Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Sick granddaughter turned into worse sick...

... and turned out to be swine flu. The good news is the doctor thinks we've caught it in the 'magic window' where the antiviral medication (Tamiflu) is effective.

The bad news is that the entire family, and our entire church family have been exposed.

The other bad news is that I've been exposed and because I'm older than dirt and have medical issues, I have to take the medication also (as a preventive - and hopefully it will work). Kinda expensive stuff - but better than the flu I guess. And if I do get it, hopefully the medication will make it a lighter case.

[sigh] It's always something - but God's in charge of it all, or He's not in charge at all - so my trust is in Him!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Frosty and stuff...

Well, Frosty went back to the vet this AM for a check on his shoulder and leg. He's better, but still not 100%. She wants him to stay on the anti-inflamatory meds until they're finished and then see how he does. His age isn't in his favor at this point, but she said his size actually is. He doesn't have much weight to carry around on those tiny little legs.

My wonderful daughter is here for a few days with another grandson - so I REALLY have a houseful of teenagers.

Granddaughter came home from Youth camp sick. She went to basketball practice this am, but is now in bed with fever. We were going to a friend's pool this afternoon - but she'll be staying in bed.

Rain storm last night did cool us off a little. Think we'll only be in the 80s today - YEA!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

New Software and Dentist

No, they have absolutely nothing to do with each other.

But, once again I'm having to learn new software :-( One of my least favorite things to do. It's a free graphics program - GIMP - and I think I'm really going to like it. I actually completed a tutorial yesterday (imagine - me, reading directions and following a tutorial!). It's not nearly great, but that's how I created my new profile picture and it is really much easier than PSP7 - so there, PSP!!!

Yesterday I was "OUT" all day. It was the dreaded dentist. About my absolute least favorite thing to do - Dentist appointment was 8:30AM with 'concious sedation'. Which meant that I took Valium the night before before bed and the Halcoin as soon as I got up. Couldn't drive for 24 hours and all these meds were supposed to make me relaxed - NOT!!! I wasn't able to get to sleep till 4AM on Thursday and I was definitely not relaxed when we arrived at the dentist. They gave me another Halcoin (crushed, under my tongue) and eventually I relaxed a little.

I will say I don't remember a lot about the visit (which is really good). And the next appointment (in July) will double the meds, so hopefully will be better - especially since they'll be doing a LOT more at that trip.

It's been forever since I've been to the dentist - only go when it's absolutely necessary - but after this will "try" and maintain regular visits as I'd like to keep what teeth I have left. I will say this dentist and assistants are the best I've ever been to. April (his assistant - not sure of her title) is an absolute jewel and does her very best to make me feel comfortable.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Today is Frosty's birthday...

Doesn't seem possible. My little furbaby is 9 years old. He doesn't act 'old' - or even middle age. I've Googled dog ages and find various formulas putting him between 49 and 52 years old by human years. He's tiny (3-1/2 pounds) and I'm praying he lives MUCH, MUCH longer.

Thought I'd share some pictures.... I'd lost my last poodle (a miniature) to heart disease when he was 15 and Chuck (dh) knew I'd always wanted a tiny teacup toy poodle. He wasn't totally enthusiastic because he was afraid he'd step on him or hurt him. But... he found this little sweetheart. I wasn't sure I was ready for another dog, so we just went to "look". Frosty came home in my lap and he hasn't been far from there ever since. And he still reminds me of Chuck's love :-)

These two were made on 8/25/00 - a day or two after we brought him home.



He's a big boy of one year old here.


This is his only 'professional' picture and he not only needed a haircut, but he was definitely less than pleased about not being right next to me.


Here he is running outside in 2006. He thinks he's a farm dog and loves to run in the field after Belle (Chuck's big 55 pound red setter). I have to watch him really closely when I take him out there or he'd follow her all the way to the back of the pasture.
And, Frosty's a working dog too. I work two days a week in a local cross stitch shop and Frosty goes with me. We put a sign in the window "Frosty is in". He's the official greeter and watch dog and takes his job seriously. He knows the mornings we're getting ready to go to work and is so excited.


And here's my baby today. Isn't that the sweetest face you've ever seen.


Unfortunately Frosty is also a 'handicapped' dog. His back left leg is fused at the joint. Doesn't slow him down. In retrospect, I think the breeder was more of a puppy mill and probably doing a lot of inbreeding. He's got the best personality though and is definitely my sweetheart.

When Chuck was so sick, he and Belle both stayed on the bed close to him - it's the only time Frosty has intentionally left my side for another. And, when I was going through chemo, he stuck to me like velcro. He's such a blessing in my life.

He's having difficulty with his right front leg at the moment. We went to a new groomer (BAD decision) and he's been having trouble ever since with his leg/shoulder - and he came home with fleas :-( Of course, that required a vet visit - he's on anti-inflamatories for 10 days and then back for xrays if it's not better. She said the joint was popping in and out and she thinks his shoulder was either dislocated or certainly seriously bruised. He's supposed to be confined to "no jumping or stairs"... which is really tricky with Frosty as he's a 'jumper'. I'm carrying him down the stairs outside (down is worse than up) and trying to keep him from jumping down from chairs, etc. He's such an active little fellow and definitely "my baby".

Monday, June 22, 2009

Computers.... again

Well, I've tweaked, scanned, fixed, and it seems to be running better, so I'll put off the reformat till I have a little more time (or am more in the mood). I really need to clean a bunch of stuff off here, my old hard drive is filling up. I'd love a shiny new computer, but just can't justify the cost as long as this one is plugging along.

I'm so annoyed with Paint Shop Pro though. I'm using PSP7 and have been since it first came out. Not going to buy an upgrade. It's a memory hog, but has worked pretty well till the last couple of weeks. I was editing a massive number of photos and it locked up (not unusual). But since then, every time I open it, it opens about 12 of those old photos (that I've since deleted). and I can't do anything till I get rid of them. NOW, it won't open at all. I've uninstalled and reinstalled, repaired, and all of the above again. Won't open!

I don't really need it for editing photos, I'm now using Picasa3 which I REALLY like. However, I do need something to create graphics in. SO, guess that's my next project (since I don't have anything else to do).

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Aren't Computers Wonderful???

...well, sometimes anyway. Mine is not behaving well and I really don't have the time to do a reformat, but it may come to that. Probably clear out a lot of junk that I don't need - and it always gets some I forget that's not junk.

We lost power for 2 hours in the night last night and while it was having a few problems before, it has gotten worse. So, that may be my tomorrow's project :-(

Saturday, June 20, 2009

My new Blog

I have some great online friends who have discussed blogging a lot lately. Well, I already had a couple of blogs - but they really started out as "speciality blogs" and I decided I wanted one where I could put all sorts of things - so here we are with "All Things Iris".

I got the idea for the links at the top from Ask the Ebay Queen, but she did hers with Wordpress and while I've done that before, I just didn't have the energy at this point... so here we are on blogspot and while all of mine look different - trust me, they're all mine.

I think some of my other friends are going to follow in her footsteps, so I'll have some links to their new blogs soon.