A couple of weeks ago i went to the beach with my daughter
and grandson--and, of course, Daisy. (I even take a small
vacuum cleaner just for her.) We went out to eat--food was
great--and we stopped at one beach wares shop. Not one of
the super large ones. I wanted a mug--that's all. But we walked
around perusing the other goods. And that's when I fell--no
warning. I fell on my right shoulder--the same one broken in April.
And it hurt--really hurt. I had just been released from the frequent
visits to the doctor. I got up with help. My beach trip was essentially
over. The weather forecast was for rain. So we did not bring my
cart. I spent the rest of the time feeling very miserable, but Daisy and I
really enjoyed just watching the ocean.
All for now
Kate Thorn
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Life in Hendersonville NC
This has to be the most pleasant small town I've ever lived in.
As we were going up the road towards Walmart, we saw blue lights
on both sides of the road. No, not a wreck. They were directing traffic.
So the people could could get out of the church parking lot safely.
And they do this for all churches of a large size. They also do this
when some huge company, as a car dealership, has a sale. Unreal!
They didn't even do that in Mayberry!
The kennel I boarded Mollie in while at the beach thew in a free bath.
Mollie weighed 70 or 80 pounds then so it had to be an experience.
Free Bath! Another unreal!
Anyway, I love this town. After buying groceries today we went to
Messalunas to eat. (spelling not checked yet). The food was delicious
and, service was beyond excellent. Next we went to a spice store--and I
found this wonderful vinaigrette call Gingered Honey--to die for--so
it came home with us. They had the most unusual teapots--black
iron with a ceramic coating inside and out. The outside was rustic
matte--with different designs on them. My favorite was the dragonfly
purple teapot. Of course, the spice scents made you want to buy--
and I did--but only 2 packs of the flavored sugars--clove sugar and
cinnamon sugar--I am going to mix a small amt (1/2 tsp) in hot water
and see how it tastes. Then I'll try it tea. I usually use Stevia Pure
Via from Amazon--800 packs at a time. Lasts forever. I put it in Greek
yogurt and tea.
All for now
Kate Thorn
PS-We refers to my daughter and I. Mr. Natural is forever gone.--One
last thing--Mollie ran off a bear a few nights ago--super protective now.
All pets are super spoiled. The chicken house is insulated with styrofoam
and more plywood. They are still laying eggs!
Kate
As we were going up the road towards Walmart, we saw blue lights
on both sides of the road. No, not a wreck. They were directing traffic.
So the people could could get out of the church parking lot safely.
And they do this for all churches of a large size. They also do this
when some huge company, as a car dealership, has a sale. Unreal!
They didn't even do that in Mayberry!
The kennel I boarded Mollie in while at the beach thew in a free bath.
Mollie weighed 70 or 80 pounds then so it had to be an experience.
Free Bath! Another unreal!
Anyway, I love this town. After buying groceries today we went to
Messalunas to eat. (spelling not checked yet). The food was delicious
and, service was beyond excellent. Next we went to a spice store--and I
found this wonderful vinaigrette call Gingered Honey--to die for--so
it came home with us. They had the most unusual teapots--black
iron with a ceramic coating inside and out. The outside was rustic
matte--with different designs on them. My favorite was the dragonfly
purple teapot. Of course, the spice scents made you want to buy--
and I did--but only 2 packs of the flavored sugars--clove sugar and
cinnamon sugar--I am going to mix a small amt (1/2 tsp) in hot water
and see how it tastes. Then I'll try it tea. I usually use Stevia Pure
Via from Amazon--800 packs at a time. Lasts forever. I put it in Greek
yogurt and tea.
All for now
Kate Thorn
PS-We refers to my daughter and I. Mr. Natural is forever gone.--One
last thing--Mollie ran off a bear a few nights ago--super protective now.
All pets are super spoiled. The chicken house is insulated with styrofoam
and more plywood. They are still laying eggs!
Kate
Sunday, August 24, 2014
90 Minutes a Day
This idea isn't mine--I believe it came from FeedBurner.com by a person
that goes by Life Hacker., who also publishes on Feedburner. It is a paid
site, but well worth it. I "only" picked 140 subjects I was interested in--
and in the beginning, I tried to read all of them. Not even possible.
Yesterday I read the How 90 minutes could change your life, It is a simple
concept. Pick a block of time that you are fairly free--and devote 90
minutes per day to that project. I am day 3 with my re-writes on my book,
and I've completed 11+ chapters of Book One. That is a lot. They aren't short
and uncomplicated chapters.
I just wanted to pass this along to others out there who are trying to create time!
All For Now
Kate Thorn
8/24/2014
that goes by Life Hacker., who also publishes on Feedburner. It is a paid
site, but well worth it. I "only" picked 140 subjects I was interested in--
and in the beginning, I tried to read all of them. Not even possible.
Yesterday I read the How 90 minutes could change your life, It is a simple
concept. Pick a block of time that you are fairly free--and devote 90
minutes per day to that project. I am day 3 with my re-writes on my book,
and I've completed 11+ chapters of Book One. That is a lot. They aren't short
and uncomplicated chapters.
I just wanted to pass this along to others out there who are trying to create time!
All For Now
Kate Thorn
8/24/2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Mollie and Springing a Leak
Mollie hit with the electric wire at the bottom of her fence. Her behavior
regressed to that of a small puppy. And she weighs 75 lbs. now. She
wouldn't leave the deck. And she was stir crazy. My daughter took her
for walks--but that only helped a little.. So I expanded her space outside.
Her dog lot is now about 30 ft. wide--she has a third of the entire back
yard--and the largest doghouse I could find. (It it states that it will fit a
large german shepherd, well, it's too little for Mollie. She is that large
and still growing.
After being on the deck (near me--that's her goal), she was ticked off
after being put in her space. She promptly went into her doghouse and
to come out for 2 days. Throughout the day, I would throw treats to her.
And what did Mollie do? Looked at me, put her nose in the air, and turned
away from me. Wouldn't take anything from me. That lasted 2 days--and
then she began to explore her new yard, come out more often, and started
eating again. I was relieved. But I am definitely what she wants to guard.
My daughter was considering buying a pygmy goat for her to guard if
didn't start eating and being Mollie again, And when she gets used to being
outside, she will be allowed in at night again.
During this same time period, I went downstairs to wash a small load of
clothes. I put them in and went to check out the rest of the downstairs.
Everything was OK until I reached the hallway leading to the bathroom.
It was half-covered with about a half inch of water. The concrete was
even wet. The carpet in bedroom was wet. I freaked, as plumbing isn't
one of my skills, and called a plumber. He came soon--seems I had hole
the size of a dime in a pipe. Over 200.00 later, that was fixed. Then he said
I HAD to have rehab on the downstairs. I will be paying a thousand
dollars on that--then my homeowners will kick in.
Here lately, I've been
been bleeding money due to finishing up the other house. It should be completely
finished in a week and a half--and then the "for sale" house will go on the market.
I'v completely rehabbed this house. Part of the floors and joists are completely
new, Walls and ceiling are sheetrock--new. Tile will be on kitchen and bathroom
floor. Appliances are all purchased and ready to go. New dishwasher (on sale)
and almost new washer and dryer (used 11 times--girl moved in with boyfriend,
and no longer needed them--sweet deal.) The stove was a good price, not very
old, a couple of years maybe, and it's the same size as mine and a glasstop.
The only thing slightly aged was the fridge--but it's not as old as mine! It's a
2 door style, which is my preference. And it has a really nice HVAC (ouch
on the price!) The wiring wasn't up to code--so the entire house was rewired,
inspected. A lot of lights and outlets were added. The plumbing also had to be
re-done. Has a new and larger breaker box. The guy in charge of doing all
this went out on a limb and picked out lights for house, and sconces for hallway.
This sort of worried me, but his taste was excellent; I couldm't have done as well.
The water heater is 2 years old--yes, I need a new hot water heater too, but I
got lucky. This has heating element top and bottom. He sold this to me for 125.00,
originally cost over 400.00. It has all new windows. And the paint color inside is
White Hydrangea, which a white with only a touch of cream.
All for now.
Kate Thorn
regressed to that of a small puppy. And she weighs 75 lbs. now. She
wouldn't leave the deck. And she was stir crazy. My daughter took her
for walks--but that only helped a little.. So I expanded her space outside.
Her dog lot is now about 30 ft. wide--she has a third of the entire back
yard--and the largest doghouse I could find. (It it states that it will fit a
large german shepherd, well, it's too little for Mollie. She is that large
and still growing.
After being on the deck (near me--that's her goal), she was ticked off
after being put in her space. She promptly went into her doghouse and
to come out for 2 days. Throughout the day, I would throw treats to her.
And what did Mollie do? Looked at me, put her nose in the air, and turned
away from me. Wouldn't take anything from me. That lasted 2 days--and
then she began to explore her new yard, come out more often, and started
eating again. I was relieved. But I am definitely what she wants to guard.
My daughter was considering buying a pygmy goat for her to guard if
didn't start eating and being Mollie again, And when she gets used to being
outside, she will be allowed in at night again.
During this same time period, I went downstairs to wash a small load of
clothes. I put them in and went to check out the rest of the downstairs.
Everything was OK until I reached the hallway leading to the bathroom.
It was half-covered with about a half inch of water. The concrete was
even wet. The carpet in bedroom was wet. I freaked, as plumbing isn't
one of my skills, and called a plumber. He came soon--seems I had hole
the size of a dime in a pipe. Over 200.00 later, that was fixed. Then he said
I HAD to have rehab on the downstairs. I will be paying a thousand
dollars on that--then my homeowners will kick in.
Here lately, I've been
been bleeding money due to finishing up the other house. It should be completely
finished in a week and a half--and then the "for sale" house will go on the market.
I'v completely rehabbed this house. Part of the floors and joists are completely
new, Walls and ceiling are sheetrock--new. Tile will be on kitchen and bathroom
floor. Appliances are all purchased and ready to go. New dishwasher (on sale)
and almost new washer and dryer (used 11 times--girl moved in with boyfriend,
and no longer needed them--sweet deal.) The stove was a good price, not very
old, a couple of years maybe, and it's the same size as mine and a glasstop.
The only thing slightly aged was the fridge--but it's not as old as mine! It's a
2 door style, which is my preference. And it has a really nice HVAC (ouch
on the price!) The wiring wasn't up to code--so the entire house was rewired,
inspected. A lot of lights and outlets were added. The plumbing also had to be
re-done. Has a new and larger breaker box. The guy in charge of doing all
this went out on a limb and picked out lights for house, and sconces for hallway.
This sort of worried me, but his taste was excellent; I couldm't have done as well.
The water heater is 2 years old--yes, I need a new hot water heater too, but I
got lucky. This has heating element top and bottom. He sold this to me for 125.00,
originally cost over 400.00. It has all new windows. And the paint color inside is
White Hydrangea, which a white with only a touch of cream.
All for now.
Kate Thorn
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Fall, Somersault, and Trip
I don't know if anyone else has frequent power outages, but I sure
do. This recent one lasted overnight and caused a fall. No, not again. I
was looking for the matches to light my candles and to find my flashlights.
And I tumbled in the process--couldn't catch myself with my right hand, I
caught myself with my head, seriously! Turned a partial somersault. Now
that hurt! Hurt badly enough for me go to ER--They deemed me alive, but
bruised--in my back and my right shoulder.
Meanwhile I had a trip planned to my favorite cousin's house. So went
anyway. We had (my daughter and I) a reservation at Comfort Suites--was
a large room--but I wouldn't call it a suite. But it was very clean, had quite
comfortable beds, and was very quiet! We left on Monday morning,
and arrived around lunch time. We got lost about the last 5 minutes of trip.
I told my daughter to go to where we knew where we were and we'd
find the street she missed. She wouldn't, but I didn't blame her--I have
zero sense of direction. But I was correct this time--she heard about all
way to my cousin's house!
It was great to see him and his wife. It had been over 30 years since I'd
seen him. With both of us getting older, It seemed the right decision, even
if I was in a lot of pain from the fall. The visit was wonderful! We are
so much alike--both has a strong streak of stubbornness due to the Melton
bloodline we share. He was In Vietnam--and has PTSD, like so many that
served in that war. I had learned not to even say the word Vietnam, war,
or anything similar.
He brought me a box of pictures--old ones--and we looked at them and
talked about them. My favorite picture that I would dearly love to have
a 5x7 of--was a picture of him, his brother, and his sister when they were kids.
He was saluting. A very poignant picture.
Mollie dog missed us while we were gone. First time I'd left her overnight. I did
hire someone to feed and water the chickens and the dog. So they were not left
to fend for themselves.
All for now--
Kate Thorn
do. This recent one lasted overnight and caused a fall. No, not again. I
was looking for the matches to light my candles and to find my flashlights.
And I tumbled in the process--couldn't catch myself with my right hand, I
caught myself with my head, seriously! Turned a partial somersault. Now
that hurt! Hurt badly enough for me go to ER--They deemed me alive, but
bruised--in my back and my right shoulder.
Meanwhile I had a trip planned to my favorite cousin's house. So went
anyway. We had (my daughter and I) a reservation at Comfort Suites--was
a large room--but I wouldn't call it a suite. But it was very clean, had quite
comfortable beds, and was very quiet! We left on Monday morning,
and arrived around lunch time. We got lost about the last 5 minutes of trip.
I told my daughter to go to where we knew where we were and we'd
find the street she missed. She wouldn't, but I didn't blame her--I have
zero sense of direction. But I was correct this time--she heard about all
way to my cousin's house!
It was great to see him and his wife. It had been over 30 years since I'd
seen him. With both of us getting older, It seemed the right decision, even
if I was in a lot of pain from the fall. The visit was wonderful! We are
so much alike--both has a strong streak of stubbornness due to the Melton
bloodline we share. He was In Vietnam--and has PTSD, like so many that
served in that war. I had learned not to even say the word Vietnam, war,
or anything similar.
He brought me a box of pictures--old ones--and we looked at them and
talked about them. My favorite picture that I would dearly love to have
a 5x7 of--was a picture of him, his brother, and his sister when they were kids.
He was saluting. A very poignant picture.
Mollie dog missed us while we were gone. First time I'd left her overnight. I did
hire someone to feed and water the chickens and the dog. So they were not left
to fend for themselves.
All for now--
Kate Thorn
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Back Story
Most of you realize that I sort of dropped off the edge of the earth,
so to speak. I don't want to dramatize all that happened, but Mr. Natural
and I are no longer together. I was nearly at the decision before I
broke my shoulder. My shoulder being broken was painful--but my
arm was completely immobilized for 1 month and I was completely helpless.
Mr. Natural was unavailable to help me for reasons of his own. My daughter
took a week off from work to help me.
I have polymyocitis--it's an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness,
so I had been using both arms to get me upright, standing. I couldn't even
get out of chair without help. She found a used recliner that would stand me up--
that was embarrassing, but I didn't have to ask for help. I also couldn't recline
the chair or sleep in a bed. I had to sleep sitting straight up. I wasn't allowed
change my tee shirt for 2 weeks at a time. And I was learning to eat with my
left hand. You can imagine how messy that teeshirt was after a week of using
my left hand. I could bathe the rest of me--that was good, but only if my daughter
was here to help. I couldn't wash my left arm. That, she had to do.
The used chair was hard as a rock--and I tried one in Sam's that is heavenly--
even has a heat and massage function. I have fallen in love with that chair.
And now I can recline! I had to sit up for a solid month and try to sleep.
Finally I get to wait 2 months before I see my doc. I was seeing her every 2
weeks. If you are local, her name is Suzanne Hall--and she is fabulous.
She only does shoulders.
When the two of us went our separate ways, I was able to get the chicken
house built. It's the Taj Mahal of Chicken Houses. The coop is very
generously sized for only 5 chickens and the outside part,
isn't on dirt, it's built up off the ground. And that outer screened in part of
the chicken house is even bigger than the coop portion. And they
are such happy chickens! They have gotten loose once or twice,
but never left the immediate vicinity. I think they were scared of being
loose. Three had died, and they grieved each time. They would
huddle together, I think out of fear.
My daughter is a saint--she not only has looked after me, but
chickens, the dog, and the cat. And no one likes looking after
Miss Daisy Cat. She will scratch--and not when you expect
it.
My greenhouse is 2/3 completed--it had over 1000 pieces.
I put the finishing off, because there were more pressing matters.
My roof was shot. I went with a sort of rusty red architectural
shingles and as close the color as I could get for gutters and trim
paint. I have new steel back door and a new screen, and Mollie
no longer has run off the entire porch. I had another inner railing with
a gate; this prevented her jumping on me and knocking me down.
Losing the use of one's dominant hand and arm alters one's
balance. I also had a dog run put in--originally 96 feet long
and 12 feet wide--that is already a bit small--so this weekend I am
extending it to the edge of the yard. And after the roof was done,
I got them to build a new front porch--I had so many people
stop and complement my new porch, with its fancy ramp and steps,
a concrete area for the grill.
They had to stop there due to dire repairs needed on the house
I bought in Asheville. It only needed everything. So now it has new
gutters, roof, new plumbing, new wiring throughout. And isn't
all. But it will be totally done by the middle of August. I will
attempt to sell before I rent it.
That sorta brings me to the present. More or less anyway.
All for now.
Kate Thorn
so to speak. I don't want to dramatize all that happened, but Mr. Natural
and I are no longer together. I was nearly at the decision before I
broke my shoulder. My shoulder being broken was painful--but my
arm was completely immobilized for 1 month and I was completely helpless.
Mr. Natural was unavailable to help me for reasons of his own. My daughter
took a week off from work to help me.
I have polymyocitis--it's an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness,
so I had been using both arms to get me upright, standing. I couldn't even
get out of chair without help. She found a used recliner that would stand me up--
that was embarrassing, but I didn't have to ask for help. I also couldn't recline
the chair or sleep in a bed. I had to sleep sitting straight up. I wasn't allowed
change my tee shirt for 2 weeks at a time. And I was learning to eat with my
left hand. You can imagine how messy that teeshirt was after a week of using
my left hand. I could bathe the rest of me--that was good, but only if my daughter
was here to help. I couldn't wash my left arm. That, she had to do.
The used chair was hard as a rock--and I tried one in Sam's that is heavenly--
even has a heat and massage function. I have fallen in love with that chair.
And now I can recline! I had to sit up for a solid month and try to sleep.
Finally I get to wait 2 months before I see my doc. I was seeing her every 2
weeks. If you are local, her name is Suzanne Hall--and she is fabulous.
She only does shoulders.
When the two of us went our separate ways, I was able to get the chicken
house built. It's the Taj Mahal of Chicken Houses. The coop is very
generously sized for only 5 chickens and the outside part,
isn't on dirt, it's built up off the ground. And that outer screened in part of
the chicken house is even bigger than the coop portion. And they
are such happy chickens! They have gotten loose once or twice,
but never left the immediate vicinity. I think they were scared of being
loose. Three had died, and they grieved each time. They would
huddle together, I think out of fear.
My daughter is a saint--she not only has looked after me, but
chickens, the dog, and the cat. And no one likes looking after
Miss Daisy Cat. She will scratch--and not when you expect
it.
My greenhouse is 2/3 completed--it had over 1000 pieces.
I put the finishing off, because there were more pressing matters.
My roof was shot. I went with a sort of rusty red architectural
shingles and as close the color as I could get for gutters and trim
paint. I have new steel back door and a new screen, and Mollie
no longer has run off the entire porch. I had another inner railing with
a gate; this prevented her jumping on me and knocking me down.
Losing the use of one's dominant hand and arm alters one's
balance. I also had a dog run put in--originally 96 feet long
and 12 feet wide--that is already a bit small--so this weekend I am
extending it to the edge of the yard. And after the roof was done,
I got them to build a new front porch--I had so many people
stop and complement my new porch, with its fancy ramp and steps,
a concrete area for the grill.
They had to stop there due to dire repairs needed on the house
I bought in Asheville. It only needed everything. So now it has new
gutters, roof, new plumbing, new wiring throughout. And isn't
all. But it will be totally done by the middle of August. I will
attempt to sell before I rent it.
That sorta brings me to the present. More or less anyway.
All for now.
Kate Thorn
Monday, June 16, 2014
Catching Up
First, this has been a wild and chaotic ride--but I'm backing up to when
my daughter bought Molly a large pail for her water. At the middle of the
day, she had not touched the water, so I gave her some in her old watering
dish. She drank it down nonstop.
My daughter was coming later in the day. When she arrived, I told her about
the pail incident. She went into the down the steps, with Mollie on leash.
She went to her food bowl and called Mollie. Mollie dropped to the ground
and quite literally slithered her way to my daughter, all the while giving
fearful and wary looks at the pail. We both started laughing. Mollies was
terrified of the pail! My daughter had to come and work with her for 3
days before she was over her "pail" fear. Mind you, at this point, Mollie
weighed 60 lbs. and was 5 months old.
All for now
Kate Thorn
my daughter bought Molly a large pail for her water. At the middle of the
day, she had not touched the water, so I gave her some in her old watering
dish. She drank it down nonstop.
My daughter was coming later in the day. When she arrived, I told her about
the pail incident. She went into the down the steps, with Mollie on leash.
She went to her food bowl and called Mollie. Mollie dropped to the ground
and quite literally slithered her way to my daughter, all the while giving
fearful and wary looks at the pail. We both started laughing. Mollies was
terrified of the pail! My daughter had to come and work with her for 3
days before she was over her "pail" fear. Mind you, at this point, Mollie
weighed 60 lbs. and was 5 months old.
All for now
Kate Thorn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)