OUCH!

Okay, so Monday evening I decided to pull a few weeds in the east rock garden.  Got all set up and had a good start when lo and behold I got stung by a wasp!  Now, I don’t know if you have ever been stung by a wasp, but it sure does HURT.  I even had gloves on and it stung be through the gloves.  I came inside and ran cold water on my finger and then put Neosporin on it.  The wasp did not leave it’s stinger in my finger, so I didn’t have to worry about that.  Now it just itches.  I haven’t pulled any weeds since.  Tonight (Wednesday) is bible study at church so I know I won’t be pulling weeds. 

Yesterday I fixed the ornament I had taken partially apart.  I also made two new ornaments.  So far I have two stars, one cross and one round ornament.  I am making good progress.  They are all plastic canvas.  I still have quite a few to make.  Actually I have now finished all three stars!

I went to Bible study this evening, and did we ever have a storm.  First time I’ve been to church and had a rain delay.  It rained so hard and so loud you could not even talk to the person next to you.  It lasted about 20 minutes, then we were able to finish.  By the time we left the rain was over.  When I arrive home I found that we did not have one drop of rain here.

Thursday I finished two more ornaments.  I’m really making good progress.  Didn’t do too much except dishes and stuff like that.  It’s been really hot so I haven’t been going outside except when necessary.

Russell County does our trash pickup, and now they even furnish our trash cans.  They want everyone to use the same kind, and we only get one.  We are allowed to add one smaller can if necessary.  Anyway, they delivered our new trash cans yesterday.  I am going to leave mine at the top of the driveway.  It is way too big for me to even pull up there, especially once I put trash in there.

This morning I had my yearly GYN checkup.  Afterwards I went to the bank and WalMart. I needed birdseed and a few other odds and ends.  Kevin cut the back grass.  Looks like Kevin and Renea are going to use Rick and Beth’s boat tomorrow.  Not sure what lake they are going to use it on. Ricky and Lanora will probably go with them.  They don’t ask me because they know I don’t like the water or being on the water in this heat.

Kevin and Renea invited me for supper.  Kevin fixed a London broil in the smoker and it was delicious.  Renea fixed baked potatoes, salad and crescent rolls.  She also baked a chocolate cake.  Everything was wonderful. Came home after supper and finished reading my book.  Didn’t do much else.  I was pretty tired.  Miss Penny had me up bright and early.  Also, my doctor appointment was for 9:00 so I had to get up early anyway.  Needless to say, it was an early night.

By the way, I think my finger is finally back to normal after the wasp bite.  I didn’t realize it would take so long.  It was swollen and itched all week.

HOT! HOTTER! HOTEST!

HOT!!!!! The weather stations have been saying upper 90’s but my thermometer says between 105 and 110.  Now that’s hot!  Haven’t been outside to do any more weeding – even in the evening. 

Yesterday (Saturday) Renea and I went to Tigertown to do some shopping.   For those of you who don’t know, Tigertown is a large outdoor shopping mall. It is one of my favorite places to shop. First stop was Petco – I needed cat food and Renea needed dog food.  Next stop was Hobby Lobby.  I have decided to make a few Christmas ornaments so I bought some supplies.  I also bought some material to make a wall hanging for Christmas.  Renea is going to help me get started because it has been years since I have done any sewing with a sewing machine.  I have a portable sewing machine, and since the wall hanging is not going to be quilted I should be okay.  I figure it’s an easy way to start.  I also bought material to make two Christmas pillows for my couch.  Should be a couple of interesting projects.  Last stop was Kroger.  We were going to have a frozen yogurt at Chill’s but they weren’t open yet.

The ornaments I bought supplies for are going to be plastic canvas.  In fact, I made two of them while watching NASCAR last night.  I also plan to make a chain or two for the Christmas tree.  I plan to use leftover yarn for my crocheting projects.  And, yes, I will crochet them.

Kevin mowed my grass yesterday (Saturday) while Renea and I were shopping.  I don’t know how he did it as hot as it was, but I sure do appreciate it.  I know I could not have gotten it done.

Today (Sunday) I went to church then came home and relaxed. After church I gave Linda my money for the Prime Timers fall trip.  Had supper with Kevin and Renea.  Kevin fixed a turkey in the smoker and some corn on the cob on the grill.  Renea fixed baked beans, “little” potatoes, and a brownie cheesecake for desert.  It was awesome,.  Ricky, Lenora and Ryan were also there.  I didn’t stay long after eating because everyone decided to get in the pool and it was too hot to sit on the patio. 

Ryan came over to the house with me.  He has a genealogy project for school and I helped him with that.  He just wanted whatever we could find on the Aker side.  I had a lot of the information, so I printed it for him.  However, I did show him how to do the research.  We had a fun evening.  After he left I took apart one of the ornaments I had made because I didn’t like how it looked.    

I also talked to Brian.  I had a few computer questions.  I find it extremely frustrating that I used to be able to do all this computer stuff and was very knowledgeable about computers, and now I have to ask.  I know the basics, but there have been so many changes and  upgrades that I just have lost track. 

It’s going to be another hot day so I decided to do laundry and get a few things accomplished inside.  I hope to get outside tonight when the shade gets to the front of the house so I can start weeding the other rock garden.  With Kevin’s help I am getting my yard back in shape.

It's All Outside

I’m still watching the birds and THE BULLY is back guarding the hummingbird feeder.  What a guy J  I have four birdfeeders; one for finch food and the other for “regular” birdseed.  The birds are eating the seeds as fast as I can fill the feeders.

Kevin and Renea have a bird nest on their patio with three baby birds.  They do a lot of chirping until mama bird feeds them.  Mama bird gets really nervous when anyone is on the patio.  She doesn’t go to her nest, but she sure does watch.  I don’t know how long it will be before they leave the nest.

Kevin, Renea, Brian and Tracy gave me this swing for my deck for Mother’s Day.  I love it and use it a lot (when it isn’t raining).

 

My hydrangeas are looking good this year, at least the bushes are.  I have one flower on each.

The other day Kevin moved his shed from inside his fence (and next to the pool) to outside the fence.  It really looks nice (and different).

Monday he went to Lowe’s to buy supplies to change the ramp off my deck to steps. 

I actually got a lot done today.  I am starting to feel better so I guess that helps.  I am making great progress on the Althoefer Family Tree book.

I also weeded one-half of the north rock garden.  Looking much better, but still have a lot to do.  It’s a little tough when you sit down to weed, but that’s what I do.  My knees hurt so I can’t kneel, so sitting is my only option.  It works!  Last night I finished weeding the north rock garden.  YEA!  I decided if I wait until evening when there is shade, and I take my time, I can make some progress. Just need to take a few breaks and drink plenty of water.  If all goes well I should be able to mow the grass by this weekend.  You can actually see the plants now.

Miss PIA Penny decided she didn’t like one of the foods that has been her favorite.  She just flat out refused to eat it.  I remember Rodney would do that at times.  Penny kept going to the cupboard where I keep her food so I gave in and gave her something else.  She is scarfing it down!

Went outside for about 20 minutes and filled the birdfeeders, and put roundup on some grass/weeds that I couldn’t pull that is growing between the border rocks.  It was so hot I’m not sure I will go back outside at all today!

Okay, I went back outside after supper when the front had shade.  I fed the bushes in the north rock garden, and then I pulled the weeds out of the pots with the iris.  That’s it!  Done for today.

This and That

Took the wrapping off my wrist and it really looks good.  Just a tiny spot where the doctor made the insertion to do the heart cath and lots of bruising.  Yesterday I went outside and picked up a few twigs and I had to come in and take a nap.  I guess I need a few more days of rest.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately.  I have also been working on the family tree.  I think I have found a few ancestors in Germany.  Need to do a little more research.  I am spending a lot of time trying to organize all of my paperwork to make it easier to read and understand who is who.  Working on the Althoefer’s and Leipnitz’s families right now.

I finally finished the napkin holder I was making with plastic canvas to match the tissue box holder.  They both have turned out really nice.

 

 

I missed the last crochet lesson because I had to go to Ohio so I have been experimenting.  I made a placemat size item for my table on which to put the napkin and tissue box holder.  I used a variegated yarn to match the colors in the napkin and tissue box holders.  It turned out pretty good.  I have also been experimenting with round coasters.  Doing okay I guess.  I am better at squares, but I’ll keep trying.  I am hoping Wanda will give more lessons so I can learn to do better.  Some of my next projects will be Christmas items.  I haven’t given up on the tree skirt, but I may not have it ready until Christmas 2016 J

 

 

Last night (Friday) we had a storm come through that was unbelievable.  It was late and dark, but I would bet it included a “small tornado” if there is such a thing.  It sure did sound like it.  We have tree limbs all over the yard and my furniture on my deck was rearranged.  After talking with my neighbors they said the same thing.  No one had any real damage except the tree limbs, but planters, etc. were turned over.  It was a bit of a mess. 

Kevin is having a cookout at his house today, so I will be heading over there shortly.  I am not going over too early because it is so hot.  Besides I want to stay for a while this evening to watch the fireworks.  The cookout was great. It was a typical fourth of July cookout – hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, etc.  Lanora made a strawberry shortcake that was different than any I had seen before.  It was delicious. Kevin didn’t have a big crowd.  Ricky, Lanora and Philip were there also.  They are my neighbors on the north side.  Everyone spent a lot of time in the pool. 

Then came the storm.  Lightning, thunder and a lot of rain.  I left about 9:30.  They were still debating about the fireworks.  The rain never stopped, but the lightning and thunder went away, so they put on the fireworks after all.  I watched for a while from my deck.  The guys had some really great fireworks and I enjoyed what I saw.  However, I decided to get out of the rain before they were finished.

Had a pretty good night’s sleep.  Still not feeling my best.  Woke up this morning to more rain. Supposed to rain off and on all day today.

Totally Confused!

As I said before I had my stress test which showed blockage.  Therefore, it was decided by the doctors (three of them) that I needed to have a heart cath to see how much blockage I had, and to determine whether or not I needed stints.  Well, on Tuesday I had my heart cath, and believe it or not they DID NOT FIND ANY BLOCKAGE! Which is really good news.  The cardiologist said my heart and arteries were clean.  Okay, so what is going on?  I then spent the next 36 hours sleeping off the medicine they gave me to do the cath.  I was told not to do anything for 72 hours.  I have a few more hours to go.  The cath was done thru my right arm and that arm is black and blue.  I get to take the wrapping off tonight.

Miss Penny was totally confused because I was in bed, and this is not normal.  She kept coming in and trying to play and wake me up.  For a while I closed my bedroom door so she could not get in, and that confused her even more.  She is much happier since I am up and about. 

Not sure what the next step will be.  I have a hunch it will be pulmonary testing since I still am short of breath.  This morning while it was still on the cool side with a little breeze I went outside and picked up twigs which came off the trees when we had our last couple of storms.  I thought I would do this to help Kevin since he plans to mow the grass today.  By next week I should be able to mow grass and start weeding my garden.  I was told to treat my right arm like my wrist was broken.  I picked up the twigs and weeded around my snowball bush and now I am exhausted. 

I filled the birdfeeders before the cath, and am enjoying the birds again.  Penny and I love watching the birds.  I have a lot of finches; purple, yellow, and many cardinals.  Of course, there are a lot of birds I’m not sure about.  I do know the sparrows and bluebirds.  The purple martin house is full.  I am assuming there are a lot of babies because the birds are flying back and forth, and it looks like they are feeding them. 

Penny doesn’t know which window to look out.  Kevin mowed the back grass after he got home from work yesterday, so, of course, she was at the back windows watching him.  She just went from window to window.  Between Kevin and birds she was extremely busy.  This morning he was using the weedeater so she was busy again going from window to window to front storm door.  Kevin isn’t outside right now so she is taking a nap to get ready for the next go round.

Miss Penny and Me

I really don’t have a lot to write about.  I haven’t been doing much since I returned from Ohio.  Miss Penny is definitely glad to be home.  She hasn’t left my side.  I guess she missed me while I was staying at Jana’s.  She did get a lot of attention at Brian’s, but I still think she missed me.  She has had a good time checking everything.  I never know where she will be next.  She is always in the same room as I am, I just never know where.  I think she also missed watching the birds because she spends a lot of time at the windows.

It has been extremely hot here so I haven’t been outside very much.  The weeds have taken over my rock garden.  I am hoping that after next week I will be able to work outside again.  I cut a small area of grass, saw a snake and quit!  Apparently snakes are plentiful around here this year.  LaNora has seen quite a few and Renea saw one in their vegetable garden.  Yesterday Renea and LaNora cut both my grass and Renea’s grass. 

I guess I should tell why I have not been doing anything, especially yard work.  A couple of months ago I went to the doctor and told him about how short of breath I always am.  I was trying to ignore it, but when Kevin and Renea noticed it, and they both insisted I go to the doctor.  Not only that but they called Brian and told him, and he called me and said the same thing.  So, as I said, I told my doctor.  He immediately sent me for chest x-rays and an ekg.  I was then given an appointment for a heart echo.  Next was an appointment for a stress test.  Because I have a blockage in my left bundle branch I could not have the treadmill test.  Instead they gave me the medicine thru an IV.  That test is supposed to last four minutes.  I made it about 45 seconds and they had to reverse it. 

Of course, they don’t tell you anything.  I just had to make an appointment with the cardiologist.  And, since I am a new patient I didn’t get an appointment for six weeks.  I did see my primary care doctor, and he told me they didn’t find anything life threatening.  Just the start of heart disease and blockage.  He changed some of my medicines and sent me on my way.

Right after this, David passed away and I went to Ohio for a month.  This was another reason the family would not let me drive to Ohio by myself.  A couple of days after my return was my cardiologist appointment.  She informed me that the heart disease is a thickening of the walls of my heart due to my high blood pressure.  And, yes, I do have blockage.  They are just not sure how bad so I am going to have a heart cath on Tuesday, 6/30.  This will determine how much blockage is there and if I need a stint.  Meanwhile, I am to stay out of the heat and not do anything strenuous. 

It’s really boring.  I have been doing a lot of reading, working on the family genealogy, and my plastic canvas.  I also join Penny watching the birds.

My cardiologist gave me some new medicine which I take once a day.  She told me I would probably get a headache when I first start taking it.  I not only got a headache but I got dizzy and drowsy.  It’s getting better, but I still get a headache just not as bad.  She also gave me a prescription for nitro tabs. 

So, that’s my tale of woe.  I just hope that cath will not show anything serious and I can get on with working in my yard. 

What A Month!

As most of you know, I have been in Cincinnati for the past month.  My sister’s husband, David, passed away on May 12^th.   She had called me the day before to say he was not doing well, so I was making arrangements to go to Cincinnati later that week.  However, she called me around 2:00 a.m. and told me that he had passed away.  Since she was by herself, I continued talking to her on the phone until the hospice nurse and her sister-in-law arrived.  Later that morning I called Brian and Tracy and Kevin and Renea to let them know.  Brian made arrangements to take off work so he could drive to Alabama and drive me back to Ohio.

My family has decided it is not a good idea for me to be driving back and forth by myself.  Therefore, either Brian or Kevin take me.  So, Brian drove down, left his car here and drove me to Ohio in my car.  He did get a few hours sleep before we left Alabama.  Brian and Tracy offered to take care of Penny while I was at Jana’s so I didn’t have to board her.

I spent most of my time with Jana – mostly for support.  She is doing quite well.  She is keeping busy.  Everything went fine as far as the visitation and Mass.  However, Mass was at St. Jude’s since St. Al’s was having their festival.  After the ceremony at the cemetery we went to David’s sister’s house.

Jana and I were worried about Smoky.  She is still grieving and seems to be looking for David.  She was so bad that we were afraid she may die.  I think she is doing better but it will be a while before she is herself again.  She knows he is not there but doesn’t understand why.

Penny kept things interesting at Brian’s.  A couple of days after we arrived Brian went to the basement to feed her and could not find her.  However, he did hear a soft meow.  After some searching he found her in his ceiling.  She got up but couldn’t get down.  Eventually, she figured out how to get up and down so she spent a lot of time in the ceiling.  She thought it was fun I guess.  The reason she could get up there is because Brian is getting ready to do some remodeling and he has taken the ceiling tiles down.  Since I couldn’t find all of her toys when I got ready to come home I assume she hid some of them up there. 

Meanwhile, Bradley and Brianna have moved in.  They will be living with Brian and Tracy for the next two years while they finish school and try to save some money.  Also, Samantha graduated from high school.  She will be attending UC Blue Ash in the fall.  I did get to spend an afternoon with Rita and Bob.  I spent a few days at Brian’s, but most of my time was at Jana’s. 

Jana and I spent a couple of hours one day at St. Mary’s Cemetery.  This is where Jim and I will be buried.  Since he was cremated I have requested his ashes be put in the casket with me.  Uncle Clarence gave me a grave site next to him, Grandma and Grandpa Althoefer.  While we were there we walked around to see if we could find where some of my ancestors are buried.  We found quite a few, but we are going to have to go back to find the rest.  I wore Jana out, as she put it, climbing Mt. St. Mary.  There were a few hills.  The next day she asked me to go with her to David’s grave.  She didn’t want to make the first trip by herself.  He is buried by mom and dad so she put flowers on all their graves.  Jana will be buried between dad and David. 

I am home now.  Brian drove me back last Thursday and he returned to Ohio (with his car) on Saturday.  Of course, the grass is butt high and weeds have taken over the garden.  All the birdfeeders need to be filled.  However, the temperature is in the high 90’s and feels like 110.  So the grass and weeds will have to wait.