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Health Update

Note: This is part of an agreement with my children, that as long as I keep them advised of my health they will no longer worry and harass me about health issues; feel free to skip this.

Had my Winter health update today with my PCP Dr. Corrie White. First the good news – my A1C level is at 5.5, down slightly from 6 months ago. My weight was 250 lbs, so I could stand to lose another 20-30 lbs which would probably help out the A1C as well.

They had me take an Alzheimer Screening Test to measure cognition and I aced it, so that was not a current problem; I had discussed a study of Viagra linking improved cognition and reducing Alzheimer biomarkers with her last time. She said that currently she could prescribe it for Erectile Dysfunction but not for Alzheimer’s prevention, especially since that was not a current problem (apparently one of the side effects of COVID-19 is a reduction in off-label prescriptions). Recognizing the correct answer when presented, I obtained a prescription for ED.

A current issue/problem is my blood pressure. At the office my BP was 160/90, they would like to see it at 130/80. But to make sure it wasn’t an issue of the “white-coat effect” she wants me to get a weeks’ worth of daily measurements. I also brought in my BP cuff to compare it to theirs and it was reasonably accurate. After I drop it off, they will consider whether to put me back on medication. I had been prescribed Losartan and Lisinopril but had been off them for a year.

All in all, it was a successful checkup; I have an appointment for another check in 6 months in early July.

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New Year’s Day

This is Monday January 2, 2023, and winter continues. Yesterday it snowed all day and we woke up this morning to see the following:

30 Inch Drifts

There is a 30 inch drift out back door. The very light snow is blowing from right to left. Yesterday was New Years day and we had the appropriate celebrations.

This morning at 8:00am I got a call from the Dr’s office offering to reschedule my appointment to Wednesday morning.

Deconstructed Reuben

I, of course, had the traditional sauerkraut (a German tradition bringing prosperity). I take my dose in the form of a Reuben Sandwich.

Reuben

It was delicious.

Dressed for Outdoors

The key to weathering the storm is layering. We had some problems getting Mike & Jan’s Nissan Rogue up the slope. Mike and Jan made several attempts, but it took AT’s experience to get them up the slope.

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Jill’s House

After visiting with my other two sisters last September, my next younger sister Jill decided to build a tiny house up on the ridge behind my house. She is using AT as the contractor and her grandson Johnny has moved up to Wyoming to apprentice to AT.

Last month they broke ground and started construction. It’s a tiny house/studio on a 20×24″ slab. She spends part of the year with family in Texas and part in CA with other family, so this is basically a refuge of her own.

We ran water and power out from my basement up to Jill’s house and ran her main drains down to my septic system. We deliberately sized my septic tank and drain field for 4 bedrooms, allowing for my 3 bedrooms and Jill’s bedroom.

Roof Rafters

The back wall was built in AT’s garage and the front one was built in my garage while I was down going on the cruise with Jan & Mike; so, the walls went up quick. Here they are almost done with the rafters.

Finishing the Roof

Here is what was completed, on the last day of December 2022. The roof is roughed in and covered with chip board. It really does look like a “horse shed, with appliances” as AT phrased it.

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Fortuitous Discovery

While driving down to Los Angeles, I decided to stop and spend the night in St George, UT (off exit 6). Directly across the street was Chef Alfredo’s Italian Restaurant. Highly recommended.

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State of Health & Other Matters

Post author By Glorius Curmudgeon
Post date August 17, 2022
1 Comment on State of Health & Other Matters

I had a follow up at the doctor’s office (back lesion biopsy) and asked about Parkinson’s Disease. She enquired on why I hadn’t asked last Friday so I threw the girls under the bus and blamed them for the questions.

The bottom line is that I wasn’t displaying any specific symptoms. Trembling when attempting to do fine work is more symptomatic of aging; Parkinsons symptoms are trembling while at rest (while watching TV for instance). We agreed to keep watch for symptoms and discuss it in 6 months or a year or so.

I go back next Tuesday to get the stitch removed and she should have the biopsy back to tell if it was cancerous or not. She mentioned that I had apparently spent a lot of time in the sun and warned this may have to be repeated.

In other news, I got the rain gauge installed on Saturday, 2 days into the monsoon event and it shows the below as of today. A half an inch as of today (with another half an inch or an inch that I missed),

Thunderclouds building to the West

This is a view of the thunderclouds building during the afternoon all last week. It looks like the monsoons are gone, and we are back to clear, sunny weather, but the high temps are in the mid-80’s rather than the high 90’s.

Weather forecast on 8/162022

This week we should get the drywall finished, with mudding, taping and texturizing done.

Wallboard on ceiling in Dining Room

Master Bedroom

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It’s Open

While driving around town last Sunday I happened to go by the Chili’s construction and noted a hand painted sign on the door that indicated the Grand Opening on Monday Aug 8. So, I had to go into town anyway to get a package from the Post Office (Thanks, Jen & Kate). I stopped in at about 11:05am and was one of the first 10-12 people seated.

The first thing I ordered was a Margarita of the Month.

After getting Grand Marnier ‘Ritas while in San Diego

Interestingly it included Moin Desert Pear syrup. It was very good.

Margarita of the Month (August 2022)

The dark color is the Desert Pear syrup, a dark purple color.

While waiting the local TV crew was filming a piece for local news.

Loaded Potato Soup for Appetizer

Delicious Loaded Potato Soup.

Lunch Combo – Half Order Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadillas

I got the $6.00 Margarita and the $9.00 Lunch Special, so the total bill was $15.00 (plus $0.90 tax). I often look for some evidence that things are meant to be so below is a copy of the check:

Note the server at the top.

Now for the obligatory house info.

House is finally roofed.

Most of last week was consumed by numerous trips to Menards to get the plumbing to get the Reverse Osmosis system functional. So far, we have made 2 each 500gallon tanks of water, only to have to dump them to fix various leaks. I think we have everything working now and will start making water again.

Finally, for the several of you who are concerned, I have an appointment with Dr. Corrie White for this Friday, Aug 12th, at 11:30pm. See the Google calendar for amplifying info.

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Quick Overview

I am still woefully behind but will attempt to bring us up to date. While visiting the family last month to commemorate Nana’s passing last year, I went on a cruise:

Opening salvo in the annual battle, my liver vs. Jan’s

After the weekend of 16/17 July, I left early on Tuesday morning, accompanied by my sisters Jill and Dawn. We stopped in Las Vegas at the Boxabl factory. Jill was very interested in putting a Boxabl Casita on the land in Wyoming. Unfortunately, the Boxabl company is probably a year away from actually producing them. As an alternative Jill is exploring having Arland (AT) build a custom 20’x24′ – more info to follow.

We spent the night in Provo, UT, went to a great Mexican Restaurant called El Gallo Giro. Great authentic food, with terrific prices.

The next day we drove into Caspar and rescued the cat and showed Dawn & Jill the property. They also got a whirlwind tour of Casper and a sense of why I like the place.

Work on the house continues:

Spray Foam Insulation

More Insulation installed.

Also started plumbing up the Reverse Osmosis System. It will take well water with about 5000 TDI (Total Dissolved Solid) (basically undrinkable) and get it down to well under 500 TDI.

Putting in well water to RO system

Work continues inside:

Master bathroom shower.

I added a set of glass blocks (actually acrylic blocks) to the shower in the Master Bedroom.

Half roofed

Also, the roofers started in the middle of the week. This shows half of the roof covered. As of this afternoon the entire roof is covered and next week they will work on soffits and trim work, to finish the roof.

Finally, while filling up with gas last week, I saw a 1957 Chevy Bel-Aire getting gas at an adjacent pump.

57 Chevy Bel-Aire sedan

Probably only Sis remembers (and maybe Jill), but we drove across the country (in 1959) in a 1957 Chevy station wagon (with the same color scheme). In 1963 it was a just a used car that Dad traded in for a blue 1963 station wagon that Nana felt was a mistake.

The Chevy drives off.

That’s all for now.

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Woefully Behind, and Trying to Catch Up.

Post author By Glorius Curmudgeon
Post date July 28, 2022
No Comments on Woefully Behind, and Trying to Catch Up.

We got back from Mom’s remembrance ceremonies and my family vacation on July 20th. The day before we stopped by Boxabl in Las Vegas and took the factory tour. It was somewhat disappointing in that they are still months away from full production. Jill loved the concept, but wasn’t prepared to put a large deposit down, since they couldn’t project when her unit would be produced.

We got into town about 2:00pm and immediately rescued the cat. Jill and Dawn met AT and approved of my decision on the home site. We also discovered that the 12v battery in the trailer had failed (boiled enough of the water away) and without 12v the freezer/reefer doesn’t cool, even in propane mode. So, I spent the first couple of hours mucking out the defrosted food in the freezer and most everything in the reefer. I topped off the battery water and got it back to life.

After a side trip to Wal-Mart, I gave the girls a tour of Casper including a trip half-up Mount Casper to the viewpoint that overlooks the whole valley.

They flew out Saturday, July 23rd, after thoroughly cleaning my kitchen and bathroom. It’s now after midnight on July 27th (i.e. the 28th) and I have many updates on the status of the house, the well water pump and reverse osmosis system to make yet, amplifying info to follow.

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We are Fam-i-ly

So, I left my brother Jon frantically struggling with AT to finish the house-wrap, installing windows and doors and getting the interior walls defined and wired.

I met with my 3 sisters, Dawn (Sis), Jill and Jan (along with Mike, Terry and Voula). Together we attended a concert by the Grassroots (a band from circa 1965-1975. Below is a short intro to the band. (You may have to wait for it to load.)

It was wonderful experience of bonding with my sisters. We also regaled Terry and Voula with various tales of our growing up and early navy experiences.

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