Sleep, sleep, how I love thee...

~
A couple of days ago, I went to a volunteer orientation for a place called "Muttville".  It's a rescue center for senior dogs.  I ended up staying for about 5 hours, cause it was so fun.

But I had to leave Annie home, because no "stranger" dogs allowed in case the senior dogs are carrying disease.  Last week, I took Annie to the vet, to update her shots.  I'd forgotten that the rabies shot and whatever the other one/s are... are now done every 3 years, so she was fine as far as shots were concerned.  Except the bordedella one, commonly called the "kennel cough", so she did get that shot.  I don't want to bring any doggy diseases home.

So I was Annie-less for a good part of the day.  There's a bus stop on the same block where Muttville is located, so it was a very short walk - that wasn't a big deal.

There were 2 others being trained - a guy with no experience with dogs, having never been near them even, and another lady with an Akita at home, so she has experience with large dogs.  

We walked approximately 15 dogs, taking them out in two trips.  I wobbled some, but it was fine.

However, later on, on my way home, it was not so good.  I fell between 5 to 7 times.  Twice were flat out, straight down on my face.

So today?  And the day before?  Absolute flat out on my back in bed all the damn day long.  I feel like I was beat up by 3 pit bull dogs, and left for dead in the street where a tank then rolled over me.  Even my stomach muscles hurt.  And this unfamiliar muscle between my shoulder and shoulder blade.

It made me realize how very much Annie does for me.  It seems so simple - to walk.  All I need is the touch of either the wall, the handrail, the leash with someone at the end of it, the the elbow on a human walking with me.  Somehow, it's a peripheral thing - touching something grounds me, however light it is. That's why she doesn't have to be perfectly trained - all I need is for her to walk like a lady, and I'm good.

I guess I just have to realize that any assault to my body is a trauma.  A fall is not just maybe a skinned up knee and a bruise here or there.  For me, it's a full-on flare-up of stupid symptoms.  And... it's 2 days where I can't do anything with HeWhoLikesMe, and it makes me wonder how anyone can like someone who disappears from life on a regular basis.  He's leaving town in a couple of days, so I may have to pull myself up by my boots sort of thing in order to spend time with him before he leaves. 

I don't understand how I can sleep so much.  I really don't.  How can a person sleep 20 hours a day and still feel sleepy-eyed tired?  I get the physical thing with my body, but you'd think my MIND, my BRAIN, would feel like ... watching TV, at least?  

MS, how much do I hate thee, let me count the ways...

Some other day.

~

Read More

There's no Need to Fear... Underdog is Here

~
Today was a bit sobering.  I had a billion things to do, and a schedule to keep.

Annie and I walked the 6 blocks to Walgreen's, to put some money on my Clipper card.  When you hear the double beep on the bus, it means there's no more money on your card and you're very regretful about being so judgmental about people who get on and don't pay.  I soothe my conscious by asking the driver if there's a Walgreen's on his route.  I used a gift card that a friend of Michael's sent me.  Thanks, Joanne!  He needs to make more friends like that...  :-)

I also needed a printout of how much I'm paying for my meds, which is not very much at all.  Five dollars is the most I pay in co-pays.  Yesterday, I had a neurology appointment, and am going to start Copaxone again... and paying 5 bucks for a medicine that costs between 4 and 5 thousand bucks a month is a miraculous thing.  Not gonna complain.

Speaking of the neurology appointment, we picked up where we left off last March, when I had a spinal tap.  Somehow, I fell thru the cracks and haven't seen a doctor for MS issues since last March - mostly my fault because I didn't follow-up, but they didn't call me with what they were spose to do either.  We left off with needing a follow-up on the results of the spinal tap, needing a spinal MRI, and seeing a specialist.  I was sick to death of appointments at that point, and then Michael moved in, and my mind was elsewhere.  Like how to make more space in the apartment.

So, now I know that the spinal tap shows that yes, I have MS.  I'm re-starting Copaxone, IF Medicare/Medi-Cal will cover it - she wasn't sure if it would.  The specialist is scheduled for February.  Someone will call me to schedule the MRI on my spine.  I'm re-starting Occupational Therapy for helping me with walking and not falling.  I fell 3 times yesterday when getting ready to go to the doctor.  She gave me her email address, and told me to be VERY pro-active by emailing her to remind her and to make sure I don't fall down the crack again.  There's a whole lotta falling going on around here...

Back to today.  I forgot to get quarters for the laundry at the bank right next to Walgreen's.  So much for being organized.  We walked back home, and collected the free food box for my neighbor down the hall, cause I am his "proxy", which is a fancy word for someone who does something for someone else because they can't for whatever reason.  Then I cancelled my appointment at 11:30am, cause I was over-whelmed with too much to do.  It's for volunteering at a rescue for senior dogs.  I decided to wait till I get Annie's shots up to date, so that I don't bring home any diseases to her.  That's scheduled for next Thursday, and it's FREEFREEFREE cause of P.A.W.S.  !!!  Tomorrow, I have a training for volunteering at P.A.W.S. at 10:30am. 

Back to the REAL reason for today's post, for heaven's sake.  I finally went to the Apple store to test drive an iPhone because I'm losing my eyesight, and need a phone that talks to me, and does texts to voice and voice to text, etc.  Before I left tho, I got on the computer to find which bus route to take, and I couldn't see the text on the screen.  I couldn't see the text on my phone.  I couldn't see the text on my transit map.  So I had to call Michael, hoping he'd know which bus to take.  The J to downtown.  Okay, I can do that.  As I waited for the bus, I was freaking out about my eyesight.  Not being able to see the computer was new.  I also can't see the menu on the TV, which is about 8 feet away from me.  I could see it a week ago.  I can SEE, but everything is blurry to extinction.

So today was the first day I really realized that there's a problem.  Knowing it and accepting it is a whole can of worms I don't want to deal with, but it's kinda in my FACE and won't go away.

Next thing I know, Annie is staring intently down the sidewalk... her MICHAELMICHAELMICHAEL LOOKLOVEYIPPEE HE'S HERE and she forgets she's MY service dog.  He had come from the library, and knew where'd I'd be cause he's the one who told me which bus to take... He said he'd go with me, which is unusual for him.  I normally am fine with doing stuff on my own, and don't need help, but today, I felt so relieved to not be alone while I was going blind right before my very eyes...  since he came out of nowhere, that's where I got "There's no Need to Fear... Underdog is Here".  That's what it felt like.  He's got my back and I sooo appreciated it.


So we test drove the iPhone 4, the 4s, and iPhone 5.  We have a winner with either the 4s, or the 5, which means it's not a free update.  The iPhone 4 would be free, but I need Siri and after talking to her for awhile, it because clear that she is going to be my best friend.  I could also magnify the text, keyboard, and icons large enough so that I could see them.

We also test drove the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, which I LOVED the size of, but it didn't have Siri, and the keyboard was too small, the text didn't grow big and I couldn't see the icons well enough to know what they were.

So... the iPhone it is.  But it's not free.  My upgrade applies to it, so it's not full price, but still pricey for me.  We shall see.

~

Read More

Thank you, Mom Pom! And Recycling.

~

My mom made me a hat in my favorite colors... black, whites, and gray.  Love it.  Love love love it!  Hank wondered how she knew that most of my clothes are black, white, and grays.  Hmmm.. is that a good thing that he has noticed?  Is he trying to tell me he doesn't like my wardrobe?  Great.  I'm sure of it. 

The fog has rolled in.  Can't even tell that the Twin Peaks are there.

 The Housing Powers that Be gave everyone a blue recycling and a compost bucket so that we can be responsible-er.  So silly to be proud of the Housing Authority, and San Francisco's Reduce Reuse Recycle program.

They've provided recycle bins on each floor....

 Pictures to help know what goes where...
 

 And then it's just a few more steps down that little hallway, to open a door on the left, to toss the...

compost into the green bin, and regular garbage down the shute!  It's nice that the compost one is outdoors, because it's like a little balcony just for garbage.  It remains to be seen if flies will be a problem, but the maintenance guy seems to be taking them to the curb to be picked up often enough.

I don't know why this pleases me so much...

~

Read More

P.A.W.S.

Today was a beautiful day.  And a great day!

 Annie thinks so too.

 Specially after she's done working and I take her service vest off.

Besides being a beautiful day, we are thrilled because Annie and I are now happy new clients of P.A.W.S, an organization that will take the edge off my last remaining concern about the high cost of living in this city.

We were referred by the SPCA, after Annie's expensive ear infection a couple of weeks ago.  I had looked into it when I first moved here, but was told since I was still able to walk my dog, I wouldn't qualify.  Plus it was a 2 year waiting list, so they weren't even taking applications.

During the intake interview, I told Tara that Annie charmed the pants off the SPCA staff, and that must be why they referred us... plus maybe they just wanted to get paid!  Tara said that usually when the SPCA refers somebody, it's because they see something special in not only the pet, but the owner too.  Awwwww.  Annie chose that moment to get up off the floor, walk over to me, lay her head on my knee, while looking sideways over at Tara.  It was hysterical, cause I know she was showing off, but if Tara took it as her saying "Yes, my mom IS special, so pleaasseee take her on as a client" - who am I to say any different?  :-) 

As a client of P.A.W.S., a local veterinarian clinicx, Pets Unlimited, provides yearly exams, including vaccinations, de-worming, fecal test, and parasite checks at no cost.  The shots alone is a savings of about 150.00 per animal.  Two pets are allowed, so I signed up Barf too.  I get a 25% to 50% discount at certain vets for other vet care, including the SPCA.  This is a HUGE help!

We also get to go to Pet Express (where I go to for Annie's dog food) for their bathing days, where they donate their bathing stations for free and volunteers will shampoo and dry your pets for free.  There is also a bathing station at the P.A.W.S. office, that I can use myself, and they donate the shampoo and towels.  This is also a huge help to me, as I will not have to bend over to bath her anymore.  Bending over usually results in me falling on my head.

There are nail clipping clinics, a pet food bank every Saturday, and a "Ask A Vet" event once a month, where you can have your pet looked at by a vet and advised to whether they need to be taken to a clinic for real.  They will check for fleas, do anal glands, check lumps and bumps, skin issues, ear mites, etc.  Annie was spose to have a follow-up visit for her ear infection, and I'd rather not because it's a minimum of an office call ($75ish).  I can see that her ear is not red at all anymore, and it's clean, so I'm hoping to put it off till next month's payday.  Instead, I can have it checked out at the Ask A Vet events.

There is also Dog Walking services, emergency foster care (should I have to go to the hospital), In-home Cat Care, where they come empty cat boxes cause you can't bend over... so far, I'm able to do this on my knees, and get up with the help of near-by furniture.  There is also transportation to vet appointments, pet food delivery if needed, and if a cat tree should be donated, and you snag it, they can deliver.  Grooming is available if your pet has mats in their fur.  We will also get a Christmas stocking in December!

Am sooo excited.  Am planning on setting up a $10 donation per month to them each month, and I am going to try to volunteer my nail clipping abilities, participate in fund-raising events, office work, publicity booths at special events, and if someone needs dog walking or cat care within a couple blocks of my place or Delores Park, I think I'm going to try to do that, since I have to take Annie out anyways, no matter how sick I may be.

I'm just really excited, both for all the services, and also for being able to volunteer, cause I've been wanting to, but the SFSPCA requires a signed contract promising a certain number of hours, as does Animal Control, but worse than that, I would have SUCH a hard time seeing abused and lost animals all the time.  P.A.W.S. goal is solely to help disabled and seniors keep their animals healthy and happy, and I can deal with that.

~

Read More

Doggie Ear Infection

Annie had an ear infection during the last weeks I was in Idaho.  The vet visit and treatment and prescription?  $80 bucks.  Follow-up included. 

Annie had an ear infection during the last week here in San Francisco.  The vet visit and treatment and prescription?  $270 bucks.  Follow-up remains to be seen, but was told that it counts as another office visit minimum.

San Francisco?  Not so much in love with you at the moment.

The treatment was a one time something put into her ear so I wouldn't have to do drops every day.  Turns out that was less expensive too.  But man, has it made the one side of her head a gloppy mess.  You can tell in this picture - the dark, oily looking area around her ear is the drainage.

She doesn't seem to have been born with the gene that makes some dogs never get water in their ears.  She can't even take a shower without getting water in there, it seems.  Sundays are her spa days, where I groom her really well, and check all her body parts to make sure all is well.  I've been cleaning her ears with water or hydrogen peroxide and cotton balls.  Ooops.  Not spose to do that.  It's not like I made water drip down her ears... just used it to dampen the cotton balls.  Moisture bad for ears.

Added to the budget?  $25 bucks a month added to a separate debit card that gets frozen in a glass of water in the freezer.  

There was a silver lining tho.  There is an organization calls P.A.W.S. who helps disabled people with their pet care.  If you can't walk your dog, volunteers do it.  They help with dog food, and $200 a year towards vet bills.  I had tried to apply for it before, planning ahead for a time I may not be able to walk Annie, but they told me I had to wait till I was actually at that point, and there is a two year waiting list.  The billing person at the SFSPCA said she would refer me to P.A.W.S. and I would be "expedited".  In writing this, I realize I haven't been called yet... hmmm.  Must follow up.

In other news, Michael is doing well in his quest for Disability, medical care and housing.  It's like a full-time job lately, but progress is being made. 

See the silver thing hanging off her collar?  My house key.  Brill. Ant.

Read More

City Hall Bike Ride

Safe feeling bike path.

Hank and I went bike riding last week, and I warned him that if he didn't let me start letting me post pictures of him, I'd start referring to him as Hank E. Panky in the blog.

There's a HUGE biking community in this city, because it's "green", and people are encouraged to ride bikes, to ease up on the public transportation system.  I recently attended a 4 hour bike safety class and learned all the many ways I've been breaking the law!



Hank E. Panky, Annie and I enjoyed biking downtown around City Hall and the Civic Center.

Sitting so GOOOOD even tho her ball is rolling away...

I get confused every time I see this building, because to me, it looks like a capital building, which would make San Francisco the capital of California.  But no, this is "just" City Hall.  I got the opportunity to go inside the other day, as there was a hearing about a group of people who wanted to get funding for getting Delores Park and area designated as a Historical .... site.... place.... Neighborhood.  Which would delay the renovation of the park for years.  It's already being delayed by the Arts Counsel right now - they don't like the look of one of the restrooms the Steering Committee approved of.  It would have entailed getting the okay of the residents of over a thousand buildings, most of which are apartment buildinngs with multiple families in them.  One of the guys who was on the Steering Committee for the park renovation emailed everyone, warning of the "danger" of this, and our presence would be good at the hearing.  Three of us showed up, and spoke of our disapproval of the Historical plan, based on the fact that we hadn't been aware of such plans during the Steering Committee process, and it seemed a bit shady that a small number of people who claimed to have been meeting once a month for 7 years to get this done, but no one had ever heard of this group.  I even spoke up - me being "political", but they were messing with MY park, gol darn it!

This is a good picture of the weird trees in front of City Hall, but I was mostly taking pictures of this guy with his pugs.

His fat pugs.

See how cleverly I used Annie as my subject?  

She always does as I tell her.  All I had to say was "Annie, go smell the flowers so I can pretend I'm taking your picture rather than the Fat Pugs behind you".

She so smart.

Snort.  

The very Fat Pugs

 Here I was cleverly taking a picture of this girl's shoe (bottom left).  Imagine my surprise when I noticed the Fat Pugs in the same picture.... 

 Could they be fat because he brought them to the park in a stroller???  He parked them at the halfway point of the block, and walked them only one time the length of the block.  They wanted to play with Annie, but the man wouldn't let them - poor things.  Pugs often have breathing problems anyway cause their breeding has mushed their faces/noses so much, and I could hear these poor dogs wheezing the entire time they were there.

Hank E. Panky thinks I get too overly worked up over dogs.  Sniff.

The Asian Museum.  Dog Park peops say well worth going.

Hank is obsessed with how many newspapers SF has.  I told him he gets too worked up over them.

No idea...

I think this is the San Francisco Symphony Center.

Speaking of the Symphony, they played in Delores Park last Sunday.  It was A MAZ ING.  

Our bike ride mapped at 5.93 miles.  

~

Read More

Wednesday Weigh-in

~

 

I should start a book called "The Trike and I".  Because of it, I'm finally doing what I wanted to do, which was to see the city in which I dreamed of moving to.  I'm able to ride the trike and whomever I'm with just walks along with me.  I'm really respectful of people on the sidewalk, not zooming along like a tiny Honda amongst a bunch of SUV's.  Hank sold his bike cause he'd rather walk the hills, and there's so many stairs in this city - he doesn't like carrying it.  So he walks with me and I carry the load of our adventures in the bike basket.  So Handy.  

Hank, Annie and I are out on the bike, exploring the city.  I'm trying to find the Trans America building.  You'd think it'd be easy to find.  It's my third journey downtown, specifically to find "downtown".  It doesn't ever occur to me to look it up on a map beforehand - it seems like it would be easy to find, so who needs a map?  Exploring is the name of the game, right?  Hank, typically hates to ask for directions, so he's mute on the subject, which works for my exploring gene. 

But there's a problem with all this exploring on the bike.  I've been averaging at least 4 miles a day, and there's been a couple of days where I've done 8 and 10 miles.  

The problem?  

I get HUNGRY.  I haven't been hungry in a long time.  Evidently, I've been keeping myself well protected from that particular feeling.  

The evidence?

Can you see it?  On top of the bucket?  It's proof that it DOES exist in San Francisco, despite my earlier belief that large, corporate chains don't exist in this city. 

It's Wal*Mart that isn't allowed - because of it's poor ... I can't think of the word.  Something about it's poor treatment of it's employees.  I hear there is a Target coming to town.  There's already a PetCo, Whole Foods galore and a Burger King.

As we walked down the street, I told Hank, "hmmm, smells like a McDonalds near by".  We looked around, and sure enough... there was a McDonalds!

Dun dun dun.

Despite it being weigh-in day at Weight Watchers later on that evening

Hello, six pound weight gain.  

Sheesh.

Updated Thursday Morning:  The points for this McDonalds meal?  52.  Points I am allowed?  27.  Ahem.  

~

Read More

Sunday Snippets

I missed the Nascar race last night, thanks to Comcast's messing up my account and me losing my temper and cancelling my Preferred channels, down to Basic.  Who knew that would leave me with only 30 channels??? Sheesh.  I hate those promotional deals they get to suck you in, and when the promotion is over, it's waaaayyy more expensive then what it was supposed to be.  I remember specifically that it was spose to be under 75 bucks, and I missed the notice (if there actually was one) that said the promotion was over.  $139.00 a month, here it was! 

My neighbor is singing along with his music.  I find it amusing and comforting.  I love happiness.  And hahaha, just as I typed that - another neighbor is screaming at somebody.  Something about "good" people don't live in filth.  The neighbor below me must be smoking pot.  Secondary high, anyone? 

Annie and I went down to the courtyard to do her bizness this morning cause I didn't want to get distracted by taking her out in the world, which tends to happen every time I go out.  I was in the rare mood to clean up my apartment.  When we were down there, my suspicions were confirmed.  It IS my cat who is meowing his fool head off.  Evidently, he can hear me and Annie playing ball in the courtyard.


My hands are hurting today.  I finally got my Lyrica prescription sorted out correctly.  It took my Neurologist a couple times to rewrite the script from 60 pills to 90, so that the pharmacy could get Medicare to pay for it.  The one "complaint" I have with the medical care here is that I have to deal with doctors in training.  My Neuro is a resident and so, moved on to something else.  The doctor taking her place says there's no notes in my chart regarding another MRI on my spine.  I have the prescription for the Ativan for it, cause I get just a little freaked out.  He was going to get in touch with her, but I haven't heard anything for a month.  I'm spose to have another appointment for the spinal tap results, but again, the ball has been dropped because of the switch in doctors.  I'm not really complaining - it just requires my having to make follow-up phone calls, which I HATE to do. 

~

A word from the wise, learned hard.  I used to leave dry food out all the time for my cats.  Barf seemed to be eating the majority of it, cause he was gaining weight, and I never saw Hiney at the dish.  I read something online about feeding them only twice a day, and stop the free-feeding.  So they've been getting canned wet food, (and I add water, cause most cats don't drink enough water) in the morning, and a quarter of a cup of dry food in the evening.

By doing this, much to my happiness, it stopped Barf's incessant meowing all day.  Now he only meows twice a day - when it's morning feed and evening feed.  They have their own spot in the apartment and their own dish.  Now I know who's eating what and how much, and rarely do I see either at the other's dish. 

Why having constant dry food in their dish made Barf meow all freaking day long, but now, NOT having it except in the evening, he's NOT meowing all day long... I have no idea.  I guess I'm not that wise after all.

TTFN
~

Read More

This and That

If I were someone who cared about me, like family and friends, I would be VERY irritated with me right now.  It seems there is no happy medium when it comes to my communications with ya'll.  If I'm not blogging, Facebooking, emailing - then you probably deduce that I'm either doing really badly or really good.  Cause when I'm doing really good, I'm all out and about and too happy.  I've never written during happy times.  Plus, you can't trust me - I lie about how I'm doing when it's really bad.  I promised my kid that I would stop doing that.

I've been doing really, really, really well for the last .... 4 days.  See, now I'm freaking out - I probably just jinxed myself!

I've quit sleeping on park benches, under the bed, all day and all night.  But on the days I have medical appointments (2), I didn't sleep the night before.  I've realized I'm a bit obsessive about GETTING to the appointments.  Not because of the bus, or where to go type of stuff - it's the worry about whether I'm understanding the Time.  Time as in the clock.  Am I reading the clock right, and am I understanding the appointment reminder sheet correctly?  Has Annie peed and poo'd appropriate amounts that I don't have to worry about her needing to go during the outing?  How many extra minutes should I plan for that?  The clock and I have issues - the same issues I have with money.  I just don't "get" numbers - they don't process well in my head.  My sister had to take over my money for me cause of it.  It carries over to conversations too.

Me:  Has anyone seen CrazyZert today?  Cause he destroyed the shrubbery of someone up the block and they called the cops on him.
B.Martha:  His case worker was here and made him take a shower this morning.

A few minutes pass and we discuss him more and other things.

Me:  So, really, I'm serious.  I'm worried that they may have taken CrazyBert to jail, so has anyone seen him?
B.Martha:  ummm, duh.  What part of "his caseworker made him take a shower this morning did you not understand?"
Me:  Oh.

I just don't put 2 and 2 together.  It's not about not listening, because we talked about how much he needed a shower, but he wouldn't allow getting his hair shampooed, and we needed to be careful cause he might have lice at this point, blah blah blah.

I just don't process things if it requires putting 2 and 2 together.

ANYWAYS, I digress.

I am doing TERRIFIC.  I've been riding the trike everywhere, and it's an answer to a prayer all of a sudden. I finally figured out that I could raise the seat - and it's soooo much easier!  I've got some power in these legs after all!  I've been riding it with the pedals way too short.  I couldn't believe the difference.

My dog park friend, Zill, told me yesterday that I was doing as good as she's ever seen me before.  Today, I walked down the rail-less stairs in the park like a normal person would - left right left right one step per foot, instead of left right each foot each step.  Hmmm.  I wonder if that made any sense?  I did hang on to Annie, cause hey, I'm not stupid.  I did a dance of victory when I reached the bottom of the steps - inside my brain.  I haven't been able to jump or do anything that requires two feet off the ground at the same time in a very long while.

                                


Yesterday, the news anchor asked the weatherman if we were going to get a break from "these extreme temperatures".  Extreme meaning 2 days of almost 75 degrees.  !!!  ???  I laughed out loud.

I feel physically strong.  Which is very, very rare for me.  I've done the trike for the last 3 days, but today I decided to walk cause I felt so good.  But I stayed in the shade, and I only did half of the park - cause I don't want to OVER DO IT.  Dumb f*cking words.  Yesterday, I biked (triked?) 6 blocks to the post office to mail off baby gift to Zusti.  (I've decided to disquise my real life friends with the letter Z cause I can never remember the fake names I used to use).  Little baby Zate is 4lbs as of a couple days ago!

I'm so excited.  Annie's mobility harness is spose to come today.  I left the FedEx man a love note downstairs on the gate to call me cause I am home.  Last time I made a point to be home for delivery, they didn't call.  Just left a note on the gate that they would try to deliver again the next day, so I spent 2 days waiting for the dang thing.

It's here!  And omg, is it wonderful.  Sooo much easier.

Annie's first day with the mobility harness

~

Read More

Cindy Dear...

Has enough time passed?...

Murder at Cindy's House Easter 2012

It wasn't me!  I walked in the door to this mayhem...

Clearly, it was Annie.
~

Read More

Ocean Beach and MS

Remember all my bravado about not being ready for a wheelchair?  Well, my brain may not have a say about it.

Ouch.  A random post I came across.  Weird huh?

Anyways, my physical downfall has caught me completely off guard.  I went to the beach last week on the bike, over 10 miles and felt GREAT.  Then we walked the beach on Friday, being careful not to over-do it, or so I thought.

Annie is holding her own against her boyfriend Oloney.  She's been afraid of the waves, but not any more.  Hank refuses to be pictured on the blog so this will have to do

My hands are confused putting the key in my door.  Lifting the second leg onto the bed requires using my hands to get it up.  The need for sleep is ... the weirdest sensation I've ever felt - it is not possible to deny.

The one night that Annie kept asking to go outside, I simply could not go out my door, without bouncing from wall to wall.  So I set out newspaper on the carpet, and told her to go potty there, hoping she'd understand.  I couldn't even stay awake long enough to see - I fell into bed, arms pinned underneath me, too exhausted to get into a more comfortable position.  When I woke up in the morning, I saw that she had peed on the papers!  I was so proud of her.  And then so sad for her.  I picked up the peed upon papers and hung them over the bathtub, hoping to train her to go in the tub, both pee and poo for my bad days.  My neighbor down the hall has offered to take her outside when I can't take her outside, but I was not able to remember that in the condition I was in.  Everything shut down.  I didn't pee, or poo, or eat, or drink.  I slept like a rock, completely asleep before I turned onto my side.  I texted with my son here and there, about me traveling to Denver maybe but it would not have happened if I got honest with myself.  He called me on Mother's Day, and I lied about having to go play cards cause I couldn't maintain the cheerful I am fine tone, and I wanted to go back to sleep.  I'd wake up to listen to Barf and Annie fighting with each other and go right back to sleep, glad they were occupying themselves.

Hank tried to help, but all he could do was just stand by, and he finally realized there was nothing he could do to help, so he spent most of his time looking for a job.

Why do I lie?  Because I'm trying to convince myself I can do it.  I'm sorry, my son.  When it comes to MS and you, I can't seem to tell the truth.  I don't want you to know how horrible it is.  I don't want to scare you.  I want you to keep climbing rock walls.

I do not think over-doing it was the thing.  I think it was time for a flare-up.  Cause it's over just as quick as it came on.  I walked Delores Park twice today and didn't feel a bit of physical exhaustion.

I've never felt such an over-powering need for sleep.  It may well have been my first true fatigue flare-up.
~

Read More

Highs & Lows of Being Me Part Two

Something has shifted within me during the last week of highs and extreme lows.

 For me to be "showing this"... this shit thing on my body not doing what it's supposed to do to someone close to me (Hank) is ... something.  I don't know why I try to hide it from people - mostly Jeremy, and whomever I was in a relationship but I do.  Part of it is the Single Mother Syndrome, I Did It All For Years and Years, and part of it is not wanting to be a burden, specially to my kid.  For me to be having "old person" issues at the age of 40 was far too soon for me to be taken care of by my kid.  He was just starting his life, and being tied down to a mother who can't walk sometimes was unacceptable to me.  On several occasions, he would tell me about their plans to build or buy a house that had room for me, and I would tell him no - no daughter-in-law wants to share her home with her mother-in-law starting out from the get-go, as much as I loved her. 

As far as relationships, one man left shortly after I was diagnosed.  For other reasons, but my psyche took it personally, unbeknownst to me.  I didn't take it personally - the MS did.  (Snort)  There was someone who seemed to "get it", and he did at first, but it was all an act to cover an incredibly narcissistic ego.  That burned me, but I didn't learn from it for years.  The thought of being with someone simply would not compute after that man.  To be alone was a relief.  I have not been lonely, or sad, or depressed without a man.  Altho... I'm making myself sad right now, at the thought of it being a "relief".  As in, relief from the exhaustion of being sucked dry by someone very, very lovable... yet, basically a con man.  A victimized con man to boot.  Oh, but he could make me laugh. 

There was someone after him, and thank God/Dog? for him, because he restored my faith in men, again without me realizing it till much later.  I learned I was still lovable even tho I had MS.   He was/is a very good man, and because of him, I know what it's like to be truly, truly cared for ... even spiritually, and he was enough.  For a lifetime.  If that makes any sense. 

Part of "getting it", for me, is being able to be helped without it being obvious, being tuned in enough to notice I need help without me having to ask.  That's a lot to ask for, but some people are a natural at it.  Another very, very important part of it is being able/allowed to help BACK.  I can do so little - so it's important to me to be able to do what I can do.  If you don't let me help you back in some way, then we have an unequal relationship, where I am beholden to you.  Some people like that or seem to need that.  Those are the people I don't get close to.

All this to say... Hank is seeing some of this MS shit.  Not the active inabilities cause he just happens to miss those occasions being busy with finding a place to live ... but the aftermath.  The exhaustion and inability to recover quickly.  He's one of those who have an innate sense of how to help someone without being a dick about it.  Or expect anything back for it.  I don't have to explain, and more importantly, don't neeeed to explain.  I just feel accepted. 

Which reminds me, someone once implied that he thought I was a "loosie goosie", to put it politely.  He said it in a cruel way tho.  I used to feel very guilty for that, but I don't now.  You try losing the sensation in your hands and feet, and having it move up and down your body.  It makes you might want to experience "life" a little more in case you lose it altogether forever ... if you know what I mean.  

I'm a firm believer in "You Pick Out What You Need to Work Out" as far as partners.  With my first husband, it was about emotional distance = father issues.  My second husband was alcoholism and sexual abuse = my father again.  Tucker did not sexually abuse me - he made me feel safe enough for the memories to surface and he loved me anyways.  The alcoholism was who he was tho, and I couldn't do it anymore after finally getting healthy about it.  The third long-term relationship taught me about physical, emotional, and verbal abuse, which taught me the rest of the things I needed to know in order to get even more healthy.

Then I got sick.  With the MS.

With Hank... it's the first time in a very long time that ... oh, this is going to sound so awful.  It's the first time I don't care.  Maybe I should rephrase that.  I had learned that it's not my job to "fix" or to do all the work in keeping a relationship going.  But now I know that whether he stays or goes, it doesn't matter cause I'm okay on my own.  I had learned that right before the MS struck, but I didn't have the track record to prove it.  It was all theory.  Now I have the proof, and I know it for sure.  It has made a hell of a difference.  I don't have to use ummm feminine wiles to attract or keep him.  I don't have to work at this.  It's just so damn easy this time.  And I think he's in the same space too, so it's double the easy.

I might even use the walker tonite when we go out...

Oh yes, the walker is also why I am happy and content again.  Isn't that odd?  After the HORRIBLE day where I could not walk, I bought a cheapie walker from the thrift shop a couple of days later.  I've had them before but I gave them away when I moved here.  (Cause moving to SF was spose to cure me, don'tcha know)

I am still able to take the trike bike for grocery shopping and do use it for close-by errands.  But as far as exploring the city?  Impossible.  There's hills here. And wind.  I thought Idaho had the wind, but it shares the wind with San Francisco. 

Altho I did say, I give in, I give up, I've made a decision to keep walking as long as I can.  I'm not ready for a wheelchair.  That physical therapist who seemed to contradict herself by writing out the report that I needed a wheelchair, but that the goal of PT was to keep their patients mobile kept ringing in my head.   And it kept irritating me.  So I did what everyone does when one is irritated by something they cannot solve.

I Googled "walkers".

I have a prescription for this one, and I have to go back to my primary doctor's office to see the social worker in order to start the process of getting it.

It's okay.  Good enough for now.












But then I saw this... and it would solve a few problems the one above has, mostly the tendency to lean over, which KILLS my back.  Also, it goes over bumps and cracks (and MUNI tracks?) with a lot more stability. 

The point is... there's more options that will keep me on my feet for a longer time.  I'm not ready for a wheelchair.  I WILL continue the process of getting one, just in case the funding stops for wheelchairs in the future. 

Walkers are cheaper than a chair.  I'm thinking I might as well try for the Cadillac version.  

So between the trike and the walkers... I've got more time.


~

Read More

My Service Dog is a Thief

~

A couple of visits ago to Idaho, my mom, Annie and I were shopping at Wal-mart.  As we walked towards the registers, I happened to look down at Annie, and she had an Angry Bird stuffed toy in her mouth.  I had no idea where she picked it up.  We could have walked out of the store and triggered the shoplifting alarm that beams a spotlight on you with the siren sounds and blue cop lights spinning around!

As my mom and I laughed over it, this lady came over and handed me a 5 dollar bill so we could buy it.  Of course, I tried to give it back to her, but she insisted, because Annie was so damn cute about it.  So I asked if I could take her picture and Annie acted like a damn fool, refusing to sit up.

Later, over lunch, I got to thinking.  I knew Angry Birds were really popular, and just my luck, the stuffy probably cost 15 dollars!  I looked at the receipt - well, okay, it was 8 dollars.

A month ago, when I had to go back to the hardware store several times before my keys were made correctly, Annie had shop-lifted a Reese's Piece of candy that they had in a bowl on the counter.  Someone was pointing and laughing at her, and I looked down at her - she had a piece in her mouth.  Grrrrr.  There she is, needing discipline/training to not do that, but she's getting attention from others for being so cute and personable.   And she damn well knows it!

This dog.  She always makes me laugh.

~

Read More

Highs and Lows of being Me

This last week has brought on extreme lows and, right now, and for the last 2 days, a deep contentment and outright happiness.

Jeremy had need of his birth certificate.  Years ago, I had got him a certified copy and given it to him.  When he married Dusti, I had given her a notebook with household organizing pages, and put his hospital birth certificate in it under B.  Or maybe C.  Anyways, after they divorced, I saw the notebook and looked thru it.  There was the certificate still.  So I took it back.  Of course - I did not remember this. 

Jeremy text-ed me a picture of his copy the other day with "Notice something?"  They had his birthday wrong - transposed the numbers 30 to 03. 

I had recently gone round and round with the Social Security office about my birthday - they had it in their system as the 31st rather than the 30th, and I was unable to do anything online with my magic disability money because of it.  I found it ridiculous that the Social Security had messed up on both of us - 2 of us in the same family!  And it's not like MS had a role - doing his certified copy was years and years ago, and I had to show them the hospital one in order to get it.  And despite the MS, I have not forgotten my OWN BIRTHDAY.  I'm sure it was just a matter of typing it in wrong in both cases. 

Taking a wild guess, I looked under B in my file cabinet, and discovered Jeremy's original birth certificate!  So I text-ed him a picture of it, hoping that would be proof enough, should he need it.  And off I went to the Social Security office with both copies of our birth certificates - glad to help him solve his problem (I get to HELP! him, for a change), and solve mine too, which I had forgotten about.  Course, once I was there, they told me I had solved mine a few weeks ago... I'd just forgotten.

The security guard at the Social Security office saw me coming and met me at the door with my ticket number (order in which to be helped) so I wouldn't have to walk to the middle of the room to get it myself.  

I was hoping for a good, long wait in line there at the SS office, so I could rest, but noooo.  I was in and out of there within 20 minutes.  Unheard of, according to local lore. 

It took 4 hours to walk .81 miles home.  As in less than a mile.  About 12 blocks.  Something I could usually do in a half hour or so. 

On the way home, shopkeepers came out of their shops with a chair or a milk crate for me to sit on to rest.  They could see me coming thru their windows.  One lady looked in her pickup and then went inside her shop and brought out her dad, who gave me his cane from the pickup.   It was a really cool cane too. 

At one point, while sitting alone on a milk crate, watching people walk and walk and walk by me, I was in tears, overwhelmed with how much this still hurts (emotionally), how much I still cannot seem to get used to it, how much I hate it, how much it's taken from me.  How much it still shocks me when it hits.  How much worse it's getting.  And how it never gives me notice. 

I was glad Hank was not with me.  He was busy finding a hostel closer to me.  He is loving San Francisco as much as I do.

Annie cannot help me with the weakness, and it broke my heart to see how upset she was - she was WORRIED, and it was obvious.  She actually licked my face when I cried - something she does not do to me, and has never done before.

When I reached the lobby to my home, I sat down and burst into tears, out of relief and exhaustion.  There were 2 ladies there, who have never seen me weak.  One was shocked, and the other, whom I've butt heads with before, was the sweetest and nicest I've ever seen her.

I said it out loud.  "I give up.  I give in."   She said, "It's about time".

The next day, I took the "handicap van", a service I qualified for months ago and have never taken.  They take me door to door, and the driver is allowed to help me off and on, and they're allowed to carry up to 4 bags for you. 

He took me to the restaurant where the lady gave me the cane.  I returned the cane and had lunch there.  A delicious Reuben Sandwich.  After dropping  a piece of spinach lettuce and watching Annie eat it, I then gave her some more, curious out of my normal ban of never giving her people food, much less directly from the table!  She. LOVED. it.  She ate it all.  I asked what kind of dressing they put on the salad - some sort of fig stuff. 

I then walked a block down to the bookstore where I had picked up a bag of free books the day before, not realizing that I wouldn't be able to carry it home.  (Sometimes, carrying something actually helps ground me).  They held them for me.  I bought 4 or 5 cheap books and then sat outside their shop, in the shade, to wait for the van to pick me up.  It was another wonder of San Francisco.  Late, but nevertheless - a wonder.  I'll have to use them more often.

Read More

The 2nd Day of Trying to Get to Idaho Falls

Taken from "Certain Airlines Official Website: 

"Certain Airlines (real name retracted by me) is committed to providing a safe and comfortable travel experience for all of our customers, including pets. Because we share our customers' concern that their pets' flights are stress-free, we have enhanced our animal acceptance policy to transport pets as both baggage (accompanying a passenger on the same plane) and cargo. Our program is called We Love Your Pets.  (Again, real name retracted by me)

The program offers the following options:

• Customers can track their animals traveling as cargo online throughout their journey.
• Certain will continue to accept small pets for travel in cabin in applicable markets.
• Certain's policy for service animals, such as seeing-eye dogs, has not changed and they will continue to be welcomed on board or as checked baggage.  (Bolding mine).
• Pets can travel Certain's cargo service offering same day, airport-to-airport delivery with features designed to ensure an animal's comfort and safety."

Tell me if I'm wrong... when one reads that, would one delve deeper into the website to see if there are further requirements for flying with service dogs?  Note where it says, "has not changed", so him telling me it changed a week ago wasn't... ummm, correct. 

I did delve deeper into the website, (yeah, sister's computer!) and nowhere on their official website does it say they require 48 hours notice, a doctor's note, proof that Annie is a service dog, or proof of disability. 

Added Note:  Three days past the event, I must admit to perhaps exaggerating on the proof of disability required part.  He wasn't that dumb.   But it was most CERTAINLY IMPLIED that I was faking needing a service dog, and at the time, I felt like I had to prove I was disabled.  The hour and half seems awfully long, but I KNOW I was at the ticket/check-in desk the recommended 2 hours before the flight, and I KNOW that the man who pushed my wheelchair said we had a half hour before the flight.  So that equals an hour and a half from ticket desk to wheelchair, and the half hour to the gate = 2 hours.  Luckily, people in wheelchairs get to zoom thru security - one of the few and rare benefits of being disabled. 

When I got home, prior to the flight on the second day, I found my paperwork for the service dog tags, my doctor's prescription for a service animal, my Social Security Disability proof of income, and the medical record of my diagnosis.  I included the actual prescription for a wheelchair, in case he would tell me those could be had on the Internet too.  And I gave Annie a bath. 

I also called Airline to find out where my luggage was.  If it was still in San Francisco, I didn't necessarily HAVE to go to Idaho Falls... my sister could find someone else to drop in on her cats.  The other house-sitting "job" didn't (doesn't) start till this coming Friday.  But then again, did I really want to deal with getting said luggage to the airport again?  That alone exhausted me.  No, I did not. I have over-packed on my last two trips so that I could just leave some clothes with my sister, and then I wouldn't have to pack hardly at all.  Same plan for Denver, where Jeremy lives.  When the Airline voice mail directions said "Waiting time is estimated to be  20 minutes" before I could talk to someone, two seconds later, a human responded!  He said my luggage was still in San Francisco and I could pick it up at the Lost Luggage place. 

So...on the second day at the airport, after packing a backpack with some clothes in case my luggage got lost again -

Genius.  It rolls, it's a back-pack, and I can sit down!

I approached the ticket desk with confidence, eager to give the paperwork (that I had marked in red marker "Against the Law" on each page) to the Certain Airlines Supervisor.  (Since my computer was dead, I wasn't able to get a copy of their service dog policy, but I trusted my son when he said there was nothing on their website.)  I had everything but the 48 hours notice, but I thought under the circumstances, it could be over-looked. 

Of course, I was no dummy.  I first went to the ticket desk and presented myself as a non-rev with a service animal with 2 bags to check.  The two agents were perfectly pleasant and cheerful and welcomed Annie, saying what a pretty dog she was.  They saw that I had missed the 12:30am flight the night before, and rather than telling them the whole sordid story, I just said I confused the am and the pm.  They sorted it all out in a heartbeat, and checked on my luggage.  It would be going on my flight.  (??? At some point, someone told me it had already gone to Idaho, so that was 3 different stories about my luggage).  They asked me what kind of service animal is my service animal, and I replied "Mobility".  To ask that question is legal.  Sometimes I get confused and say "Golden Retriever".  As they were printing out my boarding pass, telling me the seats were wide open (lots of seats and non-revs will most likely get on the plane), I asked...

Me:  "Don't you need my paperwork?"

Nice ticket agent ladies:  (looking confused) "What paperwork?"

Me:  "For my service dog to get on the plane".

Lovely ticket agent ladies:  "No, we just need to know what type of service animal she is", still looking confused. 

Me:  (imagine that)  "Hmmmm, the supervisor last night wasn't going to let her on, but he finally did"

Fabulous ticket agent ladies:  (looking confused)  Why are you here today then?

Me:  "Pilot No-Show." 

Perfect ticket agent ladies:  (handing me my ID and boarding pass)  "Have a good flight, and we're sorry you had a bad experience yesterday".

It looks like there's a "No" there, but it's security person's initials.  It definitely says "Service animal ok!" 

(Wow.  I just remembered... the Certain Airlines supervisor hadn't asked for my ID.  That's hilarious.  He's hassling me for paperwork that he has no right to ask for, but he doesn't ask for my ID...). 

I saw the same Certain Airlines Employee who herds the humans thru the ticket line, and asked if the same supervisor was there, and he said that he had gone home already. 

Damn. 

At the gate, the pilots saw Annie and came over to introduce themselves, and would I like the bulk-head seats for Annie Darling?  I said Sure, but she's able to sit underneath the seats if need be, but they said that wasn't necessary, and Annie Darling could have more room in the bulkhead seats.  They brought me the new boarding pass with the new seat number on it, and asked if there was anything more they could do.

No thank-you, you've been lovely, I'll just sit here and wait for the plane.  Thanks so much!

~

Read More

After Years of Mostly Problem Free Traveling, "Certain" Airline More Than Made Up For It With a Collossal F*ck-up

IMPORTANT AIRLINE TERMS & PHRASES FOR A CERTAIN AIRLINE

Planning:  something most people do when traveling to far-off places on the planet. 

Preparing:  what most people do when leaving there home for an extended time.  Such as making arrangements for their pets to be cared for in their absence, cleaning out the food that will spoil, and cleaning the house so the cat-sitters don't think you're a pig. 

Packing:  required for most people when traveling to far off places on the planet. 

On a personal note?  Planning, preparing, and packing are not my strong points.  My son, tells me over and over that I pack too much and I need to get it down to a backpack.  I totally agree.  So you can imagine the argument that ensues during the packing phase, while I'm alone in my apartment.  Evidently, Self doesn't agree with me.

Non-Rev:  a passenger who either works for the airlines, or immediate relative of the person working for the airlines.  Non-revenue passengers get to fly free or at very little cost. 

Purpose:  reason for traveling.  In this case, it was to attend a baby shower (triplets!) for someone I really care about.  The fact that 2 house-sitting "jobs" came up within a week of said shower is a major component of this document... such as packing for two weeks...

Responsibility:  having certain duties.  Again, in this case, I also needed to house-sit for both my sister and then a friend. 

List, Listing, Listed:  what the employee of the airlines has to do in order to get his immediate family onto the plane.  It's what paying passengers do when making a reservation.  Somewhat of a hassle when it comes to having a mother who's got planning, preparing, packing and cognitive problems.  I always feel sorry for Jeremy when we're going thru this process. 

Certain Airline Employee:  herds humans thru the ticket lines.  He asked if I had permission for Annie, and I said "huh?"  He said he'd have to get the supervisor to check on it and he'd be right back. 

Power-tripping Certain Airline Supervisor Employee:  One and a half  hours of not being allowed to take my Service Animal on the plane.  All of a sudden, Certain Airline requires you bring a doctor's note that you need a service dog, proof that your dog is a service dog, proof of disability (evidently he couldn't see) and 48 hours notice prior to the flight. 

Non-rev passenger:  Not allowed to complain, whine, weep, bitch or beg because, after all, you are flying free or at very little cost.  If you do, it reflects on your son's employee record and you might lose the right to fly free or at very little cost. 

City of San Francisco Service Dog Tag:  Not enough proof that she is a service dog, because "they can be ordered on the Internet". 

Furious:  What son was when I called him to tell  him what was happening.  He told me to go into bitch mode, I had his permission.  I didn't want to, because of his employee record, and it was obvious to me that doing so would make this particular Certain Airlines supervisor get his back up even more. 

Effort:  trying to be pleasant to the Certain Airlines supervisor, while son is yelling in your ear to go into bitch mode, or give the *&^%^&^%  phone to the Certain Airlines supervisor and he would (*&^%^*&^% take care of it. 

Relief:  when power-tripping supervisor finally decides to let Annie on the plane.

"Shut-up":  what your son says when you tell him the Certain Airlines supervisor is making out your boarding pass, and you're saying to this man that this hasn't ever happened to you before.  (Perhaps not an official "Certain Airlines Terms and Phrases" but now that I think about it, the Certain Airlines supervisor really, realllly wanted to tell me to shut up). 

Helpful:  After one and a half hours, what a Certain Airlines supervisor says to you, in anger, "Ma'am, I am trying to help you", after you told him that this has never happened to you before. 

Rush:  having a half hour to get thru security at the San Francisco airport (busy, long lines) and to the gate. 

Wait:  what one does when at the gate and they are waiting for the pilot.  For another hour. 

Cancel:  a word that you do not want to hear at an airport.  Not in any way, shape or form.

Pilot No-Show:  somebody's gonna get fired...

Customer Service Employees:  Saints.

Worry:  imagining your sister's elderly cats (15 & 16) are going to starve to death. 

To add insult to injury:  When standing in line for a new boarding pass for the next flight out (for the next day, thanks, Idaho Falls for being such a small airport), a man ahead of me was all happy cause he got a flight for that nite via Denver or Vegas or something, leaving at 12:30am, and the 3 Customer Service agents kind of hush hushed him, and said loudly there were no more flights to Idaho Falls that night, which implied to me that he got the last seat.  When it was my turn, I said "I want want he has", in a joking manner.  When I told her it was non-rev, the Customer Service agent said she wasn't spose to do this, but she re-listed me for the next flight.  As she handed me the boarding pass, (which means I got a seat), she said it was for 5:45pm the next day.  As I left the desk, she told me to be sure to check the flight times.  I thought, yea... okay... of course I will, nice advice.  I went home, which is no piece of cake, cause I had to get off the train at 16th and Mission, which is a major scary druggie hang-out, and it was 9ish o'clock.  Dark. 

Lost:  another word one does not want to hear at an airport. 

Luggage:  items of clothing, baby presents and medication packed tightly, usually in rectangular shapes and in various colors.  (Yes, I did have 3 days of pain meds in my purse, I'm not stupid).

Decision making process:  deciding there was no way in hell I was going to make the trek back home with 2 pieces of heavy luggage and back again to the airport the next day.  They could stay lost for all I cared at that point.  Dare I admit that sometimes, when travelling, Annie feels like another piece of luggage?  Having her means one hand is always occupied with dog matters.

Diligent:  At 10am the next morning, the first thing I did was check the flight times.  Maybe the 5:45pm flight was really at 7pm, because my son had told me that was the only direct flight to Idaho Falls on a weekend and maybe she realized at the last minute she made a mistake.  I had to look at the boarding pass several times and the calendar.  It said 12:30. ???  I looked at the clock.  It takes an hour to get to the airport.  I was suppose to be going thru Security by now...

Anger, Disappointment, Confusion:  what one feels when one realizes you're going to miss your flight, and you could have gone to the baby shower after all.  Late maybe, but there, if all went well. 

Lo and behold:  She should have given me a "wink wink" when she told me to re-check the flight time.  Because she had given me a boarding pass for the same flight the man several places ahead of me had got - the 12:30am one the night before.  While I was still at the airport.  I would have made it to the shower for sure. 

Alternate meanings for Anger, Disappointment and Confusion:  why in the world would those 3 Customer Service Agents make a big deal out of there not being any more flights to Idaho Falls, if it was not true? 

???:  Something that Certain Airlines needs to add to their website, because that's how they operate.

Certain Airlines Official Website:  a good informational resource for travelers.

To be continued...

~

Read More