Getting Ready to Party!

It has been a busy day filled with doing lots. One of my first duties for tomorrow's party was to pick up the tablecloths...done! Later in the day we found out that some who are a part of tomorrow's party are not feeling well...so there was a bit of regrouping! Good thing that most of us have done lots of these parties and can go with the flow! Three of us went to check out the lay of the land this evening. Assignments have been made...so I think that we are heading in the right direction...and, come what may...tomorrow afternoon we will be having a party! We're just sorry that some are feeling under the weather. I have done quite a few loads of wash today. I got a surprise in the mail this afternoon. When we had our Cottey College virtual reunion, we had a scavenger hunt. One of the items we supplied was chosen to represent that part of our groups "finds." It was mentioned that prizes would be awarded to some of the best items. I never thought anytning more about it. This afternoon I received a manilla envelope with a stuffed duck and a little yellow rubber unicorn duck. The upper class has ducks as a "mascot." Though the years i was at Cottey the ducks were banned so our class was duckless! But i can no longer say I am duckless! I'm a little less itchy...maybe heading in the right direction...if it will just stay gone and not return! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Rain Washed

Everything was so green and clean after the rain that passed through on our way to Murfreesboro, while I was in the doctor's office, and some more on the way home. Woody said that it really poured while I was in the dermatologist office. We travelled home the back road, but not conducive to picture taking due to raindrops and windshield wipers. I did get one rainy barn:

I guess that the visit to the dermatologist pretty much said more of the same...just a little longer and thus a little more aggresive...but more prednisone...over a longer time...sort of a pattern. It seems that my personal care physician was on the right road and the dermatologist is just upping it a bit more. She also prescribed a stronger antihistimine and some steroid ointment to out on my arms and legs. I go back to see her in 3 weeks to see if this is doing the trick...or if she needs to pull something else out of her magic bag of medical tricks. We wondered if Elijah's game would get rained out, but it was played...though it poured at the end of game to stop it early...st least Woody came home. He has changed clothes as his outer layer was pretty wet...now cozied up in his recliner in dry shirt and dry sweatpants...in for the night...Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

It's Wednesday!

And, the reason I know it is Wednesday...Donna and I worked in the library this morning! So my week is set...Sunday School at church, church service via Facebook Live started off my week and now working in the library moved me over to make the second half of the week get started right! Several of us did a little preparty planning via phone calls this afternoon...so that should have us well on the way to Saturday and the party that afternoon! Moving forward! I'm heading down to get Woody set up for his nightly dialysis after I finish publishing the blog...a little early tonight because we have to be away from here by 8:30 in the morning in order to get to my 9:30 appointment with the dermatologist. It has been another itchy day...one thing that I am noticing...if I itch on one spot on my right arm...then that same place on the left arm itches...same with legs and feet! I am so hoping that there is an easy solution...but I doubt that she will have the magic pill...not going to hold my breath! But hoping that somewhere down the road not too far away there will be some solution...other than just living with it! I finished a cross stitch ornament last night so I plan to start another one tonight after I have Woody connected for his treatment. I'm patiently waiting for my order of linen to arrive so I can start another sampler or a little needleroll. I have plenty to keep me busy till the package arrives. Nathan, Joy, Esther, and Elijah paid us a little visit today. They came to practice batting and pitching in our backyard. They have a back stop set up back there. Before they headed home, they all came in to say hi...nice to see them! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Today’s Visitors

Tonight's photos show some of the visitors to our bird feeders today. Woody and I spent a little while sitting on the front porch. The pollen count is high so neither of us stayed out very long. It has been another beautiful day...perfect porch-sitting weather! Our routine changed a little for last night's dialysis. I had to capture the drain fluid so it can be analized. Woody had an appointment to stop by the kidney clinic this morning to drop off the drain bags and to let them draw some blood. They are rechecking as his last check like this was a little off so they are checking again to see if there is a problem or if it was just a fluke. I guess we will wait to see if we hear from them or if we will just learn the results at his next appointment in May. We both tried to snatch a nap this afternoon as neither of us slept well last night. Woody due to alamrs and me due to itching. I can distract myself from the itching during the waking hours...but come night and not doing anything but trying to sleep then the itching is very noticible and hard to ignore! I did manage a short nap this afternoon...but woke up due to itching. I did a few things around the house and then decided that I wanted to sit down and stitch. I am almost finished with another Christmas ornament. Our sweet neighbor once again included our back yard in her yard mowing task. I got to visit with a friend from our Sunday School class when she dropped off something for me to take to the party we are giving on Saturday. It was good to visit in person! I guess things really are slowly but surely going back to some sort of normalcy. But still...Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Colorful Spring Monday

At least it has been a colorful day for birds! Yesterday I noticed that the Goldfinches were coming to the feeders in all their colorful yellow once again...they get dull during the winter. I decided to sit on the porch and eat lunch and this other colorful bird species appeared...a rose-breasted grossbeak. So pretty! It isnt the first time for me to spot one, but not one we see often. I'm ready for a new bird variety to add to my list. The birds are loving the warmer weather. We definitely have a beautiful serenade every time we are outside. I can recognize some of the birds by their song...but other songs I just wonder who is warbling them! Then there is Ol' Mr. Mocker (mockingbird)...he is always singing someone else's song to trick us! I got an email from my dermatologist and there was a link to all the papers that I will have to fill out...so I filled them out on the iPad using my iPencil and then printed them off. I am happy not to have to fill those out in the office...so confusing...much easier here where I can check on things like medications, etc. After I got that taken care of I got the grocery list made and after lunch, I headed to Kroger. Once a month our Sunday School class helps out one of our class members with groceries and it was my turn. After I got our frozen and cold groceries put away, I gathered whatI had gotten for her and headed over to her house. I was glad to find her at home...she no longer has a phone so we can't check to see if she is at home. We had a nice short visit and then I headed home to put the resto ours away. I passed Woody coming out of our neighborhood as I was coming home. He was on his way to Elijah's ball game and then would leave from there to go to Monday Night Furnace Room Prayer Meeting. I decided to make a casserole that I had been wanting to make but needed a couple of things for it. It just came out of the oven so I think that I will go dish me up some to test it to make sure that it is good! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! I will add for my records that this has been a very itchy day...trying to ignor the feeling but it is hard!

Goal Met!

I decided that I wanted to finish this cross stitch piece today...that way it would be completed in the week that Earth Day fell...and I just met that goal by putting in the last stitch. This piece is adapted for cross stitch from a Charley Harper print. It's message is obviously one that has an Earth Day emphasis. This has been a fun stitch for me...new type of fabric, new stitch count paired up with an old graph from a 1986 Just CrossStitch Magazine. By stitching this I am sticking with what I told Woody..."I can stitch for a long, long time just stitching charts that I already own. I will only need to buy buy fabric and floss to keep me stitching for a long, long time!" On that note, I believe that I will make an internet order for some linen to stitch what I have put aside as the next two main projects that I plan to stitch." The "Space for All Species" I plan to make into a pillow...will have to find just the right fabric to actually finish it. I will look through my stash and see if I happen to have just the right fabric, but at the moment a piece doesn't come to mind. Today has been rainy we have both stayed in most of the day. I did venture out to empty waste baskets into the garbage, took out the compost bucket, and, in that trip checked the mail...that was when there had been a break in the rain for a while. Woody made his way upstairs for a while today. He also varied his lunch and had a small barbecue sandwich and a piece of banana cream pie. I made potato soup for me. I decided that this weekend might be the last time that hot soup wouod be welcome...good onna rainy spring day, but next week when it gets up into the 80s it might not be as welcoming a meal! I have done a little cleaning...very little! And, did a load of wash that got me caught up on our clothes. It's so nice to have a dryer that shuts off when the drying cycle is complete! It had been so long, that I almost forgot what a nice feature that was! Sometimes it is such simple things that bring pleasure! Ha! Ha! I will insert here...so I have a record of when it began again...that my itching started back up yesterday. Let's just say that I am not the happiest of campers! Need to keep busy to "try" to forget about it at least temporarily! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Friday...Again!

It seems like Fridays roll around all too quickly these days...back when we worked, I wouod say that they didnt come often enough...but these days it seems just like Friday was yesterday and here it is Friday all over again! Today I got up with a mission in mind...make about the only request thwt Woody has made recently...a banana cream pie. And...I accomplished just that. He even had a small piece in the middle of the afternoon after it had had time to chill. Pretty good, if I do say so myself. The other plan that I had was to go to the pharmacy to see if the prescription had been phoned in...I guess third time was the charm, at least this time, as it was there. Then I headed down the street to the closest grocery store to our house to get some ice cream. Making two shakes a day has us going through ice cream much faster than usual. And, this store seems to be the only one that regularly keeps strawberry ice cream in stock. I accomplished those two things before 3pm. I also managed to get two loads of wash done today...the second is still drying...the first has been put away. Woody did "go out" once today...to out the car in the garage because there are possiblities of storms tomorrow. The Hasty's stopped by and we visited for a few minutes. So that about completes my day! I will shortly get Woody's dialysis treatment set up so it will be ready to connect him around 9pm. I hope that I will get a little more time this evening to work on my cross stitch project...it is about finished. I did sit and stitch a little this afternoon. But not a lot, as I found my eyes closing...so a nap got fit into the afternoon, too. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Earth Day 2021

We have had another fairly busy day. First, we headed off to the Fresenius Kidney Center for Woody's appointment with his kidney team including Dr. O. He is to continue to keep on as we have been. Though, they are repeating a test that was done a couple of weeks ago to see if it was a fluke in the testing or if they need to change things up a little. That appointment only took up around an hour of our day...but it always seems to encroach on more of the day...I guess both leading up to leaving and settling back in once home! I did get up this morning and make the breakfast sausage for Woody's upcoming breakfasts and for today's. That sums up my cooking for the day. Woody went to Elijah's ball game tonight and just got home. Elijah's team didn't fare as well as they have been. Now it is time to make Woody's evening protein shake...and, then, I guess, it will be about time to get his treatment set up for tonight. Our day did start out cold as predicted. When I got up the temperature was around 27°...brrrrr! So we had a freeze last night and tonight there are frost warnings out. Next week we are supposed to see some 80s...I think that we are ready! All our plants fared well...I did recover the herbs for tonight, but I'm pretty sure that it wasn't necessary. Well, off to make Woody's shake. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Busy Wednesday

Most mornings these days start with getting Woody disconnected from his dialysis cycler machine. This morning, the last cycle wasn't quite done when I got downstairs so I ended up eating my breakfast and it was finished about the time that I took my last bite. Woody ate breakfast once he was free from his machine. After breakfast he went upstairs for a while to do his crossword puzzles. He couldn't stay upstairs at his leisure today as he had to be at Oncology by 9:45am. He had labs, saw a medical assistant, saw tge doctor, and and had his third Keytruda infusion all at the same appointment today. He did find out from the doctor today that instead of 1 year, he will be getting Keytruda for two years. The oncologist and the dermatologist had talked and, I guess, decided that since another melanoma site had popped up next to where he had the surgery that he has stage 4 Melanoma...he's been there before! So I guess...same song, second verse. On his way home he stopped at the pharmacy to pick up some of his prescriptions. He got home around 12:30pm. After Woody left this morning, I got busy cleaning his room, which isn't easy to do when he is sitting in it. I washed all his throws and his bedding, vacuumed, dusted, and straightened up a little along with cleaning his bathroom. I also had to order his dialysis supplies (that task rolls around all too often!). I also took a call from his Fresenius Kidney Care social worker. We heard from the dietician the other day and now the social worker...all those calls lead up to his appointment at Fresenius Kidney Center with Dr. O...which is in the morning. After I got Woody's lunch, I headed off to WalMart and a quick stop at Kroger. This is my monthly WalMart shopping trip...have to go when I run out of my over-the-counter meds. I also made sure that I took care of our birds and got them some food also. I also got a new heating pad. My other one had bitten the dust...didn't last very long. It is good to have the heat on my back as I type this after my extra busy day. It was time to do something with my sour dough starter so decided to make cheddar and chive sour dough biscuits and share them with our neighbors who have been so nice lately to include our backyard when they are mowing their yard. I figured taking some hot from the oven biscuits over at supper time was a way that I could say thanks. The day is waning...it is supposed to be a cold night...frost warnings...so I covered some of our plants. I'm ready for the tasks for the day to be over...still need to unload the dishwasher and reload it. My stop at Kroger was to get the ground pork that they didn't have when I shopped last week and I need it to make Woody's breakfast sausage. I don't have it in me tonight, I don't think, to make it today...so may get up early and tackle that in the morning. I make several lots of sausage patties and then freeze them...so in the morning I can cook them all and he can have two fresh ones with his pancakes. Just don't think that I can face 2# of sausage tonight. I'm ready for my recliner and heating pad! Tomorrow is another day, as Scarlett would say1 Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Just One of Those Days

I don't think that either of us have been much good for anything today! I have done a lot of nothing...that is after I got Woody's pancakes cooked and him disconnected from his dialysis cycler. We both felt like napping and may have dozed off in our chairs at several different times today. I wanted to do a little cooking, but I think that yesterday's efforts negated efforts in the same direction today. This afternoon I have sat in my recliner and done some stitching. Woody came upstairs and did his crossword puzzles and checked out things online. I did get the garbage taken out to the curb along with the recycle items. It was a beautiful day. But, another cold snap is in the forecast. Again, wonder which winter this will be! Oh, I did get a little dirt under my fingernails when I did a little cleaning out of the herb beds. So I guess I have done severeal things today! This afternoon I got a message from Kathy telling me that a dear friend's funeral was being livestreamed from our church so I did "attend" that...a bittersweet hour. My itching continues to mostly be under control...though, as I type that my leg has started to itch...power of suggestion?!? I am mainly jittery at the moment due to the prednisone. I started tapering off them today...but still have close to two weeks to go with the tapering off. The rash, etc. is clearing up...again...now the question is will it stay away when I stop taking the steroids. Woody has his next Keytruda infusion in the morning. Today we heard from his nutritionist at Fresenius Kidney Center. She was concerned because his protein level had gone down...which I have been expecting to hear. But you can lead a horse to water/food but you can't make him drink/eat! She suggested two protein shakes a day...since that is one of the only things that tastes good to him, he probably won't complain! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Monday, Monday!

It seems like it has been two Mondays rolled into one today...thus tonight's title! Why I decided to make two all-day recipes is the question! I got Sour Dough English muffins ready to sit over night and got them made first...not a lot to do once I get them ready to rise...put them in the oven on "proof" and let them sit for quite a few hours. The next thing was to make my homemade pulled pork. They finally had the Boston Butt Pork roasts on sale and had some on hand when I shopped last week. Today was the firt day that I had long enough time span that I could get it cooking. This recipe does require a lot of standing over the pot to skim fat, etc. and then get all the meat cut off the bone and finally pulling through it with my large granny fork. The nibbles that I took tell me that it is as good as always. The kitchen is "almost" cleaned up. I still have to do the long pans that I used with the English muffins...those don't fit in the dishwasher...or if they do they block other things from getting clean. What's left to wash isn't bad. The rest of the dishes mess is all in the dishwasher and it is running. And, I have the counter tops and stove top to wipe off...then I will be done. I am taking a break as my back is protesting. Woody has gone to the Monday Night Furnace Room Prayer Meeting and then will go to Elijah's game. So he will have had a busy day too once he gets back home. I decided since I was so tired that I would go on and get Woody's dialysis set up...just in case I doze off once I settle into my recliner. At least this way, his treatment will be ready when he gets home and is ready to be hooked up. In the times that I wasn't tending the barbecue pot, I worked on a letter to all the ladies helping with the party that we are giving in a little less than two weeks. Of course, that emailing gave me trouble. I had one email address incorrect...in the end the mama of the party's groom honoree gave me the email I needed. Jo to the rescue! Thanks, Jo! I'm not sure what I will do with the rest of my evening...going to try not to drop off to sleep so I will be able to fall asleep at a decent hour tonight. I may do a little stitching. I can stitch and think through the hemming, etc. of the bridal gown that came into my possession yesterday. I think that Melany was right...it won't be too difficult...but it isn't something to tackle when I am tired...good time to just think about it! I have a bridal crinoline hanging on the shower rod in our hall bathroom and a wedding dress laying on the day bed in the office/2nd sewing room. I'm also thinking about what I will wear to the upcoming wedding of our grandson...thinking about maybe making something...if I can get back "into" sewing. I had an idea of what I want to make over the weekend. Melany, Brooke and I had fun talking while I put pins into the dress to show where I need to fix things. Then we all adjourned to the family room and visited with Woody for a while. It was a nice afternoon. Nice to get to know our future granddaughter-in-law a bit more. The wedding is just a little over two months away. It looks like my sister, her husband, her daughter and her daughter's family are all going to be coming from AZ for the wedding. I've started to plan for that visit in my mind, also! Cheryl and Joe will stay with us and Rachel and family are talking about renting an Air B&B or somehting while they are here in the Murfreesboro area as they want to do the Nashville touristy things too and Melany lives in Murfreesboro. We will all get together sometime along the way here at our house. Woody wants to know if "anticipation is the greater joy!" So all kinds of things are running through my mind! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Oh, and my itching is better...at the moment...and, it was very good to be back in Sunday School yesterday! My a lot has happened since I blogged on Saturday!!!!!

Life Becoming More Normal?

I got my gift for the shower finished this morning...two first Christmas ornaments. Since I took a picture, I'll insert it here so you can see what I have been stitching on.

I wrapped them in a Christmas gift bag and they were ready to go! It was nice going to a party for a change! I got more time to visit with Connie and also saw and visited with some of her family members who came to the party. Just nice to be out and about once again. Maybe there is hope of returning to normal...or at least to the new normal! We both plan to go to Sunday School in the morning...Woody to teach his 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys class. And, me...to be in my class for the first time in a year and a month. After Sunday School, we will come on home and go to our church's virtual service via Facebook Live. Woody left a little while ago for Elijah's 7pm game...brrrrrr! I'll bet they get cold before the end of the game. I stayed home for several reasons...1)don't want to get cold! 2) I need to get things ready to alter a wedding dress tomorrow. Melany is bringing Brooke, Alex's fiancé, here tomorrow to see if I can do a few, easy alterations (according to Melany). Time will tell as to how easy! I've been gathering pins, a hem gauge, etc. I "should" have enough sewing tools around here to get the job done. But my sewing skills may be a bit rusty, as I havent done much sewing lately. Nothing like jumping in with both feet when I probably should just be dipping my toes in. My itching has come back somewhat...surely wish that it would go away and not return! It's a little better at the moment. I hope it contines to lessen. Really tired of this and just want it to ALL go away! I think that I will stitch a little...well, let's rephrase that last...got a couple of phone calls so am posting about an hour after I wrote that last sentence...no stitching and Woody is home from ball game. He said that it was nerve wracking but they did win and Elijah was put in to pitch to end the game! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Friday Visits

My friend of old, who now lives in Alabama is in town for the weekend and I asked her to stop by and visit for a while if she had time. And, she did just that. Connie and I had such a nice visit. We talk often on the phone, but it was nice to actually sit in the same room together for a change! It was just like old times...just like she stopped by like she used to do when she lived here...but it had been more like three or maybe even more years since we saw each other. Good visit! I have also visited with another long time friend on the phone today. She still lives in Tullahoms, but since Covid, we all may as well live many miles apart. While I was talking to her, my sister called so I called her back and we had a good visit. Since those phone conversations, I learned some sad news that a long time church member/friend passed away this afternoon. I had a few more conversations via text and ipad messaging. Woody has stayed in and kept warm...another cold spell is upon us...a good day to stay in! He worked on the computer, did crossword puzzles and has watched some TV...typical day! The wrecking crew next door has come through several times today. They are nearing completion of this daunting task. When I wasnt visiting, I have worked on the finishing of the stitched gift that I will be giving tomorrow at a bridal shower...guess I'd best get back to it! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Fixed and Wrecked

The dryer is finally fixed after about 1-1/2 months dealing with Sears repair and probably more than a year after Nathan and Graham's several attempts. So good to have a dryer that advances through the entirety of each cycle and shuts off on its own at the end. And, I will say that Sears did hold up their end of the bargain of seeing it through till it worked right and there was no charge this time...not even for the part...of course we should have been able to buy many parts with the initial amount paid! After I had hit the publish button last night, I realized that Inforgot to update on how I was doing. I guess I got too carried away about going shopping at Hobby Lobby! I am doing much better. The rash and itching started getting better after taking the first pills. I did feel a little itchy one time today, but that feeling went away fairly quickly. The rash is getting less and less each day as has the swelling in my legs and feet (about back to normal). I got the call from my doctor's office that labs showed that things that she normally looks for are all stable and for me to continue on with the meds that she has prescribed. She did run some different tests than usual and that one showed high allergic reaction...you think?!? Anyway she said that I should continue on with the steroid prescription. At least nothing too abnormal showed up...I was concerned that lots of things would show up all haywire! Today I can tell that I am taking steroids...they make me feel shaky inside...nothing visible...it's a feeling that I associate with being hungry! So I guess you could say that I have felt hungry all day...though I know in my mind that I am not...still want to nibble! Woody just got back from the ball field watching Elijah play. He reported a good game. Elijah's team won...I think...4-1. Elijah played first base flawlessly according to Goosey (Woody). Now to explain the wrecked part of tonight's blog post. The wrecking crew showed up next door in full force this morning ready to do a job in their old house that the new owners-to-be required of them: pull up all the carpet and take up the tile in the entry way and the kitchen. What a job! Glad we're not the ones selling to such a demand! That sale would have never have happened, as we couldnt have done the follow through! But they turned to from smallest to tallest and got a lot done. Tomorrow they tackle the kitchen and perhaps still have the carpet on the stairs to finish pulling up and then the final clean up. I'll bet they all sleep well tonight! Well, I guess it is dialysis set up time so I had better head downstairs. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Wednesday

Our tulips have been so pretty this year. Now iris are starting to bloom...I'll get a picture eventually. I took one to use and it wasn't in focus. I've been in and out today. Woody stayed right here. Donna and I didn't work in the library today, but I needed to go to the church to find the tablecloths we will need for the party that a bunch of us are giving on May 1. I got that job done and heded right back home. This afternoon Carolyn called and said that she and Vicki were going to Hobby Lobby to check about somethings that we were going to need for the party. She asked if I didn't want to come and look too. So that was all it took to get me finally into the Tullahoma Hobby Lobby for the first time. It opened back in the Fall, but because of the Pandemic I hadn't been. I enjoyed poking around looking at what they were looking for and then continued to poke around after they both left. I needed some embroidery floss so got that and then "just looked" around at all the pretty things that they carry. I ended up with only the eight skeins of thread in my shopping cart, but enjoyed looking around in a store for the fist time since "sheltering at home" got started, other than the grocery store or our pharmacy. It was good to once again just leisurely look around in a store. I did wear a mask as did most of those I saw in the store. We had a little rain and Woody thought that it had helped his allergies. He really didn't feel very good yesterday...seems better today. Well, I guess I had better head down to set up Woody's dialysis...I took a little nap and just woke up a few minutes ago and realized that I needed to blog. Tomorrow I get to sit around and wait on the Sears repairman...hopefully it gets fixed this time. Last night after I blogged I sat and waited for almost a half hour to be able to "chat" with someone to get the appointment set up. I was pleased that we didn't have to wait a week or more to get an appointment. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Dogwood Time in Middle TN

We managed to get up early enough to get all done before it was time to head off and we got to my appointment with minutes to spare. My appointment went as I expected. She does not want me to get my 2nd shot and said that we would see what will be offered 6 months down the road. Of course her pick, Johnson & Johnson, has as been set aside till further investigations can be made about it. She has prescribed prednisone...where I take two for 7 days, then one for 7 days and then what are left every other day till gone. I'm just hoping that the itching can disappear again...it came back with a vengeance a couple days ago. The itching has caused me to lose sleep that not even Benadryl could override! She also wants me to see a dermatologist so I made an appointment with Woody's dermatologist today. Earliest that I could see her is 2 weeks...really not bad for a new patient appointment. Woody's allergies are bothering him which equals nausea due to drainage...not good for someone with next to no appetite anyway! Pollen count is very high around here at the moment due to everything blooming and trees greening up, etc. Our trip over to McMinnville was so green in comparison to when Marie, Carolyn, and I made this same trip a couple of weeks ago for our combined barn/doctor trip. The dogwood trees are so pretty. The wooded areas were scattered with the white blooming dogwoods, tonight's first picture. The second picture is a close-up of a bloom on the dogwood tree in our front yard. After lunch, I stitched for a while...until I dozed off. I had a good nap which I needed due to interrupted sleep the last two nights due to itching. I am hoping that I will sleep better tonight! After I woke up I decided to do a little cooking...mainly for me...since Woody wasn't feeling the greatest I didn't even tell him what I was making. At one time it would have been a favorite of his, Chile Relleno Casserole, a recipe that my sister gave me years and years ago. We have enjoyed it many times over the years. It is sort of a combination of an omelet and a soufflé. It is made with eggs, cottage cheese, Ritz crackers, cheddar and jack cheeses, and chopped green chiles. It is baked and comes out very light and airy. I enjoyed it very much for my supper...it is a recipe that I consider "comfort food." I hadn't made it in ages as one of the things that disappeared from our grocery shelves during the pandemic was canned green chiles. I finally found them back on the shelf last month and grabbed up several cans while they were there (pandemic mentality?). And, today I used one of those "precious" cans!!! I didn't think to look yesterday to see if they still had them in stock...maybe I really don't have "pandemic mentality" after all!?! My big household chore of the day has been accomplished...emptying wastebaskets, taking out the recyclables out to the curb and pulling the garbage can down to the road. Today's task...marked off. Woody doesn't have to be connected to his dialysis early tonight so there isn't a rush to do that and the rising hour to get him disconnected won't be quite as early. The part came for our dryer so when I publish this, I'll attempt to get an appointment for the repairman to come back to finally get it fixed. I'm ready. It does work on one cycle...only problem...it won't shut off on its own...and I am terrible about getting busy doing something else and letting it run way too long. I guess you could say that I am from an automated world that expects for things to turn off on their own...especially the washer, dryer, and dishwasher. I'm hoping that my nap today will allow me to stay awake for a while this evening so I can do some serious stitching...deadline is approaching when I need to give it as a gift and gift ready it isn't! It is nearing completion, though. So I should be able to get it stitched and then finally finished before Saturday's bridal shower. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Monday Meanderings

I did grocery shopping today...that took a lot of meandering up and down aisles. Then had to put them away! At that point it was time to head to the pharmacy to attempt to pick up prescriptions for Woody, me and a friend. Managed to get all but Woody's. When we got home, I got an email from the doctor that the prescription had been phoned in...tomorrow will get it! Woody has just returned from the Monday night prayer meeting. And,now it is time to get his dialysis going as we haveto be up early to get me to my doctor appointment by 8am...hope we get there on time! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Saturday Stitchin' Day

Tonight's photo was taken sevral weeks ago when Woody took me out to try out my new camera for the first time. It is obvious that it was several weeks ago when you look at the trees...what a difference a couple of weeks make in the leaves on the trees...things are really greening up around here. Neither of us have ventured out of the house...well, I did go out to the mailbox. The day started out rainy, but turned out to be a really pretty day as we got on into the afternoon. The Little League Opening Ceremonies scheduled for this morning got rained out as did the make-up game this evening. I have mainly sat and stitched today...keeping my feet up. My feet and legs are much better...the swelling is definitely going down, but they are still peeling. The itchy feeling is still with me. Woody didn't sleep the best. He continues to get alarms from his machine during the night. Once he moves around and restarts the machine they quit...but that is still a disturbance of his sleep. I know that he took at least one nap this afternoon as he was dozing when I went down to make his supper protein shake. By the time I umloaded the dishwasher, he was awake enough to tell me that he wanted a blueberry shake. I have made more progress on my cross stitch project...but it is still slow go. Woody plans to go to church in the morning to teach his Sunday School boys, then he will come home to watch the service on Facebook Live. I don't plan to go back until I have talked to my doctor this week. We have to make a decision about whether I get the second vaccine or not and if not then figure out if and when it will be okay for me to return to activities with larger groups of people. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Signs of Spring

Not much more defining of Spring than a Robin sitting in a Dogwood tree. I sat out on the front porch for a short time this afternoon and took a few pictures...tonight's blog photo being one. I told myself that I was going to set aside this day to do some stitching and I have accomplished some, but it seemed that everytime that I sat down with my stitching I would doze off...won't get it done in time to give as a gift at this rate! Nathan stopped by today to pick up lawnmowers that need fixing. He also dropped off a carton of ice cream...a contribution to his Daddy's shakes! Woody spent most of the morning upstairs either working on the laptop or playing Scrabble with the old computer. I decided that I wanted marinara sauce since I harvested basil today and cut it up to dry. Decided that I wanted to use some of it fresh. So I had marinara sauch on angel hair pasta for supper...Woody? Well, he had a high protein strawberry shake. Woody is now at Elijah's ball game...this is the makeup for last night. I hope that he found them as Kathy texted me after he had left that they were at the other field. The problem with that field is that he can't park as close to the stands and has a longer walk to get there. I guess I will go downstairs and get his dialysis treatment all set up so it will be ready to go when he is ready for it. Be safe! Be well! Be Cautious!

Look Who's Having a Birthday!

Here Melany is on her 2nd birthday. We were living in Sunnyvale, California at the time. This was many moons ago...I won't tell...the main reason I won't tell is how it ages me when I say her current age!!!!! She doesn't seem that old, but boy do I feel old when I realize that I have a child this age! The birthday outfit she is modeling was a gift from a current blog reader...recognize it Linda?!? Woody left a few minutes ago for Elijah's Little League game. I didn't go as it is still hard for me to get a shoe on and I don't want to wear them very long when I do manage to get the on. I did wear shoes this morning when we went to Woody's nurse appointment at Fresenius Kidney Care Center. This is the two week check-in prior to seeing the doctor. He has lab work done and today also got an iron infusion. It was pouring torrentialy when we got to the center. We let the nurse know that we were there but stayed in the car till it let up a little. After the appointment we made a quick drive-through at the Credit Union to make a birthday transfer. By the time we left the kidney center, the rain had pretty much stopped. It turned into a beautiful afternoon once the rain stopped. I will say that the swelling in my legs and feet seems to be going down some...hopefully it is going away and that will be the end of the Covid vaccine reactions! My doctor's office called me today to say to continue what I am doing and she will evaluate this coming Tuesday if I should have more steroids. I see her Tuesday for my 6-month labs which I'm late for this time due to Covid. This afternoon my barn buddies, Marie and Carolyn came over and we had "camera class." We had such a good time together and they each had one thing that they were really glad that they had found out about their camera. We looked at camera settings, etc. inside for a while and then adjourned to the outside to try out some of the new things learned about our cameras...birds and flowers were the main photographic subjects...we all three got some really pretty pictures. Now that I have helped them figure out their cameras I need to get back to figuring out mine! Well, I guess there is no game tonight...Woody just came back in. It did rain hard early today, but since we hadn't heard anything we thought the game was still on...guess we figured wrong! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Wednesday

Busy day almost from start to finish. Most of the time the first thing that we do is get Woody disconnected, but this morning he had managed to get out to the kitchen and gather his breakfast together so he could eat first. I got things ready to disconnect him while he ate. After getting him disconnected and doing all the steps to get the machine shut down, I fixed my breakfast and then went upstairs to get ready to head to the library. Donna and I checked in books and we both did some book processing...Donna entered many more into the computer than I...I did a bunch of little things before I got underway with entering books in the computer thus I didn't get but one entered. Donna probably did ten to my one..but there are more entered and more ready to get ready to shelve. When I got home Woody was outside doing a little weeding and leaf removing in the garden that runs along in front of our front porch. He didn't last outside too long as it was pretty warm today and he probably was dressed too warmly. He went inside to rehydrate and rest. I had a nice visit with Ruth on our front porch when she stopped by with some of her farm fresh eggs! He did do a little more out there late in the afternoon after it cooled off a bit. This afternoon I have been doing a little of this and a little of that with part of the that being sitting in my recliner with my feet up...I will never get things done that need to be done if I have to sit in this chair so much! My feet and legs are still swollen and covered with a rash and are peeling...just lovely...not! I did message my doctor with the latest late this afternoon so she can make a decision as to whether we need to do something more prior to my appointment on Tuesday with her. I will say I am more than ready for this reaction to the vaccine to go away! It will be 9 weeks on Friday since I got the vaccine...seems like it is time tfor all this to go away! My arms and hands were a nuisance, but my feet and legs affect my mobility to a point...I can get around...but should I be...is the question! I get things done, but much more slowly and lots gets left undone. We have to be up and out of the house before 9 in the morning for an appointment with Woody's Fresenius Kidney Care nurse. There are storms predicted during the night. We're hoping that the storms will have passed by when it is time to head out for the appointment. It is hard enough for Woody to maneuver around, but if raining, then that much harder! Time will tell about the ease of getting there! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Truly Tuesday

i have tried to have a more normal day and ignore my feet and legs...easier said than done! I did manage to get a few things done around the house,,,vacuumed a little, attempted to put a few things away and/or in better places. A little before noon I headed out to get my hair cut...always happy to have my hair cut day roll around. It has been a beautiful day. A new tulip had opened so I just went out to get a picture...so pretty with the violas behind it. Woody spent a little time outside working in the garden in front of the porch. It was the perfect day to spend a little time outside...except for the pollen count. We keep getting warnings about the high pollen count...crossing my fingers that I can make it through the season without many allergy problems...enough other problems to deal with at the moment. The itching is definitely getting better, though I did get awakened a couple of times during the night due to itching...so guess it isn't all that much gone away...yet. My feet and legs are still very swollen...I styaed off of them Sunday and Monday...but felt that I had to try to do a few more things today...I don't think that they are any worse. All the places now seem to be drying up and I am one BIG pealing mess. I tried to wear my tennis shoes when I went to get my hair cut...but found out pretty quickly that I needed to just stick to my slippers till the swelling goes down. I did manage to get in touch with Sears...the part is back ordered...a big thanks to them for letting me know...supposedly there is a place for me to check online...it would have been nice to know about it. I am now to let the know when the part comes (rolling my eyes!). Prhaps the dryer will get fixed begore the year is over! Our Fresenius dialysis supplies were delivered this afternoon...our usual delivery man was back...so he delivered at the end of his delivery time today rather than early in the norning. My barn buddies are coming over Thursday afternoon for a "camera session" so I have been going over some things...trying to learn how their cameras work so I can share some of my camera "knowledge" (ha!) with them...we will see how that goes! Each of us has a different make of camera...but it is surprising how each of them have just about the same features. I have been going over the insturction manuals for their cameras so I will know where the buttons, etc. are on theirs. By looking at their manuals, I now understand several things about my camera because it was explained a bit more clearly in their manual than mine. We'll all learn together. I am definitely still discovering things about my new camera and truth be told each time I read something about my old cameras I learn something, too. It's good to have some "a ha moments" when it comes to camera settings, etc. We'll have a good time together whether we learn anything or not! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Spring is in the Air!

I think that is probably literally in the air as we have a high pollen alert. I'm hoping that changing my alergy med doesn't mess me up as what I was on has kept me free from seasonal alergies...don't need those along with everything else that is "getting to me!" I am perhaps a little better this evening. I have pretty much done a lot of nothing today. I have been trying to keep my feet up since they are swollen. Woody has kept busy today. He spent some time upstairs on the computer this morning checking baseball statistics and working two crossword puzzles. The day warmed up nicely and he headed out to sit on the front porch for a while. He headed off a little after 4pm to watch part of Elijah's baseball game. He had to leave the game to go to the Monday Night Furnace Room Prayer Meeting. I have the blender all ready to fix his nightly protein shake when he gets home. That about sums up my day! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A No-Mask Visit

Melany paid us a visit today and for the first time in more than a year we were able to visit with no masks on. Both Melany and Woody were two weeks or more after their 2nd vaccine and I just took my chances with only having my first vaccine. We had a nice visit. I had been planning to cook a pork loin roast sometime this weekend so it was perfect timing. I popped it in the oven before she got here and it was ready when lunch rolled around. We talked about Alex and Brooke's wedding and various and sundry other topics. She stayed till around 2pm when she said that she would leave so Woody and I could go take a nap! And, I did just that! I am still very bothered by my itching, but I will say that I got the first decent night's sleep last night after taking Benadryl and Zyrtec a little before I went to sleep. I'm hoping that the new meds kick in and help to calm down the rash and help alleviiate the itching! Tonight instead of a hard frost warning, we just have a frost warning...so temperatures are rising. It did get down to the upper 20s over night again in the wee hours this morning...it was still in the 20s when we got up around 6:30. Woody also said that he had a better night's sleep. I checked and he only had 1 alarm last night. Hope that eventually he can have no alarms...or at least very rarely have an alarm. We are all settled in for the night. Maybe my afternoon nap will allow me to stay awake so I can put in some more stitches on my latest project. I fell asleep over it this afternoon afer putting very few stitches in it...won't get it finished at that rate! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Full Friday

Of course, these days, the first task of the day is disconnecting Woody from his dialysis. I think that the verdict is still out as to whether he likes doing dialysis all through the night. He continues to get alarms periodically which interrupt his sleep. He is sticking with it since he wants to do things during the day. Mid morning woody and I headed out. He needed to deliver literature from the church to his deacon family who are shut-ins--either at their own homes or assisted living, etc. We delivered three of the four and then detoured to Walmart so I could pick up the new meds my doctor suggested I take for the rash and the itching that I am having following my first Covid vaccine. I found them easily and then we headed to deliver to his last deacon family member. On the way home he made one last detour--to Arbys--a roast beef sandwich sounded good to him again. I have done several cleaning jobs that I had neglected for a while...maybe wasn't the wisest as my left foot isn't feeling the greatest. I am reclining in the chair to give it and the right one and the rest of my body a bit of a rest before it is time to connect Woody for his nightly dialysis treatment. I also made a recipe of high protein pancakes for Woody. So am feeling a bit tired this evening after all my activity. Woody spent a while upstairs this afternoon checking out about ballgames and also doing his crossword puzzles. Once I have Woody's treatment up and running, I plan to retire for the evening to my chair and do a little more cross stitching. Lately I find myself waking up with the needle in my hand and hoping that I haven't taken any stitches with my eyes closed! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

"Better Than Christmas!"

Tonight's title is a quote from Isaac about it being April Fool's Day! I guess they have had quite the time in their household today...marbles in beds, vaseline on doorknobs, cookies with tootjpaste filling...and the list goes on and on and,,.they know that the day doesn't end unti midnight! Nathan and Kathy and five of the children came over here today to work in the yards of our house and their old house. They won't have to do the yard next door much longer as they have a contract on the house next door. I was warned by Kathy before they arrived that Isaac was out to get everyone! So I put a sign on the outside of the front door: "Sorry we missed you! Grammy and Goosey have gone on vacation to Hawaii!" I don't think they bought it as they came in anyway! Isaac presented me with one of h is infamous cookies. I said..."I don't know...I'm really not hungry. Perhaps I'll eat it when I have tea later." Then I smelled it and said that it really smelled different...mint is not a flavor I associate with that kind of cookie...then he came clean and told me that here was the real cookie! I wasn't sure I could trust him even then. While Nathan got the mower going, the kids told me about all their fun trick playing of the day! Tonigh't photo may be a trick that some played on April Fool's Day at some time as there is not a railroad crossing even near this sign. Both Woody and I have been in communication with doctors today. Woody's dermatologist called with the pathology report about what she had removed the last time he was at her office. It was a melanoma...came from the one that she had removed and that Dr. Kelley had reexcised. Since Woody is on Keytruda, there is nothing else to do about it. I finally decided that it was time to get back in touch with my personal care physician about my "rash" as it has come back and, if possible, itchier than before. She called this evening (she is on vacation and wasn't in the offic today) and decided on trying a couple of new over-the-counter meds that I am not currently taking so I will take a trip to WalMart tomorrow to see about getting them. I did a couple of loads of wash and got them put away and that's about all I did today. I have mostlly just rested since I didn't sleep much last night due to the itching. I have done a little stitching while itching...a poet??? Neither of us have done a lot today. It was not a day to be outside...temperatures dropped a lot. I did go out and try to point out what was a weed and what wasn't when Nathan and Kathy and children attempted to do a little weeding for us. The chilly wind blew me back inside fairly quickly. We are supposed to have a hard freeze tonight...temperatures in the upper 20's...wondering what winter this is...redbuds are blooming...so maybe redbud winter? All I know is that we got spoiled with the warmer temperatures last week. This is our time of the year to go back and forth between above normal temps, normal temps, and below temps. Guess after all these years of living in Tennessee I should be used to how Spring comes in. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Hope no one fooled you too badly today! My grandkids certainly had a good time with the day!