Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Blogging

   So, I hear we can migrate our journal to a new blog.  So to test it I started a new blog.  Frankly I don't care for it as well.  I don't like the photo's as well but I guess I will get used to it.  So I created a blog and I don't see a migrate button.  Hopefully they will tell us how to do that.

   I have had this journal for 3 years.  I am a paid AOL user because of my journal.  That is really the only reason I stayed with AOL.  So now I will be able to free up this money.  May be a good thing.  Because I certainly won't pay for them without being able to have my journal.  I can get the same things for nothing elsewhere.   I hope we all go to blogs.  I don't want to lose touch with everyone from here.  So as you all create your new blogs please let us know so I can add them to my newly created blog folder.  Hope to see you all there.

Julia's New Journal. 

Sad day

  Just hear AOL is closing us down.  All my journals will be lost if I can't figure out how to save them.  AFter all the work on my vacation journal.  Why is that.  This truly sucks.  So if anyone wants to help walk me through how to save the journals I love drop me a line.  This is sad.

I'll Live to ride again



       I thought this picture of Rick turned out so strange.  It looks like the type of fake background they use in portraits.  It is however the real thing,  He looks cute though.

      Had my doctor appointment.  Surprisenly my lung function isn't much worse then it was.  My lungs are just inflamed.   Get me back on my medication, and take like I am suppose to and I should be good to go.  I have to take a steroid inhaler for a month which doesn't make me happy but I do want to be breathing better.   He was very nice and didn't lecture me about going off my meds.  They say every patient does it at least once and usually one bad attack is all it takes to get them to be good little patients again.

    Now I am going back to bed.  My back is seriously out and I didn't sleep much because of the pain.  I want to try and get a few more hours in as I have to work tonight.  I am going to put my ten's unit on and sleep away.  So Night all.



Monday, September 29, 2008

Vacation journal

  I have added some new pictures to the vacation journal from the Tetons.  I want to go back.  Check out Yellowstone also.  I am slowly getting the journal finished.

   We just got back from eating and are going to watch a movie we rented.  Hope everyone is having a great day.  I am trying not to think about my stocks crashing loud enough to be heard in the most remote area of the world.  Who wants to retire anyway.  I have heard its overrated.

A Day off

    I am glad I made it to my day off.  It was a long weekend.  Work was busy and some family problems have surfaced that I need to take care of.  So a day off is welcome and much needed.

   Below are the sandhill cranes we saw.



   I see my asthma doctor tomorrow to see if I ruined my lungs forever.  I still can't take a deep breath without coughing.  Did get a ride in the the other day which went well that was good.

     My son as been doing weight watchers.  He looks great.  He has lost a lot of weight and is walking everyday.  I need to get motivated to do the same.  Just in a slump.  Everytime I get back into it my back goes out or something happens.  Excuses excuses but it wears you down.

    I am thinking of quiting the gym anyway.  The way our government is screwing everything up I figure we had all better hunker down and save every penny we can.  I think this is their way of getting the all world money passed they want in play.  This has all been orchestrated.  China and Japan are all for it.  Old Bush wanted.  This might be all just a step they created to get us there.  Our federal government has royally screwed up.  Scary times.  I learned to live within my means, why can't they?

   Well, its bedtime.  I am tired.  Take care all.



Wednesday, September 24, 2008

fall colors

   Soon it will be time to go out and get some new fall pictures.  I am thinking they will be really good this year.  For now I look at last years.











   Crisp leaves crackling under your bike tires.   Today under out feet.  Today we are going to walk one of our favorite bike trails so we can bring the dog and walk her.   She loves this type of weather.  The hot weather really bothers her and in her older age she prefers the AC but in the fall, she could walk all day.

   I got my hair cut short today.  Got me a Kathy Bates hairdo.  I liked the new haircut she is wearing and decided to take the plunge.  It looks pretty good.  Rick got his tooth fixed this morning so we are getting a late start but will be ready soon.

     My last day off.  Tomorrow work.  My back is still acting up so I want to take it easy today.  A nice lazy walk will be good for us all.


   

Thanks

  Thanks Helen for the help with my plants.  I was pretty sure on the 2nd one but had no clue on the first one.  Turns out it likes more water then I would have given it.  It took me a long time to learn not to overwater my plants, LOL.  Now I get one that likes to stay moist!

  Anyway thanks all.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

help with houseplants

  I got these 2 houseplants I don't know the name of.   The first one is one I planted in the pot my son gave me for my birthday. 



      The 2nd is a type of fern I think.  Is it an asparagus fern?  Any help so I don't kill them would be appreciated.


The new Journal

  I have a long way to go on the new journal but enough is done I decided to make it public if you want to see it.  I am still adding entries and pictures as I go.  Mostly I add the entry and then go back and add pictures and it is a work in progress.  Anyway you have to go to the first entry in the journal and work your way to the front.  Maybe I should have started from the end and worked my way to the beginning for it to make sense but I am not starting over.  Anyway.  here is is Vacation 2008

Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Phone Call



       So I got the call from Rick.  Nervous little chuckle.   Guess where I am.......  Small town USA.   Motorcycle broke down.  Sigh.  What to do.....

        My son is just such a nice man.   He showed up accidentally to help me bail out Rick in his time of need.   My son drives a big ole pickup.   A truck which I have told him frequently was just a gas hog and not at all practical.   I was thrilled to see him pull in today.

     Gee wouldn't it be a great day for a road trip I asked?   Well.... I do have plans he said, Why?  Well....you daddy is stuck again on that sorry &*$%!)#HH piece of metal he calls a motorcycle and needs us to pick him up, pretty please.

    So off we go to motorcycle neat road number 85 to pick up Rick who is stranded with a bike that doesn't like to travel as much as he does.  It was a good day for a ride and I am just happy that his old self is safe.

     After supper we are watching a movie.  I am happy he is here to watch it with me.  I hope the bike stays broken for a long time.



Sunday



         The above picture was from the Battle of Little Big Horn National Park at the Indian Memorial site.   Very cool sculpture.  Very thought provoking park.

         Well, we didn't go out of town this weekend after all.   I cleaned my basement out as it needed it and then last night we went to the roller derby.  We are sponsor's.  It is fun watching the girls out there skating away and now that I know how they score I can really get into it.  A couple of the woman on the team are from our hospital and I work with one of the players.  Heck, 30 years ago I would have loved to do it. I was always good on skates.  Now a days I would probably break if I got slammed down to the ground as often as these women do.  It was a fun night though.

     Now I am nervously awaiting Ricks return.  He is out for a motorcycle ride.  He always leaves early and never lets me know which way he is going.  The phone is still here so he can't call.  His bike is old, but he keeps it running very well.  I worry about the other people on the road.  So I always get a little tense until he gets home.  He has had 4 accidents and it was always the car's fault.  Remember his hit and run a couple of years ago?

     Anyway silly of me but I do just feel better when I hear him returning.  Today I am going to go get a plant for my planter Luke gave me for my birthday.  It is very pretty and I want a special plant to put in it.  My back is out so I am taking it easy today.  Don't ya just hate it when you do a little weeding and some cleaning in the basement and just doing that little bit causes your back to go out.  At least it could have been after doing something wildly fun like rafting down a raging river and a night of hot sex.  Not weeding.  Life is weird sometimes.

     Would you still believe I am going through pictures.  I decided to do a new journal of the vacation so Rick and I can remember it.  So I am writing it out and adding pictures.  Slow work.  When I am finished if anyone wants to read it and see the shots let me know.  Boring to most unless you were there.

    Well, guess I had better get busy doing things.  I am getting my outdoor plants ready to come in for the winter soon.  I think it might be a snowy cold one.  They are getting so huge it is difficult to find room for them indoors anymore.  My jade tree is huge as it the cactus.  And I have to get rid of the buggies that move into the soil during their outside time.  Don't want the buggies inside.

     Take care all.  Hopefully will get a bike ride in this evening.




Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Last day



          Work has a way of effectively erasing most memories of vacations from you brain and bringing you sharply back to the present.   I spent the first day back with my head in the clouds on long lonely highways but after being charge and having a full house yesterday I have difficulty even remembering what the mountains look like.  Sigh.  

        Today I was looking at rentals on the Upper Peninsula in Michigan.   Houses on Lake Superior with a deck overlooking the beach.   Trying to tempt Rick with another road trip.  To see the fall colors.  Not having much luck though.  Darn.

    One more night of work.   We are running pretty full as we tend to do in the cooler months.   My low census days are probably over for awhile.  I have a cold and just don't feel up to par so am looking forward to my long stretch off even if I don't do anything but rest up.  I do have to start on cleaning out the basement.  No fun.

    Oh and something surprising happened.   My BIL paid us back our $400.  Surprise surprise.   He is getting ready to go back to Arizona.  The cold weather is not his cup of tea.  Can't blame him there.  Another chapter ending.  A disturbing upsetting chapter.

    I have been talking to my younger sister.  Her health is very bad.  I also want to drive there and visit.  See my niece.  Greenbay Wi. isn't that far away.  Time to mend some fences.  Also I am not done withmy wanderlust it seems, LOL.



Sunday, September 14, 2008

Great Day

   First of all Happy Birthday to all you other September birthdays.   I had a great day.  First of all I slept well, way up there on my too do list.   Got my floor vacuum and it works great,  both sons came over and took me to eat and got me a present.  I am now dressed and ready to go back to work.   My last night and then I am off tomorrow.  I am still working on the photo's.   I loved the one in the last entry.  There are two salamanders there, did you see them both.  I like that it was drinking when I took the picture.

    I am way behind on journals but slowly catching up.   Having to work this week isn't helping.  Anyone want to send me the winning lottery ticket so I can just stay home?   Anyway.   Be good and I am so glad to hear from the Texas ladies that your all safe and well.  I was so worried about you.  Glad you were spared the mess.  Glad it wasn't as bad as they feared.

   Below, two of my favorite things to shoot.  Old wood and flowers.





        Well, one more night of work.  It has been like I haven't been gone at all.   Tody is my birthday so they made me a sheet cookie decorated and we had pizza.  I got some pretty candles, they smell so nice.   And the Rick gave me what I wanted.  At the cabin they had a eureka floor vacumm  for bare floors.  It was light weight and wouldn't harm the floors.   I wanted one and I got one.   Those dust bunnies can't escape me now.  Of course i already got some jewelry and a new purse and wallet.  '



      It is strange being 54.  2 years older then my mother lived.  2 years younger then my grandmother lived to be.  Will I make it that old or am I in my twilight years  Things that seemed important now don't seem the same  Work is watching you.  Hoping to find a way to fire you before you get all that retirement money.They are watching you hoping for failure.as they can replace you at half your salary and bennies,  I can't even begin to tell you how many nurses lately have been fired that have worked their over 20 years.  Valuable nurses with years of experience.  It all comes down to the bottom dollar.  Everyone is worried about it.

 
    Anyway, enough of that.  I am going to bed.  I am sleepy and hope to sleep a few hours  Night all.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Work tonight

  Well back to work again tonight.  Remembering being above the clouds as we climbed the mountains.  It will be hard to stay awake after this long.   I am slowly sorting pictures and getting them in order.  May take awhile.  I spent today reading everyone remembrances of 911.  I will never forget that day.  Take care all.  Its a beautiful country and world.  Enjoy it.







Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Good Morning



    How would you like to catch that monster rainbow trout on your fly?

        Today is going to be spent unpacking, grocery shopping and cleaning house.   My sons did a great job taking care of things and we could not have done this trip without them but deep house cleaning obviously is not their strong points, LOL.  Thats OK.  I am just happy they were so helpful.

      Poor Dan moved back in to take care of things.  Some Obama supporters stopped over to talk.   Dan politely told them he wasn't interested in voting for Obama and told them why when they asked.  The got more and more heated and started calling him a racist and other names.  Dan isn't, just doesn't believe in his politics and couldn't believe they were knocking on his door and then attacking him for his viewpoints.  So much for a open discussion.   I would have slammed the door on them. 

    Today they are delivery our tiles.  Yup, we are finally getting our roof.  They will be here tomorrow and had better be done by Thursday night because I need to sleep Friday.  Figures they would come now.

     I have hundreds of pictures to go through.  I couldn't get my laptop to work at any motel so I could go online but it did work great to store my pictures.  So now I have to transfer them to a on-line site and CD and then see if any look wonderful.  I had Rick use the Soni and he got some great shots.   A million times I wished I had a good zoom lens on my Canon and Rick actually got better shots on the Soni then I did on the Canon.  Also turned out my new battery wasn't any good so I was down to one.   70 dollars and it didn't work.  So I have to return that one.
 
    Zoey is very happy to see us and very clingy.   I wish she was the type of dog we could have brought with us.  She would have loved it.  However being a scent dog she doesn't walk well on the leash,  Zig and zag smelling this right and left she would have run right off the canyon smelling something.  Plus she is not doing so well these days.  But she is happy we are here and we are happy to see her.

   Well enough of a break.   I have a house to clean.  Darn.  Vacation is over.




    Oh, on my near fatal asthma attack.  It came on our 2nd bike ride.  We did 25 miles and the first 8 miles was uphill.  Then we drove down to the first tunnel.  It was steep going down and when we turned to go us I started to have trouble catching my breath.  Which turned into a full blown asthma attack like I have never had.  I couldn't talk the my airway got more and more restricted.  You could hear it squeaking to get in.  They call it strider and I had it big time.  I could feel my throat close off .    I couldn't breath to inhale my inhaler so just squirted it in my mouth and prayed.  We were out in the sticks, no phone service and I was starting to black out.  I knew I would die if I didn't get my breath and that is probably how people die from their asthma.

   The medicine must have worked slight because my throat started to relax and I was able to get a good puff on the inhaler.  My chest hurt like mad and my ears were roaring.  I still couldn't talk and every time I tried to get a deep breath I would have a coughing fit.  I was scared to death.  And I had a 5 mile, 4 percent grade hill to climb before we hit the downhill.

     I rested and tried to ride but I just didn't have the air.  So we both walked and rested all the way up.  Thank goodness my legs are strong even if my lungs are shot.  At the top it was pure joy to get on my bike and coast all the way into Hall City without having to pedal.  I am still having problems here 2 weeks later.  My lungs gave me problems the rest of the trip.  Every mountain had me wheezing and short of breath and my chest hurt for a week.  It didn't stop me from hiking but our bike rides were over.  I was very very disappointed but I tell ya, happy to be alive.



Monday, September 8, 2008

Pic

  Just a couple of pictures.  There are more.  Trust me.

 

I'm back

  We made it back.  We hit South Dakota, North Dakota, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and back to Iowa.   I had a blast.   Bull moose crossing in front of us.  Canyons, mountains,  Streams, rivers, mud pods,   We saw deer, coyote, fox. Sand Cranes, eagles, You name it.  I had a asthma attack that almost killed me.  The cabin was great.  I had a great time.  I took 1000 pictures.  I can't download them today.  What fun.  It is a beautiful country.  I had a job offer in Cody and would move to parts of Montana in a heart beat if I was rich.  What fun.  Tomorrow I start downloading pictures.  Hi all.  I missed you.