The Ceiling -- Part Two

If you note the date on the pictures of my ceiling you will notice it was a couple of weeks ago -- yes Jen a couple of weeks ago *;*

I had sooooo much trouble with the pictures I never posted it -- I also had another picture with the "guys" working -- don't know what happened but I lost the picture and what I posted along with them.. Worked on it two hours this morning, got the 3 pictures the way I wanted and lost my epistle.... then lost the other picture so I decided to leave well enough alone and write this allllll by itself. So here goes.

Since I moved downstairs, about 16 months ago, the ceiling has been in disrepair -- isn't that just a wonderful word... disrepair -- needs fixin is what it is all about. Every now and again I would mention about the ceiling... every now an again I would get a smile -- one of those smiles that mean when the right time comes it will be fixed/repaired. Tom decided he wanted to do the whole ceiling not just those that were stained or missing. Just in case there was a color difference -- made sense to me.... soooooo.... patience is a virtue....!!!! Six years ago the upstairs bathroom sprung a leak and soooo the easy way was to do that repair was from the first floor. New plumbing was put in -- new sink, commode, I kept the old claw foot castiron tub and added one of "those" shower heads with the loop tubing that you hang your shower curtain and shower head from... anyway... the upstairs bathroom was fixed. The ceiling (in my diningroom) was left in disrepair -- I think I'm beginning to like that word. *;*

Well, a few weeks ago, proably a month or more now, we took the truck, went to the big city and bought some ceiling tiles and those runners that they lay on... now that's a start. The future of having a new ceiling was really in view. Whoo Hoo.

I had mentioned to my pastor on one of his visits (it is embarassing to have folks visit and have them think the sky is gonna fall in on them) that I had hoped it would be repaired by Mother's Day -- of course this was last year when I said that :o).... When Mother's Day came and went and the pastor came again -- he said "Well, did he mention which Mother's Day".... I think he has a typical male sense of humor. I'm sure I responded with a pleasant but smirky smile. :o\

My friend who had moved to Florida a number of years ago was up for a visit. Our plan was to go out to lunch so she stopped to get me. I met her outside... we had a wonderful lunch, caught up on not seeing each other (we email and talk on the phone often). We stopped at a couple of stores on the way back. She helped me bring in the "stuff" from the stores so my intent was to show her the apartment and have a cup of tea or coffee. Well, we walked in the door and low and behold I saw some tiles on the floor. Whoo Hoo, Tom had started to take them down. I had mentioned to my friend at lunch about the ceiling but never expected the work to start that day. My standing joke is == which Mother's Day will it be fixed by. She totally understood my frustration.

To be continued....

Smile - it's contagious

The Ceiling.... Whoo Hoo

TV and Pulmonary Hypertension

Well hold me back. Yesterday, April Fools Day I was asked to be part of an "Awareness" program for PH. --> that's me doing a cartwheel.

I should back up some. We have an upcoming PH Support Group meeting and one of the Pharma Reps asked if they could sponsor a program about cooking and having a local celebrity do the program -- no salt and using herbs and spices. Sounded super good to me so it was looked into and we were finally able to make it a go.

I was excited about the presentation or demonstration for our Support Group and I was asked if I could come and meet Rania, our specialty cook; so Tom and I went for a ride to Pittsburgh. We met, discussed the type of foods that would be possible, suggestions, comments the usual when you are trying to make things work just right. Then Rania asked about Pulmonary Hypertension and it's causes and such. I started to tell her "my story" and she said you need to go on television. She does a weekly cooking program on KDKA a local TV station in Pittsburgh. Well, the wheels get rolling on that one. I am anxious, I am excited, I am emailing back and forth information about pulmonary hypertension, its causes, treatments and how we (those in the PH community) are anxious for a cure and the need for more awareness. I'm emailing to Rania, the producer for the proram show and just sending anything and everything I can think of. Trust me when I say I have a lot of info in "MY DOCS"

I was so excited the night before I didn't sleep well, I think I was afraid of oversleeping as we needed to be there by 8:15; which meant we had to drive to Pittsburgh during rush hour traffic. Now according to map search it's just over 50 miles to where we were going -- which is right in downtown Pittsburgh and the guesstimate to get there was approximately 55 minutes... Ya right, do wish these computers had some common sense about traffic... We planned to leave by 6:30 and we left by 6:35 not too bad considering all I have to take with me.

I had notes -- I contacted PHA to let them know the exciting news, Katie wrote back and sent me some helpful hints as I tend to overwrite when I want to say something -- did any of you out there ever notice that???? Anyway, I had it down pretty good, I contacted both of the PH Centers (AGH & UPMC) in Pittsburgh asked them for some specific info -- again I had a lot but hey I was going on TV. I wanted to have it right. They each sent me some info and I was good to go.

I had the symptoms of PH, the possible causes -- secondary pulmonary hypertension, I had the new PH bill HR 1030 - The Tom Lantos Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Awareness Bill of 2009. I brought a copy with me, I had a copy of the letter to mail to your Congressperson, I brought my camera. For me I had my back up medicine, my mixed medicine, my back up pump, my back up ice packs, my back up oxygen; and all those other needed supplies just in case. I was good to go.

We arrived on time, we were shown to the "green room" which isn't even green and waited our turn. BJ and Rebeca arrived we were then shown into the studio -- another whole different story -- and wired up. Just what I need, another wire *;*

We were told we would be second on the agenda.. a Harlem Globetrotter was to be first. Then there was a call, he was stuck in traffic and we were on. Nothing like being prepared... they must anticipate those situations as we were ready. The producer and staff were so gracious and curtious to us I was truly pleased. The reporter, Keith, was a cool and very professional guy. I do believe the presentation went well. The program not only include our awareness speil but also the cooking demonstration and a segment on no salt vs herbs and spices. All for Pulmonary Hypertension.

When you get to the site, look at the little video on the right and let it scroll until you see a hot pink jacket -- that will be me. If a newer PTL is on, go to the video library and look at April 1st -- it will be there and that segment is titled "Living with Pulmonary Hypertension. KDKA also put a link to the Pittsburgh PH Support Group. I hope you enjoy the presentation as much as I enjoyed being a part of it -- so here it is: Pittsburgh Today Live It has moved and you will need to go to the April 1st previous video library . This is the direct link to "Living with Pulmonary Hypertension".

Don't forget to look at Rania's cooking segment and Leslie's info on salt and herbs -- same Pittsburgh Today Live for April 1st - they both did a special about PH and cooking.

Remember to smile -- it's contagious

Merle