Well, I spent a great day plus with my Indiana grandchildren. When I arrived at their home, mom and dad (my daughter and son-in-law) left almost immediately to do their annual Christmas shopping. The children and I "went to town" so to speak.
First, it was decided that because they had waited sooooooo long for me-mom to show up and teach them to knit, that would be the first project. Even Dan, he's 10, wanted to learn how to knit. The girls, Annie and Grace caught on right away. Dan? Well, let's say that 10-year-old male hands are not as coordinated as 9-year-old girl hands, and poor Dan just got frustrated and went back to writing his book.
Oh, yeah. He's writing a book. He's on Chapter 1! I can't tell you what it's about because right now it's in the "developmental" stage. But watch for it. It's about swords.
After the knitting lesson, we got something to eat for dinner and watched "Anne of Green Gables" (Part 1) while we were eating. Then we made a mess -- we made Christmas cards and did a "sprinkles" sprinkling art project with them. I tried to keep the sprinkles all in one place so they wouldn't get all over my daughter's kitchen floor, and I think we succeeded. By the time we finished it was almost 10 p.m. We all went to bed at the same time.
Mom and dad were still not home, and I have no idea when they came in. I fell asleep right away, and slept until around 5:00 a.m., then leg pain caused me to get up and move around and get going for the day. I know that's extremely early for me, but sometimes that happens. Dan was up at 6 a.m., and Annie was up around 6:30 a.m. We played a computer game until their mother arose around 7:30 a.m.
Finally, I was able to spend some time with my daughter while the family got ready for church. It was a very, very nice visit.
I did well physically, also. I'm wondering if wood floors are helpful to my legs. We have cement board under our carpeting and bathroom and kitchen floors, which has no give whatsoever. Anyway, I didn't have to use the walker at all, and my knees were in good shape except for the early morning wake-up call, which is not unusual.
So, dear folks, it was a nice weekend. Oh, yes, oh the way home I stopped by a former co-worker of mine's home to see her new baby. What a cutie! And, it was nice to see my friend again as well.
ttfn
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Off to Indiana
Well, it's Saturday -- it's been a few days since I last posted. Not so busy, just not wanting to get attached to the computer.
I'm leaving in a few hours to visit my daughter and her family in Southern Indiana -- about 75 miles from here. The grandchildren and I are going to make Christmas cards, and I'm supposed to teach the two girls how to knit. We'll see how that goes. Probably very well, as both girls are very coordinated.
I'm praying that my leg, knee, hip, and back hold out and I am able to walk without much difficulty. Since the last "flare up" I've been doing quite well. Since then I prepared a full thanksgiving dinner, which my husband enjoyed so much he had seconds. He rarely has seconds of anything, not that I make enough for most meals for him to enjoy that possibility, but when I do, he doesn't partake. So, it was a compliment to the chef that he asked for more.
Of course, the pies are being rationed, otherwise, they'd be gone. He seems to not know that you have to monitor your intake of food or you'd be in bed and weigh over 500 pounds. As soon as he hits 275, I panic and starve him, which means I take away all bread and sweets. Since he doesn't like veggies, he eats very little until he realizes that I mean what I say, and then he ingests vegetables as well as meat. eggs. and cheese.
But, I'm heading out. I hope Alan can cope for 24 hours without me. He will probably not eat anything but the two pieces of pie that are left, and drink a couple of cups of coffee. The fridge is full of things for him to eat, but opening the refrigerator door might be more than I could ask for.
Oh, well, a day of fasting won't hurt him.
I'm so looking forward to seeing Annie, Gracie, and Dan again. It's been, what? Two months? At least that long since I saw them. So, it will be to much fun to be with them again. We always have fun. Dan is a hoot, so grown up, yet such a little boy. Annie and Gracie are growing into young ladies, and I keep pushing on the tops of their heads to try to keep them from growing up.
I have one regret -- I didn't spend a whole lot of time with them when they were babies. Alan was so sick with cancer that I really couldn't' even get away for 24 hours. As it is, this 24-hour time is something I relish and enjoy to the fullest.
mtf
I'm leaving in a few hours to visit my daughter and her family in Southern Indiana -- about 75 miles from here. The grandchildren and I are going to make Christmas cards, and I'm supposed to teach the two girls how to knit. We'll see how that goes. Probably very well, as both girls are very coordinated.
I'm praying that my leg, knee, hip, and back hold out and I am able to walk without much difficulty. Since the last "flare up" I've been doing quite well. Since then I prepared a full thanksgiving dinner, which my husband enjoyed so much he had seconds. He rarely has seconds of anything, not that I make enough for most meals for him to enjoy that possibility, but when I do, he doesn't partake. So, it was a compliment to the chef that he asked for more.
Of course, the pies are being rationed, otherwise, they'd be gone. He seems to not know that you have to monitor your intake of food or you'd be in bed and weigh over 500 pounds. As soon as he hits 275, I panic and starve him, which means I take away all bread and sweets. Since he doesn't like veggies, he eats very little until he realizes that I mean what I say, and then he ingests vegetables as well as meat. eggs. and cheese.
But, I'm heading out. I hope Alan can cope for 24 hours without me. He will probably not eat anything but the two pieces of pie that are left, and drink a couple of cups of coffee. The fridge is full of things for him to eat, but opening the refrigerator door might be more than I could ask for.
Oh, well, a day of fasting won't hurt him.
I'm so looking forward to seeing Annie, Gracie, and Dan again. It's been, what? Two months? At least that long since I saw them. So, it will be to much fun to be with them again. We always have fun. Dan is a hoot, so grown up, yet such a little boy. Annie and Gracie are growing into young ladies, and I keep pushing on the tops of their heads to try to keep them from growing up.
I have one regret -- I didn't spend a whole lot of time with them when they were babies. Alan was so sick with cancer that I really couldn't' even get away for 24 hours. As it is, this 24-hour time is something I relish and enjoy to the fullest.
mtf
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wonderful day!
I just can't comment enough on how great today has been. Really no pain at all, not even on standing, which is usually when it hurts the most. I really don't understand what my body is doing, but I guess the "flare up" has flared down. Thank you all, again, for your prayers for me.
I did several things today that I haven't been able to do for over a week. First I could stand up without the aid of the walker, and have almost decided we don't need a "pop-up" chair (yes, we do and Furniture Fair has them at a reasonable price.) Second, I went to the funeral and it meant a lot of walking in a big church and outside from the parking lot to get into the church, and it didn't hurt. Then, I went to the meat market. And while, that really isn't much walking, it's a lot of standing while my order is filled, because I didn't call it in ahead of time. And still my leg was feeling good. No trouble driving or getting in or out of the car. I did have my "crutch" (walker) with me all the time, and that really does help, but I was strolling along at a rather rapid clip today.
Also, it doesn't hurt if someone gives me a hug, or if Alan touches me, or when I'm in bed in any position but flat on my back.
In all this, I realize that my kidneys really aren't working as well as they should be. I can tell this because I'm drinking tons of liquids and not expelling very much. Another prayer request? Yes, by all means.
If it weren't for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and his healing power, I know I would be so much worse off than I am.
I talked with a couple of my neighbors today. All of us were using walkers and talking about having walker races. I'd opt out of that event. But, we also all agreed that while we are housebound a lot, even chair bound, or bed bound, we could be in a much worse position than we are from time to time. God gives the strength we need when we need it, and it seems that He does that more often than not. It's just that the "down" time goes so much slower than the "up" time.
Well, time to go praise and pray -- it's night time -- bed time -- and I still have a very long list of folks that I need to pray for, including Alan. His eye looks really, really good now, and the pressure seems to have lifted some. He goes to the doctor next Monday.
mtf
I did several things today that I haven't been able to do for over a week. First I could stand up without the aid of the walker, and have almost decided we don't need a "pop-up" chair (yes, we do and Furniture Fair has them at a reasonable price.) Second, I went to the funeral and it meant a lot of walking in a big church and outside from the parking lot to get into the church, and it didn't hurt. Then, I went to the meat market. And while, that really isn't much walking, it's a lot of standing while my order is filled, because I didn't call it in ahead of time. And still my leg was feeling good. No trouble driving or getting in or out of the car. I did have my "crutch" (walker) with me all the time, and that really does help, but I was strolling along at a rather rapid clip today.
Also, it doesn't hurt if someone gives me a hug, or if Alan touches me, or when I'm in bed in any position but flat on my back.
In all this, I realize that my kidneys really aren't working as well as they should be. I can tell this because I'm drinking tons of liquids and not expelling very much. Another prayer request? Yes, by all means.
If it weren't for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and his healing power, I know I would be so much worse off than I am.
I talked with a couple of my neighbors today. All of us were using walkers and talking about having walker races. I'd opt out of that event. But, we also all agreed that while we are housebound a lot, even chair bound, or bed bound, we could be in a much worse position than we are from time to time. God gives the strength we need when we need it, and it seems that He does that more often than not. It's just that the "down" time goes so much slower than the "up" time.
Well, time to go praise and pray -- it's night time -- bed time -- and I still have a very long list of folks that I need to pray for, including Alan. His eye looks really, really good now, and the pressure seems to have lifted some. He goes to the doctor next Monday.
mtf
Thank you all for praying
I can actually walk today without much pain. It's marvelous. I also slept well last night and didn't have the pressure point pain I get from the fibromyalgia. So, thank you all for praying about that for me. I know that's why I'm feeling better. God has helped me get through another fibro attack.
In a few minutes we are going to a funeral service for another one of our neighbors who died. Ken lived downstairs, right under us, and has been a help to us personally, and the entire building collectively. His wife, Teresa, hasn't been well for several years, and she and I would "walk" using our scooters on summer evenings. So, today we say our final farewell to Ken. He was also a veteran of the Korean war and he and Teresa have five children (well, they're adults not in their 50s).
I shall miss Ken and the status of whether Teresa is going to continue living here is up in the air. I hope she stays. I would miss her a lot.
mtf
In a few minutes we are going to a funeral service for another one of our neighbors who died. Ken lived downstairs, right under us, and has been a help to us personally, and the entire building collectively. His wife, Teresa, hasn't been well for several years, and she and I would "walk" using our scooters on summer evenings. So, today we say our final farewell to Ken. He was also a veteran of the Korean war and he and Teresa have five children (well, they're adults not in their 50s).
I shall miss Ken and the status of whether Teresa is going to continue living here is up in the air. I hope she stays. I would miss her a lot.
mtf
Monday, November 24, 2008
How much have you done?
My friend, Stacia, put this list on her BLOG and so I'm putting it on mine (she got it from her friend, who got it from another BLOG). I (as did she) bolded the things I've done in my life. How many have you done?
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disney World/Disney Land
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
So, I've done a few things in my life, and some on the list I would love to do, but probably never will (visit the land of my ancestors in Abruzzi Italy), but I'm happy with what I have done in my life. And, of course, there those items on the list which I really don't care to even think about doing (rock climbing? bungee jumping?)
Just a little levity for a dreary, raining/snowy afternoon.
mtf
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disney World/Disney Land
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
So, I've done a few things in my life, and some on the list I would love to do, but probably never will (visit the land of my ancestors in Abruzzi Italy), but I'm happy with what I have done in my life. And, of course, there those items on the list which I really don't care to even think about doing (rock climbing? bungee jumping?)
Just a little levity for a dreary, raining/snowy afternoon.
mtf
Thanks
Thanks to those who told me how to spell "cupboard." As soon as I saw it, I knew that was it. As a child I won spelling bee after spelling bee after spelling bee. I never lost one that I entered, but lately, since having several strokes, I find that spelling is not one of my best subjects. Bummer.
I've been away for a while -- not out of town, just away from the computer. Is it the weather that is causing this absence? Don't know. All I know is that walking has not been happening and over the weekend Alan and I made several decisions.
First, we're getting a pop-up chair for me -- pushing myself up with my legs is so very painful any more I know what people mean when they say they "blacked out from the pain." Once I get walking -- after about 10 or 11 steps, I can bear the pain much better, but getting to that point is not happening very often.
Second, we have hired a dear lady to clean for me and to do my food shopping. In a panic over the weekend, after not being able to reach my daughter-in-law, Amy, I called my best friend, whom I hate to burden with my problems because she has enough of her own, and asked her to please do some food shopping for me. As I mentioned in my last post the "cupboard" was bare, truly. It's still mostly empty, and I really need to get out to the butcher, but at least I can order what I need and it will be waiting for me at the door, and Alan can go inside and get the package. And my new "personal shopper" lives near the butcher and that will be handy as well.
Third, I'm going to have a teenager come in and get my attic cleaned out and put up my Christmas decorations. That will be fun for her and for me.
Fourth -- and really this should have been put first -- is that I'm asking all of you to pray for my health. I know that pain causes stress and can lead to all kinds of other things not connected to the cause of the pain. I would like to be a little more pain free. It was so bad this weekend that when my friend gave me a hug, or should I say "tried to give me a hug" I pushed her away because the touch hurt so bad.
Fifth, if Medicare will pay for a hoover-round chair for me, we'll get one. We have a wheel chair, but that requires me using my arms, which are very sore from using them to keep my legs from full pressure on the floor. And, I'm wondering, how do I cook or do anything like that from wheel-chair height. The hoover-rounds have me sitting about six to 10 inches higher than the wheel-chair does.
I have to say, I never thought I would be in this state of disrepair at such an early age -- yes, younguns, 65 is an early age when most of your neighbors are in their mid-80s. Alan and I are the "kids" of the neighborhood.
I'm happy that God has still given me breath, and that I'm able to be here for Alan's recovery from eye surgery. And, for those of you who asked, he's coming along, slowly. The eye isn't as red as it was, and it's not weeping and gunky anymore. It still hurts him, and that along with a mild shingles flare-up is making him very uncomfortable. The stitches come out in 7 days. I can actually see these tiny stitches when I put the drops in his eyes. It's amazing what doctors can do these days. And the cornea is clear now, not cloudy as it had been for the first few days, so I'm praying that it is attaching itself properly and that he will have good sight in that eye.
Well, I'm going to be at the computer as long as my back holds out today. So, I may have a more happier post later in the day.
mtf
I've been away for a while -- not out of town, just away from the computer. Is it the weather that is causing this absence? Don't know. All I know is that walking has not been happening and over the weekend Alan and I made several decisions.
First, we're getting a pop-up chair for me -- pushing myself up with my legs is so very painful any more I know what people mean when they say they "blacked out from the pain." Once I get walking -- after about 10 or 11 steps, I can bear the pain much better, but getting to that point is not happening very often.
Second, we have hired a dear lady to clean for me and to do my food shopping. In a panic over the weekend, after not being able to reach my daughter-in-law, Amy, I called my best friend, whom I hate to burden with my problems because she has enough of her own, and asked her to please do some food shopping for me. As I mentioned in my last post the "cupboard" was bare, truly. It's still mostly empty, and I really need to get out to the butcher, but at least I can order what I need and it will be waiting for me at the door, and Alan can go inside and get the package. And my new "personal shopper" lives near the butcher and that will be handy as well.
Third, I'm going to have a teenager come in and get my attic cleaned out and put up my Christmas decorations. That will be fun for her and for me.
Fourth -- and really this should have been put first -- is that I'm asking all of you to pray for my health. I know that pain causes stress and can lead to all kinds of other things not connected to the cause of the pain. I would like to be a little more pain free. It was so bad this weekend that when my friend gave me a hug, or should I say "tried to give me a hug" I pushed her away because the touch hurt so bad.
Fifth, if Medicare will pay for a hoover-round chair for me, we'll get one. We have a wheel chair, but that requires me using my arms, which are very sore from using them to keep my legs from full pressure on the floor. And, I'm wondering, how do I cook or do anything like that from wheel-chair height. The hoover-rounds have me sitting about six to 10 inches higher than the wheel-chair does.
I have to say, I never thought I would be in this state of disrepair at such an early age -- yes, younguns, 65 is an early age when most of your neighbors are in their mid-80s. Alan and I are the "kids" of the neighborhood.
I'm happy that God has still given me breath, and that I'm able to be here for Alan's recovery from eye surgery. And, for those of you who asked, he's coming along, slowly. The eye isn't as red as it was, and it's not weeping and gunky anymore. It still hurts him, and that along with a mild shingles flare-up is making him very uncomfortable. The stitches come out in 7 days. I can actually see these tiny stitches when I put the drops in his eyes. It's amazing what doctors can do these days. And the cornea is clear now, not cloudy as it had been for the first few days, so I'm praying that it is attaching itself properly and that he will have good sight in that eye.
Well, I'm going to be at the computer as long as my back holds out today. So, I may have a more happier post later in the day.
mtf
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The best thing about today
Well, today it snowed. That's the best thing about today.
I was supposed to have Becky visit me and go food shopping with Tori, but that was not to be. I woke up with a migraine -- full fledged migraine, including the barfing. It lasted until around 7 p.m. tonight -- at least that's when I realized it was gone.
Alan's eye seems to be healing nicely. He goes back to the doctor on December 1 for post-op, stitch removal. He says he sees some things, but we still have the patch on the eye because he wants to scratch it, and that's the only way we can keep him from doing that. I know he's supposed to have it exposed to the air, but which is worse, no air or tearing out the stitches?
The eye is much better today than yesterday. No gunk build up like yesterday. And he says the pain is gone. If the itching stops we'll remove the patch except when he sleeps.
Tomorrow is our Community Thanksgiving dinner. I guess I'll have to make green-bean casserole because I am not up for going to Kroger's, and my cubbard (how do you spell that, I've spell checked it three times and nothing comes up) is almost bare -- I mean really almost bare. I was supposed to go Krogering with Tori -- my personal shopper -- today, but puking and shopping don't mix. So, I'm between a rock and a hard place as far as food in the house is concerned. At least tomorrow's meals are taken care of, and maybe I'll be up for going to Kroger's, but I'm not holding my breath.
mtf
I was supposed to have Becky visit me and go food shopping with Tori, but that was not to be. I woke up with a migraine -- full fledged migraine, including the barfing. It lasted until around 7 p.m. tonight -- at least that's when I realized it was gone.
Alan's eye seems to be healing nicely. He goes back to the doctor on December 1 for post-op, stitch removal. He says he sees some things, but we still have the patch on the eye because he wants to scratch it, and that's the only way we can keep him from doing that. I know he's supposed to have it exposed to the air, but which is worse, no air or tearing out the stitches?
The eye is much better today than yesterday. No gunk build up like yesterday. And he says the pain is gone. If the itching stops we'll remove the patch except when he sleeps.
Tomorrow is our Community Thanksgiving dinner. I guess I'll have to make green-bean casserole because I am not up for going to Kroger's, and my cubbard (how do you spell that, I've spell checked it three times and nothing comes up) is almost bare -- I mean really almost bare. I was supposed to go Krogering with Tori -- my personal shopper -- today, but puking and shopping don't mix. So, I'm between a rock and a hard place as far as food in the house is concerned. At least tomorrow's meals are taken care of, and maybe I'll be up for going to Kroger's, but I'm not holding my breath.
mtf
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Cornea transplant
Alan's surgery went just fine. He was in the hospital at 8:30 a.m., and out, all finished by noon. St. Elizabeth's has a separate center for in/out surgery. We really liked that concept a lot. And, there is very little walking to do for the patients -- another plus.
He's wearing a patch, and tomorrow we go back to the surgeon to see if it took. He will be on drugs/drops for a month, and we'll know tomorrow if the vision has been corrected. Right now, his right eye has 20/20 vision, except he needs glasses to read. If the surgery took, the other eye will be 20/20 as well, and the best news is no more contacts. And, he'll be less of a hazzard when he drives the car.
We did have some snow (again) overnight, and I saw a few flakes this morning as we were driving to the hospital. That's three days in a row for snow flakes. I love them. They're so Christmas-y, seasonal (?), friendly (like daisies), etc. Snow flakes without tons of accumulation in which I have to drive are one of God's pleasures to me. So, it was a pleasure to see them this morning, and I had hoped we would have had an inch or so, but it was not to be. Now, we just have the cold weather. Tonight, we're supposed to dip down into the high teens. We'll see.
Alan is off to play Euchre with one eye, but other than the headache from using just the one eye, he is fine. I'm off to open my last Creative Memories box. I've officially put myself on leave, and I doubt I will undo the leave when my leave allowance time is up. I have enjoyed the boxes as they arrive, and I will miss that aspect of CM, but I have enough supplies to last me through the rest of my proposed scrapbooks.
Also, in today's shipment were two large albums for babies. One is for a friend of mine who recently had a baby boy, and the other one is for my new grandchild, whatever sex that is -- I'm covered with covers of both colors, so if it's a girl, I have a cover, and if it's a boy I have a cover, and I thought ahead and got the "all in one" kits for both boy and girl.
That's it from N. KY for now. Enjoy the evening.
ttfn
He's wearing a patch, and tomorrow we go back to the surgeon to see if it took. He will be on drugs/drops for a month, and we'll know tomorrow if the vision has been corrected. Right now, his right eye has 20/20 vision, except he needs glasses to read. If the surgery took, the other eye will be 20/20 as well, and the best news is no more contacts. And, he'll be less of a hazzard when he drives the car.
We did have some snow (again) overnight, and I saw a few flakes this morning as we were driving to the hospital. That's three days in a row for snow flakes. I love them. They're so Christmas-y, seasonal (?), friendly (like daisies), etc. Snow flakes without tons of accumulation in which I have to drive are one of God's pleasures to me. So, it was a pleasure to see them this morning, and I had hoped we would have had an inch or so, but it was not to be. Now, we just have the cold weather. Tonight, we're supposed to dip down into the high teens. We'll see.
Alan is off to play Euchre with one eye, but other than the headache from using just the one eye, he is fine. I'm off to open my last Creative Memories box. I've officially put myself on leave, and I doubt I will undo the leave when my leave allowance time is up. I have enjoyed the boxes as they arrive, and I will miss that aspect of CM, but I have enough supplies to last me through the rest of my proposed scrapbooks.
Also, in today's shipment were two large albums for babies. One is for a friend of mine who recently had a baby boy, and the other one is for my new grandchild, whatever sex that is -- I'm covered with covers of both colors, so if it's a girl, I have a cover, and if it's a boy I have a cover, and I thought ahead and got the "all in one" kits for both boy and girl.
That's it from N. KY for now. Enjoy the evening.
ttfn
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Making Christmas Cards
How stupid can a grandmother be? I forgot to take pictures of the event, so I have only my memory and writing to remind me of this day.
I got up really early, around 6 a.m. I wasn't tired and I slept well from midnight to 6. I got myself a cup of coffee and took my meds. I purposely didn't take any at bedtime last night because I wanted to see if it made any difference in my sleeping ability and pain relief through the night. No noticeable difference, so I'm opting out of the drugs again tonight.
I was feeling very well, as I mentioned, so I called Amy and asked if she could bring her three oldest over to make Christmas cards. Well, there was a minor glitch, so only David and Rachel came over. Each child made 6 cards. They were cute cards and they did a good job, both of them.
Rachel, I must say, does have artistic talent, and she's ambidextrous. She was flipping those pencils and markers back and forth between both hands, and for a 5 year old, she does an amazing job at what she sets out to do. (She might be 6, but I think she's 5)
After the card making the children colored for a while, and Rachel's coloring was amazing -- I mean she didn't go out of the lines at all, and all the color inside the lines was neat and even. I don't think I could do any better than she did.
So, it was a good afternoon with those two grandchildren. Hopefully next week, I'll see some of my other grandchildren and get to make cards with them. But sickness keeps cropping up, and to protect Alan before and after surgery, we keep sick children away from him.
I'm so looking forward to Christmas. Rachel loves jewelry. So I gave her some dollar-store stuff that I had put away -- I keep a drawer of dollar store items for the grands, and let them choose what they want. It's difficult, however, to find things for boys -- at least my boys -- at the dollar store. Girls are easier to please. But I try to keep the drawer stocked. So, back to Rachel -- I'm going to make her a jewelry box for Christmas -- I bought some plain boxes at the dollar store, and I can decoupage one of them and put her name on it in gold glittery letters and put a neat "lock" on it and she'll have her own jewelry box. She told me she wished she had one because Rose -- her older sister -- has one.
That's how the day went.
I make plain old hamburgers for dinner, and Alan said they were the best hamburgers he's had in ages. Who knew? All I had to do was pat some ground round into a patty and salt and pepper it and fry it up in a pan (no fat added) with some onions on the side and he was happy. I'm glad I could make him happy. I try to do that at least once a day. :)
mtf
I got up really early, around 6 a.m. I wasn't tired and I slept well from midnight to 6. I got myself a cup of coffee and took my meds. I purposely didn't take any at bedtime last night because I wanted to see if it made any difference in my sleeping ability and pain relief through the night. No noticeable difference, so I'm opting out of the drugs again tonight.
I was feeling very well, as I mentioned, so I called Amy and asked if she could bring her three oldest over to make Christmas cards. Well, there was a minor glitch, so only David and Rachel came over. Each child made 6 cards. They were cute cards and they did a good job, both of them.
Rachel, I must say, does have artistic talent, and she's ambidextrous. She was flipping those pencils and markers back and forth between both hands, and for a 5 year old, she does an amazing job at what she sets out to do. (She might be 6, but I think she's 5)
After the card making the children colored for a while, and Rachel's coloring was amazing -- I mean she didn't go out of the lines at all, and all the color inside the lines was neat and even. I don't think I could do any better than she did.
So, it was a good afternoon with those two grandchildren. Hopefully next week, I'll see some of my other grandchildren and get to make cards with them. But sickness keeps cropping up, and to protect Alan before and after surgery, we keep sick children away from him.
I'm so looking forward to Christmas. Rachel loves jewelry. So I gave her some dollar-store stuff that I had put away -- I keep a drawer of dollar store items for the grands, and let them choose what they want. It's difficult, however, to find things for boys -- at least my boys -- at the dollar store. Girls are easier to please. But I try to keep the drawer stocked. So, back to Rachel -- I'm going to make her a jewelry box for Christmas -- I bought some plain boxes at the dollar store, and I can decoupage one of them and put her name on it in gold glittery letters and put a neat "lock" on it and she'll have her own jewelry box. She told me she wished she had one because Rose -- her older sister -- has one.
That's how the day went.
I make plain old hamburgers for dinner, and Alan said they were the best hamburgers he's had in ages. Who knew? All I had to do was pat some ground round into a patty and salt and pepper it and fry it up in a pan (no fat added) with some onions on the side and he was happy. I'm glad I could make him happy. I try to do that at least once a day. :)
mtf
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Alan's surgery
Well, it looks like we're all set for Alan's cornea replacement -- a long-overdue procedure. It's been put off twice now in three years. First, because he was sick. Then, second because the only hospital where it was performed, our insurance would not cover the hospital fees, which, we were told would be around $16,000. So, Alan decided he'd stay blind in the left eye. Well, this year, his eye surgeon is working another hospital in addition to the one that wouldn't accept our insurance. So, Alan will get his cornea transplant, assuming he is healthy for another few days.
I was concerned about being the person going with him because of my walking difficulties. Apparently, they have valet parking and you go right from the front door, into a waiting cubicle where there is little walking. We'll see. If worse comes to worse, I'll have to get a wheel chair at least for Alan, who definitely won't be able to handle any long walks.
We've been talking about going to Bermuda in April (the 17-24) of 2009, but I still haven't booked the cruise because of how badly we're both walking. I don't want to spend the bucks to go to Bermuda if I can't get off the boat. I don't mind spending the money for a cruise, but I hate to miss seeing Bermuda -- again. We went there 42 plus years ago for our honeymoon. I'm hoping I can still operate one of the scooters. I think they have golf carts now for rental to get you from place to place.
The biggest most best thing we wanted to do during retirement was travel and had saved money for several LARGE, expensive trips. It's not that the money has disappeared in the economic/banking debacle, it's just that we don't want to spend money on something we wouldn't enjoy. So, we do enjoy cruising, and wouldn't mind going on a cruise to no where particularly, or even going to some place we've been before, and just staying on the boat. But the way we both are feeling and walking at this point, we're just putting all travel on hold.
Today I'm feeling very much like I have a bad case of the flu without the throat/cold symptoms. Just the terrible aches. Another fibro flare up? Who knows. This week hasn't been a good one.
I was, however, able to get everything done outside the home that had to be done and even did a little Christmas shopping.
One final note: A dear friend of ours, Evelyn Cole, went to be with Jesus this morning. She was our pastor's wife -- our original pastor here in Cincinnati -- he was retired a few years ago, but was still active in the church. She was a wonderful mentor to me, and I shall miss her very much.
ttfn
I was concerned about being the person going with him because of my walking difficulties. Apparently, they have valet parking and you go right from the front door, into a waiting cubicle where there is little walking. We'll see. If worse comes to worse, I'll have to get a wheel chair at least for Alan, who definitely won't be able to handle any long walks.
We've been talking about going to Bermuda in April (the 17-24) of 2009, but I still haven't booked the cruise because of how badly we're both walking. I don't want to spend the bucks to go to Bermuda if I can't get off the boat. I don't mind spending the money for a cruise, but I hate to miss seeing Bermuda -- again. We went there 42 plus years ago for our honeymoon. I'm hoping I can still operate one of the scooters. I think they have golf carts now for rental to get you from place to place.
The biggest most best thing we wanted to do during retirement was travel and had saved money for several LARGE, expensive trips. It's not that the money has disappeared in the economic/banking debacle, it's just that we don't want to spend money on something we wouldn't enjoy. So, we do enjoy cruising, and wouldn't mind going on a cruise to no where particularly, or even going to some place we've been before, and just staying on the boat. But the way we both are feeling and walking at this point, we're just putting all travel on hold.
Today I'm feeling very much like I have a bad case of the flu without the throat/cold symptoms. Just the terrible aches. Another fibro flare up? Who knows. This week hasn't been a good one.
I was, however, able to get everything done outside the home that had to be done and even did a little Christmas shopping.
One final note: A dear friend of ours, Evelyn Cole, went to be with Jesus this morning. She was our pastor's wife -- our original pastor here in Cincinnati -- he was retired a few years ago, but was still active in the church. She was a wonderful mentor to me, and I shall miss her very much.
ttfn
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Cooking shows
I have simply got to stop watching cooking shows (or reading books where food is discussed) just before I go to bed.
I just watched Top Chef and am now starved -- well, not really, but all those dishes that made me salivate, and now I THINK I'm hungry. This happens often at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. when I'm reading in bed, and the author is describing a dish the hero or heroine is cooking, listing all those wonderful ingredients and spices and how it is cooked to perfection, and describing how it tastes. I almost have to get up and get something to eat. ARGHH!
The best thing is: I don't keep junk food around, so that's not an option at these "hunger"moments. I'm not about to go cook myself a three-course dinner, or even one- course for that matter.
So what do I do? Well, if I'm fortunate, I have some bubble gum around and I can chew a piece of that, drink a glass of water, and I'm fine. If not? Well, I turn the light out and hopefully go to sleep thinking about breakfast!
mtf
I just watched Top Chef and am now starved -- well, not really, but all those dishes that made me salivate, and now I THINK I'm hungry. This happens often at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. when I'm reading in bed, and the author is describing a dish the hero or heroine is cooking, listing all those wonderful ingredients and spices and how it is cooked to perfection, and describing how it tastes. I almost have to get up and get something to eat. ARGHH!
The best thing is: I don't keep junk food around, so that's not an option at these "hunger"moments. I'm not about to go cook myself a three-course dinner, or even one- course for that matter.
So what do I do? Well, if I'm fortunate, I have some bubble gum around and I can chew a piece of that, drink a glass of water, and I'm fine. If not? Well, I turn the light out and hopefully go to sleep thinking about breakfast!
mtf
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
No news
No news on Alan's MRI. We're assuming (I had a boss who told me over and over, never assume) that Alan's MRI is unchanged from last year. If there were a problem we should have heard from the doctor by now. An unchanged MRI is good news.
I am trying very hard to get myself walking well enough to get to the butcher's so I can get some lunch meat and cheese and bread and milk, all of which we are without currently. And for dinner, we're down to either chili or meatloaf -- Alan's preference is definitely meatloaf, but it's a chili day. The weather is dreary and rainy, and even the house feels cold, even though the thermostat temperature reads 70 degrees -- the temperature at which we keep it in winter.
My toes are cold as are my fingers as I type, and my nose. It will soon be earmuff weather. I wear earmuffs indoors because I get earaches frequently in the winter and the earmuffs seem to keep the earaches down. I know it looks stupid and may even be stupid, but if it works, I do it.
People have suggested a hat with ear flaps, but the air seeps in and that just doesn't work as well as plain old earmuffs. Unfortunately, I don't recall where I put my earmuffs, but I do remember that I was down to one pair, all others having broken. Maybe I will make a pair for myself which would tie under the chin and wouldn't have the plastic head-band type connector. Nah!
I slept very little last night, but I don't feel tired. Of course, I have been on a sleep run this past week, so maybe my body has caught up and now I'm back to my normal 5-6 hours a night.
Well, I went through two plastic buckets of "small gifts" -- those are gifts I give to friends and neighbors for Christmas and which I stock from year to year. I think I have plenty for this year. Some are nicer than others, and I even have several I can use for "prizes" at our Christmas week games this year. We do games rather than stuff stockings.
So, it's a day for reflection, indoor projects, and I'm off to make a few more Christmas cards. I have started addressing the envelopes, and I find that I have so many to address. I never used to do cards at Christmas time, but when Alan ran for the local board, I sent cards to all the residents in our small community, and that was 6 years ago. Since then the list of our friends and neighbors has decreased due to those who have passed on, but the list of our friends from other areas of our lives has increased, so the list is higher than it was six years ago.
I know I've written about my mother taking so much time to do Christmas cards, but she always included a small message in each card. I just sign "Alan and Judi Hahn" and that's it. No messages. That says a lot -- we are alive, we can afford to send you a card, we miss you, we hope you have a great Christmas, etc., etc., etc.
If you don't get a card it's just an oversight, my BLOG will reflect that we are alive, we can afford to send you a card but lost your address, we miss you, we hope you have a great Christmas, etc., etc., etc.
ttfn
I am trying very hard to get myself walking well enough to get to the butcher's so I can get some lunch meat and cheese and bread and milk, all of which we are without currently. And for dinner, we're down to either chili or meatloaf -- Alan's preference is definitely meatloaf, but it's a chili day. The weather is dreary and rainy, and even the house feels cold, even though the thermostat temperature reads 70 degrees -- the temperature at which we keep it in winter.
My toes are cold as are my fingers as I type, and my nose. It will soon be earmuff weather. I wear earmuffs indoors because I get earaches frequently in the winter and the earmuffs seem to keep the earaches down. I know it looks stupid and may even be stupid, but if it works, I do it.
People have suggested a hat with ear flaps, but the air seeps in and that just doesn't work as well as plain old earmuffs. Unfortunately, I don't recall where I put my earmuffs, but I do remember that I was down to one pair, all others having broken. Maybe I will make a pair for myself which would tie under the chin and wouldn't have the plastic head-band type connector. Nah!
I slept very little last night, but I don't feel tired. Of course, I have been on a sleep run this past week, so maybe my body has caught up and now I'm back to my normal 5-6 hours a night.
Well, I went through two plastic buckets of "small gifts" -- those are gifts I give to friends and neighbors for Christmas and which I stock from year to year. I think I have plenty for this year. Some are nicer than others, and I even have several I can use for "prizes" at our Christmas week games this year. We do games rather than stuff stockings.
So, it's a day for reflection, indoor projects, and I'm off to make a few more Christmas cards. I have started addressing the envelopes, and I find that I have so many to address. I never used to do cards at Christmas time, but when Alan ran for the local board, I sent cards to all the residents in our small community, and that was 6 years ago. Since then the list of our friends and neighbors has decreased due to those who have passed on, but the list of our friends from other areas of our lives has increased, so the list is higher than it was six years ago.
I know I've written about my mother taking so much time to do Christmas cards, but she always included a small message in each card. I just sign "Alan and Judi Hahn" and that's it. No messages. That says a lot -- we are alive, we can afford to send you a card, we miss you, we hope you have a great Christmas, etc., etc., etc.
If you don't get a card it's just an oversight, my BLOG will reflect that we are alive, we can afford to send you a card but lost your address, we miss you, we hope you have a great Christmas, etc., etc., etc.
ttfn
Friday, November 7, 2008
MRIs
Alan had his 18th MRI -- full body -- in 9 years. He goes through this torture minimally once a year, and back when he was in full cancer treatment, four times a year. Needless to say a full-body MRI is expensive, a lot of it not covered by insurance. But, it's the only procedure he will agree to have each year, besides his quarterly blood tests. I say torture because a full-body MRI is quite long, although Christ Hospital's full body seems to take a lot less time than the full-body MRIs he's received in the past. I was expecting him to be at the Hospital at least until 3 p.m., and he was home by 11 a.m. While he was in a lot of pain, his biggest complaint was a headache. I can understand that. That drum, drum, drum of the MRI machine makes me nuts.
I've noticed a bulge in the area where he had shingles, and he is constantly complaining about the pain from this. Hopefully, this MRI will give us some light as to what is causing this pain. He also had a bone scan.
He went in at 8:00 a.m. and requested someone to wheel him to and fro, which Christ Hospital provided for him. He used valet parking as well. I just couldn't go with him. My legs weren't moving by 7 a.m., even though I had gotten up at 5 a.m. and was trying to get them functioning. I'm finding that it is taking me longer and longer each day to get mobile. But once I get mobile I have a two to three hour window of opportunity to get things done. Today I got four loads of laundry done. Folding the dried laundry is the most problematic, as it pulls on the sciatic nerve each time I bend over to retrieve the clothes from the dryer. And standing for the amount of time it takes for me to fold and/or hang a load of laundry after it's dried is also more and more hurtful to the knees.
I also was able to cook a decent dinner tonight. Now, it's 8 p.m. and I feel like I've been dragged behind a horse as my whole body feels like it has road burns even the parts that aren't touching anything. Still mid-flare up I suppose. Seems like the meds haven't been working for a few days. And I don't want to up the dosage. So I wait as long as I can before I take another dose of the meds.
I have a dear friend who is in her last few days on this earth. She is in such awful pain that I cannot complain about my pain which is nothing like what I believe she is enduring. She's at the stage where unless she is placed in a drug-induced coma, which isn't in her nature to ask for, she is in the top level of pain. I can only pray that God will ease her pain in these waining hours of her life, and take her home to be with Him where there is no more pain.
mtf
I've noticed a bulge in the area where he had shingles, and he is constantly complaining about the pain from this. Hopefully, this MRI will give us some light as to what is causing this pain. He also had a bone scan.
He went in at 8:00 a.m. and requested someone to wheel him to and fro, which Christ Hospital provided for him. He used valet parking as well. I just couldn't go with him. My legs weren't moving by 7 a.m., even though I had gotten up at 5 a.m. and was trying to get them functioning. I'm finding that it is taking me longer and longer each day to get mobile. But once I get mobile I have a two to three hour window of opportunity to get things done. Today I got four loads of laundry done. Folding the dried laundry is the most problematic, as it pulls on the sciatic nerve each time I bend over to retrieve the clothes from the dryer. And standing for the amount of time it takes for me to fold and/or hang a load of laundry after it's dried is also more and more hurtful to the knees.
I also was able to cook a decent dinner tonight. Now, it's 8 p.m. and I feel like I've been dragged behind a horse as my whole body feels like it has road burns even the parts that aren't touching anything. Still mid-flare up I suppose. Seems like the meds haven't been working for a few days. And I don't want to up the dosage. So I wait as long as I can before I take another dose of the meds.
I have a dear friend who is in her last few days on this earth. She is in such awful pain that I cannot complain about my pain which is nothing like what I believe she is enduring. She's at the stage where unless she is placed in a drug-induced coma, which isn't in her nature to ask for, she is in the top level of pain. I can only pray that God will ease her pain in these waining hours of her life, and take her home to be with Him where there is no more pain.
mtf
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Another day is gone from my life
And, I'm glad it is. Not that it wasn't a good day. It was a fine day. I got up earlier than usual because I had to leave the house by 9:15 a.m. to be at Grandparent's Day at the Hahn kids' school. (See http://www.runnemederemembered.blogspot.com) It was, therefore, a good day. I got to spend time with Rachel -- she was my assigned grandchild for the day. I was supposed to go and watch Ellie after that, but Cyndi called and apparently Tori had fallen down the basement steps -- she's okay -- but wasn't feeling like she wanted to go to gym class today. So it was cancelled for her and therefore her brothers. I was also supposed to do Christmas cards with them, but after walking through the school building, and then to my car -- two directions -- which was quite a long walk, even though I parked in handicapped parking -- I was so sore that I felt I couldn't do justice to any Christmas card -- or helping design any -- today. So I came home and, once again, laid on my back for several hours. Seems to be a trend in my life.
I get up, do what I HAVE to do for the day, and then am prone, flat on my back by around 3:00 p.m. each day. I am not liking that lifestyle.
Alan has a full-body MRI tomorrow, and we don't have a clue where we're going, except that it's at Christ Hospital. We are to go to the info desk -- which is in the front of the building, and the MRI room could be anywhere else in that huge hospital. Boy am I going to hurt after that walk. And Alan, will probably have severe wobbling problems. At least I can get him a wheelchair if that happens. Then the wheelchair becomes my walker. That's the way life is these days.
I am alive and Alan is alive, and while we are both in pain most of the time, we are grateful to our Lord for the time he gives us, and I thank him for the time I can spend with my grandchildren, even if it hurts afterwards.
ttfn
I get up, do what I HAVE to do for the day, and then am prone, flat on my back by around 3:00 p.m. each day. I am not liking that lifestyle.
Alan has a full-body MRI tomorrow, and we don't have a clue where we're going, except that it's at Christ Hospital. We are to go to the info desk -- which is in the front of the building, and the MRI room could be anywhere else in that huge hospital. Boy am I going to hurt after that walk. And Alan, will probably have severe wobbling problems. At least I can get him a wheelchair if that happens. Then the wheelchair becomes my walker. That's the way life is these days.
I am alive and Alan is alive, and while we are both in pain most of the time, we are grateful to our Lord for the time he gives us, and I thank him for the time I can spend with my grandchildren, even if it hurts afterwards.
ttfn
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
It's been a while
Today was election day, 2008. It was a beautiful day here in northern Kentucky. Kentucky does NOT have early voting, which I think is best. It just seems to me it's too easy to have false results when you can vote everyday for two weeks prior to the actual election day, which I believe is SUPPOSED TO BE the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Not the last two weeks of October up to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
I also think we should use the Iraqi system to make sure no one votes more than once. I mean, when a city has more people voting than are in their actual ADULT population, there's something wrong there. If we used the Iraqi system where you put you finger in indelible ink, ink that won't wash off for 30 days, it would be very easy to make sure no one votes more than once. At least part of the various fraudulent voting would be eliminated. I wouldn't mind wearing a blue finger for a few weeks, I'd wear it proudly, more proudly than that little sticker they give you.
So, it was a beautiful day. I made it to the polling place. Alan worked the polls today and he was exhausted when he got home as it was quite a day here in KY as far as turn out goes. I walked right through, no long line at all. I checked in with my PHOTO ID, went right to a booth and pushed the touch screen. Another thing that bothers me. I think we should have the old fashioned ballots where you mark it with a pencil and fold it and place it in a ballot box. And YOU HAVE TO SIGN YOUR NAME TO IT.
I also had a fibro flare up today and so I've been in a lot of pain all over my body all day long. I didn't sleep last night at all. Alan had to get up at 4 a.m. to get to the polling place by 5 a.m. and I had to get up to make his lunch and get his coffee ready and the thermos filled. Then I couldn't get to sleep after that. Don't know whether it was anxiety or excitement. I didn't sleep all day either -- I hurt too much.
And now, it's 10:20 p.m. Barak Husein Obama has been elected, and the SS will be collected in the next few weeks. I hope you all read about his idea to have a non-military military to control the citizenry -- hmmm I thought that was the job of the National Guard, not a new brown-shirt type police body. That's what has me most irritated about this whole election -- the suppression of so much of what Mr. Obama really believes should be the way this country should be run and changed over to Communism, clear and simple -- skip the socialism. His plans sound so Hitlerian to me.
However, that said, he is the president. He is the person God has ordained to be the President for this time, and as such we are to respect him. Believe me, I will be praying for him every day.
Take heart, folks. If this is the end of the USA as us older folks know and love it, so be it. The Lord's return is close. Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To HIM (the Christ) be all honor and glory. Amen.
ttfn
I also think we should use the Iraqi system to make sure no one votes more than once. I mean, when a city has more people voting than are in their actual ADULT population, there's something wrong there. If we used the Iraqi system where you put you finger in indelible ink, ink that won't wash off for 30 days, it would be very easy to make sure no one votes more than once. At least part of the various fraudulent voting would be eliminated. I wouldn't mind wearing a blue finger for a few weeks, I'd wear it proudly, more proudly than that little sticker they give you.
So, it was a beautiful day. I made it to the polling place. Alan worked the polls today and he was exhausted when he got home as it was quite a day here in KY as far as turn out goes. I walked right through, no long line at all. I checked in with my PHOTO ID, went right to a booth and pushed the touch screen. Another thing that bothers me. I think we should have the old fashioned ballots where you mark it with a pencil and fold it and place it in a ballot box. And YOU HAVE TO SIGN YOUR NAME TO IT.
I also had a fibro flare up today and so I've been in a lot of pain all over my body all day long. I didn't sleep last night at all. Alan had to get up at 4 a.m. to get to the polling place by 5 a.m. and I had to get up to make his lunch and get his coffee ready and the thermos filled. Then I couldn't get to sleep after that. Don't know whether it was anxiety or excitement. I didn't sleep all day either -- I hurt too much.
And now, it's 10:20 p.m. Barak Husein Obama has been elected, and the SS will be collected in the next few weeks. I hope you all read about his idea to have a non-military military to control the citizenry -- hmmm I thought that was the job of the National Guard, not a new brown-shirt type police body. That's what has me most irritated about this whole election -- the suppression of so much of what Mr. Obama really believes should be the way this country should be run and changed over to Communism, clear and simple -- skip the socialism. His plans sound so Hitlerian to me.
However, that said, he is the president. He is the person God has ordained to be the President for this time, and as such we are to respect him. Believe me, I will be praying for him every day.
Take heart, folks. If this is the end of the USA as us older folks know and love it, so be it. The Lord's return is close. Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To HIM (the Christ) be all honor and glory. Amen.
ttfn
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Autumnal beauty and the flu
I was thinking today as I look out the porch windows, how much I was missing my sister, because she really does love my sun porch, and the view this time of year is beautiful. I think the colors are more vivid this year than any of the seven previous years we've lived here. And, that's surprising.
We had so little rainfall this past summer, and while it wasn't excessively hot, it was dry. They tell us we'll have a very cold, not necessarily moist, winter. I'm really looking forward to that -- NOT!
My hands already hurt, and I told Alan today that I thought this was a foreboding of a bad winter. My hands haven't hurt this much since when I had the flu back in 1960. I know you want to know why I would remember that particular flu season.
Well, it was called the Hong Kong flu and it hit school kids the hardest. It took days to recuperate from it. And it was exam week when I was afflicted. Fortunately, so were over half the school kids and as many teachers, so exam week was postponed for two weeks. I was one of the first that got the flu that year, so I was one of the first back into school, doing nothing waiting for the rest of the students to return from their bouts with the HK Flu.
I saw something on line the other day that described the difference between a cold and the flu. First there is a high fever. Second, you feel like you just got run over by a Mack truck and all your bones feel like they're broken. And third, was the sore throat, boy was it sore, from the top of the mouth to about half-way down the esophagus.
Today, my hands hurt like someone hit them with a hammer in a mean-spirited attempt to break all the bones. So why am I typing? I'm a glutton for punishment I guess. And, I had to keep my faithful few readers informed. :)
ttfn
We had so little rainfall this past summer, and while it wasn't excessively hot, it was dry. They tell us we'll have a very cold, not necessarily moist, winter. I'm really looking forward to that -- NOT!
My hands already hurt, and I told Alan today that I thought this was a foreboding of a bad winter. My hands haven't hurt this much since when I had the flu back in 1960. I know you want to know why I would remember that particular flu season.
Well, it was called the Hong Kong flu and it hit school kids the hardest. It took days to recuperate from it. And it was exam week when I was afflicted. Fortunately, so were over half the school kids and as many teachers, so exam week was postponed for two weeks. I was one of the first that got the flu that year, so I was one of the first back into school, doing nothing waiting for the rest of the students to return from their bouts with the HK Flu.
I saw something on line the other day that described the difference between a cold and the flu. First there is a high fever. Second, you feel like you just got run over by a Mack truck and all your bones feel like they're broken. And third, was the sore throat, boy was it sore, from the top of the mouth to about half-way down the esophagus.
Today, my hands hurt like someone hit them with a hammer in a mean-spirited attempt to break all the bones. So why am I typing? I'm a glutton for punishment I guess. And, I had to keep my faithful few readers informed. :)
ttfn
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