Life with the Bickerson's

Christmas Lights

2009-12-10T23:16:00.003-05:00

I know it's been quite awhile. I seem to be addicted to Facebook games such as Farmville, Fish World and Cafe World.

I'm hoping this little video I took with my cell phone tonight works. We put lights on the front awning of the travel trailer.

Samsung Impression

2009-10-21T01:13:00.003-04:00

Oh my .. it really has been along time since I've been here. The only excuse I have is that I have had nothing to say.

Something exciting happened today. I got a Samsung Impression. Our carrier is AT&T. Either my eyes are going bad or I need new glasses. It is getting harder to see the numbers on the flip phone I was using.

The Impression is an awesome phone. Has a large touch screen with a QWERTY keyboard as well as a very large slider keyboard. I can see them both.

I was able to purchase the phone from Best Buy, getting the same price AT&T offered on their web site but I didn't have to deal with rebates.

Not Much Longer

2009-09-21T23:07:00.002-04:00

Next month, September will be the last payment made on our truck. After I get down from that excitement the very next month our health insurance goes up ..

I'm very thankful the truck will be paid off to offset the higher insurance premium.

It's A BOY

2009-08-27T23:44:00.002-04:00

Many of you know I'm a Grandmother to 2 girls, Nana to a boy and girl .. all 4 belong to my daughter .. I wasn't ready to be called Grandma when she had the first 2 (the oldest is 17). But I'm Nana now ...

My baby who is my son (35) will be having his first child and today they found out it will be a boy .. we are so happy and I'm actually surprised. Think my son is too .. I could have sworn she was going to have a girl ..

This is wonderful .. my other Grandson won't be the only boy.

Started another Yahoo Group

2009-08-27T23:18:00.004-04:00

I must be nuts .. but I love the RV community and want to be sure that anyone who wants information will be able to find it how ever they can.

I was moderating a group for Travel Trailers all by myself. I tried over and over to get in touch with the owner for over a year .. Someone suggested I start a new group so I did. A group for RV Towables. I even have help with this one .. it's growing slowly but as people find out they will come over ..

Just click on RV Towables you can visit our home page. Maybe I will see you there.

Be Safe

It's been days

2009-08-05T21:13:00.002-04:00

I hadn't realized it's been days since I was here last .. time sure does fly, but I can't tell you where to.

Our City Commission returned today from summer vacation, which means I'm back there listening and learning. Not that I'm retaining much. I realize most citizens work but I'm always disappointed at the low turn out. By the end of the day I was the only audience member.

The meeting is televised on the local Comcast station so I'm hoping many are sitting home watching and yelling at their televisions. Can't yell when your in the audience.

My leg is slowly, and I do mean slowly healing, but yes it is getting better. However I may have a new problem just hope it's not my hip. I do have an appointment with the Orthopedic next week, which I hope to learn more.

I'm fining out getting older sucks. I suggest you don't get older.

Road Trip

2009-07-30T12:14:00.003-04:00

Tuesday we took a drive to the Florida Keys .. it's been a year since we've been anywhere, so we picked a place we could do in a day. It rained once we hit Key Largo and rained all the way down US 1 .. until just before Key West .. the skies became blue.

There were many vehicles, and people too. The best mode of transportation on the island is foot, Conch Train, bike, motorcycle (actually a scooter would be even better) or an electric car.

Remember to click on photos to enlarge them.

BING

2009-07-25T21:13:00.005-04:00

Microsoft has a new search engine called Bing. I don't use it, I prefer Google. BUT what I do like is the virtual maps. I searched various places and I actually found us .. When we were at Callville Bay Resort and Marina and we were parked at Trailer Village. Our truck is parked out in the road. We were in our 04 Coleman Caravan and in front of it is our golf cart .. Neat huh? Then I got a picture of Government Wash .. also located at Lake Mead, NRA outside of Las Vegas .. We boondocked our first winter there for 5 months.

We met allot of people there, and are still in contact with many of them.

If you click on the photos below you will see a larger view.

Just a leg update

2009-07-25T16:06:00.002-04:00

Last week I went to the Orthopedic and he told me to start walking. He wants me to use a walker so that I keep my weight off of it.

He also increased 2 of the medications I was taking. Lyrica and an anti-inflammatory. I am doing much better but find I must wear shoes all the time.

I don't go outside barefooted ever, but I do prefer to walk in the RV barefooted. I can't, if I do I continue to hurt. So, I'm wearing shoes.

We've had an all day rain, which has been nice. Great for the grass and my tomato plant, even lowers the hot temps outside. Probably very humid, I wouldn't know, haven't stuck my nose outside.

Nothing much to report

2009-07-21T01:12:00.002-04:00

I signed up for Facebook. Thanks to my daughter, she said I needed to get with it. Ok, I'm with it.

I made an appointment with the orthopedic for Wednesday. I have gotten better when you think about how much pain I was in when it happened. I'm really just tired of having to deal with the pain. More so at night when I'm trying to sleep.

I have been walking as the Dr. recommended I do. I haven't gone back to Curves or walked the length I once did, just regular walking.

It's he(( getting old as things hurt that didn't before and take longer to stop hurting.

Had a Great Birthday

2009-07-16T14:29:00.004-04:00

I had a great birthday .. it's over now.

Went out to lunch, went with my son's girlfriend to an appointment she had. It was over a 2 hour wait, but together it wasn't that bad. We talked the entire time, about everything.

My daughter had us over for dinner (wonderful homemade soup), family and friends .. was a GREAT day .. I just love my birthday.

Our rig

2009-07-15T14:21:00.003-04:00

Thought I would put a photo of our trailer and truck up here.

Facebook

2009-07-09T20:40:00.001-04:00

I'm not sure I want to be there but I'm setting up Facebook. May need my daughters help. Never thought I'd be asking her for help. I remember when she wanted nothing to do with computers.

Leg update

2009-07-06T12:15:00.000-04:00

I just came home from the Orthopedic. I have to go and get an x-ray tomorrow and bring the results back to him. He will review, I go back in 2 weeks unless he sees something in the x-ray.

His diagnosis possible stress fracture. When I walk I should use a cane on the left side or walker.

Continue with what I've been doing. Stay off it, elevated and hot compresses.

Gave me a script for anti-inflammatory medication.

Some Improvement, but not much

2009-07-01T16:35:00.002-04:00

I'm still on the couch with my leg up. I have made an appointment for July 6 with the Orthopedic. I want to make sure nothing is seriously wrong.

Yesterday I went to BJ's (like Costco). Didn't linger, and went to the meat market. I didn't feel pain while walking but I did notice I walked funny. DH said I was favoring it.

Within an hour after getting home my leg starting hurting and swelling. I started the Ice/Heat thing. Finally this afternoon the swelling went away. Still a bit painful.

I also ate one of the tomato's from the plant that started this whole thing .. Yummy. Meaty and very tasty.

Twitter

2009-06-24T14:38:00.001-04:00

I have no idea what Twitter is .. but I hear about it all the time every where. I setup a Twitter account. That is all I know about it. This will be a learning experience.

I'm in an unknown enviroment.

Ants, Ants, Ants

2009-06-18T14:51:00.002-04:00

And a lot more than 3 .. Hundreds, yes many. I found ants on the kitchen counter. I've not been near that area since hurting myself. I've left all the cleaning to my dearest husband.

Maybe leaving crumbs is a good thing. As to how they are getting in is still unknown. This morning DH went outside found them walking up the side of the trailer and onto the roof. He checked around all the lights and seams and couldn't see where they were entering.

This is could actually be a good thing .. NOW maybe he will put the Eternabond on the roof and chalk the lights.

Home Depot here we come. I want the outside sprayed as well as the ground and around everything that touches the ground and the trailer.

I'm doing better

2009-06-15T16:56:00.002-04:00

I went to the primary for my monthly blood sugar test. This being the first time on my feet since June 1. I did really well, and having shoes on was a big help.

My leg did remind me that I was walking to fast and standing in one place to long, even told me I was twisting my leg.

I can't run a marathon (not that I ever did) but I will start moving around more but will also keep alternating ice and heat.

After laying around for almost a month I was so afraid I'd gained back the weight I lost, only the blood test will reveal how my sugar is doing.

I did take a peak at my weight and I did not gain weight. YES!!!

Update on Leg

2009-06-13T21:32:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to let you all know I'm still off my leg. I am able to walk as long as I have good supportive shoes on, but I can not put weight on it, by standing in one spot.

I've seemed to have gained back most of the weight I lost as I'm not cooking. DH has been buying TV dinners.

I understand the Drs. reasoning for not giving me pain medication as it would mask the pain and I would probably do things I shouldn't.... BUT I sure would love something that would mask the pain so I can sleep at night.

I go to the primary I think the 25th of this month.

Sprained Ligament

2009-06-02T15:33:00.002-04:00

A week ago today I experienced severe pain in my right leg, below the knee .. Yesterday (Monday) I couldn't take the pain anymore.

I went to Urgent Care (wow, much better than the ER and less expensive) and was diagnosed with a sprained ligament. That's what I get for moving a 5 gallon bucket with very wet soil and a tomato plant.

I did learn I can not take Ibuprofen. I thought I was doing something good by doing so, only to find out it raises your blood pressure. Anyone who has high blood pressure please check with your Doctor.

I'm stuck on the couch, with my leg some what elevated and using Icy / Hot patches. I'm looking at a lengthy recovery period.

This also means this place is a mess. DH does a good job caring for me and cooking. The floor has not been vacuumed or washed. All company needs to stay away as the animal hair is piling up.

Molly went to the Vet

2009-05-11T11:17:00.002-04:00

Took Molly and Kendra to the vet to get their toe nails cut .. he gave her a high five. He had heard about Ester-C but never spoke to anyone that actually did it .. he said he will remember should another Doxie come in with the same problem.

Regis and Kelly LIVE

2009-05-06T18:57:00.003-04:00

My daughter and I saw Regis and Kelly yesterday in Miami .. You can see them too through my pictures .. here are the links to my 2 albums

This album were pictures I took before the show. http://picasaweb.google.com/forty4san/RegisAndKellyArrive?authkey=Gv1sRgCLvH0eaCpMjRkQE#

This album was taken during the show. http://picasaweb.google.com/forty4san/RegisAndKellyDuringTheShow?authkey=Gv1sRgCMj_j-i5q7aKag#

Quick Update

2009-04-28T22:46:00.002-04:00

It's been awhile so I thought I better give you all a real quick update.

Molly is doing well, running and walking. Still on Ester-C and always will be at a reduced amount.

We are now the on-site managers at the park where we are staying. Why not, we are always here.

Here, SE Florida.

No More Carpet

2009-04-07T21:36:00.001-04:00

My son removed the carpet in our travel trailer today. Visit my web album to see the photos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/forty4san/NoMoreCarpet?authkey=Gv1sRgCPXOg6ih3snPxgE#

Amazon Purchases

2009-04-06T19:40:00.000-04:00

Thank you very much to those of you that have made purchases from Amazon by linking to Amazon via my blog.

Molly is doing GREAT

2009-03-22T18:00:00.003-04:00

I would say Molly is 80%. Even caught her jumping up on the couch.

I've reduced her Ester-C from 1000 mg to 500 mg a day. I will keep her at this amount for a month. If I don't see her go backwards in her recovery, I will reduce her to 250 mg a day for the rest of her life.

I highly recommend Ester-C to anyone that has a dog (I understand it doesn't work on a cat) with muscular problems, arthritis, Hip dysplasia.

My son is COMING HOME

2009-03-17T16:22:00.000-04:00

My son called today and said he will be home next week. As many of you know he has been working in Greece for what seems like forever. I think it's been about 5 weeks. It will be good to have him home and all my family together again.

Once Happy Camper

2009-03-07T11:57:00.001-05:00

DH took the sliding exit window from our travel trailer and swapped it with the solid exit window in our bedroom. Now we have a great breeze in our bedroom.

To be an RV you need to be mechanically inclined. He's great to have around for so many things.

2009-03-07T11:57:00.000-05:00

Molly Continues To Improve

2009-03-06T21:33:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for the kind and positve thoughts as Molly improves. Thank you all for sending me the coupons for Ester-C .. as you know I put them to good use.

Molly improves every day .. she's not ready to run a marathon any time soon.

She is now squating as she piddles and even is holding her body pretty good when she goes poopie .. I always felt she would improve (after all I trust or Vet) but never did I think it would be this fast.

Today I took her potty on a leash. I carried her to and from her potty spot. People who have watched me walking her with the towel actually stopped their cars. They've been watching her from before the accident to today.

They cheer for her.

A new month

2009-03-02T01:58:00.000-05:00

As March begins the winds are blowing .. we started out today with our AC on and within hours the temperatures dropped so low the AC went off and if I wasn't dressed with long sleeve shirt on I'd have the heat on.

I've added a new area to my blog. In the upper right corner you will see grey letters that say Buy from Amazon. If at any time you are going to buy from Amazon please come here to my blog and enter Amazon through here. You will pay the same price as if you started off at Amazon's site .. the benefit of coming here (yes this is a plug) I will make some money. Just pennies but all pennies help.

Now Molly .. every day she's improving .. she's even running around inside the house. At times we have to tell her to settle down cause she gets over excited. When she goes out to go potty we still use a towel to support her.

Please remember to let anyone and everyone know about Ester-C if their dog has problems .. similar to Molly.

Adding Amazon

2009-03-01T01:55:00.000-05:00

As you can see on the right .. the words Amazon, Buy Here .. I'm trying to figure out how to add Amazon to my web sight so that you can go shopping at Amazon directly from my web site.

They make is sound so easy but I'm getting nowhere .. maybe cause I'm tired. After all it is 2 am .. tomorrow is another day.

The Bunny Hop

2009-03-01T01:16:00.000-05:00

Today I put Molly on the ground to show someone how she has improved .. the little twerp took off running .. She doesn't move her back legs independent from one another. She moves them together at the same time.

I will do my best to get a video and upload it.

Every day she improves more and more.

I carried her to the location where she goes potty. Instead of a towel to support her I had her on a leash .. I still don't allow her to walk and do have better control with the leash .. and then carry her home ..

I'm impressed at how well she is doing and think you will be too ..

A better video

2009-02-23T11:50:00.000-05:00

I took a video this morning so you should be able to see Molly better .. Every day she's walking better .. remember it's her left leg that was paralyzed first. After all the running around I gave her a valium to calm her down.

Molly Walking

2009-02-22T02:46:00.000-05:00

Is it possible?

2009-02-19T12:12:00.000-05:00

As I was taking Molly for her walk this morning, that rear right leg was going a mile a minute (but her knuckle still bends over, for lack of knowing the correct name) .. I swear I saw her trying to walk with her left leg. That's how the right leg started.

I watch her scratch her ear with her right leg, not powerful, so I help her. She does try to scratch her left ear but of course can't. I've now become her ear scratcher.

Before this injury Molly didn't like to be held and didn't like being in the bed. She's getting lots of both.

She's had this injury for about 6 weeks (or so) and I think she's come a long way. I still believe it's the Ester-C

New AZZ Cardfile is OUT

2009-02-17T14:12:00.000-05:00

Do you have a bunch of yellow sticky notes laying around? Do you carry a hard copy calendar? Do you have favorite recipes that you want to keep on hand?

RVers the uses are endless. You can keep track of your favorite campgrounds, restaurants you've been to, sites you've been to or even want to go. Think of all the information you keep, now you can keep it in one location and very organized. You won't have to have a file with all the torn out magazine articles.

These are just a few questions you may ask yourself. If you answer yes to these or any other situation that you keep notes about, you really need to check out AZZ card file. It's a data base that you can make it anything you want. I have been using it for years. Version 4 is the best version ever.

It's free to try, and once you try it you will wonder how you ever survived without it.

Please check out and download AZZ at this website .

I get nothing for telling you about this program. I just want you to know about it and try it.

No Real Change

2009-02-15T01:08:00.000-05:00

Molly hasn't really changed much in the way of motor function, but she hasn't gone backwards either. Her little right paw tries to keep up with her front legs. But both paws will stay bent over if you put them that way.

I feel she's doing quite well, since the vet said a minimum of 2 months crate rest. I don't even know how long it's been, I'd actually have to go back through the blog and get a date.

Her spirit hasn't faltered. She just gets frustrated cause she can't run after lizards or the cats.

Happy Update

2009-02-13T11:02:00.000-05:00

I just took Molly out and I SAW motor function with the left leg. I wasn't sure, so I had Ken watch as she walked and YES, he too saw her using her left leg.

Slight Improvement

2009-02-11T16:54:00.000-05:00

I noticed today that Molly has some motor function in her right leg. Her left leg still just hangs there.

Here left leg was paralyzed from the beginning .. but seeing the improved motor function puts a smile on my face .. I will keep her on the 1000 mg of Ester-C

Ester-C

2009-02-10T19:44:00.001-05:00

I upped Molly's Ester-C to 1000 mg a day on Monday ... we tried water therapy with her but didn't have a tote large enough for her to swim in. The RV has a garden shower so can't do it in here.

I do put her on her back and make motions like she is riding a bike. Hoping that will keep her muscles happy.

She still goes potty on her old schedule, thank goodness there is nothing wrong in that area.

I will continue to monitor her and see if she starts using her rear legs.

Possible Difference

2009-02-08T18:42:00.001-05:00

I noticed today that Molly was using her right rear leg. Granted from day one her left is the one that gave out .. but as she scoots across the couch (something she shouldn't be doing) that's when I see her using the right leg. Other wise there are no changes and she's not worse.

I'm still giving her the Ester-C, which I will be increasing to 1000 mg a day.

Ester-C

2009-02-02T15:35:00.000-05:00

Ester-C is a non acidic vitamin C .. my reason for purchasing it, is to try it on Molly. I've been trying to find anything I can to help her out since we can't even consider surgery.

I've been reading positive things regarding Ester-C and dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, and joing injuries. All with very positive (well a whole bunch) out comes.

I'm trying to find out the doasage for a 12 pound dog, but Vitamin C is water soluble so if she can't use it it will wash out. I bought 500 mg pills and cut 1 into 4's but now I'm thinking from what I read I can give her 1000 mg a day ... I will continue to read.

I have found a group on yahoo for dachshunds so I may present the question to them to see if anyone has heard or tried this therapy.

I'll let you all know.

Valentine's Day

2009-01-28T15:27:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day is upon us, as well as our youngest grand daughters birthday .. I got this idea to use my Christmas tree year round .. Click on the photo and it will get bigger.

She retracted her foot

2009-01-28T15:25:00.000-05:00

I took Molly to the vet this morning to get her nails trimmed .. when the vet tech did Molly's rear left foot she retracted it .. so feeling is coming back .. I know this is going to be slow .. I'm still trying to get a video of here putting her legs out, getting ready to go potty.

There seems to be improvement

2009-01-27T20:07:00.000-05:00

I can't explain it .. but it's funny .. when we take Molly out to go potty (she lets's us know) we support her back legs so that she can walk in a small area. When she's ready to go potty .. she puts her legs out, so we lower her back end so she can contact with the ground and sure enough she goes potty. If she's not finished she continues on and out go the legs again, she lowered and she goes again .. now if she finished she goes to the edge of the road which tells us she finished and ready to go back inside.

Molly came off the couch

2009-01-27T01:13:00.000-05:00

Just like a child. I turned my back on her for no less than 2 minutes .. she came off the couch (I didn't see how she did it) and dragged her self to the water bowl. Now I had given her water moments before.

She looks ok, but have no idea if she did more damage to herself .. of course she still can't walk and drags her legs .. but she's feisty .. the front half of her is the Molly we all know and love ..

We just hope that she didn't do more damage.

Hopeful Thinking

2009-01-25T13:46:00.000-05:00

My husband and I strongly believe that we say Molly wag her tail. We weren't together at the time.

I also belive that I saw Molly stretch out her left leg as I was lowering her to go to the bathroom. It's been a little over a week. I'm not expecting an overnight miracle.

I've been reading all that I can find online and now I'm reading to add Ester C to her daily diet .. I've bookmarked all the places that sound promising .. but will have to wait until next month, which is only a week away.

Today is her last day of Prednisone but will keep her on the Valium.

Saw our Vet

2009-01-21T21:27:00.000-05:00

We saw Dr. H today (unable to see him on Friday when Molly stopped walking) .. he's reduced her Prednisone and will be off of it in 5 days, but said to keep her on the Valium.

He did a deep something pain test (the vet on Friday did not to this test). He used hemostats and pinched her rear paws. It took pressure but he got a reaction. That is REALLY good news .. He says she will recover, no time limit on when.

We continue to confine her and only let her out to go potty. We did discuss water therapy but we don't have a bathtub in our RV .. but my children had a bathtub, so in a week we will see how she tolerates it.

I'm just so pleased that there is positive news.

Thank you all for your prayers, positive thoughts and encouragement .. so many tell me it's happened to them and the outcome was good .. I'm looking forward to when I can post and let you all know she's walking again.

Our Little Molly

2009-01-16T22:54:00.000-05:00

Our little Molly (who is a 9 year old miniature dachshund has paralysis on her left side. We can't afford to have x-rays and other tests done .. so our vet is going with a possible herniated disc.

She is being treated with Valium and prednisone .. and she must be crated for no less than 2 months .. it's very important that we follow through with the crate .. we don't want her to re injure herself.

We brought her to the Dr. today and will return with her the following Wednesday ..

Tomatoes are looking good

2009-01-15T00:17:00.001-05:00

Remember to run your mouse over each picture, you should get a hand, click on that picture and it should open to a larger image. They taste so good .. Guess you can call them organic since I've not put anything on them. They are very healthy

Hollywood Beach, FL

2009-01-11T13:30:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to blog this from Picasa 3 .. I have no idea if this will work. Also try putting your mouse over the pictures and click, hopefully it will make the pictures larger.
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Boxing Match

2009-01-08T19:34:00.001-05:00

A movie with Toby and Alex. This was taken with my Canon G7 and the movie mode set at the best 1024 X 768

Another Creation

2009-01-05T20:22:00.000-05:00

For me this is exciting .. I learned how to put a picture into what is known as a Quick Page. My goal is to learn how to do Digital Scrapbooking. This is the first step.

Learning New Software

2009-01-05T02:34:00.000-05:00

I'm taking online classes to learn a photo editing program, Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 .. only it does so much more than edit photos.

I've learned wrapping text. I know it doesn't seem like much .. but to me it's something .. Before tonight I didn't know how to do anything with this program.

Christmas Has Come and Gone

2008-12-26T18:51:00.000-05:00

We celebrated with our family on Christmas Eve. Our daughter and son in law got this neat toy (Dragonfly) for DH .. Everyone enjoys it.

They got me a nice collection of Blue Diamond Almonds, more Christmas jewelry, sugar free cookies and apple pie. A few good books to read.

Our son and his girlfriend gave us a coupon for a free wash and wax of the truck and a wash of our travel trailer .... I'm looking forward to redeming that coupon .. and also a box of sugar free jelly bellys.

We had a great time and great food. Christmas Day we celebrated with our life long friends. Another great time and great food.

I topped off the holiday with a visit to Curves.

Hope everyone has a great holiday and be safe in your travels.

Nothing to report

2008-12-22T00:45:00.000-05:00

Life has been same ole same ole. I'm off work now until next year. That also means no income so we will pretty much stay home .. except to go to Curves. I'm still going 3 times a week. The first week in January I will have my official weigh in.

Christmas is Thursday. I hope everyone has the merriest of Christmases ... and be safe .. watch out for the other guy. We will celebrate with our family Christmas Eve and friends Christmas. We haven't celebrated with them since Dec. 2003. It'll be great to be together ..

I'll have pictures for you later in the week.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-12-02T11:21:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone ... sure hope you all had a great Thanksgiving .. ours was wonderful .. it's been 4 years since we spent the holiday with my family.

Our daughter, and our son's girlfriend went over and beyond when it came to food and deserts .. oh my .. thankfully I didn't stuff myself. In order to eat desert my husband and I shared everything. YUM-O

We had 24 people and that included children. Sadly my cousin and her family were unable to make it due to their pets. I understand that cause we have 2 dogs and 3 cats. If they don't go we don't go.

Christmas Tree

2008-11-22T18:00:00.000-05:00

We haven't had a Christmas Tree since we went full time. We found a tree that fits on the wall then decorated it.

Beautiful Weather

2008-11-18T11:29:00.000-05:00

A cold front has moved through Florida with another one right behind it and that one will bring colder evening temps .. I call this perfect weather .. the kind you wished would last year round.

The windows are open (saves on the electric), cats in the windows. They are enjoying all the sights and sounds ..

I don't know if this weather will last through Thanksgiving, but sure hope it comes back for Christmas.

Spam

2008-11-16T00:45:00.000-05:00

I decided to start downloading my yahoo email account to Outlook Express .. oh my goodness the amount of Spam is over whelming. I did some research and I joined Spam Cop and I have been filling up their site with all the header information regarding this junk .. I've also been blocking them and blocking all the assosiated domains .. don't know if it will help, sure hope so.

Bullet Wound

2008-11-08T14:29:00.000-05:00

The night of the election I was watching TV and heard a loud explosion. Long story short (cause you would think I was nuts if you heard the story) the next morning DH found a bullet on the kitchen counter.

Visit my web album to see the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/forty4san/BulletWound?authkey=fe7p-QTPgN8#

Curves Update

2008-11-08T14:17:00.000-05:00

Friday night I had my monthly weigh in and measurements .. I'm very pleased to say that after 15 30 minute workouts I've lost 6 pounds and 9 inches.

I'm not all that sure the measurment loss is correct. When you are measured you need to be sure they put the tape on the same area each time. Current measurements state that my abdomen has gone down 3.5 inches .. that could also mean that the swelling from the surgery has gone down.

It's been 3 full days that I have not needed to take Motrin for pain ... that is a big relief do to the fact I was eating Motrin like candy.

A Quick Update

2008-11-02T20:48:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile .. sorry to those that have been following my postings.

I'm still going to Curves and still having pain from my surgery. Not sure if Curves is the reason why. I'm going to the Primary next week and hope he has some answers. It maybe nothing more than it will take a long time for me to heal.

The little RV park we are in is full. Another place west of us is closing down so some came here, towed in. I think about 7 rigs in all.

Two Canadian families in motorhomes showed up on Friday and one said we need to leave, this is his spot. I tried to get in touch with the property manager but he has not returned my calls and has not been home. DH is quite concerned cause they told him they paid for this spot in advance. Sure hope we don't have to move, cause there is no place to go. I feel if anyone needs to go in order for them to have our spot (if indeed they did pay in advance) would be one of the 7 rigs that were towed in here. They just arrived and we've been here for months.

I'll let you know what happens.

12/2/2008 We are still here

My Father In Law

2008-10-11T11:30:00.000-04:00

:Like his son I don't know him very well. DH was not raised by his mom and dad, but by his grandparents.

Yesterday morning he was able to call 911 (he had called DH's sister in law the day before to say he didn't feel well) but in a matter of hours he was air lifted to a larger city and put of life support.

As of this morning all test results are stating there is no brain activity. DH's Aunt is unable to say it's time, nor can any of her daughters. There are 2 stepsons with him and only one is mentally capable of saying it's time (there is a DNR on file). I believe they are all waiting for the results of another test regarding brain activity.

We are to far away to do anything, as well as DH's brother. We pray for Dad and his family that is there with him.

When DH last spoke to his father (less than a week ago) he did say he was at peace with everything.

UPDATE: My Father In Law passed on at 5:13 pm central time 10/11/08

No real changes

2008-10-09T23:43:00.000-04:00

I'm still going to Curves .. I've been going every day except weekends .. I'm actually enjoying it .. It the short time I've noticed a difference in my flexibility .. I'm more flexible.

We have been having allot of hard rain and more expected tomorrow with continued local flooding.

So glad we have a Dodge Diesel truck. DH tells me that I'm high enough off the ground that the flooding won't bother me and because of the type of brakes, (I think he said disc) they will still work after going through high water .. Of course I'm not going to fly through the water ..

Curves

2008-10-02T19:43:00.000-04:00

I don't have nice looking curves .. but who knows, maybe I'll get some .. Our new health insurance pays for us to go to certain gyms .. so I figure they are paying for it I'm going to join.

I've been sedentary all my life and it shows .. I've never worked out so I'm approaching this in a very positive attitude.

I'll keep you posted .. be sure to check back often.

Steps with lights

2008-09-30T22:25:00.000-04:00

I finally got my good camera out (Canon G7) and took a picture of the steps with the rope lights on.

Oh no! Stuff Again

2008-09-30T17:52:00.000-04:00

It's bad enough we have to much STUFF, but we just gained more .. I'm not talking about the steps .. a neighbor in the RV park where we are located gave us a stand alone ice maker .. We really can use one since the top shelf of our freezer is ice cube trays and a holder for ice cubes ..

It does need to be rewired cause someone cut the electrc cord off of it and we need to hook up the water line .. but wow the thought of having freezer space is exciting.

We are going to be here for quite some time so I don't consider it .. STUFF .. it was free and we can use it .. when the time comes and we are able to move on we probably won't take it with us but offer it to our daughter.

The Steps are Pretty Much Complete

2008-09-26T19:56:00.000-04:00

Still no steps

2008-09-19T19:02:00.000-04:00

He started to make nice steps to go in and out of the trailer. They didn't turn out like he wanted so he started again.

Didn't like that and tried again .. he stopped .. long story short it's harder for me to get in and out now than it was when we were using the trailer steps.

I understand it's hot out there, but he's lost the umph to do anything.

Maybe over the weekend he will finish.

New Steps

2008-09-16T12:14:00.000-04:00

It seems I'm getting new steps .. nothing wrong with the steps on the trailer but they aren't made to hold up to constant in an out day in and day out .. I don't know what the new steps look like but will share with you when the job is done. Hubby is building them from bricks he got from our son.

No real news

2008-09-13T17:23:00.000-04:00

There's no news here from SE Florida ... I continue to take it easy, no lifting and healing good. I do notice if I do to much.

I have however been glued to FOX news and the internet to monitor IKE. I have many online friends that were in his path .. many have been accounted for, others are now going through the storm as they are further inland.

Winds of Ike

2008-09-09T11:15:00.000-04:00

Ike is going over land right now, Havana Cuba. He is close enough to give us high winds. Winds are not as high as what we experienced at Lake Mead, NV .... but steadily strong, about 30 mph. I don't know if we will get any rain from him. The keys are under tropical storm warning so they are getting hit hard and bands are going over S. Florida.

I'm so glad he did not come here and I hope he is the end of storm for the season.

BTW, winds are strong enough to move our dish for DirecTV and I even feel the trailer moving.

No IKE for us

2008-09-08T21:13:00.000-04:00

Thank goodness we are not going to get IKE, but tomorrow (Tuesday) we should have some rain and a bit more wind than we have today. It's been what I call breezy, but not windy.

All our awnings are in just in case. I'm so pleased we didn't have to evacuate. I was not looking forward to it.

The whole idea of being full timers (wait I've already said this, haven't I?) is to move when you don't like what's going on. We've put our self in a situation where we can't go anywhere.

Thank goodness winter time in S. Florida is nice.

Still watching IKE

2008-09-07T22:28:00.000-04:00

Although we have no warnings for Broward County we are continuing to watch the path of IKE Due to his size it looks like we could get a few feeder bands, which brings rain and winds.

There is school for Miami-Dade and Broward county tomorrow, Monday. According to online weather sites we could get gusty winds and due to that information we have brought out awning in. I'm a big help ... NOT

I'll let you all know how our weather is as IKE continues to pass south of SE Florida.

Watching Ike

2008-09-05T20:29:00.000-04:00

Dodge Ball

2008-09-05T12:51:00.000-04:00

As most of you know it's hurricane season and close to the peak dates. The tropics have been quite active.

We've managed to dodge Gustav, Fay and Hanna, although we got feeder bands from all three.

Ike on the other hand is one we need to be very concerned with. The cone is changing as he gets closer .. instead of heading straight at SE Florida he's now heading for the Keys (although he can go anywhere within the cone) putting us on the right side of the storm which means the wrong side.

As the weekend gets close that cone will change. I can only hope and pray he stays on a south westerly course and go through or below Cuba leaving Florida alone.

We have our plan ready. Because we are in an RV we will have to evacuate with our animals and valuables. I've made a list of what to take and we will film later today or tomorrow all our stuff for insurance purposes.

Magnesium Supplement

2008-09-04T00:09:00.000-04:00

I started taking magnesium supplement since returning to Florida .. on the advice of my podiatrist.

He said it had many benefits .. one of course was for my sugar levels .. I've been reading on the internet where we all know we can get so much information, sometimes to much.

I can't remember where I read it but it mentioned skin tags, and I'll be darned if my skin tags are disappearing. As a child I called them Grandma Fuller moles.

I remember my grandmother having them.

What I wasn't told was when you first start (at least for me) the magnesium affects the bowels. Don't need any prunes, if you get my point.

I'm taking 250 mg twice a day.

Two steps backwards

2008-09-03T15:46:00.000-04:00

This afternoon we went to put out our awning to protect the trailer from the afternoon sun (hoping it will help with the electric bill). The strap that is used to pull the awning broke so Ken asked me to help pull on the awning arm .. NOT a good idea .. I felt the pain immediately in the lower right side .. guess pulling goes with no lifting ..

Thank goodness I still have a few Percocet's left. Took one and here I sit doing nothing.

We are going to have to spend the money to drive out west, go to the RV supply store and buy a new strap, but due to fuel prices we are waiting till we have a reason to go. It'll be a gallon of fuel to go out and back.

Photos

2008-09-02T23:32:00.000-04:00

I haven't learned how to link my Picasa Album to my blog so the best I can do is put in the link. Photos of our current location.

Went to the surgeon

2008-09-02T14:32:00.000-04:00

Saw the surgeon today for my 1 month check up .. He's released me but said no heavy lifting for 2 more weeks.

He said that the cyst and ovaries were benign, I had a little bit of cancer in the uterus which went out when the uterus went out. Also removed 39 lymph nodes and all was OK. See me in 6 months.

Of course I still have the occasional stabbing, dull burning pain which will subside as time goes on.

Pretty much moved in

2008-09-01T17:41:00.001-04:00

We are snuggly tucked into our RV spot .. DH redid the stabilizers. Made all the hoses and electric wires look good .. even hid our surge protector so you can't see it.

We still have a little wiggle giggle when he walks, but not as bad as other times. Nice and level too. Normally we have to use a bungee cord to hold one of the doors open but not now. And that same door will latch closed, been along time since we were level enough to do that.

We purchased the Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel Interesting stuff .. with an RV you can't hang smelly things on the toilet or put blue stuff in the sink .. so DH wanted to try it .. Not an easy find, tried 3 different stores finally found it at Winn Dixie. I can say it smells good.

We don't have a problem with the funky smell, and we also don't use chemicals, I just wanted something that smelled nice .. I tried Renuzit that you put down and lift it up and it's supposed to put smelly stuff in the air for about 30 days. Never worked. Tried other smelly things too that didn't work.

I'll keep you updated on this product.

The Move is Done

2008-08-30T21:27:00.000-04:00

Between feeder bands of Hurricane Gustav and the help of our son, we have moved into a RV/Mobile Home park .. it was a tight fit getting in with allot of going forward and backwards moving this way and that.

We are in and here we will stay until it's time to leave Florida. To much work to get this rig out of here. Once the season starts there will be more RV's .. ones that are called Snowbirds. Come down here to SE Florida to get away from the cold of the north.

There is nothing fancy about this place. Just a place to park with full hookups. We pay a monthly rate for rent plus the electric. I'm hoping the electric won't be more than 100.00

Things are looking better

2008-08-28T23:34:00.001-04:00

Better for me. I don't want to jinx myself. I have been feeling good all over for 3 days now.

I'm able to sleep on my side (I'm a side sleeper) and turn over on my own. I'm able to get in and out of bed with no help. I can even get up from a sitting position without holding onto something, so things must be better.

I haven't been cleared to drive, yet. I have no problems with that since I barely drive anyway. DH does pretty much all the driving.

Tonight I cooked the entire meal, which is the first meal I cooked since surgery. I have been doing the dishes most nights. Since I cooked I didn't wash the dishes.

I'm only folding and putting the clean laundry away and DH makes the bed. One thing that bothers me is not being able to vacuum. Thank goodness for the Roomba. He doesn't get the carpet as clean as the Oreck but it's better than nothing and I feel better knowing it was cleaned (ok, surface hairs were picked up).

I see the surgeon on Sept. 2 which makes it 4 weeks since my surgery. I will probably be released to drive but I believe the other restrictions will still stand.

Today was a better day

2008-08-27T20:30:00.001-04:00

I had trouble sleeping last night due to the dull burning pain on my left side. I sat up putting moist heat on my belly. Oh, it felt good. By morning the pain was finally gone (for now).

Had an appointment with the podiatrist. Got my toe nails cut and he said everything looks good.

Came home and took an hour nap. Surprising how I still need a nap after almost a month.

Today has been a good day when it comes to pain .. there really isn't pain just mild discomfort.

I survived the weekend

2008-08-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks to a product called AZO, I was able to make it through the weekend from the pain of the UTI ..

I went to the Dr. this morning and he prescribed an antibiotic, reminded me to drink lots of water and 100 % Cranberry Juice ... between the juice and the antibiotic I must closely monitor my sugar. The cranberry juice will make it go up and the antibiotic will lower it.

I never want to have a urinary tract infection (UTI) again .. the pain is horrid .. I think it was worse than my surgery.

I slept on my side

2008-08-22T22:25:00.000-04:00

For most of you that's no big deal.. but for me it IS .. I'm a slide sleeper but since the surgery I've been sleeping on my back. I slept but not sound. Last night I tried my side. With the help of a pillow I was able to sleep the entire night. Didn't even hear my husband get up this morning and leave.

Well on the road to mending, UNTIL I got up and went potty .. I think I either have the start of a bladder infection or a UTI .. thankfully I had 100 % cranberry juice so all day long I've been sipping on a glass and I do feel better. BUT what that does is couse my sugar to go up, and that causes other problems. Boy will I be glad when I can say I'm healed.

I can't complain as it's been less than a month and I'm moving around so well with less pain.

Walking Better

2008-08-20T23:07:00.000-04:00

Went to the bank today and was quite surprised that I was walking a bit faster with a little less pain. I'm so surprised at what I feel is the speed of my progress.

I still have some kind of tape covering the incision which is slowly dissolving. I believe once it's all gone I'll be doing much better.

I know it' s only been 3 weeks so I'm still taking it slow and easy. I have not yet been cleared to drive, which is just fine with me.

Tropical Storm Fay

2008-08-18T22:07:00.000-04:00

All day today we have been dealing with rain and a little wind from Tropical Storm Fay .. as the evening goes on the winds are stronger as is the rain. A tornado touched down in our city of Hallandale Beach. My daughter had minor damage .. a tree limb (family members feel it weighed about 800 pounds) was removed, it hit the house then landed on and broke the seat of a cement bench. She said the house shook and they heard the sound of a train just prior to the house shaking.

Got the staples out

2008-08-15T21:56:00.000-04:00

Wednesday went to the surgeon's had had the staples removed .. stung a bit on the right side but all in all not bad. Another strip of disposable tape was applied over the incision.

I've continuing to feel better every day. There has been no nausea for 3 days now which is great.

I'm still moving slow but surprising faster. If that makes any sense. Not a good idea though to forget I just had major surgery and try to do things at the speed I used to. I do get reminded when I've done to much.

Not sure if related but I've had no migraines since the surgery .. sure would be nice if the two were related.

I go back to the surgeon 9/2, probably for my final release.

Got on the scale

2008-08-11T19:50:00.000-04:00

Went out today for the first time since the surgery. Had to do a fasting blood sugar.

I've been reading forums and blogs from other women who have had hysterectomy's to understand what I'm going through.

One such reading was about the lack of no weight loss but weight gain after loosing so much of your insides .. I must be one of the few exceptions .. I've lost 2 pounds 11 days after the surgery.

I'm not complaining .. Nope not me. I'm surprised myself at how well I'm doing. I move around fairly well (slow of course) and the pain (for me I have zero tolerance ) has been there but not as bad as I thought it would be. I don't know what the future holds in this department.

Each day is a new experience for me.

Moving along

2008-08-11T00:54:00.000-04:00

I can not believe it was just a week ago that I came home from the hospital after having a complete abdominal hysterectomy.

I feel for a 55 year old, over weight and not the best of health woman I seem to be right on schedule with many other women I've read about online that are younger than me.

I have to thank GOOGLE for helping me as I progress .. any questions I've had I just google it. Don't think I've had any questions that weren't answered.

For one .. numbness in the abdominal area. It's normal and will go away with time.

Although I walk slowly I am able to get up and down on my own. Still need pain medication but not like I did when I first came home.

I'll be getting the staples out this week. I'm looking forward to seeing a difference in how I feel.

It's been a week

2008-08-08T18:00:00.000-04:00

Hard to believe a week has gone by since my hysterectomy.

When I first came home I was feeling really good, how little did I know I was going to go downhill a few days later.

I had a set back (low grade fever) which lasted about 48 hours. Thanks to my primary I bounced back quickly.

I'm now feeling better and moving better. Still slow but better.

No one told me how sore this was going to be. I have a very low tolerance to pain so to me it's probably not as bad as I think.

I having been taking the prescribed pain medication. I'm not sure if that was the reason I got sick. Mind over matter.

Would I do this again, heck no .. but I don't have to worry about it cause the surgery is over and the cancer is gone.

It's a hurdle

2008-08-04T22:39:00.000-04:00

I felt really good when I came home on Sunday .. but not so good today .. actually that's not true. I feel good I just hurt like crazy.

I've been eating a high fiber diet as suggested but needed help using a product Peri-Colace

I'm able to get up and down pretty good but not doing so good getting out of bed.

All in all not bad for someone who had major surgery 4 days ago.

I couldn't believe that I was allowed to take a shower today, even though I have staples in my belly .. the incision appears to go from hip bone to hip bone. Medical technology has come a long way.

I looked up my Dr. (after the surgery) and found him. He is an awesome Dr.

Home Again

2008-08-03T16:35:00.000-04:00

Arrived at the hospital about 8:30 am. Ken and my daughter stayed until I was in recovery.

Dr. told them there was just a little cancer in the uterous but it's all gone when he took everything out.

I'm moving slow but moving around the trailer better than I thought I would. Actually getting out of the bed in the trailer is easier than the hospital bed.

Dr. said I can take a shower but will wait until tomorrow .. Really looking forward to washing my hair.

Having Surgery

2008-07-30T10:50:00.000-04:00

We came back to Florida thinking I was going to have a Dusting and Cleaning .. guess what .. wham bam thank you mam but I'm have a complete abdominal hysterectomy. It appears I got a mess in there and don't need all that stuff. Park of this mess is a 7.3 cm cyst on my right ovary.

Dr. will remove everything and do some tucking, tightening up a few things that have come lose such as my bladder.

I've had lots of blood work and I'm happy to say that my CA125 is well within the normal range.

Surgery is this Friday, August 1 .. I will report in just as soon as I can.

Where Have I been

2008-07-27T20:58:00.001-04:00

Quite a few places since we left KY .. what happened to us? I blew up 2 computers one right after the other. I had to wait until we reached S. Florida to turn one in (Toshiba) under warranty and have the hard drive replaced.

It'll be easier to tell ya where we went once I get the pictures off my camera.

It took us exactly 2 months to reach S. Florida. Left NV May 5 and arrived in Hallandale, FL July 5.

We visited family and friends along the way, even some site seeing, continued on 2 lane roads .. we also spent 2 weeks at what we call Camp Monaco.

Monaco Coach Corp. has a factory service center in Wildwood, FL ... made an appointment to have some warranty work done. Wildwood is on the way to our home in S. Florida.

Thank you for wondering where we've been .. just sorry I had no way to let you know.

Medical News

2008-05-21T14:54:00.000-04:00

In late 2005 we came to Owensboro, KY due to DH's father having lung cancer. We stayed here 3 months while he recuperated.

On our way back to SE Florida we stopped off to visit, only to find out that DH's Dad has a suspicous spot on his lung. He's already had one test, which tells him it's suspicious. Tomorrow (Thursday) he will have a PET scan .. Now the Dr. said they may still not know if the spot is cancerous after doing this PET scan.

DH asked the Dr. (which seemed to be a primary) so what happens if the PET scan doesn't tell you what you want to know? The answer, we do a bipopsy .. Excuse me, but why not do the biopsy and forget the PET scan. This man is in his mid 70's .. it will be a week before he gets the results of the scan. I do not know what we will do.

We still need to go to FL. I'll let you know when I know. I do know we will be staying in DH's Aunt's yard until after Memorial Weekend.

We've slowed down

2008-05-20T23:15:00.000-04:00

We've been staying in Owensboro, KY for a few days .. stopped off to get rid of stuff we left here when we passed through a few years ago. Didn't even look, just took it all to the Salvation Army .. DH said that it was clothes, sheets and towels .. we've done without them all this time so we don't need em now. Hopefully someone else will get use out of the items.

Tomorrow Wednesday we will head a few miles south so DH can visit with is father and Aunt. We will be staying on his Aunt's property until after Memorial Weekend. Weather permitting our next extended stop will be North Georgia.