Here's to the memories... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .
This year, 2015, has been one with many ups and downs, good and not so good (but still manageable)  In January, our son Robert lost his dear pet, KYA, it was time for her to go over the Rainbow Bridge and be with our other family pets, pain free - running around and playing again, like the puppy she was when Robert rescued her at the age of 4 months in September 2000.  I can remember the time Bob and I puppy-sat her when Robert was out of town -- I came home one day from shopping and she was sitting up on the bed looking ever so lovely until I looked around the room -- the drapes on the two windows were pulled down and on the floor -- I thought that was bad until I walked down in to the Family Room, only to discover you could drive a MAC Truck through the side of one of my armchairs - she had the cheek to look innocent.  Nonetheless, she was our "girl" and we loved her until the 13th of January 2015 (and still do... .)

You all probably remember my stint in the hospital in March and June when I had my hips replaced - if it is ever suggested that you need to  have this done, just ask "...how soon... ."  I have the name of a great orthopaedic surgeon, just call and I'll be glad to give it to you.

When it came to my plants and veggies, due to my recovery from these two operations I was not able to work in my garden and as the months went on, it showed -  however, there will be other days when I can get everything back to where I like it, especially the veggies and my Aunt Emily's plants that she gave to me, i.e., Iris corms, and Scottish Marigold seeds - my poor Scottish Blue Bell bulbs were all eaten by Chippy the Chipmunk, oh well, I didn't have the heart to "do him in".


Halloween came and went with fewer little Goblins this year -- we live on a private road that is not too accessible on foot and is makes you realize,  how quickly the years go - now I have to remember that all the wee Tricksters we used to get are now driving and are too chic to be out guizin' (Scottish for trick or treating.)

Then came Thanksgiving, that great day of celebration when we all eat way too much turkey and all the goodies that go with it, hey, that's what it's all about.

Now as we see the comings and goings of 2015 almost behind us, in a couple of days,  we will be giving thanks for making it through another year, thinking on those people around the World whose lives were taken from them, all too soon.  Some of us will be spending time with family and friends, opening presents and enjoying tasty meals and laughing and reminiscing the year behind us.  So, as we are all enjoying, please take a moment, no matter how and in our own ways,  to celebrate the real story of Christmas.

Before I go, I want to introduce everyone to my son Robert's new pup (to the right) he rescued her 2 weeks ago, her name is RIKA (Reeka) and she is about 12-18 months old  - is she a beauty or what.  So, on that note, I wish each and every one a Merry Christmas, a Guid Hogmanay and a Safe and Happy New Year -- cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir and all that jazz from me, Bob and our wee Corey - he'll be 15 on Christmas Day.  Thank you for letting me share my year with you.    All the best to one and all.   
P.S.  Single, left click, on the pictures to enlarge them.  

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training.  Well, the snow hasn't arrived yet, here in Pittsburgh (thanks goodness) -  that being said,  even tho' it is a lot of cooking and running around, at least for the women in this country (hint, hint... .)  the men just sit back, watch football on TV and enjoy the spoils of our labour;  however, the two men in my life, my husband Bob and son Robert, always clear the table, clean the dishes and load the washer, so in that area I have a lot to be thankful for and I always remember to tell them.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful Holiday  that we, here in the States, really enjoy - never forgetting that it is a tribute to the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620. Our way of celebrating, over the centuries, has changed, but we all need to remember the sacrifices they made and their endurance; as a result, here we are today, 395 years later, still giving Thanks and enjoying the tradition established all those years ago.
Thanksgiving traditionally kicks off the Christmas shopping season -- I was out this morning and stopped in at Kohls and did most of my shopping, however, you can be sure I'll be dashing around at the last minute for those little things I forgot.
Tomorrow will see me getting side dishes prepared and into the 'fridge ready for the oven on Thursday -- that being said, please send good thoughts my way - the main electric breaker needs to be replaced and it kicks off the electricity when I least expect it, so let's hope I get all the food cooked and ready for the table.  Oh, did I mention I have an all electric house, so your good thoughts will be more than welcome... .
Wee Corey is hanging in there -- the muscles in his legs have deteriorated and he is having a tough time walking but it has done nothing to diminish his appetite, he scoffs down 3, sometimes 4 meals each day, and inbetween has his Pupperoni treats and then mooches when Bob and I are eating our evening meal.   He'll be 16 on Christmas Day x 7 in people years, so that makes him 112.
Well, to all my Family and Friends, Bob, Corey and I wish you all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING, be safe and especially BE HAPPY and THANKFUL for what we have - from my table to yours.

As time goes by... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training.  Here's a picture of my front door that I want to share with you  in the waning days of Summer, however, Autumn arrived Wednesday, 23rd September at 4:21a.m. here on the East coast of the USA and 9:21a.m. in the UK, so enjoy 'cause the next pic you will see of my front door will have snow around it.   (My computer is jumping all over the place and my patience is really wigging out, so bear with me... .)
Here in Pittsburgh, we are having such a lovely spell of weather - 80far. (about 23c.) not a cloud in the beautiful blue sky and the winds are rustling the leaves on the trees which, after our first frost, will be a kaleidescope of  Fall colours.  What a difference a couple of days make.  Although it's still warm, we are being deluged with torrential rains - Bob's going on like a Banshee saying it's going to make the grass grow and he'll have to cut it again before the season is over.   I'm looking forward to Autumn, one of my favourite seasons.                                                
 Bob was saying he would have to buy me a cutlery block in which to put my new kitchen knives - since he was in a buying  mood I told him that I've always wanted one of those magnetic knife holders that you stick your knives on -- I now have one and oh my goodness, it makes my kitchen look ever so professional - Jamie Oliver would be ever so proud of me... . 
This Thursday I have an appointment with a doctor who specializes in the nerves that we have in our bodies -- I guess this to find out, coupled with the MRI I had done last Monday, if the problem is with my Sciatic nerve being imflamed/pinched and causing the crippling pain - so we'll see and I'll let you know.  
Okay, time to scat and leave you with this lovely Autumn picture, so I'll say cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra, au revoir and all that jazz, Cory sends you his love, as do I.  Until then, Love to all and be safe.  "E"
As I said, it's jumping all over the spectrum... . 

Happy Birthday to Moi - 26th August !!!

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training -- I'm inviting you all to help me celebrate my birthday today -- I am relaxing and enjoying doing "nothing"  
Received some lovely cards from family and friends and terrific gifts -- my sister and brother-in-law sent me Jamie Oliver's 15 Minute Meals cookbook - before he starts with the recipes and how-to's he listed a number of kitchen utensils, blenders etc., and then he goes on with a list of thingies, spices and "stuff" I will need to have in my cupboard or pantry, whichever.  This will give me a good excuse to throw out and buy fresh stuff. For some time now I've been complaining about my kitchen work knives, so guess what else I received, yep, a truck load of goodies from Bob to help me put Jamie's cookbook to good use, but I couldn't throw out my old, I mean really old kitchen knives, so I stuffed them in an already stuffed to the gills drawer.  This caused me to clean my kitchen counter, in back of the utensil holders, hm, amazing what you find... .  Bob also got me a couple of nifty Shot Glasses (I collect these along with Pepper and Salt Shakers) up in Ohio and a miniature snow scene.   This Sunday, Robert is taking me out for Brunch to Bonnie and Clyde's - he knows  I like this restaurant up in Wexford.

Okay Bloganistas, time to get back to relaxing -- Corey sends you his bow-wow hugs and I say cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir, taa raa, bye y'all and all that jazz.  Until next time, love to all from "E" and Corey. 
 

No words to describe it...

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training -- well, as you can see from the look on Puff's puss
she is not too happy with what's going on.  As I had mentioned before, there was a lot more deterioration to my right hip than the left one and I thought the pain would never get better - careful what you think... .  however, it is getting there -- the pain I feel now is not related to the hip replacement.

To cut through the chase -- lots of non-operation-related pains started popping up, cramps and the works -- turns out my Sciatic Nerve has been aggravated and is giving me conniptions - up 3 times last night with pains, I keep the teapot filled --  anyhoo, the steroids really didn't work to alleviate this "condition" so I need special exercises to stretch out the muscle in "me right Butt" where the Sciatic Nerve comes through (P/T explained this to me today) -
My in-house physical therapy finished yesterday and my surgeon has sent me to Heritage Valley Signature Rehab - I met with the P/T this morning and she said that due to the limitations of my hip manipulation she will just do some moist heat therapy and massage plus the hip exercises - really like this woman and I know that with her expertise and my determination, I'll be dancing the Highland Fling in no time, well, maybe a wee while yet.  Bob is going to Giant Eagle Pharmacy this evening to get me a moist heating pad -- the pharmacist has put one aside for him - he told me it is a moist/dry king size deluxe one -- woo hoo, what more could a girl ask for!!! 

We are having a miserable heatwave at the moment, however, the powers in the know say it will be less humid this weekend, we'll see.   Wee Corey, he 16 now,  is doing the best he can, he has an appetite like a garbage disposal and this only comes in to play after he mooches from Bob and me.  He sleeps a lot so we keep an extra close eye on him.  Will be taking him next month for his 6-monthly check-up.  He's a great wee man.   So on this note I'll say cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir, bye y'all and so on.  Until next time - all of you be careful, safe and healthy.

Love to all, "E" and Corey my Wee Pudge Muffin. 
P.S.  Will let you know how the King Size Deluxe pad works out.

In my dreams... .

Hi to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training.

Don't I wish this was me out jogging with Corey, but that is coming. Well, I've survived the second hip replacement and now each day is a blessing and one step closer to being completely pain free - the muscles and incision are still giving me a run for my money but that's okay, I know the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train.

My garden is so overgrown - between the weeds and the perennials it looks like a mini jungle.  The birds are having a field day at the feeder but I have to keep an eye out for the huge Hawk, he's been screeching all morning, and sits up in the trees checking out the squirrels and chipmunks.  Sad to say the chipmunk wouldn't be a loss, even though he is a bonnie wee thing, but he's at the top of my hit list at the moment since he, and his gang, have eaten all my bulbs and seedlings.  I found something online called "Critter Ridder" it's an animal/rodent repellant so I'll need to get some and use it. 

Well, not much to say at the moment so I'll close here and wish you all a great day.  As usual, Corey is lounging on the sofa snoring away like a Banshee in heat, at almost 16 years old what else is there for him to do.
For the time being I'll just say cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir and all that jazz. Luv ya all, "E"

 

Here we go again... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... Well, as the caption says,  here we ago again - that's right, I'm heading back in to hospital this upcoming Monday, 29th, to have my right hip replaced - so once all the slicing and dicing is completed, I will be on the road to recovery and when all the healing is done, you can call me the Energizer Bunny or maybe the Bionic Woman  (bet not too many of you reading this even know who the Bionic Woman was -- Lindsay Wagner, she was the female counterpart to the Bionic Man -- Lee Majors,  oh well.)

My left hip is well on the road to being totally healed - when I saw the x-rays at Dr. Smith's office I was fascinated when I saw the Unit in my hip -- next time I have x-rays taken I am going to have a picture of it for myself -- macabre, maybe but as I said, fascinating.

I've been busy cooking and stock-piling the freezer with casseroles so we'll have food to eat while I am getting back on my feet.  Bob can't/doesn't cook and he told me he has no intentions of learning.  He says peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are fine by him, yuk, can you imagine - I don't even like peanuts - maybe I need to make Hazelnut or Brazil Nut butter, now that's some good eating.

Haven't been able to plant my veggie garden this year so I have no pics to show my harvest - I'll need to make up for it next Spring - that means Bob will need to dig up the garden for me.  Always amaze myself at the little chores I manage to dig up (excuse the pun) for him to do.

Corey is, as always, sleeping -- he's an old boy 15 and a half and he's really slowing down and doesn't see very well, but there is nothing wrong with his sense of smell - he can always tell when Bob and I are having a meal and once hme's mooched from us, he then goes and eats his meal, has a drink and then heads back to bed until it's time for his nightly saunter in the garden.

Okay, until next time, I'll say cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir, awe ra best and all that jazz.  Love to all, Elizabeth, "Liz" Beth and a few other names not fit for printing.    

Hippity Hop, Here she comes again... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas -- well, I survived the operation - it went very well - I was really pampered in the hospital, Sewickley Valley Hospital - the nurses, aides, physical therapists etc., were all excellent and so very caring, oh, and did I mention the doctors too - the nurses were calling me Mrs. Doubtfire, guess that was because of my Scottish accent.

That morning on Monday 16 March when I was first taken in to the operating room there were two anaesthesiologists, Matt and Jim who really made me feel at ease - the last I remember was Jim telling me to lay my head on his shoulder, and, of course, I started to sing the following words to the old song -- "...hold me in your arms bay-bee... ."  and the next thing I knew I was wakening up in the recovery room with Bob and Robert sitting with me.
The convalescence/recovery is being more of a pain in my LondonDerriere
than the operation itself.  So much you have to be aware of - all the do's and don'ts, but in the long run it is paying off.  
 I am now back to driving again, wheeeeeee!!! in the beginning all Bob heard out of me was "...I can't wait to get back to driving again - I'm so fed up being stuck in the house, etc., etc.,... ."  well, now that I can, I've only been behind the wheel once when I went to Dr. Smith's office to pick up a prescription.  Isn't it funny, when you can't you want to, and when you can, you don't.  Oh well,
I was upgraded from my Walker Frame about 6 weeks ago and was walking with my fancy dancey cane, one of those HurryCanes that fold-up. - bright red with lots of glittery stickers all over it, my addition to an otherwise plain  metal stick.
10 days ago I was told I could put the cane aside -- I do this in the house, but outside I like to keep it handy 'cause my right leg/hip is really very painful - that being said, I am scheduled to have my right hip replaced on Monday 29 June - just call me the Bionic Woman.
Poor Bob, he can't cook to save his life, although he does make a mean pot of tea and bowl of porridge, oh don't forget the toast and frozen chicken Pot Pies.   I think the worst part of this whole thing for him was having to put the white elastic stockings on me every morning.  So he has this to look forward to, again, in a few weeks, but not to worry, that only lasts for about 3 or 4 weeks.
Okay, time to get some lunch -- as usual Corey is snoring away at my side, so I'll say cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra, au revoir and all that jazz.  Take care and stay safe until I add to the Saga of my Hips... . Love to all, "E"

Hippity Hoppin' along... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training.   
Well, the time has come, yours truly will be heading in to Sewickley Valley Hospital, on Monday the 16th to get her old hip replaced with a new State-of-the-art one.   Was supposed to have gone on the 2nd but Mother Nature had other ideas, so I have to wait until the lungs are clear and healthier.
I'll be getting my own Zimmer/Walker Frame and a few other goodies to take home with me, oh glee and joy!!!
I have been told I'll be more or less house bound for about 6 weeks, stir crazy I'll be, but I'll take a few poor unsuspecting souls with me.  All joking aside, Bob has been absolutely fabulous in helping although I do admit it gets a wee bit annoying after you've heard "... you're not supposed to do that, let me do it for you... ." (beggars can't be choosers) can only imagine what he'll be like when I am really needing help.  Not going in to a rehab centre - the physical therapist will come to the house a couple of times and once I am on the road again, Bleep, Bleep Road Runner, I can get myself to PT - I'll probably go all ga ga the first time I am out.  Notice I didn't say "allowed" just that I'll be going out.
I thought I had better get this done now since, knowing me, I'll forget - I just wanted you all to see my great cartoon of the Auld Gal and her frame above -- however, let's hope the nurses are, well, somewhat more, well, you know what I mean... .  This nurse in the cartoon reminds me of Hattie Jacques from the "Carry On Gang"  an old comedy show from Britain -- I especially remember the skit where Hattie Jacques took Wilfred Hyde White's temperature with a Daffodil... . use your imagination.  I received a call from the hospital and I sign in at 7:45a.m. Monday 16th and the operation is scheduled for 9:45a.m. - 2 hours in recovery then I'm off to the races.  So far, the nurses I have met/spoken with are so very caring and extremely nice.
As usual, Corey is snoring away lying up on the couch and I'm off now to get a cuppa, so until next time, cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra, au revoir and all that jazz.  Love to all "E"

Baby it's cold outside... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .

If you have been watching the weather on TV you will see the beauty of Mother Nature in full swing.  We here in Southwestern Pennsylvania have not been as hard hit as the Northeast and we need to be thankful for small mercies.  That being said, we have not been spared the bitterly cold temps.  This morning the actual temperature was -10 degrees zero Fahrenheit and with the windchill factored in it was -28, cold enough to freeze the heir looms off a brass monkey. Our furnace hasn't stopped running in 5 days, so who would like to have my electric bill sent to them... .  Yours truly is hibernating with the teapot and the telly - Corey is snuggled up on the sofa snoring his wee head off.

Not much going on at the moment since I can't get out in to the garden so will wait until Spring arrives.  In the meantime, here are a few more pics and don't gloat too much if you are in a warm sunny climate.  Time to say cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra, au revoir and all that jazz. Until next time - Love to all "E"

Saying Cheerio to a Member of our Family... . ... .

Good morning to all you fabulous Bloganistas.
This is a difficult story to share with you and has taken me a few weeks to be able to tell you all about it.
On Tuesday, 13 January 2015, my son's Pal KYA of 15 years was tired of the struggle and decided it was time for her to cross over the Rainbow Bridge and be with her furry family cousins and run around in the sunshine in the beautiful green pastures and once again be free from pain, just waiting for the day when she can be with Robert and all of her family again.
Nothing much more I can say, so while Corey snores happily on the sofa, I will sign out and hope you are all keeping well.  "E"

HAPPY NEW YEAR -- 2015.

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas wishing each and every one of you, and yours, a safe, healthy and Happy New Year... .
Don't be terrified by the picture, this is what's lovingly known as a Muckle Coo, a Heilan' Stoat or a Highland Cow.
We, as usual, had a quiet Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) -- over the years, dodging other drivers we have come to the sensible (at least for us) conclusion that it's best if Bob and Moi to watch the festivities on the telly along with our wee dog Corey.
We here in Pittsburgh got our first snow fall, all 1" of it where we live south of the city.  Bob was out shoveling the snow 'cause we don't want it icing-up when the temps drop further, going down to 0 far. tonight.
Took down all the Christmas decorations yesterday and finished them today so now it's time to get out the polish and get the place all nice and sparkly - I've come to the decision that dust and cobwebs need to be banned from all interior surfaces, yeah, as if that's going to happen.
Looking forward to getting my Scottish Bluebells planted, however, I'll be planting them in large containers -- we have "Chippy the Chipmunk" who, to date, has snacked on all my bulbs.  He's cute but a bain in my gardening life.  This is him sunning himself on the sun dial.  
I've started looking in to my family history using Ancestry.com and it's amazing what you can find - very confusing (I'm inclined to over-engineer things) and time consuming, however, I hope it will be very rewarding in the long run.  So anyone who known anything about my family relatives (Divers, Crossgrove, Taylor, Paton, Murray) and/or Bob's (his family names are Gall, Petrocelli (Petrozelli), DeCarlo, Macchaia) please let me know at my email.
It may be a new year but I've noticed a pile of soiled clothes in the laundry room and there are chicken thighs in the 'fridge that need to morph in to a big pot of chickie/veggie soup, so I am going to sign out here. 
Corey sends you all his best, he's snoozing up on the sofa just now, snoring away like a wee piggy in heat so I will bid you all farewell, adieu, cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir, ta ra and all that jazz.  Until next time - stay happy and warm.  Love to all, "E"