Thank goodness for medical professionals!

So this summer I split my great toenail straight down the middle.  Don't know when, how, or why it happened.  Don't remember any trauma.  Had been wearing my boots around the goats or at the barn.  In August, it started showing these growths, nodules, bumps underneath where you actually clip the toenail.  By September, it started aching especially at the end of the day after wearing shoes and standing on my feet all day teaching.  Got an appt with my doctor who referred me to a dermatologist, since it appeared that these growths were warts.  Dermatologist referred me to podiatrist as these warts were so far under the toenail, he couldn't get them all.  Podiatrist couldn't take care of them during the first appt due to them being plantar warts and they were all over under the toenail which needed to be surgically removed.  Last Friday, we had the procedure done and it has been a bear ever since.  Will definitely be happy when the new toenail starts growing and hopefully no warts appear in the future.  I know in the scheme of things it is a small procedure, but boy, am I thankful that we live in the time we do as I couldn't have done this in the ancient days.  Not fun, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  My SILs nursing skills are a fantastic boon to this family!  I am such a wuss, but she does a great job if we need her (and she never complains about doing it for free)!

The living may not always be easy . . .

Here is a short poem, Sing a Song of Summer by Kay Winters, that I came across in the Columbus Dispatch recently:

When crickets sing
their evening song
and
fireflies turn
their lanterns on
and
spiders spin
at early dawn
and weave their cobwebs
on my lawn - 
It's summer.

Although some of our summer has appeared as the poem states, the majority of this summer has been putting out fires.  Fortunately, they haven't been big fires, just inconvenient, minor ones.  Our largest and saddest event was the passing of Darin's grandmother from Alzheimer's.  She lived a long and full life, however, the disease left her as a shell of her true self.  I am very much aware of her presence since Darin purchased her home that we live in, even though I never knew her in it.  Some of her things and memories are still here, but it doesn't bother me that these items haven't found a different home yet.  Someday they will, but until then, I get to browse every once in a while and discover her all over again.

Lots more to tell, including my 30th high school reunion, but it will have to wait until another time.

Pinterest Addict

It has been a new day in social media for me.  I have finally signed up for a Pinterest account and am thrilled with all the ideas, pictures, dreams, and creativity that is out there on the world wide web.  This could get out of hand at some point, but I am still rational at this time.  The weekends are when I seem to be looking, browsing, and pinning.  What fun!

Have a quick March.  The end of the third nine weeks is almost here!  Easter is around the corner and time is flying by so fast.  Hoping to get new glasses, maybe a new prescription as I think my bifocals need to be stronger.  Reading is getting difficult again, but maybe it is because my eyes get tired more often.

Snowy is a great cat, except that he is still learning boundaries.  The car seems to be his favorite place to sleep at night, but maybe once summer comes, he will change his location.  He dutifully waits for us to come home each day on the front porch.  We yell at him driving into the driveway to get the mail and he comes running to the garage!  He is hungry and thirsty and quite glad to see us.  He is a sweet cat, smart, and has already shown his gratitude by catching two mice and a bird.  Hopefully, he will keep our yard rodent free!

A little late . . .

Bugs Bunny Video

A morning for wasting time on the web . . . Here is a short clip celebrating 2013!

Snowy arrival!

Snowy came into our lives on Monday, December 31, 2012.  What an addition to our household!  He arrived neutered, with all his claws, and a penchant for purring.  Took him to the vet, who discovered a terrible case of worms (gave him worm meds), fleas (gave him Revolution), an ear infection (have to give him ear drops twice a day, but no mites), and all his vaccinations and shots.  Seems to be in good health otherwise and has provided Zane and I many moments of merriment.  Snowy is definitely a kitten, the vet took one look at his teeth and pronounced him under a year, and definitely acts like one.  Full of spunk, loves to chase the laser beam and a cat toy, he is getting acclimated to being outside for the majority of the day.  Zane named him Snowy because he came during a real snowfall and I only found him because of his black patches.  Isn't he cute????  We are hoping for a long life, just like Six had with us.

January 2013

Another year has passed and it was chalk full of life, ups and downs, goods and not-so-goods.  Definitely a packed year!  Time for marching on and seeing what the future holds, including a thirty year reunion.

Have set up a Skype account finally.  We had a great group conference video chat for our KRC and are planning a get together this year.  I am hoping to contact my cousin across the pond and keep in touch with him better this year.  Technology is truly amazing!

School is halfway through for the year.  Unbelievable how times flies as you get older.  It will be June before I know it.  Grades are due and lots going on until spring break.  Should make the time fly even faster.  Everyone is healthy and even though the flu season is here and many are ill, we seem to have survived so far.

Reading on the Kindle like a fiend.  It is so good to read again for fun.  Although I miss going to the library, you can't beat the convenience of the Kindle.  Log on, find a book, check it out, and never deplete your gas tank!  What a deal!

Still putting away Christmas decorations, but this should be the last.  Finally!

Shutterfly Christmas 2012 Photo Card

Joy Love Story Holiday

holiday party invitations and thank you cards by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.