Thursday, March 31, 2011-Still Not Quite Right

I thought I'd get a better night's sleep last night but I didn't. Seems I was a awake a lot. Every noise wakes me. I coughed a few times also. Guess I'm not really over that part yet. Woke up with a slight headache. All during the day I would cough now and then too. It's a hoarsey cough in my chest. But I felt okay and I feel good tonight. Hope tonight goes better.
I chopped my hair off tonight. Been wanting to do that for a while now. I can't cut it as good as I used to because my arms have a hard time going over my head. So I just cut, cut, cut with the scissors as best I can. I just want it to be easy. At this stage of my life, the easier things are to maintain, the better. I decided not to color my hair this time though. I'll do it next time. Just didn't feel up to it.
It didn't rain like they said it was going to today but it sure was gloomy and dark all day. Not sure if we will get any snow either now. It seems to be staying to the east and south of us. Some areas might get 6 inches. Have to wait and see. It will melt by the next day. That's what's nice about this time of year. Don't have to worry about it being real cold any more and having snow staying. We still have old snow that hasn't melted away yet.
I ordered more Ostomy supplies from my pharmacy today. They will deliver them tomorrow. I think I will stick to the closed end bags now. They are a lot more comfortable. I changed my flange tonight. It lasted for five days!! Hope they always stick that good from now on but I know now and then one won't. I'm happy with them now.
Wish my damn foot wasn't hurting. I'd be feeling real good if it wasn't for that. My left shoulder has been hurting today also. That's from when I fell off my bed last Monday. I pulled a muscle I think. Will take some time to heal.
Guess that's all for now. Got to get in bed. Take care everyone. Can't believe it's April 1st already!!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011-Not Quite There Yet

I felt a lot better this morning when I woke up. I didn't have to blow my nose at all during the night and only coughed a few times so I got a little more sleep. It's after I got up that I had to blow my nose. So weird. My lungs seemed to clear up over night. Yesterday I couldn't breathe out without rattling and having a choking fit. I am sure glad!
So I decided to eat my usual bowl of Kashi mini wheat cereal with a half banana and the almond milk. I didn't eat a whole lot. I took my vitamins with it as usual but took extra zinc like I do sometimes. About an hour an a half later I got so nauseated and sick. I tried to puke but couldn't..Ha! By sticking my finger down my throat. I never could throw up very well even when I wanted to. I'm not sure what caused it but it felt horrible. I felt like I was going to pass out so I laid down on my bed for about an hour till it subsided and then I got back up. I still felt weak but a lot better. Poor Ricky, my Cockatiel, didn't know what was wrong. He came in the bedroom and got up on my pillow above me, which I don't like. I made him get on the dresser. I'd rather have him shit on the dresser than my bed. A lot easier to clean.. Poor little fella. he hadn't had his egg yet and I had just started to cook it but I couldn't stand up. I finally got it scrambled for him and then he didn't even want it, the little shithead....(My favorite name for him)
I rested in the living room in my chair and drank a cup of tea with some Ginger in it. I had to get to the store today. I didn't have any more Kleenex and on my last roll of paper towels and had used my last egg. I slowly started feeling better and decided to venture out at 2:45 pm. Went to Agway first for critter food then to Walmart. I did okay. What bothered me the most was the pain in my foot.
I was tired when I got home but so glad I got out. What a beautiful day it was! In the low 40's and sunny. For the next two days we might get some snow. Friday will be the worst they say. might even get a few inches. And that won't be no April Fool's joke. But better days are near!
I made a big pot of chicken vegetable soup when I got home. I ate a tiny bit. It will be my meal for the next few days.
One of the women locked herself out of her apartment so she had to come and get the master key from me. She told me that a couple more upstairs are sick also. Guess it sure went through the whole building. Just like a Nursing Home for cripes sake.. Sometimes it feels like a nursing home when you go out into the hallways and community room. Half these old ladies run around with their damn bathrobes and nightgowns on. I could never understand that. And some walk those dirty halls with their bare feet. Yuck!! Then they wonder why they get sick.
Anyway. I'm feeling so much better tonight and will hopefully feel even better by tomorrow. It sure feels good to breathe deep again!
Take care everyone.
By the way. My flanges are staying on for five days now!! That's one problem solved! And I don't feel any pain in the liver area today. Life is good!

March 29, 2011-Tuesday-Feeling A Bit Better

I'm still coughing this morning and my nose is still running but my headache has gone and I don't feel the stuffiness as much so maybe this cold is finally going to clear up. I just found out that a couple others in this building are sicker than hell.
Heard that guy down the hall really coughing loud in the hallway this morning. They say he coughs with his mouth wide open and doesn't even try to cover it. What a jerk!!
I have a box of those face masks and I'm going to use them when I go out in the hallway to get my mail or if I have to walk down the long hallway to take my garbage to the trash room. I have the good ones too. I bought them last year to keep germs away when I had the radiation treatments. And I don't care if they laugh at me or not. I have to protect myself from now on because these people sure don't care how much they spread their germs around. I never go around people when I'm sick. It's only common sense.
It's still cold out today. There were a few snow flurries in the air too. Tomorrow it's supposed to be about 42 degrees. Maybe it will finally start warming up. I'm hoping to feel good enough by tomorrow to go out. I have to pick up a few items. But if I still am not feeling too well then I can wait till Thursday. At least I'm not in the catchy phase so I won't worry about giving this cold to anyone. But I'll still be very careful.
The sun is trying to peek through so maybe it will be nicer this afternoon. It's been cloudy all morning. I'll be back later maybe. Have a nice day everyone.

Update: 9 pm
I'm feeling a lot better. Just have a coughing fit now and then or have to blow my nose now and then. But I think I'll feel well enough to go out tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. Time for bed now.

March 28, 2011-Miserable

I'm coughing too much today and wiping my nose constantly. Have a headache and neck ache and my bones were really hurting in bed this morning. I'm too miserable to write really. The one lady I talked to in the community room last week is real sick right now. She had her daughter and the daughter's dog in there that day. The darn dog almost ran into my apartment when I opened the door to go get my mail. And the one guy is coughing so much that everyone is complaining about him. I talked to Wanda on the phone today. She said she thinks she is getting sick now also.
I just want to feel well enough to go out on Wed. or Thursday.
Got to get off and go watch the President.

Sunday, March 27, 2011-Still Sick

Yesterday I felt terrible. Debby called and was going to come over with her granddaughter and then Jeanne called and was going to come over. I sure wasn't up for any company and didn't want them to catch this cold so they will come some other time.
I was coughing a lot during the night. Woke up with a headache this morning and my bones were hurting. I don't dare take anything because of my liver. I felt a burning pain in my liver area this morning also. That scared me. I don't need this extra stress on my liver now. I sometimes will start coughing for no reason. I don't like to sit at my computer for very long either because it is right in the corner of my bedroom where all the mold was inside the walls and I'm sure it's still there. I really need to move this computer back out into the living room. But of course the air in there isn't good either. Lots of mildew underneath the cement slab. The stupid landlord has never finished the drainage job outside and all the water just sits there and pours under the building when it rains. it will be four years now that it was started and never finished. I even got the codes man in here a couple years ago and he said there was nothing they could do. I called the health departments and they tell me it has to start with codes. Well. That sure didn't do any good. Who the hell can I tell to get this resolved?? The newspaper?? Maybe that might have to be the next step. Rural Housing has looked at it also and never did a thing. This landlord gets away with everything. Oh well. I won't be here much longer but I do worry about the next tenant.
It's a nice, sunny day here but it is unusually cold. It was only 16 this morning. Might get up to 30 today.
I hope I'm better by Thursday because I really will have to get out for more critter food by then.
That's all for now. Got to get away from here. Have a nice day everyone.

Update-9 Pm
This cold is in my head real bad now and late today my nose started dripping so I'll be awake all night blowing it I guess.
My left foot has a lot of pain and the leg feels hot. I almost can't walk on that foot, even with the walker. It has pain on the top area right where the ankle bends. Feels like it's going to give out on me all the time. It's been like that for a couple weeks now. Might have to go to the doctor and have a brace made after all. It's scary. If it isn't one thing it's another.
I saw the mommy fox this evening. She was right below my bedroom window. I opened the window and she ran but came back when I called her. I was glad to see her. She's the oldest one and has been around for a few years now. I didn't get a picture though. my camera was in the other room and she left before I could get it.
I have to go to bed. Can't stay up any longer and I feel miserable. Be back tomorrow if I feel up to it.

Friday, March 25, 2011-Think I Have A Cold

I think I've caught my first cold in over a year. And I think I caught it right here in this building because there are a couple people sniffling around here. Now I wish I had never gone into that community room the other day and talked to them. Makes me mad. The last time I got a cold was when I broke my wrist and had to go in that dirty ambulance and emergency room. I've been doing so good too.
This morning I thought maybe it was just the mold and mildew in my bedroom but as the day progressed I know now that it is a cold. My head is getting stuffy and my nose will be running by tomorrow by the way I feel. This morning I couldn't get my lungs clear and didn't think too much of it at that time. That happens now and then. So I guess I'll be miserable for a few days. I'm drinking lots of fresh squeezed lemon juice in warm water. I always take my vitamins. It will just have to run it's course. Can't do anything about it now.
It's cold this week also and a few flurries in the air yet. It's not going to warm up till next week maybe. Everyone is sick of winter.
Our electricity went off for almost an hour tonight. From 6:30 to 7:30. Heard a big explosion about five minutes before it went off. Don't know what caused it yet.
I have to get to bed early so I can try to get more sleep. Take care everyone.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011-Feeling Better

I felt better today. Just a small bruise on one of my knees and the kneecap hurts a bit in the other. My back wasn't hurting as bad. I think the worst injury was to my left upper arm area. I have a pain in that. But that will mend eventually. I've had worse injuries..
It's snowing tonight! We might have a few inches on the ground by morning. Spring is never going to get here. I feel bad for the mother squirrels that have babies. I'm watching that one very close. She only comes out for a short time in the evening to clean herself and eat then goes right back in the nest.
That's all I have to say for today. I've got to get to bed. be back romorrow.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011-I'm Sore Today

I ended up doing two loads of laundry last night. And I fell. That's why I'm sore today.
It wasn't a hard fall. I went into my bedroom to get something out of the bottom drawer of my dresser, which is only about a foot away from my bed. I sat on the edge of the bed, which is an air mattress on a special frame that I bought that sits 14 inches high from the ground. The air mattress is about 12 inches deep. But this air mattress doesn't quite fit the frame. It hangs over a bit. So when I want to sit on that side I have to push the mattress in a bit so it is sitting on the frame. But last night I was not thinking and just sat on the edge of it. It flipped up on the other side and I went down, sliding with the mattress but getting wedged in between the dresser also. My knees hit the dresser. Since I don't have any leg muscles I couldn't straighten up so I had to lower myself the rest of way to the floor. Then I had to figure out how to get up. I can't get up off the floor like normal people. So I crawled over to my step stool. That hurt my knees even more. Dragged the stool close to my computer chair. Sat my ass on the stool with my back to the chair and then pushed myself up backwards onto the computer chair. It did a job on my shoulder muscles and they are very sore today also and my back hurts. I was out of breath too but that's from falling. I was sure glad I got up and didn't break anything. I was so worried about my right hand where I broke my wrist last year. I haven't fallen since that day. This was a freak accident and it would have made a funny picture the way I was wedged in there with the mattress up over my head. Ha! Ha! That's what I get for being in a hurry and not thinking first about what I was doing. I always have to push that mattress over to the other side when I want to sit on the edge. I really should have a real mattress. I bought this one to replace my nice, big queen sized one so my scooter could fit in the bedroom better if I needed it, or a wheel chair. And I figured this air mattress would be easier to get rid of if I needed a hospital bed later when I get real sick.
Despite my being sore today I went out to get a few things at Walmart. It's going to be cold the rest of the week and snow tomorrow. Today is the warmest day this week and it only got up to 38 today.
I don't feel too bad tonight. If I get some good sleep I'll heal faster. I've got a slight pain in my left arm, down from the shoulder. I felt that more when I was pushing the grocery cart in the store. Don't feel it too much now though. I'm lucky. It could have been worse.
After I got in bed last night a damn skunk sprayed something out there. It stunk for a while but then it went away. The skunks are out every night now.
I think that squirrel that sits by her nest every night has had her babies. She doesn't come out till around 6 pm and then goes back in around 7:30. So she's not staying a way very long which means she has babies in there. I do worry about that nest being so high though. if the young ones fall from there they will die for sure. But I hope I will see them when they are old enough to venture out and learning to climb. They stay with their moms for three months till they are all done learning the ways of a squirrel's life. It sure is a rough world out there for them. And all critters.
My sister, Debby, got her first speeding ticket yesterday. She was on her way back from Utica from a doctor's appointment. That's going to cost her. The insurance will go up and she will have to pay a fine probably. That's two points on a license. The trooper said she was going 70. So that is 15 miles over the limit on that road.
Nothing much else going on.
I'll sign off for tonight. Hoping to get more sleep tonight. Take care everyone.

Monday-March 21, 2011-Woke Up To Snow

I was snowing this morning when I got up. Heavy, wet stuff. We got maybe an inch and it stopped later in the morning. Thought it would melt away fast but it's not getting that warm today. By tomorrow it will. Supposed to be in the low 40's and maybe some sun. Then more snow coming in for Wednesday or Thursday.
It did look pretty coming down though and just knowing that it won't stay is good enough for me.
Lots more birds around when it snows. I even saw a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers this morning!! First time I've ever seen two since I've been living here! I was excited and got some photos and a short video of them I'll post those later tonight.
I'm not doing much. Trying to stay off that foot. But I did have to lift my 27 lb. water jug onto the crock spicket today and take all my garbage down to the trash room. I had a back ache after I got done. But that has since gone away, thank heavens. And I really need to do some laundry but there's always someone using the machines. Some of the people from upstairs are using it all the time now too. I used to be able to do mine in the early evenings. Now it seems there is always someone in there. So I will just wait to catch the right time.
I changed my flange this morning. It went four days again! Sure makes a difference if I can keep it on longer. But I was irritated around the stoma. It's the glue from the flange I think. Might have to change it every three days to be on the safe side. It wasn't from leakage. I don't put any barrier film on. I might have to if that keeps up.
It's such a gloomy day. I've been watching "Animal Planet" and the news channels.
That's all for now.

March 20, 2011-Sunday-The Moon Last Night

I haven't posted for a couple days. Nothing much to write about I guess. It's been beautiful here for the past two days.
Last night I was hoping to catch the moon as it was rising above the valley. I went out at 7:30 and drove up Putts Hill but it was nowhere to be found so I continued driving down Putts hill to Route 5s. I decided to stop and take a picture of the college lights. The sun had already gone down and it was getting dark but there was still a bit of color to the sky. The I turned right and drove a ways up 5s and turned around and took a couple more pics of the college but by then it was getting too dark. So I drove back home and waited for the moon to come up on my side of the building. It was 9:30 before I saw it through the trees. And it was 2 am before I got a clear view of it. By then it was too high and looked like any other moon. I now wish I had waited somewhere in my car for it to come up over the horizon. It would have made for an awesome looking photo. it was getting too cold last night and my foot hurt and I still had to get back into the apartment. My foot feels like it's going to give out on me all the time now and I'm a little worried that I might take a fall. It's scary. Don't know what happened to it. Might have fractured a tiny bone in there. Nothing they can do about that. So I'm not going to any doctors.
Today I have a slight pain in my lower back on the right side in the kidney area. It comes and goes. Might have pulled a muscle.
I'm seeing lots of Chipmunks now. Saw five yesterday. And I got a glimpse of a fox last night as he was eating something in the moonlight. When I opened the window he ran off into the woods but he did look back long enough for me to get a picture of him while I was taking shots of the moon.
I'm just relaxing today, watching movies on TV. Made some chicken soup. I'm getting fat! I weigh about 150 lbs again..Ha! But I don't care. It's better than looking like I'm ready to die. I hated being skinny. Good thing I kept some of my "fat" clothes..Ha! Ha!
Ricky is screaming for me to come back into the living room so I better go. Take care everyone.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

It was a beautiful day here! Got up to 56 degrees!! I went out and did some shopping this afternoon. My left foot was bothering me but I took my time walking around. It was a good day. I changed my Flange this morning. Had that one on three days. It sure is a lot better to be keeping these on for three or four days now. No irritation either!! I'm feeling good in that department. Now if I could just get my knee and foot to stop hurting.
I didn't throw any apples out for the deer tonight. The snow has melted enough and they can find food on the ground now. It's better not to. I'm not throwing nuts out at night either. Maybe the skunks won't come around as much. I didn't throw any fox treats out either. Time to stop all that. It's not healthy for them anyway. Nuts is all that is healthy for all of them and it's getting way too expensive to even buy that stuff now. I buy 20# bags and they went up $7 a bag last month. So I am going to throw less out. Just the birds and squirrels can have them now. The mother squirrels are fat and ready to have their babies soon. I've been watching the one go in the nest every night now. I'll be a nervous wreck if she has babies up that high and they start coming out and falling.
Going to bed early tonight. Kind of tired. Take care everyone.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011-Rainy Day-Happy St. Pat's

It was a gloomy, wet day today. I didn't do much but mess around on my computer making a slide show for St. Patty's Day. This one is with nice photos from Ireland and the music, Danny Boy. So here it is. Have a nice day tomorrow. I sure am glad my old bar days are over with. St. Patrick's day was always a fun but tiring day for me. Everyone came out of the woodwork to get their green beer..Ha! All it has in it is food coloring. You just go away with a green tongue..ha! Ha! I would only get one keg of the green and if I ran out I'd just put a drop of green food coloring in the glass before I drew the beer. And all those green shots! yuck. I'd always have a few myself most of those years. But I did quit drinking for five years. I owned the bar for 17 years. Can't believe I did all that work that long. I did a split shift and only hired a girl in between for about five hours. Did all my own cleaning also. Filled all the coolers and dragged all the kegs out. I had a dolly to bring them and the cases of beer out. It was all one level so it wasn't too bad for me. But I don't miss it at all! And I haven't drank since I got out almost 15 years ago.

March 14, 2011-Not Much Going On

Gee! It's been four days since I've been here?? Yikes! It was a quiet weekend and nothing much going on. I didn't even go out of my apartment all weekend. It was rainy and gloomy. A few flurries were in the air today. It was about 34 degrees. But we are going to have a nicer week with the temps reaching up to 50 by Friday. That will feel good.
On Sunday my brothers, Jim (& Patty) and Steve and my sisters, Jane (& Savey) and Jeanne went up to Oneida to a funeral home. My brother, Rick has a girlfriend named Ann. Her mom died. She was in her 80's and has had four bouts of cancer and came through them all but the last one I guess. She's been having problems for the past year. I never met her but from what I hear she was a very good mom and a very happy person and any of her children's friends were always welcome at the house. She had ten children. Three have passed away. And her husband had passed away quite a few years ago. Rick and Ann have been going together for a long time. She lives with Rick now. She and Rick went to school together and Rick has always known the family. I didn't go. It would have been too hard to get around a crowded funeral home with crutches and the others could stay as long as they wanted without worrying about me.
I'm doing okay except for my knee and foot. My flange even stayed on for four days this time! So I'm happy about that.
My oldest daughter, Ginny, called me today from TN. She's been having a lot of problems with her legs swelling and hurting. She's had to use crutches and a walking stick. She won't ever go to a doctor though. She has no insurance. She doesn't eat right and she says she's real thin again. But I did get to talk to two of the boys. Eli was telling me about the orphan squirrels he found. Two baby ones that might be close to two months old by the way it sounds. So I looked up how to take care of them and what to feed them while I was on the phone with him so he'd know. They don't have computers or even a TV. Poor kids. He loves animals and loves to tell me about the ones he sees and helps. I can't send them any DVD's because Ginny won't let me know where she lives. She hides from the Government because of her kids not being in school. It's a long story. She's got quirky ways and has been like that for lots of years. I think the drugs did it. She did drugs when she was younger and you never know what effects they have on the brain.
Oh well. Nothing I can do about it. It's her life. And she's ruining those boy's lives.
I'm getting off the computer. Been glued to the TV too much watching all that is happening in Japan. So sad. We are so lucky.
Take care everyone.

March 10, 2011-Rainy Day

I didn't do much today. My left foot is bothering me. I just relaxed all day. Talked to Jane for over an hour on the phone. She and Savey are sick of winter. Savey will be going to Myrtle Beach for a few days later this month. He always goes with a few of his friends and they go golfing. Gives him a break from his accounting business for a bit. He works real hard at this time of year.
It's been raining steady all day. The snow sure is melting away fast. Lots of areas are getting flooded though. Tomorrow is going to be another rainy day. Glad I went out yesterday.
Not much to report. Things are about the same.
I saw the Chipmunk quite a lot today. He was even in the bush that the birds hang out in. I worry about the hawk seeing him when he goes away from the rock wall like that. He runs right on top of the snow. Saw a few deer this evening also. Haven't seen any foxes.
I'm going to bed early tonight. I was up at 6 am. Be back soon. Take care.

March 9, 2011-Went Out Shopping Today

It wasn't sunny like yesterday and not quite as warm but it still got up to 35 I think. A bit breezy also. I went to Walmart and got all my groceries. I decided to go today because we are supposed to get snow and ice and then back to rain all day tomorrow. The fresh air seemed good. Our parking lot is all clean now so it was easy walking. Walmart's lot was a bit icy and slushy yet though. But only where the cars park. Going in was clear. I was careful.
I took my time walking through the store but I still feel like I'm getting tired too soon. I was gone about an hour and was glad to get back home and back into my comfortable clothes. I had to make two trips with my little cart to bring everything in though. I bought a lot of stuff. I was getting low on everything.
I picked up a gift card for the couple upstairs that is always cleaning the cars off. They won't take any money and they've been cleaning everyone's cars off all winter. Yesterday's snow was cleaned by the maintenance people though. I paid them. Those kids can use the extra cash. I will be short this month on cash now but I don't need it anyway. I'm pretty much set for things. Makes me feel better if I give these people something. I hope the other people think about that also.
My head still feels funny at times. It feels like I'm not getting enough blood to it or something. Hope I don't have a stroke. That would piss me off but good. I'd rather have a heart attack and croak fast. But I don't want to even think about it. But this head thing is there all the time and I'm very aware of it. I have to remember to breathe better. I'm such a shallow breather. it's not good.
I didn't see the deer tonight. But I did hear a turkey this afternoon in the woods but couldn't see it. I wish they'd come down. That would be neat. Never saw much of them last year.
Well. I better get to bed.
Take care everyone.

March 8, 2011-Tuesday-Nice, Sunny Day!

It was a beautiful day. The sun shining on all that snow made for some beautiful scenery. It was quite cold early in the morning. Single digits but then warmed up to about 35 late in the day. They cleaned the parking lot today. The maintenance man came and got my keys so they could move my car out to the street. it still had 18 inches of snow on it so he and the other maintenance girl cleaned it off. I paid them $20 to do it. That is not easy. Now I can get out tomorrow and get some groceries. More nasty weather coming in on Wednesday night and Thursday. Might be a mix of ice and rain. Not sure yet.
It wasn't too bad of a day. First thing this morning I changed the flange on my belly. It looked good and hadn't leaked really so I think I have finally got this stuff figured out so I don't have to change it till the third or fourth day. That sure is a relief. At least my belly isn't irritated and bleeding any more. My left foot was bothering me today. My knee wasn't too bad because I wasn't standing long. I've been exercising it a little, hoping that the tendons will stay in place if I can get a little muscle built up in there but not sure. I don't have many muscles around my knee. I know I should be wearing a brace but I don't want to. The last one they gave me made me fall all the time. better to not have anything on my legs. I've been used to this for 61 years now. I was three when I first got Polio and have lived with weak legs all my life. Just now that I'm older I can't get up if I fall. I still keep forgetting to get one of those alarms to wear on me in case I fall. I really should get one. A lot of the women in this building have them.
So I'm hoping to get out tomorrow. That's all for today. Oh! I saw the Chipmunk in the rock wall today. Good thing he has that wall to climb through. He doesn't have to be in the deep snow. I also saw deer tracks that came over the lower end of the rock wall. That makes me nervous. It still could hurt itself. At least he went out the front way instead of climbing back up over that wall. Must have been late at night because he hadn't been out there by 10:00 pm when I went to bed.
I'll be back tomorrow night maybe. Take care everyone.

March 7, 2011-What A Difference A Day Makes!

We woke up this morning to about 18-20 inches of fresh new snow! That's the most we have gotten all at once all winter long! And after yesterday's rain it was quite a mess on the roads. All the schools were closed and a lot of other places. yesterday my rock wall was bare on top and I could see over it for the first time in a long time. Now I can't see anything. But it did look real pretty. some of the squirrels ventured down and dug their way through the deep snow. They are funny. They dig tunnels and out pops their heads at the top of the wall. They practically fall down the side of the fencing on that wall. I had to put all the nuts along the building so the birds could get at it and the squirrels. It was fun watching them all day. And I didn't think the deer would be out but the mother and her two yearlings were out there before dark tonight. I had thrown larger pieces of apple up over all that snow just in case they came. They didn't stay long because there were no nuts for them. I see them over in the neighbor's yard sometimes but with all this snow I can't even see over there now.
It will be in the 40's the rest of the week so this won't be staying long. I'm not going to venture out until all the snow has melted. Ha!
My sister, Jeanne, came over yesterday afternoon for a while. She had a great, relaxing time in Florida. I hadn't seen her since she got back on the 22nd of Feb. She didn't take a camera but the other girl did and she will be giving Jeanne a Cd with all the pics so maybe I'll see some someday.
My Flange has been on for three days now but I will be changing it in the morning. I can feel some slight stinging now.
I'm still getting those pains in my back. And my right leg is swelling up all the time now. I should try to keep it elevated more but I forget. I wear loose socks and I can still see the marks from them on my leg when I go to bed at night. My left knee is hurting yet but after I stand and walk for a while the pain will subside. My damn right hand is really bothering me though. I can't even wash under my left armpit with it now. It's very sore. I do the best I can though. I used to use the back of my hand when I first had the cast off and I do that now but it hurts worse than it did back then. Of course I'm lifting my 27 lb. jugs of water all the time also when I put them on the crock. I still get my water from Campione in Herkimer every two weeks. I used to get the five gallon jugs but they were way too heavy so I went to the three gallon ones and I can just about lift them. I am not going to bother anyone to do it for me. I do okay. I know. I'm stubborn. Must be the German in me. Or is it the Irish and Welch?? Ha! Could be any one of them.
So I have to unload my camera from today's photos. I did unload the early morning ones already. It got sunny later this afternoon which made for much prettier photos. It takes me a while to collage all of them and crop them before they get on here. I am putting them all on my Facebook albums now also.
So that is all for today. Take care everyone.
I'm adding one collage here but all the others will be on my other blog.

March 6, 2011-Lots Of Rain Overnight

I can't believe how much snow has melted after all the rain overnight. The top of the rock wall is down to the fencing now. It was raining real hard early this morning and is supposed to be turning into snow shortly. They say we could get from 5 to 9 inches. But the one good thing is it will all melt again by the end of the week when it gets back into the 40's.
I didn't see the deer at all last night but I think that one was down below by my window again. I saw the tracks. It's way too dangerous for him or her now to be down there. The fencing is showing too much after all the snow melt. I try to throw all the apples and nuts up over that wall but sometimes I can't make it and it falls down below. I think that is why my hand is hurting all the time. I'm twisting it every time I throw the nuts and apples up there with a scoop. I use a scoop so it has more throwing power. It just doesn't work when I try to use my left hand. I will have to throw the stuff out my living room window. I wasn't because of all the icicles falling. Didn't want any animal to get hurt.
So it looks like it's going to be a funny day as far as weather. Right now at almost 11:00 am it isn't doing anything. They said the snow was going to start at 10 am. It was snowing heavy in the Syracuse area. I went out to my car at 9 am to get the other bags of nuts in case it did snow a lot. I got all wet but that doesn't bother me. So now I'm waiting for snow. I really like to see the snow falling more than rain.. Everything looks so dirty after the snow melts. Especially outside my windows with all the seed husks left out there from all winter. I pay the maintenance girl or guy to rake it all up in the spring. They haul it up to the woods and dump it.
I have been having more pains in my right side in the back area. It worries me but during the day I don't notice it as much as I do at night when I'm in bed. If I lie on my right side it hurts more. Hope I can have a few more months of feeling okay though. But it is still, "One day at a time".
I'm going to go and do something. I'm still trying to weed out things around here. have a nice day everyone.

Saturday March 5, 2011-A Deer Came Too Close

Yesterday afternoon I was in the kitchen and happened to glance into the living room for a second and there was a deer looking right in my window! This was around 3:30. I of course could not get to my camera, which was in the living room by that window. He even left the window messy! Had his nose right on it. I missed a good photo op at that time, darn it! Ha! He saw me too quick and headed into the alley and up over the rock wall. I got my camera and went into the bedroom and took a short video clip as he was on top of the wall and looking back at me. I was so afraid he'd get his hooves caught in that fencing. It has small holes and he could really hurt himself bad. Right now the snow is deep enough but a lot has melted and a lot more will be melting all day today and tomorrow. It's going to be in the 40's and lots of rain tomorrow.
Then at 10:00 pm I heard louder noise than usual outside my bedroom window. I always leave the foxes food out there. Well I looked out from behind the shade and there was that deer again. I got my camera and opened the window. I wanted him to get out of there. And this is what I got on camera after he was back at the top of the rock wall, looking back at me... It's cute, but dangerous for him.

March 4, 2011-Went Out

I went out at noon today. Had to go pick up the critter food that came in yesterday. Then I stopped at Walmart for a couple things. Came right back home. The sun was shining all morning but by 1 pm it had gone behind the clouds. It is nice out today though. Getting up to around 37 by late this afternoon. We got rain coming in for tonight and tomorrow.
I changed my Flange this morning. It was in pretty good shape but was starting to leak a little in one spot. But it went for five days!!! Now I'm hoping this one will last just as long. It's the same exact thing but it all depends on how I put it on and if it sticks well enough around the Stoma itself. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. My belly was healed up nicely also. That's the best part.
I feel a bit tired again today. And I felt a bit tired in the store. I noticed that I've been feeling like that the last couple times I've gone out.. I hope it's not a sign of worse things to come. I'm not quite ready yet..Ha!
Got back into my comfortable clothes and now I'm going to sit in the living room and relax a bit and watch TV.
Take care everyone.

March 3, 2011-Stayed In For The Past Two days

Yesterday was sure a blustery day. That wind was terrible. We had white out conditions here early in the day. It didn't snow much but when it blew it sure looked like a lot...The day started out warm at about 35 degrees and steadily dropped all day. When we woke up this morning it was very cold. Four below zero and it only got up to about 20 today. But it was sunny. The weather is unpredictable now. By Saturday it will be in the 40's and raining.
Agway (Aubuchon) called me today and they got a shipment of my bird chow in. Thank heavens! Those small 4 lb. bags are dried out and don't have the big pieces of nuts in them like the big bags do. And they are way more expensive to buy them that way. So I'll be going out tomorrow to get those.
Good news on my Flange! It is still sticking and this is the 4th day!! Yaaayyyy!! I am so happy. It doesn't mean the next one will but I'm hoping. I will change this one in the morning. I want a clean flange on. Don't think I'd ever want to keep one on for longer than this. Besides I can feel the seal breaking down a bit. I might have to change it tonight. But not if I don't have to. I'm afraid it would come unstuck to soon by lying in bed and tossing and turning before it had time to set in on my belly. I have changed the bag a few times during this four days though. The drainable ones get worn out from cleaning them all the time. I have been using a few closed end ones for the past two days. When they get half full I just take them off and put a new one on. I clean them out first before throwing them away though. They tell you that you don't have to but I don't want to put a full bag of crap in my garbage! Yikes! It seems unsanitary to me. Even though people clean up after their dogs and that goes right in the garbage. I still stick my used bags into sealed baggies before they go into the garbage. I like my drainable ones better but didn't want to waste them. I only have ten for the month. And I have quite a few of the closed end ones. They feel more comfortable at night.
I was watching the mother deer with her two twins out there tonight. The twins are grown now but they still hang with her. Cute. The one with the hurt face was out there earlier than the other ones. I thought maybe he was one of the twins but now I can see he isn't. Still have not seen the foxes to get any pics. And it's too cold to hang out the window at night waiting for them. I did see their eyes shining tonight when I shined the flashlight up on the hill. I whistled to them and let them know I was putting their treats out. They will be down later after I close the shade.
Ellie (Bly) Her first married name, lives here in my building. Her daughter in law died this week. Priscilla was Donny Bly's wife. I went to school with Don. That's sad. She was only 63. Guess they found her slumped over the steering wheel. She had never left. She must have had a heart attack. I haven't heard anything else yet. I didn't know her. My sister, Chris, did and said that Priscilla was a real nice lady and kept that family together really. Hope Donny doesn't go off the deep end now.
Haven't heard from anyone in my family this week so I don't know what is going on with anyone.
So that's all for now. I'll be back as soon as I feel like it. Ha! Take care everyone.

March 1, 2011-Coming In Like A Lamb??

It's so nice to see the sun after all that rain and gloom yesterday. It's only about 18 degrees right now at 9:30 am. I'm going to wait till it warms up later then I'm going out to get more critter food and a few groceries. It's supposed to warm up to about 30 or 32 degrees. It's going to be cold and maybe more snow for the rest of the week so I've got to go today when I can.

My flange is holding so far. Day two. Hoping it will last till tomorrow morning or longer. My right hand is really bothering me. I don't have much strength in it either and it hurts when I get up because I push with that. Guess I better rely on the left more. The bone on the outside of the wrist really is sore. I am always so careful not to fall again. It really scares me. That's why I'm not without my walker any more. I use it constantly now. I'm hoping my left knee will hold up when I go out. I'll be doing a lot of walking so it will probably bother me tomorrow. But hey!! At least I don't have any pain in my asssss!!!!! Ha! Ha!
Have a nice day everyone. :)

Update:
I went out this afternoon. It was such a beautiful day. I went to Aubuchon (Agway) to get my usual critter food and they were all out of it. Someone had forgotten to order it for the past two weeks. And they don't get any in the first week of the month so now I don't know what I'll do. There is no other like it at all. The bag I buy has whole nuts and no corn, which I hate because nothing eats it. They do have little 4 lb. bags of it but it's so darn expensive that way. My critters are not going to be too happy for the next week. But I'll try to make it last as long as I can.
Then I went to Walmart. Had to go to the service desk first. The last time I went I noticed a charge for a bag of lemons on my receipt and I didn't buy any. And they charged me the full price for a box of candy that was on sale. So I got that money back.
I was kind of tired walking around today though. Not sure why. Maybe because I didn't get enough sleep last night. That lady upstairs gets up at midnight and 3 am and flushes the toilet, which sounds like a tumbling waterfall inside my bedroom wall. It wakes me right up and then I can't get back to sleep for another hour. And my Parakeet was fluttering in it's cage at 4 am. Something scared her. She quieted down right away though . I didn't get up to check on her and was glad to see she was still alive when I uncovered her this morning. I'm always afraid she will hurt herself. I was awake at 5:30 and never went back to sleep so hopefully I will sleep better tonight.
It's supposed to snow a little tomorrow and get real cold tomorrow night and into Thursday. But warming up on the weekend again.
By the way. My flange is still holding on!!! Yaaayyyy!!!
Saw that injured deer tonight with two other ones. That gash above his nose was bleeding. Poor fella.
That's all for today. Be back tomorrow maybe.