Mom

[Tachi]

16 hours ago, MartyT said:

Sending healing thoughts and prayers to you, Scott, and hoping for the best. 🧡

Thanks Marty. The GI doc is a very nice older man. Unfortunately Pcp didnt communicate anything to him, Ultrasound got delayed and Pcp didnt tell me to do bloodwork for him before appt. Will see him again next week and hopefully get good news.

[kayc]

Wow, so they didn't do your ultrasound?  And they failed to mention about the bloodwork?  Sounds like they really dropped the ball!

[Tachi]

They did the ultrasound, just didnt mention it to the GI doc. Hurt my shoulder worse yesterday, silly me. Had to lay on that side for part of the ultrasound so maybe that was it. staying home for the day and putting the heating pad on it. I think my pcp was mad at me so she threw me to the GI and didnt do it right. I dont know how to do this stuff and need clear explanation. They have a lab at the PCP's office and could have done it there. Will do bloodwork tomorrow.

[MartyT]

So sorry this is turning into such a hassle for you, Scott . . . 

[Tachi]

13 hours ago, MartyT said:

Thanks Marty, I havent ever had to do things like this but I should have known and planned better. Just hoping and praying it's the lesser of all evils and we can put it to rest. GI appt next Friday so should know by then the next steps if any are needed.

 

[kayc]

Thinking of you, Scott, as you await the results and get your blood work done...may they have answers.

[Tachi]

Rain and thunder. Two inches in two days, most of it since last night. Loud and constant thunder too. Seems to have passed by now. 

Thank you. I have a hard time thinking I have somethking bad. I feel better than i have in a long time. Except my shoulder. Had to lay on my side for the ultrasound and it wrenched it, on the heating pad. 

Hope all is well there, stay warm.

[kayc]

Praying for you my friend!  Let me know when you know something, okay?  This week the weather is okay, next week snow.  Hoping not a lot.

[Tachi]

We are 40s today and a slow warmup through the enxt week. Hope your snow is reasonable.

I was able to signup for the lab andview the results of my bloodwork. The alkaline phophatase went back down to where it was before the surgery. The other two liver numbers went way up. According to what I read they are now mildly elevated. There is another enzyme from the liver (GGT) which i didnt find on previous tests and its way over the high point of normal. The ast and alt which continued up are even with each other. Supposedly the relationship between the two may indicate the problem. The fact that they are 1 for 1 denotes fatty liver disease or liver damage. That the alkaline phosphatase went down I'll take as a good sign. But will continue to be mystified in all this and hope for good news next Friday.

As well as confused by my mortgage. I owed over 3k in property taxes last year. I had called the mortgage company asking if I could just pay a lumo sum. But they were already set to pay the shortfall themselves and said the mortgage would be evaluated in Feb and that shortfall would be applied as well as the amount it went up. I estimated a 7300 dollar annual increase for the mortgage. But I had money set aside to cover that. Except I got the mortgage statement today for March and it doesnt change. No idea what theyre doing. IF the mortgage stays the same I can use the saved money for mortgage and keep my SS for myself. I'm betting I'll get a big increase out of the blue though. 

 

here's my numbers, blood test in Nov, late Dec and this week

Alkaline phosphatase from 145 to 195 to 148

ast from 28 to 63 to 153

alt from 27 to 66 to 147

GGT high should be 65 and its 182, was not on other tests. 

AFP cancer marker is mid-range normal

I guess the determining factor will be the ultrasound. 

Anyway, we shall see. Take good care and stay warm.

[kayc]

Hoping they stay in sync for the mortage!  Maybe they're waiting for estate to sell/settle.

Iris' liver numbers were sky high, barely functioning, she got them down to a healthy normal range just doing keto.  It was chemo/Rxs that destroyed it, but it's okay now!

Praying for you!

Snow coming in, now Mon-Tues., then Thursday on.  Just pray I can keep up with it.  Depends on if inches or feet.

Jazzy still depressed over her loss, Kodie is doing his best to engage her!

[Tachi]

Hope you didnt get too much snow. We were upper 70s today and cold front will have us upper 40s tomorrow.

had a call from my PCP's office. Lady gave me a message from my doctor. Said the ultrasound indicated I have 'sludge' in my Gall Bladder. I asked does that mean there's no cancer or anything else. She said yes because if there was she would mention it. She wants an ultrasound again in June.

Friday I go see my GI doctor and hoping he doesnt see anything else. I admit to being dumb as far as the pcp/specialist relationship. I thought she had handed me off to him and now she's telling me what's wrong. So why am I seeing a specialist? 

Anyway, will see what the GI doc has to say and how we treat it. I've read with a restrictive diet and can also use meds. I have no symptoms and no pain so I dont see a need for surgery. I also assume since it wasn't mentioned she didn't see any gallstones. From what I read once the cause goes away the Gall Bladder should clear. We shall see. Hoping and praying my PCP is correct and i don't need any more medical help. 

Ordering some flower and pumpkin seeds. Going to clean out the flower beds and plant em in. Noticed some spots on the trim outside that need to be scraped and repainted. Don't really care to get high up on a ladder but with the mortgage going up there will be no money for a painter. 

But then I'll hold my breath til friday and see if I get some good news. Then I'll exhale and get on with Life.

Anyway, thats where things are here. Hoping your weather stays mild and you can get some peace and quiet. How's Kodie and Panther doing? Take good care.

[kayc]

16 1/2" and with my hand injuries and 10% strength, it was hard, took me 16 hours to shovel it, the first 6" was heavy/wet.  More coming next week.  Fires aren't lasting as long with rotten wood and down to 20 degrees.

I imagine the GI doctor wants to tell you where to go from here!  So great about the no cancer!!!  I got my gallbladder out in one day, 2 weeks healing at most, no issues afterwards, so no worries worst case scenario.  
https://www.healthline.com/health/gallbladder-sludge#symptoms

Panther sits outside early am, wants me to open the door so him and Kodie can play...it's 20 outside, I don't think so!  He has lots of fat on him, I don't.   When it gets a little later, I'll let Kodie inside the fence and call Panther to the front to visit with him.  But 3 am now...

Usually a specialist sends results to PCP and they communicate with you, but I've had them do it directly as well

Made some chaffle dogs yesterday, was super hungry, ate 3!  Shared with Kodie.

[Tachi]

Oh my goodness, 16 hours, wish there was someone to help you. Hope this next snow is less. Are you going to run out of wood?

Saw the GI doc today. PCP said its the sludge in my gallbladder. GI barely mentioned it. He went over my ultrasound and it all looks fine. He went over my blood test results and all is fine except the 2 liver markers, the alkaline phosphatase went back down. he thinks theyre in response to the drugs at surgery and they damaged the liver. He told me not to take anything for the enxt 6 weeks except start Vit E and Milk Thistle to try and help the liver. If the two numbers dont come down he wants to do a biopsy. I'm thinking at this point I will say no. Honestly, I feel fine and I think the liver is just slow healing from the effects of surgery. So if need be i will suggest we wait a few months and do another blood test. I asked if I need to avoid any foods and he said no, regular diet. 

He's a very nice man. Wish he as my PCP. What am I supposed to think that my PCP says its the sludge in my gallbladder and the GI says its the liver. I'm going to start cleaning house and going over the estate one more time. My brother STILL hasnt replied to my emails w/ pics of items asking what he wants. He had his chance and I'm in no mood to play games. I was looking at the big picture he wanted at one time. its huge. I would have to have it boxed and shipped special, and i'm not paying for that. I ran the numbers. Depending on how much the mortgage goes up and i'm guessing it almost doubles now. I can devote my entire SS to the house bills and then pay a couple hundred from my own pocket plus my own bills and food, but I can survive the year but not at all next year.

Yes, I had read that they can take the gb out in keyhole surgery like they did my prostate. That if needed, like a biopsy, would depend on my neighbors picking me up. I really think I'm saying no to a biopsy. Anyway, it is wonderful what they can do these days. Turns out when i had my surgery there was my surgeon, the anesthesiologist and one more doctor. Who filed a bill for 6k. he is out of network. but IF I understand properly since the hospital is in ntwork and I had no prior knowledge of him and hadnt approved of him, they cant balance bill surprise me. Oddly they misfiled and were denied. They need to file again, i foresee trouble.

*The sooner I am free of medical stuff the better. I will not relax til then.* I think after the current matter is settled I'm ignoring them for the year. I need to finish business and seriously get back in shape again. One cant just keep having medical procedures. 

Poor Panther lost his buddy for a few days. I used to love the cold. but now i stay inside and war layers. I have an electric blanket at night. I guess he has his own blankets. I wonder if he's hot in summer with all that fat. 

I should have asked the GI about what the PCP thought. I think they should talk and come to one conclusion. But they dont have time.

Chaffle dogs look good. Whats in them? I'm making chicken tomorrow. Pulled chicken simmered in broth, really tender. 

Supposed to warm up through the weekend. I may weed the beds. Just putting seed in, no money for anything else. What kind of flowers do you like? Im at least doing morning glory, pumpkins and maybe watermelon. Maybe some sage or salvia.

I think I'll make some Peppermint tea. Stay warm and take care.

[kayc]

I gave my Arlie (dog/cancer) Milk Thistle for his liver since they said it was shutting down, still he lived two months ten days.  I take it also for support.  Can't hurt.  My supplements are a lot, makes me wonder how I'd do w/o them.

Nope, Kodie and Panther still play together.  I think Panther is sleeping in the rafters/attic off the carport.

The next storm could be worse, it's lasting longer, all the way to the valley a few days or so.   

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4538013/ Everywhere I look I've found green tea to be helpful to liver, pancreas, diabetes, cancer, heart, etc.

8 hours ago, Tachi said:

now i stay inside and war layers.

Sounds like me!  I have to literally FORCE myself out in this weather to walk Kodie!  Yesterday I wore leggings under my jeans, had to go for a size bigger to fit over them but oh how nice and toasty!  Wore my down coat, boots, gloves.  I feel like the tin man in Wizard of Oz when I get everything on, like I can hardly move, ha!

I love Peonies, used to have some.  So I guess they're going to come out and do a "risk assessment" on my place the 28th, we'll see what they say.  I already had Jack (my tree guy) take some down and limb some others quite a ways up, they hopefully don't find much to cut back on...only thing I can think of is my Madrone or the neighbor's Photinia that I had cut back from my house to the property line, it's very quick growing and encroaching, taller than the house!

[Tachi]

I got my new mortgage, it doubled. And the extra start in April so the extra they paid last year is added in and its all divided over 9 months. I have figured out the finances and with my SS and whats saved I will also be paying a couple hundred a month when watr and elec are high. my best friend suggested i keep track of what I pay and get repaid after the estate sale or when the house sells. When the estate sale pays then that money can make up the extra. Also if I can sell that nice ring that money will go to house bills. Of course I will pay my bills and expenses which arent very high. As a result if my blood numbers are still high I wont be having a biopsy or anything else until my life is settled and I get me settled. I am so out of shape its scary. 

I'm wondering how many people walk into a jeweller's with an expensive ring and ask to sell it, and if they think they stole it. 

I've wondered as well if my supplements actually do any good. But things like Vit C and D I dont get alot from my nutrition. I doubt I gte enough fiber so I do a capsule every day. Since I dont eat much fish also do a Omega-3. I'm a fishsticks kind of guy sadly. Baked fish to me smells bad. And I shouldnt fry it. Maybe I should gt some fried catfish at the deli, its not greasy at all and very tasty.

Hoping the next storm is mild. Crazy weather you get. panther has learned some good coping strategies I'm sure. Its nice how he and kodie have bonded. Sons of different Mothers.

Read that coffee is good for things. I cant drink coffe from grounds thanks to the acidity but I have an instant thats good. I also have Green Tea and peppermint tea that I rotate around. It's funny that the day of my last appt i was thinking of getting a beer. But the visit killed that idea. I dont want anything that might elevate my numbers, not that it matters. But if th numbers will come down he will leave me alone, I hope. I do notice my system has been slow healing after my surgery. So I'm thinking that's why my numbers are still up. My foot is healing but still not done. the other cut on my foot healed faster but still not entirely done.

When does it gte warm enough for plants to start growing green again? Guessing you wouldnt really need to plant anything as green as it is naturally.

Lol, I remember Wizard of Oz. I feel like the kid on Christmas Story, so many layers he cant

move. When I was a kid I looked like Ralphie. What a claim to fame.

Risk assessment? A good thing I suppose. Do they do the cutting themselves if they want more done? My neighbors HUGE tree has long since spilled over the fence. If I had the money I'd hire someone to trim it off my yard. And the elec company to trim branches away from the lines. But I dont have the money and as I'm leaving I dont care too much. Thats the drawback to not having an alley out back. Good luck getting equipment in to trim trees. I'm tempted to trim what I can aways back but wont get near wires and cables. 

Peony are pretty. I added some to my order. ..good idea. I realize that what I plant may not come up til next year or maybe not at all. The Bluebonnets I planted last year didnt come up. But apparently I planted some bulbs and forgot because theyre coming up strong now. Hopefully I'm leaving the next owner with a decent garden to start with.

Stay warm and take care.

 

[kayc]

Coffee can raise BS, but it's the one thing I'm still holding onto!  I love my coffee.  I cut out peanut butter and almond flour as I learned it can stall your weight, well my weight has stalled anyway, after doing intermittent fasting for 2 1/2 years it can slow your metabolism, so I may have to do a 24 hour fast once a week to get it going.  Not wanting to do it with all the snow shoveling coming, we'll see.

Storm warnings say over two feet at this elevation, I added up the hourly on NOAA (which changes every day) and it shows 20.4".  Pretty close.  I just got the snow out of the driveway from the last storm which was 16" in 24 hours!  Still have my car up by the road.  And I'll have to shovel the internet dish on the dog pen (ladder) and the one on the slippery slope for the t.v.  That one is scary to do!  No easy way into the front yard, the older I get it's hard when it snows.  That's inside the fence there's a huge embankment and not easy to hold onto the fence as it's wire.

My elec. co. trimmed/cut some trees near the wire and some that were no danger whatsoever, they didn't charge me, this was years ago.  You might call and ask them about it.  They brought a truck they fed branches into and it chipped them.  I hated to see them go, it was my privacy barrier, cedar trees I planted 20 years before, they were nowhere near the wire, I tried to argue but got nowhere.

With the ring, I'm sure they check police reports, etc. for stolen goods, maybe put a hold on it a couple of days while they wait for reports to come back, who knows.

Green tea is amazing for our health.  

OMG, Ralphie is adorable!  

They don't do over 6" diameter, a lot of good that is!  But they'll tell me what I'm on the line for.  This has to do with the Forestry sending us threatening letters last year...in 46 years no one ever complained, but they're making us property owners on the line for it!  I already paid someone to do the same, but unless you have their stamp of approval, they still have you marked as high risk.  It got tied up in courts and they backed off a bit but I'm not naive enough to think they dropped it.  It all started with the forest fire THEY let get out of hand!  The one that was a mile away and had 1,621 air quality here. I couldn't go outside, breathe, I had to evacuate with Kodie twice...it took Panther's meow away.  He squeaks, it's slightly better but only slightly.  Since the forest all burned, I'd think we are at low risk now, but they don't look at it like that.

I love that you're readying the place for the next owner!  So thoughtful, maybe you can drive by after it sells, see how it looks.  That backfired with my mom's house, they did some wonderful things with the house but OMG they destroyed her trees/plants!  My mom was really good with her place, she had a monkey tree, sweet gum, purple plum, Norwegian Spruce, so much more, but what really killed me was their taking her Rhododendrons down!  They were bright magenta and taller than the house!  They kept a ugly shrub that had seen better days, go figure!  I think it was called Arborvitae.  Her grass had always looked nice too.

I'm on about 24 supplements/day.  Many for diabetes and immune system but a lot for nutrition like B, C, D, etc.  I list them for my doctor, he hasn't complained about me taking so many yet.  Ha, good for weight loss as by the time you take them all, who's hungry!  I long ago quit adding up the cost, who knows since everything has gone up!  Some alone are over $20.  I used to keep track of it, how many pills you got in a bottle, keep a spreadsheet so I knew what it cost me per month, but the prices have gone nuts this year so hard to keep track of.  It was easier back when it wasn't always changing.

My XH destroyed my peonies, covered them with dirt before he left, I tried for years to get to come back but finally lost the battle after years, now I have way too many hand injuries to do yard work, had to give up my hobby too, wish I knew what to do with all the mediums/tools/supplies...it's too much effort for me to sell on eBay, I can't even clean them up.  I figure an estate sale someday, maybe move what I'm taking and have someone sell the rest.  Nowhere to get rid of anything here as St. Vinnies stopped donations when Covid started and says they don't have the staff.  It's aggravating, I thought they cared about the people in this town, guess not.
Well enjoy your plants!  I'll live vicariously through you!    You're right I have a ton of greenery here!  

 

[Tachi]

I dont know what to think about health, nutrition and doctors anymore. But I dont trust at all. But there's a different nutrition for different needs. So what do ya do if you have two or more concerns? I think I'll just use common sense. My biggest need I think is exercise. So difficult to start.

I wonder if someone could move that dish somewhere easier to get to. I dont envy you your snow, you folks get alot of it. By comparison we dont get much precipitation. We're 40s for a few days with drizzles and then up in the 70s. 

Walked around the house yesterday and it needs the trim painted. the old paint needs to be scraped...it looks really bad. The body of the house is brick. So its just wood above the brick. However I dont know if I have a ladder that will reach. But I'll get what I can. No way can I afford to hire someone. 

I decided I'm not going to have a biopsy, if he wants one. I dont want to continue at this time. There is no obvious reason for two elevated liver enzymes. I think it was the drugs at surgery and i'm just slow to heal. Which i've been seeing that i'm slow to heal. No wonder since my metabolism is almost nonexistant. Surgery left me with a few issues.

Hope your storm was mild/is mild. I remember growing up in Chicago and the cold and all the snow. Was fun for us kids but not for the adults. Sometimes the snow was so deep it was over the car. The snowplow had to plow the road before anyone could drive on it. 

I dont mind if the jeweller has a holding period, it makes sense. As long as they keep their nose out of my business. I guess I dont trust. It's odd but  consider there is no trace or history for what gets handed down. Even when people buy nice things they dont always keep receipts. As with many things I'd only pay tax on the increase in value at sale, if any. But I have no idea the value of things in the house. This ring I have no idea the value when I inherited it but doubt we will profit on it. 

Govt had to cover up they dropped the ball on the fires. they had to shift blame and act like they were doing something. As usual everything falls on the citizens. What would be fun is a class action lawsuit against the govt and th Forestry Service. Meh, never happen though.

Rhododendrons are nice. Whats a Monkey tree? Other than a tree full of monkies, lol.

The house across the street had a huge nice cactus garden in the front lawn. When the folks from China moved in the first thing they did was start taking it apart. But the cactus are too big for them to do. I would guess this year they hire someone to take it out and plant sod over it. 

I have been taking a good look at the house, exterior. Its a brick house with wood trim which is in bad need of painting. I dont think my ladder will reach the high spots. One may be rotting. It will be a few days before it warms up and I can try. I may have to ask my neighbor if he has a taller ladder. I also need to trim alot of branches away from the house. I need a power trimmer. just a small electric chainsaw on a long stick. Good times are coming...everything I spend for the house im keeping a log and the estate will pay me back. I'm also tempted to charge what I pay from my checking acct for bills. 

Supplements are/can be expensive. Thats why I hate needing them every day, it adds up. After I make my GI doc mad and take them again i need to rsch what i should and shouldnt have. Apparently some can interact and some can harm organs like my poor liver.

I baked some catfish! Wasnt too bad but needs bettr seasoning. Very simple. Oven at 425, spray oil on pan, dredge fish in batter then egg then batter then place on pan and spry w/ oil on top. This helps it bake crispy. I'm not a huge fan of fish unless its fried but it wasnt bad. need to see if Tilapia is any better. I had been complaining its expensive but $8 was enough for 3 meals. The downside is the smell stunk up my house for a couple days. 

My shoulder is better but not healed by far. I cleaned the bathroom and reached down to scrub and used prssure with that arm and i screamed, it hurt. I dont think its out of socket because i have a range of motion to it. But the muscls are just slow coming back. I am slow healing, quite slow. Surgery did som things to me. One was destroyed my metabolism. I'm shy about working out again esp with the shoulder. guess will just have to work on my legs. 

I'm planting an entire bed with Mxican petunias. We have a small bed with them and they do well and are lovely. https://www.etsy.com/listing/508585467/5-purple-mexican-petunia-attracts

Pumpkins, they have big orange flowers and huge leaves with various shades of green,

Bee Balm https://www.gardenia.net/plant/monarda-citriodora

Burgundy Petunias https://mullerseeds.com/product/petunia-hybrida-success-burgundy/ I love the color although it's probably a bit dark for the garden.

Morning Glories

Turk's Cap   https://www.etsy.com/listing/486574841/turks-cap-lily-5-root-bulbs-lilium?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_ps-b-craft_supplies_and_tools-floral_and_garden_supplies-floral-flowers-other&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQiA3eGfBhCeARIsACpJNU_D8EmlnwRI09-9V0Anm06G0mXKDZHvyFIuQnCiwI_5xDxhoIQGQ-YaAuoSEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_12565309429_122041460360_507187539825_pla-296647873334_c__486574841_12768591&utm_custom2=12565309429&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3eGfBhCeARIsACpJNU_D8EmlnwRI09-9V0Anm06G0mXKDZHvyFIuQnCiwI_5xDxhoIQGQ-YaAuoSEALw_wcB

There have been Turk's Caps in the yard since my folks moved in. My Aunt or Great Aunt Lena was living in South Fort Worth and she and her husband gave my folks some plants. Thy were like small deep red caps on pretty gren foliage. I want it in the yard for the future. Many things in the yard have died/are dieing due to the summer heat and the ineffectiveness of the sprinkler system.

and a mixed Pony seed pack, many varieties

and lastly sapphire blue salvia https://parkseed.com/blue-queen-salvia-seeds/p/01802-PK-P1/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA3eGfBhCeARIsACpJNU88EVZxtkrdec_bXcTCsPA_e6648GhaA0x-9Yrf24jhl6D3OHA9pVUaAvoGEALw_wcB

The way the sprinkler heads are now the spray of watr is blocked by plants that have grown up. The original placement of these heads also doesnt always make sense. There is a leak in one zone and the entire system neds to be fixed. This is a repair that will have to be done after the estate sale.

I have found various nice things that i dont think should be in an estate sal but I have no idea where to take them. There is an old servic set, either silver or plated and old and nice.

Anyway, will keep looking. 

Hang in there, Spring has to come sometime. I'll try and send some warm winds up north. Take care and tell Kodie and Panther I said hello.

 

 

 

 

[kayc]

13 hours ago, Tachi said:

I dont trust at all.

Me neither, Scott.  Ever since I started researching/learning on my own.  Years ago I was the patient they all wanted, did what they said!  And where did it land me?  Sicker and sicker.

13 hours ago, Tachi said:

I wonder if someone could move that dish somewhere easier to get to

They said not when they placed it there.

13 hours ago, Tachi said:

my metabolism is almost nonexistant.

I just learned that metabolism, even doing intermittent fasting, slows down to match what we're eating and the way to speed it up is to do a 24-36 hour fast...so I did and it worked!  All the snow I shoveled I didn't lose an ounce (2:30 am - 6 pm)!  Hard to believe, I got a video talking about it.

13 hours ago, Tachi said:

for two elevated liver enzymes. I think it was the drugs at surgery

You could give it more time and see, if it's still up the next time they check it you can always have it done later.  But I know Iris' liver healed after chemo wrecked it, not with drugs or anything, but with eating Keto.  

13 hours ago, Tachi said:

Sometimes the snow was so deep it was over the car.

Yep!  We had six ft. here once, had to have the roof shoveled off, couldn't open/close the door.  I hope I never see that again!  It was Sun. before Thanksgiving 1982, I was pregnant with my daughter and under orders not to shovel. Car quit in front of my place. Electricity and phone was out.  I prayed and God sent two guys up here...they said they wanted to see how much snow we had, were they crazy?!  I thanked God for them when I was helpless.  Our dog's pen collapsed, he was scared spitless and didn't even realize he could escape.  It was a worknight so we chained him to the middle pole of the carport.  Of course, the dog went around and around the pole until he couldn't move.  The snow came off the roof and landed on him.  Had he been a smaller dog he would have died. He was 120.  When we got home that night you could just see his nose sticking up out of the snow!  He had to tilt his head up to get his nose out.  Poor dog!  We brought him in the house and the next day my husband fixed his pen.  Teddy, he was a good dog.

13 hours ago, Tachi said:

What would be fun is a class action lawsuit against the govt and th Forestry Service.

There was one but it got dropped because they backed off.  That's what they led us to believe.  I don't trust them at all.  It's gov't and we all know how that goes.

13 hours ago, Tachi said:

Whats a Monkey tree?

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/monkey-puzzle-branches-gm1191456053-338131021?phrase=monkey puzzle tree
It doesn't begin to do it justice, none of the pictures I looked at did, my neighbor, Jack, has a couple, his big one is really nice and he has a little one getting going.  I couldn't find one with the trunk showing but it's neat too as there's these prickly growths sticking out all up/down it.

13 hours ago, Tachi said:

Apparently some can interact and some can harm organs like my poor liver.

Yes, important to run by him.  I thought I'd be okay w/o Vit. D because I'm outside a couple hours/day, nope, doctor told me to take it.

Thanks for the pics...you truly love gardening/landscaping!

Took Kodie with me to get groceries yesterday, 100 mile round trip, first day w/o it snowing and took advantage, will be here Sunday on and no end in sight, I got enough to last a month although still hoping to make my grandson's bdy celebration two weeks from Sun.  You never know.  Sent his mom the card to go with his present just in case I can't get out.  Kodie loves his rides!  

[Tachi]

Honestly, I feel pretty good. Way out of shape and need exercise. I bought a treesaw. Small chainsaw on a pole. Trimmed some branches and did 4 bundles, made me really sore. 

I noticed the top trim on the house is in bad shape. Should have caught that earlier. getting some putty, sealer and paint and will fix that and repaint the exterior. Luckily its a brick house so wont be too bad. I hope. 

I think then my metabolism is messed up. I snack. At least now its healthy and not junk. Ive read to not snack. Ive read to eat more and smaller meals instead of 2-3 big ones. I think exercise will really help the most. 

Definitely pursuing any health concerns until estate is done and I'm settled in a new place. Its March and I can wait no longer than end of November. Unless I then tap into what we make from the estate sale and I dont want to do that. 

Remember my brother? I dont. Not a word. The emails with pictures of estat items asking if he wants em? Nothing. The package I sent? Nothing. This tells me as well he cares nothing for anything except money. 

Wow, 6 feet of snow. I know many places get that alot but I cant see me living in it. Buffalo etc must be a real pain in winter. Guess i've been spoiled here. We were 74 today and drizzling, very nice. Have you gotten more snow or is it calming down? We're supposed to get alot of rain tomorrow.

Govt pushes until they get in trouble, then act nice. But theyre just waiting til people forget and they just go right back to what they were doing.

Monkey Tree...thats a crazy looking tree and I've never seen one. It makes me want to put some ornaments or lights on it. I had always thought it would be fun to have a live Christmas tree in the yard outside the breakfast room window. 

I had to cheat and take a benadryl. Google said it doesnt effect liver enzymes. But last night I couldnt breathe. Guess thats what I get for cutting branches. 

Will have to get a pic after the rain is gone. We have these tiny flowers that come up looking like tiny wild onions then sprout sweet smelling yellow flowers. https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tLP1TdITzfLLqoyYPTiyMrPKyzNzCkGAE9AB2M&q=jonquils&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS996US1014&oq=jonquils&aqs=chrome.1.0i131i355i433i512j46i131i433i512j46i512j46i175i199i512j0i512l6.7226j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 one of the ones my folks planted. Not alot of them left esp after the frost got some. Lost alot of ivy so I think I'll get the weedwacker and have fun.

I bet Kodie loves riding in the car. Too bad he cant drive or you'd have a chauffeur. You could dress him in a little outfit.

Hopefully your snow passes by and you folks catch a break. Take good care.

 

[kayc]

7 hours ago, Tachi said:

Ive read to not snack. Ive read to eat more and smaller meals instead of 2-3 big ones.

Yes and intermittent fasting helps. If weight is stalled, give up peanut butter and almond flour for a while. I had to. I view it as temporary until I get my weight where it was before the bad burns.  Also to joggle your metabolism, do a 36 hour fast maybe once a week or so.  I do IF 20/4. (20 off food, eat two meals inside 4 hours). Snacks count as a meal so we tell people not to.  It gives your body a chance to rest and heal itself.

7 hours ago, Tachi said:

Wow, 6 feet of snow.

It's the only time I've seen it here in 46 years, we got 4 ft 5" overnight (unpredicted no less!) that started the snowpocalypse, no power over 8 days, no phone 18 days, no mail, no garbage, couldn't go anywhere, cut off the the world, no water, nothing.  It was horrible. I've learned I can survive much.

Still getting snow as far as they predict!  Heard on the news another ten days of this.  Will see.

So are yours jonquils or daffodils? My mom had daffodils. We used to. I can't take care of flowers anymore.

I had to make five passes shoveling @ 1 1/3 hours each pass, that's a full time job! I did this two days in a row, my body is still recovering! Fasting blood sugar 86 and 90 next morning! Today 104 after having a bit of a break, only had to shovel twice yesterday. Ate the same thing. So exercise definitely plays a role, but I don't want to keep doing that!

I take a benedryl at night, I know it's not good for us but helps me breathe. I also do a loratadine in the morning.

[kayc]

I got my tax stuff sent off to the tax person, yay!

[Tachi]

Grats on your tax stuff. Always feels good to get that done. I only had 4 months SS income so no taxes here.

Well, life went insane for a couple days. Dinnertime last night the sky wnt black, temp dropped 20 degrees and winds hit 70 - 80 mph. Lights flickered a few times and things lit up that I hadnt turned on. Then i heard a pop and our end of the block lost power. Just now got it back on. Half of one neighbors tree came down. farther down one was uprooted, a street over two fruit trees split apart. In Dallas some buildings collapsed, lost roofs. One food place the roof lifted up and fell in the parking lot on ten cars. I was lucky I guesss as I only lost two shingles. nextdoor lost a few so asked their roof guy to replace mine when they do theirs. Now i have to find my home ins policy.

Ordered some paint to do the trim. One apex looks rotted. i dont have a ladder that will reach so will see if the roofer can replace it. more expenses that I cant afford. I wasnt going to touch the estate sale money but now I have no choice. 

And another very strong reason why the medical stuff gets put on hold for awhile. there are too many things right now to stress about and worry about.

Got an email from my brother saying his wife's father passed away so he wants to talk this weekend. I'd rather not but I dont seem to have a say in anything anymore.

I remember dad calling them Jonquils. I want to plant seed but supposed to be cool at nights for a few weeks. 

One neighbor had a huge limb crack off his tree. theyre both elderly and recovering so i started snipping it apart. 

We get rain next week and doubt my 2 shingles will be replaced by then. So am hoping it doesnt leak. To be honest I hate owning a house. Its very expensive and theres always something going wrong.

Hope your weather isnt too bad. i bet you're ready for Spring. You folks stay warm. Scratch kodie behind the ear for me. How's Panther doing? Take good care.

[kayc]

6 hours ago, Tachi said:

I wasnt going to touch the estate sale money but now I have no choice. 

I would have any qualms about touching it to fix the place, at least you won't have to replace it or pay it back.

Panther is doing great.  Spring won't be here for at least two months.  I will enjoy going to church again once this is over!  Haven't heard from anyone though, that's kind of hard.  Will give Kodie your love.

6 hours ago, Tachi said:

Got an email from my brother saying his wife's father passed away so he wants to talk this weekend.

I'd write back, "Okay, but no advice please." You know he'll give it all the same but you can point out you told him no.

I just realized my sister's bdy is in a week, I need to send something to her but can't get out...so tired of shoveling...

That is a lot of wind!  I don't recall winds that strong here, but during Columbus Day Storm we had over 100 mph winds, no power, took our roof off, some hit our neighbor's across the street (elderly couple), my dad replaced their front window even though not responsible to.  

[Tachi]

Created 14 bundles of branches and 4 trashbags. My neighbor helped. nice guy, and bored to death I think. I lost 2 shingles in the storm and today he came over and fixed it. As long as it passes the inspection for a sale of the house. have to move my stand of firewood as I had em put it next to the house and thats a no-no. I'm already pretty sore so tomorrow will be worse. I'm really out of shape since the catheter and surgery so I'll say this is good for me. 

Tested my paint on the front door. matches pretty well, just  bit lighter. Some of the wood trim is rotting or chewed by squirrels. 

I figure once wehave the estate sale that money needs to go to sale and house expenses but also help pay bills. If anything happens to me, the car, or the house then i go broke. IF I can sell that ring that will help quite a bit.

Have you ever wondered where Panther came from. Or how long he's ben around before adopting you? I wonder what Kodie thinks of him. I guess he really likes him. But then I have the impression Kodie is very easy going.

My brother didnt call and thats ok. I wouldnt know what to say to her. I wonder if she wants to go home. 

Send your sister a box of snow for her bday. Or make a tiny snowman. 

Hoping your summer has alot fewer fires in the area. I was trimming branches away from the house and wondered why dad planted em so close. There are 4 and it lets the squirrels on the roof to eat the trim and branches to scrape the shingles. I'm seeing things now I should have done years ago. 

My cellphone provider, Boost, has melted down. My autopay was charged in Feb, wasnt applied to my acct and had to pay mnually. Called em and they dont care, told me it didnt happen. They got hacked almot 2 weeks ago. Still they cant access our records or do anything. My bill is due in 2 days and no idea if it works or not or if I could pay my bill. Cant cancel service, cant remove card from autopay, cant port number out to a new service. I spent hours visitng every site I have in my password book to make sure I can access them if i dont have my phone. Some send me a code by text.

I bet you folks get some crazy storms. Good thing you have wood heating. We rely so much on electricity but what happens when it breaks. Just like electric cars. Nice idea but they dont make enough electricity as it is. Oh well. I would solve all the world's problems but they dont want to listen.

I'm curious if you get critters by your house. Like if you had a vegetable garden would raccoons and such eat free meals. 

Take good care of yourself and hope the snows stay away for awhile.

Going back to Church again and visiting with all those people...you're going to have alot of fun. 

[kayc]

7 hours ago, Tachi said:

I wouldnt know what to say to her. I wonder if she wants to go home.

Who?

7 hours ago, Tachi said:

Have you ever wondered where Panther came from

No idea how old he is, he's feral so who knows, he may not have belonged to anyone, just been in the wild, these are the parts for it.  Lady across the way and a man down the street both do cat rescues, he isn't one of theirs.

7 hours ago, Tachi said:

Kodie thinks of him.

Kodie and him love each other.  Panther is more into Kodie than me, I'm just the lady that feeds him.

7 hours ago, Tachi said:

Send your sister a box of snow for her bday.

It'd be a puddle when it got there, she's near Portland, 3 1/2 hour drive from here.  I decided not to knock myself out trying to please her as I have tried before and never could.  I remember buying her an Anuschka purse (hand painted), got her style, colors, nope, she sent it back to me.  I couldn't return it, each one is hand made.  I've used mine for years, getting worn out.

8 hours ago, Tachi said:

My cellphone provider, Boost, has melted down.

Oh no!  Hang onto your proof of everything.  You may have to go to a different provider, number, everything.  What a mess!  So I wonder what happened to the $ if they don't have it?

8 hours ago, Tachi said:

Oh well. I would solve all the world's problems but they dont want to listen.

Haha, me too!

8 hours ago, Tachi said:

I'm curious if you get critters by your house.

Had a skunk through here this morning.  I was out shoveling snow at 2 am, got 2" instead of the .3 they predicted, same the night before.

I did get a call from Cindy Sun. afternoon, that was nice.  But it took over a month to notice I was gone? I feel very isolated.

That was nice of the guy next door to replace the shingles! And wow on moving all the branches out!  I pick up branches every day but with all the snow it's all saving up for Spring.

Defensible Space guy set an appt. for Fri. now, it's getting annoying, I think he should wait until Spring instead of me constantly setting time aside for nothing.

Good luck on your endeavors there!