Winter Has Arrived in Pittsburgh

Of course, I knew it was coming, I just have been spoiled with the lack of winter weather, but alas, yesterday was an eye opener.
I was scheduled to work at Phipps at 9:30, so knowing that it was raining and possibly going to sleet, I left the house at 8:30. When I backed out of the drive, I realized that not only were the streets wet, but icy as well. Strange, I thought, since the temperature was above freezing.
I thought it was just my street, and the main street did seem a little better. I live on top of hills and when I went to go down into the valley all streets were closed, with emergency vehicles blocking the streets. Apparently, five cars had piled up and a number of them were off the side of the road. So, I went back home to wait for it to warm up. Gave it an hour, then left again to the same situation. Finally the roads opened and I proceeded slowly down the hill and on to work.
I work with Kay, who always has amusing stories. She told me that she joined a senior citizens exercise group with the anticipation of spending some "alone" time exercising. Her husband decided to go with her, much to her chagrin. Her husband was quite an athlete in his younger days and scoffed at the slow pace of the group. Kay became annoyed, of course, and decided after the exercise part she would go on the treadmill. She began to use it and her husband decided to try it also. Fortunately, for the annoyed Kay, there was an older woman between them, so there could be no direct violence from Kay. Kay set her treadmill for the appropriate speed, which her husband found to be much to slow. She caught him from the corner of her eye, punching the button, punching it, punching it...because of course, it wasn't going fast enough for an athlete. Suddenly the speed caught up, and Kay could not help but smiling, because her husband looked a bit confused. Finally, she heard him shout..."It's going backwards, it's going backwards!" She, in disgust, didn't say a word while the little old lady explained to him that it doesn't go backwards, it's the way the treadmill goes. He finally slowed it down, and was walking with his hands firmly planted on the handles. The older woman left and a younger lady got on the treadmill and began to jog...not holding on. In order to impress the younger lady, Kay's husband let go of the handles and sped the machine up again. No, he did not fall off, but Kay left after he put his feet on the side of the treadmill and said he had enough.
The same man yesterday went out in his robe and slippers to get his newspaper. (Remember, it was icy). Kay asked him if he shouldn't get dressed and put his shoes on, since it was raining. No, he said, it was fine. She watched him attempt to walk up the drive. One step forward and three slides back. But not to give up, he kept trying, almost falling. Kay's thought was she had to do something or she would end up taking care of a very cranky man. So, she went to the garage, got the car out, drove up the drive, told him to get in the car and drove him back down the drive and into the garage. She never said if he got the newspaper.
Yes, winter has arrived in Pittsburgh.
Happy Winter.

Friends

I usually begin my posts with a title. I can't think of one for this, although I will at some point.
Tonight I am sad.
It is fairly late on a Friday night. Yesterday I learned that a good friend was in the intensive care unit. A freak series of events landed her there. She has cancer. A healthy woman, never any problems to speak of before this event. It happened about three weeks ago. She fell. She is now in intensive care. How does this happen? I cannot "wrap my mind around this" as the saying goes.
Remember my friend, Linda, that I have mentioned here. She also has some significant medical problems resulting from what physicians found in surgery that she had.
Both of these women are intelligent, caring, funny women. I love their sense of humor, their spirit, their "are you kidding me?" attitude.
I sit here, after two glasses of wine (is it more?) thinking about how much I care about them, and how helpless I feel.
I work with a young man at work, Christian. He is majoring in neuroscience and has helped me understand some of what is going on medically with my friends. I thought it would help, but it doesn't.
I talk to my friend's sister, as well as to Linda's husband. They sound strong, ready to do battle, ready to help no matter what.
Both women are facing some very difficult times ahead. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

I Am Not A Scrooge

There is a tradition here in my community. The Sunday after Thanksgiving women gather at a local church and make wreaths. Real ones. I don't much like doing this. I bellieve that you can buy a nice wreath at K-Mart, or, if you like a real wreath, McTighes. But alas, every year I am made to feel guilty and end up making a wreath. This year was no exception. ST buys the greens for our group. Does a wonderful job of it, they are fresh and full of sap. This year, again, Bean came along. Thank goodness! She ended up pretty much making my wreath.
Usually there is a woman playing the piano. She plays Christmas carols, just to get us in the mood. She wasn't there this year, and one can only imagine where she was. This year they had CD's.
The older women in the church make cookies and tea. I don't much like tea. The young girls in the church serve the cookies and tea. I do like the brownies.
My goal is to cut the greens, wire them together, throw them on the form and go home. Oh, yes, and to wash all the sticky sap off my hands.
Some of these wreaths are quite elaborate. And beautiful. One woman's job is just to make the bows for everyone. Luckily, I saved mine from years past.
Ginger made it a point to tell everyone that I didn't want to be there. Mippy made me the most annoying nametag. Bean was the only one who understood my reticence and made most of my wreath for me.
One year Monkeyboy went with us. He decided he would be in charge of the broom and do the cleanup. The broom was larger that he, and he had somewhat of a difficult time maneuvering with all of the ladies. While sweeping, he hit a woman on the head with the broom much to Mippy's chagrin. She claimed it was a former teacher who never liked her anyway. That was the last year Monkeyboy came. Don't know how he gets out of it every year.
I got my Christmas cards ready to go. Most of my shopping is done, so see...I am not a scrooge.
Thanksgiving was wonderful...hope yours was also. So very much to be grateful for...health, family, chocolate chip cookies. The turkey was actually cooked this year, to perfection, if I may add. The kids decorated the tree and my house, so that is done also.
Things are going well at Phipps. We have a great group of people there that are fun to work with and who make the days pass quickly. Well, for the most part.
Pitt lost the conference game yesterday. It was a nail-biter. Hopefully, the Steelers will do better today. Ben is playing, so we can hope. It's cold, Tim, so wear something warm to cheer.
On a more serious note, my friend, Linda, had her surgery and needs follow up treatment. Please keep her in your positive thoughts and prayers.
Have a great Sunday.

Dilemmas

First of all, Congratulations.....again.....to Monkeyboy's team for the great hockey win for the Mayor's trophy. It was an upset, a night game under the lights with parents cheering madly for the teams, coaches yelling to team members and kids playing deck hockey as though their lives depended on it. It was a well played game and Monkeyboy....you did well!
The dilemma as presented to me was to whom do we tip for the holiday. My personal opinion is this: I tip the paperboy. They don't get paid much and they use their car at an awful time in the morning in all kinds of weather to get my paper here on time and besides, I don't tip him during the year. I do not tip the postman. They get paid a lot of money to do their job, and they do it well, but I can't justify paying a tip for a service that is mandatory and has people waiting in line to do it. I don't have children to whom this would apply, but I don't understand getting teachers a gift. Again, they are paid to do something, and here at least they are paid very well. A thank you on a card would suffice for me. I don't tip the garbage men because they whale the can in any direction they feel is fun and they back up the street beeping their back up beep at 5:30 in the morning. I don't tip my haircut person, I tip him everytime I get a hair cut. I did tip my guitar teacher, just cause I liked him and he put up with me. Besides, his wife baked excellent cookies that I devoured on the way home from my lesson. In other words, I tip people at the holiday that I haven't tipped all year for a service they have provided.
A co-worker called off sick last week, saying he thought he might have had a mini-stroke. He lives alone and everyone at Phipps was worried about him. Fortunately, it was not a stroke, it was just a medication adjustment. I saw him today for the first time since he was sick, and he said something to me that I thought was meaningful at this time of the year. He said that everyday was a thanks giving day for him. He has had two heart attacks and his health is not good. I am glad he is okay now.
On a lighter note, I am hoping that the turkey is fully cooked this year. For those who may not remember, several years ago I cooked a bird that when it was carved, it was pink. Mippy asked at dinner for everyone to say something they were grateful for, and she began by saying that she was grateful that we had a lot of side dishes to eat. Others grumbled something and Monkeyboy couldn't think of much to say, except he was really looking forward to having some turkey. So, I'll try again this year, and hopefully, all will be cooked to perfection. But if not, I have so very much to be thankful for...and I hope you do also. Happy Thanksgiving.

Glub, Glub, Glub

Do you know what that is? It is the sound of my drain in the tub draining. On Thursday I took a shower. The tub backed up....a lot. Usually, it backs up slowly and I put in some drain cleaner and it works again, but that day, it didn't drain. I went and got dressed, ate breakfast, got ready for work and looked at the tub. Bad news, it had not drained. Left home, bought some drain cleaner and went to work. Came home, and the tub had drained. I put in drain cleaner and waited for the half hour they recommended and then ran hot water. Uh oh. Waited. Tub drained. Put more drain cleaner in. Waited the alloted half hour and tried again. Whoops, didn't work again. OK, let it go till morning. Woke up and took my shower, figuring I would plunge the drain. That didn't work, (and in fact, had four inches of water in tub) so called a NEW plumber and gave my sad story. He said he would try to stop by at the end of the day. I left to have lunch with Michele, who got a new job. So, we celebrated. Lunch was awful, by the way. Came home and tub was still full, so I was pulling and pushing various things on the shower, and presto....the tub drained. Is there sound that is better than glub, glub, glub as the tub drains?????? Somehow, the drain got closed (I prefer to think it was Ava and not me) and now that it was open, all was right with the world of bathtubs. I called the plumber (didn't tell him the WHOLE story, just that the tub was cleared) and he said he was glad. Very nice man, and I am sure cheaper than the other plumber who would hav charged me $500 to open the plug. Anyway, it is working beautifully.
Monkeyboy played hockey on Saturday and was amazing. This child has some inborn skills that wonderful. It was a beautiful day and we had lots of fun (and food) while watching the game.
I looke out the window today and saw the last leaf remaining on the tree. It was interesting to see and I wonder how long it will hang there, waiting to fall.
The Steelers won tonight....YAY. The Denver family called tonight and B. said he was wearing his Steelers shirt I sent him. He said whenever he wore it, Steelers lost. THE CURSE HAS BEEN BROKEN. Thanks, B., for wearing it! He is my buddy.
Two very close friends are having surgery...Wackymommy and my friend, Linda. Keep them in your thoughts. Surgery is always stressful, and positive attitudes help, as Linda has proven! My positive thoughts are with you both.
Have a great week!