Back to the Nineties - Degrees that is!

Good Morning!  I think it is summer again.  The next couple of days are going to be around ninety degrees.  Not sure what happened to fall.  At least it isn’t quite as humid as summer.  We are still in a severe drought.  There is no rain in sight.  Most of our grass is dead and it crunches when you walk on it.  I am really concerned about our trees.  Not sure how many of them will survive.

 

I have finished Christmas shopping and everything is wrapped and ready to go.  I did not make any gifts this year.  With all my “head” and “eyesight” problems I just couldn’t work on anything without getting a headache and getting sick.  Maybe next year.

 

Yesterday I went to Kroger.  Today I am home doing laundry.  I went out to the shed and got the sheets and blanket for Jana so I will be washing them also.  I need to get to SAM’S and I am hoping that Renea and I can do that tomorrow.  Today is Kevin’s day off, and I notice he is down in the woods on his tractor.  I also heard the chainsaw so I am assuming he is cutting up the tree he had taken down. 

 

This morning (Saturday) Renea and I went to SAM’S while Kevin continued working in the woods.  After we got home and emptied the car bringing in all of our groceries I ate lunch.  After lunch I took my camera and went down to the woods to get some pictures of Kevin’s progress.  And, wow, he is making progress.  I will be putting a few pictures on karsakerfarm.com if you would like to check them out. Since it is a blog some of you may have to type karsakerfarm.blogspot.com.  In one area he got down to the creek.  Since we are in a drought he can get down there with the tractor and not get stuck.  I thought our property stopped at the creek, but it seems we go at least sixty feet further. 

 

He has several huge piles to burn, but again since we are in a drought that will have to wait until we get some rain.  He has a deer stand down there, and plans to move it.  We know we have deer in the back yard.  We also have coyote, squirrels, birds, snakes, etc.  I think we are going to have to take a class on trees.  We know oak and maple trees.  We also recognize magnolia trees.  Some of these trees are huge. 

 

I’m about done for today.  I did my physical therapy which, of course, leaves me dizzy, etc.  I have had supper and the dishwasher is running.  Time to call it a day.

 

Penny’s two new favorite places:

What A Crazy Day!

  

Arose earlier than usual, I actually set my alarm, because I had to take Penny to the vet for her annual checkup.  Everything was going fine until it was time to put her in her carry crate.  It’s like she knew.  She would not come near me.  She hid under the bed.  She got on the highest piece of furniture I have where I could not reach her.  I could not get her to come to me with treats.  I did everything I could think of.  She usually tries to follow me into the bathroom, so I went into the bathroom and she was nowhere to be found.  She usually snuggles up to me on the couch, so I sat on the couch to read.  She was nowhere to be found.  If I am using the computer she comes and lays on my desk – not today.  I made a phone call.  She usually pesters me when I am on the phone, but not today.  I called the vet’s office and told them I would be late and why.  They laughed and said that was okay.  Just come in when I succeeded in catching her.  I talked to Jana, and she had the nerve to laugh.

Finally after about forty-five minutes I came up with another idea.  When I make my bed she comes in and gets on the bed to play.  She goes under the covers and we play.  So, I went into the bedroom and started making the bed, and, guess what – here she comes.  I ignored her, at least I didn’t look at her, and she slowly got up on the bed and started playing.  I walked to the side where she was and grabbed her.  SUCCESS!!!! We made it to the vet’s office about thirty minutes late.  And, yes, they laughed when I arrived.

She weighs 8 ½ lbs.  The vet said she should not gain any more weight.  She got two shots and had blood drawn.  So far everything checked out fine.  They gave her a couple of her favorite treats, but she would not eat them.  She just totally ignored them.  But, I will say she was good when they examined her and gave her the shots and drew blood.  The only part she put up a fuss about was getting her temperature taken.  She pouted the whole way home, but she is happy now.  That’s it for a year.

I received the results for my pap smear today and they were good.  That’s it until next year.

I also heard from the therapy center today.  It seems there was a mixup and my first session with the new therapist will be on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.  Then after that my sessions will be on Monday.  My new therapist is Elizabeth.  I have not met her as yet. 

I had contacted Alice about the one exercise that was making me feel like I would pass out.  She told me to stop doing it until I came in for my evaluation.  However, I should continue to do the others every day.  I am doing that.

As of this morning, Wednesday, I no longer have peace and quiet.  The loggers have invaded the property across the street.  They are so loud I have a headache.  I hope they finish quickly.  They had been working up the road.  It is awful!

This morning I have been busy wrapping Christmas presents.  I need to finish them before Brian brings Jana here so he can take his family’s presents back with him.  That sure is a lot better than mailing them.  I do not trust the post office!  They have just lost too many packages that we have mailed.  I have one more package to receive and three more cards to buy then I will be finished.  I am almost finished wrapping.  Yea!

I guess I am going to have a break and fix lunch.  Penny is getting rather pesky.  She always lets me know when it is time to eat.  She also lets me know when it is time to get up in the morning and when it is time to go to bed at night.  If I stay up later than usual she is just beside herself going back and forth from the bedroom to wherever I am. 

Getting Ready For Jana's Visit

Good Morning!  It is sunny.  However, we are under a wind advisory all day with winds gusting to thirty miles per hour.  Penny is having a great time running from window to window to storm door watching the leaves blow around.  She is easily entertained.  For me, today is laundry day.

Okay, laundry is finished.  I am not having one of my better days so I haven’t been doing much in between.  Did my physical therapy which always leaving me feeling dizzy, etc.  After doing the pt I always need to rest.  The doctor and the therapist both told me that I would feel worse before I feel better because they are trying to get everything in my head to work again.  Sure wish it would hurry up.  This evening I watched two of the television programs that I recorded.  It seems that all the shows I like are on at the same time.  It is early to bed now.

Here I am, back at it.  Again, today is not a good day.  I think part of it might be the weather.  It is sunny and on the cool side.  It is windy again today.  Probably going to be a lazy day.  My morning chores are finished.  Not sure what I am going to do next.

I’ve been rearranging furniture for when Jana comes to visit.  I needed to clear the area in front of the door in the living room so she can go in and out with Mattie.  Jana doesn’t do well with steps so she uses that door.  There is only one step.  I also need to make room for our Christmas trees.  Her tree is not a problem.  I know where I want to put mine.  Just don’t know what to do with the furniture.  The biggest problem is Penny’s crate.  It takes up a lot of room.  I also have a chair I don’t know what to do with.  But, I’m working on it.  I also have to bring in a crate from the shed for Mattie.  We are not too sure how well Penny and Mattie will do when left alone.  Should be interesting.

I forgot to do my physical therapy yesterday.  And, no, that does not mean I will do it twice today.  I have enough trouble getting through it once.  And, yes, I did my therapy today.

Kevin and Renea came over and moved Penny’s crate into the dining room.  I had dragged a piece of furniture into my bedroom to make room for the crate.  I think this takes care of my furniture problem. Of course, I can’t walk around the one side of my bed in my bedroom.  I have made room in my closet for Jana’s “hanging” clothes and emptied the hassocks in the living room for her “drawer” clothes.  I think I am ready.  Next on the agenda is wrapping Christmas presents for Brian to take back with him when he brings Jana down. 

Penny, Ants and Fog

I celebrated my birthday on Sunday with Kevin, Renea and Stephanie.  Renea fixed a really good meal of ham, green beans and new potatoes along with cornbread.  She also fixed a pineapple upside down cake for desert.  Kevin’s family and Brian’s family combined their gift to me and gave me gift cards for Barnes and Nobles.  What better gift could I get? 

This past week was also Penny’s Gotcha Birthday.  She was my birthday present two years ago.  At that time she was eight weeks old.  Now she is two years old.  I have a teenager again.

Her and I made it through the “terrible twos” so I know we will make it through her “teenage” years.  She is extremely spoiled and independent.  Only will let me hold her when she wants to be held.  However, she lays next to me when I am sitting on the couch.  She has been known to walk across me if I am in her way.  If I am reading she head butts me for attention.  Then when I put my book down and go to pet her she walks away.  That’s okay.  She is my buddy, and I’m glad she lives with me.  As we all know cats don’t live with you, you live with them.  They are in charge J.

Today she is not happy with me.  I put her in her “crate” because Renea and I sprayed the kitchen for ants.  She is not happy.  She tried to climb out.  I don’t know what she thought she could do.  It is completely enclosed.  She climbed all over the inside.  She even knocked down the shelves that she normally lays on.  She did a lot of meowing also.  Now she is sleeping in her bag.  I will be letting her out soon.  The information said it was safe for pets after it dried.  It has been dry for a while now. 

Good Morning.  The good news is there were no ants in Penny’s food this morning.  However, that does not mean they will not be back.  I did see several in other places in the kitchen.  I have been killing them.  So much fun.

I had planned to go to Phenix City to the bank and grocery this morning, but the fog was so bad I didn’t think it would be a good idea to drive down Hwy 80.  That highway is bad enough without the fog.  I may go this afternoon.  Instead, after I finished my morning chores, and killed a bunch of ants, I did two loads of laundry.  Also did my physical therapy this morning.

Yes, I had planned to go shopping this afternoon, but my physical therapy did me in.  I didn’t do much except walk up to the mailbox and back, fix supper, clean up, and then watch the debate.  Went to bed as soon as it was over.

No fog this morning, so after breakfast I did my morning chores and then I got ready to go into Phenix City.  I stopped at the bank first and then went to Walmart.  Was able to get most of what I wanted at Walmart.  When I arrived home I found my kitchen counter filled with ants.  I set out the ant traps I bought.  I put them in places I don’t think Penny can get to.  Sure hope they do the job.  Had a quick snack because it was so late, and put my groceries away.  I rested for a little while.  Had a very small supper.  I was very hungry, but I thought I better eat since I had to take some pills. 

I probably won’t do my physical therapy today.  I am having a really bad day since I got home from shopping.  Maybe later this evening.  This afternoon I ordered several Christmas presents on the internet.  I am just about finished!  If I can stay awake long enough I will watch some of the football game tonight.  I know I won’t make it for the whole game.

A Little Bit of Everything

Well, it has finally cooled down at night.  However, days are still warm to hot.  In the next few days it will be back up to upper 80’s and possibly low 90’s.  I am really ready for 70’s!

Tuesday was doctor day.  First stop was the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center.  The young lady that was working with me on my therapy has resigned.  She is having her second baby and has decided she wants to be a stay-at-home mom.  Good for her.  Anyway, I met with Dr. Cellino this morning.  I will be starting therapy with a new therapist on November 1^st.  Her name is Elizabeth Cain.  Dr. Cellino has given me a new set of therapy exercises to do until I meet with Elizabeth.  She has decided to go back to the beginning since my problem has not been getting any better.  Some of the exercises I was doing has helped my balance, but not the dizziness, headaches and nausea.  We are going to approach this a little differently.  I am to do these exercises until I see Elizabeth, and then she will probably change some of them.  I sure hope this round of therapy helps.  I asked Dr. Cellino if this was something I might have to live with and adjust my life around; and she said that was possible.  Since they don’t know what happened to me to cause this (they only know what the problem is) they may not be able to “fix” it completely.  Okay, I can adjust.

Next I stopped at Barnes and Noble.  I had some time to waste until my next doctor appointment.  I didn’t want to drive home and back again since my next appointment was just down the road from my first one.  Anyway, I found two books.  I then went to Walmart and bought a few items.  Next was JoAnn’s Fabric and bought a few more items.  Stopped at Wendy’s for lunch and then headed to my next appointment.  This was with my GYN for my annual checkup.  Then it was on to home.  I put away all the items I had purchased, and then rested.  I was worn out.  I really didn’t do much the rest of the day.  I went to bed at 9:00.  Usually it’s 10:30.  See, I told you I was tired J

Wednesday I had a very nice visit from Pastor Andy.  He was here for about two hours.  Just wanted to check on me and see how I was doing.  I haven’t been to church very often for the past couple of months.  He is so nice, and is well known for his visits to church members. 

The ants are back!  Now they are climbing the walls in my kitchen.  It is a never ending ordeal around here this time of the year.  I just continue killing them since I can’t spray because of Penny. 

Okay, I know it has been a couple of days.  Haven’t been doing much except killing ants and cleaning.  Poor Penny, no matter where I put her food the ants find it.  This morning (Sunday) Kevin sprayed ant spray around the house.  We had quite a bit of rain last night (with thunder).  This is the first rain we have had in over a month.  We definitely need more.  However, I checked the weather and we may have a slight chance next weekend.

Getting Forgetful (or is it old?)

Well, this old lady did it this time.  The blog I posted before this one should have been posted a week earlier.  However, I ended up saving it in the drafts and forgot to publish it.  Oh well.  Now I have to catch up.

I have ordered a few more Christmas presents.  I have started making some Christmas presents.  I have a whole list of items to make, and another list of items to purchase.  It’s a good thing I am starting now or I might not get done before Christmas.  There was an older blog where I said I AM SO FAR BEHIND I THOUGHT I WAS FIRST.  Well, I am at that point again.

I need to get back outside and finish a few things.  It’s time to pull some dead flowers and spray some roundup (I never did get that done).  Every time I want to spray it is windy, and I don’t do it in the wind.  I still need to weed around the birdbath and spray there.  I bought new birdfeeders, but I haven’t filled them and hung them yet because of the wind. 

Still having a problem with ants; mostly around Penny’s food.  I keep moving her food, but she doesn’t want to eat except in the original food place. 

I went back to church this morning.  I probably shouldn’t have driven, but I figure if I can drive to the doctor in the morning surely I can drive to church.  Anyway, I am glad I went.  It was good to see everyone.  Several of the people that I know have left and moved to a different church.  There were quite a few new people.  In fact, all of the musicians were new. 

This afternoon I watched some football and the NASCAR race (Sprint).  Forgot about the Xfinity race so I missed that.  Watched football.  I also got together some more of my items for my projects for Christmas.  Now I just have to start them.  This evening I watched the so called presidential debate.  What a mess.  That is all I am going to say about it.

I went to my primary doctor this week.  I had blood work done last week and this was to get the results.  All is well in that area.  It seems that raising the bed and wearing support hose has also helped with my blood pressure.  It is usually okay in the morning, but it is still higher than he wants it to be at night. Actually, it’s higher than I want it to be.   If it stays that way, the next time I see him he will adjust my medicine.  Now if they can just get the dizziness, headaches and nausea under control I will be happy.  I have been using Jim’s walking stick when I walk to the mailbox and take the trash out.  I am also using an inhaler now for my shortness of breath.  It helps somewhat. 

I was glad to hear that family and friends are safe after hurricane Matthew. 

Good Morning.  Not having a very good day today so I will just be doing some odds and ends.  Have a really bad headache.  My blood pressure is good so I’m not sure why the headache.  I did my morning chores.  Cleaned out the bedroom bookcase.  I know I will never read all of the books I have, but some of them I just cannot part with just yet.  That’s okay.  It always gives me choices.

Ants and Other Stuff

It’s a beautiful morning in Alabama – at least where I live.  It started out in the 50’s and is now in the 60’s.  Supposed to be in the upper 70’s today.  That is wonderful.  Of course, the way things go around here it will probably be in the 90’s by next week.  And….no rain in sight.  The grass crunches when you walk on it.  Kevin is watering trees in hopes that they survive.  Not sure they will.  The drought is bad here.

Morning chores are finished.  Was outside putting a few things away this morning.  Took my shower.  Not sure what I am going to do today.  Well, I have actually been busy.  I have ordered a few Christmas gifts and researched some others.  Planned on watching the race this afternoon, but it was postponed until tomorrow because of rain.  Should be interesting because now both the Xfinity and Sprint races will be the same day – one following the other.  Instead I did a little reading and then after supper I watched a show that I had recorded.  Renea had fixed a Shepherd’s Pie for their supper the other night and she gave me some leftovers. I had never eaten that before so that is what I fixed for my supper tonight.  It was good.  Not quite what I expected, and, of course, I had to pick out the vegetables that I couldn’t eat. 

Today is another day.  After doing my morning chores, I rearranged my living room for when Jana arrives.  I emptied the storage hassocks for her clothes.  I moved Penny’s crate away from the door, and made room to open the couch for her and Mattie to sleep.  Now I have to figure out where I am going to put our Christmas trees.  Her tree is not a problem.  Not too sure about mine.   Penny is worn out from helping me.  She is curled up in my chair and taking a nap.

Supper was family at Kevin and Renea’s.  Stephanie was able to join us along with Ryan and Karoline.  Renea fixed spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread.  Brownies for desert.  It was great. We had a really good time. 

Monday was doctor day.  That is primary care doctor.  All my blood work was fine.  Blood pressure is still a little out of wack.  He is happy with the morning blood pressure, which means the bed on a slant is working, and apparently so are the stockings.  As for the evening blood pressure that is still on the high side.  I am to continue keeping a record of the blood pressure and if the evening numbers stay high he will change my medicine the next time I see him.  The results of my dexa scan were okay.  Nothing had changed since the last time so I am to continue taking the medicine.

ANTS! ANTS! AND MORE ANTS!  They are everywhere.  I spent all evening killing ants.  They were all over the steps between my dining room and living room.  I finally gave up about 10:30 and decided I would get back to them in the morning.  Then I went out to give Penny fresh water and there were ants in her water and food, evening if the bowl was empty.  So I spent another hour killing ants in the kitchen.  I put the trash bags outside.  I moved her food, and now she won’t eat because her food isn’t where it should be.  I hate ants.  Penny doesn’t like them either and she started this morning about 2:00 wanting me to kill the ants on the steps and in the kitchen.  I may need a nap this afternoon.

Found a few stray ants this morning.  Kevin spread some ant granules

Mostly Miss Penny

Good Morning!  I am feeling much better, thank you.  Not quite 100%, but better.  This morning all I did was a few morning chores.  Did get quite a bit behind.  Now it is time to start getting caught up.  I even started doing my physical therapy again.  It wasn’t the easiest thing I have done recently, but I did it.  Received a phone call from one of my church friends.  I just wish I felt better in the morning so I can drive and go back to church.  I’m working on it.  Got a few of my Christmas projects together to start working on them. 

 

I took a few pictures and a video of Penny when I was changing the sheets and she was “helping” me.  I transferred them from my phone to my computer.  Following is a couple of pictures of my “teenager.”  I didn't include the video because I thought it might take too long to load.

Did a few more odds and ends type chores.  Watched some television after supper and called it a day.
 

Today is another better day.  Got my morning chores done and did my physical therapy.  Tried to make some phone calls – one the phone is constantly busy and the other one I could not talk to a person only recorded messages.  So, I will keep trying the one that is constantly busy and I sent an email to the other one.  I ordered several Christmas presents today, so I am making progress in that department.  I started working on a couple of Christmas ornaments that will be presents. 

It is so nice outside today that I sat on my swing in my deck and thoroughly enjoyed it.  While there I did some reading and just relaxed. I even did a little bit of work – I emptied the dirt in the flower pots into the holes.  I still need to spray roundup, and put my supplies in the shed.  I received a couple of phone calls and a couple of cards from some ladies at church.  If I ever get to feeling good in the morning I plan to go back to church.  Mornings are still my worse part of the day. 

 

After supper I finished the book I was reading, watched a little television and called it a day.

 

I was awakened this morning by a pesky little cat.  Her name is Penny.  She figured out how to get inside the pillow case with the pillow.  She had a great time.  Now I will probably find toys inside the pillow case.  Anyway, when she decides it is play time, there is no more sleeping.  She must have decided today was to be a game of hide and seek.  After breakfast I found her “hiding” inside one of my throws that keep on the couch.  When I called her she would peek out and then go back inside.  She is so funny.  She is my buddy and I love her.

 

Did my morning chores and talked to Jana.  She called to inform me that two of the shows we watch are on a list that says they are not worth watching.  So, since we like them they will probably take them off.  We decided to keep watching them until they do so.  Kevin came over to visit and invite me for supper tonight.  Of course, I said yes!  After he left I did my physical therapy.

 

After lunch I headed for Tigertown.  I stopped at Books A Million and bought a couple of books I had been looking for.  I then went to Great Clips and got a haircut.  After I arrived home I went over to Kevin and Renea’s.  I not only had a great supper but I also had a great visit. We don’t often just sit down and visit.  After eating I came home and watched a show I had recorded then went to bed (after I played with Penny of course).