One of the questions on the Atlas Quest profile interviews is "How might a letterboxer spend a rainy day?" I have always skipped over that question because I thought it was rather obvious that a letterboxer would actually enjoy boxing on a rainy day when there were no crowds about. So that would have been my answer, I would box on a rainy day. Well, this past weekend, it didn't rain - at least not the entire weekend but since I was stuck at home for health reasons I needed to occupy myself until the Milkmonster arrived early Saturday afternoon, I had the boxing bug really bad. So I discovered what this boxer would do with a "rainy day".
I pulled out the old directions from Letterboxingbee's log book making class from the Boxtoberfest two years ago and made 4 codex log books.
I carved three stamps that I am really happy with.
I decoupaged a wooden box to replace the rubbermaid box I used for my Piece a Pizza box at my brother's restaurant.
I created my own pizza paper to cover another log book that I made for the Piece a Pizza box.
I figured out how to use the flash drive that the Immobile One had bought for me to back up my letterboxing maps.
I found a new kaleidoscope book and picked out several new designs for stamps and got them ready to carve.
Hmmm, maybe I should stay home more often, looks like I can be a bit productive.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Grounded But Still Flying High
Last Wednesday, the blood mobile arrived at my place of employment and I actually was looking forward to my day's donation because it was going to earn me my "Gallon Club" pin. I have been giving blood all of my adult life but had never been with one organization often enough to attain this goal but Wednesday was going to be THE day - finally. So I arrived at the trailer a little earlier than my appointment, ready to get this ordeal on its way. There is a process that you must go through each time that you donate, consisting of a blood pressure check, a check for the iron level in your blood, and a questionaire which you must answer. My first indication of trouble was when the nurse could not find a blood pressure. I knew I had one, I didn't think I had died in that blood mobile. She tried several times in both arms and then called in the reinforcements. Nurse number two tried and also failed. Nurse number three was able to find it in one arm but not in the other. Then I was thrown for a loop when nurse number three pronounced my blood pressure too high for donations. Since my pressure is ALWAYS low, I have to admit that I was a bit concerned and made an appointment the next day with my family doctor, figuring one of two things would happen. They would take it and it would be back to its normal level or they would take it and it would be high and they would put me on BP meds. Imagine my surprise when the nurse could not find my pressure and the physician's assistant whom I normally see could barely find it in one arm and not at all in the other - and it was high. She called in the doctor who was able to find it in both arms, this time VERY high for me. All of a sudden the conversation was about sending me to Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia because they were concerned that the dissected carotid artery that I suffered two years ago was again causing me problems. I was really against going back there, not because I didn't like that hospital but because I was sure that they were making a mountain out of a mole hill. They told me that they would call Jefferson to see what they recommended but also would call a cardiologist to discuss it with them. Jefferson told them to send me to the cardiologist immediatley and see if he thought I should make the trip to Philly.
So I ran home to pick up Bill and off we went to the cardiologist. Once again, the nurse was unable to find a BP. I was really glad that Bill was along to see this because he had thought I was nuts when I told him that the blood mobile had been unable to find my pressure. However, this time, the doctor's office had a BP machine and the nurse told me that the machine would pick up ANY BP and she was right, however, by this time, it was really high. The cardiologist made an appearance then and put me through a series of tests to see if the hole in my artery was in any way in danger by the increased pressure. For the first time, I was able to see the hole in my artery as the ultrasound technician slowly probed my neck area and found it. I had never had an ultrasound for this condition before, lots of xrays but never an ultrasound. I was so relieved when he told me that the hole in my artery had a blood clot sealing it off and that it was as healed as it would ever get. That had not been the report that I had gotten last August - they were not able to see if there was any healing at that time and were talking about surgery. But now, this doctor was able to confidently say that it had definitely healed a lot. However, the increased blood pressure was putting it in danger. And they had not been able to detect a reason for my BP to increase from low to high virtually overnight.
Now we begin the series of tests that will try to isolate that reason but the first order of business was to get the BP down so I was put on medicine and given strict orders to avoid any aerobic exercise until it has returned to a normal level and until they perform an MRA to reinforce that the artery is healing and has not been damaged. No aerobic exercise meant no letterboxing. I was heartbroken because I had made arrangements with Dogs with Wings to box on Saturday - a day that looked as though it would be the best day of the summer so far. There was no way that I could convince the doctor that I would be with a nurse so it would be ok. He explained that I am now high risk for a heart attack but I am higher risk for a stroke and that even being with a nurse would not help me if I had a stroke on the trail. So I resigned myself to staying at home.
But even though I felt like I had been given a bunch of lemons, I decided that I would make lemonade. I quickly put a call into Out of Sight and asked to borrow the Milkmonster for the weekend. And to my pleasure, I was told that his social schedule was clear and that I could have him. She made me promise that I wouldn't run after him and chase him around the yard to hear him giggle because that would also be a blood pressure raiser so I recruited Barney and the Immobile One to do the running for me. There is no better medicine than being with my grandson and enjoying things through a two year old's eyes. So even though I was down about the letterboxing, I still was able to have the weekend that memories are made of.
Above, Barney is doing his job admirably and below, the Immobile One heads the Milkmonster in my direction.
So I ran home to pick up Bill and off we went to the cardiologist. Once again, the nurse was unable to find a BP. I was really glad that Bill was along to see this because he had thought I was nuts when I told him that the blood mobile had been unable to find my pressure. However, this time, the doctor's office had a BP machine and the nurse told me that the machine would pick up ANY BP and she was right, however, by this time, it was really high. The cardiologist made an appearance then and put me through a series of tests to see if the hole in my artery was in any way in danger by the increased pressure. For the first time, I was able to see the hole in my artery as the ultrasound technician slowly probed my neck area and found it. I had never had an ultrasound for this condition before, lots of xrays but never an ultrasound. I was so relieved when he told me that the hole in my artery had a blood clot sealing it off and that it was as healed as it would ever get. That had not been the report that I had gotten last August - they were not able to see if there was any healing at that time and were talking about surgery. But now, this doctor was able to confidently say that it had definitely healed a lot. However, the increased blood pressure was putting it in danger. And they had not been able to detect a reason for my BP to increase from low to high virtually overnight.
Now we begin the series of tests that will try to isolate that reason but the first order of business was to get the BP down so I was put on medicine and given strict orders to avoid any aerobic exercise until it has returned to a normal level and until they perform an MRA to reinforce that the artery is healing and has not been damaged. No aerobic exercise meant no letterboxing. I was heartbroken because I had made arrangements with Dogs with Wings to box on Saturday - a day that looked as though it would be the best day of the summer so far. There was no way that I could convince the doctor that I would be with a nurse so it would be ok. He explained that I am now high risk for a heart attack but I am higher risk for a stroke and that even being with a nurse would not help me if I had a stroke on the trail. So I resigned myself to staying at home.
But even though I felt like I had been given a bunch of lemons, I decided that I would make lemonade. I quickly put a call into Out of Sight and asked to borrow the Milkmonster for the weekend. And to my pleasure, I was told that his social schedule was clear and that I could have him. She made me promise that I wouldn't run after him and chase him around the yard to hear him giggle because that would also be a blood pressure raiser so I recruited Barney and the Immobile One to do the running for me. There is no better medicine than being with my grandson and enjoying things through a two year old's eyes. So even though I was down about the letterboxing, I still was able to have the weekend that memories are made of.
Above, Barney is doing his job admirably and below, the Immobile One heads the Milkmonster in my direction.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Update
I have received several emails in the last week asking me what happened to my controversial blog. Simple answer, when the planter removed his insulting remarks from his clues and profile, I deleted my blog.
Also, I had mentioned on the LBMA board that I would try to post the articles from the Reading Eagle about the Appalachian Trail. I tried to scan the articles but the pictures that were not included online were so large that I couldn't scan them and I am not computer literate enough to be able to piece them together with some magical program. Sorry if I got anyone's hopes up.
Also, I had mentioned on the LBMA board that I would try to post the articles from the Reading Eagle about the Appalachian Trail. I tried to scan the articles but the pictures that were not included online were so large that I couldn't scan them and I am not computer literate enough to be able to piece them together with some magical program. Sorry if I got anyone's hopes up.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Milkmonster Does Hershey Park
The day started out uneventfully, with Milkmonster sleeping a little later than normal, completely unaware of the the day that we had planned out for him. This was the day of his PopPop's annual work picnic at Hershey Park and since Milkmonster has only visited Dutch Wonderland once when he was really little, he had no idea of what to expect. Actually, Mimser, PopPop and Mamam also had no idea what to expect either since we were also concerned with the weather forecast of an average temp of 90 degrees. After much discussion, the smartest decision that we made that day was to take the stroller along with us even though this independent two year old was highly insulted that we didn't let him walk.
We decided to eat before we introduced Milkmonster to rides which turned out to be a wise decision. The Immobile One's company provided a feast in one of the pavilions so we ate and then headed for the kiddie rides. Out of Sight and I took Milkmonster on a carousel first - and since he didn't know what to expect, Out of Sight crawled onto the horse next to his to show him it was ok. However, it took half the ride before he let go of my neck and began to relax.
Next was the Ladybug ride which he shared with Out of Sight. You can tell by his face that he wasn't quite sure about this one either.
Then we headed for the steam engine train ride. Now this was one that he could enjoy. All of us rode with him, it was nice and calm and there was a cooling breeze as we wound our way throughout the park.
Because it was so hot, the park was really not very crowded and we were able to jump on to each ride immediately. Except the Starship. This was a ride that he pointed to and said he wanted to get on so when PopPop took him to stand in line, he had to think of ways to entertain himself. Walking under chains helped to pass the time.
Oh boy, we can tell how much he enjoyed this ride also! Look at that happy little face!
After a few more rides which I took him on while Out of Sight and PopPop went on more adult rides, we decided that the heat was just too much. PopPop took him on one last carousel ride and showed him the mirrors in the center so that he could watch himself on his horse. Notice that he has now become an old hand at rides, no clinging to an adult necessary.
Four very tired people left that park that afternoon but only one of us was able to take the needed nap. He never woke up even when I lifted him into the carseat and when we got home, he was refreshed and ready to play - but no one had the energy to do anything except watch him play.
We decided to eat before we introduced Milkmonster to rides which turned out to be a wise decision. The Immobile One's company provided a feast in one of the pavilions so we ate and then headed for the kiddie rides. Out of Sight and I took Milkmonster on a carousel first - and since he didn't know what to expect, Out of Sight crawled onto the horse next to his to show him it was ok. However, it took half the ride before he let go of my neck and began to relax.
Next was the Ladybug ride which he shared with Out of Sight. You can tell by his face that he wasn't quite sure about this one either.
Then we headed for the steam engine train ride. Now this was one that he could enjoy. All of us rode with him, it was nice and calm and there was a cooling breeze as we wound our way throughout the park.
Because it was so hot, the park was really not very crowded and we were able to jump on to each ride immediately. Except the Starship. This was a ride that he pointed to and said he wanted to get on so when PopPop took him to stand in line, he had to think of ways to entertain himself. Walking under chains helped to pass the time.
Oh boy, we can tell how much he enjoyed this ride also! Look at that happy little face!
After a few more rides which I took him on while Out of Sight and PopPop went on more adult rides, we decided that the heat was just too much. PopPop took him on one last carousel ride and showed him the mirrors in the center so that he could watch himself on his horse. Notice that he has now become an old hand at rides, no clinging to an adult necessary.
Four very tired people left that park that afternoon but only one of us was able to take the needed nap. He never woke up even when I lifted him into the carseat and when we got home, he was refreshed and ready to play - but no one had the energy to do anything except watch him play.
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