SOME OF MUM'S REMEMBERANCES FROM HER YOUTH

I finally got mum to agree to write about some memories from her youth (amazing that she can remember that far back -- ok mum sorry about that!!)  I am going to pass the puter over to her -- let it rip mum:

Cookie's mum here-- OK you are forgiven for your comment about my age -- this particular memory is from when I was 17.  I belonged to a Zionist youth organization -- Habonim (which means The Builders).  I had gone on my second hiking/camping holiday to France and was having a pretty good time (aside from my tent flooding one night when in rained very heavily and some other minor problems).  Anyway, a couple of days before we were due to leave Brittany, one of the boys in the group tripped over a guy wire to a tent and dislocated his knee.  At the same time, I stood up and felt something in my right groin "rip"  (I should mention that I had had a right groin hernia repair when I was about 5 or 6, so didn't think it could be that.)  Anyway, because of the two incidents, the camp leader (Henry) called in a local doctor.  It was kinda amusing/embarrassing for me.  You have to remember that this was in 1959 and a "coed" camp was considered quite "forward" and it was assumed that we were sleeping coed too!!!!  Anyway, when the doctor came, he realized that we were a group of Jewish kids and he "confided" in me that he was Jewish too, but given that it was not too long after WWII, no one in the village knew -- Apparently that was common in the small towns in France and most of Europe at that time still.  But that was not the funny/embarrassing part -- because of the pains I was having he started asking questions.  (I did not realize it at the time but I had the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy.)  First of all he asked how many times I had been pregnant -- I answered "none".  Then he asked me about having intercourse -- when I again answered "none" and he looked amaze and asked if I was sure!!!  Again you have to remember this was in 1957 -- France was far more free and easy than England, but still......  Anyway because of Melvin's dislocate knee, it was decided to take both of us to the local hospital.  The "ambulance" was a converted Citroen with barely enough room in the back.  I ended up sitting (or rather lying) on Henry's lap and he was holding on to Melvin's leg to make sure it would not be jolted around.  This turned out to be a wise decision on his part!!!  We were up in the mountains and the road twisted and turned and I swear the driver was a drunken/frustrated race car driver!!!!!  Anyway we got to the hospital ok.  When we got there, I was "examined" by several (I presume) doctors who poked and prodded me until I threw up.  Henry was translating for me.  Anyway they decided to keep me in the hospital.  While we were in the elevator going up -- the person who was with us started asking Henry if they knew what was wrong.  I looked at Henry and told him that if this guy even considered touching me I would scream bloody murder!!!!  Of course Henry translated a little bit differently!  I was taken to a ward with 3 other women -- I assumed it was an ob/gyn ward, but because no one spoke English and I did not speak that much French, I had no way of making sure!  There were no curtains, and turned out that the bedpans were on the bedside tables and the women used them and put them back and eventually they would be emptied.  The following morning, as I customary in Europe, the doctor came around with his entourage of Matron, Sisters (this happened to be a catholic hospital) and nurses.  When they came to me -- again remember there were no curtains or screens -- the doctor started to do an internal exam and they realized I had a tampon (I was close to the end of my period).  Matron very disgustedly pulled it out and threw it away.  There was a bit of conversation between them which I did not understand!!!!  I made sure that they knew that I had a congenital hole in my heart cos I knew that if I had anything serious I needed antibiotics.  The entourage finally left.  Shortly after two nurses brought up my rucksack which had been delivered to the hospital.  A couple of hours later, they told me to get dressed and come with them.  My rucksack was not too heavy, but I was still kinda weak and had not really eaten anything, but I had to carry my rucksack down by myself.  They took me to the Hospital administrator's office -- apparently someone from the camp was coming to escort me (and Melvin) to Paris.  While waiting for Ezra, the administrator brought his teenage son,, who was learning English in school into supposedly help interpret.  Well, between his high school English and my high school French, we did not get far!!!  Finally, Ezra showed up.  Long and short, they gave us some lunch (which I promptly threw up) and we finally made it to the train.  When we got there and the French porter realized that I could not really walk (I did not have shoes, just some heavy socks) he wanted to carry me to the compartment.  Ezra finally convinced the porter that was not necessary and we got settled on the train.

I don't remember how long the train trip was, but I was VERY glad when we finally reached Paris.  We were staying at a youth hostel.  That night we all went to the Folies Begere.  About halfway through I was starting to feel really ill.  There was another couple who were going back to the hostel early and I went with them.  I had a very rough night and the following morning it was decided to take me to the British Military Hospital.  Henry came with me again.  To cut a long story shorter I passed out when I was having x-rays done so they decided to keep me in.  It was nice to hear English being spoken again.  The ward I was in was much nicer than the French hospital.  I also discovered that the food was excellent and was like a French restaurant!!!!  Anyway the doctor was a Major in the british army and one day when he came around he sent everyone out of the room and started asking me the same questions the French doctor asked me about pregnancy, etc -- but he had the decency to be embarrassed about it and at the end more or let let out a sigh that my answers were all negative.  I ended up being there 3 weeks and they did some exploratory surgery (I think they expected to have to do a D and C).  At the end of this they told me that right ovary had twisted and ruptured and was putting pressure on my bowels and bladder.  They wrote to the hospital in the UK and they could not get me back soon enough.  Turns out when I had had some tests there  a year earlier but because I was a single girl of 16 they would not do anything, but "wait and "see!!  I was getting injections of major doses of antibiotics too.  Melvin had been able to fly home, but I was unable to so I was stuck there.  The rest of the camp had gone back to London leaving me on my own.  The almoner came up a couple of time to ask about insurance and payment.  I was writing to Ezra and finally insisted they send the insurance info to the hospital.  I got a chatty letter from him and in the midst of it he casually mentioned that because I had not been "injured"  by something at the camp I was not covered!!!!  I was really upset and crying my eyes out.  When the Major came in, he asked why I was so upset, and I told him.  Again, he sent everyone out of the room and told me not to worry because there was a fund for UK citizens like me and that I should ignore any monetary demands from the hospital.   WHEW what a relief.

As I said I was there for 3 weeks and then transferred to London for surgery.  I will tell the rest of the story in a day or two.

Back to Cookie

Cookie here -- wow mum what a trip yo had.  I am exhausted from this much.  Am going back to my nap.

ttfn an toodle pip
Cookie

MUM CAN'T SLEEP!!!!

It is almost 2:30 am on Monday and mum cannot sleep.  She has woken me up and gotten me off my nice comfy recliner so that we can post here!!!  I tried to tell her I was too tired but it did not seem to bother her.  This leads into the story of our excitement (not) on my Sunday morning walk.  I may have mentioned that they have dug up my doggy park here so we have to think of some other way for me to do my business.  On Saturday morning walking alongside the wash was fine.  Mum thought that the path on the other side of the wash looked a little better, so sunday that was where we went.  Everything was fine and I did my business so she made a U-turn and guess what?  The chair got stuck in the stones which were bigger than the other part of the path.  Mum absolutely could not get the chair moving, and she realized that she did not have her phone with her!!!!  I should mention here that there was a fence with lots of houses on one side of us and apartments across from us!!!!  So mum started yelling "HELP".  This went on for about 15 minutes until finally someone came.  She had a phone so she called 911 and waited with me till the fire truck arrive with 3 hefty firemen!!!  They got the chair unstuck and followed us along a better part of the path so make sure we did not get stuck again before we reached a pavement!!!!  So, a walk that should have taken about 10-15 minutes took over an hour -- needless to say we will not go along there.  We finally got home around 9-15 and the newspaper had not been delivered.  She called the number we have and the mechanical milly took the info and said the paper would be delivered.  It did not arrive till around noon!  Mum gave me a Frosty Paws for being such a good girl during all this!!!

On another subject, I may have mentioned that when mum was in the hospital last year and I went to with Jen (another long story which I may repeat some time), she took my Service Dog vest (among other things) and although mum begged her to return that plus the other stuff and she always had an excuse why she could not make it.  Mum was on the phone with one of her nieces in England that she had not spoken to in some time.  While they were catching up mum mentioned about the cost of replacing the vest and Debbie asked mum for her address and said she would send the money so she could get me a new one!!!!  At least SOMETHING nice came out of!!!!

As I mentioned is now 2:45 am and I am going back to sleep !!!!!

ttfn and toodle pip

Cookie

MUM IS REALLY PO'D

Uncle Vic has really been p&*&&^ mum off.  Yesterday he called her (and woke her up) at 5 am because his internet had been shut off cos he had a past due amount.  Mum was finally able to do it by phone (why he could not do it by phone -- he was able to call mum) and got the amount paid. 
today he just called cos he could not use his e-mail to contact someone, and he wanted her to look it up.  He really did not have enuf info for her to do it, and so he started yelling and calling her names -- she ended up hanging up on him!!!!!!!  She has not had enuf caffeine today cos her Keurig was not working properly -- it seems to work for a couple of weeks and then *kaput*.  She spent about a half hour with Keurig and had to stand to do what the rep told her, so her back was really hurting -- so were her hands cos of what they wanted her to do!  It finally started working again -- hope she doesn't have any more problems with it!!!!!  Can our blogger buddies end her some good wishes so she feels better about things??????  When she went to take me out this morning the door from t he hallway to the outside was jammed!!!!  We had to walk all the way to the end of the building to get out (and back in).  Also, my doggy park is not accessible right now!!!!  They are putting a Verizon cell tower in and so they are taking up some parking spaces!!!!  In order to replace these parking spots they are moving the dog park!!!!  I don't envy the people who are digging up the dog park cos it probably smells to high heaven because of all the pee mails and poops there!!  LOL   Anyway, mum called the office and they said that it would take a couple of weeks before it will be available for my use!!!!  Mum told the office that (as they know) mum is not able to pick up my poops so hopefully there will not be complaints about it!!!  When she was out yesterday she noticed a couple of areas that I might be able to use -- hope I find some interesting pee mails there!!!

So, as you can see, I need lots of luv from all my buddies for my mum!!!

(now the kitties are chasing each other all over the place, too)

ttfn and toodle pip

Cookie

pee ess -- mum asked me to remind yo that her gofundme page is still up!!!  We are gonna have to go to the vet soon cos my leg is starting to hurt again, so I cannot go too many places with mum!!!!

OMD -- POOR AMBER DA WEENIE AND MAX (HER BRUDDER)

I finally got mum to do this post.  If Frankie and Ernie were still running their law office efficiently (!) this would be a perfect case for them.  Amber and Max's mum and my mum were on the phone the other evening when their mum got home from work and in the background we could hear Max howling and barking.  Turns out it was waaaaaaay past their dinner time, and their mum and my mum were too busy yakking it up for them to get their dinner.  Thank Dog my mum feeds me in the morning when we get home from my walk.  Although yesterday I did not get my walk!!!!!  It was raining allllll day, and mum has to be careful about getting the joystick on her wheelchair (plus other parts of it) wet  and also she I afraid of melting in the rain -- LOL

On Wednesday Luna finally had her stitches out and so no longer has to wear her cone of shame.  She is one very happy kitty without the cone.  However, when mum got off the van coming home, it was raining quite hard, so she was not very happy about that!!!  I did get a walk and a bit of a run in the dog park here this morning, but it was in between rain showers, and although mum  had promised me another walk, we couldn't go 'cos of the rain the rest of the day!!!!

Well, mum has told me this is as long a post as we are gonna do today, so

ttfn and toodle pip

Cookie

JUST BITS AND PIECES

Well, not a heck of a lot going on here.  Luna still has her cone on and is not very happy about it.  She is having her stitch out this week.  Mum said she is going to call and see if she can take the cone off!

Mum got me some Frost Paws -- yum!!!  She will give me one if I have been really good -- but usually when she goes out and leaves me to take care of the kitties!!  Discovered we have new neighbors across the hall -- They are Mormon missionaries an move every 6 months or so.  First time since I have lived here (just over a year) that we have males!!!!  My next door neighbors are also moving within the next week or so.  Mum and I are not very happy about that!!!  Not too happy about the location they are going to -- also they are moving to  a third floor apt with no lift!!!  She has been practicing going up and down stairs -- we wish her good luck!!!!  The last apartment mum had before moving from Cleveland Ohio was a third floor walkup.  She was quite a bit younger and not handicapped, but was REALLY glad when she moved out of there!!

Our upstairs neighbors are also sposed to be moving.  They are the ones who bang on the floor whenever I bark when mum takes me out early in the morning.  Mum has also received 3 letters from Animal Control about my barking.  The leasing manager is really POd at THEM, not at me or mum!!
*Sigh*  Oh well, he trials and tribulations of living on the ground floor in an apartment building!!

As I say, not much going on here so I don't want to bore you!!!!  So I will say

ttfn and toodle pip

Cookie

THIS 'N THAT

Phew, mum had trouble getting to this page!!!!!  No pics today -- hopefsully next time.

Anyhoo this past couple of weeks have been kinda hectic for mum -- between her doctor's appointments and getting Sapphire and Luna spayed.  They were both s'posed to have been spayed at the same time last week, but the carrier mum put Luna in disintegrated twice and after the second time she hid and mum couldn't find her so she just took in Sapphire.  It was a veerry loooong day for mum.  The van picked her up around 5:45 am  and did not get her home til almost 3 pm.  The place where she took her was about 15 miles from here, and there were several other people that the van picked up and dropped off.  Mum had not slept well cos she was afraid of oversleeping!!!  Anyway, when she go there, she had to wait out in the cold for a while -- that is a major problem when using the paratransit -- if she doesn't arrange for the van to get her there early, then she can get there late.  Also, they can make her wait (they give her a 30 minute pickup window) but if she is late, they will leave without her (although this past Monday morning, she overslept and was woken up by the telephone with her "courtesy call" -- which is 5 minutes before pickup -- she then had to rush around to get dressed and out in time -- but she got out there in time.  Of course I did not get my walk or get fed -- she had just enuf time to give me a marrow bone treat)  Anyway, the place where the kitties got spayed is a non-profit and gets grants for people who are on fixed incomes like mum.  They agreed that Luna would still come under the graft when she came in yesterday, thank goodness.  Mum had taken stuff to keep her occupied, but it was still a long day.  She was able to go to McDomald's for breakfast while waiting.  Sapphire was wearing a cone of shame when mum brought her home so she could not manage to eat from her regular bowl so mum put some in a small bowl and held it inside the cone for her!!!  Same thing for water.  This week, Luna managed to slip out of the cone in the carrier on the way home and again this morning!!!!!!  However, she has managed to eat from the regular cat food bowl.  They told mum that Luna had to have a couple of stitches, so she has to wear the cone longer and come in again in two weeks!!!!!!  Mum is not looking forward to ANOTHER trip there!!  At least sapphy is not yowling or meowing any more -- when she was in heat it was horrendous and also, mum said that she made a racked while on the van -- in BOTH directions!!  Fortunately the other passengers did not mind.  Turns out that Luna was in heat when mum took her in!!!!  But mum said she did not make a peep while on the van!!  Sapphy isn't making any noise now, which is a great relief.

Our "darling" (NOT) upstairs neighbors have really been banging on the floor (our ceiling) in the mornings when I bark from excitement when mum is getting ready to go out.  Out of courtesy to them she has been trying to take me out later; however, she has received TWO notices from Animal Control that they have received complaints about my barking.  Everyone around us has been woken up by their noise, and mum is afraid that the light fixtures will fall -- we already have had to have smoke detectors replaced because of the vibrations!!!!  Mum saw the leasing manager the other day and he told her that the upstairs monsters are being kicked out!!!!  Apparently everyone has been complaining that THEY are making so much noise that they are waking everyone up -- no one except them have complained about me.  I should mention that the only tmes I bark is in the morning when mum is getting ready to take me out and (as I am s'posed to) when anyone comes to the door!!!!  ****Sigh***** 

Mum does not have such a hectic week next week so hopefully we will be able to get some pics taken and posted.

Am gonna go now cos mum says this is long enuf!!!

ttfn and toodle pip

Cookie

ps -- we are glad that Punxy Phil forecast 6 more weeks of winter cos that means our hot summer will not be here so soon!!

Here we go again

This is a picture mum took at Sprouts for all the doxie owners/lovers here in Bloggville

This is me and Coco at Uncle Vic's last year around Christmas.

This is my kitty sistah Sapphire.  Isn't she pretty!!

YAAAAAAY, mum finally got some pics on here!!!!  Geek Squad guy was here today, so he showed her what to do!!!!  (I won't say how long it took her tonight!!)

Anyway --hope everyone had good holidays.  Our were pretty quiet -- didn't do much!!

Gonna end this now before it disappears --lol.

ttfn and toodle pip

Cookie and all