We Sure Don't Stay Home Very Much

The weather has been on a roller coaster this week.  It has been cold, warm and we have had two inches of rain in 24 hours.  The rain was on Tuesday.  Today is sunny and cold.  Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warmer with rain moving in by tomorrow night/Sunday. 

Last Monday we spent the day running errands.  In order, we went to the bank, Walmart, Kroger for gas, SAM’s, Office Depot, Books A Million, Petco, Target and Kroger.  In between we stopped for lunch – just a quick sandwich at McDonald’s.  We left the house at 9:30 a.m. and didn’t return until 4:30 p.m.  We were exhausted, but we sure accomplished a lot!

Tuesday was a day of recuperation.  Of course, I did my morning chores, two loads of laundry, and made a pot of chili.  We had hamburgers for supper.   Wednesday was a day of odds and ends around the house.  We took Kevin and Renea to Red Lobster for supper.  Had a great time.  Kevin drove my car, and when we pulled in the driveway upon arriving home there was a beautiful doe laying in my front yard.  She got up, looked at us, and slowly walked away.  Several times she looked back.  Eventually she was to a point where we couldn’t see her any longer.  Kevin and I both have deer in our yards most nights. 

It seems that in the late afternoon Penny and Mattie usually decide to chase each other.  On Tuesday Jana had just set the table and put her pills (which she puts in a small plastic cup by her plate) on the table.  About that time the “girls” started their chase.  Penny jumped on the table, slid across and the cup of pills went flying. My first reaction was chase the girls out of the room so we could get the pills picked up before they decided to eat them.  Not sure if they would, but didn’t want to take any chances.   

Thursday, for some reason, was another lazy day.  We had the chili for supper.  Then after supper Jana and I played the game Sorry.  She bought the game just for the heck of it.  The rules are different than we remember, so we adjusted the game to be the way we played it when we were kids.  We had a lot of fun and had a lot of laughs. 

However, today has been busy so far.  Before I showered and dressed I got my morning chores done.  Paid a few bills and ran the sweeper in the living room.  Jana is now playing cards on her computer after checking her emails and bank.  I really need to get outside and fill the birdfeeders. 

Beautiful Day In Alabama

Good Morning.  It’s a beautiful, but cold, morning in Alabama.  Jana and I are ready for Christmas.  We are just hoping the trees remain standing.  Yesterday afternoon Penny started messing with Jana’s tree.  We have found if we ignore her she just stops and goes about her business.  However, this time she got caught in the strand of lights and couldn’t get out.  The tree was shaking, Mattie was barking, and Penny was starting to panic.  When I tried to help her she got scared and didn’t want me to touch her.  So, Jana held the tree and I finally managed to get her untangled.  She wasn’t hurt, but she was not happy.  Didn’t last long though.  Next thing we knew Penny and Mattie were chasing each other around the house.  Oh such fun!

Our whole day was kind of like that.  One or the other was constantly getting into trouble.  Of course, it all started Thursday night with Jana and me.  We went to Mass at St. Patrick’s and decided to eat supper at Ihop before going home.  When we arrived it was not crowded, but there were people sitting on the benches waiting to be seated.  We waited patiently (J) for someone to seat us.  However, no one came until several people came to pay.  That woman asked for our name so she could put us on the list.  We questioned why a list when there were a lot of empty seats.  She said that was how it was done.  There were people waiting ahead of us.  We also heard a waitress telling a family that their order would be out “shortly.”  This was our clue to leave.  Apparently, they were short of help and things were not going well. 

So, we decided to stop at Wendy’s since we passed that on the way home.  (There isn’t a lot of places to chose from along that portion of Hwy 80.)  When we arrived, it was dark, there were boards blocking the driveway.  We knew they were remodeling, but they had been open.  Check that one off our list.  We finally decided to pick up a sandwich at Subway and take it home to eat.  Turned out to be a good choice.

The burn ban has been lifted since we had some rain, so Kevin decided to burn the pile of brush that has been accumulating from his cleaning out the woods.  It was huge!  He checked with the fire department to make sure it would be okay.  They said to go ahead.  He hooked up the hose, dug a trench around the pile, added water to that, and started the fire.  This was Thursday.  Today is Saturday and it is still smoking.  When we talked to him yesterday he said when it cooled he would clean out the barbed wire and other “stuff” to take to the dump.  He would then bury everything else, spread some dirt and grass seed.  Sure looks different when I look out my back window. 

I have definitely been feeling better now.  I moved a lot of things to the shed for storage.  That was something I had been putting off.  I have been keeping the birdfeeders filled.  The birds eat a lot in this cold weather.  I have even been doing some cooking while Jana is here.  I don’t do much cooking just for myself, so this has been nice.  Sure glad I have a dishwasher.  Also, the new shower has been a blessing.  Of course, Penny loves the new shelves.  We never know where we will find her.  I think both Penny and Mattie wore themselves out yesterday.  Both are having a lazy day.  Right now Mattie is laying in the sun.  Not sure where Penny is resting.  She has been getting on top of the pantry cabinet in the kitchen and snoozing. 

Not sure what we will be doing today.  The Christmas cards are written and mailed.  We will be going to Mass at St. Patrick’s later today.  This might be a lazy day for us.

Almost Ready for Christmas Holidays

Good Morning!  I am going to try and do better with my blog.  Yesterday Kevin and Renea stopped over so Kevin could put the topper on my tree.  Looks good! 

 

Jana and I finished the decorating and found that we need to buy a few more items (of course).  I think we have enough Christmas dishes.  We bought two of this and that and different stores and now have two cabinets full.  I had to pack my everyday dishes and put them in the shed.  Well, actually, Kevin carried them to the shed because they were too heavy for Jana and me. 

The house is ready except for my bedroom.  That room is a disaster.  I will get to it later.  Have too much other stuff to do right now.  As long as I can get in my bed I am happy. J

This morning Jana and I took all the plastic containers out to the shed.  We had them stacked in the laundry area, and could barely get to the bathroom.  I bought a new hanger for my shower to put my shampoo, etc. on.  It looks good and should work well.  I bought two small pump containers for my shampoo and conditioner because they are so heavy.

I finally took a few pictures of my Christmas tree, Jana’s tree and some new decorations.

 

My Christmas Tree

Jana's Christmas Tree

The Stockings Were Hung on the Railing With Care

The Wreath Above the Door

The Bow Above The Window

Candy Canes Above A Different Window

The New Top Ornament

(you really can't see it on the picture of the tree)

Straightened up the bedroom.  Jana and I went to Mass at St. Patrick’s on Saturday night and then went to Applebee’s for supper.  Tasted very good.  Neither of us had been there for a while.  After supper we came home and watched some television.  I had recorded several of our favorite shows so we watched Designated Survivor.  In the afternoon we had watched the end of the NASCAR drivers show.  Of course, it ran overtime and we didn’t get to see the very end.  But that’s okay.  We enjoyed what we saw. 

 

It started raining during the night and will be doing so today and for the next couple of days.  We are planning to stay in and watch some football.  I have a couple of gifts to “bag” yet.  I hope to finish that today.

Busy Times

It has been so long since I have added to my blog that I am not even going to try and say much except what has been done in no specific timeline.  I haven’t even been on the computer very often.

Jana and I have finished Christmas shopping.  Still have a few gifts to wrap.  The decorations, including the trees, are up and looking great.  However, I bought a top ornament for my tree that I am going to ask Kevin to put on for me.  I cannot get it to stay upright.  We both bought a few new ornaments.  I may have to get a bigger tree next year.  Pictures to follow.

I am sorry to say that I did not make any ornaments or gifts this year.  With all the problems I was having I just could not concentrate or do the type of work required.  I sure have a lot of kits and ideas for next year though so my family better be prepared! 

Jana and I have been running a lot of errands.  I am getting caught up on so many things that I let go for most of this year.  We have been to Barnes and Nobels twice.  We have made several trips to Tigertown to shop at Petco, Target, Hobby Lobby and Kroger.  We also went to Walmart in Opelika. 

Jana has her Christmas cards written and ready to go.  I haven’t even started mine.  Anyway, we needed stamps and decided to try and find the post office in Opelika.  SUCCESS!!!!  It is tucked away in an area where I had never been.  I will go there from now on.  It is one of the nicer ones I have been to.   Jana has her stamps and will be mailing her cards tomorrow. 

The girls (Penny and Mattie) are still doing fine.  They chase each other all over the house and then collapse for a nap.  Mattie tries to smell Penny’s butt and she doesn’t like that.  When she does it that starts the chase all over again.  Today Mattie licked Penny on the nose.  Penny was so surprised that she didn’t move.  The only thing I am not used to is Mattie following me everywhere I go in the house.  Penny follows me to certain areas, but Mattie is always “under foot.”  I am so worried that I will step on her or fall.  I just have to be careful.  Penny has been a bit of a problem with Jana’s Christmas tree.  She doesn’t bother mine as much as she does Jana’s.

This past week I picked up my new glasses.  The frames aren’t much different than my last ones, but I sure can see better.

As most of you know I have been interested and involved in doing my family tree on all branches of the tree.  Anyway, I had my DNA done and when I checked the list of people who have some of my family on their tree I contacted one of them.  We have been in touch with each other now.  The gal I have been corresponding with lives in Cincinnati, and I hope to see her the next time I am there.  She is related to me on the Althoefer side, and is a cousin several times removed.  That’s okay.  I think it is exciting that I found a relative!

That’s it for now.  Back at you later. 

Good News!

I have good news!  I have had such a good week since Elizabeth gave me the treatment for vertigo.  I am feeling really good.  I had my therapy appointment yesterday and Elizabeth checked me for vertigo and I am fine.  I am no longer going for therapy.  I am not to do the home exercises.  She said I still have the VOR and I will probably have problems the rest of my life.  There is no cure.  Also, I will probably have spells with the vertigo.  When I do I am to call her and she will give treatments as necessary.  I feel so much better.

After we left the therapy office we, of course, went to Barnes and Nobel.  I had a book that came out yesterday and since we were over there we stopped and picked it up.  Next we went to Petsmart since Jana had a few things to buy. We also bought a tray to put under Mattie’s food dishes because of Penny splashing water all over the floor.   FYI – I used my garmin to get there since I had not been to there from B & N.  Traffic was awful!  However, we made it just fine.  I recognized where we were so I knew how to get back.  I just hadn’t been there for a long time.  Next we headed up Hwy 280 so we could go to Tigertown.  We usually have to get on the interstate for a short time, but it was backed up on the entrance ramp and now moving.  So…..I took a guess at how to get to where we were going.  I recognized the Ford dealership and again knew where I was.  No problem getting to Tigertown.

Since it was lunchtime, our first stop was McDonald’s.  We considered that our “big” meal of the day even though we only had a fish sandwich and French fries.  Our next stop was Best Buy where Jana bought a Kindle.  We went to Hobby Lobby so Jana could buy a picture frame and we both bought several other items – of course J  Our last stop was Kroger.  By the time we got home we were exhausted.  We left at 8:30 in the morning and didn’t arrive home until 3:45 p.m.  I put away the cold items and left everything else sit while I took a break. 

We had a light supper. After supper it was DWTS time.  This was the final show of the season.  Even though we wanted James to win I told Jana it would probably be Laurie.  I went to bed after the first hour.  I was tired.  Jana stayed up and watched the whole show.  Sure enough, Laurie won.  I found out in the morning. 

Penny and Mattie are still doing fine.  Of course, I have another Penny Mattie story.  On Monday when we were getting ready to leave for our all-day errands Jana filled Mattie’s “kong” with her treats.  For those of you who don’t know, the kong is a hollow rubber like toy that you fill with treats for dogs and they play with it to get the treats out.  Jana always gives Mattie one when we leave the house to keep her occupied.  Anyway, after Jana filled the kong she put it on the countertop while she went to the bathroom.  Penny then jumped up on the countertop, Mattie was sitting on the floor waiting for her kong, and Penny obliged by knocking it on the floor for her.  Mattie was happy eating her treats, and Penny was sitting on the countertop looking all innocent. 

WHAT A WEEK!

Brian left for Cincinnati during the night Friday/Saturday.  He had to be at work at 6:00 Saturday evening.  He arrived home safe and sound.

Saturday Jana and I went to Mass at St. Patrick’s and I had an extremely bad dizzy spell.  I ended up sitting through the Mass.  It happened while I was standing and reading the prayers.  Not real sure at this point what happened.  Jana drove home.  We stopped at Papa John’s and picked up a pizza and chocolate cookie.  Sure did taste good.  I hadn’t had that since last year when Jana was here.  Sunday was not the best of days.  I did my therapy.  We watched the race (started here at the house and finished at Kevin’s).  We went to Kevin’s for supper.  Renea fixed an awesome meal. 

Monday was therapy day.  The first thing on the agenda was telling Elizabeth what happened in church on Saturday night.  She said it sounded more like vertigo than the VOR problem.  She did a test of my ears and eyes and said, yes, the crystals were all over the place.  It was vertigo.  She gave me a treatment to settle the crystals.  I did not do any therapy at all.  I was told to stay upright and not move my head any more than necessary for 24 hours.  I was also to sleep sitting up.  I was not to use the computer or read.  I am so glad Jana was here.  She was an enormous help.  I was miserable.  Elizabeth also told me not to do any of my home therapy until she saw me again on Thursday.  We did watch DWTS.  I was not surprised at who was eliminated.

Tuesday I woke up and had the best day I had in a long time.  Tuesday afternoon I went to the eye doctor for my annual checkup.  Jana went with me so she could drive me home.  The cataracts had not changed so no surgery. Next stop was Barnes and Nobels since they are just down the road from the eye doctor’s office.  We had a late lunch at TGIF.  From there we headed home.   No lunch since neither of us was hungry because we had such a late lunch.

Wednesday we were up before the sun came up.  I was scheduled for an 8:00 a.m. echo of my heart.  Jana and I decided to not eat breakfast, but to go to Ihop after the echo.  We stopped at Walgreen’s and picked up my prescription.  Then went to Ihop for breakfast.  After breakfast we went to Phenix City Walmart for several items.  Then it was up Hwy 280 to Opelika Tigerstown.  First stop was Petco for dog food.  Next stop was Kroger.  Last stop was for gas at Kroger.  We finally headed home. After lunch it was nap time.  A well deserved nap.  We were tired. 

Thursday it was back to therapy.  I was still feeling better than I had in a long time.  Elizabeth checked my ears and said the crystals were still moving around a little so she gave me another treatment.  Again there was no therapy, and she told me not to do any home therapy until she sees me next Monday.  When we arrived home I put a couple pieces of chicken in the crockpot and we had that with applesauce for supper.  It tasted good.

Friday we didn’t have to go anywhere!  Yea!  It felt good not to get up and rush around to leave.  So, I put a chuck roast in the crockpot.  Later I added potatoes and carrots. The meal was delicious and we have enough left over for another meal.  I did a few odds and ends during the day, but it was basically a lazy kind of day.

UPDATE ON PENNY AND MATTIE!  They are getting along fine.  Every morning after they greet each other they chase each other around the house.  The Penny gets up on the bookcase and Mattie looks up at her and barks.  Penny just looks at her like what’s wrong with you J  At times they lay next to each other in the sun.  We have to watch Mattie because she will eat Penny’s food.  However, Penny plays in Mattie’s water.  She sticks her paw in the water, splashes it around and then licks her paw.  She has made several messes.  She has even offered Mattie her wet paw to lick.  The other night I was sitting in the recliner and Penny came over to get on my lap.  However she wasn’t fast enough and Mattie jumped on my lap and looked at Penny like Ha Ha I beat you.  They are so funny.  We do put up a gate to keep Mattie in the living room when we leave, but we are sure Penny joins her.  It has been a fun and interesting week.  We are just glad the girls get along.

So Much To Do And So Little Time

The bathroom is finished!  It looks really good.  I took a couple of pictures, but since the bathroom is small they do not do it justice.  I had the bathtub removed and a shower stall installed.  Gerry also installed some shelves for me for storage.  I did not have a door installed just pulled the shower curtain across.  Gerry came back Thursday morning to finish up a few odds and ends.  He left about noon.

Jana and I have been very busy. She spent the morning unpacking and settling in.  We went through the books that she brought and the ones I had for her.  Thursday afternoon she went with me to my therapy session.  Elizabeth had her sit in with us so she would know what I had to do at home.  She was shocked at how “bad” I am.  We joined Brian, Kevin and Renea for supper then came home and relaxed.  We were tired and so were all of them. 
 

Brian and Kevin spent the day working in the back running wire for the electric and digging a trench and running pipe for water.  Renea’s parents are moving here in January.  They will be living in a camper on the back of Kevin and Renea’s property.  A septic system has been installed, the water has been run and is ready, the wiring has been run and now it has to be inspected. 

 

Friday Kevin and Brian finished a few things in the back yard then Brian joined Jana and me for lunch and an afternoon visit.  After he left I did my therapy.  Jana and I joined the three of them for supper.  Ryan visited for a short time to say hi to Brian.  Stephanie wasn’t able to visit since she was working.   We left early because Brian was going to sleep for a while.  He wanted to leave for Cincinnati around midnight.  Not sure what time he left (we were sleeping) but we do know he arrived home safe and sound.

 

Saturday Jana and I did a few things here at the house.  I did my therapy.  We watched some football.  We went to Mass at St. Patrick’s in Phenix City.  We stopped and picked up a pizza and chocolate chip cookie at Papa John’s on the way home.  It sure tasted great.  We watched the NASCAR Xfinity race and then went to bed.

 

Jana downloaded a game on her phone and we have been having the best time playing it.  It is called WordBrain.  It is very challenging.  A lot more fun than cards.  I have it on my Kindle. 

 

Now for Penny and Mattie.  They have been extremely entertaining.  We had to put up a gate to keep Mattie confined to the living room and dining room because she eats Penny’s food.  However, Penny plays with the water in her water dish.  The first time she did this I was doing my therapy and did not see what was happening.  She puts her paw in the water, splashes around then licks the water off her paw.  At one point she put both paws and her head in the dish.  She also got her paw wet and offered it to Mattie to lick.  I have taken a couple of movies of this. I didn’t post them because they take so long to load.

 

Last night Penny tried to play with Jana’s phone case, and when Jana took it away from her she used her paw to open the book Jana had sitting on the end table and started actually turning pages.  Don’t know where that came from since she has never done anything like that before.  They also chase each other around the house.  When Penny gets on top of the bookcases Mattie sits looking up at her and barks.  They are getting along just fine.  At times Penny shows Mattie that she is in charge; and at other times Mattie shows Penny she is in charge.  Just think, we have three months of this.  I can’t wait until we put up the Christmas trees and decorations.