SPRING!

MONDAY:

During all this spring weather I have been hearing the chirps of a Robin without seeing one.  Finally today one perched on our white fence.  True sign of spring to me.  Saturday I spotted a couple Doves and a few more small birds.  Our bird seed stinks; too much ground up corn in it.  I can't remember where we bought it but I hope we don't get that kind again. 

Seeing the Robin was probably the biggest event of the day.  I did go outside and took the pine garland off the fake mailbox by the garage door.  One of those Christmas left overs that hadn't been put away.   I swept up some debris behind the post.  It looks cleaner now. 

Bob returned from the Chiropractor and we had lunch.  He laid down on the ice pack for a nap.  Since I'm reading an old favorite book of mine,  I crashed for a rest before fixing supper too.   The book is "Seabiscuit"; a famous horse.  I think this is about the 3rd time I have read it, after I like to watch the video.  Great story.  
Sarah had called about supper time; she was very sick with stomach distress.  (She had just returned from spring break at Punt Cana, Mexico)   What would you think?  Bad water!   Betsy told her to go to the clinic.  It was closed.  She would go on Monday.  Betsy said, "no way." you are probably dehydrated-go to the emergency room.    A girlfriend offered to drive her and off they went to ER.  We had to wait until the blood results came back to rule out appendicitis.   Sarah was dehydrated.  After two bags of drip meds; Sarah was released at 11:30 pm.   It's so hard to have a loved one ill so far from home; we sat with baited breath until each phone call.  What a night!

TUESDAY:
After breakfast & shower; I helped Bob work on the check book in Quicken.  He has been correcting it off and on when he has time.  It's a mess and we can't reconcile until the entries are right.   Wonder what button was bumped to cause all these problems.

I had PT today a 2:15pm.  That's so much easier to get ready for without a hassle.  My hour was in the therapy pool which was very warm; it must have been 95 degrees.   My first exercise was the tread mill (under water) and I  couldn't even feel the jar to the steps taken.  It's amazing.  There was some for balance fighting the pressure jets and stretching the back muscle of my knee.  Returning home, I told Bob that we are ripping out the pool and putting in a therapy pool.   Ha, just kidding but I sure enjoyed it.  Once I was home for a while I started to feel sore,  you can't tell while your in the water if your over doing it.  But I still loved it!  
WEDNESDAY:  The flowers are so pretty today, Bob took some pics for my Blog.

ONE MORE WINTER DECO TO TAKE DOWN.  DOESN'T EVERY ONE HAVE A SNOWMAN WITH DAFFODILS AT HIS FEET?

HAVE TO HOPE IT DOESN'T TURN COLD OUT!

SO BRIGHT & PRETTY!



STAR MAGNOLIA BUSH

TINY MINIATURE DAFFODILS.

We need rain but so far all the storms have gone around us.

This evening we had sad news from NC.  My nephew who had the leg amputation lost his fight against the diabetes and passed away today.  We are sad but couldn't wish him back to that pain.  Our thoughts are with him. may he be in peace.  Our love & prayers to the family he leaves behind.


THURSDAY:
Today was my first trip to do the grocery shopping.  I put alot more stuff in the basket than I had on the list!  All the fruits & produce looked so good.  I took my cane and asked Bob to push the cart; I couldn't handle both.    Yea, it made both of my knees sore but the walking was good for me. 

In additional news, we heard today that our grandson, Eric, is facing knee surgery tomorrow.  He was home last week for spring break and he injured his knee while playing basketball.  He returned to college (in pain) and the sports department sent him for an MRI.  The Achilles tendon was snapped and the ACL muscle had tears. 

FRIDAY:
I had PT in the morning, using the machines in the exercise room.  The time went very fast so guess I'm adjusting.
David & Donna drove to Utica College to pick Eric up by 10:30am and take him to the Syracuse hospital to meet with the surgeon by 12:00am.  David called in the afternoon, he thought Eric was probably in the recovery room by now. 

For dinner, Bob cooked fish for himself and Betsy.  He had picked out  a frozen dinner.  Neither one of them liked it!  I made a poached egg!  That's what a fish fan I am.

Around 7 pm we talked to Donna.  Eric's surgery went well.  Eric was discharged by 5:00 pm.  They all were just passing by Batavia on the thruway, Eric in the back seat of their car feeling the bumps.  I can't believe he was released the same day! 

SATURDAY:
Our plans were to go Lancaster and see how Eric was surviving.  When I got up and finally woke up, I decided to make and pineapple upside down cake to bring as Donna had invited us for a "Lunch Meat Party".  (Lunch Meat Party originated when our kids were young and I entered the house with the weeks groceries)  It's real hard to get ahead of Donna, she already had made a cake for Eric. 



I'M COMFY WHILE VISITING WITH ERIC.  THEY KEEP THE HOUSE TO COLD FOR ME!



ERIC'S KNEE WITH BRACE.  HE CANNOT BEND OR PUT ANY WEIGHT ON THIS LEG.  HE HAS TEN STAPLES. 

 

While there Bob & David installed a water softener machine for their house.  It isn't much bigger than the one we have for the motor home.
It's suppose to take out all the water minerals that causes hard water.  They should have soft water and be able to use less soap.  It does not require chemicals.  The cartridge has to be changed about every 6 months.   The first cartridge is a scrubber to remove any impurities in their water lines.  Maybe we need one? 

NUVO SOFTENER

SUNDAY:
Up and at em.  We fought over who would take a shower first.  Betsy thought we had plans for the day to go somewhere.  No, we always fight over who gets to shower first-keeps life keyed up!  

We worked on a couple different projects and decided to go for a Sunday afternoon ride.   (We were the old couple that always gets in the way on Sunday rides, ha)  Christianna had sent a photo and said she couldn't wait for us to see the painting that had been done in the DeVoe home.  

When we arrived there the crew was painting away. 

CHRISTIANNA & JOE PAINTING IN THE MAIN  BATHROOM.

ROCCO CUTTING IN THE EDGES OF MASTER BEDROOM.

AUNT DONNA & COUSIN BELLA PUTTING PAINTERS TAPE ON SUN ROOM WINDOWS.

DEBBIE PAINTING THE TRIM IN DINNING ROOM, MARIO SUPERVISING  ON THE BLANKET.

Well, that winds up our week.  Lots of happenings.  Like it's said; "If your bored just wait a minute!"

Hope everyone has a productive week and their happy they can make it so.   Thanks for clicking in!

GOLDEN GRAM

 

I think we have the luck of the Irish with this weather!

MONDAY:
What a lovely day!  After the dreaded PT session, we went for coffee at Dunkin.   At home I walked all around the front & back yard, looking at the flowers popping up.  The grass is a mess of holes, must be moles.
A couple small bushes were frozen and are dead looking and will need to be pulled out and replaced.  I even sat out back in a lawn chair for a while.  The sun felt good but not warm enough to sun bath.   Bob washed & cleaned the Ford so now it's spiffy looking.

Later in the afternoon, my friend, Mo, stopped over for a visit.  She had been to Roswell and donated platelets again.  I give her a big standing ovation: she has been donating since 2008 when Annalynn was diagnosed with Leukemia.   Yeah, Mo!

We had pork chops out for supper.  Betsy had picked up a new fang dangled topping to try.  (Cheese & lots of spices-just mix em)   So I prepared the meal.  The topping was good but not as good as the french fried onion topping or fixing them with stuffing.  All that work and we are done eating in 20 minutes-that's why I hate to cook!

I finished one of the pic folio albums after supper.  Then I went to read a little bit.  I have a new mystery, finally the library notified me that it was available.  (The Cove) 

 TUESDAY:
Bob had a doctor's appointment today in Lockport.  He left about 11:30.  I stayed home and putzed on one project after the other.   I put out another puzzle,  hopefully this one won't be so hard. 
I was miserable, I know I need something sweet.  Chocolate doesn't always fit the bill as it's not sweet enough by itself.  It has to be in chocolate chip cookies which are very goooood!  So I made a batch starting at 3pm, who cares about a late supper, I needed that sugar.  
 I finished the book I was reading; different twist to the murders.

SARAH'S SENIOR PICTURES CAME TODAY. 

WEDNESDAY:
Another beautiful day.  Today was my follow up appointment with the Orthopaedic surgeon.  He said, the knee looks good.  They took x-rays and showed us the new parts.  He guessed my bend was only at 90 and one needs that much to get up out of a chair.  He suggested I go back on the biggie pain pills at least before exercise at PT  so they can work the muscles more.  It wouldn't hurt me for at least 2 more weeks of physical therapy.  Another visit  in two months!  I can drive anytime now but why when I have such a good chauffeur who drops me at the doors of stores?   I'm milking that, best part of this ordeal.   The temporary handicap sticker helps too.

After we went to McDonald's with our coupons for lunch.  This has got to stop, to many calories!   I needed gift wrapping items so we went to Michael's.  Bob picked up a new motor for his clock in the garage.  What beautiful Easter decorations they have that made the store look so pretty.  Dog food was on the agenda so Tops Market was our last stop, then home. 
I changed clothes and crawled into bed.  I was exhausted, didn't sleep
again last night.  During the night, I went thru the ritual; potty, eat, Tylenol, ice pack, read a bit, TV a bit....unbelievable! 

I decided to pick up the puzzle; the pieces wouldn't stay together.  I said, enough I'm not struggling with that! 
THURSDAY:
I made up my mind; I was going to work my butt off all day to see if that would help me sleep at night.  I dusted & swept the whole upstairs.  Plus I went up and down stairs to put the washing thur since Bob has deserted me on that project.  I need to get the washing back on my schedule of Mondays as it's to much to do both before the weekend.  
Looks like I'll be driving myself to PT tomorrow.  Bob has hurt his back plus he can't find his glasses.  We spent the evening hunting for the glasses.  Oh my, hope they aren't in a garbage bag.   He called a Chiropractor and asked for an appointment.  Nothing until tomorrow.  Now I'm getting the ice packs for him.  What goes around comes around, or one hand washes the other. 

FRIDAY:
I had to get up a little bit early so I was awake and ready to drive to PT for 10 o'clock.   I couldn't take the pain pills as I was driving.   Jackie wanted to know everything about my visit to the Dr.  We discussed going in the pool for water therapy that Doc. prescribed.  So  next Tuesday we will try that event.  I've heard they keep the water at 95 degrees which should feel so good.

Bob insisted he could drive himself to his appointment.  Okay Bob.
He later went down town for fishing supplies. 

We more or less kept each other comfortable the rest of the day.   Bob was pretty sure he could go fishing after the treatment.  Better take the Tylenol! 


SATURDAY: 
HAPPY ST.  PATRICK'S DAY!  
Bob & David was long gone by the time I woke up.  FISHING AGAIN!
They were registered for an all day fishing class starting at 8 am that included lunch up near Albion, NY.   
Betsy and I went to lunch at Bourbon & Burger.  I had a cheeseburger that included corn beef, sauerkraut, & thousand island dressing on it.  That was one huge  sandwich; plus steak fries!     After we went to the bank,  picked up mail for a friend who is away, and then to BJ's.   I was ready to hit the couch when we got home so we watched a couple movies.  I did sit outside a little but it was so hot! 

BAIT SHOP

10 PEOPLE IN THE CLASS; A GUIDE WENT WITH EACH GROUP OF 3

DAVID CAUGHT A BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW.  THE GUIDE DOES THE RELEASE.

DAVID'S FISH!

While in the bait shop, Bob tells us that he asked for help with his fishing rig.  The guide took one look at it and told him that he should take it home and hang it over the mantel!  It was too outdated!   These men are serious fishermen; their rigs and duds are not cheap! 

Bob is on line wishful shopping now!  He can just wait until his birthday which is coming up.   They had a great day of it. 

  SUNDAY:        

We woke up to beautiful sunshine which later clouded over.   Rain was predicted but no sign of it yet.  
Our plans for today was to drive up to Lockport to Debbie's to see Christianna & Joe's recently purchased home.  Christianna had the day off and would be there to show us.    (Next photo)

Christianna is all set with her "pink" ladies tool box to tackle any remodeling that she wants done.   Their house (on O'Connor Drive)  has LR, DR, KIT, 2 BATHS, 3 BR, finished basement, deck out back and central air!  What a starter home!    Rocco, Rocky & Uncle Louis was already working on things; the LR carpet had been removed, drapes and blinds were coming down for painting.   Christianna wants hardwood (Pergo) in the LR & DR.  She has carpeting for the master BR picked out plus paint for all the rooms.   Go girl!

So now we are back home with the evening to relax.   Bob is back on the ice pack, hoping to relieve the sore back.   He has another appointment tomorrow with the chiropractor.  Hope it helps. 

So we wish everyone another good week.   Thanks for clicking in.

GOLDEN GRAM

MONDAY:

Wash day is no longer wash day!  Ha!   Bob has been putting the wash thru constantly so today being Monday (wash day) there's nothing to wash.  It was kinda a relief.  

We could start to work on the goofs in Quicken now.  That's a mess.   We worked until lunch and then I baked some cookies that Betsy had made up and was in the refrig cooling.  They didn't bake very nice; very flat and crisp even thou I lower the required temperature.  Back to my old recipe next time. 

When I finished that, Bob said I didn't have to sit with him while he figured out the enteries in Quicken.  So I sat down to read and promptly was napping.  That ends an afternoon very quickly. 

Betsy had made a big pan of LaSagna over the weekend so we had that for supper.  It was delicious.

TUESDAY:
I was up early so I made coffee and worked on the puzzle some.  I'm ready to pick that up off the table.  It is so hard to find the pieces; seems like I should be spending that time on other projects.  It does help me to wake up!

I had to get a shower and get ready to go to physical therapy.  On the way there, I told Bob that I could start driving myself now, it's 5 weeks today since my surgery.  I wished you could have seen the look he gave me.  He was smiling and I think it tickled him but he wasn't about to relent  to my driving yet. 
At PT, I had Daryl and he started right off with knee messages; he didn't even let me warm up on the bike.  I still can't relax when they push down on that leg, I am a sissy! 
Then he bends the leg underneath the table and much to my surprise when he measured the bend; I am now at 102 what ever.  (Up from 98 the last measurement)  There is progress. 

The deer was out tonight.  They were running and playing so cute, even Betsy took time to watch them.  I counted 24 again.

WAY OUT IN THE FIELD.

THEY CAME CLOSER TO OUR HOUSE.

WEDNESDAY:
Today was beautiful outside.  Bob walked around and said he saw sprouts of flowers coming up.  I had my coffee on the back porch. 
After lunch, I made a pot of chicken noodle soup.  It's been a long time since we had any and it sure tasted good.    I think I surprised Betsy with my cooking as she has done most of it during my recoup. 

David stopped in for a cup of coffee but he wouldn't stay for supper.  He invited Bob to go fishing again on Saturday so Bob already has his poles out.  He's not to excited!

Time to put the soup away and work on the puzzle some more. 

THURSDAY:
I had a hair appointment in Lockport today so most of the morning was waking up and getting ready to go there.

Annalynn & I had made plans for lunch from Ted's Hot Dog Stand.  Rocky was also home so Bob took our ordersand left fpr Ted's Hot Dog stand.  Rocky showed us his cruise photos while we ate our high calorie treats, hots, fries & onion rings.   
After the hair cut we went back to Debbie's for coffee and to visit with her.
Back at home, I begged Bob & Betsy to help me finish the puzzle as I only had 100 pieces left.  Even the last twenty pieces were hard to place.

FINALLY, THE PUZZLE IS FINISHED!

FRIDAY:
Bad night again, I didn't want to get up and go to PT.  I really wanted to cancel because of lack of sleep but I thought get it over with and come home for a nap.  So I kept the appointment. 

After chicken soup, I laid down but "sleep didn't come!"  I'm just a draggin around.  So I got up to read some.  Long day.
I picked up the puzzle and taped the box.  Now on to something else.
SATURDAY:
Nice easy morning, took my time getting into the shower. 
In the afternoon, I asked Bob to bring me to KMart to walk around a little, I was house bound!  Needed to do something.  From there we drove out to Dave's Ice Cream stand and had our first chocolate covered cone for this year.
I made supper and after I went back to working on the old camping photos that I want moved into good albums.  The guys didn't go fishing today as they decided tomorrow would be warmer.
SUNDAY:
Bob was gone to meet David by 9:00am to go fishing.  Betsy and I watched movies all day.  A nice day for them to fish; it was 73 on the back porch.

RELAXING IN THE SUN!

FISHING @ SCOBY DAM

This whole next week is suppose to be very warm!  Everyone will be anxious to get outside and clean the yards.  The Weather Channel is requesting photos of signs of spring, I guess anything green. 

So till next next week, thanks for clicking in.  Have a good week.

GOLDEN GRAM

ANOTHER MONTH GONE!

MONDAY:
A day that passed quickly, getting ready for company and then enjoying their visit. 
TUESDAY:
At PT today, after all the hard stuff, they instructed me on the use of a cane; the height, which hand to hold it in etc.   They walked me all around the equipment and down the halls.  I'm to use it in the house now but still keep the walker for outside.  So another step forward.

After we drove to Dunkin for a cup of coffee and a treat!  Bob wanted to go shopping for a cane right then but I wasn't ready.  I needed ice on that knee.  Okay Bob, maybe later.

I rested a little bit, took a snooze and then we headed to Wal-Mart.  First we dropped off a movie at a friends house and she came out to car to visit.  She has an immune disease that will progress and she will go from a cane, to a walker and then a wheelchair, no cure available.  Pretty sad.  That puts things in the right perspective. 

At Wal-Mart, (first trip shopping) I made it to the health aids isle and was disappointed that they didn't have all kinds of canes.  None like the one at PT.  So I walked to cash register area to find Bob who was returning an item.  I don't know why I told him that I wanted some vanilla ice cream and bananas because I had to find a chair to wait for him.  The bench in the entry was my perch.  He didn't come and he didn't come; I was sorry that I mentioned ice cream as I was getting cold as the door opened for people coming in.  I left my purse home with the car keys figuring I had enough to endure with the walker or I would have gone to the car and turned the heat on.  Okay Bob, where are you?  He eventually appears all grins..he had the ice cream and bananas plus two bags full.  He picked up his oatmeal, mushrooms for the beef tonight and etc., etc.  Brother!

WEDNESDAY:
One of our neighbors came over today for a visit.  She has had both hips replaced.  We compared notes.  She brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me.  

We saw 21 deer out in the back field tonight.  No wonder the residents of Narramore Drive are complaining about their shrubs being ruined from deer eating off them. 


THURSDAY:
I had the best night's sleep in four weeks.  It felt so good, not to be dragging around.  Before things changed, I started working on some paper work and a couple more Thank You Notes. 

Debbie drove down for a visit.  She had the day off to go with the family to taste some meals at the Marriott for the wedding choices. 
Debbie explained their evening at the Leukemia Diamond Ball held at Samuel's Grand Manor.  It's the Leukemia largest fund raising event and it is formal.
Everyone gets a small jewel pouch; if they have the numbers 1-5 inside of it, they are then entered into a final drawing for a real diamond.  Annalynn had one of the numbers but she didn't win the diamond-darn.   

ROCCO, ROCKY & DEBBIE

ROCCO, ANNALYNN & DEBBIE

CHRISTIANNA & JOE

Bob went out to the grocery store for some more grub.  He backed out of the garage and the garage door wouldn't come all the way down.  This Old House is squawking again!  After looking over the problem; Bob found the gears in the motor all stripped.  So he left the car parked outside until he had time to figure out how to fix the motor.

After supper some friends from our camping group stopped for a visit. 

FRIDAY:
PT again today.  While doing all the exercises, I mentioned that I had an ache in the back of my knee and it was promptly and deeply massaged.  When I got home I put ice on it and went to bed.  Boy, it hurts. The rest of the day was a wipe out! 

I finished another book.  I watched the deer out back.  Bob called for fish & shrimp dinners for supper.  I was awake many hours during the night, just couldn't get comfortable.
SATURDAY:
Bob had talked to our son, David, last night about the garage door needing repaired.  David and Donna offered to go pick up a new motor at Sears as they were at the Apple
Store right beside Sears, taking a class.  So today, we waited for them to come here to help install it.   It's a fancy, swanky, new technology thing.  It has the new requirement of sensor lights at the base of door which will retract the door if something is in the path.  It's programmable to the computer and i phones.  Betsy has it all done and us old farts who can't remember if we closed the garage door before driving up the street can now check an i phone or ipad to see the status.  (No joke, We have called the neighbors from across town when we can't remember.  We also started this little chant: the door is coming down, the door is coming down, repeat.  Old Age! )  David's iPhone is programed to open our door too!  So if they come when we aren't home, they can get in the house.

DAVID & BOB GETTING STARTED REPLACING THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER.



THIS IS THE OLD MOTOR FULL OF DUST AND COBWEBS; OUR RECORDS SHOW IT WAS NEW IN 1980.  IT SERVED US VERY WELL. 



CHECKING THE INSTRUCTIONS!

TESTING TIME.

OUTDOOR REMOTE AND 2 CAR REMOTES

FINISHED PRODUCT!

SUNDAY:
It's been snowing most of the day.  Glad I don't have to go out in it.  I have been moving around from one chair to the other; doing word games and some work on the puzzle. 

KEEPING THE KNEE ICED! 

That's it for this week, I need to find something else to occupy my mind.  

Hope you all have a good week. 

GOLDEN GRAM