Still hanging in there but it is looking like I won't make the full 10 days of Cipro. That is one powerful drug.
RIP Helena W. We lost a long time plumbing customer yesterday. She was a character, in her 80's and outspoken. I just learned she was on the stage in her early years and was quite the activist in many state and local issues..long before women really did that in Utah.
Sorry this is so short but just not up to par tonight.

Re:WalMart. I called today & they said I still owed and there was no record of payment. I sent the 2nd check off today but was told I will be charged a late fee. If I say the name "Calvin" they will probably (grr) waive the fee. They said the mgr at the store could not have called the right number as they are open 24/7 and not one dept. says it is now closed. Let's hope I get it waived. Man, a $39 fee for a $27 bill that was paid on time but technology went wonkers.

Also, the doctor called today. They found white blood cells which is bad news. I have a bad intestinal bacterial infection and had to immediately start "Cipro" which is a strong antibiotic.All the warning material scared the heck out of me. Funny, bad stomach get treated with pills that give you a bad stomach and can GIVE you an intestinal bacterial infection! I cried and cried. The pharmacist said the risk of the side affects were worth it to kill the bacteria which could lead to even more serious disease. Wow, that cheered me up. So, please think happy thoughts for me.

If no one said they loved you today that stops now. I love you and don't even know if you are there.

I had to make a quick trip to WalMart today, which I usually avoid as much as possible for a myriad of reasons but my payment was due today..being sick I've screwed my bill pile up and paying for it. They take my check, the machine endorses it, I sign that it was for the correct amount and hit "Ok."The clerk then pulls out a small paper that has printed that my transaction has been denied. 2 clerks later and no one working in their billion dollar offices on a Sunday..I still don't know what happened nor do they.. yet. Did they take my money & my bill is paid since they endorsed it or did the denial of accepting it cancel it out and will they then try to charge me $39.00 late fee? I can hardly wait to call and be put on hold forever tomorrow and find out. Sigh.

I know life is full of bumps in the road; sometimes it's the small, sharp rock that gets you.

I had a great day today. I was able to meet my daughter and granddaughter to help pick out school clothes. Thank you medicine for helping me through it, I enjoyed it so much. We went to Target and Shopko where Abby found some really cute outfits and at 10 yrs of age she knows the importance of a "deal" and got 2 for 1 twice. She is tall and still growing.. heads and shoulders above most classmates. Volleyball is suiting her well.
Almost every time I see Mitt Romney I remember the 2002 Winter Olympics here in SLC. It was an exhilarating but terrifying time after 9/11. There were blackhawk helicopters flying all over all the time. My police scanner picked up most of the security. Everything went so smooth..without major incidents and I fully credit Romney for it's tremendous success. He is an incredible business man, leader and unifier. People don't see the real deal. Just hoping for the best.
Peace and joy... to anyone out there.

Yes, sick has interferred again but that's ok. Saw the doctor today and they're running new tests and I may end up needing a colonoscopy (had one in 2001) and endoscopy to see what is making it so hard to eat and stomach pain. I guess my intense back pain is from dehydration and the muscles retracting or something like that. At least we're working on getting fixed.

Last night's debate was one of the best. Romney seemed on more solid ground and Gingrich had moments of discomfort.They needed to confront each other better. Rick has flashes and Ron is incredible. He will never be president because of his foreign policy but I admire him so much. He is so "off the cuff" and reasonable. Wow, did I say reasonable about someone running for office?

I did not want Obama early in the primaries but ONLY because I had seen he had so little actual experience and no foreign policy and especially because as a senator he only voted "present" on many issues that came up - he NEVER voted on any of a number of issues. You can't just look good and read good and suddenly be a good president, he needed more years. BUT, he was elected and I am a darn proud American. The Dems on TV are wrong to keep asserting that Republicans are racist if they don't like Obama. OH!, I am neither. I am uncommitted. I vote for the PERSON and the ISSUE. No party line will dictate to me how I vote. I think for myself. I wish more would do that and rid us of the electoral college whose voice counts, not ours.

Well, I worked 2 out of 3 hrs.Yikes, they could see I was still wobbly and let me off an hour early which I appreciated. I love Target.
So, 24 hrs of GOP Debate and State of the Union. I am "blah blah blahed" out...that is the result of too many debates.Wordings don't change, voice inflection does.
I'd like to seem a fist slam on the podium, faces to go red and DETAILS of how they are going to resolve their issues... Not, I will... I can.. HOW will you?
Politicians are not running on a full charge.

Little time tonight, crazy day..just getting strength back and backlogged errands to run. Tomorrow I got back to work after over 3 wks sick and am nervous. I have rounded up all my positive thoughts to wrap myself in. If I don't eat and keep drinking Gatorade, maybe a munch of a Vanilla Wafer I might make it.
The Utah Legislature began today and my mind is over flowing with frustration after just Day One but I am weary.I refer to their first day as "Puffery Peacock Pontificating".

Still sick but really enjoyed today and the 2 playoff football games. I don't have one team that is a favorite; I just love the game.When I watch one I will cheer them all on..but by the end of the 3rd quarter I usually lean one way for that particular game. I wanted the Ravens today. Alas. I was torn on the 49ers and Giants and would have been happy for either. The Cowboys is the only team I like the least and the owner has lots to do with it. His arrogance in his demeanor and the Babel's Tower of a Stadium just make you step back and wonder what he's thinking. How can their team play with all that bling shining in their eyes? Arrogance is not an attribute, it is a handicap.
I was on the radio twice this week; sometimes I miss it so much I ache. But with it comes all the trappings and craziness I've been away from. If I could get well enough, I want to have a podcast twice a week. Happy plans for the future makes today more exciting.

Money is getting so tight now I think shortly we will have to give up our Direct TV and go with Netflix. I hear the box you need is about $100 and cost of streaming tv and movies is about $9.00 per month.Right now we are paying about $80 and the choices are dwindling. Direct TV is now playing tv shows, repeats, on satellite and choice are declining. It isn't what it was. I hate this economy and what it has done and continues to do to innocent people while the real criminals who caused it and those who knew and stood by are hardly touched and not severely punished. Those who KNEW they were deceiving their people should serve jail time AND lose most of their possessions to repay those they've destroyed.
Still sick..guess I am just frustrated and scared... like so many others. YOU are not alone.

Always listen to that still, small voice. Tonight, tho sick, I decided to shower and let the warm water ease the aching. I was getting light headed so quickly turned the shower off..something felt wrong and that voice made me look. I'd turned the valve onto its hottest setting by mistake. With no time to spare I was able to twist and shut if off before being scalded.
My husband, a plumber, told me later that it was because I was in the shower... it takes 2-3 sec for the hot to reach the shower head. Had it been in the tub, the heat would have been almost instant.
If we added up all our close calls, we would have a greater appreciation for our lives. We tend to forget them and move on.Never forget the extra time a close call gave you.

Wow, this getting better is harder than I thought. Still can't work. No strength at all and can't eat much. The methotrexate butchers your immune system and makes getting better more difficult.But, the mtx has helped me keep my low grade Lymphoma low for about 10 years now so I dare not complain.
It's been so long since Salt Lake has had a good winter storm that the local media is going a bit nuts over the series of storms finally headed our way.You'd think it was an ice storm or something apocalyptic. Kind of cute, tho, as they've been getting bored reporting no weather for weeks. :)
The power flickered a half hour ago so the flashlight is right here beside me. Last month we were out twice in a week for over 6 hours each time...ended up it was some bad connection. This is pure weather.
Take care, peace and joy. Wish me well..good thoughts work wonders.

We're finally getting some snow. Once again, the minute it snows, all driving knowledge goes out the window and people slide off or roll down embankments. Fortunately no serious injuries...this time.Last year an above average number of State Highway Patrolmen were injured investigating car accidents.
More storms are coming with most of the snow going in the mountains and rain down here; that is how I prefer.Water supply is happy, driving isn't so frightening.
I love living in Utah and having such beautiful 4 seasons.

Spent the whole day watching NFL football with the Channel Flipper. It was fun; we did nothing but munch and stayed in jammies all day. This week will be very busy for him and Tuesday is my first day back at Target after missing 9 work days. Lots of fluid, I know.

Today, I got out of the house for a little shopping.It felt great, another couple days and things should be back to my irregular normal.
The haze is building up again in the Salt Lake Valley. When it gets real bad you can taste it. I get so frustrated because one of the largest contributors to the pollution is a company called Mag Corp. or Magnesium Corp, just west of the Great Salt Lake. They're using a 100 yr old stack for burning and it releases chlorine into the air. They change their name every 7-10 yrs after paying fines but not one Governor has seriously enforced their constant breaches. Someone named "Ira B." who is a multi-multi millionaire and doesn't live here has never been accountable. One day.
One day someone who fess up, heads will roll, the stack will come down and a new , safer one will replace it. But for now, the politicians are somehow afraid of this man. Can you hear the sound of money?

Today was bizarre. I've missed 6 days of work now with the stomach flu and lower back spasms. Going to try work today but the constant side movement while cashiering may kill. Wish me luck, I make a low wage but every penny counts.
Tonight,groggy from little sleep all week and starving, I put the salt in the frig and the macaroni salad in the cupboard right after checking the tv log for Thursday instead of Wed. Funny how when you've been sedate for days your brain freezes. Sorry, I sort of fibbed. I can't blame it all on being sedate. Both hubby, daughter and now grandkids know that grandma is lots of fun but sometimes she just gets befuddled..so before you make a judgement here - I've been like this for many years. They laugh, thank goodness. I am their source of entertainment sometimes.
Health is iffy today and breathing doesn't come easy; when someone removes the piano on my chest things will improve. I love you who ever and whereever you are. It is so nice to have someone to talk to.

Since I wrote in 2009 my daughter was able to adopt dear Bella and keep her as their own cat.It's perfect, I can still see her often without the effects of the allergies.I still wish, somehow I could get a cat or well trained short hair puppy but doctor's say no while I am on methotrexate..as the minute I come off the pills my allergies will be full blown awful. i should not complain as I was once blessed with an incredible dog for 17 yrs, and I must stop this now before I burst into tears.It has been7 yrs since we were forced to put him down and the pain runs deep.
It took my approx 1 1/2 yrs but I finally got hired by Target that is only 7 min away. I could only work parttime due to health and they agreed to work on hours. Fun, great team to work with.At Wal Mart, here anyway, their employees are always annoyed, ditch you or you hear them bashing fellow employees and the store itself. I was so desperate for work I applied there online 2 days before Target hired me.
Quickly, for tonight,4 months into working a freak accident.It could have happened to anyone.I had just reached out a receipt to a customer and was bringing my hand back down to ring up the next one when the conveyor belt started with a jolt and knocked over a large, glass jar of Olive Oil.It tipped and fell dead on onto the right thumb joint at the base of my thumb and cause irreperable damage. It took several doctors, x-rays, Nerve and muscle tests for them to see I'd totally blown the joint and minor arthritis just beginning was sent from painfree hand at 60 to the hand of a 75 yr old. They admitted the 24/7 pain was work related and paid for a few cortizone shots & special made brace to wear at night. Soon I'll be forced into surgery where they put in an aritficial ball joint and clip the nerves. Knock on wood. I've heard they will be up to 75% of lost wages while I heal and rehab.
Phew! Bear with me...this whole year of working with the pain, I had to compensate by overusing the left hand and twisting awkwardly.Just between us, about the time of the surgery recoup, my left hand will be suffering the same but it will be on my head to pay. I have no money. Life happens.
I have so overburdened you but this has become a part of everyday life for some time and it affects much..needed to catch that up.
Target keeps me on the Express Lane so I avoid most heavy items and carts full of lost of cans and boxes.I'm limited to 5 lbs which is hard to due but they never complain and do all they can do make it a little easier for me. It is a wonderful company to work for.I am blessed.

It has been just over 2 years. Is it shame on me? No, because life took turns I could never have foreseen. I found friends, I lost friends. I became so lost in "their" here and now that I lost where and who I was again. I don't mind being lost in others except for the trial of finding my way back to me. Me. I am here.
I need to update you , you who is always there, you don't pack up and take your life to someone elsewhere, you stay and your loyalty even if you aren't there is appreciated by me who prefers to believe you are there.
Facebook is a come and go world. Kathy's Korner is the one constant. It took be 2 years to figure this out, always looking for solid space for who I am.
This is my step.

Wow, I am behind on blogging. This getting out of the shell and moving forward is all good and fine until it gets to be too much. I need to pace what I am doing and where. My other blog site, Kathy-SimplyMe, is new and mostly poetry and short stories from life. I am having thoughts of someway to combine them.
This blog is a way for me to speak my mind and talk about things happening that I don't really tell other people, just you.
See, just talking to you I have made up my mind to keep this one just for these moments..
Thanks for being there.

I'm removing the duct tape that has wrapped my thoughts, my words, my adventures. What a genius, this inventor of duct tape. How could he have ever imagined the heights to which it would be taken? And it seems, everyday more ways to use it come forth. Today, after many, many years I choose to gingerly remove them and toss them into the bin of no return.Time to share..(gulp).
Since 7th grade when I began to rapidly grow tall I also developed the unique and uncontrollable episodes of clumsiness, trips, missteps, drops and breaks, gullibility and the start of my life's misadventures.
Though life has been difficult at times and you know a little of my health and distractions it is time to tell you of the real Kathy in her myriad of adventures and one day, God grant me the time and ability, to write what I've learned; and lived through so much it would be selfish not to share the ups and downs but so much laughter and joy and how so often I've landed on my feet..and my butt; but I always got up.
As you can see I am slowly getting braver on the blog and finding the who and why and how of me .
Read what you will...into it or from it.. but know this, It Is All True! I hope you will enjoy sharing my life of today and memories of yesterday...I Love Lucy had nothing on me. That's the truth!

Holy Crap! I can't believe how long it has been and all that has happened. Here's an abbreviation... I did not go to the reunion as I said BUT......the night before that I met with some of my high school friends at a local restaurant called HOPPER'S and we ate dinner and had a wonderful time...the next day after the reunion my husband and I met up with them at a bar called DAVID'S. Get this, THEN, the next afternoon we all met up Big Cottonwood Canyon and ate lunch at The Silver Fork Lodge and chatted up a storm. We all enjoyed it so much that we plan to get together more often and keep fresh the new bond we all formed. I have no regrets in passing up the reunion. I am so happy to have this. It was a dream weekend and will always be a happy memory.
The very next morning I had my gallbladder removed and made a speedy recovery. I am having some infections but nothing too serious. Two weeks ago my son in law Bob had to have a troubling hernia removed that they missed when they did the last colon surgery but he is mending well. We are certainly having our share this year. Abby has been stricken with her 2nd bout of Strep in 2 wks and 3rd sore throat in 3 wks. We are pretty certain her tonsils are going to have to come out..so far it hasn't triggered an asthma attack.
I am trying to hide my great fear of the H1N1 virus... not for me because I am in the safer range but for my family.. my 2 grandchildren had the rsv virus at 6 months and get sick quite easily. They've already had their flu shots but gosh, this scares me. The public will once again become alarmed when the cases start to shoot upwards. They've become complacent since the initial fears eased up.
Hopefully going to lunch again at HOPPERS this coming Wed with the high school gang. With Crohn's Disease you have no idea in advance if you can go anywhere or not but I am planning on it.
Have decided that I must give up my kitten, Bella. I don't know if it is because she is a Bombay or what but her wildness is difficult. She's beautiful and loving but gets pretty aggressive at times. I love her but it will be easier to give her up now than wait til I am too attached. Losing Pepper about did me in but that was different. Bella is such a beauty. This is such a hard decision..really, hard.