Sunday October 17, 2021

We were back from breakfast at Mike's favorite place and getting a few things at the food store by 8:30 this morning. Early start!

Great day yesterday at several of our favorite places for music, food and drink. I didn't exactly eat healthy but I did eat very small portions. We had planned on 2 meals out a week so it was more or less within plan. This week will be tougher with 2 events here, then we go to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday to pick Mike's son up at the airport as he has been working overseas for the last 6 months.

Not much else going on here. We are taking a walk shortly. It is much cooler and less humid this morning than it has been so our walk should be easier.

Have a safe and healthy Sunday!

Good Sunday morning! So happy to read that Shirl is coming out of lock down!

I am now the owner of bionic ears. They will definitely take some getting used to, but I am sold on the bluetooth aspect of the devices. Sharper tones are picked up more than I might like - dog nails on the bare hard floors were really irritating. The true test will be tomorrow when I am with the kids.

Yesterday I did not eat well, but I didn't eat a lot either. Down another pound +. I logged and tracked calories and was surprised to see that my calorie intake was roughly 1400. I would have guessed closer to 2000, so I'm guessing it was somewhere in the 1500-2000 range for the day, since my portions were estimates.

Tonight we are finally seeing Hamilton! I hope I like it and it does not disappoint. For entry one must wear a mask AND provide proof of vaccination. Negative covid tests are not enough. All attendees must be vaccinated! First event of any kind I have attended where vaccination is mandatory. Being a private business, they are allowed to require vaccination for entry.

RAIN! We are supposed to get some tonight. Not holding my breath, but boy, do we need it!

Off to feed dogs and groom a client.... No rest for the weary!

When we went to the Eagles concert vaccination was required.

Did you get traditional hearing aids via an audiologist or the newer type available over the counter?

I tried the newer type that are over the counter. They were AWFUL! They are nothing more than amplifiers. I lasted about 90 seconds before ripping them out. Apple earbuds are better than those horrible things. I would caution against purchasing the over the counter hearing aids/amplifiers.

The ones I got are from an audiology technician, not an audiologist. An MD was not really needed for the hearing aids once I was diagnosed with hearing loss. My insurance doesn't cover hearing aids, so after the audiology screening at hearing center of my HMO I went to Costco for another hearing test (which turned out to be the same result as the audiologist's test) and ordered hearing aids.

The calibration took some time and I will go back in about two weeks for further adjustments. To be truthful, I have not yet put them in today. They really do take some getting used to and they tickle a bit in my ears!

Nice thing with Costco is that patients are allowed 180 days to return the hearing aids for full refund, which is 4 times what state law demands. I also paid roughly $1,000 extra for a super slim design, newer tech, and extended warranty for replacement.

Thanks for the feedback - I had wondered if the over the counter would be any good. My hearing is okay enough right now though I do have difficulties when there is a lot of background noise.

I hope Hamilton lives up to the hype. It did for me. I purposefully did not listen to any of the music before I saw it. We are scheduled to see Hadestown in March. (That would be almost exactly two years after we were supposed to see it in NYC, with the original cast.) It's part of the Broadway series coming to Minneapolis. Trying to avoid spoilers with that show too.

The Touring Broadway season here in Minneapolis is requiring proof of vaccination and masks to attend shows. Everything is paperless too. I am old school and prefer a ticket in my hand (and a boarding pass as my phone has frozen more than once) . I think all the indoor theaters here are requiring vaccination proof.

Liz, welcome back to Mike's son. I loved living in another country, I wish I had worked abroad as part of my career. Or better yet, I wish my husband had, and I could tag along. He grew up in the Air Force. I think I could have been an excellent Officer's wife. :)

I didn't get as much done yesterday as I hoped. Today is going better. I've read the paper, washed 2 loads of clothes, and made a double batch of broccoli cheese soup so I can freeze some. I use fair life milk to boost the protein and calcium even more. Packing is next.

Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment, and since I decided to use a whole sick day, I have time to get my hair cut. I need to get a pedicure too. Tuesday we have conferences (another 12 hour day) and then Wednesday, I pretty much go straight to the airport when we get home. So I really need to be completely packed by Monday night. Better get at it. :)

I am so glad you are getting away again. Sounds like a tight couple of days leading up to it, but it will be worth it!