Geriatric mm warriors (12/30/09)

[disneyeveryyear]

Tom's on his way home but will probably have to leave again. Bonnie has been audibly crying all evening. At least there will be a brief reprieve from her depression. I have had to hold her and play with every toy she owns.

Nite, Nite everyone and Happy Sunday!

Sorry that you and Bonnie had to suffer without Tom. Hopefully he will be able to stay home soon.

Had a cheat last night. Pizza. Not a whole lot. It's been hard to cook with stuff in transit. That isn't an excuse, I know. I think it's more of my being lazy or not being able to find the energy to coordinate eating correctly and on time. And there is Little Caesars (pretty bad pizza anyway) down the street with their four buck already ready special, lol. I think I'm going to try and pick up low sodium lunchmeat, cheese and that pepperidge farm skinny bread. At least I can stay on plan that way even if I can't cook. It messes with my vegetable commitment though. If it's for this week, it will be ok.

Well, love all of you! Please have a blessed day!

I know. My pizza was Domino's. Nothing yummy, but the only thing that was available.

Well, there must be something about the dogs and the beach. I generally have to carry a couple of bags.... Halle has a tendency to drink too much salt water while chasing sticks and then throws up. Which she did yesterday in the back seat (thank goodness the seats are leather) on the way home. By the time we got home after several stops, I forgot about it. When we left this morning to go run errands, Brad asked me what she was eating on the seat? I laughed and said "you don't want to know!"

YUCK!

Kate and Lisa - chuckling here about the puking in the car...my Dad was one of those people who would throw up if the dog did! Nothing like making the mess worse! Mom says she NEVER let him near us if we were sick!

Diane - when you said frozen ponies I had a quick vision of them on sticks...like Ponysicles!! OMG the snow is affecting my brain!!

Have been feeding the HECK out of our birds...filled the seed dishes on the front porch 3 times today! The resident cardinal families, pair of woodpeckers, and 5 families of little juncos had to make way for a marauding band of blue jays who dropped in for a snack...the cardinals look so gorgeous against all the white snow...wish I could get some close up pictures of them and the woodpecker pair...so fun to watch them!

I am sure the birds are loving you.

Robin: Love bird watching! You should take some pictures.

I'm realizing how impossible it will be to spot my sister and BIL at the Grammy's. Are you kidding me? But she will expect me to try, LOL!

Lisa - why are your sister and BIL at the Grammy's?

Good evening everyone. Feeling a lot better this evening. Took a nice 2 1/2 hour nap today. Did the neti pot also. Won't discuss what came out. I will do it again before bed and using my allergy nasal spray. I am going to take my allergy medicine tonight and no nyquil. That stuff knocks me out for sure!!
Kate and Lisa, I would love to take Tyson to the beach. We are planning on it when Mike gets back to work and gets a vacation. I just have to be careful if he goes in the water. He can't swim worth a crap and is top heavy. His head goes under and his butt comes to the top! Mike had to save him once or twice LOL. I honestly will have to get him a life vest. We are now in the process of getting him a saddle bag to wear so he can carry his own water and poop bags and such.

I have a nasal rinse thing too. It can really help when I am all congested.

Too funny about Tyson. Is that most boxers, or is he just extra top heavy?


Well, mom was here for dinner and I am trying to get my new computer set-up. Bob and Adam are leaving to go work out, so it will be Amelia and I to finish off the night. I have some bookkeeping work to finish up tonight for a client, so I'll need to get off for now.

 

[Diane W.]

Robin - Bluejays are so pretty - but so darn mean sometimes! At our old house we had one build a nest on a tree alongside our walkway. We couldn't walk straight on, we had to veer off so it wouldn't try to attack our heads!

Lisa - I must've missed why your sister is at the Grammys. Why is she there? That would be so much fun.

Nell - Once you're all settled into your new home you can concentrate on eating all the veggies. You have enough on your plate now with school, packing and taking care of the Farm .

Bed early for me tonight. I'm going to the laundramat early tomorrow. I'm going to put the wash into the washer and go over to the gym which is in the same strip-mall and walk on the treadmill and then while everything's in the dryer go on the bike.

I'm meeting a friend tomorrow at Applebees for lunch. I get the italian chicken & portabella sandwich and get a side salad instead of the fruit it comes with. I don't eat the roll. So it's a good lunch for me. It's part of their weight watchers offerings, but I don't think they don't advertise it like that anymore.

 

[Wisteria1956]

My sister is at the Grammys because she is being wined and dined by a company that wants her to do training for them. She and BIL are big in the marketing world. They own an online company that trains and supports network marketers all over the globe. She's a goofy little peanut and a super star at the same time!

My husband is a supervisor for the electric company so when he is on call, he's in charge of getting power back up in the case of emergencies, etc. It can be because of weather or because someone ran into a pole, which is awful. He's been there 35 years and is very dedicated. He's not on call all the time, it just sounds like it when I mouth off about being lonely, lol! I am really very grateful for how hard he has always worked so I could be a Mom for many years and how well he has taken care of us. He calls me if he's going to be 10 minutes late and Bonnie knows how to tell time. She'll give him 20 minutes of leeway and then the chin goes down to the ground.

 

[kater]

I'm realizing how impossible it will be to spot my sister and BIL at the Grammy's. Are you kidding me? But she will expect me to try, LOL!

Too funny!

 

[kater]

Kate and Lisa, I would love to take Tyson to the beach. We are planning on it when Mike gets back to work and gets a vacation. I just have to be careful if he goes in the water. He can't swim worth a crap and is top heavy. His head goes under and his butt comes to the top! Mike had to save him once or twice LOL. I honestly will have to get him a life vest. We are now in the process of getting him a saddle bag to wear so he can carry his own water and poop bags and such.

Laughed out loud picturing Tyson's butt in the air although I'm glad Mike was there to rescue him. He definitely needs a vest! I don't know why I didn't think about a saddle bag - I HATE carrying the poop bags! Yick!

 

[kater]

Kate and Lisa - chuckling here about the puking in the car...my Dad was one of those people who would throw up if the dog did! Nothing like making the mess worse! Mom says she NEVER let him near us if we were sick!

You made laugh out loud again! My ex-husband was the same way as your dad. He would rather change a really icky diaper than clean up throw-up! It was an easy trade for me!

What is the news on Ken? Didn't you say his birthday in Feb? When did he leave? August?

 

[kater]

Kate, your story of your friends travels brought back some bad memories. Three of the last four times we traveled through OK and TX, we drove in ice storms. My husband determined we'd be fine (and we were) while I was half sick with worry for our lives! When we head south during the winter months now we avoid OK all together. I hope they arrive safely, have you heard from them?

Pam - all I could think about was how stressful every second of driving under those conditions would be. I will check in with my client tomorrow and let you know how they are. I am glad that you avoid OK! Wishing you luck with Step 1!!!

 

[Daniele]

Kate, thank god Halle throws up because if she didn't the salt water affects the other end. I know this from personal experience with our beloved Lab who's been gone a few years now. In Puerto Rico it never failed when he went to the beach. Worked in him like drinking Epsom salts. Then the poor thing would be mortified and embarrassed. But he did love the beach!

Hey Pony! I told the landlord before Christmas we were moving and all he did then was confuse me. He started talking about how we were giving up our dream of homeownership and all kinds of things until my head was spinning. : Honestly, our rent is significantly above the market and This new place will be some much better for us! I'm sending a return receipt email the day we leave so that we don't have him over here. You see, the money he's holding for last and security will pay us through the end of the lease. We're actually moving out two months early just to be in a better situation and have a new start. This past year has been very difficult. Plus the place we found is in such a nice area and the right place, so all signs are saying go.

Kathy, I'm so glad your finally improving! I hope you had a nice night watching TV.

Pam, I'm so glad your feeling the renewed commitment! I think that is the biggest challenge we have. The detox is doable if our mind is in the right place. Please remember to use the support you have here.

Lisa, I hope a long time passes before Tom is on call again. Some nights are just lonelier than others. It doesn't always make sense, but I think that's part of life. Plus with you being laid up still and it being winter, it can be hard. Most likely as it gets closer to spring and the days get longer, it will be a lot easier.

Diane, your Applebee lunch sounds great! If I wasn't still full from dinner it might make me hungry.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kate: I have to side on the poop side rather than throw up. Something about it lays me out on the floor. The first time J-P got sick, I bravely told Tom to sleep so he could get up for work. He then found me with my head pressed to the cold toilet trying to revive myself. I can do broken arms better than throw up. That child of mine would still to this day call for his Dad in the night, LOL! And you know what happened when he got drunk and barfed! He's since sworn off alcohol.

I just remembered that my sister is in a private box at the Grammys so if I didn't see her enter, which I didn't, there wasn't a chance. It was a pretty good show though.

I think I'm going to try to take Bonnie for a short walk tomorrow. I'm doing pretty well today. Yippee!

Prayers for J-P traveling on Monday would be good! He leaves at 1 pm PST.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Good chilly morning everyone!! We are at a balmy 16*! We are to get up to 30. Almost above freezing LOL.
Diane, yes, most deep chested dogs are top heavy. A majority of boxers can't swim worth a crap, but there are the smarter ones that have tried it out. We actually let Tyson try a couple times in a swimming pool. He was in the 3' section. He did try, but then started to sink like a anchor. He does play in small creeks and such, but nothing deeper than his belly. Alyssa had to rescue him once this past summer in the creek. Mike was on one side and she on the other. Tyson decided he wanted to go over with "Sissy" and got into the deep part. Thankfully she was on the bank and walked over and grabbed him by his harness. He just looked at her like "What the heck did ya do that for?" LOL Silly pup.
Kate, (was it you?) ebay has some nice saddle bags. I am going to be getting him one of these, just not sure which one yet
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dog-Pet-Day-Tri...ultDomain_0?hash=item35a4bf973c#ht_1388wt_939

http://cgi.ebay.com/For-Dog-Pet-Cam...ltDomain_0?hash=item3359c01885#ht_2363wt_1165

Nell, so glad you're getting the moving taken care of this week. You'll feel so much better being in a place you want to be in. I am sooo happy for you and Marti.

Robin, hope you got dug out of the weekend snow! Hopefully the frozen ponies will thaw soon.

Mike and I are going to be checking out a gym. It is in my hometown, about 15 minutes away. It is $30/month for 1 person and $40/month for 2 people. From what mom told me it is pretty nice. So we will be checking it out. Mom seems to think it is open 24 hours, but I personally find that hard to believe just in the town it's in. I am thinking it may be open late. Tris and Levi belong to it now, as well as her MIL and FIL and my best friend (MIL's sister) and her husband and their dad. I am very anxious to check it out. Hopefully this week sometime.
Ok, have to go. Need to get ready for work. Don't really feel like going after being off a week, but the checkbook says I have to. I'll try to catch up later. I will have to clean offices tonight since I didn't get them done last week or over the weekend
Have a great day everyone!!

 

[kater]

Hey Pony! I told the landlord before Christmas we were moving and all he did then was confuse me. He started talking about how we were giving up our dream of homeownership and all kinds of things until my head was spinning. : Honestly, our rent is significantly above the market and This new place will be some much better for us! I'm sending a return receipt email the day we leave so that we don't have him over here. You see, the money he's holding for last and security will pay us through the end of the lease. We're actually moving out two months early just to be in a better situation and have a new start. This past year has been very difficult. Plus the place we found is in such a nice area and the right place, so all signs are saying go.

Nell - I am so happy that you are moving somewhere else. It is so important to feel "at home" where you live. Is the landlord going to do a walk through with you when the house is empty? If he isn't, you should take some pictures so there are no disputes about the condition of the home when you left. Also, if he rents it right away, you are entitled to some of your money back (at least in CA that would be the case).

Keep us posted on the process and let us know when you are ready to spend your first night in the new place.

 

[kater]

Kate: I have to side on the poop side rather than throw up. Something about it lays me out on the floor. The first time J-P got sick, I bravely told Tom to sleep so he could get up for work. He then found me with my head pressed to the cold toilet trying to revive myself. I can do broken arms better than throw up. That child of mine would still to this day call for his Dad in the night, LOL! And you know what happened when he got drunk and barfed! He's since sworn off alcohol.

I just remembered that my sister is in a private box at the Grammys so if I didn't see her enter, which I didn't, there wasn't a chance. It was a pretty good show though.

I think I'm going to try to take Bonnie for a short walk tomorrow. I'm doing pretty well today. Yippee!

Prayers for J-P traveling on Monday would be good! He leaves at 1 pm PST.

Be oh so careful on your walk today! No re-injuring yourself! I think Bonnie might decide that you are her new best friend (sorry Tom).

Prayers for J-P have already started!

By the way, I watched a lot of the X Games. It seemed like whenever I turned it on, I could just watch the events. With the Olympics, I feel like I watch and there is so much stuff in between the actual events that I get bored and stop watching.

 

[kater]

Kate, (was it you?) ebay has some nice saddle bags. I am going to be getting him one of these, just not sure which one yet
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dog-Pet-Day-Tri...ultDomain_0?hash=item35a4bf973c#ht_1388wt_939

http://cgi.ebay.com/For-Dog-Pet-Cam...ltDomain_0?hash=item3359c01885#ht_2363wt_1165

Thanks, Kathy. Yes - it was me. I am going to check them out. If I think about what I am carrying when I have a poop bag, I have to work really hard not to gag. Probably TMI for this morning...

Stay warm today! The high today will be 55! Low 45.

P.S. I just looked at the saddle bags. Brad would laugh if I got a "camo" one. I always call Halle - "Hallerina my ballerina" and Brad laughs and says she couldn't wear ballet slippers, she needs combat boots given the size of her feet.

 

[kater]

For those of you that have been kind enough to ask about my niece, Kristi, below is from my sister:

"Kristi has been moved back to ICU as they try and figure out what keeps making her sick. The supposition is that there is a bacteria attacking her liver which is causing a secondary infection in her lungs. The family of bacteria is Non-tuberculosis Macro bacterium. This variety is very slow growing and are found virtually everywhere in our environment. They can also remain latent in body for long periods of time. Many types are resistant to antibiotics so we are waiting for more information before we start treatment. We should have DNA tests back on Thursday or Friday. Most likely we will never know how or where she picked this up.

Through all of this, Kristi remains committed to getting stronger and even though she can't go to her therapies she continues working at getting stronger. She has not lost sight of her goals - walking, riding, skiing and returning to school and graduating."

Kristi has been in the hospital since November 15th. She was in the ICU until Jan 5th and then moved to a rehab facility closer to my sister's house. She was moved back to the ICU earlier this week.....

 

[corinnak]

Good Morning, MM Warriors! Please pardon the intrusion - I am here to invite you to a WISH-wide social event!

In spite of this weeks' question being all about ice cream, things are already starting to warm up at the W.I.S.H.-Wide Monday Mixer!

What is the Best Ice Cream Treat on WDW Property? Include a picture or a story, if you have one!

Come and join us - it's lots of fun! (plus, I'm about to bust out the beverages!) See you at the Mixer!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kate: Kristi’s illness is so shocking – that this could happen to a healthy young girl and we don’t even know where it came from! We’ll continue to pray that Kristi improves and that her doctors will find the key to turning this around for good. We’ll never know how Olivia got her bacterial infection either. She did have her armpits waxed, but says she is certain the pain in her breast was present before the waxing. I read about a lady that nearly died from an infection after having a bikini wax. The infection went into the veins in her legs very quickly. I’m sure the doctors will know much more after the DNA testing is done. This is a good reason to watch Food, Inc. and/or to encourage people to stay away from foods with antibiotics in them. We’re becoming alarmingly resistant and they won’t work for us when we need them. Poor Kristi; she has a lot of goals and we just want to see her get up and go after them. Keep us posted, Kate, and thanks for the update. I worry about her all the time.

I’m so glad you guys are getting saddlebags for the dogs. I hate it when people tie the poop bag around the dog’s neck! Yuck! Bonnie won’t go poop unless she is at home so we don’t have to carry bags on our walks – nice of her, huh? She wants her Dad to have to pick it up, lol!

I thought the same thing about the X Games, Kate. We’re big Olympics fans, but I often tape things so we can make our own replays, or to eliminate commercials and extra bits. I get so choked up for the athletes. You know they have worked so hard and I’m so proud for them. It always makes me cry when they show their parents in the stands! We’re really rooting for Apollo Anton Ohno. I’ve always loved that guy!

Oh, this is funny. I woke up earlier than I wanted to and found a baby lizard sitting in our master bathroom. I'm not afraid of lizards, but I didn't want to pick him up and I didn't want him to die! I didn't know what to do! I used another bathroom, went back to sleep and when I woke up, he was sitting on the threshold to our balcony door in our bedroom with his nose pointed to the door. Smart! I shooshed him out with a towel. Whew! They are cute and good for my yard, but only outside!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Nell: That was really, really good advice that Kate gave you about taking pictures. Put a newspaper with the date on it so you can prove when you took them. It's equally important to take pictures or a film of the new place. When J-P moved, I went online and read about what was legal to charge for repairs, cleaning, etc. in Oregon. Each state has their own laws, but they are easy to find online and quite helpful. I would never have known he would be expected to clean the blinds and cords!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Good evening everyone. Work pooped me out today. Ready for bed, but I want to watch House at 8. I did get off around 3, but went to the mall to look around a bit. JC Penny, Bon Ton and Sears, and such are having huge deals. Penny's and Bon Ton were awesome. I didn't buy anything, although I did consider it many times LOL. I did buy a new blender at Bon Ton. The mark down price was I think around 59.00 and I got 70% off that. So I ended up paying just over 19.00 for it. It is a bar blender, but will work great for Mike's milkshakes, and any smoothies I may want.
Lisa, I had to read twice when you said about people tying poop bags around their dogs necks!! That is animal abuse in my opinion. We carry a walmart bag if we are out in the woods or somewhere without a trash can. When we walk uptown, he always poops near the trash cans LOL. Have you heard from J-P? Just wondering if he made it there or not. Wasn't sure what time he'd be leaving in PA time. Can never remember how far behind you guys are!!
Kate, I also don't really like the camo, but that is all they have in the medium size that I need. I may wait a bit to see if they get any other colors. His harness and collar are black, but I believe with the saddle bags they are used as the harness also. I just want to be sure all the straps are padded or it will rub his "arm pits" raw. We had that happen with a harness rubbing. Also, when you "load" the packs, just make sure they are even on both sides.
Nell, also, you may want to take pictures of the house you're moving into before you move in as proof of anything that may need fixed so you aren't blamed for it. I agree with the pictures/videos of the one you're moving out of.
Ok, need to figure out supper. I think Mike is wanting grilled cheese, and I think I'm going to heat up some shrimp in the freezer and put a bit of butter and garlic on it.
I'll try to catch up later.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: Yes, I have seen those bags tied to their collar areas. Makes me sick, too!

For the saddlebags, if it doesn't come with enough cushioning, you could use that fleece stuff they make seatbeat covers with that velcro on. You could move the velcro and add new if you need it to be narrower to fit over the straps without moving.

Have a good dinner and a restful night!

 

[Wisteria1956]

I forgot to say John-Paul took off from Portland about two hours ago and he will land in WY at 5 their time, which is Mountain Time, so I think it's one hour ahead of me and 2 hours behind you. I think! He bought a new HD camera with video capability so he can record the highlights of his trip. I told him I hope it's the first of many! I really want him to be able to travel so I encouraged him to wait one more year to buy a house since he's only been self-employed this year. I think it was wise to take some time to enjoy life a bit more. He got a high-pressured job the day he graduated and only took two weeks off between college and working. I hope he can go to Europe, New York, etc. soon. We got married young and didn't travel much until we were older. Still haven't made it to Europe so I hope he does get to see more of the world before he has a family and more responsibility.