tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41085600186129356872012-01-31T04:53:39.966-05:00A chronicle of life's day-to-day struggles -- when it isn't JUST fibromyalgiaC. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.comBlogger6991100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-10390611640452192902012-01-31T04:53:00.000-05:002012-01-31T04:53:39.981-05:00

I made it! Yesterday is behind me, finally. I woke up during the surgery and was insisting that they stop the procedure until I was under again. They had to resort to general anesthetic for a brief while so they could complete the task at hand. Suffice to say, I lived to tell the tale. When I get home, I'll post in more detail.

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-85449312196687086042012-01-30T04:21:00.000-05:002012-01-30T04:21:07.948-05:00

Well, here it is, 4:10am and I'm up for the day. I know, not much different from most days for me. Except this time, I haven't had much sleep. I turned off the light at 11:00pm last night and tossed and turned. This hotel room is gorgeous, indeed. But it is not my bed. And not my pillow. And I just couldn't get comfortable. I also simply couldn't turn my head off. I did eventually fall

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-4642727505133902472012-01-29T06:33:00.001-05:002012-01-29T08:35:49.118-05:00

Well this is it folks. Tomorrow, I go "under the knife," as the saying goes. And I guess I'm as ready as I'm going to be. At least, I'm as ready as I can be. This morning, (after I've done my last bout of 60 minutes on the stationary bike), we'll have breakfast and then we're off.  It will take a bit to pack the car, there are several things to remember to bring. We're going to spend the

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-46497197895968806262012-01-28T07:08:00.002-05:002012-01-28T15:35:18.387-05:00

Well, I guess I'm as prepared as I'm going to be for my date with the surgeon. There's another load of laundry to do today, but that kind of thing is just run of the mill. My packing is all but done; just last minute items to include (my check list is compiled). I didn't meet my weight-loss goal. Sigh. Oh well. I had been making reasonably good progress for a while. But then Christmas hit

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-68402207991147897232012-01-27T06:06:00.002-05:002012-01-27T06:06:51.851-05:00

Well, we're really down to the crunch now. This is the final stretch and I truly feel like the pressure is on. Yesterday, my massage therapist arrived bearing gifts.  She brought a casserole for us to have on my return from hospital, to lighten John's load.  And she brought me a bag of my favourite candy to have "under my pillow" so I won't be hungry.  When she left, we had to hug! And last

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-56471725871537855102012-01-26T05:34:00.000-05:002012-01-26T05:36:31.120-05:00

I don't know why I'm counting "sleeps" until my date with the surgeon. Each night gets longer and longer as sleep further eludes me. We spent a most enjoyable time celebrating our anniversary last evening.  The venue was perfect.  There were only six of us, and the restaurant wasn't very busy -- so we could actually hear the conversation.  It's such a treat to find a public establishment that

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-50242966813828133222012-01-25T06:57:00.000-05:002012-01-28T11:17:55.014-05:00

Today, John and I celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Hard to believe that we've been together 17 years already. It was back in the summer of 1995 that we met -- on Carleton University's Freenet chat line.  John calls me his 'computer virus.'  After months of on-line exchanges, we arranged to meet in person on the afternoon of August 8th. John told me later that when he saw me

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-17847363400340199132012-01-24T04:58:00.001-05:002012-01-24T06:01:42.235-05:00

Again last night, my sleep was very restless. This is NOT good. I'm supposed to be resting, building up strength -- not zapping it! Oh well, at least the worst of the fibro flare-up has settled down. Thank God that was a short lived episode -- not like previous ones that have lasted five to six days.  Perhaps I willed it away, doing relaxation (deep breathing) exercises. Today, I'm supposed

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-47503573593391783762012-01-23T04:59:00.000-05:002012-01-23T08:19:55.678-05:00

Only seven more sleeps and my body picks now to go into a fibro flare-up? As of yesterday, I'm not allowed to take Vitamin E, Omega 3, Centrum Select (it contains Vitamin E) and Glucosamine.  They all have blood thinning properties so have to be stopped one week before surgery. Only one day off the Glucosamine and by mid-day my hands were giving me fits.  Back to the arthritis gloves for me!

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-26729447024432788892012-01-22T06:15:00.000-05:002012-01-22T06:18:03.095-05:00

As my date with the surgeon moves closer, I'm getting increasingly anxious. My dreams are getting crazier. I'm waking more frequently. My AHI is climbing. I'm feeling less rested. My overall pain level is increasing. I'm definitely less relaxed. Last night I told John that I'm acutely aware of feeling the stress. And I know that I should spend this next week being careful not to

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-91724069629862466202012-01-20T13:29:00.000-05:002012-01-20T20:07:05.408-05:00

Wow - this has been a crazy week for sure. Let's start with exactly a week ago today, shall we? Last Friday, we had a day from hell.  I had to attend my "prehab" session at the hospital in Ottawa.  If I don't show, my date with the surgeon is cancelled.  Now, had I cancelled due to weather conditions, surely they'd have let me reschedule.  But I wasn't taking any chances. So we headed out of

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-28477412383005899152012-01-19T15:00:00.002-05:002012-01-20T06:40:52.556-05:00

Yikes, only eleven more sleeps to go. And I have soooooo much to do yet. There's bathroom equipment to buy: A raised toilet seat with arms.  Obviously this is a must-have. A tub transfer bench.  This will be critical for me because our tub is very deep.  Even now, before surgery, I have difficulty stepping into it. There are care aids to buy: A

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-62636010997685637122012-01-18T12:39:00.000-05:002012-01-18T12:39:12.330-05:00

It's not often you find a thoughtful, considerate specialist. That's what I have in my dermatologist. She is a gem to be sure. Remember I mentioned about her being upset that I hadn't had my Mohs surgery done last week when John had his done?  And that my option was to go to Toronto because she didn't want it to waiat until she returned from maternity leave? Well, last evening, I got a phone

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-17582609890605293542012-01-16T05:03:00.000-05:002012-01-16T05:06:08.215-05:00

This is going to be a long day indeed. I have to be in the big city for a 10:45am dental appointment this morning.  He needs to do some repair work and that's the only time we could find before my surgery, so I had to take it. But it means staying overnight because tomorrow I have my ENT visit so he can vacuum my ears again and then I have my usual physio session. That means I'll have all of

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-67919713612345638742012-01-15T09:28:00.000-05:002012-01-15T09:28:33.990-05:00

That's all that's left until my date with the surgeon. I must say that as the date moves closer, I'm experiencing some degree of anxiety. I've had the pre-admission session, and the pre-hab class, both of which helped somewhat to lessen the fear because, after all -- knowledge IS power.   But my sleep has become quite disturbed of late -- nightmares, waking up crying etc.  I can only

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-11079611439785168912012-01-14T09:52:00.000-05:002012-01-14T09:56:36.197-05:00

It is. Really. That's what I've been known as all my life. And therefore, that is the name to which I respond. However, my parents unknowingly inflicted me (and two of my seven siblings) with a major pain-in-the-ass wrinkle when they named us. You see, for some reason they decided that we should be known by our second  given name. Such as, my given names are Catherine Bonnie. Not a lot of

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-60737303836997860812012-01-13T06:21:00.000-05:002012-01-13T19:23:53.839-05:00

I didn't report here about the Mohs surgery fiasco that occurred earlier this month. So here goes. The morning of Tuesday, January 3rd, was a busy one indeed. I received a call from Heather at the Mohs Surgery Clinic giving a January 11th date for both John and me to have our procedures done (his eye, my nose).  Since John has been through the clinic twice already, they didn't need any

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-84966150987544226492012-01-10T12:55:00.000-05:002012-01-10T12:55:04.100-05:00

OK, now is NOT the time to be getting sick. Really it isn't. But for some reason, I'm doing an awful lot of sleeping today. I mean, I had a good night last night.  (At least, as good as I ever have.) And this morning, I kept drifting off while I was reading the newspaper. I managed to stay awake long enough to make breakfast and take care of a few little chores around here. Then I sat down

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-10201942762275227572012-01-09T07:21:00.000-05:002012-01-10T10:13:53.401-05:00

On Friday, I went for my Pre-admission Session at the hospital for my hip replacement surgery. Very impressive indeed. I had been told that the session would take at least two hours, possibly as much as four; that I would see a nurse, an anaesthesiologist, have blood work done and have x-rays taken. We arrived about ten minutes before my appointed time and I had just enough time to make a pit

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-29283849241343919352012-01-06T07:49:00.001-05:002012-01-06T07:49:54.103-05:00

My allergic reaction is over. And I am no longer taking any of the supplements to build my blood prior to the surgery (iron, folic acid, Vitamin B-12).  The nurse at the Canadian Blood Services was stymied but since anyONE can react to anyTHING, she felt it was better to err on the side of caution.  She made the point that my blood was already strong (we were simply trying to optimize it) so

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-61018255667293265612012-01-04T09:09:00.001-05:002012-01-04T09:11:40.917-05:00

That's what I'm trying to do alright. On the first day of the year -- five days ago -- I developed what I thought was an allergic reaction to a Christmas present.  My little chickadee had given me a beautiful sweater (one that I had specifically requested) and I wore it to go out with John for New Year's Eve dinner. I had the sweater on my body for about three hours, tops (it's a lovely turtle

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-46433823648083181642012-01-01T00:30:00.000-05:002012-01-01T00:35:00.613-05:00

to all my friends, family, and loyal readers (whoever you may be).

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-49695977051914058792011-12-31T11:00:00.002-05:002011-12-31T11:00:28.365-05:00

Can you believe it?  2011 is over already! Where did the time go? Admittedly, I have made wonderful progress this year. For instance, six months ago I couldn't endure three minutes on the stationary bike. And now, I'm doing 60 minutes every day! Unbelievable indeed. My pain level is way down since I'm doing that biking too. I mean, I can do stuff that will induce the pain big time.  But

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-41420308832068563542011-12-29T10:22:00.002-05:002011-12-29T12:10:11.067-05:00

I have had a life-long love affair with peanut butter. Peanut butter on super fresh bread. Peanut butter melting on a piece of hot toast. Peanut butter and honey on fresh bread. Peanut butter and honey on toast. Peanut butter and banana on fresh bread. Peanut butter and banana on toast. Peanut butter and strawberry jam on fresh bread. Peanut butter and strawberry jam on toast. Peanut

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-62827496142159244572011-12-26T05:05:00.000-05:002011-12-26T05:05:09.744-05:00

OK, the big day is behind us now. And what a pleasant big day it was. We were up early (as usual) and opened our stockings in bed.  Then I made John have his fruit juice before he was allowed to open presents (carry-over from my childhood). We each received an abundance of goodies.  (There are never many surprises around here, although John did manage one this time -- kudos to him). Once

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-21245222861380707262011-12-25T05:36:00.000-05:002011-12-25T07:31:30.251-05:00

Best wishes to all my friends, family, and loyal readers (whoever you may be). Ruffed Grouse as viewed from our kitchen window (©John T. Fowler, almontephotographer.com) Have a safe and happy holiday!

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-857485247974860292011-12-24T13:13:00.000-05:002011-12-24T13:14:22.541-05:00

For some reason, this day always brings back memories of Christmases past (go figure!). And this year, I can't seem to get images of one particular Christmas out of my mind. I was thirteen years old and I desperately wanted a pair of textured tights stockings -- they were all the rage that year. About ten days before Christmas, I was home from school (I don't recall why; obviously I must

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-25589677669860456812011-12-23T06:37:00.000-05:002011-12-24T10:40:36.764-05:00

... has become a very Striking Young Man indeed. Of course, one might think I'm a bit biased, being the grandmother and all. But really, I think the descriptives are perfectly appropriate. Take a look, and see if you don't agree. Although I've called him "my beautiful boy" (MBB) since the moment he was born, from this day forward that pet name for him will cease to be. I will

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-46519586773218379152011-12-21T11:38:00.002-05:002011-12-21T11:38:39.572-05:00

I had a most interesting revelation today as a result of an e-mail exchange. I was responding to someone who is very special to me.  She is pregnant with her second child, and the news got me to thinking. After congratulating her (because I truly am happy for her), my honest response was: "You've gotta be nuts having another ankle biter. Don't you ever want to be able to rest peacefully again?

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-58785829387880990352011-12-19T06:12:00.000-05:002011-12-19T17:31:54.070-05:00

OK, I know I'm extremely susceptible to all things threatening to the respiratory system. But really, this is truly craziness! Last Tuesday, when I was in the grocery store, the cashier was sneezing like a mad fool and was in absolute misery. Of course, my first thought was, "Great, just what I need heading into Christmas!"  Because naturally, I figured she had a cold and was spreading it all

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-56682097933919277092011-12-18T09:18:00.000-05:002011-12-18T09:22:01.934-05:00

It's only a week away. Can you believe it? Seven days to go. And then it will all be over. Just like that. We build up to it for weeks. Months even. Carols playing everywhere you go. Happy children mailing letters to the Big Guy. Ritual -- writing greeting cards to friends and family. Inside decorating -- outside too. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Tree's ready -- are the gifts

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-34598095117070369802011-12-17T05:42:00.003-05:002011-12-17T18:26:02.159-05:00

I'd have no luck at all. Just like the famous saying goes.  (Sometimes, I swear that was written for me, along with Murphy's Law!) Yesterday, I spent the day making meat pies.  And oh what a productive day it was! When I was taking the bounty down to the freezer, my stair lift crapped out -- mid flight, as it were. So there it sits, a foot from the top of the stairs, waiting for me to reach

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-49752188297601942502011-12-15T19:53:00.001-05:002011-12-15T19:53:38.067-05:00

Banking my own blood in the event I might need a transfusion during my surgery was a nice idea. Except it isn't going to happen. We spent an hour at the Transfusion Medicine Unit of the hospital today, they having received the results of the bloodwork that was taken on Tuesday. My hemoglobin level is excellent (especially for a woman!). My iron level is acceptable for non-surgical purposes

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-9149424198270233832011-12-14T04:43:00.002-05:002011-12-14T04:43:45.709-05:00

Things are starting to fall into place vis a vis my hip surgery. The hospital called to book my pre-hab appointment.  They offered me December 19th but that date is booked solid when I'll be staying overnight at my little chickadee's place.  Besides, John has to accompany me to the pre-hab visit, so the 19th wouldn't work.  For various reasons, I didn't like the other dates she offered.  

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-44899581941763772792011-12-11T15:22:00.000-05:002011-12-13T19:12:06.626-05:00

I have to share this, it's such a creative story. From what we can tell the assignment was to write a story personifying an inanimate object, without specifically revealing what the object is. This is what my beautiful boy wrote (no corrections made): Life Sucks My face is a screen, my arm is a cord and my hand is a mouse, the other is a speaker and my feet are plugs. Almost every day

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-66026037580248738652011-12-10T14:59:00.001-05:002011-12-11T09:20:50.624-05:00

Today I'm truly raring to go. I've had several consecutive nights of good sleep (low AHI readings = restful sleep). Oddly enough, I'm back to waking every two and a half hours or so because I do still have to change position, but I'm never up for long.  I make the required change and go right back to sleep. Today, in fact, I slept until past 6:00am. That's a record for me.  I'm usually up

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-61989774411824874942011-12-07T09:41:00.004-05:002011-12-13T06:05:39.213-05:00

I finally got the surgery call to have my left hip replaced. Monday, January 30th is the scheduled date (that's only 53 more sleeps folks!). I've got to admit -- I'm scared to death. But at the same time, I'll be so glad to have it done (knowing full well that I will then have to wait to have the other hip done). I'm told I'll receive a call from the hospital to book my pre-op appointment.

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-15980789370334892892011-12-07T05:28:00.002-05:002011-12-07T16:21:53.200-05:00

I did.  I did!We had a very long day in the city yesterday.And it started off with a bang.Really it did!I "banged" into the side of the garage as I backed out and I smashed my passenger side mirror.Excellent start to the day indeed!We arrived at the hospital for our first appointment (removal of John's stitches) and there was no parking to be had.  Ended up on the fifth level in the

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-2407324216726724202011-12-05T12:23:00.002-05:002011-12-07T16:22:18.479-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts here.I am without computer glasses and it is very uncomfortable for me to work on the computer.Hence, I am spending as little time as necessary in front of the screen (quickly checking my e-mail; doing my bookkeeping etc).I'm hoping to get a call today or tomorrow that my new lenses have arrived.Then I'll be back in business.Til then, I'm having to remind myself that .

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-29313927137172861282011-12-02T13:06:00.001-05:002011-12-02T13:31:15.204-05:00

My niece, who lost her daughter Tamarra to cancer last year, has started a "tweet" campaign to try to get Ellen Degeneres' attention for the charitable foundation that she has founded in her daughter's honour.  Following is the letter she recently wrote to Ellen: "DEAR ELLEN May 28, 2009, a large tumor was found of substantial size growing on my daughter’s spine and brain stem.  Our life

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-26828584823202377582011-12-01T09:45:00.001-05:002011-12-02T11:39:58.909-05:00

Every year on this date, I put out an "Advent Calendar" to count down the days 'til Christmas. I've done it ever since my little chickadee was truly a wee chickadee. Several years ago, on a lark, as I passed through Starbucks to get to Chapters, I noticed a most intriguing Advent tree. It was comprised of numbered drawers, arranged in a tree formation, with each drawer containing a small

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-28801067646273892662011-11-30T09:33:00.001-05:002011-11-30T09:51:42.009-05:00

Yesterday was a difficult day indeed. While John only had to endure two rounds under the knife for his second Mohs surgery, the finished wound is much larger than his first one. And he is in oh so much more pain. He figures that it was done too soon after the other, that perhaps they should have waited.  Normally there is at least a month between surgeries but the doctor felt that because

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-2179670501293734422011-11-29T08:19:00.001-05:002011-11-29T18:32:26.725-05:00

Well, here we sit at the Mohs Clinic, waiting for John's first go-round under the knife. Today, he is the only male patient and each of the others brought a female attendant. That means that he is the only male amongst seven women. Do you know how much noise six women can generate in a very small room when they are all speaking at once? It's unbelievable! I've already established the "party

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-46234513192403647882011-11-27T06:40:00.001-05:002011-11-27T06:52:05.546-05:00

Last week, in my effort to promote weight loss, I decided I would lay off "bad" carbs -- the white stuff, if you will. I was doing very well too, in that it seemed to be working -- at least I was on the right track (the scale was moving in the proper direction). Then on Friday, I went out for lunch with my Angel. And it all fell apart. Not radically, you realize.  I stayed within my 1200

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-69820914810680771062011-11-24T14:24:00.000-05:002011-11-24T14:28:21.199-05:00

I've just got to share this story with you. OK, I know it's on me, but I have to tell you anyway. At the end of August, we hired our handy-dandy backhoe operator to come in and do some work out back of the house (to further our landscaping effort since we built my sanctuary). In mid September, we received the invoice for the job. I immediately popped a cheque into the mail. And I've

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-55443602468144716712011-11-23T08:46:00.001-05:002011-11-23T15:34:10.147-05:00

Today marks one year since my grand-niece lost her battle with brain cancer. She was only 18 years old. I never had the pleasure of meeting Tamarra, but I followed her on FaceBook and she was certainly loved and admired by her family and friends. Tamarra was my brother John's granddaughter (he lost his battle with cancer not quite three months earlier). My heart goes out to Tanya, Tamarra's

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-76738673120534469782011-11-21T09:35:00.001-05:002011-11-21T14:08:01.789-05:00

... is failing. Yup. After modest initial success, I've ground to a halt. Nothing. Nada. I'm ensuring that I eat a minimum of 1200 calories a day (and believe me, some days, it's a major challenge getting that much food into me!). And the scale just won't budge. According to myfitnesspal.com, I should be ten pounds lighter in five weeks. Well, this is the fifth week since I started with

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-82598675965495436032011-11-18T12:51:00.001-05:002011-11-18T13:40:16.219-05:00

I saw my eye doctor the other day. Finally, I'm getting yet another pair of glasses (but they are a beaut!). It will be nice to be able to see properly again, even if it might only be for a short while (based on past experience).  We'll see how long this new prescription remains valid. I also had to order a new pair of computer glasses.  The pair I just bought in January of this year were no

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-53925877127370662052011-11-16T06:06:00.001-05:002011-11-28T11:12:16.595-05:00

Yesterday was a very long day indeed. And although it seemed like forever to me, I'm sure it seemed longer still for John. He had his first go-round with Mohs Surgery to tackle his on-going battle with skin cancer.  (One down; two to go.) He's been struggling with this for several years now and after his last dermatologist retired, he was recently (finally) referred to a new one.  And she's a

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-60081876740470116292011-11-14T07:55:00.001-05:002011-11-14T08:07:23.810-05:00

My hands have decided to become a major problem all of a sudden. Not that they are not usually an irritant, what with having arthritis and all. It's just that right now, they are big time inflamed and I know not from what. I mean, I don't know what has caused just my hands (and wrists) to be particularly sore. They only appear mildly inflamed but they feel totally incapacitated. Every

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-87046966638305341432011-11-12T05:52:00.001-05:002011-11-12T06:57:26.522-05:00

I know, I know, it seems rather early doesn't it? But before we know it, it will be Christmas. And there's lots needs to be done before then. Christmas 2010 in my Sanctuary - "Ready for Santa" Used to be -- I'm going back lots of years now -- but there was a time that I would finish my Christmas shopping on Remembrance Day (that was yesterday folks!). You see, since the children had to go

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-30669398609514373752011-11-11T01:00:00.000-05:002011-11-11T05:29:15.655-05:00

11 - 11 - 11

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-88517628215251589792011-11-09T08:01:00.000-05:002011-11-09T08:01:27.034-05:00

... and back to wellness. Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel. I was able to sleep last night using the CPAP machine, the first time since last Friday. My congestion isn't totally gone but it is at least now at a tolerable level. My voice is almost back to normal. The sneezing has stopped. My eyes are no longer swimming. And the leaky faucet that was in the centre of my face has

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-6900579242233576102011-11-08T05:38:00.000-05:002011-11-08T10:29:17.307-05:00

Well, it certainly is working now! This weight loss effort, I mean. After making no progress for months, the weight is coming off me like melting butter now. Probably too fast, in fact! I was down a pound on Saturday. Another pound on Sunday. And another two pounds this morning! That's a total of four pounds since my friend had me make that one little tiny change to my diet:  increase my

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-7185555862643127972011-11-05T13:07:00.000-04:002011-11-05T13:08:51.963-04:00

Finally, movement on the scale (in the proper direction too!). OK, it's only one pound but it's a start. Last Monday I was on the phone with a friend and we got talking about my latest attempt to lose weight.  I mentioned this new app I had found and how helpful it was in calling my attention to what I'm eating, yada yada yada. 'Cept I wasn't losing weight.  According to the app, I should be

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-24973613086423276792011-11-04T06:15:00.001-04:002011-11-04T06:15:28.658-04:00

Wow, Friday already? Seems like just yesterday I posted here, yet I see it was actually Monday when I last did that. Tuesday was an extremely busy day.  I went into the city for my usual physio appointment.  But added into the mix this time was my biennial mammogram; a stop at my doctor's office to get my flu shot; then my physio session; my hearing test and hearing aid readjustment (I'm

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-51233561648169752152011-10-31T07:02:00.000-04:002011-10-31T07:02:01.861-04:00

I'm not making much progress with my weight-loss efforts. I mean, really, what's a girl to do? I already eat fewer than the recommended calorie limit each day (and believe me, I struggle to eat as much as I do, trying to get as close to the limit as possible). I ensure that I get those eight glasses of water each day. I'm doing 30 minutes every day on the stationary bicycle (I started doing

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-77380148525379335702011-10-29T06:49:00.000-04:002011-10-31T06:47:13.318-04:00

Last night, the 2011 baseball season officially came to an end. While none of my "preferred" teams was in the final face-off (and certainly my beloved boys -- the Toronto Blue Jays -- were never in contention to make post-season), I was happy to back the St. Louis Cardinals in this latest race.  The Cards were, after all, my very first baseball team love, way back in 1963/64 when I first became

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-53657418276169206142011-10-27T09:10:00.002-04:002011-10-27T10:30:05.035-04:00

In spite of my best efforts to LOSE weight, the scale is going the wrong way. My physiotherapist insists that it is the muscle that I'm building since I've been clocking 30 minutes a day on the stationary bike -- every day, no matter what.  (I'll grant that some of the extra weight could be muscle, but surely not 20 pounds worth!) Anyway, I've found this very interesting site (I actually

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-58332291618535950132011-10-26T10:18:00.000-04:002011-10-26T10:19:31.722-04:00

Here are some photos of my recent weekend guest, filling in time until his parents got back from their trip. He loves having his "own" room at Grandma's place, complete with computer, telephone, and television. Here he is, talking to his Mom while playing on the computer (and blocking the incoming sun from his eyes). "Grandma, must you always take my picture?" Then he gets back

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-31006515020576529592011-10-25T05:44:00.001-04:002011-10-25T05:44:19.093-04:00

Today is going to be a long one. It's physio day, so I have to go into the big city. But I'm also having my snow tires put on my car (yes, it's that time of the year again!).  The garage where my tires are stored called with an offer I couldn't refuse:  Book before November 1st, and the service is free. Well, how could I resist that? I mean, really, November 1st is next week. And it could

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-45125770407041295322011-10-22T14:10:00.000-04:002011-10-22T17:40:00.070-04:00

My beautiful boy is here for the weekend while his parents are celebrating Porter Airlines' 5th Anniversary. Yesterday when we arrived here with him, the first question out of his mouth was, "Are we going hunting now?" We had talked with him earlier in the week and explained that his Grandfather thought it would be neat to introduce him to the joys of hunting.  Obviously, he thought it would

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-68932796610658224982011-10-21T10:39:00.000-04:002011-10-21T10:56:00.011-04:00

We were supposed to have our hearing tests this morning, an appointment that was made fully a year ago. Last evening, at about 5:25pm, I picked up a message on the telephone (presumably it was left around the 4:30pm mark while I was talking to my little chickadee). "Hello Mrs. Fowler," said the voice, "I just wanted to make sure you got the message that your appointment for tomorrow morning

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-13383041071502883722011-10-17T09:35:00.003-04:002011-10-17T09:35:57.499-04:00

Again this week, I'm facing three days of having to make round trips to the city. Today, I have to go in for that EEG my doctor ordered (he obviously didn't order a sleeping version ... sigh).  Since it isn't a sleeping EEG, we know it's going to show "normal" so it will all be for naught.  Not sure what his thinking is on this one but I'll have the test and we'll discuss it's findings and he

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-71636589059492846892011-10-15T05:27:00.001-04:002011-10-15T05:27:20.332-04:00

I'll spend this weekend doing what I love best -- genealogy. My good friend, RLR, will be arriving later this afternoon for a weekend of genealogy education. For her last birthday (which was her 60th) I had researched her lineage for her and presented her with two binders chock-a-block full of documentation.  I also offered to teach her how to use the software to keep track of the information,

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-63000393070097522632011-10-14T11:50:00.002-04:002011-10-14T13:11:51.914-04:00

My ear is mending. The doctor checked it yesterday, took out the plug, vacuumed it again (have I mentioned how much that hurts?), and put more drops in.  It wasn't as improved as he had hoped but it was better. I should continue with the drops for another five days, and don't wear my hearing aid until I've finished with the drops.  I'll start to feel much better in a few days. When I told him

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-21586160048197241242011-10-13T05:31:00.000-04:002011-10-13T05:31:17.484-04:00

For the third day in a row, we have to make our way into the city today. This time, we have to be there for 9:15am so my ENT can remove this cursed plug from my ear and once again  vacuum it out (torturous!).  I'm telling you, when he puts that suction thingy in my ear, it feels like he's drawing from my toes.  And it hurts like a bugger! I already know that I'll have to continue the drops for

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-3202005554505880762011-10-12T08:07:00.001-04:002011-10-12T08:07:20.308-04:00

Oh dear, the fun just never stops around here. My ENT specialist managed to see me yesterday. And thank the good Lord that he did. My left ear is badly infected (having festered since last Thursday, and worsened as I continued to thrust my hearing aid in and through the swelling). He stuffed a cotton plug into the ear canal, explaining that it is the only way the antibiotic drops can get

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-28843833893099123382011-10-11T08:55:00.002-04:002011-10-11T09:01:42.913-04:00

Yes, that's what I said. "Woe is me." Last Wednesday afternoon, my doctor called me with the results of a urine test that we did after I had complained about the sudden urgency I was experiencing every time I had to urinate.  Test came back positive for a UTI. Doc ordered antibiotics.  Two capsules twice daily for seven days. OK, I can do that. I'm almost finished the antibiotics and the

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-87386731424907588802011-10-10T07:11:00.001-04:002011-10-10T07:11:27.655-04:00

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving day. On this beautiful summer-like autumn day, what more could a person ask?

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-39871765099474492662011-10-08T12:48:00.001-04:002011-10-08T12:48:48.216-04:00

Uh oh, I think I jinxed them. Yup.  Those poor Phillies. I had so wanted Roy "Doc" Halladay to finally have his chance for that coveted World Series ring. And this year, it looked like he was actually headed there.  His team had the best record in all of major league baseball, coming out of the regular season.  But when you get into post season, your regular season record don't mean squat.

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-1378031707127548712011-10-07T06:17:00.004-04:002011-10-07T11:57:42.006-04:00

The Yankees were defeated last night in their quest for the American League Division pennant. They didn't make it past the semi-finals. Detroit beat them three games to two. That means that the Yankees won't be vying for the World Series this year. I know it's not "nice" to take pleasure in someone else's misfortune, but ... ... see Bonnie do her happy dance.

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-50327291808129599912011-10-04T08:22:00.000-04:002011-10-04T08:23:38.168-04:00

The past four days have been "alone time" for me. John has been away, bird hunting with his son.  They left Saturday morning and will return today.   Anyone who reads this blog knows that I cherish my alone time. Normally, John and his son go hunting in Saskatchewan for a week but they declined that trip this year, choosing instead to go to a closer hunt camp and traipse around the woods in

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-44441713200985698722011-09-30T09:09:00.001-04:002011-09-30T09:09:39.191-04:00

So, here's the scoop, following our visit with the dermatologist yesterday. First, it took us from 7:50am until 9:15am to make the trip from our home to her office (should have taken 40 minutes tops). Why, you might ask? Well, the only explanation we can offer is because it was raining ever so lightly in Ottawa. Bizarre phenomenon that but 'twas ever thus! But I digress. Of the three

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-3124535763844241942011-09-29T05:40:00.001-04:002011-09-29T05:42:23.621-04:00

Uh oh, now I'm in trouble. Here it is, just 5:15am and I'm already up for the day. We didn't go to bed until after midnight last night. Got sucked into watching the baseball wild card races and one went into rain delay, while two went into extra innings.  But oh they were exciting finals.  Come-from-behind wins on two fronts made for a fabulous wrap-up of the regular season. Now we head into

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-86460432263609544362011-09-28T18:13:00.003-04:002011-10-05T06:40:10.952-04:00

My life just keeps getting more and more complicated (or I'm simply becoming less able to cope). I hadn't yet blogged about a distressing incident that happened while we were away earlier this month so I'll describe it now. On our second night of travel, our first in the hotel, I awakened in the wee hours with a sense of something being "not quite right." And I had to go to the bathroom

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-62264212819627230512011-09-26T10:40:00.003-04:002011-09-26T10:41:03.615-04:00

This will have to be a quick post. After a fun-filled week-end with my stepson and his wife, I'm now facing a busy week. Today, I head into the big city for an overnight visit at my little chickadee's place (time for a haircut again!).  And this trip will be combined with a dinner with my other daughter who is visiting from Toronto so that's a nice bonus.  I haven't seen her in quite some time

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-23792936575055400482011-09-24T05:52:00.002-04:002011-09-24T05:52:33.295-04:00

Blogging is becoming more and more of a challenge of late. There just doesn't seem to be time any more. Before I know it, the day is behind me and I haven't put anything to paper, as it were. I promise to be more diligent in the days ahead.  At least I'll try, anyway. This weekend, my stepson and his lovely wife are here again, staying in their trailer.  It's opening season for duck hunting

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-41796509941004260682011-09-21T14:02:00.000-04:002011-09-22T09:35:20.474-04:00

The saga of the British Home Children is truly a sad one. I've written before about my three grandparents who were all British Home Children, having come to Cananda in 1911 and 1912. Until last week, as far as I knew, the first Cherryholme actually born in Canada was my father's sister, my Aunt Jeannette, who arrived in 1920. Well, wasn't I in for a surprise. Last week, I received notice

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-17578748697491667152011-09-20T08:39:00.002-04:002011-09-20T08:39:34.994-04:00

This is absolutely amazing! It really is. I went away for a week, came home to an abundance of physical work that needed to be done (returning my home to its natural state after having the floors refinished), we've had company since Saturday ... ... and I haven't  had a flare-up. Yet. Perhaps I haven't had time. My body might decide to rise up and revolt one of these days, if I ever have

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-16182465656886542842011-09-15T15:58:00.001-04:002011-09-15T15:58:13.035-04:00

I'm sorry it's been so long since I last posted here. We went on a holiday and while we did have the laptop with us, we weren't in the hotel long enough at any given time for me to spend it blogging. Sorry about that. I'll catch you up now but only ever so briefly. On Wednesday, September 7th, we spent the day getting ready for our trip, packing etc, and I had a session with my massage

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-19241651203358967182011-09-06T05:44:00.001-04:002011-09-06T05:46:26.909-04:00

Cherry angioma. Ever heard of that? Neither had I. Until yesterday.  In my little chickadee's e-mail. Subject:  "Another thing to thank you for" Message:  "cherry angioma...that is what the red dots are called, also known as Campbell de Morgan spots. The cause is unknown but they tend to be genetic!  Oh, and you get them as you get older, usually after age 30. " She had been admonishing

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-88808119930580314642011-09-05T12:57:00.001-04:002011-09-05T19:12:06.583-04:00

John and I each had an appointment with the same dermatologist on Friday last.  That came about because my doctor had referred me to one whom I was to have seen on August 10th.  When John's doctor referred him to a specialist and couldn't get him in until some time in November, John mentioned that my doctor managed to get me in rather quickly (I had seen my doctor on June 28th). So, John's

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-5423671264568642632011-09-03T06:14:00.000-04:002011-09-03T06:14:56.544-04:00

Here we go! We're about to turn our home upside down again. But it will be oh so worth it when it's finished. For about the past six years I've been nagging that the wood floors need to be refinished. 'Cept my lovin' husband wanted to do it his ownself (he thinks he's still 25 years old). Of course, like everything else, the timing is just never right. There has been reason after excuse

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-8815574092328659532011-09-02T02:58:00.001-04:002011-09-02T03:05:37.444-04:00

Wow, yesterday was a day from hell! It started out OK. And it ended OK. It was the in-between part that was horrendous. My morning was rather uneventful as I took care of business before heading off for my first appointment of the day.  I had to go to the eye doctor for my quarterly check-in to see if we can get a handle on my ever-changing vision issue (we couldn't). My eye doctor's

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-82266831189059058992011-08-31T10:55:00.000-04:002011-08-31T10:55:58.169-04:00

I saw my physiotherapist yesterday and impressed the heck out of her.At each visit, she always asks me how I'm doing, how my week has been, yada yada yada.Of course, my "status" never changes much:  my hips are always sore, some weeks a little more than others; my mobility varies according to how bad my hips hurt, etc.When I told her that I continue to do the stationary bike -- every day --

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-41369438618967639942011-08-29T06:40:00.000-04:002011-08-29T06:40:23.346-04:00

My daughter entered the world at 1:16pm on this date back in 1975, and what a terrific addition to this world she has proven to be.She has grown into a marvelous young woman of whom I am extremely proud.She is a terrific daughter and a truly fabulous mother.But most of all, my daughter has become a wonderful friend.We live about an hour's drive away from each other, so we spend great lengths of

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-81540061962088508062011-08-27T10:17:00.000-04:002011-08-27T10:17:55.095-04:00

Today marks the one year anniversary of my brother John's passing.He was only 56 years old.He had been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier in the the year and lost his battle a mere six months later, after a valiant fight.Brother John was the seventh of eight children -- but only the second boy among six girls. In the 1961 photo below, that is my hand on his shoulder. (Do you suppose he's holding

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-56518076900837366962011-08-26T06:47:00.001-04:002011-08-26T11:53:23.354-04:00

I guess I've been rather neglectful of late, insofar as this blog is concerned.Sorry 'bout that.I've not been very well organized the last while, so I'm not accomplishing much on any given day.In fact, I'm finding that the days are being frittered away without much effort at all.On Monday evening, I developed a tremendous sore throat, from what I know not.  But I really landed under the weather

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-88867211642842086122011-08-22T06:12:00.000-04:002011-08-22T06:12:01.476-04:00

You know what's wrong with having a passion that involves long hours of sitting?It wreaks havoc with bad hips.And my genealogical digging just happens to require long hours of poring over documents, sometimes rarely  providing a single golden nugget of success.  But in the past while, I've found too many nuggets to mention here individually.Oh yeh, I've had a tremendously successful ten days. 

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-58450415704327813522011-08-21T10:40:00.006-04:002011-08-21T16:24:25.438-04:00

I've now proved conclusively that my maternal grandfather (Samuel Sharpe, son of William Sharpe and Catherine nee McKeowan) indeed had a second brother, about whom we had no knowledge -- until now.  (And now I also know that my great grandparents were in fact still alive in 1911.)  I didn't have to wait a month for a birth certificate to arrive either. It took me about an hour after finding the

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-71354032655604364982011-08-19T12:52:00.000-04:002011-08-19T12:52:48.106-04:00

After all this time, I think I've finally found my great grandparents on the 1911 UK Census!I can't be 100% sure yet, of course, until I locate corroborating evidence.But that will only take me about a month to do.And oh it's gonna be a very long month indeed.You see, I found a properly-named couple, of the right age, the precise occupation, married for the right length of time ... but the family

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-18726277633969196142011-08-18T10:33:00.000-04:002011-08-18T10:33:08.532-04:00

Wow, am I ever out of sorts today.Can't seem to get started at all.I've had a few rough nights, which could explain my state.Been taking the CPAP mask off in the wee hours and going back to sleep without it.  Not sure why I'm doing that, I just am.And I'm obviously not getting the restful sleep that I had been getting when I was leaving the machine on all night.'nough said.The answer is fairly

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-54314906725514753192011-08-16T08:58:00.001-04:002011-08-16T08:59:53.804-04:00

I finally reached my surgeon's office yesterday.Needed to let them know that my medical record should show that I do in fact have sleep apnea (that was one of the questions on the intake form).Before I could tell her the reason for my call, she asked me when I had seen the doctor."May 18th of this year," I said."Not before May of next year," she replied."I'm sorry," I said, "I'm not sure I

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-42006315111064083572011-08-13T09:58:00.002-04:002011-08-14T19:02:24.126-04:00

As any follower of this blog knows by now, "looking for my dead people" is what I call my genealogical research hobby.It's obvious isn't it?  They're my relatives, and they're mostly dead.  (I'll admit, a fun aspect of the hobby is accidentally finding living descendants of proven ancestors -- new cousins.)I've been spending the past while trolling through the 1911 UK Census returns trying to

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-69934202189024548022011-08-10T12:05:00.000-04:002011-08-10T12:05:51.297-04:00

My little chickadee feels that I should update everyone on how my birthday day truly unfolded yesterday.You see, I didn't actually spend the day being pampered, indulged and all around treated like a queen.It was a day like every other day.John went for the newspapers and once I had read them, I got up and served him breakfast.  (Can you see what's wrong with this picture already?)  Good thing

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-85979556426361176592011-08-09T03:10:00.003-04:002011-08-09T08:36:54.091-04:00

I was born on this date 61 years ago.A precious little girl named Caylee Marie Anthony was born on this date six years ago.Unfortunately, Caylee Marie died by mysterious circumstances before she saw her third birthday.She's already been gone for more years than she was alive.I followed the case of this little girl closely, not knowing why it entranced me so.But right from the get-go, I was taken

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-7953163927001019642011-08-07T11:03:00.002-04:002011-08-14T18:03:33.821-04:00

I love birthdays, don't you?Yesterday, we had a birthday party for moi.It isn't actually my birthday until Tuesday (August 9th) but I violated my own rule this year.  (More on that later.)We kept it small, which made it manageable for me.  I really find it quite discombobulating if there is too large a crowd.  Makes it difficult to actually visit with any one person, so I usually feel like I saw

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-12405858849451490602011-08-04T12:03:00.001-04:002011-08-04T12:05:25.660-04:00

I've got a pair of hips for sale.Any takers?You can have them for a great price, really.In fact, I'll GIVE them to the first taker.Cuz I sure don't want them any longer.That wonderful steroid injection has definitely run its course and my hips are wreaking havoc with my life again.The constant, nagging pain is back.The need to use that stupid stair lift is back (while the steroid was working, I

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108560018612935687.post-23444009409504844042011-08-03T07:23:00.000-04:002011-08-03T07:23:23.129-04:00

A year ago today, a child was born sleeping.You can read her story and understand why her parents are asking the world to "commit a random act of kindness" in Annabelle's memory today.Annabelle Angel - 3 August 2010

C. Bonnie Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872968616430575620noreply@blogger.com0