Sunday Shower

And, not a Sunday rain shower...a bride and groom shower honoring Payton and Abigail at Edgemont Baptist Church in Shelbyville, TN.

Thoroughly Saturday

It has been a do a little of this and a little of that kind of day with naps interspersed! Woody said that his dialysis treatment went like clockwork today. I know that we were a little early and his nurse came out and wheeled him in before I left to go home. He said that at one point he had three nurses doing things for or to him. He was outside waiting on me...which should tell you that it was a really nice and warm day today...or he wouldn't have asked to be taken outside to wait on me. I have done a little cooking...Woody said that he wanted some salads...like tuna and egg salad so I made both of those today. I was going to make the sweet red pepper sauce that he uses like catsup on his meatloaf sandwich, but that just didn't happen today. He just transferred over to his bed/couch after I took care of his leg. So he is settling in for a long spring night's nap. I am about finished in the kitchen, but decided to come upstairs first and blog and then do the final pick up in the kitchen. I plan to do some more stitching tonight. I did a little during the day today...so progress toward's the finish line continues. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Stitching Day…Mostly

We got up a little later since it wasn't a dialysis day, but still needed to get up and get going as Woody had a mid-morning appointment to have his brace adjusted. We got over there and were the only patients. The gentleman who is assigned to Woody came to the door and opened it for us. We filled out some paper work and then were taken right back to the room. He decided that the only problem was with the velcro...fixed the velcro and got the brace back in position and that was all...no padding or any reshaping which the wound care doctor indicated was needed. So it was good to get the velcro fixed, but...that is all he did. We will see what the doctor thinks when we go back. Woody mentioned that it hurt sometimes. The brace person said to loosen it if it hurts. Then he told us that it wasn't staying in the place it needs to be because we were not tightening it enough! Mixed messages?!? I tried to tell him what the doctor had said and that I thought that she had sent him some instructions. But that was dismissed, too. So...we will let the doctor deal with him if she still isn't pleased. The problem that I have with getting the brace on correctly is that I am only one person...only have two hands. When we are at wound care, usually two people deal with getting the brace on. Woody can help a little...he holds the back part of the brace on while I get the top part positioned and start putting the straps around it, but it would work better if there were two of me in front of Woody doing this. Oh, well...it seems to help some and when it bothers him, he takes it off. I have spent just about every extra moment between meals, appointments, etc. stitching. I will be gifting this piece a week from Sunday, but there is still quite a bit to do. I would like to have it stitched and just in need of a frame for Abigail's gift that Sunday. It is coming along. I finished an important part of it today so I am happy with the progress. I did sneak a little nap in this afternoon...I just couldn't keep my eyes open and I knew that it was probably senseless to continue stitching with my eyes half closed...I didn't need to make a mistake and have to do reverse stitching! Woody has had a good day...reading, looking at his computer, working puzzles, watching TV and eating his meals. I imagine that he will be transferring over to his couch/bed before much longer. I came upstairs to blog and will go down and load the last dishes into the dishwasher and then head upstairs and see what else I can get finished with my cross stitch. Oh, by the way...no unexpected packages came today. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Interesting Day

It started out like a normal Thursday...we got up early and headed off around 6am for Woody's dialysis treatment. I dropped him off and headed back home. Once I got home I started working with the red, orange, and yellow bell peppers that I had purchased Tuesday. I diced three of them...that is the size I like to use in Woody's omelets and a couple of other recipes that need peppers finely cut. Then I cubed three...a size that I use in several recipes. The other six, I oven roasted till they were blackened. When they are done, I wrap them in the foil that I cook them on and let them cool. When they are cool, the skin and seeds slip right off/out. I did the roasting this afternoon. After I diced and chopped, it was time to meet Jo and Carolyn for breakfast. The little cafe where we have been meeting for years has closed. So we had to claim a spot somewhere else to eat and visit. Today we went to Hardees. We had a nic visit until it was time for me to pick up Woody. After lunch is when I roasted the peppers. The roasted peppers are in the refrigerator. Tomorrow, I hope to make the sweet red pepper sauce that Woody uses instead of catsup...that sauce takes a couple of roasted peppers per recipe. I will freeze the others after I use what I need. At some point this afternoon, I saw the mail carrier drive past so went out to check the mail. On the front porch there were two boxs from Amazon...we had/have no outstanding orders from Amazon presently. Seeing them made me wonder if they had something to do with the fraudulant charges on my card that I took care of yesterday morning. I don't know for sure, but I am pretty sure that this delivery and the fraudulant charge on my card are directly related. By the way, I'm not sure that I mentioned, but the unwelcome charge was an Amazon Marketplace charge...so...at this point two and two are adding up to four! The boxes were addressed to me. Inside I found ten ziplock packages that each contained what I show in tonight's blog photo...farm animal party favors...each contain enough for 12 children to have one of each of the different items...so I can have a pretty large party. In other words what you see in the picture you can multiply by ten and that is how many items I was sent. Oh, and along with those, there was one box of au gratin potatoes. I spent a good amount of time on the phone trying to find out how to return them. They took information from me and checked my account...and found taht I had two accounts...one mine and one, I guess, created by whomever! The Credit Union is taking care of the fraudulant charges...I just wanted to return the order that I didn't order. In the end I was told to just throw the contents of the boxes away...and if any more come to do the same with those. I guess someone didn't have anything else to do the other night than try to make an order for me...(insert rolling eyes). At the moment nothing further can be done with my account as I haven't used my new card yet...anywhere...so for the time being we are safe. Amazon destroyed my second account that wasn't mine to start with and we are back to square one. I am expecting more boxes as I don't think that what I received today adds up to what this person attempted to spend. I wish they had chosen a little better in what they ordered for me in my name!!!!!! They don't have my taste in things to order...at all! I had an inspiration as to where this orderer might hav originated from...but then I'm not sure since the Credit Union person I worked with yesterday said taht I was the second person who had a fraudulant order happen from Amazon...so that may be the scam of the moment...watch your account. I think that I realized it happened almost as soon as the "transaction" took place. I had been checking my Credit Union account to check to see if something had cleare earlier in the evening and that charge was not there then. I went back to chevk one more time before I went to sleep and it was there then. I will say that it is a good thing to watch your accounts closely in this day and age. I don't quite see the point in doing what was done...except that it defrauds Amazon and causes a hastle for the person whose card number and account that they hacked...guess I am old...I just don't see exactly what the purpose is. Alls well that ends well...the money has been returned to my account and I can just sit back and see if anything else is coming my way...what a shame that Amazon won't let me return the merchandise. After spending quite a bit of time online chatting with Amazon and then talking with a real person, the afternoon got away from me pretty quickly. I spent a little more time on the phone ordering a dialysis prescription from Fresenius...that didn't take very long by comparison! I made a meatloaf for our supper...Woody is back to wanting meatloaf sandwiches once in a while...at least he doesn't want them exclusively like he did for a while! I read the other day that after my generation meatloaf will be a meal of the past...interesting...other generations will miss out on lots of good eats...casseroles was another item mentioned in that article. I will say that I am glad that we both like casseroes as with the price of groceries, I can give us a large variety of meals at a much lower cost than if we were just eating cuts of meat. Anyway, we like our cassroles...and our soups...and..! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Wednesday—All Day

It's one of those days that I feel like I was busy all day, but looking back on the day I'm wondering just exactly what I did! It was a day off aka no dialysis. Oh, I just remember why the day seems a bit confused...I did a morning errand that I didn't know that I was going to have to do till close to midnight last night. I found a fraudulant charge on my online Credit Union statement. So I immediately called their 24-hour number and put a stop on my card. This morning I had to go to our Credit Union...file a fraud claim and get a new card. After that I stopped at the church and took something into the office for Woody. By the time that I got both those errands done, it was almost time for lunch. Once lunch was over, it was time to head off to get my hair cut. After my hair cut, I headed to fill up the car with gas. It was getting low and we have two out of town jaunts over the next few days...so taht wasa taken care of. I have managed to stitch a little in between errands. I also believe that I took a short unplanned nap this afternoon. I watered the plants that I planted yesterday and pulled an armful of weeds a little before supper time. Woody has had a day that he likes...not HAVING to go anywhere. He continues to feel pretty good and is a bit stronger than he had been. He is transferring easier than he had been...all good things! I have changed the bandage on his leg and he has transferred over to his couch/bed. I have finished downstairs and have come upstairs hoping to get some more stitching done. I met last night's goal and have set another for tonight before my eyes close...moving down this piece...getting closer to the bottom of it...when I get there it will be finished! But still a ways to go. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

It’s Tuesday…I Think…

I didn't work in the library today so I am confused that it is Tuesday! Look what bloomed. I planted the bulb from the amaryllis that our niece gave us several years back. Up to this year, it had only given us leaves...but this year!!!! Today there are two blooms open...but I didn't think to take a picture till it was too late. Very pretty and very stately! I'm late coming in to blog. I ended up getting busy toward the end of the day. I had a very lazy day because I didn't sleep well last night...didn't sleep much at all...so I napped several times today. I guess I finally got enough naps in that I had energy to do a few things before it got dark. It is the night to take the garbage can to the curb and when I did that along with the recycled stuff (I knocked down a lot of boxes). I realized that I hadn't planted the hostas that Melany brought on Sunday and dug holes for...the weather has warmed up and hopefully no more freezes! So I planted those. Kathy, Isaac and Joseph drove up just as I was going to fill the watering can to water the newly planted plants. Since they were here, I had the boys help me get the hose hooked up...I needed more than my strength to make sure that the hose was tight enough. They were able to do that for me. We stook outside and talked while I watered...talked about weddings, ball games, graduates, etc. Along with a bride, their family also have two graduates: Graham from Motlow and Joy from high school and cosmetology school. Along with three boys playing baseball! Busy times in their household! Woody had a good dialysis as far as we know, at least. He did have some new news from dialysis...a new schedule...he has been assigned to start a half an hour EARLIER!!!!!! Oh, my...but I guess we can adjust?!? I guess time will tell. That schedule starts the second week in May. Along with napping I have interspersed stitching and a few household chores into my afternoon and evening. Woody had a late supper because I socialized in the front yard...he is about ready to call it a day. He has already moved over to his bed/couch. I plan to keep on stitching after I get the kitchen closed down for the night. What I'm stitching isn't for Abigail's shower this coming Sunday, but for the following Sunday...but there is quite a bit to go on it even though I have been stitching diligently for some time now. It just doesn't go very fast...but it is coming along. I did go to Kroger just before picking Woody up today. They had red, orange, and yellow bell peppers on sale so I wanted to get some before they change their sale items tomorrow. I will need to chop, slice and dice them and get them in the freezer for future recipes. I'm trying to decide if I need to roast any of these...I think that I still have some roasted ones in the freezer...I'll check and decide. But pepper prep is on my list of to-dos probably for tomorrow. Stitching will be high on the to-do list, too. Woody has a day off...always good for him...we both like those days that we can stay home. I do have a hair appointment tomorrow...but that is an appointment I always look forward to! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Just What Am I Saying to Abigail?!?

Obviously I didn't take tonight's photo (it's Kathy's photo)...and I look like I'm lecturing sweet Abigail...but she seems too happy for it to be too serious. Really what I am telling her is about the Christmas ornaments that I gave her...one represented their engagement, one their wedding, one their first Christmas and one reminding them to "let their lights shine"...meaning for them not to hide ther lights under a bushel...but before I finished that orament, I realized that Payton had asked her to marry him amidst the Christmas light display at his house...so I was telling her that that ornament could have a double meaning. We had a very nice time at her shower yesterday. I went with Melany (Abigail's Aunt Melany) and Brooke (Abigail's cousin-in-law). This shower was given by her co-workers at the church preschool where Abigail teaches. Three of Abigail's students were there and they helped her open her presents. It was sweet. One of the little girls is their flower girl and the little boy is their ring bearer. Abigail was filled with joy as she always is. She is just so happy, which makes us all happy! Her wedding day is getting closer. Today Woody stayed at home and recouped from all of last week's activities! This week will be a little calmer. We did pick up one appointment today...it is to go to get his brace adjusted...that won't be until Friday. I made a pot of soup...good day for it as it was a bit frosty outside this morning. There is a chance of frost tomorrow morning, too...surely these cold early morning temps will soon be behind us! I went to Monday night Furnace Room Prayer Meeting this evening. Woody was asleep by the time that I got home. He indicated that he was ready for sleep prior to me leaving. I checked his leg bandage before I left and it was still in good shape so I will either change it before dialysis in the mornng or after dialysis. I poked around in the yard for a little while this afternoon and pulled a few weeds and cut off some dead growth on a couple of things and also trimmed a couple of stalks of asparagus that grow next to our mailbox...why...I don't know! They had gotten to the point that I think that they were going to interfere with the mail carrier putting mail in our mail box...so they are snipped off...but they will be back. For years, Woody attempted to grow asparagus...his famiy grew it when he was a boy. We never had any luck with growing it. But somehow out near the road we have a couple of stalks that come back year after year. Once in a while I manage to cut it when it is young and then add it to a salad. Two stalks doesn't exactly make a serving...but ok to add into something for flavor! Well, I'll head back down and finish in the kitchen, I left a couple of dishes soaking in the sink. I'll take care of those and wipe off the counters and stove and call it quits for tonight. Hopefully I will get some more stitching done on another gift that I am in the middle of doing...hopefully I am a bit farther than midway! But it is slow-go. Nathan and Isaac and Joseph stopped by this afternoon and did a couple of things in the yard that Woody asked them to do. The boys laughed when they saw the picture that I am posting tonight...Joseph especially! So I guess I hope that it brings a smile to you, too! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Sunday Favorite

Busy Saturday

Busy day, but we can say that now that we are at the conclusion of the day that we have made it through all the appointments and obligations that this week brought us. I came home from dropping Woody off and got busy on completing what I have been making for Abigail's gift for tomorrow's shower. I found a box, tissue paper, the card, etc., showed the items for the shower gift to Woody after he got home and proceded to wrap it. Just as I finished wrapping it, I realized that I had failed to take pictures of what I had made (one the things I do after I finish stitching anything...a photographic record of things that I have made). Well, at least I am gifting these to my granddaughter so I can still have a chance to take their picture after giving them. Woody got out of dialysis a bit later than usual...of course...sinc today was my Cottey book club...most days he is waiting on me when I get there. Today I got there at about the same time as usual and I had to wait about ten minutes. I still got to be in on the book discussion. I didn't care for this book as much as I have for some others. The book we discussed today was A Gentleman in Moscow. I understand that it is streaming on some network...but I from what was said that a lot had been changed about it. I don't stream so won't know! Next month we will discuss the book that I suggested for the club for this new book club year. It is The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek...I highly recommend this book...guess so since I recommended it to the group! I have been picking up things to do with the needlework projects that I have been stitching on and doing just some general picking up of things...especially here in the bedroom as it has become a craft room during all this needlework finishing over the last couple of weeks. I am about ready to get back to work on another stitching gift that I have been working on, but set aside so I could work on last week's shower gift and tomorrow's shower gift. The washer and dryer have been running in the background while I did all this other stuff...which means that after they do their work, I have some putting away of the clothes...which I have done...but there are more to come. Melany, our daughter, and Brooke, our granddaughter-in-law, will be coming here prior to the shower and then the three of us will go to the shower together. When I saw the date today, I had an instant reminder of a day 21 years ago...don't think of it often but once in a while the date will bring it back. This is the day that I was "struck" with Transverse Myelitis...so thankful that most of the symptoms that rapidly occured have mostly gone away...the outcome could have been so much worse...at least I am up and walking today...and, it was a bit questionable 21 years ago, as we had no idea what was going on. It was the night before Easter Sunday...and it was months...really years before most of the symptoms were gone. Today...pretty much I am only left with a tingly right hand...where the odd sensations began during the attack. There is a blog early on that explains TM...it is not a rare, but not very common disease where something attacks the spinal cord...they are not sure if it is an autoimmune disease or if a virus causes it. It often causes paralysis below the waist. It literally gave me all the symptoms of MS and then some within 24 hours. The neruologist explained to me that if it is going to go away it will do it within the first year. He said that the reason that symptoms go away is that the swelling in the spinal cord goes down and eventually the nerves settle down. I believe that Celebrex is what keeps the swelling down in the spinal cord for me as when I have to stop taking Celebrex for any length of time, the symptoms come back...so I continue to take it...just less than I once did. Anyway, so thankful to be at this end of that event in my life and be able to say that I was left with no more than a tingling hand! To God be the glory. We are settling in for the evening. I still need to go down and put the last few dishes in the dishwasher for today. I'm not sure that I am up to folding/putting away any more clothes for the day...think they can stay in their respective machines till tomorrow! Woody's leg has been bandaged and he is ready to head to bed when he wants. Tomorrow starts another week...but not quite as busy as this week has been...or at least it isn't...yet! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Maybe He Needed Some Fresh Air???

It's been an interesting day...the start of the day was taken up with my appointment with our personal care physician--my six-month check in with her and for lab work. It was a 3-1/2 hour chunk out of the morning...7am till 10:30...for travel to and two and from and then the appointment itself. The trip over took longer than the trip back...and, it wasn't because i was speeding on the way back. The trip over took me through seven school zones...so lots of flashing lights and big slow downs. The trip home had none. It took around an hour plus a little to get there and only 45 minutes coming home. I ate breakfast when I got home and gave Woody a snack. Then it wasn't long till I needed to get Woody's lunch as he needed to head out to his appointment. This appointment happens every three weeks and it lasts between 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours...lately usually the lesser amount. We got there and there was only one person in the waiting room so it looked like he should get called in pretty quickly. I get him checked in for this appointment and then always head home for the duration of the appointment. The receptionist calls me when he is ready to be picked up. Today I settled next to the phone when it got to be close to him being gone for 1 hour and 45 minutes...but the phone didn't ring...then it got to be 2 hours and then I began to wonder what was going on. I figured that something had happened to not let him get started on time...I even wondered if there was any chance that they had sent him over to the hospital for a transfusion...though when they have done that in the past, I came and got him and took him across to the hospital so didn't think that likely...just trying to come up with reasons why it was taking so long. Finaly I decided that I would call them. The person who answered must not have been in the Tullahoma office as she had to call to get in touch with them. She was very worried as she was sure that they had closed...which made me laugh a little...but I was sure that they hadn't locked Woody into the building. My guess was that he had asked them to roll him out on the sidewalk to wait for me. Which is where he was and had been for more than 45 minutes! When the appointment maker gave him his next appointment, he asked her to call me. which she said she would. But...she ended getting busy and forgot since he was out of sight by going outside to wait. She appologized profusely. She said she realized what she had done when my name came up on her telephone screen. It was a bit chillier than Woody expected so he did get a bit cold, but other than that, he is none the worse for wear! And, he graciously accepted her apology and got a good dose of fresh air! We're both a bit worn out from today's doings...at least all the extra appointments for this week are behind us..."just" dialysis in the morning and then this week of too many appointments will be behind us. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

“Just” a Dialysis Day

So today was pretty much "just" a normal day...no appointments other than heading out to dialysis at 6am...normal for a Thursday...but normal still piles up on all that isn't part of our normal routine. I will say that I am weary and will be glad when this week passes...especially tomorrow. Tomorrow I have to be in McMinnville about an hour away...especially on a rainy day, which it may be. So I will have to be leaving when I am usually making Woody's breakfast on a non dialysis day...so up earlier than usual tomorrow, but not as early as on a dialysis day. Today I have pretty much done just little things that needed to be done. Well, I did have to run a couple of errands prior to picking up Woody. I needed a paper notorized to take to the doctor in the morning and also needed to buy some sticky back velcro. Woody's brace's straps won't stay velcroed as the part that is stuck to the strap is no longer staying stuck to the strap. We will address this when we get an appointment to see the gentelman in charge of Woody's brace, but till then I need to see if I can make the velcro I bought work. I will work on that in a little while. Woody ended up not wearing he brace to dialysis today as the straps just wouldn't stay velcroed. I will have the trip to McMinnville, see my doctor, and the return trip in the morning and then in the afternoon, Woody will have his TN Oncology appointment and get his next Keytruda infusion. Another head-spinning day! Well, I will go down and check Woody's leg bandage...hoping that it is all intact and that I don't have to change it. We usually only change the bandage every other night these days unless it has come loose or just shows that it needs to be changed. We did get the order from the medical supply place...it came really quickly...order was placed Monday or Tuesday and it is here today. It came from Texas by FedEx. Now hoping that they have the billing straightened out! These bandages are about $5 a piece...at least that is what they cost if I order them from Amazon...Amazon's boxes only have 5 in them...these come in packages of 10 and they sent us thirty...so enough to change them once a day if necessary. The wound care center moved him to a larger bandage so it will pad his leg over a larger surface to protect against pressure from the brace...so it is serving two purposes...covering a wound and being extra padding. I did get the supplies sent today all put away. They keep changing types of supplies which means we have things not being used left over...so we are quite the medical supply headquarters! I just have to keep fining places to put the items we aren't using at the moment...got to keep them where I can get to them so "if" we need to use them at another time, I can find them! Hard to keep a handle on them. I get them all straightened out and something changes and have to reorganize...or not! Then it is just by chance if you can find something that we used to use! Woody did get his monthly report of labs from dialysis today and most everything is in the good range. His hemoglobin was a bit lower than we like to see. It may be hard to get it to the goal that the cardiologist wants it. Hoping that he doesn't have a blood transfusion in his near future! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Another Busy Day…When Will Life Settle Down Again?

All I can say is that we have about made it through this day. Woody had a good eye appointment. He can wait a bit longer till he has the cataract in his other eye removed. The doctor was more interested in getting me on his schedule in June to have both my eyes done...should be interesting to have a wedding sandwiched between eye surgeries. He told me the week that his vacation in June is...so we will have to work with three weeks in June...hope that it really works out when his actual surgery schedule gets pulled up. I go to see him in four weeks and we will get things set up then...hopefully. We are scheduling for June so Melany can come and help take care of her Daddy for the time that I shouldn't be hoisting wheelchairs, etc. I filled in the chinks before and after the appointment with cooking tasks. I needed to make something with my sourdough starter...so made sourdough waffles. I have put most of those in the freezer. Then I made hamburger stroganoff for our lunch. This evening he wanted a philly steak sandwich so cooked onions and peppers for that. And, I'm still not finished as I need to at least put together the ground pork mixture for his breakfast sausage...what I had in the freezer is all gone. I will just put the mixture together and then cook a pattie for him in the morning to go in his omelet...then later tomorrow cook the rest of the patties and freeze them. I will say that this week of appointments has about gotten to me...wearing both of us down. This is hump day...but we still have four appointments between now and Saturday afternoon...plus I was reminded today that it is my Cottey College Alum bookclub on Saturday...I have read the book, but I'm not sure whether I will be able to sandwich it in...maybe I can sneak into the Zoom meeting for a little while. At the moment, I am just ready for all these extra appointments to be behind us! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Bit of a Whirlwind

Tonight's photo shows our first iris to bloom this Spring. With all the rain that we have had and now that the warmer temperatures are here plants have really begun to bloom. So pretty with something new blooming just about every day. We started out early and there hasn't been a time for a nap today...so I seem to be dragging at this point in the day. I came upstairs to put my feet up and lean back so I can rest my back before finishing up in the kitchen. Woody's dialysis went well again today, though he did come out feeling pretty zapped and was very ready for a snack when he got home. After I dropped him off this morning, I came home and got a grocery list together and then headed off to Kroger. I did my shopping, came home and put away everything that was cold. I still have several bags that need to be unpacked and put into the pantry. I headed off to the church library after lunch. Donna and I worked on the latest book order...as far as we could get until we add to it with another order. We had an enjoyable time catching up with each other. While library I got a call from the company that supplies Woody's wound care supplies. Putting this info in here so I can look back and see when they called. They are still trying to get insurance straightened out. I think this is the 4th call...but at least this time they were calling me and not the other way around. She sounded positive as the call ended that it would be straightened out...she thought by just resubmitting his medicare number (which has been changed just this month)...so maybe? I hope so since I let wound care order us some more supplies. Abigail came over to the house while I was at the library to get her dress. One of her friends was going to steam the wrinkles out of it. I got home from the library and Abigail called to say taht she was just a few minutes away and that she thought that she would need my help to get it from the car into the house. We found a new place to hang it...now when she gets her shoes she can try it on again and we will make sure about how much to shorten it. She said that it is 60 days till the wedding...time is passing quickly! Kathy texted me and said that the dress they had reordered for Esther in a smaller size had come and that she thought it was going to work. Joy and Esther have their shoes so they can come and we can make a decision as to how much to shorten theirs...or if they need to be shortened. Decisions! Decisions! Oh, Abiagil had a clothespin hunt over here when she came to get her dress. She found out that she needed to bring clothespins. Now I have a clothespin here and there around the house...but I wasn't home...so I had to suggest places for her to look. She found 1 or two at each of the places I suggested. But she needed more. Now some time in the last month I ran across a package of clothespins when sewing or crafting...but could I remember where that place I had seen them...no! But I did think of one more place to check and she found them! I am glad that Abigail sort of knows where I keep things in the sewing room since we had sewing lessons here once upon a time! Shortly after Abigail left, I headed out to run errands...first to the pharmacy to see about getting some prenatal vitamins for Woody (still laughing over that!). I asked the pharmacist if she recommended a particular kind and she was helping me out in the store. About the time she was handing me a bottle, the young lady who helps behind the counter asked if we were getting something for Mr. Dorrell and then said that they had a prescription for him...and in the end the prenatal vitamins were a prescription...I had no idea. But this being brought to our attention is another reason that I love using an independant pharmacy...they know us! The pharmacist I was talking to hadn't been the one who filled the prescription. I got an explanation as to why prenatal...for the folic acid and the iron in them...pharmacist said that they are often suggested for men and women who have certain health problems. After the drugstore, I headed to the grocery store down the street from us who carries natural ground pork...time to make Woody's breakfast...again! I also had to get some zucchini as Kroger had none this morning. Well, I have rambled on...guess that is another way to see that I am in a bit of a whirlwind...head spinning, etc. Guess it is time for me to sit back and rest a bit more and then head to the kitchen...so I can come back upstairs for good for the evening. Gift stitching is still going on...but another complete finish has joined a couple of others. So progress! Woody has settled onto his couch/bed for the night. So I will end this...maybe tomorrow I won't be so wound up! We continue on with our week full of appointments tomorrow...tomorrow eye doctor for Woody. At least it is in the afternoon so we can have as leisurely a morning as we want. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Good Cardiologist Appointment

The appointment went great this morning with Woody's new cardiologist...first time he has been to a cardiologist...mist get in all the types of doctors! He had an EKG first and then saw various folk...someone to fill in his information on their computer, then a nurse practitioner and then Dr. Gupta. It looks like his fluctuating blood pressure is due to being on dialysis and also being anemic. The doctor took away one of Woody's meds and changed the time we take one on the day before dialysis. And, the funny addition is that he is to start taking prenatal vitamins...a bit of teasing can be done over that addition! The rest of the changes will have to be done at dialysis. The best part of this appointment...didn't have to make a return appointment. We can call and make an appointment if we feel the need or if dialysis feels he needs to go back. It was an easy appointment, but still zapped us of our energy...we both did a little napping this afternoon and Woody has already turned in for the night. I did drag myself out for prayer meeting. And, I did manage to vacuum the living room and dining room today...so a little much needed house cleaning was done. I continue to work on a gift for Abigail's shower for this coming weekend...about finished with it...then on to working on another for the shower at our church rhe first weekend in May. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Sunday Favorite

Beautiful Saturday

We were up bright and early per usual for a dialysis day. When I got home from dropping Woody off, I did the last touches to my gift stitching. The party started 30 minutes before Woody's treatment ended. I got to stop by and give my best wishes to the bride before it was time to pick up Woody. Woody has had a good day...both at dialysis and here at the house. He has done crossword puzzles and watched TV and done a bit of dozing. I spent time putting the finishing touches on the Sunday School lesson and did a bit of dozing myself. I have begun the finishing touches on Abigail's gift for her first shower that is happening next weekend. I caught up with Melany when she called later in the afternoon. So really all-in-all a rather low-key day. The rain and wind was finally behind us for at least today...it was a beautiful Spring day. Woody has already moved over to his couch/bed to declare an end to his day. I'm about to finish in the kitchen and then head upstairs to bring my day to an end, too...probably with stitching. We are both planning to go to Sunday School and then come home to watch our church service on my iPad. And, we'll then see what else the day has in store for us! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Busy! Busy!

I was so "into" what I was doing that I almost forgot to blog. But here I am for at least a moment! I'm getting my stitching prepared for gifting...stitching is done now to make it into a gift! I have ironed and now the pieces are laying flat till they are completely dry...they should be ready for next steps shortly. Woody had his appointment at wound care today. We have some instructions to take to the person who provided his brace. The doctor feels that there need to be some adaptations made to it. They also changed the size of the bandage that we put on his wound to protect the leg in that area more from having the brace rub on it...hopefully the rubbing can be taken care of by the brace person...one more appointment/s to add to the many upcoming ones. Our trip out today was to wound care and home. I did have to make another trip back to the wound care place to get some bandages from them to use till a new order can get to us. We had a new nurse and she wasn't as forth coming with "sharing" bandages with us and there was so much going on that I didn't think to ask. The doctor continues to be pleased to see that Woody is putting on weight. She even said that she thought that the size of the leg brace might have to be made bigger. She said that she can tell that it is not water weight on his leg, but muscle! I came home and got busy on stitching and making...and that is where I stand. Woody has been working on his crossword puzzles...one of the ones from the paper were extra difficult today so it took him longer and he needed some computer and Alexa help to get it finished. Tomorrow is the start of bridal showers for me...tomorrow and the next three weekends I have bridal showers to attend. All but tomorrow's are for our sweet Abigail! Busy times ahead! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Thursday Doings

It has been a rainy, dreary day...all the rain is supposed to be out of here tomorrow. With all these April showers we have been having, we should have LOTS of May flowers! Woody had another good dialysis treatment as far as we know. We managed to get to and from the dialysis center without getting wet...managed to be in one of the breaks of the storms/rain for each of those trips. I did drive home in rain as the bottom fell out about the time we drove under the portico at the center...with a big flash of lightning as we were about to go in the door and then the crash of thunder. Good timing! It rained on me as I drove home, but by the time I got home that pocket of the storm had passed. We had several of those pockets come through all day long. When I went out to get the mail after 5pm, it was still raining lightly. I have worked on the Sunday School a good part of the morning and then the afternoon...I guess it is coming together. I'm ready to set it aside for the time being and get on with other things...Woody's leg, the kitchen, and my stitching. I have had a little snooze at some point this afternoon so hopefully I have a little more steam to do a little more this evening! Tomorrow we are back to having an appointment on our "day off." Next week we will have something every day from Sunday thru Saturday and on one day have two appointments...not looking forward to all the extra appointments! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Spring Green

I went on a little ride today to try to capture the colors of Spring...you know...that crayon in the Crayola Crayon box of your childhood. I enjoyed the names of the crayons when I was a child as they were usually very descriptive and were right on...like plum, carnation pink, sky blue, etc. But I really never understood "spring green" until I moved to Tennessee. Arizona just doesn't have in their change to Spring what I would call spring green...but Tennessee...oh, my! Every year at this time I am brought back to that color in my crayon box! I enjoyed the short ride out into the country...probably didn't go more than five or ten miles away...mainly took pictures on two country roads. One of my blog readers will probably know one of the roads traveled when I post a few more photos over the next days. Other my little trip out, our day has been pretty uneventful...just hanging around doing a little of this and a little of that. We had some rain overnight and we are due for some storms still, but the little trip was done without a drop of rain...just cloudy skies. I just looked out and it is so pretty out right now...sort of a peachy light all around due to pretty clouds being blown in...now it is turning to purple. Woody and I both have done some work on my Sunday School lesson. Woody asked what scripture we were studying this Sunday and he ended up writing down some thoughts on it while I was gone. I am planning to work on it some more after I head upstairs this evening...that along with a little more stitching. Got to get the stitching done so I can turn the stitching into a gift for a shower on Saturday! Well, I guess it is time for me to check Woody's leg and then get busy in the kitchen...not a lot has gone on in the kitchen today...wondering what tornado happened to go through while I was gone...know it wasn't Woody! I'm probably the guilty party...not while I was gone, but in the moments that I passed through the kitchen during the day...after all there have been three meals prepared...or at least warmed in there today! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Tuesday…Again

The days just seem to roll together...blink once and it is the next day...blinl twice and it is the next week! We headed off dark and early once again today...the overcast, drizzly early morning made it darker than it has been on clear days. It wasn't raining very much so we managed to get Woody to dialysis without either of us getting very wet. We are thankful for good water repellent jackets! Both our mornings were pretty uneventful...his dialysis treatment went without problems and I muddled around the house and took a bit of a nap when I sat down to do some cross stitching. Abigail had planned to come get her dress to have it steamed, but in the end changed her plans since it was raining and she didn't want to take a chance of getting it wet. I have been working on getting my sewing room ready to do some wedding hemming. I did manage to do some stitching this afternoon without taking a nap! I plan to do more later this evening. I guess I probably better get busy on the Sunday School lesson also, as I am teaching Sunday. Now it is time to do dressing change on Woody's leg and then finish up in the kitchen. I did roast a chicken this afternoon so have a few extra dishes this evening. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Birthday Eclipsed

I'm depending on the birthday girl for the blog photo tonight. It's Melany's birthday and eclipse Day which resulted in her having a day off from school due to the eclipse...worked out pretty well, I would say! Melany enjoyed the eclipse glasses that they got at Sonic and watched the eclipse and used them to be able to take a photo with her phone. So you are seeing a photo of the eclipse from Murfreesboro, TN. I didn't get glasses so just experienced it slightly...it got a little darker and had a bit of an eery feeling for a couple of minutes. It wasn't at all like the eclipse in 2017. I experienced that one looking at the shadows on the ground...this time...no shadows...guess it is because the trees haven't leaved out very much yet? Woody and I watched the coverage of the eclipse on TV as it traveled across the North American continent from Mexico on up to Canada. It was interesting. I had a cookin day. The morning was spent making split pea soup...started making it as soon as I put breakfast in front of Woody and it was finished a few minutes after noon for our lunch. Then this afternoon I made a hominy casserole. I had been wanting it for a while and finally found the time when I had enough energy to make it! It rained a good part of the morning, but did clear up in time for the eclipse. I went to prayer meeting tonight. Woody stayed home as it was supposed to be raining...in the end it didn't rain. We will be up and out of here early in the morning...rain or not! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Sunday Favorite

Saturday…all day!

We got up at our usual Saturday time...early! We were out the door by 6am. We got to the dialysis center a little early, but they were waiting for him...the reason being that they were low on patients for that time in the morning. Usually when we get there (by 6:20am) there are four vehicles parked where dialysis patients park...today there were only two...so I figured that there some must be missing or late. The nurse said that patients were sparse at that point in the morning. Now when I went to pick him up it was like Grand Central Station with the comings and goings of patients! Woody's dialysis went well once again. He is always glad when it is time to head home. But unlike some of the patients he really doesn't dread the treatment time. One lady tells me often that her stomach sinks when she sees the sign where her daughter makes the turn to head into the dialysis parking lot. Some of the patients are just so sad about each day that they come. Woody just knows that it is part of his day...part of his routine. I made a ham casserole this afternoon for our supper tonight. I changed Woody's "menu," as some things have run out on the first menu and there was more crossed out than things he could choose from. I am starting to add to his choices...his menu is changing. Today I added the ham casserole and tomorrow I plan to make split pea soup (the last hoorah for the Easter ham). I have done a little stitching...but on a different project. I needed to move to something else as I have a bridal shower to attend this coming Saturday and am now working on a gift for her. This young lady I have known all her life and she attended Montessori...so she automatically becomes one of "my children!" I haven't seen her in some years so look forward to seeing her at her shower. "My children" tend to grow up...both my own, my grandchildren, and my Montessori students! Life marches on! I have been reading in spare moments as my book will be taken away from me in the wee hours on Monday...so am leaning more toward reading than stitching in those spare moments. I spent longer than I would have liked trying to get our new phones to accept messages...I had Cheryl (my favotite (only) sister) call and leave a message and she was successful...so maybe? I've also been working on catching up on our wash...I let it go for a few days and now there are quite a few loads that need to be done...which reminds me that I need to go transfer the last load I washed into the dryer...always something. I pretty much cleaned up the kitchen after I made the casserole, but now I need to unload the dishwasher so I can put the dirty dishes that have accumulated into the dishwasher to get them off the counter. I think there will still be several that aren't supposed to go into the dishwasher that I will have to wash by hand. Woody is settled onto his couch/bed. i'm ready for my recliner/bed...but...other duties call first. I am looking forward to more reading and some stitching before my eyes close for the last time today...note...they have closed earlier in the day as I did take an unintended nap after lunch. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Normalcy!

We are close to being back to "normal." Whatever that means! But today I got the last of the Christmas/Winter/Valentines/Spring/Easter back into boxes. But the best news for me is that all the boxes are out of Melany's room and back into the Christmas closet. I think that last of the Spring/Easter decorations are out of the living room, dining room, and kitchen. I was so glad to get that last box packed into the puzzle of boxes in the closet. It is amazing what all can be packed into that closet! I was afraid that all weren't going to fit, but fit they did. Now...I still have to go through gift bags and sort the to size and compress them down. Some may find their way to the curb come next garbage day. I hate to throw them away...but...We'll see what I can do with getting them ready for storage. I will say with the store of gift bags that I have, I haven't had to buy gift bags at Christmas for some years now. That was definitely a good job done...but doing that pulled me away from my stitching...guess I will get back to stitching after I finish in the kitchen and get Woody settled in for the night...still have to dress his leg wound. Woody has had a quiet day. He did do a last Christmas job...recording the Christmas cards we received this year. Hmmm speaking of those...I guess that that basket of cards is still downstairs along with the book he records in. Guess everything isn't upstairs and in the closet, yet! But I still say we are close to normalcy. I still have to vacuum the living room and dining room...but that can wait till tomorrow. I did empty the canister for the vacuum...so all ready to go in the morning! I napped this afternoon after all the climbig up and down the stairs and then lifting all those boxes into the closet. The closet packing job was always Woody's...his contribution to our Christmas decorating. At one time, I wondered if I would ever decorate again when he stopped being able to pack boxes into the closet...but guess I found that I could! I will say that I enjoyed my extended decorating this year for the seasons following Christmas. But I will also say that I am ready for it to all be put away now. I got to thinking as I was finishing this job, that it won't be long till I will be getting it all out again to get ready for Christmas! Not quite yet...please! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Stitching Away

This morning we headed off to the dialysis center early...can't say dark and early any more as finally, once again, it is not totally dark when we leave...soon, hopefully, it will be completely light when we leave in the mornings. After dropping Woody off, I decided that I would make an early run to Walmart...that way I wouldn't have to go out again exept to get Woody. I dropped Woody off and got my items at Walmart and was home a little after 7am. All the bunnies are put away or at least upstairs in the guest room waiting to be put in a storage bin. I did start to put the corner tree back into its box...but decided that I had done enough of going up and down the stairs so stopped that and went back to reading (need to get finished with the book I'm reading before it is whisked back into cyberspace) and also back to my gift stitching. I made it to another goal today. Woody had a good day at dialysis, again. He has had a pretty quiet day...once he got home...puzzles, keeping up with the Cardinal's baseball score for today, and watching TV and probably a little resting/napping. I managed to get some napping in this afternoon, too. We're watching the new TV show, Elsbeth. I rarely watch TV these days, but for some reason this show intrigues me...we saw the pilot a few weeks ago. While I watch I'm hoping to graph the bottom part of my stitching piece as I am going to attempt to personalize it. I don't have my magnifying light down here to be able to stitch...so maybe if I can figure out what I am going to add, I will still be working on the gift! Woody is settled on his couch/bed...wondering if he will make it through the back to back episodes of this show! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

The Calm and Chill After the Storm

Our storm was mainly just rain and some wind. This morning you could hardly tell that it had stormed, except perhaps for some puddles...so often branches are down and the street is littered with debris...but not this time. Of course, we are still early in Spring and the leaves are just starting to form on the trees...often it is the leaves that come down during hard rains and wind...so perhaps that was just the timing of this storm that made it not make a mess. Now not all were as lucky as we there was damage in some places in TN and other states. We had some more rain this afternoon...that rather surprised me as I wasn't expecting it. I guess after the storm came through last night, I didn't pay attention to today's forcast...plus we didn't have to get out today so weren't trying to find out what the conditions were going to be today. The temperatures have dropped a lot since yesterday. Tonight, once again, it is supposed to get into the upper 30s and I guess they are predicting frost in the wee hours in another day or two. I guess this is another of our "winters." Perhaps Dogwood Winter this tiime, as the dogwoods are just beginning to bloom. We have had a pretty quiet day. I stayed inside most of the day and stitched and worked on getting Spring decorations down and away. I have made quite a few trips up and down the stairs carrying bunnies back to their storage homes. They still aren't all upstairs but the end is in sight. I did take all the decorations off the Spring/Easter tree today. They are on the little table in the living room until I figure out what Christmas box or boxes they go in. Woody has done crosswords, looked at things on his laptop, watched TV and rested. I'm heading down to bandage his leg and finish in the kitchen, then I'm coming back upstairs...perhaps a couple of bunnies will hop on for a trip upstairs, and then I am going to get back to my stitching. It is coming along. Finally I'm makinng forward progress once again! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

We’re Watching 👀

We are in a Tornado Watch...which means that conditions are right for a tornado...during a watch we hope and pray that it doesn't turn into a Tornado Warning which means that there is a tornado on the ground (sometimes they issue this warning just from radar/wind velocity indication). Alexa says that we are in a tornado warning...but no siren is going off and not showing on WeatherBug. They are saying that Winchester, TN is under a warning...that is just little ways down the road from us...we are almost in their county so sometimes we get included in their warnings. It's raining pretty hard. Woody doesn't look too concerned...he has dozed off in his recliner. The TV has been only weather coverage for more than an hour. We watch Huntsville, AL and our weather us usually comes from their direction. They do cover some of the counties in southern middle TN...not our county though. We have had a sort of busy day...at least for the morning. We headed off dark and early for Woody's dialysis treatment. I came home and finished my grocery list and then headed to Kroger. I came home and put most of the groceries away and then headed off a little early to pick up Woody as I planned to stop at our pharmacy to see if p ossibly all our prescriptions had been filled...AND...miracles will never cease...they were all filled and waiting for me to pick up and pay for. We're good to go for at least another month! I got to the dialysis center a little early and Woody ended getting out a bit later than usual. He said that he just had to wait his turn to get taken off his machine. After I got Woody settled, I went out and put the car in the garage since the predicted storms were supposed to be pretty strong. I wasn't planning on going out again today so decided to tuck the car away. Donna and I decided that we wouldn't work in the church library today since we got pretty much caught up last week. Since the storms were supposed to start this afternoon, we decided to skip our work day and stay home...safe and dry. Melany let me know that her school let out three hours early due to possible strong storms about the time taht school would let out. The schools in our area let out early, too...not sure about Tullahoma, but I know that Franklin let out early as did schools in the Huntsville, AL area. Things have calmed down while I wrote this...for the moment I believe that we are in the clear...there may be more storms come through tonight. I'm heading to finish in the kitchen and then head upstairs. I hope to make a little more progress on my gift stitching project...not much progress has been made today. Woody has settled onto his couch/bed so it looks like things are drawing to a close at our house. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

The Bunnies are Hopping Home

The bunnies started hopping their way upstairs to find their hiding places till next year. So far most of them have just made it to the dining room table...but it is a start on their trek home! Woody and I just got home from Monday Night Furnace Room Prayer Meeting...yes, you read it right...Woody and I...Woody went to prayer meeting for the first time in some time...so good to have him feeling strong enough to make the trip out in the evening. Today's warmer temperatures helped too...and, the fact that it was still light when we left and wasn't totally dark when we got home. Woody finished another crossword puzzle book today...along with his usual four newspaper crosswords. I got Woody settled on the couch after we got home and I have changed the bandage on his leg...so he is ready for a good night's sleep...hopefully. I still need to finish in the kitchen and then I will head upstairs and settle in for the evening myself. I attempted yesterday to move on with the stitched gift that I am making...but every stitch I put in I had to take out and put in again...not a good stitching day...every so often I have "one of those" days. Hopefully I can make up for those misplaced stitches tonight. I have moved from that place and am working in another spot...will come back to that part later in my stitching! I did run an errand to the Credit Union this afternoon...but other than that and prayer meeting, we both stayed close to home today. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!