Saturday 6 March 2010

Blog Name Change

Evette and Richard (aka: Smiley), that is my daughter and Son-in-Law, had suggested I change the name of my blog. I wasn't sure what to use. Smiley suggested; "Now that you "Mensch"-ion it..." . I wasn't sure, therefore, since my blog began it has been called "Where to Start" until I could come up with something else. Well obviously I never did, and Evette finally told me it is time to change the name of my blog.

So; here we have the new name: "Now that you "Mensch"-ion it...". What do you think? Shall I go back to "Where to Start" or do I stay with the new title as "Mensch"ed by my son-in-law?

The Bed Fire that Almost WAS!


The Bottom of my Bed

This is how my bed looks at any time; two cat blankets on the foot of the bed on top of the dark blue duvet cover, to keep their fur contained, to a degree.

So the almost fire? At approximately 6:00 am this morning I woke. Probably because Richard had got up to get a drink of water; we have a water cooler on the landing outside our bedroom doors. As I became more aware I realised I could smell a smoldering smell. I checked and the bottom of my bed was extremely warm. I called Richard to check out the problem and this is what he found.


Under the duvet an orange coloured spot.


Under the top sheet the spot was more brown.


Under the bottom sheet.


Under the mattress cover


Under the mattress pad.

I know; you are now asking but what caused all this? On top of the mattress cover is a foot warmer. When I became an amputee I had a real problem with my remaining foot always being cold; probably because I have Renaud's Disease (another topic for another time).

Let's get back to the topic; the almost bed fire. I tried just wearing a sock at night but it really didn't help much and for those of you who know about cold feet, you just don't sleep very well when your feet are cold. Richard found a way to solve this problem and for Christmas 2006 he purchased a special gift for me.


The cause of the burning smell.



The Foot Warmer!

The foot warmer was a wonderful gift. Since Christmas of 2006 each winter I have used this in the bottom of the bed between the bottom sheet and mattress cover. It had two settings, high and low. Usually I would put it on high then sometime during the night turn it down to low, turning it off in the morning. It served me well. We never washed it or miss treated it; just used it in the cold season. What we now know, we will not buy another foot warmer, at least not this brand.

Richard and I this morning feel very blessed to have awoken before the singeing had gone through the duvet, the cat's blanket and reached the surface and oxygen because just maybe I would not be here, at least not in my chair, in our home, writing this blog this morning.

Both Richard and I believe that my guardian Angel was watching over me; as I pray each evening "

Luther's Evening Prayer

In the evening when you go to bed, make the sign of the holy cross and say: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then say this prayer:

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

This morning once the problem had been dealt with; the foot warmer pulled off the bed and thrown out of the room, and the bedding cooled and we ensured that there was no longer a danger; we both prayed a truly heartfelt thank you to our Heavenly Father that we had been protected this night.

Is Spring on the way?


Katie enjoying the sun!

This picture was taken this morning as I sat in my chair having breakfast. The time? Approximately 11:00 am.

Although the mornings have been foggy and a cool minus 7 or so; by mid-morning the fog has gone and the sun has been shining. Katie is a sun lover and to me this is a sign of warmer weather and just maybe spring is around the corner. Katie will follow the sun as it moves across the floor until she can no longer find a sunny spot and then will curl up in Richard's chair.

Yes; although it is only the beginning of March and in Prince Albert, SK, the birds are beginning to return and chatter happily from their hidden spots in the trees; Spring is on it's way.

After being sick with bronchitis for almost 10 days; this fact has cheered me as I returned to work this past week. Happy Spring everyone! Maybe a bit premature but I need this.


Katie Needs it Too!