More About Our Pin Cushion

Good Afternoon Everyone;
I imagine you are all so busy with everything- The last minute preparations for your own Holly Jolly Christmases and all.

I wish I could say that I will keep this short, (but you know me).
Besides, I have a gazillion pictures. hehehe

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This is the look that Miss Punk gets on her face if I say "Casey" aloud.

And YES!,
There IS a possibility that Punk will be able to visit the hospital too.
Although we have been asking for 2 days now and have heard nothing.

Casey has just called-
She is going to call down herself to get the paperwork started.

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Greg left a bit earlier this morning to return home-
Driving into a bit of "weather" in Wisconsin, but all in all a better day to travel today than yesterday was.
(Know that it is still below zero as I write).
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Casey received her transfusion yesterday.
She had no bad reactions to it either.
(That is always a possibility- and a scary one at that).

She may need another
but for now we are doing the 'wait and see' thing.

She also needed still another ultrasound this morning.
All came back well and good.

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Her urine output continues to be fine, so I am hoping that was another hurdle that has been crossed.
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That blood transfusion surely added to the confusion of all her lines.

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Casey's tangled webs of lines...
On 2 portable pole wheelie thingies.

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And her many, many, MANY pumps that are running 24/7...
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(There are three additional ones that wouldn't even fit in the picture).
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Running? ..
Did I say running?
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Yes.  Even all those lines must be kept open and running somehow-
She has a bag of heparin running 24/7, but the lines still need to be flushed out.
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Looking great if you ask me!

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And she is even proud of her little scar!
(As well she should be).
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Methinks it looks like a fishhook of sorts...

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She needs insulin at this point, and she is gradually learning how to do this properly.

This is required in 100% of TP/AIT Transplant patients until...

We will know if her Islet Cells have transplanted successfully within 6 months to a year.

*Patience is absolutely required. It takes that long for them to grow and flourish.

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A whole ton of information is being tossed at her every day.
Some of the nurses contradicting other nurses,
(not to mention contradicting the doctors)!

You can imagine this does NOT go over too well with her doctors.
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Giving herself insulin.

Her readings have been between 105 and 167.
And her fingertips are extremely painful now also.
Talk about a "Pin Cushion"...
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But wait..
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The very best is yet to come...

(Please do NOT scroll down unless you are seated).
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Yeah, Baby!!!

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Un~freakin'~believable, isn't it?!?!?!
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And I do love the way her hair makes it look like she is wearing a halo.
Personally I cannot think of a better human being to have one of those.
(Well, beside myself that is)!
hehehe

Once again, that is all I know for today.

I know many of you will be traveling and will not be able to be stopping by.
Christmas promises be a lonely day for me with no one on... Know that I will be thinking of you all.

Know too that I will be missing my little Christmas Brunch the most.

May you all have a safe, a joyous, and a most blessed Christmas.

Love to all.

XOXO
Anne

PS
Don't forget the batteries!
hehehe
(er, I mean HOHOHO of course).
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UPDATE in comments... Say "YAY!"

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Good Afternoon Everyone!
Guess what?? It's snowing!
hehehe

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This was taken on our way driving in last Sunday.
No, it is not a crooked picture,
just the snow that was so wind~driven.

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And the roads were like this...
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And like this...

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And like this...

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Oh, I sure did hate those last 90 miles! Worse too, when there is a sheet of ice and freezing rain under the snow.

Oh wait, the roads are STILL like that...

I hear that Flintville got about a foot of snow, between Thirsday night and yesterday afternoon; with lots more coming tonight and tomorrow...
Poor Kelli beside herself, shoveling, taking care of the horses, and my place too. (Tim had recent back surgery otherwise could be out there too).

She even said she would try to dig out Casey's car (looking much like a Chevrolet Igloo now), and move it in the garage.

Her Tim is a truck driver- He drove yesterday through the whole snowstorm.
When he called Kelli to tell her to try to leave work early and how bad the roads were, he also told her that his trailer tried to pass him 4 times!
(I laughed myself silly over that one).  
She said it took her an hour and a half just to get to work yesterday.
But they are both home, and safe, (and 'off' for the weekend); and that's what counts.

I am sure you are all wondering about Casey...
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She is MUCHO better today!!!

Her urine began flowing quite well last night too. And what a worry that had been for us all.

But I will let you judge for yourself how she is doing...

Just check these out!

I shall do a "before and after" here for you...
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BEFORE...
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And AFTER!!!
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Oh wait... me too!
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Such a huge difference without her NG Tube!
And she will be on liquid diet.
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One of you (PeachieBaby, I think), had asked about the leg circulation.

No worries there;
these have been on her,
working 24/7,
since before her surgery.

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That nurse was SO fun and funny too.
We have had too many that do not have a sense of humor, let alone a bedside manner.
This man had it all.
You could tell he loved his work, and his patients also.

Credit where credit is due, everyone has been so nice, so far.

Of course I miss home.
Kelli assures me that Miss Milly is just fine, and will now be (another) inside dog.
Ruh~Roh. (Didn't bargain for that one). hehehe
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I took this last Christmas...
Mama Milly and her (little) Punkin...
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And this was from last year also...

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Yes, Lady Valerie did get her two front teeth!
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I hope ALL of my grandbabies are all set for Santa Claus.

I'd better close for now and head back up to the hospital. But I want to give Casey and Greg a lot of time together too, as he will have to be heading home tomorrow. Duty calls.

I imagine you are all busy with last minute details with your own preparations for Christmas.
I hope you aren't too busy to be reading this all.
Sorry, I do have a tendency to get a bit long winded at times. Hope you're not too busy to let me know you were here. hehehe

Know that Casey is doing remarkably well- Greg has just called; and Casey is now sitting in her chair!
If it is possible, she is 1000% better than yesterday.

Know too that Punk has been an absolute angel being left alone in this hotel room many times, and for many hours at a time.
Off her feed yesterday- probably feeding off my own emotions. But has eaten today; AND of course we have already played in the snow. Twice.
I did go to WalMart and get some winter skivvies, and some warmer socks too. Should be all set now.
Hope you are too! Be warm and safe. Know you are loved.

My love to all. And again, our most heartfelt thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers. They have worked wonders for Casey- and for myself too. Knowing there are people out there that care everso much means the world to us.

XOXO
Anne

Address and Pics Added 12-19-08 Pray. (Harder).

After a very long and painful night, Casey's kidneys are not functioning too well; leaving her swollen like a very beautiful Pillsbury Doughboy.
Her temp is at 101.4.
Blood pressure in the 130's.
Heart rate in the 130's and 140's.
She is in/out of it. Maybe due to her pain meds.
Much earlier this morning she was taken down for an emergency ultrasound of her liver, duct system, and her kidneys. (Not knowing what to look for/at I have no idea what I was seeing on the screen there, or how it all turned out). They have yet to tell us.
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Greg is with her now. Punk and I are waiting to hear something. Anything.

Having spoken to my sister Barbara- who in turn spoke to Dr. Rodney (her husband).
Of major importance is the fact that he was not too shocked by any of this- Thank you Barbara and Rodney.
He did say that her kidneys must begin working normally in the next two days.

That is all I know for now.
Please keep those prayers coming.    

XOXO
Anne


No longer correct!

University of Minnesota, FAIRVIEW Hospital
Organ Transplant
500 Harvard St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

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Casey-
Before her surgery,
12-18-2008

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Pray. (Update 7:16 PM in comments).

Good Morning Everyone;
Being lazy, not to mention short of time I shall just redirect you a bit.
I could not have said this any better.
Please click here and visit Peachie's site.

http://peachie2007.multiply.com/journal/item/196/Prayers_for_Casey_Ann_please

Thank you Peachie- (and for the offered shoulder too).

And to EVERYONE who has sent their love and Faith to us both (all) in this time of such overwhelming, conflicting, and raw emotion.
Your friendships mean the world to me.

PRAY.

Time for me to fly.

All my love.

XOXO
Anne

Deal With It.

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

This is really right on the mark!!

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?



1) Pick your favorite number between 1-9

2) Multiply by 3 then

3) Add 3, then again Multiply by 3 (I'll wait while you get the calculator....)

4) You'll get a 2 or 3 digit number....

5) Add the digits together

Now Scroll down ..............

























Now with that number see who your ROLE MODEL
is from the list below :



1. Hillary Clinton



2. Nelson Mandela



3. James Brown



4. Audrey Hepburn



5. Bill Gates



6. Gandhi



7. Brad Pitt



8. Hitler



9. Anna~Anna (That's me, Anne)!!!



10. Barack Obama




I know...
I just have that effect on people....one day maybe you can be just like me!


PS:
Stop picking different numbers. I AM YOUR ROLE MODEL!

Fuh-Reezin' in Minnesota

Good Morning Everyone;
If you have read the comment I left for you in my prior blog, (or Casey's newest blog), you know that we arrived safe and sound with Jesus at the wheel.
It was that crappy, those last 90 miles.  Temps went from 44 to 16 in a matter of minutes; and when the front came through, wouldn't you know we were on this big bridge- and what wind!

But we are here. Thanking God that (even though I whined about it), my car was all fixed prior to leaving.  I started it last night; letting it run for about 20 minutes before taking it twice around the block. But it started, and that is all that matters.

It is currently 9 degrees BELOW ZERO. (Suffice to say I don't like it).
The windchill factor is is the minus 30's.
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And no, we are not responsible for bringing it with us.  I firmly believe Canada hates me.

Having brought Punk out earlier, she poo'ed and pee'd just great- We weren't outside but two minutes and she shook her paws when we got back inside. Too cold for man or beast.

As most of you know by now, I am Native. 
Knowing this, and knowing how so many lived (and died), 'way back when, it amazes me that anyone survived; pelts or not. A much deeper respect goes through me as I dress ever so warmly for a minute or two outside in this dangerous weather.

We are not alone- Many of you will be living through ice storms today. May God keep you all warm and safe.
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I can't believe how far south that freezing rain might go...

Casey's pre~surgical appointment is rescheduled for tomorrow. And of course her surgery is on Thursday.

When we got to the hotel late on Sunday evening, we were met by a man whose own TP/AIT Transplant surgery was yesterday. He came to our room to visit for a while (I promptly fell asleep on him). But Casey and he had much to talk about and to share.
His surgery was quite successful, his brother calling Casey yesterday to update her- AND he wasn't even sent to ICU afterward. (I am thinking this is because everything went so very well)!

Kelli has just called- It is 5 below at home, (this because maybe Canada isn't sure where I am exactly)?
Miss Milly is warm and 'wunnaful'. And Mr Miller is sad because he can't play at my house. Kelli is at work safe and sound too.
I'm just happy that all is secure.

Michelle wrote to say hello this morning too- Her own horses probably freezing their manes off. Kelli had told me that Breeze's eyelashes were full of ice! (Bad enough when mascara clumps, I can only imagine what ice does).

As for me, my joints are aching from the cold. Yes, we do have the heat on in the room- Just that once I am cold, I am very cold throughout, and it takes a while to warm up.

I'd better close for now- have a load of laundry to do. The laundry is on the 6th floor. and a nice warm room!  Looking forward to that!

Love to all.

XOXO
Anne

Happy Trails... (Really)?

Entry for December 14, 2008

Borrowed from my weather page
WBAY~TV Green Bay
No the 'click' won't work on here.

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NOTE:
For those of you sent here through Casey, won't you please take a moment to sign up and sign in to read any further entries should you care to know how her surgery goes.
And please let me know who you are if you use a nickname.
***Multiply is free, and easy...

And now...

Good Sunday Morning Everyone!
The above "c-a-r-p" is the first thing I see when I look at my weather page?
NOT amusing in the least.

We leave today. ("The time has come, the walrus said...").

From our own wintery mix, (freezing rain, snow, sleet), and current temps of 37 degrees, we will be heading into the falling temps in Minnesota. Their own freezing rain changing over to snow for the afternoon. And both places with more than plenty enough wind.
Better said by SissyKrissiePoo, a "Holiday on Ice"...
(I've got a feeling our 'Holiday on Ice' could take more than 5 hours).
Yet tomorrow is to be even worse.
Even if we don't get all the way today, that is OK. Because Casey doesn't HAVE TO be there until Tuesday.
Dang winter. But that is exactly why we planned to leave early.

Tomorrows HIGH in Minneapolis is to be +1. CLICK FORECAST.
At least that one little degree will be on the plus side of zero. You don't want to know what the lows will be either.  hehehe
(On 2nd thought, maybe you shouldn't click).

I have been asked for our mailing address in MPLS.
Not sure right now, but I do promise to post it privately as soon as I know it.

~

Know that I am so thankful for so very much~

For those people that have helped us to even get to this point.

• For your own offered thoughts and prayers.
  
  
• Kelli and Tim for watching home and hearth (and Miss Milly), while we are away.
  
  
• Randy for pitching in to help in every way he can.
  
  
• Greg; and all the last minute hustle he had to do to get my security systems up and running.
  Very special thanks.
  
  
• For my Godparents who stopped in with two gas cards.
  
  
• For my cousin who sent her husbands Hammered Dulcimer CD for us to relax to.
  
  
• For all those who sent cards of encouragement and love.
  
  
• For my snowplow man who has agreed to keep the yard open in our absence.
  
  
• For my oil man whose patience rivals my own.
  
  
• For the dog groomer who only charged me $23.00 for Punk. YAY!
  
  
• For my friends and neighbors who will also be looking after 'home' while I miss it so.
  
  
• And for EVERYONE who knows and loves my Baby Girl.
  
  

~Know too, there is so much comfort in all of the above.

Kelly with her little list of reminders. (And me with my silly little prayers that nothing freezes up on her too badly).

I have not yet finished packing. Will do so shortly.

But packing is not a problem. Leaving is.
Leaving the season of Christmas, unmet for the first time in my lifetime, in my own home.

Yet somehow driving headlong into the Spirit of Christmas, and the Inspiration that brings to each of us; simply as it trembles precariously on the threshold of the New Year.
And the Hope that comes with this "new" year for Casey-
(For myself and for Greg too). That we get "Casey" back in all of her glory; (just minus the ever~present pain she has stoically managed to live with for so very long)!
The hopes and dreams that this trip will bring through, and true, to us all!

Casey told me on Wednesday, "Mom, I don't care what happens in the meantime, I am going through with this surgery come hell or high water." Or so the reference was.
My own memory a tad bit muddled by the fact that I had gotten a shot for my head that day.

While at the clinic, Casey says, "Hey, it's Dad."
...Dad? Dad who?...
(Don't nag. I have already said an extra prayer for thinking unchristian~like of him).

She asked him had he gotten the email she had sent?
(It was entitled "My Major Surgery Coming Up")... 

Since he has not seen fit to contact her once since a year ago in May, she at least thought he might have read it.
Not so.

Even IF he has been off work for the last 2 weeks, perhaps he did not have the time...

... How very nice of him.

Hang on for a minute while I refocus on that list of "Thanks" above. 
Nuff said.

My doctor here has not only wished Casey the very best of everything, but has added that he will be more than happy to speak to any doctors there that may find themselves having to treat me for a migraine. Just to have them call him anytime.

May God bless CaseyAnne's perseverance; her own unfailing spirit and Faith!
I DO believe she has more of both in her little finger than most of us have in our whole heart and soul.

On to "busy" now...

Love to all!

XOXO
Anne

Free Website Counters

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Sunday December 14, 2008 - 06:42am (CST)

Abilene man wants to warn you about the dangers of 'chemtrails'

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2008/jul/01/do-you-believe/

Read when you have time to absorb all of this...
Do you know of anyone that is suffering a little? A lot?

Really weird.
I am attaching my own little cloud picture.

Darrin McBreen wants people to look up in the sky -- and contemplate what might be happening up there that might be affecting us down here.

McBreen, 41, has created a popular YouTube video, featuring footage shot in Abilene, examining "chemtrails," a term derived from the belief of some researchers that certain jet plane contrails dump chemicals on an unsuspecting populace below.

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The reasons given for such alleged activity vary.

Some advocates link it to weather control experimentation, while other researchers tie in more dire effects, ranging from ill health to (at the extreme end) a program of mind control, echoing other historical examples of overt experimentation on mass human populations.

McBreen, who is an Abilene Reporter-News Internet media consultant, said the response to his roughly nine-minute video was both surprising and pleasing.

"The response has been incredible," he said. "About 30,000 people have seen it in a week's time. ... I've received responses from all over the world."

Feedback has ranged from confirmation and personal anecdote to overt snark -- along the lines of "Are you wearing your tinfoil helmet?" he joked.

But his video, "Danger In the Sky -- The Chemtrail Phenomenon," has maintained a five-star rating on YouTube and garnered more than 600 comments, features interviews with figures such as Austin-based radio personality Alex Jones, speaking over footage of planes flying among familiar Abilene landmarks.

A contrail, short for condensation trail, is a line-shaped cloud sometimes produced by aircraft engine exhaust, according to a U.S. Air Force online document "Contrails Facts." The combination of high humidity and low temperatures that often exist at aircraft cruise altitudes allows for their formation.

Such contrails are composed primarily of water, in the form of ice crystals, and "do not pose health risks to humans," according to the Air Force site.

But advocates of chemtrail and other related theories argue that isn't always the case, although their reasons differ -- often wildly.

McBreen said chemtrails appealed to him as a video subject because he believes the concept has credibility.

"It started out with an article by Devvy Kidd," he said. Kidd, a journalist who lives in Big Spring, is sometimes featured on the Web site of Jeff Rense, a radio talk-show host who often deals with controversial topics such as chemtrails.

"I thought that was kind of interesting that (Kidd) was from the Big Country," he said.

According to Rense's Web site, chemtrails "look like contrails initially but are much thicker, extend across the sky and are often laid down in varying patterns of Xs, tic-tac-toe grids, cross-hatched and parallel lines."

Such trails, according to a Frequently Asked Questions file on Rense's site, "expand and drop feathers and mares' tails. In 30 minutes or less, they open into wispy formations which join together, forming a thick white veil or a 'fake cirrus-type cloud' that persists for hours."

A normal contrail "is supposed to dissipate over 30 seconds to three minutes," McBreen said.

Many researchers also report a sort of cross-hatching effect of interspersed contrails, which some take to be sky-based markers, and unusual behavior of the planes themselves, circling and looping to cover and recover an area in ways they find to be anomalous.

Like many, McBreen believes some chemtrail sightings can be tied to weather experimentation, with side effects such as spikes in elements such as "aluminum and barium in drinking water supplies and in the air," he said.

Some who have communicated with him because of the video have agreed, even going so far as to say they can "taste the aluminum" in their mouths from chemtrails in their area, he said.

"Some of the more hard-core researchers wonder if it isn't a type of population control, with the intent to wear down your immune system," he said. "When I first heard that, I found that to be pretty extreme. But the United States has a long history of chemical and biological testing on its own personnel."

McBreen mentioned a 1994 "Rockefeller Report," often quoted on conspiracy and chemtrail Web sites, detailing alleged experiments performed on U.S. soldiers. The report, "Is Military Research Hazardous to Veterans' Health? Lessons Spanning Half a Century," indicates it was prepared for the U.S. Senate's Committee on Veterans' Affairs in December 1994.

Among the report's conclusions are that "for at least 50 years, (the Department of Defense) has intentionally exposed military personnel to potentially dangerous substances, often in secret."

That said, the U.S. Air Force's Web site describes the entire chemtrail theory as a hoax, which it claims has been investigated and refuted by established and accredited universities, scientific organizations, etc.

Specifically, the Air Force notes that a contrail can remain visible for long periods of time with its lifetime a function of temperature, humidity, winds and aircraft exhaust characteristics -- and that such contrails can form many shapes as they are dispersed by horizontal and vertical wind shear. Similarly, skeptics assert the changeover from turbojet to turbofan engines results in a different appearance than what some chemtrail theorists remember contrails used to look like.

Requests for a comment from Dyess Air Force Base on Tuesday were met with referrals to the Air Force's official position on the phenomenon.

McBreen said that while chemtrail research is thriving on the Internet, it is important for people to understand that the evidence is "not limited to photos and videos posted on the Web."

There are military reports, government studies, U.S. patents and U.S. legislation that back up claims by researchers," he said. "The Space Preservation Act of 2001 mentions chemtrails by name, for example."

In the Act, which seeks to "preserve the cooperative, peaceful uses of space for the benefit of all humankind by permanently prohibiting the basing of weapons in space by the United States," chemtrails are described, along with lasers, plasma, electromagnetic, sonic, ultrasonic weapons, and others as "exotic weapons systems."

Mainstream media reports are included in McBreen's video, most notably television news reports from KSLA News in Louisiana (which McBreen said "confirms barium in Chemtrails") and a "report from NBC News 4 in Los Angeles where residents reported getting ill from chemtrail activity," he said.

McBreen said he would simply like to see more open debate on the topic.

"Not every contrail you see that stays up there might be a chemtrail," he said. "But we do know that there are weather modification programs. We do know that they are cloud seeding. And we do know that they have experimented on their own people in the past."

It isn't the end of McBreen's video-making. Next, he plans to tackle the topic of depleted uranium, used in munitions and considered controversial because of what some believe could be potential long-term health effects.
E.W. Scripps Co.
© Abilene Reporter-News

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2008/jul/01/do-you-believe/?printer=1/

______

On Aug. 1, MediaRival.com, Darrin McBreen's blog, will go live. The blog is hosted by the Abilene Reporter-News. Its focus will be conspiracy theories, but all topics will be open for discussion.
Q&A with Darrin McBreen

Why has your chemtrail video taken off?

DM: "It's a hot topic right now. The phenomenon is getting widespread attention on the Internet, and there is a growing number of concerned citizens who are demanding an explanation. ... I also believe there is a declining influence of the establishment media, which has been caught numerous times colluding with our government to sell their policies on a foundation of lies. People are beginning to turn away from the mainstream and seeking the truth through alternative media outlets. YouTube, for example, is a great way to reach these people who are basically thirsting for an alternative view."

What makes some topics like this take off in terms of public interest, when other, perhaps equally compelling items remain obscure?

DM: "I guess equally compelling might be the alarming growth of autism, mercury in our vaccines or the number of U.S. troops and Iraqi citizens suffering from depleted uranium poisoning. Although far from obscure, these controversies are limited in scope when compared to chemtrails as they don't affect each and every one of us. Chemtrails, on the other hand, may affect us all. It doesn't matter whether you're living in Abilene, Texas, or the most remote areas in the country. These unusual flight patterns are evident across the globe."

What do "conspiracy theories" say about us? Where does the mistrust come from?

DM: "This is where you always hear the echoed psychologist view that says the reason why people are prone to believing in conspiracies is because they find it difficult to believe, for example, that a lone gunman can assassinate the president of the United States. It makes us feel vulnerable and insecure; therefore, we are prone to dream up crazy conspiracy theories. They claim that the 9/11 conspiracy exists because people cannot accept that the most powerful country in the world was attacked by 19 amateurs with box cutters. Well, I'm here to tell you that the mistrust comes from our government's proven track record of lying to its own people."

-- Brian Bethel

Want More?
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As you know, I can only suppose what is in these videos...
But given the articles, my imagination is on a bit of overtime.

Does one employ a bit of Healthy Paranoia?
Or os this all Chicken Little?

Please let me know.

XOXO
Anne

Want some weird cloud pictures and some 'explanations'?
http://imageevent.com/firesat/strangedaysstrangeskies?z=3&c=4&n=1&m=-1&w=4&x=0&p=14

Just "strange" is right...

~

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

 

There really are two layers of the cedar fencing.
hehehe

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Good Morning Everyone;
I spent most of yesterday in this frigid battle Man~vs~Nature.
(Not liking it much either).
I dressed, and waded through the snows to the old shed.
I tried (in vain) to get the snowblower started.
And somewhere in the midst of that little project, I had to come inside for an extension cord.
My answering machine was going off, so I waddled up the steps to answer...
It was my friend "Beep" hehehe (Do the click).
***Thank you Connie! What a nice surprise, and so very nice to hear your voice again; (I needed those few moments to warm up a bit too)!
Though I shall have to let Connie herself comment, and tell you what she thought snowblowers were really like.
hehehe


And back outside to wrestle with that darned snow machine again.
No, it didn't work...

So to the back of the house
to try to improve on my laundry s(h)ituation..
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I got that darn drain hose off, bringing it inside to rid it of the ice crystals in it. (It was NOT the hose, rather the pvc pipe that was completely frozen solid). Weird, that.
I dumped ice~melt down the pvc; (after about 4 gallons of hot water to the outside). Suddenly the water and ice were gone and the pipe was clear.
While I have done a few loads of wash I have not yet reattached the hose.
Will do so shortly.

 

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Punk and Milly showing you how deep the snow was.
Yes, they waited for me to throw another toy.

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How deep is YOUR snow?

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.Casey had that car cleared off the night before the snows came.
Just so you can see how much we have on the ground.
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Punk diving in to where the toy had buried itself.
Milly wanting no part of the 'face~wash' that goes with the dig
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They played the entire time I worked on the snowblower.

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But after that, Milly actually went to her kennel-
(I mean "igloo" of course)...

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While Punk grew bored,
waiting for her mama to come out of the doghouse.
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Out back once again...

 

Punk followed me,
and went to the garden.
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.Sitting and waiting again.
(and growing bored again too)
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Life cannot be all freezing cold wet work.
There has to be freezing cold wet "play" too.

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Just be careful, Lady Punk;
Things change quickly when you're bored.

Think "Sitting Duck" perhaps
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hehehe

SPLAT! goes the snowball!

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And losing her sense of humor...
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.We are NOT amused...
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Recovering quickly,
she remembers she's a Labrador Retriever.
As such, she needs to bring any object back to me.
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Digging through the frozen tundra,
She really did try to find it...
And couldn't figure why I was laughing at her...

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But is smart enough to see that I was laughing at her.
And time for her to laugh too!

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(Time to get those paws thawed too).

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As for my snowblowing...
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I took this picture before I'd tried to start that machine.

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And then after, I took this one.
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hehehe

Much nicer with the garage door down.

You can't shovel what you can't see.
And yes, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind!"

It was past time for me to come in and warm up my paws too.

I came to the computer, (having it strategically placed so the heat blows onto my feet).
I checked on my Multiply page.
And was once again told I had to verify that I was Human.

I waited for the 2nd screen to come up.
(My freezing fingers had entered the first one wrong).

And up it popped!

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No kidding?
But, oh well.

As reflective of my life as it was at the moment,
I still had to laugh.

Have a "wunnaful" Wednesday.

Love to all

XOXO
me

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Originally posted to my Y! 360, Wednesday December 10, 2008 - 09:37am (CST)

NOT Funny, Justin

 

Good Morning All;
NOTE: If you don't care about the silly weather in my neck of the woods, just skip down to the red type.


Stormcenter 2 Personal Forecast has an important announcement from the National Weather Service regarding your local weather.
**** 10:05 AM CST Sun-Dec-07 - The Weather Service has issued a weather bulletin for your area.
WINTER STORM WATCH
Wisconsin counties - BROWN, CALUMET, DOOR, KEWAUNEE, MANITOWOC, OUTAGAMIE, WAUSHARA, WINNEBAGO


Today: Cloudy with snow showers developing for the afternoon. High around 30F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%.
Tonight: Cloudy with snow. Low 28F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulating 3 to 5 inches.
Tomorrow: Snow likely. High 31F. Winds NNE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 80%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
Tomorrow night: Snow showers before midnight. Becoming partly cloudy later. Low 6F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70%.
Wednesday: Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid teens and lows in the mid single digits.
Thursday: A few snow showers. Highs in the low teens and lows in the low single digits.
Friday: Snow showers. Highs in the low teens with temperatures nearly steady overnight.

And THEN this morning came this...

MAJOR WINTER STORM!!!
MAJOR WINTER STORM!!!
(I heard you twice the first time).

A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL IMPACT THE AREA BEGINNING THIS EVENING, & LASTING THROUGH MUCH OF TUESDAY.
Snow develops this afternoon and spreads over the area this evening.
The snow will become heavy at times.
Strong winds on Tuesday create blowing and drifting snow along with limited visibilities.
Travel will become VERY difficult late tonight and early Tuesday.
A total of 7-14" is expected with the highest totals from Wautoma through the Valley, Green Bay, & Door County.
Find out more in your updated StormCenter 2 Personal Forecast.
StormCenter 2 Meteorologist, Justin Zollitsch.
NOTE: I used to like this guy...
(he is not alone with my newly discovered contempt for the weather)

This storm, named "CARTER" --is NOT "peanuts", kids.

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED.
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.
IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...USE EXTREME CAUTION...OR WAIT UNTIL THE STORM HAS ENDED.
THE LATEST WISCONSIN ROAD CONDITIONS CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 800-762-3947. 

THE "WINTER STORM WATCH" IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
HAHAHAHAHA!!!  (Ya think)?

So you know what I am up against here... Working against time today, and woke up late after a terribly restless night.

Due to the fact that Randy was invisible and thus quite ineffective, I am bringing the wash to the laundromat today, (where ever THAT is); and have more than a few stops to make in short order.

I made a joke in my last blog, or in the comments that the worst part of my day was psyching myself up to take a shower in this cold. (If it is not bitterly cold outside, it is effing snowing out there)!

That "worst" was simply not true.

The worst of it all came when Casey called, in terrible pain, and unable to even move.
I could not leave because the repairs to either of my cars had not been made (as insinuated they would be -by the invisible mans phone call early on Saturday).

I immediately called down to Kelli's.
Tim was here in minutes with a battery charger- And his air compressor.
We left the charger on all night long after hearing that Buck had been visiting to Greg and Casey's. An ex marine, he picked her up- pain or not and carried her down to the car.

She was once again treated for her pain...

But how freakin' bad was the feeling that I couldn't have driven in if her life had depended on it.
(Wait Mr. Invisible, "p*ssed" does not even come close)...

Yesterday morning, Kelli and Tim were back- (and on their way to pick up a load of hay for the horses).
Got the car running, and I was off.

Fleet Farm happily said I could be first on their list today. I tried to explain that by then the car would NOT be running anymore, nor would the tire be inflated.

So... to avoid Packer traffic, it was on to Sears.

The alternator being shot too.
They found a piece of sheet metal in the tire, and could repair it thankfully.
Tires rotated.
Install a new, (and damn good), battery; and I was headed home.
I am sure I was more than a bit happy to write the fookin' check by the time it was all over and done with. (I am further sure that the bank won't like it). hehehe I shall stop there on my way into town.

"Time" = "PREMIUM" today.

Hope you all had a grand weekend.
Love and warmth to all.

XOXO
Me

Free Hit Counter

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Monday December 8, 2008 - 10:29am (CST)

MELAMINE (Walgreens Recall ). FDA

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/walgreens12_08.html
Walgreens Recalls 173 Teddy Bears With Chocolate Bars Sold Since Late September 2008
Contact:
Michael Polzin
(847) 914-2925

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- DEERFIELD, Ill., Dec. 5, 2008 – Walgreens is recalling 173 teddy bears with chocolate bars sold in stores since late September 2008. Analysis by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that certain samples of the chocolate provided with the teddy bears were contaminated with melamine. Customers who purchased any of the 173 teddy bears should return them immediately to the Walgreens stores where they were purchased for a full refund.

Walgreens already has instructed stores to stop selling the product, which is specifically described as an approximately 9-inch high Dressy Teddy Bear with 4-oz. Chocolate Bar. The product's UPC number is 047475864485, and the product tag also includes the item number 291332. Walgreens has not received any reports of illness or injury related to this product.

Walgreens takes the safety of its customers seriously and is working with the FDA on this recall. For additional information, visit Walgreens Web site at http://www.walgreens.com/images/pdfs/recalls/TeddyBear_Product_Safety.pdf or contact Walgreens Product Quality department at 847-315-2755, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central time.

#

How does THIS happen? Dog Left Outside Freezes To Sidewalk -

http://www.wisn.com/cnn-news/18214694/detail.html
Dog Left Outside Freezes To Sidewalk -

I am truly sickened by this story...

So so very sad.
I thought maybe the woman had taken ill, and passed out.

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SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- A woman was arrested after she left her dog outside in 6 degree weather, causing it to freeze to the sidewalk.

A neighbor called police after the dog was stuck to the pavement for more than 12 hours. Jiffy’s owner, a 59-year-old woman, was taken into custody on suspicion of animal neglect.

Owner Arrested After Dog Freezes To Sidewalk

Animal care providers had to use warm water to gently pry Jiffy free from the ice. Locks of his hair are still frozen on the pavement in front of his house.

Jiffy, an 11-year-old border collie, can now crawl but is too heavy to walk. The extra 50 pounds he’s carrying almost cost him his life.

"It is very disturbing to see a dog that overweight and then to actually come up and see the dog frozen to the sidewalk. It was very, very traumatic for me,” said Carey Payne, who is with the Sheboygan Humane Society. “I've never seen a dog actually frozen to a sidewalk before.”

The owner told police she made frequents trips outside to check on the dog, but workers at the Sheboygan County Humane Society suggest the dog was abused long before he was frozen.

"You can overfeed a dog, and when you do the dog becomes extremely overweight, it cannot move properly, it puts a strain on all of their organs,” said Payne. “It's abuse. That’s plain and simple."

Todd Wagner, the neighbor that called police, said the owner tried to free the dog.

“I tried to help (the owner) with it on Wednesday night, but I got bit by it so I left it alone. She had other people coming to help and everybody did make an effort, you know it's not that it was total neglect on her fault,” he said.

Investigators said the owner was released shortly after she was arrested, and it will be up to the district attorney to decide what charges she will face, if any.

Aside from being overweight, the dog is in good health, according to the Humane Society.

The organization said it has received multiple calls from people who are interested in adopting Jiffy.

Thoughts n Stuff

 

Look closely...
Miss Milly is peeking out from behind the pallet.
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Good Morning.
More snow last night, and my snowplow man still hasn't come.
Maybe today.
He was working in Minnesota this last week, perhaps he hasn't made it home yet.

Randy called about 5 this morning. Methinks his project for today will be to get some water flowing SOMEWHERE in this old house! If I could run the laundry drain to the dang tub I swear I would do just that.
A mouse nest, then filled with water that froze does not make me happy.
Damnable varmints...


A few thoughts that cross my mind after reading a few little stories.

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Having been born and raised on a dairy farm, my immune system is one of the finest.

• Yes, I get migraines and panic attacks.
• Yes I have a few battle injuries.

But I have been very lucky with respect to getting ill. ie: flu etc. (knocks on wood)

I believe the way I was raised had much to do with how I am now. (And in more ways than one).

People that continuously keep their homes and their babies and children squeaky clean are doing them more harm than good.
These kids never have a fighting chance to build up their own immune systems.

I was never filthy gross; but spent some long sweaty hours working in caca and other stuff until my dad retired when I was 17.

Mom had a garden, and so I was out digging in the dirt too.

We had acres of cucumbers that we picked by hand.

Strawberries too-
And yes, we stole bites of them without washing them off.

Mama had read somewhere that by the time you are an adult you will have eaten a bushel of dirt. She just might have been right too.
We swam in the river, drank from the hose, or the waterer (whichever was closer to our thirst).

LET YOUR KIDS GET DIRTY, or I promise you will be raising the next generation of sick people.

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This is especially for Casey. hehehe
At one time it had been cut out of the paper, and hung on my little bulletin board.
It has taken me a long time on here this morning to find it for her.
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~~~~~~~~~~ CALVIN AND HOBBES~~~~~~~~~~

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On to another thought.
Casey raised this point the other day.

It is a fallacy that getting cold or wet makes you ill.
Getting cold or wet makes you well, cold or wet. It does NOT make you ill.

Likewise, going outside with wet hair does not make you ill.
If it is winter and the temps are below freezing your hair will freeze, but even frozen hair does not make you ill. (Not that it does any good for your hair).

Getting a flu shot will not result in you actually getting the flu.
This will happen if, AND ONLY IF, you already have the virus, latent, within your system.

It is also false that going in/out within temperature extremes will make you ill.
It should make you feel warm or cool though.

I am sure there are many, many more of these fallacies flying around.
Please add your own in my comments area.

~~~~~~~~~~

I had a bit of fun "playing" this morning...

~~~~~~~~~~

Your result for The What is Your Spirit Animal Test...

The Otter

Your spirit animal has a Nobility ranking of 11 out of 18.

• Your spirit animal is the otter.
• Playful, curious and fun animals, they are truly the start of what can be considered a noble creature.
• Otters are good at figuring things out, and make great friends.
• You are lucky to have one as a spirit animal.
• Otters are fairly rare as spirit animals.

***Wondering how this animal was chosen for you? These questions were carefully thought out to see how important you hold certain virtues such as: humanism, self-knowledge, rationalism, the love of freedom and other somewhat Hellenic ideals. Some of the questions were very subtle. Your score was then matched with an animal of corresponding nobility. However, you shouldn't think this was a right/wrong sort of test, but more of an idealistic values test. It's ok to not hold these values, you'll just get an animal spirit of lower stature if you do!***

Take The What is Your Spirit Animal Test at HelloQuizzy

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Yes, I even like paying in the water...
as long as it isn't the water in the laundry room

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Your result for Who's Your 80's Hero? Test...

John McClane

60% McClane!

John McClane is definitely a good choice for your hero. He can be very resourceful under pressure.
He doesn't care if he's extremely outnumbered because he can think on his feet even when they are running to avoid and explosion.

He's an Irish American born on August 11, 1957 and works as a detective for the New York City police department.
He is divorced with two children, but still seems to be a bit hung up on his wife.

He faced off a group of terrorists and won.
He's very handy with a gun and doesn't look at all bad in a soiled tee shirt.

You can see him in the 1988 movie Die Hard played by Bruce Willis.

Take Who's Your 80's Hero? Test at HelloQuizzy

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Shall I be offended that I am compared to a man?
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Time to fly!

I hope you are all having a 'wunnaful' weekend!

XOXO
Me

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Originally posted to my Y! 360, Saturday December 6, 2008 - 09:12am (CST)