It is 2013 somewhere, so it is time to greet the New Year....
"Let's watch the old year die with a fond good-bye
And our hopes as high as a kite"
So Let's Start the New Year Right....
Words are from a song in my favorite Christmas movie...
199 comments:
Time to turn the page on 2012...
Welcome in 2013...
Happy New Year everyone...
Beautiful pictures Coreen. Thank you!
Thank You, Coreen.... for the beautiful (as always) New Years post.
Happy New Year Everyone.
(... love the expression: "Time to turn the page..."
.. been racking my brain for what your favorite Christmas movie was. Too much happening around me to do a decent search.
Is it "Holiday Inn" or "White Christmas"?
... or neither of the above. :)
.
I found the lyrics but couldn't attach them to the right movie.
Love the new pic Coreen. Would love to be close to a beach and hear the surf. But I am content to be hear in the desert.
One of my friends in the Keys jsut sent that to me, together with a pic of the "shoe"...
The shoe is the best NYEve celebration, thanks to CNN....I
In key west outside a restaurant there is a giant hiheel shoe that is lowered at midnight with a drag queen named Sushi sitting in it...
It is a such a trip...CNN always goes there after the Times Square drop & usually before to interview
sushi & her other queens...
And Chloe, the movie is Holiday Inn...the original when they introduced 'White Christmas'...
I do like White Christmas too, but
the B&W Holiday Inn is my fav...
I love the new picture too, Coreen.
Brings back good memories of the sea and writing in the sand when I was a kid.
Mark my words: 2013 is going to be a good year. I don't know why, I just know it will be.
Watching New Year's celebration in NYC on TV. It is a little after 10 pm here in NM, so sweetie and I are going to bed. Happy New Year all.
Love watching Andeson Cooper and Kathiie on TV tonight. She just said "wipe the lipstick off your mouth" and he said "thats a first." They are funny together. I wonder if he gets frustrated working with her - if so he sure does not show it.
If I were younger, I would love to be on Times Square on New Year's Eve.
Coreen, have you been there on NY eve?
Now - to bed. Past our bedtime.
Good morning & here's to 2013...
Jan, I have been at Times Square
but never on NYEve...
I do know a few guys who have gone there, none of them overwhelmed by
it...crowds, and before all the tight security lots of drunks!!...
For the most part it's a touristy
thing to do...
"If I were younger, I would love to be on Times Square on New Year's Eve."
You still can, Jan. You should begin to make plans now for 2014. You could spend all of 2013 looking forward to it.
Happy New Year to you and sweety! :)
Happy New Year, Coreen.
And thank again for giving us a post to be able to share the transition from 12 to 13 (I consider 13 my lucky number - can't remember when I made that decision. I look forward to Friday the 13s)
Happy New Year, Carol (if you're looking in)
It sure would be a nice present to us all if you could say hello (or something).
It could maybe put you on a track that 2013 will be better than 2012.
(... as you know, I'm superstitious).
I know you believe in Karma (me too).
Ooops, lots of crowd and drunks.
Maybe not such a good idea going there after all. Better to watch on TV.
Chloe, I should have written, "if I were younger...and did not hate crowds...Times Square, NYC. I do hate crowds and I did not mention that standing for long periods is quite painful any more.
I believe 13 is my lucky number too. I was born on the 13th.
Happy New Year. My absence here has nothing to do with anyone here. I did force myself to drop on for a moment to let you know that because I know some of us have the tendency to take the blame when someone runs off.
I've had a serious physical and emotional crisis for the last 2 weeks. Not ready to talk about. I do think that leaving a 40 year career may have been one trigger. All of the reasons i feared leaving were also realized
Strange thing is that Maggie was manifesting the exact same symptoms I was and it is heartbreaking watching her have a complete meltdown. Never seen anything like it. She became terrified of me. Vet couldnt find anything wrong with her. At first dealing with her just magnified my distress but now trying to help her thru it is a little distraction away for myself.
I forced myself to go to the store yesterday to buy cabbage and black eyes peas. Not a time to ignore that superstition. One of the kitties must have been under my truck. It came flying out ran out onto the hwy and was laying down flat to the grass between a deep ditch and the road. I wasn't sure if I might have even run over it. Just what I needed since just getting in my truck took everything I could muster. I couldn't leave that kitty there because it would be certain death. The kitties are still wild so I didn't even think I could grab it if I tried but I tried anyway. It didn't move so I grabbed it. Didn't see any injuries so I carried it back to the back yard.
Mama cat and kitties ran Fiddler off the back porch and would run me out of the house to move in if they could. Fiddler just screams at my front door to come in even though there is ample shelter for all outside. We have had over 5 inches of rain this morning. If this experience wouldn't be so awful it would almost be humorous.
Hi Carol, so glad to see you back here.
I am laughing about the kitties.
Sure wish you could send that rain in this direction. You don't really need it and we sure do. Oh well!
Carol, sad to hear of all the misfortunes that you are experiencing...hopefully you will find a resolution soon...take care of you & yours...
Now this is a beautiful tribute to the tragedy in Newtown...
Stars rise on firehouse roof
"I did force myself to drop on for a moment to let you know that because I know some of us have the tendency to take the blame when someone runs off."
Carol, There it is. That selflessness and empathy (not to mention acute awareness and intuition) that I learned to know and love about you.
I even got to witness some of the old humor that I missed so much, when you said those cats would chase you and Maggie out of the house if they could.
Welcome to the psyche of the cat. They think they're doing us a favor by their very presence. That independence and confidence and arrogance is what I love most about them.
I have been so worried about you. Now I hear that not only you have been depressed, but Maggie has been too. That doesn't surprise me, because you two are so close, that there was no way you could be suffering so much that she wouldn't too.
What worried me most was that you mentioned that you were too 'frightened' to talk about what was going on.
I know from personal experience how crippling fear can be, and how difficult it can be to work your way through it.
I'm wondering if you have considered getting some part time work or even volunteer work to help you through the changes that you've had to endure.
We know a much older man than you that volunteers to go to hospitals to sit and rock new born babies that are in need of that kind of closeness.
I'm not saying that's something you'd want to do, but I just hope you're aware of how much demand there is out there for the kind of skill and sensitivity you have to offer.
No reason to even consider taking on the load you had before, and especially something where you come in contact with people with very depressing problems.
But there is such a need in the world for someone with the special skill and training you have. I even think you'd be especially good at counseling other too.
I know you've helped me through a lot of problems in the past.
(probably over word limit, so... to be continued).
I'm sorry about the unsolicited advice (which are just ideas popping up in my head) but you know me.
Years ago I used to visit a site called Dr. Bob (a teacher/physician) at Chicago University. It was doctors talking to doctors and I used to spend hours there listening (more accurately: reading) to them discuss their opinions, mostly on a section of their site called psycho-babble.
I looked over there now, and the site seems to have expanded and grown immensely, but some of the old stuff my still be there (?) that used to bring me great comfort.
I just looked up: Dr. Bob Chicago and these things popped up: The
Dr. Bob Home Page
Dr. Bob Home Page
psycho-babble page
psycho-babble
They may be very uninteresting to you, but brought me great comfort at a time of need. Just has expanded so much now, I don't know if it's more difficult to find your way to the more personal stuff. What I liked about it was that it was real professional sharing ideas.
I'd been worried about your transition to retirement for a while, but you seemed to be enjoying it, so I didn't ask you much about it.
I know there's always an identity crisis for just about everyone when they make such big changes in their life. and I've known you've learned to live with a tremendous amount of stress for a long time.
You're so much stronger than I am, and I would have never had the courage to accomplish the things you've accomplished in life.
I just wish you didn't view it as being manipulated by others, and looked at it as a choice you've made to be such a giving person in your time here on earth.
I truly believe that one day you will realize that all that good karma you have created will come back at you two fold. Sometimes we just have to change our mind about how we perceive things, and then you'll realize that others have appreciated all you've given.
You'll always know you left the world a better place than you found it.
From my view point, what you're doing now, is more than many people give in a life time. So if you just make decision to do what makes you happy or content, then the rest will fall into place.
I know everyone here loves you, and we only see the tip of the ice berg. I've missed you so much.
And I look forward to see that great sense of humor of yours come through again in the near future.
Don't ever feel unneeded, because I can assure you that you are needed here.
What you have learned and given in your lifetime has provided more service to the world than what most have ever imagined accomplished in such a short period of time.
I know.
I'm a bandwidth hog.
... came back because I just want to tell you (from having way too much experience with mama cats and their litters) that she will be more friendly with ridder once those babies are on their own. A lot of it is hormonal.
Keep petting or holding those kittens if at all possible. It's a long slow process, but the rewards are immense. If they can develop some trust toward humans, their chances of survival will be much greater.
Also, I've found that mama and her offspring seem to keep a longtime close relationship, if they're allowed to stay together long enough. Although she won't remain as protective of them as she is now. (natures way of protecting the young).
She sounds like one of the good moms. Most of them are (if their own needs are met) and I never lose my respect for them and what they go through. They protect their young with their own life.
I LOVE ANIMALS!!
Thanks Chloe. Maggie and I are each making slow progress but I think it is progress.
Thanks Coreen for the wonderful posts and thanks all for being my friends.
DIL in Ark fell out of her wheelchair last night - broke 2 bones in lower leg (bad break). She is in hosp now. Going to require surgery and pins in bones. They cannot do surgery yet as she has been on blood thinners to prevent clots. She had a blood clot a couple of years ago and has been on blood thinners since.
Prayers are appreciated. Her name is Nancy. Thank you.
Carol, slow progress is progress. Glad to hear that.
3rd season Downton Abbey starts Sun night. Yippee!
I don't know if I have told you all here about my DIL, Nancy. She has multiple sclerosis and has been in a wheel chair pretty much full time for about 12 years. MS is a terrible disease. She and my youngest son have 2 daughters, ages 20 & 15. When we were visiting in Dec. I was concerned that she was not strapped into her wheelchair and said something, but I was told, she did not like being strapped in.
So sorry to hear about your DIL Jan.
I had not ever seen Downton Abbey and didn't think I would have been interested. I even bought big sis season 2 when she last visited and didn't watch it when she was watching it at the camp.
During my last two weeks of hell, I ran across a rerun of a couple of episodes on PBS. I watched them as an escape and fell in love with the show. I since found ways to find all the other episodes and have watched them all at least twice. It was like taking a vacation into history in the UK. I also can't wait for season 4
After my visit to Downton Abbey I went to Africa with an English family. A father who was a Vet moved his family from England to Africa. That series has about 70 something episodes and I'm thru over half of them. I had to take a break from that and found a series about two older English ladies who are gardeners. It's a mystery series called Rosemary and Thyme. Every episode they come across a murder. Not very realistic but I've finally suspended my need for stuff to make sense and appreciate the opportunity for escape.
I rarely ever watch movies but needed a vacation from my life and that was the best
I could do to get one. All these shows had great scenery to enjoy.
Carol,
I watched Downtown Abby during my hiatus too, and loved it.
I looked on Netflix, and noticed they only have the first season. I think I thought that was all there was to it, because unless I'm forgetting (which is not uncommon) I don't think I knew there were more seasons.
I notice that HULU has season 2, and hubby has been wanting to add HULU to our viewing opportunities (has read very good things about it) and so I may go along with his idea.
I'll check PBS first though, and see if it is available there.
I did a search for Season 3 just now, and found that it will be released (on DVD) at the end of the month. (I'll check for that release date on PBS too).
Season 3
(I'll check for that release date on PBS too. But when I did a quick search, they were selling them for a higher price than this -- and when I left the page, I got a pop-up for another $5 off).
Pbs Downtown Abbey
Jeez, the actual PBS address is immense - thank goodness for the embedding process!
"After my visit to Downton Abbey I went to Africa with an English family. A father who was a Vet moved his family from England to Africa. That series has about 70 something episodes and I'm thru over half of them."
Can you share the name of that one with me? I'm always looking, and really enjoy the 'series' because you get involved in their (imaginary) lives and at the same time get to look back at the culture changes, etc.
God Bless Fiction!
Jan,
I usually read the comments from the bottom up, and just got to your comment about your Daughter in law, Nancy.
I remember you talking about her in the past, and about how close her daughter (wasn't it her youngest) is to her. This accident must have been extremely painful both physically and emotionally for the whole family.
Please keep us informed.
"Prayers are appreciated. Her name is Nancy"
Consider it done.
I'm beginning to realize what you said is probably true. We're all 'in here' for a reason.
Everyone need a network of support, and for some reason to me, it's more comforting to have it here (in writing) at the Swamp.
That way, we always have a place to come, day or night.
I've spent lots of time praying lately.
Just got myself to go out to look for a new vanity light for the camp bathroom. Got out to my truck and the battery was dead. Nothing was left on. I recently changed back to Allstate and had a roadside assistance card handy. They came and jumped it but I'm wondering if when I turn it off if it will start again. The battery is fairly new. Maybe my alternator is shot.
The Africa series is Wild at Heart. I has to take a little break because every episode had some crisis. I needed something a little more peaceful so I switched to the British murder mysteries.
Chloe to see the 2nd series of Downton Abbey I had to go to amazon and buy each at 2 bucks a piece. I had recorded 3 off PBS so I just needed the others. I was afraid to try Hulu Plus. I already joined Netflix again. That should keep me busy.
Chloe, won't Hulu plus be very similar to Netflix? Do try to catch up with the second season so we can all watch the 3rd one together. It starts Sunday night on PBS.
Coreen, have you watched the series? I was sure I wouldn't be interested but I was wrong. I'm addicted.
Jan, sorry to hear about your daughter in law, hope for a good outcome for all of you...
we have a woman who works at my hairdresser down the hall in my bldg who has MS, she works just 2 days a week, does remarkably well so far, she does have a limp, drags one foot, that is the visible result of the illness,but
I give her lots of credit she does
keep going...
both she & her sister
have MS, not sure if it runs in families...this woman until recently had to have infusions I believe once a month at the hospital for several hours at a time, but then a new drug came out recently which fortunately she has had good results with so far...(she credits me with making her aware of it, when I read about it last year, I gave her all the info
so she could ask her dr about it)
she said it is much easier than the infusions...she is on disability, both she & her sister, but the medication is quite expensive, she gets some help from the drug co. & she also now qualifies for medicare
(after 2 years on DIB, a person
goes on medicare)...
Never watched Downtown Abbey...about the only PBS shows I watch are the oldie R&R shows...
Coreen, MS affects people in so many different ways. Thanks for sharing about the sisters who have MS. Yes, the medicine is expensive. I think it does run in families. Nancy has a cousin with MS who lives in same little town.
Carol, There are so many great movie to watch on Netflix, but it just takes a while to find them all.
I que up a bunch on line, so the line up i ready on my TV when I turn it on. Some are not good, so I delete them as soon as I know I don't like it. I usually rate them, because Netflix keeps track of what type of movie you like if you do (although that doesn't always work out either.
Glen and I share the same Netflix now, so we don't have the double charge.
He just noticed that HULU seems more up to date on some things... then today when you mentioned Downtown Abbey, and I notice Netflix didn't have season 2. I did a search for who did and Hulu popped up with it. I didn't check yet, but they may even offer a free month (?).
I think the cost is low like Netflix (and we have managed to get the charge down on DirecTv, which he likes a lot.
I'll probably see if I can get Hulu going in the next couple of days, just to see if I like it (I can always cancel. If they offer different thing than Netflix, we'll probably just keep both.
I don't like directv as much, because you have to watch during their schedule, or look at and pre-record each thing one by one, and it has a limited amount of space it the recorder can store. I do use it to record Emma's favorite program series, so a series of half hour programs of her favorites are already downloaded and easy for me to access.
If I can start watching season 2 of Abbey, then I know I'll become obsessed and finish it fairly quickly.
I'm a little confused about how season 3 will go. Will it just be one a week if we watch it on PBS, as compared to a whole season on one disk or so if I buy it at that site I linked?
I need to do some research tomorrow (time permitting).
Jan, One of Emma's speech therapists is in a wheel chair (she has a different one on Tues. and Thursday - same center though.. the coordinate things). I think her therapist in the wheel chair has probably been in one all her life, because her calves look very thin... but I'd never ask her.
She is such a wonderful person. She's 60, but looks much younger and always sprite and energetic and interested in everything. Her first grandchild was born just a few weeks ago, and she's been so proud to how me pictures from her phone camera.
Emma was a little afraid of the chair at her first couple of visits, but isn't at all any more. I really adore both of the therapists, but Emma's talking so much now, I don't know if they'll be able to keep her much longer (we've had the last couple of weeks off for holidays).
She's actually learned a lot more at school than she has from those short little 45 minute segments at therapy. But they have been good for her too. The therapists tell me the spectrum for normal is huge. I hear some little ones talk like little adults, and others that talk more like Emma. I personally think she's still a few months behind, but in the long run I know that won't matter. I just want her ready to start pre-K in August (which she has the option of taking at her private school which I think I prefer to sending her to since she's already used to it). The public school is probably going to involve a little more culture shock for the tiny ones than they're used to now.
I'm glad her birthday fell so she starts with the later ones, as I have always considered her slightly more immature than some her age. But that's changing fast too.
Many were put in day care when they were just a few month old, so I'd say they went through (what I call) the school of hard knocks a lot sooner than Emma did. I just knew she wasn't ready until the time we started her.
Kids just seem to learn so much more from each other though. Plus, peer pressure can be a good thing in a positive way usually).
Some bad habits can be learned there too, but she's toughened up and that will continue throughout her entire school years.
I hope to hear that your DIL and your on and family are getting through this alright.
... all the missing S's are from my sticky key. Hoping you can automatically add them in order to make sense of the words where there missing.
I should probably thinking about getting another new key board too, but most of it is working fine.
I've been having to use iPhony to comment because I can't get in a comfortable position to use my laptop. My back pain is getting a little better by the day, no thanks to this cold damp weather.
I just went to TM to read a little. Haven't been there in days
I've been avoiding everything about the news. Wanted to stick to fantasy for a while and often it gets too distressing for me.
I enjoyed what Craig did in posting some of the trail hands comments. Saw yours Chloe. It's great and I might have missed it if he hadn't made it a headliner. That's what I'm talking about when I refer to synchronicity.
I've been sleeping in a recliner on my couch since before Christmas. Cant lay down flat or on my side. When I tried and found a relatively comfortable position then I couldnt find one upright again. This is the first severe and similar back pain I've had since I smashed my three thoracic vertebrae over 3 years ago and it's scared the piss outta me. I didnt do anything to trigger it either. I thought that maybe my intense emotional reaction to the Newtown shootings might have triggered but it started a day or so before that happened. But it also could be a physical manifestation of an emotional reaction to my new reality. A reality that I just thought I was coping with. Only time will tell.
Several days after my pain started I heard Maggie yelp about three times. Didn't see what triggered it. Her yelping every now and again is not too unusual but she then started acting very fearful. It turned into fear of me. I'd decide it was time for a Vet visit and she was back to a little more normal. Finally it was progressing to the point that I wanted her seen before the Christmas holiday started. I got her in my truck, no easy task with my pain. When she got to the Vet she made a liar out of me by returning to her normal rambunctious self. The Vet presses all over her and checked her temp. He couldn't find anything. He did think it may have been a little pinched nerve so he gave her iv steroid. When she got home she ran into a spare room and hid
out. It was all downhill from there. She would scream if I came close to her. At that point there were two is us in physical and emotional stress. In top of that everyone I felt comfortable to call for help had left town. It was if the world had ended and left me here behind, just what I dreaded.
The day after Christmas I needed to get Maggie back to the Vet. I had to find out what was going on and I really needed to get away from her for a couple of days. She found a place behind my tv that I couldn't even get to her. I finally called one of my work friends who Maggie really liked. She came over to help me and and Maggie ran out to greet her. I suspected she would. Her fear was directed toward me.
We got her to the Vet and again she was close to her rambunctious self. She certainly didnt show any signs of pain. We saw my Vet's partner. I worries that after telling him what was going on, he might think I beat her.
I told him that the only time I've witnesses any similar behavior in her is when she would get poop on her fur after she pooped. She will cower, try to pull away from me and scream when I try to clean her. She does rapidly get over that though.
That Vet poked all over her and found nothing. I asked him to keep her for a couple of days and check everything. I called twice a day and she was ok.
Oh, when he first did examine her, her anal glands were full and he did express them. She did scream then, all the time looking at me like that was my fault. I wasn't even close to her when they did that.
I picked her back up the Friday before New years. She was a little sedate. After I paid the bill, now over 300 bucks, the Vet called me back to discuss the findings. I had them bath her if they didn't think she had any problems.
He told me he found nothIng on lab or X-rays. I was kinda thinking that maybe the full anal glands might have triggered her reaction. I don't think he bought that. I was clutching at straws. I did ask him to shave around her anus before I took her home so we would have to worry about poop on her fur. As soon as he brought her back in the room after, she rurned into her alter ego again. She became extremely fearful and screaming. I told him that that was what I've been dealing with at home. He looked shocked.
I asked for a prescription for doggie Prozac and an NSAID.
Since she's been home I've given her the NSAID and started the Prozac. I've kept her on the couch next to me so I don't have to chase her down. I take her outside to potty several times a day. I lift her on and off the couch because I do think there is a component of back pain involved. I have to drag her to her bowls to eat and drink but she will do both when I do. She lays close to me on the couch and both of our shaking has subsided. Baby steps. I've had dogs all my life but never ever experienced anything close to this.
Have any suggestions? Don't think this comes close to that good karma I'm owed, do you Chloe? Quit trying to ponder the meaning of it all and instead escaped into movie fantasy land.
Now that wasn't easy to write on iPhone.
Sorry about all the typos but it's not easy to type or read on that iphone.
Oh, and my carpenter hasn't been back to work on the camp. He fell in his boat while duck hunting and injured his back. I told him I was totally sympathetic and take whatever time he needed to heal.
I do think that Maggie's not being able to go out to the camp may be also playing a role in her distress. She would get better and excited just getting into the truck to go to the Vet. Her excitement over road any discomfort she was experiencing for a while. The mind is a powerful tool for healing and/or destruction.
"But it also could be a physical manifestation of an emotional reaction to my new reality.
It was if the world had ended and left me here behind, just what I dreaded.
"Don't think this comes close to that good karma I'm owed, do you Chloe?"
No, Carol. I think you deserve much better. But what I think isn't important -- it's what you think that matters.
When I used to take Amy to the doctor or emergency for a bad flu, for instance, she'd stare at me the entire time, seemingly to be looking for reassurance. It wasn't a negative thing.
Of course Maggie cried during that procedure, because it probably hurt. She may have been wondering why you were standing there letting it happen, unable to understand that it was for her own good. You have a very sensitive little girl there.
Maggie is more like a baby (all our pets are) -- so I'd more accurately compare her to Emma now, and she does the same thing when I take her to a doctor. In the past she would literally become hysterical. I have had to make a great effort to get through it at times (I think it was usually harder on me than her). I had to hide it and reassure her.
When someone is too young or helpless to care for themselves, and is struggling to understand (even with a toddler I often don't know what that pain or problem is) they look to their caregiver for both support and they need to feel you will take care of all their problem. I actually think the trauma of a trip to the doctor for them can be worse than the benefit sometimes. So I only go when it is absolutely necessary. Now she is old enough that at least I can explain to her what is going on.
I hate to say this, but I think Maggie may feel insecure and even a little betrayed right now. With you suffering both the physical and emotional pain you are going through, there has to have been a great change in your routine. Therefore, her little world and the only person she has ever been able to trust (maybe in her entire life) to make her feel safe is not available to her in the usual manner she's accustomed to. I think she may be hiding, because things are unpredictable to her for the time being. Especially, considering the fact that you think she may have been abused before you got her too. Trust is a big issue for animals, because there's so little they understand. I think they mostly just feel and live off instinct.
I don't really think being in a cage at the doctors gave them any idea what was going on with her, and she may have been terrified without you around. When she saw you there, I think she was actually relieved and excited to see you, probably begging you to get her out of the strange place where she didn't know what would happen to her next. Her fear may have looked directed at you, but I don't think it was. She wanted to go home. I don't even need to have been there to know that. You're much more attune to her needs than those doctors and their helpers.
(going over word limit, so must separate ongoing commenting)
I agree that Maggie also misses her visit to the camp as much as you do too..
All this is temporary for both of you, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it's important for you focus your attention on that light -- so you can head in that direction in order to rid yourself of most of the pain you're feeling, and in doing so, Maggie will be relieved too.
I hate to say this, but I don't think Maggie needed the steroid shot or the Prozac. The steroid shot at least will help any inflammation she may have had though, but the Prozac may confuse her more and have physical side effects. I don't believe children or pets should be on psychological drugs (at least most of them).
I do believe a steroid shot would help relieve 'your' inflammation in your back too. Even knowing your thoughts regarding antidepressants, I think that you could benefit from Prozac to rid yourself of some of the stress and more importantly the emotional pain you're feeling. It doesn't make you feel drugged in anyway, it just makes it possible to re-uptake your own already existing serotonin so you can use it again. No artificial feelings are caused by it. You know how important serotonin is better than I do, but I do have first hand knowledge of it's benefit. I've been taking Fluoxetine (Prozac) for over 7 years (for what was extreme sadness) and it has changed my outlook a great deal, although it sure doesn't put you in any kind of fantasy land. You don't feel anything artificial. Prozac has a long half life, and therefore keeps a more steady level in your blood stream than most other types of other SSRI's and it was the first one to come out on the market, so it has a good history and long safety net. Plus it doesn't have anything extra added to it that will make you hyper like some of the mixtures do. You wouldn't feel a loss of control in anyway either (and it doesn't make you tired).
Knowing your position on antidepressants, I have never discussed them much with you , but since you asked for them for Maggie, I feel like it opened the door for me to mention them. If you could take a very small dose (like 10 milligram) and that might be enough ( 'never' go over 20 mg. to avoid side effect). . It won't give you a false feeling of well being, but they will take the edge off,. allowing you to possibly view things from a different point of view long enough to rethink things through. It's actually the 'rethinking' and re-evaluating that bring you out of the funk.. Not the pill. You don't become a different person, but you have enough seratonin available to you beause you'll be reusing what you already have.
I know Maggie will be fine, once you are fine. You know how I feel it's important to take care of yourself, in order for those around you that you care most about to benefit. I think you should let her hide or do whatever else she wants to do for the time being. Just love her when she lets you, and let her escape into her corner or wherever when she needs that. Animals are just like us humans. You push them and they either push back or back off. Maybe it's her ways of telling you she's afraid youll take her back to the doctor. I've never been able to get an animal (or a human being) to do anything they don't want to do. They know what they need (within certain limits) more than we know. She may even be feeling a little betrayed if she thinks you've been unpredictable.
The steroid you had him give her may have helped any inflammation, but I think the prozac is a bad idea for her. I don't like the idea of giving animals or children those kind of drugs. Obviously, this is all just my opinion, and I hope that you don't get mad at me for saying it. I remain aware that you know more about these things than I do, and I only can speak from my own personal experience, and what I've seen in others too.
I realize I may be stepping over the line, and I hope you will forgive me if I am.
I know - way too many words.
... sorry for the repetition about steroids for children and pets, but having to split up the post to keep it within the word limit was so confusing to me. I didn't get enough sleep last night, so keep that in mind, as you cruise through my meanderings.
Sorry for any repetition(or things that don't quite make sense).
Obviously, I'm not an expert on much of anything.
That's why I count on professionals so much.
Two doctors (practically) and an attorney here, and I have the nerve to take up more than my share of bandwidth on a regular basis.
I must be out of my mind.
Chloe, I didn't ask for Maggie to get the steroid injection. I'm not particularly fond of steroids unless they are absolutely necessary. He was giving it to her before I could say anything. He said it was short acting and I did wonder if she was having some kind of steroid psychosis when she got home.
You ought to know how I feel about any unnecessary drugs by now. I feel similar about antidepressants. If someone wanted to try one, I was game to give it. Happy to. For some, they did help, for others they didn't.
I talked with my big sis who said her daughter has a dog who had severe separation anxiety. The dog savaged the house when they left. It did the trick. The dog no longer does that. The dog is now well behaved. I think that the doggie Prozac is mainly prescribed for that even though what Maggie was demonstrating was severe, debilitating anxiety. Better to try it than watch and deal with a terrified dog.
I did also try Prozac myself years ago. At first it made me very shaky with weird sensations. I backed off to every other day and when it finally kicked in I became apathetic, no highs or lows, no nothing...completely blah. That wasn't what I wanted to experience. I was willing to fight through the lows to keep my good feelings in between.
What's weird is that if Maggie was ever abused, it had to be in her first 4 months of life and she's 8 now. I've never read where dogs have a memory that is that long term. Casear says no.
I've never even raised my voice to Maggie, or disciplined her because she is so sensitive. Even if I raise my voice to someone else, in person or on the phone, in her presence, she gets upset.
I do think there is a small part of Maggie's reaction that started as the result of pain. I think she hurt herself jumping up on my bed. It's high off the ground and she's little. I think there's a greater part of her behavior that resulted from sensing my serious distress. Short of a major tranquilizer, I couldn't have done anything about my distress. Believe me, I wasn't doing the mega fear thing because I wanted to.
We had major fear revolving thru the both of us, recycling, snowballing out of control. Trying to get a handle on that would be like standing in a bed of fire ants and trying to relax. At least I hoped I could save her from that discomfort. It was worth a try.
Even before this, Maggie did a lot of hiding, as I've written about here. She has always been a very fearful dog and overly dramatic.
I really don't want Maggie on drugs if there are any other options. I needed to try to break the cycle.
She is making some progress. She lays on the couch and doesn't shake anymore. I quit shaking also. She will eat and drink when I put her in front of her bowls. When pulled outside, she does her business. She still whines some when I get her off the couch to go outside but she hasn't screamed at all lately. Those screams were gut wrenching. If anyone could hear them from outside the house, they would send some help for her and send a net for me.
Carol,
Glad to hear you're both doing better. I've never heard of an anti-inflammatory steroid affect the brain when it's a one time things. They can be a sort of miracle.
Drugs must affect you a lot more than me. I still have all the lows, highs and everything in. It must be the difference in peoples metabolims.
Off to take M to school.
Have a good day everyone!
... in between.
'every thing in between.
Please decipher other mistakes while you're at it too.
So good to have you talking again Carol.
Carol, relieved to know that you are making some progress on your physical disability & that Maggie
is slowly calming down & responding to what you are doing for her...
I do know that back pain or for that matter any physical pain can be debilitating...I only remember one episode of back pain that I could not literally bend or even
get out of bed, a long time ago,
& thankfully, today while I have
chronic back pain it is not so severe that I cannot function...
As far as taking antidepressents or even pain pills, I have never had to take any...so I have no frame of reference to comment as to their beneficial or detrimental
effect...I guess it is a matter of what one hopes works & in some cases does work...
As for Maggie, you know I have one cat that wants to kill the other little girl so my vet suggested trying something called Composure feline chews for calming cats who are exhibiting nervouseness, anxiety or some type of stress...maybe there is some similar not drug type chew for dogs
(but none of my cats would even
eat one!..they smelled it & walked away)...so no idea if it would help, but if there is such for dogs
maybe worth a try to help her stay calm...
Carol, you and Maggie have been through a lot together physically and emotionally. I am so glad that you both are doing better - even a little better.
It feels like all is right with the Swamp again. I don't know if you realize how much you were missed here. It just didn't feel right here without you.
You all know that we had Ryley's teeth cleaned and she had to have anesthesia and IV fluids for the procedure. The vet suggested and I bought some stuff that is supposed to retard some of the plaque growth on her teeth. It is a bottle of green stuff called "happy mouth." I have to dilute it a lot and have been adding it to her water. Well, she has not been drinking her water very well. I probably should taste it. It does turn the water green. I have been adding the mixture to her water just a little bit at a time. This morning she drank heartily. I was about ready to give up.
It is interesting how each one of us here values our canine and feline friends.
Do you know what's in that green stuff Jan? Maggies teeth already need serious cleaning again. Probably way too late for green stuff. If she ever finds her sanity I might get them cleaned again.
I think Maggie and I both need a camp stay to heal us but my carpenter guy is now sick. I mentioned that he fell in his boat and hurt his back. I called to check on him today and he now has the flu. His grandkids came to visit for Christmas and they were sick. I hope he gets better. I told him to take care of himself and not to try to rush to get back.
It is called "happy mouth" --seriously. It comes in a small bottle. Very concentrated. Dilute in gallon of water. Has a money back guarantee if dog wont drink the water. She is fussy about it but is drinking the water. I hope it works.
I found some stuff on Amazon for $27. that is called placque -off. The stuff at vets cost $50.
The only thing is, I wanted something I am sure is safe. The vet said she went to a conference last year and a big subject was doggie-teeth (not her words) and she said a lot of vets recommended this "happy mouth." Great name. I am cleaning her mouth with a clean dry cloth. The vet says dip the cloth in hydrogen peroxide for cleaning.
Can't even get my fingers near Maggies mouth. Just tried Remember, I have psycho dog. I sure could use Cesar Millan.
Chloe, have you found Downton Abbey 2?
You only have three days to catch up before
3 starts.
Again Chloe, I really liked your headlines post on TM. It is pretty scary what's happening in our world, how things are changing. I really do think that was another factor involved in my recent panic. I don't see much good stuff coming and that scares me.
I can't remember being much of a news hound until around 2000 when GW was selected president. Something came over me and kicked me in the ass and said start paying attention. I then started watching the news 24/7. I was afraid to miss anything. I'm glad I finally kicked that habit.
I did have a little relapse after the Newtown shooting. That also played a significant role in my panic. I don't like the idea that we are stuck with what we got and helpless to change anything.
And I'm not sure that America is a superior country anymore. I think our country is on a downward spiral. New technology and social media does give us the option to try to stop the decent. At least we have a voice. Do you ever ponder how long that will last?
I do hope that we the caring reasonable people will all do whatever we can to help stop the violence in this country before we look just like the middle eastern countries.
I have been reading the "Team of Rivals" book about Lincoln that Doris K G. wrote. It is very interesting. Definitely not a fast read. It is interesting how the events that were going on then and the divisions in that time so mirror our own today. It is long (over 1000 pages). Glad to be reading it on my Nook.
I have been so much more interested in our American history in the past few years. I remember my dad was too in his later years.
Carol, the readings in history I have been doing show we have always been a violent country. think of all the wars and conflicts we have been involved in since the beginning of our country.
Listen to this short talk and help me figure out how to get the where she was without having a stroke.
Does Our Planet Need a Stroke of Insight?
If we could get to where this neuroscientist visited, we wouldn't have to worry about any violence.
Anyone here ever hear of these TEDtalks? There are many available on Netflix. Ever come across them Chloe.
Guys,
I've been away from my computer all day, and made the mistake of looking over at TM before I came her. I say mistake, because I got too involved and used too much there, when I would have liked to have been here chatting with you about the things that are more important to me.
Jan, for one thing I've been wondering how your DIL and her family are doing?
Carol,
I'm reading from the bottom up. No, I haven't heard about Tedtalks, but will look at it on Netflix tomorrow to see what it is.
I did download HULU and am going to watch season 2 before I get to season 3. I'm looking forward to watching it with you, and will get through the 2nd season as quickly as possible.
I don't know whether to order season 3, or watch them on PBS. On PBS, will we have to wait a week in between shows.
If so, and I get behind I'll buy season 3 to catch up with you. I can go through a series pretty darn fast, but when Emma is home on the weekend, it's harder. Once I start though (and it'll be tomorrow) I know I'll become obsessed with it again. I used to wake up in the mornings looking forward to watching them and would race through my chores in order to get back to them.
I'm really looking forward to starting it, but am too tired tonight to do anything more than go to bed.
"I do hope that we the caring reasonable people will all do whatever we can to help stop the violence in this country before we look just like the middle eastern countries."
Carol and Jan, I'm enjoying your conversation and agree so much with what you said above Carol.
Also Jan, know what you said about the wars have been going on since the beginning of time.
I have to say I'm getting more than a little about where our country is headed.
" did have a little relapse after the Newtown shooting."
Carol,
I'm very aware of how hard you took that Newtown shooting. I felt so badly after I got off my soap box, and was worried that I had made it even harder for you.
I took it badly too, and that is why I got so emotional. I just handled it badly, and think that I took it out on you, when I knew you were just looking for answers and ways to handle the pain of the horrible things that happen in the world.
In stead of supporting you and giving us a way to work through it all together, here at the Swamp, I got defensive and ran away for a while.
I still haven't forgiven myself for that and want you to know that it won't happen again.
I know we can disagree, without turning it into a fight. I didn't mean to accuse you of anything, and I chose the wrong words in expressing my frustration.
I told you when I came back, that I was afraid of messing things up. Being emotional is always getting in my way.
I love you all so much here, and don't want to hurt any of you. I want to be honest about my feelings and disagreements, but I know there's a way of doing that without going into attack mode.
I feel that I deserted you in a time of need, because I was lost in my own insecurities.
"And I'm not sure that America is a superior country anymore"
I think we were told for so long how superior we were (because the government wanted us to go along with anything they said), that we just went along with it.
I still think we live in the country that I am so glad to have been born in, and we will continue to have many opportunities. But I don't see the need to feel superior to anyone else any more.
We're all going to come through this just fine, Carol. Don't keep carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. You do more than your share to make this a better world.
It's so nice to come here and talk about the really important things, the little every day things with you, Jan and Coreen.
Jan was right, too. This place was not the same with you gone. I hope it doesn't happen again.
I think it's wonderful that you're such a sensitive, caring person, but would like to see you think more of your own well being.
That is the only way you can start immediately collecting on all that good karma you've put out into the world.
Nite all.
See you tomorrow.
Carol, I just watched the tape of the doc who had a stroke (Stroke of Insight). I bought her book over a year ago and tried to read it a couple of times and could not. I loved the video. Amazing.
What did you think of it. What do you believe her message is as a result of her experience?
I think she is saying we must live in our right brains more and live in the present. I think she is saying we each need to be kinder and gentler to ourselves and those around us.
I have not heard from my son or granddaughter today. I think my DIL is doing fine or they would have contacted me. I know they are so busy so I will wait until they contact me.
Chloe, I think we are both in that category called highly sensitive people. I think you Jan learned some good coping skills from some of your early traumas. I see Coreen as a tough girl, maybe learned that from your mama and papa and being a only child. Makes for a good lawyer.
I was into some denial when the Sandy Hook tragedy hit. I thought I had it under control but seeing the precious faces of those beautiful children swiftly stripped that away. Even Maggie knew we were headed for a big crash. Neither of us could help the other.
Everyone has their own way of coping, some much more effective than others.
I do want to do what little I can to call for change in the gun laws. That's one benefit of the Internet. We can make our voices heard. I do think there is power in how many people are crying for action and we add to the collective consciousness. I want all the families and friends who lost their loved ones to know that we will stand with them.
Jan, I want to know how to live in my right brain. If you find out how, I'm game to try to learn. She didn't give any hInts there. Certainly don't want to have a stroke to get there.
There's quite a bit of that TEDtalk on Netflix. I'll have to check it out.
Jan, when did your DIL have the surgery? Was it today. I do think they would have called if there was a problem. They are probably exhausted.
Chloe, jan and I have picked which position and class where our personalities and skills would best fit in at Downton Abbey. After all the time I spent there, I certainly felt like I lived there. Once you catch up, you can choose your place and we can share who we each are.
How did you come across Dr Jill's book Jan? What made it too difficult to read?
One customer review at Amazon wrote..."Dr. Taylor's tips about how we can all achieve nirvana by accessing the right side of the brain as a conscious process is worth the price of the book many times over. We all have a "loop of deep inner peace" wired into our neurological circuitry in our right brain and we can consciously choose to run this loop whenever we wish"
Do you still have the book? Could you find what she shared about how she did that?
I've worked with people who had strokes over the years and NEVER found any who seemed to find any nirvana. Seems she was very lucky.
Carol, I think I have always lived in my right brain. I have to work to use my left brain. For me walking outside and swimming are very right brain activities. When I am walking outside and swimming, I am one with the world and with the water. I can get off in my head and daydream and feel at peace with the world.
When I was a child and adolescent living in a chaotic household with my parents and siblings I could easily get off in my head to somewhere else that was more peaceful through daydreaming and reading. It was something I had to do to survive.
Going to college to be a nurse and then doing nursing required me to learn to use my left brain. It was not easy but I was able to do it. Bob used his left brain all the time and he provided a peaceful environment so that I could do that.
Now I can go back and forth between the two parts pretty easily when I have to. When I am feeling a lot of stress I have to work to get back to using the right part of my brain.
Carol, I will look for her book and send it to you.
For some reason Jill's book did not really interest me except for the part about how she felt during the stroke.
Carol, there are 2 proven ways that people use to get into their right brain - meditation and yoga. If you have never done either of these, taking a class can help or better yet, get a DVD. You do have to work at it if you have never done these.
The best way to do meditation is to get a CD. John has several CDs that he uses to do meditation. It does work.
" I do think there is power in how many people are crying for action and we add to the collective consciousness. I want all the families and friends who lost their loved ones to know that we will stand with them."
Carol, I have a strong belief in collective consciousness and am sure it works if we stick with it and allow it to grow.
"We all have a "loop of deep inner peace" wired into our neurological circuitry in our right brain and we can consciously choose to run this loop whenever we wish"
Jan, I must say that I frequently feel the peace of that "loop of deep inner peace", but it rarely lasts long enough.
I certainly can't acquire it at will though. It seems to have a mind of it's own (weird way to put it, I know).
"When I am walking outside and swimming, I am one with the world and with the water."
I do have certain things that cause me to feel that oneness with the world, but again: no one thing that I can count on to depend on causing it.
I try, but often feel that I'm grabbing at empty air.
... but like you, Jan... I often daydream and experience that piece that you experience. But only under the right circumstances.
But your ability of being able to easily get off in your head to somewhere else that is more peaceful.... it is almost impossible for me to block off what's going on around be. That's why I need my 'completely alone' time so often. That is the only way I can find myself, my center (not even completely aware of what that means, even now: finding ones center).
I call my desperate need for temporary withdrawal: Regrouping. Emma has the same thing. When I see her spiraling out of control, I know to give her some alone time and it always works like a gem.
"Carol, I will look for her book and send it to you."
If you find it, will you link it for all of us?
As for myself, what you said to Carol about there being "two different ways that people use to get into their right brain - meditation and yoga": I've tried both, but have failed miserably.
... as you may have noticed, I've had to race through things this morning, and so have had to make choices from the most important things that you Carol and Jan have discussed at length (although I read it all, and find it all very thought provoking).
This morning I've had to 'steel' what little time I can. Glen had to go on a service call (which he normally refuses to do on a Saturday, but these people are cold, and his service guy could solve the problem).
Emma is her usual hyper self, and I having to deal with it by myself. Not complaining, just know that I'll be very preoccupied from 'adult thoughts' for the next several hours.
Have a good day everyone!
I'll catch up later.
(sb 'his service guy 'couldn't' solve the problem')
Jan, forgot to mention we saw "Los Miserables" and I found it WAY to depressing. When it was over, I wondered why they would make a whole movie without any kind of worthwhile or happy meaning to cling to.
Maybe it was there and I know many people have raved about it. But it left me empty.
If I were an Academy voter, it would not get my vote.
... enough pain in the real world. When I see 'fiction' I expect to walk out feeling better.. or else why bother.
If I want pain, I'll just read the news.
I would pretty much have to say ditto Chloe.
The name of that movie kinda gave me a hint of what it might be all about but I'm with you, I go to the movies for a happy escape. I can handle some drama.
But then again, maybe people who operate outta their right brains somehow avoid focusing on the Les Miserable part of it. That's pretty cool. I can see you being that way Jan. Jealous here.
As a kid I was very much into daydreaming. I lived in a fantasy world. I would write tall tale stories and draw architectural designs. Hung out in my bedroom a lot. I think college/nursing pushed me into my left brain. Once I got into that side, I couldn't get back out.
I've also tried to meditate and couldn't get past that quieting the mind part. I can't even get it to shut up to go to bed. I just have to have something that is louder than it is going on in the room. The only time my mind has been quiet is during anesthesia.
I have found some things on the Internet that I will try to use to learn to meditate. I do have time to practice.
Ok, I guess we each must find our own ways to quiet our minds.
Sorry Chloe that you did not like Les Mis. I knew generally what the story was about so did not go with an expectation that it would be storybook happy ending. I enjoyed the music and the way the story was told. I can take fiction as fiction although I am sure those things happened in that time period.
There are times I cannot quiet my mind no matter how hard I try. I do find that time helps though.
I just saw an ad for Downton Abbey and I'm getting excited. The hour before, there is a show about the house they use. I think I saw it. It was a free show when I bought the other episodes of the second season at Amazon.
Chloe, I think you can purchase the entire second season at Amazon, to stream, for a discount. If you got all the episodes it was cheaper than buying each one individually. I already had recorded three so I had to buy by the episode. I think I spent about 12 bucks. It was worth it. It says that I own them now but I'm not sure for how long. I have to go to Amazon to watch them.
Maybe later tonight I will go back to watch the last episode from last season just to be prepared.
This is so unlike me. A while back I wouldn't have even been interested in this series. There are times when I think that one Carol takes a leave a absence and another entity moves in. I hope each is an improvement. I do know that each is less tolerant of being used by others.
I barely remember the Carol who was sooo addicted to the news. Wouldn't even care to know her.
And then there's Maggie. I don't recognize her anymore either. Maybe she also had a walk in. She is doing better. Today, she had some pep in her step when I got her out to potty. When she came back in the house she even did a little one of her dances.
I went out to shop for a couple of things and when I got back she was hiding in the spare room again. A couple of steps forward and one back. Better than no steps forward.
I have stopped all the drugs. I'll see what I can do with the behavior modification program I have her on.
It's cold and nasty outside today. Raining. If the weather is even half way decent, I'll try to get Maggie out to the camp tomorrow.
I pray my guys are back to work Monday. I'd appreciate any help in that area.
I think I might have more luck getting into some meditation out at the camp. I've been kinda wondering if this house might be poisoning both of us.
I'm meeting one of the nurses that I really liked from work for supper in a little while. She's not happy with the joint anymore and wants to find somewhere else to work. She's alot like me in that she really enjoys working in corrections but things have been going downhill there for a good while now.
Carol, I think we all have more than one dimension of ourselves that takes turns now and then, depending on what's happening in our life. Especially if we're open to change, and how can we not be, since the world and anyone in it is constantly changing.
I think you said you're like me in not being able to block what's going on around you very easily. That makes it even more important for us to control our environment and be very selective in what we focus on.
When you mentioned you feel like there might be 2 Carol's sometimes, I thought maybe it's a little like when I say that I'm sometimes not sure what's going to come out of my mouth until I say it. I can read what I said later, and not even realize I wrote it. There's so much going on in our unconscious that we are unaware of, and it manifests itself sometimes at times we least expect it. Often, something important or heart breaking happens that sets it off. I think that depression is often a form of mourning. I also think it has a purpose. Look at the things you discovered about yourself by finding out there are more forms of entertainment out there that you enjoy then you ever realized before. I think that maybe you're getting a glimpse of what I often feel about it's as easy to learn things from fiction as it is from non-fiction (or at least a combination of the two).
I hope you have an enjoyable dinner with your nurse friend tonight, and that you both will be able to come up with answers that might improve your futures even more than what your aware of now.
Jan, Please don't be sorry that I complained about the movie.
I originally went into the Tarantino movie with Glen (which started 45 minutes before mine), because I do enjoy his movies and we rarely miss any of his work. It's quirky (ha!.. I should know). I also wanted to see what all the hoopla about it was about. It did involve slavery, but it was in no way pro-slavery but very much the opposite. His work isn't for everyone, but it has sort of an ironic humor to it that many probably don't like or just don't get it. However, after 45 minutes, it had gotten sorta predictable to me, so I went over to the other theater.
We had bought my ticket for the Les Mis movie and I was filling in time 'til it started. I didn't mean to imply I wasn't glad I saw it, because I'm glad I did. We've decided to go to a movie every Friday since he has more time off in the winter. I've found that if I find one out of ten that I really like a lot, I'm doing well. But it doesn't keep me from trying. You've got to see some mediocre movies in order to find the ones you love.
I'm getting back to being able to once again become more of a movie buff, so I doubt that I'll miss many of the new ones coming out, as long as there not the loud noise, action movies that I can't stand. Some I'll like, some I won't. But I still seem to have a taste for the theater experience (along with the popcorn and coke).
ellen degeneres at the movies - it's hilarious
.... of course, the sad part is, is that it's so funny because it's true. I really pig out there and then often skip lunch (we go to the early bird showing because it's never as crowded).
Coreen,
Hope things are going well for you. I'm down here freezing by butt off. You know what a sissy I am in cold weather.
Glen say's we're going some where warm for Christmas next year (as long as Emma is ready to fly).
I love nontraditional Christmases, so it sounds good to me. But we'll see.
One Christmas, long ago, we went to Hawaii for two weeks during the Christmas holidays. Laid on the beach in the sun. It was great.
Chloe, We did cruises to Mexico for Christmas 2 years in a row. It was great.
My DIL went home from hosp this afternoon. She is already posting stuff on FB.
It is fun to go somewhere warm for christmas. I think you will enjoy it Chloe.
I remember Christmases in Argentina. It was summer there. Seasons are the opposite of what they are here. I just could not get into Christmas there because it was so warm.
How warm Jan? Sounds good to me right now.
Enjoyed my dinner and the visit with my friend.
Big sis did suggest we do a cruise next Christmas
Wouldn't it be cool if we could all meet up for a
Christmas escape.
Coreen, where are ought thou? Aren't snowed in are you? Hope I didn't offend you calling you a tough girl. I don't claim to be right about that even though that's how I see you. I often appear to others as being tough and in control. I can fool some of the people some of the time. It helped at work.
I wouldn't even mind going to South America for Christmas.
As long as there is plenty of good food and nice scenery.
Was just reading about a multiple shooting in Aurora Co. 4 dead in this one. The article mentioned Holmes, the theater shooter. He was studying neuroscience prior to his going mad. I wonder which side of his brain he was operating from. Maybe neither.
Carol, Good you had a dinner with a friend.
Rented "The Grey." Big mistake.
Carol, it was summer - actually the weather was good pretty much year round. It did get cold in winter - May through August but not bad.
I think Hawaii would be great in winter Chloe.
I think a cruise would be a great place to all meet up.
Loyal Italian Cat, Toldo, Brings Gifts To Owner's Grave (PHOTO)
The cat...makes you wonder...
It's been a quiet but very cold week...there is still snow on the ground, (not the streets, just the grass)...but weatherpeople all say we will get to 50 this week...hope
it melts all the snow, since it makes it feel colder...
Don't remember being called 'tough'
maybe just determined, strong-willed...you know my slogan is & has been 'only the strong survive'...
over time I have learned to temper
my responses to those that I may not appreciate...since in the end
it really doesn't accomplish much...one rarely is, more likely never, influenced to change their views by another's contrary opinion...
Carol, you are not alone with your new obsession with 'Downton Abbey'...
In today's parade section of the newspaper...
Downton Abbey, Sunday Nght Obsession
The sun is peaking out today and I plan to try to get Maggie out to the camp. I think she's ready. It will be interesting, I hope, to see how she does.
I think we'll pick up some Popeye's chicken as a picnic. She loves her some chicken and she likes it spicy.
And welcome back Coreen. I read the article and a few others it linked to. Still excited about the 3rd season starting tonight.
Determined and strong willed could be considered tough Coreen I wasn't referring to your muscles. I used to be tough but got wimpy in my older age.
We're out at the camp and so far, so good for Maggie I was pleasantly surprised to see that the inside of my boat wasn't filled with water after all the rain. I was concerned about that after over 5 inches of rain. My auto bilge pump works some of the time. It's a good day. Thank you God! I needed one
Maggie is about 70-80% better. She still feels the need to squawk at times. I'm trying to just ignore it. She's got her pep in her step again and I don't see any signs of pain.
To celebrate, I made one of those tuxedo cakes but I changed it up some. The chocolate ganache on top was too sweet, a little overkill so I put the whipped dark chocolate between the two layers and the whipped white chocolate on top. I'm going to have to figure out how to freeze at least half of it.
Carol,
Freeze it a while before you cover it. If you do that, you can store it in large sea-a-bags or whatever.
I sometimes slice cakes first, freeze them until they not gooey any more then store them away plastic freezer bags. That way we can take out a couple of slices at a time.
'Course, we always seem short on freezer space, so I need to package things so they fit.
Guys,
I've never gone on a cruise. Sounds like too much eating and down time for me.
I can't really soak up the sun as much as I used to, because I really overdid the sunning when I was younger.
Coreen,
I wish I could get to the place where you are "one rarely is, more likely never, influenced to change their views by another's contrary opinion..."
I really, really want to get to that place, and always regret pushing my opinions on others later -- but then something happens and I almost explode.
I'd probably be the perfect candidate for an anger management class.
"jan said.. I think Hawaii would be great in winter"
Jan, it was.
But that was when we lived in California where Hawaii was so much closer. Flying back then was easy and even fun (and cheap too).
I haven't flown since all the new rules have gone into effect and am not looking forward to it.
From this location where we live now, we'd probably pick a warmer weather winter closer to this side of the U.S. Mexico is out of the question, because of all the crime down there.
Carol, You are sounding like your old self and I am so glad to hear that Maggie is too.
You never said how your dinner went last night. Was it fun to get together with you former work friend (I almost said 'mate' -- hearing Bill speaking in his Australian 'accent' over at TM is wearing off on me.
I find the Australians very appealing. Many of our most successful actors her in the U.S. come from Australia, as well as some well known singers.
Nicole Kidman comes to mind, and she is married to fellow Australian singer Keith Urban.
I should have said 'rubbing off' on instead of 'wearing off (?), I think.
If an expression can be ruined, I can do it.
The story about Highclere Castle that comes on an hour before the new season of Downton Abbey is fascinating. Try not to miss it.
It's on now for everyone but Jan.
Thanks Chloe
Hi all, we taped all the pre-stuff before D.A.
Carol, so good to hear that you and Maggie are both doing better. I know it must have been good for both of you to get back to the camp, even for a short time.
Talk about a depressing movie. The Grey was about the most depressing movie I have ever watched.
Chloe, you are right about cruises. Lots of food, but lots of great veggies and salads to choose too. John loves cruises, especially the Norwegian Line because it is all day grazing. Eat whenever and whatever you want. I really would prefer vacations to explore cities like the old ones in Europe but John prefers the cruises.
I am watching Highclere castle now.
Loved this 1st session of Downton Abbey, 3rd season. Yes, the world is changing. I hope Mary and her dad can adapt. It seems everyone else is able to.
Yes Jan, I liked it also. I'm totally addicted to Downton Abbey and that still surprises me. I told you that I bought the second season for big sis and she was watching it right in the same room I was in at the camp and I didn't even look at the TV to tune in, not even for a minute. I had decided that it wasn't my cup of tea so I didn't even try watching it.
I see that so often with all of us. We think we know what we like and want and are just too damn stubborn to give something else a try. I'll take it as a valuable lesson for myself, to give everything a proper try before deciding I don't like it.
Something about this show sucks me into that place and time. That shouldn't be a surprise since it is one of the most widely watched television shows in the world.
The scenery and architecture is one draw for me but I wouldn't have wanted to live in a place like Downton Abbey even though it is beautiful. I keep thinking about how cold it must have been there with those high ceilings and how expensive it was to have all the help to keep that place up. They talked some about that in that documentary about Highclere Castle.
There are several things I would like to discuss about the show. I wish that Chloe was caught up and that Coreen was interested in watching it. I know she would also get addicted if she gave it a proper try.
I really don't think they will lose Downton but am not sure how they will find the money to keep it. Maybe Matthew will change his mind about that inheritance. I'm sure Mary will find a way to convince him. He seems to have such a high moral and ethical standard but is attracted to a woman without much of one. Isn't that the way it goes so often. Many men and women are attracted to the bad girl/boy.
Don't really care for their rules about women and money in that time/place. I assume that was really the case back then. Lord Granthum married Cora for her money but later fell in love with her.
Glad that you are enjoying Downton Abby Carol & Jan...would enjoy
hearing your views on the show...not sure why I never got into that series...
Can't resist sharing this...from a comedian linked on FB, Maryann Maisano who appears in the tri-state area with other women as The
Italian Chicks...not sure this would be your 'cup of tea', but
you know MW is a guilty pleasure...no idea how the women of MW would manage in merry old England!....
"The transition from watching Mob Wives to Downton Abby can be quite daunting.
U go from put da friggin knife down Bitch.
To oh Cora Darling please do tell Tomas to go jack off."
Befor I forget Carol, not sure if you have any interest in the football game tonite...there is speculation that it may have the biggest cable audience ever.. my heart is with the Irish...even though my fav QB ever Joe Namath
was from Alabama & Notre Dame is the underdog...Go Irish!...
Coreen, I don't think I have a dog in that fight. Maybe I'll also go with the underdog. I usually identify with underdogs.
Jan, one thing that I found inconsistent with Lord Grantham's usual behavior is his interfering with Edith's love life. Her beau doesn't seem that old. She wants the guy and it's not like she has had much to chose from. Her dad was tolerant of what Mary and Sybil wanted.
Several weeks ago I started having short temporary losses in vision. They scared the heck out of me. I thought brain tumor but there weren't any other neurological deficits. They started right before the back pain.
I thought that maybe it was that visual migraine but this experience was different in that it didn't last more than a few seconds, thank God. I didn't even want to acknowledge that I was having these symptoms because it scared me so much.
I even thought that maybe they were near fainting episodes but my pulse was normal except a little elevated from fear.
I did try to really evaluate the experience and just recently I realized that it only affected my right eye, the one I had the cataract removed in. I don't see anything weird when I close my eyes. With the visual migraine, it lasted up to 30 minutes and the light show was visible even when I closed my eyes.
These attacks are occurring once to twice a day but not every day. Occasionally I skip a day. Today, I was coming out of Home Depot when one hit me. The vision in my left eye is pretty cloudy with that cataract. When the curtain comes over my right eye, I'm close to being blind.
My new eye doc wanted to make sure I was happy with the other eye before he messed with my left eye. I may never get to that point.
I did finally call my eye doc after this latest episode and have an appointment for Friday. Hope it is something they can fix. I think it is either a mega floater that is so big that it temporarily blocks out my vision or a pending retinal detachment.
It's hell to get old. One great thing is that my back feels great today and my guys are back at the camp working. We have to appreciate what we get.
Does anyone know any info on the drugs Aricept and Dilantin? My Mother was on Keppra for seizures and Dr. Khan changed her to Dilantin and put her on Aricept for memory loss. Everything I have just read on internet about Aricept is very very upsetting....
On most reviews most people became aggressive , mean and could not sleep or had horrible dreams...I am scared about it and don't know what or where to turn....Carol, can you please help me with your medical knowledge?
Or anyone have an elderly parent on either drug?
A phone call to me would have been more appropriate. You definitely need to call the doctor and discuss your concerns. Everything I've heard about Aricept from experts indicates it has a very short efficacy. The main side effect that was discussed was gastrointestinal symptoms, ie nausea. Any drug you look up will scare you when you read all the possible side effects.
Georgia,
Hope to hear that your mother is doing better. Carol's told me before that doctors are actually just 'consultants' and since she's made me aware of that. I've taken a lot more interactive interest in what my doctor/doctors say.
Some don't mind being asked, others act as though they're in a big hurry. I can understand the pressure they are under seeing so many people in a day, in order to make a decent living.
But even though that's the case, I'd make another appointment with him if I were you to discuss your concerns. I've never gotten any satisfaction from a phone call.
So if I'm worried, I just walk in the office and talk to whoever I can directly. Face to face, I've always gotten such better answers.
Carol,
I had to re-watch the last segment of season 1 again, just to refresh my memory of the characters. It's been quite a while since I watched season one of Dowton Abbey, and will take me a while to become obsessed with it again.
I started season 2 last night through our new Hulu account, and it worked like a charm. But I started to late, and got sleepy before I could finish it. Since it'll be a week before you see the next episode, I should be real close to being caught up by then.
I plan on ordering that DVD for season 3 (if they can get it here quickly enough) -- I'll check tomorrow how long it takes. Then I'll just watch each episode at the time you guys doing (assuming I catch up).
It's going to take me a while to get into the psyche of all the different characters again, because I've seen so many movies and series since I watched that first season.
" I'm sure Mary will find a way to convince him. He seems to have such a high moral and ethical standard but is attracted to a woman without much of one. Isn't that the way it goes so often"
I think that's what attracts couple to one another. It's a balancing thing. If one goes to far one way, and the other goes to far another, then you probably end up some where more reasonably in the middle.
Isn't it his oldest daughter that you think he worries too much about (I seem to remember she's the oldest)and ever so different from her sisters.
They've made several mentions of her age, and that she needs to find a husband soon (if I recollect correctly), because back then, the younger they got you married off into a marriage that they considered the man had the money and where-with-all to take care of you, then they considered your future safe and respectable. (ah, respectable... seems that was everything back then, but mostly for the women).
That's what I like most about the period movies and dramas. It reminds me that not a very long time ago, we were considered as being so much more less than a man.
Women couldn't own property, they lost their children if they were slandered or divorced. They had virtually no rights beyond their relationship to a man, be it their father or husband or brother, etc.
We hear so little about discrimination (and it was really not that long ago) of women as compared to other types of discrimination, that it's surprising that we've come this far in a relatively short period of time.
But it wasn't that long ago that they even allowed women to vote. And in many cases, they didn't want the women to be educated.
What I find so appealing about these period movies, is first of all they weren't that long ago, and it's fun watching the impeccable manners and lifestyle that was required of them.
I agree with you about the beautiful scenery. Any place it rains that much is normally very beautiful.
No one can do period movies as well as the English. The wonderful Maggie Smith is always such a joy to watch too. There's always humor involved in her roles.
Chloe, Mary is the oldest. I think one of the reasons they wanted to marry her off is because of the scandel of the Turkish guy that died in her bed. They have actually said or Mary said "now I am damaged goods."
Chloe, Mary is the oldest. I think one of the reasons they wanted to marry her off is because of the scandel of the Turkish guy that died in her bed. They have actually said or Mary said "now I am damaged goods."
Hope to hear that you find out what's wrong with your eye's pronto!
Jan, I've jotted down the name of the other series you're watching too. Let us know how it is.
I thought that Edith was the middle sister. I thought Mary was the oldest and Sybil the youngest. I could be wrong. That happens a lot.
There was mention in one of the second season episodes that poor Edith wouldn't find a husband so she could take care of her mom and dad when they got old. That was a discussion between mom and dad. Of course her dad seems to be undermining her chances.
That's often the way it goes. If you never married or had kids it was your job to care of your parents, like it or not. You weren't lucky enough to have a family of your own so you can take care of the old folks. I never minded taking care of mom but I did sometimes resent that others thought it was my job.
There was a spinster in the last three generations of my father's family. All old maid school teachers. Don't know much about my great aunt. She lived in Arkansas. My father's sister was living in Washington DC but had to come home after her mom died to take care of her father. She always seemed miserable, a very angry lady. I was scared of her. She ended up dying in her early 50s. I think she died of loneliness.
" I think one of the reasons they wanted to marry her off is because of the scandel of the Turkish guy that died in her bed. They have actually said or Mary said "now I am damaged goods."
Ah ha!
I'd forgotten about that! I really should go back and watch it all again first, but am to interested in the next two series.
I can always go back and start over sometime in the future. The way my memory has been lately, it'll may even feel like the first time if I wait long enough. :)
Thanks, Jan.
Well, if I don't get off here I'll probably get too tired to even finish the one I didn't finish last night.
I've been so disorganized lately (I know, so what's new?), and feel like I've had very little time to do the things I most love doing.
I told Amy when she was pregnant, that once you have a baby, your life will never be the same. That your life becomes about your baby, and takes away a lot of the care free-ness of only having yourself to worry about. Your identity is no long yours alone.
Little did I know, that it would turn out that I was talking to myself. But then, that's a whole different story. And I have no regrets.
Mary is a very interesting character. I both like and dislike her character. I like Sybil the best. I also like Cora.
If I had to chose a position at Downton, I'd be the cook. I wouldn't fit in the upper class and wouldn't enjoy any of their roles. I think the servants had more fun and if I did the cooking, I'd be able to taste everything.
Some of my favorite lines in the program were when the family was told of Mary's indiscretion, Mary's dad said, "well she can go to the states and find her a cowboy" and the dowager Countess (her grandmother) said, "well she could find her an Italian, they arn't too picky." I laughed when they said those words and still laugh when I think about it.
It is just so funny to hear what the English in those times thought of the U.S. and of other cultures or nationalities.
Coreen, I wonder if you are there and what you think.
I guess for me, if we are picking out a character, I would have liked to be Mary. Wealth has always appealed to me. She is beautiful too, which would not hurt anything. Beauty appealed to me too. Who would not want to be wealthy and beautiful.
I don't want anyone to think that I identify with any of the characters who do the cooking at Downton, not at all, just the position.
One of my favorite parts in last night's D.A. was when the oven was not working and they were having a big dinner and Shirley McClain had them get all the food out of the larder and have an a good old American buffet. It was so obvious they do not like her. Of course, they certainly want her money.
Cora is a classy lady. When her husband told her he had lost all of her money and started crying and she was comforting him.
Chloe, I have done much work with teen moms and none realize the responsibility and work involved in caring for a child until they experience it themselves, and they will tell you that.
Carol, you are right about the birth order in the family.
I did get annoyed with the Earl last night when he interfered in Edith's relationship with the man she likes. I thought she did a good job of telling him what she thought of what he did and insisting that he do something about it. I was proud of her.
Jan, I see you as a little of Mary and a little of Cora. I know you can identify with some of the naughtiness of Mary.
Our space is just about out. Anyone have anything to put up. Nothing in my dismal corner of the world I'd like to share.
Oh Dear, Chloe, I hope I have not messed up the series for you. I was just reading back and realize you have not seen the episodes I have been talking about.
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