Grubs!

(Cathy) Grubs. With the ban on pesticides, (with which I have no issues with) Hubby and I have noticed that most lawns this past summer took a beating. The lawns were eaten up and patchy with shallow roots. The lawn was very easy to pick up in pieces. Grubs! The grub population has soared with the ban on pesticides. As with any time there is a change to the ecosystem, good or bad, there is a consequence. As the saying goes, "time heals". If we just left well enough alone the ecosystem would balance itself out. Of course there are good years and bad, especially with the changing weather patterns. So, back to the grubs, what to do?
Nematodes:

Web definitions:

(nematode) unsegmented worms with elongated rounded body pointed at both ends; mostly free-living but some are parasitic. wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

 In very plain speak, the nematodes attack the grubs, feed on them and use them thereby reducing their numbers. The idea is to spread them on your lawn in cool weather, so in the early spring or fall. They need to be kept well watered and with luck there should be a reduction in your grub population.

Off to the garden centre Hubby went and spent about thirty dollars for a pack of "live" nematodes. The package comes with a wet sponge that has been infused with one million nematodes. Nematodes are microscopic. The directions call for us to soak the sponge in a bucket of water to release the nematodes. That very "clear" water is then applied with a pump sprayer onto the lawn. I tried using a magnifying glass to see if any nematodes (according to package directions) were left behind in the sponge. I couldn't see a thing! 
Hubby and I were laughing that this entire affair was like the emperor's new clothes!

Hubby applied the nematodes to our lawn a few weeks ago and he says he has already noticed a decline in the number of grubs per square foot of lawn. Let's hope the lawn does better next year.

Now, what do we do with an infestation of nematodes?

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Cathy) 


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

We all have a lot to be thankful for. Blessings on one and all!

Keeping in Touch - A New Normal

(Cathy) It's been a long time since we group blogged. I know we use our blog to keep in touch and the nice thing about this past summer is we kept in touch, in person! It was great to get together a few more times than normal this past summer. There has been a lot of change, both good and bad this past year. I hope in the next few weeks to catch you all up. I have news regarding my arm, Hubby's heart, the Older One off to University and the Younger One, so far, still with the Girlfriend. Our dog is great! Barks a lot, though!

I went to my family doctor this week who agreed with the specialist regarding my diagnosis of RSD. He has me off of work until March/2013! I just have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that it is very possible that I might not ever be able to go back to work. I am too young for this and I intend to do whatever I can to get back. My cousin Chris's wife Sally posted on my facebook page that now is a time for me to find a "new normal". I have decided that that is now my mantra. Whenever I start to feel sorry for myself, or useless, I remember what Sally told me. It's amazing that sometimes it's something as simple as Sally's comment to me that gives me the strength to get up off of the couch and get stuff done. 

This week I have purchased a Presto Card for use on the transit system. I have also purchased a pull buggy so I can walk to the grocery store or mall to shop. My legs still work so I will use them and hopefully lose some weight in the process!

Small steps, big gain!

Cymbalta Withdrawal - Cold Turkey!

(Cathy) DON'T DO IT! 

Last week was a blur for me. It started with my appointment with the specialist who confirmed that I did have Reflex Sympathetic Syndrome. I was really not prepared to be told that I was still unable to go to work and I now have to take a "Fit to Drive" test to see if I can keep my driver's license. I was happy that my specialist told me that I could stop taking the Cymbalta cold turkey. If the pain came back in a rush I could start it again. As it did not help the pain I had no desire to keep taking it. 

Early the next morning my dad took Hubby and I to the hospital as Hubby had an appointment for a procedure. (that's a post for another day) We arrived at the hospital by six o'clock in the morning. By the time Hubby was discharged at about two o'clock in the afternoon I was starting to feel a little off centre and not sure if I was hungry or nauseous. We came home and I looked after Hubby all the while feeling like I needed someone to take care of me! Needless to say we went to bed early. I felt like I did not sleep a wink. I always dream, but these "dreams" where nothing like I have ever experienced. Strange and bizarre and surreal and made me feel sick. When I woke in the morning I thought... I cannot explain how I felt. Everything hurt, I was starved but felt like I was going to throw up. My eyes hurt to keep them open and also to keep them shut so I squinted. The worst was my head! I felt like there was someone inside stomping around and constantly ringing jingling bells. My brain felt like it was melting and oozing through my ears! I could not stay upright. I felt like hell but I had to look after Hubby. I just thought I was sick with the flu or something.

Hubby wondered if I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms. We googled: Cymbalta withdrawal, cold turkey, and a plethora of information came up:

http://www.cymbaltawithdrawal.com/topic/3498-went-cold-turkey/

 Yes, I was experiencing withdrawal. One person wrote that every time they moved their head it felt like it was zapped with electricity! We could not get a hold of our doctor so we called our pharmacist who was quite surprised that at my dose of 60mg/day I was told to stop cold turkey. Cymbalta plays with your neurotransmitters so it was no wonder my head felt the way it did. Needless to say, I started taking it again and I have an appointment with my doctor to work out a schedule of withdrawal. 

Never did I ever feel like I did and I hope that this post and all of the information available on the Internet will help other people avoid going through what I went through.

Cathy

Fall Harvest of Garden Herbs using a Microwave Oven

(Cathy) I love to cook. As a result I have amassed a large collection of spices and herbs. Many of the fresh herbs that I use come straight from my garden. Nothing beats their flavour in cooking! The main issue for me at the end of the growing season is what to do with all of the fresh herbs still thriving. Over the years my mom and I have tried both drying and freezing our bounty of herbs. We have not liked the result. The frozen herbs do retain their colour and flavour somewhat but they are soggy and are only good for soups or stews. As for drying we have tried both hanging the herbs in bunches and placing them in a single layer on old window screens. The window screen method did work out the best for us but takes up a lot of space and time.

In my garden I grow: parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme; (anyone singing yet?), added to that is dill, mint, chives, cilantro and tarragon, oregano, bay laurel, basil and lemon thyme. Most of them are grown direct in the garden. The bay laurel, some basil and some rosemary are grown in pots which I can bring indoors for the winter. Over the years I have read many books and articles on the subject of drying and preserving herbs and one method has always piqued my interest: the use of the microwave oven for drying herbs. This year I turned to the trusty Internet to see what methods people prefer. There was an abundance of enthusiasm for the use of the microwave oven! I found one blog post that I really liked: http://simpledailyrecipes.com/5921/how-to-dry-fresh-herbs-in-a-microwave/

In her blog, Simple Daily Recipes, by Jill McKeever, she outlines step by step with photos the entire process start to finish. So, after reading Jill's post I went outside and started with my chives. Great success! I moved on to sage and I was off on a roll! The entire process takes little time and the result is so bright and fresh! 

I am so pleased with the result and look forward to enjoying my herb bounty all year long!

Cathy

It's Official, I Have Been Diagnosed.

(Cathy) After many months of frustration my doctor's have finally confirmed my diagnosis as "Complex Regional Pain Syndrome" (CRPS), formally known as "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy" (RSD). I had understood that my doctors were leaning toward CPRS and I tended to agree after reading up on it on the Internet. I will provide a link to a very good clinical explanation of CRPS  below. 

Definition: CRPS, or complex regional pain syndrome is a condition that occurs when there is prolonged pain in the area of a previously injured arm or leg. The condition was previously known as RSD, or reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The pain is often associated with tissue swelling, increased sensitivity to touch, and hair/nail growth changes.

Also Known As: RDS

http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/abbreviationsandterms/g/CRPS.htm

At the moment the hardest part for me is the realization that there is no known cure. Also, before I can ever drive again I have to take a capability test so as not to void out our car insurance. I am off work indefinitely. THIS WHOLE THING SUCKS! There, I said what I am feeling. I know and totally appreciate that my situation could be a lot worse. I just have to get used to a new way of living. Adaptation is a human speciality. I am just not ready to adapt yet. I am tired and upset and angry and in pain. My specialist took me off my pain medication "cold turkey" because of the drastic side effects on my personality. 

Here is a really good link: http://www.rsdfoundation.org/en/en_clinical_practice_guidelines.html

Thanks for listening.

Cathy

My Mother the Queen of Guilt

I am not much of a phone person.  My family would laugh at this comment as I do sleep with my Blackberry. Let me explain a little bit more.  I am not a phone call person.  I don't call friends or family to just have a good chat.  If I do call it is for a reason and I like to get to the point.  Now this doesn't mean I don't think of my loved ones but I like most people don't have a lot of time to sit a chat on the phone.  I am a huge fan of Text,  I can type up a sentence or two in seconds and I feel it is a great way to keep in touch with the people in your life.  A quick text here and there.  My sister who lives on the other side of the country can attest to my texting skills as we text each other two three times a week.  My oldest daughter and I have some of our best conversations through text.  So with all that being said I texted my Mom a couple of weeks ago asking her to start to think what she would like for Christmas this year.  I understand it is only August but I like to be organized and as most women I am busy and have limited shopping time.  Also just like my phone calling I don't go browsing, when I shop I have a list and like to get the job done as quick and effortlessly as possible. 

A week later I received this email from my Mom.

Good afternoon and welcome home.

I got your text the other day in regards to Christmas and yes you are shopping early. Right away I new what I wanted. However I thought I should think about it for a day or two just to make sure that it is what I wanted. And yes it is.

Here is my list:

• 1. to spent one weekend every second month with you at your house.
• 2. for you to come to the city one day every second month to spend the day with me.
• 3. for you to call me once a week and chat for at least 10 minuets

I heard through the grape vine that you can find these items in your heart and that they are going for an incredible low price of just 18 days a year and 520 minutes.

If you can get me these thing then there is no need for any other gifts for Christmas.

Love from your eccentric old mother who will be collecting her old age pension by the time Christmas rolls around.

So I ask what the heck am I supposed to do with this!  As usual I sent a text to my sister and she replied "LMFO".  I texted back how do you handle this guilt emails and how often does she call Mom.  She  took a few minutes to reply and when she finally did she apologized as she had just got off the phone with our Mother.  Obviously my sister was not going to be of any help. 

I thought about it for a few days and then like the loving daughter I am I replied.

Hmmm,  gift cards it is.  :)

Sent from my BlackBerry® powered by Virgin Mobile.

Carolin