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Still waitingNow that we know we are returning to work it seems we are suffering from a dispatcher that has repeatedly proven that he gets distracted and doesn't get things arranged in a timely manner.We are still waiting to find out where Hubby will have to go to get a truck.At first it was to be Ohio,and we thought he would have to get a bus to take him there today,after not hearing anything we called.Now they are thinking one is in NM.Where ever he has to go they are only offering to buy a bus ticket.It is funny they will rent cars when they want you to do an errand for them,but when you are returning to work they are not so hot to pay for a rental car. I am fortunate they are keeping me after the preventable accident and giving me a chance to proove myself,but we are not making any money right now,and the delays are not helping.When we get started it will take about 3 weeks to get paid,I hope they get something lined up soon.
On the home front we are getting prepared for another round of winter storms.We had a three day round last weekend that left us with alot of ice and snow in the garden.I took a walk yesterday morning when the sun was shining and could not believe what I found.Lots of ice sculptures on the shrubs along the East wall of the house,and the spruce tree out front had so many little icicles it looked like a christmas tree with glass icicle ornamnets hanging from it.We continue to have some awesome sunsets too,even when the skies have been stormy we have had cloud breaks just in time to see color.
I woke very early this morning to windy conditions.The chimes on the porch were swinging and the music they made was beautiful.The set was given to me by Hubby and one of them is over 3 ft long.It takes a big gust to get them moving.Once again I thought how I would love to record a Mp3 to play on my media player,How cool would that be.Anyone know whether the video with sound function on my little camera would be able to be converted to Mp3? I may try to record it next time.
And On And On And So OnFriday I finally got some news about our future.I had my review that afternoon,and on the same afternoon found out Hubbies shoulder is just a deep bruise so he is also released to return to work.Life will get back to some kind of normalcy around her in the next few months.
While the accident was deemed preventable as I had known they decided to have me go to our main terminal and have a driving safety evaluation.From there they will decide if training is called for or not.I am not totally out of the woods,but it is looking better.I have some chance they will keep me once I go through their safety testing anyway.March is going to be rough with several weeks before we get payed,but I have no dought we will get back into the groove soon and get caught back up.
Until we get sent to a truck and get dispatched tothe terminal for the evaluation I will be a tourist.That means I will have the day to sit and watch the Scenery go by and take photos along the way,LOL
While I am going to be sad to be away from the garden weeks at a time this summer,I miss the traveling lifestyle and varied landscapes I get to see.If we can get through this year we should be in better shape to make decisions that could get us closer to home in the future.
I got out Friday and did a fair amount of activity.And got way tired,but the tens unit makes it possible for me to go farther.Today I have been exhaustedm,and a trip through the weather we are having to the grocery store was all I managed.I was able to do the shopping and walk through the store without a cart as a crutch,but I did feel weak a few times and longed to sit.I resisted the temptation and made it back to the truck without the spasms.I realize it is going to take some time to build up my activity levels,my muscles have gotten weak these last two years.
Lisa has instructed me to bring a stool around the garden with me this summer,and I had to laugh.I have gardened from a stool for the last two seasons.Maybe this year I will actually spend more time working than sitting on it,LOL I have taken time to make some of my spring planting plans,and have just recieved a few packets of seeds to start for spring planting.Normally I would go out and buy plants on April 15th when the nurseries I frequent open,and I still will find several things there as well,It's almost a tradition now,LOL This year since I have multiples of several things I would like to add to Pop's garden and the West side of the house butterfly garden I redid last fall still needs a few additions I am going to start some things from seed to make them more affordable.My SIL is still here,it has been going better than we thought,and she can watch my seedlings and keep them watered,I have a package of Oriental poppies in punch colors including the new purple varieties that are recent popular strains.I also have a packet of Gailardia Arizona sun to replace the ones I planted last year by the drive that seemed to wither in mid summer last year.Then there are 2 packs of rudbeckias.These are actually considered half hardy annuals,so they will have to self seed or be replanted in subsequent years,but the colors and size of the blooms are exactly what I need there.I also ordered a few plants that will be delivered in spring.I got a great offer from the catalog and got $25 of plants free for a order of at least $50.That was like half off before shipping.I also still have a credit from Mcclure and Zimmerman for the tulip bulbs that were delivered in bad shape last fall.I have no idea what I am going to order from them.
I am sure you have noticed things looking different around here again.I knew I couldn't take all that winter icy scene for long.I have tired of all the snowy scenes I have been given as photographic subjects these last months.Now with the melt off ,50 degree temps earlier this week and seeing a few little green iris shoots and dianthis plants turning green right before the winter storm hit again this weekend,I have begun to long for the greens of spring and summer.The photo up there in my banner was an experiment in still life I shot for a scavenger hunt I am participating in.The bench is on my back patio,the stainless steel watering can came from the fromnt porch,the garden clogs were sitting by the bench where I kick them off all the time in summer,and the strawberry jar was left out when my nephew neglected to follow my instruction and left out several breakables all winter.There is a little siberian hen and chick growing inthere,and it is beginning to turn green,so I guess it didn't hurt it to stay out,LOL It is my prespring photo meant to give some hope that warm spring breezes will soon be blowing across bright green lawns and that little flowers will soon brighten my days. Life Goes On....It would seem my life has gotten pretty small,One day blends into another,with a few camera drives thrown in for a little break from the boredom.I need to get back to work,for reasons that go beyond money,.I think a person was designed to be of some use each day,too much time standing idle is not good for the body or soul.
Tomorrow I will finally get the accident review,While a little nervous, I need to move past this and get back to work.
The pain relief I got from the tens unit was a big boost,it helps to know that I won't have to struggle to go my job while suffering such discomfort as I have the last two years.The unit that went on the fritz after the first week was finally replaced today.I had to call the Omaha based company today when it hadn't arrived,afterall they were supposed to Fed Ex it Friday afternoon.I found out they had mailed it afterall,and that they said it was showing sitting here for the last day.What??? I had gotten no little pink postal slip telling me I had a package,and with our large rural sized box it has to be pretty big to not deliver it anyway.I went to the post office and asked if they had a package they hadn't notified me of.I could not believe what had happened.They sent it with only my town and zip for an address,no name,or street address.Now who doesn't know how to address a letter or box? Apparently not the physical therapy supply man.LOL
 I had been wanting to go to the zoo since Saturday,but with the tens unit not working I was limited to driving to taken pictures.I got many wonderful images on my drives,especially the wonderful sunsets we have had lately,but still only a few chances to use the new lens.So today to combat the boredom I went to the zoo.The discovery Center was a warm place to hang out,there was some challenging conditions,dark cave like displays,animals behind glass,and a waterfall that fr om first sight was a window from the cave that looked out to the backside of the falls.I tried many different settings,Some good,others still needed adjusting in PSE.The one I worked the hardest to get was the jelly fish display.They are behind glass,are nearly transparent and the lighting was dark.I did manage to get one that looked the way I wanted it too.Can't begin to tell you how I did it though,LOL The cold snap has broken and we enjoyed 50 degree weather today,I even enjoyed the outdoor exhibit.There were flamingos,(are they winter birds??) Then I went down tho the goats,there was a cute llama that seemed to want to visit me,but I couldn't get close.There were melted areas on the pond and a pair of swans and ducks were hanging around.When I headed back up to the discovery area one of the flamingos was enjoying a bath.While I watched him displaying I heard a splash,I turned around in time to see the otter pond.While I watched one jumped out of the water and ran,dropplets flying everywhere,then the mate popped it's head up.They were kinda cute.By then my limits were reached.I tolerated alot of activity before It got to me today.I am encouraged by this tens unit.Now I have got to build up my stamina.It's truely amazing what a bodies pain response can be.I have always considered myself to have a high tolerence.I have kept up my lifestyle uninhibited by limits to my activities despite having varieous degrees of Fibromyalgia storms since I was 30 years old.I started and built this garden throughout this time,suffering a work injury to my neck, and years of symptoms from that leading up to my neck surgery almost three years ago.Not alot keeps me from doing what I want to do,until my back problem began over two years ago anyway.I still wonder at all the other symptoms I have been having,I have had extensive cardiac testing for many of these symptoms,and while I am relieved I don't have cardiac disease,I am still shocked that the symptoms were a response to extreme pain instead.Thank God for little electronic devices.
Night Photography.I wanted to get some night photography shots in for the last week asignment of my class.I talked B into going along to keep me a bit safer in Downtown Des Moines.At first he wasn't crazy about the idea,but his uncle asked him to accompany me for safety ,and I bribed him with pizza afterward.
It was bitterly cold,Was I crazy? But I have to turn in my assignment today and it just wasn't going to get any better. we went to gray's lake first,I had taken pix of the lights across the water in December.I wanted to get them from the bridge itself this time.I couldn't get close to the bridge,and too cold to walk,so we set up in the upper seating area with a view of Downtown.I couldn't get my remote to work,it was so blasted dark and so cold.I nearly froze my hands off fiddling with it.Tried a few shots without it,That was a comical disaster.We ran to the truck to warm up,and under the dome light I could see I had it plugged in the wrong hole,LOL we went back out and got a few shots,but for some reason the ones of the lighted bridge didnt turn out,so I will have to save that for a much WARMER night.
We drove to a few other areas,B was a great assistant,he would set up the tripod,I wpould put the camera on it and set up the pictures,then he would take care of taking the tripod back down.One shot of the capital from Locust Street we wanted to take from the center of the road.Traaffic was slow,we waited for cars to pass,then ran out,set up the tripod,shot the photo and ran back,LOL We call it Extreme photography,LOL
B was happy he had came,He had alot of fun.He said at one point he never thought of Des Moines as beautiful before.He has seen things in a different light so to speak through a photographers eyes.A good learnign experience.He also figured out my tripod.I had been thinking the ball friction head was a little unstable.I mean it is supposed to make things stabel,thats the point,so why was I struggling tokeep the camera from tilting.(that was why the bridge shots didn't work,darn,wish he figured it out earlier) It seems there is a knob that tightens the friction,Duh
We only had one casualty last night.B forgot my tripod bag at the lake on a table,he didn't realize it till we were almost home.I had been to cold to keep track of what he had been doing.I will check for it today,but it will probably have blown across the lake by now.
I also have troubles with my beloved tens unit.When we got home last night it wouldn't set the stimulation point,so I have a call out to the med supply guy.Dang I am going to miss that thing till a new one can arrive.I would think I could get one from a company that is in Des Moines.
Hope everyone has a great weekend,see ya later. Some Good News...For a Change.As many of you know,I have been pursuing treatment for chronic back pain that has really interferred with my activities this last couple of years.While I had tried a few other times in the past to no avail,this time I have been refered a Therapy Doctor for pain control.Besides Degenerative discs there is some bulging of 2 of the discs that could cause my pain.Nothing that could be surgically corrected,they sent me for chronic pain management.My first visit left me optomistic solely on the fact she seemed dedicated to finding pain relief methods,unlike past experiences where I was told to loose weight and sent out the door to suffer pain that seriously prevented me from doing enough exercise to hope of ever loosing a single pound.LOL
Last Tuesday I had another epidural,and while I had noticed a slight improvement in general,I was still having the muscle spasms that require me to find a place to sit every few hundred feet or so.Even loading the dishwasher has been a chore I couldn't get through.Friday in the mail they delivered my new Tens unit.The idea was that since my normal schedule made it hard for me to get physical therapy on a consistant basis,that the stimulation from the tens would message those muscles for me while I move about on my daily activity.
While it does pose a few minor discomforts,such as having wires to deal with when going to the restroom,and the device seems to fall off my wasteband easily,I have enjoyed the slight tingle.Yesterday I took it for a trial run,I went to Pamida to catch the boys Iams on sale,and walked around that store,then drove towards Des Moines.On the way I had detoured the country roads to the Hogback bridge again,as I found out there was a stone schoolhouse up the road from there.When we got to Des Moines I was still feeling energetic despite getting out to photograph the school.I went all over the grocery side of walmart with not one muscle spasm.Yeah!! Now I did experience general muscle tiredness and found myself leaning over my cart out of habit,but then it's been 2 years since I could get enough exercise to strengthen my muscles,so that is to be expected.
When we were ready to check out I noticed that not only did I not have one single muscle spasm,but I had done my shopping without experiencing the overheating,sweating,nausea,palpitations,and SOB I have suffered when shopping or walking farther than comfort allowed this last year and a half or so.Not only did I not break a sweat,I had worn my fleece coat the whole time on top of a long sleeve sweater.This is just not possible,I have walked out drenched,my hair sopping wet,and feeling ill wearing a t shirt in winter weather ,having taken coat off before even getting in the door before.This has made my shopping experience a thing of dread,leaving me avoiding shopping except for necessary items,often pulling up to a mall store when I needed clothing or shoe items that had a seperate entry for the store I needed to avoid having to walk far,which of course didn't help me get much exercise either,LOL
This tens unit may become a girls best friend.What is totally amazing is the bodies response to being subjected to overwhelming pain. I have what I consider a high tolerence to pain under normal circumstances,having had fibromyalgia for some 15 yrs.I can maintain with no medical intervention or OTC drugs for long periods of time,that is until this back pain hit.I have had cardiac testing to figure out if the sweating and SOB were a undiagnosed cardiac problem,and when that came back negative I was willing to chalk it up to menopause symptoms.Now I suspect these attacks were merely my body rebelling from being forced to perform activities despite pain levels higher than it could handle,and was more of a shock type response.Amazing medical pratitioners couldn't figure out the cause when I explained the problem to them.I guess they are too easy to suspect hysteria or anxiety in a woman of my age.LOL I now want to see if my B/p problems this last year for which I now have to medicate for the first time in my life might also have been a physical manisfestation of excruciating pain.I suspected my elevated pressures were due to pain all along,but since DOT demands you get B/P controlled to let you renew your medical certification I let them medicate me with few questions.Now I am interested in monitoring it to see if the levels come down when I am no longer climbing the walls every time I get up to walk.
At any rate I feel more optomistic about gardening,camera strolls,nature walks,and yes even shopping again,than I have for a very long time.With my little box I just may be able to live like a healthy woman in her mid 40's again.Work life will be more bearable than it has in a very long time as well. I have been forcing myself to do activities that were beyond my capabilities for a very long time now,or giving in and relying on Hubby when I just couldn't do it( being stubborn I never give in without going out and trying first) .Disability is just not an option,takes too long to seek,and to prove you can't perform a job is harder yet than convincing a doctor you are in real dire pain,LOL
My class is in it's final week,and I have already signed up for the march registration.I have learned alot,but so much more to learn,also so much equiptment I will need.This week we are learning about flash usage,and of course all I have is the onboard flash,which can wash out the subject .I prefer to not use it unless I am indoors and it's too dim to get a decent low light image.I will be trying to get Brian to sit for a couple outdoor senior photos,even though we are supposed to be gettin hit with a big winter storm tonight lasting through monday.I also need to get some night time photography.I now have a remote shutter release to use with my tripod.Just need to go out there.I want to get some skyline photos of the city.
  Nothing Much New Under the SunIt's Friday again,my how time seems to fly.When you do little more than sit at the computer every day,one day seems to blend into another,LOL
I did get some computer problems solved early this week.Our home PC had decided mess up,the DVD and CD drive wouldn't play,they didnt even show up under my computer,totally baffled I called in my friend J.When I get over my head he usually can help me out.After troubleshooting he was clueless too,I had just planned to reformat,which is a big pain,but he had me bring the tower to him,turns out somehow software was uninstalled thathad drivers for the device,Hmmm? I don't recall uninstalling anything.Is there little computer trolls that sneak in and do these things at night while we sleep? He quickly downloaded the necessary drivers and all is good.It pays to have smart friends,LOL
Thursday I went to town with Hubby for his MRI.As it turned out the position they had to have him in was so uncomfotable,that pain kept him from staying completely still.He will have to do it again,maybe with sedation? Oh well while we were in town we went back to friends ( the one who fixed the computer Tuesday) and visited.We had a pleasant meal out for a change at my favorite mexican restaurant,it is almost tradition to go out with them when we visti.We get a big table and there are a total of 6-7 of us everytime we go.I always have a chimichanga with shredded beef,and hubby had his carne asada with a side of mushrooms and scallops shrimp.Probably a bit expenseve right now,but it was worth it to get out and have some fun.
It seems all of our friends are having a rocky start this year too,We got a call from one friend yesterday,he has been going through the death of his father ,and is staying home till after probate is done,of course there are kids from an earlier relationship,and there is greed and arguments going on.Because they are not returning yet to work the company sent someone to pick up their truck.Now mind you next week they will need to go pick the truck back up,in the meantime moving all their stuff twice,and the expense of sending someone to pick it up and paying to send them to a truck when they return,it just seems like a waste of money to me.They are incensed because they were not called,when someone called it was to tell them someone was out front trying to get the truck and needed a key.I don't blame them,your personal address should be private,and they had ample opportunity to be notified as the driver had come 600 miles to get it.Because of this event they have decided to not return to the company,they will be persuing new employment.I am questioning how the company treats ppl.I called because Monday would be our anniversary,and we would be getting our service bonus.They told me that it wouldn't be released to us until we ware back to work.I wonder if they will give it to me when I am released for work and before I have to do my accident review or if I will ultimately end up loosing out on it.Oh well.I figured when we needed it most we wouldn't be able to get it so I am not
 counting on it.Due to other problems another team we know is going through hard times too.Maybe 2007 is starting out badly because we are meant to do something different,and we need to clear the way for something better,;~)
Still in my class,and having fun.Last night I got to play with a star filter of my friends,I took this pix of his chrystal chandelier in his turn of the century home.
I am off today to have Toby's nails cut,they are getting quite lethal,I am going to go out in the country and persue the last 2 bridges for a complete winter set.Maybe stop at the Ford in Pammel Park to see if it is iced over or still running a little.The sun is out,and while still quite cold,the shadows on snow should be pretty.
Have A Great Weekend all. Tani Still AliveSorry I have been so distant.I have found that there is little new to tell you.I have lacked inspiration and seem to have writers Blog,LOL
I am still off of work ,I do see a improvement each week,but just don't think I can do the job at this point.Since I am feeling better,I seem to be getting out and about more.I took several camera drives this last week,and B and I went to the Botanical Center yet again this Sunday to get some nice shots for senior pictures.
Yes B is graduating this spring with the senior class as a junior under a Core diploma.TRhis basically means he has met all the required classes,and is onlt forgoing a few elective credits.Since he is 18 already they feel it may be in his best interest to get out and into some apprenticeship or trade to begin his adult life.As he had been held back one year early on,this means he is essentially graduating at the original year he would have anyway.The thought of not having to go another full year seems to have pushed him to do better and his grades are improving.He takes an interest in electricity as well as talent in art and Cooking.I am sure he will find training to learn a trade in one of several areas that interest him.
He enjoyed the visit at the Botanical center,while I played with different things for my class assignment between ideas for his senior shots he took my little P&S and set off to capture whatever caught his imagination.With an occasional prompt on how to use scene selection to get the results he wantd he was off.I have to say that he showed an interest .He even caught one photo I didn't.He centered up an orchid in macro mode and by surprise caught a tiny spider ans moisture droplets on a web deep inside the flower.My shot of that same flower was taken at an angle where the webs don't show well.Good goiung B.
His senior pictures turned out rather well I have to say,and I will be talking him into letting me take him out into some park like settings and shoot landscapes with ppl in them for my class.If it gets warmer this week yet,LOL It has been very cold.Temps below zero during the night and barely double digits at mid day.Still I got out at the Des Moines DAm in the freezing cold ,had B hold my camera while I scaled a 3 ft drift of snow and packed ice.I had wanted to get a shot of the dam for weeks,had even been down there once before,but didn't find a good place to park.It must have been Karma,I got there after several days of subarctic temps and the shot I got included some awesome ice with the water still running in other areas.Having just learned about Shutter priority and blurring waterfalls I used the technique on the dam.I still have so much to learn,When I tried to slow it way down it made for an all white image,on the other end of the scale when I shot some deer at dusk and tried to speed up the shutter to capture movement as white tails are so jumpy,it made for black photos.I did manage to get good shots of the dam,as I tried faster speeds as well,and they were captured at 1/6 second instead of 1 second times.
I have also managed to get in appointments for my back while off for the accident.I had my epidural this morning,and am waiting for an appointment to fit a tens unit.It is thought that the tens ubnit may prevent the muscles from spasming,which is the pain that stops me the fastest.I am optomistic that my gardening days may be easier this year.That reminds me I have got to get to ordering some spring plants.This months tip will be on starting plants from seeds indoors.It will be late as I have to set up some trays for pictures and write it yet.
I am loading a album of various things I have taken this week for you to enjoy.Have a great week. Haven't Done This in a WhileWhere does the time go? It is already Thursday,Already February,and it seems as if I have been sitting watching the time fly by me.Well actually I guess I have,LOL When I awoke yesterday and looked out the sky was grey so I didn't even bother to get dressed. I never stepped outside.It has been very cold here,temps barely getting in the double digits the last two days,
Life around here had been quieter than normal,the sattelite recievers are on the blink,and we have to wait a week for a technician to come out.Maybe thats the difference between cable and dish,with cable they come out often the same day.For the first time in years there will be no superbowl at our house.Hubby will go spend that afternoon at a friends house that had a big screen abnd whos cable works,LOLSince I have been spending more and more time on the computer with my photo site I didn't think I would miss it,but last night really stunk.I have gotten used to being able to sit and watch a couple hours of my CSI,King of Queens and 70's show when ever the mood struck.It is like having noise withdrawels not having it on 24/7.(literally ,the ppl in this house seem to have the tube on all the time,they even fall asleep with it on.)
 I finally decided today that I was getting out of here.The sun was out,the sky was blue and it looked beautiful out.So I loaded up and went out.On the way to the car I stopped to admire some shadows cast by the old flower stalks in the side garden and the sparkly snow.No particular destination in mind,so I hit the country roads out of town.I visited the farm field I had taken a picture of this summer.I took a side road and found a county marsh area ,that will be a good place to visit when I get my long zoom lens and it's a little warmer and greener out,LOL I found some cool drifts and fencelines on a gravel side road.I passed the old church yard I had intended to take photos of before.I didn't see any tree shadows adorning the snow,so I passed this time.
 Never straying more than 3-5 miles from home I ended up back in town.I stopped and ran across the corner and got pix of the historic brick church here in town.Closed in the 50's and now used as a welcome center it is easily the most beautiful building in town.I shot photos inside of the stained glass windows this summer.
When I got home I was exhilerated from the tim
 e spent out ,and I took the opportunity to call a spaces friend for the first time.Lisa and I have gotten very close over the months,and we often mail back and forth sharing photos and class assignments.As with Cheryl and Lynn ,hearing her voice was interesting.I don't know why we form opinions about what someone will sound like when we have never heard them before.I did not expect her to sound so much like a Northern Minesotan despite her being from Canada,since she is so far west.I had to laugh when she said she was shopping and called me an idiot,LOL We laughed and she says she calls close family idiots,so I guess I am honored to fit that catagory.Now we have something to tease each other about.
I went back out at sunset and found the same farm field since it is in a big valley and I thought it would be a clear scene ,I was right,and tonights sunset was amazing.After the sun sunk past the hills at the far side of the field the color was astounding,so I raced along gravel roads that led uphill hoping to find a high spot to catch mor of the show.
 I finally found it as the sun was sinking past the horizon.Now I know where to run when the sun sets,since the town is in my way here at home.On the way back the churchyard had the moon hanging low over it,so I got out.I had left without my coat,so I got cold,but I got the photos of the church yard I was finally inspired to get.Just when I thought I was done,there it was .A Big wonderful Oak tree with the colors of dusk behind it.I had to turn around,LOL It was a good ending to the day. Tomorrow I go in to see the therapy Dr. about my back.I hope to have some idea of whether I can try epidurals again,or what he will suggest.More about that later.
Hope your day was as pleasant as mine turned out to be.
Tani |
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