Thursday, December 1, 2016

Letter from home - December 2016

Dear Friends and Family,

Where to start? I guess I better just jump in. It's the first of December already. How odd, even with a chill in the air, the days are flying by! Winter is definitely here, judging by the forecast for my area. It's time to check the light bulbs under the house - we don't need any frozen pipes.
 I received my new blanket and it isn't as warm as I expected. Sigh. I'll need additional something by the end of next week. I guess I should have bought a sleeping bag.

DH has been going to the doctors. Multiple. He's had this painful thing going on in his chest and back. It was suggested that he had pleurisy although nothing showed on his x-rays. Separated ribs was the next idea. No treatment. Went to chiropractor, twice, came home more miserable. Next trip, they did a CT scan, which showed a kidney stone and spots on his kidney and a couple spots on his lungs that they figured were nothing to worry about. Then he had an ultrasound on his kidneys - he is supposed to go in in six months to be checked again. He still hurt. By now, he had been having this horrible pain for almost 3 weeks. I noticed some spots like bites on his side, chest and back. It didn't really look like the rash I had when I had the shingles, but I mentioned it to him. Back to the doctor's office. SHINGLES! He got some pills supposedly for shingles. 3 days later, (yesterday) he went to a different doctor in a different town. Yep, shingles! He now has some ointment and pain pills. He is some better today. Seems some people don't break out as bad as others and the pain is more inside than out. Doctors! I just don't trust them.

I tried doing a little Christmas shopping online. I thought I found the perfect gift for my SILs at Teleflora and when I was filling out the information, the site had me check the dates - seems as I was ordering - they ran out! I can kinda tell that shopping isn't going to be a picnic. Good thing I started early. Now, to think up something else.

Either my puny tomatoes are ripening or rottening.
 I was surprised when I looked at the 'trimmings' from a couple of weeks ago. I had stuck them into a bottle of water with idiotic thoughts of sticking them into another pot of dirt. 
 Yes, there are five tiny tomatoes growing, I was sure the blossoms would be shocked from the cutting and fall off. Tough tomato plants!

As some of you know, my printer gave me grief over the new ink and refuses to print with it. My little dream of actually making and sending out a few Christmas cards, went down the drain. I have yet to get a different printer. DH bought me a few cards to send out and I sat on the bed making them out while watching the newest DVD of Poldark

Yes, the last Poldark for the season was broadcast. No more Call the Midwife for now. Jewel in the Crown finished, as well as Indian Summers and The Durrels of Corfu. Sigh ... I checked December programming - it isn't my kind of stuff. January looks promising.

I am getting excited about Christmas - because our youngest son will be flying in for the holidays! I hope I don't go overboard and get sick. I normally don't 'Do' Christmas, but with him coming and how bad I've missed him, well, I just can't help myself! I may even do up my little trees. I have no idea what to get him, or his dad for that matter, so I search the internet in hopes I can spot the perfect gifts.

All for now, sorry this is so long. Have a great day! 

23 comments:

  1. I am jealous of your tomato success.

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  2. Wow even your cuttings have babies!
    I'm almost done with the Christmas shopping.
    I cannot stand the shopping centres during December
    Hope you are able to stay warm. Woollie bed socks would keep those tootsies warm. And a wheat bag or hot water bottle

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    1. You are so lucky to be so close to the end of Christmas shopping.
      Odd thing, my feet are always stone cold, but I cannot feel them, so it doesn't seem to matter if I wear footsies or not.

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  3. Hooray for ripening tomatoes! The ones in the bottle will also grow and ripen, that's hydroponics on a very basic level. Add a little liquid nourishment to the water, change the water daily or at least every second day, you'll get tomatoes. Don't forget to support the plant.
    I hope you find a warm enough blanket before winter really sets in. Have you thought of a feather and down quilt/doona/duvet? Or just down? Ooooh! Down filled quilted pyjamas! With feet.

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    1. I'm probably gonna have to pass on continuing with those tomatoes. It's too crowded in here as it is ...
      Down, feathers - I am so allergic. Quilted pajamas? What a thought!

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    2. Like the quilted pants and jackets Chinese peasants wear in winter, but don't get them down filled of course, since I now know you're allergic. I find it helps to have a doona/duvet under the bottom sheet as well as one over me when sleeping. Like being in a cocoon of warmth.

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    3. I'd love to own the quilted pants and jacket. Pretty ones, haha. They would have to be custom made as my body is quite disproportionate. My brother was also a cold person and he lived in an insulated 'puff' jacket nearly year round.

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  4. You can't feel your feet? That's scary.
    My dad had shingles only on the inside, years ago. Right now my niece has them.

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    1. Step on something hard or whatever, or if they are icy, No. Ram one into the doorway, H-ll yes, I can feel that, hahaha. I can feel they are cold with my hands ...
      How did they know your dad had shingles? It's upsetting that DH didn't get DXed until I thought about it and he asked.

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    2. Blood test. He became itchy and painful after visiting with my youngest brother one year who had chicken pox at the time and it's the same virus.

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  5. Sorry about the shingles, I've heard they are very painful. Now the doctor should pay you for diagnosing.

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    1. We were going by the big oozing mess I had when I had the shingles. He only had a few spots that looked like bug bites at first. (Jack had picked up a few fleas and I blamed them) Shingles are no fun, that's for sure.

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  6. It has gone from feeling like summer right into winter here. Our night time lows are now mostly below freezing.

    You are a tomato plant whisperer. They just can't help but thrive around you.

    How wonderful that your son is coming for a visit. I can relate as my son lives across the country and rarely makes it home for the holidays. (there is a chance this year but not totally worked out yet) I, too struggle with gift buying. I don't have any ideas for any of my family at this point.

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  7. That's how winter happens here, one day it's balmy and the next day, you're looking for your long johns. Seeing an awfully lot of hard frosts already, must be a pretty cold winter! I'll have to find a winter coat for my son - he's in for a shock when he gets off the plane!

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  8. Those tomatoes of yours are cah-ray-zee! And I'm super sorry about the shingles. My mom had them once and was in such pain. I hope I never get them but I don't know if heredity is a factor. Be well. And PS, I liked the long post. :)

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    1. The only way to get shingles is to have chickenpox as a child. (Which most of us did)

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  9. Oh, my, that is neat to see those tomatoes! My garden is sleeping at this point, the only plants now are a few in the green house, (ok, one bloomed, when it got in where it's warm...), and my houseplants.

    I should make you up an afghan, I like to think they are warm! Email me, if you'd like. I haven't been checking Facebook much, it helps when you aren't sneezing/coughing on the computer. Ew...

    I have had several family members with shingles. I am scared of contracting them, and I already have problems with skin sensitivity... Certainly don't need it in overdrive! Hope he recovers soon!

    Cat

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    1. I "harvested" the first tomato this morning.
      I have a couple afghans, but the dogs jump up on my bed and their claws make a mess ...
      DH is going to go to work tonight and hope he makes it through the night.

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  10. I think your tomatoes look great!! I am impressed! Shingles... they must be horrible. I hear a lot about them these days. I hope they are short lived and he does not get any sicker. I do a lot of my shopping online. I take one look at the long lines out in the crazy department store world and say forget that. Too many other options. Well hopefully you will find just the right gifts.. good luck.

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    1. It is hard to buy for my guys, as soon as they want something, they buy it. Socks are about the only thing that they will use, other things just sit in the box!
      The first tomato was good!

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  11. Shingles!!!. I don't see why they don't a lease give or make it affordable for shingle vaccine. Or lease Idaho haven't ug.
    As for blankets. Not sure what it would be call in your state. But the place you sign up to get help on your power bill could possible be giving out blankets. Our here did last year. Gave I believe each family 2.
    Coffee is on

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    Replies
    1. The shingles vaccine is only 60% sure - Not much higher than the 50-50 chance you take without the expense.
      I'm just picky about my blankets, want warmth without weight. Thanks for the heads up.

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