My apologizes to my readers for the delay in writing posts. I have been in the hospital since last week. My birthday was on Monday, Oct. 6 and had a fun filled day, ending with going to a fine dining restaurant. I received wonderful gifts from family members and a friend. On Tuesday, it started off like any day in my life except a little different. First, housemate had put a butter cream birthday cake in the oven the day before and forgot to tell me. We had been given a cake at the restaurant also. Anyway, I turned on the oven to bake biscuits for the morning breakfast and ended smelling something very sugary burning in the oven. I managed to get the melting mess out of the oven after burning my left index finger. What a mess I had to clean up!!

Later on in the day, my youngest cat, Noel, had a seizure. It was the second seizure she has had in 2 months. This time as she was coming out of the seizure, she started to droll out of her mouth. I started to reach for a paper towel and all of a sudden she swung her head around so fast and bite down on my right index finger. The main problem was she bite down to the knuckle joint and locked jawed on it. I did manage to use my left index finger with the big water blister from the burn and get her mouth unlocked and lay her on the kitchen floor. I washed my hands and the finger with antibacterial soap immediately. Then ran upstairs and cleaned out the wounds with hydro peroxide, then bandaged with clean gauze and Neosporine. I thought I had done everything right.

I went back downstairs to check on Noel and she was fine and walking around meowing like she was fine again. Soon playing with the other cats.

The next day, I observed my finger and part of my hand was swollen and very sore. I called my regular doctor’s office and it was closed. I had to go to a funeral service of one my church members and then I would go to the emergency room. The emergency room doctor told me that he would probably be calling in a consultant. I told him I just needed a tetanus shot and antibiotics. He shook his head and told me that he needed an xray to determine if my cat had broke off a tooth in my hand. There were other test run as well. The nurse took a swab of the wound to send for a culture. Then the lab took blood to do a CBC and other lab test. It seemed every few minutes someone was coming in to do something on me or to me. I half expected a colon cleanser to be done too with all else that had been done. A orthopedic surgeon came in and told me that I was going to be admitted to the hospital and have surgery. I was in disbelief over all that had happened in 24 hours to me. Both doctors praised me for not waiting any longer than I had. Both told me that I would have lost my right index finger the next day if I had waited any longer.

So if you get bite by an animal whether it is your pet or not, please do not delay go to your doctor or an emergency room immediately to be properly treated. It can be a matter of life or death.

One of my youngest daughter’s friends is going to have a baby in May of 2009. My daughter wants to hold a baby shower for her friend in April of 2009. One of the items the mother to be wants is a Ju Ju Be diaper bag. I like the changing pad built into the bag.

There is a lot of planning for this baby shower. What kind of food to serve, types of games to play and getting the mother to be to do a gift registry. I made suggestions on the foods and punch, and the games to my daughter. Baby showers are so much fun. I remember the fun at both of my baby showers.

With the cooler weather in the evening down in the 40s, I have wanted to make potato soup. One of the problems I have when I go to make this soup is filling my large stock pot with water. I looked at purchasing bar faucets, because of the height of the arch at the top so my stock pot can fit under it. I have had to use a pitcher and fill it around 6 times to fill my stock pot with enough water to boil the potatoes. I like cooking enough to make several batches. My favorite potato soup is with bacon and onions in it.

Since the Fall season has started, it has been very nice temperatures till yesterday. Yesterday after two cold fronts went through, the temperatures went down in the 40s. Today it finally got up to 57. After being in the 70s for over a month, the sudden drop in temperature is making my body ache and my hands hurt. Having arthritis and Raynaud’s Phenomenon is a struggle for me when the weather is cold. My hands turn extreme white and the pain I experience in my fingers is too painful. I even got my winter gloves out to wear around the house in the evening. I don’t wish this condition on anyone. It is hard for me to type even this short post to you.

I really don’t want to turn on the heater yet due to the cost of heating fuel and winter hasn’t really started. However if these 40 degree temperatures at night continue, it will leave me no choice but to turn the heater on to help the Raynaud’s Phenomenon.

Sunday after the large potluck after church, I had to attend the birthday party for my son in law. Being diabetic and having so many birthday parties and potluck dinner in one weekend, has caused my blood sugar too be extremely high. My daughter cooked her pocket pizzas. She made them with biscuits that she rolled flat and put sauce, pepperoni and cheese between two biscuits, then baked. Also there was chips and dip. She made her husband a special cake, they called it a lego cake even though it was decorated with Ohio State University items and looked like a football field. I am glad I got to participate in my new son in law’s birthday. I only learned it was his birthday 3 days before it happened. My daughter is not one to tell me things until the last minute just like when they were going to get married.

I did eat a small piece of the white cake. Thank God there was no ice cream. I would have been in even bigger trouble. My daughter did a wonderful job on the birthday cake. I enjoyed talking to my son in law’s family that attended his party.

I do feel like I am on a run away freight train with my diabetes lately. I feel the same way about getting back on my diet. I do not have very good self control.

This past Sunday, the Walker Family from Groveport, Ohio came to our church. I was so amazed at the 6 children’s talents. Some of them played 3 different instruments each and well as singing. In today’s society, it was great to see kids ages 18 down to 14 using their God given talent to serve the Lord. We got to fellowship with the family including their mother and father at a large potluck after church. I had the chance to talk with several of the brothers and sisters at the potluck. They informed me that they travel every weekend and are booked for the next year to perform at many churches and events. They are truly a blessing and dedicated to the Lord.

After speaking with a friend of mine, Coleman, about when he was a truck driver, he had to take CDL training before he was able to drive a tractor trailer. He drove a truck that pulled mobile homes. He had to drive on interstates and rural roads from Tennessee to Florida. He spent time away from his family so that he could make money to support them.

My Godson had a birthday party today. He lives about 2 hours from me. With the gas prices and my old van needing repairs, I didn’t think I would be able to go see him. My ex-husband was kind enough to loan me his old truck. We both are in need of new vehicles. His truck is 21 years old and my van is 19 years old. My 6 year old godson laughed at the old truck that looks like someone took and shot it with a machine gun full of holes on the quarter panels. The northern winter road salt has ate through the quarter panels and also on my van too.

Anyway, it was so nice to greeted by Chayton with warm kisses and hugs. We got to sit and color in the new coloring books I brought him. He shares his coloring pencils and crayons so nicely. We had a chance to talk about him and his mom living back at grandmother’s house and how he liked school. We just got one picture finished when the guest started arriving for his party. I told him I had all afternoon after the party to color more with him and talk. He was so delighted to hear that I was staying longer. We ate hot dogs, chips, potato salad and baked beans. After our meal, we sang Happy Birthday to Chayton and he blew out his candles. He opened his presents and cards, then went outside to play with the other children at the party.

When the time came for the children to leave, he hugged each one of them and told them thank you for his cards and presents. I was so proud that he used good manners. He came running up to me asking if we could color again. Then his mom and grandmother told him that he had to go see his great grandmother. He wanted me to come with them, but I was not invited to go. Chayton was very upset and started crying. I asked his mom and grandmother if it would be okay if one weekend I came and got Chayton and brought him to my house and then bring him back. They agreed. I told Chayton that hopefully in 3 weeks I would be back and bring him to my house for a weekend. It seemed to calm him down. He told me how much he loved me and missed me. I know I have got to keep my promise and go pick him up.

He has been through a lot lately with his mom and dad separating. His dad is now living with another woman who has another child and does not spend any time with Chayton. My heart hurts for Chayton to be so sad. I want to plan a special weekend with him. He definitely needs one. I love Chayton so much, he is such a wonderful child even though his mom and grandmother yell at him and say some very negative things to him. I believe that is the reason Chayton is so overweight for a 6 year old. He has no confidence and takes out his frustrations on food. I remember when his dad use to yell and call him very hateful names and I would get furious. I know all children can be trying on the nerves, but from my observation the majority of the times his parents yelled at him was because they did not want to talk to him or pay any attention to him. He could simply walk into a room and start to ask a question and the next thing I observed was someone was yelling at him and telling him to go to his room. Now his mom and grandmother are doing it. This is sending mixed messages to him about whether he is loved and wanted. So sad. I can not wait for him to come visit me and have some fun and feel the love. I wished I was able to stay longer as I had told Chayton I was going to do. When I went to leave, Chayton hugged me and we cried a few tears. I promised I would be back.

When I got home, I checked my blood sugar. I knew it would be high from eating the birthday party meal that consisted of a lot of carbohydrates. This is another reason for Chayton weight problems, too many carbohydrates.

I seem to be running on low energy lately with doing so many things and errands. I know that keeping this weight on my body does not help. I need a health supplement like orovo, which is a high quality product. I am extremely picky about any multivitamin that I take. A lot of brands are chemical coated and cause me problems with my intestines. I sure need a boost of energy.

I have been seeking help from fellow bloggers as to the mystery as to why I am unable to upgrade my WordPress versions. I really appreciate several people offering their help. Connie of Brain Foggles and Tina of MummifiedTimesFive have both tried to help solve the mystery. I would also like to mention that Tina and her sister Penny have a new blog, Two Shrinking Sisters. Please stop by and leave them a comments. Again, I really appreciate all of Connie’s and Tina’s efforts.

Can’t figure out why I am incurring problems with my blog. Sure wish we all could solve this mystery as to why when I install the new versions, which is now up to 2.6.2 and  I am unable to log in to my blog. I have to reinstall my previous older version 2.5.1 so I can continue to write my post.