For a while now, Jarrod and I have bounced around the idea of "cutting the cord" and getting rid of our TV service (maybe I've written about it on here too, I can't remember.)
I already have Netflix, so I'm already paying for that one, and if we added Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime, all three of those services would be half the price (or even less) of what we are paying annually for satellite TV. We would want a Roku to stream it all with, because the apps on the TV suck and even the BluRay player can be iffy sometimes—who knew we could have SO many options yet all of them suck?
Being methodical like I am, plus I love making lists, I made a list of all of the TV shows that we tend to watch and then looked to see if they would be available online or through one of those services. In almost all cases, the answer is yes. Mad Men is the one show that is not available online, and that's an AMC thing (if Halt and Catch Fire turns out to be good, we will have the same issue there.) But I think the episodes are released for purchase the following day and again, that would still be cheaper than what we pay now.
Fortunately for us, we don't follow many shows. Mad Men, Breaking Bad when it was on, Halt(...), maybe The Americans, and I like to watch Frontline and NOVA on PBS. Jarrod prefers to watch movies over TV shows, so that's easy.
Thursday the drywall guys started working on our basement, and Jarrod had to move all of his equipment downstairs so they could drywall around it. So Thursday was an interesting day of no TV and no internet. Luckily, my parents lent me their internet during my workday so I could still work here from home.
After they were done drywalling that area, Jarrod hooked up the internet and some sound that evening. But no TV yet. Not because he couldn't, but because I said it wasn't imperative that he did.
So this is officially day 3 of no TV and I gotta say... it's not that bad. I find myself occasionally getting bored, but then I usually find something else to do. Something much more productive too, I might add. We've hooked up my old N64 and have been playing that a bit, we've been watching stuff on Netflix, or just listening to music.
One benefit I didn't think about or foresee: The TV is not annoying me. I can't get annoyed over stupid, irksome TV commercials, or roll my eyes at the latest dumb reality show, or get upset because out of the HUNDREDS of channels we have I can't find anything I want to watch.
It's feeling a little less complicated, being without the TV.
Now, if we ever do truly cut the cord, we won't be completely TV-free. I still want an antenna for the local channels, mostly for news and weather. And yes, I will miss my DVR. But then again, I'd be able to pull up a lot of things that I'd want to watch anyways, so it won't really be all that different.
So we'll see. We might end our satellite TV sooner than we thought.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Monday, May 26, 2014
Six
Today... Aaaagghhh! It's six months, HALF A YEAR, since I've been in the hospital! Six months since I've needed any sort of antibiotics.
Anyways, woo hoo!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Evaluation, Checkup, and Working Out
It's been a while since I wrote anything, and I actually have a lot to catch you up on. For the past two weeks, I've done a lot of tests, seen a lot of doctors and nurses, and gotten a lot of good news. So we'll start at the very beginning, a very good place to start...
Three weeks ago, we went for my evaluation for lung transplant. I didn't tell many people, didn't tell my workplace the reason I had to have so many tests done, and realized after-the-fact that there were some people who I thought knew about it, but didn't.
It was four days of tests and meetings. I was planning to write about the whole thing, but I'll spare you the details unless you really want to know (I'm perfectly fine sharing, it's just a long story.) In short, I had 10 different tests, was stuck with a needle 7 different times, and met with 4 different people. My poor veins, they are still recovering and I still have bruises; it sucks having shit for veins. I was also radioactive for a couple days, which is something cool I'd like to slip in. I had to go to nuclear medicine both days for tests that involved inhaling or injection of a radioactive isotope. So they give you the isotope, then a machine takes pictures of you and the gamma rays you emit. Pretty cool. What this and some of the other tests showed is that my heart is in tip top shape for transplant!
Tuesday was the big day we met with the doctor where we got some wonderful news. He said I don't need a transplant now—which is awesome, though I already knew that one. I am way too healthy and can do way too much to need this right now. You might be thinking: Wait, I thought you're pretty sick, why would they make you wait, how are you "too healthy"? Well my friends, the decision to have a transplant can be a tricky one and there is no set formula. You don't want to do it too soon because you are literally trading one set of problems for another, and post-transplant your biggest enemy becomes organ rejection. So they don't want to give you that risk any sooner than needed. I may write more some other time about all that goes into it, but for now we can leave it at that.
He said to keep up the good work and truly felt the exercise and extra vest treatments are really helping. I know that working from home is helping too: I'm not around sick people very often, and getting out of that old building has done wonders for me. We don't have to repeat all these shenanigans again until it is much closer to the time of needing transplant. He said many people hold steady where I am, and it may be years until we need to do this again. But at this time (drum roll please...!) he sees no major reason why I would not be able to receive new lungs when the time comes. When he told me that, I fought back tears of joy.
I realize a lot can change between now and whenever this might happen, but it is a relief to hear I have a shot at a second chance. Now I know what I wanted to know: that if I need it, and provided all my other organs hold up well, I will be a great candidate for transplant.
Then two Tuesdays ago, I went for a regular checkup with my doctor in Columbia. I got lunch at Shakespeare's Pizza, which is a huge perk of having your doctor in Columbia haha. They had nothing but congratulations and praise and good news to give me as well! My weight is up, plus my lung numbers are even BETTER than they were 3 months ago (and remember, that's 3 more months out of the hospital... what is happening to me?!), plus she cleared me to join a gym, plus plus plus! It was spectacular.
I also finished up Pulmonary Rehab that Monday, and could continue on with that at the hospital or move on to a gym. I advocated for the gym because I know I have a lot more potential in me than the nurses at rehab acknowledged. I felt like they were holding me back, and kept telling me that I couldn't do things. I think I will be able to build up a lot more strength in a gym than with an arm bike. So last week, I officially joined the gym Jarrod has been going to, and I think it's going to be good for me.
As one of my best friends told me "Could you imagine a year ago, when you were at Barnes, that you'd be doing this well?" I'd never thought of it that way, but that is so true. I never imagined I could be 5-months post-hospital stay and feel BETTER than I was when I came out of the hospital. Usually, the day you leave the hospital is the best day ever; not just because you're going home, but because the meds have taken care of things and you feel at your best point. Then it's all downhill from there, honestly.
But apparently it's not! It's more like a plain right now, a nice boring Kansas-like plain!
Three weeks ago, we went for my evaluation for lung transplant. I didn't tell many people, didn't tell my workplace the reason I had to have so many tests done, and realized after-the-fact that there were some people who I thought knew about it, but didn't.
It was four days of tests and meetings. I was planning to write about the whole thing, but I'll spare you the details unless you really want to know (I'm perfectly fine sharing, it's just a long story.) In short, I had 10 different tests, was stuck with a needle 7 different times, and met with 4 different people. My poor veins, they are still recovering and I still have bruises; it sucks having shit for veins. I was also radioactive for a couple days, which is something cool I'd like to slip in. I had to go to nuclear medicine both days for tests that involved inhaling or injection of a radioactive isotope. So they give you the isotope, then a machine takes pictures of you and the gamma rays you emit. Pretty cool. What this and some of the other tests showed is that my heart is in tip top shape for transplant!
Tuesday was the big day we met with the doctor where we got some wonderful news. He said I don't need a transplant now—which is awesome, though I already knew that one. I am way too healthy and can do way too much to need this right now. You might be thinking: Wait, I thought you're pretty sick, why would they make you wait, how are you "too healthy"? Well my friends, the decision to have a transplant can be a tricky one and there is no set formula. You don't want to do it too soon because you are literally trading one set of problems for another, and post-transplant your biggest enemy becomes organ rejection. So they don't want to give you that risk any sooner than needed. I may write more some other time about all that goes into it, but for now we can leave it at that.
He said to keep up the good work and truly felt the exercise and extra vest treatments are really helping. I know that working from home is helping too: I'm not around sick people very often, and getting out of that old building has done wonders for me. We don't have to repeat all these shenanigans again until it is much closer to the time of needing transplant. He said many people hold steady where I am, and it may be years until we need to do this again. But at this time (drum roll please...!) he sees no major reason why I would not be able to receive new lungs when the time comes. When he told me that, I fought back tears of joy.
I realize a lot can change between now and whenever this might happen, but it is a relief to hear I have a shot at a second chance. Now I know what I wanted to know: that if I need it, and provided all my other organs hold up well, I will be a great candidate for transplant.
Then two Tuesdays ago, I went for a regular checkup with my doctor in Columbia. I got lunch at Shakespeare's Pizza, which is a huge perk of having your doctor in Columbia haha. They had nothing but congratulations and praise and good news to give me as well! My weight is up, plus my lung numbers are even BETTER than they were 3 months ago (and remember, that's 3 more months out of the hospital... what is happening to me?!), plus she cleared me to join a gym, plus plus plus! It was spectacular.
I also finished up Pulmonary Rehab that Monday, and could continue on with that at the hospital or move on to a gym. I advocated for the gym because I know I have a lot more potential in me than the nurses at rehab acknowledged. I felt like they were holding me back, and kept telling me that I couldn't do things. I think I will be able to build up a lot more strength in a gym than with an arm bike. So last week, I officially joined the gym Jarrod has been going to, and I think it's going to be good for me.
As one of my best friends told me "Could you imagine a year ago, when you were at Barnes, that you'd be doing this well?" I'd never thought of it that way, but that is so true. I never imagined I could be 5-months post-hospital stay and feel BETTER than I was when I came out of the hospital. Usually, the day you leave the hospital is the best day ever; not just because you're going home, but because the meds have taken care of things and you feel at your best point. Then it's all downhill from there, honestly.
But apparently it's not! It's more like a plain right now, a nice boring Kansas-like plain!
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Sun Protection Factor
Yesterday Jarrod and I went to the STL Air Show in Chesterfield. Jarrod had volunteered to work at the STEM expo for his company, and he also wanted to see the Blue Angels. We also wanted to go because the Air Show hasn't happened for a few years, and who knows how much longer the Blue Angels will be flying.
I met up with Jarrod after he checked in with the volunteer table and we grabbed a spot on the field to watch the air show. And it was great! They had three stunt pilots doing tricks and aerobatics that were quite impressive, and all some historical planes and helicopters used in wartime. Then the Blue Angels did their routine, which is even more impressive simply because of the aircraft.
I saw many kids around us that were covering their ears or wearing the big earmuffs things (which were too big for their little heads, they looked funny :) and it reminded me of when I was scared of fireworks. I don't know why kids get scared of loud noises, but I was definitely one of them. I remember one time we were on vacation and went to see some fireworks. We kept walking closer and closer, I think my dad was hoping I'd face my fears. Nope, I didn't. I hated it, started crying, and we ended up leaving. Anyways, back to the air show...
It was a beautiful day with just a little breeze and thin clouds in the sky. I would say that I did okay, for it being my first air show. I put on sunscreen, brought more along, and we brought a chair. However, I forgot a hat. And since I forgot a hat I had to put my hand up on my forehead to block the sun off of my eyes.
Sunscreen has improved a lot over time. I am extremely pale and normal ol' SPF 30 does not cut it for me. I need 50, minimum. I've had SPF 110, but that was way too thick and almost like smearing on toothpaste. Right now I have this SPF 70 stuff that is amazing. But it works so well that the areas that you don't put it on look really burnt and you have the splotchiest, stupidest looking sunburns ever. Instead of getting an overall pink, like if it was SPF 30, your sunscreened skin is untouched.
Yesterday, I apparently did not put sunscreen on a patch of my lower leg, a spot on my left bicep about the size of a half-dollar, my left wrist (so I will be rockin' a watch tan quite early this season), and forgot to put it on my right hand... you know, the one I was putting over my face that was directly under the sun!
My poor hand. It takes a direct hit of hot water under the shower head, it hurts to grip something really tightly, plus I'm right handed. I am lathering on the aloe vera or lotion almost every time I wash my hands (since the soap has alcohol which is drying enough) hoping that this will heal quickly!
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Prayer Shawls
Anyways, I finished my first one! It is a simple stitch pattern that I made up thinking Oh this might look good. I think it creates a nice look. I need to drop it off at the rectory, and while I'm there I want to talk with them more about the ministry to find out who is heading this operation because I have some ideas about making the shawls just a little bit more special when they're given out.
I have another shawl I've been working on, have started a new one, and have plenty of yarn for many more.
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| It's a simple combination of 1 chain, 1 double, and so on. |
Celebrate!
I didn't know if I'd get to say this again but...
CELEBRATE WITH ME! It's the 26th yet again, and it has now been officially 5 months since I've needed any antibiotics or been in the hospital! I think I've gotten my allergies under control now too, which is a relief.
Watch out folks, I might just make it to six months and at that point I don't know what I'll do!
CELEBRATE WITH ME! It's the 26th yet again, and it has now been officially 5 months since I've needed any antibiotics or been in the hospital! I think I've gotten my allergies under control now too, which is a relief.
Watch out folks, I might just make it to six months and at that point I don't know what I'll do!
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Book Fair
It's the most wonderful time of the year... for book-lovers in the St. Louis area, haha!
This evening I drove out to West County Mall for the annual St. Louis book fair. This year is the 65th year, who knew? It takes place on the first floor of one of the parking garages. This book fair is fantastic.
My dad and I went here for the first time two years ago. I was released from the hospital that day, and dad came to pick me up. He said he wanted to check out this "book fair" on the way home, so we stopped off to see what it was all about. Lo and behold, what was "just some book fair" soon became the coolest little book gem I'd ever encountered. There are tables and tables of books, hundreds of books, cascades, mountains of books, more books than you can ever read in a lifetime. My dad ended up getting a couple books and some records, I ended up with about six books. Holy cow, I thought, this is awesome! And it looks like this:
Today was opening day and I decided I would go; I can't go tomorrow, I want to stay home on Saturday, and by Sunday it would be quite picked over. I got in line with probably 400 other book enthusiasts before the gates officially opened. Now, since it's opening day, I'd say many of these people were pretty 'serious' about it—kind of like Black Friday I imagine, except a lot more tame. People had boxes, crates tied to dollies, shopping carts, backpacks, suitcases, shopping bags, whatever to carry the many books they might end up buying. Some people will come and buy over 50 books. Myself, I brought along one very large canvas bag.
I ended up wandering around for over an hour between all of the tables. Everything is divided up by genre, and this year there were a LOT of mystery books, hardly any non-fiction, but a good selection of classics, fiction, and trade paperbacks. But outside of genre, there is no order to the books (there's no point in trying) so your head is permanently bent to the side trying to read titles.
Here's why this is the gem of book shopping here: I came home with 12 books... for 17 bucks ($27 if you include the $10 admission fee I paid for today [it's free every other day, but even so I still could only buy maybe two books for $27 if they were brand new]).
I actually got 13 books, if you count what I am calling the "mystery book"; I'll explain in a bit. And they are all in really good shape. They meticulously choose the books to sell, so they are all good or better quality. I scored a couple that are practically brand new.
However, I also learned a lesson today with my "mystery book". I bought what I thought was going to be The Devil in the White City, but once I got it home I noticed the jacket was just a little too tall and didn't fit the book. I opened it up and took it off... and the book inside was actually Sum of All Fears. So lesson learned: always double check that the cover of the hard-cover book matches the actual book. Oh well, it was only one dollar and at least it's a decent Tom Clancy book and not some off-the-wall book I would never have a desire to read.
This evening I drove out to West County Mall for the annual St. Louis book fair. This year is the 65th year, who knew? It takes place on the first floor of one of the parking garages. This book fair is fantastic.
My dad and I went here for the first time two years ago. I was released from the hospital that day, and dad came to pick me up. He said he wanted to check out this "book fair" on the way home, so we stopped off to see what it was all about. Lo and behold, what was "just some book fair" soon became the coolest little book gem I'd ever encountered. There are tables and tables of books, hundreds of books, cascades, mountains of books, more books than you can ever read in a lifetime. My dad ended up getting a couple books and some records, I ended up with about six books. Holy cow, I thought, this is awesome! And it looks like this:
 |
| Photo from STLtoday.com. Starting to look pretty picked over. |
I ended up wandering around for over an hour between all of the tables. Everything is divided up by genre, and this year there were a LOT of mystery books, hardly any non-fiction, but a good selection of classics, fiction, and trade paperbacks. But outside of genre, there is no order to the books (there's no point in trying) so your head is permanently bent to the side trying to read titles.
Here's why this is the gem of book shopping here: I came home with 12 books... for 17 bucks ($27 if you include the $10 admission fee I paid for today [it's free every other day, but even so I still could only buy maybe two books for $27 if they were brand new]).
I actually got 13 books, if you count what I am calling the "mystery book"; I'll explain in a bit. And they are all in really good shape. They meticulously choose the books to sell, so they are all good or better quality. I scored a couple that are practically brand new.
However, I also learned a lesson today with my "mystery book". I bought what I thought was going to be The Devil in the White City, but once I got it home I noticed the jacket was just a little too tall and didn't fit the book. I opened it up and took it off... and the book inside was actually Sum of All Fears. So lesson learned: always double check that the cover of the hard-cover book matches the actual book. Oh well, it was only one dollar and at least it's a decent Tom Clancy book and not some off-the-wall book I would never have a desire to read.
.jpeg) |
| Today's haul. 8 paperbacks and 3 hardcover books, woo hoo! |
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Anti-Paper-Receipts
It's Earth Day today, and in honor of this day I'd like to put one small Earth-changing suggestion out into the universe.
I wish more retailers would have the option to email receipts, or the option to not even print a receipt if I don't want one. The only reason my purse ever gets filled with clutter is due to the ungodly amount of receipts that get shoved in there for weeks on end. I never take them back out, I rarely look at them again, I don't do anything with them. They are a waste of ink and paper on me.
There are some items that just don't need a receipt either. When I buy a soda at the gas station, I don't need a receipt. I can't return the item, neither would I ever need proof that I bought it.
I realize some people might still want receipts to balance their checkbook, and that's fine. But if you're like us and you charge everything in order to reap the cash-back benefits, it's not as essential. Again, just email it to me, if I need to check it against what was charged to my card it would be so much easier to pull up a folder of PDFs than to dig through my purse of tiny papers.
I would gladly set up an email account with a phony name to use specifically for this purpose (in case the privacy concern crossed your mind, like it did mine.) Square has jumped on this idea, and I wish others would too. In this day and age, it just makes sense.
I wish more retailers would have the option to email receipts, or the option to not even print a receipt if I don't want one. The only reason my purse ever gets filled with clutter is due to the ungodly amount of receipts that get shoved in there for weeks on end. I never take them back out, I rarely look at them again, I don't do anything with them. They are a waste of ink and paper on me.
There are some items that just don't need a receipt either. When I buy a soda at the gas station, I don't need a receipt. I can't return the item, neither would I ever need proof that I bought it.
I realize some people might still want receipts to balance their checkbook, and that's fine. But if you're like us and you charge everything in order to reap the cash-back benefits, it's not as essential. Again, just email it to me, if I need to check it against what was charged to my card it would be so much easier to pull up a folder of PDFs than to dig through my purse of tiny papers.
I would gladly set up an email account with a phony name to use specifically for this purpose (in case the privacy concern crossed your mind, like it did mine.) Square has jumped on this idea, and I wish others would too. In this day and age, it just makes sense.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Wednesday Musings
My allergies have finally taken off... woo. I coughed so much overnight last night, and it continued into the morning. I took the dog for a walk yesterday, so I'm positive that's why I had such a rough day. Today, I've been avoiding the outdoors. I'm hoping to get more sleep tonight.
I refilled my bird feeder the other day and was excited to see my cardinals came back! Or maybe they never left—it's been awhile since the feeder had seeds in it. These two cardinals are such a pair, if you see the male, you can bet that his girlfriend isn't too far away.
A few days ago I also caught a couple mourning doves courting each other. I say "caught" because they really needed to get a room. The male dove was puffing himself up, trying to look like a good mate, making his feathers fluff up and stand on end (if you've ever seen turkeys strut, this was like the smaller, dove equivalent minus the fan of tail feathers). Then the girl started pecking at them, fluffing them up. Then they were "kissing" each other in a weird beak-to-beak way that resembled when momma birds feed their young. Then they flew off (rather, eloped) together.
We went to see the Muppets movie tonight, last chance before it leaves. Jeff came with us and we were the only three people in the theater! I've never had that happen before, but it was great (and a tiny bit odd, I must admit.) We could commentate and laugh as loudly as we wanted to. So now I've found the perfect way to go see a movie: go on a Wednesday right before the movie is set to leave the theater.
The movie was good, but not as good as the first one. There was more singing, and I'm not too crazy about that. As we talked about afterwards, I recall some of their earlier movies not even having singing in them. But it was still enjoyable and I laughed a lot (we all did). I'm happy to see the Muppets have been revived a little, and they seem to be in the right hands (don't get me started on that period of time in the 2000s where things got bad.)
I refilled my bird feeder the other day and was excited to see my cardinals came back! Or maybe they never left—it's been awhile since the feeder had seeds in it. These two cardinals are such a pair, if you see the male, you can bet that his girlfriend isn't too far away.
A few days ago I also caught a couple mourning doves courting each other. I say "caught" because they really needed to get a room. The male dove was puffing himself up, trying to look like a good mate, making his feathers fluff up and stand on end (if you've ever seen turkeys strut, this was like the smaller, dove equivalent minus the fan of tail feathers). Then the girl started pecking at them, fluffing them up. Then they were "kissing" each other in a weird beak-to-beak way that resembled when momma birds feed their young. Then they flew off (rather, eloped) together.
We went to see the Muppets movie tonight, last chance before it leaves. Jeff came with us and we were the only three people in the theater! I've never had that happen before, but it was great (and a tiny bit odd, I must admit.) We could commentate and laugh as loudly as we wanted to. So now I've found the perfect way to go see a movie: go on a Wednesday right before the movie is set to leave the theater.
The movie was good, but not as good as the first one. There was more singing, and I'm not too crazy about that. As we talked about afterwards, I recall some of their earlier movies not even having singing in them. But it was still enjoyable and I laughed a lot (we all did). I'm happy to see the Muppets have been revived a little, and they seem to be in the right hands (don't get me started on that period of time in the 2000s where things got bad.)
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
No Go
The GO Saint Louis marathon is this weekend, which also means the 5k walk/run is on Saturday. I haven't mentioned anything about my 5k in a long time... because I'm just not going to be ready for it. I haven't been able to train as I'd hoped, and since I still haven't walked much more than 1.5 miles, I don't think it'd be wise to try for 3.1.
But that's okay. I will do a different 5k some other time. The good thing is plenty of these happen year-round, so I'll have lots to choose from. I wanted to do the GO one because I would get a medal for participating. It might not be a big deal for most people, but whenever I finally do this, it will be a huge accomplishment for me. Someday, I know it!
But that's okay. I will do a different 5k some other time. The good thing is plenty of these happen year-round, so I'll have lots to choose from. I wanted to do the GO one because I would get a medal for participating. It might not be a big deal for most people, but whenever I finally do this, it will be a huge accomplishment for me. Someday, I know it!
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| Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again! |
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