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Intro for AndreaRN

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Posted 1/17/2009 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Back after two years........

I am a retired nurse (on SS disability) who lives in Minnesota. A widow, homeowner, and dog lover. I love to read which really helps get through these long cold winters.

I have learned to adapt over many years to my disabilities but still have the usual frustrations and depressions that go with the territory. Sometimes on a bad day I think why bother......then a better day and I am more hopeful.

Today I am thankful because it is staying light longer.......Ahhhh....spring will come with its rains and flowers.

Happiness for me is camped by a northern lake listening to the Loons call to each other and no one breaking the night stillness. A hot morning cup of coffee watching the "forest" wake up with all its wonders. My faithful dog by my side as we slowly walk the narrow forest dirt road. Perhaps the sight of a deer......the moose are farther away in the bogs.

Simple pleasures for a lady with simple desires.

Have a great day!
Posted 1/17/2009 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Andrea, I just had a wonderful visual of the above and thank you for taking the time to write it. I will again say welcome back to HW and I hope you will stay this time. I said this on another post someone else wrote and you posted there., lol

I have 2 golden retrievers and one Britney Spaniel. Ugh, they are the children and rotten to the bone, but ever so loyal. They are all 3 as demanding as they can be and get by with,lol........Susie
Posted 1/18/2009 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Andrea!
Oh I think we are going to get along just fine! Although I live in S.Fla. my Yankee heart yearns to be camped by that Northern lake w/ my dog, my BIG cup of coffee, a canoe sitting on the shore with my fly rod in my hand in the Summer, Spring or Fall. Sorry but y'all can keep the winters! Yes, I still get to do that twice a year when I drive my sno goose 82year old Mom back and forth to North Jersey where she lives on a private lake for the summers surrounded by federal & state parks. No Jersey bashing please!! It's really not what you think of when you hear New Jersey or drive up the turnpike.
Anyway Andrea, there goes "off track Pete" again! I tend to wander but it's GREAT that you descided to come back! I just know everyone here will love you!!!! Sorry though, I gotta go! Have to find my tens unit, ouch>ouch>ouch> I can't sit here right now but just like Swartzneger, "I'll be Baaak!!
Your buddy,
Pete
Posted 1/18/2009 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Andrea and welcome back to the chronic pain forum. I for one am glad you are here. I too am a retired RN on disability as well. I have two german shepherd males named Tzar and Xander and they are wonderful when they are not driving me crazy. I also have two granddaughters that I watch every day while my daughter works, so I have full days and I love it.

Hope you will continue to post and we can get to know each other better. Gentle Hugs and God's blessing. have a lpd.

Lindaloo
Posted 1/18/2009 5:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Andrea,

Welcome back! I'm sorry that you had a bad experience here before, hopefully this time around will be better. I've never gotten anything but wonderful support, understanding, and ideas from the folks here.

I am also a huge dog (and animal) lover! I have 3 golden retrievers, among other animals. In fact I'm still aiming towards going to veterinary school (as long as this pain lets me nono, but I can only take things about one hour at a time right now, so no sense in worrying about what is still a year or two away - or so I try to tell myself). And I too am a huge nature nut. There is nothing I love more than being outside with my animals. They are such loves, and the best source of support and pain relief for me.

Again, welcome back! We're happy to have you, so keep posting!

Skeye
Posted 1/18/2009 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning all!!! Snowing outside and looks so beautiful I decided to make some sweet bread. It is rising now and soon the heavenly aroma will be in the house.

Pete, I lived in the Ocala National Forest for ten years and still wish for the sound of the whip-poor-will. I worked nights in towns about 35 miles away (like Ocala and Eustis) and sometimes leaving for work at 10pm I would see the shadow of one flying to the top of a pine tree. I left because MN is home.......and .......I did not want to grow old with humidity and needing pesticides to keep bugs out of the house. Did alot of camping back in those days too.....converted van.....now for many years I have had an older but nice class A motorhome. Son loads it up for me and I drive slow but sure (many stops to rest) to my northern paradise.

Susie, Skeye, and Linda......my dog is what makes me keep going.......I know he is dependent on me for all his needs......and I for his undying love. I have a big male Rottie and love him so much. His name is Rommel. I have had also a german shepard named Kaiser. (why must our dogs not live as long as us....................I remember each as tho it was yesterday......Their collars, food bowels, and ash containers have a special shelf.

Have a great day, Andrea
Posted 1/18/2009 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Andrea, and although many have said it, welcome back! He you stick around for awhile.
Like Pete, I live in Fl on the SW Coastal side. I like the winters here, sometimes I miss the snow but I think my body would just shut down now to the cold weather. Although, we are threatened with a "possibility" of flurries tomorrow, and I am in Tampa! I can deal with flurries! But, I also used to live sevral snowy states & sometimes I miss the smell of chopped wood, straw & sweet bread- yum! As you will see a lot of us like to share our food fantasies- hey, its a part of therapy! lol.
Just wanted to say hi & glad to see you are back.
.........and Pete is not as bad as he lets on, he's very well liked on here. :)
Posted 1/18/2009 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Andrea,

I live in SW Ocala just west of I 75 about four miles down off of SR 200. Small world isnt it?? I used to live in Hollywood in South Florida all my life til I moved here six years ago.

Lindaloo
Posted 1/18/2009 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Linda,

I know your area well. I lived east of Ocala......east on 40....then 314A going south.....and almost home.

Andrea
Posted 1/18/2009 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Ok Kttn, Lindaloo, Pete & anyone else living in a warmer climate....please clear out a room! I'm on my way! shocked

I have HAD IT with snow! smhair

cool ------> PaLady
Posted 1/18/2009 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Gang.......how about a get to together someday (winter month) in Fl. We could pick a spot........ a campground or something .....something to dream about for next winter. Some of the state parks I think have small rental cabins.....

Yes, I now have cabin fever. I have only been out of the house 3 times since Dec 2nd. One of the snowiest and coldest winters on record here in MN. I have begun dreaming about going somewhere in my RV but but but......long drive and on tight budget.
Posted 1/19/2009 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Come on down! We could do it on the cheap I'm sure! Only one problem, it does get cold up in the big bend area! I'm still in the tropics down here in Palm Bch. Co. but up in Floral City (the Nature Coast) were my wife is on our 5 acres it gets cold. This coming Tuesday, We are expecting our coldest night so far this winter. It will be high 30's low 40's at night and high 50's low 60's in the day down here. Where my wife is she is blanketing the horses because it will be in the mid 20's low and low 50's for a high! Thats a big difference in a 4 hr. drive. It's usually around mid 70's and mid 50's at night though. One good thing is my boat is up there and I could take 5 - 6 people at a time to see the manatee's and the beutiful spring fed rivers where they winter. We also have bald eagles, sandhill cranes, ospreys, otters, dolphins, wild turkeys, wild hogs, deer, lots of gators and loads of other wild life there. I love it there and will be moving up there as soon as this economy turns around but for now I'm stuck down here in paradise w/ all the shopping malls, traffic, drug dealers & murderers! I've been in S.E. Fla. for 22 years and it has changed so much, I can't wait to get up there (the real paridise) with my wife & dog where I belong!
Your Friend,
Pete

`PS> I remember that cabion fever stuff, no fun!
Posted 1/19/2009 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Bad Pete...lol

I am now ill with wanting to see all of that north FL area...never explored it. It does sound like paradise.

Yes, you belong with your wife!!!!!!!! How can you mend things long distance? impossible.

I will pray it will soon to be for you.

Andrea
Posted 1/19/2009 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
I'm so jealous of everyone's warm temperatures. Our high for the last several days has been around 10, with lows, weeeell below zero & it is snowing... I just moved into a new dorm room today, and guess what, the heat in my bedroom is broken & the heat in the rest of the until barely works! It is probably about 40 in this room, and that is the warmest room of the 3! I'm definitely putting in a work order first thing Tuesday morning (as tomorrow is a holiday). Just going to have to suffer for now. Lots of layers & a heating pad. Gosh I wish I was in FL right now!

Skeye
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