My boys are different enough that Toby would see playmates; Geordie would see prey.
Max is just a sweetheart.
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This heirloom quality handmade patchwork Hebrew Alphabet Picture Quilt is not just for babies. It would make a beautiful gift for any member of the family. For the little ones, the colorful illustrated blocks would introduce them to the alphabet of their ancestors. For adults, it could be a wall hanging used as a conversation piece in the house. For seniors, it could provide a connection to home that they may be missing if they if they are in a residential care facility. For a family member who has had a stroke, the alphabet and pictures could provide good exercise for their recovering brains.
Each year my folks ask for gift suggestions for what I would like for Christmas. Mostly my lists are practical items like food, books or shoes, but I also like to throw in a wild card like a pony or a sports car just for fun. This year I had seen a decoration that I thought was adorable. It was a light up Christmas puppy. I decided that would be this year’s wild card.
To my surprise, I got the wild card! Christmas Puppy has been a hit with the neighborhood ever since he arrived. So many people have stopped to comment on him. Here he is sitting next to the remains of Pee Man. I tried to get Toby to pose next to Christmas Puppy, but…well, Toby.
Here is Christmas Puppy siting next to our garden pumpkins.
Here is Toby posing with the garden pumpkins.
(I think Christmas Puppy will be Toby’s stand in from now on.)
I don’t know why you are making such a fuss about that thing.
I am your real Christmas puppy!!
Toby isn’t kidding. He is an almost-Christmas birthday boy!
It’s a little early, but Happy Birthday my evil, bitey one!
You’ve heard of putting sauerkraut in chocolate cake, haven’t you? Well….
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Combat covid apathy by dressing your young person in a classic, silk necktie. It could be worn for a formal occasion, religious services or even to school for classes. It could also make a very smart accessory for a ring bearer or guest at the next wedding you attend.
No matter how much training we do, Toby frequently ends up wearing his dinner. I imagine his groomer is mystified at the myriad of things stuck to his head.
Ha! Now you won’t be able to get that stupid song out of your head all day.
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So, how is the arm thing going? Acceptably. Over time I’ve found that if I sleep as close to sitting up as possible, I have less pain and paralysis. The catch is – as anyone who has ever had a head cold can tell you – you can’t really sleep sitting up. Perhaps if we could do as the astronauts do and sleep velcroed to a wall, life might be easier.
Whoever says sleeping sitting up is hard has never met me!
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Having trouble putting your child to sleep? Perhaps the subliminal message of this Sleeping Teddy Bear and Hearts Quilt will help your little one to drift off to Dream Land. Whimsical quilt would also make a great lap blanket for someone you love. Keep a dear one warm and cozy this winter with the gift of a Handmade in America blanket.
While waiting for an appointment with a neurologist, I may have accidentally stumbled onto what’s been wrong with my arms and hands. Mind you I have described these symptoms to half a dozen doctors yet no one brought this up as a possibility.
In the mornings, I wake up with what I refer to as “Barbie arms”. They are paralyzed – frozen in one position. I can’t move my hands or bend my arms. It makes things difficult because I need to use eye drops as soon as I wake, but I can’t pick them up. Also, trying to use the bathroom is quite challenging. Sometimes my arms and hands hurt badly, sometimes not as much. My arms are weak so that I can’t hold them up unless I concentrate it. Last year I had to buy an electric jar opener (not can opener) because I could not grip a lid.
Each doctor I’ve talked to has thought this to be MS, but of all my symptoms, I thought this one was a bad match because the pain and paralysis depended on what I was doing.
Finally my pain started localizing on my upper arms. Out of curiosity I looked up that part of the arm and learned that the ulnar nerve is located there. Compression of this nerve can cause cubital tunnel syndrome – a very common relative of carpal tunnel syndrome. So why did no doctor recognize it? I’ve told everyone to the point where I’m sure they are sick of the sound of my voice.
I found some stretching exercises online that are supposed to help with this syndrome. I know that the root of my problem is related to sleeping position, and I don’t know how to fix that, but maybe these exercises can give me some of my life back.
Yet another thing to be grateful for this Thanksgiving!
Hope all of our Bitey World friends had a nice Thanksgiving too (even if it wasn’t technically Thanksgiving in your country)!
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The holidays are coming! Don’t forget to pick up a copy of Dream Our World for all those you love. Not only will it be a gift of love and laughter, but you can say that you know the author. (Toby and I can sign the copy, if you’d like.)
The weather might might be mild this week, but it will soon be cold again. Protect yourself against chilly evenings and rising fuel costs with this colorful, handcrafted Bear Paw Quilt. Bear Paw Quilt is large enough for a full sized bed but could also be used on a twin or as a throw for the couch. The geometric designs and earthy colors make it a perfect gift for the man in your life.
In following up after Friday’s scheduling debacle, I decided approach my GP first. At a previous visit she had said that she might be able to expedite an appointment with a neurologist. The GP wasn’t in the office today, but she is expected on tomorrow. I left a message so that she has the opportunity to get the ball rolling even before I check in again.
I also brought up the idea of Evoked Potential Testing. I said that if she thought it might help with diagnosis – and was able to schedule it herself – I could have it taken care of before any neurological appointments. From what I’ve read, this is a pretty good test for determining whether someone has MS or not.
I also plan to request an additional appointment with a different neurology group. Then the two can compete to see who keeps their appointment first.
Oh my gosh, you are so boring. Just throw the ball already!
I’m so angry I can’t see straight. I have been waiting six months for an appointment with a neurologist to find out what might be wrong with me. After being turned down for two jobs, I thought maybe it was fate’s way of telling me that I needed more information before promising an employer I could do X or Y tasks. This afternoon – Friday at 4:00 pm – I got a call saying that my appointment on the 30th has been canceled and moved to May. It’s as if I were a brand new patient moved to the back of the line instead of someone who has been waiting for six months (and nearly a year before that). It appears that my health issues will continue to be mine to figure out, because no one else can be bothered.
Mommy made me go for an angry walk with her, and now I’m pooped.
Pretty sure I’m going to call that doctor’s office Every. Single. Day. until I get the answer I want. I also plan to see if I can get a referral to someone out of network. Someone who can keep an appointment.
It’s funny that even with a worker shortage, I can still find plenty of places willing to say “no” to me.
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Christmas is right around the corner! Make shopping for the men in you life easier by picking up hand knit merino wool sweaters for everyone on your list.
The Adventures of Bitey Dog 