June 9th

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

Dan and I spent much of the afternoon outside yesterday. 

– We finished getting the gazebo ready for summer.  Dan got all of the chair cushions out of storage and I secured them in place. 

– I swept up a zillion or so of those little tree seed pods.  I swear, if we locked up this place and left for the season, we would return to a forest.  Every one that lands, on anything resembling dirt,  takes root. 🌳

– I started potting a dozen little flower plants to fill the planter that Dan is building for the back yard.

And I got to see see my first Fried Egg Peonie blossom.  It isn’t what I expected, but it is bright, perky, and unique.

While I am out and about as much as I can be, I am still focused on getting back to my Health and Fitness Journey.

One of my new healthy habits has been using my new Navage nasal irrigation unit, that Dan bought me a couple of weeks ago.  

This unit is awesome! I have been dealing with sinus issues (and enviornmental allergies) for fourteen years! I have seen ENT’s, used a neti pot with saline solution, used prescription strength sinus sprays, and consumed boxes of antihistamines  – nothing was particularly helpful.

But this is a game changer!  The first week was rough.  I don’t know if it was because my sinuses were such a mess or if it was just a learning curve, but it was rough.  I seriously thought I might drown myself a couple of times. 🤦‍♀️

But, it was well worth the perseverance.  My sinuses are much better and  my allergies are all but gone –   and all without side effects of any sort.

That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day!

June 8th

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

It is a beautiful, sunny, somewhat chilly morning in Southern Saskatchewan.

I am back to blogging after being more off than on for the past few months.  I am feeling very well and the last thing I want to talk about is being sickly, but thought I should give somewhat of an update in that regard.

In February, I was diagnosed with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.   My respirologist put me on a heavy round of Ciprofloxacin which failed to wipe out the pseudomonas.  So, my respirologist prescribed another heavy round of Ciprofloxacin – which did what Ciprofloxacin does.  Halfway through round two, it started to cause issues with my tendons – specifically the hamstring tendons in my right leg.

Despite the severe pain in my b#tt, I did what I do and persevered until I had completed the Ciprofloxacin.  Shortly thereafter, I was called up for the catscan on my lungs.   The catscan showed  that there still appears to be significant infection – most likely pseudomonas.

I told my respirologist that I could not risk serious injury to my tendons by continuing  on with the Ciprofloxacin, so he decided we  should do nothing further for now.  We will wait to see if the pseudomonas clears up on its own. (There are limited treatment options available).

I am good with this, but I did go to see a potential family doctor who gave me a requisition for a complete blood and urinine lab work.

I have not heard back from her but I did see the results online and they all  looked pretty good to me –  especially my iron, which was my main concern.

So that’s it for now.  The experience has left me with a few questions and concerns – and a number of promising health and wellness changes, which I will touch on in blogs to come. 

Meanwhile, I have a bit of housework to do before heading outside to tackle more yard work.

Yesterday, I did get the side curtains up on the gazebo and I powerwashed the side yard patio.   Dan powerwashed the patio furniture before we moved it back into place for the season. 🙂

That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞

June 7th

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

Second blog in two days! 🥳

Today will be a quick one.  We did work on the yard yesterday but we ran out of day before we pressure washed the patio, so it is time to get at it.

I went out this morning and took a few pics of the first, of hopefully many,  blossoms that will colour our world this summer.

The Bleeding Heart that Genie & Alec gave Dan a couple of years ago.  Last year it was massive and I am pretty sure it will outdo that this summer!
The flower bed Dan built last year.  Those brown spots are seed pods from our neighbours’ trees.  They are everywhere- including in our house thanks to Molly’s long  thick coat of hair.
Marigolds for the Welcome basket this year. (Genie’s favourite flower).
Pink & Purple Petunias for the pond planters this year.
And the very first buds on one of the peonie plants that daughter Jen gave me a couple of years ago. They are MY favourite garden flower!  I cannot wait to see them in full bloom!

That is it for today.  I have to get to work, but I will be back – tomorrow! Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞

June 6th

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

OK.   I am ready to make my comeback!

The past five and a half months have been a lot more miss than hit, but I am ready to do this.

It wasn’t ever about being deathly ill.  It was more about learning.  Learning that when one is healing and growing, it is never just physically or mentally or emotionally or spiritually.  It is all encompassing.  And when one is spiraling physically or mentally or emotionally or spiritually – SAME THING! 

Everything has been a challenge for me  these past months.  Blogwise, feeling dumb (numb?) as a post has been the real issue.

But, with my health issues somewhat behind me, the worst of the meds out of my system, and the arrival of spring… I should be able to string together a few words on a regular basis going forward. 😁

Dan and I finally got the last of our garden in yesterday.  Today, we are going to start pressure washing the patios.

And, for the inevitable breaks I will take… I can relax in the hanging egg chair Dan bought me for Mother’s Day!

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞

May 11th

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

This will be another quick drop by…

First off, belated Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there – and to all the offspring who honored their mothers yesterday.

I had a very nice nice day…

I was doubly blessed with flowers with the bouquet on the left from Dan and the one on the right from Granddaughter Genie and her  husband  Alec.

Alec was working yesterday, but Genie came over to drop off the bouquet  and stayed for a  visit with her brother Rory.

Son Dan, daughter Jennifer, and granddaughter Maddy sent their best wishes.

My sister’s and I exchanged Mother’s Day greetings.

And Dan made supper last night while I relaxed…

Meanwhile, I am hopefully in recovery mode.  As much as that pseudomonas aeruginosa has been a stubborn bug to shake, the side effects from the drugs I have been prescribed are my biggest issue at this point – and of course it will take some time to rebuild my strength.

Fortunately, our weather has greatly improved.  I am spending as much time as I can outside enjoying the fresh air and puttering around the garden.

That is it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 💞

APRIL 27TH

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

I’m back.. or at least I am stopping by for a quick check in.

Things have been a bit rough for the past few weeks.  I have been waiting for a CAT scan to see how I made out with my three week treatment for pseudomonas aeruginosa. 

Since the wait was going on a few weeks now, and I was feeling punkish, I decided to check in with my respirologist.  My blood oxygen was low, my blood pressure and pulse were high, and..

After having blood tests and an x-ray  done… the infection is obviously alive and well and has been feasting on the iron in my body to the point where I am severely anemic.

I am already on another 21 Day  round of Ciprofloxacin.  I  can take iron supplements and eat iron rich foods so I can feel better and maintain my aerobics and the relatively healthy lifestyle that helps keep my lungs functional … but this also provides nourishment for my infection to thrive.

Or,  I can not take iron supplements or eat iron rich foods, lay around like a vegetable  and allow this infection to go underground  to protect itself from the antibiotics I am taking. 

Either way, I have another appointment with my respirologist next Wednesday, I have sputum culture results that have yet to be posted, and I have a CAT scan coming up.

At this point, I am going with the iron supplements and iron rich food because feeling like hell isn’t doing it for me.

All is not terrible… Dan bought me flowers and a nice box of cookies.  💝

Have a great day! 🤗💞

I will stay in touch as I feel up to it and/or have anything noteworthy to share. 😊

April 2nd – Days 84 to 90  of My 2026 Daily Activity

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

We are through the first quarter of 2026 and some of us (one of us 😆) is still straddling the READY, SET,…. line.

I  am working on it.  Despite the rough days, and the mediocre days, I am experiencing a few stronger more productive days.

I have been doing my aerobics in the morning.  My afternoon workouts have been more of a struggle but I have been making an effort on the treadmill and yesterday I crushed a light weight workout! 😁

I have been doing deep breathing exercises every day.   Inhale 4, hold 16, exhale 8.

I have been reading for an hour a day.  That is doing wonders for my  mindset.

AND… I have been working on my diet.  Generally speaking, my diet hasn’t been an issue but making  ‘healthy’ choices  for breakfast and snacks has been challenging. 

A couple of days ago, I went on a muffin baking extravaganza…

Coconut/almond, chocolate/peanut butter chips, and oatmeal/raspberry.

Making a full dozen of one type of muffin is problematic for Dan and I, so I made a variety pack to share with Jen & family and Genie & Alec.   💗

Last night was Dart Night for Dan.  I prepared for my regular Wednesday Night snack attack by making a large batch of popcorn for myself and a small batch of dog friendly, unbuttered and unsalted for Molly.

I have also been serving more vegetables – specifically raw vegetables with our meals lately.  Recently, I read (Unlimited PowerPoint by Tony Robbins) that it is healthier to keep hydrated by eating fruits and vegetables than by drinking an abundance of water.   That makes sense, as fruits and vegetables add nutrients to the body, while water flushes them out.  Hitting a point where 70% of my diet is fruits and vegetables may never happen, I am going in the right direction.

But, I am still drinking – one glass of water first thing in the morning, one cup of coffee, one cup of broth, one cup of tea, 12 Oz of carbonated water for supper, and regular water in the evening. 

Our weather is gradually improving so I am looking at spending more time outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine in the coming days. 🌞

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞

Happy April!

March 25th – Days 77 to 83  of My 2026 Daily Activity

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

It has been a few days, so I  will start with the most noteworthy event of the week.

Last night, we attended a family birthday celebration  for granddaughters  Maddy (16 on the 24th) & Prim (14 on the 25th). 

Mom Jen & fiance Tanner hosted supper at Agave Authentic Mexican Grill.   The three sisters and Alec brought the energy and charm to the table. (Grandma & Grandpa brought the  cake.  The  cream cheese icing melted, but it was  all good!  )

The food and service were great (despite a   full house) and a good time was enjoyed by all. 

This afternoon we are going to Conexus Centre  of the Arts Optimist Band Festival to hear Maddy debut with her French Horn (She’s been playing the trombone for years). 

And tonight for Prim’s birthday, Jen and Tanner are taking her  and her friend Luca out to a  movie.

It’s incredible how fast our little dolls grew up! And a little sad… 😢

On another note… my health has been up and down for  the past few days.  One day I feel fine, the next – not so much.  On Monday I had a fever ALL DAY.  Fever is the one thing that knocks me down.  Fortunately, it only lasted a day!

I haven’t heard from the CT lab yet, so haven’t seen my respirologist.  No idea if the meds worked for my lung infection. 🤷‍♀️

My workouts have been a  bit hit and miss but I generally do my morning aerobics and I have been fairly consistent with deep breathing. 

I am definitely not where I would like to be physically,  but I have been  reading every day and gradually getting caught up with  my spring cleaning. 🙂

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day!

March 18th – Days 74 to 76  of My 2026 Daily Activity

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

I DID IT! 🤩

Yesterday, I completed my 21 day course of  Ciprofloxacin.  Zero side effects! I will not know if it was successful in irradicating my lung infection until I have further testing done, but I did it.  42 doses of 750mg.  👍

I had never thought to do the math but yesterday  something amazing occurred to me! 

I have no doubt how or where I contracted my pseudomonas aeruginosa.  On December 17th (2025), I had day  surgery to repair a hernia repair that I had done on December  17th (2021).   In the weeks before my surgery, I was doing great.  Following surgery, I was definitely NOT, and I never really got over it. 

A few weeks ago, I  went to see my respirologist.  Through sputum testing, he diagnosed  my problem and put me on a three week course of antibiotics, which I completed yesterday – March 17th.

December 17th is the anniversary of the day my Father passed away ( in 1993).  Yesterday, March 17th was my Father’s Birthday. (b 1909). 

Pretty cool how that worked out.  Just one more reason to believe this little adventure is over and done. 😃

Celebrating Dad’s birthday early 80’s

To celebrate yesterday, Dan went out and bought me flowers. 

The green blossoms were for St. Patrick’s Day.. ☘️

Other than that, I  have a bit of news…

Genie and Alec came by yesterday for a quick visit and to pick up their share of the baking from Saturday.

We are getting a taste of spring with temperatures in the DOUBLE digits (celcius) this  week. 

And.. I have begun spring cleaning. 💪

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day!

March 15th – Days 69 to 73  of My 2026 Daily Activity

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

It is hard to believe but I am only TWO DAYS away from completing my Twenty One Day round of antibiotics!  And with NO notable side effects, to boot!

I have been on this  Health and Fitness Journey of mine  for just over four years.  Going in, I was looking to build up my strength and stamina.  It never even occurred to me to consider the other benefits I would enjoy. 

One of the better benefits I have realized is how much quicker and easier I recover from injury or illness. 

I have just breezed through these past nineteen days.   I am currently healing a gash on my arm from an incident with Molly a few days ago.    My hands healed quickly and easily  after an accident involving boiling brown sugar a few months ago.   And it has been three years since I healed from my multi fractured humerus – after a run in with Molly.

Any one of those incidents could have gone sideways – but not a blip with any of them and no lingering effects.

Good as new! (Photo on left shows only a small area of my injured hand.  The original blisters covered my palm and most of my thumb – plus fingers of my other hand.)

Another huge benefit has been feeling well enough to enjoy my time with my grandchildren – like baking  with granddaughter Prim yesterday.  We made lemon tarts, rice crispy squares, ginger snaps, and TWO batches of chocolate chip cookies – one with rice crispies and coconut and the other with salted caramel (Skor bits and a  very light sprinkle of sea salt).

Most of the baking went home with Prim or is destined for Genie and Alec.

While I appreciate how well I am doing physically, I am also enjoying my improved mental and emotional well being.   I have been doing more reading lately, which has been encouraged by Dan’s sister who has recommended a few books and sent us two new books this week.

Excited to delve into both of these!  Through my personal experiences, I can tell how stong the connection is between our physical and mental wellbeing!

Body, mind, and spirit – I am feeling really well and grateful that I am! 

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞