Daily Support Mon. Mar. 15th thru Sun. Mar. 21st

14 years ago

Good Monday all,

How was your weekend.

My was wet and wild! Driving, wind-driven pouring rain all weekend and lots of flooding and road wash outs everywhere. Ah Spring...we still have snow to get rid of!

Sweet Pea is still doing well. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me.

Comments (21)

tikanis
14 years ago
Good Morning!

Suzanne, I am so happy to hear that Sweet Pea is doing better! Your weather sounds extreme! lots of flooding back East, I hear. Do drive carefully!

Bj, I know this has got to be a difficult time for you and Baby V. Hang in there! I do so much admire what you and your family have done for him!

Donna, we need a pooch update!

Raeanne, could you tell me the specs on your kayak? I am interested in knowing which craft you have; a touring boat or a recreational kayak. How many feet? Cockpit or sit on top?

Maddie, way to go on your exams!

I had a WONDERFUL weekend! Kayaking at the crack of dawn on Saturday, I tried out about 10 different boats at "demo day," trying to narrow down my choices.

Saturday night was bowling and Sunday was church, out with friends. I came home and cleaned out the fridge and spent the afternoon relaxing, catching up on some paperwork odds and ends in front of a televised Spring training game which the Dodgers won.

This week looks crazy, compared to last week, when I didn't know what to do with myself! I need to see patients this morning, have a meeting at one of my agencies at 12:30 and have scheduling and staffing to complete this afternoon. Tonight I have a meeting at church.

I thought I'd be all achey after all that kayaking, but I'm not at all! Gotta be grateful for even the small things....

I was so busy over the weekend that I FORGOT to weigh in!! Since I topped off my weekend with a planned cheat day, I decided that this wasn't the morning to get on that unforgiving scale, so I'll wait till Saturday.

Have a good day everyone!

Tikanis
aka_raeanne
14 years ago
Suzanne - What a relief for all of us and I will continue to keep SP in my thoughts. We lost power for a couple hours Saturday night but the storm wasn't nearly as bad as what they got south of us.

Tikanis - I posted a link to my kayak. When I chose it, I got it because it has an extra wide cockpit - and wide beam - so it may not be the fastest but it is very stable. I also didn't want to spend a lot of money, because I didn't know if I would really enjoy it or make the time to use it. I actually shopped around and found it for about $300 less than the link has it listed for. They havea duralite version that is much lighter. I wasn't worried about that either because I just throw it in the back of my husbands pick-up and back it up close to the shoreline when I am by myself. You think the kayak is the big ticket item until you look at the paddles LOL. I didn't get expensive paddles either, but they make them as light as feathers now but cost nearly as much as the kayak LOL. Which kayaks did you like? How exciting.

Sweet dreams all.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pungo 120
Related Discussions
Greenhouse Design - Review Plans
Q
Comments (9)
A couple of thought: First, having just gone thru designing and building an engineered GH, I doubt your conduit on 4' centers will hold 52#/sqft load. My place is also 15' wide. I use 14ga 2" sq steel tubing on 4' centers, and that would not meet our 48# load. I ended up needing a center support (a small I beam) running the length at the midpoint of the span, with posts to ground to take the extra load. So I doubt the smaller, thinner conduit will be able to do it without some mid span supports. The steep slope of your roof might help (I don't recall the amount of load shedding that gives), but if you really want the structure to be able to hold 52# per sq ft, I don't think this will do it. You could look into building the "arches" into trusses (more so than you are already doing), by adding strategic cross members. That would certainly up the load they can handle but I can't say that alone would get you to 52#. Of course, if you are willing to go out there and brush the snow off after every big storm, it may not matter. BTW, does your 52# load include wind loading? I am curious why you plan to run the length of the GH N-S vs E-W. Typically for maximum solar gain in fal/spring/winter one aligns them E-W. I'd agree with the other comments about vent size. You might consider vents on the ends close to the peaks. Not entirely as good as peak roof venting, but much easier to build, and if the building is aligned with the prevailing breezes, can work OK. You might even consider removing the ends for the summer.
...See More
Daily Support Mon. Mar. 29th thru Sun. April 4th
Q
Comments (28)
Good Wednesday all, Hope all you sickies are feeling better soon. Thanks for the special Sweet Pea hug Dee! One of these days I will win you over! Raeanne, I like our paisley idea the best so far. I saw a painted chair of peonies and one with morning glories which were exquisite! They both went for over $1200 each - my boss bid and won them! Tikanis, spring is here but we are at least a month away from gorgeous blooming trees and plants or green grass. I do a few daff and crocus up but it's pretty drab right now. If it were a month from now this is more like what things would look like: From my living room window - that black spot in the background is a horse the Red Wing Black birds(the true harbingers of spring) have indeed arrived but the maple is not leafing yet: and my Creeping Phlox and Bleeding Hearts would be in bloom: Still it's gorgeous and I love this time of year when things come back to full life. I even don't mind the mud! Sweet Pea is doing very well and is currently covered in mud! Between shedding and mud I give up right now! We are still waiting for water to recede here. My newly created orchard is under water: Still it could be far worse as so many here have suffered! Our house is nice and dry. What crazy weather.
...See More
Daily Support Mon Mar. 22nd thru Sun. Mar.28th
Q
Comments (21)
Hello Suzanne! I'm here, just trying to get through a frustrating week with some inner-ear/dizzyness problems, which makes it difficult to finish projects in a timely fashsion at work. I was down another pound this morning. That makes about 6 1/2 pounds since February 20. I'm very pleased with that, but need to add much more exercise. It was difficult getting walking in this week (with the dizziness), but I did it. Don't know if I mentioned this, but I've not been to our fitness center in over a month because I hated the way my (old, ratty) yoga clothes fit me. Yesterday I stopped at the Kohl's sale (with an additional 30% off coupon!) and found 2 pair of yoga pants and a top that fit and look nice. Looks like if I feel good enough, I'll be stopping by the center more often. It's just that there are many young women there; its a corporate center with people (and MEN!) that I work with. I was too ashamed to be seen in such tight, faded clothes......I'm sure you all know how I feel about this. Anyway, it's a new start, so I'm ready when my ear stuff clears up. Enough about me! How is everyone? Ready for the weekend? Ready for spring? OK, let's get moving. MIA's---COME OUT AND SAY HELLO! Thanks! Dee
...See More
Re: True Story About 'Rare' Hypothyroidism in Dogs
Q
Comments (11)
Based upon what Prarie love wrote, at least some people do believe that hypothyroid-induced seizures are common. Being hypothyroid and having seizures are not necessarily related, though they certainly can be. Unfortunately being that most animals do not get regular annual (twice yearly for older pets) bloodwork when they are healthy, but most people will get bloodwork done when their pet has a seizure, it is often the case that low T4 is discovered right after an animal has a seizure. But the seizure itself can cause low T4, and once the animal's seizures are controlled the T4 returns to normal- or not if the animal is on phenobarbital. This is euthyroid sick syndrome- normally functioning thyroid that is temporarily suppressed due to another disease. Euthyroid sick syndrome can be caused by any disease, including a disease that causes seizures or the seizures themselves. It doesn't hurt to judiciously supplement thyroid hormone in an emergency while waiting for a full thyroid panel, which takes 1-2 weeks (having just gotten one for my dog) as long as you don't go overboard, as oversupplementing thyroid hormone can be cardiotoxic. But you are not really controlling the seizures, you are actually preventing further seizures. In other words, even if a dog's seizures are caused by hypothyroidism, giving thyroid hormone won't do anything to stop the current seizures (explaination follows). The full thyroid panel can sort out euthyroid sick syndrome from true hypothyroidism if it is done prior to starting phenobarb, usually. Some pets refuse to be classified, like my own dog. I did a LOT of reading on this lately because my pathologists were stumped when I asked how hypothyroidism, which causes decreased cellular activity, could possibly cause seziures, which are caused by increased cellular activity. I would have asked the neurologists, but they were in rounds and then left before I could catch them. But I did find the info myself, and it seems that hyperlipidemia (VERY high serum triglycerides and/or cholesterol) may lead to atherosclerosis and then ischemic encephalopathy (low oxygen to the brain) due to hemorrhage or thrombus, causing seizures or other CNS signs (called a stroke in people). There are many causes for hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism is one. One study showed that dogs that had atherosclerosis were 51 times more likely to be hypothyroid than dogs who did not have artherosclerosis (they showed similar results for dogs with diabetes mellitus). Hyperlipidemia may also cause hypercoagulable syndrome where an animal throws clots, which can end up anywhere. Clinical signs are referrable to location of clot, so if a dog threw a clot into the brain, that would also cause ischemic encephalopathy and possible CNS signs or seizures. Of course, bloodwork would pick up hyperlipidemia (well, a complete panel would show both cholesterol and triglyceride levels; some in-house machines can't do this), so waiting for a thyroid panel just tells you why the hyperlipidemia is present. Because hyperlipidemia may have causes besides hypothyroidism, it is much more important to include cholesterol and triglycerides in a seizure work-up than to include thyroid testing. You can always go back for a cause of hyperlipidemia if needed. That said, you need to have a full thyroid panel done before a pet is placed on phenobarbital because that drug suppresses thyroid hormone in some animals. It does not always cause clinical disease and may not always need to be treated. Once on phenobarb, it is very difficult to impossible to sort out true hypothyroidism from phenobarb-induced thyroid suppression. Without clinical signs though, there doesn't seem to be a need for treatment. Atherosclerosis appears to be rare in dogs overall, but common in dogs with hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus. The actual incidence is unknown because you need either MRI, CT, or a necropsy to diagnose it. Most people don't have access to MRI or CT for their pets either because of expense or because it isn't available. And most people refuse necropsy. The unfortunate part about atherosclerosis is that once it is in the brain, you can't get rid of it, even by treating the underlying cause. If you can get the animal to stop having seizures and if there isn't too much permanent damage and if you can treat the underlying cause, you may be able to prevent more seizures depending upon how much of the brain is affected by atherosclerosis. The damage is done, and you have to prevent further atherosclerosis by treating the disease. In some cases, the damage to the brain may be too great and the patient dies despite best efforts, even if the cause was "just" hypothyroidism. Controlling hypothyroidism would also prevent further seizures due to hypercoagulable states caused by hyperlipidemia, but the same "ifs" apply. This is why supplementing thyroid hormone when presented with a seizuring animal isn't really necessary, even if the seizures are caused by hypothyroidism. You do need to control the hypothyroidism, but that can wait until the animal stops seizing and you have at least a clue of whether or not the animal is actually hypothyroid. It appears that the reason hypothyroidism is a rare cause of seizures in dogs is that most cases of hypothyroidism are diagnosed and treated long before a patient develops clincally significant hyperlipidemia and subsequent atherosclerosis. It seems that mild hypothyroidism without clinical signs does not cause the a high degree of hyperlipidemia, so the risk of seizures in this case is very small. I guess if you ignore the clinical signs long enough and don't do screening bloodwork on a regular basis, a dog could have severe hypothyroidism and seizures. BTW, collies are prone to hyperlipidemia without hypothyroidism, so in the case of poor Shelby, testing cholesterol and triglycerides is much more important than thyroid testing. You have to know what is common in certain breeds and ages, otherwise you end up running every test in the book and that is a waste of time, money, and effort.
...See More
tikanis
14 years ago
GOOD MORNING!! anybody home? Sure is quiet around here....

Woke up at around 4:00 ish this am to a little earthquake. Very brief, no biggie, but NOT my favorite way to wake up, either! Lol.

Raeanne, thank you for the kayak link. I had a hard time deciding which craft I liked better. I have been promising myself a kayak for SO long now, having attached its purchase to my weight loss goal, which previously made it all but impossible ha ha! Now that I am so close, I can hardly believe that it is within reach! I like the Current Design label. I want a touring craft, but cannot yet decide on the model. The Vision 150 is a transitional craft and I really liked it. I still have a few pounds, er, weeks to decide : ) I am thinking of heading for San Diego in a couple of weeks for a symposium and a rolling or recovery class. Then I will come back, go to another demo day and THEN try to make up my mind. You are right about the equipment cost! Those pesky little "extras", like OARS for goodness sake! will sure set you back. Are you using your kayak much? I imagine it is too cold right now....

Another action packed, fun filled day planned here! Lots of patient care and paperwork, then meeting a friend for coffee before dinner.

Have a great day, ladies! Please check in!

Tikanis
deemarie5500
14 years ago
Happy Tuesday from a flooded North Jersey!

Working from home for the last 2 days because all the highways I take to work are under water here. Absolute mess. A horrendous storm went through and left DH and I with a wet basement and no power upon our return home from our trip to Florida. Not pleasant, but we are luckier than most.

I did not gain one ounce on vacation; enjoyed myself but watched what I ate. Still no sweets passed these lips. Gave it up for Lent, so it was easy. If I ordered wine with dinner, I chose the salad entree. If no wine, I splurged a bit within points. Weather was so/so but we did not care!

Donna, my sister suggested that DH and I look for our NJ retirement home down in your area. We aren't nearly ready yet, but I'd like to settle down in 3-5 years.

Hope everyone is having a good week.
Dee
Wild_Chicken
14 years ago
Hi Guys!

NHSuzanne! Great news about SP!

SNJDonna- Yes? No? Dogs?

Tikanas: I have a kayak that I have yet to use -- my DH and kids gave it to me for Christmas 2 years ago. When the baby goes to his forever family, I figure I'll be doing a lot of kayaking - and everything else I can to get my mind off of it. Maybe I'll take a picture of it and post it.

DeeMarie! CONGRATS! Wow. You have the WILL POWER!

PEEPS are in the stores! It's killing me. Yes, I have had SOME, but I can quit any time....lol.
aka_raeanne
14 years ago
Tikanis - that is for some serious paddling - nice. Mine is purely recreational, just to get me out on the lake early in the morning with the loons LOL. No kayaking here now, the lake was frozen solid until a few days ago.

BJ - yes, kayaking will come in handy when Baby V goes to his forever home (but you will be forever in his heart). Everytime I see a peep I think of you.

Dee - WTG on your willpower! Sorry about the basement and power. What part of FL were you visiting?

I have a ton of "day off" things to still accomplish, so I better get busy.

Enjoy your day
donna_southnj
14 years ago
Tikanis - Earthquake??? I'll take a hurricane over that any day - at least you know they are coming. I'm glad you are OK. Glad you enjoyed kayaking and glad you enjoyed your planned cheat. Waiting until Saturday is perfectly fine with me :-)

Raeanne, you have been kayaking for a while now. I remember seeing a picture of you in your kayak.

Suzanne, I'm so glad SP is doing better. I will continue to keep her and you in our prayers.

BJ, I'm glad Baby V got a forever home but I am sorry for him and your family. You will all miss each other so much. You guys have given him a gift he will carry with him forever and for that he will always remember you and be grateful. ((Hugs)) You are right - keep yourself busy! Oh, I almost forgot....step away from the peeps!!!!

Dee, obviously I love our area! When the time comes and you are ready let me know. I have a wonderful real estate agent. South Jersey is wet, soggy and flooded. Today the sun did come out and it's warm - a tease? It's supposed to be nice through the weekend - I hope. We lost power Saturday night for 6 hours and cable for 24 hours. No internet or TV - I don't know how we did it.

Puppy dog updates - no news yet. One of the pups went into heat which pushed back the spay. Once her heat ends they will be spayed and have all shots updated. They will the foster post op for about a week for assessment and the rescue will decide who is the best family for them. I really hope it's us! The rescue contacted my vet and got a great report from them which is important. I also nosed around and saw a brother and sister chihuaha (sp) who are 2 years old and looking for a home together. They are at an animal shelter in a neighboring county. I will investigate them also - I don't want to put all my puppies in one basket and be disappointed.

I will keep you posted.

Be safe, be good and I'll catch up with you tomorrow.

Donna
ivamae
14 years ago
Well, I can't believe my weight this morning.

I've been sick since last Thursday and have lost 4 pounds. That makes a total of 37 pounds.

I know it won't stay off when I start to eat and I also know it is too much to lose in one week to be healthy.But it sounds good!!!

I'm starting to feel better and hope it continues.

All the best to all of you.

I'm so glad for this forum.
ivamae
nhsuzanne
Original Author
14 years ago
Happy Saint Paddy's day everyone!

Iva Mae, congrats on your loss. Tough way to lose though. Be positive - it will stay off!! Bye,bye 4 pounds. Good for you.

Things are looking up in our neck of the woods. Most of the flooding is over and now we get to pick up the pieces once again! Man, for a winter without alot of snow it's been tough with hurricane like damage in February and major flooding in March. Today though, it will be 60 degrees or more with plenty of blue skies and sunshine to go along with it!!

Follow the link to some silly Saint Paddy's day fun! Enjoy

Here is a link that might be useful: Cluck of the Irish!!
wodka
14 years ago
Good morning!

Glad everyone is doing okay and the floods have subsided, Sweet Pea's on the mend, and Ivamae lost 4 pounds! Y'all are having a good week! Ivamae, hope you are feeling better.

It has been a crazy one for us. DH had peridontal surgery on Tuesday. The first 24 hours was rough - for him and for me - ha, but it's better now. The bad news for him is that he has a liquid diet for a week, and not much more than that for the next three weeks. That's good news for me, since I can get by on a turkey sandwich, salad or lean cuisine and fix him a shake or smoothie. I missed WW, but according to my scales have lost 62 pounds now.

Jury Duty, if I get called, starts Monday, so will have another possible crazy week. Can you tell I like "structure" and routine!?? Is that another sign of old age?

Take care.
tikanis
14 years ago
Hi all,

Dee and Suzanne, how are you holding up under all that flooding?

Dee, great will power to stick with it on vacation! One of my best friends taught me to ask myself "Do I feel deprived, or just VERY smart?" I have come to realize that I feel smart, and that the extra fun, NOT the food is what's important!

Raeanne, it's amazing what we can try to cram into one day off, isn't it?

Donna, it was just a LITTLE earthquake here! Thanks for the reprieve till Saturday : )

Ivamae! I am glad that you are feeling better. And Whoo-whoo!! on your 4 lbs!

Jan, Your poor DH! Let's hope that jury duty passes you by this time. Think of carrying around SIX 10 LB sacks of potatoes... THAT's what we have lost so far!! Can you even imagine?
Structure is good. In a world full of chaos, a bit of structure gives me stability. I LIKE being in the driver's seat, so to speak, and while some might equate spontaneity with fun, "I like it when a plan comes together." ; )

Tikanis
wodka
14 years ago
Tikanis - I know now why my back used to hurt so much (thinking about carrying the six 10-lb sacks of potatoes!)

Here's a question for all of you re: our 2010 Census. Have you received yours yet? If so, how was it delivered? Even though I was home all day yesterday, no one bothered to knock on the door or ring the doorbell. It was not delivered by the postal service. I accidentally found the envelope on our driveway floor by the garage doors. Fortunately, the rain had ended, or it would have been reduced to confetti. Our whole street was done this way. I would not have noticed it if I hadn't been taking the trash can out to the curb. And yet the government stress how important it is to participate in completing the form. Foolish me - I just assumed it would be mailed to us, but just throwing it on the driveway like the daily newspaper is the last way I would think such an important document would be delivered. Is it just down here in the boonies this is happening?
ivamae
14 years ago
Although, I live in Canada and don't know how you handle things there, I would think this needs to be reported. What if you had been away for a few days.
nhsuzanne
Original Author
14 years ago
Good Friday!! TGIF

We are having another beauty of a day here. It should be against the law to have to work on a day like this.

RE: Census My friend lives out in the middle of nowhere and someone hung a plastic bag with the census form in it on her door! Who, when??? I have been hearing strange things. Mine came by mail.

What is everyone doing this weekend?
deemarie5500
14 years ago
TGIF!

What happened to my message from yesterday? hmmmmm

I would NOT fill out a Census left on my property. Mine also came in the mail; AFTER a notification a week ago. Please double-check this before filling it out. Too many ways to scam people lately.

Need to leave the office early to run some errands that I could not do because of flooded highways this week.

Have a fun weekend!
Dee
milkdud_2007
14 years ago
Happy Friday, everyone!

I've been back among the living since Wednesday, but busy playing catchup. I enjoyed reading the posts for the last couple of weeks. It looks like everyone is doing well, even Sweet Pea!

Raeanne, your birthday card is FINALLY on its way to you. I'm so sorry about the huge delay, but cold and flu really waylaid me there.

We also received a notice that we would be receiving our census in the mail. We felt like it was a waste of postage since it's been on the news about when to expect the form. Our government at its best!

Just wanted to stop by and check in in case anyone's missed me. Gotta go sit at the library for a couple of hours now and do 'patron count'. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
wodka
14 years ago
Dee, I checked the 2010 census website and the form and return envelope match what was delivered, so am mailing it today. It is strange that the notice arrived a few days earlier via USPS, but this did not. I tried calling to ask why ours was delivered in such a manner, but was put on hold forever, so just gave up. Like milkdud said, "our government at its best."

milkdud, glad you are feeling better!
marci_pa
14 years ago
{{gwi:1500060}}
Have a Happy Birthday Patti!
tikanis
14 years ago
Happy birthday Patti!!

I hope that you have a WONDERFUL B-Day weekend!
Open the box already!! : )

Milkdud! There you are! I DID miss you and am glad that you are feeling better. Why were you counting library patrons? Census related?

My census for came by mail, delivered by Ed the mailman who hollered, "census forms in your mail today, Miss". Dee, I never thought of scammers!

I had to see one patient this AM. Now its off to a craft fair to see the display of beautiful jewelery my friend has worked on for so many months.

Later!

Tikanis
besh
14 years ago
Happy Birthday Patti!!!!
oxox

I am down 13# following Jorge Cruise Belly Fat Cure for Women over 40. I start my 4th week on Monday. I can't tell you how great I feel and the energy I have. I hope this is it for me this time!

My census came in the mail. I haven't even opened it yet.

(((HUGS))) all around. Suzanne, so happy for Sweet Pea!

oxBesh
wodka
14 years ago
Patti, hope you've had a wonderful birthday!

Congratulations to Besh on your weight loss!

Got another note in the mail letting me know that the census had been delivered.

Have a good night!

Daily Support Mon. Mar. 15th thru Sun. Mar. 21st

Comments (21)

tikanis

aka_raeanne

Related Discussions

tikanis

deemarie5500

Wild_Chicken

aka_raeanne

donna_southnj

ivamae

nhsuzanne
Original Author

wodka

tikanis

wodka

ivamae

nhsuzanne
Original Author

deemarie5500

milkdud_2007

wodka

marci_pa

tikanis

besh

wodka

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Daily Support Mon. Mar. 15th thru Sun. Mar. 21st

Comments (21)

Related Discussions

nhsuzanneOriginal Author

nhsuzanneOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

nhsuzanne
Original Author

nhsuzanne
Original Author