Good-bye Faithful Friend

A couple of weeks ago we had to unexpectedly say good-bye to our dog, Abby.

Abby

We knew someday it would happen, just not that day!

Our family first met her when my son brought her home at four weeks.

Abby at 4 weeks old

A neighbor down the block was giving away puppies because the mother stopped nursing. There were 11 puppies and this is the one my son brought home. Convincing hubby and me that he’ll take care of her we decided to keep her. Our son kept his end of the bargain.

In fact, my son chose the dog over getting a summer job and saving for a car. Looking back now that was the best decision ever!

Kitty (her nickname) loved to hold paws!

Abby was nicknamed Kitty after the family watch Monsters Inc. Like the monster called Kitty by the little girl in the movie Abby grew rather HUGE so we started calling her Kitty!

Now over 12 years over we bid her farewell. Hearts heavy.

Abby’s paw print

P.S. I’m still raising money for my sister’s fight against ovarian cancer. Any help is greatly appreciated! Click here to give.

I was feeling old until …

Check out this video! 80 reasons to keep moving!

Breakfast, lunch and hugs are served!

I haven’t been here, but if you live or are traveling through Albuquerque, NM you’ve got to stop at Tim’s Place!

Here’s a link to Tim’s Place. Do share if you’ve been there!

And the Verdict is …

I went back to the neurologist this week for another MRI and MRA. My sister came with me. She was very happy not being the patient :) Well the verdict is no riding, at least for now. The left vertebral artery is healing, but still has a ways to go. The doctor doesn’t want me to risk another “event” especially since there’s no clear cause of the first dissection. I’m bummed, but when he spelled out the continued risk it was rather sobbering.

The same goes with exercising. I have to start slow and see how it goes. No crazy work outs for now. I also need to be careful turning my head or moving it up and down. Gentle movements.

The good news is I can stop taking the rat poison or as it is called by the medical community, Warfarin (Coumadin). I am thrilled to be off of that stuff so I can get back to eating green veggies!! I’ve lusted over a spinach salad more than once these past seven months. The neurologist has me taking one 325 mg tablet of aspirin every day for preventitive measures against a stroke. Stroke is still a risk, lower than before, but still a risk. I know what you’re thinking … some people have all the fun!

Put on your helmet, buckle up your boots, and zip up your jackets friends – take a nice ride for me!

P.S. I’d still like to feature female motorcyclists. Ladies? Any takers? Email me at pamela(dot)court(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll send over the questions.

 

 

Guess Who Came to Visit?

My brother-in-law drove to Minnesota for a business and we found a stow-away … my sister Peggy!!

Me and my sister Peggy!!

Since Peggy’s diagnosis and my dissected vertebral artery we haven’t seen each other in a forever!!! What a wonderful surprise to have a visit from my sister  and brother-in-law.

Peggy still has an inoperable cancer tumor, but her attitude is outstanding. She will be in town for a few days and is going with me back to the neurologist on Tuesday. I’m hoping for a good report … like back to riding my motorcycle, off the rat poison, I mean Warfarin (yes, it is the same chemicals found in rat poison), and back to exercising. Bottom line, I’m hoping to return to life pre-dissection. Fun will be had by all.

Back to my sister, Peggy. I’m still looking for help off-set expenses from ovarian cancer. Check out my the GoFundMe page for Peggy Thank you friends for any help you can give! xoxoxo

No Riding, but a Tasty Recipe

Haven’t posted in a while mostly because I’m not riding. I’m counting down the days till my next appointment with the neurologist – 27 days in case you were wondering.

My motorcycle isn’t sitting still because my son has been riding it the last couple of weeks. Today was one of the harder days not being able to throw a leg over and ride to work because the weather was perfect with very little wind. If my hubby hadn’t taken his cycle to work I would have been very tempted to just do it.

Okay, I’m done whining … at least for today :)  Instead I’m going to share a recipe I kind of made up! It was very tasty.

Pam’s Potatoes

Pam’s Potatoes

2 lbs. Potatoes (I used organic red) – cut up

1 cup White Vinegar

1 tbsp Sea Salt (iodized)

3 tbsp butter

Ground black pepper

1 tsp.  Thyme

Place cut potatoes, vinegar, and salt in pot; add water to cover potatoes. Bring to boil and cook until tender. Drain the potatoes, then pat dry on a clean towel.

Heat butter in a large frying pan, add potatoes, salt and pepper to taste, and thyme. Stir potatoes until golden brown.

It is a very flavorful and easy side to make! Let me know if you tried the recipe.

P.S. If you can Help Me Kick My Sister’s Ovarian Cancer I would appreciate any gift large or small! xoxo

Fun Friday!

Hope this brightens your day. Enjoy!