Category Archives: Me stuff

May9

Photo Hunt-Mother

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A little late for the hunt, but now I can add ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ to all the giving, loving mothers out there!



Dianne and Sean at Epcot, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

The greatest gift in my life was to become a mom. Although I only was able to have one child, he is truly a special young man. Sean’s had a rough year since his graduation and he is still hoping to land a job related to his field. This was taken on Mother’s Day, 2005 a fun time at Epcot in Disney World.
My own mom has been struggling with issues that need to addressed and solved. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers-it’s going to be hard to get her to change her ways.

May4

Stitching Blogger Question for May

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Lovely Lee, over at Lake Stitcher is doing a month meme for cross stitchers. Here is May’s question:
There are those who enjoy the “process” of stitching. They stitch for stitching’s sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it’s not necessarily the end goal. Primarily, it’s the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.

Then there are those who are “project” stitchers. They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching.

If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be? I imagine that we could all say that we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try to pick just one. And once you’ve decided whether you’re a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if your recognize that approach in other parts of your life.

At first I thought I was a mixture of both kinds of stitchers. But after I did really think about it, I think I am a process stitcher. I say this as I can take breaks from stitching and not worry about getting something complete, unless it’s for a gift or is charity stitching. Although I love to finish something, I found it’s the last few stitches in a piece at are the most satisfying.
That being said, I will take a few photos of what I’ve been working on.
Another love in my life-collage is all about getting the pieces together to create that special piece of one-of-a-kind art. Tell me that isn’t process work?

May3

Magenta clematis

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Magenta clematis, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

It’s a great year for Clematis! I have two of my three vines in full bloom. Heading out to take more photos to clear my head soon. I have a few big projects under way-craft stuff sorting and changing winter to summer clothes. We don’t have enough closets in this house! And I do have too many clothes. I take pretty good care of them and they don’t wear out.
I had so much stuff jammed in the corner of my dining room (my craft ‘room’, but Sean’s room will be that area someday) that I opened a tin that I thought contained pens, etc. and inside were Cmas cookies! They were 4.5 months old, but looked perfect. I was mad at the stupidity of forgetting about food I spent an hour or more making -grrr!
So there is more drama going on in my extended family-one reason I can’t seem to think straight a lot of the time. I’m going down in a few days to see what I can do, if anything. It seems nothing ever changes as some people are never happy or are very stubborn. And they need help from the entire clan. Wish me luck!
Ah-the sun!

Apr12

How about this one dear?

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How about this one dear?, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Continuing with the sweet Chickadees. I just thought this was so cute, like they were house shopping.
Did a little shopping myself for a few things for the Washington, DC trip-just a few tops, shorts, pants, socks and a nightie, most bought at good ol’ Wally World. We are all coughing in the morning-allergies are murder this year. I had to get up at 6:45 am and take Clari*tin which helped.
I enjoyed yesterday going outside a lot- taking photos mainly, but missed the allergy medicine and thus had to take it this morning.
My procedure hasn’t helped that much yet, as I am still getting something-24 days after it. It’s better though, I had a feeling it wouldn’t go away all the way. I feel terrible that wonderful actress Dixie Carter died from basically not having what I had done. I guess when you are 70, they must not think in those terms. My own grandmom had a D&C in her 80s and lived to be almost 97.
Tomorrow will be getting things packed to go. We are trying to think of places in DC that we haven.’t seen. I’d like to see the Holocaust Museum or zoo. Sean’ been to the Holocaust. He’d like to see Ford’s Theater and should see Arlington Cemetery.We haven’t been down that way for over 10 yrs, so it’s a whole new world with the GPS. We are thinking about Mt. Vernon, which may be pretty this time of year. Lots to think about!

Apr7

A little raking

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I felt a bit better and wanted to get some fresh air, though it was in the high 80s. Bri had cleaned out the pond for me a few days ago and since I was in the shade, I thought ‘why not’ do a little raking? Unfortunately my pond was the watery grave for two frogs, one rather large and the other a bit smaller. If I remember correctly, one or both enjoyed ‘croaking’ very loudly in the late summer and we could hear them almost every night if the window was open. I image the 4 feet of snow on top of the pond did them in. Poor things. I am ready for some new occupants now. I got the pump running after Bri got the motor part clogged. I have a few things left to do-weeding and edging, but I was glad to rake it out. I retrieved my gazing ball from the basement and Bri found the solar lights and arranged them nicely around the pond. I love the sound of running water, especially at night, it’s very soothing.
My little pond
I felt so good after eating my roast beef hoagie (sub) that I started to rake a few other places after dinner, a yucca bed near the road and my herb bed around back. My back started to complain, so I gave up for the night.
I am coughing a bit, but the nurse on the news (yep, they have a registered nurse/reporter) said today was the worse day of the year so far for allergies. I did take my allergy medicine. I guess I am using the inhaler correctly-only 3 times so far. I really think my allergies are what are driving me batty at times. Same with the guys. Bri’s been having a rough time on the Predn*isone which he is taking to try and help him get his sense of taste and smell back. He can smell and taste some things, but on the large part, he says he isn’t tasting his food and I notice he is trying to make up for it by eating crunchy or salty foods. The med is giving him a huge appetite. Only trouble with that, I need to do one of those $250+ food orders as I haven’t shopped like that for a while.
I go for a follow-up for the procedure I had on Friday. Got the explanation of benefits from the insurance and what they are allowed to allow is ridiculous. We were quoted a price for the procedure beforehand and had to give them some money that morning. Now it looks like it will be more than twice that according to the e. of benefits. They are allowed to say they used $14k in supplies! It’s ok according to the insurance lady. I was there for 2 hours and they gave me a threadbare nightgown and footies. You call them on this stuff and no one gives you a straight answer. This is so ridiculous. Wish us luck with this bill!

Apr6

Almost summer weather

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Peachy pink rose, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Rose garden in Conservatory
Very strange spring weather here today! It got in the middle 80s! Not sure if the temp or my solo trip to my hometown yesterday set me off, but I was so miserable with hacking today, I went to the doctor. I was doing everything right, but have a little noise she didn’t like in my chest, got my first inhaler, plus got an antibiotic-asked for something that wouldn’t upset my tummy too much. I may have been able to get over this myself, I was almost there, I know it! It was the feeling of needing to expel something from my lungs and the terrible tickle that came on so suddenly. Trying to get ready for our little trip to DC next week. I want to go, but not sure if I can handle tummy upset in a strange town. I am eating yogurt to help.
I hope you like the almost perfect rose from Longwood.
I did have a nice visit for a few hours yesterday with my family, though my mom is upset about needing her sewage pipes worked on. I did fine driving there and back. A day sure makes a difference.

Mar31

Under the weather again

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Would you believe I started coming down with something Sunday night after our glorious day at Longwood? I got a tickle in my throat that lasted all Monday. By Tuesday I was (and am still) feverish with congestion and a sometimes hacking cough. If I am still hacking later today, I will try Muci*nex. I asked people about it on Face*book and many recommended it. Sean passed on his bug again. That’s what happens when you haven’t been around people for months and then are thrust into the germy public. I only cooked Monday and then we’ve had terrible take out meals-Bri can’t seem to pick out the right pizza or salad. I need to go to the grocery store as my freezer is almost empty of meat. Hope I can get my Easter dinner by at least Friday.
Bri had his MRI, got the CD, but not sure if he has to drop it off at ENT office. He was home yesterday as he wasn’t quite up to par.
One of these days we will all be healthy again ; )

Mar23

Keeping tabs

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Happy 14th to my 3rd nephew Kenny! Glad we could help him celebrate over the weekend.

Seems that illness and blahs won’t let my family be. Sean was better and now has an on and off again cough.  Says that he won’t go to dentist in a couple of days if he is still coughing-then he better hit the doctor’s office downstairs. He is taking medicine, but then laps taking it  and it comes back. Could be allergies too as they are warning us that this is going to be a rough spring for those. He is working and is pretty good and has gotten kudos on his customer skills, so much he was asked to move to customer service. He said he’d like to give the garden shop a try (that’s my boy!).

Brian went to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist today. He had his nose scoped and has ‘somewhat’ of a deviated septum. The main cause for going is his loss of most of his taste and smell since December. He’s on a medication for a month to see if that helps and he’s getting an MRI of his forehead region. And he had hearing loss too. Hope he starts to feel better soon as it’s been a rough few months for him.

My middle brother has shingles again. He felt odd at work-numbness on one side of his face. He got to the doctor today and that’s what he has and is on a very strong antibiotic.

Mom is still getting needle injections in her eyes to help her sight. I wish she’d take a cab to those appts, but they are only a few miles away.

And me-well I was feeling great on Sunday, worked outside a bit. Then I went downhill with gut issues. I had to resort to Immo*dium today (last resort it tastes so bad), but that calmed the spasms and it actually growled a few hours later. Bri bought us a rotisserie chicken and I made baked potatoes so that tasted good to me. I had no appetite yesterday. I feel like the procedure messed with my ‘delicate constitution’ maybe. I so need to do birthday shopping for Bri, who has a birthday tomorrow. I tried to get my act together for 2 days. We usually celebrate a birthday for a week (leave the cards on display), so it may have to be another day, but I know Sean has some things for his dad.

Please keep us all in your thoughts. We have a trip to take in less than a month, so will have to get well soon!

Mar16

So far so good

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Hey pals! I wanted to stop by and let you all know I am doing fine 11 hours after my end. ablation (actually had 3 things done). The only real drawback is that I was coughing through the entire procedure which made it last close to an hour (I didn’t know this, but I did see a few flashes of movement). I was very dry-hadn’t had a drink for 10 hours, they laid my head flat and put an oxygen mask on me. I had a coughing attack the night before, so it was irritated anyway. I was really hyper after they told me this and was glad when I got discharged. I am not having much discomfort at all where the procedure took place. What bothered me the most-get this-dry mouth and an irritated throat. And my knees too because I probably have arthritis in them. I tried to get comfy on the sofa, the chair and finally I used lots of Icy Hot on my knees and got in my jammies around 5 and slept for close to an hour-made the world of difference! I had only had a chicken sandwich all day. The first time I tried to eat it around 1:30, I could barely swallow a few bites. Bri watched over me well, maybe too well. He was worried about me. I asked him to go outside and start to pick up some of the fallen branches-we have tons-and he obliged. It was such a gorgeous day too. I did go out then and took a solo walk around the yard, but my throat was still funny. I thank goodness for my neti pot as it took away that ‘threads in the throat’ feeling I had (which is always on the right side, my favored side to sleep on too).

I’ve only had to take one pain pill-knock wood-an Advil. I have a prescription for Percocet, but pain pills generally make me feel sick. Crossing fingers that in the coming days I only need the Advil or Tylenol.

We had frozen pizzas and coconut shrimp that Bri mostly got ready, I can eat again! And let me tell you about the treat of the day….made right here in Philly-Zitner’s Coconut Krac eggs, my favorite Easter treat. You can order from that link! Bri finally found me some! He’d bring home another kind and I said, ‘not the krackle’.

Also hope to get outside even longer in the coming days!

Mar11

Sweetness

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Some new Easter finds

Bunny egg cup and Sparkle house from Cmas Tree shop. Love house by me.

Sean and I went out yesterday to see ‘Avatar’. When we got to the movies, a fire engine was out front. The place had been evacuated! There was a faulty hand dryer that set off the alarm. We decided to go to ‘The Christmas*Tree Shop’. Ever been to one? It’s like a Big*Lots and Dollar*General rolled into one-the prices are great! This isn’t a photo of what I bought, but I will share. This is a Snowbaby but as a Bunny baby with a tutu and a photo of my Grandmom Ruth when she was about 6, so about 1909. Miss her-it’s been almost 10 yrs since she passed away at age 96 1/2!
Dreary, wet weather is coming here. I can surely find plenty to do! Tomorrow I go to sign the papers for a gyn procedure that will hopefully make me feel so much better. I’m nervous, but the procedure is only 90 seconds!
We are going to Washington, DC next month around our 26th anniversary. Sean has a Geologist conference there. We still haven’t made hotel arrangements, but have to soon. We will miss the Cherry Blossom festival by a few days. Doesn’t mean they won’t be blooming when we are there. Photo opts!
Have a great Thursday and TGIF!