5/23/12

It's been a long time. For weeks I have not been able to solve the scrambled letters challenge, so could mot get into my blog. Daniel did it today, wiithout having to solve the puzzle. I don't know when they changed it, or if I'll be able to get into it again.

This past week end Lita came over and took me up to Lincoln (near Alpena) for a friend's wedding. Was a beautiful week en. It was warm, but cool breeze and lots of sunshine. One night we went for a walk and saw a group of 7 or 8 deer grazing in someone's front yard. They didn't hang around once they saw that I had my camera. She brought a rhubarb pie over, so we took a couple pieces to Bill (one each of two days). This year our rhubarb is turning brown and drying up before it is big enough to pick. This stuff (a fungus or something) started decades ago in our corn crop. It has pretty much spread to most plants in our yard.

Bill is doing well at the facility now that I have quit trying to get him to exercise. Sun. night I went over after 8:30, and we watched Jesse Sone together. First time I've met anyone from third shift.  His favorite gal has transferred to first floor, so he's having to break in a new one, but he seems to have taken it pretty well.

Trina and Lita spent ten days in Israel the first part of March. One of the pastors posted on a blog each night. It was fun to know what they were doing and sometimes see photos of them until he posted a photo of a sign saying something to the effect of don't wander off the road, there are mine fields on both sides. Included on that post were photos of cars that had slidden off the road due to the snow fall.

A couple other gals and I hosted the Red Hat meeting this month. One of the others bought some little blooming plants, put them in small plastic cups and put them by each plate. They were cute.

Mr. and Mrs. Robin are working on their second brood for this year in the nest over the back porch light. Sure am glad Bill put a board up there six or seven years ago so they could make a good nest. This is at least the fourth time it's been used to raise a brood. Makes the view out the kitchen window a lot more pleasant.

Guess that's it for now. Hope I can get back on when I'm ready to post again.

March 1,2012

Had one of the staff come up and show me how to get on to the computer in the Facilitiy's library, so I could show Bill some of the photos out there. Now, we'll see if I can do it again tomorrow. :-)

Had his Care Conference yesterday. I asked them about the possibility of getting a little table to put on the other side of the bed, to put his CPAP on. His nightstand was a real clutter of tubes, cords, etc. No way they could put the phone next to the bed when he was in it. This afternoon I went over, and someone had brought in a small stool that worked perfectly. The nightstand is quite clutter free now.

He is back in the wheelchair that he liked, even though he is a little heavy for it. He sure is better natured than when he was in the bigger one.

Made sure he is registered (or whatever you call it) to be an organ donar if the worst happens.

When I got there this afternoon, he was on his way down to the library to see if he could get on the computer and look up "alternate mouse". I had told him that my hand hurt if I played too much solitaire. I thought he would just say, "Good. Don't play", but instead, he is trying to figure out how to get me a mouse that won't hurt my hand. Think I'll stay with the one I've got for a while and see if I can at least partly conquer my addiction. :-)

My friend, Janet Markham (her husband is Bill, also) has to go in for further surgery next Wed. She fell a couple weeks ago and really smashed up her upper left arm. They checked it today, and it isn't lined up properly, so they have to go in again. Sure hope it works right this time.

Guess that pretty much covers it for this time. Think spring!

Jan. 9, 2012

Went to the dermatologist today. Go back on the 17th to have the spot removed. He said there are several kinds of basel cell. The one I have is called "agressive". I'd never heard there were separate kinds. Should be a good day to get in some extra reading.

Not much else happening around here, but wanted to let you know.

January 5, 2012

Been a strange past few days. The mother of one of my good friends died. My good friend in her mid-eighties fell and broke her upper arm in four places while on the way home from Indiana. They were stopping for lunch last Sun. when she fell. Got a call late tonight that they are back. I watch her cat while she is gone. Think I may be going over to see her often, as she won't be able to handle the litter box for a while. Tonight another friend ended up in emergency. I went over, got her dog and took him to the kennel. They sent her back home, but she sure wasn't in any condition to handle a dog his size tonight.

Took B.T. in to emergency clinic in Saginaw on Sat. afternoon. Hadn't eaten since Fri. morning. They gave him fluids, something for his stomach, and an antibiotic. Took him in to our vet Mon. morning. Can't find out what's bothering him. They force fed him three times, then saw him eat a couple bites of dry food this afternoon, so told me to bring him home. Soon as I let him out of the carrier, he headed for the dry food dish. Didn't eat much, but it was a start. When I got home several hours later, he was crying by the door to the garage. Bout went crazy when I went out with a dish of moist food, and the bowl was licked clean a short while later. This was the way he acted last Aug. when I took him in to the emergency clinic. Wish I knew what it is. Seriously considering making him an indoor cat, even if his indoors only consists of the garage.

Was a bit (quite a bit) upset when the records showed that Bill gained ten pounds last month. Felt a little better after talking to the nurse. She said they had gotten a new scale and 50 or 60 residents had gained ten pounds. So, maybe it's inacurate scale instead of too much food. They are going to re-weigh everyone. Hope his comes out ten pounds lighter.

Sorry for the skiers and those running ski slopes, but sure have enjoyed the weather we're having.

Dec. 27, 2011

Time to choose my next wall calendar. Have five or six freebies, but none of them really catch my eye. Maybe I'll combine pictures from a couple of them to make one I like. :-)

I'm convinced finally that I'm not adopted. When I reached 70 and had no sign of the Milano/Wierman/Sterner...skin cancer, I figured I must not really belong to those families. Well, went to the dermatologist in Dec., and he did a biopsy on one spot on my forehead. I received a report that it is Basel Cell Carcinoma, and I have an appointment to go in next month to decide how we're going to get rid of it. As far as I know, I was the last one in our generation to get it.

Got a surprise a few weeks ago when I discovered a young fellow, who helps me out now and then, had put Christmas lights on the house. When the kids were young, we used to put some on the porch and around the window, but we've never had them on the roof. They sure look cheery when I come home at night.

Both Trina and Lita came for Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving we ate with Bill at the facility, but the next day we went to a local restaurant and got take-out. Bill really liked that, because we got him chicken cacciatori.

Trina didn't make it for Christmas, but Lita did. We ate most of our meals with Bill. Watched some TV and a movie with him, and on Sunday night went to the theater to see Alvin and the Chipmonks in "Chipwrecked". Missed "Happy Feet Two", but may still get a chance to see it. If not, Lita can get it for us from Netfliz.

We're getting a very wet snow on top of rain, so expect a slippery world tomorrow. The porch is more slippery than it's ever been, 'cause I had it painted last year. Think next summer I'll have another coat put on and then sprinkle sand on it. I remember Mom did that with her porch and it really made a difference.

Went to a house tour in Frankenmuth a few weeks ago. Won a prize from Harry and David's. Imagine my surprise to find out that rather than winning chocolates, I won a basket full of Yankee candles. Very nice gift for anyone who burns candles, and a lot healthier for me than chocolates. :-)

Well, that about does it for this time. Hope you all had a great Christmas and will have a blessed New Yesr.

Oct. 28, 2011

Oh how time passes--whether you're having fun or not.

Have seen Jerry Garcia (gospel singer) three times since I last posted. One time he came to the care facility and performed there.

Have had a bunch of doctor appointments and more to come, but mostly regular check-ups. One good piece of news is that although I'd gone five or six years since having my bone density test, there were no negatives on it. The nurse says that is extrordinary for my age. (Probably all that ice cream I work into my diet.)

Lita came home Sep. 20-Oct. 1. Went through most of the kitchen cupboards. Threw out a lot of out-dated stuff, and donated a box of current stuff I wouldn't use to the local food pantry. Bill bought a lot of things I don't use. Besides, I eat out too much to need much food in the house. Sometimes think I should eat at home more, but my food costs are way down even with all I eat out. Can eat for $1.05 at Taco Bell and less than $2 at Mickey D's. Never was too fussy about what I ate, and don't usually get tired of any food, either. Lita also taught me to always take half of my meal home, so I usually have a meal for the next day.

Back to rocking babies while mothers enjoy a few hours w/o them. This year most of them are pretty calm and easy to handle. Have only done it once in Reese. Twice they called and said they would only have one baby, so a local woman would do it.

The girls planned a surprise birthday party for me this year. A friend asked if I would take her to the bed and breakfast where one of the ladies does alterations. When we walked in, four more of my friends were already there. Had a good lunch, but the highlight was that Bill had told Lita where the recipe was for the white, lemon-filled cake with Aunt Jenny's 7-minute frosting was. She took the recipe over and that was the cake we had. That was the one Mom always made for our birthdays when I was young. Bill made it for me a few times, but I have never tried it. I received three gift certificates to my favorite restaurant--It costs more than $2, but gives me two meals. :-)

Bill is doing pretty well and seems quite content. I try to make it over for at least a while five days a week. We often watch an 8:00 TV program before I come home. I've taken my (turquoise) bean bag over, so we get comfortable. Biggest problems we have are he doesn't like them unplugging his lift chair (so he can't forget and try to get up by himelf) and taking pills. I figure that if that is the worst, we're in pretty good shape. His sister and brother-in-law came one afternoon and spent a few hours with us.

Took three other ladies to see Dolphin's Tale. Loved it! Wish they had a lot more of that type.

Lita is in town this week end. We haven't actually made plans, but know we're going to take a McRib Sandwich up to Bill. She also has a documentary on Wolverines that features the one which lived here in the thumb for about six years. Looking forward to that.

Janet

September 11, 2011

Today is a day in infamy, on the level of Pearl Harbor. May everyone feel the unity that we on that day ten years ago, and honor those heroes that gave their lives for others, along with those who lost so much on that day.

This has been a good week for me. Sunday I went to my cousin Fernie's, where my brother, Jerry, and his wife, Laura; my cousin, Bruce, and his wife, Dorothy; my cousin, Arlene; and my cousin Lloyd's widow and daughter all met. Had a great time catching up on each other, and looking at photos of past reunions. So glad I've found someone who will come spend some time with Tilly. May be able to do a little more traveling now.

Have had a great time taking care of and/or playing with two German Short-hair pointer, five poodles, a beijon frieze, a beijon/Maltese mix, a samoyd, and a kitty that reminds me of George.
Also picked up pears and walnuts and picked green beans. My fridge is full of healthy food, now.

This afternoon Daniel came by with a friends' red convertible and took me for a drive. Been a long time since I've ridden in one of those. Reminded me of the ride us kids took in Richie's white convertible on Christmas day, but was much more comfortable weather.

Still need to wrap and send penguins, clear off the kitchen table so I (hopefully) don't lose and bills, clean up the living room so I can start a monthly game day with some friends and go out and pull up the golden rod and night shade that has taken over my yard and garden. Trumpet Vine is getting out of control, too.

Having a bit of trouble settling down tonight. Maybe I'll go try again. Night.