Sometimes Commercials Remind You.....

I'm sure you've seen the commercials about the cancer drug  that may have caused people to lose their hair permanently.  One of the things they mention is something called alopecia.  I actually knew a gal that suffered with that.  She worked in the office next door to our AC company and we had no idea why she was shaving off her eyebrows and drawing them on or why she wore some of the wigs she did.  It was obvious they were wigs and not really good ones.

I used to say hi to her all the time because we both seemed to get to our respective offices around the same time of the morning.  One day we started saying more than that and, little by little, we became friends.  We even discovered that we had a couple mutual friends but had just not run across each other before.  She told me she didn't often go out after work because she had a young son and she suffered from alopecia.  I hadn't heard of that but I asked her what that was.  She told me she had lost all her hair...all over her body.  She didn't shave her eyebrows....she didn't have any!  She never had to shave her legs or underarms.  She had no hair...anywhere!  Her husband had divorced her after her bout with breast cancer AND the loss of all her hair.  He couldn't deal with it and my heart just broke for her.  To raise a little boy, alone, was not fun for her, I'm sure.  He was only 2 or 3 (I don't remember exactly but she was still trying to potty train him).

I felt awful about saying some of the things I had said, although she never knew that.  The gal in our office that worked for us (and the one that had noticed her drawn eyebrows before I did) felt bad, too, when I told her about the alopecia.   She told me she didn't date because she was afraid of what someone's reaction might be over her being bald....everywhere.  

My feelings were that if a guy reacted badly, he wasn't worth much and she should dump them like the garbage they would show they are.  She laughed but I know I never convinced her.  We could never really socialize since she had to rush to pick up her son after work and he took up all her time.  But I hope if the drug the commercials name was responsible for her losing all her hair, that she contacted one of the attorneys and got some money for all the heartache she endured.

We ate the last batch of Italian beef from my bff today.  We had used up all the green pepper that went with it with the first batch so the Beast went and got some from the store and we cooked it ourselves for this batch.  It was really good.  We were shocked to discover that Portillo's (also under Taste of Chicago) no longer sells tamales!  So the Beast went to Supreme's site and ordered some from them.   It was after he had ordered some that he found Tom Tom Tamales site but he bookmarked it for when we want some in the future.

Tomorrow is the day I go for my pre-surgery testing.  I go at 10:30am so, when I am done there, I'm going to stop at Cee's house.  She is making lunch for us.  That works out well and we will be able to visit for a bit.   I should find out what time I have to be at the hospital on Thursday tomorrow, too.  I just hope it's not too early but you never know.

The Beast made up a picture of the Princess and family that I just love.  She had put one on her FB page but this one is much better.  Johnnycakes has his hand on Chewlee's shoulder and they all have great smiles on their faces.  I'm so happy that he made it up and has hung it in the LR.   It makes me want to have pictures of all my kids (and their families & grandkids where applicable).  

Well, I have to shower and get to bed if I am going to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning.  Love you all.  Be happy.  ***Hugs***

A Surprise Visitor And Watching Cartoons All Day......LOL

The Beast took pictures of the Princess and the whole family yesterday.  I got to see a few of them that he had printed up and the Princess put a couple on her FB page.  They look great.  I hope she does up the family one for her wall at home.

He surprised me by bringing Chewlee home with him since she didn't want to participate in the activity her folks planned after dinner.  She looked adorable in the dress she had on.  I'm pretty sure it was the same one she wore for her recital but I could be wrong on that.  I was more concentrated on her playing than what she was wearing.  I was worried that she didn't have pajamas or clothes to change into but she had packed a bag beforehand.  She KNEW she was going to end up here.  She knows I love to have her.

I ended up turning on her cartoon channel since the movie I was watching was one I had seen several times already.  She and I took a quick trip to the store to get some milk since she and the Beast both drink a lot of it and we were almost out.  The Beast was busy printing up some of the pictures he had taken so we went instead.  I picked up some mints for her and some Hot Tamales for me....LOL.  I don't get them often but I had a taste for them once I saw them.  Even Gunner likes them, which I found out today while he was here.  Chewlee doesn't like hot or too spicy.  Me?  I like spicy and hot, too.  I used to eat sliced pickled jalapenos with my potato chips.  My kids tried that ... once!  My youngest, Marcus, said he wanted to grow up to be a man like his mom and be able to do that.  I've never asked him if he can do that now.  I still do....LOL.

We went to bed at 10pm (Chewlee and I...in the guest room).  It was around 2am that I ended up in my recliner due to charlie horses in my legs.  It was so damn painful and required me getting up and walking around for a bit so I didn't want to disturb her.  I slept on my recliner when I got to sleep.  I was exhausted by morning and stayed where I was while Chewlee turned on her cartoons.  Some of the ones that are now on *her* channel were new to me.  It's been a couple years since I had her living with us during the week.  Funny, but I still kind of miss getting up with her in the morning and waiting with her outside for the bus to pick her up.  Then, waiting again for it to drop her off in the afternoon.  I DON'T miss getting up at 5am to make sure she had her backpack packed with the things she needed and a snack.  Then the chore of waking her to make her get dressed for school.  I understand she now has her own alarm clock (she actually borrowed one of the ones we have here) and gets herself up and ready for school.

I found out she loves her English class and she loves to write stories.  She reminds me of myself at her age.  I don't know if she reads a lot (I read almost constantly whenever I could).  She complained about there being nothing to do because her tablet (which she had just *earned* back!) needed charging and it didn't seem to be charging when the Beast checked.  However, she kept it plugged in, regardless, and discovered this morning that her tablet won't work if it's been drained completely until it's fully charged.  It started working for her this morning, so she was happy.  I had let her play on my computer but there was a lag in our internet that created a problem with the game she wanted to play.  I finally helped her connect to my Pogo account (which I keep more for HER than for me) and she played games on that until we went to bed.

I got stuck watching HER programs while she played since she was half-watching them.  She knew automatically if it was a new episode and she would watch it with all her attention on it.  She was tired at bedtime and didn't give me a problem going to bed.  She had been falling asleep in my recliner when I got on just before I noticed that.  She always wants me to sleep with her so I just shut down my computer and off we went.

Between that and the charlie horses in my legs, it's the reason I didn't get to post a blog last night.  I need to start taking vitamins again.  I've been out of mine now for over a week.  I keep forgetting to buy more.  Duh!  When I take them, it seems to help prevent those damn things.  Must be the potassium.  I've been eating bananas so what gives?

Time to close for now.  Love you all.  Remember that everyone deserves respect.  Giving it shows integrity on your part.  Don't forget to be grateful for each day you wake up to another day of life.  Enjoy it to the fullest.  ***Hugs***

That'll Learn Ya, Dern Ya!

Okay, I will admit it's probably one of the dumbest things I have done in quite a while (especially with the consequences to me) but I AM getting old and I don't always write things down.

I have learned to write down appointments (I have a small white board I keep on my desk for that) but I haven't considered writing down what prescriptions I need to get ordered.  Instead, I put the empty containers on my desk, in front of my keyboard, after I fill up my pill box for the week.  Actually, what is MORE important than that is to write down what day(s) I am short on any med so that I can make sure to finish filling up THOSE particular pills on the day that I ran out of them.

Today I didn't even notice that I was short a particular pill when I took each sections pills.  Let me explain.  My pill box can be set up for a whole weeks worth of pills.  Each day is divided into four sections:  morning, noon, evening, bedtime.  I can (and do) make use of them all.  Don't ask.  Even *I* shudder at the number of pills I must take daily.

However, the most....and I mean MOST....important pills that I take are the ones for my IBS-D.  I've gotten so used to not even thinking about that scourge that I had forgotten that I needed to get my refill and finish up putting THOSE into my pill box.  I needed to pick it up from yesterday.  YESTERDAY!!!  How could I be taking my pills and not notice that I was missing  the little blue capsules?  Huh?  Huh?  *Smacks self on forehead*

I take one of those four times a day.  FOUR times a day!  Just goes to show you how distracted I was yesterday.  I did notice I was missing them today but not until I took the evening group.  That means I missed SIX pills.  And guess what happened to me shortly after I ate?  Yes!  An IBS-D attack.  Luckily, I did manage to get to the bathroom without too much of a mess mainly because of the bladder control pad I had on.  But I feel like a total idjit!  Of all things to forget....well, I won't forget to check my pills each time to make sure they are ALL there for the whole week.  OR...better yet....if I happen to run out of a particular med, I need to stop and not finish filling up my pillbox until I get my refill.  Has anyone else had this kind of problem?  If so, what was your solution?  I'd like to know.

Well, I had a horrible night last night and didn't get much sleep so I am tired and cranky.  I kept trying to take a nap but the Beast kept intruding.  I wasn't fit company for man nor beast so I kind of hid away, trying to get a bit of rest here and there all day long.  I didn't even call Cee because I didn't want to talk to anyone (I was sorely pissed at the Beast for something I'll tell you about tomorrow) for fear I might be mean or nasty to them.  I'm human, too, ya know!

Love you all.  Enjoy your weekend.  ***Hugs***

Short Blog #2

I almost forgot......I said I would call the doctor's office today to find out when my pre-operative testing and then my surgery date would be.  I didn't have to because, bright and early, they called me.

Pre-op testing is on Tuesday morning, November 1st. and the actual surgery takes place on Thursday.  I don't know what time yet since they give you that when you go in for the pre-op tests but I will have to spend the night and get to go home early on Friday.   So think of poor me, sentenced to hospital food on Thursday and Friday morning.  Worse yet, they have the worst cable TV that's available in our area.  I may be watching kids programs just because of that...LOL.  

Love ya!  ***Hugs***

A Fragrant Surprise Arrives....

There's nothing like getting a real surprise that arrives meant for your cat!  How about a 60lb bag of cat litter?  One that arrives with the accolades of your bff's cat yet?  LOL.  It had a wonderful, woodsy aroma to it.  It's going to work well in the litter box that the Beast bought for Sassy for at night (or when she wanders in during the day).  It's pellets but they fall through the self-sifting section easily.  

I had Sassy send her auntie a nice Thank You note for the gift.  I read it before I sent it off and it was very sweet.  I think Carol will appreciate it as much as we all appreciate how kind this was since we had no idea where to start looking for a litter that worked..  By that, I mean worked on the odors generated.  

Truthfully, I have no idea where the day went today.  I did some drawer cleaning (cleaning out and throwing away a few things).  I went through some old makeup.  I don't wear it much these days since I don't work and don't go out that much so I threw away a lot of things that I knew were old (more than a year, except for the mineral powders).

Except for stopping to eat, it didn't seem like all that long before it was almost dark.  The Beast was gone to fill up the cars with gas so I went and gathered the eggs and fed the chickens their corn then came back in the house to wonder how the day just flew by so fast.  I called it a day and just sat and watched some TV for a while before I decided to get this done before my shower.  I'm going to investigate a new store with Cee tomorrow (she's already previewed it but wants to go back).  I'll call her in the morning to let her know when I plan on heading over there and she's going to meet me.  

I just went out to get some more coffee and the cat and dog are asleep already with the cat's paws around Baron's neck.  By the time the Beast went to get his camera, Baron had moved and so had Sassy.  Oh well.  Another time, another camera op!

Okay, time to close this.  Love you all.  Be happy.  Be glad it's Friday.  Be kind to everyone you meet and smile.  ***Hugs***

Not Guilty But, Yes, Guilty....You'll Understand In A Bit...

I probably had my best night's sleep last night.  It's the reason I didn't post.  I also felt so good today that I just kind of wallowed in the feeling.  I finished folding my freshly washed clothes (the ones from the past week) and put them away.  I found all the mates to my socks and got them put away.  It has been a great day thus far.

The Beast made what is probably the best sloppy joes he's ever made.  He finally got the AC unit from the bedroom put away in the cottage and gathered the eggs from the chickens.  I have been really bad and spent the day in my pajamas (blush).  I think it's something everyone needs to do on occasion.  On one hand, I feel guilty but, yet, I don't.  I DO regret not putting up a blog for yesterday but....I still haven't gotten a date from either the doctor's office or the hospital for my carotid surgery.  I'm calling tomorrow if I still haven't heard from anyone.

Cee and I spent most of the afternoon together after I finally got out of the doctor's office.  Yesterday was the longest time I ever spent in the office waiting to see my doctor.  However, he takes the time to talk to his patients, listen to them and answer any questions they have.  Since it's what I love about him, I have to allow the extra time because I am not his only patient.  I want to be treated that way so I waited and never lost patience.

The interesting thing is that Cee's insurance group has changed around doctor's so she had to pick a new one starting in January.  She was really happy about it in one way.  Her old one kept referring her to doctor's in Huntsville (and there were local doctors on the plan).  She has known she needs her carotids cleared for a few years but she has put it off.  I discovered that MY arterial doctor is on her list so now she says she feels much better about the idea of having it done.  She's knows about some of the great work he's done from things I've told her plus how well he's done on me.  

We talked about family recipes and food we grew up loving.  We still make it the same way...well, almost.  We have made some small changes, here and there, to make it completely to our tastes.  Our kids now make them the way WE made them.  LOL!

Baron is now used to Sassy sleeping with him.  It's so damn cute to see them asleep together.  Baron is beginning to eat better but I have to admit that the Beast is making things to entice him.  I don't care if he does as long as Baron is eating.  The other thing he is finally doing is giving Baron the pills (dissolved in water) for his ulcer.  When I reminded the Beast about HIS pain when he had his ulcer long ago, he finally figured that I might be right that Baron wasn't eating because of stomach pain.  He starts eating within about a half hour of receiving the medication.   When dissolved in water, the pills are like Maalox and coat the stomach, thereby reducing pain for him.

Well, it's time to close.  I love you all.  I'm hoping for another good night's sleep (I only woke up twice to go to the bathroom and never fully woke up...*grin*).  Say a little prayer for me.  ***Hugs***

The Chicken Fiasco....

Most days with the chickens are pretty tame but, on occasion, one of them gets out of our yard and it can be a real pain when the Beast tries to catch it.  Today was one of those days except this time, the Beast got me, Dennis and Diane involved.  It was a real fiasco since my hips start hurting me to the point that I am afraid I will be reduced to crawling on my hands and knees to get into the house.  Dennis and Diane were willing but the chicken was FAST and managed to dodge everyone and it finally took off among the little forest behind our back neighbors house.  The tangle of trees, thorn bushes and brush was so thick that only the darn chicken could scoot underneath it.  We were just out of luck.  I laughed and said we should keep a weighted net to throw over any of them that *escape* the yard.  I think everyone thought I was kidding (but I wasn't!). 

The Beast felt we had lost the chicken, despite my assurances that it would be able to find it's way back home just by homing in on Freddie's crowing.  Freddie, although I doubt he can count, would know one of the girls was missing and would keep crowing until dark.  When the Beast went out to lock the gate into the coop, guess what he found?  Yep, the missing was back home.  She wouldn't go into the coop while he was there but you could tell she wanted to get where she felt safe.  So, he left the gate open and came into the house.  She scooted into the coop as quick as her legs would carry her and later, when the Beast re-counted them, sure enough, they were all in there.  I told him she would be able to find her way back but what do I know.   One of my cousins who also has chickens, had told me this was true.  Especially since the chickens had been living in the coop since they were just 3 months old.  That is HOME to them.  Most of hers were born in her coop and raised by their mothers.

Sassy has decided to come and stay with us since it started getting so cold at night.  Since she no longer has her brother to cuddle up with, she's decided that Baron is a good choice.  She might actually be just what Baron needs to turn the corner on his recuperation.  At least, I hope so.  It was so cute to see Baron, sound asleep, and Sassy cuddled up under his chin with her paw on his nose.  We're going to have to get a litter box for her...just in case.  So far, she lets us know when she wants to go out and I hope she keeps that up.  I hate a litter box because we haven't found a litter that really does eliminate the odor, no matter how often you scoop it.  But who knows?  Maybe, just maybe, this time one of the litter claims will be true.

I've been watching the second chapter of Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers.  And, dammit, I STILL cry every time the elf warriors march into Helm's Deep to aid Men in their fight against the orcs.  Will I ever NOT cry?  It's just so touching and unexpected by the king and all his men.  I'll cry again at the end of the final chapter when Aragon and his lady love, the elf princess, are unexpectedly reunited.  Just thinking about the joy he feels makes me tear up.  Sheesh.  I am such a softie and it's only a movie, for cryin' out loud!  LOL!

Well, when this movie ends, I plan on getting in the shower and hurrying so I don't miss too much of The Return of the King (final chapter).  I'll set my hair while I'm watching it (doctor's appt. tomorrow, remember!).  I'm going over to Cee's when I get done and she's promised me lunch (steamed shrimp...yum!).  I didn't go today because I had such a crappy night's sleep (drinking a lot of water to help get the iodine mix out of my system so I was peeing every HOUR!).  Plus, I was going to be just a half mile away from her place so it made more sense to go see her afterward.

Love you all.  Try to be kind to everyone.  You never know when a small act of kindness may help someone struggling with their own grief and problems.  It may be just what they need to get through another day.  ***Hugs***

PS:  We found out late tonight that our neighbor, Betty, the one that lives in back of us, lost her husband the other day.  Her nephew came over to inform us.  I wondered why I hadn't seen her in a while.  He was in the hospital for just a few days when he passed.  Say a little prayer for her.  I know she will miss him greatly even though they were thinking about a divorce before she found out how ill he was.

How Soon You Can Forget....

I decided today to make a tuna casserole, which I haven't made in ages.  It's been so long that I think that's why I forgot one important ingredient.  How I could forget it, I have no idea.  Now, not everyone may add this but it's how our family made it and we've developed a taste for it that way.  What I forgot was...peas.  I kid you not.  How could I forget that?

I cut up the onions and the celery, made the mushroom soup mixture, semi-cooked the noodles (they finish cooking in the soup mix) and mixed it up with the tuna, then poured it in the casserole dish.  I had crushed the chips (but you don't put them on until near the end of the cook time) and I popped it in the oven.  It was in the oven for about a half hour when it hit me....you forgot the peas, idiot!  All I could do was hope that it still tasted decent.  Oh, it did.  It was filling and tasty but not as good as normal.  At least, not to me.  The Beast loved it but told me I should have put the crushed chips on more as a finish rather than cooking it (so they would still be crisp).  I'll try it the next time.  What I decided to do is take the leftovers, add the peas and a bit more soup, bake it for a bit and then garnish it with crisp chip crumbs...LOL.  That should make the Beast happier to eat leftovers.

My day was otherwise quiet.  I did run up to the store to pick up egg noodles and some more soup.  I couldn't believe that we were down to just one can of Mushroom soup.  I love it and I also use it in several different recipes.  How this happened, I have no idea.  Except the Beast has gotten kind of anal about both *Use by...(dates) or *Use before (dates)*.  Even those *Best if used by...(dates)* on everything we have.  He threw out a shitload of canned goods the other day.  He said he just didn't want to take any chances.  Okay, I can see that but he didn't think the Best if used by..really just meant the taste would start to deteriorate.  I told  him to please check with me before he empties our shelves again.  Veggies show they are no good by starting to expand the cans.  But, what do I know?  In his mind....nothing.

Baron is still sleeping a lot but he's started dreaming more than I have known him to do.  What's so upsetting is that he kind of cries in his sleep.  I think it's pain that makes him cry and whimper.  He's really sound asleep when he does that.  The Beast needs to go get more pain meds for him from the vet.  I can't stand to see how he hesitates when going down the garage ramp.  He's not sure which back leg should go down first and he lifts one then the other and you can almost see him trying to decide how seriously he needs to go out (or not!).  He's also started something new.  He's been going INTO the bushes out front.  I could hardly believe it when I heard rustling in them and then saw him coming out from among them.  He's never done that before.  I don't know if it's to pee or defecate or if he's just looking for a new place to hide from us.  Weird.

I did, finally, get the Beast to give me some of the pictures he took of the Princess and Gunner but I haven't downloaded them yet.   I'll do that tomorrow and post some of them on here then.

Time to go.  Have a great week.  Be happy.  Love you all.  ***Hugs***

I Had A Nice Day....

I was sitting at my desk but watching TV when my door suddenly opened and the sweetest little boy came in with a big smile on his face and surprised me!  He gave me a kiss and a hug and then waved to me and went out to the living room.

The Princess was there, choosing pictures that the Beast had printed up.  He had printed up two of the pictures that I had told him she would hate because they made her look fat.  Sure enough, they were one's she didn't want.  The heck of it is, they were one's that the wind got underneath and expanded the top she had on like a balloon.  In real life, it didn't make her look fat at all except for that.  In a couple other pictures, you could tell that.  

I left them to sort through the pictures that the Beast hadn't printed up (they were looking at them on his computer).  So I was left to entertain Gunner.  That's easy.  I just give him food....LOL.  I had some Cheetos in here so he settled himself in my recliner and I turned on cartoons for him.  When he had enough of the Cheetos, then it was Gummy Bears (you fill them up with sugar and send them home...LOL).  But, I really don't like doing that because I worry about their teeth.  But you CAN give them one at a time and not by handfuls.  I even enticed the Princess with Caramel Cremes.  Now THAT was funny!

I keep a few things in my desk drawer for the grandkids (okay, the GREAT-grands) when they come over.  I also have some sugarless gum I keep for Chewlee but she can only have it here since her mother hates any gum.  That's because Chewlee was always getting gum in her hair.  I don't think she's done that in years, but mother's don't forget and won't take the chance.

When they finally left, I got a couple nice kisses from Gunner and some really good hugs.  I even got hugs from the Princess.  I was sorry to see them leave.  But it made my day.

The Beast then got the pictures that he had printed up that I wanted in frames and hung them up on my wall in my computer room.  I told him that they needed to be updated since a few of them that I have are from when Gunner was a baby.  I didn't have any recent ones of the Princess either....but I do now.  Now I just need the Beast to give me a couple of them on a thumb drive and I can then show them off here.  I'll work on that tomorrow.  

Time for me to get showered and ready for bed.   I love you all.  Don't forget to tell all those you love that you do.  Life is just too short.  Better to be happy that you said it than to regret it when it's too late.  ***Hugs***

FiguresThis Would Happen To Me!

Today was the day of my CT scan.  It was supposed to be at 1pm so I made sure I got there at 12:35pm so that my check-in wouldn't take me long.  I get there and the desk informs me that I am going to have a long wait.  Oh?  She then tells me that my tests are scheduled for 1:30pm and my scan at 2:30pm.  What tests?, I ask, stupidly.  I then offer that all I was told was that I would be taking a CT scan at 1pm.

She then says, *From your doctor's office or the hospital?*  So I tell her that it was the doctor's office and, if there was a change, I should have heard from the hospital.  She agreed I should have but had no reason why I hadn't.  Since I was a diabetic,  I would need to take a BUN and Creatnine test to make sure my kidneys could handle the iodine contrast material before I could take the test.  Oh, great!  The hospital temp inside was about 30 degrees and it was just a little warmer outside but much windier.  (An exaggeration but not by much!)

I was really a bit shocked by the change in the lobby area in just a few months.  There are a lot of renovations going on.  After the office checks me in, gives me the required bracelet (don't you hate those things?) and then is going to send me down to the *new* main lab, I asked how far away it was.  Since I can't walk any real distance without my cane, she puts me into a wheelchair and takes me there.  I would never have made it so I'm glad I asked.

It was in less than 5 minutes and I had my blood drawn (the gal did end up causing a huge bruise) and they wheeled me back to the front to wait for my CT scan.  I was freezing my butt off even with a long sleeve top (I should have brought a jacket but I didn't think I would be there long).  Thank goodness, a doctor saw me and asked if I was cold.  When I said I was freezing, he send an MA out to me with warmed up blankets.  Bless his heart.  He also had looked at my name and routing slip and I was gathered up and wheeled to the CT lab within a short time.

After a short wait, I had the set-up done for the IV and I was ready.  It took all of maybe 5 minutes and I was back in the lobby and ready to go.  Boy, was I ever ready.  As it is, I could hardly believe that it was 2:15pm and I was starving.  I had left without eating breakfast since I didn't get up until 10am (and I can't eat right away after waking).  At least my coffee was waiting for me in the warm car.  Thankfully, although cold out, it was bright and sunny so it kept the car. and my coffee, nice and warm.  That held me until I got home.

I found the Beast gathering up his stuff for taking pictures of the Princess and Gunner (there were no pictures of Chewlee because she had piano lessons today...sigh) but the pictures he took were incredible.  I did give my opinion on a couple of the ones he took of the Princess only because I knew she would hate them because the top she was wearing over her shirt (like a big, uneven point cape) made her look fat and she isn't.  But I couldn't see him making them up without cropping them or she wouldn't want them.  At least, I sure hope so or she's going to kill me.  I swear, that girl cannot take a bad picture!  I told the Beast that the best money we ever spent was when we sent her to modeling school.  And we sent her to the best one, too.  Of course, we could afford John Cassavette's then.  We owned our business.  Her makeup is flawless and so is her complexion.  She's just plain beautiful so that helps.

Well, I'm really beat so I am going to get this posted.  Love you all.  ***Hugs***

R.I.P. My Dear Aunt..... ( Blog #2)

An aunt I loved dearly passed away in her sleep yesterday.  It was peaceful and exactly as she hoped her passing would be.  She had known she was dying for a couple years.  It was her choice not to do chemotherapy or radiation for her breast cancer that had metastasized to her lungs.  She felt she had lived a good life and all she wanted to do was live her life, enjoy her grandchildren and die in her own home, not a hospital.  Although I know she did have some pain she tried not to complain about, it wasn't for a long time.

She had her sister, her daughter-in-law and a hospice worker that stayed with her at different times.  I thank God for that.  I know she loved her time with her sister and her daughter-in-law was wonderful to her.  I'm just sorry I didn't get to visit with her when I was in Chicago and that I can't attend her funeral.  But I loved her very much and told her that when I saw her last.  We had spoken a couple times about her decision and I knew that chemo and radiation would only have made her too ill to enjoy her life and wouldn't have helped once the cancer had started metastasizing to her organs.

She lived her life and the end of her days in her way and I applaud that.  Am I sad that she is not longer among us?  Yes.  It's hard to think of her not being here any more.  But she will always be in my heart.  Rest in peace, Aunt Rose.  I love you and will miss you dearly.

How In The World.....?

I really have to check my facts at times.  I swear, I really thought that the Princess and Brenda had made banana pudding.  It puzzled me but I thought if it had a lot of sliced bananas in it, it would probably be great.  Today, I actually tasted what they had left here and, to my surprise, it was Auntie Em's infamous rice pudding!  I say *infamous* because anyone that has had it, wants to be able to make it.  It really is delicious.

Today the Beast bought a new couch.  No, he never asked me what I thought about doing that.  Yes, he just decided that he hated the one we had (another pick of his) and he bought it without me ever seeing it.  I absolutely HATE the pattern on it.  It reminds me of a real old-time material.  But, I have to tell you....it's a down couch.  Yep, down...as in feathers.  When I sat on it, I understood just why he HAD to have it.  It has to be the most comfortable couch I have ever sat on.  You could sleep like a baby on it, too.  Incredible.  

Of course, the *down-side* of that is having to refluff the pillows every time someone sits on it.  It doesn't have that *neat* look that most of us like.  At least, I do.  It might be different if I liked the pattern.  I don't know.  But the pattern is mostly brown with cream.  Kind of a neutral thing except it really won't go well with the colors we had chosen for painting the living room.  We will either have to keep the colors we have or select new ones.  Why does the Beast do this kind of stuff to us?

I gather that the Beast is taking pictures of the Princess and both kids tomorrow after she picks Chewlee up from school.  She has a place in mind to take the pictures so she's coming here and then they will go to the area.   He's been dying to take more pictures of someone or somewhere since he's learned to use his new lens well now.  I hope he gets some great pictures.  I'd like to share them with ya'll then.  *Grin*

Love you all.  ***Hugs***

Banana Pudding, Potato Pancakes And A Nice Visit.....

I called the Princess and asked her why she didn't tell me that they (Brenda and kids included) were planning on coming over on Thursday.  She told me she never told the Beast Thursday because Brenda planned on leaving to visit another friend here in Alabama on Thursday.  She said that they were coming to visit today because the Beast promised to make some potato pancakes for them.  

So that made me rush to neaten up my computer room since I knew that the kids (Chewlee and Gunner) would be in there, if nothing else.  So you know what that means, don't you?  You got it!  I didn't get my closet packed away like I wanted.  No, I am not deliberately finding excuses.  I really and truly want to get this done.

Brenda, the Princess and the kids left just a little bit ago.  From what Brenda said to me after we hugged was that she was leaving.  I think she might actually be leaving tonight to go to her friends house.  I think it's just an hour away so she just might.

The Beast came home from being out with several of his church friends this afternoon and jumped right into making a huge bowl of potato pancake mix.  We all laughed with him, made jokes and talked about the time he made potato pancakes with the strongest onion fumes we ever encountered.  We had to open all the doors and windows to try to get rid of them, all the while our eyes were tearing.  I kid you not.  I've never run across another onion that strong since, either.  And I don't want to!  LOL

The Princess and Brenda played a little joke on the Beast.  He wanted some of the banana pudding they made.  They told him that it turned out edible but not real good so they presented him with the tiniest storage bowl (snack size?) full of it.  It held maybe 3 tablespoons full.  He tried it and said they were full of it.  He thought it tasted great!  That's when they started laughing and the Princess went out to her car to get the REAL container for him.  They had made a pact that, if he ate the small container-full and agreed with what they had been saying about it not being good, he wouldn't get the real container.  If he liked it and told him he thought it was really good, then he would get the bigger container.  They laughed a lot over it all because the deal was that he would get some of the banana pudding for making the potato pancakes.  That tiny bit was NOT what the Beast expected.  He was much, much happier with the larger container.

I got to play a lot with Gunner after dinner.  The Beast, the Princess and Brenda played cards with Chewlee dividing her time watching them play and hiding on Gunner.  She also grabbed him and tickled him, which was adorable.  Gunner loved it.  He sat in my lap for a bit, while we watched Bubble Guppies on TV.  When I got into my recliner, he had to come up and sit with me.  He loved it when I put the back down and he snuggled up to me.  I just love his laugh!

Well, time to jump in the shower and get ready for bed.  I'm tired.  I have to go to the hospital on Saturday at 1pm for my CT scan and then I see my vascular doctor on Tuesday to get the good/bad news and see my scan for myself.  Love you all.  ***Hugs***

 

More Tests? Ugh!

So I go to see my  vascular doctor today.....  His office was jammed with people and I realized how big his practice must be now from when I first started seeing him.  He was a brand new doctor in our area and the only vascular surgeon in three counties.  There are a couple  more now but then he was the only one.

I really like him.  He doesn't talk down to you.  He takes his time and will answer any questions you might have even if you think they might be silly ones.  He loves it when you joke around (I do a lot of that when I go into surgery....before they knock me out).  Today he had an intern with him and I looked at her and thought she looked like a baby.  Not like someone within 3 years or so of being another vascular surgeon.  I was shocked to find out she was 24 years old.  I would have guessed around 13...LOL.  She will be with my doctor for a year and then she will be assigned to another vascular doctor.  She says she actually hopes to stay with him longer because she admires his ease with patients and his surgical techniques (so far!).  

So he  tells me he wants me to have a CT scan so he gets a better view of my arteries in my neck.  He said that he would show them to me when he gets them back so I can see what he wants to do and why.  I said that means I get to ask more questions and make a decision.  He laughed and said he didn't imagine that *I* would ever just go along with a doctor I didn't trust or if I had my doubts about a procedure.  He's right  about that.  We've had many a discussion about things done to me before I would let him do them.

His nurse will be calling me tomorrow to tell me when I go for my CT scan and she will also set up my appointment with my doctor for after it's done.  I hate waiting.  Hell, I hate having to take MORE damn tests even though a CT scan isn't so bad.  I've had them before.  I just hate having to be so still for as long as they take.  It's different for each type but still.....

I found out that one of the Beast's nieces is staying with the Princess for a couple days.  She's a Special Needs teacher in Tennessee and I haven't seen her in ages.  I've known her since she was a baby and now her baby is in her last year of college.  Time flies.  Her hubby is a policeman in Tennessee and doesn't get a *Fall Break* so she's by herself.  I'm going to go over to the Princess' tomorrow so I can see her and visit for a bit.  I may call Cee to see if she would like to take the ride with me.  She's knows Brenda, too, and might like seeing her.  I know she hasn't seen her in a much longer time than me.  The Beast isn't *into* family these days (his church is his family now) so he just told me to say hello to her.  Oh, wow!

Today was the last day Baron got a shot of antibiotics (7 days already?) and now it's kind of wait and see.  He's still not eating like he should but we need to see what happens in the next few days.  He's been so good about his shots and his meds for his stomach.  I hope he starts acting more like our old Baron even if he DOES walk slower...LOL.

Love you all.  Be good.  Be happy most of all.  Be kind to everyone.  It might be the only kindness someone gets that day and it can mean the world in their life.  You never know.  ***Hugs***


PS:  A short time after I told the Beast I was going to take the ride over to the Princess' to see Brenda, he comes into my computer room and says, *I don't know why you want to go there to see Brenda when they are coming here on Thursday, I think they said.*  I was totally pissed and said, *Nice going.  Why didn't you tell me she was here or that they were planning on coming over?*  He said to me...get this....*Oh, I thought I did tell you.*  No,  you didn't.  Just another time I'm kept in the dark.  I'm not sure if it's his age, his memory or if he thinks I can read his mind.  *Smack*  So maybe I will just call the Princess to tell her I am going to stay home and finish my packing up of my summer clothes since they were planning on coming over in another day.  I can make some snacks for us then.  What do you think?  Tata for now.

The Best Laid Plans.....

I really wanted to be finished going through my closet and getting my summer things put away for the coming Fall/Winter.  I didn't get it done.  I got distracted with finding things that I put in the bag for BabyBrat.  It includes long underwear that she can use as pajamas.  I bought them when I was very thin.  My family and friends may remember that since everyone thought I was either dying or very ill....or both.

I had a really nice black and white sweater that I included in the bag and ...wow!  It's loaded with clothes for her that I think she can put to good use.  BUT....I ended up going through drawers, trying to find things that I remembered having to include in the mix and time just seemed to fly by.  Before I knew it, the day was over and I hadn't gotten back to working on my closet.   So, tomorrow, after I am done at the doctor's, I have to try to finish doing that  so that I can finally bring the clothes to BabyBrat.  I have a hunch that I may still find a thing or two more for her before I am done.

The Beast cleaned the kitchen floor today and had plans to do the living room.  However, that didn't happen as he ran out of steam after he vacuumed all the corners and along the trim.  He has this thing that reminds me of a leaf blower but with a nozzle on the end of it.  It's some kind of hand-held vacuum but it wears you out holding it while you clean up whatever area you use it on.  If you are young, it probably wouldn't but we are old people...LOL.

Baron still isn't up to par but he does seem to be better....most of the time.  What bothers the Beast is the amount of time Baron spends sleeping.  It seems like he's awake mostly to just eat or go outside and pee.  Even when he is following the Beast around, as soon as the Beast settles down to do something, Baron lays down and goes to sleep.  I know he's an *old* dog in the eyes of the vet but he's just 9 years old  to us and that shouldn't be considered *old*.  What will be, will be, however.  All we can do is wait and see how he does over the next few days.

Love you all.  Have a great week.  Be kind to everyone.  A little kindness costs you nothing.  ***Hugs***

 

On A Whim.....

Doesn't it just figure that something you do on a whim would turn out just about the best that you have ever done?  Let me explain.

Today was our usual Sunday.  The Beast went to his church meeting at 1pm and got home a little after 3pm.  I matched some socks for him that he had washed and dried (he hates mating socks!).  I didn't bother planning on making him any dinner because he was going to a graduation party and there would be lots of food (there was, too!).   A lot of the dishes brought there for the party would be Mexican and the Beast loves Mexican food.

I happened to say to the Beast, *You should have asked Ellie (not her real name) if there was something you could bring.  I would have boiled up a couple dozen eggs and made deviled eggs or something else if she needed it.*   That's when I thought that I should make some deviled eggs for us since we love them and we hadn't had any in quite some time.  My whim.

So I boiled 8 eggs, iced them down and made deviled eggs for us after the Beast left for the party.  Wouldn't you know it?  They taste wonderful.  It may be the best deviled eggs I've made in ages.  They really taste great.  When I told the Beast I had made them, he went to get himself some.  He actually came to talk to me (I was in my computer room) to tell me he thought they were fantastic!  You could have knocked me over with a feather.  He doesn't throw compliments around easily so that was a big shock.  But I remembered to thank him for that.  Anything to encourage more of that from him....LOL!

I gather from the Beast that close to 300 people showed up at the party.  That means that Dennis probably had a shit fit over it.  The party was held at the house on the second curve past our house (and Dennis').  Like us, they bought two lots together but the back yard is at the back of Dennis' house.  The whole party was rather mild until around  8pm when they started playing music and dancing.  The dancing was both inside and outside the house (all on their property) but Dennis seems to hate when people have fun close to their house.  I was tempted to go over there just to hear what he had to say about it all.  BTW, they didn't have 300 guests all at once.  People were coming and going all evening.  Oh well.  We will hear his complaints tomorrow, I'm sure.

The thing is, the people from the Beast's church really don't drink, don't smoke and keep their kids under control so we know that there really isn't any reason for Dennis to complain.  There's no garbage or cans or plastic cups thrown around.  When the party is over, the outside will be pristine and there will be no garbage on anyone else's lawn either.  

Of course, a long time ago, I told you about how Dennis was OCD.  They used to have fringed area rugs and Dennis would make sure each and every fringe was perfectly straight.  You would have had to see it to believe it.  He also had/has the absolute cleanest work bench and shop areas I have ever seen in my life.  I'm just glad he's not MY problem.

Okay, that's it for today.  The Beast went to bed around 8:30pm and is sound asleep.  So is Baron.  Next will be ME!  I hope.  LOL.  Love you all.  Be happy.  ***Hugs***

Another Concern Taken Care Of.....

The Beast and I finally got the chance to take care of shortening Baron's nails.  It was long overdue.  We had to use the Dremel on his nails because using the nail clippers for dogs makes his nails split and bleed.  By using the Dremel, we can see the core of his nails and avoid hitting the vein in it.  

They still need more but we have to wait a few days to allow the vein to pull back some more.  We may try again on Monday or Tuesday.  That should teach the Beast to let them get as long as they were.  He (Baron) doesn't need anything that can cause him more pain.  He's already suffering with his arthritis.

He actually did a kind of semi-fast trot with the Beast on the scooter today.  That got him down to his favorite area to do his *stuff*.  He's still not eating like he should but he IS eating a bit more every day.

I got busy today and started getting my autumn/winter clothes ready and my spring/summer clothes folded and put away.  I wish you could have seen the Beast's face when he walked into my computer room and saw the various stacks of clothes, pajamas and granny nightgowns.  LOL!  And what did he want?  He had the clothes basket full of his underwear and socks for me to fold.  That's when I decided to stop sorting and folding and get what I had ready put away.  I'll do more tomorrow.  It really shouldn't take me too much longer to finish.

I have a doctor's appointment (vascular) on Tuesday and I sure want to have this all finished before then.  I'll also find out what the sonograms showed about the arteries in my neck.  

Time to get this posted.  Love you all.  Have a truly nice Sunday.  Visit with family and friends.  Call someone you haven't talked to in a while.  I plan on doing that...gonna call my aunt tomorrow.  I truly want to tell her I love her while I can.  She's very ill and I think the end is close.  ***Hugs***

Is It Just Me?

Has this year just flown by for anyone else?  I can hardly believe it's already the middle of October.  I feel like I only got back from Chicago a couple weeks ago.  Maybe time does fly by faster as you get older.  Right now, I feel as old as dirt.  Sheesh!

It was a good day today.  The day never got too warm so the Beast didn't complain at all about that.  In fact, he didn't complain about anything today and that was a small miracle in itself.  He did have one thing happen to him today that he had to tell me.  He got to taste what the friend of his from the Dominican Republic called *Haitian spaghetti*.  

He said it had spaghetti noodles and some small sausage that almost tasted like hot dogs cut up into slices.  The sauce was sweet, almost like catsup and it did have onions in it but that was it.  He was polite about it but had begged off from eating a lot of it because he said it didn't smell like any spaghetti he had ever had.  I told him that didn't surprise me since Haiti was so damn poor.  They had to be creative and make food that they could afford and try to make it at least edible.  I told him that I knew really dirt poor people in the  50's that were unemployed and he wouldn't have believed some of the food they survived on.  It was not a good time in our economy.

I don't think he ever knew what hunger was when he was growing up.  Or what being poor was like.  He should have.  It might have made him a better person with more empathy for others.

I washed clothes today.  I was surprised at how much I had to do.  But it was really a lot of pajamas and underwear and I don't think I wore pants (like jeans) more than once without spilling something on them so they had to be washed.  I counted five pair and I don't usually use that many in a week.  Yikes.  I have to learn to be less clumsy.  I also have to stop wiping my hands on them instead of using a paper towel or a dish cloth.

The Beast actually gave Baron his shot today all by himself.  I always had to be the one to lift a section of skin up so he could inject the dog under the skin and not in the muscle.  Baron is so good about that.  I usually massage the area afterward because it does make a kind of ball under there but it goes down in just a few seconds.

Baron is eating but he is refusing to eat his dog food.  He just wants his chicken with either rice or broccoli.  However, he will eat the chicken just fine if you are willing to hand feed it to him.  In fact, he will eat a lot more of it than otherwise.  What a brat!

I made (almost) jambalaya today.  Wow...I didn't think that not adding the sausage would make a big difference but I was wrong.  You don't think that something like smoked sausage would be missed with all that goes into it (like shrimp, green pepper, onion, scallions, white and brown rice, tomatoes, red beans, spices) but it really did seem a bit on the tame side.  I like it because it (usually) has a nice snappy taste.  I thought we had some in the fridge but it seems the Beast used it up on some late night sandwiches for himself.  Oh well.  I added a few more spices to it before I put it in the fridge and I'll see what I think tomorrow.  I plan on eating it for my lunch.

I guess I should get my clothes folded and put away now before I get ready for bed.  I just get really tired when I look at it all in the clothes basket....LOL.  Love you all.  Be happy and have a great weekend.  Enjoy the great weather while we have it.  It will be snow soon enough.  ***Hugs***

I Don't Know Why.....

...but lately Baron is waking me to let him out when he needs to relieve himself.  Maybe because I don't cuss and swear at being awakened so abruptly (he has the most unusual, deep chest bark you've ever heard....especially when he's right by your ear!).  

I know he's just a dog and doesn't know how much I hate having to get up and (for him) take him out to the garage, open the garage door and then wait for him to be done.  But he usually doesn't take too long and comes back to the garage without much need to coax him.  He's tired, too.  He usually takes a drink of water and then heads back to his mattress.  I don't care because I head back to bed and let him take his sweet time.

The Beast decided today was going to be one where he just rested.  He's been out a lot doing things for his church and the walking is hard on him.  He really starts dragging his leg badly when that happens.  I found out today that he is going to be doing more stuff tomorrow afternoon and then again on Saturday.  He's got a graduation party on Sunday afternoon for one of the home schooled kids that lives just around the circle from us.  I know he's going to want me to go with him but I have no plans.  Those are his friends from his church.  As nice as they seem, no thank you.  I don't want anyone to get the idea that I am mellowing and planning on starting to attend.

He had taken pictures of the kid a few months back.  One of them was really nice.  He made up a 16x20 picture of it and it's just gorgeous.  I told him to frame it and give it to him for his present.  It really is a great picture.  He gave the kid a bunch of 4x6" pictures (the same one) for him to give out to friends back when he had taken the pictures.  This one his mother will want to hang....and keep after the kid finally moves out.

Time for me to shower and get ready for bed.  I need to condition my hair first, however (coconut oil).  I really like the shine and feel of my hair after I use that.  It washes out so easy, too.  Amazing stuff.  It's supposed to be good for your hair and scalp.

Love you all.  Be good.  Be kind to everyone you meet.  Smile a lot.  It costs you nothing.  ***Hugs***

There's Hope For His Future!!!!

Baron is starting to eat and drink almost normally now.  He's still needy for attention due to the pain in his legs but he does make it outside to relieve himself.  He has taken a liking to going out on the deck and walking back and forth between the sunshine and the shade.  He's stayed out at least a half hour each time, which surprised us since he won't lay down in the sun any more due to the pain, I suspect.  

He just woke me a bit ago to let him out (via the garage, no less) so I opened the garage door then waited for him.  He wasted no time since it was cold outside then came back in and went back to his mattress.  Hopefully, for the night.  At least he's acting like himself, just moving a bit slower these days due to his arthritis.  Poor baby.  I really do feel for him.

Other than the fact that the Beast was out most of the day with his buddies from his church...doing church things, of course...the day was pretty dull.  I have a cold and spent the day trying to cure myself (you know how we all do that...cough syrups, tea with lemon, etc.)  I still have a cough and runny nose but it IS getting a bit better.  I'll be able to tell more tomorrow.

Love you all.  I'm going back to bed with my electric blankie....LOL.  ***Hugs***

The Eating Continues......

I don't think I mentioned it before but the vet had given the Beast some kind of chewable bits that were supposed to eventually help the dog's joints.  I guess it's a type of medication for his arthritis.  However, every time the Beast gave him one, he would refuse food.  I think until they were digested, they might have upset his stomach.  The Beast thought the same thing so he stopped giving them to Baron and he has been eating very well with just the stomach medication given to him.

It's been very encouraging to see him eating as much as he has although his wanting more chicken (could it be he craves protein?) means we are cooking up more than normal.  But we hope to put some more weight on him before he goes back to the vet's office.

I had my sonograms on both carotids today.  Yeah, I was surprised, too.  I didn't expect one on the side that has already been done but I suppose he wanted to make sure it was still clear.  I see him (the vascular doctor) next Tuesday at 1pm.  I will find out when he is going to work on the one on the right side either then or within a day or two.  I really want it to be done before the Holidays start.

I'm heading for bed now because it's been a long day.   Be good and have a great day tomorrow.  Be kind.  ***Hugs***

Some Encouraging Signs....

I didn't post a P.S. last night because it was late and I was tired but Baron woke me up, whining.  After a bit, I figured out he was actually wanting something to eat.  He ended up eating four chicken thighs that I pulled the meat off the bones and a bunch of gizzards, too.  I was shocked but happy.  He finally was full and went back to sleep on his mattress.  The Beast woke up when he heard me talking to Baron and he was also happy to see it.  He also went back to sleep before Baron did.

I was asleep again when Baron woke me up wanting to go out.  I tried to lead him to the garage steps down (easier for his arthritic rear legs) but he wanted to go out to the porch.  I watched him and he actually went down the steps, warily I admit, but he made it down.  I waited inside, drinking some water, and finally opened the garage door.  Sure enough, although Baron was willing to go down the front porch steps, he wanted back into the house via the garage ones.  Back to sleep for us again and this time it was for the night.  Me?  I was feeling sleep deprived this morning so I took a couple naps during the course of the day.

The Beast and I gave Baron his shot this morning and Baron ate some more chicken along with some rice the Beast fixed for him.  Later in the afternoon, he ate a couple more chicken thighs with broccoli.  He also started drinking more water.  We both are so relieved, I can't begin to tell you.  Let's hope this continues.  The Beast DID give him more of the *doggie Maalox* ... just in case.

I am still tired so I am heading back to bed.  I have a doctor's appointment at noon tomorrow and I can't get up late for that.  I'm not showering tonight so I will have to do that in the morning.  Baron and the Beast seem to be sleeping soundly and I am going to join them.

Love you all.  Be good.  ***Hugs***

Some Happy Moments And A Lot Of Sad Ones.....

I had made arrangements with the Princess to come to her house to pick up some clothes she was cleaning out of her closets and drawers.  I knew that much of it would be small but I figured that Babybrat might enjoy having some new tops.  The Princess always buys quality.  She also had some size Medium and, depending on the manufacturer, a few of them might work for me or Cee.  What I did not expect was the two big bags full of things.  Not the really, really big bags (like the black garbage bags) but the 13 gallon size ones.  Even so, they were stuffed and heavy.  Thankfully, she had already given away some things or, lord knows, I might have ended up with three bags to go through. 

Gunner was so cute when I got to her house.  I was sitting on one of the seats at the breakfast bar when he came over and patted my leg and said, *Nana!* with a huge grin on his face.  When I asked him if he wanted to sit in my lap, he shook his head *yes* and stretched his arms up so I could lift him.  I put him in my lap and kept kissing his neck on one side then the other while he giggled.  He stayed in my lap until the Princess sent him and Chewlee outside to play.

We talked about Baron and she told me what the vet had said to the Beast.  I suspect that is the reason why he said to me later that we should face the fact that Baron might not be with us much longer.  The vet told the Beast that IF Baron pulled through this illness, he probably wouldn't live much past 10 years old since Dobie's don't have long lifespans.  If he were not oversized, he might live to 13.  The best would be 15 years old.  The vet also told the Beast if Baron didn't get better, he would probably send Baron to an Internist (I had no idea they have specialists for dogs, too!  Other than an oncologist and an opthalmologist, that is).

The Princess said that she could just see $$$ adding up in big bills and she didn't think the Beast would spend it.  As much as he loves Baron, or so he claims, he doesn't like spending big dollars for health care for a dog.  Unfortunately, I know that's true and it's sad but our SS is limited and the Beast likes to spend money on himself or scads of small appliances.  Let's not count the chickens or other *hobbies* he's adopted over the years that last just a minute or so.  Except for his photography because he is excellent in that.

I did get on his case about not getting more pain pills for Baron from the vet.  I told him that it was animal cruelty to KNOW that he is in severe pain and NOT give him pain pills to ease his suffering.  And you know he is suffering because of the way he walks (slowly and carefully) plus the fact that he stays on his feet 99% of the time and only lays down when he is so totally exhausted that I believe he passes out.

Baron isn't even drinking water for the past two days.  It's like his body is shutting down and he's getting ready to die on us.  It makes me so sad.  It's sad when I spent several hours today with his head in my lap, petting him.  That's all he wanted.  That simple comfort and it made me cry.  He's just skin and bones right now.  He still won't eat and, with not drinking water, I do NOT take that as a good sign at all.

I'm going to close this for now.  More about the clothes tomorrow.  It's not all that important in the scheme of things.  Love you all.  Be kind.  Be happy.  Have a wonderful week.  Laugh out loud and often.  ***Hugs***

Facing The Facts? And Split Pea Soup.....

Today I bit the bullet and made the split pea soup that I had been craving.  It finally was ready just a little bit ago but I have to wait for my bowl of it to cool down now.  I have tasted it and it tastes great.  I love split pea soup so this is a real treat.  The Beast loves to make Northern bean soup, which is okay once in a while.  If he had his way, he would be making it every week.  He will make a huge pot full but he will only eat it twice so we end up throwing out a lot of good soup.  Oh well.  He will never learn, I guess.  At least my making the split pea soup stopped him from making his soup.  He'll wait a few more days now before he does that.

Tonight I heard, out of the Beast's mouth, words I never expected from him.  He said, *I think we have to face the fact that Baron will probably not be with us soon.*  He's had two of the ten shots (antibiotic) and four of the pills to coat his stomach.  He's been really good about taking those.  We put them into the feed syringe, add the water and shake it up until it's all mixed up well.  The Beast and I then administer it with me holding his head on my lap and I lift his mouth so the Beast  can syringe the medicine into his mouth.  It must either taste good or else it makes him feel better because he swallows it all with no problem.

He's back to not laying down and not eating.  This is day four and he really hasn't got much more meat on his bones.  His dropping 31 pounds in a matter of less than four weeks is not a good sign at all.  I think that's what the Beast finally realized tonight.  The vet is truly just guessing what is wrong (he admitted that he really wasn't  sure but was making his conclusions based on the tests performed).  I'm sure at a loss but it worries me...a lot!  He's such a good dog and he's suffering enough that he has been sleeping standing up and just leaning on something.  I don't think he really gets any good rest that way because he will, when exhausted, finally lay down and sleep soundly for a couple hours.  That's his arthritis in his hind legs causing that problem.  They must be terribly painful if he doesn't want to put any pressure on them.

I don't know yet what the Beast has in mind after this round of medication.  Perhaps he will have him put to sleep or else just let nature take it's course and deal with whatever happens, when it happens.  At least he wasn't running a fever this time but he was at the high end of normal (102 degrees).  But he is constantly coming to one of us for comfort and all we can do is pet him or scratch him a bit.  It's so sad.

The Beast has a big meeting tomorrow with his church group.  They are meeting up with members from other areas for a big *revival* is all I can call it.  It's up in Huntsville and he packed a lunch so he doesn't have to leave the stadium grounds.  Parking is a big problem there so he is leaving early to get there before the big crowd hits the parking.  

I'm heading for the Princess' house to pick up some tops that she is getting rid of (she likes to shop but has to get rid of her *older* tops to make room for new purchases).  A few of them will fit me and the others I will give to Babybrat.  I'm going to stop at Cee's house on my way home and we will go through them to see what will be going to Babybrat that is easily recognized.

Well, time to go.  I'm actually really tired tonight.  I did more than usual today with taking Baron out and walking along with him.  I ended up putting the chickens away, too.  I folded clothes (the Beast's undies, T-shirts and socks) and then did a load of my wash.  I cut up the ham, celery, carrots and onions for my soup and had to keep stirring it until it was done.  I don't mean continually, but often.

Well, love you all.  Be kind.  Be happy.  Have a wonderful Sunday.  ***Hugs***

Chewlee And Gunner Plus More News About Baron......

Today the Princess had told me that Chewlee had piano lessons but it ended up being cancelled because of two things.  Her piano teacher had a booth at the Harvest festival in Boaz and the Princess would have had to run back to her house to pick up the book Chewlee needed for her lesson.  As the Princess was coming to pick up Chewlee, she got a phone call from the piano teacher.  End result was that Chewlee didn't go for a lesson.

What was so great about that was that the Princess stayed to visit along with Gunner.  He was so cute and came to sit in Nana's lap while Chewlee and I played Clue on Pogo.  It's a hidden object game and we had a lot of fun while Gunner would watch and get off my lap to go see his mother then run back and I would help him climb into my lap.  He liked climbing over the arm of my computer chair and then into my lap.

I left Chewlee to play her game and Gunner followed me out of the computer room and played with a small ball that Chewlee had bought at Dollar General.  The Princess, the Beast and I talked for a bit about the Princess' new job that she loves.  She is working a few hours, helping out the owner of a boutique that she loved to shop at.  She loves it because she can bring Gunner along.  The owner of the shop brings her kids and there are toys that he can play with in the back of the shop.

She can pretty much work when she wants and the owner pays her cash each day.  What she does is hang up new shipments, tag them and help with customers as they come in.  She said she also gets a discount on the clothes she buys and, of course, she buys more than she earns......LOL!

I watched Gunner, with Chewlee's help, while the Princess helped the Beast get Baron into the car so they could take him to the vet's office.  Baron was not eating again and he has lost so much weight that he looks just awful.  Last night, poor Baron was in so much pain that he wouldn't lay down.  He got between the coffee table and the couch, put his head on the table and went to sleep standing up.  Later on, he went into the guest room, leaned against the bed with his head on the bed and slept for about an hour.  He had kept the Beast up all night with his sad whining.  

The vet, when he saw Baron, was a bit surprised, I think.  He had hoped that the round of shot the Beast had given Baron, plus the oral medication, would have solved the problem.  It seemed to ... for a little bit....but it didn't last.  Now the vet thinks Baron might have a stomach ulcer, which surprised me.  The vet has the Beast giving Baron a shot each day for 10 days plus medication for his stomach that we will use the special syringe to liquify and then administer.  It ends up looking like Maalox (a bright white) and, thankfully, Baron likes the taste of it.

While the Princess was gone with the Beast to the vet's office, Chewlee and I went outside and played with Gunner.  Chewlee was throwing the ball to Gunner and he would run back towards the house and throw the ball at me....LOL.  He wanted to include me in the game.  It was adorable.  After about a half hour, Gunner wanted to come back in the house so we did.  That is when Chewlee said Gunner was tired and put him to bed in the guest room.  He was adorable because he stayed in the bed and did fall asleep.  I fell asleep in my recliner, too, so I was out of it when the Princess left with the kids.

I'm going to meet her in Boaz tomorrow to pick up some tops that she has that she wants rid of.  Some of them are my size and some will go to Babybrat, which I think she will like.  I might even see if Cee wants to go to the Festival in Boaz (I understand it's a parking nightmare, however).  I understand that it IS interesting...at least the Princess and family like it.

Well, this turned out longer than I anticipated so I will post it now and go back to bed.  Love you all.  Be kind to each other.  ***Hugs***

Chewlee Has A Sleepover.....

I got Chewlee for a sleepover today, as planned.  Unfortunately, I only get her for the one night.  She has piano lessons tomorrow and her mother said they have plans for Saturday.  **Cry, cry**

It was fun.  She was in a chatty mode and that's always interesting for me.  We stopped at KFC and I picked up some hot wings and she got a sweet tea since she said she was really thirsty.  I like the fact that she has never liked soda since her mother never gave her any when she was younger.  She doesn't like the fizz, actually.  It takes all kinds.  LOL.

She and I played on Pogo for a couple hours (hidden object games).  Those are fun and she is really, really good at them.  I watched *The Stand* with her and she was full of questions as the movie went on.  I had to remind her that it was just a movie, albeit a good one that didn't disappoint in it's transition from the book to the screen.  She was glad (I think) that the bad people all got blown up at the end but not the good people that were there to make *a stand* against the leader.

It's way past my bedtime now and I am going to join Chewlee in the guest room since we hope to make it to Walmart in the morning.  Her mother is picking her up to take her to her piano lesson probably around 2 or a little earlier.  It depends on whether or not she comes in to visit for a bit or not.  Some days the Princess is almost hyperactive because she is running so many errands all day.

Love you all.  Be good and take care.  It's Friday after all.  ***Hugs***

Get It Together, Guys!

So I was on my way to the heart doctor and I get a phone call.  I stopped to answer it since it was from his office.  The nurse asks me if I have had the carotid surgery yet and I tell her *no*.  I was expecting the doctor's nurse to call me and tell me when I was scheduled.  Back when the doctor told me it was time to do that, I told him it had to wait until after July 1st because I was going on vacation and should be back by then.

I called his office when I was back to let him know that and found out he was taking HIS vacation with his family to Disney World for a few days.  That didn't bother me at all because I know how hard he works (and I like him, too).  But then, time dragged on without hearing from him at all.  His nurse says they set up a date for me to have a sonogram or something done on the carotid but I never showed up.  I never got a message about that and never talked to his nurse, either.  I think she must  have left me a voice mail and I haven't been able to get into mine since I got this new phone so that would be the only way I would have ignored such an appointment.

Okay, so the heart doctor's nurse tells me he doesn't need to see me until AFTER I have the carotid surgery and she is going to see if she can hasten it along for me.  First of all, she says there was no note in my file about any surgery, then she says what she did about the sonogram test.  Now, come on!  You can't have it both ways.  So I ended up at Cee's house since I was close to it anyway.  I was totally pissed but had a date to see the arterial doctor on the 18th and his nurse, again, was going to call me with a new appointment for the test on the carotid.  I understand that they need a new test on it to make sure it's still in the same condition.  What????  Is it supposed to spontaneously get better??

So I'm a bit annoyed with the heart doctor and a lot annoyed with my artery doctor.  After all, we DID discuss the surgery and I have no idea why there was no notation, especially since they DID set up an appointment for that side to be tested.  Oh well.  I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that sometimes the ball gets dropped when he's so busy.  He's the only arterial doctor in this area so he's very, very busy.  He not only takes care of his regular patients but he also works at the Wound Center.  He's saved quite a few limbs on people that came in with horrible problems.  I remember one man in particular.  He had horrible wounds on his lower legs that leaked so badly, that he couldn't keep bandages on them that lasted more than an hour.  My doctor put him right in the hospital and did surgery on him the same day.  When I saw him next, it was a night and day difference.  It was really amazing.

Oh well.  I'm okay but I will call his nurse tomorrow and tell her about the voice mail problem so she makes sure she talks with me about the test appointment.

I'll close for now.  Love you all.  Have a great day with lots of smiles and laughter.  ***Hugs***

It Seems Like My Life Revolves Around These Nowadays.....

What do I mean by that?  A review of my blogs lately seems to indicate that it's either talking about the chickens or our dog, Baron.  Sad but true.

I don't feel that's really how my life is going.  There's more than that going on but a lot of it seems too trivial to mention.  The trouble is that much of our lives involve trivial things.  Like pulling weeds, watching birds feed, doing wash, sweeping floors, making beds, cleaning up a bathroom or two....you get what I mean, right?  Just normal, every day things we do.  But the chickens are really an experiment or, you could say, another one of the Beast's hobbies that I wonder when he will tire of it and then there go the chickens!

As for Baron, he's like one of our kids except he can't talk.  He's been the Beast's best friend almost since we bought him from the breeder.  He was so very sick this last time that we were afraid we were going to lose him.  Unfortunately, I actually think he's not quite over it.  I thought, at first, that he was just trying to get special treatment still but a few things have made me take that back.  He really has stopped eating once more and his nose is hot and dry.  He feels like he's warmer than usual and is sleeping most of the day.  I want the Beast to take him back to the vet but he seems resistant to the idea.  It's probably because we still owe the vet money and the Beast, although he loves Baron, hates to spend money on anything but his *hobbies* or his *wants*.  I'll keep nagging him about it.  It sometimes works.

Tomorrow I have to go to see the heart doctor and I have some serious questions to ask him.  I hope he's prepared to give me some straight answers.  He has no idea just who he's dealing with.  I've shocked more than my fair share of doctors.  I do NOT accept being ignored or fed double talk.

After I get out of the doctor's office, I intend to stop over at Cee's since she lives so close to his office.  I already talked to her and let her know I was coming.  I'm only doing it because she didn't have other plans.

That ham that the Beast bought a few days ago?  It turns out it is really delicious.  It's not as salty as some are (and that's before it was heated up).  It went well with my potato salad, of course.  A nice dinner and lots of ham left over for a couple different soups.  I foresee one of the Beast's bean soups in our future and I will be making some split pea soup, too.  

Well, time to get my shower and get ready for bed.  Love you all.  Have a great Hump Day.  Smile a lot.  It confuses people and they wonder what you are up to....LOL!  ***Hugs***