Well, the dog grooming went well at the new groomers. When we got there, the owners husband picked him up and carried him around for a while to allow him to become familiar with him and learn that he didn't intend to hurt him. When the groomer started, her husband and I stood by the table to make sure he didn't try to jump off, and I guess I was there to assure him that I wasn't going to leave him there. She turned the clippers on and just rubbed them against his back to see how he would react to the vibration and he was fine. Everything well well from there. He is a little shorter than I wanted him with winter coming, but one thing about hair, it grows back! I think if I make an effort to keep up on his brushing daily he might not get the tangles he had and not have to be cut as short next time. I don't think the groomers husband has another job. He doesn't groom, but he acts as receptionist, helps with larger hard-to-handle dogs, and we saw him taking a clipper apart and repairing it, so I guess that keeps him busy. He told us his family was into dog grooming all his life and that's probably how he met his wife, and they went on to open their own business. They were very good with Rusty. Now to get through tomorrow night with my grandson. I hope it goes as well.

Gayle, we saw an adult tricycle at Goodwill. It was only there a couple days so I guess it sold quickly. I would have liked to have bought it, but I really have no where locally to ride it, and we have no way to haul it.

I'm glad you got to have a nice day to yourself. I enjoy being retired, but I like to stay around home and DH likes to be on the go all the time. I guess I had to go out to work every day for 47 years and now I want to stay home. Your craft ideas sound good. I am not good at crafts. We get a big calendar from the bank every year. Boring!! LOL

Mary, I have been reading up about my itchy skin and I'm starting to think that maybe it's from my diabetes instead of the psoriasis, like I thought. In the earlier years, my psoriasis didn't itch. I am going to try very hard to keep my blood sugar lower and see if that helps. The one article I read said that diabetes can cause permanent damage and the itch might be here to stay. That's discouraging to hear.

It's going to be cold today, colder tomorrow, not getting out of the low 50s but warming up a bit on Sunday.

Sandy, seems like the colder weather will keep you out of your garden for a few months. But time will pass quickly and before you know it you will be out there puttering again.

Lynn, hope you are doing well, and your remodeling is going as planned. It will be beautiful when it's finished. Hold that thought, and it should help you get through it!

Karrine, I hope your doctor appointment went well, with no surprises. You're lucky to get corn on the cob so late in the season. We not longer have it around here.

Good afternoon ladies,

My doctor appointment went well yesterday with no new surprises. I am to have more blood work done in January as he is keeping a close eye on a problem I have with my red blood cell count. I never made it the that new grocery store for the roast beef yesterday but did get 4 cobs of corn at the country market at a reduced price as I think today or tomorrow will be the last of it for this season. I soak them in water for 2 hours with covers on and then do them in the microwave. They sure were good. I also raked more pine needles in the back yard this morning and brought in my back yard ornaments for the winter. Next thing will be to pull the annuals as soon as we have a frost and bring in the patio furniture. It sure is cold here today.

Gayle - your home made calendar sounds beautiful. Being into crafts sure is a good hobby and pays off with making greeting cards too.

Lynn - How is it going with the work on your condo today?

Sandy - Those 3 wheeled bikes are great for support and balance. Someone in a nearby neighbourhood has one as I occasionally see it.

Mary - I too, am sorry yu had a bad night with Halo. Your salmon recipe looks good.

Carol - WTG on having a good grooming day for your dog after being so worried. Once again, good luck with you grandson's visit tonight.

Have a good rest of today all,
Karrine

Cold and dreary here. I"ve tried to go out to put in the flat of blue pansies in the front oval garden near the front door, but it begins to rain again each time. Hope some of you are right that Sunday may be better.

Sure have plenty of things to do here at home after being on the go most of the week. Meds for my ear have stopped up my hearing, but it doesn't itch.

Bible study on the NT Epistle of James is really good. Our group was only 1/2 size but still had 9 of us yesterday. Great Video and good group discussions. too. two friends joined Ted and I for lunch. Lots of laughter and good conversation. So grateful for such a day.

DH made appointment for his next Dr's visit for January at the new facility Dr is moving to. Far more helpful staff there, thank goodness.

Karrine, wih I had your good pine needles to put as mulcch under my Rhododendron. Our pines died and the Rhody does need the acid the needles help provide.

Carol, itching skin seems to be common among so many of us. The itching seems to have my hands going all over. Poison ivy on my hands and face, and exeema on other areas - getting a workout trying NOT to scratch.

I liked the way the groomers treated your dog. How fortunate to find such compassionate couple.

Mary, Halo needs some anti-anxiety meds so you can sleep!!!

Hope tonight's visit from Carol's grandson goes better than she dreads it might.

Glad to be home with DH and Pat.

Hi Everyone,

SO HAPPY to have 2 days without the painters. They are REALLY nice, but nice to have my place to myself again.

Today I can start putting some stuff back in place. One bathroom is done & the wall behind my dining room hutch is done. Will be able to get most stuff off my dining room table & out of my spare bedroom.

Planning to get rid of LOTS of stuff - like ALL those Tupperware lids that have no bottoms to match - where do they all come from?

Also planning to get new towels & bathmats for the spare bedroom. This one has no shower curtain - just glass doors on shower. Will use up ALL those Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupons filling up the back seat of my car.

Lynn

Good afternoon GG's,

It has been a nice sunny day with a nice temperature. A stay at home day ~ love those. I've done a lot of puttery stuff ~ some vacuuming, fixing of some foods, did a couple little repairs to some things. I love it when I feel like I have accomplished something, and love it when I feel good enough to do so.

Gotta find some middle ground with Steve's desire to travel and my desire not to as much. I really enjoy being at home and doing stuff.

Had a nice visit with DD Sara yesterday as she traveled home.

Little granddaughter Evie wants me to make her and her American Girl doll matching dresses. I think she was hoping maybe for Christmas, but we have some other stuff going on and I wasn't sure I could get it done by then. Checked with DD Jen to see if making it for her birthday in July would be ok. Was relieved when she said that was ok. Now I don't have to stress about that.

I've gotten to talk to my mom a little the last couple days. She has dementia, so proabably doesn't even remember if I call or not, but I am always glad when it works out that I get a chance to visit with her.

Kind of sad today ~ two years ago on this day my dad passed. I miss him.

I've enjoyed getting to watch a show that I like ~ on the HGTV channel ~ Fixer Upper. I think part of why I like it is because it takes place here in Texas ~ mostly around the Waco area. The couple who do it are fun, likable and seem down to earth. The people they work with are shown 3 different homes that are for sale and need to be “fixed up”. They get to pick which one they want fixed up. It is fun to see the transformation.

Lynn ~ glad you are getting a break from the painters today. Hopefully it won't be too much longer.

Sandy ~ hope tomorrow is a nice day weather wise for you. Glad that you didn't have to be out and about in the rain.

Karrine ~ sorry you had to work in your yard when it was so cold outside. Glad you enjoyed your corn. Yum.

Carol ~ glad it went well at the groomers for Rusty. Thinking of you and hoping that things go well with your grandson tonight.

Mary ~ hope all is well with you and Joe this weekend.

Kind of running out of steam now ~ maybe I'll do a little crocheting.

Hope you all are having a good weekend.

Well, it's morning, and we all got some sleep last night. Rusty was barking and growling at John off and on all evening, but it did seem to get less and less as time when on. If John was sitting quietly Rusty left him alone, but if he started talking or walking around he would bark and go after him. John was a little afraid, but it was OK. At bedtime, Rusty was pretty satisfied to be in our bedroom with us like he usually is, and we had a baby gate we put across the door to John's room so Rusty couldn't get it. I guess if he really tried he could knock that gate down, but he didn't. He barked and growled a couple times during the night, and when I got up to go to the bathroom, he went over and looked in through the gate. We had a night light on for John so I guess Rusty could see that he was still there. This morning he is barking and growling a bit, but not excessively. Now, I think if John would come regularly Rusty would get used to him, but John only comes ever few months. When we take Rusty to their house, he doesn't bark or growl at anyone.

Gayle, I watched Fixer Upper off and on yesterday. I was doing other things but did watch parts of the show. The house they did turned out beautiful! I only watch that if I'm changing channels and notice that it's on. I like HGTV.

That dress for your GD and her doll sound so nice. You are fortunate that you know how to do that and enjoy it, and you will make your GD happy!

Glad you got to talk with your mother. She probably enjoys hearing from you even if she doesn't remember.

Glad your doctors appointment went well, Karrine. And I hope your DH's appointment goes well, too, Sandy.

Lynn, glad to hear you're happy with your painting and decorating. I don't know how this happened, but I think you have the lids to my Tupperware containers! I find them in the cupboard but no lids! Actually, I have an idea where my lids go. When DH wants to give Rusty some people food, he will pull out a lid and put it on that, then of course, the lid has to be thrown away after the dog eats off it. LOL I keep a lot of containers from things like butter spread and cottage cheese. When company comes on the holidays they always want to take leftovers home, and they are nice for a lit of this and a bit of that, and don't have to be washed out and returned.

Lynn, I got a book from Goodwill, The UltraMetabolism Diet, written by Dr Mark Hyman in 2006. This was before he came out with 10 Day Detox, but he does mention detox in the book. It mostly emphasizes getting rid of white carbs, and is big on plant phytonutrients. It was not anything I haven't read before, but did a lot to reinforce my thinking about the necessity of eating more vegetables, and a wider variety. Passing on the white carbs is very difficult for me, but something I really have to do if I want to improve my health.

Do you feel that 10 Day Detox helped you? Have you been back to the doctor? Are you still following the basic principals?

Hi Carol,

I got rid of all grains, dairy, sweets, & caffeine for 10 days. During this time, I took daily lavender baths, & drank daily smoothies (recipe available if you want it). Started the 10-day detox on 9/2. Still no grains or sweets. However, have added 1 large cup of coffee each morning (12-16 oz), and a NuGo protein bar each morning. Cannot do the daily lavender baths bc the painters have my bathroom (with the tub) filled with their ladders & paint stuff. Have had at least 1 smoothie each day (except 4-5 days when I was away from home.) I have also added a bunch of vitamins/herbs.

I have been back to doctor 1 time. She would like me to stick with it until I have a second blood test & she sees that my numbers are more where she wants them. She was NOT happy about the protein bar.

Results - I lost 5 lbs & have MUCH more energy. No more getting tired in the afternoon. I think my pain is also reduced. Off 3 meds & no more indigestion/esophageal spasms. Eating a LOT more veggies & protein.

Lynn

Lynn, it sounds as if you are doing well with this. Congratulations on the 5 lb loss, and I'm glad you have more energy and are getting off some meds. I can't do smoothies. The problem is I want that chewing experience and the feel of real food in my mouth and would just be adding extra calories with smoothies and meal replacement bars. I think you will continue to feel better and better as you go along, and hopefully, the next bloodwork will show the improvement the doctor wants to see. Good job!

Carol Chewing experience is one I also need to feel satisfied. One help is to snack on air popped corn. It is more satisfying than ice cream and far healthier. At least it is a whole grain.

Your positive experience with your grandson and Rusty will make the next visit far less anxious for all of you. I was really pleased to read about this.

Gayle I agree that a day at home is something to celebrate. We go out this evening but this morning "no hurry" and I'm gradually getting some tasks done. How lucky I am that we rarely travel.

Lynn Good for you having so much more energy. To be off medicine of any kind is progress, too.

Mary Hope all is good with you.

Rusty is at the vet having surgery!! His anal glands ruptured and the only way they can fix him up is to do it surgically. I really don't know what all they will be doing. They said, but I was in a dither and not paying attention. Our vet trips are never simple or cheap.

We are back home after a four night trip to the Oregon coast to do some crabbing. We love it there and try to go once a year at least but some years we have missed (like last year I think) due to surgeries or something. We got 9 or 10 dungeness crabs and several red rocks. We only take the larger reds and give them to friends. Dh and our kids like the Dungeness. I got a light sunburn sitting on the dock despite using 50 SPF sunscreen. Nothing bad though, funny thing the reddest parts were actually covered by clothing I sometimes get freckles on my belly which is always covered too. And of course my face gets blotchier by the year despite my attempts to protect it. When at home I really don't spend much time outdoors so it's mostly from when I am on a trip.

Carol Sue - Poor Rusty! That sounds terrible. I hope he heals quickly. Glad things worked out fairly well with him and your gs. Your mention of a baby gate gave me an idea. Perhaps Halo would do better alone in her room if we left the door open and only used a baby gate across the entry. Even though she'd still be in the room alone, she'd be just across the hall from us and could hear us so she might not feel so alone. I am doubtful... She hits the door with her paws and will likely do the same to the baby gate and might knock it down...she's a good size dog...but it might be worth a try if we could find one that didn't cost much. I have no idea how much they cost.

Lynn - I think a lot of your renewed energy comes from going off sugar. I really noticed that the one time I did it. I could do the lavender baths (sounds lovely!), and the smoothies but my problem would be giving up the grains and sweets. These days it seems I can't get myself to give up anything! I think it's because I have dieted so much I want no restrictions anymore. But when I look at my large belly in the mirror I think I MUST change my ways! Yet I don't do it. I feel pretty good these days so it is easy to think I'm ok, until I look in the mirror or try on clothes! Anyway I'm very proud of you and congrats on losing 5#!! Your condo will look so nice when the work is done...happy for you.

On our new entry door...the salesman told us the guy who will do the final measurements would call in five days to set up an appt...well it's been two weeks and no call so when we got home today dh called (our second call) and we now have an appt tomorrow morning. Really looking forward to having it all done and will start saving for the exterior siding. Dh was saying too that he still would like a security door as well. It's frustrating to be always spending money on things for the outside when we have an bathroom and kitchen that desperately need remodeling. I'd also like to have all the wood throughout the house re-stained or replaced whatever we put in the kitchen. Dh also wants to bring the gas line into the kitchen. I don't care whether he does or not, but would love to have a new stove...ours works ok, but I have never really liked it and it has worn way faster than any other stove I've had. Our house is definitely a Fixer Upper...in our case it has never been remodeled other than around 1993 or 1994 we remodeled our main bathroom (needs it again) and around 1999 or 2000 we replaced the kitchen floor, moved the washer and dryer to the garage and put in shelves for a pantry in the space and put in new carpeting throughout the house. The kitchen cupboards were not in good shape when we moved in (38 years ago) and we still have the orange counter tops that were so popular in the 60s! We always thought we'd remodel before now but while raising four children it never got done and since retirement we have preferred to travel.

Some parts of my body are not itching quite so much right now...I think a body wash I was using may have caused some of it (underarms and girl parts). But my head, outside and sometimes inside of my ears (new) and my feet still itch. I have wondered for a long time if diabetes played a part...and it probably does make me more susceptible and keeps it going, but I also suspect it is a fungus. I don't have athletes foot but my feet itch all around the sides, on top and bottoms. Diabetes can do this but I don't think that's all it is and my feet don't look really dry. I haven't noticed any odor though. Once my son had a fungus on his feet and they itched like this but they were also very stinky. I have the appt with my new dermatologist on the 16th and hope he can help. I do think what we eat which also pertains to diabetes can play a part. My bs are not too bad these days...they are usually good in the mornings after my first meds are taken and continue to be good most of the days...the highest is in the evenings usually as I tend to eat more then.

Sandy - I am actually considering giving Halo some Benedryl. Our son (her master) told me he has given her 1/2 of a 25 mg tab during fire works and it helped her. She gets very excited at times...kind of manical and it seems to be getting worse...but it's not all the time, mostly after she's been shut up alone like when our son's away and we put her in his room for the night. But when he's home and she's shut in there with him she's fine but she doesn't like being alone. I'm going to try other things first but if it continues I might give it to her when he's not home as we need our sleep. She of course sleeps most of the day.

Karinne - Glad you had a good day at the market...a few years ago, I learned to cook our corn on the cob in my steamer. It cooks it so fast and just right. Long ago, I cooked it in lots of boiling water, moved on to the microwave and did that for many years...and now steaming is my favorite. If I had many to cook it wouldn't be so easy, but with just two or three it's great.

Hi all,
Sorry to say that I am very sick with a bad cold. I have read everyone's posts since my own last one with lots of interest. Sorry I can't reply to everyone this time. We have had high winds here and now my back yard and deck are once again but worse covered with pine needles. Regardless of how I feel I have to get out there and rake perhaps one section at a time to get it all up. In all the years I have lived here it has never been this bad. I also need to pull my annuals and start putting away my outdoor furniture a little at a time. I'm trying to get as much done as possible as it is the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend this weekend and I will be away for 3 days visiting my daughter up north leaving early Friday morning. Lots to do to get ready for that too as I'm taking pumpkin pie up as my contribution & I still need to get myself to the grocery store. In between all this I'll be resting as much as possible to try and get rid of this cold.

I probably won't be posting again until next Monday so be good everyone and good health to all.
Karrine

I'm not sure if what they did to Rusty is actually surgery, but he had to be anesthesized for them to work on him. Rusty is dog number 6 for us, over a period of 38 years, sometimes having 2 at a time. He is only the second one who had to have an expensive medical procedure done, and the other one was over $1000. But it was a young dog who was still in good health and we figured we could afford to give him a longer life. This is going to be $400 for Rusty, so we figure we got off easy.

Mary, my step-son was supposed to send a baby gate with John but he forgot. DH had an old one that he got somewhere used that he used for the dogs downstairs. They would be in the cellar. He would be in the garage with the garage door open. He would leave the door open between the cellar and the garage so they could see and hear him. It would work well for Halo. Also, you could probably use a piece of plywood and set it across the opening if you had something like that. DH always has things like that around leftover from other projects.

There for a while the inside of my ears were very itchy. So annoying. I used to stick things in there to scratch and a couple times injured the outer ear canal and had to get drops to put in. My ears don't get itchy anymore, thank goodness. But my legs, back and sides of my waistline are itchy.

Karrine, I have a bad cold too. I got up early because I was lying in bed coughing and got up so I wouldn't bother DH. After he got up, I went back to bed and slept good until 10. We have to go pick Rusty up at 12:30. We will have to find a way to get him to take pills, and also put ointment on his butt. I'm sure he will be happy to have me do that!! LOL

I love Thanksgiving, and wish I could celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving as well as American. I guess I could, but turkeys don't go on sale until November. LOL Too expensive now!

Good afternoon GG's,

It has been a nice day so far. Nice and sunny ~ not too hot. I left out of the house soon after I woke up to run some errands. So far, I've not been chewed out for not waiting and combining trips ~ hopefully I won't be ~ LOL.

I was just gonna go to one Walmart ~ had to pick up a special order of iron supplement. Found a couple items ~ collapsible bowls that won't take up so much room in my suitcase when we travel. We usually stay at places that have a free breakfast, but with this new way of eating, there isn't much available that fits what we eat. We make our own oatmeal with apple chunks cut up into it and fresh blueberries ~ hence the need for the bowls. I was pretty sure I had seen them before, but couldn't find them when I finally decided I wanted them. But this location had them ~ and marked down to boot. Then I decided to go on to another shopping area. I wanted to get a Hallloween greeting card for my mom and a little something for her. The nurses said she likes sweets and that it was ok for her to have them, so I will send a little package with the card and a little bag of Halloween chocolates. Got a mug at Goodwill ~ $.49 ~ love their prices. Got a pair of headphones for traveling, at the Big Lots store, so I can block out the talk radio my husband likes to listen to as we drive on these road trips and listen to some kind of music which is more enjoyable to me. I had a price surprise there too. They had cables strung out all over the place and had stuff moved around and aisles blocked off. Of course the aisle where the headphones were was blocked off ~ there was no kind of sign saying it was blocked off because of any kind of danger, so I went in to it. Found a pair of headphones I thought would work. Got to the check out and the lady gave me a gift card. I asked why ~ she said because they were filming a commercial and all the cables and aisles blocked off were an inconvenience to the shoppers, so they were giving out gift cards. It was for $3 ~ not a great big sum but still a nice surprise. I was able to use it for my purchase, so my $5 headphones only cost me $2.41. That should help keep me out of trouble with DH. I love it when the things I purchase end up being less than I expected.

I had a similar surprise when I was up in Ohio with my sister. I found a little back pack ~ which I had been looking for but had had no luck finding the size I wanted. It was marked $4. But when it rang up it was only $2. Love surprise deals.

Carol ~ glad Rusty came through his procedure ok. Hope you get over your cold soon and get to feeling better.

Karrine ~ sorry you are sick as well. I know you say you have a lot of stuff to do, but take care of yourself. Hope you are feeling better so you can enjoy the Thanksgiving with your daughter.

Mary ~ your trip to the coast sounds nice. Glad you guys got to enjoy that. I love getting to spend time by the ocean. Excited for you about your new door. You'll have to show us a picture when it's all in place.

Sandy ~ that air popped pop corn sounds good. We used to have it every afternoon with Maddie. It doesn't seem to be listed among the allowed foods on our new way of eating. It is from a plant though and we didn't put butter on it ~ just a small sprinkle of salt. So, wondering....... Maybe I'd better get that thought out of my head ~ LOL.

Lynn ~ sounds like you are doing great with your new eating plan. “Results - I lost 5 lbs & have MUCH more energy. No more getting tired in the afternoon. I think my pain is also reduced. Off 3 meds & no more indigestion/esophageal spasms. Eating a LOT more veggies & protein.”
That sounds wonderful ~ so glad you are feeling better.

Guess I'd better get off and do something else. Hope you all are having a good day.