Just surviving

I didn't realize it has been nearly 3 weeks since I last posted here.  I'm finding that most of my "free" time is now devoted to taking care of hubby.  He is on 3 different medications and frankly, I think they are making him loopy (loopier than usual!).  He is forgetful.  His short term memory is SHOT.  He sleeps 8 hours, and then sleeps again another 4 hours during the daytime.  He SITS in his chair ALL DAY!

Sometimes I just HAVE to get out of the house!  I've visited with my friends (2 of whom retired the same time I did) and another colleague who has been out on disability.  I FINALLY went up to visit the horses.  They are all woolly and ready for winter.  I TRY to get out every day, but some days I, too, just stay at home.  I've got my autumn decorations up and the winter ones ready to get put outside.

I'm reading Stephen King novels and drinking brandy every night, trying to cope with the election results.  Oh, and we DO NOT watch the news anymore...just too depressing!

I took a car load of school stuff over to Goodwill and I have another load of clothes and books ready to go.  After working for 30 years, putting two kids through 5 years of college (each), frankly it is good just to be AT HOME!   :-)

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your loved ones.

Just some random photos from the last several weeks:

 They TRY to grow grapes up in Anza, but they freeze!

 Pretty tree and fence up in Garner Valley...

One of the sycamore trees up at the horse ranch.

Geranium~Macro Monday~November 7, 2016

My local family-owned nursery had just watered all their plants the day I wandered up there.  I like to go there every couple of weeks.  They have nice plants, but their prices are much higher than Home Depot or Lowe's.  I often just look at all the plants and wish I were a bit richer!
To visit Macro Monday2, please go to:   http://macromonday2.blogspot.com/2016/11/peeling-bark.html

Macro Monday for November 7, 2016.

Desert Shadows~Shadow Shot Sunday~November 6, 2016

I love to take an early morning walk at the Santa Rosa Mountains Visitor Center, which is at the base of Highway 74 before it winds up into the Santa Rosa mountains.  There is an excellent view of the desert from there and I can smell all the desert plants.  Doves, cottontails, hummingbirds, and lizards are frequently seen.  If you take one of the trails, people do see bighorn sheep.  It is just a great place to go, walk, and relax!

 Shadows on the walkway.  LOVE those long, morning shadows!

 More shadows on the walkway.

LONG morning shadows!
To visit SSS, please go to:    http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com/

Santa Rosa Mountains Visitor Center

The Santa Rosa Mountains Visitor Center is only a couple miles away from our home.  I often stop there to either take a walk or to visit their gift shop.  They always have interesting things there!  I like to walk there because they have nicely maintained trails and a variety of vegetation.

Here are some photos I took a couple of weeks ago:

 I loved seeing the doves in the dead tree.

 California fan palm.  You can see where it got its name.

 Lovely walkway...

Nice view of the desert toward Palm Desert.

Update

So, both hubby and I went to our doctor yesterday.  I went because Tuesday I was so dizzy I couldn't walk straight or even sit down without falling.  Turns out, it was vertigo from all the stress!

Hubby is doing well on his new meds.  Since all of his tests were negative, our doctor believes that since he didn't eat breakfast and only had a Jamba Juice smoothie (LOTS OF SUGAR), he passed out.  He has now changed meds, too, since that was part of the problem.  NOT EATING breakfast, skipping meals, eating a fatty diet...all contributed.  He (and I, as well) are now on a low carb, less wheat diet with lots of lean protein and fruits and vegetables.  We had salmon and a salad for dinner last night.  He is also eating smaller meals several times a day (usually fruit)...instead of one GINORMOUS meal at dinner.

Lesson learned.

I am to take him OUT for exercise at least once a day, so yesterday we walked around our city park.  He didn't want to go, but since I was driving, that's where the car ended up.  I think he actually enjoyed it, although he complained the whole time.  He just has to get used to his new lifestyle, which includes diet changes AND exercise!!!!

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers.  He seems to be doing fine.
~Cheryl Ann~

I put up these pretty fall leaves outside the front door...

Hubby is HOME!

After 4 nights in the hospital and umteen tests (all negative), hubby is home.  His heart rate dropped to 30, causing him to lose consciousness.  It turns out his medication was the culprit.  He had fatigue, dizziness, a rash, and a couple other symptoms from it.  However, none of us connected those to his medication (beta blocker).

PHEW!

That was too scary.  He is at home now, resting, and reading the newest Michael Collins book.

Thank you for your well wishes.  I appreciate it.
~Cheryl Ann~