Another Late Ballgame!

It was questionable that Elijah's team would have enough players for tonight's game. Two of the players were playing on a special team and one was away. They pulled up three players from the 10 and under teams. Our first pitcher gave up 6 runs in the first and Elijah was called on to get them out of the jam. He pitched the rest of the game, but our players just couldn't get their bats to connect with the ball and never managed to catch up. Only one more run was scored on Elijah and our players managed to score three runs. So it ended up 7-3. But it was a good game considering so many of our players were out. At least they got to play instead of forfeiting. I got my hair cut this afternoon. Donna and I moved our time in the library to after my hair appointment. We got the rest of our latest book purchases ready to be checked out. Lots of new books to choose from. I stopped at the public library on my way home to drop off books that were due. By the time I got home it was time to get ready to go to the ballpark...set up Woody's dialysis machine and find something for us to eat. We made it to the ballpark before the game started. It was warm, but quite pleasant after thr sun went down. We are home and Woody is sitting for a few minutes before we start his dialysis. We don't have any place we have to go tomorrow so we can start late. The only thing we have tomorrow is the monthly delivery of dialysis supplies...sometime between 10am and 2pm. Well, time to get dialysis going! Woody really enjoys these ball games. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Memorial Day 2022

THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!

A Reason for Joseph to Smile!

Today the championship game and the closing ceremonies were held for Tullahoma Little League. One player from each team is given the honor of being given the sportsmanship award. Joseph was chosen for the honor on his team. We are so proud of him and so happy that this award put a smile on his face. The last photo is a picture of him with two of his coaches, Mr. and Mrs. Bratcher. Mr. Bratcher had told Joseph that he was going to get a smile out of Joseph before the end of the season! Looks like he was successful! An interesting side note...Woody taught Mr. Bratcher in Sunday School...many years ago. Joseph stopped by with his parents and most of his sibblings to show us his award. The papers on the refrigerator behind Joseph in one of the photos are the ballgame schedules for Joseph and Elijah's games. I guess we are now down to two games a week for a few more weeks. Joseph really looks up to his brother, Elijah...looks like he is following in his brother's footsteps, as Elijah was awarded the Sportsmanship award each year he played Little League in Tullahoma. Woody had a much better night last night...which meant that I did too! He told me this morning that he had actually slept last night. I managed to mop bathroom and kitchen floors today and ran the vacuum in the dining room. I am now working on finishing drying and putting away a big load of towels. I think I'm maxed out on "work" for today! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Enjoy a safe long Memorial Day weekend!

Hoping for a Better Night

Last night wasn't the best, Woody had a rough night...not much sleep...and I ended up doing two loads of wash in the middle of the night. We didn't get much sleep till the early hours of the morning, but did get some and Woody has felt okay today. It has us confused as to what day it is...I told Woody that I was going to the Post Office to mail something and he wanted to know if the Post Office was open inside on Saturday. I told him I wasn't sure but that it was Friday and they were open on Friday! We both slept in a bit later than usual this morning. By the time we both were awake we could disconnect from his dialysis machine and do the manual drain one after the other. I heard a lawnmower and looked out and there was Elijah in the front yard and then discovered that Nathan was mowing the back. So our yard is mowed once again, thanks to our Dorrell yard crew. I did get the breakfast sausage cooked and into the freezer. During the night I got my cross stitch project finished and ready to mail. Woody's bed is remade with the quilt that got washed...no worse for wear! I've gotten Woody's favorite pillow and pillow case (Snoopy) back behind Woody's head! There are still some towels, etc. that I have to get out of the drier...at least all the towels are clean and dry...just in case they are needed! Hope tonight will be better for all! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Just found out that Joseph's baseball season is over for this year. Joseph is out of town so didn't get to play...we said that his team would have won if he had been there!! It has been a good season and we enjoyed watching him play.

English Muffin Day

Today I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. It is time to make breakfast sausage. In the end I just combined the ground pork with all the other ingredients and have that concoction in the refrigerator so I can cook all the patties in the morning and freeze them to use as needed. I left the sourdough sponge for the English muffins out overnight and once I was ready to make them this morning all was ready. English muffins are cooked on top of the stove on a griddle. It always intrigues me to see how they rise and end up looking like "real" store-bought English muffins. When they are rising I put them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and then sprinkled with cornmeal...that cornmeal ends uo getting everywhere! I have been wiping up counters and the stovetop and dry mopping the floor to get rid of cornmeal grit! I think I have it cleaned up now...but will probably find some more somewhere! It has rained off and on today. Our flowers and other plants should be happy for a day or so. It rained enough that Joseph's ballgame was cancelled for tonight. It has stopped raining, but the ball fields would be soggy. Woody's waiting to get connected for his dialysis...weaiting on the dialysis solution to warm up and he will be underway for another treatment...another long night, as he would tell you! He has his laptop, a book, his glasses, the remote all next to him so he can while away the hours during the night in case he can't sleep. I got the stitching done on my cross stitch piece so tonight when I go upstairs I hope to get it totally finished so I can give it as a gift. I started the finishing last night so it should go together fairly easily. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Over the Hump?

Once again...we are mid week. Time just seems to be flying. I had a lot of good intentions when Ingot up today and started out well...I got Woody disconnected from his dialysis cycled machine, but it sasn't time to drain the last fill yet. Our game was a late one last night and we didn't get his dialysis underway till 10pm. Oh, by the way, good games all around. Joseph's Little League season is just aboutnover and the tournament has started. That is the reason that we had two games last night. Kathy and Isaac went to Joseph's and Nathan and Joy went to Elijah's. Woody chose to go to Eijah's. As we arrived at Elijah's Nathan informed us that Joseph had just hit a triple (cell phones help one to keep up with two games at once!). His team went on to win their game and Kathy, Isaac, and Joseph joined us over in Manchester. Elijah's team won their game in rather wet conditions as rain settled in in their last inning. We managed to get back to our car with Kathy and Nathan's help and we headed back to Tullahoma where it got raining harder the closer we got to Tullahoma. By the time we got home the rain had lightened up and we got back inside withoout getting a whole lot wetter. Woody put the car in the garage, but there is no way in but by using the ramp...so we I can get the wheelchair out of the car and Woody into the wheelchair in dry conditions, but we have to face a little getting wet between garage door and our back door. We got back in and Woody had his shake while I got things finalized for his nightly treatment and finally got his treatment going for the night. It is nice that we can be a bit flexible with his treatments...have to be daily...but time can be flexible. Woody had his TN Oncology appointment today but not till 12:30pm so we had the morning to "catch up" the time lost by starting late last night. This morning while I waited for it to be time for his last solution to dwell and be time to do the manual drain, I decided to attack the floors that need to be dry mopped..that job I did accomplihs...the kitchen, the three bathrooms, and the sun porch/laundry room. And, that is where my plans to "do floors" stopped, though, I had planned to wet mop them, too. It was time to do the drain and while the draining process happened, I got his breakfast ready to be cooked as soon as he ws free of all dialysis equipment. By the time I got his breakfast in front of him it was close to 11am and time for me to get dressed and ready to get him out the door. By the time it was time to head out for his appointments at Oncology, it was raining again. So we faced the rain getting in and out of the car once again. He was signing into Oncology just a little before his appoointment. I left him in the waiting room and headed back home. It seemed that I had just turned around a couple of times before they were calling to say that he was ready to be picked up. I got a couple of things done...but not what I had planned to clean before he got home. That's okay...it will be here to do tomorrow or the next day or..! I napped hard this afternoon after we got back home. The return trip was done in dry conditions. Dealing with a wheelchair in the rain is a bit different...something that we haven't had to do too often since he started using one. Woody has just finished his nightly protein shake and I will now go get his next dialysis treatment set up and ready to go in the next hour. I don't think we have anywhere to go tomorrow...so one of those days that "when the treatment ends" isn't as important as on days with appointments. It is interesting how we have changed our tune about appointment times...we used to request early appointments...no longer...the later in the morning the better...or early afternoon! We just try o roll with the schedule peritoneal dialysis dictates...with us adjusting the times a bit as needed! I'm hoping to put the last stitches in my cross stitch project tonight after dialysis and kitchen duties are behind me! I am close to finishing the stitching and then I can move on to completely finishing it into the object that I have planned. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Doubling Up on Ballgames Tonight

Two ballgames, but their times and places are such that we will only be able to go to one of them. It will mean another late night at the ball park so I decided that I would blog early. Aftrr lunch, Donna and I worked in the chirch library...we got a few rady for the shelves and others a bit closer to being ready to be checked out. After the library, I stopped to get gas and then stopped at the gocery store down the street as I need to get some more ground porknfor Woody's breakfast sausage. In a few minutes I will get Woody's dialysis machine set up and then get his shake made. I'll find something for me for supper and then it will be about time tonhead out to the ball park. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Baking Day

I had been wanting for some time to attempt hamburger buns using my sourdough starter. Today ended up being the day to try a recipe to make them. I will say that the effort was successful and I ate one this evening with a recipe that I have made many times over the years...Souper Burgers. This concoction consists of ground beef, onion, cream of mushroom soup (I made homemade) and a small amount of catsup and mustard...a non tomato based Sloppy Joe. A good portion of my day was spent in the kitchen. Now I have to face finishing the clean up! Woody has gone to Monday Night Furnace Room Prayer Meeting. His dialysis machine is all set up. I'll make Woody's protein shake when he gets home. I have managed to sneak in a little cross stitching...trying to get a project finished so I can gift it. We did get a little rain over night, but not as much as we thought we would...but enough for me to declare this a non watering day. Thr temperatures did drop after the rain came through. It only got into the upper 60s today. Woody went back to a long sleeved shirt today. Last week he actually started wearing short sleeves...unusual for him who is cold most all the time (not unusual for dialysis patients to be cold). Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Little of This & A Little of That

And, to a "little of this" and a "little of that," I can also add a lot of nothing! That has been what I have done today! I have accomplished a few things...but not many! I think that the coming of hot weather and late night ballgames have zapped my energy. Today was a stay-at-home day...so I could have/should have accomplished whatever I wanted to! I guess I will just chalk it up to lazy pre sumlmer days. I guess we have a storm approaching. It will be so good to get some good rain. Rain will make my plants, new and old, very happy! Woody's dialysis is already underway since we need to be up and out the door fairly early in the morning for Sunday School. Woody is teaching in the morning so we don't need to be late. The last few Sundays we have been cutting it pretty close for getting there on time. The book I had been reading got whisked away into cyberspace in the wee hours of the morning. I had thought that I would go get a hard copy of the book from the public library, but Woody put the car in the garage last night in preparation for rain so if it is raining in the morning, we can get into the car in the garage. I can get the car out of the garage, but not put it back in so I resisted going to the library! I got another ebook so I am not bookless! Plus I want to work on a cross stitch project. I worked on it some when I sat down this afternoon...but picked it up the wrong way and put what I stitched in the wrong place...so those stitches all came out. Hopefully this evening I can get those put back in the right place this time! But first I will go down and finish up in the kitchen. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Another Late Game

We got home from Elijah's ballgame a little after nine. I left Woody's dialysis cycler machine all set up so we could get the dialysis going soon after getting home. His nightly treatment was undersay by 9:40 and I got the dishwasher going before coming upstairs to my iPad so I can blog. It was another quite warm day...high was 86°, but it was windy so it didn't seem quite as warm as it was...at least in the shade. My main venture out during the day was sitting on the front porch for a little while before lunch. It was very pleasant sitting there reading and watching for birds. I need to fill the bird feeders again, but didn't do it today...maybe tomorrow? Elijah's team won again tonight. Elijah pitched a couple of innings. It was very pleasant at the ballpark once the sun went down. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

It's Finally Nifty…Nathan is Really Fifty

The first thing that I thought today was that I feel ever so much better than I did 50 years ago...and, that's saying a lot since I have to add 50 years to my 24 years at the time Nathan was born! And, the reason being was that I was very sick with a an acute kidney infection and had entered the hospital the day before with a 105° temperature and had Nathan in the middle of the night. I guess it was just too hot in the oven for him and he decided to be born three weeks early. After having him, I did start grtting better fairly quickly, but I was still running a high fever off and on for a couple of days. The other thing that I remembered as I was sitting at Joseph's ballgame tonight that it wouldn't be too many nights after Nathan was born and I was out of the hospital, but Nathan was still in the hospital that Woody and I were sitting in Candlestick Park in San Francisco watching the St. Louis Cardinals play the San Francisco Giants. Mother flew in from AZ before Nathan came home from the hospital to help out since I had been so sick to help with both Melany and Nathan. I think it was the night before Nathan came home that Woody and Inwent to the game...so that was 5 days after he was born, as he came home when he was six days old. They kept him extra days because of my infection to watch him. They considered him immature rather than premature. He weighed 5 lbs. and 12 oz and was 18" long. He was born in California...so a more progressive state when it came to births...here in Tullahoma when Melany was born...the rule was absolutely no fathers in the delivery room plus if there was more than one mother in labor, the father couldn't stay with the mother! But in California, my doctor encouraged father's to be in the delivery room...but that was a moot point...neither the doctor nor Woody got to the hospital before Nathan was born. But progressive as California was even in 1972, since Nathan was in the NICU (not sure that is what it was called back then...but in a special nursery for babies born early, small, with problems, etc), we weren't allowed to be with him or hold him or even touch him until he was ready to come home! How things have changed for the better! So the first time either of us touched him was the day we brought him home. We could only look through the nursery window at him. After I was released, Woody and I would go to the hospital to look in the window at him after Woody got home from work. I'm glad that only lasted a couple of days till we could take him home! Anyway...I definitely feel better today than I did 50 years ago! Today has been very hot...the hottest day of the year so far. And, we felt it as Woody had his Kidney doctor appointment today and in the peritoneal part of the clinic there is no waiting room...you wait in your car...we sat in the car with the windows down, the car doors open, and the moon roof open and were still hot. We sat quite a while...not sure how long but guessing at least an hour (they were running behind per usual when the doctor is involved in the apointment). We left the house a little before 10:30am and didn't get home till almost 1pm...and we only live 10 minutes away from the clinic...so only 20 minutes of that was travel. We were both glad to get home! We both did some resting prior to the game. The game was a close one and ended in a tie. Joseph only has one more game and then play-off tournament next week...so the end of his season is in sight. Elijah plays a few weeks beyond Joseph...but next week will be interesting with lots of games and with both boys playing on the same evening in some instances...should be interesting! Woody's dialysis is going for tonight...and, thus, we come to the end of another day...and, I still have to go put the laet dishes in the dishwasher and hit the start button! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Dr. O told us today that they are seeing Covid cases rising once again...not what we want to hear!

Wednesday

Since we got a late start on Woody's dialysis last night, there was a later start for today. I guess he finally got breakfast around 10:30...which means the dialysis was finished and his last fill and dwell was finished and I had manually drained the fill and finished up with the daily details that go at the end of each dialysis. I decided to work in the front yard while that last two hours of dwelling occurred. I did some weeding.,,mainly trying to weed out what had sprouted from the bird seed! I think that I will move away from the seed that has the tiny little seeds in it. I came downstairs early this morning, prior to working in the yard, and gave Woody his crossword puzzles. I had already worked both of the puzzles online and also done Wordle and Phrazle...in other words, I had awaken way too early...when I took Woody's puzzles down to him, I found out where he was in the 4 cycles that the machine does and then went back upstairs and set an alarm so I would come back down to disconnect him. I did doze back off...and, guess I slept sort of hard as I dreamed and they weren't pleasant dreams. I woke up when the alarm went off and proceded with our day! I disconnected Woody from the cycler machine and after that went outside as I stated above. I came back in when it was time to do the next phase of Woody's dialysis...the manual drain...it takes about 45 minutes to drain...this drain happens due to gravity...fluid in his peritoneum is drained through his extension tube into what is called the manual drain bag...we always get at least 1500 ml as that is the amount of the last fill and then more comes out if some has been left...often the drain is close to 3000 ml (in other words 3 liters...that amount is easier for us to see since we can visualize 1 and 2 liter bottles!). After all is finished, then I fix his breakfast which I try to be ready to cook as soon as possible after he finishes...he is usually pretty hungry...since it is 10, 10:30, or sometimes as late as 11:30 or noon! So what starts the night before between 8 and 9 doesn't end until well into the next day! After I got his breakfast to him, I got the dialysis supply order ready. I keep a running supply list on my iPad so it doesn't take too long to plug in what we currently have in the supply department. I went upstairs to get my iPhone to call the Fresenius folk to make the order...picked up the phone and it rang...it was a Fresenius order robo call that said if I was ready to place the order to press 2...which I did and before an entire line of their recorded message played, I was talking to a real person...guess that it was about the easiest order that I have ever placed with them! After I got that placed, I called the Fresenius RX phone number and ordered a prescription that he is running out of. That done...dialysis duty was over till this evening! At that point, I got my grocery list ready and headed off to the Credit Union and Kroger. I now make my list on my iPhone with the Kroger app...that has made shopping so much easier...as the app enters everything according to the aisle that the items are on...I'm sure that it has cut at least 1/2 hour off my shopping time as I don't have to go back for items I have missed. I think that Woody slept most of the time I was gone. I did speak to him before I left and told him where I was going and he assured me he was awake enough to hear what I said...well, when I got home, he was sound asleep and when he woke up, he said that he didn't know that I had gone anywhere! Groceries got put away and by that time I was ready to put my feet up...I read a little and dozed a little. Woody has had his protein supper shake and I have gotten his dialysis treatment for tonight set up with the solution warming. Im heading in now to see if he is ready to get started, as we have a morning appointment tomorrow at the Fresenius Dialysis Center, the monthly check in with Dr. O and the rest of the dialysis team. The appointment isn't super early so it should work fine to have his dialysis over and his beeakfast eaten before we have to leave...but one never knows for sure how long each treatment will take. As I so often have to say these days..."Time will tell!" Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Late Night at the Ballpark

And, Elijah's team came out on top once again. Elijah pitched the first two innings. A couple of the batters got a hold of a couple of his good pitches and turned them into home runs, but Elijah kept his cool head and continued on. He did well when he batted also...three times on base and scored each time. Donna and I worked in the church library this afternoon and got a good start on processing the new book order. On the way home, I stopped at our pharmacy and picked up a couple of prescriptions for Woody. Then it was full force ahead to get things done before the ballgame...trash out, plants watered, protein shake made and consumed, dialysis set up, and we were off. As soon as we got in, we got his dialysis started...and that is our day...so far! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Mid Month…Already!

I can't believe that we are already to the mid-month point of May (I almost wrote April!). Time continues to fly by. Woody is at Monday night prayer meeting. I have his dialysis set up so the solution is warming. He'll have his protein shake once he gets home and then a little while after that it will be time to connect him to his dialysis cycler machine for another treatment. Today's accomplishment was going to Murfreesboro for his dermatologist appointment. That went well...other than me freezing in the waiting room! We got home and both took naps! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

SURPRISE!!! Is It Nifty to be Almost 50?!?!?

Abigail took it upon herself to plan and pull-off a surprise 50th for both her parents...though in the end Kathy did know about what was going on. Abigail did the inviting and involved her sibblings in carrying the plans out. In the end she needed Kathy to help get at least one of the birthday duo to be away so the surptise could be carried off. Kathy's fiftieth was earlier in the year, but Abigail wanted to honor both these big milestones. I can't believe that both our children are in their 50s! Melany came for the party and picked me up so there would be one less vehicle to hide. Woody didn't attempt to attend as it is very hard for him to get into their house and he said he didn't want to detract from the festivities! It was fun to get to know some of their friends who I hadn't met yet and visit with some that I hadn't seen for a while. We took a tour of the farm and saw their new kittens...so sweet...just opening their eyes. Nathan's birthday is next week...but when one wants to pull off a surprise, a little early is good. I do believe he was surprised.

Another Day…Another Game!

Tonight Elijah had a game in Manchester. It was the early game...so sun beating down. My arms got tired as I kept changing which one would shade my eyes! The sun was un our eyes most of the game except for a short time when it did go behind some clouds. There was a slight breeze so it wasn't totally unbearable! I'll bet Elijah was rather warm un his cathcher's gear! It was another great game for Elijah's team...they chalked up another win. Elijah was two for three with a walk and scored at least twice and had two assists as catcher. All the boys on the team did well with their bats...everyone of them got at least one hit. I got started on a sewing project that I have been dragging my fert doing...maybe I can get it completed in the next few days. Woody once again really enjoyed the game. The games are the highlight of his week. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Work Crew & A Ballgame

Our morning got started a bit earlier than usual...as in Woody got to eat breakfast at "almost" a normal time...before 10am. I sat down and wrote some notes for the church library and walked out to mail them and our yard work crew drove up! Nathan was part of the crew, too, but chose to back out of the photo. They used the weedeater and did some raking and picked up the piles of leaves that I had raked up. I was glad to see them pull up! They had batting practice before getting here...so they had a good morning workout! I did get more of my wash done. I still have a laod in the drier that I plan to get out away before I go to bed. Joseph's game was at 6:30 and they started by finishing an inning from a previous game. They won that game and moved on to their "real" game for tonight. It was another high scoring game. The boys and girls on Joseph's team are pretty good hitters and just about each of them got one hit tonight. Joseph got three hits and scored twice. It was very pleasant at the ballpark tonight...on these hot days once the sun goes down it cooled down nicely. I set up Woody's dialysis cycler machine before we left for the game. So it is ready when he is. We're waiting a bit so his protein shake has a chance to settle! The step of connecting him and getting the tratment going doesn't take too long. We have no appointments tomorrow so it is ok to get started a bit later. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Another Day Another Dollar

We both stayed at home all day...no appointments, no errands, no ballgames. Woody has been reading and doing his crossword puzzles and watching TV. I don't think that he has done much, if any, dozing, as he said that he got a much better sleep last night. He said that he slept at least six hours straight which doesn't happen too often for him. It did get into the 80s this afternoon. My only gardening attempts were when I watered and then did a little weeding...pulled the ones that were close to edge of my gardens that aren't deep rooted. I only pulled a handful...but that means that many fewer weeds...at least for the moment! I finished a book and started another. I made sour dough waffles this morning. I have gotten underway with some wash. I will finish the one load this evening and then do the rest tomorrow. And, now it is time for me to set up Woody's dialysis. I decided to blog first so I could cool off a little after dragging the hose around the yard. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Another Ballgame Under Our Belts

We got home from Elijah's game a little while ago. It was another good game. The highlight came with the last batter--ELIJAH! He hit an inside the park homerun...placed a ground ball just right...between first baseman and first base...and it kept going! After Elijah crossed homeplate, thr umpires called the end of the game. Tonight was pretty much the opposite of the last game. Tonight's game was played in bright sunshine...and that sun beating down was quite warm...as in...hot! Woody enjoyed feeling warm for a change! All the new plants were watered today...tomorrow's temps are supposed to head toward the 90s. So far the new baby plants seem to be doing well...now to get them through the hotter temperatures while they are establishing their roots. I didn't have a lot of time to work in the garden today, but did fill a gallon plant "bucket" with weeds and picked up a few more sticks. After lunch, Donna and I worked in the church library for a couple of hours. We continued to ruthlessly weed out old books to make room for new ones. Some new books were supposed to be delivered before 9pm tonight...I'm really thinking that they aren't going to make it today! But the tracking hasn't changed. It's okay if they don't arrive today, as I feel that they will arrive before our next library work day. Well, I guess it is time for me to see if Woody is ready to get tonight's dialysis started. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Oh, I almost forgot to say that Elijah's team did win the game.

Leftovers From Mother's Day

Here is my yummy lunch...leftover from yesterday. Melany and Wade and Erin let us know rather last minute that they would come yesterday and bring lunch. I had made strawberry shortcake for Woody and there was plenty so I told them that I would provide dessert. But more unexpected happenings for the day...Alex and Brooke also came. We hadn't seen them in months. And, not long after the Proctor's arrived Nathan, Kathy and six of their crew arrived. They brought strawberry short cake...like minds! They went on a picnic and a hike and then came back for dessert. I was surprised that Melany and Wade came to do some gardening...brought lots of pretty new plants. And, spent most of their time, when not eating, planting and weeding! I will have lots of pretty flowers to share pictures of on down the road as long as I can keep them alive! Nathan and Kathy and family brought me tomato, pepper, and eggplant plants. So our gardens were well gifted. I spent time cleaning up the herb/veggie container section of our used-to-be patio (most of it is covered by the ramp now). It was covered with leaves that had gotten trapped in the area...in some areas two feet or more deep of leaves between containers. I got them dragged out and into piles out in the yard and then planted my new veggie plants. The other day I planted herbs so that container garden area is looking good with lots of new plants and some that wintered over. I spent some more time picking up sticks and doing a little more raking of leaves. I took a nap late in the afternoon! While Woody was at prayer meeting, I watered all the new plants in front. I had watered the new veggies earlier in the day. We have some summer-like temperatures coming this week so I want to keep all these new baby plants happy and well watered. Woody is drinking his evening protein shake now so we will be a bit later in starting his dialysis tonight...but that isn't a problem since we have no morning appointments. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Cool and Dreary Day

Today we never got to 60° today and it has been overcast and misty/drizzly...a good day to stay inside. I did go out to take trash out and to get the mail...other than that I stayed inside where it was dry and warm. I'm not sure that either has ever awakened totally today. I fell asleep much earlier than usual and then woke up several hours later...feeling like I had had a good nap. I took advantage of that time and finished up preparing the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow. About the time that I thought that I couldngo to sleep, I heard Woody coughing so went down to check on him. I went back upstairs and printed off the crossword puzzles for today. Once he sat up he got his coughing under control...cough was due to drainage and lying down had gotten him coughing. He worked his puzzles and I went back upstairs and ended up falling to sleep just as it was starting to get light. And, I slept much later than usual...once I got downstairs it was time to disconnect Woody from his overnight dialysis and time to do the manual drain. By the time the drain finished and I got breakfast in front of him it was almos lunchtime...another day he had brunch! I made a cake to go with the strawberries and ice cream that Woody said sounded good. Late afternoon he had some of what we call strawberry short cake. And, that did taste good to him. It is now time to get his dialysis set up so we can get it started as we have to be out the door in the morning pretty early. Nathan surprised me a little whie ago with food from the fish fry where he and Kathy and family juggled. This is the fish fry that we have attended over the years with the Hastys. It is a fund raiser for a local crisis pregnancy center. I found out a very good use for the air fryer feature of my oven...to reheat fried fish, hush puppies, and fries! There was also chicken...which will be eaten another day. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Chilly and Damp Night at the Ballpark!

We got a late start in the morning as we both slept in a bit later than usual...we were both up several times in the night. While I waited for Woody to wake up, I got the grocery list ready and started making a new recipe for ground beef stroganoff. We had several periods of rain in the morning and chose a time in between showers after lunch to go to the grocery store. I made it to the store in dry conditions. It poured while I was shopping...very loud on the Kroger roof! I checked out and it was still raining a little, but according to radar that I checked on my phone, it was about to stop. So I stood under the overhand in frnt of the store till it pretty much quit and then headed to the car. Barely got everything put away and it was time to head to Elijah's ballgame. He was playing in the early game his evening, 5pm. He plays in Manchester so we had to plan for about 20 minutes to get over there plus a few more minutes to find just exactly which road to turn on and then to get parked. Nathan was watching for us so he helped get his dad to and from the car in the wheelchair. It was a great game. Elijah's team won. Elijah played catcher, shortstop, third base and was the closing pitcher. He did great. We're so glad that he gets to continue to play even though he "aged out" over here in Tullahoma! It was just a tad bit chilly...wind was blowing and then we had a short period of rain...so got a little damp. We are all dry and much warmer now that we are home! Woody requested strawberry shortcake...so he is doing the hard job...hulling the berries. I set up his dialysis machine before we left so it is ready when he is! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Another Evening At the Ball Park

Tonight's game was Joseoh's. His team won handily. Tonight they had the early time slot...much easier to keep to our routine. We are home. Woody has had his profein shake. And, I have his dialysis set up to start once the solution has warmed enough. This morning Woody had his appointment with his Fresenius Kidney Center nurse. That appointment got changed during all the business uesterday afternoon. We were glad tongo in on a day when he had less appointments. We werenin andnout fairly quickly. We went home and once Woody was settled, I headed out to do a couple of errands. I needed some embroidery floss so a trip to Hobby Lobby. Then I decided to go to Lowes and see about getting some herbs for my herb beds. They had a good selection and I got what I wanted. Next I made a stop at McDonalds. Woody decided that he wanted one of their small hamburgers. We hadn't been to McDonalds in years. I think that Woody was a little disappointed...it didn't taste like he remembered! After grtting home, I planted my herbs and started raking out the leaves that had amassed in between pots and containers over the Fall and Winter. By that time in the afternoon, it had gotten quite wearm and I didn't last too long aftrr getting things planted...but it is a start. I came upstairs to do a little stitching or reading and did neither as I dozed and next thing I knew it was time to head to the ball park. Tomorrow night Elijah has another game...Woody's happy time of the year...baseball season! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Head-Spinning Day!

So much happened today that I'm not sure I can even remember it all! We started out like normal, but just a bit behind since we got Woody's dialysis started a little late because of our late night out at the ballgame. I decided that I would weed and do a little more debris raking while it was so mice and cool outside. I guess that I finally got Woody completely disconnected by 10:30 and got his breakfast aka brunch! Today was dialysis supplies delivery day between 11am and 3pm. I told Woody that if we hadn't heard from the delivery man by noon that I wanted to head out to deliver him for his oncology doctor and Keytruda appointment. We did that and still hadn't heard from delivery man by the time I got home...all good! Not long after I got home, he did call...confusion a out thwt as I attempted to answer the call with my iPad which I do often, but it wouldn't answer...or I could hear nothing though it showed that the call hadn't ended. He did call back and I still couldn't answer it. I just hoped that he would come on anyway! About that time, I looked out and Nathan and Elijah, Isaac, and Joseph had pulled into the driveway. They were checking on a package that had been delivered to their old address and had asked them to bring it to our porch...not there. But I guess he decided that it was time to do the yard...so he left the three boys picking up sticks, etc. and he went home to get mower, etc. I did manage to call back the delivery man and when I got him, he said that he was pulling up un front of the house. The boys continued working outside while the supplies were delivered. That only takes 15 to 20 minutes so he was gone by the time Nathan got back. He brought Joy and Esther to help get the mower out out of the trailer and off the back of his truck. The two younger boys and I got the piles of debris that I had made scooped up and put in the yard bucket and then Elijah mowed the front yard with the mower that is stored in our garage and Nathan went to work on the back with his farm contraption that he hooked to the back to a 4-wheeler. Even our neighbor and some of his grandchildren were over here helping to pick up sticks. All I can say is the yard looks ever so much better. Nathan and crew left saying they would be back another day to finish up. I raked some more this evening...getting up some of the leaves that were still thick in the side yard and our neighbor's yard...grass is a bit thin in that area since the leaves were layered there so long. We will never have a prize winning yard...but it does look ever so much better...thanks to Nathan and the kids' efforts. Just as the dialysis delivery man was loading up his dollie, the phone rang and it was Woody's Fresenius nurse wanting to reschedule Woody's next week appointment to tomorrow...which we did and I got to the door in time to let the delivery man in! Like I said...it was pretty crazy around here today for a couple of hours! I got the call to pick up Woody while Nathan and crew were still working...had to move a few things a little so I could get out of the driveway. But the day has finally settled down and Woody is ready for me to get tonight's dialysis started. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! May the fourth be with you!!!!

Quite an Active Day!

Just got Woody connected for his nightly dialysis...we're late as Elijah had his first game tonight. Elijah is playing in the youth league over in Manchester...next town over and the county seat of our county, which is Coffee County. Elijah was the starting pitcher and later in the game was the catcher. It was a good game. His team won 13-6. Good game, Elijah! This afternoon, Donna and I worked in the church library. We did some ruthless weeding to make room for new books. On my way home, I stopped at the public library to get the book they called about right after I left library yesterday. This is a book that Woody asked me to request so he should enjoy it...I hope. Well, i still have dishes to put into the dishwasher...so back to kitchen I go! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Quiet Day

I think that tonight's photo was our favorite barn photo of this barn trip...thanks to the cow positioning itself just perfectly! I went to the public library to return Woody's books. I chose a few more hoping that some would intrigue him. And, he is reading one of them as I type this. About thirty minutes after I got back from the library, I got a call from the library that they had a book for me that I had put on hold...guess I will make another trip in the next three days or they will pass it on to the next person on the list. This afternoon I went to a college graduation...a virtual one...even snapped a photo or two...screen shots! Woody didn't have prayer meeting tonight...all of the group but Woody were going to be out of pocket so he prayed at home. We checked radar and decided not to go to Joseph's game as storms were coming. We got a report that his game got called before the 6th inning. Joseph's team was ahead...don't know if they will arrange to finish the game or not at another time. Big excitement that we missed...Joseph got his first home run...I understand that it was due to a lot of oopses in fielding...but he made it around all bases safely and scored! The game did get called for rain so it is just as well that we didn't go...speed getting back and into the car isn't our forté these days...and this storm rolled in pretty quickly and it poured, when it did get here. I have already set up Woody's dialysis so it will be ready when Woody is ready to start tonight. I have been reading today and also did a little cross stitching...I'm getting close to finished with a cross stitch piece. I will either stitch or read after I head upstairs for the night. I guess I will post this and go get the dishwasher ready to run. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!