Sunday, Feb. 4th

[Colliemom]

Good Morni g everyone. Finally sitting down here to catch up and let you know what’s been going on here this past week. Molly has been in the forefront of the week. I think I mentioned awhile back about her eye issue. That has gotten worse and when we saw the vet on Monday, the eye pressure was really high. She said in the past that that eye needs to be removed and Molly needs to see a specialist.
She knows I have an appt. Set up at MSU, but that’s not till April. So about all I can do is continue with drops. Long story short, I have a list of veterinary Opthomologists, all of whom are downststate. Eliminated some due to being booked out 3-4 months, retired or semi retired. So in Wednesday, I decided to try one north of Detroit. Explained situation and found out they had a cancellation at their satellite office, the next morning. So grabbed that. 200 miles and a bit over 3 hours driving, with a stop for quick bite to set, we got there. Exam concurred with my vet. This is a summary of findings.. Molly is blind in her left eye due to uncontrolled glaucoma. She has a significant episclerokeratitis in the left eye, preventing full visualization into the anterior chamber, however, I can appreciate that she has a uveitis as well. I believe her glaucoma is secondary, and likely to the uveitis present, although an intraocular tumor can not be ruled out due to incomplete visualization. As Molly is permanently blind in the left eye, and her glaucoma is uncontrolled despite receiving Dorzolamide/Timolol, enucleation with histopathology is recommended. Molly's owner plans to discuss scheduling this procedure with your office. We recommend histopathology be performed with Michigan State University or COPLOW (https://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/lab/coplow/).
In the meantime, I have recommended increasing the Dorzolamide/Timolol to three times daily, as well as switching over to Prednisolone acetate and Tacrolimus to better control inflammation. I have also recommended consistent treatment with a pain medication (Gabapentin) until surgery can be performed.
Molly also has a Nodular Granulomatous Episclerokeratitis (NGE) with a secondary pinpoint corneal ulcer in the right eye. Episclerokeratitis and Nodular Granulomatous Episclerokeratitis (NGE) are immune mediated diseases affecting the episclera and commonly the cornea. Lesions often appear as raised red nodules over the sclera and/or cornea. This disease can progress to involve the entire cornea and sclera leading to visual deficits and secondary glaucoma and uveitis. This disease cannot be cured but it can often be managed with the use of topical and oral anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating medications. I have therefore, recommended treatment with a topical prednisolone acetate and Tacrolimus in the right eye as well. Once inflammation is controlled, the goal is to taper off of the prednisolone acetate while continuing the Tacrolimus long term. Due to the presence of the corneal ulcer, I have recommended treatment with a topical antibiotic. While typically we do not like to treat an eye with an ulcer with a steroid, Molly's ulcer is secondary to the underlying pathology. Recheck or enucleation should be performed within 10-14 days.

So, I made the decision to have it done here rather than down there due to distance to and from their office, weather has to be taken into consideration since it is Winter and if there’s a problem, my vet is close by. We were supposed to see the vet tomorrow anyway, so will go from there. in the meantime, she has to have different drops in both eyes, 3 every 8 hours, 2 every 12. Plus some capsules every 12 for pain. Needles to say, I have become a caregiver overnight. Have to keep a chart of all the dosage times and try to keep them on schedule so I can get my own rest and sleep. Starting to adjust to a 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. or thereabouts routine. The 3 times a dsy drops need to be spaced about 10 minutes apart too. Life got interesting fast around here. She’s doing really well though, so that’s good.

We have just had a couple that beautiful mild sunny days and we have not had any snow other than a light dusting the other. That snow we have had is melting down and there is not a heck of a lot left. Temps have been way above normal for this time of year and it looks like it will stay that way for at least another week. Been really nice being out walking the last two days.

Beth, I was thinking the same thing about the bed when I first read that u til she got into the compostall that stuff. LOL. Karen, having a raised bed myself, make sure that you allow for water drainage through the bottom of your dirt will become waterlogged. Judy, glad to hear your son is slowly improving. Velda, hope things continue to improve with Chris as well. Barbie, glad you have another realtor taking over your listing.

This is getting lengthy, so am going to stop. Need to wash my hair and get ready for church. Will come home and go back for chicken dinner gu d raiser a bit later. Not sure if I will set there or bring it home as it’s at one and drops are scheduled for around 2. Have to keep that in m d when I am out for now. Have a nice day all.

[OregonLuvr]

Good morning. Well I should say very COLD morning. Cold 29 damp, foggy morning. Neither the dog nor I dilly dallied out this morning for sure. High of 42 and right now we have freezing fog. Rain expected today also and the rest of the week.
Just had a bite of breakfast and going to do a few housekeeping chores then print out my tax papers then will tackle my taxes later this week, Still working on all the tips and tricks for Windows 11 on my new computer. Not too bad but still using this old one but so far it has been working okay (of course)

Sue to have good drainiage is why you put the logs in the bottom, then sticks, any other debris you have. This is a new gardening procedure I have been researching it is called "Hugekultur" gardening. I have been watching lots of videos on this type of raised bed gardening. It can also be done in mounds but I am doing the raised bed hence my need for logs. I got a new raised bed I need to put together. It is 8' x 4' x 2' deep Perfect size for tomatoes. A new project for me. My other raised beds are smaller 4' x 2' x 1' I will be growing beets, carrots, lettuce etc in them as those roots dont go deep. They are already established. This one is new. Sorry you didn't get better news on Molly. Hope all the medicine will help her.

Beth you made me laugh too. Thought I went off the deep end did ya??? ha ha This is new technique for me but I am anxious to see what I can do with it. Watched lots of videos on the Hugekultur method and it sounds fun. I plan on going up in the hills and get a couple containers of those wet composting leaves to add also. No pine needles way too acidic !!! Hey gets me out of the house right now.

Off to get busy

[Redetotry]

Good Morning Sue and all who check in later. I'm so sorry to hear about Molly diagnosis and her frequent medication needs. I hope you are able to get the appointment soon for the procedure.

Judy thank you for the information on the duvet washing. I'm amazed at all the things you are able to work on in your RV! My last one also had a storage area that leaked and it was caused by a place that hadn't been caulked in one area on top.

It's another warm sunny day here. Just a little while ago a squirrel jumped onto the window sill here in the back room where we usually are in the mornings. The many windows are almost floor to ceiling so when the squirrel jumped up it was just a few feet away an at eye level with the little dogs. Toby saw it and instead of barking he cautiously approached the window and he and the squirrel were face to face for a couple of seconds until the squirrel jumped back onto the porch! The room was added on by the former owner and he had the low windows installed so his little Dachshunds could see out.

Just saw your post Karen. The new gardening procedure sounds great. They do a lot of tunnel gardening here in the winter especially. I wonder if you could extend your growing season buy using a similar process of covering your raised beds.

[Bethers]

Sure, I'm sorry that there wasn't better news for Molly, but it sounds like you've got your answers. I do know one of the last two dogs my sister foster was blind and they didn't know when she became so (older dog). That said she did remarkably well and it didn't take her long to train my sis and bil lolol

Glad I gave you a laugh, Karen. Haha, it is funny how the mind goes. I am looking forward to how this project
goes. Maybe some pictures as you progress?

I kept having to correct myself yesterday. I kept thinking it was Sunday. Now it's Sunday and I feel I already had my Sunday.

[Cudedog]

Sue, so very sorry to hear all that you are going through with your Molly. She is one lucky pup to have you. I am sending healing throughs both to you and to Molly.

It is so difficult when our fur babies start to age - it just seems to happen too fast. At the beginning of the pandemic, my sweet Joe boy was in his prime - now he is aging, but still sweet as ever. Health problems also - can't really bear to think about them, let alone write about them, so I'll just leave it at that.

Karen, wow, 29 degrees? Isn't that a bit cold for your area? Are you getting any snow? I am sure that everyone has been reading in the media about how California is really getting a weather wallop right now. Luckily, so far just light rain here. In a little bit I'll go check on the water releases from Oroville dam, and see how high the Feather river is coming up on the levees. All good so far.

I think that Southern California is getting the worst of it.

Just opened my PG&E (natural gas and electric) bill just now, and I had to just sit right down. Over three-hundred dollars for the month of January. I keep my house at about 68 degrees during the day, and 62 at night. I hardly know how this amount is possible - except that PG&E has been found responsible for some major environmental disasters here (a gas explosion - and, of course, several wildfires) so has had to pay out for lawsuits - raising their rates in order to do so. I guess customers are just expected to take it in the shorts - and PG&E goes on as usual.

For this month (February is generally our coldest month here) I think I am going to turn the heat way down during the day and just use an electric heater in the living room, and let the rest of the house get cold. I recently purchased some cold-weather underwear, so I'll wiggle into that as well. I really don't mind the cold as much as I mind the summer heat.

I do so enjoy reading everyone's posts, so please check in wherever you are.

Thanks.

Anne

[Bethers]

Anne, I highly recommend you treat yourself to an electric blanket. Mine only uses 100 watts and allows me keeping the heat way lower than normal.

[Cudedog]

Anne, I highly recommend you treat yourself to an electric blanket. Mine only uses 100 watts and allows me keeping the heat way lower than normal.

Beth, thanks, definitely thinking about an electric throw of some kind for sitting around during the day (and evenings).

Beth, Karen (anyone?) recommendations appreciated.

Thanks.

Anne

[Bethers]

Anne, honestly, I was looking for low wattage and cheap. I lucked out and love this one.
SOGANASA Heated Blanket Throw 50"x60" - Machine Washable Electric Throw Blanket Printed Heated Throw Blanket with ETL & FCC Certification 4 Heating Levels 3 Hours Auto-Off Overheat Protection (Strip) https://a.co/d/728Vig5

I almost purchased a cheaper, under $20, Mainstays one from Walmart but while they show it in a couple colors, only tan was available and I'm so tired of tan. Just looked and still only the tan available!!!

[OregonLuvr]

Anne my throw is a lifesaver. Saves on my heating bell immensely. When I am up working my heat is turned down way low as I do keep warm enough. BUT when I stop and sit it is C O L D. So turn on the throw, cover up, (now I am dressed rather warmly anyway) and feels so good. And I mostly have it on low. Has auto shutoff which kind of acts as an alarm...........my legs get cold I know my time has run out and I am still sitting here so I either turn it back on or get up and do something ha ha Hey we have warmed up to a balmy 40 and sad to say but I am back to my recliner with my heated throw LOL LOL February is usually our coldest month also we even can get down into the teens. Sometimes we have snow but most of the time if we do it is just a dusting. But there is always that odd year where we get several inches.

I actually have 4 of them. One is brand new, not even out of the bag yet. Because heaven forbid it should wear out. One is older and lighter, works fine nothing wrong with it, I just wanted a heavier one (or two) ha ha I have one in my family room and the other in the living room. Then use the extra for company. I also have electric blanket on my bed and the guest bed as again I turn my heat down at night. It warms up real fast in the morning and I sleep nice and toasty........so does the dog. I honestly dont know how people do without them ha ha ha

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B94 ... =UTF8&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BCP ... UTF8&psc=1

I am all cozy watching videos about my Hugekultur process. I am glad I have my little pruning saw so I can go into the woods and get some sticks and leaves when it warms up. Need to get the raised bed put together soon, well as soon as it warms up.because I have to put it together outside..

[monik7]

I figure I live about 115 miles from you Anne and we both have the same electric company. My most recent PG&E bill was $130. December was $137. Those billings both included charging my Tesla two times each month. My home is 1401 sq.ft and is a townhouse with three levels. The lowest level is the living room and a half bath, the middle is the family room, dining area, and kitchen with large island. The top level has 3 bedrooms and two baths. There are only two thermostats, because the living room has a high ceiling that joins the kitchen/family room ceiling. I spend very little time in the living room. I turn the thermostat on for the middle area in the morning until it warms to 72° and then I turn it off. That’s where I spend most of my time. I do admit that I wear a light jacket inside during the day in the winter, and occasionally I use a throw (unheated) while watching TV. I turn that thermostat off when the dogs and I go upstairs for bed. I then turn the upstairs thermostat on until it reaches 72 and then turn it down to about 64°. I worry more about the dogs than me getting cold so sometimes they wear sweaters.

I only wash and dry clothes when the PG&E rates are lowest in the morning and before 3:00 pm. I charge the Tesla starting at 12:15 am and it usually ends by 6:00 am. The other thing I do is, I never have more than one light on in the house at a time. Whenever I leave a room, I turn the light off. I do have an item that stays on 24/7 and that’s a small fountain I have outside on my front deck for water for the birds. I never leave the TV on if I’m not watching it. A lot of these things are probably what others do including you Anne.

So that’s it. I don’t know if these are things different from what you do but there must be something that’s making your bill so much more than mine.
Sandi

[JudyJB]

Anne, could that bill have been an estimate or could the previous one been an estimate?

I have loved down since I was a young child. One of the reasons is that it is so warm while being very lightweight. I have two bedding sets that I use depending on temperatures. One on my bed right now is a thin all-cotton quilt that I use as a blanket. I also have a lightweight down throw (nylon cover) that I keep folded up on my bed. When it gets cold in my rig in the middle of the night, I just pull it over and use it as a second blanket. Does a great job of keeping me warm. It is a turquoise color that matches the pattern on my quilt, and I think I paid about $40.

When it gets really cold at night, I switch to a pink medium-weight queen-sized down comforter, and then use a very lightweight cotton throw. Except it is very warm--too warm unless it is really cold at night. I can't remember what i paid for it, but it was expensive. That is the one that I might have to wash because it got slightly damp. I have spread it out on my couch and the odor seems to be a lot better, so I might not have to wash it, which is a big chore. I had it in one of those vacuum bags, but I admit it was an older one and had a couple of tiny leaks so could no longer stay crushed down. I am going to get some of the very heavy duty plastic bags from the hardware tomorrow and wrap it better once I know it is completely dry. I have also moved stuff around from bin to bin, and am going to get another waterproof container for my extra clothing as soon as I can.

News on my son is that, besides the COVID, he now has pneumonia, except I think it is really old pneumonia. Diagnosed on basis of stomach fluids, but he has no trouble breathing, no fever, no coughing, no lung symptoms at all, so I am thinking he had it early last week from the vomiting he had then. He is also on IV antibiotics for pneumonia, and is now being given very small amounts of a clear liquid diet--apple juice for lunch and lemon ice for dinner, along with TPN. Might go home in day or two with IV antibiotics with DIL administering it along with the IV TPN. She says she is going to start charging insurance for her nursing care!!

[Cudedog]

I figure I live about 115 miles from you Anne and we both have the same electric company. My most recent PG&E bill was $130. December was $137. Those billings both included charging my Tesla two times each month. My home is 1401 sq.ft and is a townhouse with three levels. The lowest level is the living room and a half bath, the middle is the family room, dining area, and kitchen with large island. The top level has 3 bedrooms and two baths. There are only two thermostats, because the living room has a high ceiling that joins the kitchen/family room ceiling. I spend very little time in the living room. I turn the thermostat on for the middle area in the morning until it warms to 72° and then I turn it off. That’s where I spend most of my time. I do admit that I wear a light jacket inside during the day in the winter, and occasionally I use a throw (unheated) while watching TV. I turn that thermostat off when the dogs and I go upstairs for bed. I then turn the upstairs thermostat on until it reaches 72 and then turn it down to about 64°. I worry more about the dogs than me getting cold so sometimes they wear sweaters.

I only wash and dry clothes when the PG&E rates are lowest in the morning and before 3:00 pm. I charge the Tesla starting at 12:15 am and it usually ends by 6:00 am. The other thing I do is, I never have more than one light on in the house at a time. Whenever I leave a room, I turn the light off. I do have an item that stays on 24/7 and that’s a small fountain I have outside on my front deck for water for the birds. I never leave the TV on if I’m not watching it. A lot of these things are probably what others do including you Anne.

So that’s it. I don’t know if these are things different from what you do but there must be something that’s making your bill so much more than mine.
Sandi

Thank you for the suggestions, Sandi. Much appreciated.

I admit that I have not been so careful as I probably should.

As of now, that's got to change.

Anne

[snowball]

my sister lives in Los Vegas and had real issues with electricity bill... her solution was to lease solar panels what a difference unfortunately I can't remember what the difference was but substantial... although it takes about a year to see it... but I don't understand the way solar panels work on the house as opposed to the RV's system... but she is really glad that she had them put on. Mom does keep one light on at a time more or less although her's in the living room might be on all night... even the tv has been on all night
after reading scriptures I took my Sunday afternoon nap guess my nephew stopped in while I was napping mom knew he came in but said he went in one door and out the other... almost scary that we can sleep that soundly I do remember thinking I smelled the soup so perhaps he looked but didn't get any or perhaps he did although I didn't see any signs of him getting soup
I wish that we could put a type of lock that people have codes to so it could be locked and those that are ok to come in would have the code but mom likes locking the screen door so that type of lock wouldn't work
is it just me or is the loaf of French bread smaller??? I bought one the other day I swear it's smaller and cost more of course
you all have a great day
sheila

[Redetotry]

Electric rates are certainly different depending on where you live! We have gas forced air heat with three electric baseboard heaters in the back room it is a 3 bedroom house and we have a basement. When they added the back room on the furnace didn't provide enough heat is the reason for the baseboard heaters. Our bills from Oct thru Jan totaled $1,052. which is $262. for the 4 months but we had an unusual cold spell where temps were around zero for over a week. I keep the heat on 73 in the winter and at 75 during the summer. I don't lower it at night in the winter. A heating/ac person told me that if you lower it too much it burns up all you saved by bringing it up to the higher temp for the day as the walls and everything get cold. I leave the ceiling florescent lights on in the kitchen all day. I lived too many years of my life in houses that were heated with coal stoves that went out at night and I promised myself if I ever had the chance to be comfortable I would.

Sheila I wouldn't like people coming in my house without knocking. My dogs bark before anyone gets to the door which is annoying and yet a good thing.

[Bethers]

BJ, I have to respond to you regarding turning temps down at night. It definitely saves money.
"Does Turning Heat Down at Night Actually Save Money? The short answer is yes! So if you have been turning your heat down at night, you are ahead of the game. While many are already turning heat down at night to save money, many people are not taking advantage of these easy savings."

Yes, it takes a bit to bring the temperature back up, but not nearly enough to negate the savings.