[My] Life in Wisconsin

Pant, Like You Mean It!



Pinecone
After such a long Winter,
the grass is so desperate to grow
even through this pine cone its shoots are thriving.
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Wherever the sunshine goes growth will follow
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Good Morning Everyone, and Happy Weekend too.

My apologies for being away. I am trying to be outside work a bit more done- Catching up from last Fall is probably closer to the truth.

It has been a wonderful~way~of~warm for the past few days. If there is a choice of being outside in the sunshine, or inside; suffice to say I will be inside only long enough to mess the place up.
The warmth won't keep yet as the high tomorrow is to be only 46; giving me plenty of time to clean up my messy house.

There is a burning ban now- not one single April Shower for us yet. It is so very dry that the hose is already hooked up.

I raked some, weeded some, and transplanted a few of Casey's perennials- Her Salvias, to up front where they can be enjoyed. They are just now breaking ground.

And yes, already there are a few brave flowers that had the strength to survive Winter and proudly poke up their heads (and their petals).
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first bloom
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Back by the woods a few days ago, to spy the first brave butterfly!
There were two- the other not as brave as this one.


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1st Butterfly 2009
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Such are the signs of Winter ending...
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Even Mr Miller and Miss Punk are more than happy
being able to have the warmer fresh air.

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Punk and Miller

They even pant and mean it!
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I have a few leftover pictures from Minnesota that I still want to post for you.
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Casey took this one as we visited her and we all got to walk outside
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Punk and I
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I returned that favor as she found the piano.
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Casey at the piano
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Whether it's music or a sheet of plain paper, the girl is an artist.

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Case in point,
Greg recently made the mistake of leaving Casey alone...

...with a laundry marker

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Casey tied up
hehehe
Nice job!
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While we were at the hotel, Punk was very restless one night- At 3 AM, I took her out for a walk-

All was well...

...Until we came back inside.

She stopped for a moment at a door down the hall from ours. And suddenly got very upset by something she had smelled/seen/(whatever).
With a low growl, she came running to me with her tail between her legs.

This is not her nature at all.


Nor was this...
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Mad and scared

Bewildered by something.
(There had been no noise from within that room).
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The rest of that night was spent with her staring at our door.
Watching and waiting with an occasional growl.
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Punk Watching the door
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We slept about 5AM-
She remained oddly vigilant.

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After the following day at the hospital, I was bit hungry. I had stopped at the Arbys right across the road from the hotel.

Not sure of what the difference was on the ham sandwiches, I asked the guy to recommend one or the other.
He did, saying that one had the wheat bread, was toasted; and with the tomato, the mustard, and the mayo was very good.
I chose to believe him.

I was more than let down when I opened the wrapper to eat it a few moments later.

I could have gotten a paper cut from the 2 tomatoes in it; and barely even saw the mustard and the mayo.
The lettuce was brown under the meat too.
One little teeny slice of cheese.
What you can't tell from the picture is the fact that this bread was thicker sliced than your regular bread.


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Arbys "Special" Ham sandwich

Needless to say, as I picked at the sandwich I was dreaming of home
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Casey's "leftover" colon is healing well. But not without pain either.

While we were in Minnesota, we only got 1/3rd of her prescribed meds, knowing that she would get these refilled much cheaper here than at the pharmacy there.
(I'd paid $1800.00+ the last time she was discharged from that hospital).

She still has much pain going on, and had an appointment with her pain management office yesterday morning, with the nurse practitioner. She would not refill Dr. Sutherland's prescription.
Nor would she even contact U of Minnesota. It throws a nasty wrench into the mess that Dr. Sutherland is out of the country until the end of the month.
Casey has enough meds to get her through for a while, but will need to visit either Minnesota now, or her regular doctor here.
When you go to a pain management doctor you sign a paper that says you will only get your painkillers ONLY from them.
That does make sense, until this happens anyway.
She asked to see the doctor instead of only the nurse practitioner, and was told he wasn't in. She had to make an appointment to see him. (May 7th).
She does not have enough to get her through to that, so they gave her another extension to call. That lady (Rita, another NP) wouldn't do anything either.
Dr. Sutherland's office will have his on-call surgeon contact Casey on Monday. They know she only got a partial fill on all of her prescriptions.

Casey puts on this great face to the world, walks proudly with her cane; and quite like that Energizer Bunny just keeps going and going and going.

That my friends is only one of the things that make her so great.

Shari wrote yesterday and asked if Casey was able to tolerate solid foods yet.
I am happy to say that she is more than able, and has been "on" normal foods since she was released from the hospital too.
(Sheesh, I do hate to use "normal" and "Casey" in the same sentence). hehehe

Truth of the matter is that if Casey can't have those foods, 'she' becomes a bit less than tolerable...

As do I -when the sun is out, and I am "in".

Have a "wunnaful" weekend!

XOXO
Anne


posted to my Y! 360, Saturday April 18, 2009 - 11:15am (CDT)

45 comments:

  1. That picture of Casey and her 'tattoo' across her incision made me laugh so hard that I spit coffee out of my NOSE!!!

    such a relief to see her like that...

    The weather is beautiful, so I am heading outside!!

    Much love to you all >:D<

    Thers xoxoxoxo

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  2. Glad you are home .. and Glad you are getting a bit of sunshine and your able to get outside. Im also glad I live in the south where Spring comes a bit earlier and Winter a bit later..hehe

    So glad to hear Casey is doing well and eating. I know the meds issue is an issue.. She is really gonna have a tough time but as spunky as she is.. I know she will make it through. She has been on pain meds for so long.. its really gonna be a shock to her system to stop. Hopefully the pain management team can help her to slowly work her way off instead of just being butt's and saying no.

    Have a great weekend!

    Mucho hugs

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  3. Did you ever find out why punk was so disturbed by that room?? something had her on edge!

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  4. I about spit my pepsi all over my keyboard when I saw Casey's "incision". That was just to cute for words.

    As for Punk's reaction to that room, I would have gone to the front desk and gave them a heads up. Who knows? Maybe something illegal was going on in there and Punk sensed it. Such a good little "security guard" for you.

    Happy to hear that Casey is doing so well and hope they get her pain under control soon. I'd love to see her outside enjoying the sunshine and maybe a walk to the woods too.

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  5. Love the her new bodice :D

    Arby's is a big disappointment to me too. For as expensive as their sandwhiches are, you get less food than McDonald's or Burger King. Different types of resturants I know but come on, I got to go where I can feed my family, fill them, snd afford it.

    Today was soccer here (again) and this is the first time we didn't freeze are arses off this season. Until today, it has been cold or a rain out.

    I'm glad Casey can be artistic. Her life hasn't been meant for her to share her life through sports, and "ART" can be so much more beautiful :D

    HAPPY SPRING Anne continuing prayers for Casy's continuing recovery. ((((ANNE and Casey))))

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  6. Love Casey's artwork...lol
    And ya wonder why i dont eat at Arby's
    Sun is shining here but i expect rain all next week.
    Trade ya !!
    Did ya ever figure out what Punk heard/ smelled
    I wonder if it was a mouse or some other critter.
    Love to all
    oxoxox

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  7. I look at Casey's tiny little belly and think of my old Irish Grandma (may she rest in peace)....EAT, EAT....the wind is gunna blow you away if you don't have some more to eat. Best of luck with the meds thing.

    I'm putting my secret room guess in....I say it was druggies in there and punk would make an excellent airport inspector.

    Most of Arby sammiches are slim picken's but man those curly fries rule, LOL.

    Just think...before long you'll get the thrill of mowing the weeds every week.

    Happy weekend!!!!

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  8. Sweet Thers!
    I hope your day was as lovely as my own!
    Sure was nice out there... (Nice enough to dry out your nose then)?
    hehehe

    XOXO
    Me

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  9. Sweet Beep!
    Let me tell you how nice it is to BE here too!

    Casey's meds wouldn't be a huge problem if she could actually be without pain for a while.
    The hydromorphone is actually not as hard (as others) to withdraw from. The half life is shorter, and the w/d period is short, but more than overwhelming too.
    From all that I have read, it would be 24 hours of complete BS for her little body.
    But when compared to other drugs, a day is really quite short. Psyching myself up for when she has little pain then. (I know it'll feel like a month for us then)...
    Pain management said they would have no problem prescribing her pre~surgical amount. next month.
    Makes me wonder wth they are thinking she will do in the meanwhile. ???
    I am MORE than interested to go to that next appt (WITH THE DOCTOR) when she goes, and to hear what he has to say.
    When she called Minnesota, they told her to report them!
    Then MN wanted her to go back there- (I really can't do that right now). But will see what the surgeon says on Monday

    XOXO
    Me

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  10. Sweetie;
    I have NEVER seen Punk do that before.
    And no I never did find out what was going on... Just really really effing weird!
    She wouldn't even LQQk at that door the next times we had to go past it either...
    Still bugs me...

    XOXO
    Me

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  11. Sweet Pam;

    I wonder how bored she had to be to do all that in the first place?
    Like a little kid, Greg did notice that she had been quiet for a while too.

    I thought about going to, or calling down to, the front desk. But I had NO idea what I would have said!
    There were no cops the next day, so at least no one got "murderized".

    Casey did come sit in the sun yesterday... She'd had that appointment in the morning and then left here about 5:30 in the afternoon.
    She is on a weight restriction so cannot barely even lift her dang dinner plate yet. But that will be better in a few weeks too.
    Minnesota told her that she is not yet healed even from her 1st surgery so...

    Time will tell.
    She has been in pain for 3 and half years now- This last year was the worst of it all...
    But with all these improvements she should be better within about 6 months they told her.
    (I think they meant back to normal).
    hehehe

    XOXO
    me

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  12. Sweet Oka;
    I can't remember the last time I ate anything from Arbys- before Minnesota that is.
    Casey wanted a beef sandwich the 1st time she was released in January, so I stopped and got her one. She barfed it all up.
    Maybe I should have paid attention then.
    hehehe

    The curly fries are OK about once or twice a year- But Mickey Dees still has them beat.

    I am off soon to get a few groceries- Maybe tomorrow too- But gosh I sure want a baked potato.
    I have chives. I have sour cream. And NO potatoes! (That's just not right).

    If I wold have had to play soccer today I would really have gotten overheated.
    It was 80+ by 2 of my thermometers.
    Too fast of a temp change.
    Speaking of which, that "front" is moving through now- And it has already gotten chilly.

    XOXO
    Me

    PS
    I did ask Casey if she wanted to go bowling... hehehe -It didn't go over too well...

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  13. Sweet Bug;
    Glad you laughed!
    Don't think I will be eating at Arbys anytime soon...
    It was close- and right on the way back to the hotel.
    HUGE mistake.

    Send rain soon please.
    Just NO snow!!!

    Punk is not bewildered by rodents- not when she grew up here.
    But there sure was something weird about that room, or she would NOT have reacted like that.
    ... And then maintained it all either.

    XOXO
    Me

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  14. Sweet Shari;
    Caseys little belly makes her weigh all of 95 pounds now.
    That is NOT good. on a 5' 3 and a half inch frame.
    She does eat though too. So this healing and renewing period has got to end soon.
    I did tell her that even when she isn't here to get outside for 45 minutes every day- The worst of this can come from a lack of Vitamin D, and the sunshine will give her that, and more.

    Think I should bring Punk out to the airport to see if she gets bewildered?
    hehehe

    My back isn't ready for the mower yet.
    Thankfully neither are the weeds.

    XOXO
    me

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  15. Ya gotta love that Casey can keep a sense of humor with all that she's been through and with all of the pain... It helps too that she has such a strong support system from her family and friends.

    I love the picture that Casey took of you and Punk in MN... Love how your hair looks like a lion's mane!

    If I had to guess, and this is only going by stuff that you have posted in the past, I would say that Ms. Punk sensed a ghost or spirit in that room. And it must not have been very friendly for her to act the way she acted... But that is just a guess of mine...

    I hope the rest of your weekend is sunny and lovely!

    Love Ya!

    Slurkie :-)

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  16. Looking good mommy! Punk looks so proud to be your "date"!

    Laughing at Casey's new corset! I guess she decided she had more style than zippers or velcro!

    Did you ever find out what set Punk off?

    That is a sad sandwich from Arby's!!! they should be ashamed to sell such!

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  17. Our Arby's here has the BEST sandwiches! They are loaded with meat.

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  18. Sweet SlurkieBaby!
    I kind of giggled at the picture you wrote of. The wind was blowing just so and made my hair foof out like that.
    And I was carrying a bag of doo doo to the garbage.
    hehehe

    As for what happened to Punk- I did think of that (clearly I hadn't seen/heard anything out of the ordinary).
    But my question then is why would/should she be afraid? Unless it was "dark".
    Time was that I prided myself on sensing dark around me, so maybe that isn't true then?

    Whatever it was got her going- and me too (only after watching her though).

    When I would take her outside, I never wanted to wait for the elevator- It always took so long.
    So we always took the stairwell on the way down.
    Coming back up we always took the elevator because there was usually one of them just waiting for a button to be pushed.
    Then when we got off the elevator i would check both ways in the hall. If no one was around I always just dropped Punks leash.
    that is what I did that night- same as always.

    I walked down to our room, and that is when she'd lagged behind.
    i watched her a bit, thinking nothing of it, but not wanting her to bark.
    As that thought crossed my mind, is when she took off like a bat out of hell.

    Nuff for me too.

    Sunny and lobely right backatcha.

    XOXO
    Me

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  19. Sweet Pea;
    The people at U of M were good, but I don't think any of them would have taken punk for a poo.
    Some date, eh? ;-) I wouldn't have it any other way either.

    So Casey made herself a corset. And she doesn't even need a single whalebone!

    No I never did find out what set Miss Punk off... Still a mystery to us.

    Thanks to your other comment, I plan on stopping by the Arbys in town some day- I will take the pic with me, and see what I get here.

    I still laugh at the wee drop of mustard on there. (More of a "you-gotta-be-kidding" laugh).

    XOXO
    me

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  20. Maybe all the stress and worry about Casey blocked you being able to sense this one? Dunno, but it is odd for her to act that way... I guess it is a mystery that will never be solved...

    I forgot to comment about Arby's... I do like to have an Arby's sammich from time to time... Unfortunately, everytime I eat there it is not kind to my tummy. Doesn't matter where, they ALL make me sick :(

    You should have taken that poor excuse for a sammich back and demanded they give you a new one... Well maybe not considering the link you posted the other day...

    Love Ya!

    Slurkie :-)

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  21. When I pant I do mean it. And I'm good at it too.

    I'm so happy things seem to be progressing well. I'll bet Casey's a terror at an Office Supply store. Have a great Sunday and go get yourself a real sandwich.

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  22. Stress? Sweet Slurkie,
    What is this "stress" thing you speak of ???

    I don't bring stuff back when I go through the drive up. And when I am already in chow~down mode.
    I picked at it til I was bored and no longer hungry... I didn't get an upset either- (not past the initial shock of seeing it).
    And yes, I always open a sandwich- unless I made it myself.

    You made me giggle with that link reference.
    Here it is in case anyone who reads this has missed it.
    http://flintville.multiply.com/links/item/108
    ugh- Still gives me the creeps...

    XOXO
    Me

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  23. Mr. Khool;
    You might mean it, but unless you are a labrador, you are not good at panting.
    They actually do not drip when they pant, choosing instead to bring their tongue back to their mouth and recycle.
    Now don't go being grossed out either- We humans do that all the time.

    Casey in an office supply store? (Can you see what dreams are made of)?
    Just hand her no $ or credit cards before you enter...
    hehehe

    XOXO
    Me

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  24. Perhaps you accidentally ordered the "Arby's Special Diet Sandwich?"

    Nope, Casey does not need whale bone... not a one.

    Whatever set Punk off, she took care of it then or you WOULD have known what it was.

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  25. Speaking of Arby's I had literally the worse excuse for a sandwich at the Arby's in BWI airport when I visited my kids down in DC and paid through the nose for it at airport prices....
    I choked down just enough to keep my blood sugar from crashing then tossed the rest.....

    Casey's body artwork is priceless!!!!! Quite the sense of humor on that girl of yours and they say it is the best kind of medicine!!!!!

    Hope they can help her on the pain meds......

    Much Love and Many ((HUGS))

    PS Give that sweet dog a scratch behind the ears for me.....

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  26. LOL! Love the picture... You captured the shirt and the artwork perfectly! Thank you for all the wonderful compliments, too! Know that I get everything that makes me wonderful from you!! You are the rock that keeps me going along with Greg. I don't know how you two handle this with as much grace as you both have, but you've done good!

    I really do wonder what scared Punk, so much, that night! Must've been something "dark" like you said. Maybe Slurkie is right, and you were just so in-tuned to my situation that you missed it... Who knows? That has passed though... Well, except for the scare that you seemed to have had last night! Good thing you've got Punk to protect you. I really don't think anyone in their right mind would try to get past that dog... Er, "people" as she prefers!

    I love the nature pics, too! The butterfly is beautiful and so are those flowers! What kind are they? That second bloom in the pic looks like a pine cone! Oh, and about the pine cone pic, I don't think we had a real "Fall" to clean out the fallen leaves and cones... They all just got blanketed on by winter and had to clear away now that the snow is mostly gone...

    I love the pic of you and Punk outside the hospital! I'm glad that one turned out! Your hair looks like it belongs in a commercial for shampoo that volumizes! Looks perfect!

    Anywho, I'm off to play a little W.O.W. before heading to bed... Yes, I'm doing okay, getting through the healing pains day by day and seem to be managing on less pain-killers... There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Plus, I found an old show on HULU that aired in 2002 called "John Doe" about a man who wakes up off the coast of Seattle on Horseshoe Island with no recollection of himself, but knows everything else about the world... Basically a living, breathing, encyclopedia! Very interesting...

    I love you Much Much!
    ~CaseyAnne

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  27. Reminds me of those old Breck commercials....

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  28. So really where DID that colon come from?
    (eezs ok, leetle girl, you can tell me, I won't never tell anyone else)...
    hehehe?

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  29. So you must have clicked on that link above...
    hehehe

    Sweetie;
    I shall hug Punk - just as soon as she stops bugging me to go outside, for a snack, to go to bed.
    And just maybe I shall scratch behind her ears too.
    But if she doesn't behave I will just save it for Casey tomorrow.

    XOXO
    me

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  30. Clearly that is the only thing that sandwich you took a picture of was good for....

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  31. #1
    I love all of your artwork! (And if I could get the psc working on either of these damned machines I would post it for everyone). hehehe

    #2
    Anne means "Grace" in another language... (What's Greg's excuse)?

    #3
    Maybe "Punk" really means pussycat in another language?

    #4
    It was dark. (For the Petes sake, it was 3 AM)! hehehe.

    #5
    That reminds me. I have to clean the guns. (Better, that will be your job tomorrow).

    #6
    Flowers are now call "Survivors"

    #7
    I am not worried about the pine cones or the leaves. Those can always be shredded and mulched by the mower.
    I am worried about the damned gravel. Was down on my hands and knees yesterday trying to get it cleaned up. (Not a lot of headway either).

    #8
    A "little" WOW? hehehe You are as bad with that as I am with Freecell.

    #9
    If you are seeing light at the end of the tunnel, listen for the whistle please.

    #10
    Last but not least, I love you too.

    XOXO
    Mama D

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  32. Sheesh, I haven't seen Breck for ages.
    Do they even make it anymore?

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  33. Not even!
    Maybe if it had a little Breck on it it would have at least looked more appealing

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  34. they recently brought it back out so it is available again in stores. I tried and it and didn't think it was as good as the original....

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  35. well at least it might have slipped down easier.

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  36. hehehrehehehehehhehehehehehe

    *snort*

    hehehehehehe

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  37. Trust me - you don't want to know what goes on inside some hotel rooms. How prophetic of Punk to pick up on this. (Did you ask the front desk if there was anyone in the room that spooked Punk?)

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  38. Sorry I am late...
    Everything seems to finally be getting better. If the warm weather returns and Casey continues to do well it looks like it will be sunshine, lolipops, and rainbows in your blogs :) So happy for Casey...bless her!

    hugs from me...It's late and I should be off to bed.

    xoxo

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  39. Sweet RT;
    Oh I sure wanted to ask the guy at the front desk... (But they already think I'm crazy)!!!
    I just know there was no noise or anything else that made me question anything, besides Punk that is.

    You are right. I probably do not want to know any more than I can imagine...

    XOXO
    Me

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  40. Sweet BethieBaby!
    Quit apologizing or I shall have to come down there and make you say "Uncle"
    hehehe

    Changing my tune now... singing "Lollipop, lollipop, oh lolly lolly pop"...

    Hpe you got a good nights sleep!

    XOXO
    me

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  41. Casey is such a trooper!!! And I love her decoration of her bandage!! Lots of love to all of you...

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  42. Looks like Casey is doing better. I love her sense of Humor. Takes that sense of humor to pretty much get through anything. Love her artwork! She is sooooooo crafty!

    Miss Punk apparently heard something or felt something that just was not right. Glad she is there for you to be like your alarm system.

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