Best Of

There are two good things in life - freedom of thought and freedom of action.

W. Somerset Maugham

carole, I would say talk to your PCP first about going to PT for sciatica treatment. If that doesn't provide relief, then see pain management for a consultation. Fingers crossed, it will resolve with PT. You need professional help with this because it can become a long standing issue, so I would advise DH not to self-treat.

We are being bombarded with snow at present as promised and it has been steady for the past few hours. The direction, shape of the snow (small vs large flakes) and velocity keep changing though. This is to persist into tomorrow and they keep changing the depth we will receive. In March 1993, during the storm of the century, we received over 39 inches of snow. We had to exit the garage to create a path from it to the back door. We could not open the storm door on the back door and we needed to create a path so the puppy we got in February could go out to be potty trained. So we had this huge trail in the backyard for her to walk in. Both she, and the next dog we got, were potty trained within 7 weeks after joining us.

Misty is driving me crazy because she wants to sit in the bay window to track the many birds our feeder has attracted. So far she has knocked a major branch off my one large jade plant, broke the flowering branch off my one orchid and then upset another orchid plant spewing bark all over the floor. I will have to repot that plant since some of the bark is small and irretrievable. The birds are mostly starlings with some juncos and sparrows thrown in. I haven't seen any cardinals yet nor blue jays. DH will have to refill the feeder because this seed helps keep them alive during these conditions. They need more food to keep warm since their metabolism increases during these low temps. It is currently 15 degrees with a feels like probably zero.

DD and DSIL supposedly went home to get their pets and return here, but then had a change of heart. Their house is electric heat, so if the power goes out, they have no alternative. We have oil heat, but also have a whole house generator that uses propane. So we will not lose power if the electric goes out and can support heat, and electricity for several days if we are careful. The garage refrigerator and freezer will keep food cold with no loss as we experienced in the past. Biggest concern is if we get an ice storm which will wipe out cable and electric to the area. Access to cellphone towers can also be handicapped if we get trees down, poor road conditions and for those totally dependent on them, it is an issue to maintain communication. We still have a house phone, knock on wood, it will continue to work. Otherwise, DH will get on his HAM radio (like your DH intolight) and get a message out if need be.

I checked the weather for this week and we will have sun, but no temps above 20 degrees for the entire week. Some days we will be lucky if it gets above 10 degrees. Chris, I do understand it is colder where you are, but this is unusual for our area and that's why I never moved north of this area. As a kid, we loved these days because we had no school and when I worked, this was a reason for the college to close, but now as a retired person, I am not as enthralled, even though I do not have to leave my house unless I so desire. DSIL just texted they will be back to help clear the driveway since DH has a bad cold and is feeling bad. I'm concerned about the roads in their area as well as here being passable. We have not need to leave the house at present, no appointments this week and the only concern is if we get an ice storm which will make us virtual prisoners.

I must push to get this laptop replaced because I am tired of keys failing to work as I type, which means I have to do a lot of proofing and editing of any emails. The key failure is not consistent either. some days it is certain keys and the next they are different.

It is a very gray day, so I think I'll clean the drawers in the guest room and in DD's old room and see what needs to be stored elsewhere and what is being donated. Funny how a clear out for one project means a re-evaluation of what will be returned to the room once the work has been done. Great opportunity to redecorate with only the necessities. So chaos can lead to beauty or at least that's my mantra for now, living with 2 stripped rooms and another that looks like a zone of doom. I might see my cleaned drapes by March at this rate, lol.

If you are in an area impacted by the storm, please stay safe and warm. Now it is sleeting! Small pellets, but still sleet. I'd rather have the snow. Hope everyone can have a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.

@justforher I understand your fear but it will be alright. I have had mine for three years now and it has worked well. I prefer techs use my port instead of my arm even though they can usually find a vein. I don't feel it as I go about my usual daily routine at all. Once they access it (a needle prick) you won't feel whatever they need to do. They will prescribe you lidocaine to put on the spot before you go in and most of the time you won't even feel the needle, so use it. I will be thinking about you and praying for you tomorrow.

I'm freaking out today. Port tomorrow. I hope it is put properly!

It's dark outside and I hear distant thunder. A good day to stay inside. Later, I'll bring in my little collection of succulents. Tonight's temperature is forecast to be high teens or 20 degrees. I'm grateful that the ice storm weather is supposed to stay north of us. We will get more rain after rain yesterday.

DH and I were "talked out" by yesterday morning when our houseguests departed. We had lunch on Friday with a neighbor we seldom see and a former neighbor who has remained a friend. We enjoyed catching up with them. When we arrived home, our houseguests soon drove up. Unlike previous years, they did not depart early the next morning. So there was more conversation. LOL.

DH has a new health complaint. With some internet research, he has diagnosed himself with sciatica. We're figuring out what kind of doctor he should see. Betrayal, any suggestion? Last night we got out the heating pad. I have to credit him with being willing to go to a doctor and seek a remedy. He also searched online for exercises that might help.

Today will be football. Or maybe the games are tonight. I will also cook a pot of chicken and sausage gumbo, good comfort food for this weather.