I have not blogged in quite a long time... because I have been dealing with some health issues. Things that are on-going and some things that are coming up. Here is a list of seven things that are going on or have gone on in the last few weeks! Lists are an easy thing for me to do, so here we go!
1. We had so much snow this week that my DH's work actually closed for the first time in years!
2. We have so much plowed snow in our yard that the piles are over 8 feet high. Those won't melt away until late April.
3. I made some awesome things in the kitchen recently... homemade macaroni salad, Korean beef, Potato soup, thick cut pan fried ham steaks, just to name a few things!
4. I see my rheumatologist this week... I think she is going to be very surprised to see just how far R/A has progressed in my hands. All 5 fingers and my wrist on the left and 4 of my 5 fingers and wrist on the right all show signs of inflammation and with redness and nodules. I have to be very careful with water in the kitchen now as only light warm water feels ok... hot water is all very hot and very cold water really hurts too.
5. I have been going through my personal closet and so far I have boxed up over 20 pairs of shoes and decided to part with the majority of my handbags. Many of which are bags costing over $100 - $300. I have a former co-worker than is willing to take all of this off my hands. She is a lucky girl!
6. I have been working really hard at trying to get my house back under control from my canning season to now... Yeah, it's been that long since I have deeply cleaned because I over-did it so much at the end of Summer and into the Fall. My Fibromyalgia was diagnosed in October and my body aches and fatigue have been off the charts. My endo changed my Synthroid dosage to 225 mcg from 250 mcg... that has made a huge difference in my energy level to not be so "suppressed."
7. Did I tell you that one of the silliest things to ever happen to me was a few weeks ago. I had taken my usual dose of Ambien and also some pain medicine. I fell asleep at the very edge of my bed. I actually ended up rolling out of bed and hitting my head on the night stand (which is solid maple) and landing on the step to get into bed and then the floor. My husband scooped me up and took me to the ER to have my head x-rayed and to make sure I didn't crack a rib. I had a huge goose egg and my left ear was purple. My goose egg has gone down and my ear is almost back to normal... but for almost 3 weeks, I couldn't touch the left side of my head. (Only me!)
Thanks for reading... have a Blessed Day!
~Suzanne
Showing posts with label Weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weather. Show all posts
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Cozying Up
Yesterday was a long day and a long night. My DH worked a double shift and I could not manage to go to sleep alone in the house last night. (I think I was afraid I was "nod out" and not hear my alarm and forget to go pick him up. He insisted that I keep the car in case anything happened... like a 20 pound black and white dog running off into the night.
I did have a little bit of craziness last night. I reconnected with a girl friend from high school. We met on our freshman year and were very close for awhile. There was another girl that rode our bus and decided she wasn't going to let me have Mz. T as my friend. She drove a huge wedge between us and as I moved at the end of my sophomore year, we lost touch. I had thought of her over the years as her family had the adjoining acreage next to my Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Chet's 5 acre farmette. They moved at the end of the school year as well... to Montana.
We had reconnected back in the 90's somehow.... I don 't really remember. Anyway... along came social media and she friended me. We have briefly messaged each other and read and comment on posts. Last night I sat down, picked up the phone and dialed her up. We talked non-stop for 4 hours! It was wonderful, insightful, introspective and a great source of healing and reconnection. It was like when we were young girls, sitting and talking about life and our dreams.
Ms. T has struggled with health issues and suffers with some of the same maladies that I have, and she has other issues with back surgeries and fighting for mobility. Nobody said getting old was for sissies, that is for certain! She is also dealing with her mother having dementia and I was able to give her some insight and comfort in dealing with that issue.
Because of the phone call, I was not able to relax and sleep like I had hoped. I watched a couple of things on Net*flix.... and stayed awake. I went to get DH early, stopping to get him juice and breakfast. We cozied up to relax and snooze. I napped a couple of hours and DH is still sleeping. I will need to wake him soon so he will sleep tonight. The wind in howling and we are getting snow. I took Punky outside at noon and the cold was too much for her. She started to crash after she came back in, trying to warm up. I gave her honey and some snacks and food to bring her back to recognizing me, poor little dear.
As we ring the old year out and the new year in... we don't make resolutions in this household. We do discuss what we want to change and try to make a plan to carry that out. I am glad this year is over... glad to see some of my health issues improve and continue to work on others that need to improve. We are grateful to be able to have spent Grandma Jeanne's 95th birthday with her, and reconnect with DH's daughters. I am grateful for the wonderful husband and my Punky and Cooper dogs and how they are my essential spirit.
Happy New Year... and thanks for reading!
~Suzanne
I did have a little bit of craziness last night. I reconnected with a girl friend from high school. We met on our freshman year and were very close for awhile. There was another girl that rode our bus and decided she wasn't going to let me have Mz. T as my friend. She drove a huge wedge between us and as I moved at the end of my sophomore year, we lost touch. I had thought of her over the years as her family had the adjoining acreage next to my Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Chet's 5 acre farmette. They moved at the end of the school year as well... to Montana.
We had reconnected back in the 90's somehow.... I don 't really remember. Anyway... along came social media and she friended me. We have briefly messaged each other and read and comment on posts. Last night I sat down, picked up the phone and dialed her up. We talked non-stop for 4 hours! It was wonderful, insightful, introspective and a great source of healing and reconnection. It was like when we were young girls, sitting and talking about life and our dreams.
Ms. T has struggled with health issues and suffers with some of the same maladies that I have, and she has other issues with back surgeries and fighting for mobility. Nobody said getting old was for sissies, that is for certain! She is also dealing with her mother having dementia and I was able to give her some insight and comfort in dealing with that issue.
Because of the phone call, I was not able to relax and sleep like I had hoped. I watched a couple of things on Net*flix.... and stayed awake. I went to get DH early, stopping to get him juice and breakfast. We cozied up to relax and snooze. I napped a couple of hours and DH is still sleeping. I will need to wake him soon so he will sleep tonight. The wind in howling and we are getting snow. I took Punky outside at noon and the cold was too much for her. She started to crash after she came back in, trying to warm up. I gave her honey and some snacks and food to bring her back to recognizing me, poor little dear.
As we ring the old year out and the new year in... we don't make resolutions in this household. We do discuss what we want to change and try to make a plan to carry that out. I am glad this year is over... glad to see some of my health issues improve and continue to work on others that need to improve. We are grateful to be able to have spent Grandma Jeanne's 95th birthday with her, and reconnect with DH's daughters. I am grateful for the wonderful husband and my Punky and Cooper dogs and how they are my essential spirit.
Happy New Year... and thanks for reading!
~Suzanne
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Happy St. Patty's Day!
Top o' the Irish to you!
I'm not Irish... for years I thought we were. Until my brother and I actually met our half sisters and learned of our actual heritage. It's been 8 years since we each got an email and made the trip to Texas to meet the girls. It's been something that has been wonderful in my life... to have such wonderful big sisters who are so loving and care so much. They might not have been raised with us... but we are all so much alike that it's just uncanny sometimes!
Not much is new here around this little cottage. DH has been working some crazy long hours. I have been to see a pulmonologist. I will be going for lung function studies and blood gas work in the near future. He changed my inhaler and also gave me a rescue inhaler for the Spring. I will also be going for another CT scan with contrast in June to check the size of calcification's on both of my lungs. It seems that my body grows these things... I have one at 4 cm on my right lung and one at 5 cm on my left lung.
Along with the above mentioned calcification's... I also have one on my heart and one on my spleen. Anyone see any kind of correlation, since I have had cancer twice and the Pulmonologist also was concerned about a mass I have on the left side of my neck where my thyroid used to be. He was very emphatic that I mention it my Endo Dr. when I see her to double check my last ultrasound results.
Thursday was an errand day for me... did some grocery shopping. It was so beautiful out... 54 degrees! Mild and sunny... when I walked Punky before going into the house, I saw 4 robins having a feast on the lawn. I was so excited by that little notion of Spring! And then it snowed yesterday... all day! We got over 2 inches. DH just left for work and said that it had started snowing again! When will all this snow end and bring Spring in bloom??? I am so ready!
In fact, I am going to start doing some tole-painting on some clay pots to go out by our front door. I have done this style of painting in the past... and I am looking forward to doing a little collection of them for our side yard area. It will keep me busy during the snowy and rainy season ahead.
That's all I really have to share for now... I need to get some laundry done and a little house work as I have a technician coming in the morning to set up a lovely CPAP machine for my bedside. (Oh... how glamorous is that???)
Thanks for reading. Have a blest day!
~Suzanne
I'm not Irish... for years I thought we were. Until my brother and I actually met our half sisters and learned of our actual heritage. It's been 8 years since we each got an email and made the trip to Texas to meet the girls. It's been something that has been wonderful in my life... to have such wonderful big sisters who are so loving and care so much. They might not have been raised with us... but we are all so much alike that it's just uncanny sometimes!
Not much is new here around this little cottage. DH has been working some crazy long hours. I have been to see a pulmonologist. I will be going for lung function studies and blood gas work in the near future. He changed my inhaler and also gave me a rescue inhaler for the Spring. I will also be going for another CT scan with contrast in June to check the size of calcification's on both of my lungs. It seems that my body grows these things... I have one at 4 cm on my right lung and one at 5 cm on my left lung.
Along with the above mentioned calcification's... I also have one on my heart and one on my spleen. Anyone see any kind of correlation, since I have had cancer twice and the Pulmonologist also was concerned about a mass I have on the left side of my neck where my thyroid used to be. He was very emphatic that I mention it my Endo Dr. when I see her to double check my last ultrasound results.
Thursday was an errand day for me... did some grocery shopping. It was so beautiful out... 54 degrees! Mild and sunny... when I walked Punky before going into the house, I saw 4 robins having a feast on the lawn. I was so excited by that little notion of Spring! And then it snowed yesterday... all day! We got over 2 inches. DH just left for work and said that it had started snowing again! When will all this snow end and bring Spring in bloom??? I am so ready!
In fact, I am going to start doing some tole-painting on some clay pots to go out by our front door. I have done this style of painting in the past... and I am looking forward to doing a little collection of them for our side yard area. It will keep me busy during the snowy and rainy season ahead.
That's all I really have to share for now... I need to get some laundry done and a little house work as I have a technician coming in the morning to set up a lovely CPAP machine for my bedside. (Oh... how glamorous is that???)
Thanks for reading. Have a blest day!
~Suzanne
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Weekend in Review
This weekend has been a bit crazy around here... we caught the edge of the winter storm and had about 8 inches of snow down here. DH's family lives in Northeast Connecticut and they received about 40 inches of snow.
During the storm... DH had to be out in it. He had signed up for an overnight shift and ended up working over on his regular shift as well. He came home at 5 and ate dinner and got ready for his next shift. Because it was snowing so badly, I suggested that he leave early and rest at work instead of trying to get there during the height of it. He was going to take the car but ended up having to come back and get the SUV out of the garage and use it to get up the hill. He made it there quite fine and made it home in the morning at 7:30 to shovel and help the plow guy.
We decided to go up to Sam's Club yesterday and do some shopping. We had a ball and really enjoyed our time together. DH is quite fun to go shopping with as he loves to look at everything. He's very patient with me as I decide on what I need for the house. I did happen to find a 6 1/2 qt. enameled dutch oven at a very reasonable price. It did make it's way to our home.
When we got home, there was a call on the answering machine from Sophie's former Foster family. I had contacted them as I felt Sophie was not adjusting to life here as well as I had hoped. We decided to rehome her with their help. They had found 2 families that wanted her and we ended up taking her to her new home last night. It was very traumatic... and Sophie was not going to go into the house with us to meet her new family until I picked up my purse and started inside. Her new home has a large dog as well and a nice large fenced yard for her... and 5 kids to love her. it was hard on her to be cooped up with me with the cold weather and snow.
Today, I tried to sleep in but Pumpkin had other plans. One thing she learned from Sophie is how to wake me in the morning. Today has been a trial with Pumpkin as she is missing Sophie. She has decided to soil the floor on several occasions today instead of communicating her needs... so I will have to start working with her tomorrow on her manners.
DH has worked today as well... he takes such good care of us. I appreciate how hard he works. I was able to also chat with several former co-workers this weekend, and I am so glad to be able to stay home these days as I heard several stories, all the same, about how hard and hostile the work environment has become. Very glad that I don't have to be subjected to the things I have heard.
Thanks for reading. Please be blessed!
~Suzanne
During the storm... DH had to be out in it. He had signed up for an overnight shift and ended up working over on his regular shift as well. He came home at 5 and ate dinner and got ready for his next shift. Because it was snowing so badly, I suggested that he leave early and rest at work instead of trying to get there during the height of it. He was going to take the car but ended up having to come back and get the SUV out of the garage and use it to get up the hill. He made it there quite fine and made it home in the morning at 7:30 to shovel and help the plow guy.
We decided to go up to Sam's Club yesterday and do some shopping. We had a ball and really enjoyed our time together. DH is quite fun to go shopping with as he loves to look at everything. He's very patient with me as I decide on what I need for the house. I did happen to find a 6 1/2 qt. enameled dutch oven at a very reasonable price. It did make it's way to our home.
When we got home, there was a call on the answering machine from Sophie's former Foster family. I had contacted them as I felt Sophie was not adjusting to life here as well as I had hoped. We decided to rehome her with their help. They had found 2 families that wanted her and we ended up taking her to her new home last night. It was very traumatic... and Sophie was not going to go into the house with us to meet her new family until I picked up my purse and started inside. Her new home has a large dog as well and a nice large fenced yard for her... and 5 kids to love her. it was hard on her to be cooped up with me with the cold weather and snow.
Today, I tried to sleep in but Pumpkin had other plans. One thing she learned from Sophie is how to wake me in the morning. Today has been a trial with Pumpkin as she is missing Sophie. She has decided to soil the floor on several occasions today instead of communicating her needs... so I will have to start working with her tomorrow on her manners.
DH has worked today as well... he takes such good care of us. I appreciate how hard he works. I was able to also chat with several former co-workers this weekend, and I am so glad to be able to stay home these days as I heard several stories, all the same, about how hard and hostile the work environment has become. Very glad that I don't have to be subjected to the things I have heard.
Thanks for reading. Please be blessed!
~Suzanne
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Pure Random Bits
It's Thursday... I was going to blog yesterday, but couldn't seem to get anything to come to mind. (Insert "Big Sigh" here.)
We are still in the adjustment phase with Sophie. She is adjustly rather slowly. We feel that she may not be adjusting well as she was very bonded to her Foster family. She's had a few issues with commands and listening. She actually got away from me one morning during the weekend. She would not come and instead, went running across the neighborhood. Not fun in jammies, slippers and a winter coat. She started to run around the entire house... so I stood at the front door and called up to DH to help me. She finally came to the door and ran inside. Crazy girl. We did have a good day yesterday with her being fairly comfortable with noises and the house sounds and wasn't too "barky." We bought her a rawhide bone... and finally got the first real smile out her. She recognized what it was instantly and got very excited about it.
We are all waiting to hear just how much snow we are going to get with the storm headed this way. They can't decided which weather model is correct... but we are going to getting "plowable" snow with this storm... anywhere from 3 to 6 inches or... 6 to 12 inches, but it depends on how it tracks. It's all very confusing to me... all it means to me is that I will not be going anywhere for a few more days. We went and did our shopping last night so we are ready for whatever comes our way.
DH has discovered that he may have some engine problems with his truck. It's been parked in the garage for a week... and he is going to work on it tonight. We will basically be using it for short trips while he tests things out... and so I am adjusting to being a one car family. I told him that it would fine once the weather gets a little better and I wouldn't mind having to take him to work on occasion. (That would be for going to doctors appointments or having lunch with the girls on Fridays!)
Once we get Sophie dog adjusted, I am going to be spending some time in my craft area. It's a little crowded in there right now to have a huge dog at my feet. We need to move Pumpkins crate to the living room in order to move my sewing cabinet... this place is so small... and it shows when I have to plan on where I am moving the dog crate.
Since this post is about random things... is anyone watching "The Bachelor" this season? DH and I have been watching and we both think Sean is being duped and is clearing not making good choices with keeping the drama queen known as Tierra. (Hello... her name is a "crown" associated with being a princess and... DRAMA!) I know... it's reality tv... and it's for entertainment. So... we are being entertained!
I think I've done enough randomness to qualify for a blog post! I am still staying at home... I am fighting a cough and chest pain. I also started a new medicine this month and today I "upped" the dosage per the doctor's instruction... and I don't like it. It hurts my side... very uncomfortable. So... I am on the sofa, wrapped up in a warm throw and have Pumpkin on top of me to warm me up. Life right now is slow and lazy... I am hibernating for the winter! Send a prayer up for DH as he just called me to tell me he's working late... and he's working on Saturday. He's going to be a tired man. Love him so much for how hard he works for his family.
Thanks for reading... have a blessed day!
~Suzanne
We are still in the adjustment phase with Sophie. She is adjustly rather slowly. We feel that she may not be adjusting well as she was very bonded to her Foster family. She's had a few issues with commands and listening. She actually got away from me one morning during the weekend. She would not come and instead, went running across the neighborhood. Not fun in jammies, slippers and a winter coat. She started to run around the entire house... so I stood at the front door and called up to DH to help me. She finally came to the door and ran inside. Crazy girl. We did have a good day yesterday with her being fairly comfortable with noises and the house sounds and wasn't too "barky." We bought her a rawhide bone... and finally got the first real smile out her. She recognized what it was instantly and got very excited about it.
We are all waiting to hear just how much snow we are going to get with the storm headed this way. They can't decided which weather model is correct... but we are going to getting "plowable" snow with this storm... anywhere from 3 to 6 inches or... 6 to 12 inches, but it depends on how it tracks. It's all very confusing to me... all it means to me is that I will not be going anywhere for a few more days. We went and did our shopping last night so we are ready for whatever comes our way.
DH has discovered that he may have some engine problems with his truck. It's been parked in the garage for a week... and he is going to work on it tonight. We will basically be using it for short trips while he tests things out... and so I am adjusting to being a one car family. I told him that it would fine once the weather gets a little better and I wouldn't mind having to take him to work on occasion. (That would be for going to doctors appointments or having lunch with the girls on Fridays!)
Once we get Sophie dog adjusted, I am going to be spending some time in my craft area. It's a little crowded in there right now to have a huge dog at my feet. We need to move Pumpkins crate to the living room in order to move my sewing cabinet... this place is so small... and it shows when I have to plan on where I am moving the dog crate.
Since this post is about random things... is anyone watching "The Bachelor" this season? DH and I have been watching and we both think Sean is being duped and is clearing not making good choices with keeping the drama queen known as Tierra. (Hello... her name is a "crown" associated with being a princess and... DRAMA!) I know... it's reality tv... and it's for entertainment. So... we are being entertained!
I think I've done enough randomness to qualify for a blog post! I am still staying at home... I am fighting a cough and chest pain. I also started a new medicine this month and today I "upped" the dosage per the doctor's instruction... and I don't like it. It hurts my side... very uncomfortable. So... I am on the sofa, wrapped up in a warm throw and have Pumpkin on top of me to warm me up. Life right now is slow and lazy... I am hibernating for the winter! Send a prayer up for DH as he just called me to tell me he's working late... and he's working on Saturday. He's going to be a tired man. Love him so much for how hard he works for his family.
Thanks for reading... have a blessed day!
~Suzanne
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Whoa... Wait a minute...
Where did that week go that just passed???? I swear that I just wrote something for this blog, and now here we are...with another week gone past!
I don't have much to share with you, as my life has been centered on work mainly. My hard working
DH has been doing just that as well... working. He's on a 3 week stint and so far, he hasn't been scheduled for the upcoming weekend. (let's all keep our fingers crossed that he actually has some time off.) He called me a little while ago and said he's heard a rumor that he going back to first shift starting Monday! If that's true... I may be able to keep working a while longer to have some what of a normal life again. That has me thinking of having regular meals again, I miss having great food because I won't make it just for myself.
One of my dearest friends is having surgery today for a bad varicose vein and blood clot removal. She's been waiting for this surgery for over 10 weeks and it's been because of her health insurance not being willing to approve her procedure. I can say that I am blessed to never have had an issue with my insurance not approving any procedures. In fact, I just received a summary report from my last 4 day hospital stay from June... a nice little $75,000.00 stay... and I don't think I will have to pay for any of it... and there were no qualms about any of the procedures or tests I had. I'm keeping her in my prayers and my advice to her was to listen to her doctors and to take her pain meds... no being a hero, take the pills and rest, and you'll usually feel better sooner.
Another one of my friends... that is on the west coast, announced a huge surprise to everyone yesterday. She got married outside at the courthouse yesterday. We are all so happy for her and her new husband.... and all the adventure they have coming up in the next year. How about going on a delayed honeymoon to Dubai???? That is wonderful and amazing! So happy for them and for her 4 kids.
I am very tired tonite... I've been staying up too late the last couple of nights, hoping to see DH before I go to sleep. Needless to say, he's been working over each evening to cover the line he's working... they run until they are out of product which can be anywhere between midnight and one thirty or three am. So, I haven't been going to bed on time and waking up when he gets home. If I don't, we only really see each other in the morning as I get dressed for work. That's it... that's all the time there is during the week. On the weekends, it's more like 4 1/2 hours in the beginning of the day before he heads to work. It's a tough schedule and not one that I really care for.
Oh... we had huge thunderstorms on Sunday... ugly cloud to ground lightening strikes. We had a few strikes over head that caused the house to rattle. Poor Pumpkin was so frightened... she's was in my lap and cuddled under my arms with her head against my chest to seek comfort from her fright. The power went out twice... I hate when we have storms like that.
Thanks for reading... stay blessed!
~Suzanne
I don't have much to share with you, as my life has been centered on work mainly. My hard working
DH has been doing just that as well... working. He's on a 3 week stint and so far, he hasn't been scheduled for the upcoming weekend. (let's all keep our fingers crossed that he actually has some time off.) He called me a little while ago and said he's heard a rumor that he going back to first shift starting Monday! If that's true... I may be able to keep working a while longer to have some what of a normal life again. That has me thinking of having regular meals again, I miss having great food because I won't make it just for myself.
One of my dearest friends is having surgery today for a bad varicose vein and blood clot removal. She's been waiting for this surgery for over 10 weeks and it's been because of her health insurance not being willing to approve her procedure. I can say that I am blessed to never have had an issue with my insurance not approving any procedures. In fact, I just received a summary report from my last 4 day hospital stay from June... a nice little $75,000.00 stay... and I don't think I will have to pay for any of it... and there were no qualms about any of the procedures or tests I had. I'm keeping her in my prayers and my advice to her was to listen to her doctors and to take her pain meds... no being a hero, take the pills and rest, and you'll usually feel better sooner.
Another one of my friends... that is on the west coast, announced a huge surprise to everyone yesterday. She got married outside at the courthouse yesterday. We are all so happy for her and her new husband.... and all the adventure they have coming up in the next year. How about going on a delayed honeymoon to Dubai???? That is wonderful and amazing! So happy for them and for her 4 kids.
I am very tired tonite... I've been staying up too late the last couple of nights, hoping to see DH before I go to sleep. Needless to say, he's been working over each evening to cover the line he's working... they run until they are out of product which can be anywhere between midnight and one thirty or three am. So, I haven't been going to bed on time and waking up when he gets home. If I don't, we only really see each other in the morning as I get dressed for work. That's it... that's all the time there is during the week. On the weekends, it's more like 4 1/2 hours in the beginning of the day before he heads to work. It's a tough schedule and not one that I really care for.
Oh... we had huge thunderstorms on Sunday... ugly cloud to ground lightening strikes. We had a few strikes over head that caused the house to rattle. Poor Pumpkin was so frightened... she's was in my lap and cuddled under my arms with her head against my chest to seek comfort from her fright. The power went out twice... I hate when we have storms like that.
Thanks for reading... stay blessed!
~Suzanne
Friday, July 27, 2012
What a Trip!
The drive home last night was brought to us by Dorothy and her Ruby Red Slippers and Toto in her picnic basket. Oh * My * Goodness!!!
My ride home started off with a ton of traffic... it took me 3 lights to get from the industrial park I work in to get to the freeway on ramp that is literally less than an 1/8th of mile from that intersection. As I got on to the freeway and began to merge into the right hand lane... my fuel light went off. Great! And not more than 10 seconds after that, I received an EMS text on my phone that there were tornado warnings for my home area. Really Great!
I headed south anyway, going slower than the posted speed limit to see what my gas mileage was going to be... I drove over 5 miles before it even dropped down 1 mile on the gauge. I got off the freeway at the last exit before heading up the mountain so I could get some gas. I drove back about a mile to fill up. While I was doing that, I heard on the local radio that tornadoes were spotted 6 to 8 miles northwest of where I live and headed directly towards home. I figured I would get my fuel and then find a place to sit and ride the storm out.
Well... I pulled into the Taco Hell parking lot and pulled into the drive thru lane. As I did that, I noticed that it was quickly becoming very dark and very windy. I placed my order and then noticed some of the employees were outside with their cellphones taking pictures. It got darker, and then the rains started and the winds picked up. Thunder and lightening started in.... huge lightening strikes and thunder so loud, it rocked my car.
I sat in the parking lot for awhile until the lightening was overhead and was scaring me to death. I decided to take my chances and try to get to the freeway. I was able to make my way... but it was slow going, but at least as I drove south, I seemed to be driving away from the storm. There was debris on the freeway, but I didn't encounter anything of concern on the freeways. Once I pulled off the interstate, it was quite different.
What struck me first was that there was virtually no traffic on our 2 lane highway. The farther south I went on our road... the more stuff I saw, until I had to stop for the fire trucks and rescue workers who were clearing the trees from the road in front of me. I made it through the first light... and came to the second light. That intersection had some real damage... trees down, and loose power lines dangling in the wind. There is a monastery at that corner and they suffered extensive tree damage.
I traveled farther down the road, and made it home. I wasn't certain what I would find when I got here. I had trash cans from several neighbors west of me and lots of debris in the yard. All of our patio furniture was scattered in my neighbors back yard. Not just a little ways... but like, under their deck~ and I was certain my patio umbrella was a goner!
Coming into the house, I could see the high water and debris that came up from the heavy rains along the edge of the patio. The door at the top of the stairs was open, pulled open from the negative air pressure as the windows on the porch were open. As I stepped into the kitchen, I was met by a little red dog, cautiously peering around the corner from the hall, hoping nothing was there to scare her. She was so happy and relived to see me, she instantly jumped and twirled in circles. We were both glad I was finally home. We had heavy thunder storms during the rest of the evening... big boomers that shook the entire house and made my heart skip.
I've been to Kansas... and I've been to Oklahoma, but this is the closest I've ever felt to being Dorothy!
Thanks for reading!
~Suzanne
My ride home started off with a ton of traffic... it took me 3 lights to get from the industrial park I work in to get to the freeway on ramp that is literally less than an 1/8th of mile from that intersection. As I got on to the freeway and began to merge into the right hand lane... my fuel light went off. Great! And not more than 10 seconds after that, I received an EMS text on my phone that there were tornado warnings for my home area. Really Great!
I headed south anyway, going slower than the posted speed limit to see what my gas mileage was going to be... I drove over 5 miles before it even dropped down 1 mile on the gauge. I got off the freeway at the last exit before heading up the mountain so I could get some gas. I drove back about a mile to fill up. While I was doing that, I heard on the local radio that tornadoes were spotted 6 to 8 miles northwest of where I live and headed directly towards home. I figured I would get my fuel and then find a place to sit and ride the storm out.
Well... I pulled into the Taco Hell parking lot and pulled into the drive thru lane. As I did that, I noticed that it was quickly becoming very dark and very windy. I placed my order and then noticed some of the employees were outside with their cellphones taking pictures. It got darker, and then the rains started and the winds picked up. Thunder and lightening started in.... huge lightening strikes and thunder so loud, it rocked my car.
I sat in the parking lot for awhile until the lightening was overhead and was scaring me to death. I decided to take my chances and try to get to the freeway. I was able to make my way... but it was slow going, but at least as I drove south, I seemed to be driving away from the storm. There was debris on the freeway, but I didn't encounter anything of concern on the freeways. Once I pulled off the interstate, it was quite different.
What struck me first was that there was virtually no traffic on our 2 lane highway. The farther south I went on our road... the more stuff I saw, until I had to stop for the fire trucks and rescue workers who were clearing the trees from the road in front of me. I made it through the first light... and came to the second light. That intersection had some real damage... trees down, and loose power lines dangling in the wind. There is a monastery at that corner and they suffered extensive tree damage.
I traveled farther down the road, and made it home. I wasn't certain what I would find when I got here. I had trash cans from several neighbors west of me and lots of debris in the yard. All of our patio furniture was scattered in my neighbors back yard. Not just a little ways... but like, under their deck~ and I was certain my patio umbrella was a goner!
Coming into the house, I could see the high water and debris that came up from the heavy rains along the edge of the patio. The door at the top of the stairs was open, pulled open from the negative air pressure as the windows on the porch were open. As I stepped into the kitchen, I was met by a little red dog, cautiously peering around the corner from the hall, hoping nothing was there to scare her. She was so happy and relived to see me, she instantly jumped and twirled in circles. We were both glad I was finally home. We had heavy thunder storms during the rest of the evening... big boomers that shook the entire house and made my heart skip.
I've been to Kansas... and I've been to Oklahoma, but this is the closest I've ever felt to being Dorothy!
Thanks for reading!
~Suzanne
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Waiting For It...
We"ve been at storm prep for a few days... as soon as the storm was announced and we started tracking it, we went into "prep" mode. The biggest thing for us is the rainfall... and how many inches can fall in an hour. We are the only people around that sought out sandbags. We practically cleaned out Big Red of "tubesand". DH told me he bought almost all of what they had. We wanted to make sure we didn't flood the garage and basement and our front landing. Our front neighbors also have an issue with rain run-off... so DH purchased sand bags for them as well.
We have our spot set up in the basement... and we have our foodstuffs ready to down. We are really worried about trees falling because of ground saturation. We are also concerned with power being out. We are prepared for that, but don't like the thought of having power being out for days or even weeks.
So... we are praying it won't be as bad as predicted. Irene is on her way here... and I know she's not bringing dessert with her! Makes me wish I had remembered to buy something sweet! (I always want something sweet or salty when I'm stressed. Ice Cream sandwiches!) Hoping to get some sleep tonite... and wake up on the other side of this thing... with our home and yard mostly intact!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
We have our spot set up in the basement... and we have our foodstuffs ready to down. We are really worried about trees falling because of ground saturation. We are also concerned with power being out. We are prepared for that, but don't like the thought of having power being out for days or even weeks.
So... we are praying it won't be as bad as predicted. Irene is on her way here... and I know she's not bringing dessert with her! Makes me wish I had remembered to buy something sweet! (I always want something sweet or salty when I'm stressed. Ice Cream sandwiches!) Hoping to get some sleep tonite... and wake up on the other side of this thing... with our home and yard mostly intact!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Rainy Saturdays and Good Books
I have been working my way through the book "The Help". I have spent every spare moment I had reading it. I finish it this morning since it was raining and I didn't want to go anywhere. I loved the book... and I was totally engaged in it. I read until I fell asleep last night... I can't wait until Wednesday for the movie to come out!
Since it was a rainy Saturday... DH and I worked at going through old boxes of "stuff" that we had left stacked up since moving (3 years ago!). It was mostly paperwork or old clothing... lots of things to be donated to Goodwill and lots of stuff that needed to be tossed out. It felt great to get that done and make more room! As a reward, DH took me out to dinner... we stayed local as the weather was turning a bit crazy...with heavy rains and wind. I didn't feel like being gone too long and having dinner too late. It was an enjoyable meal and we had a great time.
Tomorrow will be a day filled with grocery shopping and laundry... another day at home. I do love being at home!
Thanks for reading! Be blessed!
~Suzanne
Since it was a rainy Saturday... DH and I worked at going through old boxes of "stuff" that we had left stacked up since moving (3 years ago!). It was mostly paperwork or old clothing... lots of things to be donated to Goodwill and lots of stuff that needed to be tossed out. It felt great to get that done and make more room! As a reward, DH took me out to dinner... we stayed local as the weather was turning a bit crazy...with heavy rains and wind. I didn't feel like being gone too long and having dinner too late. It was an enjoyable meal and we had a great time.
Tomorrow will be a day filled with grocery shopping and laundry... another day at home. I do love being at home!
Thanks for reading! Be blessed!
~Suzanne
Friday, April 1, 2011
Friday List
1. It's officially the last day of the month at work... I didn't quite make my goal... but I did beat last month by 2 points!
2. The dreaded Nor'easter we suppose to get last night... ended up going farther east! Yay! No snow to plow!
3. I started working this morning and started to get a panic attack. Luckily, my friend Janie had a xanax as I had left mine at home. (Holy Cow!)
4. I was able to go to lunch with my "condo-buddy" and my friend Tammy today. We went to the sweetest little diner... and the food was to "die for!" And they had a "pickle bar"... with lots of different kinds of pickled things and it comes as a side for your meal!
5. DH is not feeling all that well... but it also means that I don't have to cook anything for dinner.
6. I got good news from my auto insurance this week... they are covering me on my uninsured motorist coverage for all my lost work while being off from my car accident.
7. The house is fairly picked up... so cleaning will be a breeze this weekend.
8. I discovered a mexican eatery north of where I work... and it's a grill type restaurant, much like my so-beloved Chipotle... can't wait to eat there! (I crave good guacamole all the time!)
9. My Darling Husband gave me a wonderful gift this last week... he bought me a Kindle... with a great cover! My first book was "Water for Elephants"... and I loved it! Finished it in 2 days.
10. I am still deciding if I am going to keep XM radio on my car... I only really listen to just a few stations. I have to make that decision soon!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
5.
2. The dreaded Nor'easter we suppose to get last night... ended up going farther east! Yay! No snow to plow!
3. I started working this morning and started to get a panic attack. Luckily, my friend Janie had a xanax as I had left mine at home. (Holy Cow!)
4. I was able to go to lunch with my "condo-buddy" and my friend Tammy today. We went to the sweetest little diner... and the food was to "die for!" And they had a "pickle bar"... with lots of different kinds of pickled things and it comes as a side for your meal!
5. DH is not feeling all that well... but it also means that I don't have to cook anything for dinner.
6. I got good news from my auto insurance this week... they are covering me on my uninsured motorist coverage for all my lost work while being off from my car accident.
7. The house is fairly picked up... so cleaning will be a breeze this weekend.
8. I discovered a mexican eatery north of where I work... and it's a grill type restaurant, much like my so-beloved Chipotle... can't wait to eat there! (I crave good guacamole all the time!)
9. My Darling Husband gave me a wonderful gift this last week... he bought me a Kindle... with a great cover! My first book was "Water for Elephants"... and I loved it! Finished it in 2 days.
10. I am still deciding if I am going to keep XM radio on my car... I only really listen to just a few stations. I have to make that decision soon!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
5.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Flu and Love in Action
It's been a trying week at the cottage... we've both been hit with the flu. I was struck down Tuesday night after coming home from work... and if it hadn't been for my wonderful DH, things would have been pretty ugly around here. Poor DH was hit with it on Thursday morning in the course of his work day... and he happened to be over 100 miles from home with a drive up the turnpike that doesn't offer many stops. Needless to say... he grabbed some medication from the first aid kit and was able to get home before it got too bad. We are still suffering from some of the lingering aspects of this bug.
We braved the cold temperatures and high winds today to get our errands done. We finished at one store and decided to have a bit of lunch. We pulled into a fast-food joint on the side of town we were on... and I noticed an older man standing near the door. We parked and walked inside... ordered and sat down. We enjoyed our meal, talked and played on our phones, and right before we were leaving, I noticed the man walking from up the street at brisk pace. It was so windy and cold and there were snow flurries.
We went out to the car and went down the road to our next stop, a strip mall where my pharmacy is. We parked and went inside to get my meds... and we weren't really lingering. As we came back out of the store, the man was standing inside the glassed in area of the strip mall, looking out. As we came to him, we both smiled at him and he asked... "Do you have 39 cents so I can catch the bus?" Of course we did... and DH reached for his wallet to give him money. I asked him, "Do you need something to eat?" The man looked down, and said, "I didn't want to ask..." DH reached in his wallet and gave him the rest of what he had. It wasn't much, but we knew he needed it and he headed to the grocery store. I wish I had taken him shopping to get more of what he needed.
It was a humbling experience... and it made me so grateful that I was able to walk to a nice car to drive home. We had more than enough to share with someone who needed it. It's tough out there for so many, and by all accounts in the media lately, it's not going to get any easier. In the past few days... I have been able to enjoy friends and good fortune, and also to help someone else. It felt good... and I hope God gives me more opportunities like this one to give without judgement or reservation.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
We braved the cold temperatures and high winds today to get our errands done. We finished at one store and decided to have a bit of lunch. We pulled into a fast-food joint on the side of town we were on... and I noticed an older man standing near the door. We parked and walked inside... ordered and sat down. We enjoyed our meal, talked and played on our phones, and right before we were leaving, I noticed the man walking from up the street at brisk pace. It was so windy and cold and there were snow flurries.
We went out to the car and went down the road to our next stop, a strip mall where my pharmacy is. We parked and went inside to get my meds... and we weren't really lingering. As we came back out of the store, the man was standing inside the glassed in area of the strip mall, looking out. As we came to him, we both smiled at him and he asked... "Do you have 39 cents so I can catch the bus?" Of course we did... and DH reached for his wallet to give him money. I asked him, "Do you need something to eat?" The man looked down, and said, "I didn't want to ask..." DH reached in his wallet and gave him the rest of what he had. It wasn't much, but we knew he needed it and he headed to the grocery store. I wish I had taken him shopping to get more of what he needed.
It was a humbling experience... and it made me so grateful that I was able to walk to a nice car to drive home. We had more than enough to share with someone who needed it. It's tough out there for so many, and by all accounts in the media lately, it's not going to get any easier. In the past few days... I have been able to enjoy friends and good fortune, and also to help someone else. It felt good... and I hope God gives me more opportunities like this one to give without judgement or reservation.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Simple Woman's Daybook...
FOR TODAY (February 1, 2011)...
Outside my window... there is snow everywhere you look... and lots of icicles.
I am thinking... that I cannot wait to go back to work once I am able to go.
I am thankful for... God's Love and Hedge of Protection around me... to be recovering from only "moderate injuries" instead of major head trauma and broken bones or internal injuries.
From the kitchen... there are ginger snaps in the cookie jar, baked my darling husband, and plans for a good hearty meal of meatloaf and baked potatoes for dinner tonite.
I am wearing... jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt and warm socks.
I am creating... order out of chaos from totalling my car two weeks ago.
I am going... absolutely no where... the weather dictates staying in.
I am reading... lots of blogs when I feel like it, facebook and... really, not much else as it's too taxing right now.
I am hoping... to overcome this small obstacle and give God the Glory for seeing me through this time.
I am hearing... the heat coming on, the dogs snoring behind me... and someone's sno-thrower in the distance.
Around the house... things are fairly orderly, I've done some handwashing and have sweaters drying flat.
One of my favorite things...having my husband call me to let me know he made down the turnpike safely in this snow and ice.
A few plans for the rest of the week: only to continue to rest as much as I can, and see the doctor again on Friday and hopefully be well enough to return to work.
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A Post I Thought I'd Never Write...
Today has one of those life-time moments.... That stop you literally in your tracks. I've had a few of those moments in my life... and you get past them.
Today started out like any other day in NE PA in the winter. You check the weather forcast... figure out if it's safe to leave the house... and plan accordingly. We had snow and freezing rain this morning. I decided I was going to go late and take my time getting there.
The yard service came and plowed... and the weather changed just a little... and it felt safe to leave. I was half way there when my moment happened... I was in a roll over accident this morning. I was in the 3rd land, all by myself, when a tractor-trailer changed lanes 6 feet in front of me and the draft from his truck pushed me into the shoulder, where I lost control of my car and rolled over. I rolled up the embankment and then rolled back down facing the other direction. I wasn't sure where I was.
All I knew was that when I started to roll over, I put my hands over my face to keep the air bag from hitting me. (Fortunately, my airbag didn't deploy.) Once I got my bearing,I realized my passenger side window was gone and so was my purse and cell phone. The drivers side door was damaged and I could not get out. I hit the emegency flashers and just sat and waited... not more than a minute went by when someone stopped to help. It was 20 something girl who works at the arena north of here... and she was adept at assessing my situation and health status. She called 911, she called DH and she called my boss... and found my purse and cell phone. She worked with the paramedics and the state trooper so that I wouldn't become too stressed.
I was transported by ambulance on a backboard and neck brace. I spent most of my day at the level 1 trauma center, being evaluated. I can tell you that I literally walked away from this with nothing more than a huge contusion on my head... and lots of bruises. I know that God protected me and I also know that seat belts saved my life. DH, as always, was my hero and came to the trauma center to be with me and stayed by my side and advocated with the nurses on my behalf.
I never, ever thought I'd write about totaling my car. I never thought I'd ever be in a roll-over accident... I am ever so thankful for the first-responders and to Sarah, who stopped to help me. I'm also thankful for my DH... who manages to always take such good care of me. I'm glad to be back home with Nolli and Punky... and I will miss my wonderful car... she was such a good ride!
Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne
Today started out like any other day in NE PA in the winter. You check the weather forcast... figure out if it's safe to leave the house... and plan accordingly. We had snow and freezing rain this morning. I decided I was going to go late and take my time getting there.
The yard service came and plowed... and the weather changed just a little... and it felt safe to leave. I was half way there when my moment happened... I was in a roll over accident this morning. I was in the 3rd land, all by myself, when a tractor-trailer changed lanes 6 feet in front of me and the draft from his truck pushed me into the shoulder, where I lost control of my car and rolled over. I rolled up the embankment and then rolled back down facing the other direction. I wasn't sure where I was.
All I knew was that when I started to roll over, I put my hands over my face to keep the air bag from hitting me. (Fortunately, my airbag didn't deploy.) Once I got my bearing,I realized my passenger side window was gone and so was my purse and cell phone. The drivers side door was damaged and I could not get out. I hit the emegency flashers and just sat and waited... not more than a minute went by when someone stopped to help. It was 20 something girl who works at the arena north of here... and she was adept at assessing my situation and health status. She called 911, she called DH and she called my boss... and found my purse and cell phone. She worked with the paramedics and the state trooper so that I wouldn't become too stressed.
I was transported by ambulance on a backboard and neck brace. I spent most of my day at the level 1 trauma center, being evaluated. I can tell you that I literally walked away from this with nothing more than a huge contusion on my head... and lots of bruises. I know that God protected me and I also know that seat belts saved my life. DH, as always, was my hero and came to the trauma center to be with me and stayed by my side and advocated with the nurses on my behalf.
I never, ever thought I'd write about totaling my car. I never thought I'd ever be in a roll-over accident... I am ever so thankful for the first-responders and to Sarah, who stopped to help me. I'm also thankful for my DH... who manages to always take such good care of me. I'm glad to be back home with Nolli and Punky... and I will miss my wonderful car... she was such a good ride!
Thanks for reading... be blessed.
~Suzanne
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Waiting for it!
We are waiting and watching... for the snow to begin. They are calling for between 10 and 15 inches to fall on us between this afternoon and tomorrow. And calling for high winds as well.
I managed to get up and out of the house fairly early for a Sunday morning... as I wanted to be sure we had everything we needed in the event we don't get out in the next day or two. It's not really a great thought as neither one of us has any personal time to use. DH has used all of his with my being in the hospital last week and I don't get any for another 9 months. Oh Well... as they say!
I have butter beans slow-cooking in the oven, and glazed ham from yesterday. We have yummy rolls from Christmas eve, and lots of other goodies to munch on when the need arises. We also went to the movies last night and had chinese food for dinner. (Yeah... we can be "heathens" like that! lol) It is something that I have always done since I was first married and living 3000 miles away from family. After getting divorced, I still did it... and it's something DH and I decided we wanted to continue... again, as we don't have family very close by. We loved having time away from home and just laughing... and we both ate sparingly on the chinese food as DH was rather full... and I didn't want the MSG headache. (I did get the headache later tho.)
Our Christmas has been quiet... we didn't really exchange gifts this year. We did adopt a family through work, and donated to give them a nice holiday. We did a few other charity things... and it was easy and not hectic to try and get all that shopping done, and have to get wrapping done. We did buy gifts for Nolli and Punky... it's always great fun to give gifts to Nolli as he understands presents and unwrapping things. He gets so excited and so happy about having a present. They got new collars, new bowls, each got a new toy, and DH splurged and bought them a new running fountain water dish. Nolli really likes it... Punky, I'm not too sure about. She doesn't understand presents and really just wanted to be in my arms through it all. She gets so shy and uncertain when there are new things introduced to the house.
There you have it... we had a wonderful day at home, a fun evening out at the movies and yummy chinese food... a peaceful and joyous holiday!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
I managed to get up and out of the house fairly early for a Sunday morning... as I wanted to be sure we had everything we needed in the event we don't get out in the next day or two. It's not really a great thought as neither one of us has any personal time to use. DH has used all of his with my being in the hospital last week and I don't get any for another 9 months. Oh Well... as they say!
I have butter beans slow-cooking in the oven, and glazed ham from yesterday. We have yummy rolls from Christmas eve, and lots of other goodies to munch on when the need arises. We also went to the movies last night and had chinese food for dinner. (Yeah... we can be "heathens" like that! lol) It is something that I have always done since I was first married and living 3000 miles away from family. After getting divorced, I still did it... and it's something DH and I decided we wanted to continue... again, as we don't have family very close by. We loved having time away from home and just laughing... and we both ate sparingly on the chinese food as DH was rather full... and I didn't want the MSG headache. (I did get the headache later tho.)
Our Christmas has been quiet... we didn't really exchange gifts this year. We did adopt a family through work, and donated to give them a nice holiday. We did a few other charity things... and it was easy and not hectic to try and get all that shopping done, and have to get wrapping done. We did buy gifts for Nolli and Punky... it's always great fun to give gifts to Nolli as he understands presents and unwrapping things. He gets so excited and so happy about having a present. They got new collars, new bowls, each got a new toy, and DH splurged and bought them a new running fountain water dish. Nolli really likes it... Punky, I'm not too sure about. She doesn't understand presents and really just wanted to be in my arms through it all. She gets so shy and uncertain when there are new things introduced to the house.
There you have it... we had a wonderful day at home, a fun evening out at the movies and yummy chinese food... a peaceful and joyous holiday!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Sunday, October 17, 2010
M.I.A.
I'm sorry... I have been missing in action this week. It's been a little crazy around here. I ended up being really sick last Sunday and Monday. I missed work on Monday... a huge no-no! And because I missed work, I ended up working extra hours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It was exhausting... I managed to work an extra 6 hours to make up time. I would have been able to make up the entire 8 hours except that I had to take 30 minutes for lunch.
Also this week... DH went back to work on Wednesday. He 's on light duty with a 10 pound weight limit for the next 4 weeks. His supervisor doesn't seem to understand the concept of light duty and sent DH to a job that required him to do welding, pulling an air compressor around and to replace an overhead chain that weighs 80 pounds. (Does that sound like light duty to you? Yeah, I didn't think so either!) DH went to physical therapy and the therapist was quite worried that DH could suffer a set-back if the light-duty order is not followed. DH had great discomfort, swelling and pain in his shoulder on Friday... he couldn't work that day. Hmmmmm... I think someone needs to get a clue about light duty and causing someone additional harm when they refuse to comply with a doctor's note. (Don't even get me started!)
Yesterday was spent getting things ready for the next couple of weeks... getting groceries, trying to find a pharmacy that carries a certain manufacturer of medicine that will work with DH and his blood pressure. We used to get it at Wal*Mart, but they have decided to carry another brand because it's better on their bottom line. They have decided to carry a brand that does not work... it has to do with the fillers that are used that cancel out the affects of the medicine for DH... and even after writing to them, they don't care... and won't be carrying the one that DH has used, any longer. So much for really caring about your customers, Wal*Mart.
Anyway, while we were out... we were able to enjoy the fall colors at their peak. Last year I missed it because of my knee replacement. It was so nice to go down quiet country roads and view such spectacular color. It was very windy and quite cold out... but it was fun. Today, we are going to be starting with winterizing the house, getting plastic over the windows and making sure that the storm windows are pulled down. I know that I will be quite soon placing an order for winter heating oil as well... bye-bye money!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Also this week... DH went back to work on Wednesday. He 's on light duty with a 10 pound weight limit for the next 4 weeks. His supervisor doesn't seem to understand the concept of light duty and sent DH to a job that required him to do welding, pulling an air compressor around and to replace an overhead chain that weighs 80 pounds. (Does that sound like light duty to you? Yeah, I didn't think so either!) DH went to physical therapy and the therapist was quite worried that DH could suffer a set-back if the light-duty order is not followed. DH had great discomfort, swelling and pain in his shoulder on Friday... he couldn't work that day. Hmmmmm... I think someone needs to get a clue about light duty and causing someone additional harm when they refuse to comply with a doctor's note. (Don't even get me started!)
Yesterday was spent getting things ready for the next couple of weeks... getting groceries, trying to find a pharmacy that carries a certain manufacturer of medicine that will work with DH and his blood pressure. We used to get it at Wal*Mart, but they have decided to carry another brand because it's better on their bottom line. They have decided to carry a brand that does not work... it has to do with the fillers that are used that cancel out the affects of the medicine for DH... and even after writing to them, they don't care... and won't be carrying the one that DH has used, any longer. So much for really caring about your customers, Wal*Mart.
Anyway, while we were out... we were able to enjoy the fall colors at their peak. Last year I missed it because of my knee replacement. It was so nice to go down quiet country roads and view such spectacular color. It was very windy and quite cold out... but it was fun. Today, we are going to be starting with winterizing the house, getting plastic over the windows and making sure that the storm windows are pulled down. I know that I will be quite soon placing an order for winter heating oil as well... bye-bye money!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Home on A Sick Day.
When my alarm went off this morning... I was met with not only the crazy noise it makes, but also a pounding headache. So much so, that I knew I was not going to be able to function enough to even get ready for work, let alone drive there and sit at a desk with tons of noise all day. I went out to my desk and zipped off an email to my boss. (I couldn't even find her phone number.)
It was because of last night... I was pretty tired and fell asleep on the sofa while curled up next to DH. I only snoozed for maybe 15 minutes, but knew I had to get to bed. I got in bed by 10:15 and promptly fell asleep with my wonderful ear plugs and my blessed dosage of ambien. Sleep came fast and hard. DH woke me just around 11:25... he needed help with Punky. She had gone out to her crate in the living room and had a seizure. He was trying to get honey down her to keep her blood sugar from plummeting from expending all that energy. She takes awhile to recover from those events and needs to be calmed. So... that's what we did. I held her, cleaned her up, and got her back to her happy little self, including a walk to go potty.
When I finally fell back into bed... it was after 12:30... and sleep was not anywhere near by as I laid there with Punky by my side. It's no wonder why my head hurt so badly this morning. I have spent almost the entire morning in bed, listening to the rain and snuggling with my little red dog. I don't know what to do or what we are facing as this is her 3rd seizure in the past year. I did some thinking... and it's possible that it's diet related. We don't have any problems unless we go off our routine and I break down and give her something that she really shouldn't have... like a bite of bacon or chicken. So... it could be my fault that she's having issues. I will have to be more vigilant about no treats... though it's so hard to say no when looking at that sweet, adorable face.
It's a cold, damp and rainy day here... makes me feel as though I was back in Washington State. We did break down and turn on the furnace today. We just needed to take the chill out of the air. Soon, I will be calling for one of many oil deliveries to made through out this Winter season. My head still aches just a little bit...but for me to go to work now would be futile as I would have to leave to take DH to his physical therapy appointment. This is his last one before he goes to see the Surgeon on Thursday.
Is it just us... or is anyone else having an invasion of creepy crawlies? ... we just killed a HUGE spider in our living room. And DH hates spiders... they creep him out and he will do anything to avoid them. I just knocked it down out of the drapes and thought I had it under my foot... but it crawled out from under it... and DH nailed it with his shoe. Yuck! (Don't we live an exciting life around here?)
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
It was because of last night... I was pretty tired and fell asleep on the sofa while curled up next to DH. I only snoozed for maybe 15 minutes, but knew I had to get to bed. I got in bed by 10:15 and promptly fell asleep with my wonderful ear plugs and my blessed dosage of ambien. Sleep came fast and hard. DH woke me just around 11:25... he needed help with Punky. She had gone out to her crate in the living room and had a seizure. He was trying to get honey down her to keep her blood sugar from plummeting from expending all that energy. She takes awhile to recover from those events and needs to be calmed. So... that's what we did. I held her, cleaned her up, and got her back to her happy little self, including a walk to go potty.
When I finally fell back into bed... it was after 12:30... and sleep was not anywhere near by as I laid there with Punky by my side. It's no wonder why my head hurt so badly this morning. I have spent almost the entire morning in bed, listening to the rain and snuggling with my little red dog. I don't know what to do or what we are facing as this is her 3rd seizure in the past year. I did some thinking... and it's possible that it's diet related. We don't have any problems unless we go off our routine and I break down and give her something that she really shouldn't have... like a bite of bacon or chicken. So... it could be my fault that she's having issues. I will have to be more vigilant about no treats... though it's so hard to say no when looking at that sweet, adorable face.
It's a cold, damp and rainy day here... makes me feel as though I was back in Washington State. We did break down and turn on the furnace today. We just needed to take the chill out of the air. Soon, I will be calling for one of many oil deliveries to made through out this Winter season. My head still aches just a little bit...but for me to go to work now would be futile as I would have to leave to take DH to his physical therapy appointment. This is his last one before he goes to see the Surgeon on Thursday.
Is it just us... or is anyone else having an invasion of creepy crawlies? ... we just killed a HUGE spider in our living room. And DH hates spiders... they creep him out and he will do anything to avoid them. I just knocked it down out of the drapes and thought I had it under my foot... but it crawled out from under it... and DH nailed it with his shoe. Yuck! (Don't we live an exciting life around here?)
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
I did try!
I tried to post last night... but I just couldn't get it all together. I had a post almost done and I deleted most of it. My laptop mousepad is set too sensitive. (Or at least it was until after DH fixed the settings.)
My workweek is going by in a blur. I stay so busy all day long, I don't have time to even remember to take a break or get something cold to drink. Yesterday was also physical therapy day for DH... it was a long session and by the time we stopped for dinner and gas and for an ATM run... I was more than ready to get home. (Which was at 8:00 pm last night.) I vaguely remember falling into bed close to 10:00 and I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in.... that's tired!
I did manage to watch GLEE last night. I am always surprised by what they manage to pull off and I love the music! We also managed to watch Two and a Half Men... that show makes me down right belly laugh. Tonight is Survivor... and speaking of Surviving, I came home in a horrid thunder storm that had high winds, hail and rain drops as big as your fist. It was pretty bad... and our patio flooded like crazy. The stream went up over it's banks too... and we took a little water in our basement, but it wasn't too bad down there. Our new neighbor has put in new downspouts and splash guards. One is right near her basement door... and I've tried to tell her that it was only going to fill up her basement door area faster, but she doesn't want to listen. Something tells me she's going to be a real trial to live with... and I already miss how cordial and easy it was to live with our old neighbor.
Time for Survivor! Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~S.
My workweek is going by in a blur. I stay so busy all day long, I don't have time to even remember to take a break or get something cold to drink. Yesterday was also physical therapy day for DH... it was a long session and by the time we stopped for dinner and gas and for an ATM run... I was more than ready to get home. (Which was at 8:00 pm last night.) I vaguely remember falling into bed close to 10:00 and I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in.... that's tired!
I did manage to watch GLEE last night. I am always surprised by what they manage to pull off and I love the music! We also managed to watch Two and a Half Men... that show makes me down right belly laugh. Tonight is Survivor... and speaking of Surviving, I came home in a horrid thunder storm that had high winds, hail and rain drops as big as your fist. It was pretty bad... and our patio flooded like crazy. The stream went up over it's banks too... and we took a little water in our basement, but it wasn't too bad down there. Our new neighbor has put in new downspouts and splash guards. One is right near her basement door... and I've tried to tell her that it was only going to fill up her basement door area faster, but she doesn't want to listen. Something tells me she's going to be a real trial to live with... and I already miss how cordial and easy it was to live with our old neighbor.
Time for Survivor! Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~S.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Unexpected Visitors
Today started as a quiet and peaceful day. We had a simple breakfast... and made plans to go to a local dog park. We drove over the hill, but a new batch of gnats hatched over night... it was way tooooo bad to go for a walk. We all would have ingested more than our daily quota for such things like bugs! It really was bad.
We came home and on our way, stopped at one of the local farms to buy some sweet corn for our dinner. We decided that we would grab our laptops, a cool drink and chill out on the patio under our umbrella. I made more than one trip up and down the stairs during the time we were outside starting at around 11:30. The longest stretch we were out at any one point was about an hour.
We came back inside at 2:00... I was going to make a sandwich for each of us. I had the under cabinet lights on, and to my surprise... there were mice droppings on my counter. Wha???????? It was cold last night... and apparently they came up into the kitchen~ and I went into "freak-out mode." (Mind you, there was nothing on the counters all day until between 1 and 2!) We have spent the rest of our day carefully cleaning our entire kitchen area. DH has discovered their mode of entry and we have obtained traps. He made a customized piece of 1/4 inch plastic to cover the hole that the mice have been using. I think we have seen the last of them up here. (I prayerfully hope so!)
We have boxed up all of our food that is in cardboard or cellophane or anything that a mouse could chew through... and placed all of it in huge rubbermaid tubs that we use for moving. Everything in the entire kitchen has been washed, bleached, dried and put away on clean shelf liner. I am so terribly tired at this point, I can't even begin to tell you. I don't know how I will be able to go in and make a lunch for tomorrow... I think I will probably do take-out tomorrow.
DH is working on putting things back in proper form... even with his one arm! He's an amazing man and I cannot thank him enough for helping me with such a huge job. I am totally "yucked out" by this whole entire thing. I once had baby mice invade a desk drawer at work, about the time it started to get cold. It was a horrid mess and I had to throw some treasured things away because they ruined them. I still get so skieved out! Traps are going out... tonight. It will give DH something to do tomorrow while I am at work.
Sorry to share such horrid news. Thanks for coming by.... be blessed!
~Suzanne
We came home and on our way, stopped at one of the local farms to buy some sweet corn for our dinner. We decided that we would grab our laptops, a cool drink and chill out on the patio under our umbrella. I made more than one trip up and down the stairs during the time we were outside starting at around 11:30. The longest stretch we were out at any one point was about an hour.
We came back inside at 2:00... I was going to make a sandwich for each of us. I had the under cabinet lights on, and to my surprise... there were mice droppings on my counter. Wha???????? It was cold last night... and apparently they came up into the kitchen~ and I went into "freak-out mode." (Mind you, there was nothing on the counters all day until between 1 and 2!) We have spent the rest of our day carefully cleaning our entire kitchen area. DH has discovered their mode of entry and we have obtained traps. He made a customized piece of 1/4 inch plastic to cover the hole that the mice have been using. I think we have seen the last of them up here. (I prayerfully hope so!)
We have boxed up all of our food that is in cardboard or cellophane or anything that a mouse could chew through... and placed all of it in huge rubbermaid tubs that we use for moving. Everything in the entire kitchen has been washed, bleached, dried and put away on clean shelf liner. I am so terribly tired at this point, I can't even begin to tell you. I don't know how I will be able to go in and make a lunch for tomorrow... I think I will probably do take-out tomorrow.
DH is working on putting things back in proper form... even with his one arm! He's an amazing man and I cannot thank him enough for helping me with such a huge job. I am totally "yucked out" by this whole entire thing. I once had baby mice invade a desk drawer at work, about the time it started to get cold. It was a horrid mess and I had to throw some treasured things away because they ruined them. I still get so skieved out! Traps are going out... tonight. It will give DH something to do tomorrow while I am at work.
Sorry to share such horrid news. Thanks for coming by.... be blessed!
~Suzanne
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Fall... and Life in Town
Wow... it seems as if the weather here has turned to Fall already. We went up to the Pocono Amish Market yesterday... on the way, there were so many trees that have started to turn red, orange and brown. It's much colder and windy... I needed a jacket this morning.
We did enjoy the market yesterday... it was busy as all get out with lots of people from New York. You can always tell... because they cut in line, don't read signs and are pushy. It's a holiday weekend, so there were lots of them. Anyway, we did buy eggs and butter, green beans, zucchini and squash, cookies and whoppie pies and of course we bought sausage from our favorite Amish guy Mr. B. It's fun to go up and then be able to chat with him for a brief moment... I know that he appreciates that we take the time.
We had a huge 3 alarm fire down on Main Street this morning. The building is almost behind us but half a block straight down and 2 lots over. It gutted the entire building and when I walked down at 8:30, they were still doing clean up and check work. There were 4 businesses downstairs and 4 apartments upstairs. There are 2 elderly ladies that live up there, and 1 had to be rescued. Poor dear. Everyone got ok but 1 of the firemen fell and broke an ankle. Ouch! That was probably the 4th or 5th ambulance (siren) round that came through. Poor DH was trying to sleep in the recliner and heard the entire thing... he said he couldn't see flames because the smoke was so thick and black. I talked to Miss Millie that lives on Main Street across the way and 2 doors down... she woke up to see the orange flames on her walls and first thought her house was on fire... scared her to death!
I'm going to be working on laundry today... as much as my stuffy head and my achy back will allow me. Yeah... my back... I turned wrong trying to get comfortable to go to sleep and it's been achy ever since! I probably need to see the chiropractor... but it's going to have to wait now! So... I'm off to sort clothes, and try to keep my head clear from all this stuffiness!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!~Suzanne
Thursday, August 12, 2010
A Quiet, Rainy Day.
Today has been a quiet day at home. It was rainy when I woke up and I left DH to sleep in... he needed it. He hasn't really been sleeping these last couple of weeks. He has trouble falling asleep and wakes in the wee hours of the morning. To see him sleeping was a good thing. Nolli-dog is partial to sleeping in as well... he is a cave dweller, he likes it when it's dark and cool. So it was just me and Punky in the dampness of the morning.
With the quiet and the emptiness of both the flower shop and the front house... sometimes, we are the only ones around here during the day. Sometimes, the workers that are coming to give quotes for work on the house will come to our door looking for the landlord... today was one of those times. We are as helpful as we can be, but I sometimes feel bad that I don't have the information that those workers are seeking.
It's been raining off and on today... and we were coming across the city this evening and got caught in a huge downpour. (I know that it may be confusing... we do live in a small town... just 3 miles away from a fairly large city of 85,000.) DH had another physical therapy appointment that was downtown. I had intended to stop at the store to pick up ingredients needed for dinner, but with the rain, we decided to swing into one of the fast food places that we pass on our way down into the valley where we live. By doing that, we ate dinner much sooner than if I had cooked... it would have ended up being quite late and we don't like to eat after 6:00 if we can help it. But tomorrow... I plan on gathering those dinner ingredients and fixing a good home style Italian pasta dinner! Did I tell y'all that last weekend, we harvested a good portion of the basil that we grew this year? We made some pesto (without the parm) and IOF froze it. It's in nice little portions, ready to thaw and add Parmesan cheese and have for dinner! Yummm!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
With the quiet and the emptiness of both the flower shop and the front house... sometimes, we are the only ones around here during the day. Sometimes, the workers that are coming to give quotes for work on the house will come to our door looking for the landlord... today was one of those times. We are as helpful as we can be, but I sometimes feel bad that I don't have the information that those workers are seeking.
It's been raining off and on today... and we were coming across the city this evening and got caught in a huge downpour. (I know that it may be confusing... we do live in a small town... just 3 miles away from a fairly large city of 85,000.) DH had another physical therapy appointment that was downtown. I had intended to stop at the store to pick up ingredients needed for dinner, but with the rain, we decided to swing into one of the fast food places that we pass on our way down into the valley where we live. By doing that, we ate dinner much sooner than if I had cooked... it would have ended up being quite late and we don't like to eat after 6:00 if we can help it. But tomorrow... I plan on gathering those dinner ingredients and fixing a good home style Italian pasta dinner! Did I tell y'all that last weekend, we harvested a good portion of the basil that we grew this year? We made some pesto (without the parm) and IOF froze it. It's in nice little portions, ready to thaw and add Parmesan cheese and have for dinner! Yummm!
Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne
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