WHATCHA DOING TODAY?

[Jeepers]

Mt. Rider, I get what you are saying about having people come in the house and fix things. I hate that too. I've let a lot of things go because of that. I don't even want them outside messing around anymore. 

 

I saw an alternative doctor office in Indiana close to where I'm moving. I'll probably end up visiting there. In a way I'm looking forward to getting new doctors and in a way I'm not. A good one is hard to find and at my age I don't have time to go through them all. Know what I mean. 

 

My back and side still hurts bad. Either infection or kidney stones. I'm thinking. I haven't had a fever though. And I don't think it hurts bad enough for stones. Maybe sand size. I have meds here I could take but I think I should find out if it's something worse. I don't think I've been drinking enough this summer. I will call the doctor Monday. 

 

 

[TheCG]

9 hours ago, Mt_Rider said:

TheCG.....you might want to research Adrenal Fatigue.  aka...burned-out adrenal glands.  If it's that, your 'sheer stuborness' eventually won't work and you'll be much further from healing when you reach that point. 

 

MtRider  ....ask me how I know.  BTDT

Yup, that's what we're working on avoiding with supplementation and dietary changes and such.

 

She's having me look at Dr. Gundry's Plant Paradox - I have known issues with a LOT of the things on his no-no list, but I'm not sure I believe some of his other recommendations.  I'm still processing.

[Jeepers]

I just remembered an old time kidney flush old Doc McKee told my grandma to use. Beer. I'm not a drinker but I'm not adverse to it. I just don't care for the taste of alcohol. I'd rather have sweet tea. Anyway, I'm going to buy one of those big cans and have at it. I can do beer and pizza or beer and spaghetti.  What's the worse that can happen?  

[snapshotmiki]

15 hours ago, Mt_Rider said:

Did you get much rain from Barry, Miki?

 

 

Less than 2".  Kinda went around us, which is fine by me!  Winds got up to about 15 or 18 miles an hour one day.  Wouldn't be considered a gentle breeze in Wyoming!  LOL

[Mt_Rider]

Good luck with figuring it all out, TheCG.  Complex, especially if you don't fit into Standard Medical little boxes.   

 

Pray the next two days go well.  My dad's specialist appt. is tomorrow.  So I'm staying overnite with them and will go with them [ THANKFULLY on a Senior service van].  Its going to be VERY hot....upper 90s.  Not even in the same league as Annarchy but....    .....I'm bringing ice and gel packs and Chilly Towels.  My dad has heat issues almost as bad as me.  If van has good A/C and we don't have to cross great expanses of HOT CEMENT or ASPHALT....we should be ok.

 

And my dad's dementia has been off the chart this week.  Anxious about doctor and everything!  But they did get the new dryer in yesterday.  Even used it with the hose pointed towards a bucket of water.  Today he and his helper are supposed to install the real hose and vent valve.  Praying that goes well.....and I'm not hurrying to get there.  Maybe arrive at 5 or 6.  Less is better right now so he doesn't target me.  Cuz I need to have access to monitor what's happening with them.  My mom's wearing out so.........  

 

MtRider  .....Life is harsh; prayers appreciated!  Thanks. 

[Annarchy]

[Jeepers]

Absolutely. 

 

I kind of thought he would get upset by the change from the usual routine and the unknown. Its so hard for them when they become confused. I'm sorry he gets angry. Some people do. Some mellow out. I know its hard for the rest of the family too. I'm not proud to say but I think my patience would probably be short. 

 

[out_of_the_ordinary]

On 7/17/2019 at 3:02 PM, kappydell said:

 I cook them in the micro until soft, scoop out the flesh (or skin, depending on which is easier) then puree the cooked flesh in the blender until smooth.  Spread the puree out on the sheets for leather in my dehydrator and dry at 125 or so until dry and brittle.  Peel off the sheets, grind dry in the blender to a powder.  Put in jar with an oxy absorber.  All you need for fresh cooked puree is to add boiling water to some powder and wait a bit.

 

I like my squash pureed, so I do it that way.  The powder takes very little space compared to the original squash that a quart jar lasts me a looooong time!

I have seen the squash ships & such on the internet but I want long term storage so I avoid any recipe that adds fat, at least until I cook my squash up with butter!

 

When the squash got done, I did some sweet yellow banana peppers, green pepper dices, okra & snap beans.  Not a lot of any one of them, but it adds up if I do whatever gets picked day to day that we dont immediately eat.

Thank you!   DD loves squash and sweet potatoes.   I hadn't thought of dehydrating them before.  

 

Mt. Rider, I hope things went well today.

 

[The WE2's]

On 7/18/2019 at 7:28 AM, Jeepers said:

I just remembered an old time kidney flush old Doc McKee told my grandma to use. Beer. I'm not a drinker but I'm not adverse to it. I just don't care for the taste of alcohol. I'd rather have sweet tea. Anyway, I'm going to buy one of those big cans and have at it. I can do beer and pizza or beer and spaghetti.  What's the worse that can happen?  

 

We often have a beer with pizza...doesn't mean ones a drunk.  I use beer when I make tempura too so we usually keep it around, two in the frig and the rest in the pantry.  Same with Dr. Thunder...two in the frig and the rest in the pantry.  

[The WE2's]

SLUGGER UPDATE...well it appears she's found him a home.  His kennel gate is open and the gate to her back deck is down and he hasn't been around for two days and neither has she!  Prayers answered! Any home is probably better than what the poor animal was having to live in.

[Jeepers]

I usually have 1-2 beers at our family reunions when we have one. Not too often any more. Mostly to be social. And there is a lot of food. I'm not against anyone having a cold one now and again. I just don't care for the taste so it's usually not on my radar. 

 

Anyway, I went to the gas station and got one of the big ones. Bud Light. I think it was 25 ounces. The can was tall and heavy! Now I know what John Anderson meant by a two fisted drinker. So I popped a top...sorry Alan Jackson, I morphed into a country song. It was ice cold and tasted pretty good with my Pappa Johns pizza. I couldn't finish it all at once. So I had half Thursday and the other half Friday. And slept like a baby both nights.   

 

My back still hurts and I still burn a little. So I guess my little experiment didn't work. Maybe it's for preventive measures?  I think I'll try it one more time, before I call the doctor, and try to finish the whole can in one day. I'm a light weight. 

 

I'm so glad Slugger found a new home! A shelter would have been better that what he had. Especially in this heat. 

 

Speaking of heat...we have warned up to the 90's. They said we might break a record tomorrow. We haven't caught a break all spring/summer. 

[Mt_Rider]

Whew......      It was grueling.  Yesterday was pretty awful as he processed his anxiety with     Survived that.  Part of anxiety is that we were breaking heat records ....both he and I are hyperthermic [I'm much worse but he's bad too]  Had an enjoyable time with my mom last evening.  We did puzzles.  We talked about anything after he went to bed.  Slumber party!     Had a fairly good nite's sleep cuz I'm in the basement and it's nice and cooool.

 

BUT this morning I woke with a DOOZY of  a headache from neck crick.  Need to bring my own pillow.  I took Nuprin...paced for an hour.  [Cannot sit/lay down with mine!!!]  Took 2nd Nuprin and paced more.  FINALLY it eased off and left....about 2 and half hours.  Shhheeeesh!  So I'm starting out this day drained.  He'd been his extreme anxious self again but finally calmed down some.  No reason why.....except all the prayers going out!  He took shower, came down much calmer.  That and my headache release were at about the same time.   

 

I had to call to make sure our transportation could take my wheelchair.  Explained, in basic terms, why the patient had 2 escorts....I was escorting the escort.  They understood easily and I'm a senior too.  I'd packed all my big gel and ice packs.  We had peanut butter sandwiches.  We had this that and the other....to handle whatever.  Got our Boy Scout Preparedness badge!  I actually levered my wheelchair into the rear of the mid-size SUV.  Drivers were both very nice!!!    My dad was fine.  

 

What a horror filling out the forms!  Neither of them was up to it.  I kept saying...yanno, DH always does this for me!  But we finally got it done.  Everyone was very nice and wheeled him in their wheelchair.  I wheeled with mine and my mom's doing fine post-hip surgery.  What a trio!    I mostly was there to take notes so by the time we got home, someone knew what had happened; what was to do; and how to do it.  I put in a few clarifications neither of them remembered.  He's opting out of anything invasive.....hopefully taking pills will fix anemia.  He's 90....who want's to do invasive.   

So he was satisfied.....tho a trip that far for just a consultation is way overboard in expectations. 

 

He nearly left his cane in bathroom.  Someone ran up and got it.  They both ate PB sandwich on the drive home.  This driver was very friendly too.  He's a volunteer from our region.  Everyone was relaxed and ......TIRED!  Had more substantial to eat when we got back.  Tried to stay cool enough....SO hot but clouds/cooler in forecast for weekend.    My mom and I did puzzles again.  Told DH to wait till evening cool to pick me up.  Our car A/C isn't strong enough to work for me.    But we got all unloaded and mostly unpacked. 

 

I'm verrrrrrry tired.  The heat. Headache.  Tension.  And merely the exertion it takes me to accomplish a huge expedition like this.....    I'll be paying for this energy expenditure for a few days.     But both my folks expressed deep gratitude that I was helping.  It was needed and so....all will be well.  

 

So very grateful for prayers....esp. this morning.  It was getting rather hair-raising with all that mess that was happening.  Then......it stopped.   

MtRider   

[Jeepers]

I'm glad things went as well as it did. I knew he was elderly but I didn't realize he was 90. Bless his heart. You are a good daughter helping them out when you have your own set of medical issues to deal with.   

[Homesteader]

On 7/16/2019 at 9:33 AM, Annarchy said:

 

 

We got him the bigger wading pool. Unfortunately, or fortunately, we have to empty it after he’s finished, mainly because the honey bees discover it and also because of all the grass & dirt in it. 

 

 

 

The honey bees use GPS to find the pool. If you keep moving the pool around the yard, they will stay confused for a few days. Once they zero in on a good thing, you have to move the 'good thing'. 

[Homesteader]

On 7/9/2019 at 9:39 AM, Homesteader said:

 

I've never thought of DE for ants. 

 

Didn't work. Put away the hummingbird feeder as all the flowers are starting to bloom. The birds like them best.

 

[kappydell]

We are getting a little break from the heat this weekend.  A "cold front"  it is going (supposedly) to only be in the mid 80s instead of the mid-100s.  Still not enough rain tho.  Our water bill it up $30 a month, but we are watering the garden to keep the tomatoes and such coming.  Wicking pots, the half doz or so we have, are worth their weight in gold due to their low water use.  Planning for more next year....still hoping to save up some for some bees, too.  

[Jeepers]

I somehow got another infestation of gnats. They must be coming in from all the fruit I've been getting but I've never seen them buzzing around any. Mostly an empty pop can or tea glass. And all over the trash can. I'm keeping the fruit and tomatoes and cucumbers in the fridge. All except bananas. But I don't see any of them around the bananas. 

 

They won't stay out of your face and are too fast to smack.They are really little too.They make me so mad.Time to get the vinegar out again. That eventually helped the last time. I might have to keep the trash can in the garage for awhile. At least until I'm sure they are all gone. And their eggs. Do gnats lay eggs? Time to Google gnats. 

 

 

Crapola. The adults only live 3-5 days following a 3-7 week incubation period in the larvae stage and 3-5 days in the pupa stage. FIVE GENERATIONS CAN SPAWN IN ONE SUMMER. I am doomed to fight gnats all summer.

 

 

Edited July 20, 2019 by Jeepers
Googled.

[Annarchy]

Cleaned house, started around 6, DH usually does half.  Got done around 3.  Played with Gunny & now, trying to figure out what I want for dinner. I have no ides, lol.

 

 

[Annarchy]

7 hours ago, Homesteader said:

 

The honey bees use GPS to find the pool.  

sure seems like it. 

 

We have a bee keeper less than 5 miles away, the bees really like the fact we keep water bowls full for the birds. We keep an eye on it, because any other water source attracts them.... and any other living thing in the area. Lol

[Mt_Rider]

Well....as expected, today was just not going to be a productive day.     Could barely walk this morning but actually that cleared up in the usual amount of time.  But stamina is short-lived.  This too shall pass.  Mostly in my "chaise lounge" bed.  Catching up on things on computer or journal or phone.  Getting up and down so I won't seize up.  Will see how my folks fared today when I call my mom tonite.  Boy I sure slept deep.  

 

Had a rip-snorting cell of 'weather' form right over our house.  ZAP!  CRASH*  ZAP! BANG*    ZAP! BOOOOOM!  The first couple crashes made the dog bark...startled.  I do NOT want another dog that's terrified of storms.  Especially XL dog like our last one.       So I grabbed a handful of dried bread bits...which she thinks are real treats.  I threw a few to her and she's quite expert and catching them mid-air.  Yep, lets get your attention off the big BOOMS!  Started to play game with her like:  I put a treat in my hands in back of me.  Then do a slow twirl around and the treat passes her.  She got the idea to take it on the third twirl.  She's quite gentle in taking treats so this works.  But it's new to get a treat from behind my back.  Completely distracted.   

 

MtRider ...thankful for another serving of rain!   

[Jeepers]

LOL Mt. Rider. I used to play a similar game with Muffin. I'd put a treat in one hand and then put my hands behind my back. Sometimes I'd switch the treat into the other hand. I'd bring both hands out front and she'd have to guess which hand the treat was in. She'd guess by putting her paw on my hand. She was about 50/50 because both hands smelled like treat. And she was a beagle so everything smelled like treat to her. I loved the feel of her paw on my hand waiting to see if a treat was in there. She'd tap my hand and I'd open it. If it wasn't in there she would put her paw on my other hand and get the treat anyway. Win Win. I still love that dog so much.  She was too cute for my own good.  

[Guest Daily Substitute Name]

If you want to keep the bees out of the kiddy pool, give them a bird bath or something in the shade, and put gravel in it, so they have something to perch on as they drink, and put bleach in the water so it's about as bleachy as swimming pool water--or a touch less.  As the water evaporates, keep refilling it from the hose, and once in a while add another capful of bleach.  You will see a real difference.

[snapshotmiki]

Had company and their pups for 2 days. Sorry they had to go but...work calls. Went thrift shopping and visited. Had a blast! Out to lunch twice.

Went to Sunday School this morning and came home so I could say goodbye. Will go to Church tonight.

 

Yesterday, I grilled chicken, baked jalapeno poppers, made a new recipe of collard greens mixed with cabbage, bacon and onions, made a fat free pineapple cake and then low carb egg muffins this morning. Done cooking for a few days!
And grilled some pineapple with a little cinnamon and brown sugar to caramelize.

It's been a full weekend!

[kappydell]

today was a slow day.  went to church, took the pastor an assortment of veggies from the garden.  Nothing fancy, just some tomatoes, peppers, okra, squash & taters.  

Then came home & checked on new mama cat & babies.  She is very attentive, so all are doing as well as can be expected.  our 'mama' chihuahua (spayed now, after her ooops baby was born) is a very motherly type.  Every time she hears ANY baby cry she makes a beeline to go check on it.  Kinda cute, actually....she seems like she would be one of those mama dogs that would raise orphaned critters...be they dogs, cats, chickens, stray possums, etc.  

M wanted bread for breakfast so I didn't have to cook.  We found a brioche style bread - soft, sweet, tender- that she dearly loves.  I admit, it is tasty, but when I looked for brioche recipes they either call for a dough hook, or require special kneading techniques which are quite athletic.  The scraping style of kneading I can manage to work in the extra butter (its rich) but the gluten developing technique (slamming it on the counter top, fold, push down, turn 1/4 turn and slam again) for 10 min might be a little hard for me to manage.  It would definitely reduce stress, though!  So I'm wondering what a reasonably priced mixer with a tough dough hook will cost....I already have a coffee grinder on my wish list for grinding rosemary to a reasonably small powder. I like what it does for chicken, but don't like to bite into pine needles.  The lavender is doing well, the rosemary seems to love it's big pot..  They both seem to tolerate the scorching afternoon sun.    

 

Other than that, a quiet day with grilled ham & cheese sandwiches for supper.  They have become our go-to-dinner on hot days.   In the am I'll make some mac salad as a change of pace.  One thing about getting up at 6 it is usually when the day is coolest, so I try to do cooking & outdoor stuff like weeding, then, once I get my not-a-morning-person body to cooperate, that is.  

 

Edited July 22, 2019 by kappydell

[Jeepers]

Whoa Miki... greens, cabbage, onion and bacon mix? Girl you are speaking my language. Sounds good! 

 

I slept through most of Sunday. Must have needed the rest. I think I'm getting my kidneys flushed out because my back and side are better on the right side and no more tingling at the end of a 'stream'. TMI? Sorry. I'm not sure which worked. The beer, the cranberry capsules, milk, rest or just tons of liquid. Probably a combination of all. I'm pretty sure not drinking enough is what started the whole thing though. I would tell you I've been going commando around the house but I don't want to burn your eyes out. One thing I learned though is that I'm going to get another unopened bottle of the cranberry caps and stash them away in my med storage. Also to jump on the liquids at the first sign of an issue. I'm old enough to know better. 

 

I woke up to.....rain!