At Sam's club I found the most amazing thing. I raised garden container. It's made of recycled materials, and is only 3.5' by 7'. It's 8 inches high, but can be doubled to be 16 inches. I thought it had a bottom, but it doesn't. So..... I will build a base. I have the idea that I will get some cinder blocks, and a large plywood board. I will put the board on top of the blocks and the garden stacked two, on top of that. Some garden fabric liner and then the dirt. It would make it about 24 inches high which should make it perfect for me to garden in.
I've been checking out all sorts of stuff for the garden. I want tomatoes and peppers. We eat a lot of those when we can. Plus I want to can some again this year. I want zucchini and cucumbers and some cantaloupe. It's like to try potatoes and onions and garlic as well. I need to put in some raspberries bushes and STRAWBERRIES! I need strawberries. LOL.
I want to can stuff this year. I want to can the cherries on my tree, the tomatoes from my garden and the peppers. I want to buy a bushel of peaches and can those. I really want to make Beet Jelly as well, but I have to find my dad's recipe first. (hahaha you should see my garage, where i am pretty sure the recipe books are all hiding).
I'm so excited to get started, but I have to wait at least another month. Wish me luck on this adventure.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
If I take option 1, will I develop a dislike for pork products?
So I went to the Doctor yesterday. The Cardiologist Swanky-raccoon. It's been too long, and I slightly got chastised for it, until I reminded him that the physicians assistant said he'd call me, and he never did.
So Dr.S. took about 15 minutes to review my charts, and then laid it on the line. The cleaning out of my arteries in both legs has failed. He said that normally when this procedure is done, the patient sees an improvement immediately and can even go as long as 2 years before needing it done again. I can't even go 2 months. For some unknown reason my veins and arteries in my legs do not want to stay open. Both legs have once again completely clogged and this is why it hurts so much when I walk.
So he gave me two options of the next steps. Option 1 is to have a bypass done in my legs. Basically they will cut my legs open and replace the clogged bad veins with nice new veins. The only problem is: since I don't have enough veins in my left lower leg to supply my left upper leg, they would have to use artificial veins. (Remember I had a quadruple bypass in 2004 and they stole veins from lefty to put in my chest.)
Option 2 seems a bit better. Dr.S. is going to check with the people who make the stints, and find out if they make a stint long enough to go from my hip to my knees. Yep, it's not a small part of the vein clogged, it's the whole damn thing! This procedure would be less invasive. It would basically be the same thing they have done before and Dr.S. assures me that I can even go back to work the next day if I don't do any heavy lifting.
If the stints don't work however, then I am still stuck with a bypass. I didn't really cry, but got a little misty eyed when he talked about it. I basically told him that I just don't understand. I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't do drugs (medication excepted). Other than a poor eating habit, I don't understand why I'm falling apart. He told me that while my diabetes, and poor eating habits don't help, it's not just that. I just have a weird body. He said that it is very rare to have someone who has this type of aggressive PVD. So I guess if I want to look at a small thin silver lining I can say I am pretty unique.
I am trying to make an improvement in my lifestyle. I have been working on my eating habits, and taking ALL my medications at the correct times. I am looking into getting back into water aerobics with Stef, and once in a while trying to walk around the office floor at work. But now that I know what's happening.... I have to wonder how long I have had PVD. I mean, I have NEVER been able to do a lot of walking or running. Even as a Teen, it was very hard to do GYM. I always thought it was because I was lazy, but now I wonder, what if it was the start of this problem? What if my fatigue, pain, and such was because of PVD?
I was telling Beth about this, and she asked what kind of veins they would use. Plastic, Pig, or Cow? I laughed and said I was sure it would be pig. Can you imagine if I started oinking like a pig? HAHAHAHA, that's when I had to wonder, if they gave me pig veins, would I develop a dislike for Bacon, and Ham?
So Dr.S. took about 15 minutes to review my charts, and then laid it on the line. The cleaning out of my arteries in both legs has failed. He said that normally when this procedure is done, the patient sees an improvement immediately and can even go as long as 2 years before needing it done again. I can't even go 2 months. For some unknown reason my veins and arteries in my legs do not want to stay open. Both legs have once again completely clogged and this is why it hurts so much when I walk.
So he gave me two options of the next steps. Option 1 is to have a bypass done in my legs. Basically they will cut my legs open and replace the clogged bad veins with nice new veins. The only problem is: since I don't have enough veins in my left lower leg to supply my left upper leg, they would have to use artificial veins. (Remember I had a quadruple bypass in 2004 and they stole veins from lefty to put in my chest.)
Option 2 seems a bit better. Dr.S. is going to check with the people who make the stints, and find out if they make a stint long enough to go from my hip to my knees. Yep, it's not a small part of the vein clogged, it's the whole damn thing! This procedure would be less invasive. It would basically be the same thing they have done before and Dr.S. assures me that I can even go back to work the next day if I don't do any heavy lifting.
If the stints don't work however, then I am still stuck with a bypass. I didn't really cry, but got a little misty eyed when he talked about it. I basically told him that I just don't understand. I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't do drugs (medication excepted). Other than a poor eating habit, I don't understand why I'm falling apart. He told me that while my diabetes, and poor eating habits don't help, it's not just that. I just have a weird body. He said that it is very rare to have someone who has this type of aggressive PVD. So I guess if I want to look at a small thin silver lining I can say I am pretty unique.
I am trying to make an improvement in my lifestyle. I have been working on my eating habits, and taking ALL my medications at the correct times. I am looking into getting back into water aerobics with Stef, and once in a while trying to walk around the office floor at work. But now that I know what's happening.... I have to wonder how long I have had PVD. I mean, I have NEVER been able to do a lot of walking or running. Even as a Teen, it was very hard to do GYM. I always thought it was because I was lazy, but now I wonder, what if it was the start of this problem? What if my fatigue, pain, and such was because of PVD?
I was telling Beth about this, and she asked what kind of veins they would use. Plastic, Pig, or Cow? I laughed and said I was sure it would be pig. Can you imagine if I started oinking like a pig? HAHAHAHA, that's when I had to wonder, if they gave me pig veins, would I develop a dislike for Bacon, and Ham?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Dan and Denise Date Night
Yesterday was our "valentines" date. I am not so big on the holiday now that I have been married for a few years. It's really just one more day in a string of days. However I do like an excuse to give a gift. I know, I shouldn't have to come up with an excuse, but it's the justification in me.
Since I don't care for crowds, and long wait times, I have opted to not do dinner and date on the actual day. Dan and I agreed, we'd have steaks at home, and do something. Maybe play a game or watch a movie. Who knows????
So... with that in mind, I talked Dan into going to Color Me Mine yesterday. (They had a 2 for Tuesday special.) We each picked out a ceramic and paint and sat to enjoy. I have to say I LOVED IT! It would have been just a bit better if it hadn't been so crowded, (all the tables were full at one time), but it was nice. Dan chose a Snake, and it was so funny because he had the girl who worked there google a Coral Snake and print a color picture of it. She then helped him pick out the colors they thought best matched the picture. It's a trinket box and really neat. He worked so hard on it, and I had to explain that it would be faster and easier if he would paint all the stuff, and then go back to do the second coat. They need 3 coats to get the dark shiny color.
I chose a dragon. it was a simple dragon not something complicated. I decided it would be a blue dragon, and I'm pretty sure it will turn out really cute. We did not get them finished before closing time. Plus we were so hungry by 8 we were ready to call it a night from painting. Dan paid and the girls there got us some bubble wrap so we could take the ceramics home. We will go back another night, maybe Friday, and try to finish painting them. The biggest problem was that I have never been to Dan's work, so I got lost, and then I needed to get to a bank before they closed, and yeah..... we got to CMM later than planned.
After that we saw a Applebee's across the parking lot, and that's where we went.
Dan spoiled me, as I was SO HUNGRY, he let me get an appetizer. (I had lunch at 10 am and by now it's 8 pm. can you say STARVING?). I also got spoiled as it was a "special" day and he let me get a dessert. I got a blondie with ice cream and maple cream topping. I was so Darn good. I did eat the whole thing and felt a lot of guilt after, so I promised myself to be really good the rest of the week. I even took my insulin before we ate, so I was on track.
After dinner, two very stuffed and satisfied people drove home to flop in bed and sleep. It was so much fun that I think Date Night will continue at least once a month. Plus as the CMM girl said: ceramics are addicting.
Since I don't care for crowds, and long wait times, I have opted to not do dinner and date on the actual day. Dan and I agreed, we'd have steaks at home, and do something. Maybe play a game or watch a movie. Who knows????
So... with that in mind, I talked Dan into going to Color Me Mine yesterday. (They had a 2 for Tuesday special.) We each picked out a ceramic and paint and sat to enjoy. I have to say I LOVED IT! It would have been just a bit better if it hadn't been so crowded, (all the tables were full at one time), but it was nice. Dan chose a Snake, and it was so funny because he had the girl who worked there google a Coral Snake and print a color picture of it. She then helped him pick out the colors they thought best matched the picture. It's a trinket box and really neat. He worked so hard on it, and I had to explain that it would be faster and easier if he would paint all the stuff, and then go back to do the second coat. They need 3 coats to get the dark shiny color.
I chose a dragon. it was a simple dragon not something complicated. I decided it would be a blue dragon, and I'm pretty sure it will turn out really cute. We did not get them finished before closing time. Plus we were so hungry by 8 we were ready to call it a night from painting. Dan paid and the girls there got us some bubble wrap so we could take the ceramics home. We will go back another night, maybe Friday, and try to finish painting them. The biggest problem was that I have never been to Dan's work, so I got lost, and then I needed to get to a bank before they closed, and yeah..... we got to CMM later than planned.
After that we saw a Applebee's across the parking lot, and that's where we went.
Dan spoiled me, as I was SO HUNGRY, he let me get an appetizer. (I had lunch at 10 am and by now it's 8 pm. can you say STARVING?). I also got spoiled as it was a "special" day and he let me get a dessert. I got a blondie with ice cream and maple cream topping. I was so Darn good. I did eat the whole thing and felt a lot of guilt after, so I promised myself to be really good the rest of the week. I even took my insulin before we ate, so I was on track.
After dinner, two very stuffed and satisfied people drove home to flop in bed and sleep. It was so much fun that I think Date Night will continue at least once a month. Plus as the CMM girl said: ceramics are addicting.
Monday, February 7, 2011
this Weekend
So Friday I was supposed to go home and relax. I did, sort of. I had to stop at Harmon's to buy meatloaf, and ended up spending my entire grocery budget. So with the exception of some things like bread and milk, I should have no excuse to not eat at home. LOL
But we did eat out Friday because by the time I got the groceries in the car and was ready to travel home, I was pooped, and would not have gotten home in time for Dan to eat. So I stopped at Apollo Burger.
Bad Denise. On Saturday Dan's D&D friends came over and they made breakfast. Dan served me in bed because I had a headache and it hurt. After a few hours of resting, I needed to get up to let our friends dog out. They were going to be gone all day and couldn't take poor Lily. I asked if they were OK if I hung out there as it was quiet and I could get some stuff done. I took my craft stuff with me and Finished putting together Stefanie's bag. It's not perfect, but it looks WAY cute if I do say so myself. I took pictures and will put it on here asap. Andy and Stef said that I could come over anytime the nerd fest is going on, but the appeal for me yesterday was more the quiet and the space.
During my self imposed exile from the house I went to Souper Salad! It was fun because some people were having a 75th b-day party for their Grandma. they had a big sign outside the restaurant, and it was sweet. The guy asked if I was with the party, and I told him I wish I was since they are a cool family to get together like that.
I went home and the D&D folks were gone. So Dan and I played WoW. It's so nice to play again. I forgot how much I like it. I've been WAY excited because Dan, Andy, Stef, Tony & I have created new characters and are leveling basically the same. Andy and Tony have been very sweet to help me keep up and not lose me. I think part of my problem is that I get a bit motion sick while playing and so I can't target or follow as well. It's annoying to me to always be behind everyone, because I don't want to hold them up. I like doing dungeons and quest with all of them. I'm not sure what's going to happen when we do bigger harder dungeons. Andy thinks he can help me learn to play better, but I'm not sure. Because of the motion sickness, I have a really hard time seeing my targets and such. but I will give it a try.
Sunday was nice because Dan and I made a quick breakfast, and went to play more WoW. We waited until the SuperBowl came on and then watched the first half. I loved the commercials, but was sad the game seemed so one sided. We decided to play more WoW and just left the game on behind us.
finally it was off to bed. I was very tired and had tried very hard to be good for my 1500 calorie diet. I'm pretty sure I blew it, but not by much. My goal is to lose at least 10 pounds by September. That doesn't seem like much, but I think it is. I just want to stop feeling so damn tired and blah all the time. Of course I am my own worst enemy because I can't get my stuff straight. Missed my insulin all weekend, and even today. Got my pills today, but missed the weekend for them too. GRRR.
But we did eat out Friday because by the time I got the groceries in the car and was ready to travel home, I was pooped, and would not have gotten home in time for Dan to eat. So I stopped at Apollo Burger.
Bad Denise. On Saturday Dan's D&D friends came over and they made breakfast. Dan served me in bed because I had a headache and it hurt. After a few hours of resting, I needed to get up to let our friends dog out. They were going to be gone all day and couldn't take poor Lily. I asked if they were OK if I hung out there as it was quiet and I could get some stuff done. I took my craft stuff with me and Finished putting together Stefanie's bag. It's not perfect, but it looks WAY cute if I do say so myself. I took pictures and will put it on here asap. Andy and Stef said that I could come over anytime the nerd fest is going on, but the appeal for me yesterday was more the quiet and the space.
During my self imposed exile from the house I went to Souper Salad! It was fun because some people were having a 75th b-day party for their Grandma. they had a big sign outside the restaurant, and it was sweet. The guy asked if I was with the party, and I told him I wish I was since they are a cool family to get together like that.
I went home and the D&D folks were gone. So Dan and I played WoW. It's so nice to play again. I forgot how much I like it. I've been WAY excited because Dan, Andy, Stef, Tony & I have created new characters and are leveling basically the same. Andy and Tony have been very sweet to help me keep up and not lose me. I think part of my problem is that I get a bit motion sick while playing and so I can't target or follow as well. It's annoying to me to always be behind everyone, because I don't want to hold them up. I like doing dungeons and quest with all of them. I'm not sure what's going to happen when we do bigger harder dungeons. Andy thinks he can help me learn to play better, but I'm not sure. Because of the motion sickness, I have a really hard time seeing my targets and such. but I will give it a try.
Sunday was nice because Dan and I made a quick breakfast, and went to play more WoW. We waited until the SuperBowl came on and then watched the first half. I loved the commercials, but was sad the game seemed so one sided. We decided to play more WoW and just left the game on behind us.
finally it was off to bed. I was very tired and had tried very hard to be good for my 1500 calorie diet. I'm pretty sure I blew it, but not by much. My goal is to lose at least 10 pounds by September. That doesn't seem like much, but I think it is. I just want to stop feeling so damn tired and blah all the time. Of course I am my own worst enemy because I can't get my stuff straight. Missed my insulin all weekend, and even today. Got my pills today, but missed the weekend for them too. GRRR.
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