Best Of

I read an article on protecting the back from injuries. One big NO-NO is the BLT movement. Bend, Lift and Twist. Another bit of well-known advice is to use the legs when lifting.

Hope you enjoy your new property, Petite.

I like looking at the ocean, preferably from a balcony, but do not like walking in sand, sitting on sand, lying on sand. When we go walking on the beach, the tide is out and there is a strip of firm wet sand to walk on. You obviously feel differently, Cindy. Nice that you're enjoying your ocean getaway.

Today I have an UGH duty. Cleaning the carpet in the camper. There are a couple more UGH duties facing me. It's probably better to get them done in the next week or two. Meanwhile the Canadian smoke will be with us all week.

Happy Wednesday.

Canarycat - I’ve seen the tsunami warning for the west coast of Canada and U.S. I think you’ve mentioned living near the water. Please be safe.

Taco - good for you getting out to golf. The ice towel sounds like a fine idea. So Ella starts school tomorrow? That seems really early. When do they get out of school in the Spring?

I used to work in Big Tech so I follow that industry fairly closely and yes, Arizona is the new hotspot. But as you mentioned vast quantities of water are needed for semiconductor plants and Arizona is short on that very critical item. Did the state offer incentives to build the manufacturing plants? Or was it mostly the federal government?

Cindy - your pictures continue to be amazing. I didn’t realize you were going to Ireland. Have you been there previously? What areas will you be visiting? We were there 3 years ago and rented a car. Visited Dublin, Belfast, Galway (and the Aran Islands) as well as the Dingle Peninsula and Kilkenny. A fantastic trip, although I must say that driving on the left on their very, very narrow roads was quite the experience.

Thanks for the feedback on the thyroid nodules. I’ll have to give this some thought if I wish to pursue further follow up.

Sandy - I’m sure you are swamped with moving stuff but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you.

Illinoislady - hoping the stronger meds allow you to sleep tonight.

DH’s dermatologist called today and advised that they did not get clear margins on the melanoma removal. So next week they will need to re-excise and take more tissue. That pushes the excision of the precancerous lesion until mid August.

Went for a walk tonight just before nightfall. 88 degrees and humid. Ugh! Expecting cooler temps with rain tomorrow.

Chris I too am amazed at how well you and Tippy work together. I also think most of the time dogs since they only want to love us, will respond well to the people who have the patience to work with an animal. To my way of thinking — Tippy is close to human in that he can respond by button knowing you will come as close as you can to giving him what he desires — within reason. The amazing thing is — he seems to know that too.

Harley, you likely got all your Dr.'s thoroughly handled taking follow-ups. Even if it didn't seem needed. Hopefully, things will even out now.

Carole, MN even at temps seeming pretty warm to you would likely still be okay for me. It sounds like you are getting unusual days this yr. or is that just me. I always enjoy hearing about your MN life so I may have just overlooked odd weather before.

Anyway, I'll get x-ray results in a couple of days. Till then, I do have a stronger muscle relaxer and the Medrol Pack. So, I'm doing much better at this point. It was a real relief since I worried about sleeping and being able, even if very slowly to do my chores. I think most are not possible with care. I do worry about the steroids in the pack — may be keeping me up, but we will see. I can always sneak a nap hopefully if I'm up at night when I don't want to be. Came home today and really flaked out — but the muscle relaxer from VA was not quite strong enough. Should be great now.

Good morning. I'll be on my way shortly ( another super hot day ) to Mt. Vernon to get an X-ray. I have had a Medrol Pack ordered along with more muscle relaxants which I will pick up after the X-ray. While we are gone daughter Kate will give Lil' Red a bath. Despite flea meds he continues to itch and she thinks he needs a 'better bath soap' which she picked up last night.

I took a second muscle relaxer so hope it has kicked in. Had to sleep in recliner last night — ugg. But moving in bed just wasn't working well and while getting in and out was okay - it was just okay. My melatonin finally was able to kick in after I went to the chair.

Nothing planned around here today for sure. I will maybe be able to do cat boxes hopefully with the second pill. Hope so, They have been so easy, but were the thing that caused my issue — I tried to empty both boxes into one garbage bag and it was too heavy although in my defense, didn't seem like it would be. Anyway, as mentioned, the boxes are really easy now —bonus points — any #2 is dried out before I remove it and all # 1 powders. The box stays VERY clean along with the scoopers — no smell and when most of the pellets are used then the box (still almost totally clean ) can be emptied ( quick wash and sanitized ) with refill and we are all set once more. So much quicker for the most part than when I was using Fresh Step or some of the other litters.

I may check in later…this is short but know you are all on my mind and I hope for you a safe, happy, and as cool as possible day for all. Petite — Congrats in order for you. I hope you are going to sooo enjoy your new part-time home. Sounds fantastic.

Good day to all. I'm checking in late. Did a bunch of work this a.m. after quotes and went a bit far. I'm icing my lower back for my troubles hoping it takes. Sure don't want the Medrol pack if I can help it. A great case of I was going to do things differently and then changed my mind. Usually your first impulse can be the better one. Wanted to hurry so put too much waste in one bag — thinking it was going to be all right — nope.

Otherwise, another warm day with a very very small breeze. Like yesterday — in the shade for short periods, tolerable — but stay out of the sun. Glad you were able to do your filling quickly and get back to normal. Just hope results are not too difficult for your skipping the stim and icing you usually do after PT. Good that this issue came up in your lager PT stages.

I hope you all have a great day. You are all in my thoughts.