The Last Day of April

[Colliemom]

Morning. O’dark thirty here at the 45th. Dawn is starting to lighten the sky. Cloudy, damp and a chilly 38°. Not going to get much warmer than that today. May pbe low 40’s. Has been in 50’s past couple days, but another cold wave coming through. Karen’s Weather moving across the country. We may even have some snow accumulation tomorrow night into Tuesday morning.

Cheryl, why not head to Yellowstone and then on to Idaho, OR and WA. You’ve been wanting to go to Yellowstone and if you wait any longer, you might not get there at all. As a saying my neighbor posted goes, “If you have something you want to do, do it. You don’t have many tomorrows”.

I just read an interesting article about a lady who lost her soldier son in Afghanistan 15 years ago and has mourned him ever since. She was finally able to go to Italy to retrace his footsteps where he was stationed, toured the base he was stationed at, met some of the paratroopers, saw how they trained, ate at his favorite restaurants among other things he did while stationed there and it brought her some closure. But one thing she said was “Our tomorrows are not promised, we can never assume that we will have another opportunity to fulfill our own dreams or talk to the ones we love, so make the best of every day you are given, take every opportunity to make a difference and most of all, say “thank you, I love you, you matter and so on”. So very true.

Sorry about your job Barbie. But I would have been out of there too. I’ll bet that place won’t last long. If you don’t mind me giving you some advice, being that, we don’t know how many tomorrows we have and you have dreams you want to fulfill, put your house back on the market and get that sciatic issue taken care of. I know you have said that this is not very good selling season where you are, but if you wait until fall, you may have some neighbors who are thinking the same thing and you are going to have competition again You can’t time the market when it comes to selling a home. You never know when a prospective buyer is going to pop up. Somebody may be looking now for something for this coming fall and if you are out there, they notice. Somebody might have company or something and maybe they’re kind of looking for a place in that area too. And with the flooding, some may have lost their home and property and decide to move elsewhere. I know it’s a pain trying to keep up house on the market, But it’s a start, Talk to that agent you want to use. And find a chiropractor that practices the activator method. Sciatica is caused by subluxation of the spine, in other words your spinal column is out of line and pressing on the neves in your lower back. If you don’t do something about it, it is going to get worse and can become debilitating. My dad suffered from it for many years until he finally decided to try my chiropractor, finally started getting some relief. He could never be 100% because he let it go too long. But he was much better. Chiropractic has changed over the years. It’s not like it used to be. Especially if they use the activator method which is a small tool and so much easier than using hand manipulation. Otherwise the only alternative is having surgery what you don’t want to do. It’s keeping your from enjoying life and even working if you want. Worrying about money and selling your house and nerve issues and everything else is not helping you. You are losing sleep, and getting mentally and physically exhausted over it all.

Shirl, looks like you are playing the move the plants game again. Mine are sitting here in the house wishing for sun and warm weather, so Thry can get outside.

As to things around here, it’s been busy in neighborhood. Three neighbors needed to have trees removed, so tree company has been cutting down and chipping trees for almost three days. Think They took 10 in total. I got the estimate on getting the porch beam repaired, not as bad as I thought. They will do it on May 22 as of right now. Got the boy and girl bodies done on my woodcraft and I will start on the clothing parts that go on them. So so why does it gotta be crappy for the next few days? It’s a good time to do that. My go bags for myself, and the dogs and my basement storm shelter are done except for getting some more bottled water to put down there. Right now I have got to get my hair washed, get ready to head for Church in a while. So I’m going to wish you all a nice day and stay safe.

[BirdbyBird]

Just to share. There are more ways to deal with back pain and sciatica that Chiro or surgery. Chiropractic treatments have never been an effective treatment for my back and I have lived long enough and tried different providers to accept that as we have mentioned before not all bodies need or respond to the same interventions. It is wonderful Sue that it has worked for you all these years. Surgery is the last resort at the top of the list when all other options have been exhausted. In between there is PT, massage, dry needling, heat treatment, and the continuing of the PT exercise programs at home to remain flexible. There are gentle yoga movements that work to keep your muscles and joints flexible and your body less stressed and tense. There are spinal injections that can give different levels of relief depending upon the issues, while you work to strengthen the muscles and allow the back to reset. Some of our spines have begun to deteriorate and hope rests on the core muscles and continued ability to move what we have. There are spinal specialists for a reason. But truth is, good health care costs and is also affected by the quality of healthcare professional that we have available to us. There are reasons that some areas of the country are better for older individuals to retire to than others. Navigation the healthcare system for good diagnosis and care is difficult. Our health is a combination of nature and nurture. It is up to us to do the work that we can do. There is no magic wand.

[Shirlv]

Morning Sue and all, 60° heavy rain and t-storms. Guess the bag of trash will sit in the go cart until tomorrow. The sun came out yesterday so not compiling. I call it a go cart instead of a bag lady cart. I can whip that cart of groceries through two sets of doors like a race car driver. Shouldn’t have mentioned pasta yesterday, had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner but no ice cream. Chill today. Yesterday was spent watching YouTube. Went to Hidden Ireland, watched Humming birds in Costa Rica and the couple who is living the Skye Life. Beautiful scenery and I didn’t have to wear a coat. Nothing exciting, love my IPad. Be safe

[Cudedog]

Just to share. . . truth is good health care costs and is also affected by the quality of healthcare professional that we have available to us. There are reasons that some areas of the country are better for older individuals to retire to than others. Navigation the healthcare system for good diagnosis and care is difficult. Our health is a combination of nature and nurture. It is up to us to do the work that we can do. There is no magic wand.

Tina, thank you for the post. No truer words have ever been spoken.

Unfortunately. I, personally, know this only too well.

Anne

[MandysMom]

Thank you Tina, I agree completely. As I've said before, the Activator, used on the lightest setting, by a chiropractor who uses it daily on patients, nearly put me in a wheelchair, it caused such pain. What's good for some,is not the answer for all.
Velda

[Bethers]

I'm not a person to jump on the bandwagon to take drugs to cure anything. But when I was in my late 40's and already diagnosed with osteopenia and my doctor recommended the new drug to help that both my sister and I did. She immediately had stomach problems and stopped. I had no noticeable effects and faithfully continued. I started having jaw problems and pain in one hip. Doc said wasn't related. I continued. One my first trip down Baja, sitting in a cafe with Internet I opened an email from my sister with new findings that those are side effects. I quit immediately. My jaw improved immediately. My hip was now in full osteoporosis. In the years since one of my decisions on a good doctor is when we discuss this how do they present the newer meds (everyone of which, so far, because of some ingredients in them, now have the hip and jaw problems of worsening instead of helping. My current doctor immediately put in my record an allergy to those. First time that happened and made me like and respect her more. (One other understood, all others still tried to convince me to take the newer meds). BTW, I've followed holistic method since with no worsening and my sister, 6 years older, is still in osteopenia. I know people have been helped but these meds but not me. And we do have to advocate for ourselves.

Ok enough of that. I slept over 10 hours last night. Boy did I need it. Doing a load of laundry now. One walk down with Ty and as it's a beautiful day today we'll be walking quite a bit more. Luckily these gardens entrance me so not a problem.

Judy, I've also, as I think it was Martha said, always cleaned my shower heads with vinegar. And also, if it wasn't easily removed, I used a zip lock bag filled with vinegar and secured on the shower head. Worked everytime.

[Colliemom]

Tina, you will get no argument for me on what you said. Are a lot of alternatives out there, but some of them require discipline and if you don’t have discipline, you are aren’t going to gain anything. People start out with good intentions and eventually fall by the wayside. We’ve all been there.

But as you say it depends on the healthcare system and the professionals behind it. Nature and Nature is indeed the key. Just had a discussion with a friend on this yesterday. Healthcare is textbook and guess work and doesn’t fit all. I’m very fortunate not to have to spend much time with the healthcare people. I know I have some osteopenia in my body and at the moment my cholesterol is a bit high.
Is a bit high. I am on a low-carb diet, and I am supposed to avoid sugar, wheat and watch salt. It’s a tossup, because some of the things that you really should watch in regard to bone health and maybe avoid except on occassion can help lower cholesterol. Or. Ice versa.

But like you also say, I am fortunate the chiropractic has helped me. I don’t use it just for back issues, I use it because when the spine is in line, the rest of your body follows course and everything operates the way it should. It keeps the blood circulating, the nerves working, it balances out everything in the body, and when everything in the body is balanced from eyes to ears, liver, kidneys.muscles, bones and so forth, then your overall health follows. I never thought I would go to one until I had a shoulder issue and my doctor did a x-ray, and it said that there was a ruptured disc. So he gave me some pain medication and said that it probably will take care of itself in time. Yeah, right. My neighbor convinced me to go to her chiropractor, and when they saw the x-rays, they said no way is that going to take care of itself. It took almost a month of treatments to get it back in place. Why he didn’t suggest physical therapy or something is behind me. From that point forth, started going to my chiropractor at least every six weeks and I have for probably close to 20 years now. Let’s just say I don’t trust medical science when it comes to bone issues unless it’s something that my chiropractor can’t do but then she will let me know. Prescribing meds this is the first thing that medical professionals tend to do and like Beth said here and again we’re not all alike. So we all plod one the best we can. A lot of it is a case of trying to cure the symptoms without looking for the root of the problem to begin with. It should be the other way around. If you’ve got some kind of a health issue, they should look to find out what’s causing it before they find out what you need to do to fix it. A

[Acadianmom]

I have never been to a Chiropractor but Harold went for years. The one that helped him died and the last one he tried hurt him. I am so disgusted with the care my son is receiving. None of the doctors follow through on anything. He should have regular blood test to monitor his potassium but the primary doctor the hospital system assigned for him doesn't want to see him. He went to the nurse practitioner to get a blood test and it was over 2 weeks before he got the results. The only thing he can do if he starts passing out again is go to the emergency room. Then he has to pass out in the waiting room for them to get their a$$ in gear.

My doctor prescribed Actonel for me in 2008. That was about the time the reports were coming out about women having jaw problems and bones breaking. I didn't finished the first prescription. I refuse to take a medication that is suppose to make your bones stronger and the side effects are jaw problems and broken bones. My step-daughter was on one of those medications for a long time. She was walking in her back yard and the upper bone in her leg snapped. She hadn't fallen, she was just walking.

Sugar woke me up at 5:00 this morning. I don't know what she thought she heard but she wanted to go lay on the back porch. I finally went back to sleep and didn't get up until 9:00. Since we ate breakfast late I wasn't too interested in starting lunch so it's going to be late. I might try to go fishing again and spray some of the weeds. I hope the cows have other thing to do.

Martha

[JudyJB]

Doctors say I have osteopenia, but not osteoporosis, and have never taken drugs for it. Luckily or unluckily, I have slightly thicker bones than most people, which in my pelvis caused me to have to have C-Sections for both of my kids. I have fallen from my bike hard once and have tripped on things and fallen flat on my face twice, but have not broken anything. Lots of bruises, however. Fingers crossed as I do not want to break anything!!!!

Have to run out and dump my tanks, but have been trying to get things like washing dishes and some hand washing done before I go. Weather has been perfect here--low 70s and sunny. Lots of black-chinned hummingbirds and I think one or two broad-tailed hummers, but no more orioles. Bird books say they need a nectar feeder with bigger holes for their beaks, but they also like grape jelly and orange slices, plus any other very ripe fruit.

[IrishIroamed]

Late, late afternoon here in Apache Junction, but Hi Ladies!!~~~

My 2 cents on chiropractors. First one I saw after a girl crossed double-yellow lines and hit me head on, never did me much good. Mostly I felt worse afterwards. Then found a great lady chiropractor who did wonders! I felt immediate relief when I went and got a free evaluation and she did not do any manipulation! I still see her when I get back home and she gave me great information to find chiropractors in other states if needed when traveling, including full information on my injury and treatment. Tina I agree whole-heartedly with your thoughts. Enough said.

And you ladies will be happy to know (or maybe not ) that I'm no longer doing my route through CA to get to OR & WA. After Vegas, I'll head through UT a bit, a few nights in ID and then on to Bend, OR. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! that messaged me with ideas, thoughts, and possible routes. Love y'all!

On to Kingman, AZ tomorrow. Have a great evening all!

[Bethers]

Yay Cheryl, since you're going through Bend I suggest a stop in Sister's also. It has a city park with RV sites. It looks like the prices have gone up since last I was there, but the sites without hookups aren't bad in comparison. I used to live the Sister's area but haven't been there in too many years now. My friend from high school days no longer lives there so I haven't tried myself through in too long. Enjoy your travels!

[OregonLuvr]

Good evening. Had a really nice weekend with my travel nurse buddy. We did lots of assignments together and always seeing the sights on our days off. We even roomed together on a couple of assignments. She is on a travel nurse contract not too far from me so she came up and spent the weekend here. We went to the coast yesterday and the weather was pretty good. Had a nice seafood lunch and came home. Picking up an excellent blended Mocha not to far from my house. Just a fun day with lots of chatting and reminiscing on some of our escapades.

This weeks coming weather is cloudy with showers almost every dang day. They even classified one day as "dreary" lol I should be able to work in the yard tho we shall see.Will change the guest bed tomorrow and my bed next weekend. It was pretty hot here on Friday so I put out my portable fans, was going to put them back and then decided....nah lets just leave them out they will be needed soon. Made a pot of tortellini soup this afternoon so that will be good for a couple of days meals. I have fixings for a panini sandwich or two so I wont starve. I am working on cleaning some stuff out of my freezer we shall see how that goes.

[chalet05]

I’m way behind but wanted to remember to tell Sue I waved when I crossed the 45th parallel in Oregon today!

[snowball]

it's been a normal for me Sunday... church nap scriptures kept falling asleep so took the nap and then read scriptures but I over slept so need to finish what I was planning on reading will do that in a few...
had left overs for supper need to go spend money tomorrow I got a shepherd's hook for the deck decided I want to have a different type sorta knew it when I got this one but I went cheap so think I will return it and get the one I should have done then off to Smith's get some groceries... might go to Target see if I can find a planter there... really doubt it
no snow on the deck and the lawn is mostly melted except I think the north yard... but haven't really looked
you all have a good day remember that tomorrow is the 1st so remember RABBITS tonight
sheila

[Redetotry]

The posts about health care are interesting and is something my friends and I have been talking about recently. I agree with Tina's comment that " good health care costs and is also affected by the quality of healthcare professional that we have available to us. There are reasons that some areas of the country are better for older individuals to retire than others. Navigating the healthcare system for good diagnosis and care is difficult. Our health is a combination of nature and nurture. It is up to us to do the work that we can do. There is no magic wand." I went to doctors when I was younger and did whatever they said I should do. Thankfully I found what worked for me and my body was a combination of medical and alternative care with the care mostly being alternative. I've learned to go to the medical doctor for blood work and all the lab results are sent directly to me before I see the doctor. This is good because I can have questions ready and bring it to their attention if they miss something which happens more often that one would think. I also check my husbands records as they sometimes prescribe something and then don't call in the prescription. We do not have very good doctors and many are leaving as the hospital is bankrupt and they cut salaries drastically. So of course the doctors who can are leaving. Since I started going for acupuncture probably 15 years ago my health improved dramatically. But I realize that is not something that is available in some areas plus if you don't know a lot of people in the area to get recommendations from it is hard to know who is competent. The person I see was trained in China and was also a medical doctor here in the states for several years. Another doctor I 'see' is in Brazil and she is a medical doctor and also a constitutional homeopath. I meet with her over WhatsApp and she has been literally a life saver by getting the pain of trigeminal neuralgia under control with homeopathy. Medical doctors could only offer drugs that made me ill or the option of a couple of surgeries that might or might not work and were dangerous. I also go for regular massage. I taught yoga and do hypnosis and reiki for myself and others. The alternative treatments seem to work for my body. I just wish it hadn't taken so long to find them! Besides the health care I'm finding you also need a very good lawyer. One of my close friends husband has been diagnosed with dementia and she could loose everything if he has to go into long term care even though she has a separate trust. She is seeing at least two eldercare lawyers who have different opinions as to what she should do. A regular nursing home here is $80,000 a year!
Cheryl I'm glad you have decided on a route and will get to go OR and WA!