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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Random Thoughts


  1. A flock of geese in V formation flew over the house last evening, squawking all the way! Love that.
  2. We've been having those bluer than blue autumn skies so common for September in Ohio.  My favorite.  
  3. I've done a few more fallish things, like buying some rusty colored mums, Honey Crisp apples and red D'Anjou pears.  And I baked my first loaf of pumpkin bread. yum.
  4. My arthritis is taking it's toll on me!  Now I'm having trouble sleeping. Every time I go to get it checked the doctor says I'm too young for this!  When I see that everyone else in the waiting room is 20+ years older than me, I tend to agree!  I have another appointment next week.  My back is now bothering me more than my hands. :(
  5. I also went to my regular doctor to get a spot on my back checked.  Between finding it and my appointment, I had already decided I'd opt for hats instead of wigs if I had melanoma and had to do chemo. ha.  I'm usually such an optimist, but the hair part was important and needed extra thought! Fortunately, he didn't think it was anything and didn't even want to do a biopsy.  Yay!  I'm still waiting on the blood work, which I already know will say my cholesterol is too high.  That, I can deal with. ha.
  6. The boys aren't freaking out quite so bad when Slate tries to snuggle down with them when I'm putting them to bed.  Nobody is especially friendly, but they are smiling now and giggling.  When I say, "Oh, Slate loves you!  He wants to sleep with you!", they seem amused.  And when I said, "Spencer, Slate wants to lay on your tummy!" Spencer said, "No, no, no!" as he laughed.  I think that is quite an improvement!  Slate is persistent!  He loves those boys!
  7. Speaking of cats, my little Grey hasn't been here in 10 days.  I'm worried!  None of the cats have ever been gone more than 5-6 days without coming back.  The ones that were gone that long never returned.  Velvet has been gone 4.  Domino had been gone 4 and came back last night, so I'm still holding out hope.
  8. I enjoy looking at the Google home page and seeing the daily artwork and holding my curser over it to see the meaning.  I was surprised Sunday to see birthday wishes just for me!  How did they know? ha.  Google+, I'm guessing.




81 comments:

  1. Love your random pictures and thoughts. How special that google wished you a Happy Birthday. My google today was a line of blue trees turning fall colors. I had to smile at Slate and the boys...I would love to make some pumpkin bread but packing today for our trip to OR to see Tristan. When we get home I'll start baking. The picture in the screen of you is so adorable. You are one special lady.

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    1. Yes, today's Google is fall leaves and bare trees! I always think their daily header is so clever.
      Took that picture today....sometimes opening my laptop can be scary, though, with bedhead and glasses. haha.

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  2. Yikes...I was first...how in the world did that happen!!!!!!

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    1. I also wanted you say how glad I was that your doctor didn't think the spot was a problem. I also have arthritis in my hands, but I'm am more like 30+ years on you. HaHa. Mine comes and goes. Never had it in my feet. Have bursitis in one shoulder from time to time...but I've earned it with age. HaHa. Hope it goes away real soon.

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    2. I don't have it in my feet, either...I'm so glad! At least I can still buzz around here and get things done. haha.

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  3. I hope your kitty returns safely. That is sweet about your boys warming slightly to Slate. Your weather sounds delightful. We're enjoying honey crisp apples with caramel dip! Have a good evening.

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    1. caramel dip...yum...that is perfect! Writing that on my grocery list!

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  4. I sympathize with you Betsy, I know just how you must be feeling, really. As you know I suffer with arthritis in my hands, feet and back just like you, but unlike you mine didn't start until I was 74. At my age you expect something like this and learn to put up with it.

    Google know EVERYTHING. I was surprised to have a special greeting on my birthday, but it's all done by computer. There isn't a human at the other end who cares whether or not it's your birthday. Poo!

    Ginger Tom hasn't visited me for over a month now, but I do see him in the field with the feral cats, so I know he's OK.

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    1. I've only done the injections in my hands, which really do help but this time I'm going to ask for a prescription pain killer so I can sleep. Winter will be worse...my hands ache when they are cold!

      I was going to ask you about GT yesterday. I'm glad you've at least seen him. Blame Dinky and that hissing! ha.

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    2. I think Dinky is a confirmed spinster ! GT really did try to get on with her, now he feels rejected.

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    3. Poor guy. He is one of the most handsome cats I've ever seen!

      Hey, a friend on facebook just advised me to try taking magnesium glycinate. She takes it every day and it has taken her pain away! We should try it! I'm writing it on my shopping list.

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    4. Apparently Pineapple is great for arthritis....
      I have it in my fingers...some days it is horrible....
      And..now...I seem to be suffering from sciatica!
      Geesh!
      Wish I was young and beautiful like you Betsy!
      Great post....great thoughts!
      Sorry Keith.....didn't mean to poke my nose in!

      Cheers!
      Linda :o)

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    5. Gosh Linda . . . that pineapple thing is worth knowing.
      I get sciatica sometimes . . . I find if I have a straight back . . . lean forwards with arms outstretched holding onto the edge of a kitchen worktop with body at about 60 degrees and then arch back . . . . . hold it there for a while and usually the sciatica goes. . .

      Sorry Keith I didn't want to poke my nose in either . . . . . oh yes I did . . . !!!! . . . lol

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    6. Does pineapple work for your hands? Interesting. We love fresh pineapple and I buy it often!
      Oh, I'm not that young...just a few years behind you! ha.

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  5. Aww I just love that piccie of you with that big smile and those cute little dimples . . . . lol
    Really nice photo . . .
    So sorry about the arthritis in hands and back and obviously glad the spot on your back was considered harmless. If you were thinking those thoughts then obviously the doctor's findings were a huge relief. Just hope they can deal with the pain for you and soon.
    Shame about the boys not accepting a cuddle form Slate
    Loved your random thoughts . . . . . :)

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    1. Well, I thought it certainly was progress on the boys' part. Last time I posted about it they stood straight up in bed or left the bed entirely to escape him. lol....

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  6. I missed that it was your birthday! Happy Belated Birthday to you!!! I hope that you had a good time. I hope that you can get the arthritis thing sorted out, that is not pleasant to have to deal with. It is great that Slate keeps on with the boys and that they are learning to tolerate and cope with him. I hope that the other cats return home soon. xx

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    1. I hope they come home, too! It's not the same without them!

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  7. Happy Belated Birthday! I have arthritis in my hands..it's not chronic yet, but some days it aches so bad I don't know what to do. I hope you find relief soon and if you do, please share!

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    1. Aw, poor you! Advil works best for me....but I wake up as soon as it wears off. Heat is good...a hot shower before bed is my routine and with advil and that I fall right to sleep.

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  8. Glad the spot was nothing at all
    No need for huge hats at your hall
    I know all about the pain
    Been long aboard that train
    Can sleep on one side and that is it
    Move anywhere else and back has a fit
    Slate definitely wants to join them for a nap
    Hopefully Grey comes home soon after gallivanting across the map

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    1. Huge hats would have been a sight
      but wigs I'd avoid with all my might. haha.

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    2. Sorry about your pain
      as sleep you try to gain.
      Only one side would be hard to bear
      as that ear will get more flattened, I fear. lol...

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    3. lol would want to go all wiggy?
      Could get down and jiggy
      Grab a spoon
      And be a wiggy loon

      haha oh been 3 years almost
      So used to it at least at my coast

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    4. It's amazing what you can suffer through
      when you really have to!

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  9. Wishing you a belated Happy Birthday, Betsy.. mine was last Thursday and when I realized Google was celebrating along with me, I couldn't stop smiling! We have beautiful Fall weather, honey crisp apples and arthritis in common. Though I am old enough to have earned mine! Wishing you a pain free week. Smiles!! My grandson Charlie is 18 today!!!!! Where does time go?

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    1. Happy birthday to you...and to Charlie! Time flies, that is for sure!

      It's a neat thing Google does and was a total surprise to me!

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  10. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! How cool of Google.
    Birthdays are a love/hate celebration when you get older.
    Love when friends and family love on you.
    Hate when you wake up to a new pain, somewhere.

    COME HOME GRAY! (that's me calling for him!)

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    1. Gray! Chris is call you!

      :) hope it works!

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    2. Velvet came home tonight. Now we just need Grey!

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  11. The older I get the more random aches and pains show up. Life isn't always fair, is it? In my head I still feel like I'm 20.

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    1. haha...I know..me, too! Parts of me feel very young...like my brain! lol....

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  12. Im sorry about your arthristis I know is pain!
    And happy new you are ok in the other!
    Im really sad about Gray I hope he arrive soon ah these cats you know but I know grey is little!
    Google is cool but how Keith said they know all:)
    xo

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    1. I know...I hope Grey comes home. She has those pretty Cleopatra eyes. Aw....I miss her!

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    2. Yes I remember nopw she uses make up:)

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  13. aw I love Slate want sleep with the boys he is sooo cute:)

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  14. That's a really cute picture of you!
    I love hearing about Slate and the boys. I think he's good for them. I'm worried about Gray too. We had the same thing with a few of our cats. It's hard not knowing.
    The Google doodles are fun - especially on your birthday!

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    1. I think he is good for them, too. They've grown up with pets but have never cared about any of them. I wish they'd form a friendship with a few of them!

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  15. So happy the Dr. thinks that spot is nothing to worry about! My sister in law has terrible arthritis and she is 52! I think Slate hit the jackpot deluxe when he stumbled upon your family. So sweet!! Happy Birthday!

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    1. I was, too, Karen...but a little surprised. It still seems like it shouldn't be there. Your poor sister...I just turned 53 so I can relate!

      Slate is a gift...he makes me smile every day...such an affectionate cat!

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  16. I hope Grey comes home soon!!

    I'm so sorry to hear that your arthritis is so bad :( And I'm sure being 'too young for it' almost makes it worse! That's exactly what my chiropractor has told me every visit for the last five years . . . I'm too young to have such bad hips! HA! Tell that to my hips, thank you! I started having my back and hips go out after I turned 30. Though, I kinda have an excuse, since I was a ballet dancer for 11 years and was warned time and again that I would have all sorts of issues by my 30's. But heck- I was like, 11 or 12 at that time I couldn't even imagine being as old as 30! ;) Oh, the things I wish I could tell 12 year old me!

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    1. Yes, 30 sounds ancient when you're 12...besides, you'd never have give up the dancing at that age! My hips hurt sometimes when I sleep....ack! Yes, I think what he means by that is ...Oh my, you're going to be really bad in 20 years!. Great! lol...

      You look like a ballet dancer....I'm not surprised to hear that at all! :)

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  17. Reading about the missing kitties and your birthday reminded me of something that happened 60 years ago. When we moved to TN from OH we had our cat shipped in a wooden crate in a railroad freight car. This was in the early 1950's. She made the trip just fine, but a mean dog next door threatened her constantly. She put up with that for almost a year, and then disappeared just a few days before my 9th birthday. That just killed me. My father had vaguely thought he heard a meowing sound while driving to town. We figured she had ridden off somewhere underneath the car. Thank goodness there wasn't any remnant of her anywhere within the workings of the car. We had lost cat announcements read over the radio, but no response.

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    1. Oh, I bet you were heartbroken. Sometimes it's the not knowing that is so hard. Hopefully she survived the car trip and found a home without a mean doggy neighbor!

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  18. As you know I can so identify with early onset arthritis. I am in chronic pain - some days are better than others, but always pain. It's funny what the body/mind will cope with. I have found various things that have helped and I will e-mail you about them. But in terms of supplements, the one thing I swear by is glucosamine sulfate. Lifesaver. It does not eliminate the pain but boy it is worse without it. I also take Aleve (our pharmacy generic brand) twice a day. As both my parents suffer from hip, back and knee issues and both their parents as well, I inherited everything early too. Ah well... we cope, don't we? I can also identify with the skin issue as I had the same issue at Christmas and sadly my brother passed away at 47 from melanoma so my heart was in my mouth for several weeks until the biopsy results. It was fine. As a dear friend of mine says... getting old isn't for sissies!

    You look young and vibrant on your screen though! Your hair is getting long again... locks for love? I am so glad the boys are a little better with Slate and I am praying that Grey comes home. It's so disconcerting not knowing what happened. Sending you love and hugs! xo

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    1. Something is always hurting on me, too...funny how we just learned to push it to the back of our minds and get on with our day! I do know that being active helps me a lot and I lift weights and stretch. Advil seems to be the best for me...Aleve doesn't touch my pain...or tylenol.
      I tried glucosamine sulfate and I'm allergic to it...makes me itchy all over, which I guess is fairly common. I think it's just time for a prescription pain killer in addition to my injections, which do help a ton.

      My hair is growing! I missed being able to put it up. Not sure it will get to the locks of love length, though. ha.

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  19. So sorry to hear about the arthritis, Betsy. I do hope you find some relief and comfort, soon.

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    1. Thanks, Martin....I don't let it slow me down, but it would be nice not to be hurting all the time!

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  20. Hi Betsy .. looks like you have some helpful thoughts here ... and as medication is always improving I sincerely hope they can ease things for you ...

    I hope Grey comes back, and perhaps Slate will get his way with the boys sometime ...

    Autumn is now sliding down into darker days - the autumn colours are lovely aren't they .. enjoy your mums - cheers Hilary

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    1. We've been saying that lately....the darkness is coming sooner! That is just about the only thing I don't like about fall/winter...when it looks like the middle of the night before dinner time. I'll take the freezing cold and a ton of snow any day. ha.

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  21. Betsy, I used to have it so bad in my feet that I couldn't walk. Then I went to an arthritis doctor who said, after testing, that I have both kinds of arthritis and prescribed a chemotherapy drug called Methotrexate or MTX. I take five small pills each Sunday. It is one of the safest pills around and has been in use for decades without any ill effects -- so I was told. So after a week or two, I suddenly noticed I was totally pain free and could walk like I did when I was younger. And because I caught it and began taking MTX soon enough they told me my hand or feet would never become crippled and they never have. If I were you, I would either make an appointment with an arthritis doctor or go back to your family doctor and ask them about MTX for your pain. I know if you take it that you will forever be thankful.

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    1. Thanks so much for this Abe. I'll certainly check into it. I see my arthritis doctor next week! That crippling is hereditary in my family and have several ancestors with those disfigured hands. I'm glad that treatment worked for you and your feet improved so much!

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  22. I do hope your little friends so back up soon. I love that Slate is persistent in his love!!! =) Glad your spot on your back was okay and hope your lab work is GOOD! blessings ~ tanna

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    1. Velvet came back last night. Now I'm just watching for Grey! Sweet girl....I miss her!

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  23. Hi Betsy, I just wanted to stop by and check what you've been up to recently and to thank you for your comment checking up on me. All's been good, I've just sort of fell out of synch with blogging which is sad but I guess it can just happen sometimes.

    Anyway, I definitely miss your daily injection of positivity, your positive and constantly fair and serene outlook was often calming to me during a very stormy period and I really do miss it a lot. I hope all has been well with you and your wonderful adoring family, I hope to be able to drop by once again a little more often than I have recently.

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    1. Hi, Matt! So glad to hear all is good with you. Mouth healed up ok? And are you still working at the soccer store?

      Drop in anytime for a dose of serenity and positive thinking...lol....I'm looking forward to it. If you start posting on your blog again, be sure to let me know!

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    2. I still am Betsy, sadly but university is closer than before :) My teeth issues have been non existent recently, a big relief because I know they did dominate life and blogging last year. Fingers crossed it's good for the long term

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  24. Ahhhh.... the prettiest reflection on the internet!

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    1. aww....see...you made me feel better already! :)

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  25. smiling at slates persistence with the boys...reminds me of my old cat...hope the arthritis lets up a bit.....

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  26. I always say the same thing...I really enjoy reading these posts. I am so sorry to hear of your aches and pains...I can relate. I love your honesty, I too look at the others in the waiting room. We only had one cat at a time...our last one, a big Siamese kitty, would prowl the yard at night. my husband and I would take turns waiting up for him on the couch. Eventually he would jump on the grill and look in, a signal to us we could finally head to beb. Glad the boys are starting to warm up to Slate.

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    1. Since we installed that cat flap, ours come and go as they please...which is most convenient. And since they were all born feral, it's to be expected that they travel and prowl and are gone for days at a time. Still, they do call this home and when they disappear, I worry about them.

      Yes, I'm hopeful with Slate and the boys. They have pet therapy at their day program every week and I think that has helped a lot, too!

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  27. Gorgeous photo, as always. Whatta doll!

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  28. Haha, I had a Google happy birthday wish too - stupidly, it made me happy! I love your self-portrait.

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  29. Sorry you are in pain. When inflammation flares up for me I drink real cherry juice. Krundsen, or something is the name, but homemade is killer good. Not sure if that would help you, but wanted to share, since it helps me.

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    1. Thanks for the tip.....I'm adding that to my grocery list!

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    2. You can usually get coupons for it on Mambo Sprouts. It's the tart cherry or just cherry. Wait, I have some in the fridge.

      Here we go ... R.W. Knudsen Just Black Cherry. They also have an organic as well. I don't know really if this will help you but when my fingers go into fits, I drink some and it helps.

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    3. Great...thank you! And it sounds delicious, too!

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    4. Oh, gosh, I love it. And when cherries are in season, I make homemade. Heaven.

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  30. Happy Belated Birthday! Make this the year to start taking care of you. First treat your worries with Bach's Rescue Remedy Then try Cosamins DS,(the original Glucosamine Chondroitin), for your creative hands, a little Arnica,(pill for the inside and gel for the outside). when you forget and overdo anything but dark chocolate, and a magnesium supplement chased with Tart Cherry,(not really), juice for relaxing your inner self for a good night's sleep. You'll be right as rain and bright as sunshine. God Bless, Woodchuck

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    1. Sounds like a plan! Thank you. :)

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    2. I just looked up the Bach's...never heard of this! And you're the second person to tip me onto the magnesium...it's on my shopping list!

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