November 29, 2011-Too Warm For November

I really don't like this warm weather. I'd rather see a little snow and have it in the 30's instead of in the 60's. Lots of people have colds around here. Not in this building that I know of but my cousins. I know that because of Facebook.
I took advantage of "Cyber Monday" and got a couple of discounts in Snapfish. The items were 50% off yesterday so I ordered a book for the Grandkids and some Christmas Cards and photo ornaments.
I don't send out many cards at Christmas time any more. Just to the older relatives or cousins that aren't online.
I am having more back problems. Yesterday was a difficult day for walking around. I took two Ibuprofen instead of the usual one a day that I take. I took one in the morning and one in the evening. I think it helped me sleep better. But then it could have been because the woman upstairs didn't get up and flush the toilet as often. I was still awake quite early this morning and was up before 7:00.
I sure can't do things like I used to. It's even tiring to hang something on the wall or put a few Christmas decorations up. I did throw away some of my decorations last year so I don't have many things now, which is good. This will be the first year without my little tree. I'm not going to buy a new one. Even though I could just buy a little one with lighting already on it. It's too much work putting them away. I'm happy with a little red around the apartment.
It's a cloudy day and we had a litte rain overnight but it's way too warm. I'll be watching the granddaughters later this afternoon I think. I haven't heard otherwise yet so I assume they will be here. I'm going to have them move a few things for me. Just little things that I want put underneath something to get them out of view for now. I really can't ask my daughter or Salena to do much because of their problems. Nina is still having a difficult time walking since she hurt her foot and Salena is still on crutches for her hip problem. What a crew we are..Ha!
Have a nice day everyone. I'll be back soon.

November 26, 2011-Decorating Blogs

As you can see I'm fooling around with Christmas decorations on these blogs. I'll be changing them and playing around with different photos till I get the one I like the best. I love my little fox pup in the Christmas bulb so I took it into my PSP and Animation program, that I haven't used in years, and added some blinkies. I was surprised that I remembered how to do it. Now I'll be playing around with that some more. I'll have to dig out some of my old animated pics if I can find them. It's been so many years. I think I'll try to make this little pup wink and if it comes out good I'll add it in place of the twinkling one. Before I can add them onto this blog I have to upload them to Photobucket to get the HTML code.
It's another warm, sunny day here. Where the heck is the snow?? Ha! The Chipmunks are confused. They don't know if they are supposed to stay in their dens or come out.
Have a nice day everyone.

November 25, 2011- Felt Better Today

I felt a lot better as far as that back pain goes. Sure was happy about that. It was a quiet day. Didn't hear from anyone. Vacuumed and yelled at my bird all day for being so noisy.Ha! Ha! Watched a few movies on TV. Now I'm just puttering around with these blogs. Changing the scenery again. I love changing things..I get bored if I leave the same background on all the time.
Not sure when I'll be back here. Guess when I have any news. Take care everyone.

November 24, 2011-Day Is Done-Now Time For Christmas!

Now that Thanksgiving is over we can all start thinking of Christmas. My favorite time of the year. I love all the pretty lights and colors at this time of year.
I don't have many Christmas decorations any more. Last year I threw away my little tree because I didn't think I'd be around. Not sure if I'll bother buying a new one. It would just be one more thing I'd have to get rid of eventually. Christmas is a whole month off and I'm just hoping I'll make it. I've had some bad pains on that right side and today was quite bad again.. I took two Ibuprofen but it doesn't seem to touch that kind of pain. I still made myself a small dinner. I made some stuffing and sweet potatoes. I baked chicken breasts with the stuffing and it tasted better than turkey. I had cranberry sauce also and some pumpkin pie later. I think stuffing and cranberry sauce are my favorite..
It was a quiet day. I didn't talk to anyone at all. Later in the afternoon I did a couple loads of laundry. I figured it would be the best time since everyone was gone from this building or busy. It's hard for me to bend over with this back pain. Especially to get everything out of the dryer. I hope it eases up by tomorrow. I'm sure not looking forward to pain when this cancer starts eating away at me.
My Granddaughter, Heather, drove to NY to see her Dad and brothers for Thanksgiving and she will be stopping to visit me before she goes back. She had sent me a note on Facebook. She was driving up Wednesday and she was telling everyone how she pulled off the road and fell to sleep at 6 am yesterday.(Wed.) She had a noise coming from her wheel but found out it was just the mud flap dragging on the tire so she cut it off with a knife. I haven't heard anything since and she hasn't called me yet so I'm hoping she made it up to Pulaski okay. She wants to visit her Aunts before she goes back also. That would be my daughter, Nina, and Nina's half sisters. Maybe Heather will know more about my daughter, Ginny and the boys. I haven't heard any more from her.
I thought the chipmunks were in their dens for the winter but yesterday and today there were two of them outside. This weather has been too warm for them to stay in I guess. But now I have to worry about them getting into left over rat poison that I put out last week. I'm not going to put any more out. It's too dangerous. I hadn't seen any foxes either till yesterday when two of the young ones were right down under my window. Now I'm afraid they will eat one of the poisoned rats or Voles or mice around here. I will have to try and use traps from now on. Guess I will buy a live trap. I don't want a chipmunk getting caught in the other ones. Darn little chipmunks anyway. They've been gone for two weeks so I thought they'd be staying in the nests for the winter. Now it's going to be in the 50's the next two days.
I was trying to think where the rats came from and I remembered that the neighbor used to throw garbage bags in the woods. But since the new guy has lived there I think he's cleaned it up. Maybe they came from there and had to find a new source of food and discovered my nuts out there. With all the trees being cut down and the water we had maybe they got scared out of their old homes. Now someone has put the old pumpkins from out front up there in the woods. I don't know if rats like that stuff but the squirrels do so that will be good for them. I quit throwing food out for the foxes two weeks ago. But I still feed the birds but they have to come down below my window to get it. I can watch for any rats that way too. That's how I know if they are still alive or not. It's time to stop feeding the birds too I guess. Too bad. After 15 years I now have to have this problem.
Guess I'll get to bed and try to get some sleep. Sure haven't been getting much lately. Hope my pain subsides so I can do some ironing tomorrow.
Take care everyone.

November 23, 2011

I went out Monday night to get a few groceries. I walked very slow so I wouldn't injure my knee too much. It's been very painful. That pain in my back and side comes and goes but seems to be coming more often now. It hurts right behind my shoulder blade area and just below it and goes around to the front. Maybe it's my Gall Stones again. I haven't had a gall bladder attack for two years so have been doing good with that. I make sure I have Olive Oil with everything that I eat so that bile duct opens. I learned that online when I had that attack. I've never done the flush though. Don't think I could handle drinking a whole cup of olive oil. Yuck. But they say it really works. You can mix it with lemon juice. Fresh squeezed. I will just continue the way I am. I think the biggest problem is getting some of this weight off again. I over did it with the eating this past year.

I didn't watch my granddaughters last night. Nina didn't have to teach. She took Salena to her basketball practice at six and then stopped by here with Jessi to pick up the spinach balls I had just made and the DVD for them. The girls were going to help make the spinach balls. But they were happy to get some. Salena told her mom not to eat them all before she gets out of basketball..Ha! Ha! Salena still can't practice because she's on crutches but she still wants to be there every week to support her team. I sure hope she heals so she can play when they start their games in January. She loves playing.
It's been raining all night but thank heavens it's warm enough not to freeze. Still raining this morning and about 39 degrees.
Hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving! I'll be back when I can.
PS. The header was made a few years ago in Scrapblog. All I did this year was add my squirrel to it.

November 18, 2011-Pain In Back

After all my excitement about my blood results, today I had pain in my right side and in my back area behind the lung. It was there all day and is still there. Not sure if I just pulled a muscle or it;s from my crooked spine. I do always have a lump in the back near the kidney area. Been there for a few years now. I think that is my spine causing it. I have a real bad curvature now. Just hope it's not the liver.
We only got a dusting of snow here this morning but to the West they got a few inches. It all melted away by the afternoon.
I was so pissed this morning. That woman upstairs was up at 6 am. and by 6:30 she had flushed that toilet about ten times. And walking like an elephant. I had to get up because I could never get back to sleep. Then she goes into her living room and bangs that recliner. After a while she left I think because it was quiet all afternoon. Unless she was sleeping. I only heard her again around 7 pm. Then she sat in that chair again and I don't hear her now. I never get much sleep because of the noise. Ear plugs don't work. I tried. It's bad when someone irritates you like that. Especially when you don't care for her. That makes it even worse.
So I'm hoping I get some sleep tonight.
Have a nice weekend everyone.

November 17, 2011-Time Sure Flies

Wow! It's been five days since I've written anything?? Time sure does fly by! I can't remember anything now..Ha! Ha!
I did watch the girls on Tuesday but only for a couple hours. Salena had to go to basktball practice, even though she can't play. She's on crutches and can't play till her hip heals up. Not sure what she did to it but I think she tore something. It's been that way for a few weeks now and she was not using the crutches. The doctor told her she HAD to or she'd never be able to play sports. She thinks she can hobble around without them. So I hope she continues to use them so she will heal up the right way. I'd hate to see her crippled for life just because she wouldn't follow the doctor's orders. And her father doesn't help. He told her to NOT use the crutches. Stupid ass!
Jason, Nina's boyfriend, picked the girls up to take them to the YMCA at 6 pm. He will be doing that every Tuesday so I will only have the girls for a couple hours each time.
We made some Molasses cookies though and they took some home.
Yesterday (Wednesday) I had a doctor's appointment with my Primary Dr. in Herkimer. Just for blood work mostly, at my request, just to see where I'm at these days. She was surprised that I looked so healthy even though I've gained 50 lbs. since I was last there. And we do have to go at Least once a year for Medicare. So I'm glad I went. I am not going up to Oneida to the surgeon's office though. I don't need to. Dr. Aranda says he will write the scripts for my Ostomy supplies from now on. Then I won't have to keep calling up to Oneida. She also wrote me out a script for some new Forearm Crutches. Mine are 15 years old and quite worn out.
Today they called me to tell me the results of some of the blood tests but will be sending them to me in the mail also. My Cholesterol is still high of course. I knew that and won't take any of the drugs for it. I've already told her that. I don't need side effects from that crap. My legs are weak enough. My Iron count is good so no anemia any more. But I don't bleed so wasn't worried about that, but you never know. The one test that I wanted done was the CEA levels for cancer. They said they are in normal range!! That was the best news. But you can't count on them too much. The cancer can still be there but just not spreading. But last year they were high. And since Dr. Delpino said the cancer had spread to my liver and that I'd probably not be around another year, I was happy to hear they are normal. For now anyway. That can change very rapidly. But at least I'm still here! Guess I fooled that doctor didn't I??? I'll send him a Christmas card.
My liver enzymes are slightly elevated also but they always were. For the past 15 years. So I'm glad about that also.
So I'm happy! I did not tell her about my knee because I don't want to be going to Utica to any orthopedic doctors during the winter. If it gets worse over the winter and I'm still here then I will go. I might need braces on that leg.
I did go back out last evening for some groceries because the weather is going to be colder. In fact we are supposed to get some snow overnight. I will like seeing some snow on the ground. Then I can see the animals better. Photos are much prettier with snow.
My car hasn't been washed in over a year so I took it through the car wash yesterday. Even though it's all rusty along the bottom it still looks a lot better now. I still have to clean all the door jams and silicone them and the locks before it gets too cold. And wash the inside windows.
Not sure how long that car will last. It still makes a lot of noise. I think there's still a hole somewhere under there. When I went through the car wash I could smell exhaust real bad inside. I tried not to breathe too deep till I was out of there and could open the window.
That's all I can think of for now. Not sure when I'll be back again.
Take care everyone.

November 12, 2011-Not Much Happening

It's been cold and damp the past couple days. I haven't done much but work on some photo projects and do a slide show for a friend. The sun did come out today for a time. I saw one of my fox this evening. Didn't see anything yesterday because of the rain. I haven't seen any deer in almost two weeks now.
Did I mention that the woman upstairs is back after being gone for two weeks to Florida? Yep. The noise has started all over again. Her banging the floor as she gets out of her recliner and flushing the toilet at all hours of the night. I was sleeping much better when she was gone. Now I'm not. Why do people have to be so noisy and inconsiderate when they live up over someone. I'd be so afraid of making noise if I lived upstairs. Every time she gets up out of that chair it makes me jump. I hate it!
I made a few Jibjab funnies for the kids and downloaded them so I could keep them. They are for Thanksgiving. Soon I'll be making the Christmas ones.
The girls will be coming again on Tuesday. Salena asked me if I ever made Spinach Balls any more so I'm going to make some before Tuesday. They love those things....and at least they are healthy. Maybe I'll bake some cookies also. Haven't done that in ages. I think I'll make some Molasses ones. They are my favorite. I should bake some kind of cookie while the girls are here so they can help. They'd like that.
This month is flying by so fast it seems. I don't do anything for Thanksgiving. I used to but I don't even cook these days unless I feel like it. I usually buy a Pumpkin pie though. I might make one this year with a frozen crust and the canned pie filling. I want to try something new and put some chocolate through it. Whip cream too of course..Ha!
I just looked out the window and saw a skunk. The first one I've seen in a long time. Last week there was one down the street around noon and some guys shot it and bagged it up. Haven't heard anything about what was wrong with it yet. The people upstairs said it was in a ball and just sitting there. I think it got into some poison. Don't think it was Rabid. Guess we'll never find out. No one seems to know just who shot it either.
Jane and Savey have gone to Myrtle Beach for a couple weeks and will be back after Thanksgiving.
I haven't heard from Nina so don't know if she got the new vehicle or had her old one fixed. I'll find out when she comes Tuesday.
I think Steve is supposed to go down to Asheville for Thanksgiving. That's what Jane told me a few weeks back. His girlfriend is driving down. That will be good for him.
Haven't heard about anyone else so I guess things are okay.
That's it for a few more days. I'm not going to write on here every day unless something important happens. It's too boring..Ha!
Take care everyone.

November 9, 2011-Watched The Girls

I watched Salena and Jessi last evening while their mom had to go to Utica to pick up her boyfriend from work and go check on her vehicle. She's trying to buy a new one but I'm not sure if the bank will go along with it. She doesn't want to keep putting money into the other one. It had an ignition computer problem and will cost about $800 to fix. It's still at Carbone's where she had it towed to on Monday morning. She had to miss a class at the college and cancel her class last night. It's very stressful when you don't have a vehicle. At least Jason has a car and Nina could drive him to Utica in the mornings. Just very inconvenient for her. So I hope she hears one way or another today about the new one. The warranty ran out on her 2008 one so that is why she wants to trade it in.
It was nice having the girls here last night. Salena had some homework to do first. Then we watch a movie and then I showed them all the Jibjab videos on my computer. I have got to download them yet so they can have them on a DVD. I showed Salena how to do it in case she ever wants to make one.
Nina and Jason got back here around 7:30. I'll be watching the girls next Tuesday also.
Their school pictures came out real nice this year. Too bad Jordan is always in the middle of Football and won't cut his hair till the season is over because he thinks it's good luck for him. He has since cut his hair.
What a beautiful day it is today!! Going up into the 70's!! And the sun is shining bright! This will be the last warm day. Rain moving in for tomorrow and maybe even some mix of sleet and rain by Friday morning. But it sure has been a nice November so far. I'm going out this evening to get groceries and other items. When the bad weather starts I don't want to be going out very often. maybe once every two weeks. I will have to go out next Wednesday though for that doctor's appointment.
I added the girl's Soccer pics also. They came out real nice. They are magnets that I have on my refrigerator.

November 5, 2011-Kid's Visit

Nina came by today with the two girls and her friend, Jason. They brought me some beautiful flowers and some chocolate candy. They also brought a pizza with them and a birthday cake! The pizza was so good. I haven't had any fresh pizza in years. Jordan didn't come because he was with his father hunting. Nina said that Jordan has gotten a few inches taller just since August. Another growth spurt. He's playing football now. The girls just got done with their soccer games.

Nina is teaching on Tuesday nights up at the base. The girls have been going to their Grandfather's but from now on they will be coming over here. Karen, Nina's Step Mother doesn't really like watching them anyway and I'd rather not have them there with him. Never know what he might do. i don't trust him at all. The girls are happy to be coming here.
We had a nice visit. They left around 6:30 but when Nina tried to start her vehicle it wouldn't start. She thought maybe it was the battery in her wireless keys so they borrowed my car to go get a battery and to go get Jason's car. It still wouldn't start so she has a problem which might be a computer or ignition problem. She had to elave her car on the street here overnight. She will call her father and get Tripple A to come tow it.
Nina's boyfriend, Jason, seems like a nice guy. The kids like him. Hope it all works out for the good for Nina. She never has good luck with men. Neither did I..ha! He doesn't have any kids but does have a wife that he has to divorce yet. Always some hangup. The older we get, the more baggage we have. I don't know how he can deal with having kids around if he never had any but he seems mellow enough and seems to be handling it okay.
I'm just putting one picture up here of me and the kids.

Sunday, November 6, 2011
It's another beautiful day here, but cold. I'm not sure what time Nina will be getting her car towed. She will call me later. Meanwhile I'm just going to relax. Maybe there will be a good movie on TV this afternoon.
Take care everyone. Enjoy your Sunday!

November 3, 2011-The Sunny Days Are Nice

We've had some real nice weather the past few days. looks like nice weather for the next few days also except it will be colder.
I went out last evening to get a few groceries and it was so nice to breathe that fresh air. The moon was bright also.
My oldest daughter, Ginny, called me today to wish me a happy birthday. I was surprised. She wouldn't tell me where she was though and I didn't tell her I knew she was in PA. She said she didn't want to stay with Vanessa mostly because of Vanessa's boyfriend. guess she don't like him much. She said they are doing good where they are and she's feeling much better now also. She's been taking all kinds of herbs I guess. She hasn't need her walking stick since I saw her at Rich's.
I feel bad for the boys. They will never get an education it seems. And now she's in hiding again, away from everyone. But that's her choice. If I knew where she was I'd be calling the Child Protective Services.
She was calling with a cell phone that Vanessa got for her. It probably could be tracked. Not sure though. She was at someones house because I could hear the kids and she said she was cooking. And she says it's nice and warm. I'm not going to worry about her any more. Nothing I can do now. I heard that Dave, the father of the boys, said she stole a lot of his money that he always kept hidden in the cellar. So that is where she got her money from. But he's not paying child support so she probably thought she deserved it. I have no idea what went on in that home out there in MN or in TN. Better off not knowing I guess.
Nina will be coming to visit on Saturday so I'm looking forward to that. I'll be meeting her live in boyfriend for the first time also.
I've got more than one rat out there in the rock wall now. There's a younger one or maybe two out there along with the bigger female one. I've got to kill them real soon or I'll have a whole group of them. I'm waiting for the chipmunks to go to their dens for the winter before I do it. I don't want to kill them too. I make peanut butter balls laced with the poison pellets and then put them inside the rock wall. I know where they run now. I do worry about a fox eating them after they die though. Years past they always died inside the wall. hopefully they will do that this time. If a few mice or Voles die also I can't help it. I know I'd never be able to live trap a rat. They are way too smart to go inside one of those.
I wish I hadn't thrown all my big flannel shirts in the Salvation Army last year. Now I need to buy some. I have to buy 2XL's so they are big enough. I'm getting so fat..LOL I bought size 16 pants for the first time in my life! Yikes! But hey! I'm alive!
So that's all for now. Take care everyone.

November 1, 2011-My 65th Birthday!

I made it! I am now 65 years old. The fear of dying at 64 has now gone. Thank God!

I made this in Jibjab. Just for fun because I'm so happy that I made it to my 65th birthday! When the doctor told me last year that I wouldn't last another year I thought for sure I'd be gone by now.

My daughter didn't come over because she had to teach up in Rome. She is coming over on Saturday. I'm going to meet her boyfriend for the first time also. Rich called as he was on his way to the base. He's been busy putting in a furnace at one of his apartments and a new radiator system in his cottage. He's only heated with his fireplace before so there had to be cold spots. He must have used electric heaters and that's expensive. Everyone is getting prepared for winter.
We've had some beautiful days here!