Heather Shrinks in Houston!

[Houston Heather]

Every now and then Bubba gets sick to his tummy.

He started acking and heaving as Ron had hysterics "Not in my bed! No!"

I tenderly picked him up and set him on an old towel, then sweet talked him and rubbed his sides and head as he heaved. Once he threw up, he went off to play with his "Fluffy" toy.

I told Ron, Bubba's the only living being I'd do that for. I wouldn't stroke Ron's head as he puked! Ron agreed. I'd do for the cat, what I wouldn't do for my husband. And my husband agreed completely. He runs like hell when I'm pukey.

[Houston Heather]

Speaking of.. migraine today.

[skeopple]

Oh, sweet Heather, I want so much for you to be well and feel better.

[Houston Heather]

Not today!

Damn kolaches. I knew they weren't doing me any favors, and now my body has REVOLTED.

My day off, laid up with a migraine.

It could be so much worse... but think of it this way, hives are better, and I didn't spend any money either.

[Houston Heather]

Really, really thirsty.

I can type again! I have some blisters on my hand from doing battle with a stubborn bottle of diet dr.

Pretty queasy earlier, but I got my night pills down.

Tomorrow I go to work, then Fry's to get some disaster kit stuff, then out to lunch with Ron and Chuck.

[Houston Heather]

Migraine still hanging around....agh. Gotta work today, though.

[skeopple]

Hi Heather, it's been a tough, sad week here.

Last night at the gas station, the cashier almost passed out. She'd been treated for her migraine at the E.R. twice already yesterday. The last time she went they gave her morphine. I felt so bad for her, I wanted to let her go home and close up but of course that wasn't possible. I hope she made it home okay 3 hours later. I'll be checking on her today.

God's blessings and healing for you today, Heather.


Love and hugs..........

[Houston Heather]

Well, I finally mostly licked it. She might want to check into a food elimination diet, I know it is related to the wheat I ate earlier this week.

I went to Fry's and got some wind up flashlights. My gut is screaming that something bad is going to happen... out in CA. I have 3 families out in CA.

The last time my gut went on like this, I had a feeling "something bad" was going to happen to "us" - 2 weeks before Ron's accident. In a sick way, it was a relief when someone came and told me Ron had been hurt. I knew something would happen, but I honestly expected it to be me.

So, even though I'm properly medicated and all, my gut is screaming about these 3 families out in CA with NO disaster kit. I mean, Mom and Dad have a can of dehydrated beef stew I gave them, but that's it. No bottled water, no canned food, nothing on hand.

We all saw after Katrina - what we can expect from our government in a disaster. So, to shut up this "hollering" I've been working on disaster kits. I don't know why I'm bothering, I mean, they should do this on their own, but I feel like they will need it soon.

I really, truly, hope I am wrong. HOW-EVER....

I went to Fry's after work (thank God the worst of the migraine dried up about then), and got some wind up flashlights. The only wind up radios were over $50 each. I can't afford that!

Then we ate out... let's just say the decor was a lot more interesting than the food! It was a very boring burger for Heather, obviously fried on a grill, not smoked. I kept thinking how much meat I could have bought at Foodtown!

Afterwards, Chuck dropped Ron at home and left me at the Dollar store. I bought various canned food items, masks, gloves, first aid supplies, etc. I hope nothing happens, and I really hope I look "silly" for going to "all that trouble".

But the gut says... do it. I listen to the gut, even though it said Ron was a good idea!

I hit the thrift shop and found enough books to replace the ones I read when I was sick. I was happy. Then, I went to the sporting goods store. I found wind up flashlights/wind up radio sets for $15 each. Awesome. I got 3 sets.

Now I have to assemble the kits and mail them (gulp). That will not be cheap!

I had an absolutely horrible ride home. It poured. I left my umbrella at home. Some [bad word] woman got to the bus stop when I did. She had an umbrella. Instead of sharing it and sitting on the bench with me (I don't look that bad!), she tucked herself up under a tree with her umbrella, nice and cozy, as -I- waited at the bus stop -for- her, in the pouring rain, getting drenched for half an hour. Then I had to get on the freezing cold bus, which got stuck in traffic...ugh.

I really hate selfish people like that, but unfortunately I see a lot of that. They see ME waiting in the hot sun, at the bench, by the street, and hide under a nice cool tree and wait on the bus. The bus would pass them up if I weren't there. They don't even say thank you.

And on that snarly note, I'm off to eat and take my pills.

[*Pear*]

Do you think your gut feeling related to those fires they're having in the LA area? Do your relatives live in the LA area?

[myrtle]

Heather, The next time you go to Fry's (I'm assuming you go to the one on I45), you should eat some seafood at this wonderful restuarant near there. The Tampico Grill is on the I45 feeder road, on the same side of the road as Fry's, between West Rd. and West Mount Houston. Their fried seafood is good, but not spectacular. It is the grilled seafood that is out of this world. I love to get the grilled red snapper with some grilled shrimp. You can either get the whole fish or fillets. The fried rice is delicious too.

We used to eat at the original restaurant on Airline when we were in that area, which wasn't often. We were so excited when we found the newer one near Fry's. Dh loves going to Fry's and I hate it. So now, he bribes me with seafood from the Tampico Grill. Heck - now I'll go every weekend! I just grab some magazines, that I wouldn't ordinarily buy and go sit in the coffee shop and read and anticipate my seafood dinner, while he browses all he wants. Two happy people!

My dh says their Mexican food is good too, but I wouldn't know since I only order seafood.

I'm still hoping to get to meet you in the near future. This summer has just flown by. Since I last wrote here, we've gone on vacation, remodeled our computer/playroom, and got my grandson started with his new school year. Hopefully, I'll have a free day soon and we can meet up somewhere. Maybe we can meet up at a Starbucks?

Hope you are feeling better soon and the migrane and hives are both gone for good!

Oooooops! I think I better go to bed now. I just dozed off, in mid sentence, with my finger on the enter key and added a bunch of blank lines. Looking forward to meeting you soon!

[Houston Heather]

Hi Pear, no, it's not related to the fires. Sad but true, a year *without* fires is strange. They're all up in the SF Bay Area. My gut says quake or terror... so I just need to get some priority mail flat rate boxes.

Myrtle, it's already closed. I'll tell you in PM where we go now, but for obvious security reasons I don't want to advertise "my" Starbucks. If I tell you again, please do not post it in public. Too many freaks out there - I don't want someone tracking us down. I don't even mention my mall in here.

Not to be a party pooper, but shrimp give me migraines. Eating something off a plate that had shrimp gives me migraines, so I really avoid all seafood.

Also, the way it works for me, I would have to make one trip to the restaurant, then another trip to Fry's. I don't drive, so Metrolift does it when we're both out. When I'm out, I use the bus. Most people don't get it, I can't jump in a car and just go a mile up the road. If I decide I want to do that then I must walk, or plan a ride a day in advance, and hope they pick me up in a timely manner.

Boy, I almost turned into that Walmart guy today. We went to work, did it all. I was getting manic so I took an extra lithium and did a lot of heavy lifting type stuff I'd neglected in the last month.

Then we went to Walmart. I had Ron in the sit and shop wheelchair. I had gotten his stuff and was headed over to Sporting Goods to get a 7 gallon water container. I'll fill it up and have it on hand in case of emergency. "They" say at least 1 gallon per person, per day, so that gets me for a week's water on hand.

I'm pushing the wheelchair down the main "racetrack" aisle, near the lingerie department. All of a sudden a small child BOLTS out of nowhere and nearly hits the wheelchair. I stopped the wheelchair and looked around. Totally oblivious mother is looking at frilly stuff and pointedly ignoring me.

I began pushing the chair, as I said loudly "Hey, if ANYONE CARES I almost ran over your kid! Keep a better eye on them." The father comes out from between a display and starts to give me the fish eye, until an even smaller child, running even FASTER, runs out and bolts in front of the wheelchair as I'm pushing it full force. Dad reaches out, but can't stop the kid.

"LIKE THAT!" I yell as I stop the wheelchair again. "Next time SOMEONE MIGHT NOT STOP FOR YOUR KID." One parent, distracted, I could see, but Walmart is not a playground, especially in the middle of the day, on a weekday. I expect that after schools and on the weekend.

Anyway, I got my "thingie" and left. Pretty good ride home.

Ron didn't sleep well so we're just staying home. I'm kind of wound up and tired at the same time. UGH.

[skeopple]

Thinking it's time for me to take a short nap? Yup. It is.

You and Ron enjoy the weekend. Do you have to work?

[Houston Heather]

Well, we're going in Sunday. I suggested it. If we don't, a machine will be down or jammed or out of a best-seller.

Today was mainly about me doing grunt work and no stocking, while Ron did drinks in the soda and cold food vendor. And sandwiches, and pastries. For a "crippled" guy he sure does a lot from that wheelchair! I'm very proud of him.

I need to tell him that when he wakes up - my new policy is to do exactly that - when I think, type, or say something nice about a person, I tell them to their face. No regrets that way. I think it's stupid to wait until someone is dead before you go on about what a great person they were. Why not tell them when they're alive, and can appreciate it? Sorry if that hits a nerve, Sharon.

I obviously needed a bit more lithium so I took a 300 (total today is 750, plus 300 extended release incoming at dinner), one tylenol because I had a mild headache, and laid down for a nap.

Bubba loves me! He came and stretched with me in bed. It was awesome. I love sleeping with the cat. He took up half the bed. Good thing Ron has his own room - apparently he slept terribly last night 'cause he's still out.

One sad thing I noticed when I had sleep issues due to the hives, many times when I woke up, he was already up too. He's got it a lot worse than I do.

I'll heal up - when I took a shower I used my scrubby and most of the discoloration is fading, I'll probably have some scars a couple inches below my butt and on my left arm, but that's OK. I could have died. If I'd stopped breathing Ron wouldn't have noticed for over 12 hours.

That's a really sad statement.

So! I need to do some stocking on Sunday, and inventory my candy bars.

Ron's giving me Monday off and then Tuesday we'll get some candy bars before we go in (if needed).

My mood's good, but I had a song running through my head for hours "Remains of the Day" - until I set this computer to play random MP3's off my hard drive.

I need to see if I can order some priority mail flat rate boxes. I'll support to the postal service. If I can, I can ship everything on Tuesday afternoon maybe.

I'm glad I have my 7 gallon jug. I'll fill that later and figure out where I'll store it. I plan to have 21 gallons or so on hand at all times, and refill every 6 months. They did something to our water recently, it has "Cloramines" instead of just chlorine, a mixture of chlorine and ammonia. It never fades. Kind of scary. Anyway, I don't need to worry about slime water if I put it up.

I just ordered 10 each of medium and large flat rate priority mail boxes. They'll ship to me for free and end up on my porch, waiting to be stuffed and taken to the post office.

The vibes will just have to wait until they arrive, sometime next week.

[Houston Heather]

I took my pills, it was funny.

Ron was playing a song by James Taylor "Fire and Rain" which JT actually wrote when he was in a mental hospital for a bipolar depression. I had the lithium bottle in my hand when he started playing. I laughed and then explained it to him.

He went out and attacked the gate for a while... overdid it and came in hurting, but he feels good about what he accomplished. I attacked the front room (kind of all-purpose living/dining/family/tv room) and all around my chair. It looks pretty good! I got a lot done.

I looked at some sales flyers online, but Foodtown keeps coming up on my things I need to get. Looks like I'll need to head over there Sunday or something.

I may need to take some Benadryl to slow down, though... kind of buzzed still.

[Houston Heather]

I just checked myself out in the mirror.

It looks like I'm going to have some scars. I'll have at least 3 on the backs of my thighs - about quarter to half-dollar sized. I have a line of smaller scars on the back of my left calf, right calf looks to be healing up OK, right ankle and shin will have some whoppers, maybe a couple on the back of the right calf, small scars on left knee, big scar (about 1 inch by 1/3 inch) above left knee, and scattered small scars on top of both feet. I can't forget the 5 scars on my left forearm, but oddly the right arm looks to be healing OK.

I'm glad I'm married, and Ron doesn't care, but it makes me sad. I did everything right and I ended up with a month of misery and a lot of scars. Not cool.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it wasn't worse. I'm lucky to have skin. If it had been worse my skin could have literally peeled off. I could have stopped breathing... but it still makes me sad.

[Houston Heather]

It is a sad and damning indictment of our bus ridership: I called in a compliment on a driver (more later). The conversation went like this:
"So what was the problem?"
"No problem, he was GREAT!"
"Excuse me?"
"The driver was WONDERFUL, I want to call in a compliment."
"A compliment?"
"Yes, because he was wonderful. He really went above and beyond."
"Uh, please hold."
Then 4 mnutes of hold music as he talked to a supervisor! How SAD! He had never had to log a compliment before!

Anyway, I put on a little perfume, my drawstring pants, and decided to go to Starbucks with Ron. Our ride was late, we got there about 2:30. Remember that horrible woman I rode with before? Well, she was already on the van. She must have had a medication adjustment because she was very sweet - a little pushy and rude, but positively sweet for a woman known solely by her first name (with a ridership over over 23 thousand). Mention her first name and the driver shudders... but not today!

Huh. I was wary, but agreeable.

Ron left in his ride, leaving me. I looked around at the camping store, didn't see much, and went to the pet store.

They were having an adoption day. I really liked the older male gray cat, but I don't know if he'd get along with Bubba, so I reluctantly said no. A volunteer asked me to "hold this kitten, just for a minute, while I get the shot ready." I may be brain damaged, but I'm not an idiot.

I'll tell you a secret, kittens are cute but I wouldn't adopt one. I'd much rather get an older cat, and they have lousy adoption rates anyway. Especially black cats like Bubs. So I held the kitten, worn out from playing with his family, until the volunteer took him. He was cute, but not my type.

I like special needs, traumatized cats. I seem to attract them.

Anyway, after that I went over to the sporting goods store. I looked around, didn't see much, and found myself face-to-face with a display of $10 twill slacks. I know my size for the store brand, so I found myself in a shocking state of revolt.

If I had to wear my drawstring pants, ONE MORE DAY, I would SCREAM! I wanted some comfy, relaxed fit pants! I couldn't take it anymore! I wanted some slacks, damnit!

So I picked up 2 pair, and went off to the fitting room. They both fit great and didn't anger the hives. They hide most of the scars, too.

I'll have the other vendor's wife take some photos of my legs in short-shorts... it's a sight to me. I was so vain about my legs. Whenever someone complimented a body part, it was ALWAYS my legs. I "have such nice legs" "such pretty legs" etc. Now I'm just being a whiner, but no one's going to call them "pretty". Everyone, in fact, who has seen my legs in the last month has gone EEWWWWW. Or OH MY GOD!

I guess I have a "right" to be upset. Anyway, couldn't take another day of those pants, bought some new ones. I also got myself a nifty purple poncho. Only $3.

After that I deliberated, and decided I'd like to go to the Vietnamese grocery. They have excellent teas and odd things like canned, hard boiled quail eggs (which even Ron agrees would be good for disaster kit). I got some herbal teas, green teas, etc.

I probably shouldn't say this, but in Chinese traditional medicine licorice root (tea) is considered an herbal detoxifier, like pouring a pot of boiling water on snow. You can bet your tootie that I drank every bit of licorice root tea when I had my hives, and it did seem to help. I bought one package for current drinking, and one for disaster kit. It's a worthy item. That and my jumbo bottle of vitamin C. The only 'scripts I have are my antinausea stuff, Ron's antinausea stuff, my lithium and risperdal, and Ron has another bottle of his Neurontin in his room.

I was a happy camper, and I called Ron (I asked him if he wanted a can of "Fried Garlic" which still sounds delicious).

We had a chance of rain today, so I brought my yellow poncho and my turquoise umbrella. When I'm out walking and riding the bus, I want to be VISIBLE.

Ron told me, "I hear a lot of thunder, and it sounds like hail". Oh, crap. I look outside, and here's a big wall of black clouds rushing towards me. I realize I have about 4 minutes. I dig out my poncho, and don it just as the pouring rain begins. Strong winds, too.

I face away from the wind and call Ron. I shout into the phone, asking him to find out when the next bus leaves. I had planned to eat at a restaurant, but the only place that's open WILL NOT WORK.

He informs me the next bus leaves in about 5 minutes. Well, 5 minutes later, I'm completely drenched from the knees down, wearing my bright yellow poncho, singing along with my tunes in the pouring rain. I got through several songs when I heard frantic honking.

I turn my head, an old lady has rolled a window down and is gesturing at me to climb in her car. You can bet I did! She was a doll, and I'll be praying for her and her family daily. What a sweetie! COMPLETELY made up for that not-nice lady at the bus stop the other day.

I ate some bunless double cheeseburgers and a diet Dr Pepper. Ron said he would 'be interested" if I went by the fried chicken place. I did, and got him a kid's meal. He said it was the perfect size for him. : He's gotten pretty smart about portion control. Best of all HE LIKED THE CHICKEN! He was surprised to admit it.

I head out of the fried chicken place. The bus stop to go home is across the street. I get to the corner just as the bus pulls up. I wail in frustration and wave at the driver. He opens the window and GESTURES THAT HE'LL WAIT!

I gallop across the street as soon as possible, clutching my takeout drink and Ron's dinner, and climb on. He was so nice!

THAT'S why I called in the compliment.

[Houston Heather]

Right as I discovered I had to get up at 6 AM, my computer shuffled into "Put on A Happy Face".

You gotta love the random play settings. Time for a benadryl and bed.

[skeopple]

So glad you're healing, Heather. It sounds as if the weather is changing there.

Our disaster kit is pretty complete now. I just need to rotate some items, use, and replace. Our DS got us into this plan and I feel secure with it. Hoping we never need it, but we are preprared. Your family will be grateful to you for taking care of them.

Hope your transportation to and from work is good today. Anything planned for the rest of the day?

Hugs.

[Houston Heather]

Oh, you guys are going to DIE laughing over this.

Our ride to work was a little late, and when it came, it was a Yellow Cab Supervisor. She's laughing as she sees us and points her finger at me.

"What did you do, Ms. B?"
Huh?
"Your driver said he wouldn't take you this morning, said you were TROUBLEMAKERS! What did you do?"
Us? I give her a soda (we have a stash for the drivers) and climb on in. Ron shows her his pass number.
"Come on, what did you do? Who have you had a problem with?"
Uh. I think about it. The only driver who comes to mind is the texting guy.
"Who? Describe him."
I said, it was a younger guy, about my age, race. He had a real problem with texting on his gadget, I kept asking him to stop and put it away, he got a major attitude, I took out my cell phone to call dispatch before he'd put it up. Then he got it out at the next red light and started texting again. I told him I was afraid, and I didn't want him to put me in a wheelchair because he couldn't put his gadget down.

She has gotten progressively angrier as I describe the situation! "I'm going to get to the bottom of this - if we catch ANY driver texting at ANY TIME while they're on the clock, they are immediately fired! He has a lot of nerve acting like YOU were wrong!"

I mention that the driver and I both know that if I'd caught him texting again, I WOULD have called it in. So, in that regard, I AM a "troublemaker". She's fuming.

"I know you guys. You always have something for me. You've given me sodas, candy, snacks, and even a Bible! I know you all are wonderful, some of my favorite clients! I'm going to have a TALK with this guy and get to the bottom of it. If he's texting, he's out of here."

If the guy had taken our trip and put up his gadget for the time it took to get us to work, (I probably couldn't pick him out of a lineup) it would have been a uneventful trip for all 3 of us. However, I guess this guy is SO addicted to his gadget he can't put it down for 20 minutes? So he's going to lie and say we caused "trouble"?

Huh. Anyway, we got to work (someone stole the supervisors bible so I gave her another ), we got it done, and I got my new badge.

We had a good trip to Burger King and I ran over to Ron's favorite chicken place. I got a fried chicken sandwich for "the driver" (whoever was taking us home), a 2 piece and a couple of $1 sandwiches for Ron to try, and came back.

Ron devoured all of it. His chicken is at about 90%, he said. It's ENJOYABLE for the first time in a year. Thank You, Jesus!

Our ride is an hour late picking us up. A LOTTA time at Burger King. I always figure there's a "bigger reason" for things, though. I bought a Whopper Jr to keep the chicken sandwich company - dollar menu items, but a good snack/meal.

Metrolift ended up contracting a "regular" cab to take us home. We know the guy, kind of an older hippie. He was THRILLED to get the food.

"You know it's only my 5th day back on the job. My wife had a massive stroke, I was taking care of her for months, then she died. I just came back to work."

WHOA. Ron immediately launches into his "I died in the accident 7 years ago, I got to see God and heaven... death is NOT the end!" I hand him a Bible. You KNEW that was coming.

It was incredibly apparent to both of us that God had us in the vehicle to do just what we did.

Wow.

Anyway, naptime.

[Houston Heather]

I forgot to mention, I am at the sweet spot of medication - my ears are JUST ringing a little, which means I am at the absolute ideal dose (the last time I was like this I had my blood drawn and it came back perfect).

I had enough mania to clean out a cabinet. I found 5 various herbal remedies for upset stomach. Vietnamese, Mexican, and various "single" herbs. Funny.

I called Mom and Dad, told Mom about the kit - she is THRILLED and asking some very good questions.

I was poking around and found this, a good link:
HURRICANE KATRINA

[skeopple]

That site is pretty interesting, Heather! I'll finish reading there later. Lots of good information and facts, etc.

I'm glad you had good ride today. And that you got to witness too! You know when you're in the right place at the right time, don't you?!

[Houston Heather]

Oh, yeah. I'll tell Mom about all this and she's like God is SO USING you, Heather.

My birthday's coming up in a few weeks, I have half a mind to ask everyone to send me some Bibles or get me a gift certificate so I can buy some. It's about the only thing I can think of.

I'm glad I looked at the postal regulations before buying the emergency stoves and fuel tablets! Guess what I can't ship?

I'll order them from REI, and have THEM ship... the regulations were very intimidating. ACK. Besides, shipping and 8.25% sales tax probably comes out the same, anyway. Ron gave me the OK to use the credit card to pay for it. I know, when I give him the cash, he'll probably tell me to "keep it" especially considering it's for my family.

[skeopple]

It's better to have REI ship that stuff anyway. It will get there safely.

[Houston Heather]

Oh, yeah. I just don't want a firestorm with irate Postal Inspectors because I screwed up on the shipping, ESPECIALLY since I work at the Processing plant! :eek

Better to pay shipping. The nice thing about proper medication, I still have 14 hour's worth of pay left in my check, and I get paid next Monday.

I'm trying to help USPS. I love them. They have put food on our table and paid the mortgage for over 8 years. 3 priority mail flat rate boxes + REI package + thank you card for my doc + mailing water bill = some good revenue for my "peeps".

[Houston Heather]

Well, I'm off for a mild day out.

Boy, every time I look at my legs, I get so ANGRY. It's a stage of grief I guess. I mean, I know I could have gotten much sicker - some people have had their skin peel off like a wrapper after taking a medication. They end up in burn units for months, getting grafts and horribly painful procedures. Thank You, God, for that. I could have stopped breathing, and died or ended up with brain damage - thank you for that, Lord.

Looking at my legs and feet makes me angry. No way around it. I'll put up some photos later.

Anyway, trying to get BEYOND that. I've got a cute skort and a tshirt, comfy undies, and my slip on shoes. The feet and ankles are NOT liking sneakers. I've got a headband and my "I love Texas" bandanna tucked into a belt loop.

I'm going to go get some soda, some camping fuel tablets, and some more of that EXCELLENT Foojoy tea! It is the best tea I have ever drunk out of a teabag!

I'm going to have fun, damnit, scars and all.

Besides, Ron and my Dad look a LOT worse than I do with their scars, and I love them tremendously!

It's just the vanity screaming and writhing when I look at my formerly "pretty" legs.

[Houston Heather]

First of all, the photos. Picasa Web Albums - Heather - September 2009

I went to Foodtown. Got my soda - boy it was WILD there. Got a bunless burger and ate it at the bus stop.

Before I go further, I have to refer back to a report that was written about me, perhaps 18 years ago. One line shocked me "Heather is extremely naive and trusting due to her disability". My Mom was always freaking out about my lack of "common sense" - others would say I didn't have any street smarts. People with my disability ARE easily exploited... we're like little freindly puppies, we assume everyone we meet is wonderful.

I'm not as tough as I "should" be, especially living in the big city, but Ron working in the "Tenderloin" district of SF taught me to be assertive and to get a pretty good "Exploiter Radar" - IE extremely aggressive homeless - if you even looked at those guys they'd follow you for blocks, hassling you for money. Ron also taught me some street smarts.

But, if someone walks up to me at the bus stop and sits down, they aren't having an obvious psychotic break, reasonably well groomed, and speak to me, I'll talk to you. If you need help, I'll try to give it to you (no money).

So when a guy sat down my vibe went off... but he was well groomed and polite. I DIDN'T LISTEN TO MY GUT. He chatted with me for a few minutes and asked to use my cell phone, I loaned it to him. He made a call. He hung up. He fiddled with it for a few minutes, and made more calls. He moved to another area of the bus. He fiddled some more.

"I need my phone back." At first I was polite, but he moved to the front of the bus and spoke quietly to the driver, like he was asking to get off. HEY, I NEED MY PHONE BACK. He ignores me. I get up and tap on his shoulder. I NEED MY PHONE, GIVE IT BACK. He ignores me, and I do it again. GIVE ME MY PHONE, NOW! The driver is looking at him now. I raise my eyebrows and point at the driver, indicating I am going to notify the driver he has taken my phone. She would call Metro police, pull over, and not let ANYONE off. He would probably be charged.

He hands it over. I get off, it's my stop, and he gets off too. I glare at him and go into the gas station, and have a look at my phone. He has screwed up ALL my settings, and it takes me about 5 minutes to undo what he's done. Not only that, he's still hanging around my connecting bus stop like BO. I call Ron, after spraying rubbing alcohol on the phone - if he'd steal my phone, what else is wrong, and I have a very loud tirade about the creep who TRIED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE, ALMOST STOLE MY CELL PHONE, AND SCREWED UP MY SETTINGS, BUT DON'T WORRY, I LEARNED MY LESSON! It'll be a cold day in hell before I loan out my cell phone again. I know he heard me.

[I have decided if a "nice" person needs to make a call, I will offer to make it FOR them, dial the number and give a message to the person who answers. That way, if someone really does need help I can help them, without the risk of today repeating itself.]

I mean, it does have my phone number in there, the home number and all... He got up and left, wandering out into oncoming traffic on the 8 lane busy road (they travel at least 40-50 mph, they hit him, they're won't be anything left to "save). I have a desperate, vicious wish for him to get hit by a car. I can be bloodthirsty!

I was very very angry. I don't like people taking advantage of me. He really assumed I was going to LET HIM WALK OFF WITH MY PHONE. Boy, I told Ron, the great thing about your accident is it taught me to fight for what's right. I DO NOT let people walk on me anymore.

So, yes, the report was right. Heather is extremely naive and trusting.

I was still fuming, until I decided to pray for him, and everyone who has ever done me wrong.. after I prayed I felt about a thousand times better. God will treat him properly.

I missed my stop and had to walk a bit more than I'd planned. Oh, well, good exercise. I wore the shoes that have no support, but they don't anger the hivey areas. My skort was comfy, but the sun did make the visible scars kind of an angry red color.

I walked over to the pet food store. Bubba refuses to eat the Wellness low carb cat food. So I bought him 2 bags of crap. He seems to adore the cheapest crap, 9 lives something, it's in a photo. Some thug called my phone, and I told him "Some creep borrowed my phone, screwed up my settings, and probably called you... he's long gone. Don't call me again." He called back a couple minutes later. I answered it and said "DON'T CALL ME AGAIN." and hung up. The only calls I got after that were Ron's.

Then I got the emergency stove and some fuel tablets for my kit. I went to Starbucks. I figured out the location of the bus stop - hey, a shelter with a bench. I feel "rich" sitting at one of those... very nice for a tired shopper working her way though the 6 pack of diet dr's.

The bus came, and I got off at the little Asian Grocery. I got the tea you see in the photo, and a beautiful tea mug. It has a strainer, you put the loose tea in the strainer, and pour boiling water in. You put the lid on. Then you take out the strainer and drink the tea! How cool, it was beautiful, and only $4. I thought it was worth it.

The Asian Fast Food place was closed! WAAAA. So I got a chicken salad (grilled, over greens) from a fast food place, and a bunless burger. Chatted with Ron, and went to a third grocery store and bought some sweetener (in the photo). It is my favorite stevia sweetener.

Out to the bus stop, and home.

[Houston Heather]

I forgot to mention, I was paying up at a small store and found a credit card sitting on the counter. Connie someone. I picked it up and tried to give it to the proprietor, saying "This isn't mine!"

NO PURCHASE WITH CREDIT UNDER $10! He kept repeating himself.

So, I paid cash, then gave him the card. He got it then... I said "I'm sure she'll come back for this, here it is."

He had SUCH an attitude!

I was glad Ron had me run that errand... I am honest and abide by the 10 commandments... some don't.

[skeopple]

I hope that guy didn't, somehow, forward your number *to be used later*. Or anything like that!!! Most cellphone companies will tell you what calls were made AND change your number for free in a case like this.

Can you still use the arnica? Doesn't that lighten bruises/scars? It'll take a little time but I think the marks will go away in time. Sorry for your distress over it; I'm just glad you lived through the allergic reaction w/o hospital treatment.

Nighty night.

Hugs.

[Houston Heather]

I'm very glad I didn't need the hospital, either!

I don't think I need to worry too much... he only had the phone for a few minutes, and repeatedly dialed the number that called me back. Then changed the volume setting, put my phone in silent mode, tried to log onto T-ZONES, but our new plan doesn't allow downloads. Then he held it closed while I demanded it back.

:shrug:

I am a little worried about trying any remedies on the scars... they are white against my skin, which tanned a little. I'm skeert of making the hives "mad" again... I think, for now, I'll just take internal vitamin E.

It is just such a shock when I look at my legs, still. I'm glad the ulcers on the back healed up OK. I'm glad I can only see them with a mirror!

I did have a lot of fun today. Tomorrow we get groceries, take 'em home, and then go to work. The milkman has been very reliable with the afternoon delivery.

[Houston Heather]

We went to Foodtown and home. In about an hour, they'll pick us up for work, then we'll just come home.

I went out in the garden, and the grass rubbing against my legs REALLY made all the hives very angry. AGH.

On the plus side, I DID get Mom & Dad two bags of wood chips, and some BBQ spice. I'll send it with their disaster kit.