A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

Good morning. It’s a balmy 3° with a -4° windchill out there this morning. It was -2° with a windchill of -9° when I got up around 7. . Some places in northern Michigan and the eastern U.P. got very cold last night. Grayling which is 18 miles south of me was down to -19°. But I have been in worse. The coldest actual temperature that I have experienced here is -35°. So, O’Sharon, I expect you will be in cold air for awhile too. I see your snowblower has been busy too. . I have a little snow to maybe blow out later today, but no big deal. About an inch or bit more. Just light lake effect stuff and we might see a little again today. Right now the sun is peeking out. Little bit of advice for when you are out with your blower or shoveling in this kind of cold. Get a pair of fleece warm up pants or better yet, snow pants. They will keep your legs warm and also keep you dry from snowblowing which we know will always get some snow on us . Don’t wear cotton as it gets damp if you start sweating and will make you cold. Merino wool socks are the best defense against cold feet. Because I live in a harsher winter climate, I wear ski bibs over fleece pants, insulated boots, flannel shirts and fleece tops under a good water resistant and windproof insulated coat. Then of course my hat and warm gloves. Windproof is the key to staying warm. Actually I wear fleece pants all winter long, everywhere I go. And merino wool socks. I always feel that I should be prepared for the unexpected when I’m out driving too, because you never know what might happen. You could slide off the road, get a breakdown or heaven forbid have an accident and you want to be dressed to be out in the cold if necessary. At least that’s my mode of operation. Like a lot of us outdoor people say “There is no bad Weather, , just bad clothes”.

Barbie, hope you are feeling better from your massage. Yiu’ve tried a zillion things trying to get your back and shoulders feeling better. Have you ever tried a Chiropractor? And I don’t mean any Chiropractor. One that does the “Activator” method as it’s called. No hand manipulation. It’s a little tool that thry use, that can be set for so many pounds thrust straight to the affected spot that needs it. There is a technique Thty use to determine where. Quick, painless and works. I have been having this for 15 years and I go in every six weeks for a regular check up. This keeps my body flexible and everything. It is amazing how your spinal cord and all of the vertebrae and discs and nerves and things that run down affect every little thing in your body, from eyes to internal organs. Many of them also have massage services too. Velda, can probably chime in a little bit too because I know that she does the same thing as I do.

Martha, hope you get the leak issue fixed. Judy, have fun at Disney. You deserve to pamper yourself

House cleaning day here today. Have somebody coming over later on to fix my leaky faucet. Then as I said earlier I will probably go out and do a little snow. The pups are going to ride their walk and we are supposed to get into the teens today. I have a little painting to do along a seam in my ceiling that I put a little spackling along yesterday, so might do that too. Won’t take long.

So best get moving here. Have a nice day all.

Morning Sue and All, sunny and 21°. Nor’easter coming up the coast this weekend and 4-8” of snow predicted. My brother had serious back surgery on Monday so that is a concern. Not sure when he will leave the hospital but hope it isn’t in the middle of a storm. No other news. Be safe

Sue, I'd be having a hard time with cold, if the only option was wool socks, I'm allergic to wool! I only like to visit cold places, not live there! Our cold overnight was 39°!
I will never let one of those Activator gadgets near me ever! My chiropractor is very good and very experienced, but he tried using activate on me once, years ago, on it's lightest setting and it nearly put me in a wheel chair. The pain after for many days was awful. He said he later wrote in my chart, never use a activator on me! My body responds well to his hand manipulation, but i require a very light touch and no harsh hard movements, and I feel it's much safer to have experienced hands actually feeling what they are manipulating than a spring loaded mechanical device. Be very careful choosing a chiropractor. As mine says, if I can't get you a lot better in a couple visits, you need a higher level care. He worked on my neck, but it wasn't getting better so he had my Dr order scan then refer to spinal Dr who ordered specialized PT. after PT got me stronger and more mobile, it's easier for my chiropractor to maintain where I'm at with as needed visits. Run the other way if a Chiropractor office tries to sign you up for ongoing plans with regular payments! My spinal surgeon is a Osteopath, who believes in trying every option before injections or surgery, both of which he considers last resorts, unlike most MD surgeons.
Barbara, what happened to you going to Curves, or another gym for strengthening and what happened to your talk about your climbing blood sugar? Elevated blood sugar contributes to inflammation. Best thing I ever did for me was joining Curves just over 12 years ago! Next best thing was giving up all forms of sugar, grain, and seed oils, all of which contribute to inflammation. In the months leading up to joining Curves was when my back got so bad Mel had to help me up! Combining my chiropractor with Curves for increased strength and flexibility made all the difference last November, when the hurried, repeated stress of clearing the worst of my kitchen in the hours after the flood, put my back in spasm. Instead of needing to go to the hospital because of not being able to get up--a bit of rest, plus chirpractor, and 3 times a week at Curves, had me back to good in a week or so. I only missed one Curves. Even if my back is giving me trouble, Curves always feels good. My military injuries are permanent, but I seek to stay as strong and well as I can, to stay ahead of the damage that is permanent.
Sunny out, again. Possible rain next week. Sean cut and fitted last piece of luxury vinyl plank last night. Now it's a day or two of tightening and final lock in of all tne joints and install base and trim to hold it tight. I have a painting class at 10, then off to Curves.
Have a good day everyone and get some exercise and stop eating sugar and seed oils. Your body will thank you.
Velda

I had fun reading the two different views of the activator (which I'd never heard of before). I'm thinking about finding a chiropractor one of these days. Years and years ago, after a car accident when I was 16 and no doctors could explain my headaches, I went to a chiropractor who took x-rays and said a bone was out of alignment in my neck. After only a few treatments I was without headaches for the first time in over 10 years. Well, I don't blame that for my current headaches, but it might be participating along with my sinus problems and I wouldn't mind trying again. But I don't believe Medicare will pay so it's on hold. If I got new x-rays that show that neck problem, they would pay but they won't pay a chiropractor for x-rays. So first I'd have to convince a doctor to take x-rays. I'm tired just thinking about it lol

My big project for today was going to be defrosting my fridge. I forgot until moments ago so it's going on tomorrow's list. I think I might write it down. My little project was getting a payment in the mail that I have to pay by check. That I remembered and made the long long drive (about half a mile lol) to the post office.

I'm not showing rain for today but clouds are back and it smells like rain so I won't be surprised if we get some. I know we're supposed to get more Friday.

Yes, it is interesting how views differ on Chiropractic care. I have had both types and will never do hands again.I felt worse with that method. Velda, you have military injuries, so it justifies you going the route that works best for you and you have found your path. I have had things like dislocated knee cap, dislocated hip, various other minor things along the way. My chiropractor was recommended to me by a neighbor and she is wonderful. Yes, she uses the activator method, but she has a routine that she follows along with feeling with her hands before she uses it. That lady has kept me out of the doctor’s offices. She is my first go to, efore I do anything else. I’ve been going to her for over 20 years. My appts.are every six weeks for “maintenance” as it’s called. I credit this for keeping me mobile, feeling good and no health issues. It will be a sad day when she retires. My medical is insurance doesn’t cover this, because I am going because I want to, but it’s worth it to me, to keep healthy. And then there are others who wouldn’t go near a Chiropractor. We all choose what works best for us.

I agree with you on cutting out sugars etc. I have no issues with seed stuff, but I know that when I stop cookies, cakes, ice cream and other sugary stuff I am more alert and feel better. That’s not to say I won’t have something sugary once in awhile. But it’s a trigger for me, like drugs or cigarettes are to others. Get started and I won’t leave it alone. I’m avoiding breads too for the most part. I haven’t had any sweet stuff since New Years Day, other than a couple scones, and haven’t missed it. Pasta is another thing I am not eating much of either. Just added some seashell pasts to my goulash tonight, but it’s spread out over 3 meals, 2 of which went into the freezer for another time.

Shirl, sounds like quite a snowstorm heading your way as you said. They are calling it a bomb cyclone. Very intense storm. Time to snuggle down and watch out the window

Went out today and picked up the mail my son had sent me general delivery. Also, got a fill of propane--going through a lot of it this past couple of weeks since it got so cold. Also, got a ton of groceries, so I am set for at least a week. Took me forever to repackage and put everything away.

Excitement last night was that my bathroom shower drain was plugged, so I could not take a shower. The water level was almost to the floor of the shower, but I was able to put half a bottle of Drano gel down it and then poured boiling water down it, but it stayed plugged. Even got out the long plastic tool and used it, to no avail just before I went to bed. This morning there was a couple of inches of space, so I added a bit more Drano. I then plugged up the sink in the bathroom and the kitchen and went out to the dump station on my way out. Success when I opened the outside dump handle--could hear a large whoosh and checked in the bathroom, and yup, the water level was now down. Poured the rest of the Drano in it anyway and headed for shopping.

I need to keep better control of that drain, especially when i see hair build up. I'm sure it was hair because I am careful not to put other stuff down there. Anyway, a shower will feel really good tonight! I also got two more bottles of Drano, just to have them around. Need to put them in underneath storage for whenever I need them.

Whew!!!

Also, please be careful of chiropractors. One literally killed my uncle about 25 years ago. He had had a bad back for a long time and was seeing a chiropractor every two weeks for several years. Finally, he went to his family doctor and found out he had a spinal tumor, which had spread to other organs. He should have seen a doctor and had x-rays before he let anyone else treat it with manipulation. He died of cancer soon afterwards.

I have been to a chiropractor before and for me it was very painful when he cracked my neck and back so I never returned. I have never heard of the activator thing. Will have to research that. I had a massage therapist back in MN who was really good and I went to her twice a month. Need to find another gal like her!

As far as Curves, I liked going but it was a bit expensive and the hours didn't work with my work schedule, so I joined a less expensive club that was open 24/7. Then Covid hit and I cancelled my membership. I really should get back into a workout routine. Both Curves and the other club are very close to where I work now.

I haven't gotten a blood test for a year or so but have orders for a new blood draw, so will do that soon and see where my blood glucose is.

Merino wool socks are the best defense against cold feet. Because I live in a harsher winter climate, I wear ski bibs over fleece pants, insulated boots, flannel shirts and fleece tops under a good water resistant and windproof insulated coat. Then of course my hat and warm gloves

This is why I moved away from MN! At least with the heat, I can just wear shorts, tank top and sandals. I always hated getting all bundled up in the winter!

I have my UTI back. Actually, I think it wasn't completely healed up from before. Am trying to get a prescription thru VirtuWell tonight. Otherwise I will be heading to Urgent Care in the morning. Had to get some of the little pain pills this morning so I could get thru the day.

I got bit on the back of my hand by something yesterday and now I have a large itchy welt there! I usually don't react like that to mosquitoes so maybe a spider bite? Been putting Benadryl lotion on it today but still feels itchy.

Was busy at work today so I am tired tonight. My feet hurt too. Standing on already sore feet all day just isn't a good thing.

Found out last night that a friend and former co-worker from MN passed away in November. I was wondering why I hadn't seen her post on FB for awhile.

Off work tomorrow and then working for 5 days straight! I would rather the days be spread out a bit but everyone is taking vacation time so that is how the scheduling turns out for now. I will be getting my turn of two mini vacations coming up.

I need to go find something to eat. Have a good night!

Ran a couple of errands today had to get the tags for the car mom thought that she had to go but convinced her that I could do it... the trick was in finding the place to do it... googled it and put in directions but guess I put in the wrong thing as the directions wanted me to go out of town about 14 miles... knew that was wrong so I called my niece she didn't answer so called friends and they told me where to go... funny thing is that the address was the same... then I totally confused the gps on the phone as I wanted to go one way and she wanted me to go another way... as she was still taking me out of town... making the calls ect I'd lost the visual directions so couldn't just go out of it so let her give me directions as I was going where I wanted to... and finally found a place to park not that parking was an issue it was getting to the right side of the street to park... then on to the bank to deposit a check for her...
guess tomorrow I will go to the grocery store for milk at the very least if I time it right it might be also to the Chinese place and get take out for supper.... it's much cheaper at lunch time than at supper time... so if I get out and about early enough will do that if not will need ti figure out what is for supper... yes I said I need to shop the freezer but that is all very frozen and won't thaw for tomorrow's supper... oh well I will plan better next time...
came home and worked on my Swedish Weave .... after I put the tags on the plates...
got a text from my sister late last night... asking me to ask mom if she still has the negative to a photo that she has had enlarged and framed and used for a wedding gift for the grandkids that got married... her daughter eloped and it just never was a big thing so she didn't get a picture.... it was like it wasn't really never announced so my sister thought that if she still has the negative that she (sister) could get it printed and give it to her daughter for her birthday...I could think of all sorts of sarcastic replies... the reason being why do I need to ask her and my mom something that she could ask herself??? so asked her that not heard from her... mom gets very few calls and I get grumbly about that and then to get a text asking me to do something that she can do by picking up the phone and calling her mom!!! so if niece doesn't get the photo oh well I simply don't get it ...my rant over I bet you are all tired of the times I rant
well you all have a great day
sheila