COLD DARK ROOM

[EllieMay]

Hi, Gang!
So sweet of you to think of us!!!

Life has a way of shifting gears sometimes, and I'm still sort of involved in the general goings-on, and not much on TFO, but I still think of you all and love you and our shared passion for our critters.
My 95-year old dad passed away on Dec 10. Although it's a sad thing, it's NOT A BAD THING. He had a very long life, a career that he LOVED and a large family. He was a WWII veteran (Navy) and had a lifetime of adventures. But he developed dementia about 15 years ago and changed to the point that there was NO quality left in his life: he had outlived his wife and all his friends, and the dementia robbed him of recognizing any of us reliably, very often. I've heard it said that "pneumonia is the old man's friend," and in his case it certainly was. He wan't sick long and those of us who were able, had time to fly down and say our goodbyes. (Please forgive me if I've already told you this..)
The funeral was on Dec 29th, which made for a very strange Christmas season for us. But it was better to have it AFTER Christmas then right before. At the funeral home, before the coffin was sealed, I put a (wrapped) candy bar in his hand to "take with him" since he had a huge sweet tooth! My brother, a retired Master Sergeant from the Army, placed one of his own medals in Dad's other hand, and saluted him. We were able to have military presence at his funeral: taps was played on a bugle, the coffin was draped with a flag which was folded and presented to my sister who had been his caregiver for so long. So we sent him off well.

Elsa is doing fine: We're doing our "brumation lite" where I let her sleep 2-3 days, then get her up for a soak and to eat. So all is well with her.
Jacques is doing wonderfully. Since it's too cold outside to find earthworms (where DO they go in the winter, I wonder?) she's having to eat salmon mostly, so you KNOW she's content!!! I have tried a few more things: black soldier fly larva, blood worms, canned snails (removed from the shells) but, as expected, she continues to snub anything except salmon or earthworms. My little Diva!!!!

I have some new health issues which are reversible with some lifestyle and other changes, so I'm working very hard on that.

I expect to be back on the forum more regularly again in another couple of months or so.
I think of you all fondly and lurk briefly, from time to time, but other things command my attention right now.

Hugs to all from Bea ("Moozillion"), Elsa and Jacques!

Hey Bea! I hate that you had such a difficult year and sure hope that this is much better for you. I am sure all your hard work will pay off... Hugs back to all of you!

 

[EllieMay]

Good morning everyone. I am just popping in to let everyone know I still exist. I need to catchup from post 129930 so that may take a while.

The trade show was very successful.

Sorry if I sound a little muffled; I put a face mask on to protect you all [emoji40] Unfortunately I was also successful at catching a virus of some sort - a fever and a dreadful cough. I am really struggling to sleep and my temperature is all over the place.

I’ll be back, but my brain really isn’t functioning at full capacity right now

I’m glad you still exist and had a successful trade show... I hope the virus leaves you quickly .. nothing worse than the sick misery [emoji20]. Read you soon! Take time to recharge!

 

[Cathie G]

Happy Tuesday everyone [emoji4]

.. from what I'm seeing the only happy things I'm seeing is happy survivors. So it is a wonderful Tuesday.

 

[EllieMay]

Hi everyone, be careful what you wish for!!
My duvet day I was wanting on Saturday turned into a duvet weekend.
While walking to a local DIY store on Saturday I was hit by a car as I was crossing the road.
Some numpty tried to dash between the traffic to turn right into the road I was crossing and admitted he didn't see me in the middle of it. Witnesses said he sped around on the wrong side of the road too so he has been charged with driving without due care and attention.
I was just suddenly aware of a car speeding towards me on my right then wallop - he knocked my legs from right under me. I was conscious but in hospital until last night having had surgery to have a plate screwed into the bone to fix it. I can't weight bear on ot for 3 - 6 weeks and they said it would be a good few months before it is healed.
Otherwise OK just very shocked and the enormity of has just sunk in but it could have been much worse if it had been my hip or pelvis but it is still pretty debilitating.
Being very independent I insisted on being brought home with crutches and a walking frame when they discharged me but realised I just can't cope so I am going to have to stay at my sisters. Which is very kind of her but such a hassle.
My biggest concern is Lola. I can take him with me but sisters house is quite cold as they are pretty frugal with the heating, and he won't have the space he has here, so I am not sure how we can set him up yet.
I suppose it will only be for about a month but they have suggested I get rid of him which is the last thing I would do.
Anyway once I am settled I will try to pop in - I'm going to have plenty of time on my hands!
Hope all is well with everyone else speak soon!

OMG Lyn.... that’s just horrible!! I wish there was something I could do for you... I don’t even know what to say.. I will pray for your comfort, peace of mind, and a speedy recovery.
Hugs!!!!

 

[EllieMay]

Hello......it is me , always on the "run". SORRY ! Later maybe more but here the newest:
https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-young-greece-dog-now-living-in-germany.173012/

Hey Sabine! I’ve been wondering what was goin in with you!

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Good Tuesday Everyone.
I am in need of coffee again. Yesterday was super hot and for some reason my house likes to absorb the heat. So it was another night of sleeping with the fan on which makes me semi sleep. As it is noisy. So I don't feel as if I have had much sleep. Sigh I hate feeling tired and do not function properly when I do. Good thing I am not a soldier or doctor, as I would never make it.
But the good news is that it is supposed to be cooler today with 30% chance of some rain around midnight. I'll take anything to cool things down a bit.
I hope that everyone has an awesome day today.

I only wish we had your temps right now!

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Hi everyone, be careful what you wish for!!
My duvet day I was wanting on Saturday turned into a duvet weekend.
While walking to a local DIY store on Saturday I was hit by a car as I was crossing the road.
Some numpty tried to dash between the traffic to turn right into the road I was crossing and admitted he didn't see me in the middle of it. Witnesses said he sped around on the wrong side of the road too so he has been charged with driving without due care and attention.
I was just suddenly aware of a car speeding towards me on my right then wallop - he knocked my legs from right under me. I was conscious but in hospital until last night having had surgery to have a plate screwed into the bone to fix it. I can't weight bear on ot for 3 - 6 weeks and they said it would be a good few months before it is healed.
Otherwise OK just very shocked and the enormity of has just sunk in but it could have been much worse if it had been my hip or pelvis but it is still pretty debilitating.
Being very independent I insisted on being brought home with crutches and a walking frame when they discharged me but realised I just can't cope so I am going to have to stay at my sisters. Which is very kind of her but such a hassle.
My biggest concern is Lola. I can take him with me but sisters house is quite cold as they are pretty frugal with the heating, and he won't have the space he has here, so I am not sure how we can set him up yet.
I suppose it will only be for about a month but they have suggested I get rid of him which is the last thing I would do.
Anyway once I am settled I will try to pop in - I'm going to have plenty of time on my hands!
Hope all is well with everyone else speak soon!

Oh No! I am glad you are otherwise ok. I could never get rid of my torts. That was not fare to ask you to. You are in my prayers

 

[CarolM]

Wow, Lyn’s shocking news still has me reeling... Crazy world anymore, everyone is in a rush to go someplace, but no where important.

I still need to add the “log” project, final update.

Today, pouring down cold rain, sleet, some snow. More snow with accumulation as the day continues. For some odd reason I decided that I needed to make a wooden mallet. So, that has me occupied this morning. Nothing fancy and I’m winging the very fluid plan as I go. Material is Willow Oak that we trimmed last Summer from our own trees. It’s either make a mallet, or burn it next fire.

• Willow Oak - Quercus phellos, the willow oak, is a North American species of a deciduous tree in the red oak group of oaks. It is native to the eastern and central United States from Long Island Sound south to northern Florida, and west to southernmost Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas. It is most commonly found growing on lowland floodplains, often along streams, but rarely also in uplands with poor drainage, up to 400 meters (1,300 ft) altitude.

Ok, you wonder why a wooden mallet?

• Wooden mallets are usually used in carpentry to knock wooden pieces together, or to drive dowels or chisels. A wooden mallet will not deform the striking end of a metal tool, as most metal hammers would. It is also used to reduce the force driving the cutting edge of a chisel, giving better control.

I wish I had your talent and patience, It is a lost art of being able to make what you need yourself. Please keep your projects coming, I love reading about them.

 

[CarolM]

Wow!! So glad you’re still here walking on this earth!!
That just just so scary!!

Can’t you just put Lola in a container in your bedroom? Maybe a heating pad under it. Maybe they won’t know the pad is on.

Shoot, if I was you, I would have stayed in the hospital and enjoy being waited on not to mention heal.

You sound strong but take it easy.

What about putting Lola in hibernation? That way he won't be stressed and space and heating won't be an issue.

 

[CarolM]

Thanks Cathy - yes my first thought after realising I'd been hit and hurt was how was I going to get home to see to Lola, utterly impossible of course when you're unable to move from the middle of the road and the only place I was going was A&E but he was my main concern. In fact after having gas and air to manipulate the Tibia back into place (before the steel plate in the Fibula) the doctor asked me who Lola was? So he must have been on my mind then!

Oh shame. So what did the doc say when you told him that Lola was a tort?

 

[CarolM]

I think he may have lost his appetite after hitting me and getting done by the police.

What happens to him now and does he have to pay for your medical expenses?

 

[CarolM]

I'm off to bed now so will see you all tomorrow I expect.
Nos Da and take care.

You take care as well Lyn. Don't worry it will all come right and a solution will be found for Lola.

 

[CarolM]

Good evening all. I am slowly improving. The virus is losing its grip and I am a little fitter every day. Unfortunately the cough is no better and at times my ribs are aching. I don’t think I need antibiotics. Here in the UK, I need something worse than 4 days of coughing to get them, especially when I am on the mend in any case. Hopefully I won’t need them in future.

Our local newspaper is greatly excited that we might get snow tonight. I shan’t be going out in it if we do. If there’s anything worthwhile I’ll take a photo from the conservatory

Glad you are on the mend Linda. Welcome back

 

[CarolM]

Happy Tuesday everyone [emoji4]

Happy Wednesday Noel.

 

[CarolM]

Ok went to the orthopedic surgeon today. Have a muscle that needs to be reattached and calcium buildup where I damaged the end of my femur. So I will be going under the knife. Next week my wife goes on a cruise starting in Singapore so I will have the operation towards the end of Feb.

Oh dear. I hope that they can sort it all out. Good Luck with the operation. And lucky wife, I wouldn't mind going on holiday, maybe not on a cruise, I am too scared the ship might sink and I will be eaten by sharks.

 

[CarolM]

I only wish we had your temps right now!

if only we could perfect the art of sharing weather. Then we could have perfect weather all around the world.

 

[CarolM]

Good Wednesday Everyone,
A lot of pain and not feeling well going on in the CDR lately. Although there is some good news as well. Like Sabine's cute little dog (the newest addition to her household), Linda is back and on the mend. Lyn still has a way to go and we need to try and think of a solution for Lola. And Ray having to wait for the end of Feb to start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Sjoe, it seems that 2019 is not starting off too well. But I am going to believe that if we all think positive thoughts and have positive attitudes then some positivity will start to come back to us.

So with that in mind:



Unless you are Mark of course as it always seems to be raining over there.



And this one is for all the champions in the CDR (each and every one of you)

 

[JoesMum]

What about putting Lola in hibernation? That way he won't be stressed and space and heating won't be an issue.

Lola is a Leopard Tortoise. Leos cannot hibernate... and they're huge so "moving their enclosure" is not exactly straightforward

 

[CarolM]

Lola is a Leopard Tortoise. Leos cannot hibernate... and they're huge so "moving their enclosure" is not exactly straightforward

aahhh. Pity. Oh well back to the drawing board then.

 

[JoesMum]

Good morning all. I had a shocking night's sleep last night thanks to my cough. I had to put the heating on in thr end and the additional warmth helped me to stop coughing. I guess we will be running the central heating 24/7 for a few days.

It was very cold out last night, but the snow was negligible by even Kent standards. We have have had frosts this winter that have made things whiter

I am feeling very frustrated. I want to move around and do things without coughing.... and a full night's sleep would be amazing.