Monthly Archives: May 2025

May 10, 2025 · 8:38 am

The Cat’s Meow

We stopped today at what instantly became my favorite coffee place yet.

There was not only ONE sweet cat – there were FOUR! 🤗

Two were black. One of these had an elegant gold chain with a bell as a collar. The other black cat had a string of pearls as her collar. One cat was what I can best describe as a cocoa siamese. The last one was a black, gray, and orange cat with hair in a kind of checkerboard pattern.

Their cat cage was in one corner of the shop. It was huge, several levels with beds and toys.

In another spot was a food dish, water dish, and something else the cats kept checking, but I couldn’t figure out.

There was a table with toys on a string or stick that the patrons could use to try to engage the cats in play. A couple tried but had no luck. Then a young woman and her boyfriend sat down. The cats were immediately intrigued. She really got them going, leaping over each other trying to get the toys. Finally, the black cat with the gold collar grabbed the toy end while the woman wasn’t paying attention, and leaped down, causing a parade of cats to follow.

I do want you to know that the cold chocolate drink I had was delicious, but the reason I want to go there again is to see the kitties again🤣

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May 9, 2025 · 3:57 am

This’n That from Thailand

One view from my window.

The past couple of days have been challenging – good and bad.

One thing that has been getting on my nerves a bit is having to try to write to you here via my phone rather than getting on my computer. All kinds of problems associated with this, so even though I am doing the best I can, I appreciate your patience.

Our next delivery of IKEA furniture is the 14th and I have asked that we put together the computer table first and get my computer up and going as soon as possible.

Our visit with Harvey today was heart wrenching. He didn’t recognize us, care that we were there, and didn’t try to communicate, so it basically a wasted trip. The worst part of this stroke is the cognitive decline and lack of ability to communicate.

We stopped at the immigration office on the way home and got Harvey’s medical visa. This makes him legal! It is renewable every 3 months. We are still waiting for something on mine, but we are making slow, steady progress on trying to get my retirement visa which we can renew in one year.

The auction on our home in AR was yesterday. Mixed results on that. Brian is in contact with the auctioneer to find out what the next step is. After 37 years, it is hard to walk away, even though the upkeep on the place had become way too much for us. Part of me is relieved – the other part sad.

More good news – as of next Friday I will have a lady who will clean my condo weekly! She cleans Brian’s place and has just agreed to do mine. We got a bunch of cleaning supplies today. I have never had anyone come clean before 😀

I got a massage this morning. She found all kinds of knots in my back and neck. It was wonderful. AND she agreed to do weekly massages on Fridays at 10:00! Spoiled, happy me!!!

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May 8, 2025 · 5:05 am

IKEA Day

We put together the new dining area table from IKEA this afternoon. Brian gave me the two black chairs.🙂

We also put together the TV table.
We will order an Apple TV to go on it.

Since these are super sturdy and are good quality, we will now order my computer table, my chest of drawers, and my jigsaw puzzle table. 🙂 Brian just texted me that the other pieces will arrive in boxes on the 14t

My new bed is due here on the 16th. We need to have the movers come before then to have them take the old one. We will have to ask them when they can do it. I will switch to sleeping on the couch in the interim.

Lots of excitement around here, and confusion. We need to get pillows, some sheets and a mattress pad pretty soon…

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May 7, 2025 · 4:10 am

Christmas in May

This may not look like much, but it will be a lifesaver for me. It’s a new doorbell.
Several days ago Brian rang my doorbell. He did this because there is construction going on and I didn’t hear him knock softly as he usually does. The bell was so loud I jumped straight up in the air. We had identical looks of horror when I got the door open. Brian said, “We are getting you a new doorbell.” 🤣

I have been washing the dishes, glassware, and silverware in my place and placing them carefully on a towel on the counter to dry.

This is an air purifier. It helps all the time, but is especially important for “the smoky season”when the farmers burn off their fields once the harvest is over.

And finally, a clothes dryer rack. It will live on my terrace. Stuff you put out there is usually dry in two hours. If it looks like it will rain immediately I will bring it into my art alcove to finish.
My place is coming together day by day. I just love it!🥰

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May 6, 2025 · 9:18 am

Harvey Update

This is my terrace! I’ve never had one before. This one is about the size of a postage stamp, but it’s big enough to put a clothes drying rack on, allowing me to wash out a few things saving trips to the laundry in the future. I will be particularly pleased to be able to rinse out towels and my workout clothes.

Harvey was discharged from the hospital and moved to the nursing home yesterday afternoon. We have been to see him twice there now.

Yesterday he was actually alert and trying to talk to us. He recognized us (whoopie!!!) called me “babe” and kissed my hand repeatedly. He said a lot of stuff that made no sense, but was trying to communicate. The nursing home will feed him low carb food, and this will help him a lot. They send us videos of him! Today’s were of his physical therapy. We got there later to visit, and he was determined to sleep, having eaten well and exercised. He had the same book about Thailand on his chest. It’s written in Thai, so he can’t read a word. Maybe he is just looking at the pics.

Anyway, the staff is making sure someone is with him, helping him do daily things and making sure he is comfortable.

I was encouraged again today, even though he didn’t know we were there or interact with us.

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May 5, 2025 · 9:57 pm

Cinco de Mayo

My friend Marsha sent me a really cute picture to go with the holiday, but the saved photo goes to la la land 😡

We went to the gym (day 2 for me). I walked for about 32 minutes and bumped the speed up from 3.6 to 4 in increments. I felt fine. The bottom line was I walked a mile. 🙂

We’ve had breakfast and I am waiting for the people to come install Internet service for me. When they finish, we’ll copy some stuff and send it DHL.

Then, if the time is reasonable, we will go visit my husband in the nursing home.

❤️ Shout out to Laufrain and David, who are celebrating an anniversary today!

I hope you had a great day today.

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May 4, 2025 · 11:52 pm

Discharge!

Harvey is going to be discharged from the hospital this afternoon and transferred to the nursing home by an ambulance hired by the nursing home.

we came to check on Harvey and he is sound asleep. He does not know we are here. Apparently he didn’t sleep well last night, and so is doing it now when he is supposed to be taking medicine, doing PT, and eating lunch. He is really soundly asleep now.
we are waiting for the cashier to bring a final bill. She was supposed to be here at 11:00, but it is now almost noon.

we are supposed to be meeting the movers at my place this afternoon, so it’s hard to tell how this all will work out.
we don’t have to be here for the transport to the nursing home, but it would be nice to be able to sign off on the hospital before we have to leave…

The nursing home will call us when Harvey has arrived and has been made comfortable in his new room. We will visit there as soon as possible.

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May 4, 2025 · 8:44 pm

New Regimen – Day 1

I’m back in my condo after eating breakfast with Brian. We combined salad, sliced avocado, bacon, and scrambled eggs in big bowls, plus drinking a mug of hot mushroom tea.
Today was Day 1 of an effort for me to continue losing my lard plus regaining strength from my sudden health issues, plus wanting to be the healthiest me I can be.

We walked to the gym, rinsing off the bottom of our shoes in a tray of water and wiping them on the carpet put there for that purpose. We put our membership card up to a reader as the door unlocked and the lights came on. The owner/manager waved at us.
We were alone, otherwise, and I liked that just fine 😊

Brian showed me all about the treadmill and I was off and walking. I gradually increased the pace to 3.5, which seems to push me a bit, but is a good one for me. The machine showed a path I was supposed to be walking on, but it seemed to be going faster than I actually was. I had been watching Brian, right next to me. He did a good warm up, then gradually increased his speed to where he wanted to be. Then he did a minute or so cool down.

He was worried that I might be dizzy. That was only true for a minute or so on the walk home. I asked him if it would be rude to sit on the back of an elephant statue. He said, “No,” just as I plopped down on one’s back while the other two probably sneered as they watched me.

Brian cut his run a bit short this morning out of concern I might poop out. I did 31 minutes at a speed of 3.5 km/hour. Day before yesterday I did 3452 steps. This morning I have 4963 so far. Pretty good starting point for an old broad!

I will do some yoga stretches now before we leave to go to the hospital, and will do another set after the movers take the furniture away.

The new regimen has begun! 😛

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May 4, 2025 · 2:54 am

Feast for the Eyes

We went to the hospital first thing this morning. Harvey was up in a chair. The first thing he said to me was, “I need to be in the chair.” He looked confused when I told him he was already IN the chair. The staff brought in a wheelchair and took him for PT. When he came back, they were trying to get him back into the bed. He clearly motioned for me to come help. It was funny and a hint that my guy is inside there somewhere.

Brian and I stopped at a clothes store that we recently found that has clothes good for Brian. He bought several things, then insisted I get two kind of silky buttons- down -the front blouses he thought were pretty. 😀

We went to another place for a coffee. I told him that I really love Chiang Mai because it’s a feast for the eyes. High rise really expensive buildings and then a group of little stores with colorful, textured roofs, straw basket lids decorating the ceiling or some other creative touch. It’s a good thing he holds my hand when we are walking because I am agog at all the wonderful sights around me.

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May 4, 2025 · 2:22 am

Sun., May 4 – 2 p.m.

This place came furnished, but we are having to change several things out for one reason or another.
This bed is pretty sad, for example. The mattress is very thin -about 4 inches deep- and crunches whenever you sit or lie on it. I think there are slats under the mattress and they make sounds like they are considering dumping me on the floor in the middle of the night.
A couple of days ago we found and ordered what will be a very nice bed for us – if my husband comes home – and, of course, for me.
We THOUGHT we had arranged for them to deliver and set up the new one and take the old one with them. Brian called yesterday to make sure that was the arrangement. They called today and said they would not take the old one, so we are having to make other arrangements. We are kind of at the mercy of these companies, so the people who will take the old bed get priority.
This means that I will sleep on the couch until the new bed arrives and is set up. That is scheduled for the 16th.
As much as I have defended this old, rump sprung couch, I have to admit I hope I don’t have to sleep on it MANY nights…😀

We are going to replace this chest of drawers, as well. The third drawer down has no bottom and none of the drawers want to open or close.

This is the closet and a little dressing table. Brian has ordered me a make up mirror so I will be able to confirm I HAVE a face and slap a bit of makeup on. 🙃

The newest thing today was we got a night light we ordered so I don’t have to leave the bathroom or alcove light on when I get up in the night!😃

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May 2, 2025 · 6:01 am

Modes of Travel in Thailand

This is an alcove area between the bedroom and, living room and terrace.

I think I will use this kind of like an informal desk area. It is a very pleasant area to sit and look out the window. I may try to do some drawing here, too, or simply sit and dream…

I am amazed at all the ways you can get around in Chiang Mai.
A lot of people walk. We do, too, if it’s not too far for “old mom” to keep up. This is one of the reasons for joining the gym is so I can gain the strength I lost from Flu A, low oxygen level, sudden heart problems and installation of my pace maker in February. Walking on the treadmill every day will allow me to concentrate on the walking, rather than trying to avoid falling on my head from tripping on the uneven sidewalks etc.
You can have a car if you enjoy living on the edge. Even Harvey saw, before his stroke, that this incredible traffic was too much for us to handle.
A “Tuktuk” is a tiny open vehicle with a small bench seat behind the driver. If one is parked in the area, you can ask him if he will take you where you want to go – that is, if you speak Thai… We took one the other day, more for the experience for me than anything else. It’s fun. 😊

There are also motor scooters and bikes that will give you rides. I really wouldn’t feel safe doing this. They dart confidently in and around really heavy traffic, many times in between two or more lanes, with a bunch of other motor scooters and bikes right there with you. Whew!

The mode Brian and I take most often is called Grab – their version of Uber in the U. S. He calls, tells them where he is and where he wants to go. They come almost instantly. He pays through an online service.
All this happens at the same time on the road, with people driving on the wrong side, all driving fast and confidently. I get in , carefully saying, “Hello,” as Brian says something equivalent to, “Blessings be upon you “ in Thai. I strap myself in and try to keep my mouth from hanging open as we “fly” through the traffic. As I get out, I say a somewhat strangled version of “kawp coon, ka!” Hoping I didn’t mangle it TOO badly… 😂

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May 2, 2025 · 5:25 am

Mixed Bag Day

This is my teeny tiny kitchen. If you look carefully, you can see my fridge to the left of the green towel under the counter top. Yes, really. Kind of like a campus dorm room fridge. I’m throwing away the cookware that all looks like, as my husband used to describe horses as, “rode hard and put away wet.” I’m tossing two pieces every day or two so that I don’t use more than my share of the floor’s trash service.
I do have a microwave. We need to get glassware, dishes, silverware, and a dish drainer , as well as a skillet and spoon in order for me to do anything that could be called cooking. That’s all right for now, but we should probably cook breakfast ourselves and have dinner delivered, or vice versa when I get set up.

Harvey is getting final tests before discharge. We visited him today, greeted him and kissed him, but he showed no recognition or reaction that we were there. We stayed a while, but couldn’t engage him, so we went to do errands.

We are trying to replace stuff in the condo so that I can enjoy it, plus it’s going to last for when Brian rents the condo out or sells it after we’re gone.

Today we ordered a new bed and a sofa. We will order more as we go.

We ordered Internet service (hooraaaay!) and I got two pairs of exercise shorts and tees for starting at the gym Monday. We ordered a clothes drying rack so I can wear one set while another is drying for the following day. It will also allow me more flexibility, particularly if the laundry is closed for some reason.
A funny/vain thing – I asked Brian to order a makeup mirror because I can see that I HAVE a face in the bathroom and the bedroom, but that’s it.
Lots and lots of details and changes to absorb, but I spend each day fascinated by all the new things I am learning, food I am trying, activities I am participating in, and more.
I will be delighted if Harvey improves to the point he can live with me here and start enjoying the new lifestyle. If it can’t happen, we will make the best of it that we can.

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May 1, 2025 · 5:27 am

Update on Harvey

This is Harvey in the air bnb before the stroke.

He was due to be transported to the nursing home this afternoon. One of his doctors came in and started talking about follow up tests. The end result is that they think they should provide the nursing home with the latest numbers and their recommendations going forward , so the transporting will now happen tomorrow.

Harvey still isn’t recognizing us. Today I told him it was wonderful to see him. He responded, “I am happy you are here.” I asked if he knew who I was and he said, “No.”

Again I am thankful all this happened here, that he has received amazing care, and has a nice place where he will continue to have caring people who will do all they can to provide what he needs.
I don’t know yet if we will get to visit him tomorrow once he leaves the hospital, but we will do what they recommend.

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May 1, 2025 · 5:10 am

Getting Moving

Brian and I just got back from “Walkin’ to New Orleans” to get to a nice looking gym, where he has been running first thing in the morning for the past 4 days, I think.

We have a one month membership for me now. I will start Monday morning. They open at 6 a. m. , so we will start walking from here at 5:50. He says it’s a 5 minute walk for him and it took us 10 minutes to get there this afternoon. Actually, the walking over there and walking back will make me proud of this old lady.😛

He runs for 25 minutes. I will try to walk on the treadmill for the same 25 minutes he is running. Then I am planning to do a slow easy yoga stretching session in the afternoons. We will see how it goes. 🙂

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May 1, 2025 · 4:53 am

Couch Potato

This is my couch.

It’s really old and the lounge part is quite rump-sprung. The material will not smooth out. The last picture shows the arm, from which all the stuffing is gone .

Brian said I should replace it. I will, reluctantly, if Harvey recovers enough to come live with me. Otherwise, I’m keeping it. I think it’s wonderful.
I sit down and half the time end up on my back laughing. It swallows me up. Then I use both feet to push my self up against the two pillows and I am in heaven. The arm is perfect to hold my phone while it is being charged – as it is now, and my glasses are there, plus a book I am reading. When we get the TV working, this is the perfect spot for that, or a nap…😴

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