System Error!

Just got finished dealing with a System Error on Woody's dialysis cycler machine. Luckily they have a 24-hour answering service and luckily they were able to talk me through it and get it back up and going. I was afraid that we would have to do his whole treatment manually tonight! So thankful that we don't have to and that the machine has been reset and Woody is now connected and all is auiet with the machine. We have had a pretty busy day today. I started roasting the Boston Butt Pork Roast late morning and it got finished around seven hours later. It is cooling a bit and I will then be challenged with pulling it this evening before I go upstairs...not exactly looking forward to that job, but it is super tender and what I have pulled so far has been pretty easy...but there is still quite a bit to go. I got my hair cut after lunch. When I got home, Woody decided that he was ready to get his cut...he had been ready for a while, but hadn't found the energy to go get it done. I checked him in online and then we loaded into the car. I got him into the hair cut place and then I left and ran a couple of errands...went to the Credit Union and then got gas. Woody was just finished when I got back so the timing was perfect! After we got home, I called Woody's TN Oncology office to change his appointment. It is on the day that he is having his catheter placed and his veins mapped. I told the appointment scheduler that unfortunately this time kidneys trumped cancer! She has to call me back with appointment day and time. She had to check with the doctor to see if he could just have his labs and treatment and see the doctor on another day, as the doc is booked solid on the day she was aiming for. Well, I guess I had better go pull pork, if I am to get upstairs tonight! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Last PD Delivery? Probably!

Now to catch you up on the latest with Woody. Last night I decided that die to the late hour and the excitement of the tournament win, that I would wait till tonight to fill in where we left off on Monday. We did hear from the Fresenius nurse yesterday. He was checking to see if we had heard from the vein mapping folk. We hadn't so he took it on himself to check in with that office. He called back to say that they had made an appointment for Woody, but that he had gotten them to make an earlier one. A week from today we should be home and his veins will be mapped and also the temporary catheter placed in the area of his clavacle. He got them to add the temporary catheter into the appointment as he felt that Woody was going to need to get on hemo dialysis sooner rather than later. This catheter will allow him to get in center hemodialysis prior to getting whatever connection he will have done on his arm and make the decision as to whether it is done in home or in center. Someone from the vascular office that will do the procedures called today and gave us further information/instruction. It will be done in Murfreesboro at a medical center where we have been before. I mainly needed to know which entrance to go in and we now know that. This is the second time that he will have this type catheter placed for dialysis. It was done at our local hospital when he had to take a "vacation" from PD dialysis when he developed a hernia and had to stop peritoneal dialysis till he healed from the hernia surgery. He's ready to just get on to the next stage in his dialysis and hopefully feel better. I don't know how long it will be before he gets scheduled for dialysis in center. We will just take it one step at a time. Today's delivery may be our last as I don't see still on PD in a month. I asked the delivery guy if they also deliver home hemo supplies and they don't. So the last we will probably see of this truck is when they are scheduled to come back and pick up unused supplies. We might be without boxes for a short time...or even longer...depending on our decision of "at home" or "in center." I have done some cooking today. It was time to pay attention to my sourdough starter so decided that I would make waffles and then feed my starter. Then I made a favorite of both of ours...but at the moment...just a favorite of mine = Baked Hominy, one of my mother's recipes. I also put the dry rub on my Boston Butt Roast so it can stay in the refrigerator over night. Tomorrow it will roast s l o w l y for hours. I need to do some wash...maybe still time this evening...but then again...there is always tomorrow! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

CHAMPIONS!

Elijah was given the Sportsmanship Award for his team! Good season!

Monday Doings

These flowers are some that Woody just checked out on a little spin we took around the yard. When he got home from prayer meeting, I asked him if he wanted to take a little tour of the gardens and he said he did want to. The temperature is very pleasant this evening so it was nice to take a little stroll. He even pulled a few weeds. We didn't hear from the nurse today so still don't know when his vein mapping will be. After lunch I headed out to run a few errands. I needed to go to JoAnn's to get thread and buttons for the shirt that I'm getting ready to make for myself. I needed to stop at the little grocery store down the street to get some ground pork to make Woody's breakfast sausage with. This is the only store in town that has fresh ground pork...ground pork that has nothing added to it. While I was there, I checked out their meat selection and they had their Boston Butt Pork roasts on sale at a price that I couldn't resist--99¢/lb. I also decided to get some eggs which will let me put off my Kroger shopping till next week. The last stop was to pick up prescriptions for both of us at our pharmacy. By the time I got home I was ready for a little nap! Buying the buttons and thread has me a step closer to being able to continue on with my sewing project. I just need to trace off my size from the pattern and then either sew the pattern fabric together or cut the pattern out of muslin to see if I have chosen the right size. That is a step that I have to be in the mood to do! The mail brought a box of books for the church library. It also included a book that Woody asked me to get for us to give as a gift sometime. Woody is checking it out/looking through it/perhaps reading it at the moment. I got his dialysis set up while he was at prayer meeting so it will be ready when he is ready to get tonight's treatment started. He still doesn't feel very well...not much interested in food...having to be very careful to watch quantity and to eat slowly. I know he is ready to feel better. Hopefully once he switches over he will feel much better...when his blood gets cleansed better than it is now. But it is a slow process to switch over. He has to have his veins mapped and then a surgery has to be set up to put whatever connector has to be put in and THEN he has to heal. I think if he has the kind that heals very slowly they will put that tubing and connector back in like he had when he was temporarily on hemodialysis last year. That is put in the area of his clavicle with the connecting tube in his juglarvein, I think. I think he just wants to get this show on the road! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Saturdays Come and Saturdays Go

I felt like pretending that it was cooler than it really was today by posting this photo of Melany and Wade at Glacier Bay in Alaska! I'll bet that in a few hours when they walk out into the night heat, they will long for the chilly Alaska temps! They had another getaway this past week. From what I have heard they had a very good time. They are in rhe air as I type this somewhere between Denver and Nashville! We have had a stay-at-home day. We've had several visits by various members of the Dorrell family. Nathan and Joy and Esther picked up Woody's new recliner this morning and brought it here. That time they put it in the living room. Later in the day Nathan, Kathy, and Elijah came back and moved it into the family room. Woody is still getting used to it, but did say he had no complaints about it. I sat in it for a few minutes this evening and I find it auite comfortable. I like that it has separate lumbar and head adjustments beside the reclining feature. This evening nothing sounded good to Woody...including his usual protein shake...nor a bowl of ice cream. Finally he decided that a cookie would taste good. No cookies to be had in our cupboards...so I pulled down our cookie cookbook and found an oatmeal cookie recipe that I had all ingredients for...he said that oatmeal cookies sounded good. He ate one and said that it was "okay." I don't think that much of anything tastes good to him at the moment except for his breakfast of scrambled eggs and a sausage patty and a glass of pineapple juice. That's about the only meal that he still enjoys. His dialysis is going for the night. I still have a cookie making mess to clean up in the kitchen. So...Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Friday….Once Again

Pretty much a same ol', same ol' day. Woody stayed in all day today. I did go out the door a few times and one thing I can tell you that it was another hot day! I watered early before it got too hot. I made two trips to the mailbox...first to mail in thr application for a handicap placard and then another to grt our mail...a no-mail day from USPS. But FedEx did come through for me and brought my fabric. I serged the raw edges and popped it into the washer and then drier...one step closer to geing able to sew something. Nathan stopped by this afternoon to take me recliner shopping. We did find one for Woody, but I will keep looking for the perfect one for me. Nathan will go pick up the reciner in his truck tomorrow and bring it here. I have also been reading a really good book. It is one I have read before...it was good years ago and good once again. I am finding that some parts I remember very well, but...as to the who-dun-it...I can not remember. I don't usually reread books, but I recommended it to Linda and she has mentioned a couple of things thst I can't remember so decided that I would read it...again. I am going to finish in the kitchen once I get Woody's dialysis started and then head upstairs. I probably should cut this pattern out of muslin to make sure that it will work before I cut it out from the real fabric. I have to iron the fabric...maybe I'll get that step done tonight. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Keep cool!

Moving in Another Direction

As expected Dr. O told Woody today that it is time to get ready to move to hemodialysis. The next strp is vein mapping. That will be done by a vein specialist either in Murfreesboro or Nashville. Woody's nurse is arranging an appointment for that. The vein mapping will determine the way access for hemodialysis will be done. There are a couple of ways to do this. We just continue with peritoneal dialysis till all is ready for hemo. Where he will have his dialysis is still up in the air. The doctor really wants us to go through training for home hemodialysis. I'm still thinking on it! I came home and cooked to take my mind off decisions! I made sweet and sour chicken using some red and green peppers we have grown this year. It was nice to go out on the patio and cur a couple. After I cooked then I napped. Woody is connected and dialysis is going again for tonight's treatment. Now I'm going to finish cleaning up the kitchen and then head upstairs. I did get my pattern all taped together. Now waiting on the linen to come that I plan to make with this pattern. According to tracking information, it should come tomorrow. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Another Hot One!

We continue to realize that it is summer! We got to 93° today...at least it is the 100° that had been predicted last week...will definitely take 93° over 100°! I did do a little outside today...watered, emptied the compost bucket, brought the garbage can back in from the road, and got the mail...and that was enough. It has been a slow day. Tomorrow will be filled with more as we go for Woody's appointment at Fresenius with Dr. O, the nurse, and others on the team. We're just hoping not to have to wait too long in the car (the waiting room for these appointments)...not a good place to wait on hot days! Woody's nurse called today to give us a warning that the results of the testing on the fluids were not good...so I guess we will find out more details tomorrow. I have started a list of questions...I asked a couple today when the nurse called. I appreciate him calling. He said that he didn't want us to be surprised tomorrow. I told him that we were expecting that peritoneal dialysis was coming to an end. I have worked a little on taping the pattern together that I downloaded and printed yesterday. But haven't done much other than that in the sewing department today. Woody's dialysis is going for tonight. And, I'm going to go down and put the last of the clean dishes away and put the dirty ones in the dishwasher and close down the kitchen for the night. I have been enjoying reading today...too hot to do a lot today...good day to sit and read! Speaking of reading, I did a couple of little church library tasks here at home. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Welcome, Summer!

Summer is here and it is obvious...93° was our high today according to WeatherBug. It was a hot one! Donna and I worked in the church library this afternoon and it actually felt good to go out in the heat as it was pretty cold in the library. I'm getting in a sewing mood. Today I put away all the fall/winter fabric and got out spring/summer fabric. Now to decide what to make! I found a pattern today for a shirt in a syle that I had been looking for and lo and behold it was a free pattern! It is a PDF file...the whole pattern is printed out on regular 8.5X11 paper and I will have to tape them together to make them a regular-sized pattern...we'll see how that goes! I have printed out all 31 pages! Can you see me all tangled up as I attempt to tape them all together...then cut them apart into the individual pattern pieces! I wanted to try one of this company's patterns. It's the company where I have bought linen...so these patterns are meant for linen. Now to get organized...and have enough energy to actually do some sewing! Woody feels much better...back to whatever is "normal" for him. Tomorrow is a stay-at-home day...I think! Now time to get Woody connected for another treatment. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Rough Sunday…Better Monday

Woody had a pretty rough afternoon and evening yesterday. As I mentioned on Saturday, we are thinking that he is getting to the end of peritoneal dialysis and getting ready to transition to hemodialysis. His kidney center nurse wanted to test the fluids that are drawn off of him one more time. We collected those during last night's dialysis and took them to Fresenius kidney center this morning. We think that he is dehydrated, too as yesterday anything that he drank came right back up. He was able to eat a good breakfast this morning and has only taken a nibble since. At one point he thought that he wanted a PBJ sandwich, but is rethinking that now. We did call the 24-nurse number yesterday. She suggested that we cut back on the solution strength so last night and tonight we are using two bags of the lesser strength solution. Woody's nurse agreed with that. I will have to reevaluate the order that is to be delivered next week as switching we won't have enough next month. I will wait to call about the order till we see the doctor on Thursday. I did get some information on home hemodialysis today when we were at the center. Frim what I read the switch over cant happen immediately. He will have to have a port of some kind (3 different types were mentioned in the pamphlets). Whatever type is chosen it has to be placed surgically and then there is healing time...so peritoneal dialysis will go on for a while even if he is told it is time to switch. Woody did tell me that he was feeling better this evening...more like usual. He didngo to prayer meeting tonight. And, is home now stretched out in his recliner. I have the dialysis for tonight set up and the solution is warming. So we are back on track...at least for the time being into our usual routine. I finished my book, did a little vacuuming (just as much as my vacuum cord would allow me to reach (and it is a pretty long cord). I'll plug it in in another place "maybe" tomorrow and reach a little more of the upstairs! Temperatures are predicted to rise to 100° at some point this week. I watered again this evening hoping to keep our flowers and other plants happy in these extra hot, for us, temps! I'm glad that the regular baseball season is over and that there are no games this week. Next week there is a tournament for all the teams in Elijah's league. Here's to hoping that the temperatures will go down before then! Hapoy last day of Spring! Looks like summer is going to show up for real tomorrow! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Saturday Doings

Just "one of those days"...not a lot happened...stayed at home all day. I have spent some time going between reading a novel and working on tomorrow's Sunday School lesson. Woody and I are both teaching our respective classes tomorrow. I prepared a couple of items to go in the freezer for later use...not meals, but items that go into recipes--in other words it was time to do something with them or have them lose their freshness! I cooked up a pan of mushrooms in olive oil and froze them in small ziplock bags that went into a larger bag...all ready for Woody's scrambled eggs when I don't have any fresh in the refrigerator. And, I had a couple of cloves of garlic that seemed to be quite aromatic so I decided to mince them and mix with some olive oil and froze those in 1 teaspoon size mounds...all ready to pop into a dish when I need them. And, the garlic aroma has left the kitchen! I've done several loads of wash including the heavy quilt that I drape over Woody's couch to make it more comfortable as a bed. Nathan stopped by a little while ago with one of the kid's performance shirts that had a tear in it. I did a quick iron-on interfacing fix...it will last at least one performance! Not positive that it will make it through the wash. I can do something more permanent the next time if needed! Woody's dialysis treatment is started for tonight, since we need to be out of the house fairly early to head to Sunday School. I left him downstairs watching a Cardinal's baseball game...so baseball is entertaining him once again this week. Well, I'd best get back to putting the final touches on tomorrow's Sunday School lesson. Then I'm going to read and/or stitch, but will probably end up going to sleep. Tired tonight as we had interrupted sleep again last night. Woody got sick in the night. He drank extra per request of the nurse...but it seems that if he drinks more, it just won't stay down. I'm really thinking that we are on the last legs of peritoneal dialysis moving towards hemodialysis. I've asked the nurse for some information on how home hemo is done to see if I think I can do it...I'm not much on dealing with blood!! But the doctor explained the benefits of doing it at home...it is done 4 days a week...so pretty much every other day and in-center hemo is only done 3 days a week and that extra build up of poisons in the system due to going a couple of days without dialysis is one of the reasons that Woody would get so weak when he was doing in-center hemodialysis. He struggled so much and did not feel well at all when he was on in-center...so that is the reason I am considering home hemo. I always said that when it came to dealing with blood I wouldn't be able to do it! But the doctor encouraged it so at least I am thinking about it! When on hemodialysis he will be connected to a machine for lots fewer hours...I think it is either 3 or 4. Now, as I so often say, time will tell! And, maybe Woody will squeak by for another three months...but we both think that it is doubtful. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Afternoon Storm…What a Difference at the Ballpark!

Late night at the ol' ballpark! Another great game. We were sitting at the edge of our seats at the end of the game...went into our part of the inning with a six-point lead...good lead...right?!? Well, we changed pitchers for that inning and he had trouble getting his stride and several runs got scored on him. He finally ended the inning and we won 10-7. Whew! A summer storm blew in this afternoon and temperatures dropped from in the low 90s to upper 70's...nice drop! It made for a very pleasant evening at the ballpark. I did our grocery shopping this afternoon after the storm left our area. We got a call from the Fresenius nurse that Woody is to repeat the tests to see his blood is being cleansed well enough with peritoneal dialysis. We go back to see the nurse on Monday...always something! We had cancelled an appointment that he had for Monday...so that made adding this one easier! Since I'm late blogging tonight, I will keep this short and sweet! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Gallivanting With Linda!

We went to Lowes and poked around outside till it got just too hot to even think about any more plants that have to be planted in this heat! Once inside we checked out hoses and stain for our ramp and Linda looked for a cleaning product. We both left purchaseless...but I did leave with some plans for future projects...now to see who will buy into a Tom Sawyer project! Those who have read Tom Sawyer will probably understand...let's just say I have substituted stain for white wash and a ramp for a fence...now to find those I can convince it will a fun project...I think that a downward trend in temperatures is needed before I can make this job appealing! Next Linda needed to drop off a donation to a local non profit thrift store. We decided to go in and see what someone's throw-away items could become treasures! Linda found an interesting print of Tullahoma's high school from 1927-1957. The "mat" around the print is made up of names of students written teeny tiny with their graduation date...lots of names! We sat and looked at it and determined that it is what is now known as South Jackson Civic Center. Linda decided to buy it...for one thing she taught at the Middle School (back then it was a Junior High) that was connected, I think, to this building at one time...the Middle School where Melany and Nathan went. We decided to drive by and take a closer look at the current building...it looks a bit differemt than the original building...several changes have been made. But we found what showed us that it was one and the same building in this print. The close-up photo shows what used to top the building. I also noted when looking closer that the old school bell is in that close-up photo on the right. After we snapped a few pics with our cameras we headed on back to the house amd had lunch. We thought that we were going to go back and check out another shop or two, but in the end we just stayed at the house. I showed Linda my needlework completions so far this year and we talked about one thing or another. It was a very enjoyable day. We made some tentative plans for next time, as she was rolling out of the driveway. Woody had a day to himself without interruptions from me! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Hot, HOT and HOTTER

We stayed inside as much as possible, but around 1:30pm we had to face the heat and head to the car. Woody had his appointment at TN Oncology. I got him settled into the waiting room and then headed home. This is my opportunity to attempt to clean "his" room. I worked on it for just about the whole time that he was gone. They call me when he is finished...so faced the hot once again. When I went back, the thermometer in the car said that it was 92° outside. Too hot! Tomorrow I am looking forward to spending time with my friend, Linda. We're going to do a little gallavanting around Tullahoma and going to have lunch here. The oven is calling me to do the next step on something I hope we will be having as part of our lunch! It's almost time to get Woody connected for his nightly dialysis. And, I need to go out and water. The container veggies are suffering from these hot temperatures. I'm having trouble keeping the watered...they dry out quickly. The things in the ground seem to be faring well so far. Well, off to do some final chores before the evening ends! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

How to Watch a Game in the Heat

When we got to the ballpark, Nathan, Kathy and crew were sitting in the shade on the other side of the fence in the outfield. We decided to stay there as our team's bleachers were straight on into the sun and the sun never left the entire game and it was hovering around 90°. You could tell about the heat by the lack of energy in the boys. The final score was 8-7...only the second loss for Elijah's team. It was a good game despite the heat! But it was hot and Woody came home pretty zapped. He seems to be perking up a little now. I waited to blog till I got tonight's dialysis set up so it can be heating while I type. It has been quite the day. Last night I got a onone call from the fraud department of our Credit Union saying that it appeared that my debit card had been compromised. Before I answered any questions, I opened up our account and it was obvious what they were talking about. I took care of what I could on the phone last night...main thing that I wanted was for my card to be cancelled. I was told to go to our Credit Union this morning. After I got Woody disconnected and fed him his breakfast, I headed off. It was fairly simple, except that the machine to print the new card messed up and/or ran out of ribbon or something! Anyway, that made it take a bit longer. But I had a book on my phone so didn't mind the wait! I came home and it was a out time for lunch. I fed us both and did a couple of things in the kitchen and then it was time to meet Donna in the church library. We had two tasks that we wanted to complete and we did those. We headed home...and, at a point both of us realized that I forgot to get something out of the refrigerator. Donna's husband had been "gifted" with lots of packages of canned biscuits and Donna had brought some to me. Thanks, Donna! I realized right after I got home and she realized right after she ran an errand. She went back to the church to get them and bring them to me. I texted her and told her that I realized that I had left them and that I was heading back to the church to get them! She got my text and called me when I was heading down the road on the way back to church...she said that she was on her way...so I turned around headed back home. Donna arrived at our house just moments before I did! We had a good laugh! After putting the biscuits into the refrigerator, I got busy gathering all the wastebaskets in the house and getting everything out to the road. I also had to carry out two weeks worth of collapsed cardboard boxes. I couldn't take them to the road to be recycled last week because it wae raining. Tonight it was just super hot taking them out. Before I went to the Credit Union this morning, I also watered all our flowers and vegetables...watering needed with it being sooooooooo hot. So it has been one of those days of one thing to do followed by another and another and..! I think I'll sleep well tonight. I still have a fee things to do besides getting Woody's dialysis going. I'm heading to check on the solution bags to see if it's time to get his dialysis started. I think he is ready to go to sleep after his hot time at the ball park tonight. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Monday Turned Up Again and This Monday was a Hot One!

Today started out aiming toward getting Woody to Fresenius Kidney Center for an appointment with his nurse. We didn't get away any too early...got there about 2 minutes after appointment time. The good thing ws that he was ready for us. It is soooooo hot here, we didn't need to sit in the car any longer than absolutely necessary. At the peritoneal dialysis side of the center there isn't a waiting room so we wait in our cars to be called in. Usually on the nurse appointment day we get in and out fairly quickly, but doctor day there can be quite a wait...that appointment is next week. I hope that it has cooled down a bit by then. Today it got to 91° and the heat index put into "feels like" of above 100°. Let's just say...too hot! I finally finished the sewing project that I had been working on for too long...but it is done! Woody went to prayer meeting tonight and is home and tonight's dialysis is underway. I'm heading to clean up the kitchen...did as little cooking as possible today, but there are still a few dishes to load into the dishwasher. Then I am heading upstairs to see about cleaning up from today's sewing...can put or throw away the leftover fabric pieces from my project and put away a few other things. I have been putting off other sewing till I got this done...but not sure that I feel like getting into another project just yet! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Oh, My! What a Day!

i don'tnknow if I have shared that a couple of days ago I opened the blinds in our sun porch and looked out and say this little huddled mass of fur all curled up sleeping! Looks like there are four of them! Mama is still taking good care of them. They had so much fun playing amongst the herbs and veggies! Now today I did not see them any of the times that I looked out the window. I do know that mama saw me yesterday out in the back heading that their way. She was heading toward the neighbors where I think she lives...or at least finds food! She may have told those little kitties to stay put under the stairs since I had been seen in their territory. Anyway, they are cute and fun to watch. Mama found a really good refuge for them in amongst our herbs. (As I type this, I think that I may be repeating myself! Sorry...I'm old! I looked back at the photos, but now that I think about it I may have put their picture at the end of a blog.) Today started out way too early, I ws awakened by a bad leg cramp around 3am and never got back to sleep. I decided that it was a good time to put the final work into tomorrow's Sunday School lesson so finished that and got my notes printed off, printed off Woody's crossword puzzles and worked one of the crossword puzzles myself, and read a little before it was time to head downstairs. Then dialysis duties and beeakfast took up most of the rest of the morning. After all that, I headed to the Credit Union, then WalMart and finally our pharmacy before heading home. An interesting aside about my WalMart trip...it was the first time that I had been to WalMart this year! All I can say is...it hadn't changed much nor seemed to have missed me! What lured me back in was we were out of computer copy paper. I could have skipped WalMart and gone to Office Max, but I realized that there were some other things that I needed that couldn't have been gotten at Office Max. The reason I haven't been to WalMart is mainly Covid. I'm limiting my shopping to just a few stores and online. But needing paper lured me back in...the birds are happier...I replenished our supply of suet. By the time I got home Woody was ready for a little to eat...lunch isn't high on his list of meals lately...he only eats a few bites of whatever he appeals to him at that moment. By the time I got us both fed, I was ready for a nap! I did water our gardens today...no signs of the kitties when I watered the herbs and veggies. Woody's dialysis is going...hopefully we started early enough so we can get out the door for Sunday School in time for me to get him to his class and me to mine! At the moment Woody is watching a baseball game on TV...not his team of choice...but his blood pressure will stay down since it isn't his team playing! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Rainbow Over the Stands!

Caught a few familiar faces when I shot backwards! We had another good game. Woody is really enjoying getting to go to Elijah's games. Something to look forward to during his long days and nights! Elijah's team won again. Elijah almost hit a home run...it hit the fence but stayed on our side of the fence. He was the closing pitcher and he played short stop in the earlier innings of the game. We never know where he might be playing...they move him all around. If I were he, I would be confused as to what what to do where! Luckily I am not Elijah and he seems to keep a cool head wherever he gets placed. Tonight it actually got a bit chilly at the end of the game. We will be wishing for cool temps next week...it's supposed to be climbing into the 90s. Since I am late tonight, I'm going to go on and post. Woody's dialysis is underway and we are settling in for the night. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Trying something new! I rarely use the camera on my phone, but Nathan and Kathy asked if I could video Elijah's at bats tonight since they couldn't be there. We have had quite a day. Melany came early and she and I went to Lowes to get mulch and a trellis. We came back and Melany got started weeding some more and mulching...she got 20 bags and used all 20...not finished yet...but good enough for the moment! I tended to dialysis duties and got Woody's breakfast. When I went outside, I started out by picking up sticks and branches that had come down during the last few days of rain and storms. I didn't really get involved in the weeding till after lunch. Melany started on the large flower garden that was desparately in need of weeding after lunch. She established an area around part of that garden and mulched in a couple of feet on that perimeter. I joined her in weeding so we she could get all the bags of mulch spread before it was time for her to go home and time for us to go to Elijah's game. And, she did it! I'll bet she sleeps well tonight! The gardens look great! I'm pretty tired, too. Almost as soon as Melany left, we headed off to pick up Elijah for his game. Wr picked him up and headed on to his ball field. Tonight's game was a make-up game for a rain out last week. Elijah's team was the victor this evening. We took Elijah to his home after his game. He had farm chores to do. We came home and I made Woody's protein shake and got his dialysis set up. We are just waiting for the solution to warm up so we can get tonight's dialysis started. Woody feels like his wrist is getting better. He has rested it and iced it off and on today. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Wednesday

It has been "one of those days." Neither of us got much sleep last night. Woody has somehow hurt his wrist...his good one! It is bothering him quite a bit...especially if he moves it! This the arm that he depends on when he uses the walker. His bad leg is on that side so he depends on his arm to bear the weight for his leg. He never moves very fast these days, but his wrist has slowed him down. Since I got so little sleep last night, I went to sleep after his dialysis was completed and he had breakfast. The morning wasn't very productive since I slept through a good portion of it. Aftrr lunch, I decided that I would sew. I did sew, but most of the time I tood two steps forward and five backward on the project. Let's just say Murphy visited my sewing room! I am a little farther along on my project...but not much since I spent a lot of my sewing time picking out what I had done! We had a thunderstorm blow through this afternoon so at that point I put my sewing away and unplugged my machine. I'm not sure that I can face any more sewing when I go upstairs in a little while! (I sort of want to...but...) Woody's dialysis is going for the night. I still have some dishes to put away and then load the dishwasher. Melany is coming in the morning to continue her work in our gardens. We may be in charge of getting Elijah to and from his ballgame in the late afternoon. Tomorrow seems to be stacking up to be a busy day! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Rainy Tuesday

The rain settled in this morning and gave us a good soaking. It wasn't raining when I went to the church library after lunch. Donna and I buckled down and got a lot of work done. About the time we were finishing up, we both got weather warnings on our phones that another storm was approaching so we headed out hoping to get home before the storm got here. I did get sprinkled on when driving home, but made it inside the house without getting wet. After 4pm Nathan and Kathy texted that Elijah's game was cancelled for tonight. I texted with Melany and we both felt like tomorrow's forecast was rather iffy for gardening so we put off her coming to garden for another day. I'm hearing rain on the roof again...we should have very happy plants. I have Woody's dialysis set up. I told him I would blog and then check to see if his dialysis solution is warm enough...guess it is time to go check. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Monday, Monday

It has been a quiet day in our household...fairly a routine Monday--a stay-at-home Monday for me. Woody did get away for about an hour this evening for Monday Night Furnace Room Prayer Meeting. He is home now enjoying his evening protein shake--blueberry tonight. I still have a load of wash to get out of the drier and a load to start up in the dishwasher. Part of the morning I worked in the sewing room on a long overdue project--part of Abigail's, Joy's, and Esther's Christmas gift. It's getting closer for me to be able to put it in their hands and off my sewing cutting table! I may be able to get a little more done on it before bedtime. We had rain this afternoon and are supposed to get more during the night. All the plants are happy, but especially the new ones Melany and Wade added on Saturday. We had pretty strong winds when this afternoon's storm blew in and they blew the three new veggie pots over. I have righted them and have hopefully placed them where wind won't blow them over. Time will tell! Storms blow in from the west which means that winds blow directly across our patio area so anything that isn't really heavy is subject to being blown over. Wade had put them at the edge of the patio in the grass where they would get plenty of sun...a good place as long as it isn't windy. These tomato and pepper plants are tall enough that by moving them next to the side of the ramp that comes out from our back door should keep them from being blown over and still get plenty of sun. We'll see if I have them properly placed. Tomorrow is a church library day and a ballgame night for Elijah, as long as it doesn't get rained out. Tullahoma seems more protective of their ball fields than Manchester. I'm guessing there will be a game as long as it doesn't rain too close to game time or rain it out during play. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Hard Workers

Melany and Wade really worked hard today. They added three plants that will bloom red--a hybiscus and two hydrangeas of a smaller size. They also mulched and put out more gerber daisies and some others...much fuller flower bed! They also brought two more tomato plants and a red pepper plant that joined our herbs and other veggies on the back patio. All this work amd the plants and mulch are Woody's Father's Day present. We will enjoy all their efforts! Melany plans to come back again sometime this week to continue with the weeding, Nathan just stopped by a little while ago and brought us each a piece of cheesecake...the catch?!? This cheese cake is made with goat cheese that Nathan made. I was too full to eat the cheesecake tonight but did take a little nibble of a crumb of the filling and I wonder if I would even know that it is a different kind of cheese. Melany stopped at a local donut shop before they came today and brought donuts for breakfast...I have nibbled on one most of the day so that is the reason that I couldn't think about the cheesecake tonight. Nathan indulged in part of a cherry fritter...that I hadn't managed to finish! We still have part of a blueberry cake donut and a chocolate cake donut. Even donuts didn't tempt Woody. We will see tomorrow if he is tempted by the cheese cake! Most foods don't interest him these days. He had gotten a little better in what he tried, but not lately. He is connected and his dialysis is going tonight...hoping that se started early enough for him to be totslly finished with his treatment and have breakfast before we need to leave for Sunday School. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Busy! Busy!

Today has been "one of those days"...doing a little of this and a little of that. We both woke up early. I had hoped to go back to but never did until a nap overtook me when I sat down late this aftefnoon. I had done all "my" word puzzles before heading downstairs since it was so early. I printed off Woody's crossword puzzles and headed downstairs still when it was very early. I got him disconnected as soon as his treatment was finished with the part that the cycker machine does and figured out when to come back downstairs when his last dwell was over so i could then do the last drain for last night's dialysis. I went back upstairs thinking that I might go back to sleep, but never did. So I started working on a sewing project...at least got the pieces cut out and placed for the next step to be done. At some point, I made out the grocery list using the Kroger app. When the two hour dwell time was up, I headed down to do the last steps of Woody's dialysis so he could be free of machines, IV poles, etc. for at least a few hours! Then it was time to get Woody's breakfast. By the time he finished eating, I was ready to head to the Credit Union and the grocery store. From that point on it was finish shopping, come home, put groceries away and see about getting us both something for lunch. Not long after I finished lunch, Melany called and I sat on the front porch while I talked to her...till my allergies drove me inside! Melany, and maybe Wade, plan to come see us tomorrow for a little while. They had been to the Farmers' Market in Murfreesboro and it sounds like they found something to add to our garden...something that blooms red...that is all I know...We'll be surprised tomorrow. I will say that the hydrangea they bought us last year at their Farmers' Market is doing very well...covered in blooms that have opened or will be opening...very healthy looking...I so happy that it has survived and hasn't succumbed to my lack of a green thumb! I'm quite pleased that I got it established last year! I have had to think about what I might feed them...so have been working on preparations for tomorrow's lunch. I have Woody's dialysis set up and am about to go down to get tonight's dialysis treatment started. Then I will finish in the kitchen so I can get up to put lunch together the rest of the way in the morning. They will come early so they can work in the cool of the morning. Maybe I'll have a photo tomorrow night of what tonight is a mystery plant! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Good Day for Visiting!

Woody's dialysis treatment finished early this morning so we were able to get him disconnected, manual drain done, and his breakfast made and eaten and I was ready to head off to meet Jo and Carolyn for breakfast. We enjoyed breakfast and each other's company. We chased lots of rabbits...as we always do. On the way home, I thought of several things that we hadn't caught up on...guess next time...and, of course there is texting...or even the phone! I hadn't been back in the house long and the phone rang. It was Ruth and she was going to stop by with some eggs. I grabbed a couple of glasses of ice water and headed for the front porch. Ruth was getting out of her car...perfect timing! We had a nice front porch talk. I came in and put the eggs away and then sliced some of the pork roast to put in the freezer. By that time I was ready for a nap! Woody had a lazy afternoon too. Neither of us got the best night sleep last night and then were up early to get dialysis finished before I needed to leave. The weather might have had something tondonwith feeling lazy and dozy...we had little teases of rain off and on today. I was counting on the rain to water my plants. I was beginning to wonder if we were going to get what had been promised...but a little while ago, the rain has started in earnest...so happy plants and happy me who didn't jave to drag the hose around the yard! I have Woody's dialysis set up for tonight. I think it is ready for me to connect Woody. I think that I am hearing evidence that he is dozing off...better get going before he is too soundly asleep for me to get his attention to help with the process! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Peekin' In!

I found this little kitten peeking out at me when I walked around to get some rosemary from my herb garden. I think that her mama found a safe place behind the steps at our back door...these steps are now covered by the ramp...so no one going up amd down them. I saw this little one a couple of times Sunday afternoon...when she saw me when would duck back behind the stairs. I'm guessing that her mama moved her and any sibblings someplace else, since I discovered their hiding place. A neighbor behind us has several cats so I am guessing that she belongs to one of those cats. I did see a cat come out of our garage the other day. Today has been a stay-at-home day. We had to wait on the dialysis supply delivery. I will say that he put us at the start of our 4-hour delivery time. He called when he was 45 minutes away and arrived pretty close to that. He was in and out very quickly. For some reason no signature was needed this time...first time that I haven't had to sign...rules always changing! Woody's the one who had to sign some papers...some financial papers...and, they were brought to him which made it easy for Woody. The rest of the day we have done "a little of this and a little of that." I'm still working on doing wash...several loads done and several to go. Woody started his dialysis treatment early tonight because I have plans to go out for breakfast in the morning. I think we have this and hopefully I won't be late to meet friends and Woody can have his breakfast before I leave. As always, time will tell! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!