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City Biddy
Glad to hear the news! 
Denim Deb Hay, hay, hay. Thank the Lord!
- Thread starter Denim Deb
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Denim Deb
More Precious than Rubies
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Mason is doing so much better! He looks normal, and is no longer shaking. His owner will probably take him out of the sling tomorrow, unless she did it today after I left. And, she appreciates all the prayers that were offered up on his behalf.
Ok, back to the history.
The house my DH and I lived in when we first got married was small, plus it had a wet basement, and we constantly had a problem w/mold. And, we had a problem w/mice! One day, my DH brought home a kitten. We had her for about a year, then lost her to FLV. I had never even heard of it b4. That was a rough year for me w/pets. My Cocker Spaniel, Ebony, got an auto immune disease. By the time they were finally able to diagnose it, she was too far gone, and I lost her. And, I also lost my pet rabbit. The only good thing to come out of that year was our son. We hadn't wanted to have any children until we moved out of that house, but things happen. We were finally able to find a house, a fixer upper. Our son was about 1.5 when we moved.
Our plan was to be in the house for just a few years. The house only has about 1/2 acres, and our dream was to have a house in the country w/enough land for me to have a horse and raise our own food. That hasn't happened. We're still in the same house.
We hadn't been in the house long when I started getting vertigo attacks. The doctor I saw thought I had a re-occurring inner ear infection. Finally, after battling the vertigo for several months, he decided that it wasn't an ear infection. He said I could go to a specialist, but they probably wouldn't be able to figure out what was wrong. I found another doctor. He sent me to a specialist, and I was diagnosed w/Meniere's disease. The triggers? Alcohol (I don't drink, so that wasn't a problem), salt (I try to stick to a low salt diet now), caffeine (caffeine in chocolate and tea doesn't seem to bother me, but in coffee or soda, I'll get an attack in just a short period of time) and cigarette smoke (I try to avoid smokers as much as possible). I've also found that the weather can trigger an attack. But, in spite of having MD, I've been blessed. I still have the majority of my hearing, even after 23 years. I was able to go back to school, and get my BS in biology. Some people find that pregnancy can make it worse, I had no problems carrying my daughter. And, in spite of having MD, I've been able to work on my Spanish, and learn some French and German.
August 18, 1998 is the day that changed my life. I was camping w/the kids at a local state park. We had to run to the store to get a couple of things that we needed. We were coming off of an exit ramp onto a 4 lane road. I had started to pull out at one point in time when someone changed lanes, so I had to stop. So, in order to see down the road, I had to really turn in my seat. And, while waiting for another break in traffic, I was rear ended. There was less than $1000 worth of damage to the car. But, because of how I was sitting, I got hurt. I hit my left knee on the car door-operation a few months later. I was jerked back by the seat belt, and messed up my shoulder-operation a few years later when I got to the point of not being able to use that arm at all. I had all of my weight go onto my right hand and gave me carpel tunnel. That cleared up on it's own, but because I was basically doing everything one handed for years, I developed problems w/my right elbow-operation to move the nerve.
But, the worst damage I received was to my lower back. I have L4, L5 nerve irritation, which affects my right leg. You know how your leg feels if it falls asleep and then you move it? That's about how it feels all the time. The only good thing to come from this accident? The neurologist suggested horseback riding as therapy. I didn't have a horse, didn't have a place to ride, and knew no one w/a horse. A few years later, I met my friend, RU. I leased a horse off of her, then someone told her about a horse someone was looking to get rid of. The owner had died, and they just wanted a good home for the horse. So, I got my first horse, Binty, a 20 yo Arabian mare. I had her for just over 2 years, then lost her to colic. A couple of months later, I got Misty, an unhandled 5 yo Arabian rescue. Someone had also given my daughter a Chincoteague pony shortly after I got Binty. My daughter no longer rides, and Stormy has heaves, so he's basically retired. And, since he's 20 now, I figure he's earned his retirement, especially since I have trouble keeping weight on him. Then, RU suggested we do pony rides, so I got Licorice. I'm about done w/pony rides, but I love the little brat, so she's not going anyplace.
Between the Meniere's and the car accident, I had to pretty much give up on a lot of things I had planned on doing. I was just really getting into canning when I was hurt. Now, I'm finally able to get into doing what I've longed to do for years. Next time I post, I'll "introduce" you to my family.
Ok, back to the history.
The house my DH and I lived in when we first got married was small, plus it had a wet basement, and we constantly had a problem w/mold. And, we had a problem w/mice! One day, my DH brought home a kitten. We had her for about a year, then lost her to FLV. I had never even heard of it b4. That was a rough year for me w/pets. My Cocker Spaniel, Ebony, got an auto immune disease. By the time they were finally able to diagnose it, she was too far gone, and I lost her. And, I also lost my pet rabbit. The only good thing to come out of that year was our son. We hadn't wanted to have any children until we moved out of that house, but things happen. We were finally able to find a house, a fixer upper. Our son was about 1.5 when we moved.
Our plan was to be in the house for just a few years. The house only has about 1/2 acres, and our dream was to have a house in the country w/enough land for me to have a horse and raise our own food. That hasn't happened. We're still in the same house.
We hadn't been in the house long when I started getting vertigo attacks. The doctor I saw thought I had a re-occurring inner ear infection. Finally, after battling the vertigo for several months, he decided that it wasn't an ear infection. He said I could go to a specialist, but they probably wouldn't be able to figure out what was wrong. I found another doctor. He sent me to a specialist, and I was diagnosed w/Meniere's disease. The triggers? Alcohol (I don't drink, so that wasn't a problem), salt (I try to stick to a low salt diet now), caffeine (caffeine in chocolate and tea doesn't seem to bother me, but in coffee or soda, I'll get an attack in just a short period of time) and cigarette smoke (I try to avoid smokers as much as possible). I've also found that the weather can trigger an attack. But, in spite of having MD, I've been blessed. I still have the majority of my hearing, even after 23 years. I was able to go back to school, and get my BS in biology. Some people find that pregnancy can make it worse, I had no problems carrying my daughter. And, in spite of having MD, I've been able to work on my Spanish, and learn some French and German.
August 18, 1998 is the day that changed my life. I was camping w/the kids at a local state park. We had to run to the store to get a couple of things that we needed. We were coming off of an exit ramp onto a 4 lane road. I had started to pull out at one point in time when someone changed lanes, so I had to stop. So, in order to see down the road, I had to really turn in my seat. And, while waiting for another break in traffic, I was rear ended. There was less than $1000 worth of damage to the car. But, because of how I was sitting, I got hurt. I hit my left knee on the car door-operation a few months later. I was jerked back by the seat belt, and messed up my shoulder-operation a few years later when I got to the point of not being able to use that arm at all. I had all of my weight go onto my right hand and gave me carpel tunnel. That cleared up on it's own, but because I was basically doing everything one handed for years, I developed problems w/my right elbow-operation to move the nerve.
But, the worst damage I received was to my lower back. I have L4, L5 nerve irritation, which affects my right leg. You know how your leg feels if it falls asleep and then you move it? That's about how it feels all the time. The only good thing to come from this accident? The neurologist suggested horseback riding as therapy. I didn't have a horse, didn't have a place to ride, and knew no one w/a horse. A few years later, I met my friend, RU. I leased a horse off of her, then someone told her about a horse someone was looking to get rid of. The owner had died, and they just wanted a good home for the horse. So, I got my first horse, Binty, a 20 yo Arabian mare. I had her for just over 2 years, then lost her to colic. A couple of months later, I got Misty, an unhandled 5 yo Arabian rescue. Someone had also given my daughter a Chincoteague pony shortly after I got Binty. My daughter no longer rides, and Stormy has heaves, so he's basically retired. And, since he's 20 now, I figure he's earned his retirement, especially since I have trouble keeping weight on him. Then, RU suggested we do pony rides, so I got Licorice. I'm about done w/pony rides, but I love the little brat, so she's not going anyplace.
Between the Meniere's and the car accident, I had to pretty much give up on a lot of things I had planned on doing. I was just really getting into canning when I was hurt. Now, I'm finally able to get into doing what I've longed to do for years. Next time I post, I'll "introduce" you to my family.
savingdogs
Queen Filksinger
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Wow! a car accident injury on top of MD like that really bites. 
Your story is very interesting.
Regarding the half acre, we went from a quarter acre to five acres and if you asked me, it feels like we are using just about 1/4 of an acre of this place. Most of the rest of it just needs to be maintained! A half acre is enough to do a lot of stuff.
A chincoteague pony, hmmmm? I loved Margurite Henry's books when I was a kid and always dreamed of having a pony like that. Are they common where you are?
Your story is very interesting.
Regarding the half acre, we went from a quarter acre to five acres and if you asked me, it feels like we are using just about 1/4 of an acre of this place. Most of the rest of it just needs to be maintained! A half acre is enough to do a lot of stuff.
A chincoteague pony, hmmmm? I loved Margurite Henry's books when I was a kid and always dreamed of having a pony like that. Are they common where you are?
Farmfresh
City Biddy
There are lots of us out here living the good life with a disability... or two. 
It only makes us think and plan a bit more before getting on with things.
Me... psoriatic arthritis, sensory neuropathy in both feet, and Celiac (which is more a p.i.t.a. than a disability).
Glad you have finally gotten back to doing the things you have longed to do!
It only makes us think and plan a bit more before getting on with things.
Me... psoriatic arthritis, sensory neuropathy in both feet, and Celiac (which is more a p.i.t.a. than a disability).
Glad you have finally gotten back to doing the things you have longed to do!
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Denim Deb
More Precious than Rubies
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I only know of one other in the area. And, I could do a lot more if my family would only pitch in and help. But, when my hubby started to drink, he changed. And, instead of making the kids do things when they were told, he say, why do they have to do it, why can't you? So, the kids have grown up thinking they don't have to do anything. I no longer try and please either him or the kids. If they don't like something, TLC. (Tough luck, chump)savingdogs said:Wow! a car accident injury on top of MD like that really bites.
Your story is very interesting.
Regarding the half acre, we went from a quarter acre to five acres and if you asked me, it feels like we are using just about 1/4 of an acre of this place. Most of the rest of it just needs to be maintained! A half acre is enough to do a lot of stuff.
A chincoteague pony, hmmmm? I loved Margurite Henry's books when I was a kid and always dreamed of having a pony like that. Are they common where you are?
BarredBuff
El Presidente de Pollo
Hey Denim Deb!!! You come to my journal, I come to yours!
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Denim Deb
More Precious than Rubies
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Sounds like a fair trade to me! Actually, I've started reading all the journals. I'm starting w/the ones that aren't very long first. That way I figure I can get to "know" the people on here quicker. This is the only place I've found where I feel like I completely fit in. Most people can't understand me.
BarredBuff
El Presidente de Pollo
I know just how you feel. I am on the sister sites of SufficientSelf, NOTHING compares to SS.Denim Deb said:
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Denim Deb
More Precious than Rubies
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I've found that if I don't sit down when I get home from work, I get more done. If I take a break first, nothing gets done. But, I was too beat to update this last night, so I'm doing it now.
Yesterday, I thought I was going to have a short day at work. After all, my boss had been in Texas judging at a show, and she wasn't expected to get in until late Sunday night/early Monday morning. Well, she got an earlier flight. So, instead of just feeding the horses, cleaning the stalls, and spreading the manure, I did some other stuff, and didn't get done until just after 12:00
From there, I went to the farm. I try to always have stuff there that I can eat for lunch just in case I don't have time to make something. Right now, it's all store bought stuff, but hope to change that soon. I heated up a can of split pea for lunch, ate that, washed up my dishes, then got to work.
First thing I did was check on Mason. He's out of his sling, and standing on his own. He was out of hay, so I gave him some. Next, I checked on the chickens. Wanda was out and acting like she was starving, so I fed them. Right now, their food is in a deep dish since she and Penny are crossed beaked, though Penny isn't as bad. The feed ends up scattered all over, so I decided to try putting the dish in another, larger dish. Hopefully this will make it so they waste less. I also threw out a handful of BOSS. Ralph and Angel love it! I might take some corn w/me today, and see how they react to that.
KLN had fed the horses earlier, but Stormy needed his 2nd feeding. I let him out for that since right now, I have no place to close him in. And, Misty will help him eat. He needs his food, she doesn't. While he was eating, I stuck a bale of hay in the back RB feeder. Then, stuck Stormy back in the field. None of the horses realized I did this, so I led Misty to the feeder, then Stormy, then Licky. The rest of the horses realized what was going on, and they went back on their own.
My 16' stock trailer was sitting in the front field w/a RB I wasn't able to get out. RU came over and helped me get it out. (We closed the gate between the 2 fields.) Then we stuck the front RB feeder over this, I hooked up my trailer, drove it out, shut that gate, then opened the gate to the 2 fields. It didn't take the horses long to discover the RB, and they were all happily munching by the time I left.
I bag my feed-makes it much easier, and I've found it saves me money. So, I bagged feed for the next 4 days. There was a chance of some rain overnight, so I made sure that everything was covered. Then I remembered that I hadn't checked the water for the chickens. Wanda gets it quite messy, and I need to check it often. But, I've found that if I tip it to the side, I can get out all the feed she's gotten in it, and I don't have to clean it as often. So, I did this.
All of this took me longer than I wanted, and it was after 4:00 by the time I left. I got home, fed the animals I have at home, broke out the splitter, and started to split wood. I was able to get at least a couple of days worth of wood done. Then, I brought it all inside, dumped the ash bucket, and cleaned out the stove. It was still fairly warm in the house, so I waited to make a fire.
Over a week ago, I had picked everything that was still in my garden, but hadn't had a chance to do anything w/it. And, some of it was starting to rot. So, I sorted thru everything. I pureed the red tomatoes, and stuck them in a bowl in the fridge. I should have enough from them to make sauce for dinner tomorrow. The rest was just sorted thru and left out. I'll be doing pickled hot peppers tomorrow. I'm not sure what do do w/the egg plant or the green tomatoes. And, I have one zucchini that was hiding. It's about 2' long! I'm thinking stuffed zucchini, and zucchini bread.
Then, I got the fire going, sorted clothes and threw a load in the wash. I ate dinner, and relaxed on SS. I checked the fire, put the clothes in the dryer, and threw another load in the washer, then went to bed. I was beat!
Yesterday, I thought I was going to have a short day at work. After all, my boss had been in Texas judging at a show, and she wasn't expected to get in until late Sunday night/early Monday morning. Well, she got an earlier flight. So, instead of just feeding the horses, cleaning the stalls, and spreading the manure, I did some other stuff, and didn't get done until just after 12:00
From there, I went to the farm. I try to always have stuff there that I can eat for lunch just in case I don't have time to make something. Right now, it's all store bought stuff, but hope to change that soon. I heated up a can of split pea for lunch, ate that, washed up my dishes, then got to work.
First thing I did was check on Mason. He's out of his sling, and standing on his own. He was out of hay, so I gave him some. Next, I checked on the chickens. Wanda was out and acting like she was starving, so I fed them. Right now, their food is in a deep dish since she and Penny are crossed beaked, though Penny isn't as bad. The feed ends up scattered all over, so I decided to try putting the dish in another, larger dish. Hopefully this will make it so they waste less. I also threw out a handful of BOSS. Ralph and Angel love it! I might take some corn w/me today, and see how they react to that.
KLN had fed the horses earlier, but Stormy needed his 2nd feeding. I let him out for that since right now, I have no place to close him in. And, Misty will help him eat. He needs his food, she doesn't. While he was eating, I stuck a bale of hay in the back RB feeder. Then, stuck Stormy back in the field. None of the horses realized I did this, so I led Misty to the feeder, then Stormy, then Licky. The rest of the horses realized what was going on, and they went back on their own.
My 16' stock trailer was sitting in the front field w/a RB I wasn't able to get out. RU came over and helped me get it out. (We closed the gate between the 2 fields.) Then we stuck the front RB feeder over this, I hooked up my trailer, drove it out, shut that gate, then opened the gate to the 2 fields. It didn't take the horses long to discover the RB, and they were all happily munching by the time I left.
I bag my feed-makes it much easier, and I've found it saves me money. So, I bagged feed for the next 4 days. There was a chance of some rain overnight, so I made sure that everything was covered. Then I remembered that I hadn't checked the water for the chickens. Wanda gets it quite messy, and I need to check it often. But, I've found that if I tip it to the side, I can get out all the feed she's gotten in it, and I don't have to clean it as often. So, I did this.
All of this took me longer than I wanted, and it was after 4:00 by the time I left. I got home, fed the animals I have at home, broke out the splitter, and started to split wood. I was able to get at least a couple of days worth of wood done. Then, I brought it all inside, dumped the ash bucket, and cleaned out the stove. It was still fairly warm in the house, so I waited to make a fire.
Over a week ago, I had picked everything that was still in my garden, but hadn't had a chance to do anything w/it. And, some of it was starting to rot. So, I sorted thru everything. I pureed the red tomatoes, and stuck them in a bowl in the fridge. I should have enough from them to make sauce for dinner tomorrow. The rest was just sorted thru and left out. I'll be doing pickled hot peppers tomorrow. I'm not sure what do do w/the egg plant or the green tomatoes. And, I have one zucchini that was hiding. It's about 2' long! I'm thinking stuffed zucchini, and zucchini bread.
Then, I got the fire going, sorted clothes and threw a load in the wash. I ate dinner, and relaxed on SS. I checked the fire, put the clothes in the dryer, and threw another load in the washer, then went to bed. I was beat!
savingdogs
Queen Filksinger
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Sounds like a busy day. Are Stormy and Misty named after Marguerite Henry's books? I was so charmed by those books as a child, was so disapointed none of my kids got into horse books.
I find once I sit down towards the end of the day, I'm done! But I can keep going a long time, like the energizer rabbit. Sounds like you can, too!
Tell me, would you describe your personality as a "pleaser" of others? I have found most MD patients to be that type....approval-seeking and determined with a lot of stamina. Is that you? Just curious.
I find once I sit down towards the end of the day, I'm done! But I can keep going a long time, like the energizer rabbit. Sounds like you can, too!
Tell me, would you describe your personality as a "pleaser" of others? I have found most MD patients to be that type....approval-seeking and determined with a lot of stamina. Is that you? Just curious.
