55 years with edit

     Happy anniversary to Papa (and me).  Thank you for always being a good husband.  I can’t imagine my life without you in it.  I love you truly.

     Last week I went to the dentist.  I thought I was just having a cleaning, but no, they had me scheduled for a filling…it was to be the "last" on their plan for me.  However, there was another hidden cavity and now I have to go in for a crown.  My teeth were always so good it seems hard to believe that they are crumbling away so fast.  I am not at all happy about having to go back; not only am I dreading the proceedure of having a crown placed, they bruised me up so bad last week that I still feel like I need to put a bag over my head to go out in public.  I have a HUGE bruise on my cheek.  I’m sure part of it is due to the medicine I’m on to keep my blood thin.

     Today I see my cardiologist.  Hope I can talk him into taking me off some of this crap.  I’m always covered with bruises.  My new doctor suggested that I cut back on the aspirin (without really saying it, because doctors never tell you to not take something once you start it).  I was taking, along with the other stuff, one baby aspirin a day.  I went to one every other day and it helped, but not totally.    

     Half way through the tax season.  About this time every year I say "no more!"  This time I really mean it.  I can’t hear good enough to communicate as well as I should with the clients.  I can’t see well enough to hardly read the tiny numbers on their tax forms.  I can’t handle the stress when there is a challenge.  Yesterday I had two very challenging returns.  I have become sensitive to a certain amount of perceived disrespect from the guys I work with.  I was a wreck when we got out of there.  Nope.  No more.  After April 15, I’m done.  Six years is enough.

     This afternoon we have our monthly "Cocktails & Classics" party at the club house.  Irish music is on the agenda.  Should be fun.  I went on a group excursion to lunch Monday and got a little better acquainted with some of the neighbors.  (Papa was working.) I enjoy learning about them and their stories.  Interesting bunch.  I’ll be so glad when we get done with the taxes and I will be able to spend more time with these folks.  Several ladies tend to gather in the lobby about one-thirty every day and loll around and visit and laugh together.  I call them the wild bunch.  Most have their feet up and their various dogs guarding their chairs.  One lovely old Japanese American lady is usually napping or munching on cookies.  My point is they are so comfortable with themselves and each other.  It’s how I like to be.

Edit:  Just got home from the cardiologist.  First time I’ve got to see him since my episode in August…had to settle for a couple of his associates.  He tells me that he thinks I did have a very mild heart attack and that I’ll probably have more of them.  But he did tell me to stop taking the Plavix and go back to 1 baby aspirin a day.  That will help keep me from bruising so badly.