Last Friday in April

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As I wrote the title for tonight's blog, I wondered how that could be possible…didn't I just turn the page on the calendar to April?!? I just have sort of sat here and watched the moments and days go by!  

Well, today didn't start out the way I expected…when does any day?!? I decided to stitch for a few minutes before getting up and getting underway with my day.  Well, as I stitched, weird things started happening to my vision and it wasn't very long till I realized that I was getting a migraine…mine are more eye and light related rather than a headache.  I got up and took two Tylenol and then headed back to my chair and closed my eyes and dozed for a while.  My vision ends up getting what I call sort of whirry and I can't see all of what I’m looking at…blind spots in parts of what I am looking at.  I can see less and less and then eventually it reverses itself and I can’t see fine once again.  And, lights bother me.  If I take Tylenol quickly enough, I usually don't get much of a headache,

While I took that little nap letting my eyes rest, I guess Nathan and Kathy stopped by.  They rang the bell and then texted me asking if I was home.  But I didn't hear the bell nor did I hear a text come in.  I texted them after I woke up and they stopped back by before they headed home after running errands and going to a yard sale or two.  What we found out is that my doorbell isn’t working…batteries have run down.  I had no idea that there was a problem with the doorbell.  I had some batteries needed, but not enough.  Once I get the rest of the batteries, I will once again hear visitors at my front door.

I have jumped from one task to another today…not accomplishing much with any of them…just one of those days.  I won't attempt to do much more this evening, though I do think that I can finish the flag that I am cross stitching…getting very close to finishing.  I hope I can finish stitching it tonight and then tomorrow concentrate on making the 4 or 5 small pieces I have finished stitching into small pillows.  That's my plan, anyway!  We'll see if it comes to fruition! What I started today was going through a bunch of papers and other odds and ends and filing them away…either in their correct place in my file cabinets…OR…sending them to file 13.  This is a job that I have put off for a long time and it is time that I address it…maybe I will be able to get more serious with that job tomorrow, also.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Just Another Thursday!

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Not a lot to blog about today!  It has been a pretty quiet day…didn't have the energy I had yesterday!  Guess I used some of that energy up!  I did make a quick errand run to Walmart.  I needed a couple of things there and decided to pick up a couple of grocery items and skip my Friday trip to Kroger tomorrow.  I did do some experimental packing today…worked on how to pack my cameras and perhaps I have that planned out now…unless I change my mind.  I started a list today about things I don't want to forgot when packing for the cruise and also which bag to pack certain items in…the choices being: personal itrm(purse), carry on, or checked bag.  Some have to go in carry on bag…cameras and their batteries, as an example.  I have to decide which chargers and cords that I have to take…hoping to take as few as possible.  Those can go in checked bag.  I just need to think through these things so I won't have to think about them so much while Cheryl and Rachel are here!  

I did accomplish one task towards Rachel's visit…her bed is all ready for her!  So they both have a place to lay their heads when they are here.  

I have stitched and read some today.  I also napped after my Walmart adventure…I still tire easily! So I just give in and take short naps. 

Linda H. Just reminded me that it is Matlock finale night…so will post and get ready to stitch and watch and try to keep all the plots from getting too twisted up in my brain!  There are an awful lot of story lines to keep straight in this show…and, I'm sure they will throw in several new ones tonight to get us to come back to watch next season!

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Even Better Day

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I think that I am close to back to as normal as I probably ever am!  I have had quite a good day.  I started off running the vacuum downstairs and dusted a little.  And, just did other little things throughout the day.  But was able to do several things rather than just one and have to sit down.  I just have to be patient and wait on the healing.  I did go to Bible study tonight.  I’m gradually getting back to my weekly routine.  I will say that I am feeling a bit tired, as I settle in from being out…but then it is time to settle in for the evening…and take it easy and stitch!  

This afternoon, I met with "my handyman." He's getting ready to put in a new front door for me.  I got a special treat, as his sweet wife and precious baby son came with him.  So we did a bit of visiting besides just door talk! The door will have to be ordered and won't get here till after my cruise…so a project for the summer.  Now to make a final decision on which one to get.

Tonight's photo is of one of our bird seed thief’s…he was taking it easy snacking on the ramp sides after raiding the bird feeder.  I caught him in the act…thanks to the bird feeder cam! 

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! 

A Better Day

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Today, I noticed that my roses near the road were blooming.  I meant to go right back out to take some pictures, but just remembered that I wanted to take some when I realized it was time to blog.  So here is one of the buds and some others blooming in the background.

I was determined that I would do a little more than I did yesterday, trying to build my strength back up. I have done just that, but I will admit that whatever I do takes longer at this time…hopefully I will get back some stamina as I do a little more each day.  Today, I did some of my accomplishments on my phone/iPad.  I needed to get in touch with several individuals so I spent time sitting texting, emailing, and talking on the phone. First I texted Donna to say that I still wanted to put working in the library on hold for another week.  She agreed.  After that I emailed my doctor to see what she wanted to do about my 6-month-check-in with her that was scheduled for next week.  I remember one time when my blood work was all messed up due to me having been on antibiotics.  Her nurse called me back and we rescheduled for another week out to let the antibiotic clear my system.  Then I emailed the church administrator about the church library computer.  I gave him the link for the computer that Nathan and I chose online.  He emailed back and has the process underway for it to be ordered.  So we may be back in business shortly in the library.  It has been difficult with no computer…can't process books, can't check out books, can't check to see if we have certain books or where they are located.  Our hands are pretty much tied without that piece of technology that we depended on so much…since getting rid of the card catalog.  Now to wait patiently for its arrival! 

I have done some stitching…getting close to finished with the field of stars on my stylized flag cross stitch piece…then there are just two more red stripes and it will be ready to be made into a small pillow.  There is still a lot of stitching to make those stripes so probably a finish is still days down the road.  But I can say I have less left to stitch than I have stitched.

I also worked some more on getting ready for Cheryl and Rachel's visits and for my cruise.  I’m closing in on decisions of things I need to take with me and making sure that I don't "need" to order anything.  I am sitting here waiting for an order that is supposed to come today…a new case for my iPad.  The case I have has a keyboard with it.  And, now that I have the app for the blog, I can type on the screen.  It will be easier to take my iPad on the trip if I have a less bulky case.  Mentioning taking it on the trip…I don't think I will be able to blog while I am away.  We will be pretty much off the grid while in Alaska.  I’ll just have to take plenty of photos to share once I get back and share about some of our adventures after the fact, too.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Monday, Monday

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I was determined today that I would do "something" just to try to start to get back to feeling "normal." I managed to do a small amount of vacuuming, some dusting and just straightening things up.  I felt a little more "normal" but also tired out a lot faster than I wanted to! But did accomplish a little something.  I am feeling better, but my energy just is slow on the return!  

I have just gotten home from prayer meeting, so am settling in for the evening.  After I blog, I am going to eat a light supper and straighten up the kitchen and then going to settle in for the evening and watch some TV and stitch.  I am coming along on my patriotic piece that I am currently concentrating on with my stitching.  I would like to get it done and then finish into small pillows the four or five things that I have completed the stitching on recently.  I want to get them fully finished so I can use them when I put away my Spring decorations and put out patriotic decorations.  I am stitching a stylized U.S. flag right now.  

As I looked at the day and the date today, I realize that it is only six weeks till the Alaska cruise. I can't believe that six weeks from now I will be on a cruise ship on the Pacific Ocean heading Alaska way!  Also I can’t believe that my sister will be sitting here with me 4 weeks from now and that my niece will be here five weeks from now. Back-to-back-to-back excitement!  We have it so well planned that Cheryl and Rachel will take me to Melany and Wade's on their way to the airport…they leave the day before we leave on the cruise.  I need to spend the night at Melany and Wade's because our flight leaves very early Monday morning.  

Now to have ailments leave us so we can have pleasant visits/travels.  Melany texted me this morning that she was at the doctor, as she has a gout flair! I've got mouth/sinus problems. 🙄 Hopefully those will be behind us so we can enjoy Alaska!  Well, I say behind us…but the doctor said that the healing of this hole in my sinus wall will take months and there is no way it will be healed by the time of our trip…but hopefully I will be used to it and know how to cope with it better by then.  Melany needs for her joints and feet to be well enough to walk around easily!  Hopefully her meds will kick in.  As she said today, "Aren't we a mess!?!" Wade is probably shaking his head wondering how he will be able to put up with the two of us for the ten days on the cruise!! 

To keep my mind off my mouth, etc. I am concentrating on getting ready for company and the cruise! 

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Sunday Favorite

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Saturday Rolls Around, Again!

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Days seem to follow one after the other!  I will say that this week it has been hard to know which day it is…lack of routine, I believe is the cause! I continue to see improvement in how I feel…but still can't say that I feel great.  Improvement seems to just bring on another problem.  Today I am having trouble with sinus drainage…a bit of a problem, since I am not to blow my nose and it is even hard to clear my throat.  I have pretty much had a Kleenex in my hand most of the day…not that I can do a lot with it. 

I had my Cottey College Alum Bookclub Zoom meeting this morning.  I mainly sat…talked very little and, at times had to hunt the mute button when I got to coughing.   But it it was interesting, as usual.  We are an eclectic group.  Today my friend since early childhood days, who I grew up with, went to church with, and, to elementary school, high school, and then to Cottey with, was able to attend our Zoom meeting again.  So it was good to see her.  

After our meeting, which always ends promptly at noon, I got my lunch ready.  I had thawed a Penne pasta bake that I had made and had ready in the freezer to pop in the oven.  While that baked, I made some homemade chocolate pudding.  I’m looking forward to that this evening, as it has had time to chill since this afternoon. 

The cooking and eating efforts tired me out so I took a little nap this afternoon.  I was awakened by an unusual sound…rain on the roof.  It hasn't rained here in a while.  It continues to lightly rain…nice to hear it.  I hope the earth and the flowers and plants and trees are enjoying a refreshing drink,  Also hoping that the rain settles some of the pollen that has been so thick in the air lately.

I guess I can say that I am improving every day, but that the improving has been a bit slow for my liking…oh, wait…that's right…I have trouble remembering that I am supposed to be a patient patient! I’ll keep trying to remember…but hopefully, while I try to remember to be patient, this feeling of not being well will end quickly!!! 😏

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Slowly But Surely…

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I'm heading toward feeling better, but I'm not there yet.  On the positive side…really no pain in my mouth and no headache…so those are good things. Today I made a very quick trip to the grocery store…pretty much in and out, but it wore me out.  That short trip made a morning and then an afternoon nap a necessity!  When I wasn't napping, I did get in some stitching.  I’ve talked to Cheryl and Melany.  Other than that it has been a quiet day…just recouping…trying to get some energy back! Both Melany and Cheryl pointed out that besides my body/mouth needing to heal, I am also dealing with taking an antibiotic and that can make you feel not the greatest either…so I will just try to be a patient patient! 

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Thursday: A Week After

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Well, it has been a week since my tooth was extracted. I guess I can see improvement in how I feel, but still not back to "normal." I have thought many times today that I am so thankful that I am usually in good fairly good health!  Not feeling good, I can do without!  I’m ready to feel better, and, I am feeling better, but it seems to be a slow go!  I still didn't have much energy today.  Napping is what I did best today…a nap late morning and then one late afternoon.  I have done a lot of nothing today…a little reading…a very little stitching…some TV watching… washed four or five dishes by hand…put away a few dishes…wiped off the stove…that's about it.  Oh, I have played quite a few solitaire games on my iPad.  

The pain seems pretty much under control…no Tylenol at all today…only my one daily Celebrex. That shows a big improvement.  One thing that is in my mind…but I don't know if it really happened or if I dreamed it…I may have blown my nose…or…I may have dreamed that I did…if I did, it was when I was in partial wakefulness during my morning nap.  I guess I will never know if I did or didn't!  But if I did, I haven't noticed any problems from doing it!  So strange to not be able to differentiate between dreaming or being awake! 

I guess I am sort of getting used to this extra "hole" in my mouth…still a weird feeling at times.  But I am managing eating and drinking better.  I've moved away from just soft food…but still keeping it pretty soft! One activity that I do is set reminders with Alexa so I remember to take my antibiotic twice a day.  I also have to figure in that part of why I am feeling better is the antibiotic, but also that antibiotics don't make me feel all that great while I'm taking them.  So may continue to not feel the greatest while taking something to make me eventually feel all the way better!

I have been getting notices about the weather.  Looks like a storm may be approaching.  Lately we are told that it will rain, but it doesn’t ever materialize.  We really need the rain.  We are in a drought at the moment…seems like we often are at the extremes…lots of rain or way too little rain.  This time the rain may be coming in with a storm.  Radar shows some pretty heavy weather approaching…but will it really come?!? 

I’m hoping to do some stitching this evening.  I did finish the one ornament this morning…so one more ready to make into an ornament to gift this coming Christmas. Tonight I’m going to work on a patriotic piece for me. 

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Bit Better Day

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I still don't feel the greatest, but I will say that the pain is much better…and, I'll take that!  I have just taken it easy today hoping that gets me going even more in the right direction. Nathan, Kathy, Isaac and Joseph stopped by this morning to check on me and brought me a treat, a Sonic strawberry lime aid.  I will say that hit the spot…I sipped on it most of the morning.  Once again, I haven't felt even like stitching! But after my late afternoon nap, I think that I may do some stitching.  It won't take much to finish the current Christmas ornament that I'm stitching.  I chose not to go to Bible study this evening…decided that it was best to totally take the day off.  Eating seems to be a little easier, as does talking.  I don't know if that means that "things" are better or if I am just getting used to my sinus passage and mouth being connected…it is still a weird feeling…but the pain seems to be pretty much gone…for which I’m thankful.  I have been able to pull back on Tylenol…no longer counting the time till the next dose can be taken…and only took my usual one daily Celebrex…good signs of improvement.  "Things" seem to be looking up…hopefully I will feel like a real person again and then just have to wait patiently for this hole in the sinus wall to heal on its own.  I guess patience is required…the doctor said it would take months. 

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Dental Report

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I headed off to the dentist around 1pm…it is only about a twenty-minute drive from my house over to the oral surgeon's office in Manchester. He just looked and said that it was only a perforation in the sinus wall and not a dry socket, too.  He did squirt in some gel that is supposed to help with the pain in that area.  He gave me the syringe applicator so I can apply it when it gets to hurting.  The idea of doing this is not exactly on the top of my list of things to do! 😳  It makes me cringe to tell you the truth.  I guess if it gets to hurting too badly I will apply it, but… 

He has put me on an antibiotic and I am to go back to see him in three weeks. He said that it will take months to heal.  I did ask him if it is safe to fly with this opening between my sinus passage and the side of the roof of my mouth. He said, yes, so flight/cruise aren't going to be affected by this problem…I hope!  I just hope and pray that it is easier to eat and talk by the time for the trip! 

The trip over and back from Manchester plus the stop at the pharmacy did me in…I have been settled in my recliner almost since getting home.  I have been texting family and friends about the outcome of the visit, as it is still not real comfortable to talk.  I have to be careful about sneezing…try not to but don't stop it and if I do sneeze, sneeze with my mouth open.  Still not supposed to blow my nose. Both of these are hard to avoid at this time of the year with it raining pollen!  I am glad that even before this happened, I had been avoiding spending much time outdoors to ward off allergies…so so far my allergy meds are holding off seasonal problems.  He did say that it is okay to use my allergy nasal spray. As a matter of fact he said that it would be helpful to use it. Sounds like he thinks that I will survive! 

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Murphy's Law?

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I think that Murphy may be visiting my "tooth situation."  Here's what Murphy says: " Any thing that can go wrong, will go wrong."Well, I hope that it's not "anything or everything!" But since I blogged on Saturday some other "things" seem to have gone wrong in the area of my extraction.  I had a really weird sensation in the extraction area happen Sunday evening…I am pretty sure that the "wall" between where my tooth was and my sinuses got a tear or a hole in it somehow.  I knew that there was a possibility of this happening when he was extracting the tooth, but thought that he had avoided having that happen.  I did call the doctor after that happened, as in my "care notes" there was a note that the doctor was always available and a phone number was provided.  When I called it there was a recorded message, but at the end it said that if I needed to talk to someone now to type in three numbers.  I typed them in and immediately the doctor answered.  When I explained to him what had happened, he said that he wasn't surprised.  He said that it should heal on its own, but that if I felt the need I could come in and see him.  Upon hanging up I was in agreement with just letting it heal on its own. But I decided that I am not sure that I can continue with the pain until it heals.  And, he mentioned that there shouldn't be pain involved with the sinus situation…I just am not to blow my nose (really…at this time of the year?!), and needed to continue to rinse with warm salt water, and to watch for sinus infection. I went to get my hair cut today…always a good day, right?!? But today I will just say that it made a not so great day better.  Jody wondered if I might also have a dry socket.  I hadn’t thought of that since I had the weird sinus happening.  But I did look up just the symptoms…and I got to wondering if perhaps she might be right, as the aches and pains described come close to the pain I am having.  So I decided that I would call the dentist's office and it was suggested that I come in and let the doctor take a look at it.  So tomorrow afternoon at exactly the same time as my extraction appointment last week, I have an appointment to get things checked out. Something has to give!

I need to get a handle on this, as I have "company" coming in a month and then in 7 weeks from today, Melany, Wade and I start on our Alaskan adventure…got to get healed up so I can enjoy the trip!  Hopefully the doctor can get things heading in the right direction tomorrow.  I rarely take Tylenol, as it really isn't the best for kidneys and my kidneys are compromised so I rarely take it…but these past days since the extraction, I have pretty much taken it 6 hours apart round the clock.  I’m ready to be able to stop taking it and giving my body a rest from it,  I’m not helping the kidney situation much since I'm not drinking water like I should be…sometime try drinking with a hole between your mouth and your sinuses…strange, strange, strange sensation!  I’m hoping to send Murphy on his way after seeing the dentist tomorrow.  I can say that I’m pretty tired, but it is not easy to sleep…I sleep in shorter spurts than usual!  

I have managed to do a little stitching and almost have another Christmas ornament finished.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Sunday Favorite

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Just a So-So Saturday

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Well, it has ended up pretty good with this capture with my bird feeder cam.  I have been notified many times during the day that the camera has captured “something." Some times a bird was captured but other times he had flown away before the camera shutter opened and closed. Most of the time with the cardinals, they are too close to the camera and I just get a blur.  The birds must be coming in for a bedtime snack as the camera has been going off a lot…so far this cardinal, a chickadee, and a sparrow of one type or another.  

The "so-so" part of the day is that I'm not bouncing back from my tooth extraction as quickly as I would like!  I seem to be in slow motion…just not feeling the greatest and still hurting…by the time it is time for either Tylenol or Celebrex, I have pretty much been ready.  I remember from past extractions that I bounced back pretty quickly…then I realize that I am older than the last time…and, May just not bounce back like i have in the past.  Also, I think that this extraction was a bit more involved than others in the past.  So I am pretty much doing as little as possible and haven't graduated back to regular food yet…soft food is still welcome.  I’m glad that I took the effort to stock up on easy to eat food prior. I made some mashed potatoes today and another flavor of Jello!  I know I will be very ready for regular food once I’m not hurting! 

I haven't even really felt like stitching today.  I’m planning on stitching some tonight, though I do have a headache so stitching might not happen.  Looking forward to a few days down the road when this is all behind me!

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Slow Friday

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I have just taken it easy today…didn't have anything that I had to do so took advantage of that and didn't do much of anything. I didn't sleep the greatest last night…in parts…fell asleep before the end of Elsbeth 🙄 and woke up a few hours later and it took a while to go back to sleep.  So I stitched for a while and watched TV.  Fell asleep far into the "night" (really towards sunup) and then slept in quite a bit later than I usually sleep…maybe I made up for the hole in the middle of the night when I didn’t sleep? I have done pretty well today, felt a little shaky early on, but we the day wore on that got better.  I have read, finished up the bead sorting that Melany helped me with yesterday and got that put away, and I have stitched.  And, I have eaten.  I may have pushed the boundaries a little with supper. I was wanting some heartier food than just soft food and the instructions say that you can go back to eating what you want today, but I am currently hurting…have taken my daily Celebrex and if that doesn't help, I will take some Tylenol a little later.  It's not extreme pain or anything like that, but a bit uncomfortable.  I will just stay quiet for the rest of the evening and stitch and watch TV till bedtime.  

Nathan, Isaac, and Joseph stopped by to check on me in the late morning.  They had just mowed the grass at the Baptist Collegiate Center where Nathan is director.  Since they had the lawnmower, they gave my front yard and part of my back yard a once over.  We visited for a little while after they finished.  

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

I Survived!

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Melany arrived fairly this morning, even though my appointment wasn't till after lunch.  She had to make a delivery to Nathan…some chickens!  She kept me from thinking too much about my afternoon ordeal by being here…we talked Alaska cruise, filled a bird feeder, and I got her to help me fill a bead sorting case for the beads that I have collected over the years for cross stitch projects.  I was given this case for Christmas and I had started sorting them, but got interrupted…I think, by my first cruise of the year…then I just hadn’t gotten back to the task.  This is one of the items that had been on the sewing table, which I am attempting to clear off!  I will get the rest done and get it stored away.

The oral surgeon visit went as well as an oral surgeon appointment can go.  I was better once I got there and talked to the doctor and he assured me I would soon be asleep!  That's my goal…know as little as possible about the procedure!  He removed the tooth…and at the moment the most irritating thing about the procedure is that he had to take a stitch and I have that piece of suture hanging down in my mouth!  The pain is minimal…the nurse told me that I had plenty of time to get home and take Tylenol before the numbness wore off.  I never felt numb after I woke up so that part didn’t pan out.  But once I could stop biting down on gauze, I was fine and am not feeling any pain at the moment.  I have had a little creamed asparagus soup and a little of my homemade vanilla pudding.   Both tasted quite good since I had't eaten since an early breakfast.  But at this point I am feeling fine.  And, I was only woozy for about an hour after I woke up.   Melany did say that I kept repeating myself on the way home. Oh, well…at least I wasn't saying anything outrageous.  I kept telling her that my dentist did play soccer in Tullahoma with Chad C.  So I wasn't too goofy!  I was a little unsteady going in the house. We headed straight to my recliner and I sat there for a while till we could both tell that I was back to myself. I do feel tired…so plan to just stay in my chair and watch Matlock and Elsbeth in a little while.  We'll see if I stitch!  I would hate to stitch and then tomorrow find that I need to take all bunch of the stitches out!  But I think that I will be fine stitching…then maybe for once I will go to bed at a decent time.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Oh, and, Melany has arrived back at her home all safe and sound!  I surely do appreciate all her help today!  

Happy Birthday, Melany

​When I got home from Bible study, I called Melany to wish her a happy birthday. I had texted her earlier in the day.  I will see her tomorrow, but hated to not at least speak to her on her day!  She had a pretty good day despite having to teach.  She said "most" of her classes had been good today.  This is Melany at 2, when we lived in Sunnyvale, CA.  She is modeling an outfit made by one of my current blog readers! It was lavender!  Lots of memories…right, Linda H!!! This a page from Melany's baby book!

She will be coming tomorrow morning to take me to the oral surgeon after lunch tomorrow…well, I won't be having lunch! I have done some cooking today making me some easy to eat things.  I’m about to make some homemade vanilla pudding.  I have made jello and have homemade chicken broth and a cream soup.  I think I will survive till I want to eat things that a bit more chunky!  

I plan to make the pudding and then clean up the kitchen and then stitch.  I’ll hopefully be clear headed enough to blog tomorrow night!!! 

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! 

Technology!?!

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I had a fight between my iPad and an online patient information form.  It was pages and pages of information needed and questions to answer.  I worked and worked on filling in the information…sometimes having to find the information or a number needed.  I had it all filled in and was ready to sign the form and I guess I tapped the wrong tab…and ALL the information I had filled in disappeared!  No comment!!! So then I found a way to print out the form…decided that I would fill out printed form while I tried again to fill it out on the screen.  That way if I lost the online one, I would have the information in front of me…and could turn the paper one in, if I gave up with technology! But I did succeed and got it submitted and got an email back telling me they had the information. Phew! What a pain! (Insert several eye rolls!) I guess I can forget about that appointment till the time comes closer. They called from the office with instructions…not many…I think I can follow them.  Melany will be coming to Tullahoma to take me to the appointment on Thursday. 

I didn’t get much done except that form filled out today…I guess that was something done.  I don’t know if I could have filled it out in the office and had time for the appointment…4 full pages long with LOTS of blanks to fill in. I talked to Cheryl today…still making plans…and it doesn’t take much planning to do what she wants to do…sit on the front porch and drink coffee!  

I am done in for today…which seems silly…but I am about to give in and head to my recliner and stitch.  I did remember to go out and take a couple of photos of the white azalea bush and added in the tulips and a couple of Iris that have bloomed in the last couple of days.  I remembered to take the photo when I walked by taking the garbage can to the road.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Oh, What a Beautiful Day!

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Such a pretty Spring day!  It started out a bit chilly, but warmed up nicely.  I stayed busy inside, but enjoyed it through the windows…until going out this evening for prayer meeting. I made a couple of casseroles with penne pasta…layering like I would for lasagna…sauce, pasta, and ricotta, mozzarella, and grated Romano cheese.  I put two in the freezer with the plans for one of them to feed Cheryl, Rachel, and me during their visit in May.  It became "official" yesterday that they will be coming, as they got their plane reservations made.  Cheryl will be here for two weeks and Rachel will join us for the second week. They will fly home together and on their way to the airport will drop me off at Melany and Wade's…because Melany, Wade, and I fly out the next day for Seattle to board our ship for our Alaska cruise!  How's that for coordinating back to back trips?!?

I have promised that I won't overdo getting ready for their visit, but some things will have to be done…like getting another bed cleared off for Rachel.  This bed backs up to my sewing cutting table…so it gets the overflow of sewing items and other craft projects.  I worked on getting that cleared off today…the hard part is finding a "good" place to put what is on the bed…so I will be able to find the items again, when I need them! I don't find too good of a place, as they may never surface again…or at least not for a long time!  But I’ve done quite a bit today.  Some of the putting away may turn into finishing what is laying there…so the sewing machine may get involved! Anyway, things like this that need to be put away to make room for others, won't be "too much" for me as long as I don't put them off to the last minute.  I will TRY to be a good steward of my time and energy! I do wish that I had the energy of yesteryear!

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

He Is Risen!

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First April Saturday

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I mentioned this azalea bush last night and I said that I would take a photo today…well…I didn't think about taking that photo till just now when I opened up the blog app.  So I decided to go hunt for one I took another year.  I know that the above photo is later in April than it is now…a lot greener than it is now.  And, I was right.  This was taken on April 22, 2022.  But, you can get an idea of this bush…just covered with white blooms.  

I went outside once today…Nathan called this morning and suggested that he and I go to Walmart and see about a computer for the church library.  They had one that would work..BUT…they had none left and wouldn't get more till after inventory is completed…around April 15.  So either we wait…or get one someplace else.  Electronic Express wasn't open so we went on home as Nathan had other things to do than computer shop!  I got online and found one that was comparable to the one we looked at.  Nathan and Graham are going to check out the specs about that one and then I’ll probably go on and order it.  Nathan also handed me a very tiny thumb drive and informed that I now had the whole of the church library book info, etc. in my hand.  He did say that he still had a back up till we get it put on the new computer and it is up and running and we are back in business in the church library.  I’m so glad/relieved that we seem to be getting closer to that goal!  

The day is waning and I’m looking forward to time in my recliner with my stitching…that flag continues to grow under the in and out motion of my needle.  

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Good Friday

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Tonight we had a Good Friday service at our church.  I returned from it just a little while ago.  I had a bite of supper and then headed in to blog for tonight.  I decided that I wanted to post a photo of dogwood blooms.  I went to where my photos are stored with Amazon.  It was easy to search…typed in "dogwood" and voilà there were lots of dogwood blooms that I had taken over the years.  But the tricky part was figuring out how to move it over to my iPad photos.  I thought that I was just losing them out in cyberspace…but I ended up with two of the same photo that found their way into my iPad photos. (Insert eye roll!) I wanted a dogwood bloom photo because they are blooming all over at the moment…so pretty.  Also the azaleas are blooming…in my neighborhood…red ones, hot pink ones, lilac ones, and in my yard a really pretty large white one.  I will try to get a photo of it tomorrow…it was almost fully in bloom today…maybe all will be open tomorrow.  

Today has been a fairly full day.  I did go grocery shopping this morning…needed just a few things.  Again, enjoyed saying hello to quite a few friends.  I came home and put the groceries away.  Then got busy making chicken broth.  This time I used a chicken carcass that I had frozen one time when I had cooked a chicken, but didn't need broth.  It was nice to already have the bones needed for the broth…plopped in some celery, onion, carrots and garlic and let all that simmer away for most of the afternoon.  I now have it in the refrigerator cooling so I will be able to use it for a couple of recipes that I'm planning to make and then freeze the rest.  So "liquid gold" was made in my kitchen today.  According to many chefs homemade chicken broth/stock is considered to be liquid gold.  

I’ve done some stitching. There is a US flag growing under my needle.  I plan to get back to stitching after I finish getting dishes from the broth making into the dishwasher. There had been a possibility that Melany and maybe Wade and Erin might come tomorrow for a visit.  But Erin has been sick today…maybe a stomach virus, so they will put that visit off.  I will be seeing Melany next week when she comes to take me to the dentist.  So we will get in a visit…but it will be after her birthday.

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Thursday

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I’ve had a fairly busy stay-at-home day.  When I first woke up I decided to stitch for a while.  Then I got busy around the house…cleaning bathrooms, the kitchen and doing some wash,  I still need to take some of the clothes I washed upstairs.  I just haven't made a trip upstairs since I got them out of the dryer. Perhaps that energy will descend on me so I can get them upstairs and put away before I sleep.  At the moment my momentum is faltering…ready for my recliner.  I attempted to stitch a while ago, but I got very sleepy.  Maybe…I’ll be able to stitch this evening?

I got an order today with a couple of things for the cruise and Alaska…a knit hat and woven poncho-type wrap.  So another step toward getting ready for Alaska!  I think that the poncho wrap will be comfy when sitting on my balcony!  Melany said that it can be quite breezy and cool both on the balcony and when walking on the deck.  It will be early June so there will probably be a nip in the air at times…especially when at sea. If I have things to keep me warm, there will probably be record breaking high temperatures!! Time will tell! Hopefully I will be prepared for whatever weather we get! 

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

No Fooling!

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No fooling went on here today…miss young children being around!!! So it has been a very tame April Fool's Day for me today! I just got home from Bible Study and left Kathy considering going with Elijah to play an April Fool's joke on Abigail!  So maybe some April fooling might still happen in our family…and not just little ones planning the foolery!

I have definitely felt better today.  I even managed to get a little done around the house…and, I did some cooking.  I made my spaghetti meat sauce…with a two-fold purpose in mind: a meal or two for me, maybe a meal if Wade and Melany come Friday or Saturday or if they don't come, then perhaps a meal when my sister and niece are here.  Long range planning!  

I did talk to Cheryl today…she called when I was chopping onions and slicing mushrooms for the spaghetti sauce.  So I told her that I might be making something that we would eat while they were here.  (I will freeze it!!!) She told me that Rachel was looking into airline tickets. So their visit is getting real…about 1 1/2 months away.  

I am now ready to load up the dishwasher and then head to my chair to read or stitch/watch TV.  It's the time of day for me to settle in for the night! 

To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!