Week of October 13th Chat

@glenmar

You've both got 'em, Jackie.

I'm Iin the hospital.  Someone please tell me I am not a dog?  But when a dog  throws up food for hours and can't eat nor drink and they stop being able to poop any more you start looking around for what they ate?

I have no recollection of eati ng a quarter nor did I eat anything inappropriate so I wound up with hernia surgery.  

Tina I soooo feel your pain ... there are those times you just want to say "Did you wake up this morning to annoy ME?"  Then when you finally find that person who is helpful you are so thankful!

Gosh Jackie  I will be prauing for your husband.

Tracy YAY on the good stuff at work.  That makes getting into work way easier.

(Waving at Glenda)

Waving right back Callie, and sending tons of good thots and prayers your way.

Callie, I'm so sorry to hear you're in the hospital and have had to undergo hernia surgery.  Sending loads of healing thoughts your way.  I sent you a couple emails and PM's recently, but maybe you've not seen them given what you've been going through.  Take care, and keep us posted when you can!

Jackie, still keeping all fingers and toes crossed here --- waiting for biopsy results is agony.  Keeping you and your husband in my thoughts and sending you strength.

My friend had a scary experience a few days ago.  Walking her 80-pound dog near a pasture where horses are.  Her dog has been there dozens of times, and she's aware that sometimes he decides to run to the fencing towards the horses (he can't get in there, just wants to get closer).  He took off faster than she expected, and in her effort to hang onto the leash, she smashed into a fence-post.  She remembers letting go of the leash, screaming for her dog as he ran down the fence line, then she passed out (her wind got knocked out of her).  When she lifted her head again, her dog was lying by her side, and the horses were all gathered at the fence by her feet, breathing down on her.

She had no cell phone, so she pulled herself together to walk home.  She has severely bruised ribs, but otherwise okay.  It could've been SO much worse -- she could've had a head injury or broken bones, her dog could've been hurt or hurt someone else when she let go of his leash (he is very wary of strangers).  She said she'll never walk him without her cell phone again.  This type of thing is why I avoid walking Ruby by myself.  Sometimes a big dog can overpower you if you're caught off guard, and you just can't hang on! 

@tacran

Callie, I'm so sorry to hear you're in the hospital and have had to undergo hernia surgery. Sending loads of healing thoughts your way. I sent you a couple emails and PM's recently, but maybe you've not seen them given what you've been going through. Take care, and keep us posted when you can!

Jackie, still keeping all fingers and toes crossed here --- waiting for biopsy results is agony. Keeping you and your husband in my thoughts and sending you strength.

My friend had a scary experience a few days ago. Walking her 80-pound dog near a pasture where horses are. Her dog has been there dozens of times, and she's aware that sometimes he decides to run to the fencing towards the horses (he can't get in there, just wants to get closer). He took off faster than she expected, and in her effort to hang onto the leash, she smashed into a fence-post. She remembers letting go of the leash, screaming for her dog as he ran down the fence line, then she passed out (her wind got knocked out of her). When she lifted her head again, her dog was lying by her side, and the horses were all gathered at the fence by her feet, breathing down on her.

She had no cell phone, so she pulled herself together to walk home. She has severely bruised ribs, but otherwise okay. It could've been SO much worse -- she could've had a head injury or broken bones, her dog could've been hurt or hurt someone else when she let go of his leash (he is very wary of strangers). She said she'll never walk him without her cell phone again. This type of thing is why I avoid walking Ruby by myself. Sometimes a big dog can overpower you if you're caught off guard, and you just can't hang on!

Tracy ... you just confirmed the human thing I think ... phew I am really glad about that quarted (if Billy is reading he is saying mooommmmm don't tell them to remember the bad things I did!)

I am not unhappy .. I have had two folks in here suggest that the whole 18 months from the pits I have had woth the muscle spasms. May have been connected to the spasmz.   Very likely the spasms tore the hernia.   But it's also possible the spasms themselves may have been triggered by the entrapmentt of the sciatic nerve near tht too of the intestine.   It would be nice to hope that this may help much.

My prayers are with you Callie and Jackie.

Prayers and positive thoughts for Mr. Jackie and Callie. Tracy, I hope your friend is OK--that sounds really scary.

Warm weather here today and then tomorrow the temps drop. I bought some mums that I need to get planted today. I went out to pull out the squash vines and more squash has set (we finally got some good rain), so I'll leave them in until the first frost

So, I have been trying to lose some weight since mid-May, and I am down just over 40 lbs. A bit more to go but so far, so good.

I tried to post using the Custom Text Editor (via my iPad) on Thursday, but I'm not sure where my post landed. Or maybe it just didn't work.

Just popping in before I get started some cleaning and wanted to add my good thoughts for Callie and for Charles. Did you find out anything Jackie? 

40 lbs is a LOT of weight. Congratulations!!!

Congrats on the pay raise and ability to adjust your work schedule Tracy!!!

Things have been super hectic with trying to get the pet shop up and running. Hopefully we'll be opening the first week of Nov. I decided to make beaded bracelets to sell for fundraising and that's also kept me super busy but it's a fun hobby.

Gotta get busy but I hope everyone is doing okay and has a great weekend. It's finally feeling a bit like Fall here - yay!!

Tracy, I forgot to say congratulations on your pay raise and the work-at-home option! Well done!

We did find out that Charles has cancer. He had a PET scan today and we'll get those results on Monday.  Then we will hopefully get a plan of treatment. He's got a great attitude and is determined to beat this. We'll get through it together because that's how we roll.  Thanks for all the good thoughts from my dear friends here. I may be a bit scarce but will keep everyone updated.

Callie, so sorry to hear you're in the hospital. Get better soon.

I haven't heard from Ginger. I sent her a text today but haven't heard back. Hoping all is well for her and her DH.  

Good for Charles and the positive attitude.  Prayers winging their way for both of them.  Let us know if he'd like a barrage of cards!

I logged in today hoping to see an update from you, Jackie.  I'm sorry to hear that the biopsy showed cancer.  I hope it's been caught very early and that the treatment options available for him are super effective.  They say a positive attitude is key in such circumstances, so he's one big step ahead of the game already.  Along with that, he'll have a huge amount of cyber-vibes coming his way as more sources of positive energy.  Keep us posted as you can, but in the meantime I'll be keeping you both in my heart and my thoughts.

Cathy, so good to "see" you!  Sounds like things with the shop are going well.  I wish I lived closer so I could come to your grand opening when you officially open your doors.

Kate, congratulations on such a successful weight loss effort.  That's fantastic!  Did you do anything special in terms of a very different diet or new type of exercise?  The way you describe your incredible baking and cooking skills (like that apple crisp), you must have great will-power to avoid too much of the stuff that isn't good for our waistlines!  Well done!

And speaking of eating unhealthy food, DH asked me if I wanted anything particular for dinner tonight (he cooks more involved meals on Saturdays or Sundays).  I said, "If you could whip up that braised pork ragu I had at the restaurant we went to with my Mom last month, that would be great!"  I was kidding, but he found a recipe online and is trying it out tonight -- we'll be having it over pasta.  The house smells wonderful right now!

Gorgeous weather unexpectedly today -- took Ruby on a 2-mile walk with my friend and we got very sweaty.

Sending more healing vibes to you, Callie.

It was actually a post from Karen on FB about 2 people dealing with difficulties that got my attention. I thought about it when I went to sleep last night and wondered if something had happened to one of my dog forum friends. When I saw Jackie's post about the biopsy, I just knew. Some people might not understand but the connection some of us have made reaches far beyond the miles that separate us. I feel like most of you are my family. My heart hurts for Jackie and Charles. I know they have what it takes to fight this but I wish they didn't have too. Just wanted to say that even though I'm not here as often as I used to be, you're all on my mind and in my heart all of the time. 

Jackie, you know that you both have my heart & soul ready to battle with you. Your bond and focus will beat this. (((((hugs))))

Tracy, great news on the raise & WFH!

Geez Kate, I won't recognize you! That is amazing! I want to lose weight but I never seem to get past that point; just wanting to. LOL

We are at the beach and it is wonderful. My heart is struggling though. Cathy you were right about my post partly being about Jackie, another friend is weighed down with familial health issues, and although it pales in comparison, Bugsy just isn't Bugsy.  I will need to get him to the vet when we get home. He is flatter than a pancake and all he wants is to sleep.

I am enjoying not working although the crappy wifi here has me stressed because I need to send a few emails and can't.

@kpwlee

I am enjoying not working although the crappy wifi here has me stressed because I need to send a few emails and can't.

Crappy wifi-that I understand.  My boss was dragged into the computer era  kicking and screaming all the way.  The station I use for maps or parts has really bad connections and I have to use Access as a portal to our supplier.  I really enjoy working outside all day in cold winds, having everything possible go wrong, then trying to order parts for customers and working with a slow connection that drops once in a while and has a complicated interface to begin with.  Especially on a Friday afternoon.   Got frustrated to the point where I was thinking three pound hammer for fine adjustments and went home. Will try again Monday to order parts and hope they come in before ice up.  Life would be better if the office staff knew what to do, but they are all new and not trained well.  Retirement looks more desirable every day. Especially the part where you don't wake up sore and stiff every morning.  Maybe drinking will help.

Last post about apples for the year-After a few cold nights, the Honey Crisps are at peak flavor.  Beautiful red balls of sweet apple.   Wife is drying apples now for snacking.  The little crab apples are fantastic for eating.  I may be appled out.  The last drink I had was hard cider.

Sky is having a blast hunting.  He hunts mice and grass hoppers and tweety birds.  I may have to head over to Madelia, MN, self proclaimed pheasant capital of MN, and see what we can find.  Last year with Piper it was a washout.  But it is a pretty area. (if you are into prairie).  May even stop in at the official capture site for the  James/Younger gang after their Northfield visit.

@DougB

@kpwlee

I am enjoying not working although the crappy wifi here has me stressed because I need to send a few emails and can't.

Crappy wifi-that I understand. My boss was dragged into the computer era kicking and screaming all the way. The station I use for maps or parts has really bad connections and I have to use Access as a portal to our supplier. I really enjoy working outside all day in cold winds, having everything possible go wrong, then trying to order parts for customers and working with a slow connection that drops once in a while and has a complicated interface to begin with. Especially on a Friday afternoon. Got frustrated to the point where I was thinking three pound hammer for fine adjustments and went home. Will try again Monday to order parts and hope they come in before ice up. Life would be better if the office staff knew what to do, but they are all new and not trained well. Retirement looks more desirable every day. Especially the part where you don't wake up sore and stiff every morning. Maybe drinking will help.

Last post about apples for the year-After a few cold nights, the Honey Crisps are at peak flavor. Beautiful red balls of sweet apple. Wife is drying apples now for snacking. The little crab apples are fantastic for eating. I may be appled out. The last drink I had was hard cider.

Sky is having a blast hunting. He hunts mice and grass hoppers and tweety birds. I may have to head over to Madelia, MN, self proclaimed pheasant capital of MN, and see what we can find. Last year with Piper it was a washout. But it is a pretty area. (if you are into prairie). May even stop in at the official capture site for the James/Younger gang after their Northfield visit.

Callie-Hope you're feeling better.  Getting older isn't for the faint of heart.  I've noticed that most of my new friends names start with "Doctor", and I have to pay to visit them.