[valley]

Originally Posted by twinofangelize56

The windshield for this car to replace it is around $200! Spending $6.44 now as a temporary preventative is a lot easier to take right now!

good deal!

Last Friday... I won two separate radio contests! Marlene and I were always lucky when it came to radio contests!!!! (Wish I were as lucky with our state Lottery!!!!!)

I won a CD... Kenny Chesney... (Country singer for those who don't know him!) I was the 7th caller Friday morning while getting ready to go to work!
Later that same day.. I entered an online contest that another local station has... Found out through an email on Saturday that I was a winner!!!!! It's a DVD... Veggie Tales.... This is going to my grandson... of course!

It's always fun to try and win something! I've won cash..... concert tickets.... theater tickets... movie videos..... dinner.... show tickets... just to name a few!!!!

even better deal! oh and VeggieTales rock!

We made a makeshift bandage and put it on him so that he couldn't lick the area. It healed nicely and the hair grew back... but there were these scaly things! Yuck! Took off the bandage and now he has licked so many areas raw all over his back and sides that he looks gross! The Vet is going to do some tests on him to see if he has an allergy thing going on... or maybe something else! This cat is an inside cat only! No fleas.. thank you very much!! I haven't changed a thing as far as kitty litter, food, etc. Oh well! Hopefully, tonight I'll know more!

thats sounds awful!

Speaking of cats...my stepfathers business is based on an old farmstead with 4 large barns. People are always dropping off stray cats there. They feed about 17 now. The mamas keep having babies and my mom and stepfather have taken the ones they can catch to the vets to get them fixed (but they pay about 75 bucks for some of them because they can only get so many vouchers to have it done for free, which is wrong, imo..they give the vet enough business fixing strays that they should get some sort of better deal than than 75 bucks per cat!)

anyways....there is this one cat there with a bad eye infection and his eyes are almost closed all the way. Its been that way for a long time now. The last time I was there, I pulled into the driveway only to see it sitting off to the side a bit with its fur ripped completely away from his neck and chest. It looks like a dog or coyote got ahold of it by the throat. The skin looks pink and clean and not infected so i was glad of that but I was so upset that it made me cry. its got a huge flap of fur just hanging there. They cant catch it, even with a have-a-heart trap and its got to be in terrible pain. I asked my stepfather if he would let Carl come shoot it to put it out of its misery and he said no, that he wanted to keep trying to catch it. But honestly...what can be done for a feral cat in that condition? There's no way you can give it antibiotics for its eyes over any period of time and I dont know what they'd do for the neck injury. Its so sad.

[eggplant43]

Speaking of Bruce, here I am, just finished reading the thread. I'm compulsive enough that I read every post in any thread in which I have an interest. I like the idea of this thread, and I'm sure I'll be participating.

My view of getting in touch, being in touch, with internal issues is that mental health consists of the shortest distance between two points. That not dealing with issues constitutes convolution, distortion, denial, dysfunction. So I'm always game to get in touch, no matter how uncomfortable I am "NOW", I have faith that at some point things will be better, both for me, and for those that have to deal with me.

I also feel that each of us has a commitment to evolve in life, to become the best me we can be, and that the only way to do that is to be introspective, insightful, aware, and therefore alive. So I see being "honest" with oneself as not only important, but essential.

The above being said, I don't think it must necessarily be done in a public forum, and think that in some cases it can actually be counterproductive to do so. But in my case, it has been a lifesaver. I was living in a small town without adequate mental health/support options when my wife suddenly passed away 3 uears ago. Being able to write about it at TSG was my way back: http://forums.techguy.org/random-dis...ighlight=Willi

A big part of my motivation for exposing my very private hell in a public way was the hope that it might help someone else in some small way. I've heard from others since then that it did.

[twinofangelize56]

Originally Posted by valley

Speaking of cats...my stepfathers business is based on an old farmstead with 4 large barns. People are always dropping off stray cats there. They feed about 17 now. The mamas keep having babies and my mom and stepfather have taken the ones they can catch to the vets to get them fixed (but they pay about 75 bucks for some of them because they can only get so many vouchers to have it done for free, which is wrong, imo..they give the vet enough business fixing strays that they should get some sort of better deal than than 75 bucks per cat!)

anyways....there is this one cat there with a bad eye infection and his eyes are almost closed all the way. Its been that way for a long time now. The last time I was there, I pulled into the driveway only to see it sitting off to the side a bit with its fur ripped completely away from his neck and chest. It looks like a dog or coyote got ahold of it by the throat. The skin looks pink and clean and not infected so i was glad of that but I was so upset that it made me cry. its got a huge flap of fur just hanging there. They cant catch it, even with a have-a-heart trap and its got to be in terrible pain. I asked my stepfather if he would let Carl come shoot it to put it out of its misery and he said no, that he wanted to keep trying to catch it. But honestly...what can be done for a feral cat in that condition? There's no way you can give it antibiotics for its eyes over any period of time and I dont know what they'd do for the neck injury. Its so sad.

Hi, Val ~ I live across from a 100 acre farm. He raises dozens of chickens and occasionally turkeys. It's amazing how many people drive by his place and dump off cats and kittens! My cat is actually one of the abandoned kittens! He sort of started crossing the street to get to us.... soft hearts and young kids.... about 12 years ago... when he was just an itty bitty thing... so sweet. And so sickly come to find out! I was holding him the first day that we met and he had the runs right on my shoulder! Yuck!!! Hence.... Sarah named him Squirt! Eventually the farmer relinquished his rights....! He didn't need another mouth to feed anyway!!!! I took Squirt to the Vet's and had his shots, worming, and neutering done once he was 'ours'! I love that cat! Hopefully, he'll be just fine!

Your stepfather is doing the right thing with the cats and if I were a Vet in his area.. you can bet I'd take care of him far better than what is going on now cost wise!

I certainly hope they catch that sick cat soon! It shouldn't have to suffer like that! Even if it can't be saved.. it may be merciful just to put it to sleep.

My cat used to be allowed in and out of doors, but about 4 years ago or so he became indoor only. He was born with a heart murmur and since he was getting older, I thought it wise to keep him in now. At first he missed the outside.... he'd cry at the door... that lasted quite awhile... but now he sits in the window and looks out when he wants to... sometimes napping... sometimes cleaning...

He has our dog.. Brandy... to play with and keep him company! We adopted her 4 years ago. She's a Husky/Collie mix. Beautiful and well-behaved. They are a blast to watch when they get in the mood to be playful together!!!!

I did notice that the rabbit population has increased since Squirt has become in house only! I do notice other cats (from the farmer's) on our land now and then. We never chase them away.. hey... they can take over where Squirt left off!!!! They certainly are taking care of the mice... our house has none! Thank goodness!!!!

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by valley

even better deal! oh and VeggieTales rock!

Nothin' like a pile of drunk carrots singin' sad country songs to get ya' all cranked up in the mornin' I always said. Oh, and wrestling squash in the ring is a blast as well. Did you see the one where the tomatoes got the stuffin' beat out of them?

[eggplant43]

Originally Posted by Guyzer

Nothin' like a pile of drunk carrots singin' sad country songs to get ya' all cranked up in the mornin' I always said. Oh, and wrestling squash in the ring is a blast as well. Did you see the one where the tomatoes got the stuffin' beat out of them?

This just goes to show what a sheltered life I've led

[valley]

Originally Posted by Guyzer

Nothin' like a pile of drunk carrots singin' sad country songs to get ya' all cranked up in the mornin' I always said. Oh, and wrestling squash in the ring is a blast as well. Did you see the one where the tomatoes got the stuffin' beat out of them?

I missed that one. My favorite is the one with Jr. Asparagus. He is scared ot the boogieman and sings the sweetest song called "God is bigger than the boogeyman" Emily used to have a a light up Jr. Asparagus plush that sang that song.

Another song I love: "oh where is my hairbrush" (oh where oh where oh where oh where oh wheeeeeeere. Is my hairbrush!) I still find myself singing it when my hairbrush is missing! The family gets so annoyed that they help me look.

Catch up to everyone laters. I'm just doing a drive-by posting at the moment.

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by valley

I missed that one.

So did I actually.... I've never seen the show. I was just having some fun wiff ya'll.

[LauraMJ]

oh and VeggieTales rock!

Ohhh, there is a new one that JUST came out. It's a spoof of the Wizard of Oz, called "The Wizard of Ha's."

So did I actually.... I've never seen the show. I was just having some fun wiff ya'll.

You were closer than you thought with that description, lol. Did you notice that Val actually thought it was a real Veggie Tale? That's because what you wrote could actually have BEEN a real Veggie Tale!

They are absolutely hysterical with songs that end up just STAYING in your head for, like, DAYS on end.

Val, have you heard the "I ain't got no belly button" song?

And, just to stay on topic with this thread, I would like everyone to keep our family in mind for the next several months........my 11 year old daughter is undergoing a long series of tests on her endocrine system right now. So far, her Thyroid is abnormally low, and her ACTH levels are very high, but the cortisol levels are normal (they are usually high when the ACTH is), so something is wrong with the pituitary gland, too, but they don't know what, her insulin levels are high, she is pre-diabetic, but they are hoping that will resolve when they find out what is causing all this and get her system stablized........

Next week we will go have a nuclear scan done on her thyroid, and an ultrasound on the thyroid, and then an MRI on the pituitary, plus there will be many more tests to come.

It's stressful on all of us, but especially her cause she's always been EXTREMELY healthy, even when the rest of us were sick, she wouldn't catch it, so this is something she is very much NOT accustomed to.

[eggplant43]

My heart goes out to your daughter. To have to deal with so much at such an early age just sucks. Hope the tests go fast, and are definitive for everyone's sake. My thoughts will be with you and your family.

[twinofangelize56]

Originally Posted by LauraMJ

And, just to stay on topic with this thread, I would like everyone to keep our family in mind for the next several months........my 11 year old daughter is undergoing a long series of tests on her endocrine system right now. plus there will be many more tests to come.

It's stressful on all of us, but especially her cause she's always been EXTREMELY healthy, even when the rest of us were sick, she wouldn't catch it, so this is something she is very much NOT accustomed to.

Hi, Laura ~ I'll say a prayer for you and your daughter.....

I'd just like to say that I can relate to being ill at a young age... from birth until I was about 12 years old. Doctors never did figure out what the problem was at that time. Anyway... I just want you to know that parents are usually the ones most panicked and fearful when it's their child that has something wrong.... the child, on the other hand, seems to do okay as long as they know mom and/or dad are right there beside them the whole way! Always let your daughter see you smiling (even if you want to cry) and being positive and upbeat (even though you may want to scream) and give lots of hugs and kisses!!!! When my children were sick at different times in their little lives, I'd always talk to them in a comforting positive think about something else manner.... It helped them... and it helped me too!

When she has to go for tests... try to focus your conversations on things that are going to happen AFTER the tests.... like going to visit someone... going on a shopping excursion... whatever holiday is coming up.... any future thing you have been talking about prior...

Good luck and keep us posted.

[twinofangelize56]

Originally Posted by eggplant43

Speaking of Bruce, here I am, just finished reading the thread. I'm compulsive enough that I read every post in any thread in which I have an interest. I like the idea of this thread, and I'm sure I'll be participating.

My view of getting in touch, being in touch, with internal issues is that mental health consists of the shortest distance between two points. That not dealing with issues constitutes convolution, distortion, denial, dysfunction. So I'm always game to get in touch, no matter how uncomfortable I am "NOW", I have faith that at some point things will be better, both for me, and for those that have to deal with me.

I also feel that each of us has a commitment to evolve in life, to become the best me we can be, and that the only way to do that is to be introspective, insightful, aware, and therefore alive. So I see being "honest" with oneself as not only important, but essential.

The above being said, I don't think it must necessarily be done in a public forum, and think that in some cases it can actually be counterproductive to do so. But in my case, it has been a lifesaver. I was living in a small town without adequate mental health/support options when my wife suddenly passed away 3 uears ago. Being able to write about it at TSG was my way back: http://forums.techguy.org/random-dis...ighlight=Willi

A big part of my motivation for exposing my very private hell in a public way was the hope that it might help someone else in some small way. I've heard from others since then that it did.

Well said, as usual, Bruce!

[Steppinstone]

Laura, keeping your daughter in my thoughts....

I read a bit here everyday but don't have bunches of time to post since the school year started but I am in a bit of a funk so thought writing it out would help me move past it.

I work of couple of hours a day watching the students during lunch and recess, it can actually be a medium stress job, depends on the day. A co worker that I have worked with for the last five years recently quit ( this is my tenth year there), I also worked a side cleaning job with this gal. I have always known that this person was a person who would run to the boss and tell on people about the lamest stuff. I overlooked this quality in this person and it bit me in the behind. We were what I thought friends and it meant a lot to me because in all honesty I don't have a lot of girl friends in real life, you know the kind of friend you can talk to and it was nice to be able to bounce work related issues off of each other. Well she decided that she wanted to move on to different things in her life, I wished her well and told her I certaintly understand the need to move on, I mean you don't make a living working ten hours a week and she continued to work for the next few days and everything between us was fine as always. On her last day of work I am approached by another co worker, who told me that another co worker was in tears, being a concerned team leader I of course ask what was going on only to be told that the friend mentioned above, told crying co-worker to watch her back as I ( meaning me) always run to the boss and tell on people for any petty thing that goes down.. Later former co worker calls me and being friends I flat out asked her about it and she of course denied it and I don't believe her, not one bit.. She has done this kinda of garbage before and acts innocent everytime.. I am hurt, not really by the actions of what she did but by the fact that I had over looked this quality in a person and fell victim to her game. That I had befriended someone and it bit me hard in the back side. Lesson learned!!

And if that isn't enough, I have been dealing with my bestfriend who is a total mess because she is still living with her cheating husband, whom she wants to leave but is scared of what life in the future will hold. I really want to grab her and say wake up, the fool is taking you down the highway to hell and when all is said and done you will not even have a pot to pee in. He has been cheating for years and you have sooooooo much more to offer someone, lay off the pain pills, your not thinking straight any more and he is going to use that against you in the long run, Wake up before this man makes you so crazy and uses the pain pill excuse to get full custody of your son. Everything is in his name and he hasn't paid any bills including the house note in months and your about to be homeless, wake up my friend, wake up! I wish I could fix it for her but these are the things in life that only the person going through them can overcome, just hope by the time she takes action it won't be too late.

Well that was a mouth full, hope it's ok to post my petty issues! It does feel a little better getting it out like this!

Hugs everyone!

Chari

[LauraMJ]

Thanks, everyone.

[twinofangelize56]

Hi, Chari ~ Don't think of your issues as 'petty'. (trivial, frivolous, small, unimportant, insignificant)...... If these things are on your mind and you feel the need to share them... do so. I hope no one at this site is here to judge us on what is and what isn't petty! That would be at another thread called... 'I am your judge... tell me your issue.. I will decide if it is worth my time or not'.....

Anyway.... sometimes our 'friends' (?) can surprise us by not acting like a true friend would. That's when it's time to move on and accept that you can't change what happened... you can only learn from it... and try to trust again. Not everyone you meet will try to use you for their needs and then drop you when they are finished. Just be cautious.. be yourself...

Regarding your bestfriend's situation.... how sad for her. Be there for her if she needs to talk... cry... heal. Unfortunately, we can't make people listen to our advice and act on it. We can offer advice and we can be there for them. It's up to them to make up their own minds on what to do or not to do. Watching them can be hard. I went through this with Marlene regarding her health and living situation. Believe me... it wasn't easy.

[twinofangelize56]

BTW... I took my pets to the Vet's.... Brandy is fine.. just a distemper booster. Squirt... not so good. The Vet said allergies.... who knows to what! Could be anything airborn! As I said before... he is an inside only cat! He was given a shot with 2 meds in it... a steroid and something else for his skin situation. Because he's 12 and neutered.. if this shot doesn't stop his constant licking and scratching... he may have to take some sort of hormone shots to get his old self back in line! I'm not even sure what all this means and I have no idea what it may cost!

Right now both pets are sleeping. Not like they don't do a lot of that anyway!!!!