Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: February 26~March 4, 2023

[ioujc]

Prayers for you Krysyan....and for your son that he doesn't get it. Praying you will feel better soon and BOUNCE BACK like WONDER WOMAN!!

Prayers and asking a hedge of protection around you SB.....for those storms around you!! Continue to hold Moldy and SKwentnaflyer and Nomifyle and ST and actually ALL of you up in prayer and asking GOD'S blessings on each of you!!

And, if you are so inclined, may I ask for prayer for me. I am just so totally whipped and have NO energy or motivation at all.

I did get a couple of things done today....planted peppers (poblano, jalapeno, pimentos, and cubanos) and a couple of varieties of tomatoes planted today ....in little pots. Also making arrangements with 2 other neighbors for bartering set up. This is a solid couple of people. Also intend to visit another guy down the road to see if he wants to be part of it....
Just so TIRED ALL THE TIME! And my shoulders are giving me fits...they are hurting constantly. They hurt enough, that my knees and back are minor at this point. I seem to be having MAJOR issues with the ligaments and tendons all over my body. That has been the issue with my knees, and now, apparently my shoulders. Not sure if it is because I got so out of shape over winter, or if it is age, but I do know it hurts dang bad!!

May each of you have a BLESSED evening!!

 

[Toosh]

I look at the news in every corner of the world and I don't see nut'in getting any better. I'm on a full scale effort to tidy every corner, gather every needful thing, practice every skill and develop my tribe. I've just finished equipping an outdoor, canning kitchen to use this summer with a gas stove, a mister system to keep cool, and a rocket pizza oven that makes wonderful bread - first loaf out yesterday!

This week I'm building more shelves (more shelves!!) and a new 3 cord firewood shed with rainwater catchment into a 300 gallon IBC tank and solar automatic watering for the garden. When complete, I will be storing 2,500 gal of rainwater. Also reinforced the fence around the garden to deter varmints and installed new trellises for more vertical growing. I've got big plans for a big harvest this year and hopefully have the resources to deal with anything mother nature throws at me.

 

[John Deere Girl]

I look at the news in every corner of the world and I don't see nut'in getting any better. I'm on a full scale effort to tidy every corner, gather every needful thing, practice every skill and develop my tribe. I've just finished equipping an outdoor, canning kitchen to use this summer with a gas stove, a mister system to keep cool, and a rocket pizza oven that makes wonderful bread - first loaf out yesterday!

This week I'm building more shelves (more shelves!!) and a new 3 cord firewood shed with rainwater catchment into a 300 gallon IBC tank and solar automatic watering for the garden. When complete, I will be storing 2,500 gal of rainwater. Also reinforced the fence around the garden to deter varmints and installed new trellises for more vertical growing. I've got big plans for a big harvest this year and hopefully have the resources to deal with anything mother nature throws at me.

I'm feeling the same way, and I'm leaving no corner unclean. I can't change anything that happens in the world, but if anything crazy happens, our home will be clean and organized!

Your outdoor kitchen sounds amazing!

 

[summerthyme]

Thank you, ioujc! I can use the prayers... my back decided to flare up badly, and I'm having trouble doing anything right now. It's more than frustrating!

Have you ever tried MSM? It's very useful for soft tissue pain that glucosamine and chondroitin don't touch. I've seen it work miracles on an elderly pony who would stiffen up so bad from rheumatism in cold damp weather that she couldn't walk across her stall to eat.

Start with 1000 mgs a day, and work up to 3 grams, or even 6 grams, if it helps and you feel it's necessary. It works fairly quickly, so if you don't feel better within 7-10 days, it's likely not going to help.

Summerthyme

 

[nomifyle]

Thank you, ioujc! I can use the prayers... my back decided to flare up badly, and I'm having trouble doing anything right now. It's more than frustrating!

Have you ever tried MSM? It's very useful for soft tissue pain that glucosamine and chondroitin don't touch. I've seen it work miracles on an elderly pony who would stiffen up so bad from rheumatism in cold damp weather that she couldn't walk across her stall to eat.

Start with 1000 mgs a day, and work up to 3 grams, or even 6 grams, if it helps and you feel it's necessary. It works fairly quickly, so if you don't feel better within 7-10 days, it's likely not going to help.

Summerthyme

A friend told me about MSM years ago, it helps tremendously.

 

[philkar]

[QUOTE="summerthyme, post:

Have you ever tried MSM?

Summerthyme
[/QUOTE]

Summerthyme. There is quite the price range on this product on Amazon. Which would you recommend? Hubs has painful shoulders can’t lift his arms etc due to sanding cars lots of his life. Think this will help? Glucosamine and chostocondroitin after 6 months hasn’t helped.

TIA

 

[nomifyle]

Praying for those of us who are having issues, God is good all the time.

Church was good tonight, it was on turning the other cheek, which is hard to do in todays world.

Even the cheapest MSM is very helpful. I always look for the best buy. LOL unlike years ago I felt I had to buy the best natural, but age has given me a better understanding.

We hardly ate anything today. My sleeping until after 11:00 am might have had something to do with it. I have no idea why I slept so late, but I slept soundly. And I've felt good today.

I only got a few things done, I finally got all the bottles out of the second bathroom shower, now I just have to clean out the shower, those bottles were in there for a few years, so the bottom of the shower is pretty funky. At first I put them in there in plastic bags and later just threw them in there. I also have buckets of food in that bathroom that I need to check on and put somewhere else. I have a couple of buckets of instant coffee, which will stay in the buckets, but live somewhere else.

I put some eggs on to steam and forgot about them, the pan did not burn, but the eggs stunk, they went to the pigs.

My diet fell by the wayside while we were gone and now its time to get back on track.

 

[anna43]

I finally got brave and went to town to shop today. My first solo effort since the back issues started. It went well and I learned two things (1) never buy Pepsi in 24 pack as it hurts to lift it and (2) now need to use the handicapped stall in the restroom. Learned both the hard way as is typical for me!!

I hadn't shopped for a month so was shocked to see how much prices have gone up in just that length of time. Aldi did not have any devil's food cake mix, yogurt or their brand of chunky soups but I got everything else on my list. I forgot to use my gift certificate -- second time. When I start my new list in the morning, I will put note to USE GIFT CARD right at the top. Fareway had all I wanted there but prices are painful although I used a gift certificate which covered the entire bill.

Walmart was absolutely packed, and they had ONE register open. Second one opened with an inexperienced worker, so she was struggling. She forgot to scan my Pepsi which I'd told her I was leaving in the cart and pushed the cart near to her. If I weren't honest, I could easily have walked off without paying for it. I was looking for sweatpants but couldn't find any. I did find corduroys on sale for $7 marked down from $26.98. I could tell myself I saved $18.98, but that's not accurate because there is no way I'd ever have paid $26.98. lol

I also went to the library thrift bookstore and bought 11 books and two puzzles for $15. Since I do not watch TV and am trying to limit my computer time, those items equal sanity for me.

I really want to get back to sewing as I really need pants for around the house (think fleece) for next winter. Also, I'd like to piece a quilt top but cannot seem to find motivation to do anything.

They called today that there is now an opening for physical therapy, so I start tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. It's at the nursing home which is three blocks away which is why I waited for them to have an opening rather that starting elsewhere which would require a 20-mile drive in one direction or another.

I'm still waiting to see how therapy goes before deciding on how much garden I'll attempt. I still need to start peppers this week (should have two weeks ago) and tomatoes around the 15th of the month.

It was strange to see ponds in the fields, ditches with water and the creek out of its banks after seven years of drought. Good but strange. The river even looks like a river again instead of a sad creek. We had another nice rain this week plus the snow melt. Hopefully this means the drought is officially over.

 

[kyrsyan]

While my body worked on getting moving, I took time to send prayers for you all.

I crashed at 8 last night. I can't say it was a solid night of sleep but it was what I needed. I woke up every couple of hours which was sufficient to make sure I got medicine all through the night. I still hurt all over. I'm as weak as a newborn. The nerves are still hot. But I can walk. The fever is down. The uck that was trying to move into my lungs did not get any further. And my brain is much more alert and functional. I figure I'm going to need to nap a few times today but I'm on the flip side of whatever this was. Fingers crossed.

Son decided that I need morning pounces and hugs. And is now curled in my bed which is normally a warning sign that he's not feeling well. But the weather today is the type to kick his migraines. So I gave him food, drink, and the first dose of migraine meds. And checked for fever.

I truly pray that you all are feeling better today. I'm off to work while my brain is doing well.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We had 2 tornadoes move through our county last night! They were both in the northern part of the county, and we live in the southern part. They got close to Mom, though. We just had a loud thunder boomer go over us, and we are getting flooded with rain. Once that deep freeze we had back during Christmas was over, Cary went out and plugged the drains on all our rain barrels. They are now overflowing. He drained them, before the freeze. Our rainwater catchment system keeps us in right at 1000 gallons. During the gardening season, we set out washtubs on our back deck for rain catchment, too. I plan to get another 55 gal rain barrel this year. I haven't been to Sam's, lately, so I don't know if they have them out or what type they have. I didn't see any at TSC, yesterday.

An appointment to see our attorney this morning at 10:30. Cary has some additions to make to our will, and other items he wants to tweak. He's been wanting to get this done for a while, but just never got around to it, til now. His age is part of the motivating factor to get it done.

It doesn't look like he's going to be able to do any work on our neighbor's tree, today! Rain all day, and cooler at 72 for our high.

Mom is having eye surgery, today. Her best friend will be with her. I plan to go see her, tomorrow. I have a ton of my clothes from cleaning out my closets that I'm taking to her to put in the thrift store down the street from her. She goes there often to buy used books. She loves to read.

 

[Digger]

We were stopping at Atwoods yesterday. The Bonnie plant truck was just finishing dropping off early garden vegetable starts. I checked the price and about fell over. A 6 pack of plants was $5.99. I think they were $4.65 last year and I thought that was to expensive. Thank goodness I start a lot of my own or get them at a local nursery for about $3 for the same size. Bonnie delivers to most of the local stores in Arkansas and several other states.

I started sweet potatoes to make slips yesterday. I hope to have some to share with the kids. I usually start them in a glass of water, but this time I buried them in some pots of dirt. We will see how they do.

 

[ioujc]

Thank you, ioujc! I can use the prayers... my back decided to flare up badly, and I'm having trouble doing anything right now. It's more than frustrating!

Have you ever tried MSM? It's very useful for soft tissue pain that glucosamine and chondroitin don't touch. I've seen it work miracles on an elderly pony who would stiffen up so bad from rheumatism in cold damp weather that she couldn't walk across her stall to eat.

Start with 1000 mgs a day, and work up to 3 grams, or even 6 grams, if it helps and you feel it's necessary. It works fairly quickly, so if you don't feel better within 7-10 days, it's likely not going to help.

Summerthyme

Thank you so much ST!!
I will try it!!

 

[anna43]

Crazy day here. I went to first therapy session and they had not received my x-rays or MRI results. Started me on some simple exercises. Went to doctor's office to ask about sending x-rays etc. and handicapped hangtag for the car and they were closed. Then got a letter from dentist that she's found someone to take over the practice so office will remain open -- after I had my records transferred and made appointment at another dentist. Postman put letter in my box but ignored flag and bill I had in box for him to pick up. I feel like I've spent the morning running in circles!! I think I will take a nap and then restart my day.

I did make four trips to the basement to put away yesterday's shopping before therapy. Spent time rotating so the new stuff is in the proper place for rotation.

 

[TxGal]

We were stopping at Atwoods yesterday. The Bonnie plant truck was just finishing dropping off early garden vegetable starts. I checked the price and about fell over. A 6 pack of plants was $5.99. I think they were $4.65 last year and I thought that was to expensive. Thank goodness I start a lot of my own or get them at a local nursery for about $3 for the same size. Bonnie delivers to most of the local stores in Arkansas and several other states.

I started sweet potatoes to make slips yesterday. I hope to have some to share with the kids. I usually start them in a glass of water, but this time I buried them in some pots of dirt. We will see how they do.

Wow! I haven't checked our garden center for plants yet. Every time I plant tomatoes before tax day we get a hard freeze, I'm a jinx, so I'm holding off.

Having said that, this season we're planting a full garden of heirloom vegetables mostly for the purpose of saving their seeds for upcoming seasons. Don't much like how the economy/supply chain is looking, etc., and I ordered extra seeds just a few weeks ago. I also took cuttings from our blackberry and blueberry plants, so far they're looking good. We'll be expanding as much as possible.

Not messing around this year....

 

[philkar]

I'm feeling the same way, and I'm leaving no corner unclean. I can't change anything that happens in the world, but if anything crazy happens, our home will be clean and organized!

Your outdoor kitchen sounds amazing!

Sounds as if many of us are in the same mind set. Picked up a scrounged up sink and countertop for outdoor work space. Interested in that bread oven! I am concerned about the heat this summer. Greenhouse stuff coming along nicely. Hubs said we need an armed guard after seeing Bonnie plant prices!
Praying you are all feeling better and that your day is smoothing out.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Well, what an adventure. We live on a ridge, and the only way to get to civilization is by crossing two bridges. Think of a moat around a castle. We started down the ridge, and the bridge at the bottom was flooded! Yeah, water flowing across it. Cary inched us across very slowly. Water has flooded all the farmland around us. All the lowlands from our house to small town were also flooded. It's been years, since I've seen it this bad.

We got to our attorney's office, walked in, and his secretary told us he had a conflict come up. He wasn't there. So, we had to make another appointment for next week. She could have troubled herself enough to give us a call, before we made the trip.

One of those thunder boomers that came over us this morning knocked out our internet service. It just now came back on. It went out on us, before we left.

Life as we know it is now back to normal.

 

[ReneeT]

Renee.... checking Moon Sign Book to see if Mercury went retrograde...
Nope, guess I'm gonna have to find another excuse for everything taking twice as long as it should today.

Kyrsyan, hope that you get to feeling better; and that son doesn't get ill.

Sheree, hope you and Cary stay safe from the weather!

Yesterday was a somewhat frustrating day - had a doctor's appointment where we butted heads a bit - he wanted to start me on a medication that I flat out refused to take (this is the second one - I'm familiar with both, and both are horrible r/t side effects.) He's been my doctor for at least 20 years; so it may be time for a change. My trip to Rural King for critter feed, and the Evil Empire for a few groceries went okay, but then I headed down to the nearest (40 miles) Social Security office to order another copy of my SS card - and they'd moved. So I found the new address, then used the GPS on my phone which took me off and on a couple of different interstates, and through a maze of back streets. Once I got there, I was one of 3 clients, so things went quickly and I was able to have them help me set up an online account as well, since when I tried on the website it told me I had the wrong birthday I had all of the paperwork they needed and they agreed that my birthday was my birthday, etc... so they fixed it and were able to get me set up.

Then I went to daughter's so she could talk to the work disability people as I'd got two letters in the mail from them - she'd gone to HR with me last week and got them straightened out, so I decided to run with it. Daughter got the disability folks straightened out and got off the phone with them right as her next client came in the door; and had another client coming, so she made a list and I headed out to get her some quick supper fixin's as a thank you for dealing with all those folks.

This morning - After finding the cat/recovering from the cat bathing episode as reported in my previous post - I cleaned the fridge, carried out trash, finished up one load of laundry and started another one, carried the critter food I bought yesterday to the storage area, then carried a tote of outgrown grandkid's clothing out to the van. I headed to town to hit Dollar General for their 3 cases of A&W rootbeer for $12 deal; picked up a new dust mop while I was there as daughter borrowed mine 6 or 7 years ago, and I'd been using is makeshift one made out of clothes hangers, binderclips, an old mop handle and some car washing mitts - I got tired of having to clip the two fuzzy sections back together and decided that $6 was probably worth not having to deal with it any longer.

Here in a bit, I'm going to find an old pillow case to put over the heated mat in the outdoor cat cottage and move BG (cat) out to Hubby's workshop now that his fluff is finally dry. His tail still looks a bit weird, but I'll deal with that tomorrow. I'll also call the vet's office tomorrow and see if I can bring him in to see if he is chipped; if not, I'll get him vetted and see if I can find him a home where he can't roam.

Well, I'd better finish up the supper prep; Hubby should be home soon.

Take care all; stay safe out there!

 

[moldy]

Renee - you are still in my prayers (nurse to nurse). Talked with oncologist today and she is only letting me go back inhouse to the hospital 2 days a week. My lab has not rebounded (just my immunology markers - so I'm still immunocompromised) and my weight is... well, I probably weigh about what I did in high school. I'll talk to her again in 2 weeks and she'll decide then. My boss is understanding, but not thrilled.

I spent shhhh.... $300 on books today. All herb books, all the time. Can't wait to get them and start reading. I am re-writing a chapter on herbal medicine for a group and they said in the last edition that one of the books was 'the definitive text on herbal medicine (or something like that)' so I felt I needed to check it out before I hand in what I've written. I'm really excited about it - just haven't had much energy to work on it. It looks like DH will be working plowing snow a lot, so I may be able to get more written this weekend.

My excitement for herbs is being rekindled. Every day when I talk to patients, I hear more and more about home remedies. tonight it was a little one that isn't old enough for cough or cold medicine. He's over 2, so old enough for honey. Someone had told mom hot Dr. Pepper to help with a cough - I told her to use pineapple juice in whatever form he would take. I think popsicles for little ones would be good. I also am thinking about syrups - pineapple syrup with gumweed and wild cherry tinctures for cough, pomegranate syrup with hibiscus and motherwort for cardiac issues, cherry syrup with turmeric and nettle for arthritis, Whoo - the hamster in my head is spinning that wheel to hyperspeed!!

 

[John Deere Girl]

Renee - you are still in my prayers (nurse to nurse). Talked with oncologist today and she is only letting me go back inhouse to the hospital 2 days a week. My lab has not rebounded (just my immunology markers - so I'm still immunocompromised) and my weight is... well, I probably weigh about what I did in high school. I'll talk to her again in 2 weeks and she'll decide then. My boss is understanding, but not thrilled.

I spent shhhh.... $300 on books today. All herb books, all the time. Can't wait to get them and start reading. I am re-writing a chapter on herbal medicine for a group and they said in the last edition that one of the books was 'the definitive text on herbal medicine (or something like that)' so I felt I needed to check it out before I hand in what I've written. I'm really excited about it - just haven't had much energy to work on it. It looks like DH will be working plowing snow a lot, so I may be able to get more written this weekend.

My excitement for herbs is being rekindled. Every day when I talk to patients, I hear more and more about home remedies. tonight it was a little one that isn't old enough for cough or cold medicine. He's over 2, so old enough for honey. Someone had told mom hot Dr. Pepper to help with a cough - I told her to use pineapple juice in whatever form he would take. I think popsicles for little ones would be good. I also am thinking about syrups - pineapple syrup with gumweed and wild cherry tinctures for cough, pomegranate syrup with hibiscus and motherwort for cardiac issues, cherry syrup with turmeric and nettle for arthritis, Whoo - the hamster in my head is spinning that wheel to hyperspeed!!

Do you have any books on herbs that you think would be good to have on hand? I have a variety of herbs I grow, and I would love to learn more about them.

 

[nomifyle]

We were going to take my van to the repair shop today but DH could not get it out of park, major electrical issues thanks to rats. So I drove to town and dropped myself off to finally get a pedicure. I use to do them my self and keep my toe nails cut, but just can't seem to get it done anymore. The salon was pushing gel polish, which I am pretty sure its not good for nails, so I opted for regular polish. They told me the gel would last so much longer. I really didn't even want polish, just wanted my toe nails cleaned up. But I did pick a color, which is always red, use to be called dragon lady red (yes, I'm that old). The salon person did a good job of cleaning up my toe nails but a crappy job of painting them. No matter I'll take the polish off long before I go back. Although I may look for another nail salon.

We went to walmart, I had a short list since I had gone last week. I did get a rotisseri chicken, and some more of their chicken salad, which I think is so good. And I actually bought a couple of boiled eggs, since I ruined the ones I tried to cook yesterday, they were only fit for the pigs. I always get some extra cash to add to my stash. Dh knows about part of my stash and is now trying to figure out how to spend it. Not going to happen and as much as I love him I need to keep my mouth shut about some things.

I reminded myself not to spend too much time wandering around in wm so as not to make my self so tired that I can hardly get out of the store. I did spend a little time in there and was fine checking out and getting my stuff put away when I got home. I had two cans each of brown gravy and beef broth to replace what I had used, including a can of diced potatoes and a can of pickled beets. They had a package of the ham pieces that I haven't been able to find lately but it had gone up in price, shock yeah right. I ended up only spending $60 but my list was small with a couple of convinence things that do add to the total price.

I'm still feeling pretty much normal, what a blessing.

I got a new keyboard and mouse, both wired. I already had them on hand, just in case, but I ordered a set, this time wireless, DH really likes his.

I'm having an issue with something on my computer. I can't get in to my yahoo mail, just will not load. I can get it on my phone and also on DH's computer. Right now I'm just not willing to clear my cookies, which is probably where the problem is. Mainly because I can't remember all my pass words. This is for another day or week..

I've been reading a book on my phone and have to charge it. I had it plugged in and some crap came up and said optomized charging and would complete by 4:00 am. Hell its 80% charged now, I just want to charge it up because I'm going to read on it after while.

 

[moldy]

There are a lot of good ones out there, but I think the best is "Medicine from the Heart of the Earth' by Sharol Tilgner. It goes over quite a few common herbs, plus formulas for certain medical issues and how to make tinctures, salves, etc. All in a nice compact book. I use mine a lot.

The ones I ordered are by Jill Stansbury - a five volume set- and are written more at a professional level, and since I haven't seen them, I can't really recommend them yet. Dr. Tilgner's book (and honestly, that's the only one of hers that I really find helpful) is written for everyone. It has much more information than say books by Rosemary Gladstar or a coffee table herb book will.

 

[John Deere Girl]

There are a lot of good ones out there, but I think the best is "Medicine from the Heart of the Earth' by Sharol Tilgner. It goes over quite a few common herbs, plus formulas for certain medical issues and how to make tinctures, salves, etc. All in a nice compact book. I use mine a lot.

The ones I ordered are by Jill Stansbury - a five volume set- and are written more at a professional level, and since I haven't seen them, I can't really recommend them yet. Dr. Tilgner's book (and honestly, that's the only one of hers that I really find helpful) is written for everyone. It has much more information than say books by Rosemary Gladstar or a coffee table herb book will.

Thank you!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We're under another tornado watch, flood warning, with high wind advisory, too. The wind outside right now is terrible, even without a storm. I'm expecting trees to come down. Our power is blinking, and our internet service is sketchy. Schools in our area are beginning to close for the day.

 

[summerthyme]

https://www.amazon.com/Supplement-Vegetarian-Non-GMO-Methylsulfonylmethane-Horbaach/dp/B098XWTH5D/ref=sr_1_9?crid=H9IAFU3BSTHU

[/URL]

As far as whether it will help... you'll just have to try it! If he has major damage... rotator cuff tears, bone spurs, etc, it's unlikely anything short of surgery will do much. But many times, it's an amazing remedy.

As I mentioned, I had an elderly pony who suddenly started getting so stiff and tender around 23 years old that she literally wouldn't walk across the stall to eat when it was cold and damp. I had her wrapped up in blankets, hood and leg wraps, and in a barn that never got below 40 degrees. It wasn't arthritis... she only had one arthritic joint, a front knee, and glucosamine kept her sound and pain-free from that.

Within a couple of weeks of starting MSM, she acted 10 years younger. And for the next 6 years, until she died from old age, she was active, sassy and seemed completely comfortable even in the nastiest cold, damp weather. It also gave her the shiniest coat..

Well worth trying, IMHO

Summerthyme

 

[kyrsyan]

I would also recommend getting the Herbal PDR. They only put it out for a few years but it is loaded with info. I wish I could get my hands on the German E reports on herbals.

It's an ugh day. I thought it was getting better but no sleep last night absolutely did not help. And son has it. Fortunately for him, he can curl up in bed and stay there with no problem. I just make sure that he gets the meds he needs on time and keep his drink cup full. He's happy to eat pretzels but doesn't want regular food, which likely means his stomach is acting up.

I finally gave in and took have a flexeril tab because the back pain was just not letting up. I could get it to break for a bit but then it'd come back even stronger. I'm actually surprised that I'm still moving because flexeril, even half, normally takes me down. But then I can still feel muscle groups that are resisting the med, so maybe it's because my body is having to use all the med for that. But I hate that med because even at half dose, it just messes me up for days. It makes my head all foggy.

Anyways, going to get some more cleaning done until the body stops me. I figure I've got maybe another hour before I'm forced to nap.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

It was our turn to be hit by a tornado, yesterday morning. No damage to our house, but we and a neighbor have trees down, with limbs everywhere. Cary had to move a tree limb off our front porch. The tree down on our property was right on the fence line, and it fell on the neighbor's property, but didn't damage our fence. 30 homes around us have damage, a school had its roof blown off, and in another little community close to ours, the roof was blown off a big apartment complex. We were without power and internet for 11 hours. Power came back on around 8:30 pm last night. When the funnel cloud went over us, there was that train sounding roar, but with that, there was a loud whistling noise like a siren. That was so scary! The house was shaking and rattling!

Other than giving us a big fright, we managed through it. Cary got out the gennie and cranked it up to keep the fridge bumped up. He was prepared to do the same for the freezers if the power had not come back by this morning. Since it's been too warm for the wood heater and stove, I brought out our small butane camping stove to heat Chunky Soup with for our supper. We had that and saltine crackers. We had a candlelight dinner, LOL.

Even before Cary and I can get started on the cleanup here, DS needs Cary's help with his property this morning.

 

[kyrsyan]

What a 24 hours it has been. Straight line winds in yesterday's storms have damaged the flat section of roof. That's all I know because I didn't see it until just before dark.

Then spine went into full meltdown and the pain levels sent my bp through the rough and made my heart hurt. So off to ER. Where I have been on hold for 12 hours. They got in a lot of gunshot wound victims that kept getting us less severe folks bumped down the line.

Somehow, about an hour in, my spine started to lighten up. By this morning, it was much better. It's still tender but I can live with this. Docs orders are to sleep and if it comes back, come back to ER and give triage his orders. Otherwise follow up with PCP and cardio.

While on waiting room hold, they did get bloodwork and xrays done. Bloodwork shows I'm still fighting an infection and my wbc took a hit. And my blood sugar went mildly high.

We think that my spine went into severe muscle spasms, although we don't know why. We also don't know why they stopped. But they have. So no reason to believe it was blood clots. And rest of heart stuff looks good.

I'm heading home to get some sleep. Then I'll look at damage and deal. And clean my house which is a bloody mess.

Son is in day 2 of crud and not happy about it. And not happy that he wasn't at home last night. Which I can understand.

 

[kyrsyan]

We are home. We got the curled section of the flat roof laid back down with a brick on it for the moment. Dad has asked brother to come look at it when he gets off work today. And I found a few "ruffled" shingles on the front of the roof. He'll look at those as well. I'd rather not file an insurance claim but we'll see what happens. The thing is, insurance has a record of when the roof was replaced, so that should help.

Son was very very happy to see me. And very determined that we were going home. He even said home a couple of times, which is really big for him. Upon seeing me, he took his meds and ate his breakfast and just generally cheered up. He still feels like crud and is curled in his bed but for now his world is back to normal.

He loves friend, and enjoys visiting friend. But overnight at friend's house is not something that happens frequently. And since he was sick, it was just too much for him to take calmly.

I can't sleep yet because he hasn't drifted off, and may not, so I'm about to go get more cleaning and sorting done. The house looks like a disaster zone and that is driving me nuts. And the spine, while still warning me, is not being overly aggressive at the moment.

 

[John Deere Girl]

We are home. We got the curled section of the flat roof laid back down with a brick on it for the moment. Dad has asked brother to come look at it when he gets off work today. And I found a few "ruffled" shingles on the front of the roof. He'll look at those as well. I'd rather not file an insurance claim but we'll see what happens. The thing is, insurance has a record of when the roof was replaced, so that should help.

Son was very very happy to see me. And very determined that we were going home. He even said home a couple of times, which is really big for him. Upon seeing me, he took his meds and ate his breakfast and just generally cheered up. He still feels like crud and is curled in his bed but for now his world is back to normal.

He loves friend, and enjoys visiting friend. But overnight at friend's house is not something that happens frequently. And since he was sick, it was just too much for him to take calmly.

I can't sleep yet because he hasn't drifted off, and may not, so I'm about to go get more cleaning and sorting done. The house looks like a disaster zone and that is driving me nuts. And the spine, while still warning me, is not being overly aggressive at the moment.

I'm praying for you and your son!

 

[nomifyle]

That bad weather has, thankfully, not come our way. We are in the 80's again today and the sun is shinning. DH woke me up at 8:00 this morning but I just could not get myself awake so I didn't get up until almost 9. About 10:30 DH said he was shakey all inside, so we both got in our chairs and went to sleep, at least I did, DH just said he didn't think he went to sleep, but I was out like a light right away. I had had a hard time getting to sleep last night. Now its after 2:30 so most of the day is gone.

I've still been reading, now I'm on book 11 of the series.

When DH shot the pig last week he said it grazed one of the small ones that was still in the trip. The little fellow held on for several days, but didn't make it last night.

The days are slipping by, its Saturday already. Back during my working days I use to live for the weekends, but any more I hardly know what days it is.

I've still got plenty of organizing to do, but the pantry room itself is in great shape. I go in there and walk up and down the isles just looking, one way to remember just where DH put things, I left that up to him since he was doing most of the work. He's proud of how it has shaped up too

We are still getting at least 20 eggs a day. I'm still feeling normal, praise the Lord.

 

[ReneeT]

Prayers for you and son, Kyrsyan..

Middle grandson decided to go out for track, so Daughter was taking him to my work town to get whatever it is he needed; as well as a new pair of school worthy sneakers for the younger one. Younger grandson still owed me some work for paying for some playstation and pokemon cards, so Daughter dropped him off here. I'd already been shoveling rock and putting it down by the mailbox, but needed some larger 3-4" ones to use as a base in a deeper hole before I put in the 1" rock, so I gave grandson a bucket and had him haul the larger ones over to fill in where I needed it.

We took a break for lunch; then finished up the rock. Took another short break to clean the tools, then spent some more time out in the side yard picking up walnuts, sticks, and the few remaining leaves; younger grandson was all about loading the detrius in the bed of the buggy - I showed him how to open a large box until it was flat, then fit it in in the bed of the buggy before we loaded it up; when we got to the brush pile, I showed him how we could each grab a a side of the box and slide it out and right on to the brush pile. We made two trips to the brush pile, but I wore out before daughter got back to pick up grandson, so the yard didn't get finished - my body was grateful for the break, as were my ears That youngest boy is a talker for sure!

We've got plenty of leftovers in the fridge for both supper tonight and Hubby's work lunch tomorrow, so I'm going to clean up, then figure out what to do the rest of the evening - I have a few options. Dollar General has some decent laundry detergent sales w/digital coupons, plus I have a $5 off /$25 coupon I can use; but I've got a pretty good stockpile so may skip this week. I'd ordered a new book a while back; it came in a couple of months ago but I just haven't been able to get in to it - and it's by an author I really like, so I may give it another chance this evening. If I can't get interested in the book, I could re-organize the one end of my closet that is the linen area. Or I could just put my feet up and spend the evening hanging out with Hubby

The weather is supposed to be very nice through Monday - high 50's & 60's, so I may do some more work outside tomorrow and Monday - assuming I can move, that is The neighbor lady and I are planning to go to the pool Monday, so maybe that will help me work out the achey muscles from today and tomorrow's work so that I can do a bit more when I get home after the pool.

Well, if I don't get up and move pretty quick, it's likely I won't be able to without help

Take care all; have a safe rest of the weekend!

 

[kyrsyan]

Awake and functioning.
Prep thing for the next few weeks - an updated prescription for muscle relaxants. Preferably one that I interact better with than flexeril.

And more research on ways to deal with menopause issues. I can't be the only woman whose body has done this. And the lack of knowledge is nuts.

I also need to research the local urgent care centers. My new insurance allows me to use them and I'd prefer that to the ER.

I thought I was going to stay awake, until I feel asleep in the computer chair. I decided to be wise. I checked on son and then I laid down. I got about 4 hours before I woke up to back muscles cramping. I took care of that immediately. At the moment, all of those spasms will be dealt with immediately and completely. Thank heavens for Weleda Arnica oil, Summerthyme's pain ointment, and a good shepherd's hook.

Friend was somewhat amused when he showed up and I had videos of lawn mowing going. I don't know why that can help me calm and settle but it does. So does watching people build things and cook.

Things that were good to have - the phone charger and basic otc meds in my purse. Things I'll add to the purse - some basic wipes, electrolyte powders, and a collapsible water bottle. I ended up buying water and then continually refilling the bottle. Because I have all those things - in the van. Which was with son and friend, not me.

I was amused at both myself and security. They found the kbar spork I carry for son. And for the first time, one of them realized that it opened in the center. Oops. But the other was the taser (with no charge remaining) that was at the bottom of my purse. But the one that made me laugh was their worry over the walking foot. I didn't give them any fits. I just asked them to be careful with it because replacements are not plentiful or cheap.

I'm now awake and functioning. And slowly cleaning. Son is curled in bed, watching movies, and eating granola bars & pretzels. That's all that seems to settle with his stomach. I gave him an ice pack and he instantly tucked it behind his head. I think I'm going to make a mini go pack for him with just some food and meds.