Happy New year

Another year flies by. It seems like just yesterday I was doing this entry for 2009. Now it is 2010. Wow, 10 years past Y2K. Remember that? A whole decade has past since then.

I looked back in my journal to see which of my predictions had come true. Unfortunately many of my dire predictions happened. We have been attacked in our country. Taxes have soared. Unemployment is so high I think everyone knows someone who has been laid off. The corruption in this new government I admit went even beyond my fears. Government takeovers. Tax evasions, czars, ACORN, the Global warming hoax, stimulus money given to non-existent Congressional districts. it just boggles the mind.

I had 3 surgeries this year and the only one that isn't still bothering me is the one on my face where the cancer was removed. I made less, rode my bike less and worried about America's future more.

But. I got to see my wonderful grandchildren, we are all alive and well, arthritis and all and I have a roof over my head and food in my tummy. And it is a new year. My family is all well.

I think the elections will be interesting this year. Hopefully not to many dead people will vote and the country has been woken up enough to stop in its track the direction the country is going. We realize that the government is not listening to us or acting in our best interest. Time to get rid of the old and dangerous and put in some people who do what they are suppose to do. Protect us and not tax us to death.

Ben Stein quoted his dad in an article. It said. "Benjy, the whole point of America is that we all live better then we did anywhere else; the Blacks, the Asians, the Irish, the Germans...... It is true. If we don't let his government accomplish what they have set out to do. Make your vote count. Take back our country.

I work tonight at 11. We are eating at our son's today. Our dinner planned at Christmas. Zoey is doing slightly better. And as always it is snowing off and on. But the sun is shining on a new year. Lets make it a good one.

More Snow, Oh Goody

It is snowing again. Thrill of thrill. We already have snow piled up as tall as buildings. They think we may get another 8 inches by Monday. Yes its pretty, yes it won't last, but man is it a bummer.

Zoey was really bad last night. Barely walking and for the firs time I heard her moan in pain. It just breaks your heart. We are going to pet smart today to get her some glucosamine. I wanted to research which was best, worked the fastest and would be something I could get her to eat. They have a liver flavored one with a ton of good reviews so we will get that. As fast as this came on I think she must have a acute muscle injury probably from her loving to plow through the snow. Its hard on all of us to remember we are young pups anymore.


Sugar suggested a bed but we have never been able to get her to sleep on a dog bed. Why should she when ours is so much softer and she can hog most of it.

I always said I would never have a dog sleep in my bed, but she was impossible to keep off the bed. As soon as we would fall asleep she would jump up and when we woke up in the morning there she would be, all content with tail thumping happy to greet us. I would scold her and shut the door at night but she has this horrible thing of laying by the door and rhythmically scratching at the door with one nail over and over and over and over until you just want to scream. Scritch, scritch, scritch........ like nails on a chalkboard. Zoey has always been great at training us to do as she wishes.


I am suppose to go get my hair trimmed today. It is a real wild mess. I hope it stops snowing soon as she lives out of town and may not make it to the shop. You can never plan anything for sure in this weather.

We went to my older son's the other day to exchange gifts. They bought me the neatest birdhouse. At the art splash earlier this year I had mentioned how much I loved the bird houses this man made out of old posts and pieces of metal. They went and bought me one and have had it stored every since. When I put it out this year I will take a shot and show you. It is so cool.

We bought a massive bag of birdseed the other day as the birds are just suffereing in this storm. Since I can't use the regular feeders I am taking pie tins and filling them and playing them in the snow. Seems to be working and I saw evidence the deer visited for the first time since the snow. No turkey though. I don't know what they do in the winter.

Well the new year is almost over. In many ways it was worse then I thought it would be. We went further in dept nationally then I could even imagine. The government turned out to be even more corrupt then I had feared and the terrorist chickens are attacking. What would have happened if panty boy had been successful. We have got to start insisting on them going after the people we know are likely to attack us. I hear our government is searching babies. Sure, search the babies but let the suspected terrorist with no luggage, no visa, and shifty eyes board without a blink. Watch your traveling companions people.

They say the system worked? Only because a dutch passenger took the man out. No thanks to our government controls. Other countries profile, this country needs to do that also. To hell with stepping on some feelings. These people don't play by the rules. The cowardly attack women and children hiding in the crowd instead of fighting like a man, or women.

On one of the flights that had problems people admitted they had concerns about the person one the plane but got on anyway. They didn't want to profile. Well I say. Profile. Your lives may depend on it.

Oh and one other thing. I want just a plain background for my blog. Not a 3 column one. Anyone know how to get one? Thanks.

Zoey

Well we spent the morning getting xrays and tests. The good news is it isn't the cancer returning. She does have some hip and right knee inflammation and arthritis, but not terribly bad for her age. He thinks the fact that she insists on still going to the woods and jumping into the deep snow to do her duty has caused her arthritis to flare up and maybe she hurt a muscle. So that is good news.

She has got to lose weight. Right now she can't climb up on any beds and needs help getting up any steps. They put her on some pain meds and we are going to get some glucosamine supplements plus some fish oil. And let her rest. It is hard to keep her off her feet because every time we go into a different room she gets up and comes along. Limping the entire time. Poor old girl.

I had them trim her nails because it has been difficult for me to do with my wrists being so gimpy and they cut two of them too short so they were bleeding. They have never done that before. Poor pup. So anyway, it isn't as bad as I feared but it is difficult to watch her in so much pain. The pills are helping though. They gave her Ultram which is the same pain med they give humans. It is better tolerated then the Rimadyl.

Question. Why is pet medication so expensive? Almost more then human for some things. Sigh. But she is worth it. Thanks for the prayers.

Zoey

Last night I brought Zoey out and noticed she was limping. I thought because she is getting up there in years her arthritis may be bothering her also with this cold. Within a hour she was having trouble standing on her back legs. We can't tell if it is one leg or both, just that they don't seem to be working well. She is wagging her tail and nothing seems to hurt her when I examined her legs.

I got a sick feeling in mys stomach. We called our vet right away and since she isn't in any pain decided to wait until this morning to bring her in. She is standing again this morning but really favoring her back legs and can't jump up on the couch or bed. Rick slept on the floor with her last night because she would keep trying to get in bed and we didn't want her to injure herself further.

This morning we are going to the vet. I am so worried. I am worried about that cancer she had, I am worried that the worst leg is the one she had that growth on. But I am praying it is arthritis and they can give her a pill to fix her up.

So please, once again could you include an old much loved dog in your prayers today.

Down with Political Correctness

We are so worry we are going to offend someone. Every place of employment offers Cultural training. We vote in a blatant socialist because we want to prove to the world we are not racist. And we have been attacked twice in recent months by terrorists allowed to get away with it because we don't want to racially profile them. We search and question granny and let the person most likely to murder innocent children and decent people walk on by. Cowards who sneak bombs under their clothes. Well I think..... If it walks like a duck. If if talks and quacks and swims like a duck. Its a duck. Call it a duck. Treat it like a duck. Did we forget all we learned on Sept. 11th?

Snow Blowers

The other day when we went to dig out I decided it would be wise of me to learn how to start and use the snow blower. Rick's back is still out and from what I could see it looked like they pretty much ran along with you just trotting after them. It looked fun even and I suspected that because you never have to ask men twice to go out and shovel out the drives when you have one. Men and their machines.

So we go out and Rick starts telling me the drill. What the heck? They do this crap deliberately. I was expecting a key. Turn the key, release the brake and hang on. Simple right? Wrong.

First he says you have to turn this lever here. The you have to twist this knob to open the gas, then you have to pump this thing a ma jig and make sure this lever is set to this setting and then when it starts to run turn this level to this line and pump the thing a ma jig again and make sure you holding down this clutch thing and making sure the augers are both turning.

What! Are you joking? You have to do all that just to start the thing? Oh.... I forgot. You also have to pull on this cord like the lawn mower, ( which I also can't start) until it catches. And I am suppose to remember all this? I swear men do this on purpose. A woman would have a button she lightly pushed and the huge machine would spring into action. Men like the ritual of STARTING OF THE MACHINES.

Deciding I would never ever in a million years remember this I captured the drill on video and will make a print out list of instructions in the rare event I ever decide to actually use the thing.

So anyway he gets it started and shows me the levels to press to get the monster to leap forward and the augers to turn. Not too deep so you don't fling the rocks he hollers above the noise.

Now I am not the tallest person and have to admit to having sore wrists and a gimpy shoulder. I did one sweep. Its harder then it looks. My wrists and shoulder took a beating. I kept forgetting to turn the lever directing the snow. Rick looked pretty funny with his face covered. Didn't amuse him though.

So that's it. Anything happens to Rick I have to either move or hire someone. And I couldn't get the snow off the roof with the roof shovel either. The snow was too deep to get close to the house and I was too short to reach it plus have I mentioned my shoulder isn't getting better as fast as I want and both my wrists are killing me.

Being absolutely useless in helping him move the snow around around I did tackle the vehicles and cleared the windows. And I gave him moral support. Applauded his effort. Go baby go. Because I sure don't want to do it ever again.

My Crazy Fern

My asparagus fern sits on a plant stand in my bedroom near the window. It enjoys the filtered light and seems to thrive. A great accomplishment for me.

Last week I noticed it had sent out a feeler that had creeped through my blind. Since I sleep during the day I rarely open the blinds and hadn't noticed it had done that so I opened them to see what it was up to.

I was surprised to see it branching out against the glass, the cold frosty glass. And it seemed content. And I thought they were so fragile.


While I was taking the shot of it I heard a magical sound and just then a plow went through. Wow, 2 days and it finally made it. We can finally escape the house if we want. Just knowing that make you feel better..


Yesterday an ambulance went by before they had plowed. They made it to the top of this hill and around the corner before becoming trapped in the snow. I wondered about the condition of the patient they were traveling to get. I hope it wasn't very serious.

With our almost 2 feet of snow I couldn't help but notice that the only people out and about where those in those terrible gas eating SUV's and trucks. What would happen in this area of the woods if we were all forced to drive electric cars and little puddle jumpers. Nurses and Doctors wouldn't get to work. Ambulances wouldn't get to their patients. Firemen, policemen, city workers, all unable to get to work. The city would grind to a stop. People would die.

You didn't see any smart cars driving around. No electric cars in the area's that lost power. You saw big powerful trucks, 4 wheel drives, snow mobiles and one lone bicycle (nut). And mini van, all wheel drive mini vans.

Last night Rick grilled us a steak. To celebrate putting 2 foot of snow from our driveway to our yard so we could walk and get the vehicles out. And a path so Zoey could get to the woods for her nature calls. Poor thing. And a path to the pear tree where all the critters come to expect to find food. Apples, corn bread, seed and carrots.

Today..... today I may go to my son's and give them the rest of their gifts. Maybe go out to eat. Maybe take photos of the storm. And to whoever invented snowblowers I just want to say thank you thank you thank you..

Digging out

The snow is blocking the front door and my porch is buried under there somewhere.



They are thinking we have around 17.5 inches so far and where it has drifted there are some 20 inch piles. So pretty. There is not a car moving up here in the hills. Very quiet and pretty. A few snowmobiles have gone by but nothing else. No plows.

Rick and I are dressing in layers to tackle the job of moving the snow around. Thank goodness he brought the snow blower home finally. I have the roof shovel and am going to try and get some of the snow off the roof before we get any worse snow dams. One year the ice built up so thick it ruined my ceiling. I sure don't want that again. The drifts along side parts of the house are up to our windows and would come to my armpits. Zoey leaped out into one and disappeared briefly. I think she thought it would be firmer. Her face was pretty cute when she managed to climb out.

My cameras are ready for taking some shots. Snow shots are a challenge because of the glare but I will see how they turn out.

We are lucky to still have our power. Some states are out. Burrrrrr. And I have plenty to eat around here plus a couple of bottles of wine to take the cabin fever away. I talked to my sons and they had a great Christmas and loved the gifts. We are sad we couldn't get together but now will plan a NY eve dinner and get together. And talking to the grandkids last night it sounds like they had a lovely Christmas also. Rick loved the shirts I got him and looks very handsome in them and I got a digital photo frame which I have wanted since last year. Life is good.

Well, can't delay any longer. I am going to make up a batch of hot buttered run batter later as it will be perfect after a day of digging out from the storm. We have more snow expected so better make a dent in this. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Just got back in after getting the driveways dug out and it is snowing up a storm again.

Merry Christmas

I am so happy to have made it home I could just cry. I won't bore you with the details of how bad it is out, but will just say I haven't been driven in weather this bad for at least 30 years. I love my husband for picking me up. Terrifying. But after a looooonnnnnggggg stretch at work I am home, safe and sound and Rick and I celebrated a quiet holiday alone. We weren't able to get to my son's but my heart is glad just knowing everyone is home safe and not on the roads which are just terrible. Coming home today was the scariest thing I have done in a long time.

And I told my patients during the night that the best present I could have gotten this year was to be there with them doing what I could to make them feel better. And I mean it. What better gift is there then making an ill patient feel better and safe and secure in the middle of the this terrible weather. I hope and pray every had a wonderful Christmas. Next week when hopefully we get the 20 ft drifts shoveled away from our door we will spend a day with our son's. Just knowing they are safe is good enough for now. Peace and Joy to all.

The Epic Blizzard of the Year

At least that is what the weather station is calling it. It wasn't to bad this morning and I was able to make it home but now the roads are ice covered and we have had about 3 to 4 inches so far. It is suppose to slow down for awhile and then in the middle of the night start snowing for earnest. They are saying around 20 inches of snow, blowing wind, just icky weather which will go to Friday.



So if I make it to work tonight I am just bringing some clothes planning on staying probably til Friday morning or afternoon. We have lots of patients and nurses who live out of town. If the ones who make it there sleep in shifts we can cover.


Ohhhhh, I just heard a lovely sound. No..... not Santa's sledbells. The sound of a plow in the distance. Please clean this very very steep hill for me before I have to go to work. He sounds pretty far away though.


My youngest son lost control of his car and spun completely around but managed not to get hit and turned around and went home. His job is 45 miles away and they are going to be closing the highway so I am glad he will be home. My oldest drives for a dump truck and they were told they have to work no matter what tomorrow. What a crock.. Garbage is not worth the lives of the drivers. I have to be at work. I take care of humans. Whats garbage going to do? Die! It won't even rot in this weather.




I told my oldest son that we probably won't be able to come for Christmas dinner, but I am off after Friday morning so we will get together later in the week. I just want them all to be safe.

I decided to decorate with my old postcards of my MIL's. And work will feed us for Christmas, especially since so many of us will be trapped there. I am almost positive I won't make it home until Friday so once again. Have a Merry Christmas on the baby Jesus's birthday. May peace and joy fill your houses with love. For on this day a child was born.

Winter bad weather

They are saying for sure we are going to get a terrible ice and snow storm. Since I have to work the next 3 days I am packing up in case I can't get home. Please let me get home on Christmas at least. Our floor is packed of course. So we will have plenty of patients to keep us busy. I hope the families stay home and safe. Keep your fingers crossed the weather service is wrong and if not, Merry Christmas everyone.

Bon Hiver, Winter Solstice

Happy winter all, May warmth, happiness and family surround you during this holiest of seasons.

Now is the solstice of the year,
winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in a line.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.

Join together beneath the mistletoe.
by the holy oak whereon it grows.
Seven druids dance in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.

Praise be to the distant sister sun,
joyful as the silver planets run.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out those bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Ring on, ring out.
Ring on, ring out.

Getting closer

The days are flying by and Christmas will soon be here. I have my shopping done, the pressure is off. I am buying the Christmas goodies from a baker at work since I work all week and my new comforter arrived which makes it feel like I am sleeping in clouds. Life is good.

We have been busy at work. This type of cold weather is so hard on peoples hearts. We have several Congested Heart failure patients and patients with heart attacks and a-fib. Things to think about. The cost of hiring to have your snow removed is loads cheaper then having a heart attack. And not missing a dose of your medicine, even if it does make you run to the restroom a lot is cheaper, and less scary, then being admitted to the hospital not being able to breath. Take care this season.

Speaking of CHF my little sister just got out of the hospital for CHF. I am glad she is feeling better and hope she is feeling good enough to enjoy Christmas. Always reason to celebrate.

I see the doc tomorrow about my back and then tomorrow we will celebrate the winter solstice. While the solstice is typically observed for a 24-hour period, the actual event lasts only one second. At the moment of winter’s solstice, the Sun is at its greatest distance from the equatorial plane and shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn (for the northern hemisphere). Always reason to celebrate.

Rick just got back after making a pizza run. He didn't feel like cooking tonight but did make some fresh cookies this morning so he is forgiven. So I will close for now. I have Christmas music on and I just love the songs of the season.

Magic

And hear the angel sing

Brings tears to my eyes, the beauty, the beauty.

Christmas song

Now to find one the complete opposite of this, LOL, shouldn't be difficult. But I feel.....If you love to sing, belt it out, its good for your soul. To the rooftops sing the glory.

I need answers because I have questions.

If you have sex with a prostitute against her will, is it considered rape or shoplifting?

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Can you cry under water?

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How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

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Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... But it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to?

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Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

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Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

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What disease did cured ham actually have?

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How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

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Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?

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If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

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Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

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Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

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Why do doctors leave the room while you change?

They're going to see you naked anyway.

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Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?

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Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

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If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

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Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?

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If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

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Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?

They're both dogs!

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If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

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If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oilis made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

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If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

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Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

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Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

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Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?

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Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

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Do you ever wonder why you gave me your e-mail address in the first place?

windows 7

I haven't been on the computer much lately as Rick has been messing around on it and my wrists are still bothering me. This new computer has windows 7 on it and getting its set up is still taking some time. My fonts are either very tiny or huge . So question? Is it large to you also reading it? The large print makes it great for reading but it takes up so much room. And they don't come with any instructions these days. I haven't figured out how to get a homepage, when I sign on it just comes up to google search. But like I said I haven't been on much.

Tonight I start my long stretch. It will be longer then normal even as I have to work 4, off 1, work 3. That's a lot of 12 hours in a row. Especially with my arthritis on such overtime lately. Both wrists, my shoulder and my neck and middle back are killing me. Rick usually does all my lifting and stuff these day and his back is still out. Tomorrow he sees the doc. We are quite the pair. I like winter OK, but I hate how it affects my joints.

Anyway, enough whining. I made split pea soup for supper tonight and it should be good on this cold day. And I make a pretty good one I must admit. Nice and thick, more like a chowder.

I see our wonderful government just passed another stimulus package to add to their slush fund. And their using Chicago tactics to get holdouts to sign to the health care bill. Lets make you an offer you can't refuse. There are some holdouts that have actually listened to the people who voted them in. Good for them. Remember them on voting day.

Unbelievable they made them stop reading the bill yesterday. Unconstitutional even. In the senate! They just disregard whatever they want to pass this evil bill. Why is it so hard for them to understand that we don't want this. I bet if they told them there was a addition on it that made them and their family have to have the exact same things they were voting it for us they would all of a sudden be interested in reading it.

Strange isn't it that all of a sudden your hearing things like CAT scans causing cancer and mammograms and prostate checkups being unnecessary. I have heard this bill referred to as the tax and kill bill and it looks like they are getting the stage set up for it. Next thing you know living past your retirement will be bad for your health. Actually it will be because the government takeover of your health care will deem caring for you to be way to expensive.

Al Gore, the snake oil salesman. Told them the latest most update news is that the polar cap will be completely gone in 7 years according to the top scientist he just talked to. Except the top scientist said he never said that and that he hasn't talked to Gore for several years. But they are still in Cobenhagen trying to pass this climate bill. Promising billions of dollars of our tax dollars a year to the world. How can they promise that? We don't have it.

The real reason for the summit meeting. Get rid of capitalism. They said it out loud. Know this song. There's nothing wrong with capitalism, nothing wrong with free enterprise. It's true. Where will we be with all the small business's gone. Who will fix our cars and appliances, who will hire us. Free enterprise is why people came here and started business. Why they were successful and built this country. There is nothing wrong with capitalism. Stop apologizing because our country was successful! We worked hard at it. And our government is throwing it away. So keep contacting them. Keep telling your elective officials what you want and don't vote them in ever again if they keep going against what is best for us.

Well, time to get ready for work.

Freezing cold

Today was my appointment with my skin doc. It has been almost a year since my skin cancer was found. Time just flies. The weather was so bitterly cold this morning, 2 below, that I sure didn't want to leave the house. The heated seats help though and the 100 layers of clothes I had on. Takes 20 minutes to get dressed to go out.

I have a area on my temple that he thinks is a basal cell cancer but it is only 4 mm and we decided to just watch it for now. Skin cancer usually grows very slow, unlike my first one, so we will see how it looks during my next 3 month check. The one on my nose is slightly bigger but still not enough to go carving into my nose. I am content to wait and see. Maybe it will grow soooooo slow I will be long gone before it ever becomes bad enough to remove. He said I have one more year to go before they worry less about the original cancer coming back. As fast as this year has gone it will go the blink of an eye. I will be ticked though if it is a week before my 2 year date. They don't count the basal cells I am getting as being the same as the aggressive one I had on my face. So good news.

By the time we got out it was 1 above. Heat wave. Amazing how it feels warmer. But it did. The bad thing about this weather is my wrists and shoulder have been really bothering me. The surgeries don't seem to have helped much. Darn.

Rick put the old keyboard back on and it is much easier for me to type. I have a wrist support on it which helps. The keys are still sticking but its a small price to pay.

I thought Obama's speech to the banks was amusing. Here the government tells them to relax their loaning standards. Then they attack them when people can't pay and treat them like enemy number one so they can bail them out, and the banks, realizing that they had just been involved in a hostile takeover hurried and paid them back. So now the man which in the blink of an eye spent trillions of our taxpayers money lectured them and told them to start leading again. A created financial crisis by our government and they want to do it all over again. Do you see the scam in this? Just unbelievable.

My son was telling me at his job they stopped paying holiday pay. They no longer give bonuses. They don't pay overtime. We are all going backwards. His job figures if the workers don't like it there will be several hundred to replace them with in this economy. Thing is it is hard physical labor plus it requires some skill and training. So they keep getting these temps who work one day and then quit only to be replaced by another temp the next day. Everything is getting further and further behind and the standards, mostly cleanliness is suffering. And this is a food product. And it isn't like the company is doing poorly. They have been doing well and picking up more accounts. Its a sad state of affairs. And I would not be surprised if it is happening all over the country.

Well, Rick is making us a egg pie for supper and I am going to make a cup of tea. This time of year I drink a ton of tea. Just seems to hit the spot. Thank you to those who sent me Christmas cards. I would love it if you would resend your addresses to I can send cards back. I lost all my addresses. Should have put them in a regular address book. I will the next time.

Monday already

And it is a cold day here at that. It takes me 15 minutes just to get dressed to go out. But if you spend the entire winter indoors you won't get anything done.

I am still getting used to this keyboard. I was used to one of those large ergonomic type for my arthritis. I may have to put it back on as this one is harder on my hands. They have been hurting nonstop for days since the weather got cold.

Not much going on here. I read the NY times article about the government monitoring twitter, face book and probably the blogs. Not a big surprise but what they do with the information. Can't say anything about our government, remember....big brother is watching.

Here is a interesting article I was reading. Especially since the holidays are here. Here is a piece, you can read the entire article also. Another reason I am conservative.

Arthur Brooks, the author of a book on donors to charity, 'Who Really Cares,' cites data that households headed by conservatives give 30 percent more to charity than households headed by liberals. A study by Google found an even greater disproportion: average annual contributions reported by conservatives were almost double those of liberals.

Yup, they just take our money and pad their pockets. Poverty for all. Spread the wealth my ....... yeah right. I still have that swamp land.

Do you all have your shopping done? Christmas is just around the corner. I am done. Well, time to brave the cold.
Ta all

New Computer

Nope, not my photo, wish it was.

We g0t a new computer. It will take me awhile to get use to the keyboard. Lots different then my old one. This computer works so fast and is amazing what it can do. What a difference a decade can make.

As so often happens this was my son's old computer. I think he has gone through 3 more. He plays games on the computer and always wanted faster and faster. I just wanted to work on my photos and sell on line when I had my shop.

So, the old computer was fine for me. But it was breaking down alot and they were having trouble finding the parts. This is our Christmas present to each other. My typing is even going to be worse until I get use to this tiny keyboard. I think I will have to put my big on back on.

The memory on this is huge. I lost all my links and all the photos I hadn't put on my external. All my recipes, saved addresses, birthdays etc. And I have to figure out how to get everything set but I think I will be just pleased as punch with this. I have most of my programs loaded now so time to hit the hay.

Thanks for all the help you all.

Darn computers

Don't you just hate it when your computer crashes. You realize how much you use it. I have been having trouble about 3 days. I can get on but I have no bottom menu where the start button would be. Means I can't get into the menu, programs, settings, download photos, system save, any of the hundred of things you do from that area. I can't add photos to this and my picture file is gone, completely. I think it is all saved in my f book but I don't want to hook it up and risk it getting corrupted also.

I have tried repeatedly to start my computer in safe mode so I can do a system restore. Can't get into system restore because the darn start button isn't there and I have not found a way to go in any other way. The computer says I have a corrupt file. I was able to do a complete scan and it isn't a virus so during one of the updates the file was corrupt and it totally screwed me up. So into the shop later today. I have done all I can think to do.

What I can do is get online which is weird. I have to actually shut the entire computer down to shut down which may not be good but it works for now.

Work was very busy all week. We had a blue light special in A-fib with our admits being 4-1 in that fun rhythm. My back was so sore. I was also sore from my tumble in the snow. Gee it felt so soft when I first landed. Yesterday I saw the doc and he raised my lifting limit to 15, slowly getting there.

Well, I guess I will pop around and visit the blogs I haven't seen since the puter crashed. Oh, thank you everyone for the lovely Christmas cards. I was hoping to get mine out this week but quess where my addresses are filed. On the computer of course. And that file seems to have vanished into cyberspace. Along with all my recipes files. Waaaaaaaaa.

Harry Reid, Scary.....

Isn't he a scary thing. How can he cut medicare benefits on one hand by billions and increase medicare? Doesn't work that way. No social security raise for you but I bet they got a raise, a big one. My MIL would be rolling in her grave.

And then he tried to say Republicans were responsible for slavery when throughout history the democratic party has fought to keep slavery alive and well. Read The History of the Democratic Party or better yet, read Kevin's blog the black sphere. He got hot under the collar with that remark.

We need to send some more people to the moon, I vote Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid get the first one way flight, do something positive for America. Leave the planet..

Not in my yard

I got the shots of the cats in an email. They were in the front yard of someone from Colorado. I'll take my turkeys or deer. It would be great to get some photos of them though. The snow shots aren't mine either. The first was animating when I got it but I saved it wrong. Pretty cool though. I would like to get out and get some shots of the snow though tomorrow. The downtown Christmas trees looks so pretty at night.

Honey, would you start the car Please!!!!!

Honey

Snow Snow Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful....... We have 8 - 15 with blowing snow. But I made it to work, and a co-worker brought me home, life is good. Now to shovel out again.

We had several admits with chest pain, many many accidents and some deaths. All kinds of cancellations. When I decided to become a nurse it never occurred to me that we never close. So matter how bad the weather, no matter how many times the news warns everyone to stay home hospital workers are braving the roads and going to work. What a idiot I was, LOL. I should have been a..... well anything that lets you stay home and sip hot cocoa.

Tonight it will be 12 below so it is going to be cold, In fact it is way cold this morning. My nose froze right away. I was charge last night and even being short staffed due to some staff not making it in we had a good night. One more night to go. Then freedom.

I missed my doc appointment, so I go Friday. Well, time to get ready for bed. Stay safe all.

Bon Hiver and stay warm.

Blizzard

We are having a blizzard. It isn't horrible yet but promised to get really nasty. Of course I have to work. And we have lots of snow. With my shoulder and Ricks back shoveling has been a challenge. I found if I push with my good arm and then kick the darn thing the snow pretty much flies where I want it. Winters in Iowa, or anywhere in the midwest. But didn't I hear Texas got hit with snow. At least here we have snow tires on year round. Snow shovels, plows, some winter driving skills although that is debatable with all the accidents we have had so far. And with the first snow comes the usual heart attacks. Should be busy at night.

So hope everyone drives carefully, shovel and rest, shovel and rest and be careful.

This Whole Christmas Thing!

A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids. She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season, overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, get that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, make sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened, and there was already a crowd in the elevator. She pushed her way in and dragged her two kids in with her and all the shopping bags. When the doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up, and shot." From the back, everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond, "Don't worry. We already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator, it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Don't forget this year to keep the one who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think how different this whole world would be.

"Jesus" is the reason for the season!!!

Got this in a email and thought it was kindof good.

The air you Breath out declared a Dangerous Gas!

The EPA Czar will be declaring the air we breath out as a dangerous gas! Even after the Man Made Global Warming hoax was exposed they go ahead with their plan to tax the living daylights out of you for breathing.

I am going to make a new line of jewelry. Of course we are all going to have to wear biohazard signs. All dangerous gases and chemicals have to be labels according to another dictatorship type government program, OSHA. I can make brooches, necklaces, a medical alert tag? Of course our houses will all have to be posted as harboring dangerous C02 emitters. We are just soooooo bad and sooooooo evil. Shame, shame on us all. Anyway, place your orders here. A girl is going to have to make a living in this brave new world and since they seem hell bent on destroying the one I have now........

This new health care reform in the senate. The cut off for care is now 50. FIFTY! We are deemed not worthy of salvation. To close to that dreaded collecting on the money the government took out of our checks and promised to save for us. Yeah right. I have a bridge for sale also. And also in this bill. Automatic withdrawal from your checking account. Save you the trouble of dragging you old self down to the federal government office and paying by debit card. Isn't that just so thoughtful of them.

So anyway. Sarah Palin was here yesterday and made a great impression. She is completely different then she is portrayed in the media. She is nice, friendly, smart, everything the boughten media says shes not. Thanks for visiting Sarah and come back anytime.

Last, Obama is going to Copenhagen. Doesn't matter one bit what the population wants. Isn't it so nice he knows better then all of us silly people.

Last night

Why oh why do people come to the hospital and then refuse all of their treatments and refuse to let us help them. Then to top it off they are on the call light every 5 minutes or yelling at the top of their lungs for help, which they then refuse when your there. In the meantime your other patients can't sleep and you can't get in to check on them because you so busy with the one refusing you help but demanding your time.. AARRRGGGHHHH.

One more day, one more day. And while I am at it. With 20 some patients on the floor why do they give the nurse on a 10 pound lifting restriction the patients that has to be lifted to the commode every hour? And the patient is heavy. So now the nurse is sitting here with a throbbing shoulder waiting for the pain pill to kick in so she can sleep and do it all over again.

Poor Rick has thrown his back out and can barely walk. So we are tying to find something to make him feel better. And of course he is dropping everything on the floor. I told him from where he is pointing at the pain it might be a kidney stone and if it isn't better tomorrow its off to the doctors for him. Poor man.

Well, time for bed. I am done in. Sarah Palin is coming today to sign books but it is suppose to be thousands of people there and I told my oldest not to stand in such a long line to get it signed in this freezing cold weather.

Well, ta ta all.

More Snow

It was a lovely snow too. I looked out from the window of the hospital last night at the downtown lights, Christmas trees lit up with the snow gently falling in big fat flakes, it was very pretty and I wished I had my camera.

It was a good night at work last night . I had some great patients but out of the 4 only 2 spoke English, made for a quiet night. With Spanish I can say some basic words but I am clueless how to even say hello in Vietnamese or Chinese. German, once again I can say a few words, Greek, nope, only latin and only medical terms. So it is always a challenge. Especially since my one patient kept chattering away at me when I was in the room. Hope she wasn't cheerfully telling me she was having terrible chest pain and felt short of breath. Anyway if we have to I have a handy translator telephone which can get me the answers right away. The wonders of technology.

Yesterday our son called and his furnace was broken. Of course it was, it was freezing out.

I am still getting by on my duck taped furnace and I tell you. I know 3 people who have replaced their furnaces in the last 4 years. Each and every one of them have had to have it repaired every winter. Whats up with that? At least with my furnace it is 38 years old, I can understand it breaking down, but new ones. Pieces of crap it appears. As with most new things these days made poorly and cheaply but expensive.

I sure miss good workmanship. I miss helpful clerks, good manners, things that last, things that are made well, smiles and shop owners who look happy to see you entering their doors. Actually that has gotten better in these bad times. The shop owners almost thrown their arms around you and burst into tears of joys to see customers at all, LOL. Anyway, the furnace is fixed now, my son has thawed and hopefully it will make it through another long winter blast.

Rick is making taverns again tonight. Yummy. I slept a good 7 hours and feel rested and ready to go it another day. And weirdly my sinuses are plugged again. I seriously think it's that recirculated dry air at the hospital. I was feeling better. And I am allergic to the sanitizer they use at the hospital so my hands are all broken out again. I bring my own soap but in a hurry forget to use it each time. So wish my luck I can get through this long stretch without my sinuses getting as bad as 2 weeks ago.



Bon Hiver all.

Ha

Snow, Cinnamon rolls, and Health reform bribes

I woke up this morning to the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, Yeah Rick. Got out of bed and glanced outside, fresh snow covering everything. With my Christmas decorations up its beginning to look and smell a lot like Christmas.

Funny thing today. What do you call taking 300 million for your vote, no, not prostitution, close,no.... we call it a bribe. So apparently do others. Louisiana's moderate Democrat Mary Landrieu took a 300 million dollar bribe to cast her vote with the health care reform bill. And today they struck that section giving Louisiana the money off the bill. Nice to see something right for a change. She isn't the only one of course that was bribed for their vote. AARP, the AMA, and since Buffet owns Geico maybe that is why he is so supportive. These people give nothing freely.

And is the government bought media still just talking about Tiger? Real issues, like why a community organizer is running a real war with our young men and women's life's at stake? Like why he is still going to Copenhagen? Like why he continues to shove this health care reform down our throat? Like why they won't talk about Man Made Global Warming being a hoax! Oh no, lets just talk about another man cheating on his wife, heartbreaking as that is. Sheesh..............And the job summit today? This article says it exactly.

Work tonight. I am feeling somewhat better. Still have some sinus issues but the deep bone tired weakness and tiredness is gone. And I graduated from PT again. I see the Doc next tuesday to see if he will release me. My Christmas shopping is done for the most part. I am ready for the holidays. My Christmas CD's are out ready to drive Rick crazy and make me happy. Make up some hot butter rum mix and life is good. Cheers to all.

Update on Charlie the abused dog

Just look at the smile on that sweet face.

Charlie had his surgery yesterday to fix his broken legs and is doing well according to the update on the website. So far they have raised almost half the money needed. Way to go to the caring people who donated. Get well soon Charlie and I hope you find a good forever home soon.

Listen

Site worth visiting.

Shopping for bargains

A big part of me keeps screaming to myself to conserve, a huge depression is coming on. The other part of me wants to give in to the joy I have giving gifts this time of year. So I am trying to combine practical and cool together with giving fun gifts which don't break my bank.

Today we went window shopping. We bought stuff for us, not practical, but good. A new wine decanter. The shape is perfect for the new aerator I also got. Just the shape for dry red wine. Now I realize that doesn't seem practical, but it is....really.

I like wine. And my budget is smaller. So with a good decanter and a good aerator you can buy a cheaper bottle of wine, or if you have an older one that may have gotten the slightest bit of vinegar bite, taste better. And we got this stainless steel funnel that aerates and filters the wine at the same time. I have to tell you. It works wonderful. It adds so much life to your bottle.
The prices vary. So we looked around. The same decanter on line or at Younkers was listed at 80.oo, we found ours for 10.00. Sold. And the aerator funnel. We got them for 12. Makes your 10 dollar bottle of wine taste like a 20 dollar bottle of wine. So we bought some for gifts also as I know some wine lovers.

Then we kept looking around. I found a cool mini robot that I just know a smart kid in our family is going to love. And we found some lighted flowers that would look great in my vase but were way overpriced. So I am going to comparison shop for them.

Next stop was the Butcher. Meat is on sale right now so we bought bulk and had steaks made. Seriously, if you have the place to store them it is so much cheaper to do it this way and they make great gifts. And cookie dough. This place makes great cookie dough and you couldn't make them cheaper. But they taste home made. So I bought 4 assorted bags and will give them away as gifts. Cooked of course.

Then we decided. Might be a great time to make some wine. We can make 2 cases for what 2 good bottles cost you. And in a depression wine will be a commodity. Everyone will have to drown their sorrows...... right!

Anyway, Rick is grilling a great steak, I have some steamed asparagus and baby red potatoes cooking. And I am sipping on some great aerated wine. It really does work like it says it does.

The media can talk all they want to about Tiger Woods, anything to get your mind off the real and important issue in the world. Of course they don't want to talk about the Hoax that is Man made Global warming. Little tiny mean nothing issues are their headlines. But today I am taking a day off from useless media, tell nothing headlines and who gives a ....... news about a golfer. Today I am enjoying my husband, things I think I won't get many of in Obama's brave new world and the scent of the new baby I held today. Because the things that make me happy are small in the scheme of things, and like someone who realizes the days are numbered to enjoy them I am savoring each and every sip and bite. Because I guess finding another cancer spot on my face makes me appreciate each and every day. And because basically happiness it the most important thing. Ta all.