Synopsis Of The Day.

.....Read this quote on CNN today: "'You must understand that, people, we live in direct relation to the heroes and she-roes we have....If we don’t have heroes and she-roes and keep them alive, we are nothing.' - Maya Angelou."

.....Very profound if you think about it. Heroes are the personifications of what we perceive as the best in ourselves and what we consider the most noble aspects of the human race. My heroes are different from the heroes of others because the things that inspire me, that I think are great and wonderful, are different than say those things that TBT finds awesome and powerful in someone whom she admires. I think it speaks of Ms. Angelou's brilliance that she could put something so profound into a statement so relatively simple and succinct.

.....Errands achieved early this morning. Although the Computer Room is still in upheaval. But I can walk around in it and the floor is relatively clean. I may make another attempt at cleaning it tomorrow, but that is tomorrow. :-)

.....Put on my mental and emotional armor for the descent into the fifth plane of hell at 1PM today, called Wal-Mart in the modern world. Was actually rather glad I went through with the Optometrist Appointment there, to be honest. I was really on the fence and ready to cancel, but looking at the waste of an entire year's worth of payments to the Vision Insurance, I finally told myself to be a grown up and deal with it.

.....The nice thing about going to a facility that takes your insurance up front? You have a lot less paperwork with which to deal. Everything was computerized, with authorization on what they would pay for and not pay for immediately given. Instead of the usual 'fill out a crap ton of paper work and cross your fingers on what they will and will not pay for'. Which is what it has been like with the Dental Insurance. We've not yet gone to a dental provider specifically listed as MetLife and have paid for it with a lot of paperwork nightmare. Definitely a lesson to be learned for this next year.

.....Hadn't realized that the last time I had new glasses was before the Gastric Bypass surgery. A lot has changed in that time! For one thing the astigmatism that was in my left eye is now gone. We're not quite sure if that is directly attributable to weight loss, or no longer having high blood pressure, or what. But I'll take it for a win.

.....I'm also going to get away without needing bifocals one more time. :-) It was close though. :-) The doctor is pretty sure that the NEXT set of glasses are going to be bi-focals though. :-)

.....Then the not-so-good stuff. The doctor was looking into my right eye and started asking if I was a smoker. Then if I had been through a recent surgery or major illness. To all of which I replied 'no'. He was sitting and thinking about it when I thought about mentioning to him that I had gastric bypass about six years ago now. It was like a light bulb went off. He noted some macular degeneration and told me that I needed to go and see the doctor and get some blood work done as he thinks I have some vitamin deficiency issues happening. It's been a while since my last blood work, so I'll make that appointment first thing next week. I think I'll make the appointment with Dr. Oh in Federal Way and get a 'for real' reading done as well. I'll use it as a baseline and do a little more pushing on Dr. Minteer over here in Silverdale to get a more aggressive regimen going. I miss Dr. Oh and may need to find a new doctor over on this side of the world.

.....Glasses were then purchased. As in actually glass. I thought hard about the plastic lenses, but the difference in price is pretty significant. I'm used to glass and photogray, so we'll do this one more time. With the Vision Insurance actually in place, I don't think it is going to be six or eight years between new glasses again, so maybe the next go-around we'll go with the plastic lenses.

.....After that the day moved pretty quickly. Feast gear that was covering the table was sorted and put away. We now have two feast boxes packed with relatively matching gear, ready for the next feast. I need to remember to talk to Gwen and get on her list for MATCHING plates, saucers and bowls from Dragonfire Pottery. I know that Gwen secretly grumbles when she sees us NOT using Dragonfire Pottery. And, to be honest, I would rather be advertising the brilliance that is the typical Dragon's Laire artisan. So, we need to get the feast gear situation in order. :-)

.....Cleaned the hall and helped TBT put things away in preparation for Christmas. Made several attempts to start on the Computer Room, but never really made it far. Sooner or later it has to happen, but it isn't going to be easy. Maybe tomorrow... :-)

.....Shopping was done at Fred Meyers. The crowds were not that bad this evening. We timed it right apparently. Tomorrow will probably be a zoo there. But we will not be in it. :-)

.....The morning will be a lazy one. But I do still want to take another stab at cleaning the Computer Room. Then a trip over to Cedric and Brighid's for Christmas Eve gathering and conversations around lunch. Then preparations for Christmas Eve dinner, which means picking up Mom and bringing her over. I'll have to fire up Heather and see if I can get her warmed up a little. I might put a space heater in her for an hour or so in the morning. Have to remember to check the oil as well and connect the battery.

.....We'll have Madrun and Dylan over for dinner. It'll be nice to have them over to share in the conversation. I think that Mom will like Madrun as well.

.....Then it'll be time for Christmas. The Rhys Monster will have a good Christmas, no travels and everything on his wish list. :-) Then a trip over to Gwen's for some afternoon snacks and time with friends.

.....I could get used to retirement. :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.