Can't get a break!

 Well, I really did when taking my Ru into the dealer for struts and a ball joint. The price was quoted at nearly $2,800. But buying a new car wasn't something I was considering, since basically nothing was wrong with the one I have.

After all, we don't know what is going to happen with the economy or with things like social security or Medicare. Cheaper to fix the well running car than gamble on the immediate future.

Charlie once more took over the dealership. All the Salesforce and staff stopped to say hello.

I got to meet many customers who had to pet him and tell me about their pets. I saw tons of photos of their favorite animals.

One salesman asked to take Charlie for a little walk around the show floor. He took Charlie into an office and...as soon as I was out of his sight for about a minute, Charlie began to howl!

Nope. He is friendly and adorable, but apparently a Mama's doggy.

When the service manager came to hand me my bill he explained that the extended warranty we bought 6 years ago had covered everything. 

WOW!

Since my visit to the ER last week, I have been tracking my BP. My doctor always complains that its a bit high. She agrees that its white coat syndrome.

So since I have to see her next week, I am using a BP cuff that records the readings. My BP has actually been dropping since last week. 

Yesterday I felt like I was getting a cold. This morning I felt awful. Woserthanawful.

Anyway. Imagine my surprise at having a morning BP of 88/66. Yeah. Me too.

I'm going to start pointing at the side effects of Prolia. [The Prolia flier says that it compromises your immune system and to Avoid people with colds...errrr, um...jeeze. Can I just go sit in a box for the rest of my life???]

Let's add the random severe attacks of pain in different parts of my body that come and go. A big toe one day that felt broken. Then was fine the next day. Ankles that feel sprained for a day. This morning, I had a hard time walking without a limp.  My left knee and calf hurt too much to walk.

A jaw that hurts too badly to eat. Then nothing the next day. 

Fatigue and frustration. It's a Whack a Mole Game with a guess at where pain will show up next. Amazingly enough, the intense pain will last up to a few hours or a few days and then disappear. Bone pain, muscle pain, headache pain. Things I normally do. not. have. 

Yet I am still dragging my body out to do chores and when I can, hike with Charlie for shorter distances.

If this medication keeps me from being active, what quality of life is there?

Oh and the last I can't get a break???

The magnificent head cold put me to bed for most of the day. I'm glad I had prepped things like homemade soup ahead of time. ...and purchased some easy to make meals for times like this.

But we are getting a snowstorm! So at least that is beautiful to watch, and I hope to drag my butt out in the fresh air to enjoy the falling stuff.

I actually feel better, but really enjoy wearing a mask [wink wink]. If I can get outside and get fresh air, I will feel much better.

Sunday night we are to go back into a very deep freeze of -17 F so I have some prep to do before that happens no matter how I feel.

When getting the oil changed...and

tires rotated feels like a wonderful outing.

I like the place I go to for service on our Subaru. They are pretty nice even if it is a dealership. They have a doggy play yard, a kids' room with toys and a nice waiting area for those who decide to sit and wait for their Subarus to be serviced. There is a shuttle that will take you places in LaCrosse and pick you up if you wish.

I prefer to take Charlie on nice days were he can enjoy the doggy park and sniff out every other dog smell. He enjoys visiting with the staff who go overboard to welcome him. Other times, if the vehicle is going to take a long time, I walk half a mile to the Riverside Park in LaCrosse and enjoy the views along the Mississippi River. 
I love to walk through the International Friendship Garden and enjoy all of the wonderful plants they have growing there along with the little waterfalls and ponds. The Riverside Park is free as well as the gardens.

The drive into LaCrosse was horrible on Wednesday. I ran into a sleet storm which pelted the 'Ru and covered the road in melting ice. Three miles later I got into a huge downpour that ponded on the roads. I took my usual route into LaCrosse and found that the 4 lane road was now 2 lanes with half of the road dug up down to the sewer lines. Highway 35 through LaCrosse was getting a face lift in sections at a time. The pot holes in the construction area would shake your teeth and eyeballs out of your head.

While waiting I looked out the window at my dream Subaru and pretended the new shiny one was mine. I didn't bother going to look at it because I figured a salesperson would be right next to me in an instant. 
I took out a book and proceeded to get lost in a 'who dunnit' novel. When I finished the book, I stuck it in my backpack. The sun had come out and was shining with a promise of things to come.

The service person found me and let me know that the oil change/tire rotation was done and let me know that I needed new rear brakes. I knew that was coming and asked if we could just make another appointment next week for that.

When I left, I decided to take another way home to avoid all the downtown traffic and construction with car eating potholes.
I took  Highway 33 that went on top of the ridge by Grand Dad's bluff [mental note--stop next week to see it again!]. 33 serpentines along the top of the ridge with grand views of the LaCrosse  County Coulees. 

I listened to music and enjoyed the drive. The clouds were scuttling along the sky and promising more rain, but I was content. 
I felt I was able to breath in deep and chill.

Yes, even going for an oil change and tire rotation somehow feels like a mini vacation from home. I plead guilty to that. 

Still Kicking

I hope to catch up soon..
meanwhile enjoy some shots from my visit to LaCrosse yesterday and a sunset last night.

November is here.

Oh a quick word about going for my oil change and the customer service I received. I was greeted like a long lost friend, the service person brought me some popcorn while I waited for my vehicle....
later on the very same person walked me to my vehicle and asked how I liked my Subaru...
I love it of course.
They asked about Charlie's Car Seat. I showed them how it worked. They asked if I could please bring Charlie in next time. They have a mini dog park and pets are welcome in the dealership.
My satisfaction at their service and happiness with my vehicle is their main concern.

Hmmm.
A bit different than my truck experience of earlier this summer.
Color me happy.