Quick Update

Sunday, February 20, 2011

It was so nice today. Sunny and warm and windy. Hubby and I went for 2 long walks and saw Chub, Baby, lots of birds, deer, and squirrels.

Rico Suave is doing much better today. He ate some on his own. Blocker is feeling great and is playing for the first time in a long time. I hope the worst is over.

We had a restful, uneventful weekend.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TEDYBEAR2838 2/21/2011 10:09PM

Sorry, I been missing your blogs lately. Glad to have caught up with you. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHERRYTOO 2/21/2011 4:33PM

Those are the best kind of weekends... Report Inappropriate Comment

WISEWIFE 2/21/2011 4:09PM

Glad to hear the babies are doing better! Hugs, WW Report Inappropriate Comment

SCOLLY 2/21/2011 2:20PM

We're in the middle of yet another winter weather warning. Layers of ice overnight and now lots of snow. Good thing we already had today off school!! Yikes. More to come tonight, I believe! :( I'm ready for spring. We did see 95% of our grass yesterday due to snow meltage, but now....NOTHING... Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZYMOBILE 2/21/2011 10:23AM

Woohoo, Rico! You go, little guy! Report Inappropriate Comment

ABBY_G 2/21/2011 9:35AM

Glad to read that Rico Suave is doing better! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 2/21/2011 9:23AM

I went down to see Dad and it was a nice day. A little windy here but still nice. I am thankful the snow missed us. Take care and have a Marvelous Monday. So glad to hear your animals are doing so well. Hugs, Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

MONSTERDECOOKIE 2/21/2011 9:12AM

That's great news about Rico! Report Inappropriate Comment

MORGANPARK 2/21/2011 9:07AM

Uneventful is nice. Uneventful AND restful is really nice. Glad you had a good weekend. Glad the little guy is feeling better. Report Inappropriate Comment

WRITERGIRLMEL 2/21/2011 8:03AM

Glad the furballs are on the mend, and I'm glad you had a relaxing weekend. Mine was spent taking advantage of the nice weather to clean out my garage and detail my car (I'm ashamed to admit how long it had been since the car was even vacuumed.), but I also took plenty of time to sit on the deck and listen to the frogs behind our house while Toby played in his sandbox. I love the sounds of approaching Spring (even if I'm a little worried that frogs have jumped the gun). Report Inappropriate Comment

BETHGILLIGAN 2/21/2011 8:00AM

YAY! for the babies getting better!!! And a double YAY for warmer weather and walks! Report Inappropriate Comment

WOWEETOO 2/21/2011 6:29AM

yeehaw!!! great because we don't need no skinny chinchillas!!! hello rico greetings from nashville the lady mary Report Inappropriate Comment

GOANNA2 2/21/2011 5:53AM

Glad to hear that Rico is eating better now. The walk sounds wonderful and it seems that Spring must be around the corner. Report Inappropriate Comment

COMFYGLAMDIVA 2/21/2011 3:27AM

So glad to hear good news for Rico! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be better from now on. Report Inappropriate Comment

DEVORA4 2/21/2011 1:07AM

Glad old Ricco is on the mends! Report Inappropriate Comment

CODEMAULER 2/21/2011 12:08AM

We had big Daddy snow here and I wondered if you managed to miss it. Yay for Blocker. My 17-year old kitty has been super playful lately. They sure know when Spring is coming, don't they?! I'm glad that everyone is recovering from the visits and work that the previous week had. Report Inappropriate Comment

STEPPYSUE 2/20/2011 11:36PM

I'm glad the little furballs are getting better! I heard someone say that dirty word that begins with S and ends with W for us tonight and tomorrow. Report Inappropriate Comment

HOWLERMOM 2/20/2011 11:30PM

Sounds great - rejuvenating even!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SAMI199 2/20/2011 11:30PM

That sounds wonderful! Report Inappropriate Comment

We Missed The Party!!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

It was another nice day and hubby and I went for 2 long walks. We found where teens have been partying by the creek - there was a Happy Meal with some leftover fries, an empty quart bottle of beer, an empty can of Old Milwaukee, an empty fifth of vodka, an empty pint of Crystal Palace Gin, and a bag of some K2 synthetic marijuana. LOL. Messy little beggars.

We filled the feeders and bird bath and sat in the swings. The neighbor was burning leaves. Baby was laying in the front yard. I did not see Chub.

I took down the Valentine's Day decorations and decorated for st. Patrick's Day.

My son went to a friends house and they lifted weights.

Rico Suave it still not eating well and hubby and I spent a lot of the day trying to get him to eat.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KATJAMN 2/24/2011 10:35AM

K2 is very dangerous.. but it is what is used sometimes for "medicinal" purposes. Kids get it anywhere, online or whatever.. sooo scary!! At least they left you some fries.. haha. sorry bout ricos tooth, hope he starts feeling better. Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMAGOSS 2/22/2011 7:37AM

D**mn kids - the nerve of partying without you - i'm sure you could have shown them a trick or two about hanging tuff!! LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

HEROS3 2/21/2011 9:55PM

They never leave anything worth having....Dang! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHERRYTOO 2/21/2011 4:34PM

Try jello pudding for Rico. That's what I've been living on with my painful tooth... Report Inappropriate Comment

IAMALIGHTHOUSE 2/21/2011 11:49AM

never heard of the K2 stuff. Hope your pets get better Report Inappropriate Comment

JUSTJO66 2/21/2011 9:00AM

Yes, it does sound like they had a party. Seems like they could have at least picked up after themselves. But, hey, I guess that's how you could tell it was teenagers. :O) That K2 is some bad stuff. We've been hearing about it here for a long time. Maybe because I'm a school nurse...but we try to keep on top of all the "stuff" kids smoke, inhale, huff, etc. It's amazing how many common everyday things kids sample for a high. Sad. Glad your fur babies are doing better. I used to be a person who decorated for every holiday/season. Lately, I only decorate for spring/summer; fall/winter, Christmas and Thanksgiving. Too pooped to do anything else. I still have all my decorations stored somewhere. :o) Report Inappropriate Comment

RONIE11 2/20/2011 11:54PM

well I bet if you investigated further you would of found where they deposited the happy meal... thats a lot of liquer and I'm with the others... I never heard of K2.... probably never made it to Oregon...LOL I hope you enjoyed your nice warmish weekend... Ronie Report Inappropriate Comment

UR2LOVEIT 2/20/2011 9:26PM

Funny how generations change but a teenager's party site looks the same Report Inappropriate Comment

GOANNA2 2/20/2011 3:35PM

Glad you missed the party, as I don't think it would have been your style. Messy beggars indeed. I hope Ricco gets his appetite soon, poor baby. Report Inappropriate Comment

WISEWIFE 2/20/2011 2:42PM

Darn & they didn't invite you?? How rude! Hope Rico gets better soon! Hugs, WW Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLFAITHWALKR 2/20/2011 2:26PM

Never heard of K2. Hope Rico gets better. Report Inappropriate Comment

SMILES4383 2/20/2011 10:30AM

Did you leave a sign ? Good Scouts leave a site in BETTER condition than when they got there.....Take Your Trash. :o) Or, you could put a trash barrel out there. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZYMOBILE 2/20/2011 9:22AM

Have you tried a turkey baster with Rico? I fed an anorexic ball python with one once, not that it saved him. What kind of St. Patty's day decorations do you have? (Now you know what my V-day decorations look like, LOL.) Report Inappropriate Comment

BETHGILLIGAN 2/20/2011 8:36AM

Stupid kids!!! I'm getting concerned about Rico! Will he be OK? My sweet Toby is doing well--can't keep a good beagle down!! It's a major pain to get pills down him--he can pick them out of food, cheese, etc. It comes down to headlock, stuffing it down his throat and lots of dog slobber!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 2/20/2011 7:08AM

I thought they took that K2 off the market. Great day. Hope Rico is better today. Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

ALASKASKY 2/20/2011 6:22AM

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COOKWITHME65 2/20/2011 5:45AM

Sound like you had a nice day with your husband. Never heard of K2 synthetic marijuana. Those kids have no respect for nature or themselves. So sad. Good luck with Ricco. Can you feed him a bit with an eyedropper? Report Inappropriate Comment

WOWEETOO 2/20/2011 4:55AM

did someone say party?? and they left their 'stash' they must have really bad hangovers for sure lol the lady mary Report Inappropriate Comment

GOLIGHTLY344 2/20/2011 12:24AM

One thing I noticed is that you didn't mention that they left the Toy from the Happy Meal behind. I think they went over their calories. ; ) Report Inappropriate Comment

SUSIEPH1 2/19/2011 11:19PM

Isn't it just such a shame that no one respects nature anymore! Messy little twerps !! I hope Rico doesn't go into a decline ... poor wee bubba! Take care of each other and those dear little pets hugs Susie Report Inappropriate Comment

Ready For The Weekend

Friday, February 18, 2011

It was another nice warm day - in the 60s. The sun was in and out.

The pond completely thawed finally. The snow and ice are all gone and I love it.

The birds have started singing. It is music to my ears. I enjoy watching their spring courtship rituals which will start soon. We often catch them mating. Hummers have one of the neatest mating rituals and they will zig zag back and forth while buzzing.

I saw a bunny in the yard today and several squirrels. Chub is still guarding his front porch.

We did 3 loads of laundry today. And decluttered for an hour or so - a bunch of important papers.

My hubby got Rico Suave to eat some last night and come out and play tonight. He still is having a lot of problems eating. Blocker is doing well.

As of today I am up to 613 unread emails. Almost all of them from sparkpeople. LOL.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SHERRYTOO 2/21/2011 4:35PM

I have that horrible "delete button" disease when my number gets too high. Works well - lol. Report Inappropriate Comment

SIMPLE_TAILOR 2/19/2011 9:13PM

I know what you are talking about on being behind. I am sitting at about 650 as well. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZYMOBILE 2/19/2011 8:30PM

I just knew that spring was going to arrive at your place early and soon. It's so nice to hear about the thaw, the mating birdies, a bunny, and even ol' Chub. He's turning into quite the grump, it sounds like. Here, on the other hand, the temperature has dropped by half, from 60 to 30, we have gale-force winds with power outages all over the state, and my 20 turkey buddies are huddling forlornly in their tree when I pass them in the morning. I'm going to start carrying some cracked corn for them. Least I can do. Report Inappropriate Comment

DEE797 2/19/2011 7:13PM

Glad Rico is doing better. Whoa on the emails. Hope you have a great weekend. Report Inappropriate Comment

ALASKASKY 2/19/2011 2:16PM

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HOWLERMOM 2/19/2011 1:35PM

So glad to hear the weather has turned around and Rico is doing better. I'm finally back in Houston and it is warm warm warm -- washer is still broken and part is not in....boo hiss!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WISEWIFE 2/19/2011 12:32PM

Glad to hear Rico is doing better, hope he heals fully soon! Hugs, WW Report Inappropriate Comment

MARIADALE 2/19/2011 10:25AM

It sounds like spring is arriving in your neck of the woods Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 2/19/2011 9:19AM

My, my, my - Good luck on the e-mails. Hugs, Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

GOANNA2 2/19/2011 8:38AM

Now that the pond has melted, you will see more animals no doubt. So glad it is warming up for you. I cannot believe hoe many emails you have to answer. Just reading your blogs is like I have hit the jackpot Morticia. You are really a lovely person and everyone loves you. Glad to hear that Rico is doing better. Have a great Sunday. Hugs Anna Report Inappropriate Comment

BETHGILLIGAN 2/19/2011 8:03AM

Glad to hear the babies are doing well. We've had the same warm weather until today. Windy, cold and snow forecast for Monday night. I have loved the warm days and am NOT happy to have winter return!! I will spend my weekend nursing my sweet Toby who, actually seems to be doing well. Biopsies won't be back for 7-10 days (they found second cyst and removed it also). Report Inappropriate Comment

JAYJO64 2/19/2011 6:48AM

Good to hear things are looking up! Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLFAITHWALKR 2/19/2011 5:44AM

Spring is on the way!! We had nice weather too but it is terribly windy here today, roaring. Glad they are recovering well. I got a working washer finally; it is so nice to be able to do laundry here again! Spring cleaning, decluttering, and washing: tis the season! Report Inappropriate Comment

DEVORA4 2/19/2011 4:34AM

We have warm weather too and I went out with no jacket and it was a blast. Glad uour Rico is doing well and soon his buddy will be too. Take care and have a great week end. debby Report Inappropriate Comment

LOUANN22 2/19/2011 3:45AM

glad to hear rico is making some progress.613 unread e-mails that crazy lol I'm so anal on going thru e-mails and stuff in general and getting rid of things I don't need tho. Plus e-mails make me feel special lol Have a great weekend! Report Inappropriate Comment

COMFYGLAMDIVA 2/19/2011 2:38AM

So glad to hear that Rico is eating some. Enjoy your weather. Report Inappropriate Comment

STEPPYSUE 2/18/2011 11:23PM

I agree with Wowee, if I don't read your blog, even if I don't comment, I don't feel like my day has been complete. Report Inappropriate Comment

WOWEETOO 2/18/2011 10:59PM

wowee i get more than that ina week if i can't do the site and it's hard the average for me is sometimes over a 100 a day so i spend a goodly amount of time reading not posting on all but reading for sure but i LOVE reading your blogs even when they are only a few lines because you are like a touchstone to me thanks the lady mary Report Inappropriate Comment

SUSIEPH1 2/18/2011 10:53PM

How Delightful Morticia !! Glad it is warming up! you will strart to feel much better too ... glad Rico is eating some thing it will take time if his poor little mouth is sore !! hugs Report Inappropriate Comment

Hanging In There

Thursday, February 17, 2011

It was another beautiful day. Cloudy and very windy but 63 degrees. I love the warm weather. It was almost hot yesterday at 70.

I wanted to rest most of the day but could not pass up getting some yard work done. I got most of the limbs in the yard picked up except the ones that have to be cut up with a chain saw. I did my minimum chores today inside and outside. I'm tired. No energy.

Blocker is a tough old bird. She is already almost back to normal just like the last time she had oral surgery. She is already eating all her snacks. Her daughter Stinker is so cute. As soon as I put Blocker back in the cage Tuesday Nurse Stinker was guarding her and taking care of her. Grooming her.

Rico Suave is having some problems. He is getting his energy back but having trouble eating. Feeding does not help much as he has no appetite and it hurts to eat. He is having crying periods. I'm not sure if we will give the pain med or not. It helps the pain but worsens the appetite. Wheeler became addicted to it.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MAMAGOSS 2/19/2011 9:45PM

And the last thing you need is a little crack addict chinchilla in your life....LOL Seriously - hope the little guy is dong better soon!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

DEE797 2/19/2011 7:11PM

Oh my, did not realize that animals can become addicted to pain meds as well. Do hope Rico and Blocker continue to improve. Sounds like Stinker missed her and was taking care of Momma. Report Inappropriate Comment

HEROS3 2/18/2011 9:47PM

I am so jealous of your weather. We got to around 60 but now we are expecting snow this weekend. Good thing is spring is almost here! Hope your babies are back to normal soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZYMOBILE 2/18/2011 8:57PM

Gosh, now that I think of it, what do you do with an addicted chinchilla? Do they go cold turkey--something I'm hearing a great deal about in the Keith Richards audiobook that I'm listening to. (It's amazing the man is still alive!) Report Inappropriate Comment

MARUSSELL 2/18/2011 5:51PM

Enjoy the weather, I have heard it will not last past the weekend. It was a nice break though. Report Inappropriate Comment

MARIADALE 2/18/2011 3:37PM

You are a good mommy to those wee beasts...I know they will both recover. Report Inappropriate Comment

IAM_HIS2 2/18/2011 2:09PM

Wow, this would be so hard for me..poor Rico!!!ha when animals are sick it is so difficult. Report Inappropriate Comment

JUSTJO66 2/18/2011 2:03PM

Hugs....sounds like you still have your hands full. Hoping it gets better soon. Report Inappropriate Comment

WISEWIFE 2/18/2011 12:32PM

Oh hon, so sorry to read that Rico isn't much better. Does the vet have any soultions?Poor baby & momma. Hugs, WW Report Inappropriate Comment

SHIRLEYX 2/18/2011 9:48AM

Tough call. Hope Rico feels better and you are able to rest. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 2/18/2011 9:30AM

Poor Rico. Hope he gets to feeling better soon. It was a beautiful day here yesterday and I went out with the girls from Pain Management for a Girls Night Out. It was lots of fun and great to spend time with all of them. The new Anesthesiologist was there and she was a hoot. I loved her and she would be a blast to work with. Take care - I have my CT and Ultrasound today. Hugs, Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

BETHGILLIGAN 2/18/2011 8:07AM

Poor babies!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JAZZID 2/18/2011 7:28AM

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ALASKASKY 2/18/2011 7:19AM

Today was a beautiful day to get out and do anything. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZYMOBILE 2/18/2011 6:57AM

Oh, Rico! I hope your little buddy is feeling 100% soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

GOANNA2 2/18/2011 6:08AM

I'm glad to hear the babies a re doing better. Poor Rico, hope he is able to eat soon. Report Inappropriate Comment

DEVORA4 2/18/2011 6:06AM

Glad the babes are better. So sad when animals are sick. Have a great week end! Is your back better? Hope so! Report Inappropriate Comment

TOMWDCSKC 2/18/2011 3:58AM

It's hard to believe. 70 degrees in February. Almost set a record. Good luck w/the little children. Report Inappropriate Comment

LOUANN22 2/18/2011 2:57AM

Hope rico feels better soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

COMFYGLAMDIVA 2/18/2011 12:56AM

Oh poor Rico, give hugs and loves. Report Inappropriate Comment

CONFUSEDBIRD 2/18/2011 12:30AM

Poor Rico! I hope he feels better tomorrow. Wow 70 these yesterday, that is amazing, suddenly summer! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUSIEPH1 2/18/2011 12:26AM

OMG !! Poor Rico Suave !! I hope he doesn't get addicted!! I am glad you got most of your chores done as you still need to try and exercise but prhaps a rest day tomorrow is on the cards? Love and Hugs Susie Report Inappropriate Comment

0309COOKIE 2/17/2011 11:46PM

Aaawww, I hope Rico gets better. I hate that he is crying, poor thing. I will say a prayer for him that he gets better. Report Inappropriate Comment

STEPPYSUE 2/17/2011 11:22PM

Those poor little babies, I'm glad that have you! Report Inappropriate Comment

SAMI199 2/17/2011 11:18PM

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UR2LOVEIT 2/17/2011 11:01PM

I'm glad to hear your darlings are doing better! Report Inappropriate Comment

WOWEETOO 2/17/2011 10:50PM

try some light classical music?? all my animals used to love it including the geese and ducks and goats and theywould all gather around..maybe because i was there but i loved to think they could hear the music i could only feel lol the lady mary Report Inappropriate Comment

CODEMAULER 2/17/2011 10:41PM

You have your hands full, even with the chores out of the way. I sure hope that the babies feel 100% very soon, if only to give you some ease of mind. Warm and windy here today, too, and the cold returns tomorrow. The respite was rather nice and will hopefully minimize some of the spring thaw/flood. Report Inappropriate Comment

Chinchilla Nurse

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

I got up yesterday at 6 and got breakfast fixed and some of my chores done so my son and I could leave for St. Louis by 10 A.M. We did not have time to eat lunch and the surgeries took until 2:30. We were lucky I had a couple of Atkins bars in my purse as that is all we had to eat until 3. We didn't get home until between 4:30 and 5 and had to sling a meal together. I had to do more chores when I got home but some just didn't get done.

The "patients" were both fairly miserable and Rico was mad. He was howling on the way home and thought about biting me. We got them settled in for the evening and got them to eat a few bites.

I was exhausted. My arthritis has reared it's ugly head. Pinky on the right hand was looking bad -purple, swollen, twisting. I'm lucky the pain was not worse. It was mostly numb. Numb is good because when it isn't you immediately understand how raccoons can chew their limbs off. I will have to deal with this and won't be able to ignore it. Tighten up my diet and exercise plan. No cheating. I have some allergies going on and possible a mild cold. I laid down early in the evening.

I had to get up early again today and do shopping and errands. I left early and made it home by noon. Went to the DMV, post office, bank, newspaper office, Aldis, Kroger, and Wal-Mart. My son spot cleaned the cages and took care of the "recuperators" while I was gone. When I got home we ate lunch and I got the rest of my chores done then I tended to the 2 post ops convalescents. They are eating tiny bits but it hurts a lot. Tonight we fed Rico some ground liquid food but Blocker refused it. We gave them both pain meds.

I did some batch cooking and made enough meat to last for 4 days. Enough veggies and mixed berries for 2. It should make my days easier.

My son has pulled a muscle so he went to help with the 2 younger classes of taekwondo but didn't stay for the adult class. He has a cold too.

It was 70 degrees today. I wish I could have spent it outside.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SIMPLE_TAILOR 3/11/2011 1:49PM

This is unusual, a mention of the DMV without a rant? The chinchillas must have taken up a lot of time. Report Inappropriate Comment

DEE797 2/19/2011 7:09PM

Hope the lil furries are doing better. Sounds like you and your ds need to rest with those colds. Sorry about your fingers, do hope you get to feeling better sounds painful. Report Inappropriate Comment

HOWLERMOM 2/18/2011 2:12AM

Sorry I've been out of touch here in LA -- sorry about the fur babies and very concerned about you!! Take care of yourself -- at least the weather isn't complicating things!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARIADALE 2/17/2011 5:33PM

Hope your babies are feeling better Report Inappropriate Comment

SEESTARS 2/17/2011 3:39PM

Sending get well soon vibes to all of you! Take care. Report Inappropriate Comment

LUVSBULLDOGS 2/17/2011 3:11PM

You are pushing yourself too hard. Let your arthritis settle down and get back to it after. Take care. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZYMOBILE 2/17/2011 12:45PM

How do you address the arthritis via diet? What another commenter had to say about artificial sweeteners was pretty alarming, because I've been putting those away in massive quantities for many years now. Report Inappropriate Comment

WISEWIFE 2/17/2011 12:20PM

Glad to hear the babies are doing better, though tell Rico biting mom is NOT a good idea, Aunt Grace will have to come and beat his bottom! Hugs, WW Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLFAITHWALKR 2/17/2011 12:16PM

I'm so sorry. Wish I could hug you. Plus a pet that is howling is nerve racking because of their pain. Since you're a (real) nurse you probably already heard or tried this or think it's an old wive's tale. So I'm kind of hesistant, but, because it has helped so many . . . have you tried organic, raw, apple cider vinegar (ACV), drink 1-2-3 tsp in 8 oz water 3X a day, one cup before each meal? You can sweeten it with stevia, molasses, honey or maple syrup. Knowing you it would be stevia. You start on the small end, 1 tsp, and build up to 3 tsp per cup, over time. Braggs is a good brand. Heinz, White House, any store brand, etc is not raw and doesn't have the mother in the bottom, so it will do exactly NOTHING for you, at all. Has to be raw. But numerous people have reported first-hand results regarding arthritis (it also helps other things). It's proven to disolve crystals in joints. There is a thread, "The do-it-all power of apple cider vinegar", on the team, Natural Remedies, if you want to read some first-hand stuff. I heard Ty Bollinger on the radio the other day, his wife had severe joint pain, after the 3rd day on raw organic ACV, her pain disappeared. She said, "It's like a miracle". She's one of many. Also, artificial sweeteners have caused many problems for many people; if your Valentine candy contained other than stevia that could be part of it. The FDA list of 92 aspartame-related symptoms includes arthritis and joint pain. The FDA also reports that Aspartame Disease/Toxicity mimics symptoms of or worsens 16 diseases, including arthritis and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). I bring up MCS because the effect of aspartame is cumulative over time, and can cause exponentially increasing problems in people that never noticed sensitivity to artificial sweeteners before. A 60-day elimination trial is the golden standard. People report similar problems with Splenda, specifically, joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Many times they are not declared on packages, and are sneaked in by being listed on ingredients lists as "natural flavors". Report Inappropriate Comment

SHASHEE71 2/17/2011 9:36AM

I hope you and your little babies and your son all get to feeling better soon!!! I hate that you are in pain girl friend! ((((Big Hugs)))) Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 2/17/2011 8:54AM

Hope today is a better day and you can have some "me time". Sounds like you could use it. Hugs, Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

JUSTJO66 2/17/2011 8:44AM

Hoping your fur babies and feeling better soon. Sounds like you need some TLC, too. I know you must have felt bad if you didn't get out in the 70 degree weather. Get well soon. Report Inappropriate Comment

GOANNA2 2/17/2011 8:44AM

As Sunset24 rightly says, you, Morticia, are a Miracle Worker. You are amazing girl and once a nurse, always a nurse. I hope the babies get over their dental woes soon and that you get some rest. Look after yourself with the cold. Have a restful day and look after the athritis... Report Inappropriate Comment

SHIRLEYX 2/17/2011 8:27AM

70 degrees - sounds wonderful! Have a good day and take care of the arthritis. We are taking the kids skiing next week and need more snow. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNSET24 2/17/2011 8:12AM

you go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we are going to call YOU, the MIRACLE worker! yeh!!!!!!!!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

BETHGILLIGAN 2/17/2011 8:01AM

Hope you all are doing better today! I take one of my dogs in tomorrow for dental work and removal of a cancerous lesion on his belly so I will be wearing my nurse uniform over the weekend! I don't like my animal babies to be sick or in pain!!! Have a good day today-- Report Inappropriate Comment

STEPPYSUE 2/17/2011 7:55AM

Once a nurse always a nurse but now you need some nursing yourself sweetie! Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMAGOSS 2/17/2011 7:15AM

Poor babies - poor Morticia! Playing nursemaid to a couple of sick critters is no fun since they really can't tell you what they want. You have your hands full! Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEWAYSTREET 2/17/2011 7:08AM

Phew.. today is over Thankfully the sun will rise tomorrow on a new day.. hope it is a great one for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

JAYJO64 2/17/2011 6:38AM

OK, today is going to be the better day!! I hope you're all feeling better soon. Report Inappropriate Comment

LOUANN22 2/17/2011 2:45AM

Hope your furry friends recope soon. along with you and your son. Hope you can enjoy the nice weather soon (if it sticks around) Report Inappropriate Comment

DEVORA4 2/17/2011 1:03AM

You are a nurse by profession, aren't you? Sadly, it is foir those you love. Take care. debby Report Inappropriate Comment

CODEMAULER 2/16/2011 11:50PM

Go figure, a beautiful day and no one is up to enjoy it! Hang in there and know that it will pass. We have lots of emergencies, life bumps and detours to face. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUSIEPH1 2/16/2011 11:28PM

ooh My goodness ! four invalids two furry one's and you and your son! By the way What is sons name ?? My Bobby was a bit like that after he had his teeth cleaned .. could'nt eat his biscuits ...so I ground them up ... What we do for our fur babies. I hope you are all feeling a bit better tomorrow !! hugs Report Inappropriate Comment

WOWEETOO 2/16/2011 11:22PM

by the time this is all over you will have earned a bs in nursing lol the lady mary Report Inappropriate Comment