Oticon Hearing Aid Check

I can’t believe it’s been three years since I got my first pair of hearing aids. I knew I was having a hearing problem because the TV volume was set at ridiculously high levels and I was constantly asking my husband to repeat himself.  And the hearing test confirmed my suspicions. It was also during the height of the pandemic. So I not only had to get used to the idea of wearing the hearing aids, but also getting used to them in a very sheltered environment. Then I had to get used to them again once we began to start living our lives in the outside world. So before the three year warranty expires in October, I got a reminder email that the aids should be brought in for a check, clean up, and for a battery change. The batteries were starting to run low early in the evening. It was the first time I saw the audiologist without a mask. The hearing aids looked good and the battery was changed. I asked about the newest technologies and at this time I am content with the pair that I have until it really becomes necessary to update them. It’s sort of like an iPhone. Unfortunately the ringing in my ears has returned and that may mean they need to be adjusted based on another hearing test - which I may schedule in the fall. I also got another year warranty. The charge for that can also be used to purchase a new pair. Supposedly these Oticon aids last 5-7 years. I’m happy that the battery change made a big difference and that these sorts of devices are available to make life easier. And the best part is that the office is literally right across the street so it couldn’t be any more convenient. 

52Frames Door Photo Trending With a Poem

This is such a wonderful streak. Ever since April my 52Frames photo for the week has trended. That means on their website a carousel of images appears and switches up every few hours. My photo usually shows up on the day after the album opens. It’s really something that I look forward to seeing every week - especially when there are over 2500 entries from all over the world! The subject this week was “door” and I had so many choices after visiting Old Town Alexandria. The selection was a very old crooked house with blue and green doors. But a composite was created to make the scene black and white except for the colorful doors. What was really nice this week was a comment about the photo made by a fellow framer from California. He submits very quirky images that make me laugh. He also has a way with words and could create a children’s book with his unique commentary and photos. This week he wrote a poem about this very crooked house and doors. I really appreciate all of the comments my photos receive every week and I also enjoy commenting on their photos. All along the way new things are learned and friends are made. It’s really such a nice hobby and the interactions make it so much more meaningful. Thanks T for the kind words!

Another Medical Test

Once you start looking you will always find something. My husband was having pulsation tinnitus and was concerned it could lead to something more lethal. So he went to see an ENT physician. She ordered a CT scan after his hearing test and ear check were done without any obvious findings. Of course a CT scan shows more than the area in question. The results were unremarkable except for a nodule on his thyroid. Of course that can’t be left unattended. Even though he is not having any symptoms, an ultrasound was ordered. It seems we have been making it a habit to have a test or a doctor visit every week since January of this year not only for this but for a variety of issues. Of course the ultrasound showed a potential threat. So now a biopsy was scheduled. In the mean time my husband has been reading every article under the sun about this issue. And being a surgeon he thinks beyond the usual and plans for the worst. So this morning I am sitting in the waiting room and it seems to be taking forever. Now what?

52Frames Door Weekly Photo Challenge

It was really hard to make a choice for this week’s 52Frames weekly photo challenge. The subject was “door” so that meant a trip to Old Town Alexandria where there are doors of every size and shape. The problem was is that my husband had a favorite and so did I. I was also experimenting with black and white with a pop of color. He liked the old grungy door in front of a shop on King Street; I liked the blue and green doors on a very crooked and old house in the neighborhood. In between were so many other beautiful doors and colors and backdrops including a fire boat on the Potomac River and so many others that we found while strolling along the sidewalks of a town established in the 1700’s. Old town is one of our favorite places to visit because there is always something to see. I ended up submitting the old crooked house. It was a composite image made up of three layers - the original image in black and white and two more layers for each color door. The sign post was edited out of the front to make it less distracting. It would be nice to get selected this week. But I won’t hold my breath. It was quite a project. My husband is such a good sport about helping me not only take the photos by driving and walking to all of these places, but also critiquing them. We usually don’t agree and this time I overruled him. It usually doesn’t work to my advantage. 

Giving Chick Fil A Another Try

My husband had a hankering for Chick Fil A yesterday for dinner. We haven’t been there for quite some time. For a particular irritating medical reason my husband can no longer eat hot and spicy along with coffee and chocolate, among other things. So we thought we would give it a try again anyway. He couldn’t get his spicy chicken sandwich so he got the regular chicken with pickles. I got the spicy salad, along with a side of macaroni and cheese, chicken soup, French fries and of course, the peach milkshake - another item he can’t eat. It was fun to go through the motions again. The app is very easy to use and curbside pickup is very straight forward. Once we got home and got everything laid out it was obvious why we haven’t been back for such a long time. Everything we get from restaurants is just too salty, and that’s not good if you have high blood pressure. Plus everything just looks so unhealthy - but also tastes quite good. But we are always sorry we go after the fact and are reminded why. It will probably be a while before we go back - if ever. We find that what we cook at home just tastes better and is better for us. But every once in a while it’s okay to “splurge” - or is it?

Vionic Ballet Flats and Loafers

Since coming down with what I think is plantar fasciitis in June or earlier, my foot has never been the same. And it hurts. I’ve been doing daily exercises specific for this condition via the Hinge Health app that I was already using for low back pain, icing my foot twice a day, wearing a hard splint during the day and a sock splint at night, and researching shoes that might be easier to wear and/or support the foot better. Some days are better than others but it doesn’t feel like this will ever go away. I can’t remember the last time I walked or stood up that I didn’t have to think about it. So I found some ballet flats and loafers on the Vionic website. It’s always tricky to buy shoes on line because you never know how they will fit. But right now I’m not as choosy as I once was. And wearing a size 11 it was always so hard finding shoes to fit. Now it’s so much easier, but they do sell out quickly! Anyway, the shoes arrived and will be replacing the old ones that have virtually no support. I wore the flats to a doctor appointment and they seemed ok. I haven’t tried the loafers yet. At least there are items that are out there to help make the painful situation less so. It started off with both feet and now it is just one. I have no idea why but am not seeing a quick recovery. It can be disappointing. If it continues on at this rate I may eventually seek medical attention. I just don’t feel like it right now. 

Yas Saffron Pistachios

We usually stop at Yas Bakery on our way to visiting our family in central Virginia. But this time we took a ride over to Yas, located in Vienna, after our morning walk. My husband was in need of some sugar cubes. It seems the grocery store never carries sugar cubes and this is a great option. But we needed to get more than just sugar cubes! One of the items we all like is pistachios. And they have a wide variety of them. I have a bad habit of eating them in the evening as a healthy snack. So we found the saffron pistachios and got a package. And, my husband loves a sort of cookie item that he used to have with his tea after dinner. It reminds him of the old country and he loves them. So we got a package of those. They are just a little sweet and something in between a cookie and cake. We have also gotten Christmas gifts and odd bits for friends and family. It’s nice to have a place like this to visit. The cookies and other treats are also lovely. I’m sure we will be back in short order.