September

 Well,for my neck of the woods the first day of school was Thursday, September 4th.  On the 3rd it was meet the teacher and unload all the crap they wanted into your locker.  The one thing both Kel and I ascertained was this classroom was bloody damn warm!

Clint would get on the bus in the morning at his house but get off the bus at the Library, which is just down the street from my house.  Why the bus can't drop him off in front of my house is unknown but a short walk is no big deal. At least not this time of year,but once we get snow and cold weather, this may not seem like such a cool idea.  Whatever, he thinks Kindergarten is awesome and having a good time.

This is one of my favorite photos, we are on a 4-wheeler and my sister and I are just hanging on while Kel wheels us around.  It was so much fun.  One day I really need to learn how to handle this 4-wheeler on my own. Hell even Clint operates his 4-wheeler!!!

Sadly the warm weather is leaving us and now its prepare for winter. You know "winterize the house,"and that doesn't mean throw a blanket on it -- wish it was that easy!!!

I began winter prep by pulling all the flowers out of the flower pots and hope to take that lovely top soil and spread it amongst my rose bushes.  I also got the air out of most of the pool items and bought bright orange storage tubs to put all the pool stuff in for winter.  Soon we shall empty the water from the pool,not all but a good amount, remove the pump and cover with tarp, weighted down with jugs filled with water to prevent it from blowing off.  Have been told this will work nicely and no need to completely take down and store pool (that would be a real pain in the ass).  Then of course we have patio furniture that needs to be packed away along with table and chairs.  It just sucks that summer is over and we have to wait another year to enjoy the pool.  

Have no real idea what in hell I was doing but obviously thought this hat was worth a try on...what the hell.  So, things are looking good.  I did something to my shoulder and after an X-ray, was told physical therapy was in order, so I have been going to that twice a week.  One nice part is the shoulder massage, now that is delightful and yes, my shoulder is starting to feel much better.

I just love how as I age, various body parts decide to break down or create issues for me, what the hell.  In October I'll see my urologist and have my kidneys check, I am having no issues so hopefully no stones are about and if we see any, I'll have them blasted.  Not gonna wait like I did the last time, holy shit, that was a long process to get rid of that sucker.  Teeth cleaning is on the calendar in November as is my six month check up at the VA clinic.  

December gets interesting:  dexa scan and then see my oncologist - fun shit.  Dermatology this month too.  I also see the eye doctor to get eyes measured for surgery in January!  On the 23rd lab work for eye surgery in January.  Then in January I get medical clearance from my provider so I can have cataract surgery -- holy shit.

However, the game plan is everyone must stay healthy so we can head to Florida in April next year.  It's been way too long. Haven't seen my older sister in almost two years and my Nam buddy -- way too long and we got lots of crap to share.

Just in case you wondered!!!!

So that is my updates -- have a lovely weekend and stay happy!!!

Summer is Almost Over

Here are three of my four grandchildren and one great-grandchild, yes, the kid on Kyle's lap is his son.  I have not seen him yet but he looks just like his Daddy and he's a cute little devil.

I cannot believe it is August 27th and soon summer will end and kids will be back in school. We have had some pretty weird weather for summer too. Worse is the notion that winter is gonna be colder this year than last year.  That is not something I wanted or need to hear.

Today I shall attend my first, ever, physical therapy session. I have no idea what I did to my right shoulder but it aches and I mentioned this to the VA provider who sent me down for X-rays. Then I waited a few days and sure enough the VA said I needed PT and I could have it wherever I wished, which was not at the VA center three hours from me.  Plus they sent me some cream to apply and suggested, strongly, I wear gloves. The suggestion was so strong, they sent me 300 gloves (100 per box) and three tubes of cream.  It does work but don't let it touch other spots or you will pay the price, I am using the gloves, thank you very much.

Also a few months ago I mentioned I had this dry cough and was given some pill to take, three times a day. When the cough went away, I just took the pill in the morning and at night.  Now, I'm thinking it was all due to this heavy pollen but whatever, this pill worked. When I inquired if I could get another refill, I was told perhaps I needed "Omepazole" which is used for acid reflux amongst other things.  One week of that pill and I stopped taking it, sore throat, nausea and diarrhea convinced me this is not for me. Called the clinic to let them know and haven't heard a word from them!

As long as I'm on the medical kick, saw the eye surgeon the 20th and yes, I need cataract surgery. That will happen in January, both eyes but not at the same time. Get this shit,when done, I most likely will need reading glasses only!

So while the summer weather has been goofy, Clint and I have definitely enjoyed the pool. We swim almost every day or when the weather permits and he loves to dive for dive sticks, etc.  I swear he prefers to swim underwater than on top but that's okay, he's having fun and knows his limits.
The worse part is always having to put the ladder in and out of the pool.  It's not exactly heavy but awkward and just a nuisance.  
My son-n-law has said, more than once, "best investment you ever made Meme."

I really miss the Minnesota kids and wish they lived closer or we could visit more often. As my dau -n- law is having medical issues, traveling here is just impossible. They are using all their sick and vacation time going and from the Mayo Clinic.  Hopefully she has found the right meds and is on the mend. But I'm thinking next summer, we really should head out for a visit.

Oh ya in November another baby,a boy, shall arrive and I think Kel is ready now. She is getting bigger than a barn and he's one active little boy, kicking and moving constantly.  So we'll have a baby here for Thanksgiving.  She is hoping he arrives on her brother's birthday too.

Well, that is my update for now. You all have a great day.  Hugs

AUGUST

Not sure when it hit me, that all this wine was probably gonna cause me to have this huge thirst later on.  Then, my sisters were talking about burials and it hit me, if I drank this much, I should just be bottled.

 Now here's a wine I have not tried. Oh, just to share an insight, I really am not as wine drinker, I prefer beer but occasionally I tend to slip my lid and drink wine.

It was the birthday weekend, August 1st - August 4th and we headed down to Wilson, NY for a luau party, costumes and all.  Man, was this ever fun.  Lots of food, games, booze and wonderful conversations.  We spent another day down here and on Sunday did a wine tour, holyshit balls, I think I consumed more wine that day than in my entire life.  Also bought bottles for Thanksgiving.

Now this is my grandson, my role this summer, amongst other roles, was to teach him to swim. But first I needed a bigger pool.

Got the pool set up and now lessons began.  What was funny was he was more interested in learning how to snorkel than swim. So four lessons later, he was snorkeling like a pro and this proud Grandma was tickled pink, we both snorkel all about this pool and know we can snorkel anywhere now.  Then we got serious about swim lessons, he realized he could reach the bottom, which was good, gave him more confidence and within a day or two, he was swimming across the pool like this was normal.  However, he also discovered he could swim underwater across the pool too.  Now we really needed to get ear plugs.  By the time his parents took him on their family vacation to Bar Harbor, he was swimming like a pro.  The only fall back is he has informed me I cannot swim unless someone else with me, no swimming alone Meme!!!  We also have a firm rule, one hour in the pool at a time.  You can go back in later but one hour is sufficient.

And my cardinal keeps coming back and as you can see, he brought his wife this time too.  They are very shy birds and you have to be extremely patient to capture them on film.

The last few days have been rough.  Robin Williams ends his life, having fought depression and decided it was easier to just end it all.  Then Lauren Bacall -- she was 89 and had a full life too. It is sad that so many of the big time actors are slowly leaving us and we are left with the new ones who have yet to fully impress us.

Had my VA appointment yesterday, hey, BP,cholesterol and all is good.  Might had some acid reflux issues so getting some meds for that, plus my shoulder is hurting so had an x-ray, will need to wait on the findings but may need physical therapy, hope that is all as I do not relish more surgery of any kind.

On the 20th I see the eye surgeon to see if I should have cataract surgery.  for some reason this scares me more than anything else.  However, I have been told so many advances have been made over of the years, that this is no big time now.  Ya right!!!

So that's my update.  Soon school shall resume, in November I shall have another grandson and life remains good.  Stay happy my friends and keep smiling.

Summer is Here

Okay,not sure where to start as its been awhile since I posted anything on this site.

Here's pre-K graduation photos --  it was so hot that day but he was one happy young man and his parents were proud of him:

Then it was time to get serious about swimming, so first we needed a bigger pool.  That done, it was now time to learn how to snorkel and swim...oh man, was this ever fun:

We even managed to have brunch out on the deck once we got everything set up...

Silly photos of Clint and his mother!!!

So now it is July 8th and we had a lovely family BBQ on the 4th out at the farm. Pat and Patti hosted and family was invited and asked to bring their own chairs, drinks and a dish to pass if they wanted and trust me, there was tons of food.  Patti's brother, Dave, makes his own wine which is great and even had some homemade moonshine. I took a small sip, loved it but would pay the price later as it went thru me faster than I care to recall.

Anyway, I managed to teach Clint how to snorkel (4 lessons and he had this down and we were like pros snorkeling all over the pool),then we got serious are swimming, dog paddling and he mastered that too. Then he decided he liked to swim underwater and dive down for items, so he is now a diver too.  He always reminds me to put in his ear plugs, thank goodness.  Needless to say, he and I are tanned beyond words this summer.

Currently Kel and family are camping in Bar Harbor so my swim buddy is not here but that's ok, our weather got a tad chilly and that water is friggin cold.  Oh and the wind was alot stronger than we realized and it literally lifted our awning and flipped it up and over the deck.  So we shall need to replace that sucker...its been good to us since 2006.

Today my sister is due up unless her car is on the fritz.  Some interior light is on and we have no idea what that is about so she is stopping at the garage before she leaves the city and heads to the country.  It'll be so good to have her here for a few days.

Hope you all are having a grand summer.  Mine is going great.  My mammogram last month was negative, no cancer. I see my oncologist next week for my check-up but this should be a walk in the park.  I do have an eye appointment in August, cataract may need to be removed or some such shit, its an eye surgeon appointment, so we shall see.  Colonoscopy will get scheduled for December (supposedly needed another one after three years and its been 3, if this is clean I suspect I'm good for ten).  It's not the exam its the damn prep, that shits the bed (pun intended).

Been working out with these 25 minute exercise programs, dropped two pant sizes, getting toned and while the scale doesn't seem to move much, I feel great and folks say I look great, so what the hell, I'm sticking with it!!!

Happy Mother's Day

By golly Mother's Day is right around the corner, in fact its this Sunday.

I sure miss my Mom who went home in 2002, but I know she is happy, she's with her Mother,her beloved husband, her sons and various other family members.  And she can see and do things that on this planet she could not do because of illnesses.

Ya,I am still working out and what amazes and stuns me, is altho the scale doesn't indicate a weight loss, I have dropped two pant sizes and what I wear now is damn comfortable.  I don't want tight slacks so this is perfect.  And I am actually starting to see my abs,which have been hiding under layers of fat for years.  Ye gads, for someone who has always been pretty active, I really let myself get into a sedate mode way too long. Okay, I was sick and needed to slow down and take care of that shit, but that's over and now, back to activity. What amazes me as I get older is that you still can't do things as fast as you once did and once you understand and accept that, its alot more fun.

I see this and it reminds me of Tank and I riding in Nam.  Oh those were the days.  Its a wonder we didn't kill ourselves but we did have a good ride and fun that day.

I'm not sure if Spring has arrived or not. I know that we have had lots of bloody damn rain and my webbed feet are proof of that. Plus, its not just rain, its a chilly temp that soaks right into your bones and keeps you cold.  Pretty damn bad when you are forced to crank on the heat in May because its 30 degrees and you're cold!!!

So to all who still stop by and read my blog, enjoy, have a great Mother's day and hey, keep smiling.

Happy Easter

Yes, Happy Easter.  Woke up and the temp was 28 degrees, now two hours later its almost to 40 -- wow.

This is my holiday plant, can't really call it a Christmas cactus as the sucker blooms all year and at the oddest times. Whatever it is pretty and I haven't killed it yet, which in itself is quite a feat.  Of course, my sister tends to call me and reminds to water the sucker and dead-head the dead flowers.

As the weather gets nicer, the birds start flocking around the feeders.

This particular woodpecker has found his personal diner and comes every day.

The cardinals, both male and female have come twice, but being shy, it really takes some "stealth" to capture them on film, but I shall sooner or later.

This fence photo just caught my eye. Different view point  and kinda interesting, don't ya think?  It was our first time up at the ball field since last summer/Fall. Ground is still damp in spots but Clint loved being able to run around and of course, within seconds, found the sand pile.

King the Rock...as you can see, we still need hats and coats, it's not that warm yet.

And of course we have "critters" that make life interesting.  Wood chuck who is fat and busy and then, wild turkeys in my front yard. This is most unusual but what the hell.

So today is Easter and I have 8 people for dinner.  Best of all, I'm not really doing the cooking, Patrick is, he is fixing is ham and my role is quite simple and easy, peel, cook and mash potatoes.  I believe Kel is fixing Brussels sprouts, veggie tray and dessert.  We got shrimp to nibble on and I need to hide Easter eggs for Clint to find -- we colored them yesterday. This was a project he and Aunt Penny were gonna do but she is sick, so it fell to me.  

Hope the weather warms up, this 40+ is not warm enough. Have a lovely day and please, take a moment and reflect on why we have this special day!

Still winter

 So, its March 24th and we have yet to see anything closely looking like Spring.

In fact, woke up and the temp was minus 10 this morning.  Oh it is sunny and all that but its also freaking ass cold.

More cold weather is predicted this week as well, with possible more white stuff.  Hello, we don't want anymore and if what we have would just melt, slowly, we'd be quite content.  A fast melt will be a major flood and we don't want that, picky shits aren't we?

Ya, we'd like to be spring chickens. It is my understanding that even Florida is not exactly warm and other southern states have definitely felt the effects of this rather long, cold, nasty winter.

I don't call this "global weather," I just call it a long damn winter and I'm sick of the tundra number. Now, when its this cold and windchill's -35 or more, even I don't care to be outside sno=shoeing or just walking about.

Last week  I got to spend part of an evening and most of Thursday with my sister.  It has been a long time since we have seen each and yes, we miss our sister in Florida too.  We truly had a good time and nicely entertained folks at Macy's as well.  Well, the clerk did say to us; "if you apply for a Macy's card, which only takes a minute, you'll get 20% off and then, I'll give you another 10% coupon."  So we said, what the hell, go for it.  Now, they needed a driver's license, credit card, and other information, such as date of birth, SS number, annual income (she said we could say zero) and other shit.  Penny goes first, can't remember her SS number, so she makes one up but later admits that might be wrong, for income she says $200,000.  And within seconds she has a temporary Macy's card and the shirts that cost $12. are now $6.  So,now its my turn, I know my SS number and for income I wrote ZERO! Within seconds I was on the phone with some corporate ass confirming information and when she got to the income part, I calmly said, "hey, I'm on a day pass here."  Needless to say I did not get a card, so I used my sister's and still got my shirts for $6.  We told folks behind us they might want to go to another counter but no, they preferred to stay and watch this performance, it was alot more entertaining.

Ya, you jerk people around and you wonder why folks don't want your goddamn cards.  Give me a break, I don't need this crap and I have no Macy store near me, so who gives a rip.

Regardless of all this bullshit, it was great fun hanging out with my sister, laughing and catching up on family gossip, etc.  She hears one thing, I hear another, etc.  Sometimes what we each hear matches, which is shocking as hell.

Thursday afternoon we head back north, in and out of snow storms but the drive wasn't too bad.  Stopped for KFC and altho I love this stuff, its the most fattening food you'll ever consume. Friday was spent doing laundry as Hubby was leaving Saturday and for some strange reason, wanted clean clothes, he can be so damn fussy.

The best news, and hopefully this will occur, is Penny may visit me this coming week.  Again, with our weather its hard to confirm trips because you just don't drive in snow storms unless its absolutely vital.  We all have done the blizzard drive on I-81,and no thank you, we shall avoid it as much as possible now.

Here are some thoughts about growing older:

• Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
• The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
• When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think Algebra
• You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
• If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you're old.

Have a good one and stay warm (or cool if you happen to be where its warm).

March It Be

Well,its March and the cold weather continues to drive us nuts.

It was -19 on my deck this morning, you could have seen a sparrow fart is they were out and about, but they were not!   Its just been too damn cold.

This is how Grandma workouts out, well, some Grandma's this Meme, doesn't do this, I actually work out.  I'm such a nerd.

Okay, this month all us Irish folks will do the jig, ya, like that is gonna happen, not.

Years ago my sister put on quite an Irish spread, including green beer and later, everyone headed downtown to some dance party and raised all kinds of hell.  It was a grand ole time.  I'm hoping the weather gets warmer so we can really kick up our heels

So what's been happening in your neck of the woods?

I know that Warroad,Minnesota hasn't seen above zero temps since November, talk about frozen tundra.  Now they are use to cold winters, snow and ice but even they are sick of this nonsense, its just been friggin cold.

My darling sister has nicely provided me with a new nickname, hell I don't even remember the other one.  But now she refers to me as the "surgeon slut," due to the many surgeries I have had.  For example on Feb 25th I was at the Hepburn hospital having surgery (they call it that but I'm not sure its really surgery) - a cystocope and uretreoscope exam, laser lithotripsy and stent removed. Oh yes,great fun.  But once done, it was nice to know the stones were gone.

Then this Monday, March 3rd I had an eye appointment and was informed I needed to see an eye surgeon and have cataracts removed.  But I would not be able to get in to see the eye surgeon until August. However the next day I called the eye doctor to see if I should seek someone else due to this wait and he said, "no, if it was that serious I would have called and gotten you in much sooner, it's okay to wait until August."  So I took a deep breath and relaxed.  It was upon learning this, that my sister who had some run-in with some asshole in a grocery store, and she was steaming,texted our older sister and said; "guess who had an eye appointment today and now needs to have cataract surgery?"  Older sister replied, well isn't your day going nicely.  To which younger sister answered:  "not me, the surgeon slut." At that point everyone was roaring with laughter.  You see all three of us have cataracts and at some point all three will need this operation---guess I get to go first.  But they have made many advances since my parents and brother had this done and I'm not overly worried or concerned.

Today I visit the VA clinic -- I really have not been happy with this clinic for some time but hell, they are listed as my primary provider, so I will go in, have them listen to my chest, take my BP,etc and smile and leave.  Such a pain in the ass performance.  While I am doing this, hubby is heading to Office Max to get two new computer chairs, they are on sale and he has decided we need new chairs.  The old chairs will be taken outside and used in our time out, bar area near the deck this summer...hey, we might as well be comfy while sipping our drinks,right?

So here is your workout routine -- get the wine bottle and enjoy!

Snowing...still

 Well, you might as well find something to do because the snow ain't going away and neither is winter.

Kinda hard to photo yourself sno-shoeing but what the hell, you get the idea.

The snow as deep and Clint plowed in front of me and made a path, it was pretty funny and he loved prodding thru the snow.  But later, he would inform me he was hungry and we needed to go inside.  

Once inside I fixed him some breakfast, he ate two bites and that was it -- now I knew he was sick, this kid is constantly hungry and rarely does he ever want to come inside.  We would get a nap in later for sure.

Oh ya, after the ground hog saw his shadow and it was announced six more weeks of winter (like this shit means anything, its six weeks regardless), we all were ready to kill that sucker.  What is really bad is the temperatures.  It has been brutally cold and that even stops many from skiing or doing much outside. Hey,who in hell wants to play in minus 27 degrees and fight wind chills that hit -35...not this puppy.  Needless to say, ski resorts are suffering this year, they got snow, plenty of that, but nobody can handle these damn cold temps.

I send this to the Minnesota folks, as they are having a horribly cold winter too.  Well,shit, who isn't this year.  Even the southern states are suffering and I mean suffering.  Ice, no power, no idea how to clear the roads and many places are closed and stores are empty of food items everyone wants, its really something.

So, I go back to the urologist on Monday and we'll see if these damn stones have finally departed my body.  Sadly he didn't do the uretroscopy bit or remove the stent on Feb 3rd but we did blast again.  Said the stones, particles of them at least are now in the urethra, lovely.  Now, if the next KUB shows them still there, definitely doing the other number.  Oh hell, put me out, go up and get these suckers and remove that goddamn stent, I am really sick of this number.

And yes, damnit, it is snowing today too.  However its 30 degrees and I may just don my sno-shoes and go for a short hike.  It's a great workout and it really is nice to get outside.  Breath in that fresh air and what have ya.

Hope all who are reading these blogs is safe, happy, healthy and warm.

Super-boring--bowl

 So you waited all day for the Superbowl and you fixed all sorts of eats too, right?  Your team wasn't playing but you decided Denver had this in the bad and altho the Seattle Sea hawks had come a long way, great team and all, they could not beat Denver, no way, right?

Don't you feel like an ass right now?  The very first time Denver has the ball, they screw up, Seattle has a touch back and Denver never really recovers --Peyton was so shocked by the toss from his center, he just could not believe his own eyes.

Then he gets intercepted a couple times and holy crap, it just kept getting worse.  I was in bed with my book before half -way, bored out of my mind.  Hubby would walk back and up date me on the score and we both realized, this was a no brainier, Seattle had this in the bag.

Like I said, my team wasn't playing but I was pulling for Denver as my nephew is a huge Bronoc fan and he truly hoped to see them win.  

So football over and now what?  I don't think the fun tennis matches start until later in Feb but I can wait.  There is always repeats and while some are boring as hell, others are worth a second or third watch.

Today I go in for my 3rd blast treatment...holy shit, must be a damn gravel pit in there. My urologist told me; "First off, this was a very big stone and you are doing nicely. Secondly, I have a three strike out rule, this will be your third strike.  However, this time I will blast, remove the stent, use a uretroscope and go up there and remove any particles with a laser beam (or perhaps he said basket).  At this point I didn't give a shit, I'll be out and I want that damn stent gone.  It's beginning to cause a burning sensation when I pee and well, its been in there since Nov, so its time to go.

Now I think this is a damn clever idea.  I use to keep my coat and hat by the door, if someone showed up and I didn't care to hang around with them, I'd tell them I was sorry, I was just on my way out and I'd proceed to my car and say, call me later.  Ya, I'm bad.

So how is your Monday going? Anybody reading this blog?  I'm so ready for winter to end.  We are being advised another storm will hit us by Wednesday, which will include more snow and back to the frigid temperatures.  This shit is really getting old.

Keep warm folks and have a good one.

Another Blast

 Hey, if you leave your window down and its snowing, this is what you can expect to find.  And believe me, it's not easy to get that stuff out of your car either.

Some years ago, a mate and I left the window down just a crack at some Winter Conference in Oswego County, when we saw the snow inside the car the next morning, we just stood there and laughed, what else could you do. Then we brushed it out, started the car and ran the heater, hoping like hell to not only dry the seats but warm up the car too.  It was colder the Hades that morning.

Now for my story, ready?  Back in November, my back began hurting me and I knew the kidney stone that had been laying about for nearly 5 years had decided it was time to come out.  It was pretty big and probably should have been removed much earlier but with all my other medical issues and this not bothering me, we left it alone. But now it was impossible to leave alone, it had to be blasted (lithotripsy) and the urologist would put in a stent to assist in the stone removal process.  Of course you do realize, once this procedure was over, I would have to not just collect my urine but strain it to collect stone particles, right?  Collection was tossed, stones were placed in a jar (that alone is an entirely other story).  

Went back to see the urologist on Jan 3rd and thinking today the stent comes out and my life goes back to normal. WRONG!  Seem this stone was showing parts still there and another blast was needed, so on Jan 6th, back to the hospital and more blasting, more collecting and more fun.  Then, this week on Jan 29th, went back in for a check up, you do understand, each check also involves an x-ray (KUB), right?  Once again, it seems not all the stones are gone - what the hell, it's like I got this goddamn gravel pit in there or something.

So Monday, Feb 3rd I go back again for the third blast treatment, but this go around, he'll use either or both a cystoscope/uretroscope and remove any remaining particles and also that damn stent, all while I am out cold, thank you very much.  

Earlier on Jan 29th I was at the dentist office.  Oh this gets fun too.  I needed the dentist to sign off on the medical release for the oncologist to give me this infusion number for osteoporosis,helps maintain healthy bones or some such shit.  But I also wanted him to check my jaw, because after my last blast treatment, that sucker was sore and I couldn't open it as wide as I would like.  Well, shit I have a minor case of lock jaw.  No disease or infection, thank goodness, and I can (1) massage my jaw with my hand, (2) use warm, moist compresses to the jaw area a couple times a day, and (3) just kinda open and close your mouth, stretching your jaw as much as you can.  In other words, nothing to worry about, but it is painful and it will go away (in my life time hope).

Now my Grand son is all for this.  The other day he informed me he wanted to play outside and I informed him, no way, its minus 17 degrees and way too cold. "But Meme," he says, " we need to plant a snow garden!"  Ya gotta love this kid.

A few weeks ago,he and I were kinda of wrestling on the floor, he is four years old and not a light weight, he is tall and solid, well, he jumped on my and I heard this pop and sure as shit, my rib popped.  Talk about hurt, ye gads.  I tape it at night and thinking, I should wear a tape during the day too.  Oh sure, if I go to see a doctor, they'll say wrap it up, take these pain meds and its just gonna take time. Screw that, I detest pain meds and due to this lovely procedure on Monday, I can't even have a bloody aspirin.

Oh you wanna know the real kick in the ass.  The day before the procedure, which is Super Bowl Sunday, I can only have liquid meals and I don't mean booze.  There goes my chicken wings -- screw it, I'll have them Saturday just to be sure I get'em.  Superbowl without chicken wings ain't gonna be the same.

In the meantime, I continue to workout with the Shaun T-25 focus DVDs, I completed both Alpha and Beta workouts, a couple of times and this week moved on the Gamma round.  Lots of weights involved which I find damn entertaining and I can see my arms getting toned, etc. Hell, I was even able to do a couple burpees this week and that is quite a feat in my book.

So along with friggin horrible weather, this polar vortez can go to hell, everything is fine here.  Hubby is doing good too.  Have a lovely weekend and cheer on your team, well a team at least.

ENUFF

I cannot add anything to this post, the graphics say it all...so sick of this cold shit.

Minus 27 degrees

Hello everyone, can ya believe it's 2014 and January is nearly over, well, come on, it's January 21st, that is more than half way in my book! 

Now you can call this weather the polar vortex or what ever, but let me just say,today if just friggin ass cold!

Lately we have seen it all: rain, sleet,thaws, floods, snow,green grass, mud and slick roads and sometimes bare roads.  But today we woke up to -degrees. Not that my friends is friggin cold.
I had hope to get out and do some snow shoeing but with a wind chill advisory and half the damn schools on two hour delays, I think it best to stay inside (preferably under an electric blanket).

On the health front, let me get the good news posted first.  My December mammogram was normal (hurrah) and my oncology appointment Jan 14th declared me cancer free!  I have another mammo in June and follow up oncology in July but hey, this was great news and I'm doing the happy dance.

On the bottom half, the news ain't so good, but not bad either.  Back in November,after nearly five or six years, my back began bothering me and it was time to blast this damn kidney stone, which was done and a stent was put in to help remove the blasted pieces.  Then on my Jan 3rd follow up, it seemed the stones hadn't completely passed and I needed another blast treatment and that was done Jan 6th  but the stent remain,damn.  So now I have a follow up (along with a KUB) on Jan 29th and hoping like hell, the stones have gone and the damn stent can be removed (this is done in his office).  

This is what the ice storm brought us a few weeks ago and yes, we had power outages and some damn slick roads.

However, the sheet of thin ice on top of the backyard, which slopes slightlty, made for a great place to slide and my grandson loved it.  Put him in a plastic sled, little push and away he went. Even Meme (that would be me) did it once but getting back up that icy slope was anything but fun.

Poor birds were having to bust thru ice to get to food and when I could I was insure the bird feeders were full too.  Love to watch them but haven't see a cardinal yet, oh well, they'll be back in due time.

Here's me taken last month or perhaps earlier this month.  I'm losing weight, and inches as I do this Shaun T-25 workout program.  It's only 25 minutes each day and I sweat like crazy but it works.  Also learning to make healthier food choices too.  Sorry, but I still want my sweets but learning to cut down on them,too much sugar is not good.

 I do hope your year is going smoothly and things are happening in a manner you can accept or at the very least deal with?  I know life tosses challenges at us but screw it,we just do what we can and tell ourselves, this side of the dirt is a lot more fun than the other side.  So, if you are sitting around and moaning, get off your ass and move.

Have a lovely day, keep smiling.  Oh, if all goes as planned I will be headed to Florida in April...oh man, that is one road trip I can't wait to start and it'll be so much fun to see my sister and my Nam buddy.