STEP BACK IN TIME

Today JJ asked me to go with her to Volant PA.. a quaint little town of about 1500 , many of them Amish. We saw the Amish working in the fields, cutting, raking , and loading hay.. and some were just traveling down the highway.

We turned around and went back to get this picture.. we both found it amusing.

WALKING THE PERIMETER

This afternoon I took a walk around the perimeter. It was relaxing for the most part. I saw lots of bugs everywhere, but none that would even give me a second look. (something for which to be thankful).

PEST CONTROL

Charlie's chickens are always going up and down the rows in the garden.
They provide quite the service here, eating as many bugs and grubs as
they can find. They are efficient pest control.

I noticed this pest control too. At some point in time, a wasp stung and paralyzed this tomato caterpiller and then layed her eggs in the skin of the worm. When the baby wasps hatch, they have an instant food source. Disgusting to me, but , hey.. it's natural pest control.

DROOPY SUNFLOWER
Do you ever feel like this? Ever feel like you can't stand up and face the world again?
Hehehehehehehehe
I had this feeling of sadness when I took this picture of the sad sunflower.
I had to go on to the more perky ones to feel better.

The red raspberries are about done for the first round, but as you can see, the second round is well on it's way. These are everbearing red raspberries.. sweet and delicious.

There are at least 2 apple trees in the yard. These are, I believe, Grimes Golden Delicious.
They won't be ready till after the first frost, but the tree is really loaded.

Awwwwww.... isn't this just the most beautiful and perfect zinnia?

Yesterday morning I went out at daybreak thinking I'd see the full moon.. what I did see was that my Mountain Laurel is blooming again. Silly thing!

Of course no walk around the perimeter would be complete without stopping to see the progress of the big ol' hornet nest. I believe 3 cans of hornet spray went inside the hole now.. and it hasn't deterred them at all. Live and well and hornets all over it! I noticed it's growing bigger too.

Standing on the edge of the garden looking west.. this is a long row of pumpkins growing here. The pumpkins at the moment are about the size of baseballs.. there are lots of them!

I can't look at the cosmos without stating the fact that these were my Dad's favorite flower.
They are so delicate and beautiful.

In front is a row of green peppers. Behind them in cages are the tomato plants.

The stately sunflowers.. WOW! They tower over me..

I believe this is Hibiscus.. the huge blossoms are as big around as a dinner plate.

I love the nearly fluorescent red of this zinnia

Zucchinis.. yummy!!!

On the picnic table sets 2 pots of salad tomatoes. We pick them every day, and every day there are more and more tomatoes ready.. so sweet and yummy!

Every time I see this flower I have to ask Mandy what it is.. it's a daisy, but I'm not sure what kind of daisy. It is startling in the tire out by the road. A real eye catcher.

JOHN'S BELATED CAKE

I decided that since Wendell and John BOTH wanted cheesecake for their birthday, we would not be having 2 cakes the same week.. so we spread it out a bit. Mandy will be next and then JJ for August.

PICTURES FROM NEW YORK

Many thanks again to Vickie who keeps me happily supplied with pictures of "our" grandchildren who live too far away for us to just visit when we have a whim.

The occasion here is Aunt Chris' birthday party held at Chris and Cliff's home. They have a beautiful pool/patio area as you can see.
Here is Gayle going down the stairs into the water..
And in front is Esther floating away with a big smile on her face.



Gayle was apparently trying to climb out of the pool over her Dad's head .. Probably smart.
OH.. by the way....

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY
CHRIS !!

It's again the early morning- nearly 4:30am. Yesterday after 2 cups of coffee, I layed down in my bed and slept till 1:30pm...afternoon!!! Not at all like me. Last night I decided to try going to bed earlier-about 10pm..but I took some sleep medication to make sure I stayed asleep. I did till now.
It's quiet here. I may make some coffee, but maybe not.. Maybe I should try going back to bed for a few more hours. That seems reasonable.

Last evening Wendell and I joined Keith and JJ for supper at their house. It was such a delicious meal! Wonderful food and even more wonderful the company. We enjoyed the friendly Wizzy who is always playful. Later, Crystal joined us and finally relaxed in our presence. She's a beautiful cat. She's a gray tiger stripe. She's afraid of everyone but she loves men. I assumed it was my presence that kept her 'on her guard' all evening.
Thanks again for the lovely evening.

Still doing the Candida diet. I'm not perfect at it, but figure any effort toward restraining the yeast is worthwhile to get it controlled. I tried the plain yogurt. It's pretty good. I added some Cajun seasoning to my tomatoes and yogurt. I really enjoyed the new flavors. So I decided to put some onion soup mix in the yogurt (just a little) and we had it as a dip for fresh veggies last evening. Really tasty. Bread has not been difficult to give up. I think I may try corn bread. If there is no yeast in the mix, I'll be fine. I have some good recipes and a bag of organic corn meal.
I missed my fruit last night. I was going to have an apple but forgot about it before going to bed. Too bad I can't keep saving up the fruits and have fruit as a meal one day, but that's not the way it works. Just little bits once a day and the rest is veggies.

My tongue and cheeks look clear.. they tend to look that way till I use the Nystatin, and then I see more placky looking junk. Not as much each day, but still present. We'll see today how that goes. Much less sinus drainage and the coughing is sporadic. I think I'll live.
Now I just need my energy levels pushed up a notch or two.
This all has been so draining.

Today I plan to be at home. I'm hoping to just get done a few little things and then rest. I can use that.

This is Labor Day weekend. I just realized that when JJ mentioned that yesterday. WOW! This means the summer is officially over in a few days. It wasn't a l -o- n- g hot summer than I'd anticpated. It went fast. A few pretty hot days and the rest were comfortable. Of course , I spend much time indoors in AC, but still...
That means I'm that much closer to my retirement date. We still have to go through at least half of winter before I get to that point. One last blast of icy snow covered roads.. and in the middle of it all, I will be done. Hooray !!!!!
I've been watching the temperatures drop for the past couple weeks.. that is, overnight temps. That's a sign of fall coming. Last night we were in the mid 60s and the night before the mid 50s. It's time to get the warm blankets out and on the bed 'just in case'. I still have my AC on at night and nearly all day. I like the coolness and the movement of air.

I suppose I should go back to bed for a few hours. I need the rest no matter what. I'd love to just get up and have some coffee.. and get started on the day, but there are others to be considered who are sleeping yet. I'm a bit sleepy yet myself, but not one to lay around in bed once I'm awake. I always think that would be so wonderful, but when the opportunity arises, I just don't.

Have a mighty fine day, bloggers..

EARLY MORNING RAMBLING

It is 6am. I've been up since 5am..that's on my feet. I didn't sleep at all last night. I decided if I was awake, I'd just make some good use of my time. So I worked on an information sheet update for my patients. I read some blogs, looked up more information on Candida, and tried to go back to bed. The CPAP mask kept leaking and blowing in my eyes. Restless night. Spent some of my awake time praying. Many are needy of prayer.
I got up again and worked on revising my medication/allergy/med history list to carry in my purse. Everyone should do that. It sure saves time if you have that list with you in an emergency situation. Been there... done that.
I've heard it said 'if life serves you lemons, make lemonade'.. in my case, coffee. If I'm going to be awake anyway, I might as well be alert.

I finished the cheesecake for John around 11pm last night. It smells heavenly and looks like a really good one. I'll never know except by those who get a bite. I'm not going to even try it.
I want to be over this nasty Candida, and the cream cheese and sugar in the cake will make the yeast in my body sing for joy and take another growth spurt.

Right now, I'd love to go outside and sit at the picnic table and enjoy a sunrise .. soon.. very soon.
Quiet..peaceful, restful, and beautiful. Not yet- I'd have to enjoy the stars and the moon first.
There is a full moon tonite..the 27th was the real full moon date, but it still looks full. Perhaps that is why I'm having trouble sleeping. I believe I've stated before that there is a direct affect on people during that time. I'm going out to look at the moon..

5 Minutes later...
Oh, I have missed it! It's already daybreak.. the sun isn't above the horizon, but the stars aren't visable, and no moon. It's a very foggy morning here.. lots of dew on the grass~ I know this because I went out in my sandals and my feet are a bit wet! Hah!
It's coolish this morning too... lovely. It will be a beautiful day.. I believe I read 86 degrees today.

I have a couple of packages to prepare this morning.. and one to work on for later this week. We have been invited to the Vulhops for supper tonite.
Time to hit the shower..
Have a fabulous day everyone.. enjoy it all.
Pray for us..

MOVING FORWARD

Moving forward here. Each day should be just a little better than the last. I was disappointed that when I got up today my tongue and cheeks still had that lousy white gunk on them. But tonite, it's nearly gone, all but for a few small spots on the buccal of my cheeks. Wonderful!
I had a fairly busy but draining day. I took the paperwork to the office for my assistant for Thursday, and then Wendell and I went to lunch. I was surprised to be able to stick to the Candida diet without much difficulty. Grilled chicken breast and broccoli were the main course.
I ate a couple of french fries , but these didn't sit well, so I passed on the remainder. The waitress wanted to 'box' them up for me along with the roll she had served, but I declined. No rolls for me.. no yeast breads.
We had to stop at the dollar store for a couple of critical items we were close to running out of, and then to the grocery. I got plain active culture yogurt. I'll be interested tomorrow when I try it. I love the fruited stuff, but the plain...well... maybe with tomato and some seasoning.
We were both exhausted from our trip out. How did that ever happen? We used to go to 4-5 stores and still have lots of reserve when we got home.
So we sat down and watched a movie. Haven't done that for some time. Wild Hogs it was called. Funny movie. I laughed so hard I started coughing and got out of breath. I had to run for the inhaler to get settled. Oh, brother!
Then supper.. mine was fresh spinach salad..and really yummy.
Tonite I'm making John his long overdue birthday cake. It's a cheesecake.. I won't be having any of this one- not on the diet.
So I am doing some better. I still have the cough with activity and so I need to be a little calmer these days- hard for me to do. I'm on the move constantly when I'm not having respiratory problems.
The plan is to rest a lot.. get lots of sleep and just not do too much.
We'll see how things go tomorrow.
Keep praying.. I appreciate it so much.

TROUBLE IN PARADISE

Tonite I'm feeling just slightly better than I have for the past 2 weeks. Allergy induced asthma is the battle. For a while, I was feeling so miserable I was sure the asthma was getting the best of me. The doctor is very good and last week ordered me a chest X-ray and inhalers to help treat this problem. He also ordered a potent antibiotic to cover me in case of bacterial invasion while my immune system is down.
Yesterday I noticed my mouth felt odd.. gravelly. I finally got the nerve to look at the inside with a flashlight.. UGH! Thrush!
I saw the doctor again today and he discontinued the antibiotic. He told me that the other culprit was the steroid inhaler. What next?
So I am being treated for systemic candida as a side effect of being treated for asthma.
I now have 3 inhalers and have to use Nystatin mouth rinse that I also have to swallow. That is pretty gross tasting stuff and the first round of it came back up as fast as it went down. The second dose wasn't any better and most of it landed on the front of my shirt. Thankfully, I also took the Diflucan which will treat the systemic problem. (it stayed down)
The one new inhaler is for the broncho-spasms I seem to get while I'm having a coughing jag.
The other is the same steroid inhaler, but double the dose. He says I have to have it to combat the asthma.
The other inhaler is a broncho-dilator for those times when I am wheezing and can't get my breath.
Fun, huh?

On the lighter side... JJ and Keith came for dinner tonite. It was good to see them. I am trying to maintain the 'candida diet' in the best way I can.. so we had roast pork tenderloin, fresh fried zucchini, fresh green beans, fresh tomatoes from the garden..and rice.
We had a little rice left over and a serving of beans.
I have to keep my fruit intake to a minimum.. so tonite I'll have a handful of grapes to satisfy the sweet tooth.
Yeast breads are taboo for me for now. At least till the yeast infections all calm down.
I plan to get some yogurt tomorrow.. plain with active acidophiles culture.

In the mean time, though the Candida should be well under control in a day or so, I am on a 2 week leave of absence from my job at the hospital until the asthma also is controlled.

Pray I'll be over all this before my cousin Nicki comes to visit in September.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE BIBLE?

How important is the Bible?

Your principles have been the music of my life throughout the years of my pilgrimage. I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord, and I obey your law because of this.
Psalm 119:54-55 NLT

The testimony of presidents
The Bible was clearly important to many American presidents. A few examples:

• It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.
  George Washington
• The whole inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life.
  Herbert Hoover
• In regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to found portrayed in it.
  Abraham LIincoln
• Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.
  Ulysses S. Grant

From Great Thoughts & Funny Sayings by Bob Phillips (Tyndale House), pp 39-40
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

CHOCOHOLIC??

Another great picture from Grandma Vickie. We share 4 beautiful grandchildren.
This one is the youngest- Elijah- following in family footsteps, looks like a true chocoholic.
Actually Vickie won this in a contest at the fishing tournament- the candy, not the baby.
Thanks, Vickie!

FISHING TROPHIES

Once again I thank Vickie for the pictures of our grandchildren. We are so very proud of them.
Isaac got a certificate and a trophy for his prize winning fish. These kids take fishing seriously!

CONGRATULATIONS !
GREAT JOB!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

I'm about frustrated with this allergy thing. This morning I felt pretty good.. not much but a cough here and there, not deep.. no wheezing, nose was clear and I had most of my real voice back. Wendell even noticed..
And then............. I decided to make us a light lunch. What could be easier or better than a home grown tomato right out of the garden.. stuffed with a goodly dollop of cottage cheese. I chose 2 lovely medium sized yellow tomatoes from the big bowl that Charlie brought over the other day.
By the time I got the tomatoes on the table (minutes later), I could feel my nasal passages filling up and draining down my throat.. followed immediately by a coughing jag and wheezing that sent me running for the inhaler. I don't get it. What is it? Tomatoes? Cottage cheese? I didn't so much as taste the juice of the tomatoes.. it was just on my hands which I rinsed off before going to the table.
So now I've finished off a box of Kleenex and am working on another. It's definitely allergy- it hit me square like a brick wall.
So here I am again- stuffed to the gills.. waiting for the wheeze to pass (which it has) and nervously wondering if my summer staple (tomatoes) are going to go on a list of foods that I can't eat any more.
I really don't know where to begin limiting foods.. I suppose I should start with bouillon and applesauce. Pretty hard to be allergic to those two.
I am scheduled to work tomorrow at the hospital. I'm hoping to be able to go.
Pray for us.. pray for relief of allergy.

DREARY DAY

I think the only ones who appreciate the rainy dreary weather is frogs and ducks.. and maybe a few fish.. It's certainly wet. I was inside most of the day, but as the rain keeps coming down, maybe we should consider.... an ark?
I wonder how Noah made it with all those animals? It would have been a full time commitment. I've shoveled the barn and I know that's a chore.. imagine his days.. the smell.. and where did he put the food to feed all these creatures, and how did he keep the peace? I wonder if God put the animals to sleep for that journey? Perhaps suspended them in time??
Thankfully, the world will never be destroyed by water and flooding again.. scripture says so and I see the sign in the rainbow after the rain has passed.

With so many parts of the world without water or rain, I feel blessed to live where I do. We seem to have just the right amount. Lake Blair overflows yet.

Feeling a tad better tonite. The medications seem to be kicking in. There have been few coughing jags, and then only when I'm up and moving. These are becoming more manageable with the meds.. When the spasms hit, the Proventil is the thing that calms the wheeze and the cough slows to a stop. I'm learning. This is all new to me. I will be using the Advair inhaler for a while- a couple of months- to keep the reactions short and less dramatic.

The kids were here today and we got to visit with them while their parents went out. We had a good time, too bad it was raining. They all wanted to go outside. So I made some popcorn and got out some corn chips and then cut up 4-5 apples and we watched the DVD.. I put on pictures of them from last fall and Grandma Camp. David laughed through the whole thing. He really enjoyed all the photos on tv.
Grampa got his birthday present- new pictures of Annabelle. That just made his day!

Tomorrow we plan to do some slow cleanup. I dont' think I can do any more than that which is necessary at the moment.

Have a super day and evening.. keep your powder dry!

JUST A BIT BETTER

Today I called the doctor.. this morning I had a chest Xray done and picked up a couple new scripts to manage the respiratory problem. One is an antibiotic (prophylactic I assume), and the other is an inhaler which I'll be using for the next couple months.. steroid. It's a low dose of steroid, so I'm hoping it'll cause me no harm.
The first dose taken, I haven't had to use the other inhaler since. Only one coughing jag, and now I'm settled again. The wheezing has slowed down..Amazing.
I'll await hearing about the Xray. Feeling just a tad better.

It really rained here for a long time today- like a monsoon. The streets in Butler were majorly flooded. Lake Blair was overflowing when we got home. It's still dismally overcast outside, but pleasant inside. Jane just stopped by to bring me a new jar of Vicks.. the price of this stuff is outrageous, but it works on anything. Then Charlie stopped by with a huge bowl of tomatoes from the garden, and a couple of zucchinis.. oh, boy !!!!!!! And fresh green beans too!!! woohoo!!
And did I see a couple of peppers in that bag?.. yes, I did !

I'm off to take a little nap before supper.. have a super day.. a dry day !
Pray for us..

ALLERGIES

Wednesday I saw my PCP for a routine check up. Labs were good, he changed my BP med, and pronounced me pretty healthy. Thursday afternoon after all the patients were gone and I was doing my paperwork, something triggered an allergy attack.. I suddenly had copious amounts of mucus draining down the back of my throat and I suddenly lost my voice.. or it became very nasal and gravelly. Eyes watered and itched...
It's been 3 days.. I worked 2 of them, but today have called off because of the wheezing and coughing, and the rest .. It's sure a bugger. I've been using my Albuterol puffer about every hour, and the cough has left me with sore ribs and a nasty headache. I'm going back to bed.
Tomorrow I'll call the doctor and see if I have to take yet another round of Medrol.

Nearly everyone I know who has any allergy problems is having a bad time this year for some reason... This is the worst one for me.. I've been 'hit' at least 3 times if not 4 with severe symptoms that occur on the spur of the moment. It got old pretty fast.
And , yes , I'm using Robitussin DM and Nasonex spray.. I tried Allegra D, but it doesn't do a thing.. Dimetapp is good.
Anyone have any other ideas how to combat this? I'm about out of ideas myself. Each round of attack seems worse than the last one.. no Epi-pens for me.. I bottom out with epinephrine.

Okay.. I'm done complaining... have a great day.. I'm heading for my bed.

HAPPY 45TH

AUGUST 18, 1962
HETHERTON RPC
CONGRATULATIONS
BILL AND CAROL IMM

MORE BIRTHDAYS..AUG 17

August 17..
2 birthdays to celebrate today.
John is married to Mandy
whose birthday was yesterday.
His birthday is today.
Happy birthday , John
Cheesecake for you too-
coming right up !

********************

I stole this picture from JJ's blog.
It's a good one !
Happy birthday
JJ !!

JJ , PAUL 2, AND WENDY

1994 BUTLER COUNTY DAIRY PRINCESS

BABY JJ

GROWING UP..

JJ'S SPOT WAS ALWAYS WITH GRAMPA IMM

GUESS WHOSE BIRTHDAY?

AUGUST 16..
GUESS WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS TODAY?
HERE IS HER BABY PICTURE...

CAN'T GUESS?
HERE IS ANOTHER PICTURE
OF HER GROWING UP
1981 WAS THE YEAR..

AND ONE OF HER
ON HER WEDDING DAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
AMANDA