YAY!! My World is Once Again Bright

Yay!!  My Sally pal is back on FB and also blogging.  I never thought anything was wrong with her, I thought it was her daughter or grand daughter, and I knew she would be devastated and unable to write about it.  Yet, My Pal Sal was the one in the ER and then hospital--with no phone.  I admit, I went a bit over board amok, because I get that way when someone I know is missing.  If you ever want to know how to search obituaries from Florida, or how to go on friends, of friends, of friends Timeline on FB to see if anyone has posted any news, just ask.  I know all the angles!!
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So today I went for a practice run for my Coronation!  I am getting my Crown on March 11.  I do believe it will be diamond encrusted for the cost of the thing!!!  BUT my new Medicare Advantage Insurance plan will pay $500.00 toward it and I already had $120.00 at the dentist, so instead of sending in money every month to built up credit, I will send in money each month to pay for my crown.  I won't have to build up credit with my dentist anymore because my insurance includes two free cleanings, one x-ray and one dental check-up each year.

Egads!!  The drilling that goes on to get the filling out and the tooth shaped and then re-built for the crown.  Two hours in the chair ANd tonight, my Tinnitus is really loud because all that loud drilling noise exacerbated the problem.  BUT  in a couple of weeks, I will have two teeth, next to each, other crowned, with crowns above them and---I AM GOING TO EAT POPCORN ONCE AGAIN!!!  I need three more, but those will come next year or two--if I live long enough.  If I don't--I am going to Heaven with at least 5 really strong, good toothies!!
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I am NOT going to the Old Gals luncheon tomorrow and so will miss a visit to my sister's.  We are going to have record setting low temperatures.  My old car runs a bit ragged in this cold weather and I do not want to take the chance of having my car break down while I am out driving in Butt Fu  Boonies with no cell phone and waiting in below zero temps for help to happen along.
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Ash Wednesday.   I do not get ashes on my forehead, although I think it would be cool to do so.  I do not give up anything for Lent.  Instead, I try to take on something new to do each day.  Like notes to people or an encouraging e-mail or something to make someone smile.  My biggest thing this year will be to get to church every Sunday.  I have become a lazy church person and haven't been since last Mother's Day.  Shame upon my little head!!!

Actually, I did try to give up something for Lent.  When I was in the ninth grade a friend asked me what I was going to give up for Lent.  I replied, "Algebra!"  Unfortunately, the Algebra teacher overheard my comment and was none to happy.  My Mother heard about it and although she tried to look stern, she got to laughing so hard that she couldn't carry off the scolding.

Life is good!!

Nanook of The North

Nanook of the North reporting here.  Our snow is no more than normal for this area, but the bitter below zero temps are not normal, as they are lasting day, after day, week, after week.

Not much of a concern for someone who stayed inside and just soaked all day.  I say "soaked" as I was in my recliner, crocheting slippers and soaking up the artificial sun from my Ott floor lamp. How nice it is!

I had a nice day--my Comcast bill had gone up, so I called them to see how we could get it back to normal.  They are having older people leave so now they are being quite proactive to keep us happy.  They have finally come to realize that TV and Internet is about all the entertainment some of us have in our lives.

At first the lady told me of a promotion which would include Encore movies--total $130.00 a month.  I have been paying $125.00  I told her that I didn't really want the Encore channels.  Was there a possibility to be set up with Digital Start Up XF Triple Play like I used to have.

Well, by doggies, sure enough.  AND a two year price freeze.  $99.99 a month and with taxes, total $119.00 a month.  I get all the channels I have always liked and really none of the ones I never watch.

Happy dance!  Plus a credit on next months bill of $30.00 to make up the difference I have to pay this month.
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I used my last quart of home made spaghetti sauce and made spaghetti tonight and then--because everyone needs a treat now and then---

Not as good as home made, but then again--good enough.  I do love anything cherry!!!  By the way, I have heard from family members that the spaghetti sauce this year was wonderful!!!  (Whew)
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Did you know that the director of Downton Abbey is killing off the dog named Isis?  Last week, Lord Grantham noticed she was just laying around.  This past Sunday, she has cancer and only hours to live.  C'mon people!  This show takes place in 1924 now.  In 1924 there was no problem with anyone having a dog named after an Egyptian goddess Isis.  No one in 1924 ever heard of ISIS or ISIL.  We just have to be so PC, that I guess, we have to re-write history to make sure we don't offend anyone.
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Still no word on FB or her blog from out Dear Friend Sally.  Every now and then an idea will come to my find and I will rush to this computer to check something else out.  Nothing!  

It Was A Nice Day, Until.............

Conversation:

"I haven't heard a thing about Jeff, so I can only assume that he is still in rehab."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?"

"Yes.  I just wish there was someone I could talk to....or read a book on what a Mother is supposed to do when her child is in drug rehab.  What am I supposed to do when he gets out?  How it feels.  I need to read something that someone who has gone through it writes about."

"Oh---that's easy.  I can search and find you any number of blogs written by Mothers about that very thing."

"Oh no.  I don't trust blogs."

"You don't trust....what do you mean?"

"You never know who could be writing them."

"It's like a journal.  People write what their day is like, or how they are feeling, or how they cope with problems. They have Christian blogs, they have gardening blogs....they have blogs about everything."

"Yeah, but what if...what if it's a man disguising himself as a Christian woman and writing a blog?"

"A what?  Okay---let's say a man is writing a blog and his is pretending to be a Christian woman..which I can't even imagine happening, but what if it did.  How is HE going to hurt you?"

"He could figure out where I lived.  You notice, I don't leave many comments on Face Book."

"You don't have to comment on a blog.  You can just read it for whatever benefit it brings.  It's like reading a book."

"I don't care.  I don't trust them."

"Ah---well---okay then."

I should have figured out by now that Dar is also paranoid, but I guess I'm naive'?
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It is bitterly cold here, as you all know, but it has been sunny, which, to me, makes up for it.  I went to Michael's yesterday and Wal-Mart today.  I DID wear my coat, but it wasn't buttoned up--no hat, gloves or boots.  I like the really cold, clean, crisp air on my skin and in my lungs.

We had a lot of snow on Saturday, but Neighbor John came along Sunday mid-morning and cleared us all out.

Tomorrow is a stay at home and "soak" day--just sitting in my chair and crocheting.  I have a newer cute pattern for slippers and I am making them out of cotton yarn (which wears like iron) for the girls for Christmas.  I made a pair for me last year and they are so warm and comfy and don't wear out, so I thought what a good gift.

I'm not drifting or meandering, I'm just soaking in relaxation. :-)

Worried

I am extremely worried about my blog friend Sally.  She last left a post on February 6th.  That was also the last time we saw her status posting on Face Book.  I have sent her e-mails and FB messages, as have others and so far--no reply from her.

Last night I got so worried just thinking about it, that instead of shutting down my computer and going to bed at 11:00, I started searching for answers.  When I get something in my mind, especially like this, I get compulsive or like a dog with a bone, and I won't let up until I figure it out.

First, I went into her FB list of friends and checked a few of their pages--nothing said about Sally.  Then I found her daughter, Patti's page and checked that out--her last post was back in July.  I knew her grand daughter's husband's name, so I went to his Timeline--his last FB post was on February 6th too.  Now I was really getting worried.

Then I remembered--her grand daughter Brittney is on my friend's list.  So I put searched Britt's name and her page didn't come up.  Strange.

Then, I went into my own Friend's list, clicked on Britt's picture and it said, "This account has been deactivated."

Really scared now!

I wished I could remember some of the names that had commented on Britt's status, so I could find their Timeline's and check to see if they had posted anything about her.

One last attempt, I went back into Sally's Timeline and read down some of her posts.  Back in the fall, I remember things she had posted and some had comments from Britt.  

I found a status, Sally had posted.  Down in the comments, Sally had said, "I don't know, Britt." and yet the comment from Britt was not there.

If her account has been deactivated, than any comment she had made on ANY ONE'S FB status would be gone.

Brittney's FB account has been deactivated.  Her mother's, husband's, Sally's accounts are all there with no posts since February 6th.

I have only one conclusion to make from this.  

My mind is just going crazy now!  She has three little kids.  Her only sibling was killed a few years ago.  She is her mother's only child and Sally's only grand daughter.

I just want to get in my car and start driving south to Green Cove Springs, Florida to find my friend, Sally.

Please God, take care of Sally and her family. 

Wind Chills -30 Degrees

Even a rotten Starling needs food.
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At midnight Saturday night:  LIVINGSTON COUNTY

...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH NOON...   TEMPERATURES AT MIDNIGHT WHERE BETWEEN ZERO AND 5 BELOW ZERO...WITH WIND CHILLS AROUND 25 BELOW ZERO ACROSS MOST LOCATIONS. ALTHOUGH WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO SLOWLY DIMINISH OVERNIGHT...TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO FALL...BOTTOMING OUT BETWEEN 10 TO 20 BELOW ZERO AROUND SUNRISE...WITH WIND CHILLS OF 25 TO 35 BELOW ZERO. ANYONE THAT MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS TONIGHT IS URGED TO COVER AS MUCH SKIN AS POSSIBLE WITH APPROPRIATE WINTER CLOTHING.

JUBILIATION

Sunny day--in more ways then one!!

I know--we aren't suppose to brag and probably as soon as I do, fate will drop one heck of a medical bomb on me, BUT--------------

I had a blood draw Monday--I got the report yesterday and it looked good to me.  Today, I had my physical appointment at the primary care doc.  I have always complained because he wants to see me every 3-4 months--to "monitor my condition."  I don't think I have any conditions that need monitoring.  Like I said before, he can't cure my Tinnitus, my arthritis, or my Benign Essential Tremor in my right hand, so---what is he monitoring?  I found out the answer today.  I have high blood pressure and I'm on meds for it, soooooooo.  

Today, I weighed in at 164.  I am 5'10" tall.  My BMI is 23.  My BP: 117/68  My pulse rate: 56.  My oxygen: 99%.  My carotid arteries are at 30%, my heart is strong and steady and my lungs are, "as clean as a whistle".  

As I was waiting, I hear him coming down the hall, "JUDE!  JUDE!  WHICH ROOM ARE YOU IN?"

I get up, go to the door and say, "I'M, IN HERE!!"

He bops in, and says, "I am so happy with your blood work!  I mean--I AM SO HAPPY!   Hop up on the table there."

So I did. 

"I just cannot believe it.  You have the blood work I'd want to see in a fifty year old!  How old are you?"

"Seventy-five and a half."

"No you aren't!  Your forty-five---honest--forty-five, health wise."

I have never seen this guy so excited.

"Normal carotid artery blockage in someone your age is 50-79%--you are at 30%.  It's amazing.  Your cholesterol is so perfect!  Your blood sugar, your potassium, your thyroid, your hemoglobin--perfect--you are perfect!"

He takes a step back, looks at me and says, "I see now why you are never sick--your immune system is phenomenal.  You really look great.  I mean it, you look really good."

So I'm getting excited by now and then he said the magical words, "I don't want to see you for six months!  Come back in August."

Well, I floated out of the office and all the way home I just kept saying "Thank you God!  Thank you God!"  

I just might live to be 90!! (If I don't get too cocky and fate decides to show me who's boss!)
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 Lots of Lovely Dovey's coming in for a snack.

Maggie has decided she can see more up on my desk than she can from the window sill

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Karen (daughter) took me out to supper.  Gosh--we had a great time.  Both of us talking as fast as we could.  She had just returned from a retreat and was telling me about it and about going to Guatemala to visit Maddie and build a house, while they are there.  

We went to Olga's Kitchen--a place I have never been before.  I thought that $8.29 was a bit much for a sandwich, but it was so tasty!  I got the Angus Steakburger wrap--I guess they call it a wrap?  Such tasty bread (wrap) and some sort of really good mayonnaise.  Karen had chicken something and we shared a basket of curly fries.

The best part was just being with her and chattering away about everything.  Gosh, I like her.  She is the sweetest woman I have ever known!
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Susan called me tonight.  We talked for 75 minutes!!!

My Friend

Here I sit, posting inane, silly, at times stupid things in this blog, and our friend Balisha writes that she thinks, she has posted her last blog entry.  She has found peace in her decision not to seek treatment for Ovarian cancer.  She has such strong faith--I wish mine were as strong.  

When I first heard of her diagnosis, I got a very cold feeling.  I watched my very best friend in this world go through it.  All the horrible chemo and surgeries and....feeling sick...and...remission and then--a couple months later, it would be back and growing and worse.  You just can't ever beat Ovarian cancer.

Over the last years, I have read Balisha's postings.  She has made me a much better gardener--she is an awesome gardener.  She has shown me how a person of such strong faith can go through the loss of a child with such grace.  She writes the best real human poetry.  She'd write about days when she was young and take me back with her--because my childhood was so much like hers--we are of the same age.

I love her!  I am so sure Balisha will find so many blessings in the next few months.  Blessings that, perhaps, would not have happened without this circumstance.  

Thank you, Pat.  You have touched my life, like you have so many others.  Rest in the palm of God's hand.  He will keep you safe.

Beautiful Balisha  http://simplybalisha.blogspot.com/