I snapped a number of pictures of our ice and snow last week in the Northwest. It was both an epic and beautiful storm. It was a lot more beautiful if you had power. Today there are still a number of people that don't. We were fortunate and other than a 24 hour stretch with no cable or internet, we came through unscathed.

Unfortunately, some of the storm was unplanned, like the additional 3 inches of snow we got after the ice storm. Please note my ice coated raspberry plants... poor things.

Here's a better shot of them. They took it in the shorts. We'll see how hearty they are come spring.

Here's our neighbor's ice and snow coated tree draped over our fence.

This is the top part of the tree that fell behind our house. You would not believe the noise it made coming down! All you can see in this shot is it's ice coated branches. It fell perfectly between the building and our fence harming neither. Other trees in the area were not so polite and fell on houses, fences and cars.

I'll end with this shot of a lovely old tree in front of my employer's, Even a sturdy old soldier like this was no match for the weight of ice and snow this storm brought.

Here's hoping this storm loses ground as it heads east. We are happy to see it go but hoping it doesn't do our neighbors like it did us!

Warmly,

AG

It's not easy being a Chihuahua in the snow.

It's hard to find a place to go.

"Hurry up, Maddie," says my Mum.

But every time I lower my bum...

BBBRRRRRRRRRR!

xoxo

Maddie the Chilly Chihuahua

There have been rumblings in Seattle Media about the snow coming! We haven't had any yet this winter, so there was quite a bit of anticipation! And it actually did snow!

During a break in the snowfall, Maddie and I went out front to get her perspective...

She pronounced it Chilly! (this is her abused look)

Apparently Chihuahuas aren't on board for 34 degrees and snow. Who knew?

Wishing you a beautiful day in your neighborhood!

Warmly, AG

The Old Goat and Madeline did some heavy duty nursing over the past week.

As did K2 and the rest of the Brute Squad.

And K3 of course.

Thank goodness for nurses, both 2 legged and 4 footed.

Warmly, AG

PS ~ special shout out to the lovely MPM who has her own nurses that are making a difference!

Since Thursday. Some tried, some discarded, some continued....

And still I woke up this morning at 4:30 with horrid breathing.

Back to the Dr. today.

Looking for my optimism. I think its around here somewhere. Probably hiding behind one of those dang bottles.

AG

I'm just working on finding my happy place right now.

Thank goodness for TOG and his patience and support as we work through this lung festival.

I don't know what I'd do without him.

In the last week, we've gone past so many benchmarks we thought my asthma would never hit. We have definitely had to rethink how we treat my lungs. I'm realizing that it will take me a long time to recover and be able to walk any distance much less ride my bike or hike into the hills. But it's a happy thought right now and I'm going to hold it close.

Dreams are good.

There goes my alarm to take more meds. Reality. Such as it is.

Warm hugs,

AG

 I love this picture. This was taken at the Aryn Islands off the west coast of Ireland. At first glance, it appears to me as a New England village by the sea might look. But what made this island unique were the beautiful ruins up on the hill as well as the fact that there were no trees. Although we only toured the third and largest island, all three islands shared the treeless aspect. While they were beautiful islands with sweeping views, the lack of trees made their beauty rather stark and dramatic.

Using the Ruins analogy, I will note here that my lungs have been in ruins since Thanksgiving. Breathing has been an exhausting chore and the asthma bag I pack each day to go work has been getting heavier and heavier.

There was a bit of a crescendo yesterday that had my doctor sending me to the ER. After a heavy dose of IV steroids, oxygen and breathing treatments, my lungs finally perked up. 12 hours later, I'm wide awake at 4 am thanks to the steroids, but without the chest pain and shortness of breath.... again thanks to the steroids.

I have to go back to see my doctor today for a long term plan, but I'm really hoping that this current level of breathing can be sustained and built upon. I look forward to being able to set goals for the year instead of just trying to get through each day.

Being a ruin has it's glamorous aspects, but it's not all it's cracked up to be!

Wishing you a day of deep breaths and beuatiful moments!

Warmly,

AG

A new year...

A new look for the blog....

Same me!

I'm still not sure what I'm thinking with the blog, but I find myself remarkably unwilling to pull the plug on it. So I'm determined to try to make it a little more alluring and see what else it has in store for me.

At the same time, I find myself dragging my feet on posting. I'm not sure why...

But if I'm going to begin, when better than the start of a new year.

I'm picking this picture because I remember how I felt when K3 took it... happy, giggly, fun! It's a good start!

I'll be making a new start with my asthma this year as well. February will mark 9 years since my onset. As much as I was in denial on my initial diagnosis, I'm unable to deny how crappy my lungs have become. I've determined that I need to go in for further evaluation by a specialist. If there is a way to get my asthma back under control, I need to embrace it. I've almost become accustomed to being chronically short of breath and exhausted and that is unacceptable.

In the meantime, I'm going to dwell in a postive attitude. Perhaps my lungs will find it contagious!

Wishing all of you a very Happy New Year and hope this finds you healthy and joyful!

Warmly,

AG

Because in spite of my crap lungs, it just isn't the holidays without a picture of the Brute Squad in their holiday gear!

Right now, I'm sipping coffee in my jammies with the girl dogs laying on and around me. While not a traditionally festive moment, I'm feeling very full of holiday spirit. The house is quiet, the family is sleeping. My lungs are pushing air in and out. It is very peaceful and joyous.

If I had an ounce of ambition, I would get up out of the chair and turn the channel from the murder mystery/forensic evidence/cold case file programs that are on.

But:

a. I have no ambition unless it involves another cup of coffee!

b. It would take a lot more than these programs to harsh out my mellow.

c. The dogs are really comfortable!

Peace.

AG out!

Remember that old saying about not saying anything at all if it wasn't nice?

I find it the easiest thing in the world to ignore my blog at times. Because I like sharing good news and if there hasn't been much, I pull back. I think I may be a turtle with my head in the shell. Except without the "pond smell".

The lungs are turds. They've been turds. They continue to be turds.

And that's all I have to say about my stupid lungs.

How are things in your world? Are you ready for the holidays?

Do tell! I shall live vicariously through your good news!