Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Tuesday-8am

And a good Tuesday morning to you!
What's been happening since we last spoke a week ago?  Last Tuesday was such a nice day.  The grouse family came by several times...
...and even kind of parked themselves there next to my patio for about 20 minutes!
It's been awfully cold.  One night we had -20F...and it is -15F right now.  I wonder how the birds survive with their skinny little legs?  And the sparrows have even less body mass than the grouse..but they all survive.  Amazing to me.  Of course the fact that the native tribes and the pioneers survived these winters in tents and small cabins is even more amazing.
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Anyways, Leah and Ian and I had planned to go to Cashwise on Wednesday so I could get the rest of my groceries that I couldn't get at the Natural Grocers.
We had a winter storm passing through...
...but Leah was still out and about...
...bringing Ian to Story Time, etc.  Was a pretty tame storm here in town.  But I wasn't feeling quite right enough to go anywhere so I had to pass.  I did take a short video for all my friends who don't get to see snow.  Funny--I was trying to see if I could show it against the garages across the way and it showed best up close right there on my patio--LOL!
I felt worse the next day...so passed again on going grocery shopping.  As you saw in the video and the pictures above, the whole ground was covered in snow.  But nature did her thing in no time (had been worried about the rabbits and grouse, of course)...
...and cleared the grass patches here in the wind vortex.
A day later...you can see how happy everybody was to see the grass--LOL!
Jackrabbit party!
Must have been quite a night to behold.
You'd have to enlarge this probably to see the amount of poop pellets left absolutely everywhere out there--LOL!
I hope rabbit and grouse poop is good fertilizer for the grass-LOL!  Does anyone know?
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Well, by Thursday night I realized I was actually sick-sick.  Yes!  Again!  :(  After just being sick for over a month I caught something again!  This time it was some kind of intestinal flu with terrible all-over body pain, bend-you-over stomach cramps, low temp, and pounding headache...that lasted three days plus.
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Now I had a doctor appointment scheduled for Monday.  Just one of those checkups you have to have in order for them to renew your BP pills.  Well, despite the dreadful stomach cramps...there was no pooping from me.  The only pooping around here was from Karma and rabbits and grouse.  Once in five days?  You really have to laugh when you know how I usually am dealing with the exact opposite problem!  (It's still making me chuckle right now!)    
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Nothing by Sunday so I went online and cancelled my Monday appointment.  [Good thing as I spent half of yesterday in the bathroom--ROFL!  We knew that was coming, right?]  Leah was going to give me a ride to the doctor's and then I was hoping I'd feel up to the grocery shopping afterwards.  THAT obviously wasn't happening.  But Leah was out and about (Monday is her errands day) and picked me up some groceries yesterday and dropped them off.  What a sweetheart!!  
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Was so windy that it looked like it was snowing sometimes.
Wind chill warnings--super cold!  

I ran my big white cart out to her car.  (Ian cried a little when he realized he wasn't coming in to visit--awww!)  But we have to wait until we know everybody is well.  Leah and Ian have a little bit of the sniffles and Leah said Dagan had a bit of a sore throat--and, apparently, they are now going to treat me like they did when I was in college...not going to expose me to germs.  
****
I guess it's pretty obvious that my immune system has been beaten to a pulp by the move and the fibro has flared up and is determined to tease me and only truly subside when it is damn well good and ready.  Every time I feel better for a day or two--that is followed by a crash.  And now I am catching illnesses easily.  I haven't been sick like that--one right after the other--boom-boom--for years.  Granted, I have been pretty isolated the past eleven years--but I still am now.  
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 When I was in such terrible shape and trying to finish college I caught everything that was going around and was continually sick.  The other students at Concordia knew I carried a separate pouch full of tissues and an assortment of over the counter medications and they came to me if they were sick (or needed to borrow a pen, paper clip, stapler, highlighter...different pouch--but that's another story).  Anyways, I don't want to see that happen again.
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Obviously Leah doesn't, either.  I admitted to her that with this new feeling of safety here...I haven't been washing my hands after I go get mail or bring out the trash like I did living at West Winds.  I guess I have to be just as vigilant here when it comes to germs.  When Leah got home she texted me to remind me that after I put all the groceries away to wash my hands well--LOL!  And I had forgotten--ROFL!  How quickly we get out of habits.  A lot of doctors believe your immune system is compromised with fibro.  Ah...yah!  
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My mind is always ahead of my body...making plans...getting excited over this and that.  But my body is the boss of me.  I may not like it sometimes...but I have no choice in the matter.  Last time I moved (11 years ago next month) I was in such pathetic shape that it took me about a year to recover.  It took me a whole week before I would even let Dagan and Leah come over to even start helping me unpack.  They set up my bed, TV, found my towels and shower curtain, had things I could toast or nuke to eat and called me every day.  (I could barely feed myself or shower, to be honest.)  
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This move wasn't THAT bad and I am not in THAT bad of shape...but I am worse off from the move than I cared to admit to myself.  Pushed myself to unpack because I knew once it was done I was going to absolutely collapse...for a good while...and I didn't want nagging boxes all about me again, you know?
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So, things may progress more slowly than I like--but I am not going to give up on doing more art this year and getting out more.  Just might take a lot longer than I'd hoped.  I was kind of sad about it all for a couple days...but I have an incurably (I hope) optimistic streak.  So, I am feeling much better--here in my lovely new home with the grouse and rabbits and Karma.  And even a new big comfy chair!  And Netflix and Downton Abbey!  It's not like my life isn't better than ever, you know?  I love my new home so much!
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AND--Miss Karma is feeling better!!!  Maybe she had caught a bug, too?  Here she is waiting for me on the little rug closest to the frig for her canned food in the morning.  (The floors can be chilly.)
Underfoot as I scoop out a little...
...and nuke it for 6 seconds in the microwave to take off the chill.
And--yes!  She's eating again!!  I got sick and she got well, I guess.  So that's good.  She still may not be acting her old self, but at least she's not acting sick-sick now.  She even wanted to chase a string toy one night!  I'm still keeping an eye on her, though.  ;)
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So, I am just glad that I AM slowly getting back to my old self.  That doing laundry or making the bed or cooking up a pot of soup don't feel like climbing Mt. Everest all the time now.  I just saw the grouse go skittering by.  Karma is sleeping next to me in her chair by the kitchen table and ate up all her canned food this morning once again.  Whoever thought I'd be worried about Karma NOT eating--LOL!  Everything in life is relative.  I never thought I would have been worried about NOT pooping last week, either--ROFL!  All relative.
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I just realized that I forgot to take a picture of my red cup for T-Stands For Tuesday.
I really do love using my cell phone and dropbox.  ;)
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Here's a picture of Miss Karma in her blogging spot, too.
I hope it's an uneventful week of feeling better.  Thanks to Leah I have groceries to last me the rest of the month.  I don't have to try and make it to another appointment until the dentist at the end of the month.  When I am feeling okay I will make another appointment for Dr. Topley and the BP check.  Meanwhile, I will journal and write letters...and maybe get back in the studio to play a little soon.  I want to make it over to visit McFamily and have Leah cut my hair within the next month.  Meanwhile--today's project is making soup...and I can always make artsy/crafty plans.  Then I always have something to look forward to.  
Life is good.  :):)
*****
 Have a really good week!!
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"This a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before."
Maya Angelou

31 comments:

Sherry Ellis said...

You have some interesting creature that visit your place! Brrr. It's cold where you live! Just looking at your pictures makes me cold. ;-)

Valerie-Jael said...

Sorry you have been feeling bad, but glad Karma is feeling good again. Enjoy the grouse and snow! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

Far Side of Fifty said...

Yes remember to wash your hands when ever you go out or touch anything not inside your apt. We treat the whole outside world as germy. Yes rabbit turds and grouse poop is a good fertilizer for the lawn. The grounds keeper may rake most of it up in the spring. What fun to see your wildlife, I hope you feel better soon and it is good to hear that Karma is doing okay:)

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Sorry you are not feeling well but I am happy that Karma is feeling better! Hopefully your "bug" will pass just as quickly! Hot soup is always soothing--I'm making split pea tonight. Happy T Day!

Anonymous said...

Why do people actually CHOOSE to live in a place like Fargo when it gets so damn cold?? Feel better. Rita!!

carol l mckenna said...

So glad Karma is better and that you seem to be on the mend ~ sending lots of distant healing reiki energy ~ You may also like to read on line Abraham Hicks (you can get daily emails that are very uplifting) ~ would go along with your positive attitude ~ Great that you have family around to support ~ Not everyone has that ~ Be well xox

Wishing you a joyful week, ^_^

Linda Kunsman said...

sorry to hear you have been ill again. But it is SO important to constantly wash hands and especially when you have auto immune issues which make you even more susceptible.
So nice of Leah to take care of you. Happy to know Karma is feeling well again. Must have been some rabbit party outside your door-wow! Rest up, be well, and a happy T day!

~*~Patty S said...

Not fun feeling poorly...hope things look up for you very soon and you are feeling well again Rita.
Good news about Karma.
It sure IS cold in your neck of the woods...hard to imagine minus temps!
No white stuff yet here in Virginia. I Love snow and enjoyed your video.
Take care...stay warm and cozy
Happy T Day oxo

TexWisGirl said...

i'm sorry you had another dreadful bout, but glad ms. karma is better so you can just take comfort in her and not worry about her, too. :) the bunnies and grouse keep you both amused. and leah keeps you fed. bless her! :)

Anonymous said...

Hope you feel better soon. Love those snowy views.

Intense Guy said...

Rabbit manure is one of the best manures for an organic garden. That said, you really don't want to be drowning in it!

You might also be struggling with some of the chemicals in the new carpets and things. I don't know what you can do about that except air them out the best you can?

DJan said...

I was so glad to hear Karma is better, even if you aren't. It seems like it will take quite awhile for all of this turmoil is completely gone. But it's going in the right direction, it seems! :-)

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

Oh my...I hope you feel better soon, Rita. Sounds like you've really been hit with something that's going around. Happy to hear that you are enjoying your new home. The view you have is wonderful - being able to see all those tracks in the snow gives one something to think about during the day as you can imagine what goes on at night! :)

You know what would be fun? A nighttime camera to capture the antics of the jack rabbits and other visitors. I've wanted to do that here to see what walks around the farm and calls it "home."

That's great that Karma is feeling better. I had to laugh when you said you heat up her food. I do the same thing too with my dogs' food on these double-digit-below-zero days. For the past few days they have been enjoying some homemade beef/barley/vegetable soup mixed in with their regular food.

Hope you feel better soon!

My name is Erika. said...

At least if you have to be sick (not that being sick is good) you could stay inside and watch that wind and snow, and not have to go out into it...it was chilling just to look at your photos. How cool that grouse came up by your window, and I do hope you feel better from your bug soon, and the doctor's appointment goes well. Take care! Hugs!

My name is Erika. said...

And I forgot to mention I am glad to hear Karma is back to her old self!

Jenny Woolf said...

I'm glad that Karma is feeling so much better, and sorry that you've been catching more bugs than usual. I hope that you can keep on with the handwashing and resting to encourage your return to normal. How great you have such a wonderful family living nearby!

Dianne said...

hope you are much better very soon! I am dealing with a cold that's hanging on. Loved the little video of snow fall!! I could really see the sparkling flakes when i enlarged the video to full-screen. Stay warm and feel better! happy T day!

GrandmaG said...

Your optimism no matter what's going on is what makes me most grateful for our connection and friendship. I don't think you have any idea how that optimism helps so many people :) So funny! I looked out the window just a couple days ago, saw all the song birds my hubby feeds, and wondered the same thing. How on earth do they stay warm in single-digit temps? Nature is a mysterious wonder! Take care. {{{Hugs from Missouri!}}}

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I am so sorry you are not feeling well. I know you'll be up and feeling like a spring chicken soon, though. Your positive attitude always wins out.

Love the grouse, rabbit, wind tunnel effect you get at your new place, and yes, the poop is great fertilizer.

Thanks for sharing this video and post with us for T this week. So glad Karma is better, and hope you will soon be, too!

Janie Junebug said...

I'm sorry about the illness, but I love the sound of your sweet Minnesota voice. I never wash my hands. I make sure I eat a handful of bacteria and dirt everyday. My body is so filled with sickness that it can't choose which disease to get, so I'm pretty healthy so far this year (it's Jan. 12th!). It's good that Karma is well. You know I'm kidding, and I wash my hands--occasionally.

Love,
Janie

Dear Snow,

I will never shovel you again.

Love,
Janie

Becca said...

I hope you start to feel better soon and it's great that Karma is feeling better :)

Neesie said...

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well lately Rita. But you are so positive even when things get tough, which is a good way to be. Loved hearing your voice and seeing the snow. Even though I like to be warm I think watching snow fall is magical.
Yep you've got lot's of fertilizing going on there girl! Oh boy your grass is going to come on a treat!
Glad to hear Karma is doing okay too... you really do look like you are so happy in your new home.
Take care and listen to your body (as you do) and I hope you can achieve all that you want to very soon
xoxo

johanna said...

haha, that could be our tomcat sitting in that chair in front of the pc... in this case my son´s pc. he occupied it.

take care of your health, it is the most important we have.
happy belated t-day and rest of the week!

jinxxxygirl said...

Twice in the last year hubs and i have been taken down with sinus trouble... not fun to not feel good thats for sure... I'm sorry your feeling bad again Rita. I'm relieved Karma is doing better. I've often thought of warming Jinx's food for him but kinda shrink away from having a catfood smell in the microwave.. I thought of letting the can sit in a bowl of warm water for awhile to take the chill off... So good to see all the photos of the snow and Karma... No snow here yet... well we had flurries but doesn't count does it? :) Happy Belated Tday! Hugs! deb

Linda said...

Lovely and heartwarming photos! I hope you feel better very quickly! Here in Montreal today it is extremely cold. -25, actually, and the winds are very strong.

Carol said...

HOpe you get to feeling better soon! I know exactly what you mean about having a compromised immune system. In fact I"m laying low this week because I'm just feeling out of sorts and don't want to push myself and then be down. That's why no post from me this week. Your jackrabbits did make it into my Paint Party Friday post though if you want to check it out :) Take care and get well.

Serena Lewis said...

I'm so happy to hear that Karma is on the mend from whatever it was she had but sorry to hear you are sick now. Sending healing vibes your way and, yes, definitely take the pressure off yourself, slow down, and relax as much as you can until you are feeling better.

Loved the pics as always.

Love and hugs xo

ChicagoLady said...

I'm so glad Karma is feeling better and eating again. But sorry to hear you are sick AGAIN! I think the move took a lot out of you, weakening your immune system, which led to all this. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

It is another stinking hot day, the type of day were one feels like they are melting, my feet sweat so much that it felt like I was walking with wet feet.

voodoo vixen said...

Sounds like you got knocked for six, so hoping that you are feeling alot better today and staying warm indoors with Karma. Annette

Desiree said...

OH MY all the snow! lovely, I am so not prepared for the cold, I used to lvoe it but the older I have gotten the less I liek it. Although it could be TN weather as it changes so often, it is horrible for the allergies! And I knwo what you mean about the bathroom, it is sad when if I hav enot gone like at least once a day there is something wrong, especially since I go like A LOT each day haha...sad Hope you are feeling better!