Can you believe it?

"I need a manicure and a pedicure. I haven't had either since coming out of hibernation."

I could hardly believe it when the blogspot let me back in tonight. It wouldn't let me post anything for several weeks.

Nothing much to report, but I will try.
Heck fire! I can think of a dime's worth of stuff.
I am feeling some better, but still having pain in my gut. That is the plainest I can put it. I have a doctor's appt tomorrow, but it is just the regular one that I do every six weeks.

I visited Dad yesterday, but all he wanted to do was go home.
He called me this morning and wanted me to tell his mother and Dad and my mother that he had a 'touch of pneumonia.' He has had a cold and has been receiving breathing treatments for it. I guess that is what made him think he has pneumonia.

Jonathan and Brooke are moving into their renovated home this weekend. They are both very excited about it. The place is not done, but they will be fine. They have heat, water, electricity, and most of the plumbing....hey, that sounded like a 'go' to me.

Hope everyone has a good Turkey Day.

Hello from this world

I have had a very busy few days. Most notably of the things I have done: Chorale at the Peace Center on Saturday night, visiting Dad and doing some things for him, luncheon with the retired teachers, cooking???, pillaging and plundering.
william is in the Chorale, so I attended the first performance of "Americana" music on Saturday. Very nice and I can hardly wait for Handel's "Messiah" in December.
Dad has broken a lens in his eyeglasses and it is proving difficult to get a replacement since he really doesn't need them to see, but I am working on a solution.
Our lunch group was a bit small yesterday, but that happens sometimes. Marie, the group leader and arranger, was out of town this week, so I feel sure that was the reason the group was so small.
I have been cooking some. The colder the weather, the more I like to cook. Last night I made porkchops with tomato sauce and rice. Nice! It wasn't exactly my mother's recipe, but it was acceptable.I have made my 'slmost famous' asparagus dip for Disciples tonight. It will be good since I take it while it is still warm.
Finally, I have been playing some kind of pirate game...fun, but time consuming.So, what is up in your world lately.

October's bright blue weather...Not

"Did somebody call me? Did a new shipment of kitty treats come in from the UPS guy? What do you mean, who was climbing the drapes and left holes and slits in the drapes? It couldn't have been me, I am on a diet and couldn't have done that. Are you sure the UPS guy hasn't brought the treats I...er, uh, you ordered online?"

My doctor's visit was mostly good yesterday. Most notably that my BP was down to 110/75. I best it hasn't been that good since I was about 12 years old.

I started over to visit Dad on Tues, but got a little dizzy and came back home. Then yesterday, I had the doc look in my ear and he gave me some drops, said there was some congestion gathering there. Guess that explains the loopy feeling.

I went on over and visited him this morning. It was such a good visit. We walked to the lobby and he played beach ball toss for about 20 minutes with the other residents. Then he did some reciting for me. I start something he knows and most of the time he can finish it. Sometimes it isn't exact, but he can follow it through. Anything from the 23rd Psalm to Hickory Dickory Dock to the Preamble of the Constitution. I think it is just a little mental exercise for him and gives us something to talk about. I do it more when he is more talkative. He just doesn't want to do it when he isn't feeling good or is tired. Sometimes I start a song and he sings it...

I am working for my daughter in law tomorrow. She has a good schedule and I think I can keep up. ha!
I am doing some work for the office, but I can do it here at home, so that works for me.

That's all, I guess.

Nothing much to report

"The Bat Cave" is what I have named the garage. It always looks like this. I have to turn on the headlights to go into the parking space.

Yesterday was almost, but not quite, lazy day. I did some housework early. Then Ian and I went over to visit my Dad. Ian sang "Amazing Grace" for Dad and he (Ian) added the extra verses. It was beautiful and so sweet. Ian loves my Dad and enjoys visiting him. Dad wouldn't let him do too much hugging on him. Dad told us he had this terrible cold. I did notice he coughed a bit, but not that much.

I came home, took a nap, went to the store, parked the car in the Bat Cave,(see picture) and just did this and that the rest of the day. I would read more at night, but I just can't see as well to read then.

I went to church, early service this morning. It was World Communion Sunday. I always enjoy the communion service we have on the first Sunday, anyway. In first service, we walk up to receive communion. At the later service, the bread and wine are passed down the rows. Yes, I know, it isn't really wine....but it is the fruit of the vine.

I went over to Will's and got a hug from each of the kids. The little ones were watching something in another room, but Ian hung around where Will and I were watching "Killer Ants" and he was waiting for "Killer Jellyfish" for the next hour....

Didn't rest too well last night. My back and hip are giving me fits again. I guess it is just the time of year for it.

I have some doctor's appointments this week and next. I guess getting a tune-up before the winter is appropriate. Friday I worked two hours, and I already have a sub job for Friday coming.

And so it goes....

My sister gave me this penguin made out of a gourd. I have another, smaller one that is still packed somewhere. I plan to display the gourd penguins together soon. This one is very fond of fruit. I thought since he was a gourd, he would prefer fruit to fish any day.

The cardiologist said everything looked good and she doesn't think any permanent damage was sustained. The first line of her new treatment is to not mess with the meds since they have been good and kept me stable for these nine years. She did think that the headache was telling. She told me, nay, demanded that I find the rest of my C-Pap machine, get the new hoses and use it again. So, Jon will be finding as many parts as he can at the old house, and then when I go to the internist next week, he will get the specialty lady to replace any lost hoses and reinstruct me in how to use it. Parts of it were damaged in the move two years ago....has it been that long?....before I moved here, and I had never taken care of getting it repaired or fixed....so, that is how it stands. Other than being a bit more tired than usual, I haven't been too bad.

Visited Dad yesterday. He was good. We chatted a bit, but he didn't want to get up and about.

I haven't worked at the office this week. I guess it has been a good thing in the grand scheme of things. I saw the couple I work with at my class at church last night. She is doing well with her arm getting better.

I had brunch with a friend this morning. She and I chatted about just about everything we could think of within that hour. Just going to hang out and "gouge about" for the rest of the day. I may go to a friend's induction into the National Honor Soc.

Hold 'em in the road, folks.

Just another crazy weekend.

Remember the green June bugs? We were talking about some of the "wildlife" you never see or hear of anymore and this later came to mind. My brother, Monty, was best at tying a string on them and letting them buzz 'round and 'round. When he wasn't around, I could do it, but not very well. I would try to get them to work for my sister,

Candace. We didn't have some of the fun things kids had in the cities to play with, I am sure, but I am betting many city kids wouldn't know what to do with a June bug.

I also remember literally clouds of Monarch butterflies crossing over the hills where we lived. Last time I saw any of them around was several years ago and there were probably less than 50 of them.

I sat in a line today for about 15 minutes to get gas. I had seen the tanker unload the gas, so when I finished with my group meeting (read that as lunch with 'the girls') I went back around and filled up.

So, to be sure no one is left out of the loop, I am reporting Saturday's activities here.

I had to go to the ER with AFIB Saturday afternoon. I was released about 10:45 the same night. I am okay, but they have to do the tests, etc. It (AFIB) woke me Saturday morning and it wouldn't get better even with me doubling the dose of the regular meds I take as I had been instructed. (I had it about 9 years ago and it has been controlled mostly with the meds I take) Midafternoon, when I had taken another of the meds, I called my friend who works there and she said go on over to get it checked out. It was beginning to cause some chest and back pain, I went on to the doctor's office. and they sent me to the ER via ambulance. I had a headache because it felt like I wasn't getting enough air.They gave me some baby aspirin, oxygen, and something else in the ambulance. Will and Jonathan got to the doctor's office before the ambulance left, and drove my car on over to the hospital. Will took the boys home and returned. The hospital is less than a mile from his house.The hospital has one of the best chest pain centers in the Southeast, so they took good care of me. My AFIB had improved some before arrival, so they gave me some kind of med intravenously, and my AFIB, and blood pressure dropped fairly soon. They ran the test for heart attack the two times they do that now (I learned quite a bit about new methods)Then they sent me home, so I am taking it easy for the next few days, too.

I have an appointment with the cardiologist on tomorrow (Tuesday). If anything is 'revealed' I will let you know. Catch you all later.

Whatever you choose to be.....

This is a puppy. I know, it looks like a panda, but it is a dog. Someone sent this shot to me.

Been working hard and doing stuff before and after work. I have only worked a few hours at a time this week, except Monday when I subbed....but these hours are dog hours...about 7 hours for each real time hour. Yesterday we framed about 14 certificates in floating glass frames....very hard and tedious work.Then today we packed them to ship them all over the US and Great Britain. They were not easy to pack, either. We finished them all on time, though, and they were taken to the post office. I told L the reason we had so much trouble with the framing and packing was having to think with the right side of the brain and we weren't used to using it. Tomorrow we pack another big CBT pack to go out by the end of the day. Takes time to check everything, etc, but we will get it done. In the meantime, L. has to do the other book work and stuff. She helps with her good hand and arm. Luckily,well, not really, her left arm was the one broken. She was going back to the doc. today and hoping to get to drive some before too long.

I visited Dad after work today. He was in fairly good spirits. We sang, recited some things, asked some riddles and such. I was pleased that he was at least pretending to watch tv when I got there this afternoon. He can't really see it and he can't hear much of it, but usually he doesn't even try to sit and enjoy it. So I was pleased he was out of bed today.

That's about all I know, so I am going to bed soon.

It's been awhile

A picture of the kids last year at the Pumpkin Patch.


Working takes the sap out of me for now. Visited Dad over the weekend. My best birthday present was when he knew it was my birthday. Then yesterday afternoon, he was very upset and had one of the nurses call me to talk to me. He wanted to find his money. He hasn't had much to say about that lately. So I guess it was better than trying to explain where so many of his family and friends are now.

I had a good birthday weekend. Even if Isaac did try to have everyone at the table guess my age on Saturday night. Little boys!

I worked yesterday and then a friend took me out for dinner. I went to bed early last night. It was an exhausting day since I had stood up most of the day. I slept fairly well, but the cell phone went off at 5:45 this morning, and I haven't been able to get back to sleep.

Nothing else going on right now. Have a good week.

Today's list....

Awwwww. Say it now. Repeat after me...Awwwwww! Good!

Here is my list for today.

So........Today I have: cleaned the kitchen....check
--cleaned the bathroom...check

--cleaned the floors.......Check
--filed some papers...check
--organized the office better....check
--put away some summer clothes....check
--gotten my clothes ready for Sunday...check
--caught up on some email.....check--caught up on some blogging....check
--gotten some recyclables readyand taken them to be recycled...
check--
--unpacked a box....check (this chore is moving slowly due to storage space)
--made the bed....check
--cleared off the coffee table....check
--shredded some old things....check
--made some lunch...check
--went to get a few groceries....check

I deserve a nap.Enjoy the rest of your day! I plan to hang around here since gas is over $4.00 a gallon.

Counting Blessings

That is what I am going to do tonight on my blog.
1. I am having colitis only 3 days a week instead of the 6 or 7 I had been having it.
2. The migraines are not so bad that I have to take meds in the night for them, and I only lose about 1 and a half hours sleep each night.
3. Dad's Medicaid came through.
4. Dad sang some songs with me this afternoon and even thought of some for us to sing on his own.
5. I worked 4 hours today instead of not working.
6. It sprinkled rain today instead of being dry and hot.
7. I have good friends.
8. I have good family.

Okay, eight is enough for tonight.

An update on the headaches

The neurologist is going to treat me for migraine's. He says they sometimes change in people. He doesn't think I have a brain tumor or some kind of other life threatening problem. Just headaches.

I wish this headache on him at 3 AM tomorrow morning....That'll teach him! He was nice, but not too helpful to me, but I will reserve judgment until I decide if he is right about the headaches.

You recently asked about things around my place, the family, and what is going on since you have been away.The grandchildren are fine, I have enclosed a picture. The shot was made this summer. Imagine them bigger, snaggled tooth, and just as active and silly. There! That's it, you have it.

The moving to the smaller place has gone well. I still have some boxes and items at the old place, but should have it all taken care of soon. I love the feel of the new place. It is much like living in the cottage in the country. On clear mornings and afternoons, the sun streams into the house and cheers me up so much. There are trees and birds and green grass now that it has rained a bit. I am thinking of planting some bulbs so there will be color in the spring.

Dad is doing fairly well considering he will be 92 in the fall. Jonathan and I went up to visit him today. He was napping and had trouble waking up to carry on a good conversation with us, but J managed to get a small laugh out of him. Humor is a blessing we can all use often.

I am subbing some days, but will be filling in for the couple I worked with during the summer, you remember that, don't you? She broke her arm and is not able to do any lifting and such. It is a good office to work in for me.

I have started the diet for Crohn's and it is working rather well, I think. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest, I think it is an 8 so far. The spasms are about gone, and the few I have had are minor. The pain has lessened by about 90%. Yes, maybe even a 9 on the scale. Who knew that the few things I felt I could eat were really causing me so many problems. I have printed the diet and sent it to several people I know. All I did was look it up online under the SCD diet, and it was easy to find.

That's about it for this week.

Cyn

What!? It has been a week????

A few shots of Ian's birthday party last Saturday. I have more, but these seemed good for today. They brought the dog, Tango. She is partially blind, but seems to be a good dog. She was just a tiny thing when they got her a couple of weeks ago, but she has really grown. She is a boxer.

As you can see, Ian likes having presents at the party.

I worked a day and half this week. It was not a bad time. Same place, same grade, but some different kids. Some were the same kids, but not all problems in the same classes. These kids mostly "got it" If you don't bother or annoy anyone, I don't bother you.

I got a total of 5 and a half days of subbing from being around those days. 3.5 for September, and 2 for October. September's will probably fill up before too long. I have to limit the days anyway.

We are still searching for the answer to the head pain. I have concluded I do not have headaches, but head pain. I see the neurologist on Sept. 9.

It rained, the toilet overflowed a couple of times, the plumber came and roto-rootered out the pipes, a giant limb fell in my drive way-- almost, but not quite--blocking it, the limb was moved by a Good Samaritan that I didn't see, the tornado missed Six Mile, Dad was doing good this week, and I went to the laundromat.....life is good.

Have a good weekend.

Friday again.

Someone sent me this picture with a bunch of others. Don't be surprised to see them for the next few entries.

A short blog today.

I worked for a math teacher.

Things went very well until

the last class of the day.

After I sent about 5 show-offs, or whatever you want to call them out

of class. Things returned to

smooth sailing.

The students were taking the

beginning of year pretest to help the teacher determine what to teach this year. Will they ever learn? No. Maybe when they are spending some time incarcerated.

I am tired, but not totally wiped out. As I said, although I was on my feet most of the day, the other classes were all good and so was this one after I got rid of the troublemakers.

This is another birthday party weekend. Ian will be 9 on Monday, so his party will be a swimming party tomorrow afternoon. I am giving him a CD stand to keep his CD's in. I think he will like it.

I had a leak in my commode this afternoon after I flushed it. I don't know why. I guess I will have to watch it and see if it was a one time thing, or a problem developing. Hope not.

That is all I know.

Take care.

Another Wednesday speeds on by.....

Come one, Come all to see.....Panda Dog. He walks, he barks, he rolls all around like the dog he is....only 10 cents, one tenth of a dollar....or a tank of gas..ha!

Not much doing today. I had guests for dinner. That was good. Especially since they brought the dinner.

I did quite a bit today to have gotten so little done in the grand scheme of things.

Still moving a few boxes most days. Unpacking them. The washer and dryer are still not hooked up. A few issues, but not much else.

I am working Friday. I guess I can do that. I was asked today to sub for long term....51 days. I will be turning it down. It will be too hard to do for so long.

That's all for today folks.

And so it goes...another school year begins.

This blog is acting like it did a few days ago. There should be a picture, but maybe not.

Guess who came to my house to play yesterday. Yes!

It had been quite awhile since I had played "Hide and Seek,"" Red Light," and "Mother, May I." The rules are still about the same....unless it is Isabella's turn to be "it." She makes up her own rules.

I visited Dad today. He told me I look like one of his sisters, I asked which one and he said, "Well, all of them really." I had to laugh.

He was in good spirits and chatted awhile about nothing in particular. We talked about school and such. It is just best to talk about something in general most of the time and school qualifies as a common topic.

My phone at home is installed. Finally. I hope it works better than at the other place, but just in case, call me on the cell if you can't get through.

There is only one phone jack in this house, so if I am in another part of the house, it is hard to get into the office sometimes. There also is only one electrical outlet in this office...so strange--and old fashioned for today's electrical society.

I am hoping to figure out how to get the little tv to work here where I have my computer.

Still unpacking and bringing some things from the old place. I hope to be moved in entirely by,............um, Next April???

Today I have washed a few more windows, unpacked and placed things from two boxes and done some other things, nothing great since I spent nearly 3 hours on the road and visiting.

Got a dinner date, so gotta go get ready. Stay out of trouble.

BAck to back....

I didn't make this shot, but I really like it. That dog probably outweighs the baby by quite a few pounds.

Louise's 90th birthday party was a delight. There were about 11 or 12 of us to celebrate at one of our favorite restaurants tonight. I needed that bit of fun.

She is surely in good spirits and plans to celebrate her 100th with us.

This was the weekend I didn't have to go to visit Dad. Candace went and
said he was about the same as usual.

Isaac spent Friday night with me and we mostly just hung around and that boy loves to play Word Challenge on Facebook. We met his family about lunch time. I went by the old place and got a small load of things.

Today I went by and got a larger load of things. Mostly clothes and such. I couldn't get into the garage with the way J. had parked, so I had to walk a longer distance to the car. I just couldn't go back later for another load. I really wanted to just bring that load in and go right back for more 'stuff.' Oh, well, I will be getting more all week long.

I unloaded some things, hung some things, and then started with the spasms and just had to lie down awhile. I am hoping soon to have some relief from the spasms. This wasn't the worst of them, but they weren't any fun for sure.

I learned today that a friend of ours had passed away about a month ago. Although we weren't all that close, she was a definite part of our memories. She was only in her early 50's.

Guess that is all I know today. Stay out of trouble..ha!

Ooops!

The next post is really today's post, but I forgot to put the explanation for the photo.
This is the island in the kitchen of Brooke and Jonathan's place. I think the roof of the porch is this color also. It seems in the low country they paint the roof of the porch blue to keep the ghosts out of the house....I say they need a big ol' six shooter....

Fini, Fini, Fini!

The Medicaid thing is out of our hands. I do not know how I could have done it without Linda's help. But it is finished! Many hours of phone calls, going through things, explanations, and other 'stuff.' She and I have worked hard to put it all together and find whatever the heck the lady wanted. I think we got a lady who was just so particular and well, you know the term....AR. But she has tried to understand it all.

So this has been a difficult physical day, but I had to push past the dehydration and go about my things that were waiting on me. I just kept trying to take in fluids--as in good fluids--to replace the ones I have lost for the last two days. That is a common problem with the ulcerative colitis.

Dad was in fairly good spirits today. He talked about all sorts of things, and was mixing the past with the present. It is not that unusual for him to do that. I think it is the long hours of not being able to watch tv, interact with others, etc. He said he had already had a shower today, and I think he had since his hair seemed a bit dampish.

I am hoping to feel well enough for Isaac to spend the night tomorrow night. It is his last turn before school starts.

Maybe I can get a couple of boxes emptied tonight. I do know I will have to go to the laundromat and do laundry. I can't get to the outlet to make a drawing of the prongs, so I can get an adapter for the dryer. I also have to check about the hoses for the washer. Maybe this weekend I can get that all sorted out.

I also have to get the paperwork done for the neurologist appointment. Things just never seem to want to slow down. But that is not always a bad thing.

Just a note today.

Technology R US

This has been a day of mostly pain and getting information together for Dad's Medicaid.

I have put away a few things, gone to get a small load of things at the old place, and tried to work through the pain....

Have a good Thursday. It rained a bit last night, but hardly enough to settle the rain. It happens like that sometimes.

Keep on keeping on

I am still moving and cleaning, and wiping things down. I wasn't able to get much done yesterday. Unfortunately, at the last minute I was called upon to visit Dad although I wasn't planning to go over the weekend.

Dianne rode up with me and we stopped for a burger, but didn't dawdle. She is a good friend to do that. Dad wanted to walk down to the lobby, so we went down and talked to her for just a little bit. When we left, he patted her on the shoulder, called her "Sugar" and thanked her for coming to see him. She mentioned that she thought he was not in as good a shape as last time she saw him (earlier this summer).--Last time she went, he was in bed and didn't come down to the lobby.

Dad had an escape episode on Saturday and they called me from Harvey's. (We were right in the middle of moving things.) He was not as upset as he is sometimes. He was okay with me promising to come see him on Sunday.

Sunday morning, the nurse told me that he had given them a good scare earlier. He had gone down the hall and gotten into another man's bed. The assistants said they were already heading toward their cars to get out and look for him.

As usual, he was glad to see me. some of the more lucid residents wanted to know where I had been, they had missed me this week. I guess they had just missed seeing me when I went in mid-week.

I guess that is all I know. Except I entered these shots in one of our photo challenges in another group. It isn't a contest, just a sharing of a photo or photos.

The title was: "What's in your bag?"

More "Undone" shots and an update...

I took every shelf, drawer, and piece out of the 'fridge and cleaned it until it squeaked.

I took the prisms and handwashed all but the top four.
I measured and examined the wall to be sure the entertainment center would fit.
I made sure the computer would work in the space in the paneled office.


Next time, maybe I can show you how hard we worked. Most of the big furniture is moved, things are cleared, cleaned, and positioned. There are still many things to be done and smaller things to be brought from the old place....but I am more or less situated in the new place. Everyone who helped was tired and pooped, but it was worth it.

New Place

Saturday is the big move. I will post more pictures later. Try to stay cool.

July in the South....HOT

Yes, I admit it once again. This blog is a way to shamelessly brag about my children and grandchildren and their friends...and my family.

I visited Dad this morning. I stood and talked to him trying to get him to wake up gently, but he was deeply asleep. I have found it is better not to wake him when he is this sleepy.

He is confused the rest of the day and gets irritable and cross---just like a kid. I will go back over in a few days. I left him a couple of homemade cookies in a ziplock bag on his bedside table.

Now, I am having a yard sale on Saturday. It will only be open for 4 hours....it is too hot to go too long. My plans are to thin out my penguins, the miniature teasets, my green things and other odds and ends. I have been thinking that I will be in a smaller place, so it will be good to thin out. Besides, it will give my children less to go through when I "go." ha!

I had a busy morning, did some packing, cleaning, etc. this afternoon. Life moves onward. BTW. A friend emailed me last night and asked me to sub for her the 4th day of school. Her husband has a doctor's appt and needs someone to go with him. I accepted. Of course, I won't get paid until the end of September, but it is a start. (Note to sil, Linda. I am heeding your advice after crunching the numbers)

We had rain again last night. I am hoping for it to hold off tonight and let us get the front lawn grass mowed. It will need it before the yard sale.Everyone will be at the beach for the rest of the weekend....except me and the dogs...all of them. I will go by and feed Will's big old yard dogs...Lucky me.

Some Mondays are worse than others.

Lelani at her first birthday party.

Went to see Dad yesterday. He was in a good mood and somewhat chatty. Without any questions or prompting he told me how much he liked this place he is in now. I am glad he is content and hope the Medicaid lady and I can get things worked out next week. I have an appointment with her on next Tuesday---I think it is Tues.

I think the kid next door and his friends are trying to feud with me, but I am trying to ignore it...however, I find it hard to ignore that they probably smashed my mailbox with a baseball bat.I haven't spoken to them, Haven't said anything to them about cutting through my culvert to the street behind me, didn't say anything when the ball came across and hit something (Jonathan's car in the driveway--but it wasn't damaged--but they ran away) hit my house a couple of times yesterday afternoon. I did go outside when they hit the car and the house, but didn't say anything to them. Jonathan came out too, but he didn't say anything either.This morning Jonathan came back inside to tell me the mailbox was off the post and had been smashed. No one else on the street had a baseball bat (or a similar sized hard item) print in the side of it, no one else had their mailbox knocked off the post, but mine did. Guess I will have to go over and talk to the Dad. I haven't ever said anything to them, even though they come into my yard to play....Strange? Eh?

I had lunch out with the friends today. We went to Ruby Tuesday's. Small but fun group.

I made lots of phone calls about moving today, and got the keys to the house. I went by and measured some things, opened some closets to let them air out, and just figured out some other things. I guess I will be mostly ready when the date arrives.

William has asked me if I am interested in picking up the grands after school this year. It is about half what I make subbing, but several factors make it attractive: Less gas, mornings free, less hassle with not knowing where I am going and what I will be doing, less needed for the wardrobe, 'going' when my ulcerative colitis acts up. The down side is the money, and being sure I am paid on time. I am thinking upon it.

That is all for today. God bless

Friday update

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't.....

I made it through the MRI today, though it looked like I wouldn't for awhile....actually, I didn't get the contrast part of it, but the rest went okay,....after Michelle removed the earring in the cartilege of my ear. Then I got back to the office, and got through the first part, but the contrast kept blowing my veins out. Since I have so few veins, after 3 times, we gave up. They assured me that they could get plenty of information from just the plain MRI. My ears were plugged because the test was so loud. The machine was so tight around me, and my head was encased in some kind of soft helmet. Anyway, it was weird, but necessary. I should get some info about it next week about Wed. or Thurs.

I went to the VBS program for the kids today. My grandkids had asked me to come every time they talked to me this week, so I was able to be there.

I rented or arranged to rent a truck for the 9th of August. Still packing.

Dad slept through my visit yesterday...I hope to get back over on Sunday.

The dogs and I are being bored together. Jonathan and Brooke will be back tomorrow afternoon.

Tomorrow I am helping Stacey with her yard sale and then next Saturday, she has agreed to help me with mine. All my grands and their parents and their aunt and uncle will be at the beach...a good time to get rid of lots of things and stuff.

Have a good weekend.

Catch up!

This is an official 7 year old boy! His birthday party was fun.
Now the kids are 6,7, and 8.

I visited Dad on Sunday. He was alert and chatted some. Talked about some things, nothing special, just talked. I took his belt and the CNA, said she would try his shoes and slippers on him when she gave him his shower. I got one pair of velcro fastening, and one pair of slipper type shoes since he is so bad to get into bed and wear them...Saves time I guess.

I took a workshop yesterday afternoon. My car was registering 108(outside temp) when I got back in it. It settled at 102 degrees for awhile and the rest of the way home., but then, there were lots of storms last night.

I am still working with my Inflammation, but it is NOT worse. Sort of stablized. For that I am thankful.

I am setting the second weekend in August as the major move to the new house. I am packing more each day, making arrangements, you know, all the moving stuff to be done.

I watched "The Closer" last night. Brooke watched it with me. Jonathan is in Orlando for a conference....in a hotel between Epcot and Small World. Maybe he is lucky???

Went to the movies last Friday for the first time in over a year. I saw "Mama Mia" Pierce Bronson can't sing, but he is still 'easy on the eye'
I enjoyed it. If you like musicals, Meryl Streep, or great scenery, you might give it a try. I do not know what the critics are saying, --like I care--but I found it to be fun and entertaining, just what I needed.

Getting a haircut today....hurrah!
That's all, folks!

And the beat goes on.....

Brooke and Jonathan shared this shot from their honeymoon in Antiqua. Lovely isn't it??

This hasn't been my best day physically. I have mostly had liquids today to give my system a chance to 'rest' Sometimes that helps and sometimes, not. Oh the joys of an autoimmune illness. Yeah, right.

Dianne and I have plans to go to see "Mama Mia" tomorrow. It will be my first time going to the movie theater in over a year...lucky me. I wanted to see something fun and uplifting. I will catch "Dark Knight" later.

I have changed some of my addresses, accounts and such today. Social Security wants to know my whereabouts almost as much as the IRS. I have been trying to figure out the best day to move....I will probably hire movers for the big things and get my sons, friends, etc. to help me move the smaller things. At least right now, that is the plan.

If you want the new address, let me know. Send an email, leave a comment, or something.

Summertime...and the living is.....living.

Dental hygiene is just, well, just awesome.

Linda, Diana, and I visited Dad on Tuesday. He was in a good mood, and happy to see all of us.

Uncle Jim and a friend of his came in to visit just as we were walking down the hall to find a better, and bigger place to visit. We had a good time. Uncle Jim told us 'war stories' and 'family' stories. I think we all loved hearing these pieces of the past.

Linda and I had worked on paperwork Monday night, and we dropped it by the office on our visit......That paperwork has been going on since early Jan. I drop it off myself now, since they have "lost" two sets I have sent in the past few months.

Today I took some time for myself and used the gift card to get a pedicure. Very relaxing.

Then I came home, and sorted out lots of papers and shredded off and on for about 3 hours, packed a couple of boxes, and took a nap...I needed it.

I did some filing and other odds and ends around the house. Worked a bit on the summer project....about 20 minutes....and that was it.

Have a good rest of the week.

Monday madness

The first shot is a late afternoon sky picture right after the storm had passed.

Isn't she a beautiful birthday girl? Her first birthday. And her whole family is celebrating. There was a nice, large group to celebrate. That is the party I had to leave early...I hated having to leave early.

Linda and I are going to try to figure out more paperwork for Dad's application for Medicaid....what a hassle!

I did the work on the project from home this morning. We are editing, so that does take some time, but I do not have to upload the lessons.

Ian is back from camp. It was a church sponsored Youth Camp. Isaac is in a basketball day camp this week. Next week our church is having VBS, so they will all go to that for 3 hours in the mornings.

This is an odds and ends week for doing things. I started with some things this morning and have done a few off and on today...at least I got a few things accomplished. Then after lunch the spasms kicked in again. Seems every day they are a bit worse. Much more and I will go to liquids for a couple of days. That works usually.

Don't know much else.

Nature day

I can't remember much what I did yesterday, but it took all day. By early afternoon I had to go to bed and try to get my stomach better. I had to miss a special event and that was disappointing, for me, anyway.
Today I had to leave a birthday party for the same stomach pain and discomfort. It's that Crohn's thing again.
Maybe I will get some shots from the party and shower from someone. Then I will share here.
The project is all but finished. When it gets uploaded, I will do some minor editing and it will be checked out and hopefully approved. Maybe a day or two more and it will be finished.
Disclaimer:Thanks for the nature shot, Brooke.

And the Band Played on.....

Thank God for the rain.
Posting a rehearsal for Jonathan's wedding picture of Ian, Isabella, and Grayson (Brooke's niece)

Today is Thursday. I am to be at my work site by 9 AM to meet the people who will replace the windshield on my car. Although the office doesn't open until about 10, (about is the operative word.....they deal with people all over the world and 10 is an estimate). The windshield repair person said the car would have to remain still for about 2 hours after it was repaired. I am taking a folding chair to use if the car has to be vacated before the office opens. There is no coffee shop or anything similar in the area, so I will just have to figure it out.


After work Tuesday night, Dianne and I went up to visit Ian at camp. We arrived at supper time.. We only stayed a few minutes, he was in line to get his food. Even grandma's have to take a backseat to meal time at the camp. He did come out to the car to get his bag of goodies I packed for him. It wasn't a lot of stuff, but always welcome at camp. He hugged "Miss Dianne", gave me two good hugs and went back to the cafeteria.

We laughed all the way back down the mountain.We stopped at the retirement home to visit Dad. He wasn't in a mood to really wake up, so I didn't get to really talk to him.

Dianne and I stopped and got some dinner, but we ate so late, I couldn't go to bed for awhile when I got home. Another joy of growing "older."

I am packing boxes each day. I try to pack between 2 and 5. I figure that is a good rate to get me ready to move by the first of the month.

My summer job is winding down. I hope to finish my part by tomorrow, but know I may be called back to do some editing and such. I don't really mind doing that. It is not too far from my place now or later. Later it will be about a mile for me to drive to get there.

I guess that is all for today. Kinda boring, but it is my life.

Rain, rain, don't go away.

Finally, the server is letting me upload pictures. Edy is rarely still and quiet, so this is a good pose for her. Maggie is playing in the water at the park....

We have had rain over the weekend. It was welcome and more is welcome also.

I worked so hard today,. As I have mentioned before, it is tedious work. We uploaded the tests last week, I went through, found all the things that didn't upload properly and repaired them.....Today, I did that all day long. Near the end of the day, John uploaded them, and some still didn't work out right. Some did, but all did not. He thinks it is something he is doing.....and so do I.

I am hoping Ian is having fun at Bible camp this week. I am missing him, and he doesn't even live with me...

Nothing much to tell, so have a good afternoon.

Sunday, Sunday

Not much to report today. I visited Dad yesterday, he was asleep. I have learned that if he is deeply asleep to not wake him up. He ends up confused for the rest of the day if he is awakened. I waited awhile, then left. The nurse said he was doing better and had been having a good day.

Isabella's birthday party was yesterday afternoon. It was a fun time. We ate at the Mellow Mushroom, opened presents, and then Dianne and I left. Will told us today that they found more bronze mice over the city than were on the list....That is what Isabella wanted to do for her fun thing at the party....have a scavenger hunt for the mice. She got her ears pieced for her birthday present from her aunt Vanessa. Very nice gift. They also got Leilani's ears pierced. I wish my photos would upload to the site, but so far they aren't letting me put photos on. Maybe I will figure it out tomorrow.

I will probably be working on figuring out what is wrong with the questions that didn't upload correctly. There were a few other small issues. I made a list of ones with problems, so tomorrow, we will take them off line and work on them....or rather, I will.
Have a good week.

Slow posting

Still won't let me post pictures. I visited Dad before going to work this morning. He was in good spirits and very chatty. I haven't seen him this verbal in several weeks. He was telling me that they were having some sort of special events July 4th. He talked about his brother Jim, "wonder where that rascal is....he hasn't been to see me in a long time." I was impressed that he was so animated.

I am afraid my computer may be on its last leg...if it has a leg. It is incredibly slow and won't do too much.
Isabella's birthday party is this Saturday and her party is at Mellow Mushroom. Then the kids are going to go on a scavenger hunt for the bronze mice on Main St. She has been so impressed with the mice for quite some time.
Isaac will have a skating party in a couple of weeks. For the next 15 days, they will both be 6 years old...Gotta love it.

I worked at home over the weekend and Mon. and Tues. Today and tomorrow I will be going into the office. We uploaded the questions today. There were some minor problems, but we will work on them and then upload the other info. and content. I can't complain about the work. I need it and it is interesting....but tedious...

Later.

Feels like summer to me....

Still not letting me post pictures...

Dad was better today. He is on an antibiotic, a Z pac. he walked to breakfast and ate at the table. His temp. is down. They are thinking it was the beginning of bronchitis. But not sure.

My ankle is still enormous, but it was smaller this morning....I had dropped 5 pounds this morning...Gotta be the fluid in the ankle.

I have one more lesson to enter into the computer for the project. Then I have to edit and clean it up, then upload it onto the website. Maybe I can finish all that by the holiday. I hope so. It is hard on my eyes and leg and ankle.
I have many "irons in the fire" right now. At least this is giving me some income since school isn't on right now.

That's all folks.

Where is this week going?

The service isn't letting me put anything on line. I have not heard from Dad tonight. I will call in the morning and check on him. He had a temp when I went by this morning and the doc. was supposed to give him antibiotic prescription. i am figuring "no news is good news."

Happy Birthday, Jonathan

Happy birthday! Jonathan. 32 today.
Wish you were here.

The best laid plans.....

As you can see, these boys were doing what boys seem to be able to do most....playing.

When I got to school this morning, the teacher had forgotten or something to notify me that another teacher would be subbing in her class. She had asked me to do it more than a month ago....whatever, I was able to go home, then drive Jonathan to the airport, and go on to work at the project I have been doing.

BTW, I am hoping that I finish the project by Friday, but realistically, it will probably be more like Tuesday. I have gotten better at it and faster, but it is still tedious. HA!

I haven't heard from Dad today, so I am guessing that things are okay. I will go over one day this week. I have to stop at the DSS office to turn in the papers I finished this weekend.

Not much else going on or that I want to blog about, so here I go...

Sunday morning coming down....again.

Candace came up to visit Dad today. I think this was her first time seeing him since Christmas. He had a hard time waking up, but he talked to us and knew who she was. He had another difficult day yesterday.

My kids and their wives grilled out here last night. I helped...well, I sort of helped. We had a good time. We played card games until about 10:30. Michelle called her friend who was keeping the kids and made arrangements for them to stay overnight with them. She is going to return the favor this week... Rather her than me. The kids are going to VBS this week, so that won't be so bad.

I am subbing in summer school on Monday and working at the other project for the remainder of the week, or until it is done. I am shooting for Friday of this week, or Tuesday of next week at the latest...
Jonathan's birthday is day after tomorrow. He will be in Boston for meetings almost all week, so we aren't celebrating until next weekend. The following Saturday, is Isabella's birthday party. The weekend after that is Laney's shower for her marriage in October.....Busy!

Have a good week...

Taking a break

Then the sun was hot and the water cool. Ian is taking a break.
I have worked some this week. Today I got a haircut, went to Dad's Plan care meeting, went to lunch with some of "the Girls" and came home to help Edy with her chewing everything up problem.



Dad has gained 15 pounds since changing residences. We worked out a plan to help him even out his weight. Overall, he is doing okay for a 91 year old. Not great, but okay.

That is about all I know.

cooling down

Even 91 year olds like a hot dog from Joes.

This photo was taken several months ago.

When I asked Dad where he got all the bruises on his hands and arms, he said, "I guess I got them when I was beating out the fire last night." He was sleepy, so I talked to him a few minutes on Sunday, but he went back to sleep. I didn't bother him or try to get him to talk anymore.

I will be going over to visit him on Thursday and attending his Care meeting.

I worked today in the office. They were patient as I was trying to learn how to upload the test. I will go in later tomorrow and then work some on Friday. Hopefully, by then I will have it down good and just transfer the info.

I guess I am mellowing in my old age, I have been watching tv at night lately. I mean, regular plain old tv...you know, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Deal or no Deal, America's Got Talent. Boring! But still fun enough.

I have some books to read, but haven't gotten to them. I will try to do that come the weekend.

That's it. All I know. Still looking for a place closer to downtown.

Don't know much about history....or anything else much.

I thought this was a cute picture.

Today has been on again, off again.

I finally got an idea about how to work out the lesson that had been giving me issues on how to change it to objective questions instead of subjective. It took quite awhile to work it out and get it redone, but I am through with it for a bit.

I did some things around the house, bought some groceries, just stuff around and about. I had thought Will and I had an agreement about dinner, but he never called. I couldn't get him on the phone either, I didn't call but once, 'cause Jonathan told me not to stalk him. I figured he had probably gone to the movies or something.Anyway, I got some dinner and came home and worked on the project some more.

Other than that, Jonathan and Brooke have gone to Charleston since the rest of her family is there for Father's Day.

The nursing home called today. Dad had been trying to get out and go home. Then I talked to him and told him I would come over tomorrow. He said it would be too late, he would already be on his way home. This was a bit sudden for him, considering how he had seemed to mellow this week. I talked to the nurse and she said he had kicked, hit, scratched, and even tried to bite them when they stopped him.
He finally told me he would just go to bed again. I told the nurse to try to get him to take the meds as soon as he woke up---if he went to sleep. (He had been spitting them out) She didn't call back, so I assume they got him to be calmer. I will go to see him tomorrow.

The dogs and I are just hanging out tonight. Lucky us.

Warning: this blog may put you to sleep.

Spent all morning sorting through business and such things. Just making phone calls, getting paperwork organized, and scanning/copying/printing so much related to some of the things I keep "juggling." I finished with those things about lunch time, so I went out and did 'some on the site' investigation.During this time, since I was in the 'hood, I also went by the son and dil's home that is being renovated. It is looking really good. The contractor thinks it is 'on time for completion,' I am hoping he is on target.

The grandkids came by last night after their program at church. They had a good time with their aunt and uncle, and grandma.

Last night we had some very noisy and busy storms that have broken the extreme heat wave. We needed the rain, but not the power being knocked off. We didn't lose power, but we lost tv and cable services until after we went to bed. When I was out earlier this afternoon, I noticed several trees in odd places. As in across houses, yards, and streets.

That's all, folks. I don't got no more to say today