Hello Everyone,
Mike passed his second major hurdle with toilet training. After a week of using the full tray, we cut out the first hole. It has gotten a lot of giggles from us. It looks a lot like a sex toy depicting a certain part of the female anatomy.
So, I brought Mike into the bathroom last night, set him up on the bathtub and showed him the change. I mixed cat nip into the litter and soon he was up exploring. The first step was a bit scary for him since the tray flexed a bit (vs completely solid). And he sniffed a lot around the hole. And after some investigation, he jumped down and got a kitty treat.
This morning, Jerry got up and checked to see if Mike had used the tray.
Nope.
He then got dressed and checked again.
Yep!
Mike very proudly came into our room for cuddles and treats.
My dumb cat has us trained very well.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Jack
Hello Everyone,
Our household went very quiet this morning when we saw the news that Jack Layton passed away. I may not have always agreed with him but I had a lot of respect for his passion and committment to making Canada a better country.
Text of Jack Layton's letter to Canadians
By The Canadian Press | The Canadian Press – 2 hours 40 minutes ago
..TORONTO - Jack Layton's family has released a letter the federal NDP leader wrote just two days prior to his death today at the age of 61. The text of that letter follows.
August 20, 2011
Toronto, Ontario
Dear Friends,
Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.
Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.
I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.
I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.
A few additional thoughts:
To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.
To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.
To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.
To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.
To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.
And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
All my very best,
Jack Layton
Our household went very quiet this morning when we saw the news that Jack Layton passed away. I may not have always agreed with him but I had a lot of respect for his passion and committment to making Canada a better country.
Text of Jack Layton's letter to Canadians
By The Canadian Press | The Canadian Press – 2 hours 40 minutes ago
..TORONTO - Jack Layton's family has released a letter the federal NDP leader wrote just two days prior to his death today at the age of 61. The text of that letter follows.
August 20, 2011
Toronto, Ontario
Dear Friends,
Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.
Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.
I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.
I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.
A few additional thoughts:
To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.
To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.
To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.
To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.
To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.
And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
All my very best,
Jack Layton
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Couch!
Hello Everyone,
Yes, after months of waiting, our couch is now in our livingroom. It is very comfortable. When I sit on it, my feet don't dangle and when I stretch out, my feet don't fall off the end or get squished by the arm. We took the night off from apartment stuff, rented a movie and had popcorn.
It was wonderful.
The apartment is coming along and I hope to have photos in the next week or two.
Mike has gone to the bathroom on the toilet! We have a tray that sits between the toilet and seat that has litter in it. Progressively, we remove a ring inside until he is able to go using the seat itself. We're still at the first stage. This morning, while getting ready for work, Mike jumped up and went (which I thought was very odd cat behaviour). But he gets fish flakes every time he does so...
The bike frame I wanted to order didn't have the colours I wanted this year (end of season). So, I picked up a track frame for the same price on eBay. I have some parts on order with the bike shop so once everything arrives, I'll have a new Polly. I'm very excited. She will be very dark green sparkly with chrome on the fork and end of the seat stay. I think I will rename her to "Mary" since it is a Mercier frame. We'll see.
Jerry re-applied for Canada Post and passed the first stage. He has an interview next week. It's on-call part-time to start but it's how you get started with them.
Have a great day!
Yes, after months of waiting, our couch is now in our livingroom. It is very comfortable. When I sit on it, my feet don't dangle and when I stretch out, my feet don't fall off the end or get squished by the arm. We took the night off from apartment stuff, rented a movie and had popcorn.
It was wonderful.
The apartment is coming along and I hope to have photos in the next week or two.
Mike has gone to the bathroom on the toilet! We have a tray that sits between the toilet and seat that has litter in it. Progressively, we remove a ring inside until he is able to go using the seat itself. We're still at the first stage. This morning, while getting ready for work, Mike jumped up and went (which I thought was very odd cat behaviour). But he gets fish flakes every time he does so...
The bike frame I wanted to order didn't have the colours I wanted this year (end of season). So, I picked up a track frame for the same price on eBay. I have some parts on order with the bike shop so once everything arrives, I'll have a new Polly. I'm very excited. She will be very dark green sparkly with chrome on the fork and end of the seat stay. I think I will rename her to "Mary" since it is a Mercier frame. We'll see.
Jerry re-applied for Canada Post and passed the first stage. He has an interview next week. It's on-call part-time to start but it's how you get started with them.
Have a great day!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
A lovely weekend
Hello Everyone,
So we had a nice time in Ontario. We flew in on the Thursday before the long weekend and the airport shuttle dropped us off right at the cottage. We were able to take transit to the airport, which was a nice budget break. The water was wonderful and it was great to see everyone. On Monday we arrived Chesley. Tuesday was Keady and it was super hot. It was nice to get fresh produce at a proper farmer's market, not what we have here. We have cheaper prices in the grocery store and most of the produce is celophane packaged and imported. We went up to Tobermory on Thursday and played on Flowerpot Island.
Saturday was the afternoon social and I enjoyed catching up with everyone. AndvJerry had fun too, putting faces with names and stories I've told him.
We flew back on Sunday. Mike missed us terribly and I think Whiskers did too. We came to an apartment filled with boxes and we are working through them slowly. Our new couch is scheduled for delivery on Wednesday and I will be very happy when it does. It will make it much easier to tie the livingroom together.
I have sold Sasha the roadbike and put the money toward Polly 2.0 Although Polly is a great ride, the frame was designed for gears which means there are guides on the top tube. They cause bruises on the inner thigh if you're not paying attention. My new frame will be clean lines, grey with a pink fork. I'll take most of the componentns from Polly and maybe a few from Charlotte to build a fabulous new bike. I'm very excited. It'll probably be a month or so before everything is done.
So after we visited BikeBike, we went for a leisurly ride along the Elbow River, went around the Stampede grounds, through a couple parks and then went home along the Bow River. It was very relaxing to do a ride like this - it's been a long time since we've done one and we hope to make it part of our regular routine.
Today we floated down the Bow on inner tubes.
A lovely weekend.
So we had a nice time in Ontario. We flew in on the Thursday before the long weekend and the airport shuttle dropped us off right at the cottage. We were able to take transit to the airport, which was a nice budget break. The water was wonderful and it was great to see everyone. On Monday we arrived Chesley. Tuesday was Keady and it was super hot. It was nice to get fresh produce at a proper farmer's market, not what we have here. We have cheaper prices in the grocery store and most of the produce is celophane packaged and imported. We went up to Tobermory on Thursday and played on Flowerpot Island.
Saturday was the afternoon social and I enjoyed catching up with everyone. AndvJerry had fun too, putting faces with names and stories I've told him.
We flew back on Sunday. Mike missed us terribly and I think Whiskers did too. We came to an apartment filled with boxes and we are working through them slowly. Our new couch is scheduled for delivery on Wednesday and I will be very happy when it does. It will make it much easier to tie the livingroom together.
I have sold Sasha the roadbike and put the money toward Polly 2.0 Although Polly is a great ride, the frame was designed for gears which means there are guides on the top tube. They cause bruises on the inner thigh if you're not paying attention. My new frame will be clean lines, grey with a pink fork. I'll take most of the componentns from Polly and maybe a few from Charlotte to build a fabulous new bike. I'm very excited. It'll probably be a month or so before everything is done.
So after we visited BikeBike, we went for a leisurly ride along the Elbow River, went around the Stampede grounds, through a couple parks and then went home along the Bow River. It was very relaxing to do a ride like this - it's been a long time since we've done one and we hope to make it part of our regular routine.
Today we floated down the Bow on inner tubes.
A lovely weekend.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
It put a smile on my face
Goldfish survive in earthquake city
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Two goldfish have survived 134 days without food after the earthquake in New Zealand
Two goldfish have survived 134 days since a devastating earthquake hit New Zealand without any pet food or electricity to power their tank filter.
The goldfish, named Shaggy and Daphne after characters in the television show Scooby Doo, were in a 26-gallon tank in the reception area at Quantum Chartered Accountants in Christchurch when the earthquake struck, killing 181 people.
It was only this month that Quantum workers were allowed back into the building and found the fish alive.
Curator Paul Clarkson at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California said bacteria may have kept the water clean enough to sustain life and the fish may have eaten algae growing in the tank.
Three companion goldfish - presumably called Scooby, Fred and Velma - disappeared without any trace.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Two goldfish have survived 134 days without food after the earthquake in New Zealand
Two goldfish have survived 134 days since a devastating earthquake hit New Zealand without any pet food or electricity to power their tank filter.
The goldfish, named Shaggy and Daphne after characters in the television show Scooby Doo, were in a 26-gallon tank in the reception area at Quantum Chartered Accountants in Christchurch when the earthquake struck, killing 181 people.
It was only this month that Quantum workers were allowed back into the building and found the fish alive.
Curator Paul Clarkson at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California said bacteria may have kept the water clean enough to sustain life and the fish may have eaten algae growing in the tank.
Three companion goldfish - presumably called Scooby, Fred and Velma - disappeared without any trace.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Busy Weekend
Hello Everyone,
So Jerry and I did the GranFondo, 100 km on Sunday (my computer had 103.6 km and a co-worker had 110 km for the actual distance). My longest ride yet - average speed 19.1 km/hr (I was hoping for 20 but am happy with above 18), top speed was 52 (headwind), time was aroung 5:15 (I accidently resumed my bike computer going from the finish to the car). It wasn't the 140 km I was hoping for but I wasn't properly trained for the longer distance. I had also fooled around with my saddle distance the night before, which resulted in a very painful neck and upper shoulders. I got rather bored during the ride and I don't think long rides are for me. It was too much like exercise. I like city riding. You can still get a great work-out but you have to be a lot more alert and there are always things going on around you. And biking to a destination (farmer's market, park etc) does not seem like work. I think I will try mountain biking next year. There's a program at Can-Olympic Park for women to learn and you can rent the bikes there too.
The house is almost ready for inspection. We hired a guy on Saturday to haul a load to the dump and the garage is tidied up. I just have to patch holes in the wall, paint touch-ups, sweep/mop the floor and clean the washer/dryer. Then it's just yard work and we're done. The apartment is a crazy mess of boxes but we're going to leave everything as is until we're back from Ontario. And our couch should be ready for us then too and I'm really looking foward to it.
Very much looking forward to our vacation and having a chance to relax.
Have a great day!
So Jerry and I did the GranFondo, 100 km on Sunday (my computer had 103.6 km and a co-worker had 110 km for the actual distance). My longest ride yet - average speed 19.1 km/hr (I was hoping for 20 but am happy with above 18), top speed was 52 (headwind), time was aroung 5:15 (I accidently resumed my bike computer going from the finish to the car). It wasn't the 140 km I was hoping for but I wasn't properly trained for the longer distance. I had also fooled around with my saddle distance the night before, which resulted in a very painful neck and upper shoulders. I got rather bored during the ride and I don't think long rides are for me. It was too much like exercise. I like city riding. You can still get a great work-out but you have to be a lot more alert and there are always things going on around you. And biking to a destination (farmer's market, park etc) does not seem like work. I think I will try mountain biking next year. There's a program at Can-Olympic Park for women to learn and you can rent the bikes there too.
The house is almost ready for inspection. We hired a guy on Saturday to haul a load to the dump and the garage is tidied up. I just have to patch holes in the wall, paint touch-ups, sweep/mop the floor and clean the washer/dryer. Then it's just yard work and we're done. The apartment is a crazy mess of boxes but we're going to leave everything as is until we're back from Ontario. And our couch should be ready for us then too and I'm really looking foward to it.
Very much looking forward to our vacation and having a chance to relax.
Have a great day!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Bike Ride
Hello Everyone,
Mike & Whiskers went on their first bike ride last night. I sat in the cargo bike and had Whiskers beside me in a bag. Mike sat on my lap. Both did very well.
Last night was our first night at the new apartment and it felt great to be sleeping on our mattress again. It's starting to come together. We are having a cleaner come on Thursday and someone to haul away our garbage on Saturday.
Have a great day!
Mike & Whiskers went on their first bike ride last night. I sat in the cargo bike and had Whiskers beside me in a bag. Mike sat on my lap. Both did very well.
Last night was our first night at the new apartment and it felt great to be sleeping on our mattress again. It's starting to come together. We are having a cleaner come on Thursday and someone to haul away our garbage on Saturday.
Have a great day!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Poor Mike
Hello Everyone,
So, Mike has been escaping the backyard and getting into trouble. He was sitting on the front porch (like usual) when we got back from our final load last night. He didn't act like his usual needy self and he was missing his collar.
This morning, he hid from us and didn't want to eat.
I came home around 1:30 and there was a terrible smell in the house - sweet icky smell (of infection). Mike's right ear was all yucky inside so we went to the vet.
It turns out he was in a fight with another cat and got bit inside his ear. The vet couldn't tell if it was just the one or if there was a second nip too. It got infected. And it was draining inside.
Poor sweetie. He was in a lot of pain.
So, he got a pain killer, a shot, and now we have to give him penicilin twice a day and put drops in his ear once a day.
He's been slumping around the house all afternoon into early evening.
But on a later load, he came upstairs and sat in the window. And he went out on the front porch to watch me load a few things.
He doesn't like the pills or drops.
We've got most of our stuff moved over to the new place. $1 obo garage sale on Saturday. And we'll move in on Sunday.
And I hope you will all be able to come to mom & dad's on the Saturday after the long weekend to meet Jerry.
Have a great day!
So, Mike has been escaping the backyard and getting into trouble. He was sitting on the front porch (like usual) when we got back from our final load last night. He didn't act like his usual needy self and he was missing his collar.
This morning, he hid from us and didn't want to eat.
I came home around 1:30 and there was a terrible smell in the house - sweet icky smell (of infection). Mike's right ear was all yucky inside so we went to the vet.
It turns out he was in a fight with another cat and got bit inside his ear. The vet couldn't tell if it was just the one or if there was a second nip too. It got infected. And it was draining inside.
Poor sweetie. He was in a lot of pain.
So, he got a pain killer, a shot, and now we have to give him penicilin twice a day and put drops in his ear once a day.
He's been slumping around the house all afternoon into early evening.
But on a later load, he came upstairs and sat in the window. And he went out on the front porch to watch me load a few things.
He doesn't like the pills or drops.
We've got most of our stuff moved over to the new place. $1 obo garage sale on Saturday. And we'll move in on Sunday.
And I hope you will all be able to come to mom & dad's on the Saturday after the long weekend to meet Jerry.
Have a great day!
Monday, July 11, 2011
What a weekend
Hello Everyone,
It was just one of those weekends. On Saturday, we headed out for Banff and ran into wind. Steady 30 km/hr head wind. Averaging 12 km/hr. We got as far as Ghost Lake (40 km from Calgary) when we called it. Luckily the hotel was able to move our reservation to September so we have a nice vacation in the fall.
Came home and went to a Stampede party that evening. Went to the Stampede grounds on Sunday.
We went on a couple midway rides, ate deep fried macaroni and cheese & a bag of cotton candy. Watched the cattle cutting. Got a few things at the market. Had a fun and relaxing time.
This week will be a busy one with Stampede functions and moving. We will likely be moved into the new place by the end of the week. The cable/internet/phone gets hooked up on Wednesday. I am very much looking forward to our dishwasher. We are also looking at a portable two-in-one washer/dryer. They're the ones you hook up to your kitchen sink. We priced it out and we would make our money back in one year by the time you consider the cost of the coin machines downstairs and the convenience of having an in-suite. Does anyone have experience with these? It looks like there are two types - regular and steam.
Have a great day!
It was just one of those weekends. On Saturday, we headed out for Banff and ran into wind. Steady 30 km/hr head wind. Averaging 12 km/hr. We got as far as Ghost Lake (40 km from Calgary) when we called it. Luckily the hotel was able to move our reservation to September so we have a nice vacation in the fall.
Came home and went to a Stampede party that evening. Went to the Stampede grounds on Sunday.
We went on a couple midway rides, ate deep fried macaroni and cheese & a bag of cotton candy. Watched the cattle cutting. Got a few things at the market. Had a fun and relaxing time.
This week will be a busy one with Stampede functions and moving. We will likely be moved into the new place by the end of the week. The cable/internet/phone gets hooked up on Wednesday. I am very much looking forward to our dishwasher. We are also looking at a portable two-in-one washer/dryer. They're the ones you hook up to your kitchen sink. We priced it out and we would make our money back in one year by the time you consider the cost of the coin machines downstairs and the convenience of having an in-suite. Does anyone have experience with these? It looks like there are two types - regular and steam.
Have a great day!
Monday, July 04, 2011
busy weekend
Hello Everyone,
So we have everything that requires a truck now in the new apartment. I am tired, sore and bruised. But, I'm glad that's done and we can slowly put the little things in. I can only do an hour or so each night until Wednesday as I have my exam that night. We have a lot of down-sizing to do.
I spent Friday bringing small items over in the cargo bike. Jerry got his mountain time and had fun playing on a glacier. Some of the loads were up to 200 lbs and because of its design, I didn't have a problem. I moved mostly boxes but Jerry moved the bed frame and kitchen table for me. I then brought over the kitchen chairs.
Thursday was my IUD insertion and it suprised me how bad I felt afterward. I didn't take ibuprofen beforehand like they recommended as I thought it was only to handle the cramps of the other prescription I took. It turns out I should have because it would have already been in my system and made everything less painful. The procedure was very quick but afterward I felt nausous, weak, sleepy, crampy and irritable. Luckily I brought a very supportive friend and I felt better once the ibuprofen kicked in. Oh, and the ice-cream. I recovered quickly though and felt fine Friday afternoon.
Mike the bulimic kitty is rather upset with the crazy household. Whiskers doesn't seem to mind as we have been leaving her outside to play. Mike has been hiding in various rooms, gobbling down his food and then promptly throwing it up on our stuff.
This weekend we plan to cycle to Banff and back. It will be a crazy long bike ride and I'm a bit nervous of the distance - 130km each way. It's a climb up but Jerry keeps telling me the ride back is quite quick.
Have a great day!
So we have everything that requires a truck now in the new apartment. I am tired, sore and bruised. But, I'm glad that's done and we can slowly put the little things in. I can only do an hour or so each night until Wednesday as I have my exam that night. We have a lot of down-sizing to do.
I spent Friday bringing small items over in the cargo bike. Jerry got his mountain time and had fun playing on a glacier. Some of the loads were up to 200 lbs and because of its design, I didn't have a problem. I moved mostly boxes but Jerry moved the bed frame and kitchen table for me. I then brought over the kitchen chairs.
Thursday was my IUD insertion and it suprised me how bad I felt afterward. I didn't take ibuprofen beforehand like they recommended as I thought it was only to handle the cramps of the other prescription I took. It turns out I should have because it would have already been in my system and made everything less painful. The procedure was very quick but afterward I felt nausous, weak, sleepy, crampy and irritable. Luckily I brought a very supportive friend and I felt better once the ibuprofen kicked in. Oh, and the ice-cream. I recovered quickly though and felt fine Friday afternoon.
Mike the bulimic kitty is rather upset with the crazy household. Whiskers doesn't seem to mind as we have been leaving her outside to play. Mike has been hiding in various rooms, gobbling down his food and then promptly throwing it up on our stuff.
This weekend we plan to cycle to Banff and back. It will be a crazy long bike ride and I'm a bit nervous of the distance - 130km each way. It's a climb up but Jerry keeps telling me the ride back is quite quick.
Have a great day!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
stupid charity
Hello Everyone,
stupid charity
putting pretty cupcakes out on a table
forcing me to put a yummy chocolate cupcake with floral decoration into my tummy
now i want more cupcakes
stupid charity
putting pretty cupcakes out on a table
forcing me to put a yummy chocolate cupcake with floral decoration into my tummy
now i want more cupcakes
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Things coming along
Hello Everyone,
I did a big school push last night and finished the assignment I needed to do for my payroll course last week. So, I'm rather tired today but it's one less thing on my mind. My course was on benefits and compensation and was more interesting than I expected. Basically I learned about group benefits packages - health, dental, flex plans, life insurance, etc. My final assignment was to advise a new owner what kind of package would be suitable for his company.
Tomorrow is Mike's annual vet appointment. Hopefully he's on his best kitty behaviour.
I've started changing our utilities over to the new address. We get possession as of the 1st (maybe sooner). I'm very super excited. Since it's not far from our current place, I'll move little things each night using my little old lady cart. We can also move boxes in Jerry's cargo bike as it can hold 5 file boxes. We also brought our diningroom table set home that way in the fall. That will leave just a few large items that we'll need a vehicle for. Jerry hopes to borrow a truck from work. I have someone from work interested in taking our garden.
No plans for the long weekend. I am having an IUD insertion on the Thursday so I plan to take it easy. Jerry hopes to go to the mountains and snowboard down Rae Glacier. I have no desire to see snow in summer. It will mean quiet time for moving a few things, study time and I can complete my final assignment for Statistics. After this course, I think I'll take a month or two off. I need a break. I will be at the almost half-way point of my studies - 6 classes done, 7 to go once that course finishes up.
It was a rainy weekend and we were in Lethbridge visiting Jerry's family. Our rental had a sun roof and I had a lot of fun playing with it. If you stick your hands up and down, the person driving can feel it in the steering wheel. Today looks like a nice day and we finally have some proper sun.
Have a great day!
I did a big school push last night and finished the assignment I needed to do for my payroll course last week. So, I'm rather tired today but it's one less thing on my mind. My course was on benefits and compensation and was more interesting than I expected. Basically I learned about group benefits packages - health, dental, flex plans, life insurance, etc. My final assignment was to advise a new owner what kind of package would be suitable for his company.
Tomorrow is Mike's annual vet appointment. Hopefully he's on his best kitty behaviour.
I've started changing our utilities over to the new address. We get possession as of the 1st (maybe sooner). I'm very super excited. Since it's not far from our current place, I'll move little things each night using my little old lady cart. We can also move boxes in Jerry's cargo bike as it can hold 5 file boxes. We also brought our diningroom table set home that way in the fall. That will leave just a few large items that we'll need a vehicle for. Jerry hopes to borrow a truck from work. I have someone from work interested in taking our garden.
No plans for the long weekend. I am having an IUD insertion on the Thursday so I plan to take it easy. Jerry hopes to go to the mountains and snowboard down Rae Glacier. I have no desire to see snow in summer. It will mean quiet time for moving a few things, study time and I can complete my final assignment for Statistics. After this course, I think I'll take a month or two off. I need a break. I will be at the almost half-way point of my studies - 6 classes done, 7 to go once that course finishes up.
It was a rainy weekend and we were in Lethbridge visiting Jerry's family. Our rental had a sun roof and I had a lot of fun playing with it. If you stick your hands up and down, the person driving can feel it in the steering wheel. Today looks like a nice day and we finally have some proper sun.
Have a great day!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Apartment search - part 2
Hello Everyone,
Happy dance!
I just got word this morning that the apartment we loved is ours. We sign the papers tonight.
Yippee!
Happy dance!
I just got word this morning that the apartment we loved is ours. We sign the papers tonight.
Yippee!
Apartment seaching
Hello Everyone,
Yep, the search is on. We gave our notice to move out at the end of July. Keith is moving out at the end of the month and our house is too big, the rent is too high, there's too much work and the utilities are crazy.
We're looking for a 2 bedroom suite that allows pets in the general area we're currently in.
As soon as you add in the pets, you go from 7 pages of listings to 2.5.
We fell in love with one that we saw on Wednesday but haven't heard back yet. Will follow up with them later today. We saw a small place last night that I didn't like and we have another one to see tonight. There are also a few more I want to check out.
We weren't planning to move so soon but there was a lot available and the first place required us to give our notice since they would be phoning our current landlord. And it will mean a better chance to avoid the students. And we'd have a month to downsize and move. Which I like. It's expensive since you're paying rent at two places but the stress level is less than half and it'll be a considerable downsize.
We've donated a bunch of "stuff" already and a few furniture pieces. I think we're dropping off electronics this weekend.
We're heading to Lethbridge for the weekend to visit with Jerry's family.
And I have no idea what we're doing with the garden yet.
Have a good day!
Yep, the search is on. We gave our notice to move out at the end of July. Keith is moving out at the end of the month and our house is too big, the rent is too high, there's too much work and the utilities are crazy.
We're looking for a 2 bedroom suite that allows pets in the general area we're currently in.
As soon as you add in the pets, you go from 7 pages of listings to 2.5.
We fell in love with one that we saw on Wednesday but haven't heard back yet. Will follow up with them later today. We saw a small place last night that I didn't like and we have another one to see tonight. There are also a few more I want to check out.
We weren't planning to move so soon but there was a lot available and the first place required us to give our notice since they would be phoning our current landlord. And it will mean a better chance to avoid the students. And we'd have a month to downsize and move. Which I like. It's expensive since you're paying rent at two places but the stress level is less than half and it'll be a considerable downsize.
We've donated a bunch of "stuff" already and a few furniture pieces. I think we're dropping off electronics this weekend.
We're heading to Lethbridge for the weekend to visit with Jerry's family.
And I have no idea what we're doing with the garden yet.
Have a good day!
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Scary News with a Happy Ending
Hello Everyone,
So Joseph had an accident on Tuesday. He was up in Greg & Stacey's room and fell through the screen of the window onto the porch.
They airlifted him to London (a helicopter adventure) and did all sorts of test.
The result? A concussion, a fractured cheekbone and a broken arm.
That's it! It's amazing what children's bodies are capable of handling. His arm is casted "It's stuck" and is already starting to heal. His cheekbone stayed in place and they don't need to do anything with it and the swelling around his eye has come down.
So, when we come visit in a couple months, he'll be able to compare arm breaks with Uncle Jerry (who has some "cool looking" scars from his).
Mom said that he's eaten yougurt and is sitting up. Cast'll be on for probably 4 weeks or so. The big thing will be to keep him slowed down enough that he doesn't wack his head again until it's fully healed.
Maddy can't wait for Joseph to come home so she can colour his cast.
So Joseph had an accident on Tuesday. He was up in Greg & Stacey's room and fell through the screen of the window onto the porch.
They airlifted him to London (a helicopter adventure) and did all sorts of test.
The result? A concussion, a fractured cheekbone and a broken arm.
That's it! It's amazing what children's bodies are capable of handling. His arm is casted "It's stuck" and is already starting to heal. His cheekbone stayed in place and they don't need to do anything with it and the swelling around his eye has come down.
So, when we come visit in a couple months, he'll be able to compare arm breaks with Uncle Jerry (who has some "cool looking" scars from his).
Mom said that he's eaten yougurt and is sitting up. Cast'll be on for probably 4 weeks or so. The big thing will be to keep him slowed down enough that he doesn't wack his head again until it's fully healed.
Maddy can't wait for Joseph to come home so she can colour his cast.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tour de France news
Hello Everyone,
It's just over a month until the Tour starts (July 2-24) and I was on their website checking things out. My cute Schleck brothers have moved to a new team, Leopard Trek (apparently pronounced lay-o-pard rather than the funnier leopard).
And it's the 100th anniversary of a crazy climb - the galibier
In 2011, the Tour will celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the first crossing of the galibier by the peloton, the mountain pass which has been visited the most by the race. The finishing line of the 18th stage will be marked out there at an altitude of 2, 645 metres!
The Tour’s peloton had hardly recovered from the shock of discovering the Col d’Aubisque and the Col du Tourmalet, on its trip to the Pyrenees during the 1910 Tour. And now there was talk of a new summit to be climbed, another whim resulting from the imagination of Henri Desgrange and Alphonse Steinès, the adventure enthusiasts. In 1911, the Tour de France’s peloton began its assault on the Galibier which was even higher, even harder and even colder than anything that any of the cyclists had ever experienced.
After expressing anger and hostility, the riders, who were perched between heaven and earth, were in fact fascinated by the setting and were conscious of the feat to be achieved. “It knocks you for six”, uttered proudly to spectators, émile Georget, the first rider to climb up to the summit of the Col du Galibier, at an altitude of 2, 556 metres, on 10 July 1911. The pioneer of pioneers, who did not get off his bicycle once during the entire ascent, had just completed the 34-kilometre climb, from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, via the Col du Télégraphe. As he was very impressed by the spectacular encounter of these heroes and was amazed by the historic day that had just been experienced by the Tour, Henri Desgrange wrote a hymn of worship for the riders in L’Auto (the daily sports paper):
“Haven’t they got wings, our men who have been able to climb up to heights where even eagles don’t fly? … Oh Sappey, Oh Laffrey, Oh Col Bayard, Oh Tourmalet! I shall not fail in my duty to proclaim to the world that you are like an insignificant and common beer compared to the Galibier: all one can do before this giant is doff one’s hat and bow.”
Out of respect for the prophecy of the Tour’s founder, cyclists have appeared before this giant for one hundred years with the same humility. Some of them have overcome it, and have even succeeded in using its steepests lopes to create a name for themselves. Gino Bartali, for example, succeeded in getting rid of the threat of Louison Bobet by dominating the Galibier, in 1948. However four years later, he suffered from the advent of the younger generation, due to the performance achieved by Fausto Coppi: “He’s like a cable-car on a steel wire rope”, said Jacques Goddet, with great enthusiasm, at the time.
Subsequently, Bahamontes, Gaul, Merckx, Zoetemelk, Ocana and Pantani have all gone over the summit first, which has moreover increased by one hundred or so metres since the tunnel was closed and the new road was built. And in 2011, a new name will become legendary, with the first finish judged at the summit of the Col du Galibier. At an altitude of 2, 645 metres, it will be the highest finish in the Tour’s history.
Super cool exciting, eh?
Oh, and TSN won the broadcasting rights so we don't have to subscribe to extra cable channels for the month. Happy dance!
It's just over a month until the Tour starts (July 2-24) and I was on their website checking things out. My cute Schleck brothers have moved to a new team, Leopard Trek (apparently pronounced lay-o-pard rather than the funnier leopard).
And it's the 100th anniversary of a crazy climb - the galibier
In 2011, the Tour will celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the first crossing of the galibier by the peloton, the mountain pass which has been visited the most by the race. The finishing line of the 18th stage will be marked out there at an altitude of 2, 645 metres!
The Tour’s peloton had hardly recovered from the shock of discovering the Col d’Aubisque and the Col du Tourmalet, on its trip to the Pyrenees during the 1910 Tour. And now there was talk of a new summit to be climbed, another whim resulting from the imagination of Henri Desgrange and Alphonse Steinès, the adventure enthusiasts. In 1911, the Tour de France’s peloton began its assault on the Galibier which was even higher, even harder and even colder than anything that any of the cyclists had ever experienced.
After expressing anger and hostility, the riders, who were perched between heaven and earth, were in fact fascinated by the setting and were conscious of the feat to be achieved. “It knocks you for six”, uttered proudly to spectators, émile Georget, the first rider to climb up to the summit of the Col du Galibier, at an altitude of 2, 556 metres, on 10 July 1911. The pioneer of pioneers, who did not get off his bicycle once during the entire ascent, had just completed the 34-kilometre climb, from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, via the Col du Télégraphe. As he was very impressed by the spectacular encounter of these heroes and was amazed by the historic day that had just been experienced by the Tour, Henri Desgrange wrote a hymn of worship for the riders in L’Auto (the daily sports paper):
“Haven’t they got wings, our men who have been able to climb up to heights where even eagles don’t fly? … Oh Sappey, Oh Laffrey, Oh Col Bayard, Oh Tourmalet! I shall not fail in my duty to proclaim to the world that you are like an insignificant and common beer compared to the Galibier: all one can do before this giant is doff one’s hat and bow.”
Out of respect for the prophecy of the Tour’s founder, cyclists have appeared before this giant for one hundred years with the same humility. Some of them have overcome it, and have even succeeded in using its steepests lopes to create a name for themselves. Gino Bartali, for example, succeeded in getting rid of the threat of Louison Bobet by dominating the Galibier, in 1948. However four years later, he suffered from the advent of the younger generation, due to the performance achieved by Fausto Coppi: “He’s like a cable-car on a steel wire rope”, said Jacques Goddet, with great enthusiasm, at the time.
Subsequently, Bahamontes, Gaul, Merckx, Zoetemelk, Ocana and Pantani have all gone over the summit first, which has moreover increased by one hundred or so metres since the tunnel was closed and the new road was built. And in 2011, a new name will become legendary, with the first finish judged at the summit of the Col du Galibier. At an altitude of 2, 645 metres, it will be the highest finish in the Tour’s history.
Super cool exciting, eh?
Oh, and TSN won the broadcasting rights so we don't have to subscribe to extra cable channels for the month. Happy dance!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunburnt Nose
Hello Everyone,
We had a riding adventure yesterday and my nose ended up getting a sunburn. Our goal was to reach Balzac, a community close to Calgary that is about 24 km from home. Between detours, construction and gravel roads, we only made it to 20 km. So, we toured around suburbia and went to the Lilac Festival later in the day. The festival was very crowded and a lot more venders than organization booths.
Training is slowly coming along. I'm going to start doing Wednesday rides to Cochrane for the practise. We've also figured out our super long rides. One will be Calgary - Cochrane - Bragg Creek - Calgary (common training ride) and our super major one will be Calgary to Banff. Once we reach Canmore, there's a new pathway linking it to Banff that we've been wanting to check out. It's 110 km to Banff but Jerry says it's a pretty ride. It's uphill going there so the return (which makes the ride over my training guide) is supposedly quick. We also have crazy west winds. It'll be a really good judge to see if I'm ready for the Gran Fondo.
We bring the rest of the plants out to the garden this coming Saturday. I need to pick up twine for the tomatoes but everything else is ready to go. With all the crazy rain last week, I was unable to plant the potatoes but I hope to in the next couple days.
Jerry has applied to SAIT for a welding program. It's the schooling he'll need to get his second level. Then, he just needs to put in his hours before writing the exams. I'm unsure how long it takes to hear if he gets accepted. The program starts in the fall. I hope he gets in and that it's something he'll enjoy.
Have a great day!
We had a riding adventure yesterday and my nose ended up getting a sunburn. Our goal was to reach Balzac, a community close to Calgary that is about 24 km from home. Between detours, construction and gravel roads, we only made it to 20 km. So, we toured around suburbia and went to the Lilac Festival later in the day. The festival was very crowded and a lot more venders than organization booths.
Training is slowly coming along. I'm going to start doing Wednesday rides to Cochrane for the practise. We've also figured out our super long rides. One will be Calgary - Cochrane - Bragg Creek - Calgary (common training ride) and our super major one will be Calgary to Banff. Once we reach Canmore, there's a new pathway linking it to Banff that we've been wanting to check out. It's 110 km to Banff but Jerry says it's a pretty ride. It's uphill going there so the return (which makes the ride over my training guide) is supposedly quick. We also have crazy west winds. It'll be a really good judge to see if I'm ready for the Gran Fondo.
We bring the rest of the plants out to the garden this coming Saturday. I need to pick up twine for the tomatoes but everything else is ready to go. With all the crazy rain last week, I was unable to plant the potatoes but I hope to in the next couple days.
Jerry has applied to SAIT for a welding program. It's the schooling he'll need to get his second level. Then, he just needs to put in his hours before writing the exams. I'm unsure how long it takes to hear if he gets accepted. The program starts in the fall. I hope he gets in and that it's something he'll enjoy.
Have a great day!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Happy Birthday to Me!
Hello Everyone,
What a lovely birthday I had. Low key and relaxing.
Starting on Friday, I got a great pair of jeans, trouser cut and suitable for work for $35 - 1/3 of the original price.
Saturday, I went to hot yoga, had a massage and Jerry took me out for dinner. We tried the Indian restaurant near our house and it was super yummy. Really delicious food and great service.
Sunday, we caught the C-train to the end of the line and rode out to Cochrane. It's a very common training route as there is a huge hill heading down to Cochrane. Altogether, about 42 km round trip. For dinner, we gobbled down cheese fondue and Jerry made ice-cream.
Today, Jerry made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. We did house tidying stuff and laundry. I then went for a bike ride and saw my first gosling of the season. For dinner, Jerry made yummy fried chicken.
So, a wonderful birthday weekend.
Have a great day!
What a lovely birthday I had. Low key and relaxing.
Starting on Friday, I got a great pair of jeans, trouser cut and suitable for work for $35 - 1/3 of the original price.
Saturday, I went to hot yoga, had a massage and Jerry took me out for dinner. We tried the Indian restaurant near our house and it was super yummy. Really delicious food and great service.
Sunday, we caught the C-train to the end of the line and rode out to Cochrane. It's a very common training route as there is a huge hill heading down to Cochrane. Altogether, about 42 km round trip. For dinner, we gobbled down cheese fondue and Jerry made ice-cream.
Today, Jerry made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. We did house tidying stuff and laundry. I then went for a bike ride and saw my first gosling of the season. For dinner, Jerry made yummy fried chicken.
So, a wonderful birthday weekend.
Have a great day!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
..US Atheists Offer Pet Rescue After Judgment Day
Actual news article:
By Sandy Huffaker | AFP News – 21 hours ago
When judgment day comes -- which some US Christian fundamentalists insist will happen on Saturday -- have you thought about what you're going to do with the family dog and cat?
In 26 US states, you could have them rescued and adopted by enterprising atheists who have set up a business to care for the animal companions of any Christians who are selected to go to heaven when Jesus Christ comes back.
"You've committed your life to Jesus. You know you're saved. But when the Rapture comes, what's to become of your loving pets who are left behind?" Eternal Earth-Bound Pets says on its website, offering to "take that burden off your mind."
The post-doomsday pet rescue service already has 259 clients, who have paid $135 for the first pet and $20 for each additional pet at the same address, to ensure the faithful animal companions are looked after and loved even when their Christian owners have gone to the other side.
All the rescuers are sworn atheists, which means they will definitely be left behind on Earth, ready to rescue pets after the Rapture, which one US Christian fundamentalist group has penciled for Saturday.
When judgment day happens, Eternal Earth-Bound Pets co-founder Bart Centre "will notify all of our rescuers to go into action and they will drive to the homes of anyone who's signed a contract with us, pick up their pets and take them home and adopt them as their own, keeping them happy and healthy for the rest of their lives.
"This will happen only if and when the Rapture happens. So we do not expect to have to do anything on Saturday," Centre told AFP.
Contracts are good for 10 years, just in case the Mayan calendar prophesy, which predicts the world will end in December next year, comes true.
By Sandy Huffaker | AFP News – 21 hours ago
When judgment day comes -- which some US Christian fundamentalists insist will happen on Saturday -- have you thought about what you're going to do with the family dog and cat?
In 26 US states, you could have them rescued and adopted by enterprising atheists who have set up a business to care for the animal companions of any Christians who are selected to go to heaven when Jesus Christ comes back.
"You've committed your life to Jesus. You know you're saved. But when the Rapture comes, what's to become of your loving pets who are left behind?" Eternal Earth-Bound Pets says on its website, offering to "take that burden off your mind."
The post-doomsday pet rescue service already has 259 clients, who have paid $135 for the first pet and $20 for each additional pet at the same address, to ensure the faithful animal companions are looked after and loved even when their Christian owners have gone to the other side.
All the rescuers are sworn atheists, which means they will definitely be left behind on Earth, ready to rescue pets after the Rapture, which one US Christian fundamentalist group has penciled for Saturday.
When judgment day happens, Eternal Earth-Bound Pets co-founder Bart Centre "will notify all of our rescuers to go into action and they will drive to the homes of anyone who's signed a contract with us, pick up their pets and take them home and adopt them as their own, keeping them happy and healthy for the rest of their lives.
"This will happen only if and when the Rapture happens. So we do not expect to have to do anything on Saturday," Centre told AFP.
Contracts are good for 10 years, just in case the Mayan calendar prophesy, which predicts the world will end in December next year, comes true.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
What a week so far...
Hello Everyone,
So, after my first training ride Monday night, I came home to a phone message from Jerry saying that he was in the hospital. Chest pains, difficulty breathing so his boss took him in.
So I headed off to the hospital in a panic to find out what was going on.
They still had him in emergency when I arrived (but in a bed in a curtained off room) and I stayed with him until around 10:30 pm when they admitted him. Rather scary seeing him all hooked up, stickers everywhere, wires and he had an oxygen tube in his nose. Everything had settled down after they gave him a nitroglycerin patch.
According to him, he started developing chest pains and then breathing problems. Pain between his shoulder blades. Cold extremities (but no tingling) yet he felt hot. They did blood tests but it was not a heart attack.
On Tuesday, he did a stress test and there was an abnormality. He has to go back in a couple weeks for more tests. And by the end (he was so proud that he "finished"), his heart rate had tripled. But for now, the doctors told him to continue his normal activity level and that he could go back to work. And he has to carry nitroglycerin with him (it's now a spray) and take the low dose aspirin. He was released mid morning and decided to walk home.
Luckily I got the message, called him and met him part-way. I didn't care what the docs said - I was keeping an eye on him for the day. They had sent me home from work as I wasn't sure how long the testing would take and what kind of care he needed. And I was exhausted. So a leisurely walk home and I had to keep him from doing all sorts of activities since he "felt fine". Grrrrr.
So, now it's wait and see. His symptoms sound a lot like angina to me. The doctors wonder if maybe he's always had "something" but it didn't show up bad enough until the change in activity type.
I did a bit of studying last night and have my notes with me today. They provide the formulas so I think I'll do ok. I'll let you know how it goes.
Have a good day!
So, after my first training ride Monday night, I came home to a phone message from Jerry saying that he was in the hospital. Chest pains, difficulty breathing so his boss took him in.
So I headed off to the hospital in a panic to find out what was going on.
They still had him in emergency when I arrived (but in a bed in a curtained off room) and I stayed with him until around 10:30 pm when they admitted him. Rather scary seeing him all hooked up, stickers everywhere, wires and he had an oxygen tube in his nose. Everything had settled down after they gave him a nitroglycerin patch.
According to him, he started developing chest pains and then breathing problems. Pain between his shoulder blades. Cold extremities (but no tingling) yet he felt hot. They did blood tests but it was not a heart attack.
On Tuesday, he did a stress test and there was an abnormality. He has to go back in a couple weeks for more tests. And by the end (he was so proud that he "finished"), his heart rate had tripled. But for now, the doctors told him to continue his normal activity level and that he could go back to work. And he has to carry nitroglycerin with him (it's now a spray) and take the low dose aspirin. He was released mid morning and decided to walk home.
Luckily I got the message, called him and met him part-way. I didn't care what the docs said - I was keeping an eye on him for the day. They had sent me home from work as I wasn't sure how long the testing would take and what kind of care he needed. And I was exhausted. So a leisurely walk home and I had to keep him from doing all sorts of activities since he "felt fine". Grrrrr.
So, now it's wait and see. His symptoms sound a lot like angina to me. The doctors wonder if maybe he's always had "something" but it didn't show up bad enough until the change in activity type.
I did a bit of studying last night and have my notes with me today. They provide the formulas so I think I'll do ok. I'll let you know how it goes.
Have a good day!
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