Yesterday Was an Adventure and Treadmill Photos

Yesterday turned into a really great day - a very busy one, but lots of smiles and interactions with people that were positive. My swim went really well, so it started the day out beautifully. Then I headed to my eye doctor appointment for my annual eye exam. My prescription has changed slightly, but not enough to worry about getting sets of new eyeglasses unless I decide I'd prefer that. Right now, I'm going to hold off on that, but I'm taking a copy of the prescription with me when I go to the State Fair in case I find a set of frames that I simply MUST order. 

Every year, on the second floor of the Grandstand at the 
MN State Fair, my favorite eyeglasses shop has a "Frame 
Sale". I've purchased a LOT of frames from them at this 
sale, but you have to have a prescription from within the 
past year to actually order lenses at that time. I now have 
an up-to-date prescription, so I'll take a look when I'm 
back at the Fair in late August with Sharon. 

After the eye doctor, I was in my general area and headed toward Radiology for a final meeting with the nursing staff and Doc Zac. I took a quick side trip to purchase three additional pink roses because my main Front Desk person hadn't been there on the day when I gave roses to everyone. So ... what the heck. I didn't want her missing out. (As it turned out. one of the others saved one of the roses from the last batch for her, so she didn't miss out after all), I still had a nice conversation with her, though. The update with the nurse went really smoothly, and I had my usual excellent time with Doc Zac (who is heading back to New Mexico later this week for a family event - I'm so envious and a bit homesick - LOL). 

I've been at the Radiology building quite a lot over the 
past month or so, but I've never been so close to someone 
in an orange jumpsuit and shackles with armed personnel 
close by. It was a little unnerving. 

As I left, there was a small group near the door to the inside clinic rooms and to my left, there was a man in an orange jumpsuit wearing shackles, with a County Sheriff standing behind him to the side, and a couple of other people there as well. Leaving the building, the County Sheriff's SUV was parked directly in front of the doors to the clinic - no parking restrictions for this vehicle, I guess. It was a bit of a shock, but I suppose prisoners also can have cancer and need treatment. I suppose that's our tax dollars at work since I'm quite sure we're all footing the bills for anyone's medical treatment if they are incarcerated. It's probably the closest I've ever come to a prisoner - at least one in an orange jumpsuit with shackles. 

I removed the motor cover as instructed. It won't help 
the issue with the piece of metal sticking out at all, 
but it looked clean and in good condition. 

The rest of my day was uneventful. I did remove the motor cover on my treadmill (which didn't affect the rod sticking out from the side at all), and I even grabbed DH's fancy drill to unscrew the header over the metal strip and see if it would be more visible that way. Unfortunately, not really. I compiled all of the photos, however, and sent them on to my treadmill people. This needs to be resolved, and it's quite apparent that it's nothing I can fix on my end - someone from their service staff will have to come over and get that exposed bar back into its' proper position. 

You can see the metal I'm talking about a bit 
clearer in this photo. On the right side, there's 
this piece of yellow metal sticking out from the 
side. That's not supposed to be there. That's 
supposed to be inside that rail. They're going 
to have to get this fixed. It's back in their court 
now. I've sent them the photos they requested. 

All in all, it was a day of accomplishments, a few hugs, lots of good feelings, and it was topped off by a lovely conversation with Aearwen. I'm hoping today will be as wonderful, but I suspect it will be a bit more tiring and fraught with personalities as I deal with DH and Chickie and any customers who might need my assistance. I love my customers, but sometimes they can be a bit of a hand full - LOL. Have an excellent Thursday, I'm off to the pool, but I'll be back tomorrow. Slava Ukraini. 

It's a Very Busy Day Today - Time to Get to the Pool

I had time this morning so I took the time to pay the first half of my property taxes. Thus ... I no longer have time this morning - LOL. It's a full day today. I start out (after my swim) with an eye doctor appointment out at the clinic which is a fair distance away, but I like these people and they've always done a good job for me. They did my Lasik way back when, and my cataracts almost two years ago. And they've done my annual exams regularly for decades. Good people. 

When I first went to the clinic, it was one of several 
small locations scattered throughout the Cities. Now they 
have large buildings in several of the suburbs and they're 
one of (if not THE) largest eye clinic in the Twin Cities. 

After I'm finished with them (and can't see because of the dilating drops) I'll make my way back to my own area (carefully). I have a phone consultation with my Radiology Doc this morning, and then it's on to groceries and my most important job today - working on my treadmill. 

Doc Wilson is absolutely awesome, and the 
Radiology team he heads is efficient, competent, 
professional and caring. Great people from 
front desk to the Head Honcho! 

My treadmill company has sent me the instructions for removing the front plate so that I can take additional photos of the slipped rail to show them. I found the correct Allen wrench for the bolts last night, so I'm ready to get going on this ASAP. I'll also be contacting the software people regarding my virtual runs. Apparently they're local, so if necessary, I'll drive out to their suburb and knock on their door. I want my virtuals back, and I'm not understanding why I don't have them. 

The fitness software I use on the treadmill is powered 
by Treo Wellness. If they're not a local company, they 
at least have a local branch. If I can't get anywhere by 
phone today, I'll have to try and go to their offices 
on Friday. 

But today also must include grocery shopping (there are items we MUST have) and cooking. So, generally, I won't be bored today - at all! LOL. I'm really glad I postponed my orthodontist appointment - adding that into today's mix would have been extremely difficult. 

I love my local supermarket. I remember shopping at 
Byerlys and at Lunds separately, and when they merged 
it was a perfect marriage. They have a deep selection, 
excellent produce, and great people. 

So, I hope your day will be a bit more relaxing than mine. Have an excellent one, no matter what, and spread some love today. A little love can go a long way to help heal the person you're giving it to, as well as yourself. I'll be back tomorrow. Slava Ukraini. 

Final Day of Radiation and a Tour of Summit Avenue Houses

Happy April Fool's Day to all of my friends and readers. It's my final radiology appointment today, so I'm going to drop by the grocer's and pick up flowers for the clinic on my way out there. Fortunately the roads are fine, so I won't be dealing with dicey roads with snow, slush and ice going up and down the MASSIVE hill I traverse to get down to the clinic. I drive down Summit Avenue daily to get to and from the clinic. The Summit Avenue hill in St Paul is a steep one, but the avenue itself is known for it's fabulous architecture. When I have out of town visitors, I always make sure to go up and down Summit Avenue to give them a taste of old St Paul. 

I pass this house to and from the clinic every day. It's the
James J Hill house. Right now they've been doing some
construction because they've had trucks parked under
that archway to the left every day with different bins
to haul away the debris. 

Right now I drive down and up that street every day to get to and from the clinic. I'm going to miss that drive (although the Summit/Grand Avenue hill is NO fun in the winter - VERY steep with a steep drop on one side and houses built into the hillside on the other). I thought I'd share a bit of what my daily drive to and from the hospital and clinics has been over the past few months. It's hard to believe things are wrapping up now. It's been a long journey since the initial meeting in early February with my Oncology surgeon and her team. I'm not out of the woods yet ... there will be followup appointments and they'll keep a close eye on me - but I'm through the worst of it. At least, that's what I'm hoping for. 

There are a lot of classic Victorian houses along the street, 
this one with the decorative tower always catches my eye 
as I'm driving past. 

Radiation for me has been a breeze. With the exception of one day, I've felt pretty darned good. The techs are very happy with my skin color (apparently the radiation isn't burning the heck out of my skin). Of course, I never did tan well. My skin enjoys being pale. Northern European - LOL. 

I also love the stonework on this home. The color says 
it's actually St Paul stone from the river bluffs nearby. 
It's not as large as some of the others, but it's got a lot 
of presence. 

Not everything has gone swimmingly over the past two months, however. When I was really sick, I missed paying some bills, and DH is having fits trying to get our finances back into shape. We're back to normal again, but still getting the occasional invoice requesting payment or threatening this or that. Almost everything is actually paid up, though, and sometimes just requires a conversation to get things back on track. I'll be calling one company today - I haven't received a physical invoice from them this calendar year, but they're claiming I'm overdue on payment. I probably am ... but I need the invoices before I can pay. It should be an interesting conversation. 

The Governor's Mansion is also on Summit. I pass by it 
two times a day lately. It's a lovely house - quite spacious. 
There was a major re-do of the house not too long ago, 
causing the residents to stay elsewhere for several months. 
It's a beautiful house, and quite large. When the flags are 
flying on the flag poles, the Governor is in residence. 

So, that's how my Tuesday is shaping up. A little of this and a little of that. Enjoy the houses in the photos I'm sharing, and have an excellent Tuesday. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow, a day when I DON'T have to drive anywhere - LOL. Well ... probably the grocery store - I'll need food. Slava Ukraini.