Making new memories

While others were busy celebrating Memorial Day my son and I were busy making new memories in our yard. It appears to be time to start over, so to speak. No one can say we aren't determined.

First, after looking at the trim on the old playhouse I decided it was time to do some much needed painting. This structure had originally been built for my daughter when she was a toddler. She is almost 39 years old. My grandson used it briefly and called it "my clubhouse". It is still in good condition, but badly needed some paint.

 

Next we needed to try once again to grow some produce. We have decided our water probably has too much chlorine and is interfering with the growth of plants. So, after my son got a 60 gallon water container and put chemicals in it to fix the problem we are trying once again.

We decided to start with container plants on the deck. We planted a tomato, green chile, green and yellow peppers, green beans and zucchini. They seem to be doing pretty well with the new water supply.

Encouraged, my son created his own version of a raised bed and we picked up a few more plants including: strawberries, watermelon, Roma tomatoes, Acorn squash and asparagus. Now we just have to wait, water and see what happens. 

I also decided to try once again to plant some Cosmo seeds. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Let's do this

Last Friday I found out the results of my uric acid blood test and  my PA does not believe I had another attack of gout, although the level was higher than is considered normal. Apparently my foot problem was cellulitis, which is an infection. It now appears to be healed, by the way.

That still leaves the question, why is my body producing a high level of uric acid? According to the Mayo Clinic this problem can be attributed to taking thiazide diuretics, in other words a water pill for high blood pressure. When I got the call from my doctor's office I was told my PA did not think it had anything to do with the problem. How he arrived at that conclusion I have no idea. I would think the Mayo Clinic would know what they are talking about.

Yesterday, Monday, I got another call from my doctor's office advising me to not take the water pill for awhile and monitor my blood pressure ( it is not the only BP medication I am taking). So as of this morning I eliminated the water pill, which is what I wanted to try in the first place. Geez will no one listen to me?!

As I previously mentioned I could be wrong, but it is worth a try. Something is causing a problem and I want to know what that is.

D day

For all my loyal readers who have taken a moment to pray for a positive solution for my friend's two year old grandson, Monday May 21st is D day. It is when his situation goes before a judge and his future will be decided. So if you are still inclined to offer positive energy that would be the day to move forward.

Thank you!

Something to share

I enjoy sharing things that pop up in my everyday life so I am sharing the following.

Morning Affirmations

I have an abundance of energy
I am free of pain
Today is my day
Today I will change my life
I am strong
I am beautiful
I am loved
The sunrise fills me with confidence
Whatever challenges come my way I will overcome them
Today I will learn and grow
I will be a better person today
I love who I see in the mirror
Success will find me today
I am grateful for another day to shine
Today is full of possibilities
I will be fearless today

I would also like to add a personal mantra I have been trying out:
I release all fear and negative energy from my life.

Life goes on

The last week has been a trial for me as I was dealing with a second gout attack that occurred exactly a year after the first one. I always thought it was a rich person's disease, but I guess not. After checking once again I don't fit into that category.

I already knew gout is caused by the kidneys inability to eliminate uric acid efficiently. It builds up and forms crystals on joints making movement very painful. The next question is what is the slow down?

After once again checking this out there seems to be only one possibility in my case. A water pill taken for high blood pressure. It has been known to cause the problem. The other causes include, rich foods, red meat, being overweight, diabetes, too much alcohol. That isn't me.

It's been a week since this attack began and after taking medication my foot still is not completely back to where I would like it to be. I made an appointment to have my PA check it out this morning and to discuss making a trial change in my blood pressure medication. I am very grateful that he actually listens to me and is willing to form a partnership instead of just saying he is the doctor and I will do what he says.

In an effort to stop another attack, (even once a year is more than I am willing to deal with) we have mutually agreed to temporarily eliminate the water pill and see what happens. If it doesn't make my blood pressure go up we probably found the cause of the uric acid problem and life will go on with a lot less pain.

As a note to anyone listening in on my story, the water pill is not the only thing I am taking to control my blood pressure. I have learned lately to speak up and voice my opinion when my intuition is trying to help. I may be wrong but at least I am not just sitting here allowing someone else to make important decisions for me.

Having a great PA like Ben Fleming Jr. from Presbyterian Medical helps a lot! I do want to add from him- drink plenty of water!

Happy almost Mother's Day

Since my mother died 31 years ago Mother's Day is not what it used to be. I did send cards to my daughter, oldest granddaughter and my new granddaughter-in-law to mark the holiday and acknowledge the fact that they are all mothers.

Funny thing is that none of them would be mothers if I hadn't been one first!

I feel much compassion for those who have lost children by death or estrangement. It just doesn't seem fair, but then who said life is fair?

Happy Mother's Day to all those that the title applies to, including those who may not have given birth, but willingly took on the role of MOTHER.

Does a family tree matter?

Trying to sort out a family tree can get very frustrating at times. That's what I have been doing for the last few days. I'm not sure if it really matters.

I have been able to go back to my 7th great grand parents on the maternal side of my father's family.  At the same time I can't find one relative of my father's father before he immigrated from Sweden in 1888.

On the other side of my family I was able to go back to my 6th great grandparents on my mother's paternal grandmother's side. Again not one single relative belonging to her paternal grandfather. I am beginning to see a trend because the same thing is true of my mother's maternal grandparents.

After all this work I am wondering just how much a family tree matters. I did connect with some cousins who I didn't know I had, so that's a good thing. It is interesting to see where everyone came from. It also has answered a few questions I had been carrying around for years so perhaps it was worth the work involved.