was low, when in fact, it's just the opposite.  That will also contribute to being tired and losing weight.  Damn..... give me a break.  Help me find one thing that DOES work properly in my body.  Well, the whine, pain, and bitch factory in my brain are still working.  She's got to do blood work before she can administer any increase in meds or decrease in meds, then she may need to consult with the heart doctor.  Two more weeks of waiting.  In the meantime, I continue to lose weight.  It is probably because of the thyroid.... but I'll take whatever I can get.

She also STRONGLY suggested I go gluten free.  I have been tested for Celiac disease, and do NOT have it.  However, she has treated me for 7 years now, along with the gastro doctor, and I am not really improving on most of my issues.  UIBS is a bitch to treat.  I decided it wouldn't kill me to "try".  I told her I'd do it.  Well, that was Friday.  I managed to start on Saturday.  No wheat of any type.  I thought I'd be okay, but damn..... beer is made from wheat.  Well, I managed to make it all day with no problems on Saturday.  Here it is Sunday, and I'm still GF (glluten free).  Now, I know wine doesn't contain gluten, cause it's made from grapes, not wheat.  Problem?  If it's aged in an OAK barrel, the seams of most oak barrels are sealed with a product made from...... you guessed it....... wheat.  Well, that's a new challenge I'll tackle.  Find wine aged in stainless steel barrels.  I'll also have to quit eating wall paper from the walls.  Wall paper paste is made from..... yup..... wheat paste.  Evidently, wheat is really some sticky crap.  They use it in all kinds of things that you would think of.... as a binder.  Meaning, holding stuff together.  OK, enough of this subject.

Last night, Sheila and Mark joined Angie and her family here for dinner.  I made BBQ ribs, hot links, sausages, and corn on the cob.  All GF of course.  Sheila said my ribs were pretty good.  She said she compares all ribs to those her mom makes.  I asked if Joyce makes her own BBQ sauce, and she said yes.  She told me what was in Joyce's sauce, and it's almost the exact same thing as mine.  Over years, I've started replacing some of the mustard I use with Balsamic Vinegar, and some type of booze.... wine, brandy, bourbon, etc., and I also use liquid smoke, which Sheila has never heard of.  I also add cayenne pepper.  I marinate them over night in a rub (liquid smoke again, celery, garlic and onion salt, salt and pepper), then bake them for several hours on a really low heat, then finish them off on the grill with BBQ sauce. 

Of course, we played cards.  We started out with pass the ace, then moved to a new game.  99.  It must be a Canadian game, and I am NOT very Canadian.  I could not play it well.  I picked up the special cards and all they mean, but I kept forgetting to draw my replacement card after I played.  Sheila announced that if you don't remember and the person after you plays, then you cannot replace it.  Of course, she was sitting to my left.  The word Bitch comes to mind.  She almost broke her elbow several times drawing her card before I'd remember to draw mine.  Oh well.  I did win the last hand.  Mark was the big overall winner.

Gary is cleaning the kitchen, and we're waiting on Chloe to come over.  She, Gary and I are then headed to Sheila's pool party.  Angie, Eric and Morgan will come over later.  Morgan is sunburned, and they don't want her to feel left out by not getting to swim, so they'll come over later and we'll all move in doors and play pool poker.  Hard to believe we all like to play games, no?

I took a couple of pictures last night, but will wait to post them till I do the ones from today.  Later, and here is a link to one of my favorite stories of all time..... enjoy!  I do strongly recommend that you empty your bladder before you read the item.

The Fart That Almost Altered Destiny