Category Archives: Blatherings

Is this year over yet?

Posted on December 9, 2013 | 3 comments

Well, this has been a hell of a seven days. Last Thursday I had to go to the oral surgeon and have three teeth pulled. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The surgeon and his team were awesome, from start to finish. If you are in Orlando and need oral surgery I highly recommend Dr. Scott Farber. They did everything in their power to put hubby and I at ease and when I went in I actually had no anxiety about it. Of course now that the work is done, this shit hurts. No pain pills because of the heart stuff, so I am in a lot of pain. So now I am bruised and suffereing.

12-9-13-karen Then yesterday I went to get my hair cut. I decided that I needed to hve it short for the surgery and recovery since I am going to have trouble maintaining it. Those of you who know me, know how long it took to get my hair long and the troubles I had keeping up with it. I am not going to be able to do that for a while, so I went short. Now, this may sound silly, but other than some breakdowns here and there, I have been okay about the surgery. So I am sitting in the chair yesterday and the little gal pulls myhair up in the rubberband and starts to snip. I teared up, got short of breath, and thought I might slip into a full blown anxiety attack. It was the first time I realized just how much I am giving up to get this LVAD and what it is going to mean. It scared the hell out of me. I managed to simmer down, but it was weird.

So then yesterday I had to tell my friend that I could not go see Andrea Boccelli with her. She got wonderful seats and was taking me to cheer me up. I can’t tell you how much I was looking forward to it. I was going to see Boccelli for free. Well, because of the teeth and germs, infections, blah blah blah I am not able to go. I won’t get to see them (Tami, her sweet boy Austin, and Michael who just came home from Japan as a newly promoted Corporal.) This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and this damn heart has taken it away from me. It infuriates me, and makes me too sad.

But, such is life and I will man up and get over it. But it sucks and now I am crying again, so I will close. Not looking for any sympathy here, just needed to vent.

3 Comments

Posted in Blatherings, Heart Healthy Living

Strong Spirits by Alice Duncan (Review)

Posted on November 24, 2013 | 1 comment

Click Cover to Buy

I truly enjoyed this book. I adore Daisy Gumm and the secondary cast of characters is delightful. While the time period is one of my favorites, and I love mysteries, I am having a hard time figuring out where it belongs. There is a bit of a mystery but it takes a back seat to the other goings on. the story had good pacing, the characters came to life easily for me, but I seem to have missed the climax of the book. All questions are answered, but left the mystery element lacking.

I will read more of these books as I enjoy Alice Duncan’s style and voice, but I won’t expect as much in the mystery department.

Worth the read if you enjoy reading.

1 Comment

Posted in Blatherings

Digital Photo Restoration by Deborah Collin (Review)

Posted on November 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

Digital Photo Restoration: What to Do and How to Do It by Deborah Collin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another excellent resource from Deborah Collin. This time, she is giving us the inside scoop on how to deal with photos and images when working on genealogy or any other projects. One of the biggest problems I have run across is figuring out how to restore old images that I have rescued from some evil box. In the past, I have tinkered, but could never quite figure out exactly how to make the outcome worth all the time I had invested in the image.

Ms. Collin gives solid and practical instructions on exactly what to do. I do not follow instructions well, but hers were clear enough that I actually understood them. Her insight into various graphic programs is excellent. I have learned of several new programs that just might save me from more gray hair.

As usual, Deborah Collin has written a book that is good enough to be worthwhile and still simple enoough for anyone to use. I especially like a writer who doesn’t feel the need to talk down to readers. I always feel like she is talking “to me” as she explains things and that makes learning easier.

View all my reviews