Mt_Rider

Might want to padlock the breaker box too, Little sister. We had to when we had long term family staying....and staying with us. Today I went to Rehab. "Bee" was very nice and DH and I communicated with her easily. Anticipated a lot of what she'd usually start out with..........cuz I've been doing adaptions for decades. Asked if I would see the speech/cognitive guy...yeah, in May. So first goal is to get me back so I can walk dog daily. [ fortunately DH has finally got her goofy self to run on our property only. But dog encounters with our birds could still be a problem.] But I've walked every nite except blizzards or lightning for years. Not in recent months.... So this P.T. will be a regular thing for a while. She tested muscle strength, control, reflexes [way too strong]. Balance with eye open and shut. She saw what she expected to see. FIRST TIME a medical professional has been on my track. [ Well, DrK did say "you rule out everything else and if you have these issues, its MS.......even if demylination doesn't show on MRIs". ...which is why I'm keeping her! ] Bee was anticipating what would be happening. She saw me walk, sit, stand..........and in the end, she saw how quickly a heat and exertion meltdown happens to me. Limp as DH hauled my purse/etc and I 'toed' my wheelchair to car and could barely transfer to car seat. Usually I hoist leverage my own chair up/into the back of car. DH's back makes it hard for him.. Not today. Put bandana over my eyes...leaned on car door (locked) and just zoned out for almost the whole ride home. Petting dog head that scrunched up next to me in back seat. Then I felt better. Today was harsh tho, because I had stimulation overload and it was too HOT in there. Well, I was too hot. I had gone wearing shorts under my sweatpants so shed the pants. Had a tank under other layers. Got my ice/gel packs out but couldn't actually get heat under control till I got back to the car. Really shaky. But our day was a bit on the cooooool side today. MtRider ...quite pleased, actually. Someone who isn't at all surprised/perplexed at my odd stuff!

We had no choice in CO..... they tell you when/what.....not if you'll allow. I have a question. I don't think I asked before. The electric pole guys and gals came out and worked on the poles a couple years ago. The drilled 3? deep holes into the poles around the base about a foot from the ground. Then they screwed in some large screw-bolts. Did that one the three poles I could see from our house. Should have gone to ask...didn't. Lightning? Not 5G.... ??? MtRider ........?? should I don the hat????

Virginia, my DH is getting the same MOHS treatment in about a week. for both of our hubbies! I'm with your dh - nervous! Trees blossoming, Mother....... We're still scheduled for snow. And cold. Spring flooding in IA - IL ....I remember. Sandbagging around buildings and at the levee on IA side. Get out of high school to do that. Concession building down there had High Water marks painted on one side. MtRider ......ooooh, did you say cranberry SCONES?

Yeah, what Annarchy said! MtRider

OH Jeepers!!! I am soooo sorry ALL this is happening to you! I do well KNOW the life stories that repeatedly have the phrase: AND THEN THIS HAPPENED...... so......... Sheeeeeesh! That said.... I think I can relate to this tooooooo much. Cuz the IRONY of it struck me as hilarious......as in......when you tell this story from the safety of years from now....it's going to be a great Grandma story. It would make a great magazine article or book. (that's what I keep hearing in my life ) So I'll admit that in relating to you in this insanity, I laughed til I was coughing/choking. I was reading it to DH. Not everyone sees humor but it's BECAUSE I can SO relate to the complete absurdity of these types of situations. Can't count how many times I've said NOW WHAT? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Reading your life here for all these years, Jeepers, you're one of the few people I know, that has so often has these completely bizarre You Have GOT To Be Kidding Me Situations! I've even learned to be sure someone knows me well before I even tell some of my stories. Really...you can't even make this stuff up! Too bizarre for fiction! Which is exactly what you're asking yourself in the middle of the night. "WHAT? Did I go to my Ohio house instead of the hotel by mistake?" OK, sorry. I'll be serious now. I am praying that you didn't get any more of your stuff water-damaged. I can't imagine how much you've already lost and have to just keep on. Give yourself some time to absorb this cuz it really is another blow to you....and more so cuz it's similar to the trauma you've been living in. Most people probably respond...at some point...with tears. But tough gals like us get the situation handled FIRST! You said you can move your own stuff down the hall...and DID! Then the emotions come. I do respond with laughter at my situations too. At the absurdity. But what I'm trying to say.....and I'm presenting this all backwards....go easy on yourself for the next days. You SHOULD pamper yourself. You've had a wonderful visit with your new home...and family ....and then THIS. I think it makes it more shocking to get this WATER THING slammed in your face.. AGAIN...at 2:30 AM no less! Just know that however you respond to this, is PERFECTLY REASONABLE....... { unless you're only being perfectly reasonable, KWIM? } Let out the frustration/sorrow/anger/whatever. This is beyond normal and yet.....God has this! And HE has you! Yeah, you can look up and say, 'really?' ..... but have no doubt that HE is there for you and will guard you from real harm. But you sure are being pressed right now! I agree that moving to Indy can't come soon enough! Do you have to keep the hotel until the house is done or lose the free hotel? Can you take frequent short trips to Indy to move things but retain the hotel....cuz you do have to keep an eye on Ohio end too. SO frustrating for you... GOD, we're praying for protection and strength for Jeepers. And wisdom to make decisions in this turmoil. And to protect her and her properties and family from more of this craziness. We've all had a time of long-lasting strain and it's horrid. Give her a time of ease within the events that need to happen with two houses. Give a push for the Ohio house to be finished and sell well. MtRider

Woke up to 22* cloudy....then sunny....then cloudy.... Wore my winter coveralls, underlayers for riding today. Oversized boots [formerly my dad's] with ankle supports and thick wool sox [reason for oversized boots!]. Stayed warm tho we'd gotten 5" of snow in the night and it was still snowing periodically. Dodging snow-laden pine branches again!!! Forgot my yellow lens sun/snow glasses. Rats! My eyes were tearing and barely open. Then, blessedly, the clouds came over and I could see. We just haven't had a lot of snow this year...forgot the sun glare. for the moisture tho!!! Tired after the ride but managed not to take a nap......heading for bed very soon! Why am I always ready for bed at the wrong time....like 5pm? MtRider

Blackberry hedges - kept tamed and trained- make great barrier fences. So I've heard. Like cactus? My friend does the same thing in Missouri - going thru the wild and open spaces. She uses an app on her phone that will I.D. when she takes a picture. Told me to remember that of the umbel family, Queen Anne has hairy legs [stems]. Not hairy, might be hemlock. I think I might be a little better with fatigue on the new med. Too soon to tell and I double it on Sunday. We'll see what that does. I have an uncomfortable habit of reacting sideways to meds. Have done pretty good today...but there's been a bit of anxious adrenaline. MtRider

Glad to hear Kappy and Chainsaw Mary and the critters are alright! Not happy to hear about your repaired back coming "undone".. Go thru that again? What choice but somebody should have anticipated that problem! Rotten! Glad to see Jeepers back and with such enthusiasm for her Indy projects. Lovely to look at the new....moving forward! Cuz as of yet, what's in Ohio seems to be stuck in the mud. You're gonna make this move happen, Jeepers!! Then you can spoil enjoy that GrSon all you want. Becca Anne...Too bad you're going into such a bad neighbor situation. But what can you do if one side isn't going to give what you legally have the right to.....no dog ruining your grand garden project of 2023...... We'll need pics, of course! My prayer request in the Blue Couch forum from this morning is coming out much better than expected. .....however, we got word later today about something closer to home that can be serious. I'll add that to Blue Couch too. It's been a long, arduous day. So....I want my bed pretty sooon! Hope you can sleep well, LittleSister...with help with sore body. Take it easier, friend! MtRider .....

Wow...that salad looks good. Maybe we can get some greens from store today. Mouth watering for SALAD stuff! Yeah, Miki. I'll post the whole sleep routine in a new post. She called it "Sleep Hygiene" which sounds to me like: how often you change your sheets! Doctor language. I'm going after your recipes too! I put a Prayer Request into the Blue Couch forum. Our pastor. Go there for more. MtRider ....see grief counselor this afternoon.

Just right, Little Sister! Your dd needs to step up and finish off the training of those kids. Esp when one is having baby. That may settle her...maternal instincts? Hope paternal instincts arise when he gets back too. Had a long day yesterday but got some First Aid stuff reviewed today. Not feeling too bad today. Our ducks and geese were finally able to be out on the pond. As of today it's ice free. They came right up to the duckhouse towards evening! Yay, they remembered! Dog is doing very well with running loose and staying on our property. Returns to the car or up to the house. She doesn't get out of car until our birds are inside their fenced area! Ms. Gleeeeful would love to run up to them to say HI!!! Was very happy to report to doc that her system of going to sleep actually works....even on me. Admitted that I was dubious but stuck it out for the 2 wks and had success. There are a few things that can interrupt it tho. But generally, I'm not taking anything. I'll keep the Unisom for those extreme nights but sure cuts down on how much I have to stock. AND Bro said mom will have her new phones -- desk style that she's used to -- with a new company for phone/TV as early as Monday. When we got cut off a few nights ago, it was ComCast that had the problem. Been passing hello's back and forth thru Bro. MtRider

for GS ...and his successful exit! Yay, 2 running vehicles! I know the feeling, Miki. Doc appt was okay. But I started getting overheated .....respiration # was way fast for me. Have not begun to carry ice packs...but neeeeed to! My body can't make up it's mind! Next appt....I'm wearing shorts! Then had to give blood again. Didn't take enough the first time. This time she must have nicked a nerve cuz it burned. The whole time she drew out vials of blood. But I survived.....cuz was laying back in the recline chair they have now. DH was in the other chair - also had a blood draw. I was very shaky but had the wheelchair. Lay down in the back seat of car all the way home. Then felt better til we had to unload. WIND was so fierce! Can't keep a hat on your head. I'm actually counting down the time til I can go to bed. I'm tired! MtRider

I hope you do take it a little easy, Little Sister. You don't need a relapse. You'll have to take pics like Kappy does, when your gardens start growing. Have we heard from Kappy and Chainsaw Mary lately? So many storms....hope they didn't have troubling weather. Tonite I talked with my mom for a while. Reminded her about pills and she took them. Then a few minutes later, in the middle of talking, I get a dial tone. Couldn't call her back. I can just see her getting frustrated and throw the phone. Her old phones were pick up to answer and set back in cradle to hang up. SIMPLE! MtRider

And...... last nite about 11pm her time, mom called me. She was not aware of her phone being on "busy" while I dialed and dialed. So we talked for quite a while and went to bed late. Caretaking from afar..... not easy. Bro is on the spot but is less familiar. He and I pass data and ideas back and forth. I'm now on duty to see she takes P.M. pills when we're about to hang up. Bro sets them up for her every Sunday in the weekly pill box. At least this time, she's agreed that she's not remembering so this is a good plan. I tried to do it before but she waved me off saying she's already taken them. Mebbe. Mebbe not. Then again......I recently surrendered and asked to have a neurologist appt because I'm watching my memory get worse!!! If mom was still here, we could move in to her house and DH could be caretaker for both of us. Other than living a half hour apart, that was kinda happening anyway that last year. But she has assistance coming in regularly and can go with P to stores and such. She's happier now that she's got someone who knows what "shopping" means. [ but I'm probably repeating myself here too... ] Warm sunny day. Mild wind. Snow almost vanished. Loved the moisture in any form! MtRider

Sheeeesh, Dude! Becca Anne is a medical person! In the days coming up, you and yours should want to be on real good terms with this neighbor! Real bummer about the hidden driveway. But now knowing that, would you have another use for an area with a solid base? Greenhouse? We had a much warmer day. I wasn't out much. Spent energy yesterday. Bro told me I need to tell mom to go check her pill box while we're on the phone each night -- cuz she had a very messed up week remembering to take them. This....the woman who I remember waking me up in the night so long ago, to take pills when I was sick. MtRider ....and it's time to call so that's it for tonite. PS: Can't get thru to my mom ....cuz she didn't push the right button to cut the connection....again.

We've been having lovely spring weather. Were getting dry tho. Then yesterday our temperature dropped somewhat. We had snow/rain/thunder snow/sleet/sunshine.....mix and repeat throughout the day. Today was definitely COLD but sunny. I had horse ride and dressed warmly. Needed every bit of it! So I was comfortable with silk long johns/jeans/nylon insulated over pants. Lots of layers on top. Insulated leather gloves. Ear band and knit hat over that. I was pretty comfortable .....EXCEPT all the pine trees had 4" of snow clinging to the branches/needles. The horse would go under the branch and you had to be a lot more wary about brushing against those snow-ladened branches. I tried to grab a branch behind me and pull....and let go. I was last in line so if they had any other rides, the way would be a little more clear of snow bombs. Now and then the wind would gust and blow snow on all of us. Not a lot. Until the wrangler and first 3 people really got into a blizzard flurry as they went between some close trees. Horses and riders were covered in snow. Fortunately, everyone was laughing. A tale to tell... DH picked up a med that the neurologist ordered for me. Possibly reduce my fatigue. It's an old drug and used for different things. But the info sheet had all sorts of gruesome potential [what percentage gets this stuff?] side affects. I'll start tomorrow. It would be Ever So Nice to have less fatigue!!!! MtRider ...Little Sister has Farmer's Mkt and we've got inches of snow everywhere...melting fast tho. NEED Moisture!

Interesting. Might be something to keep in mind......were any of us desperate for shelter. Easier than duct taping big leaf bags together to make something big enough. Keep unwinding from the roll.... .....and it wouldn't be hard to keep a look out....from the outside, you'd see right thru it = woods. Only a shine from sun reflection would reveal it but even then.....someone would be MtRider ...any port in a storm....tho not sure how storm-worthy...

Next in the saga of no electric in living room and 2 outlets in bedroom. Kitchen- bathroom- larger bedroom are fine. So our property managers B & J returned to our high altitude from visiting a low land state. B probably has c0v!d again. He was terrribly sick for a long time when he had it before. Tested today and we'll see. But he's got something. Also, he isn't adapting back to low O2 levels up here yet and needs supplemental oxygen constantly right now. HOpefully he'll adapt back when his body makes the extra red blood cells that is our survival up here. J had a terrible fall on the way back here. Caught her foot on an uneven sidewalk and bashed her head/eye on cement. Also her hands...maybe a broken finger? Good grief! So even if the breaker box just needs a new breaker for our missing living room electricity, we have to see if they'd expose us to the C. I'm at low ebb for health right now...tho I've not had C at all; even when DH had it. So we're all just going to wait a bit longer. It's not really a hardship...we're adaptable. We'd rather have them do the thing right than call an unknown electrician. Hey, we've got water/heat and lights in most of the house. We're good. Paradise, when you think about it. But pray for those two....how ridiculously awful! I'm still not feeling .....completely right. Not too bad. Not real good. Bearable but .... I'd like to continue sorting/clearing clutter/ORGANIZING! Um, not so much. MtRider ....

Yesterday was busy etc. So today I rested mostly. DH is making bran muffins. Have any of you used the silicone bakeware? He's using some I picked up for the muffins and they work well. Store easy. I think he does spray them so the muffins release. Got more boxes thrown away or split to keep. More left..... forever.... But pleased to look at the organized corner. Still no electric in the living room half of house. At least we have kitchen!! MtRider .....CO fire season has started. Blips of news from all over the state. We didn't get enough snow.

WOW, Annarchy. That prognosis is night and day from previous docs for MrA! Have a good time with we-know-who and his mommy/daddy too, Jeepers. You deserve a break!! Live in a whole house....even if it doesn't have much furniture. You've got the bedroom. Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers. Soooooo....yeah, me....skeered of needles. The "Vampire Dept" at our hospital called for me today. They said they didn't take enough blood. I need to give more. What??? I think...maybe not all of the doc's orders had been sent down yet. Or she added something. Cuz I went right from her to the vampires..... So...I'll go sit in their way-lean-back chair again. Hope I get the same gal. Mebbe she can't read doc orders but she can stick without me feeling it! Today DH decided we should clear that corner in the "living room". We do not have a living room cuz we had to move food/kitchen stuff into that area where a couch was years ago. [mice in lower kit. cabinets constantly ] Well...a corner holds a lot of stuff if you stack it high. BUT we had to make sure that outlet wasn't the cause of our current power outage in that half of the front end of the cabin. So DH started putting STUFF out on the porch. Perfect sunny, not windy, warm day. I pulled stuff out [cuz I know where I put it in...] and DH lined it up on the porch. I keep a lot of boxes cuz .....we've been forever going to "move back to Maui". That goal is a bit further back due to housing prices reallllly going up during the 'C'. Wealthy people went there to spend the pandemic and just work remote. Wellll....there was a lot of empty boxes in a lot of sizes. After sorting out food, I set up a bench and a set of shelves and all the current food fit back there just fine. I DO LOVE ORGANIZING....and then just gazing at the job when finished. I split the boxes I want to keep and they store nicely flattened. Speaking of flattened.......I could barely stand up to take a shower tonite. After a long day yesterday, I'm wiped out but ...I have another corner of ORGANIZATION! So we are assuming that our power outage is a bad switch in the control box. Nothing was wrong with the outlet back there. J/B will be back.... This Wed? I'm lost. That's like tomorrow? OK...we're ready. Bad news is: I have 3 or 4 boxes to sort papers and stuff. I can do that sitting down and resting! Sort of. MtRider ....might be flattened tomorrow or might have to push a bit if J/B arrive.

WE hit 90* today....in the sun! AND.......we're expecting SNOW on Fri nite into Sat. ....Maybe..... Or maybe rain. MtRider ....don't care. WE NEED MOISTURE. [gonna be one of those years if we don't get doused! ]

Saw neurologist today. She's fine. I'll have a rehab review to see if my MS adaptions are causing any muscles to overwork or grow weak. A cognitive eval cuz I can't talk or type - nouns/pronouns. I can't remember them. Can't remember where I've been putting an item - for the past 20 yrs. AND DH and I decided that I'd try a med to combat FATIGUE. That would be nice. Mid-summer, she wants MRI of brain again [still checking to see if it's there? ] but include the neck area. Had to chase my wheelchair across the parking lot...it's slanted and I was moving my purse, etc to the car. Turn around and bye-bye.... I'd used it as a rolling walker going out to the car. Caught it before it whacked into any other vehicles. MtRider ....ooof! I'm TI-YERD!

Yeah, Jeepers. Don't run out for bags. Just haul out to your Jeep and unload. ...and yeah. How do we older folks keep track of what's now Acceptable and what is junk? Cuz it all cycles back as Acceptable in another generation so....not staying too invested myself. We've always re-reused our plastic or paper bags. Most boxes too. [ we're moving to Maui someday, y'know] I store an extra pair of shoes in the car in those bags. And the Kleenex box and sweatshirt and..... cuz our car is FULL of black dog hair! We've used them for the bathroom and bedroom trash bags. Allllll sorts of uses. Even those with holes can be used for some things. A complete shred when the packers put 2-3 juice bottles in one THIN bag..... uh, no. When DH and I were doing our shopping and most of my folk's too....we'd have lots of groceries all over the car. We tied ours and left theirs loose- so sorting at their house was easier. Still got mixed sometimes. THAT was hard work cuz both houses had full set of stairs to the kitchens. But we have the pulley system which helps tremendously. MtRider ....

Darlene....I showed your pic to DH and we both went Awwwwwwwww! We miss Koa so bad sometimes. Yeah, please don't tempt me! I love seeing these huge Danes helping the little kids to actually walk...safely....again. Kind keeps the bullies away too, eh? MtRider ....Too bad there aren't 100 Carlenes cuz I believe there is that much need. She's really got the training system for the Dane personality.

Thanks for well-wishes, everyone. We had a cloudy but warm day. I rode and it was wonderful. Fresh air and exercise.... No...didn't fall off but I was plenty tired for rest of the day. I hadn't ridden for 4 wks. We're forecast for good weather for a while. Tomorrow - Easter, since we are alone now, we'll do a ham that DH picked up. Maybe he got sweet potatoes [if they're good this far out of season?] Thinking of putting one of my OLD stories down in Fireside. Not really finished but.... one of those I don't want to be coming true. Futuristic. I haven't begun to read all your stories on the last topic Mother got going. Anxious to do that too! Happy Bday Becca Anne! As for bags in stores, DH forgot to bring in our bags so he just puts stuff back into the cart....wheels it to car and unloads it. [we have many bags in the car]. MtRider

Happy Easter everyone. MtRider for so much that is not pleasing to HIM....but, we have the HOPE!