Another Week Gone

Earlier today I did manage to change my header pic to one from the Opryland Hotel Atrium in Nashville, TN.  Harry and I enjoyed our time at the Ryman and in the Hotel labyrinths.  Lots to see - something new around every bend.  I tried to post a few pics but something went very wrong and I gave up.  I'll try again later.

I'm still spending hours and hours each day in my brace.  We named it The Rack.  Not fun to wear but it does give me lots of reading time.  I did really well on our trip.  I managed to walk with almost no pain and with only a slight limp.  Therapy suggested that I wear more substantial shoes and I'm trying.  I HATE the look but it makes walking more comfortable. 

The boys will be here tomorrow and we'll be so glad to see them.  I'm sure the Super Bowl will play a part in our day.  As for me, I want to listen to everything the grandboys have to say.  They are growing up.  Time moves too fast.   Both boys had all A's on their report cards.  With Space class, Robotics club, Student Council, Karate, and more friends than I can count its hard to imagine when they have time for homework.   Can you believe that elementry school has student council?  Times have changed since this old gal was a kid.  I never heard of student council until I was in high school.  Country bumpkin, that's me.

It's getting late and I gotta scoot off to bed.  Thanks for stopping by.  My best to all.

Long, Long Ago . . . . .

. . . I posted on a regular basis.  I hope I'll return to posting at least once a week.  There's just never much to write about.  Well, nothing exciting, that is.

News from the home front:  The grandsons are growing like weeds.  The oldest is now taller than me and the younger is not far behind.  All local adults are doing fine.  As for the Surprise, AZ,  daughter and her family and the Antigo, WI,  son and his family, we miss them more than a lot.  They all seem to be doing well.  Bring the family and come on home anytime, kids.

I have been in physical therapy for almost three months.  The time I was not moving around much and the meds I was taking really worked me over.  I can't tell you how much better I am.  I'm still using a decompression brace on my right leg several hours a day.  It would be a non-issue if I could sleep in it.  Some folks can but not me.  I'm not complaining.  I'm just happy to have the opportunity to try  improving myself even more.

Did you ever wake up and think you were in a whole new universe?  Did you ever try to explain a simple situation to a service representative and end up feeling like a confused fool?  Sometimes I wonder where some of those folks come from.  I know there are many really competant customer reps out there and once in a while I reach one.  It didn't happen when I contacted a company to let them know that they mis-filled my order.  It's too complicated to write but bottom line is after three rounds of shipping and returning the order still isn't correct.  It has become a joke at our house.  We're just waiting to see what the next shipment brings.  Hope springs eternal.

I read blogs every morning and look forward to hearing what's happening in everyone's life.  Sending my best to all.

Time Flies

I could say not much happening in our world.  I could say our world is very busy.  Somewhere in between lies the truth.  However, not much is exciting or interesting to readers.

On the other hand, we are VERY excited that I'm in physical therapy and doing great.  I knew that walking was almost impossible if the "trip" was further than the mailbox.  My first day in therapy was a shocker!  My right knee would not straighten all the way and the left knee wasn't far behind the right.  After just three therapy sessions (1 1/2 hour each) and many repetitions of on-my-own exercises I'm much improved!  I'm scheduled to be in therapy twice a week until the second week in December and at that time I expect to be released.  At the last therapy session (this past Thursday) I walked on the treadmill for just two minutes and the doctor stopped it.  He told me that I need to further strengthen the tendon that holds my kneecap to prevent possible injury if I should trip.  I have no illusions about running a marathon but I do want to play golf again.

The past three years has brought me to the conclusion that we experience much hardship in our younger years to make us strong enough for the winter of our life.  I've said before and I'll say again, "Getting old is a rough road."

Now to move on to other things.  The family is doing well.  Keith still has some healing ahead before he's 100% but he's doing well.  The grandsons are growing up and becoming more and more mature.  I miss their babiness (is that a word?) but am proud of their progress.  We certainly wish our other grandson and granddaughter were close so we could enjoy their progress.  I'm one old lady who loves babies and children. 

Harry and I haven't thought about travel since we went to Memphis for the reef trade show.  He's been building electronic monitors for the tanks and I've been watching in awe.  He buys lots of little thingies with different colored beads on long wires and little green boards with holes in them.  Somehow he turns them into functioning electronic monitors.  That's his world.  I'm just a by-stander.

Is this the point that I can say I've managed to loose more than 50 pounds over the last 6 months?  Well, I have.  Can you say new clothes?  WAAA-HOOO!  Do you know how much I hate shopping?  A LOT!  Old lady clothes are a drag and young lady clothes are out of the question.  In-between styles are just not me.  That leaves jeans, tees, and athletic shoes.  They are my comfort attire.  I have no desire to be a fashionesta. 

I haven't posted much for the past few months.  I wish I would do better and will try.  I do read blogs every morning with my first cup of coffee.  I may not say much but you are in my thoughts every day and I wish you only the very best. 

Until next time, thanks for remembering me.

No Title

It's a rainy day in NE Aabama.  Cool but not unplesant.  Everyone here is doing better.  Keith is getting stronger every day and everyone is releasing the tension we felt for several days.

I think I posted that Keith's path reports were good.  God showed us mercy and allowed us to go forward with happy hearts.

I don't have anything much to write about so I thought that I'd attach this little ditty that I received in email this morning.  You may have already seen it a hundred times but here it is anyway.

> APHORISM: A SHORT, POINTED SENTENCE THAT EXPRESSES A WISE OR CLEVER OBSERVATION OR A GENERAL TRUTH.
>
> 1. The nicest thing about the future is . . . that it always starts tomorrow.
>
> 2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
>
> 3. If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.
>
> 4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
>
> 5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
>
> 6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
>
> 7. Business conventions are important. . .because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without.
>
> 8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?
>
> 9. Scratch a cat . . . and you will have a permanent job.
>
> 10. No one has more driving ambition than the teenage boy who wants to buy a car.
>
> 11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.
>
> 12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 a.m. - like, it could be the right number.
>
> 13. No one ever says "It's only a game" when their team is winning.
>
> 14. I've reached the age where 'happy hour' is a nap.
>
> 15. Be careful about reading the fine print. . . . there's no way you're going to like it.
>
> 16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.
>
> 17. Do you realize that, in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos? > (And rap music will be the Golden Oldies!)
>
> 18. Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Cadillac than in a Yugo.
>
> 19. After 60, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you're probably dead.
>
> 20. Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind . . . . and the ones that mind don't matter.
>
> 21. Life isn't tied with a bow . . . . . . . .. but it's still a gift.

Have a happy day.

Good News in Our World

We really do appreciate the prayers that have been offered on behalf of our son Keith and his family.  The pathology reports are back and we have been blessed with wonderful news.  The cancer was successfully removed from his bladder along with a portion of the bladder's lining.  The tumor was cancer but the margins were clear.  The doctor told Keith that they would discuss future plans at the appointment on Tuesday. 

Keith is doing pretty good given the procedure and stress.  He came here yesterday for Sunday gathering but didn't stay very long.  I don't think he understands that surgery is more than just the procedure.  There's a recovery period from the stress and medical stuff.

I'm painting one of our bedrooms.  It's my first big project in over two years.  It's enjoyable to see the paint go up but I'm one tired old gal. 

Later, my friends

Yesterday's Outcome

Just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the prayers.  Keith came through the surgery very well.  The surgeon said that from all visual appearances the growth wasn't a more aggressive type and probably not cause future issues.  Of course the mass and tissue were it was attached were sent to pathology.  The results will not be back until early next week.  Keith is home, as comfortable as can be expected, and in good spirits.  For now, the outcome is very good. 

I had trouble getting to sleep last night.  My mind just wouldn't shut down and every muscle in my body was ready to spring.  I saw 3:22 a.m. on the clock.  I woke up at around 9:30 and feel much better than I have for the past few days. 

We are thankful for the outcome of the surgery and praying that the pathology reports are exactly as the surgeon expected.

Once again, thank you for caring and your prayers.

Another Crisis to Face

The boys fall break was the week before Columbus Day and they took their parents to Panama City Beach for five days.  Below is a picture Daddy took of Mommy and the boys.  Left to right:  James, Jesse, and Mary. 

This is a pic Keith took yesterday of himself and Jesse.  They built a camp fire in their fire pit and cooked lunch after church and before coming to our house.



Jesse is as tall as me (5'1") at nine years old.  It's probably not unusual for a nine year old to be that tall.  I just notice it because I'm short.  Very few folks are short as me.

The news from our corner of the world isn't great.  Keith is undergoing surgery on Wednesday of this week for cancer.  We're all concerned and praying for a good outcome.  Beyond that, we just have to leave it in the hands of a higher power.  We would appreciate all thoughts/prayers for the best outcome possible.  I'm pretty worried but doing well. 

Since I really can't think of anything else to say, I'll sign off for now.