I need a shoulder

Dear Friends,

I need a shoulder to cry on, metaphorically, that is.  This isn't the worst crisis I've dealt with in the past year, but it's a problem just the same.  Since the this isn't about computers, I won't post my problem to the Perils of Pamela.

I think I have shingles.  My left side is burning and crampy.  At first I thought maybe I had appendicitis, but it's on the right side.  When I felt a generalized burning on my skin on the left half of my abdomen, then I remembered how my Dad described shingles.  I get cold sores on my lips all the time, so I have some medicine for that.  Since the same virus causes shingles, I started taking it right away, even before I went to the doctor.  Hopefully the attack will be less severe because I started the medicine before the blisters appear.

One thing that I've noticed is that when I get tired the pain is worse.  Shingles is a sure barometer of whether I am getting enough sleep.

Sure enough . . .

My Dad

I hope you looked at the new page I made for my Dad.  Thanks! Helena of Graphic Garden for the cuddly bear graphics.

Dear Friends, I just have to share my enthusiasm with someone. This morning I woke up at the crack of 3 a.m. (not dawn here yet... still dark) and decided to log into Blogger. Something new had been added near the login box, a small text box with an advertisement in it. I couldn't miss seeing it as I typed in my login information.  My first impression was, "What a great idea!" I never see ads at the bottom of the page, and I totally ignore banners and popups. After my login was accepted, a new entry appeared at the top of the what's new column. This new little advertising text box was available for anyone for only $10. I followed the links to check it out. The further I went, the more excited I got. I was so excited about pyRads that I had to write to Evan and tell him:

Wow! What a great idea! This is so Cool! Your advertising idea is fantastic. I couldn't sign up for it fast enough. I have never used my credit card on the Internet, but this opportunity prompted me to use it for the first time. I wish every website would use this type of advertising. I love Blogger. I have seven Blogger blogs on my site. If you use this quote, please don't use my e-mail address, but linking to my website is fine. thanks for hanging in there and keeping Blogger alive! Pamela http://pamelajoy.com/

Dear Friends, This morning when Curtis got home from town, he said that the air was full of ice crystals. Every light looked like a beacon to the heavens. He said, "I haven't seen something like that for a long time." Curtis is hoping for some snow so he can ride the snowmachine. He rode it yesterday in the driveway, but the traffic has worn down the snow to the pavement on most roads. There is gravel at the intersections to keep people from sliding through stop signs. So it's not good for the snowmachine to drive over that.

Dear Friends, I've renamed this blog from "Old Friends" to "Dear Friends" because one dear friend in particular objected to the use of the word old.  I suppose I can understand that, but even though I've past the half century mark, I don't feel old at all.  Can you picture how delighted Keith was when I reminded him that in five years he will be sixty!  As the saying goes, if we'd known we were going to live this long, we'd have taken better care of ourselves. Besides having a runny nose, I think I'm finally getting over the flu.  At least I've stopped sleeping twenty hours a day, and I managed to do the dishes.  Curtis is coming for a visit this weekend, and I hope to have everything spic and span by then.  Yeah, right! I also feel that I'm not drowning in grief anymore like I felt all summer.  It just occurred to me this week, that perhaps Josiah's death stirred up a lot more than I bargained for.  This week is the anniversary of my sister's death.  I don't know why I always forget this, but I do.  What reminded me is that it's Veteran's Day on 11 November, and I remember that her burial was held up because of that holiday. I think that I was too young to process the grief at the time she died, and Josiah's death has stirred up a lot of unresolved feelings. I know that this past summer, I've grieved more than I have in my whole life.  Part of the grief might be that Todd and Curtis have left home and started new lives somewhere else, but I don't think that's it, really.  I'm content to have them home, although I do appreciate it when they check in once in awhile and let me know how they're doing.  big hint Speaking of deaths, for any of you who knew John Herman, he finally lost his battle with cancer.  The funeral was last Monday.  I extend my sympathies to all his family and friends.  He never made it to retirement.  It's surely a lesson to not put off stuff until you retire.  If it's important, do it now.  And for heaven's sake, tell people you love them while they are alive, and you won't have regrets on down the line.