I hate Winter

My youngest son called the 100 year old water pipe in his bathroom broke. Being a kid that takes after me he had no idea what to do to stop the flow of water running into his walls and basement. Find the shut off I told him. Of course the 100 year old shut off would shut the water off but he did find where the water pipe had split. So now Rick is over there checking it out. Rick the man of all trades. The can fix anything with duck tape, bubblegum and a piece of wire. Remember when he repaired my furnace with most of those materials? My son has to work and of course its the beginning of a weekend so any plumber is going to get triple amount unless Rick can get it fixed. I hope they get it fixed.

Work was just a small nightmare of pain. I had lovely patients and they weren't the problem. Just trying to not use my arm and the pain of typing for 12.5 hours and I had to be charge which I hate was just terrible. But. I have only 5 more nights to go and then will be off until after my surgery. I can do this. I can do this. Why did I have to add the shoulder on top of the hand at this time. Man, I am feeling sorry for myself, sorry about that.

Still no news from the doctors office. I am not surprised. Rick didn't call of course. But hopefully no news is good news. He seems good now except still has a small droop in his mouth but even that is better. I am trying to talk him into learning to meditate with me. He doesn't want to go on blood pressure medicine, so try this. I got my blood pressure down and it stays down. I am off medication and I think it is from meditation. Now that I am doing it every day again I can tell the difference. Last night when one of our nurses was blowing a casket I closed my eyes and took a couple of calming breaths and didn't ream her a new...... well you know. She was out of line, terrible, but stressed and angry. Gee, did she have to take an admit too. How terrible. We all had admits, deal with it, we were all behind, deal with it. I just worried she was going to bring her anger right into the rooms but she seemed to leave it at the door. The rest of us payed the price though.

Tonight I don't have to be charge. I will be the one getting the admit. I will remember her, take a couple of deep breaths and go to. It sucks being short those. Stresses you out.

Well, time to finish supper since my supper cooker is at his son's. Hope he gets home in time to get me to work.

Ta Ta and chow.

Thank God for Training

When I first heard the plane had crashed into the Hudson River my heart sank. Oh my God, those poor people.

I checked the computer and watched live as practice training time and time again turned into real life reality. I listened to the fairy captain talk about how they had trained for the event if something like this happened, and when it actually did everyone knew exactly what to do and it worked perfectly.

I listened to a pilot talk about practicing and training for something like geese flying into your plane and having to put the plane down and with only seconds to put it into action this pilot landed the plane in what they are saying was picture perfect and controlled and the only way he could have prevented a disaster. It could have landing on land, can't even imagine that horror in a town that large, or if he had made one small mistake he could have landed nose down a fraction causing the plane to sink before the passengers could be saved.

Years ago we had a large plane go down here. I had always wondered how I would handle a large scale emergency. I worked in the emergency dept. that day. And I know the importance of training, over and over again so when and if the real thing happens training takes over and you do your job perfectly. Hats off to the pilots and crew on the plane and boats and all the rescue workers. They train for us.

From sinking heart to joy. It will be good day after all, at least until I get to work, LOL.

Burrrr

Minus 22.2 degrees this morning and that doesn't count the wind chill. And I hear we are one of the warmer states in the midwest. Bismark ND has 60 inches of snow. Unbelievable. They said it hasn't been that cold since 1996. Rick has been dressing to go walk the dog for the last 15 minutes. Lets see. Long johns, thermal under shirt, pants and flannel, nylon lined work out pants, wool socks, columbian coat. 2 pairs of gloves, neck warmer, face protection, wristies, hat and then hood to the coat...... All to walk the dog for 5 minutes while she picks the perfect place to do her morning do. Then he is going to try and start all the cars. Jimmy, can I come visit? Oh man.

We are suppose to have a heat wave later this week with temps in the 30's. Rick and Zoey just got back. Poor Zoey, standing there on 2 feet at a time trying to do her business, she didn't delay sniffing around today, her paws were froze. Makes me sick. How many people have their poor dogs in kennels today. Plenty. In fact I can think of one man down the hill. He has hay around the igloo for the dog but it is still too cold. Bring you dog in man. How cold can you get. And I a have a question. How do the little birds handle this? I see the sparrows out and about, hitting our feeders, why don't they just freeze into little fluffy balls. How can they survive.

Well, Rick is making hot cereal for breakfast, That sounds wonderful this morning. I am then going to soak in a hot tub and try and get my muscles to relax before I do my exercises. Ta all

Long Day

What a long and tiring day. How come I can work for hours and am not as tired as sitting around waiting for Ricks tests to get finished and going to my doc. Just tuckered us out.

Rick got there at 10:30 and they started his first test at 11. He got the echo and a bubble study. It took 3 sticks to get his IV in which was a bummer for him. That took until 12. Then off for his MRI which was only around 25 min. and the carotid. I went with him for that. I don't know how to read them but in my inexpert opinion his vessels looked nice and open. He has some plaque but not bad. Unless part of it broke off. We probably won't get any results for about 3 days give or take, maybe never unless we call. This took us until 1 so we ran home and let Zoey out. Next my appointment.

They are not going to fix the carpel tunnel. It is mild so they think what they do to the tendon and cyst will help. I hope so because I do not want to have to turn around and go through this all over. First they told me if they gave me the steroid shot and it helped it would justify me having the carpel tunnel surgery for my insurance. Now they tell me since it helped how could they justify surgery for my insurance company. Sheesh. I tell you some times. I hear one thing one time and then something else the next time. I know one thing. If my carpel tunnel does flair up I am living with it. No more messing around with this stupid hand.

My surgery is still on the 29th at 8 am. I told them if anyone canceled before then to give me a call and I would go in their place. I am ready to just get it over with. Every since my PT yesterday when I hurt my shoulder stretching it has been very painful. I start back to work tomorrow with a painful hand and a painful shoulder and a 5 pound lifting limit. Should be fun. I am getting no relief from the tylenol but heat and ice help briefly. this will be the last stretch I work until I go back after surgery. I hope to survive it.

It is 9 below and it was so cold being out and about in this. Have I mentioned how much I love our heated seats, LOL. They heat up even before the van. I have a blanket I throw on my lap and my backside is toasty and warm.

Well, time for bed. I want to sleep as much as possible since I work tomorrow. Bye all until the next time. 13 days to go.

Iowa Mountains

I don't remember whats buried under that snow, I think the firepit. The snow just keeps on coming. We are expecting bitterly cold weather and blowing snow today. what fun.

Zoey of course still wants to go out and sniff around. Hurry dog hurry. It doesn't bother her at all.

Today Rick gets all his tests, I see my doc for my pre op visit and to see exactly what they will do. Should be a long long day.

Interesting facts

It takes your food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.

One human hair can support 6 lbs.

The average man's penis is three times the length of his thumb.

Human thighbones are stronger than concrete.

A woman's heart beats faster than a man's.

There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.

Women blink twice as often as men.

The average person's skin weighs twice as much as the brain.

Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still.

If saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.

Women reading this will be finished now.

Men who read this are still busy looking at their thumbs.

Smile

And the world smiles with ya......


The photo's aren't mine, but are just adorable. I felt like a adorable post today. Something to warm the heart since the cold - 3 weather outside isn't cutting it. And we get another blizzard like conditions with snow later today.


Don't ya just love a nice soft place to sit, LOL. We had a busy day so far. I got called early to see if I could go for my PT early. Fine with me, lets get it over with. Dressed and hit the great out doors to find - 6 degree weather. Burrrrr. Cold stuff.


PT went well but I was not having a huge amount of pain in my shoulder today until I did my therapy. One stretching exercise really hurt and I have been in more pain today then I have for a couple of days. I came home and have a warm pack on it now. Then I saw the doctor. We are going to try the therapy for another week and if no improvement I have to have another MRI. Gee, my favorite thing, NOT. So lets hope for a good week. I went off the celebrex as it was causing me stomach pains and nausea. I never felt any difference except that which is a bummer as my MIL said it was a miracle drug for her. Until it gave her blood clots in her legs that is.


Then I came home and worked on the short term disability forms. Finally called them and did all the paper work over the phone. Much easier. Last time I had my gall bladder, due to some mess up it was over a month before I got a check. Ouch, no income. So hopefully this works better.


Now I am just relaxing and tonight we are going to go out to eat with my youngest son. Texas Roadhouse. The prices are reasonable. He has been very low since the thing with losing his internet and they still haven't gotten it fixed. His roommate is staying away when Dan is awake so they haven't had a time to talk. Since they both work opposite shifts and have different days off they don't see each other often. Hope he gets it taken care of.


Tomorrow Rick gets all his tests. He absolutely has refused to take the plavix the Dr. ordered. He says if they see something on the tests he will think about it. He had such a bad experience with the coumadin that he is unbudgeable on the subject.

The drooping is gone for the most part now and he looks great. We still never head from them about the blood pressure medication. They were suppose to call yesterday and never did. Fine. We will get our tests for Rick tomorrow and then I am Doctor shopping. We know who we want to go to but I wonder. Can I go talk to them and tell them what I want from my doctor to make sure we are on the same wavelength? Do you know it has been over 2 years since I even saw my doctor. I always see someone else at the office, usually a PA which I don't mind but really. I want a doctor who knows me like in the good old days.

Well, I think I will have some tea and read for awhile. The typing one handed is going faster but still get tiresome. Ta all. Oh, check out The First Amendment blog. Some important things there. Very terrible things going on in the world. Pray for peace. Worldwide.

Senior Exercises

Senior Exercises

The Doc told me to start an exercise program. Not wanting to harm this old body, I've devised the following:


Beat around the bush
Jump to conclusions
Climb the walls
Wade through the morning paper


Drag my heels
Push my luck
Make mountains out of mole hills
Hit the nail on the head


Bend over backwards
Jump on the Band Wagon
Run around in circles


Advise President Obama on how to run the country..
Toot my own horn..
Pull out all the stops..
Add fuel to the fire..


Open a can of worms..
Put my foot in my mouth..
Start the ball rolling..
Go over the edge..



Pick up the pieces..



Kneel in prayer..
Bow my head in thanksgiving..
Uplift my hands in praise..
Hug someone and encourage them.

What a Workout!

Have a Nice Day!

A Meme

A MEME FROM TRACI and Linda.

From Traci (My Like As A Transplanted Yankee) another Meme.

Just boldface the items that you HAVE done, and leave the rest normal…. If you end up doing it, leave Traci (& me) a link so we can come see! I had to do it in blue as bold doesn't seem to want to work.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill ( once years ago as a teen)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33 Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (it's been years)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (while I was in the hospital)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

The Ice Age is Coming, The Ice Age is Coming!

I swear I hear that on the news today, with all seriousness, OMG. It so ridiculous I could upchuck. Does that mean the global warming won't melt our snow from todays blizzard? Remember...... I think I predicted this on my new years day predictions. Good aren't I, (grin)

Ok. I had my PT today. Still having quite a bit of pain. Then I went and got my papers for my surgery. I also got all my paperwork but good grief, I can't make heads nor tails of them. Why in the world to they have to make it so difficult.

The show and blowing wind was so beautiful and scary at the same time. Of course I didn't have the camera.

Well, time for a movie, a cuppa tea and a couple of tylenol. I got a new wrist brace today but still, need the help.

Finding my Peace

I have been thinking a lot lately about past funs and peaceful moments. Like standing on this shore with Rick drinking in the beauty and smells. Peaceful fun moments.

For years I meditated twice a day and it really helps to keep me calm and centered. I am not sure why I haven't been doing it as much but I need to get back to doing it. Even 5 minutes can help to center me and clear my thoughts about things I need to do. I can tackle problems and find the solutions easier, it just really helps me. Lately it seems so many things are tumbling around that my thoughts are all going in a million directions. Worry about Rick, my son's divorce, the economy, our government, my health. Just a junk drawer of mess in my head. So........

Back to meditating again. I work on relaxing my spasming muscles and achy joints. Clear my thought, settle my stomach. After 2 days I think I can feel a difference. If not my body yet my cluttered mind seems clearer. Able to focus.

I was thrown by a loop with Rick. He is always so strong and healthy. And stubborn. I let denial allow me to be convinced by him that he was indeed fine. But actually he has been having some problems for about a year. I push them in the back of my head but there are there. Time to focus and stop telling myself its nothing. Because I want him in my life for a lot more years. I want to stand on that shore again with him. And many other shores. For a long time.

So I am relaxing today. I did my exercises for my shoulder today and some more deep cleaning on the house. It is going to look great by the time I have my surgery. We got 3 more inches of snow and if it wasn't so overcast I would go out and do some shooting but it just looks so dull, think I will stay in and read.

I gave up on my fluid pills. They just give me to many charlie horses. Now I am drinking a glass of warm water with lemon juice a day plus some tea off and on. Seems to be doing a good job so far and no charlie horses. I might get a full nights sleep yet some day. And I am finally getting to everyone journals.

I would like to thank you all again for the prayers. They envelope us in a glow.