Not at this time

Well, turns out that I may have strained the muscles on the right side more than we thought. Although the pain is still there and it remains constant dull ache, nothing major seems to be wrong. Waiting for the results of other tests.

No riding the tractor or Luke for a week. No strenuous walking or elliptical for the same time frame. Lots of good feel happy drugs that you can't (shouldn't) take if you drive. Ah, to be a 50's era housewife. NOT!!!!!

I keep getting called back into the water. Ummm.

When does pain need to be checked?

Uggggg. My back had started to feel like its old self. And then this

I ran the tractor on Sunday, with the back brace and was a bit stiff but not bad. I swam on Monday morning. Saw the wonderful Molly on Tuesday. She noticed my right side was very ouchy to the touch.(It never is. It has always for years, been my left side that is the whiner). She suggested maybe I was catching a cold. Didn't really think about it. Just tried not to bend over too fast.

Don't remember too much hurting on Wednesday or Thursday, but Friday, my coworker asked me if I was OK. She said I was moving more stiff than normal. I said my back hurt, but I couldn't remember twisting it. It was stiff.

Friday, I finally took some drugs and it felt better, but now it was becoming a dull ache across the back and toward the right side. Even Brandt noticed my ouchiness. He said it sounded like when he had kidney stones. I asked him what he thought the doctor would say. We agreed it would be drink lots of water and rest. So, I did.

Saturday I could hardly move. Took my tempature. 97.5 (normal). Pulse was normal, even used the blood pressure cuff, normal. So why call the doctor. It is after all Saturday. I stayed home and moved sparingly, but couldn't find a comfortable position for very long. Drank nearly 4 liters of water and eliminated accordingly.

Pressure remains dull unless I bend over then it is sharp and unbearable. Went to bed at 8 and finally woke up at 8:30 this morning. Not normal, unless I am sick.

Uggggg. So I finally call the doctor. Because there is no fever, etc. I have an appointment at 3 tomorrow.

Let you know.

Questions with some answers

I borrowed from the lovely, Bonnie, who borrowed from Amy the Writer.

1] What was the highlight of your weekend?
Not turning on the air conditioner.

2] Whose car were you in last?
Mine. Chevy One-ton crew cab

3] What color shirt are you wearing?
White logo shirt

4] How long is your hair?
Just below my shoulders.

5] Who's on your mind right now?
Dawg

6] Last movie you saw at the theater?
Pirates Two. Three was sold out this past weekend.

7] Last thing you ate?
Burrito

8] Last thing you drank?
Water.

9] Where did you sleep last night?
My bed.

10] Are you happy right now?
Not really.

11] What did you say last?
I can walk down the hall now. (We’ve been storing the CPR manikins for two weeks and walking around the bodies.)

12] Where is your phone?
Who cares?

13] Favorite comedian?
Red Skelton

14] What color are your eyes?
Today, green. Tomorrow who knows

15] Who came over last?
Bruce to see what I was laughing about.

16] Name the last three things you bought?
Pelham bit and converters for Luke. Fuel for the Escape.

17] Who do you hate?
That’s strong. Um, let me think. Ah, yes, people who don’t get it.

18] What are you listening to?
Hitchhiker’s guide to the Galaxy sound track. (poor Arthur)

19] What is your weapon of choice?
My smile

20] What's your favorite smell?
Peppermint candies.

21] Does someone have a crush on you?
My the good lord help them if they do

22] What were you doing at midnight last night?
Wandering through my dreamscape trying to figure out why I was on my co-worker’s boat in the middle of the dead sea.

23] What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?
WHAT’S that awful noise? (Turns out it was a rabbit in the grasp of a coyote)

24] Are you left-handed?
Sometimes.

25] Spell your name without vowels:
lzbth jhnsnstvns.

26] How many pairs of jeans do you own?
That fit? 4

27] What colors do you wear most often?
Navy and white (corporate colors)


28] What's for dinner tonight?
$1.00 Hot Dogs, Ice Cream and water at the ball park

29] When Is Your Birthday?
11-29: the day famous people die

30] Who was the last person to send you a txt message?
Angel

31] Last time you went swimming in a pool?
Monday

32] Where was the last place you went shopping?
Buckeye Ranch and Saddle Shop.

33] How do you feel about your hair?
Hate it, but I manage

34] How's the weather?
Pleasantly warm.

35] What's one thing people are always saying to you?
That bitch.

36] Have you ever visited another country?
Yes. Mexico, Canada, and Norway

37] What's your standard greeting when you answer the phone?
Good ____. This is Elizabeth. May I help you? (unless I know who it is by the caller id, then all bets are off)

38] Do you own a pair of handcuffs?
Think so, some where.

39] Do you use the word pussy?
Every time I watch Goldfinger.

40] Do you put ketchup on your eggs?
Ugh, No.

41] Do you put mayo on your burgers?
I don’t put mayo on anything.

42] Have you kissed somebody in the last two weeks?
Does my horse count? Of course.

43] Who did you dance with last?
Kitty

44] Song playing?
Bad to the Bone

45] What color is your underwear?
Rainbow striped

46] Do you want platinum or gold for your wedding band?
Black hills gold

47] Do you think that the tobacco companies should pay for people's medical bills?
There is not enough room or time to answer that one.

48] What scares you?
Failure. “There is no try. There is do or not do.” Yoda, Jedi Master.

What's new?

Nothing much.

Boy has figured out that if I am in the kitchen and he is in the living room, he will be in the house for the night. I don't think he minds sleeping in the house, but he certainly prefers to be outside where he can "escape". So, he and Precious slept in the house four nights and then no more. On the fifth night, when we couldn't get him to stay in the house, we let Precious stay on the Kitty's futon. (We'll show him) He was OK without her outside for about two or so hours. THEN, the howling and baying began. Unfortunately, we had the windows open. Fortunately, our closest neighbors are over 1/4 mile away. Unfortunately, for Precious, she had to be picked up and placed outside to sleep. She was not happy. I tried to explain it to her. But she doesn't seem to be getting anywhere with him.

Funny thing is, that he will come in the house and sit in the entry way, the living room and even for short periods, the bedroom, but only if both of us are together or not near the door. Last night, I tried to pretend I was going for a walk, while my spouse stayed in the house. Boy went in, but when he realized I was outside and the door could be closed, he bolted for the patio and stayed planted there.

I guess I have two outside dogs. I was reminded that it took Dawg, several months to want to come in and stay. Finally, one day, it must have been 110 degrees, she decided that in was better than out. Maybe he will have the same Revelation.

And, no, we still haven't found Dawg. Yes, we are still looking.

Tuco, Angel and Blondie have taken up residence in the barn and appear to love it. They let us know if the food supply is low, or if the litter box needs attention, but other than an occasional siting in the pasture (get them gophers), they think they have been transported to the Ritz.

Luke is home and as bossy as ever with Rufus. But, now, Rufus bosses back. We did OK at our lesson on Saturday. We are going to start going across the street to ride at least once a week beginning next week.

That's is all.

Photos from Beach Party

My thanks to Linda who took the photos. You can only take them as good as your subject projects. Or something like that. Thanks also to Heather, for sticking with me always and to Muriel and Paula who helped me remember that I can ride.

We had a great time. Lots of fun. That is what it is all about. I did many things for the first time and they were so easy I feel, as Ed Grimley used to say, "totally mental" for allowing my brain to get in the way of my mind.

Trotting on "the buckle". Look, ma, I am even on the correct diagonal.

This is Luke and Stephanie in the 3' class. He loves to jump. That is my goal for the Halloween Show. I will keep you updated on our progress.

I am cantering. In a class, with other people and not running them over or asking them to move. Life is good.

Here's Micky

If I posted him correctly, this is my new monkey, Micky. What can I say?

adopt your own virtual pet!

12 of 12 June

Not a very eventful day. So, eventful that there are only eleven photos. First Hot (over 100) day of the year. For those of you who are new to this project, it was started by Chad Darnell. It is fun to try and get a day in the life of into photos.

So here we go. In April, I took a photo of our new sign, but it was just sitting in the parking lot, here it is in its new location, along Browns Valley Road in Vacaville, CA. Taken at 7am

Here is the other sign directing traffic through the parking lot. We are LOVING the solar panels and the covered parking. Vacaville CA 7:05am

This is the new playground surface at the Preschool. It matches our newly resurfaced tennis courts. The Tennis Pro says the members love the new "pretty" colors. We picked them because they are supposed to last longer. Vacaville CA 7:30am


Here is what a newly washed car looks like after traveling 45 miles. My car was clean on Monday, until I drove home through the alfalfa and rice fields. BUGS everywhere. Yea, I love the country life. Vacaville CA 8am

This is Angus. He will be 18 in August. He doesn't act like it. Here he is barking at one of the other dogs who is having too much fun, chasing a stick. Elverta CA 6:45pm

There will be many a cactus flower in a few days. 7:50pm Elverta CA

Lady bug on the lemon and lime. I keep asking them why they are not on my roses, but neither one would answer me. However, our aphids are down this year. Elverta CA 7:55pm




Summer must be getting close. The Summer Squash are just about ready. Elverta CA 7:55 pm


And not only do I not have a secret photo, but I don't even have 12. Good thing I am not a preschool teacher.

12 of 12 June

I meant to post this on Sunday, but didn't get home until too late. And, well, Monday was, a Monday.

So TODAY is 12 of 12. Are you taking photos?

Interesting, but what does it mean?

I had a dream last night (not unusual). It wasn't until I awoke that I realized that everyone (Human and critter) was dead.

I was taking Kitty (not dead) to our normal vet's office for her weigh in. (Which I was scheduled to do the next day. She is down to 80 pounds, by the way). The receptionist was my good friend's mom, Dianne, who died two years ago. The vet was a friend of mine, Robyn, who died four years ago. In the side room where you pass to go to the clinic rooms was a line up of dogs. Among them were Joseph, Coco and Dawg. When Kitty and I left, both my dad and my father-in-law were in the waiting room with other critters.

Does this mean I think Dawg is dead? I think it means that where ever she is Dianne and Robyn are looking after her.

That afternoon, Luke and I did very well in our class at the show. Like I said, interesting, no?

WE DID IT

Ok, so I can't give a lot of details here and now. Just wanted to say, WE DID IT.

What? Oh, yea, Luke and I cantered at a show. In a class and we even placed.

More updates on the show later this weekend.

Wow, Post #100

Isn't it supposed to be revolutionary, inspirational, witty or erudite?

Ok, so this entry was going to be the Five-Day reminder for the June version of 12 of 12. Now what do I do?

Ah, yes. Get back to work. Busy day. Let's Show Beach Party (Horse Show) starts today; boss returns from Hawaii; accountant leaves for Hawaii; whales skip Hawaii for West Sacramento (enjoyed their visit and now back to Hawaii they go); Cactus flowers bloom amongst the star thistle.

UMMM, through the fog I glimpse a theme. Mercury is going to go retro and everyone I know is doing the beach thing.

"Great Party. No whiskey, we go home now." Running Buffalo, McLintock!

We're off

to the Beach Party. Photos to be uploaded later this weekend.

We are riding in three flat classes and Luke will be jumping with Stephanie in the 2'9 and 3" classes on grass. So, poor Lukey had to get shoes on his front feet. He was so funny on Monday. You would have thought the farrier chopped off is front toes the way he pouted. Ah, well. Life is rough when you eat, jump, poop and just hang all day.

Also, Boy and Precious slept in the house last night for the first time. They did very well. Boy let us pet him and allowed us to remove several (nearly 50) ticks. UGGGGGHHHHHH. He got a good dusting of tick powder and Frontline to help slow them down, I hope.

More later in the week.

The mind is great

as long as your brain doesn't get in the way. or is it vice versa?

Anyway, had a lesson last night with Heather. First time she has seen me ride since our weekend in Lincoln. She was actually impressed. Amazing what a human can do, when they set their mind to it and don't listen to the brain. (For all you psychologists out there, I may have those two concepts flipped, but it doesn't matter to me). What matters is I have shut up the self doubt dude and am having fun getting better.

Look out Beach Party, here we come.

TTFN

Been a Few

Well, the week has been…

Friday, we went to the Civil War Sprint Car Races at Marysville Raceway. It was the show that was postponed from April when it rained. Lots of crashes. Track was really dry. A friend from work came too. She had a great time; not sure if her boyfriend did or not. It was his first sprint car event. I didn’t know many of the drivers, so I chose the cars I was routing for by their paint schemes. That didn’t help either.

Saturday, while some of my riding cohorts were at a show, I rode Luke. Joining me was Mel and her horse, Laddie. Laddie is a “baby”, being that he is six and only been off the track for a year or so. He has one speed, fast. It just wasn’t fast enough at the track. He also is very one-sided. He loves to go left, but not right. Like some NASCAR drivers I know. While Luke and I worked on the lessons we learned at Muriel’s, Mel and Laddie worked on going right without fussing and fighting. They did very well. We cantered some and jumped a fence a few times. Looking forward to progressing this summer so I can get back into jumping. It really is fun, once you keep your eyes up and open.

Then, we went to the USAC sprint car races at the All American Speedway in Roseville. They haven’t raced there in 30 years. The place was packed. We went to commemorate the 25th anniversary of our first date. Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, 1982, we went to the races at Roseville. All-in-All, my back held up well.

Sunday, that wretched thing called housework and laundry highlighted my day. Watched the Formula 1 race from Monaco, the Indy 500, and the Coca-Cola 600.

I didn’t have Monday off, but everyone else along my commuted did, so I made record time. 35 minutes door-to-door and YES, I went the speed limit. Left work a bit early so went to the barn and rode Luke. My good buddy, Bob, came and fixed the bequeathed tractor so I can finish my pasture clean up and put up my three stall shelter for Rufus, BJ and Luke. Not that I think they will use it.

Well, it is off to the airport to deposit the boss and then off to work.

TTFN