ONWARD UPDATE

I would like to warn you that you will get bored reading this.  I just decided that if I write down everything I do, it will make me do everything I should.  So, here we go!

I also want to thank Jana, Brian, Kevin, Renea, Ginger and Arlene for their encouragement in my new endeavor.  That always helps.

DAY ONE OF ONWARD!

This morning I was up at 7:00.  Had breakfast, did my “morning” chores and took a shower. Had a nice conversation with Brian on the phone.  At 10:00 I left for my appointment with Dr. Verson (neurologist).  The news from him was interesting.  First thing he told me was I am robust and healthy.  I should live a long life.  However, I have to go back to taking physical therapy.  The reason I get sick from a couple of the exercises is that their diagnosis as to my problem is correct.  And….I will feel worse before I feel better.  So, they are in the process of getting permission from Medicare for more therapy.  Also, I have to see my primary care doctor (Dr. Miller) and talk to him about my blood pressure medicine.  Dr. Verson thinks part of my problem is I am not taking the correct meds.

After the appointment I headed for home, fed Penny and had some lunch.  I talked to Jana on the phone and let her know what Dr. Verson said.  I then went over to Kevin and Renea’s to let them know what Dr. Verson had to say.

Next on the agenda was a trip to Tigertown in Opelika.  I went to Office Depot, Books A Million, Petco and Kroger.  Brought everything in from the car and put it away.  I then ate supper and I am now running the dishwasher.  I am so happy to have the dishwasher.  I am using more dishes rather than paper plates, and I even used a glass glass at suppertime. 

I am tired now.  After all, I didn’t have a nap today.  So, I am not sure I will be doing much this evening.  Tomorrow is another day J

P.S.  Over the weekend I finished entering all my notes for my side of the family; i.e. Althoefer, Leipnitz, Heltman and Myers.  I also started a binder just for Jim and me and our decendants.  Now it is on to Germany for my side.  I also need to start on Jim’s family – Aker and Hennessy.

DAY TWO OF ONWARD!

I didn’t get up until 7:30 this morning.  Penny actually let me sleep a little later.  She still gets me up between 3 and 4 to fill her food dish.  The next wakeup call is between 6:30 and 7:30.  I am going to get up when she wakes me up at that time.  I used to stay in bed, but no more.

So far I have completed my morning chores.  Paid a couple of bills, and walked up to the mailbox.  Yesterday I bought a new toaster oven with the convection feature.  I set that up this morning.  I cleaned out three cupboards.  I am getting items ready to go to Goodwill.  I put them in the back of my car to drop off when I get a chance. 

I did one load of wash today – towels.

I called Dr. Miller’s office several times today for an appointment about my blood pressure medicine, but the lines have been busy.  Finally got through about 4:00 this afternoon.  I have an appointment for tomorrow morning at 8:45.

This afternoon when the deck got some shade, I washed the outside of the windows, cleaned up the plants and just did some general clean up. 

After I supper I did my physical therapy. 

That’s it for today.  As usual the physical therapy does me in, and I need to rest.  Back at it tomorrow.

ONWARD!

GOOD MORNING!

I have made a decision this morning.  I am tired of feeling sorry for myself.  Let’s face it, everyone has some kind of health problem.  So, beginning today I am going to stop working about mine and start doing things again.

I will still work on my genealogy because it is what I like to do.  I have several craft projects to finish and several to do for the holidays.

The biggest project will be outside.  We are going into a time when the weather should cool down a little, so I decided that every day I will work outside even if it is for only ten minutes at a time.  I can work for a short time in the morning and for a short time in the evening.  If the weather cooperates I will start this next week.

I will still keep my doctor appointments, and do the balance physical therapy. 

I would say WAGONS HO!, but since I am not going anywhere I will just say ONWARD!!

Physical Therapy

Still going to physical therapy.  I also have a name for what I have.  It is VOR which is short of Vestibular Ocular Reflex.  The therapy is really rough.  I always feel dizzy, have a headache, nauseous and off balance.  The exercises they give me, which are supposed to help, don’t seem to be doing so.  I make sure I do them when I can rest for a while.  Driving, walking, all the important things that a person does daily has become a problem.  

Meanwhile I am still working on my genealogy.  No more classes right now.  Just getting caught up with the info I have, and I have a lot.  My yard looks awful.  Renea and Kevin have been mowing the grass.  However, the weeds have taken over.  Most of my plants have died.  I have been watering Jim’s tree and it looks pretty good.  Some of my new trees look really sad.  That includes my weeping willow – which needs a lot of water.  Rain has been really scarce this year.  We are definitely in a drought.

I started this blog on 8/2 and a lot has happened since then.  Today is 8/17.  Monday was my last day of physical therapy.  It has helped my balance somewhat.  As for the dizzy/headache/nauseous feeling I am not any better.  In fact, it is worse.  I cannot do the exercises they give me to help this problem.  Next Monday I go back to the neurologist.  Not sure what he is going to tell me.  We shall see.

Meanwhile Kevin has been mowing my grass and doing the weedeating.  My so called garden is a disaster.  If the weather ever cools down I hope to get outside and work on weeding it.  Most of my plants have died.  I can’t see two of my bushes because of the weeds.  I have only two hummingbirds coming to eat, and they don’t come very often.  I am having trouble with wasps and carpenter bees eating the hummingbird food.  I have not been putting out birdseed this summer. 

Yesterday I had a new toilet installed.  It is one of those ADA compliant ones that are taller than I had.  It’s weird when you are happy to get a new toilet.  I also had a dishwasher installed.  I hired this “handyman” from Opelika and I really like him.  He actually built a cabinet for my dishwasher so it would blend in with my cabinets.  He is checking on the parts to install a shower only in my bathroom.  I don’t use the bathtub, and it is hard for me to step into it, so I am having it removed. The problem is, because I live in a mobile home nothing is standard size.  He is having trouble finding what we need.  I also talked to him today about having the carpet removed from my dining room and having wood/laminate flooring installed.  He said, yes, he does do that.

Other than that and working on my genealogy, nothing else much is happening.

Meet Mattie

Good Morning.  It is Monday and Renea is taking me to physical therapy.  It is already hotter than you know what!  Anyway, I am having a bad morning.  The therapist said part of my problem is riding in the car.  Apparently, that is part of the eye/brain problem.  My understanding is my eyes see things before my brain registers them, and that causes the headaches and dizziness.  Also causes nausea.  What a mess.  Hopefully, the therapy will help this.

 

After pt we stopped and picked up Miss Penny.  She was glad to see us.  In fact, she was extremely vocal.  More so than she has ever been.  When we arrived home, and I let her out of her crate, she immediately ran around the house making sure everything was still there.  She then ate her food that I put out for her, and went into her paper bag and took a nap.  She has since been following me around, cuddling with me, and napping.  I think she is glad to be home.

 

One surprise was that she slept with me all night.  In fact, she has been sleeping with me at night since she came home.  This is a first.  She usually slept in my bedroom, but not in bed with me.  I guess she missed me.

 

Yesterday I left to get some groceries and my hair cut.  She sure was glad to see me when I got back home.  She followed me all around the house.  I am sure she will settle down after a few days.

 

I’ve decided to settle back into some sort of routine and get a few things accomplished around here.  This morning I watered the plants (ones that are still alive) in my front yard along with two of my new trees.  I have done two loads of laundry (sheets and towels).  Searched under all the furniture for Miss Penny’s toys and found them.  Made her happy.  She even brought one to me as a gift.  Did my physical therapy.  Had both breakfast and lunch and cleaned up the dishes.  Now I plan to work for a short time on the genealogy.  I have been doing the genealogy so much I have gotten really far behind in other things.  So, starting today I will be limiting myself to how long I work on it each day. 

 

I took a couple of pictures of Jana’s new dog, and I would like to share them with you.  Meet Miss Mattie.  (Yes, I know her eyes are glowing and I need to fix that).  But isn't she a cutie!

A Quick Trip

Today was not a good day.  I felt miserable.  So, I packed for my weekend trip to Ohio.  Packed Penny’s stuff for her stay at Companion Boarding.  Worked on my genealogy.  Read a little bit.  Talked to Jana on the phone.  Visited with Renea (she came over to see my curtains).  Talked to Brian on the phone.  Saw on facebook that Steven is home.  Did my physical therapy.  Can’t believe how tired I am.

WOW!  We had a doozy of a storm last night.  Lots of thunder and lightning and even some rain.  Miss Penny snuggled with me.  I don’t think she liked it. 

Today is getting ready for Ohio.  Just plan to be there over the weekend.  This afternoon I will be taking Miss Penny to Companion Animal Clinic.  I board her there when necessary.  They spoil her just as much as I do.  I am all packed and everything is sitting in my dining room.  Miss Penny knows something is going on.  In fact, she makes me feel guilty.  She hides under the table or a chair and looks at me with such sad eyes.  But, I know she will be fine staying with the girls at Companion. 

We left Friday morning.  Kevin drove.  We went in Renea’s car.  Had a nice trip to Cincinnati.  Went up I-75 and it took about ten hours.  Went straight to Jana’s house, unloaded the car and met Mattie.  She is adorable.  The four of us went to Skyline for supper then Kevin and Renea went to Brian’s because they will be staying there. I stayed with Jana.  I did my pt and went to bed at the usual time.

After breakfast Saturday morning Jana and I went to Shoe Carnival.  I bought two pair of East Spirit shoes.  I have more trouble finding the kind of shoes I want, but I know they will have them.  I bought New Balance the last time and I do not like them.  Went back home and had lunch.  Jana and I then headed to Brian and Tracy’s.

We had a really good time.  It was hot, and a lot of the group went swimming.  The rest of us sat on the deck in the shade.  Rita and Bob were there, and it was good to see them.  They put their house for sale on Sunday.  Minnie and Frank (Minnie is Tracy’s Aunt) were there.  It was good to see them also.  Brandon was there, and his mom and her fiancé stopped by later in the afternoon.  Samantha and Brandon are engaged, and her ring is beautiful.  And, of course, Steven was there.  He was the reason for the party.  He will be in town about a month.  It was good to see him.  He is so grown up and looks really good.  Tracy’s sister came bringing food and her son Dom.  Several of Steven’s friends stopped by.  Bradley and Brianna were there.  James and Kerri stopped with their two girls.  Needless to say there was a good crowd to see Steven.

The day before Steven and Brian spent the day cooking so they wouldn’t have to do so on Saturday.  The food was delicious!  And, they had plenty. 

Jana and I left shortly after supper.  The heat and trip to Cincinnati finally caught up with me.  We went back to Jana’s and basically crashed. 

Kevin and Renea picked me up Sunday morning about seven o’clock and we headed for home.  Had a nice trip back.  Didn’t do much after arriving.  Just got a good night’s sleep.

New Curtains

I’m back.  Yesterday (Thursday) I had the oil changed in my car.  They also rotated the tires, and checked the brakes.  All is well.  I wanted everything checked before we headed to Ohio.  We (Kevin, Renea and I) will be there for one day.  We will travel on Friday, be there on Saturday and come back home on Sunday.  Steven is coming home from Hawaii, and Brian is having an open house type party so we can all visit with him.  He will be home for about a month.  I have made arrangements to board Penny.  However, Stephanie and Rebecca (Bruce and Jennifer’s daughter) will be staying at Kevin and Renea’s to take care of the dogs.

After I had the car taken care of I went to Barnes and Nobels.  I bought a couple of books.  Not many new ones out there that I am looking for right now.  After leaving there I went to WalMart which is in the same shopping area and bought a few groceries.  I also bought curtain rods for my new living room curtains.  I then headed home.  I was shocked at the amount of traffic.  I’m usually not out driving at that time of day. 

After I finished eating supper I had planned on doing my physical therapy since I didn’t do it earlier.  However……I was kidnapped by my next door neighbors to go with them to see Bruce and Jennifer’s new house.  It is big and beautiful.  And, they were kind enough to bring me back home.  By then it was almost bedtime and I’m sorry to say I didn’t do my physical therapy.

Woke up bright and early this morning (Friday) and after I ate breakfast and started my laundry.  I did my physical therapy.  If all goes well I hope to do another session later this afternoon or evening.  Depends on how tired I am.  My laundry is now finished, dishes are done and the house has been straightened up.  Time for a break.

No, I didn’t do another session of physical therapy.  I was too tired.

Saturday I woke feeling miserable.  Had a lazy day.  I did do my pt, but I did it in “sections” kind of like I mow my grass.  Kevin did mow the back yard.  He stopped in to tell me my mower is out of commission.  Something has broken on it and he will be fixing it when he gets a chance.  That’s okay because he has been mowing my grass since I have been having my dizzy spells, etc.  Now I have another excuse J 

YEA!!!! We had some rain today so I won’t have to water the trees and plants.  I received my water bill yesterday and it was triple what it normally is.  Hope we get more rain!

Forget more rain.  I am back to watering everything.  Right now the most important item is the dawn redwood tree (Jim’s tree).  It is starting to look better.

Yesterday I had my physical therapy and she added a few more things to do.  I sure hope this helps.  After the pt I am always tired, so the rest of the day was kind of lazy.  On the way home Renea (she was driving) and I came to a complete stop on Hwy 80.  The police were making everyone turn around.  That was interesting because we don’t know the back roads too well.  So we got out the GPS and found our way.  Turns out there was a wreck between a tractor trailer truck and SUV.  Five people were killed including two children.  So said.  Don’t know any details.

This morning I washed the windows in the living room and hung my new curtains.  They are burlap, and I’m glad I went with them.  I really like the way they look.  Now let’s see how long it takes for Penny to try taking them down.  I hung them differently so she shouldn’t be able to

Do that.  I did hang them in a way that she can look out the windows.  Now it’s time for a rest before I do anything else.

Did you see her waiting to check them out?  This is going to be fun :)

Physical Therapy

It’s been a couple of slow days.  I had two days where I felt really good.  Now everything is back with a vengeance.  I am still doing my PT at home, but I don’t think it is helping.  Monday I start taking my PT at the Speech and Hearing Center along with what I do at home.  I sure hope we make some progress.

I have been busy with my genealogy.  I am working on my Mother’s side of her family.  Namely, her Mother’s side.  I have found that one of our ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War.  I think that is so awesome.  I am researching to find out more information about him. I am also planning to sign up for another class.  So, I have been busy, but it’s all been sitting down work.

It has been extremely hot here.  Temps have been in the upper 90’s with feels like in the triple digits.  Therefore, I am staying inside!  Of course, as far as the rain, we are in the donut hole again.  We get a few sprinkles, hear some thunder, and that’s about it.  My water bill is going to be astronomical this month.

We are now going to skip a couple of days.  I have started my physical therapy.  I will be going every Monday morning for 45 minutes.  I thought, gee, that’s not bad.  Well, it’s a good thing Renea went with me to drive home.  I would never have made it by myself.  The therapist gave me numerous exercises to do at home which takes about 45 minutes.  I am worn out when finished.  I sure hope this helps.  I do half in the morning and half in the afternoon.  Ashley said that would be okay. 

I have now finished my genealogy class.  This one was very informative and should help me find a lot of information.  Lately I have been “organizing” all the information I have.  I seem to collect more pieces of paper, both printed and handwritten.  I decided it was time to organize them so I have some idea of what I am searching for.  I have been working on Leipnitz/Nessler; Althoefer/Meyers; (they are all on my dad’s side); then Heltman/Miller (they are on my mom’s mother’s side).  I am getting ready to start on mom’s dad’s side which is Myers/Irwin.  Then I will be ready to do more research.  So far I have traced the Heltman’s back to the 1600s.  I found a couple of men who served in the Revolutionary War.  My Grandma Heltman was a member of the DAR.  This is getting more interesting all the time.  I still have a lot of research to do here.

Updates later.