Saturday for MVM, Dec. the 18th

[OrchidCactus]

Well, it IS morning.....technically!

Been busy these past couple days. DH is doing most of the Bub-care and feeding, I get to do mostly love and a potty run here or there. He's definitely doing better, I think maybe has turned the corner with this. Today his eyes were much more stable, and even though the head tilt is still very pronounced, he is much less shaky. He is drinking much more water (hence more potty runs LOL) which I'm really glad about, but we are still hand feeding him. He has a ways to go, but he is progressing.

Zip, the dr gave him cephlexin (antibiotic), prednisone and advert (sp) which is an antihistamine. I don't know if there would be any problems with something like dramamine, but the antihistamine is supposed to help clear up the dizziness, the prednisone will help take the pressure off the nerves, acting as an anti-inflammatory, and of course good old antibiotics to clear the infection. He is taking his pills pretty well, but as he feels better he may try to say 'no' which won't do any good LOL

Linda, cool on the new-to-you SUV! Hope it gives you many years of roadhugging stability and service! Toyota makes a really high quality product, and if we had anything besides Ford or GM products it would be a Toyota. I would be curious to find out the gas mileage when you've had a chance to figure it out. I would love to get a little Ford Explorer Sport (2 door model) with a 5 speed, but they are a bit pricey still.

Loretta, glad you're not having to cook the 'Big Meal' this year! Yep, time to let others take over that and you just enjoy! I asked DH if he wanted lazagne or enchiladas for Christmas dinner, and he chose lazagne once again, provide there's garlic cheese bread to go with it. Sure am glad he's easy to please

Shawnee, retroactive to you for yesterday, and more today. I bet Burkpup was beside himself to see his mom and dad! Your buffet style day sounds like a PLAN....do the participants bring in family favs as well?

Julie, ouch on the knee--hope the cortisone shot helps! Knee replacement is quite a surgery, hopefully you can get good enough results from the injections to postpone it! The massage sounds absolutely wonderful.....some day I'll have to bite the bullet and get one myself.

Barb, I'm sure your winter wonderland is in full swing now....how much sneaux do you average where you're at? You'd have a blast watching people here when the weather forecast THREATENS FLURRIES!!! Around here they go nuts and buy buggy-fulls at the grocery store LOL! As a former Minnesotan, I just. don't. get. it.

Thanks, y'all, for your continued good thoughts, prayers and wishes for my Bub! From the first time I held him when he was 9 weeks old, he stole my heart.......he's quite the pup!

Hugs to all,

[zip2play]

Hi Ginny and everybody,
Thanks for the early starting thread. I always like when I don't have to start. I'm glad Bubba is coming along and getting her/his strength back.

MOAN...I'm doing a trial to see if I can do without one or the other of my BP meds. Well two days without the thiazide diuretic (only taking Cozaar50mg.) First day I gained two pounds, as expected for a rebound effect but BP remained fine. Well this morning up 3 more and SQUISHY. I HOPE it lets go this weekend (save your breaths, I drink more water than anybody on the planet, except maybe a sperm whale.) I've seen the pattern before and it just requires I stay firm and away from the HCTZ bottle for about 5 days. But walking around with 5 pounds (almost 3 quarts) of water feels just awful...looking at strange ugly creases in my WRIST right now.


Julie,
Do you get knee relief from ibuprofen. I have two bad knees that were mangled and have gotten pretty arthtritic. Ibuprofen does a nice job for me.

Notice that the Celebrex joined Vioxx in "hitting the fan." Anybody still on any COX-2 inhibitor should get off immediately, they are ALL dangerous.
Susun, your husband is still on one isn't he? Wow, according to the Weather site you went below zero Fahrenheit overnight...poor dear, that's HORRIBLE.

Linda,
Any word on the search for the illustrious DAN?

Cars with computers: I HATE THEM. At least when my computer get rammy I can merrily type
FORMAT C: /s/v
Unfortunately I don't think we can type
FORMAT OLDSMOBILE:
Instead we must go to some idiot who says "Duh, needs a new computer...$900" (and he replaces a $.14 chip with no idea what it does!)

Good Gay show this afternoon on 42nd Street called the BALTIMORE WALTZ this afternoon (another freebie)...starring Kristen Johnson (big blonde from THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN, for those who don't know her.) She does LOTS of New York theater work. We'll take the Ferry over for a gorgeous 10 minute ride almost door-to-door (38th Street dock.) THey are shutting down operations soon and we have a couple tickets to use or lose. Japanese Fast food (YOSHINOYA) afterward even though I SHOULD try to limit my salt without the thiazide...but the cheese challenge is quite enough hair-shirting.

Everybody, enjoy your weekend...give your partner a kiss!

[Loretta V]

Ginny that sure was an early morning start. Glad to hear of the continuing improvement in Bub. Did the doc give you an idea of how long the recovering process would take? It might take another few weeks. Your Christmas dinner sounds like a great idea without too much fuss and to do. .

Shawnee to you and Kaci at this special remembering time of year. How nice that you two can share in celebrating the life of Eva. Keep that wine jug close by while you are preparing for the buffet. Is your cooking son from Seattle coming for the celebration?

Susun sure hope the roads and driving conditions were ok for your return home after babysitting. I try not to drive at all once it gets dark out there. Does your DH go along with you at all? How is he feeling? Did he get any reports from the doc yet?

LInda we have a new Gander Mt store here too. I should take DH there and let him feast his eyes. I am looking for a fleece jacket with a hood. I have a fleece jacket that I like because it is light weight but warm. I might check them out in January.

Zip that is quite a calorie burn for 30 min, but the speed is so fast.
But you weigh more so you burn calories faster than a low weight person

Barb I had not heard about that fire in Ill with the UPS packages burning. I know that the downtown area recently had an office fire in one of the large buildings. It was an off time for workers to be there so there were not many injuries.

I wish I wasn't cooking for Christmas -- it's such a waste of time when one could be having fun.

Love that comment.

Julie how is that knee feeling? What are you doing for Christmas? Hope your spirits are on the upside. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hey you all I forgot that Dec 1st was my 3rd anniversary of maintaining. Probably the longest time I have ever kept weight off.

[Jewels]

CONGRATS LORETTA ON THAT 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF KEEPING THE WEIGHT OFF!!! What an accomplishment girl!!

My knee is feeling better everyday. My mood is lifting tremendously!! We have cancelled Christmas with our kids this year. Had a big tado with them and asked if they could at least get along for a couple hours for Christmas. My DD refused to reconcile with her brother so......we are going out of town to some friends home who are also alone. After this holiday, we will just take turns. Have invited my boys over for dinner this week, one family this week and the one from Seattle after Christmas. My DD and I are barely talking but she is feeling very alone at the moment so expect her to warm up to us in the next few days. This is from past experience with her. I'm doing ok with this arrangement. Chuck is the one who blew up this time and refused to have Christmas unless we all could get together. It was a emotional decision and one we will rethink.

Ginny, so glad Bub is doing better but sounds like he has a long way to go. My goodness, I'd be a wreck with worry but you are doing everything possible. He will get better with your's and hubby's loving care.

Roger, can't take too much of the ibuprofen because of my GERD but do take some and it helps.
Sounds like you have a busy day planned. I bet that Japanese food is very salty so watch it. Why are you always trying to get off your BP meds and should you be doing this without Dr. supervision? Just concerned parent here. Seriously I worry about all your changing meds all the time.
How are ya doing on "cheeseless" days? I went out for dinner last night and half way through my taco salad, it hit me. Dang!! But I haven't snacked on any yet and that in it's self is a miracle. So I'm human, forgot but will not eat any today!!!

Hi to all the rest of you people.

[SuSUN]

"Tis the 6th day of Christmas and my true love sent to me.....! Not long to go now, this time next week we will have all opened our CHRISTMAS Presents!

I am staying home today, wrapping presents to Christmas music. It is too cold to do anything else! Will be glad when they are all wrapped.

Thank you for the warnings about the driving on the roads last night. I made it! It was cold, but at least the roads were cleared and dry.
DD has cancelled tonight, as she was quite tired after an evening out last night. She said she cant do two in a row! Tonight is a friends house Party.....sheesh, chuckle, how things change with a baby in the house. So she invited DH and I for supper tonight, she just wants a quiet evening!

I just have two days to work, this week. I may ask for one, but not sure of the staffing situation. We have to be 50% staffed.

CONGRATULATIONS LORETTA THREE YEARS WTGG!
Thanks for asking about DH. We will get the second round of blood work results on Tuesday morning.
He has missed the Friday nights babysitting but comes along on Saturday nights.

Ginny,
LOVE TO HEAR THOSE UPDATES ON YOUR BUBBA! He is responding so well to his meds. You and your DH must be amazing caregivers!
This is a true Christmas Miracle! I send the updates on to DD as she has a big heart for animals too, especially dogs.

Julie,
So glad to hear that you are getting some relief from those injections! Yep, pain relief sure lifts your spirits. Time to look after YOUR needs this year! The Christmas dinner plans sound amazing.
How was your lunch? cheese-less?

Linda,
Congrats on the new Car. I see them on the road and they look so cute and well equiped.
Keep warm as we are having some cold 'ens eh?

Roger,
How's your budding buddy? Has she bloomed yet?
A colleague from work gave me a cutting/root slice and I have been patient nuturing it. The plant is sprouting, it has a spindly sprout with a tiny red leaf right now. I have seen it in her office and it blooms tiny white flowers. I will have to find the name of it.
I hope it survives the winter with me. Any suggestions, tips welcome!
Yes, DH is still taking Mobicoxx......what else is there? Back to the old NSAIDS with a stomach protector.....think that may be the alternative.

Wavin to Shawnee, Barb, Jacki and lurkers!

SuSUN

[shawneesioux]

Hey

This touched me, made me think...

Dear Bertha



I'm reading more and dusting less.

I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view
without fussing about the weeds in the garden.

I'm spending more time with my family and
friends and less time working.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern
of experiences to savor, not to endure.

I'm trying to recognize these moments now
and cherish them.

I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good
china and crystal for every special event such
as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped,
or the first Amaryllis blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market.
My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell
out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries.

I'm not saving my good perfume for special
parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware
store and tellers at the bank.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their
grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing
or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I'm not sure what others would've done had they
known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that
we all take for granted. I think they would have called
family members and a few close friends. They might
have called a few former friends to apologize and mend
fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have
gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their
favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me
angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because
I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one
of these days. Angry and sorry, that I didn't tell my husband
and parents often enough how much I truly love them.

I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save
anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.

And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself
that it is special. Every day, every minute,
every breath truly is a gift from God.

.................................................. ............

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

.................................................. ...............

Be back later.




Shawnee

[LoveMontana]

Hi gang,

Ginny,
What a relief to hear that Bubba is progressing nicely. Poor guy.
Please keep us posted on his progress.

Yeah, we love Toyotas because they almost never need more than regular maintenance and seem to run forever. I have to laugh at people who scoff and say "buy American". LOL Many Toyotas are made in Georgia and most American vehicles have parts made in Japan and other countries.

Roger, these BP meds are a royal PITA. Guess it's just going to be trial and error for many of us. Hope you can manage to stay off the diuretic.
I picked up a script for Diovan and will start it tomorrow or Monday. Keep your fingers crossed that this will work without too many nasty side effects.

No news from Don yet.
I'm beginning to get a complex. LOL I'll call him again on Monday and cry for help.

Loretta,
Congratulations on that 3 year anniversary. It's not difficult to maintain if one knows what they are doing and you sure do.

Your DH will just love Gander Mountain and you might too. It has some nice women's things too as well as some "home goods".

JUlie, it's good to hear that your mood is improving. So are you going to order the meds for the injection from Canada? I would.

LOL most doctors don't know CHIT about meds. Pharmacists do but with all the research sites out there, we know as much or more than they do.

Susan, LOL new parenthood is not a walk in the park, eh? Guess your DD is finding out just how tired out she can get. At least you don't have to babysit yet again.

It's darn cold here too and Monday it's going to get down to 2

Shawnee, that is LOVELY and very touching. We should all live our lives like that.

I'm off to catch up so I'll wave to everyone else.

[Jewels]

Linda, finally read the literature the doc gave me. I need 3 shots a week apart and each one cost that much. Ye gods!! AND they only work 60% of the time. No, I'll wait and hope the cortisone will work out for me. Never say never though.

[LoveMontana]

Julie, DAMN!! Sorry your insurance won't cover that because it's really worth a try.

[shawneesioux]

Hi Y'all

LORETTA
Belated Congrats on being an old hand at the maintaining Game.
Love to see those LC Anniversaries stack up! Doesn't it feel good to succeed long term?!
No, Son won't be here, he's running off to Cabo San Lucas for the holidays. Tho we want him to have a wonderful time lolling in that sunny clime, still feel a touch of regret...Will still have a houseful of relatives, extended family and friends. The first person who makes me feel any pressure will promptly be doused with wine. (I suspect it will be Bob...)
I want everyone to enjoy themselves, and that includes ME too...NO expectations of perfection allowed!


Yeah, Ginny...people usually bring their "signature" faves. I don't assign or request...surprises are fun.
Sending your way...continued good thoughts for Bub's recovery.

This afternoon was a Bonus time of SUN and almost 60*. What a nice break from the cold.
Loretta! I checked the two big Tulip pots: sprouts 4" tall. Added more compost. They are as anxious for Spring as I am.

We mowed...
Loved that; combined exercise, time in real sun, and improved the
shabby lawns. A three-for-one Deal.

Hey to Montana, Zip, SuSUN, Julie, Lurkie, Barb.

Fa la la la la

Shawnee