Mt_Rider

Sleep all messed up. Woke...slept...woke too late to get to our new Women's Bible study this morning. In fact I ate breakfast and went back to bed. Got up at 11:30am and felt much better. And...it's 11:59pm right now. {in another three minutes, I'll look again and it will be 2am. Really! That happens! } Had a video conference with doctor - med check. I'll be tapering off one of them. A good time not to be too medicine dependent...but most can't really manage it. I've only got one that I'm keeping till I can't - the one that fights MS fatigue. There are ways to get stocked ahead tho. Take advantage of the refill gaps....if your med has them. Unfortunately, I haven't been doing that. You slowly get a few pills ahead each refill. Not so you can misuse them!!!!!!!! But to make sure you've got a buffer if yours are among the back order. All of us here know this - so why haven't I been doing this? I "wake up" when 2 or 3 pills rattle in the bottom of the bottle - and I'm wondering if we can get into town before I'm completely out. Sheeesh! Yay, Miki....nearly 6 hrs of sleep! I feel for ya! MtRider ....will try AGAIN to get into bed and SLEEP.

Well I was in bed but DH was restless. So we were both awake too long. Tired today tho I slept in later. We're still in our mid-January thaw. We don't get them every winter but ..it's nice to get rid of a lot of snow before the next batch begins to fall. Called my mom early today cuz the usual time now lands right when I'm walking dog/putting up the birds for the night. Then I forget. She wasn't fully "together" today but her 'neighbor' stopped to go down with her to today's activity and she was willing to go. I need to lay down and just read Kindle....brain seems to be overtaxed. MtRider

Sheeeesh, Ambergris! Is someone going to check on you thru the night? Are you allergic to bee/wasp stings? MtRider

Right with ya, sistah! Especially TECH new things. MtRider

Ah...thanks Ambergris. I have some old REAL army blankets...somewhere. That would be good. Yeah, Mother. Glad you mentioned cutting up the meat. Forgot that part. Unfortunately other things popped up and I didn't have the hours to try this yet. Had to cook it the usual way - in the InstantPot! Done ..with potatoes (yellow ones that turned to mush in 40 min/pressure cooker mode) carrots, onions, mushrooms, etc. Toooo many things happening at once! I didn't get an early start. Will try it again sometime. MtRider

Glad you have a storm shelter, Mommato3! Tornadoes, etc are too common down there! Can it be a root cellar too? We had to warm up both vehicles this morning and take the car to get the electrical system fixed. Our mech is only a couple miles away and does electrical work...just in his shop. My old truck is a bit slow to change out of first gear in the cold. (automatic) Had to make sure it was warmed enough when we got to the driveway -- his is steeper than ours! Made it fine and had DH drive down the hill.....but only because I keep too much stuff on the floor of passenger side. He wouldn't have fit. Sun was out tho....bright! We had to go into the hamlet and run down the highway a bit. Had to get out and manually unlock the front wheel hubs from 4-wheel before heading out to the highway. And lock them again before climbing out driveway that's mostly packed down glacier snow by now. Warmed up the truck nicely and got that errand done. Forgot to pick up the Lehman's well bucket that's at the P.O. tho. Yeah...did another load of clothes....which I'm just remembering now. They're down the (outside) stairs in the washer. Not. Going. Out. Now. Cold and dark. We got up to 40* and the wind came up tonite but today was really nice comparing what we've had! MtRider

I'm thawing a roast. Potatoes, carrots, onions.... I think I've got it! 'Course mine will start on the stove and end up in one of those THICK styrofoam coolers that things get delivered in. I'll have to pad the sides well so the hot dutch oven doesn't melt my insulating box. I have other alternatives if I think that's likely but I hope it works. Maybe put a board inside to make sure the bottom is protected. ?? MtRider

It's still Wednesday for 10 more minutes in CO sooooooooooo........ HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER I hope and pray you're having some NICE weather for a change! Hope you had family around you! MtRider ...hmm, don't mind if I do.

Finally above zero and sunny. But the wind is kinda strong and bitterly cold! Had an appt this afternoon. I'm beginning the process of getting off a medication. We'll see if this will work. It would help if the stuff hits the fan and I can no longer get the med. I have another 'script for just sinus/allergies. I've got options with that one so I'm not worried. However the amantadine that reduces my fatigue levels.... THAT one I'm hoping to stock up on....JIC. Hope Jeepers got her furniture all placed into her house today!! MtRider

Yeah, I want to try the oatmeal too. MtRider

I'm still pondering how today's zero degrees caught me by surprise. I'm a weather person! But....but Sunday was warming up and then wham! We were -10* last nite and zero all day today and even now. Okay, I'll let that alone. It is what it is. With bitter cold, we haven't been outside too much. Kept ducks/goose inside except "balmy" Sunday. I've been successful in clutter clearing a few areas. Unfortunately, while some is getting tossed or donated, some just migrated to other areas. .....reorganization is a work in progress. MtRider .... stay warm and safe, everyone.

Oh this reminder will save standing out on the porch cooking forever! Thanks for digging these oldie-goodies back up, Mother!! MtRider ...WHY do we forget all these things??? { cuz having never done them bodily, brain doesn't store as well }

WINDY and chilly here today. Around 20* above zero. That was surprising that we didn't go below last nite. Still hovering around 20* now. But the wind across the snow fields is raw! Pellet stove blazing all day. Furnace is nigh on to useless...well, it does heat the back rooms. Mom reports that it's dreary and raining at her location outside of D.C. She doesn't like all the noise of it hitting her windows all night. I think she's feeling locked in...but who wants to go out in that stuff? I've gotten a few tiny areas cleared/organized. But ya know? You have to look behind you. Disorder jumps in and messes it up again! MtRider ...

We have the "Gatorade granola bars" but chocolate chip rather than those on the recall - peanutbutter chocolate. We've eaten the chocochip ones with no ill efffects. MtRider ....that, we would not need right now!

This article tells some of what isn't on the recall....like their basic oats and quick oats. (good, we just bought some - unused yet) However, it seems the recall has been expanding since the first listing so stay tuned????? https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-01-12/quaker-oats-widens-recall-of-granola-bars-cereals-linked-to-salmonella-risk This is from Q O site https://www.quakerrecallusa.com/ MtRider

Becca Anne for your wisdom in choosing. We just went thru that with Mom. As of early Dec, she's in a care home that has 3 levels. Independent Apartments. Assisted Living apartments -( kitchenette but not stove. Microwave/full fridge/sink/cupboards. ) That's the level Mom is at currently. Then there is the locked Memory Unit. More staff. Meals in their unit, not dining rooms. Sounds like Door #3 is appropriate for him. But it may also take some calming meds. The C virus is not helping the situation. Jeepers for your trip in the mess. Maybe double that cuz you're sick too! But, you sound like you've done what you can to prepare for the trip. Maybe check with the Amish (phone?) to make sure THEY can make the trip with this horrid weather?? I'm assuming they don't deliver with horses and wagon? It's exciting to "see" your Indy place coming together! Little Sister....hey, at least the young man is washing his own clothes now! Progress! I admire your ambition and energy in all that cleaning and canning! We're at MINUS 11* ...last I checked. Living room with high ceiling is getting cold. No insulation in the roof. {sigh} Gonna go to bed and get warm. ....and DH has to get his car to mechanic. Got pulled over and his tail lights were out tonite. No ticket but good advice to run with his flashing lights on. That car's electrical system is shutting down. Hope our guy can find and fix at least the necessary parts. I hope he works on electrical! One by one we lose power to overhead lights, dashboard lights (DH uses a flashlite to check speedometer after dark) and now this. Well, we do currently have the $ for it. MtRider

Finally I remembered to fill my 3 scripts as early as allowed. By doing that repeatedly, you have a slow back stock. DH has done that. I just never notice when I'm getting down to the last pills. One of mine I'd hate to go without - the newer one for less fatigue. Another one I can't just quit. Needs to be weaned off slowly. So I'm proposing to my doc to begin that process. The third was is for allergy/sinus. I assume that's not really an issue. Friend is sending me herbal tinctures and a book about their use. I'm really leaning hard towards that ....something I've always been interested in but have only picked up a few things here and there. So I can step out of the pharm stuff as much as possible......but CAREFULLY. MtRider

Trying not to get blown off the hillside today! Gusts made it very COLD outside. I avoided it. Not much noteworthy today. That I can remember, that is....? I am keeping an eye on weather and when our deliveries are expected. Have to rearrange freezer space in the next couple days. DH and I have been sending emails and links back and forth about things we'd need if we lost power in winter. Especially things that did NOT work last May. Heating food or water - did not work. Lighting was fine: even the little tea light candles INSIDE straight-sided jars like peanutbutter or jelly. And a pillar candle that must have had a crooked wick. It melted alllll over - within the jar! No mess. Keeps the air drifting from making the flame flutter as much too. WINTER has truly come to our little piece of the Rockies. MtRider

I've been keeping an eye on InComing Weather. Was super windy here today. I posted a weather alert in RURR.....potential for Polar Vortex. The data kept changing in the past 24 hrs so....not sure they know what it's going to do. Will be more out here in the west but as far as western MN -Iowa . Mebbe. Check it out and be prepared! Got the driveway plowed again. Wow, he was able to scrape down to dirt in most places. That will help melt..if we don't get more snow on top to cover the brown areas. Been researching some "bigger ticket" items that DH and I have been talking about. Made a choice - kinda rushed due to impending severe cold. Not sure delivery will come in time but..... We're so vulnerable w/o power and now we don't have my folks' place to retreat to. Feels kinda weird ...alone. I think your eventual move to Indy will be a very good thing, Jeepers. Since your son/dil up and moved over there! We all gotta have some back-up. MtRider ....God, keep the furnace on, please!

Snowy day....and cold...with some wind. Spent most of it talking on phone with a local friend. We hadn't talked since I went to VA so we had to catch up. DH got home and the trip into town wrecked his back again...which is to say that he's in spasms tonite. I bundled up and took the car down to barnyard. Dog rode along but I was not going to walk her in snow and . Birds were in duckhouse today. No sun and cold. Just lugged down warm water for them. And night food...inside. Tossed down thicker straw. Then I began to shovel the 3+ inches of snow from around their outside pen. So they have space to walk when they get to go outside again. [ don't know how ducks/geese walk around on snow in their "bare feet". ] My fingers where freezing in my best winter work gloves....stopped to pull my fingers down into palm part to warm them. Sheeeeesh, it's bitter type cold. I also took down the snowdrift outside their fence that was beginning to make a ramp for predators to get over the fence. And I shoveled a walk way up the kinda steep berm hill from driveway to the duckhouse. DH has a bad habit of falling on icy areas so this is preventative action here! Colorado...the sun will come out. Snow will start melting and then freeze up again at night. Not good cuz it causes ice alllll over the place. But anyway, by the time dog and I got back inside, I was sweating. So I took a quick shower. My body temperature just doesn't regulate well. But I figured the snow shoveling took the place of a walk for daily exercise. .......the dog had a different opinion. 10pm and it's -2* .... yep, gonna be subzero tonite. MtRider

Hi Cat!!!! MtRider ...glad you're back!!

Hmmm.....I really don't get out much (my trips out-of-state being an unusual exception). But I've felt like I'm fighting something. Throwing all our herbal/vitamin solutions at it. But mine seems to be "just a cold". Thankful! Cuz it doesn't sound like any of you that got this crud are having fun. Praying that all will be recovering and this will be a mild flu/cold season! MtRider ...and for Necie's family issues that take time/compassion/fortitude. BTDT!

I have 2 small ones like the one on the Left....but just a regular wheel on both sides. Not the triple. That's what I was using for the pellet bags. So it does roll up to the next step....rest...pull - roll up to the next step...rest..... The only thing to remember: DON'T get pulled forward and take a header down the steps I've learned (hopefully remember) to stay focused on those stairs. The stairs do have railings on both sides. Problem is....rustic means they are just long wooden poles. Slightly too big around for my small hands to grasp tightly. A number of people have insisted that I have one hand on a railing every time I'm going up or down. That was after the trip-and-fall forward UP stairs...and bashed my eye rim cuz both hands were full. I have put out sincere effort to do that. I tripped again but was able to hang onto the railing and sort of spun around on that arm till I was sitting on the steps. Second from the top....#14. The stairs certainly have been part of an exercise routine these past decades! Esp on laundry days...yes, that's in the basement. Exterior stairs only. Not ever doing laundry on a snowy day! For things much lighter than a 40# bag of wood pellets, I installed a pulley system. (buy pulleys...SO many uses!) One great thing about having a wood cabin, you can do things like that. I have a large hook on the ground-end of the rope. We've gone thru several ropes since back when DH had a blood clot in lung and I rigged this system. It makes a huge difference unloading groceries and such! The current one has a nylon twisted-strand rope. Not a good option - especially in our fierce sunshine that breaks down plastics. It works but it's unraveling the twists in one spot and it's hard on your hands. Can get nylon/plastic rope burn easily. I used cotton clothesline a couple of times and it's good while it lasts. Stretches a bit but that's ok. Easier on the hands. The top end of the rope....after it goes thru the small pulley (which is tied to one of the high cross beam logs for the porch roof above) is secured to the log that's the porch railing. That way the rope never gets away. DH comes home with grocery sacks or something. Not the pellet bags...over the weight limit! He puts the bag handles on the hook (used one of those very large carabiners they sell at Walmart camping section) ....or 2 bags if they're light enough for me to lift with the pulley. It's a small pulley and doesn't give me too much advantage of leverage but....it's certainly better than grabbing the rope directly and doing hand-over-hand method. I'm describing this cuz it's some of the ways I've adapted to being weaker than I normally should have been. If it's hard times, Energy Conservation doesn't just mean conserving things like electricity, etc. Disability IS hard times and one thing you must save is personal energy. Any way you can think of.... And yes.....we were much younger when we began living here. The steeep hills and stairs and ....lots of reasons ....it's not ideal for older, tired folks. But....the property is grande. The neighbors are not very close but we know them. The scenery is great. And....it would take me as long (or longer) than it's taken Jeepers, to move out of here. But one day.... Who knows. Just taking it a day at a time....knowing this place is ideal for many situations but not for all situations. MtRider ..... maybe I can get to sleep earlier tonite?

Right? for Little Sister and her pesky DGS. The young man has to learn to help himself so as not to be a royal pain for those around him. But it does sound like he's making some progress. Tho baby steps at his age is frustrating. Hang in there. As for a ramp for our stairs........ can't. We have 15 steps ....steeply rising up to the second floor level of the front side of the cabin. Underneath is the basement. It's built into the steep hillside so that the back door opens to ground level. That would be great but trying to make a ramp to that level would be a nightmare - due to the terrain. And the rainwater flooding control ditches. It's good for a quick fire escape since it leads out into the dog's big fenced yard. {formerly a small dog yard and my dwarf goats yard} But the upper hillside goes up nearly verticle only a couple yards beyond the back door. I keep saying that one cannot go more than a hundred feet in any direction from the house without encountering a VERY STEEP up hill or down hill. MtRider

Wow...pretty cupcakes, Martian! Happy Bday, Dee! MtRider