Takin' Care of Business....

To say that I have been engaged and busy is kind of an understatement. Though, it mostly has been positive.

We had two nice warm and sunny days before the weather changed. I caught this under our Hickory tree when I sat in the grass with my canine pals.

I finally got in for my annual 'Medicare' checkup. It has been a year and a half since I've been to one.

I walked into the clinic and ran into a lady pushing a cart of treats and coffee for a meeting downstairs. I held the elevator door for her and  gasped at the treats she had.  I told her that I'd steal her tray and take it with me upstairs to munch on after my fasting lab. She laughed and offered me a cookie.

The lab gal and I go wayyyy back to when I did an internship at the clinic. We saw each other at 7:30am and had time to catch up. We agreed, getting a cookie was awesome for after the blood letting.

I know there are a lot of complaints about Medical care all over the place at this time. But I have to say kudos to the PA I've seen for 30 years. I got her as my doc when I moved to the area and she was fresh out of school. 

The nurse I saw first took her time in doing her part of the assessment. She was attentive, empathetic, and put me at ease. I took their survey and explained my 'stress related' answers. The Medicare questionnaire asks how often a person is stressed. 

Mine were related to the loss of Rich and of course the events that follow a spousal death.  Paige, was kind and not condescending. We went through my med list. She sat back and stared at me. 

"Tylenol as needed? That's is IT?"

Then she looked at my age and repeated her question. I said I took a multivitamin and that was it.

Anne was pleased to see me. She hadn't known about Rich, but it wasn't in my file either. She did comment that my *numbers* were good. In fact, my numbers were better than the past two years.

Anne must have notes in her file to remember to ask about photography, hiking, and my critters. Either that, or she knows me as the crazy lady.

The physical exam was fine and I had no issues other than 'grief insomnia'. Basically, it means I have trouble getting to sleep many nights because my brain is working on the next thing I need to get taken care of at our farm and of course missing my pal. Today marks 6 months.

When I got home I met up with Pat, an electrician who had done jobs here for us before. He has expanded to Excavating, pasture mowing, forest mulching, and other work. We walked around in the snowfall and I pointed out things I had hoped to accomplish. He made suggestions and he said he'd get his estimate worked up and emailed to me.

He stopped when we got by one of Rich's scrap piles. "I know a guy," he said. "A lot of what you have right now is pretty sought after with the war. I am pretty sure that my friend would be interested in dealing with you. You could make some money."

I had to chuckle out loud. I replied, "You know, I was always peeved when Rich brought home junk and piles of stuff. But he always said that when he died, I'd make money of from his junk piles." 

Pat laughed. "He wasn't far off. This stuff is worth money."

Funny, Rich's method of saving for the future with scrap and junk might have been crazy, but also might work for paying for all the work I have planned for our place.

Pat and I chatted in the falling snow and shook hands. I've always liked that about him. He doesn't talk down to me. Respectful. Plus he knows I'll pass out his cards and refer him to others.

I'll mark my calendar as a really good day.

And if you need a dose of cuteness, here you go.