GETTING OLD IS THE PITS!

Okay, first of all, yesterday Kevin and Renea took me to supper at a restaurant none of us had been to.  The Derdoski’s told them about it.  It is called the Mason Jar and is in Auburn.  The meal was wonderful.  The portions were so big none of us could finish everything on our plates.  Since it was Friday (and Lent) I had shrimp.  Best shrimp ever.  They are also known for the milk shakes.  We saw several varieties of them and decided they would be a meal all by itself.

Before we went to the Mason Jar Restaurant we stopped at Lowe’s (of course).  Kevin bought new rope for his flag pole.  The day of the tornadoes his rope was actually torn off the pole.  I bought two chairs for my deck.  Decided to buy less expensive ones this year since they take a beating on my deck.  I also bought the rest of the hooks for my peg board.

It was a fun evening.

Now, about this getting old!  My front yard is a disaster since nothing has been done for months.  The weather has been cold and rainy.  I have had all these stupid health problems (still do).  However, I decided it was time for me to start spending a little time each day working on the yard.  This morning I started with weeding the azalea bushes.  They look pretty sad, but are trying to bloom.  I worked a little over an hour and filled a garbage bag with weeds.  Hopefully, in the next day or say I will have it weeded enough that I can feed the bushes.  After that hour my knee hurt like crazy and I could barely walk on it to get in the house.  Therefore, I am working on my blog 😊.

Later in the day Kevin, Renea and me went to the Derdoski’s for a cookout.  Nick was confirmed in the morning, and they invited us and family for the afternoon and evening.  We had a great time.  I laughed until I hurt.  They have a swimming pool in their backyard.  The water temperature was 64 degrees.  That didn’t stop the teenagers, or some of the adults.  Everyone ended up in the pool except Renea, Jennifer and me.  Bruce grilled chicken, and, yes, he did go into the pool.  We had plenty of side dishes, cake and a large cookie.  It was a very fun time.

I had a miserable day on Sunday.  Between my knee, fibromyalgia and vertigo I didn’t do much of anything except watch the race and some basketball.  It will definitely be early to bed tonight.

Kevin mowed all the grass in both our front yards today.  It sure looks good.  He was also busy working on fishing rods.  Business is good!

Monday morning I took my car to the Honda dealer for an oil change, tire rotation and general checkup.  Next I stopped at Walgreen’s and picked up two of my prescriptions that were ready.  Got a few things done around the house and called it a day.  Still not feeling my best.

Tuesday morning I slept until 8:30.  I can’t remember the last time I did that except when I was sick.  I felt like I lost most of the morning.  Really didn’t get much accomplished in the morning.  However, that afternoon I went to the She Shack and accomplished quite a bit.  I worked on Jana’s quilt (that’s the one she gave me for a Christmas present to put together for her 😊 ).  I also worked on my larger tote bag.  I stopped about suppertime and called it a day.

I just don’t seem to be able to put in as many hours as I used to.  GETTING OLD IS THE PITS!

A Busy Week

Brian and family left here at three o’clock Saturday morning.  Apparently, they had an uneventful and safe trip home.  Now it is back to normal – whatever that is.  I finished weeding the trees that are in the containers on my deck.  There are 47 of them!  I also filled the birdfeeders.  I have been rather lax on that since my helper (Jana) left.

I went to Mass later in the day. St. Patrick is the patron saint of our church, so we were all asked to wear green.  They had a potluck supper after Mass.  They decided to celebrate on Saturday evening instead of Sunday.

Sunday was a lazy kind of day.  I watched the NASCAR race.  I took a nap.  I have been going through my quilting magazines and marking projects I would like to do.  I am also getting rid of some that don’t have anything that interests me. 

Today I had my mammogram done at 8:30 this morning.  After that I stopped at WalMart (it was on the way) and picked up a few groceries.  Came home and put everything away.  By this time my knees were really hurting so I took a break after lunch and propped up my feet.  I feel much better now.  Didn’t do much the rest of the day.

Tuesday was a busy day.  After getting a few things done around the house I made a few phone calls.  I put a roast in the crockpot.  That should get me a couple of suppers and some sandwiches.  I spent the afternoon working in the Shed.  I had a lot of straightening up to do.  I also got my hooks from Kevin for the peg board.  I hung my rulers and templates on the board.  I need a few more hooks for my scissors.  I did some research on something Samantha asked me to make for her.  She wants an all season flag to hang outside.  She decided on the State of Ohio.  I am going to work on a design for her to approve.  I also started cutting out the quilt Jana wants me to make for her.  It is almost ready to start sewing. 

While at the Shed I heard from the Urology Center.  My appointment is for next Thursday.  Yesterday I received paperwork regarding my appointment with the Nephrology doctor.  It must not be too critical since my appointment isn’t until June.

Just finished supper.  The roast tasted very good.  The dishwasher is running.  I am done for the day.  Will probably watch some television.

It was up bright and early this morning.  I had my dexa scan in Columbus.  I was told my doctor would call me with the results.  I then stopped at Walgreen’s to pick up one of my medicines.  Then it was home to get a few things accomplished.  After lunch I gathered up my supplies from the She Shed to take with me tomorrow.  I have a class at Opelika Sewing Center.  Not sure how much I will learn since I figured most of it out myself.  I signed up for the class before I tried downloading and saving embroidery patterns on my own.  Decided I would take the class anyway.  Never know when you may learn something 😊.

After that I worked on organizing my thread for my embroidery projects.  I ordered quite a bit of thread and it arrived today.  I was matching colors (numbers) with the patterns.  I also have the option of changing the colors which I plan to do on a few of the patterns.  I am really looking forward to working on these.

FYI – I took the class and thoroughly enjoyed it.  There was only one other person taking the class so it was pretty much one on one.  The gal that taught the class is awesome.  We had a great time, and yes, I did learn a few things.  Glad I took the class!

A Fun Time

Thursday was another fishing day.  Of course, it involved several trips back and forth between the house and the lake since they only had one vehicle to take the boats.  I can say these words now since the weekend is over.  They had another fun day.

Kevin and his fish

Samantha and her two fish

Tracy and her fish

Steven “almost” caught a couple of fish, but they got away 😊.  No one else had any luck.

Late that afternoon Kevin brought Tracy, Samantha and one boat home.  Meanwhile, Brian heard that his van was ready to be picked up.  When Kevin went back to get the rest of the gang they stopped and picked up his truck.  After arriving home they grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.  We had beans and chips to go with them.  Renea had backed pecan pie bars and an apple pie.  We spent the evening watching the videos of the past CRAP IDOLS.  Lots of laughter.

Friday was going to be another fishing day, but when they got up in the morning it was raining.  So, they decided to go to Academy and buy ammo so they could shoot their guns in the afternoon.  Kevin has a shooting range set up in the back.  Ryan had made some kind of contraption for them to use.  Stephanie and Ray were bringing clay discs to shoot.  Tracy doesn’t shoot guns but she does bow and arrows and they brought her target for her.

Samantha and Tracy shot the bow and arrows.

Everyone else did guns.   This is Kevin, Brian and Stephanie shooting with Steven throwing.

Kevin, Stephanie and Brandon shooting with Brian and Ray throwing.

Stephanie shooting with Ray throwing

Kevin, Ryan and Brandon helping Samantha

Ryan helping Samantha

I just liked this picture.  It is the only one I have with Steven.

They took a break for supper and then were back at it until dark.  After supper Brian built us a campfire.  We really enjoyed that – me especially.  Supper consisted of duck that Ray had shot and fish that had been caught another time.  Since it was Friday and I am not eating meat I did not try the duck.  Neither did Renea.  Renea and Stephanie had leftovers from the night before.  I had a piece of fish.  Renea also fixed hash brown casserole, macaroni and cheese with bacon, jalapeno cornbread, and chocolate cookie cheesecake.  We spent the evening sitting around the campfire talking and laughing.  Brian went to bed early since he was the driver and they were leaving at three o’clock in the morning.

It was a wonderful couple of days.  We really need to do this more often.  It’s a shame we live so far apart, but then maybe that is what makes a visit so special.

They arrived home safe and sound.

NOTE:  Bradley and Brianna did not visit because they couldn't get off work.

Crazy Quarter Words

Sunday was kind of a nothing day.  Watched the race and did my laundry.  Such fun.

Monday was a very gloomy day.  It was supposed to be nice, but instead it rained.  I was supposed to go the foot doctor.  However, my vertigo kicked in and I spent a day doing nothing.  I did get a call from Dr. Reese’s office informing me of the date and time for my dexa scan. 

Tuesday is a very different story!  Penny had me up at 6:30 and my day began.  We both had breakfast, got a few things done in the house, then it was outside.  I took some items to the storage shed that had been sitting against the wall since Jana left.  I went to the She Shack and got one of the lawn chairs Jana left for me and brought it to the deck.  Next, I filled all the bird feeders.  Took mail up to the mailbox.  Took two bags of garbage to the garbage cans.  Then pulled the weeds in twenty of the containers that have trees growing in them.  I still have twenty more to go.  By then it was lunchtime.  Penny and I had lunch.  After lunch I left to go to Dr. Nix (my eye doctor).  Everything has healed just fine, and I don’t have to go back for a year.  From there I headed to Dr. Reese’s office to leave a urine sample.  I wasn’t able to pee the last time I was there.  Next it was to the post office to mail my taxes to my guy in Cincinnati.  When I finished there I went home and collapsed!  I don’t plan on doing much this evening.  I did do some dusting because I couldn’t stand it any longer.

Wednesday looks like the start of a couple of wild and crazy days.  The following have arrived:  Brian, Tracy, Steven, Samantha and Brandon.  They got here about 7:30 this morning.  Brian took an hour power nap, but no one else did.  Kevin fixed all of them breakfast.  When I went over after breakfast they had made a list of words we couldn’t say.  If you said one it cost you a quarter.  So, if I use strange words to tell you what they are doing today don’t be surprised.  First of all they named Brian’s vessel.  It is called the AQUATIC CRITTER GITTER.  Clever right?  They are now in the process of getting their aquatic critter gitter poles ready to catch a few.  They are taking both Brian’s vessel and Kevin’s vessel so that all can go out on the lake at the same time.  When they get to the lake they plan to christen the vessel.  Renea and I are staying home.  Renea is cooking and baking.  I just didn’t think it was a good idea for me to go walking around on rough ground.

Kevin and Brian have new shirts to wear.  As you can see (I hope) the shirts have the logo for Kevin’s company and their names.  Everyone received one of the rags with the logo.

Steven is home on leave until the end of March.  Then he will be stationed in California until he is discharged.  He decided not to re-enlist.  (Steven is Air Force.)  Samantha is moving back in with Brian and Tracy because Brandon is going out on float for nine months.  He will not be going back to Norfolk, instead he will be stationed in San Diego.  Samantha will move out there when he arrives.  She plans on finding a job in Cincinnati and already has an interview next week.  All indications are that Brandon will be re-enlisting.  (Brandon is Navy)

Everyone arrived home from the lake shortly after suppertime.  Good news and bad news.  Kevin caught one aquatic critter and Samantha caught two.  That was it. 

The first group that arrived home told us that the christening of the vessel went just great.  Brian read a speech and Tracy broke the bottle.  She had to hit the bottle three times to get it to brake.l  It was in a special bag so the glass wouldn't go all over.  Well, Brian didn't hear it break so he took it and really slammed it against the vessel.  Of course, the bag broke and there was glass all over the ground and the vessel.  The video is hilarious.  I will try and get a copy to post.

NOTE:  It is not easy writing this blog without using the quarter words.  LOL

However, when they put Brian’s vessel in the lake Brandon parked his truck.  He told Brian that the brakes felt mushy.  When they got ready to leave they found that they had a broken brake line.  So, several trips were made to get both vessels back to the house.  Brian called a tow truck for his van.  Hopefully, they will get it fixed tomorrow.  Brian and Kevin didn’t get to eat supper until about nine o’clock.  It was early to bed.

Doctors and More

I am sure that by now all of you have heard how terrible the tornadoes here in Alabama were.  Kevin went up one afternoon with a friend of his to help cut trees, etc.  They said it looked worse than some of the war zones that had been in.  On Monday everyone was told to stay off the roads where the tornado went through. 

Monday was supposed to start my week of doctor appointments.  However, I had to cancel my appointment with Dr. Nix, my eye doctor.  Tuesday I did go to my GYN.  Everything appears to be fine.  Don’t have to go back until next year.  I have the choice of not going for the annual checkup, but since they found the precancer and I had problems I have elected to continue to have the checkup. 

When I arrived home I went down to the Shed and worked on hemming the items I am making for Kevin.  Now I just have to add the buttonholes.  We are making “rags” for the fishermen to carry on the boat.  They have the Opelika Rods logo on them.  Always good for a little advertising.

Today (Wednesday) I went to the orthopedic doctor about my knees.  Not good news.  Both knees are bad.  The joints are bone on bone, have arthritis in both knees and bone spurs.  No surgery yet, but probably in the future.  Today he injected both joints with a gel called Synvis.  I could not put any weight on my left leg when I left his office.  The whole thing made me kind of queasy.  If I had known I was going to get those shots I would have had Kevin or Renea go with me.  Tonight my right knee feels a little better, but my left my still hurts.

It is now Thursday.  I had my first appointment with Dr. Reese.  She is going to be my new primary care doctor.  I really did like her.  Spent two hours with her and her intern.  I talked to her about a problem I didn’t know I had.  When I went to the orthopedic doctor he mentioned that there were certain medications he could not give me because of my chronic kidney disease.  I was shocked.  I didn’t know I had that.  So, I asked Dr. Reese about it, and sure enough it was listed in my medical records on the computer.  When she had my blood drawn she included testing for my kidneys, along with all the other tests.  We shall see what happens. 

After lunch I went down to the shed and added buttonholes to the “rags” I am making for Kevin.  They are finished now, and he is very happy with them.  Turned out really nice if I must say so myself 😊.

NOTE:  My right knee is feeling much better, but my left knee still hurts!

Friday Kevin and I went to Opelika.  We saw some of the damage that was done by the tornadoes.  It wasn’t the worst of it because those roads are still closed.  We were able to get around those areas just fine.  Our first stop was at Kevin’s doctor who did the surgery on his neck.  He told Kevin that everything has healed just fine and he can go back to doing his normal stuff.  However, he starts rehab next week.  Next stop was Opelika Sewing where I signed up for a class and bought some stabilizer.  When I got home I went to the shed and embroidered the Opelika Rods logo onto Renea’s new shirt along with her name.  Turned out nice.  One of these days I will get some pictures and post them.

Saturday was just a normal routine kind of day.  I did check on the dogs a couple of times (that means letting them out to potty and giving them some love and a treat).  Kevin and Renea were at a fund raiser for a fireman who has cancer.  Kevin and Renea donated a fishing pole that he made.  It was raffled off and they made $5,000 for the fireman.  One of the EMTs won the fishing pole and he was thrilled.  It was a good day.

I then went to 5:30 Mass.  Stopped and picked up Zaxby’s for supper.  Watched a little television and called it a night. 

P.S.  I guess most of you know by now that on Friday President Trump and First Lady Melania were here to visit the tornado damage.  So proud of him and the First Lady.  When he met with the families the coverage was very limited, but we have been told that they were wonderful to them.  Since they had landed at Fort Benning the helicopters flew right over our house on the way to view the damage.  The helicopters were the biggest I have ever seen.  There was one in front of Marine One, one next to him, and three huge ones behind him.  They were flying just above tree top and the whole house shook they was so loud and powerful.  It was also very moving when President Trump and First Lady Melania stopped at each cross that was displayed in the church. 

Tornadoes 3/4/19

First let me say we are safe.  It was a very scary day though.  When we were told that there was a chance of high winds and tornadoes it was decided that Penny and I would spend the day at Kevin and Renea’s.  They came over to help me with all of mine and Penny’s stuff about 11:30 a.m.  By then it was starting to get a little dark.  Renea had put a chair for me (I can’t hardly get down on the floor with my bad knees) and blankets in the hallway.  She also put our purses there.  We put Penny in the spare bedroom with the door closed so there wouldn’t be a problem with her and the dogs. 

Kevin, Renea and I settled down in the living room with our phones and the television.  Things were quiet for a while.  The weather reports were that the worse of the weather would be along Hwy. 80 and south.  We live about a quarter of a mile north of Hwy. 80 so we figured we would be right along the edge of the bad weather.  We were watching the weather/radar on the Channel Nine new station and noticed that everything was actually staying north of Hwy. 80.  Not good.  There were tornado warnings everywhere, especially in Georgia (right across the Alabama border).  

Then all of a sudden our phones went off with tornado warnings and the radar showed one heading in our direction.  Kevin has a great radar site on his phone so we were watching that along with the television.  Of course, about the time the electric goes out.  The radar was showing the tornado moving slightly north of us.  We went out on his front porch and looking north we could see the tornado.  It was the one moving through Beauregard.  Now, we are right on the Russell County and Lee County line.  Beauregard is in Lee County, but only approximately one mile from us. 

Ryan lives in Lee County and from what we could tell, it was heading toward his house.  Luckily it missed him (it came very close) and he didn’t have any damage.  Stephanie and Ray live in Georgia and they came through this fine also.

We have friends who live in Smith Station where two more tornadoes touched down.  We kept in touch with them.  They were hunkered down in a closet.  They had no damage and are safe.  A lot of damage was done in Smith Station including the elementary school where their daughter attends.  They have a son who attends the high school, but I haven’t heard anything about that school.

We lost electric which came back on during the night.  It went off once this morning, but is back on now.  I did cancel my doctor appointment for today.  We are being told to stay off the roads.  I probably could have made it, but didn’t want to take a chance.

I have thanked God for us getting through this safely.  My prayers are with the families who didn’t.

Good Morning!

Things have started to calm down around here.  I am not going to go into much detail about the past two and a half months.  Just plan on a bit of an update, and then, hopefully, I will keep the blog current.

Jana and I had a great Christmas and New Year.  We celebrated here with just the two of us.  We also celebrated with Kevin and Renea at their house.  Ryan, Stephanie and Ray were also present.  Next we celebrated with the Derdoski’s.  Lots of fun, laughter and good food.

Jana and Mattie went home last weekend.  She stayed with me through all of my surgery, etc.  The cataract surgery went just fine.  Both eyes have been done now and all I need are readers.  This is working out just fine.  Of course, I had to get a new driver’s license since I don’t need to wear glasses when driving now.

Kevin’s surgery went great.  He is back to doing his normal routine now.  Also, his fishing rod business is doing awesome.  He is keeping very busy with that.  Renea has been a big help.  He is listed on Facebook, but the website is still a work in progress.

My hip is doing just fine.  After several months of rehab the pain is gone.  So is the pain in my back. I have been given the okay to end the rehab.  Just have to keep doing some of the exercises at home.  However, my left knee is really bad. I have been using a cane.  I have an appointment next Wednesday to see my doctor about my knee. 

Next week is a week of doctor visits.  Monday I will see Dr. Nix for my last checkup for my eyes.  Tuesday is my GYN for my annual visit.  Wednesday is Dr. Wolff for my knee.  Thursday is a visit with a new primary care doctor.  I have been very unhappy with the one I have been going to, so I have been searching for someone new.  Hopefully, this will be the one.  Friday I plan on taking a nap 😊.

Last year I bought myself a Christmas present.  It is a quilting/embroidering machine.  I love it, and am having the best time using it.  I have taken several lessons on how to use the machine.  I have a few more I need to take.  Right now I am embroidering the logo for Kevin’s business on several items.  For example, he and Renea each bought shirts that they wanted the logo on.  Kevin also wanted his name on his.  There are also a few other items I am putting the logo on.  This has been a real learning process.

I made Jana a quilted tote bag for Christmas.  She also wanted a bigger one.  I made this for her before she left.  As for the quilted tote bags at Christmas, I gave one each to Renea and Tracy.  I also made one for myself.  I am now making a larger one for me.

I have taken a couple of pictures of the items I made.  They are still on my camera.  I will post them in my next blog.

I bought the material to make curtains in hang in the She Shed.  I also received a “gift” from Jana for Christmas.  She bought a kit for me to make her a quilt top.  I will be starting that next. 

It’s almost time for me to go to the She Shed.  I am working on a schedule where I get my work in my house done in the morning, and then head to the Shed in the afternoon.  That is when I don’t have a doctor appointment 😊.