Pups 'n Stuff

for your enjoyment . . . Puppies!

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I hope you all enjoy the show.  This music is perfect for watching them play.  Ginger acts like she owns the world, but Shadow is twice her size and patient.

Last evening, I put them all outside to do their "duty" and play while it was yet a little light.  I told Rob they were outside and went to the kitchen to get something to eat.  While toasting up my second waffle, Rob came in coverd with dirt and dust.  He was shaking.  "I had a fall"  Then of course it all came out while I was checking him over.  One of the puppies (Ginger?) ran to the other side of the yard instead of coming in.  Any of you have kids?  Anyway, we had rolled up old carpet and Rob hit it and went down.  He's pretty much done in for today.  My poor honey! 

The local county fair has started and I really want togo this year.  It may not be in our budget.  I was going to go see my daughter as well, but train rides have jumped from my ususal $120 round trip to over $200.  I need and want to go, but I don't know where we will find the money yet.  I've hit Medicare's "donut hole" where Part D stops paying or helping until you reach $4,000 out of pocket.  Most of my medications are truly spendy.  I got samples for the one that is $293, but it was a starter pack so I used it up in a few days.  Today I called Target to reorder . . . American Express save me! . . . the pharmacist put me on hold for a moment to see if they had it in stack and when she came on the line she spoke a miracle to me.  They now have a generic and my cost will be  $4.00!!!  That is so cool.   When I go in a little, I will ask her to look at my list to see if any more have generics now. 

It's nearly 2:00pm, I've got laundry washing, towels drying, need to go out, come back and cook our monthly steak meal (YUM). Our bills are paid, food shopping done.  We may be broke or nearly so, but our life is good. Yes, there are trials and tribulations, but as long as we have a mustard seed of faith, we will be able to move these things out of the way.

I apologize for not commenting much. I've been distracted a lot lately, spend more time on Pogo than writing comments, e-mails, etc. I am here however. I read your journals and enjoy them. I also think of you throughout the day and pray often for your needs and well-being. I am blessed to be a member of J-Land.

Tags: blogplugs, puppies, falling, money, Medicare, donut hole, good life, faith

TOOTSIES, ETC

... and before you ask:  NO those are not my feet down there \/

My feet are numb.  Well, you could say they are numb.  They feel asleep, swollen and painful all at the same time.  I don't usually write about this stuff in my journal, but there you are:  my feet are numb.

The numbness and lose of nerve conduction in my limbs is due to something called Polyneuropathy.  I don't know why I have it.  Most people who suffer from it also have diabetes.  The neurologist is sure I must be diabetic, but recent and past bloodwork indicate I am not.

Here's the deal:  my feet feel as if they are separated from the rest of me.  It's eerie.  Drop a hammer or stub a toe and the "owie's" are more intense than ever in my life.  My legs are already affected and my hands and arms somewhat.  So ask me if I'm scared?  Naw.  It's just one more giant bumpon the road of life.  I don't think it will kill me and even if it did, I know where I'm going.

Rob and I have been doing a lot of work around the house and yard.  Yesterday we tore all the carpet, padding and nail strips from the second bedroom.  Tomorrow or Saturday we will do the same in the living room, then finally our room.  We are getting new carpet.  I'm excited about that.  What we have had is left from the two young guys who lived here before us.  They brought motorcycles inside, worked on them and generally left the light carpets with unremoveable stains.  Yuck!  We laid carpet and throw rugs over the old stuff, but you could still see the stains.  Soon however, all that will change.  Yippee!

The puppies are getting really cute.  They are 6 weeks old now.  their little tails are curling up over their backs, they have sharp little teeth and are beginning to recognize their names.  The male is named Shadow and he's twice as big as the female.  I named her after a story Chuck Ferris wrote;  she's Gingersnap (ginger for short).  It's a delight and a pain in the sit-down to have them running around the house.  As soon as I find my camera, I will post pictures.

Our lives have changed so much in the last year that it seems incomprehensible.  Some stuff is too personal for me to share in a public journal.  Our lives are also stronger because of the changes.  I ask that you all keep us in your prayers as we adjust to life living in an empty nest, etc.

I think of you all daily and pray often for you.  Many blessings,

     

       

 

Tags: Toes, numbness, polyneuropathy, diabetes, pain, new carpet, puppies, blessings, blogplugs

Gettin to Know You

                                           

Went to Donna's Journal just now and read her answers to this meme.  I just got my 'puter back online this afternoon (been playing Pogo for a while) and started through the posts.  I haven't gone far, but I hope to get caught up real soon.  Please enjoy.  And please link back to This, That & Hockey if you play along.

Getting to Know You

"I got this several times and loved reading the answers.  Instead of sending it out a bunch thought I'd just do it here.  Hope you'll play along............."

 

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?  A book called "Penny"  that my sister was reading

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? This morning, thinking about my youngest daughter

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not really, sketchy now

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Liverwurst

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 3 natural, 1 adopted, 16 grandkids, 1 great-grand and about 350 in Mexico some of whom have now given me grandkids.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?  Yep, I haven't bitten anyone  lately
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?  No

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS Last time I looked they were there

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Absolutely NOT!!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Raisin Bran Crunch
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Never

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?  Emotionally, yes.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Yes . . . well . . . mostly the kind I can pour caramel sauce over - yummm

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their eyes and how their lips are shaped.

15. RED OR PINK? RED

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My pear-shaped body, LOL

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My daughter and my mom. .. .

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? It would be interesting to see how many will do it in an entry

19. WHAT COLOR  SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Shoes?

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A piece of toast

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?  Pirates on tv

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?  Purple

23. FAVORITE SMELL?  Ocean early in the morning

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My daughter a few minutes ago.

25. FAMOUS PERSON YOU WOULD LIKE TO MEET?  Abe Lincoln - oh famous now?  None that I can think of
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?  Very much
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?  Football and most Olympic sports
27. HAIR COLOR? Brown with more and more silver sprinkled in daily :(
28. EYE COLOR? Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?  I tried them back in the early 80's, but just couldn't use them.  Bifocals for me 
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Alaskan King Crab when we can get it!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Definitely Happy Endings 
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Pirates of the Caribbean - on now

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?  Light green tank top

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? It has to be summer

35. HUGS OR KISSES? in what order?  I love them both

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?  Pecan pie, warm, with vanilla ice cream

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Gonna check the links back at Donna's

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?  We'll see
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?  Just finished Piercing the Darkness  by Frank Peretti

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? My fingerprints - it's a laptop

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? A nature show

42. FAVORITE SOUND?  Sooo many . . . a whisper oflove from Rob, birds singing in the trees outside, a baby's coo

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?  Chicago

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Poetry, writing, listening

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? CA

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?  All of them :)

 

Many blessings to you all.  Love,     

 

  

           

 

 

           

               

Tags: Getting to know you

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Grrrrrrrrr!

I just made an entry :(  Lost it when I put it on spell check,  My hard drive is dying as I write.  I'm trying to find a place to put my music until the new one is in.  I just talked to Dell yesterday and the new CD drive, hard drive and power cable are here already.  Just have to wait for the technician to help me through the process.  I can't add pictures or graphics right now, because every time I try, the computer shuts down, reboots and tells me my hard drives are failing and to backup now.  Sill, I have it on now and am able to read my mail.  Fortunately, my mail and stuff will be here when the new drive has been installed and I have reinstalled AOL. 

I love you guys and as always you are in my thoughts and prayers.   Be blessed, Penny

Tags: Hard drive failure, blogplugs

Born in the USA! Happy Independence Day, Americ

                

Woo Hoo!  We are celebrating another birthday for our great country.  I am so proud to be an American!  I spent 15 years in Mexico living by their rules.  I love Mexico but I will tell you this:  I kissed the ground when I got home. 

                            

My husband is a Vietnam Veteran.  He also worked with the Navy as an ordinance man in the first Gulf War.  He fought for our nation, for our freedoms.  My father was a veteran as were his brother and mother.  Today I celebrate not only our country's veterans, but those who fight for our freedom now.  Our armed forces now are volunteers ~ how about these wonderful men and women?  Give them a hand clap!

This is a special day for all who are Americans whether born here or naturalized.  We have more freedoms than any country in the world.  We should all thank God for that. 

Love and blessings to all my J-Land friends,  Penny

                        

Tags: Fourth of July, Support our troops and veterans, freedoms, blogplugsPraise

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Sharing myself in a meme

                    

So true . . . the best part of my week was being able to do volunteer work for Habit for Humanity in my area.  I was able to use my Spanish skills and they let me do the work from home.  For most of the week I have not been well and hurting as I am today.  No problem . . . I have faith that all will be better soon.

I was reading in my friend's private journal today.  She had something called a "Silly Survey"   Since I have promised myself that I will post more often,  I decided to copy and paste giving my own answers.  I'm going to take another nap after this:

Silly survey
1. What was the highlight of your day?   Playing with the puppies
2. How many meals do you usually eat a day?  Usually two

3. What's your favorite movie? If I had to choose - My Fair Lady or King & I
4. Have you ever thought George Clooney was hot? Oh yes!!

5. Have you ever doubted your sexual orientation? No.
6. How long has it been since you have seen an ex? March this year
7. Name 5 of your best friends. My husband, Donna, Krissy, Diane,                                                                                              8. Would you ever consider moving to Zimbabwe? Depends if God called me there.                                                                       9. What would you do if someone dyed your pubic hairs bright pink permanently?  Who would do such a thing????
10. When was the last time you had Starbucks? Early this month
11. Are you single?  Very married!
12. What is your opinion on global warming.  I think something is happening, but what?
13. What about abortion?  Murdering a fetus is wrong.  

Luke 17:2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

14. Which would you rather star in: High School Musical or Striptease? Musical
15. What's the worst movie you've ever seen?  Jackass
16. How many times do you sneeze a day?  At least two or three times
17. Are you an "adult"?  Nearly a senior!
18. Where do you live? California - SoCal
19. Have you ever thought Micheal Jackson was going to kidnap you? Why would I?
20. What color hair do you have? Brown with a few strands of gray
21. Would you rather have a hybrid vehicle or a Hummer? Silly question!                                                                                                 22. Who is prettier: Angelina Jolie or Kate Bosworth?  I think Jolie is more striking.
23. What do you think about the tabloids?  Unnecessary and useless
24. Have you ever been to Texas? Passed thru Amarillo some years ago.                                                                                       25. Would you want to go? sure
26. Do you wear a watch? Nope
27. Have you ever had the sensation that you were falling while asleep?  Yes often
28. Would you rather work at Goodwill or McDonalds?  Goodwill as a volunteer 
29. What do you think about Britney Spears' 16 year old sis getting pregnant? Unfortunately, I am not shocked - so many teens are doing the same.  What happened to purity?
30. Do you recycle? ABSOLUTELY!!

I thank you for being faithful readers of my journal.  I will be posting regularly.  I will be commenting as well.  As for all of you, you are in my daily prayers. 

                     

Tags: Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, Spanish speaking, prayers for you

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Much ado . . .

               

So . . . spring has passed and we are in the throes of an early and hot summer here on the West Coast.  Just a few miles from us in Ojai, temperatures were as high as 110 degrees.  Closer in, the temperatures were in the high 80's - breaking one record here and one in Oxnard. 

I've been home for nearly 3 weeks now, yet this is my first post this month.  As all moves go, we ran into some snags.  My friends' van was not electrically ready for to tow a trailer, even though all the wiring was there.  Result:  we rented a truck.  Of course it was more money than I was prepared for and I had to rent a car to send them home.  She's handicapped and access on planes or trains is just not right for.

I left a few things up north that I will have to collect when I go for my next visit up there.  I'd go now if I could, but finances will not allow.  Besides, there are wildfires burning and my daughters and granddaughter are in danger of being evacuated.  I'd appreciate your prayers for them and their neighbors.

I got home on the 7th and Precious had her puppies on the 9th.  Both are black, but the female has splotches of brown on her paws and nose.  We have named them Shadow and Gingersnap (reach Chuck's story on Dribble).  Ginger opened her eyes yesterday and Shadow's were open this morning.  They are very tiny (mom weighs about 4 lbs).  Shadow already seems to be able to get out of the basket.  Stinker!

I have been having further neurological testing to find out the exact cause of my numbness and pain.  I am not diabetic, but my feet, ankles and hands tingle most of the time.  It hurts to walk on my feet.  I have a little scooter, but we need to make proper ramps to get it into the car.  Truth is, I know it will all work out all right.

We also have a crisis going on.  My BIL Eddie fell off a pallet at work.  He was loading gardening supplies from a high shelving unit.  He had a heart attack on the way to the hospital and has had several seizures and strokes since then.  He is now on his second bout of pneumonia and although he has been weaned off the breathing machine, he is in a coma that he is not expected to come out of.  Their son was flown home from Iraq, but now the army wants him to return.  Their daughter is with Irene, but the little granddaughter has not been able to see him.  It seems so strange, I just spent the night with them about 10 days before the accident.  We are praying for peace in their hearts and comfort.

I have offered to be a translator for Habitat for Humanity.  For the time being, I will be handling phone calls from home and sometimes in the office.  I hope to be able to go to one of the job sites to translate there.  Although we don't qualify for a home, I would love to offer my hours to others who do qualify.  As well, I am going to look into volunteering in the NICU in a local hospital.  They often need volunteers to rock and hold the babies.

Each day is a beautiful promise for me.  I love having my Internet access back, time to read or do crossword puzzles.  I have my rock tumbler ready to go and plan to make new jewelry out of old costume jewelry.  It will be a big undertaking, as my hands shake all the time.  I'll just have to work harder and plan the time to work.

As always my friends, I think about and pray for you often.  I read journals, but am often too weary to comment back.  Just know I am "lurking" in your words and enjoying your activities.

Blessings to you all,

                          

Tags: Blogplugs, Summer heat, moving snags, wildfires, neurological testing, Family medical Crisis, Volunteering, lurking/ comments, hobbies, praying for you