Anyone need a Lyft?

April 21, 2018October 5, 2018 ~ msgracefulnot ~ 8 Comments

MEET JESUS, our first Lyft driver in Boston.

This guy alone sold me on Lyft! When he pulled up to pick us up, he got out of the car with a big smile on his face. He immediately offered to load our luggage in his car, listened intently as I told him this was my first experience with Lyft, and even opened the car doors for us. He was more than willing to answer my never ending questions about how he started driving, AND he let me dust off my spanish speaking skills.

Sidenote, but I still think it’s an interesting story…

When we were talking I said “despacio por favor, soy gringa” (which can be translated as slower please, English is my first language) That got the desired response and he laughed. He went on to ask if I knew why I would be referred to as gringa or gringo. Honestly, I had no clue, it was something my spanish professor told me to say, when I couldn’t keep up and I went with it. So I asked, “No, why?” He said, “Well it goes back to the Mexican American War, when the American troops (dressed in green) were returning to the states. The Mexican people were saying “Green….GO home”, thereby Gringo…. I did spend some time googling this, and did find this listed as ONE reason (among others). I don’t know if it’s true or not but like I said still a good story, and fun conversation. I Did I mention Uber can kiss my ass?!??!

Our plans for the day

Figuring I would be wiped out after our exploring and knowing that my dumbass had booked another “at the crack of dawn” flight for our return to Chicago the next day, the only thing we actually confirmed for Saturday was staying at the Hampton Inn by the airport. The hotel had a restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, and offered a free shuttle to the airport. DEAL! So we had Jesus, drop us off at the hotel.

When the whale watch cruise was cancelled for Thursday, they offered us tickets to come back on Saturday for a 2:30 pm cruise. After seeing these pictures on their website, how could you NOT want to see them?…plus we could stop at Legal sea food again, and grab some more chowdda….

Another trip with Lyft

While this guy wasn’t as talkative as Jesus, he did have a really Sexy Car and I told him so. I also said, “I will give you a really good tip if you can put it on TWO WHEELS”. He punched it, and it was AWESOME!… He also surrendered control of the radio and the best part…. was the light show on the floor….

Of course I took his picture too. AND gave him a good tip.

To be honest after that ride I didn’t really care if we saw the whales anymore…THIS was definitely the preferred method of transportation.

We stopped in at Legal seafood, grabbed some chowdda to go, and waited on the wharf to board our “cruise”.

This is the best video I was able to get of the whales (which to be honest isn’t saying much)

Part of the reason I wasn’t able to get many pictures is because the whales were free, not captive and on display somewhere. I guess they didn’t “feel like performing”.

The other reason I wasn’t able to get many pictures is because “pink coat lady” couldn’t keep her arms down. I get that she was excited, but I was getting angry that she was EVERYWHERE, well at least her pink arms were. I am still not sure if the thought of pushing her overboard was only in my mind or if it snuck out of my mouth, but either way I needed to get away from her.

Living in Illinois (surrounded by corn), I don’t have much experience with boating or being around water in general so although I was disappointed about having higher expectations, I am still glad I went. Before I surrendered to the warmth of the cabin, I was able to capture a video of this dolphin swimming alongside the boat.

By the time we docked, I was done. Boston was definitely beautiful and I had a great time, but if we are keeping score….it kicked my ass. I really am a country girl at heart.

We had a really delicious meal at La Famiglia Giorgio’s , headed back to the hotel, and pretty much went right to sleep, never enjoying the pool or bar. I know that we took a Lyft back to the hotel, but I couldn’t even tell you if it was a man or woman driving.

This is what was still on our plates AFTER we had finished eating. Basta Pasta!

Will I ever go to Boston again? MAYBE in warmer weather, with MORE time, and on someone else’s dime. ( I was able to cover my entire trip, excluding food, with all the points I have accumulated from using travel cards)

The guide books call Boston the “walking city” and with MS my walking isn’t going to improve so for now I will just be grateful for the things I WAS able to do….oh and next time I would take a map…. I relied way to much on Google Maps, which if you look at the bottom of this picture, was very unreliable for me. Can’t find a way there?!?!?! SMH

I came back from Boston Wicked Smaaht

April 12, 2018April 12, 2018 ~ msgracefulnot ~ 11 Comments

Ok that’s not even a little bit true, I’m still the same dumb ass I was before I went on the trip, BUT I did learn ALOT (good and bad). It was definitely an adventure…..

If you’ve got some time I would like to tell you about it…..well about getting there and our first day in the city.

SOMETIMES the weather forecast is right

Before we left, I had been half listening to the forecast. The forecasters said that we would be ‘blessed’ with a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and rain and temps of 26 degrees beginning 2 hours before we were to head out for the airport. After sleeping 3 hours, I woke up at 1 am, showered, coffeed, and looked out the window. Of course they picked THIS time to be correct….smh

We left Einstein’s house at 2 am, and headed to my house to pick Thing 2 up. She was driving us to the airport. (well I was driving us to the airport, and she was taking my car home) That 20 minute drive took almost an hour….grrrrr

ok MORE coffee….(the American Airlines app, I downloaded on my phone said the flight was still on time, so we were doing this) Driving to the airport sucked, since everyone forgets how to drive in the winter. (It’s not like we haven’t had a long enough winter for people to relearn) smh AGAIN.

When we got to the airport, Thing 2 ran in and grabbed a wheelchair for me. I NEVER thought, I would be so grateful to have one. (Our trip hadn’t even started and I was completely exhausted.)

I won’t claim that it was perfect, but since I know the rating system affects the person driving the wheelchair directly, (he really was a nice guy) I did give the experience a perfect 😀 score on the “she has been delivered” tablet you have to sign when you are dropped off at your gate.

Security was a breeze

I probably shouldn’t say this, but the “trick” to getting through security quickly is having a bag of pee strapped to your leg. The poor girl that had to do my pat down apologized so many times about having to “feel me up” and couldn’t comprehend what a foley catheter was, I don’t think she even noticed or swabbed the great stuff on my hands. In hindsight, it is really scary that the people that are supposed to be providing our security are so afraid of “offending” someone, that they “overlook” certain things. I hope I am wrong and they tested me some other way without my realizing it. I assure you I will not be complaining to them.

Clear skies

Boarding the plane was also a breeze. I did get a little nervous when the person sitting next to me started coughing, (Oh no, not the plague again) but for supposedly being a full flight, she was able to move to another seat closer to other family members. YAH ME!! In fact, both seats next to me were empty!!!! Double Win! I took off my leather bomber jacket, used it as a pillow, used my sweatshirt as a blanket, and I was out. 🙂 I woke up a couple hours later in Boston, not quite fully rested, but refreshed nonetheless.

The airline had a wheelchair waiting for me as I deboarded the plane. I didn’t get a picture of the woman driving (though I should have since she was also the one who helped me reboard on the way home and she was SO HELPFUL) After taking us to the baggage claim area for my companions suitcase, I explained that “according to my research” we were supposed to take the SL to the blue line and I needed to buy a ticket somehow. “Oh no honey, you don’t need to buy a ticket, it’s all free”, she said. Huh? Nothing in life is free.

There are still some free things in the world

Transportation FROM the airport is free via the Silver Line and the Subway (as long as you don’t leave the station). Who knew?!?! We boarded the SL1 which is an electric/gas powered bus. It was electric leaving the airport, then temporarily shuts off to restart and run on gasoline…..WHAT?!?!? Don’t laugh, I really had no idea such a thing existed….

We rode the SL to the end of the line and then tried to figure out which direction we needed to head on the blue line to get to our destination.

I must really have the “damsel in distress” look, because people were constantly coming up to me offering to provide help or direction. A man and a woman (not a couple) even debated with each other which way would be easier. The man said we should take this route…the woman directed her eyes to my cane and suggested that MAYBE, the orange line would be a better choice. Orange line it is!.. The announcement said the the orange line would be approaching on the center platform….

Look BEFORE you leap

I heard “center platform” and crossed the tracks to head that way. No I did not notice the train that was heading directly for me before I stepped onto the tracks. Talk about your life flashing before your eyes….HOLY SHIT….(yah for the foley cath, since I think I would have pissed my pants without it). No I didn’t get hit by the train, but I didn’t escape unscathed either.

Wait there is more….

So now I am standing on one side of the platform, my companions on the other. The orange line pulls up and we need to be on that train, but how to communicate that? I am using hand signals through the glass trying to tell them to get on the train as I proceed to board. Once on the train, I don’t see them….Oh shit should I get off?!?!? I try to step off the other side of the train to see if they are still on the platform, only to get my feet caught up in my suitcase or the cane and down I went. 20 minutes in Boston and I wipe out. The upper part of my body is on the train, but my legs are hanging out the door and I can’t pull them up.

I really am a train wreck (pun intended)

For the first time in my life, I am grateful that people don’t mind their own business. Someone pulled me into the train car just as my companions found me. How the hell have I survived 44 years on this planet?!? Have I mentioned GRACEful I am not?!?!

I’m not done yet though…. not with my life or with this story….

We did make it to the apartment we were staying at to drop off our bags without any further mishaps.

We also found a great little pizza place.

While we were eating we decided our next stop would be the Prudential Skywalk.

The UBER app can kiss my ass

Believe it or not, I did listen to the advice I was given before leaving that uber was the easiest way to get around while we were there, so I downloaded it to my phone before leaving. After my “near death experiences” from the morning, I thought MAYBE now was the time to actually use it. The app had other ideas.

OH come on!!!!!!!!! WTF?!?!? How can it be disabled, I have never even used it before?!?!? Visiting the website they sent me too was no help either…. Ok so back to the train…. If at first you don’t succeed try try again? In fact I was more determined than ever to figure this “whole public transportation” thing out. When we got back to the train station, I took a picture of the map (schedules had changed effective April 1st and new ones weren’t available yet?!?!) I made a “new friend” who suggested that we buy a one day charlie card which would allow us unlimited use of the buses and trains throughout the city for 24 hours.

By the end of the first day, I was cold, tired, and completely worn the hell out…. but I CAN boast that I have become quite proficient at using the MBTA. ( I still think that using a horse would have been easier)

IT RAINED ALL DAY!!!!!! (at least it wasn’t snow though)

I took a selfie before crashing for the night. I don’t know that I will claim damsel in distress, but definitely helpless, homeless, or in someone in need of assistance.

I’m not sure if I made an impression on Boston, but after one day, it certainly left an impression on me.

I will write more about our trip later this week, not only did I come back from Boston with a semblance of a silly accent, but I also picked up a scratchy voice and fever 😦

Will I ever learn?

March 2, 2018October 5, 2018 ~ msgracefulnot ~ 27 Comments

Will I ever learn patience or to slow down?

Nope, probably not. (Hey don’t shoot me, I’m being honest here) My whole life I have struggled with patience, and I have always been “in a hurry”. When My MS is at it’s worst though, my body won’t allow me to be impatient or in a hurry, and when I try to, I get hurt.

Yes I got hurt again 😦

I got hurt, but I’m not dead. I will explain what happened in just a moment, and you can even “yell” at me if you think it will help, but first let me explain, well try to explain why I did it.

So I wrote the other day that a trailer “fell into my lap”. I had help for a couple hours, I moved what I set out to do and that’s all I was going to do. My dad told me that since he thought he was having surgery the trailer was free for a couple weeks, and I might as well have the kids drop it at Einstein’s since he wouldn’t be using it. (That way I could take a “slow and steady approach” to loading it.) Thing 2 and her boyfriend “D” dropped the trailer off in Einstein’s driveway for me, when they were done moving the bikes.

Just because I am proud of my daughter I took a video of her backing the trailer in. This is funny to me because “D” doesn’t “trust her” to drive HIS Truck, but knows she is better at backing up a trailer than he is….That’s MY GIRL!!!! but I digress….

BUT THEN….

The temperature changed, not just the outside weather temperature, but the temperature in Einstein’s house wasn’t as frigid. I will write more about that another time and in another place, ( I think a new blog is coming ) but the verbal knives weren’t flying anymore and I started “getting cold feet” about leaving, so I HAD TO GO.

Einstein had been complaining about where the trailer was parked, and had even tried to move it by hand…. I did not say out loud “THAT”S NEVER GONNA HAPPEN”….but it did inspire me to make a call….

There was help available. A young man that I had friended a year or two ago while I was taking classes, was willing to help me move. We will call him “J”. (He said, “Hell I’ve got a truck, trailer, and plenty of friends”) just pick a day. That’s something that I would say, not something I am used to hearing so….ok “How about NOW?” came out of my mouth.

and that’s how it all began……

When you have help you take it!!!! “BUT don’t you EVER take help without working your ass off just as hard as the person who is giving you help!!!!” This one I think was literally beat into my ass as a kid, so no way is it going away anytime soon.

Einstein was NOT happy that I was having a “DATE” (as he called it ) over to help me move, so it was only “J” and no friends. Einstein moved most of my furniture to the doorway in preparation. (Did I mention a new blog coming soon?….when I don’t live in HIS house)

So the trailer was quickly loaded, and my car was filled, and off I went. Almost all of my furniture that can not be strategically shoved in my car has been “deposited” in my new place. (Of course it wasn’t until I had set up my big comfy couch that I realized there is no electricity run to the wall of the west side of the “living room”) But that is another story for a different day.

So what did I do?

I worked my ass off!!!!….and then some….I THOUGHT I broke my foot again. I remember the doctor saying, “this is going to hurt a bit”, as he stuck a needle in my foot. There was quite a bit of pain. (enough to make me vomit and then pass out) His orders were keep it elevated and iced all day. Back in the boot or use your wheelchair for one week…and of course take these drugs. I give in, not up, but I give in…for now.

The “moral” of the story is I did what needed to be done and now my body says IT’S done. I didn’t PURPOSELY over do it or rush. It’s so hard not to “overdo it” when you ARE feeling well, considering you KNOW that the “NOT feeling well” is just around the corner.

McDonald’s “curbside ordering”..wtf?

February 12, 2018February 12, 2018 ~ msgracefulnot ~ 17 Comments

This is just wrong on so many levels!!!!!!

I am literally still smh (shaking my head) at this one…smh

I saw this advertised at McDonald’s today while I was in the drive thru. Let me give you the back story before I start my attack on McDonald’s.

I am moving into a place that I believe has mold behind the ceramic tiles in the bathroom. Not wanting to deal with mold in any way shape or form, I decide better be safe than sorry, and just rip out the ceramic tile around the tub. (yah it will give me something to do to occupy my mind too) Doing physical labor has always been a great stress release for me.

So I headed over to the new place this morning, tools in hand and started work on the tub. I had my safety glasses on, a mask for dust, broom and vacuum ready for post cleanup. I had the first wall taken down without issue, and decided to take a clean up break so I didn’t fall on the tiles.

I forgot the damn gloves….smh. I cut my hand on the tile, and I know how to bleed….What a mess!

I finished the remaining walls, swept up the area, but my finger was still bleeding, so I decided to give it a rest. On the way home I stopped at McDonalds for a fresh coffee. I used the drive-thru because it’s convenient, though I could tell you I didn’t want to walk in with Blood everywhere, truth is I am lazy.

While waiting for my coffee, I saw a new advertisement for curbside check in ordering. WTF?!?!? How is this good or helpful on any level?!?

Of course NO ONE would ever consider texting their order into McDonald’s while driving
It’s a great idea to mix cars and people in the parking lot!!! I can already see someone pulling in while texting their order and not paying attention to the person delivering food to someone else.
How about all of the cars pulling in and backing out at the same time??!?! At least with the drive thru there is some semblance of order ( although I have seen that get pretty dicey too)

Ok, I’m done bitching. Can someone tell me how this could be a good idea in any way shape or form?!?!? I really don’t get it…. Mentally, I am done for the day. It’s funny I was telling someone on the phone earlier that it’s ok to just be done and take a break for a day, their issues, problems, etc will still be there tomorrow. Now I am going to take my own advice and focus on the positive.

Before

After

nothing more than a paper cut

Today was a very productive day in spite of my minor injury…. (it really is minor) Maybe you are starting to see how I got the name Grace?

Finding the positive in a bad situation

November 7, 2017February 9, 2018 ~ msgracefulnot ~ 2 Comments

Yesterday was a pretty PERFECT day. I am sure as I tell you about it, you might think I have come unhinged or am joking, but please keep reading and hopefully you will see why before I am finished.

I woke up at 6 am, fed the dogs, and realized I wasn’t going to have time to do my mile on the treadmill before I had to leave at 7. 😦 That meant it was going to be so much harder in the afternoon. 😦 STAY FOCUSED. It didn’t matter, I was going to traffic court with my daughter for a pretty bad speeding ticket, and I should probably at least be showered when I showed up. I took a shower, threw on some “presentable” clothes, loaded my dogs in the car and headed out the door. (I share “custody” of my dogs with my kid, but more about that another time)

I got to her house at 7:30 and she was still getting ready, which was fine. (I hadn’t planned on her being ready anyway; and we didn’t have to leave for a 1/2 hour.) We talked for a moment about whether we were riding together or separate and came to the conclusion that we would have to drive separate because we were going in different directions afterward. 😦 (I had hoped to use the drive to “catch up” on her busy 20 year old life.)

We left for the courthouse at 8:00, went through security with the “want to be cops” who insisted that I pull my keys out of the bottom of my suitcase of a purse and put them in an individual tray even though my purse was going through an XRAY machine?!?!? (Yes I was being petty and judgmental, but please stick with me) I silently did as I was told, and we made our way to the courtroom only to find out that her lawyer wasn’t there. (SMH, you have got to be kidding me!!!) Court started at 8:30 and the lawyer’s office didn’t open until 9. Not that I could call them anyway since I left my phone in the car because unfortunately, I have to been to traffic court enough times to know that phones are not allowed. ARGH!

We entered the courtroom and waited for my daughter’s name to be called. When it was, the state’s attorney called us to the back of the courtroom to offer her a deal. We told him that her attorney hadn’t showed up yet, and that we needed more clarification about his offer. As soon as I said she had a lawyer, he said he couldn’t talk to us anymore without the lawyer present. (well that’s a hell of a catch 22 don’t you think….we couldn’t locate her lawyer!!!!!)…. argh and argh!! He agreed to “mark us present” and let us go into the hall to decide what to do next.

While we were discussing her options and the hallway was clearing out, I had noticed that ONE lawyer had come into the hall numerous times calling for his client. I made a joke that if he would find my daughter’s lawyer, I would find his client. He went back into the courtroom and came back 60 seconds later saying that he couldn’t find her lawyer. I told him I was sorry I had looked everywhere and couldn’t find his missing client either. 😉 (yes this was only 60 seconds)

Wow this is getting lengthy, if you’re still here please stay with me, I promise there is a point and I will try to summarize more. The attorney said he would not charge us to talk to him for a few minutes if we wanted to talk. We did! The very last thing he said to us while we were in the itty bitty room was, “If you were my daughter, I would tell you to take some time to think about your options. You do have the right to ask for a continuance and you have a lot to think about. Here is my card, if you decide you would like to hire me. Good luck with whatever you decide.”

It was now 9 am. Time to call the “missing attorney” and give him a piece of my mind. I sent my daughter back into the courtroom to let the state’s attorney know we were still looking for her lawyer. OH SHIT I DIDN”T HAVE MY PHONE! (not to mention the time or energy to go all the way back to my car to get it) I asked a complete stranger if I could use her phone, SHE LET ME!!!!!!!!! (yes I was shocked) I quickly called the attorney’s office only to be told by the receptionist that she didn’t know where he was, but she would ATTEMPT to locate him and call me back. SMH…ARE YOU FRICKING KIDDING ME?!?!!? I hung up, closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

When I walked back into the courtroom, my daughter was standing in front of the judge with the state’s attorney and the entire courtroom was empty. The judge said, “Well come on up, we’ve been waiting for you”. (I thought, “Oh shit, she’s going to jail, I’ve pissed the judge off, and he is going to make HER pay.”)

Because this is my daughter’s life, and it’s not my right to share more, let me just tell you that my daughter did not go to jail. She got a speeding ticket and because we live in IL and she is 20 years old the consequences are pretty hefty. (max penalty 1500$ fine and/or jail time, and possible license suspension…. OUCH)

AND FINALLY TO THE POINT OF THIS WHOLE STORY……

As we left the courtroom I sat down and took another deep breath. I felt so grateful for so many things.

I am grateful that although my daughter has a terrible lead foot; (yes I think it is hereditary) She took responsibility for her mistakes. She faced so many fears that morning and handled it like a champ! While I was waiting for her to get ready for court, I was glancing around her house feeling proud that she seemed to have a pretty good handle on adulting. Dishes were done, animals had food and water, the house was clean. ( Big improvement from when she was 18)

I am Grateful for the attorney that took his time to calm a mother’s fears. (I know he was looking for business too, that’s his job, but he didn’t have to do be as nice about it)

I am Grateful for the woman that still has enough trust to hand her phone over to a complete stranger. (Even though I looked like a frantic crazy woman)

I can list so many more things that I am Grateful for, but for fear of losing you. I want to state my final points. They are all pretty much cliche, but maybe now you can understand why I am saying them.

Be Grateful for the small things in life.
Try to focus on the positive when it feels like the world is turning upside down
Be kind to strangers
Remain Calm
Own your shit
Focus on what you CAN control
Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst
Don’t judge other people!!!!

As we left the courthouse, I felt terrible for judging and labeling the security guards as “want to be cops”, they were just doing their jobs who the hell was I to judge. I approached them and asked if I could talk to them for a few minutes. During our conversation, I learned the reason the keys have to go in a separate container. I didn’t realize that they couldn’t tell if I had pepper spray or a knife attached to my keys if they were in a bag with other junk. They ask you to put them in the container so they can do their jobs of protecting people better by examining them closer. Yes I feel silly that I judged, but also Grateful that I learned something new.

New challenge for myself, spend the rest of this week remembering AND applying # 1-8.