Time to Move On!

I have been trying to move ahead and get on with the business of living. Yesterday was rather difficult for me, dealing and processing the events of the last few days. Between that and the heat and humidity, and DH having to travel for work, it's helped to put me on the edge.

I'm taking the day off today... I've cancelled appointments and turned the a/c down to 68 degrees. Both the dogs and I are camping out in the living room until cooler temperatures arrive later tonight. I do need to go out once to water the flowers as they were overlooked last night.

I am hoping to take a field trip this weekend. I want to go back to the little valley we discovered last weekend and explore it a little more, and take a different road. (And hopefully remember to take a few pictures as well.)

I'm glad that it's Thursday... only one more day until the weekend. And I can't believe that we will be just a week away from the 4th of July. We are planning on staying home that weekend instead of traveling to Connecticut. I'm just not up to staying in a hotel with 2 dogs and dealing with holiday traffic.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Funny Money Troubles (from NJ)

Today has been a fairly relaxing day... given that after we went to brunch, we came home and put away all the patio furniture, flags, flowers and anything else that could be blown away. We've been under tornado watch all day. We decided to watch a movie and relax as the storms passed over us.

On a whim... (more like God prompting me) I decided to check our bank balances as we had gone to Sam's Club yesterday and spent some cash. I was quite surprised to discover that for the 2nd time in 2 weeks, that we had a large amount pending in holds. The first time was for an electric company and after having a 4 day hold, it rolled off our account. We had the money to cover it... but it still held up almost $500! This time it's for $400... and if we aren't careful, it could mess us up.

DH got on the phone to the bank where it was determined that it was my card that has been compromised. Both transactions were placed in NJ... DH traveled there not too long ago, but his card is fine! My wings will be clipped until a new card arrives later this week. To quote DH... "It's crazy!" Hopefully... the charge will roll off the account and I won't have to dispute the charge and fight to get my money back. DH is gracious enough to let me use his card... he really does love me!

Oh... we have been looking for a pantry to go on our porch... we decided that we couldn't find one we liked that wouldn't need to be modified to hold everything. So, instead we went with commercial grade metal shelving... thus the trip to Sam's. It was a fraction of the price and I don't really need doors on it... and if I did, DH could add them if I really want them. We're really liking having the extra space and it's nice to be able to reach things without having to do acrobatics on a stool or having things fall on my toes. I'm still deciding what I want to store out there, and once I'm done. I'll post a pic of what I've done.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Down and Out

This day started with so much promise. I got up with DH and got him off to work. I did a few little things around the house... and then I got freezing cold. So... I did what any smart woman with an electric mattress cover would do, I cranked it up to 7 and climbed back into bed. I slept about an hour.

I then got up and got busy with some house work. I think I am allergic to it... because while I was doing fun stuff, I again got very freezing cold. And then a headache began. I figured it was because I needed to eat and have some caffeine. So... I took care of my blood sugar and ate lunch and took care of my diet caffeinated soda fix. I still had the headache and was still freezing cold. So... back to bed I went, having an Excedrine Migrane as dessert for my lunch. I've slept or rested in the dark for most of the afternoon. Finally, I am starting to feel like myself again.

I don't know what this is... but I don't like it... and I have a feeling it has to do with my thyroid levels. I guess it's time for the full body scan again. I am going to try a new doctor in Wilkes-Barre... and hopefully he will be able to give me "thyrogene injections" instead of making me do a stupid low-iodine diet. (I hate that and don't really want to do that. The side affects are terrible!) I don't think I'm out of remission... but my numbers could be off from see-sawing weight. I've cut back on eating this week and have lost 2 pounds. (That's because I've gained 10 pounds from all the stress of the last 6 weeks.)

Thanks for reading... (I hope to be back to my regular self tomorrow!) Be blessed!
~Suzanne

Dog Day Morning

Today was the day for both dogs to go to the Vet. They were both very excited as I pulled out collars and leashes. Nolli was especially excited... he knew a car ride was involved. We made the trip across town just fine... and we were able to park in handicapped parking. (Yay!)

We made our way inside to the waiting room... it was filled with 4 other pet owners and we chose a spot at the backside near an older Bernese Mountain dog. He was sweet and beautiful, but as he walked away from us for his turn in the exam room... you could see his hip problem and how hard it was for him to walk. (awwww...) Nolli waited so sweet and patient. Punky was a little basket case and needed to be held. We were called 3rd... and made our way to the exam room. Nolli figured it out and started to bark a little bit. He doesn't bark much, so it surprised me a little.

We waited in the exam room for quite awhile... and Nolli literally sat in front of the door facing away from the room. He was ready to leave as soon as possible. When the Veterinarian came in, Punky was the first to be examined. We discussed what I knew about her... and he gave her a thorough going over. At the end, after she had her shots... he picked her up and weighed her. I was more than surprised to discover my little girl has gained weight... she weighs a whole 10 pounds now!

Next up was Nolli dog. I discussed why we were there aside from shots. He needs to have his teeth cleaned... and his dew claws need to be removed. They have always been a problem for him and get caught on things. Then I told him about Nolli's boo-boo on his tummy. He has had a spot on his tummy that won't heal. We will almost get it there... and then it flares up and gets all yucky. He has a pretty good infection on it now... and the doctor rolled him over to get a real good look. It has become very swelled in the last few days... and it's actually a tumor that has to come off. He's scheduled for surgery in a week. Poor baby... I feel so bad for him. And of course, it will need to be biopsied. I am hoping that it's something benign. Nolli was so exhausted after going to the vet... he's slept all day. I'm going to spoil him rotten until his surgery day.

Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (February 16th)...
Outside my window... it's snowing yet again... a fine powdered snow.
I am thinking... of all the things I'd like to do today, but won't because of the snow.
I am thankful for... my Wonderful DH, my brother, how Punky has become healthy.
From the kitchen... there are plans to make and freeze spaghetti sauce and chili.
I am wearing... my favorite old comfy jeans, a pink t-shirt, my heather colored hoodie and my pink slippers.
I am creating... a more organized handbag for myself.
I am going... to talk to an admissions officer about going back to school.
I am reading... a new chronological bible... we've always wanted one.
I am hoping... to tackle some of my to-do list this week.
I am hearing... the sounds of quiet from the snow... the dogs are sleeping in the bedroom.
Around the house... things need to be picked up again... DH had a tough night last night, the sofa and table are a wreck!
One of my favorite things... is how attached Punky has become to me... she whined yesterday when I left to do some shopping, for the first time!
A few plans for the rest of the week: it all depends on what happens with the admissions officer! We do have some shopping to do in Wilkes-Barre this weekend tho.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Totally Lost...

That's how I am feeling... totally lost about the passing of my Mom.

I am going to take a little break from blogging while I work through this. I am certain you will understand. I apologize for comments being closed.

Be blessed,
~Suzanne

New Years Blues...

We were all set to do pretty much "nothing" yesterday for New Years... but it never quite works out that way. My big plans for the day were to take Pumpkin and Nolli with us when we went to Lowes to pick up a couple of things. Nolli loves Lowes!

I ended up waking up with sneeze after sneeze and feeling rather "cold and flu-ish!" My HWM decided to make me some breakfast and he did do a good job of cooking bacon... (and getting grease everywhere) and getting me feeling like I could walk upright again.

I also went on facebook... and discovered some sad news from a friend. My friend Dave, who played his violin at our wedding, has a younger brother named Dan. Dan is a tall, strapping, good looking dude with a kind heart and a wicked sense of humor! He always puts people at ease with his winning smile and twinkling blue eyes... and he could put the "spin" on any party he was at!
Unfortunately... this young man was at the gym on Thursday, and after feeling ill while on the treadmill, got off of it and collapsed. There was a doctor there, who performed CPR... Dan went to the hospital but never woke up. To say that I am deeply saddened is not even adequate. He was a newly wed, to a beautiful woman who teaches 3rd grade and has so much joy in her spirit. I hope that this loss does not squelch that spirit.

And to top off the day... Pumpkin has been quite ill... we gave her a rawhide chew the night before... and she tossed all her cookies in her crate in the afternoon. We spent the rest of the day trying to help Punky... she had one accident because I didn't take her cue to go out. We spent the rest of the day trying to help her out.... I gave her 1/4 of an Imodium... and we were careful to watch her body language. She had another episode of tossing her supper in her crate. We ended up getting some Apple Cider Vinegar from Miss J, and giving Punky some Vinegar and Honey diluted in water with a syringe. We all ended up wearing some of it... but it settled her down until 5 this morning... when she hurled in her crate once again!

Punky's little belly is rumbling and grumbling this morning. I gave her a bland meal of hard boiled egg, rice, oil and salt. She really ate that up! She also had about 20 cc's of Pepto Bismol too. She's resting comfortably in her spot at the end of the sofa now... her brother is laying near by for moral support! (Sweet Nolli!)

Knee-wise... I am having trouble with my knee... it's feeling like it wants to lock and it's painful when it gets past a 90 degree angle. I am having pain when I try to go down the stairs and it hurts to try and extend it straight... so I am sleeping with a pillow again. I see the doctor on Tuesday and it can't come soon enough.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

It's Now Official...

I went to see my primary care doctor today... and he has determined and recommended that I have my left knee replaced. Total Knee Replacement! Yikes... that has got me a Little Freaked Out! But... after examining my knee today... I have quite a bit of water on my knee.. my meniscus is torn (again!) and with the bone spurs that I have... he feels that I have little to no cartilage left and am walking bone on bone. (I have been that way for awhile!) But... now that I have jumped through the physical therapy hoops and done Hyalgan injections... it's very evident that it didn't work for that knee. (My right knee has a little pain... but nothing like it is with my left knee.)

Altho I have a very high pain tolerance, it's become an issue of mobility, even using the electric shopping carts, getting up and down is quite painful, even with having my knee braced and using my cane. It's enough to make me hold my breath as I get up! He's recommended a good surgeon in Bloomsburg, and that I can have Dr. Pyles, my general surgeon, to assist in the procedure so that I will have someone I know and trust there as well. (I really like Dr. Pyles... he's a real crack up!) Dr. Seidenberg said that he would let Dr. Williams cut on his own knee... that means something as Dr. Seidenberg did his sport medicine practice with the St. Louis Cardinals. (It's always fun to go to his office and see his signed sports memorabilia and pictures with the players... he knows people!) So... my first orthopaedic appointment is Sept 24th... just 2 weeks away... and then we will know more after that!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Just not sure...

I have been having issues lately with blogger... I am having trouble opening my own page. I also have trouble viewing other sites and often get booted off. Now I can't upload pictures or manipulate them like I have in the past. I recently upgraded my internet explorer so that I could add a banner and possibly a new background... that's not working out well. I even dumped several of my widgets to help with some of the problems, and it didn't really help! So... I am wondering, do I find another site to blog on? And if I did... would y'all follow me over there? It's getting to the point where I have to decide what I want to do... and I don't really want to have to start over again! Help!!!! Comments... Please!!!

Thanks! Suzanne