@CMorning99 Some of those barns are put together so well. We had a shed that was built in the early 1900s. It looked like if you blew on it hard, it would fall down, but it took a lot of work and tractor pulling to actually get it to fall. Glad the weather is better for you and hope the doctor's appointment goes well. What is a TDC? I hope you don't have to buy one, whatever it is. LOL I'm glad DH is pushing you to get healthy and run. Too many people have the opposite, where their spouses are "jealous" of the time spent exercising and getting in shape.

I'm so sorry that you aren't feeling well @shanaber. It's so frustrating when you don't know what is going on. Do you think it is still the after affects of the vaccine? I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for asking about me. I am feeling pretty good, just can't seem to get enough sleep. Garmin is forever giving me a poor score. LOL But, my breathing seems to be a lot better than it was at the end of last year. I did have more palpitations while playing tennis last night, but they didn't last too long. I have a follow up cardiology appointment tomorrow morning. I'm sure it will be a quick, "you are doing good" appointment since things are better.

I got so mad at Medicaid yesterday I could have spit nails. I called to let them know that my cousin wouldn't need it any longer, but wanted him to keep it through this month. The lady assured me that it would take a couple of weeks to process the request and that I would get a letter telling me the termination date. Later, I got a call that I missed from them. When I called back, the automated system said he had been terminated. What?! I spoke with someone and they said as soon as they hit the terminate button the coverage is gone in an instant. I explained what had happened and she checked to see if we could re-instate it since it was the same day and there was a misunderstanding. No! Only way to get it back is to re-apply, which can take up to 45 days. I thought I was doing great by getting things taken care of in a timely fashion. Maybe this is why I procrastinate so much....when I do things early, they don't ever seem to work out. LOL Anyway, that mistake is likely to cost my cousin around $3,000! At least he has it, but it is so frustrating.

@shanaber I realise this response is several days late, but how are you doing now? When is the foot sx? Did you talk to dd about your symptoms? Sure you know heart burn/nausea particularly in women can signal cardiac concerns. if you use an apple phone, you could ping the "find my" to rouse your DH, if you have another device to ping; maybe even an AirTag. How does Hobbes do with the teeth cleaning?

@quilteryoyo sheesh. our government at work. what a pain.

Mochi
So far she is good. Eats so much and isn't gaining. I think her worms have worms, LOL! nah, I worm her. She's just a busy busy girl. She has brought dd 2 earth snakes and one tiny leopard frog. I think she is also disturbing the small birds now and then.

New pup
This girl is so well behaved. 9 weeks and 3 days, she can sit on command (without a food prompt). Kev cant or wont. comes when called. Kev may or may not... it depends how interested he is or if you mention cheese. She's doing good on the housebreaking. A little here and there accidents, but overall i'd guess she is about 90+% success. I named her Rowena. I asked a cousin for input and she mentioned Ronah. Which reminded me of a name in the family tree, Nellie Rowena Martin that I liked and felt a kinship to. Last night i was snuggling her and wanted to call her Georgina... so today she is Georgie-wena. I think I want to call her Georgina. That lil fart was 12.5 pounds when I got her. She is everybit of 20 now. She is in that bity-baby stage but learning fast that I am not for nom-noms.

School
Yes, Hopkins sent me the kindest letter of rejection last week. I am kinda butt-hurt over it, as anyone would be. But, I had accepted OU and it is close and won't be a financial stretch or impossibility.
I am ready to wrap up this semester. There are still so many assignments to get done.

self-care
I had my second facial ever last week. It was a hydra-facial. It sucks the slough, oils, and evacuates your pores (mostly). I ran out of an antibiotic for my face (rosacea) then HRT pellets caused a terrible breakout. Which I seem to be past. I am up to 142 lbs. 124 was do something.
-_- I have presentations to do and they require business casual. Nothing fits.
So.. I found out that there is a fat shot. I scheduled an appointment for next week. Of course, with busy course work and exam after exam; I havent taken the lyrica (which causes brain vacation) and increased appetite. I feel like the appetite is better and moving in the right direction.

@swenson19d - Thanks for asking. Symptoms are still the same but come and go, some days ok others not so much. I had a thought the other night that maybe it was a cardiac issue but then I decided it was just IBS acting up again. It seems I can't eat much or it gets bad. Yesterday I had my usually Greek yogurt and it was terrible, so who knows. I have cut out wine, anything spicy, cut way back on coffee in the morning even though it is usually later in the day that is an issue. Surgery isn't until May 23rd. I see my PCP May 2nd for the pre-op tests and I will talk to her about it. Of course Dr. Google has lots of ideas; appendicitis (nope, don't have one), constipation (yea, maybe), a bile duct blockage, an inflamed spleen, etc., etc. Honestly I wonder if it is from the IBS medication and am tempted to just stop taking it but then worry it might make it worse. I haven't talked to DD about it - she always reminds me she is a peds doctor and doesn't do adults.🤷🏻‍♀️
My DH doesn't have an iPhone or Apple anything so nothing for me to ping with "find my'. I did tell hm from now on when I am out for a run or walk he needs to keep his phone nearby where he will hear it. He has a Fitbit and did have notifications going to it but I guess it was bugging him.
I am sorry about Johns Hopkins too but seems like OU makes the most sense anyway. Will you start there in the Fall? Hope you can find some clothes that fit for your presentations.
Kev sounds like Hobbes. I seriously feel like I trained him wrong because it's all about the treat now.😂 He is just so food driven. Some people use toys as the reward in agility - Hobbes couldn't care less, just give him some string cheese!
Your Dobie girl sounds lovely and so smart! I had a very good friend (godmother to my DD) from college named Rowena. She (and her family) ghosted us during the Trump years. I still can't figure out what happened or why - we aren't particularly political so who knows. Anyway not a name I would choose but you have a good connection so it works! I do like Ronah too, for me it would be easier to say.
Did you like the facial? I haven't had one in a very long while. DH got me a gift certificate to a local spa though for a few different treatments so I was thinking I might go in May before the surgery.

@quilteryoyo - you and your tennis partners are really doing great!

One plus side of not being able to eat much and being very careful about what I am eating is I am back down to 150. Hoping I can get to 145 before the surgery as I know my weight is going to go up when I can't actually do much for a month. Oh I did buy a knee scooter. My insurance won't cover it so I ordered one on Amazon. They are actually pretty inexpensive as things go. It was less than it would cost per month to rent one. I have been practicing with it in hopes I can maneuver with it ok and not tip over😁

@quilteryoyo - any updates on getting your cousin moved or having him stay where he's at now? I hope it is all getting worked out.

@CMorning99 - are you doing ok? You have been so quiet, I hope you are just busy getting ready to move and nothing has gone wrong.

@swenson19d - been thinking about you lately and hope all is going well!

I finally see my PCP tomorrow. It is for all my pre-op tests but I am planning to talk to her about how crappy I have been feeling. We are also heading up north on Sunday. Frank has been wanting to go somewhere but didn't want to return to anywhere we have already been. We've been talking about Yellowstone but hit would require too much time so that will be a fall trip. Instead we are going to go way north to a small coastal town of Trinidad, CA - apparently it is where the redwoods meet the ocean. Lots of trails and coastline to explore and I am hoping he will get out and check it out with me. The weather is also supposed to be fantastic.

@quilteryoyo - I hope it all works out for your cousin, Those situations can be so frustrating and stressful for the person dealing with all the arrangements. Your cousin is very lucky to have you there to advocate for him!

My doctor appointment went pretty well. She is very concerned and ordered a bunch of tests. She said she won't sign off on the surgery until she knows what is going on though so that was a bit concerning. I got some of the test results this morning and while I will wait for her analysis, it looks like I may be anemic which would explain my lack of energy. She requested an abdominal ultrasound too, but it couldn't be scheduled until the 16th, just a week out from my surgery date. Finally she told me to quit taking the IBS medication since all of this seemed to start when I started it - may be related or maybe not but it won't hurt me to not take it.

@shanaber yes all is relatively well (Alex’s birthday the 5th and his death date coming up is difficult).

Animals
Nina Georgina Rowena is a bit wiggly to weigh but seems to be about 31-32 pounds. She is still a sweet lil turd. Mochi (the cardiac cat) seems to be slowing down. It’s getting warmer out and seems to get to her. She did get a bird the other day. And a snake today. You can really hear the murmur; her heart beat is 3 beats instead of the two, lub dub dub. She’s gotten cuddly and is half playing with Nina now and then.

OU
Been working on getting the requirements done, vaccinations, cpr, this and that, parking, financial aid, new student waivers, etc. I am waiting to sit for the nclex-RN. Still half studying. Enjoying catching up on sleep and Netflix. I should make time to get the viola out.

Kevin
Has been limping so he had a vet visit last week. He has subluxation in his kneecaps. The ligament that normally runs from the top of the quads over the knee and secures to the protuberance just below is the culprit. His protuberance attachment is positioned medial. He goes for X-rays in the AM with a mild sedative. Likely surgical treatment. He’s been on an anti inflammatory the last 4-5 days and a joint supplement. He also gets to lose 10 pounds. Dh doesn’t feed him pizza, tacos, or ice cream anymore… finally.

Weight
I’m still fat. Three weeks on the ozempic shot at half the normal dose and I’ve lost 2-5 pounds… 90 percent of that was the first week. I had an appt with the rheumatologist and discussed the weight. I went from 126 to 142 in 4 months. She felt the culprit was the hormone pellets and thinks it’ll come off if I watch what I eat. I didn’t tell her about the ozempic, kinda hoped she’d give me a new script for some, lol! I did find a cute outfit to wear for those presentations. Well, I had help from the hs aged sales clerk at Maurice’s.

@swenson19d - sending you {{HUGS}} for Alex's birthday and death day. It has to be so difficult! I can't even imagine. But you will get through it! How is Alexa doing? I hope she is doing well!
I bet Nina is just a lover! Does Sandy have the same issue as Kevin? I have heard of other pups having that surgery and surgery itself isn't as much an issue as keeping them quiet afterwards. Especially as they feel better and want to play.
Mochi - you know you are giving her the best chance to live her best life no matter how long that is. She is very lucky to have you all to love on her and snuggle with her.
I am so excited about your starting the program at OU! It will likely be tough but I hope you love it!
I don't know what Maurice's is (like Mervyns or Kohls?) but I am glad they were able to help you put together a cute outfit. It always helps to feel cute and confident when you have to give a presentation.

@quilteryoyo - I was wondering about your cousin and if you had found a place that would work. I hope the struggle to get him back on Medicaid won't be too terrible but I know it is like a maze to work through. My scale does the same as yours. It will turn on and off and then give me an error. I never know if the battery really needs replacing for if the reset that occurs when you take it out is really what fixes the issue.

Me - TLDR... I am really sick. I have lost 15lbs and am down to 141 but this has not been the way I wanted to do it and definitely not the best for my body.
Dets under the spoiler.

@shanaber “oh f…”. (In Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent’s most frustrated response). I am sorry to hear that. I worked with a cna this semester, probably in her late 60’s who was in treatment for pancreatic cysts of some sort. She’d had them for decades and it was ongoing. So, I hope it is something that can be resolved with the badass female surgeon. Always feel free to unload here. Never apologize. We need that outlet and so often cannot be as transparent or vulnerable irl. This tread is similar to journaling where the journal is shared among friends.

Thank you for the support and kindness. We are here for you in anyway possible.

Shanaber, I was so sorry to read this. I pray that the "kick *kitten*" female surgeon can debulk and then let the oncologists do wonders with some of the new therapies (which weren't available even for my son 6 years ago...). My thoughts are with you and your family....love HonuNui