OT: A Hello from me; have you missed me?
Yes, I am here, just been busy living this life that I have been blessed with and here is the long version of the last couple of weeks. . .
Between work, the gym and everything else I do, I have not had a lot of time to post, or by the time I do have time, I kind of feel it's too late, however, I stop by from time to time just to see what all is going on in your lives and figured I fill you in on what has been happening with me.
Most of you know I went to Florida 2 weeks ago to celebrate my granddaughter's 12th birthday, as well as celebrate my daughter Angela's passing her boards, she is now an RN, with a job and going back to school for her BSN, enjoyed visiting with my girls and grands, then I came back home and work was incredibly busy and this past weekend I was supposed to go to North Carolina to visit with my aunt and uncle, as my uncle has lung cancer and is not doing well, but my aunt called to tell me my uncle was not up for the visit and since my personal life has been very busy I decided to take advantage of the beautiful 3-day long weekend and got to work in my backyard. . .
As some of you know I am a New Yorker and lived in the City limits most of my life, so my gardening experience has been very limited to when I was a teenager and lived with my grandparents in Long Island for a time, then I bought this old house of mine and it needed some tlc in the gardening area, the first year, I put down sod in the front as there was this stuff that was supposed to turn into grass and didn't, oh and lots of ivy that I spent and entire weekend pulling, boy did that hurt, I found out I had musles I didn't know existed, could not sit on the toilet without pain (lol); well I got lucky, we had a very rainy spring and the sod was beautiful, I also planted a few annuals, not realizing that they are only good for one season (City girl, not asking enough questions looking for the instant pretty) and put down some mulch, it was simple but at that time I was about 235 lbs and getting up and down made me have to do simple and so for the next couple of years, I tried, but weightwise and time wise (as I worked in NYC for the first 6 years I owned my home) I did not do great things, so my front yard was kind of plain.
Well post-WLS I have been trying each year to plant a few perineals and little by little it is getting a homey feel. . . anyway the backyard has been largely neglected, but post-construction (I had an addition put on the back of the house last year), I am trying to make it my little haven to enjoy and with the help of a good friend, one day it will be my own "Longwood Gardens" a place, while I have never been there yet, I hear tell are beautiful grounds of flowering everything . . . I digressed giving you background, but I always have a story to tell (lol). .. so I got outside on Friday, to clean the debris from the front lawn from the storms we had had, split some plants and replanted and then began to the process of clearing the backyard of dog poop and leaves and, as I had this back corner where vines were overtaking my fence, as well as a mound of stuff that has been there since I bought the house, as I said earlier I never had the time nor the ability to get a lot of what I now can do, so I clipped and cut and pulled and by Saturday afternoon I had made lots of progress, I had two garbage cans and 5 plastic lawn bags full and I was proud of my accomplishment, however, it got real hot and the one day I took off my long sleeve shirt and worked in my sports bra, after all I was in the backyard and figured I could get a little sun to go with my hard work.
Then came Easter Sunday, I took my roommate to visit her boyfriend, which is an hours drive on Route 55, which is a beautiful stretch of road, one where often times you see deer and where three weeks earlier we came upon 3 of them crossing the road and I narrowly missed hitting one of them, so being aware of that I am very careful. . . On the way back I stopped to pick up a few things at Wallmart, because I felt like I had not bought enough stuff for the grandkids Easter baskets and then got back on the road, I was just picking up speed when a car in the left lane cut me off and I was like, what the heck, before I could get the word heck out, my roommate said deer at the same time this deer hit my windshield, the windshield cracked, the sideview mirror snapped and I quickly pulled into the shoulder, grateful that we were ok and crying over the fact that I was responsible for killing this beautiful creature, but also grateful as I looked in my rearview mirror that the animal was indeed dead and not thrashing about. The deer had come from the other side of the highway and I could not have avoided it, as I never saw it, the guy who cut me off must have seen it, but he was a blind spot for me. I sat there for about 3 minutes, not exactly sure what to do, I finally opened my window to see what damage my car had and it looked quite mimimal from that vantage point, considering the size of the deer. We called the police and waited for them to arrive. After making sure I was a safe distance from traffic and whatnot, I got out to survey the damage, the front of the car, other than the windshield was fine, but my drivers door, drivers side passenger door and rear quarterpanel were pretty much in need of work ($4600 is what the Insurance Agent told me yesterday, of which I have to pay $500). The State Trooper got there and filled out the report and we drove home, as the damage to the car was all cosmetic. I felt extremely grateful, because I know these sort of things can cause serious injury to those involved in them, as well as totally wiping out a car. God was with us and I truly am grateful.
Well on Monday morning I dropped my car off at the autobody place and picked up a rental car, in spite of the fact that my arms were full of red welts that were itchy as hell, as well as the area of my breastbone, neck and belly and went to work, but the day was a challenge and a coworker told me what to buy to deal with the horrible outbreak of what I found out was probably posion ivy.
As I sit here at my computer today, I am healing, but when I finally took myself to the doctor yesterday he told me I was his first case of the season and that I had it pretty good, so much for doing gardening in a sports bra, thankfully I had long pants on. I even have it on my face and fingers, though I was wearing gloves, but I think I got it from touching, as I did not exhibit signs until Sunday evening into Monday morning. I was in tears yesterday as I stood in the shower trying to get relief from this horrible plague, I had chicken pox at 21 and that was no where near as painful or uncomfortable as this, I am healing and while still itchy, the steriods the doctor gave me are starting to dry out the oozing sores I have pretty much everywhere above my waist.
So if you're a City girl, never do gardening in a sports bra and when you go inside, put your clothes in the washer and get right into the shower and wash off with cool soapy water. . . I have been home the past two days, today is a bit better, but OMG, this stuff is awful. . .
Wishing you all a great day! For those of you facing challenges, I wish you peace and strength to get through it. I have missed you guys.
Hugs, Laureen
Between work, the gym and everything else I do, I have not had a lot of time to post, or by the time I do have time, I kind of feel it's too late, however, I stop by from time to time just to see what all is going on in your lives and figured I fill you in on what has been happening with me.
Most of you know I went to Florida 2 weeks ago to celebrate my granddaughter's 12th birthday, as well as celebrate my daughter Angela's passing her boards, she is now an RN, with a job and going back to school for her BSN, enjoyed visiting with my girls and grands, then I came back home and work was incredibly busy and this past weekend I was supposed to go to North Carolina to visit with my aunt and uncle, as my uncle has lung cancer and is not doing well, but my aunt called to tell me my uncle was not up for the visit and since my personal life has been very busy I decided to take advantage of the beautiful 3-day long weekend and got to work in my backyard. . .
As some of you know I am a New Yorker and lived in the City limits most of my life, so my gardening experience has been very limited to when I was a teenager and lived with my grandparents in Long Island for a time, then I bought this old house of mine and it needed some tlc in the gardening area, the first year, I put down sod in the front as there was this stuff that was supposed to turn into grass and didn't, oh and lots of ivy that I spent and entire weekend pulling, boy did that hurt, I found out I had musles I didn't know existed, could not sit on the toilet without pain (lol); well I got lucky, we had a very rainy spring and the sod was beautiful, I also planted a few annuals, not realizing that they are only good for one season (City girl, not asking enough questions looking for the instant pretty) and put down some mulch, it was simple but at that time I was about 235 lbs and getting up and down made me have to do simple and so for the next couple of years, I tried, but weightwise and time wise (as I worked in NYC for the first 6 years I owned my home) I did not do great things, so my front yard was kind of plain.
Well post-WLS I have been trying each year to plant a few perineals and little by little it is getting a homey feel. . . anyway the backyard has been largely neglected, but post-construction (I had an addition put on the back of the house last year), I am trying to make it my little haven to enjoy and with the help of a good friend, one day it will be my own "Longwood Gardens" a place, while I have never been there yet, I hear tell are beautiful grounds of flowering everything . . . I digressed giving you background, but I always have a story to tell (lol). .. so I got outside on Friday, to clean the debris from the front lawn from the storms we had had, split some plants and replanted and then began to the process of clearing the backyard of dog poop and leaves and, as I had this back corner where vines were overtaking my fence, as well as a mound of stuff that has been there since I bought the house, as I said earlier I never had the time nor the ability to get a lot of what I now can do, so I clipped and cut and pulled and by Saturday afternoon I had made lots of progress, I had two garbage cans and 5 plastic lawn bags full and I was proud of my accomplishment, however, it got real hot and the one day I took off my long sleeve shirt and worked in my sports bra, after all I was in the backyard and figured I could get a little sun to go with my hard work.
Then came Easter Sunday, I took my roommate to visit her boyfriend, which is an hours drive on Route 55, which is a beautiful stretch of road, one where often times you see deer and where three weeks earlier we came upon 3 of them crossing the road and I narrowly missed hitting one of them, so being aware of that I am very careful. . . On the way back I stopped to pick up a few things at Wallmart, because I felt like I had not bought enough stuff for the grandkids Easter baskets and then got back on the road, I was just picking up speed when a car in the left lane cut me off and I was like, what the heck, before I could get the word heck out, my roommate said deer at the same time this deer hit my windshield, the windshield cracked, the sideview mirror snapped and I quickly pulled into the shoulder, grateful that we were ok and crying over the fact that I was responsible for killing this beautiful creature, but also grateful as I looked in my rearview mirror that the animal was indeed dead and not thrashing about. The deer had come from the other side of the highway and I could not have avoided it, as I never saw it, the guy who cut me off must have seen it, but he was a blind spot for me. I sat there for about 3 minutes, not exactly sure what to do, I finally opened my window to see what damage my car had and it looked quite mimimal from that vantage point, considering the size of the deer. We called the police and waited for them to arrive. After making sure I was a safe distance from traffic and whatnot, I got out to survey the damage, the front of the car, other than the windshield was fine, but my drivers door, drivers side passenger door and rear quarterpanel were pretty much in need of work ($4600 is what the Insurance Agent told me yesterday, of which I have to pay $500). The State Trooper got there and filled out the report and we drove home, as the damage to the car was all cosmetic. I felt extremely grateful, because I know these sort of things can cause serious injury to those involved in them, as well as totally wiping out a car. God was with us and I truly am grateful.
Well on Monday morning I dropped my car off at the autobody place and picked up a rental car, in spite of the fact that my arms were full of red welts that were itchy as hell, as well as the area of my breastbone, neck and belly and went to work, but the day was a challenge and a coworker told me what to buy to deal with the horrible outbreak of what I found out was probably posion ivy.
As I sit here at my computer today, I am healing, but when I finally took myself to the doctor yesterday he told me I was his first case of the season and that I had it pretty good, so much for doing gardening in a sports bra, thankfully I had long pants on. I even have it on my face and fingers, though I was wearing gloves, but I think I got it from touching, as I did not exhibit signs until Sunday evening into Monday morning. I was in tears yesterday as I stood in the shower trying to get relief from this horrible plague, I had chicken pox at 21 and that was no where near as painful or uncomfortable as this, I am healing and while still itchy, the steriods the doctor gave me are starting to dry out the oozing sores I have pretty much everywhere above my waist.
So if you're a City girl, never do gardening in a sports bra and when you go inside, put your clothes in the washer and get right into the shower and wash off with cool soapy water. . . I have been home the past two days, today is a bit better, but OMG, this stuff is awful. . .
Wishing you all a great day! For those of you facing challenges, I wish you peace and strength to get through it. I have missed you guys.
Hugs, Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
Laureen
I'm a country girl and have gardened for years, and I never knew what poison ivy looked like till a few years ago I was doing some cleanup of the "grape vines" in the back in the Fall and tripped and fell backwards into a patch of them and ended up with a butt full of itchy, weepy sores. It got me right through my clothes. But then, I sat in it. Hard.
Did you know you can catch it even when there are no leaves? Yup.
Round Up has a spray that's made for poison ivy and other woody vines. Sometimes it even works.
Hope the itchies go away soon.
Candy
I'm a country girl and have gardened for years, and I never knew what poison ivy looked like till a few years ago I was doing some cleanup of the "grape vines" in the back in the Fall and tripped and fell backwards into a patch of them and ended up with a butt full of itchy, weepy sores. It got me right through my clothes. But then, I sat in it. Hard.
Did you know you can catch it even when there are no leaves? Yup.
Round Up has a spray that's made for poison ivy and other woody vines. Sometimes it even works.
Hope the itchies go away soon.
Candy
So do I Candy, I hope so and I bought that spray on Saturday and went around and sprayed the whole backyard, but somehow I think it was (1) after the fact and (2) as you said, even with no leaves, I was told even dead you can get it if it was in the area, so moral is to wash clothes and self thoroughly after working in the garden area. . . I now know first hand (lol). . .
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
Thanks Pat,
Yeah, well I packed it all in there, no questions about what I've been doing. . . lol
Yeah, well I packed it all in there, no questions about what I've been doing. . . lol
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
I am a city girl too, Laureen, but I do remember the Girl Scout chant of "Leaves of three, let them be" for poison ivy. I still probably wouldn't know what to look for, though. I'm not gardener anyway; everything makes me sneeze so I stay out of the dirt. And I can't bend down or kneel for very long ... arthritis, you know.
Sorry about your car ... poor deer (and you poor dear). At least everyone else was OK. Don't those deer know to cross at the deer crossing signs?
Hang in there, Laureen ... it's got to get better, doesn't it? (At least that's what I keep saying ... some day ...)
Sorry about your car ... poor deer (and you poor dear). At least everyone else was OK. Don't those deer know to cross at the deer crossing signs?
Hang in there, Laureen ... it's got to get better, doesn't it? (At least that's what I keep saying ... some day ...)
You know Eileen,
It ain't all bad, my daughter passed her boards, my grandchildren and most of my family are in good health (including myself), so these are the minor things that happen in the scheme of life, it's all about the attitude I chose to play out, some days I want to be the martyr, but that does not feel good, so I rather try to just roll with it, easier said then done and it takes a lot of self talk and remembering that I really do have it pretty good, especially considering some of the places I've been in my life. It's a mind game at worst, at best, by continually choosing the positive approach, it can become a reality. So chose to believe that it is ok now and will get better, it's just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other. . . that's my nickle and dime philosophy. . .
Hugs, Laureen
It ain't all bad, my daughter passed her boards, my grandchildren and most of my family are in good health (including myself), so these are the minor things that happen in the scheme of life, it's all about the attitude I chose to play out, some days I want to be the martyr, but that does not feel good, so I rather try to just roll with it, easier said then done and it takes a lot of self talk and remembering that I really do have it pretty good, especially considering some of the places I've been in my life. It's a mind game at worst, at best, by continually choosing the positive approach, it can become a reality. So chose to believe that it is ok now and will get better, it's just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other. . . that's my nickle and dime philosophy. . .
Hugs, Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
Hi Laureen,
OMG do I have poison oak stories to share. It's awful and I'm highly allergic and love hiking into the woods where I've gotten all year 'round, even when there are no leaves but just stems on the plant. I once hiked in a pair of shorts and the backs of my thighs looked like a burn victim. When I finally went to the doctor for HELP he told me it wasn't the worst case he'd seen, referring to a woman who had gone into the woods and squatted to pee. From then on I feared having to squat in the woods...poison oak always grows in shady places, just the type of place you would look for some privacy when nature calls.
Steroid packs work great and will remove the symptoms...well worth it for severe cases. I've even gotten it through clothes and I know people have have gotten it from petty their dogs after hiking. Also if you are nature lover, never burn it because the smoke will carry the oil and it will get into your eyes and lungs. Dangerous stuff!
OMG do I have poison oak stories to share. It's awful and I'm highly allergic and love hiking into the woods where I've gotten all year 'round, even when there are no leaves but just stems on the plant. I once hiked in a pair of shorts and the backs of my thighs looked like a burn victim. When I finally went to the doctor for HELP he told me it wasn't the worst case he'd seen, referring to a woman who had gone into the woods and squatted to pee. From then on I feared having to squat in the woods...poison oak always grows in shady places, just the type of place you would look for some privacy when nature calls.
Steroid packs work great and will remove the symptoms...well worth it for severe cases. I've even gotten it through clothes and I know people have have gotten it from petty their dogs after hiking. Also if you are nature lover, never burn it because the smoke will carry the oil and it will get into your eyes and lungs. Dangerous stuff!
California Kathie
RNY - 10/07
Rt. Hip Replacement - 4/08
Upper Body Lift - 11/08 (Dr. Timothy Katzen)
Lower Body Lift - 3/09 (Dr. Timothy Katzen)
RNY - 10/07
Rt. Hip Replacement - 4/08
Upper Body Lift - 11/08 (Dr. Timothy Katzen)
Lower Body Lift - 3/09 (Dr. Timothy Katzen)
Thanks Kathie,
Thanks for saying hi and sharing you story, I am a camper and have never had this before, guess I thought I was safe in my own backyard and got careless.
I now have gotten a whole lesson on this stuff and I won't be messing around in the garden without long sleeves, gloves, removing my clothes and putting them right into the washing machine and then going and washing myself off thoroughly. When I was leaving work on Monday a woman in the building who was riding in the elevator said, oh my you've got some case of sunburn, that's how red my skin was and yesterday was the worst, I was in my shower crying from the pain of it and believe me when I say, I'm no cry baby, it was awful, today it is much better, still a bit itchy, but less so than yesterday and the day before. . .
Thanks for saying hi and sharing you story, I am a camper and have never had this before, guess I thought I was safe in my own backyard and got careless.
I now have gotten a whole lesson on this stuff and I won't be messing around in the garden without long sleeves, gloves, removing my clothes and putting them right into the washing machine and then going and washing myself off thoroughly. When I was leaving work on Monday a woman in the building who was riding in the elevator said, oh my you've got some case of sunburn, that's how red my skin was and yesterday was the worst, I was in my shower crying from the pain of it and believe me when I say, I'm no cry baby, it was awful, today it is much better, still a bit itchy, but less so than yesterday and the day before. . .
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
A friend of mine was camping in the woods after hiking into a lake. They took minimal supplies and after running out of TP used leaves to wipe with. . . .Yep, you got it; wrong kind of leaves. And this friend was a HE. . . . TMI but the poor guy and his family jewels were in rough shape for quite some time. . So, , , it could be worse!
Karen C
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