Thursday, March 21, 2024

Boyfriends, Music and Birthdays...

Monday, March 11th, let me go back in time a bit. Monday evening, March 11th, I recieved a text from our Bailey. She wanted to know if we were back in town from our Italy trip. I sent her a text and assured her we were and that we planned on attending her concert the next evening. She was so happy. Then I told her we would also be at her concert on Sunday and we planned to take her and her parents to dinner after to celebrate her mother's birthday. This her mother already told her. Then Bailey texted, "Guess who is coming along with us?" My response: "Hmmm...is it male or female?" Bailey assured me it was male. I responded with "Oh dear Bailey. Do you have a new special friend we need to meet?" Bailey's lovely reply was, "Why yes, we do grandmother. Would you like a photo?" I assured Miss B I really wante a photo. Quickly came these three picture of Bailey and Patrick. 
Patrick is a senior and attends a different high school than our Miss B. We would meet him Sunday. He is very polite and treats our Miss B very well. We were pleased with this new beau. I shall always cherish Bailey's "Why yes, we do grandmother." 

Thursday, March 14th, was my second physical therapy appointment. This time Jaime ran me through my paces and then gave me a thorough massage on my shoulder. While this hurts, I think it does the most good for my ailing arm. I told her I had an appointment with Dr. Lyon in a couple of weeks and was wondering about timeline to reassess to possibly get an MRI. She thinks we might can take other measurements the appointment I have the beginning of the week I see Dr. Lyon. Then he can assess from those measurements. It is a process. It teaches one patience. Rome wasn't built in a day. My arm will not heal in a day. Viva Italy!!

In the evening, Claude baked chocolate chip cookies. He had a little bag of mix that made twelve cookies. They were a delight!

Friday, March 15th, was probably my worst day with my arm. I did my exercises morning and evening as instructed. I took my Advil morning and evening as usual. I gave up on trying to do anything and simply read books. 

In the afternoon I received a welcome call from Betty Dixon. Our friend is officially 89 years old! She had made her decision to move to Iowa. I shall offer many prayers for her as she goes through this process. Two moves and the death of your son in one year is a lot of someone who is 89 years old. But Betty has 'pluck' and I am sure she will get through this just fine. 

The other call I got was from Alan McKay. He was our tour guide in Italy. He and his wife, Ida Mae were in the Dallas Airport awaiting a flight to Salt Lake City. He was catching up on the three of us that left Italy with medical issues. Mindy, who we thought had a sprain or stress fracture actually has a broken tibia. Her doctor was amazed she walked through the rest of that trip with the crutches. We attribute that ability to priesthood blessings. I told Alan I was in physical therapy before they will do an MRI. Claude has seen his doctor and appears to be slowly healing from a bad sprain. No PT for Claude yet. Watch for a few weeks and then go from there. I was very touched that Alan called to check on us. 

Saturday, March 16th, I got a little sleep during the night, but it was not good at all. I still managed to stay up all day on Saturday. I was able to get a good start on the April Newsletter for Relief Society. 

Jake posted a potential new recipe that looked good to me. I shared the picture with Claude and we decided to try it. We settled in to watch Psych again. I got up and found the three can needed: one of whole kernel corn, one of black beans and one of diced tomatoes. We rinsed these off and mixed together. Claude added some green onion we had on hand, and he tried some lime juice on it. We each tried this as a dip with chips. It was originally called 3 Can Burritos. Claude has now purchased tortillas and we will try eating it that way. It is yummy.
Sunday, March 17th, was St. Patrick's Day. I am amazed at the number of people I know who have a birthday on St. Patrick's Day. Our Andie is one of them.

We attended Sacrament Meeting and then came home. My arm hurt. Claude ankle hurt. We had a drive to Indiana to do that afternoon. So, we came home, and Claude took a little nap while I curled up on the sofa to rest and read. 

In the afternoon we headed to Indiana. Specifically, the Ogle Center at Indiana State University Southeast in New Albany, Indiana. We would attend Bailey's second Louisville Youth Orchestra performance. The title of this program was "Come Fly with Me" and featured a lot of music with birds and things in the title. Claude and I are always amazed at the quality of this music. We marvel how polished and advanced it sounds compared to our high school age experience. Bailey performs in the Repertory Orchestra and Ian Elmore is the conductor. Bailey plays the French Horn. 
Just before the performance, I gave Bailey a treasure of mine. Bailey loves wearing jewelry she got form her great grandmothers. She is wearing Bea's earrings in these pictures. Bailey likes wearing a string of pearls when she is wearing her black outfits for these performances. I gave Bailey the pearls Mr. Gertshel (spelling may be wrong) gave me when I graduated from high school. The Gertshel's lived next door in Shreveport, Louisiana. Mr. Gertshel owned a jewelry store in Shreveport. These were real pearls. My Aunt Margaret assured me they were quality as the string on which they were strung had a knot between each pearl. This way, if the string broke, you only possibly lost one pearl. I have cherished these and Bailey was ecstatic to get this treasure. 
After this excellent concert, we all went to Culver's. Patrick was at the concert and came with us. He has several food allergies and Culver's is a place he can find things that don't trigger those allergies. We really enjoyed this time with family. We gave Andie her birthday t-shirt that said, "Gogh With It" and had a picture of Van Gogh's sunflowers on the front. She was happy with it.

But Michael, Michael outdid himself with this gift. I was very impressed with his thoughtfulness. Andie received an envelope with this one the front. Michael let me see if I could figure it out. It reads "To Andie from Penny Man". This is what we called Michael when he and Andie were in high school and dating. 
Inside was a note that needed further decoding. Michael had put lines under each picture and gave Andie a pen so she could record her answers as they came to her. It was delightful to watch her brain work. Evidently, Michael had shared his pictures with Bailey for input as he created this masterpiece. Bailey was concerned about he potato picture. But it only took Andie a bit to get that one too. Michael purchased tickets to see Sting and Billy Joel at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Andie was over-the-moon happy with this gift from her honey. So much fun.
In the morning I posted this on our family Facebook page for Andie's birthday: "March has 4 family birthdays. Today we celebrate the 2nd of these. A few faces of Andie Christensen Marx, our middle-born child. She loves her family fiercely, is a super teacher with fun stories, she loves a good recipe and naps. The nap part is genetic from her dad! Happy Birthday to you, Andie!! Let's enjoy Bailey's concert and dinner tonight to celebrate. Love Ya Bunches!!
Monday, March 18th, I actually was up until noon. Then I took a nap. I do not usually nap. This day I did and it felt very good. I started reading Grapes of Wrath in preparation for our trip on Route 66 this fall. And, I did the wash. 

We received this post from Andie on our family Facebook page. It seems Patrick has asked Bailey to prom and she said yes!! They are cute.
Tuesday, March 19th, was my third PT appointment. This time Tina was the therapist to get me through my paces and then give me a thorough shoulder massage. I really do believe they do the best for my shoulder. Some of it hurst like Billy-rip but the end results are good. I am now a very big fan of the ice pack after the workout. 

I am also grateful for online shopping. I was able to order all the presents for April birthdays from the comfort of Sandiland. How great is that?!

Wednesday, March 20th, my arm is sore but I did get the morning exercises done. I even went out and broke off the dead flower stems from the four plants in the backyard flower bed. My poor flower beds are atrocious. With the Moh's surgery on my nose last fall, I was not wanting to get out in the dirt to do these things before winter. Figured I could do them in the spring. Little did I know Pompeii would render me useless in a lot of ways. It felt good to do that little bit. 

This evening were at North Oldham County High School for Bailey's KMEA Assessment. I sent her a text and asked if she needed a ride home from the assessment. She said the bus would take them back to the high school but she needed a ride from the high school home and we could do that. So, we went to Oldham County High School after the assessment, picked up Miss B and took her home. Nice to be helpful. The Oldham County High School Concert Band received all 1's. The Oldham County High School Symphonic Band (Bailey) received all I's. Excellent!! I spent the rest of the evening trying to create a Goggle Photo Album to share with Michael and Andie. It takes forever to download video when driving. 

I must confess that made an oops when recording their music. Their first number I decided to try taking a still shot while recording the number. Alas, my lame arm didn't reach high enough and I touched the off button for the video. It took me three tried to get it back recording. So, I have 4 little clips to make up their first number. Geez!! 
Our grandson, Paul, and his wife, Rachel, are due to have their first baby soon. It will be a little girl and they will name her Phoebe. This will be our sixth great grandmonster. A friend took pictures of Paul and Rachel.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Returning and Catching Up on this Blog...

Tuesday, May 5th, Returning to Kentucky. I love the Flight Tracker on these long flights. This Delta flight had the best Flight Tracker ever. It would show the map where we were and the countries we were over in a very detailed manner. I was able to look out the window and see the land. Then watch the tracker and know what I was looking at. 

Pictures of leaving Italy. 
France-Italy Border.
Swiss Alps. 
When we got to New York's JFK Airport, Claude had already hiked from the outer parking lot at the Rome airport, through that airport and down the forever long hallways to the gate. Once in JFK, we had to walk forever to get to Customs. Then to baggage claim and from there we were directed upstairs where we had to go through security again. Then down the forever long halls to the gate. I assured Claude this was enough walking for him. We had almost a four-hour layover at JFK. I told Claude when the counter people for the gate appeared, I was going to request a wheelchair for him in Cincinnati. 

When the counter person arrived, I went up to him and explained our situation and requested him to see if we could get a wheelchair to get Claude to baggage claim in Cincinnati. Love this man's heart. He quickly looked to move us to seats closer to the front of the aircraft, so Claude didn't have to walk to the back of the plane. He put in the request for the wheelchair in Cincinnati. I was so very happy with this service. 

Sure enough, we had a very thoughtful young man in Cincinnati who pushed Claude to the baggage claim. Had a delightful conversation with him. We would walk from baggage claim to the bus to get us to the lot where the Jeep was parked. The bus dropped us right by the Jeep. All that went very smoothly, and we made it to the Jeep, paid the King's Ransom to get the Jeep out of the lot, and made our way home. Arrived home about 11:30pm.

Wednesday, March 8th, Claude generously suggested that we start our time home with a breakfast biscuit run. We were awake by 7am. We got up and headed to Bojangles. After our breakfast, we went to Kroger for groceries, then the cleaners and left some of Claude's clothes. Then home for the remainder of the day. When I got home, my tummy started to churn. I hurled all of my breakfast. This seems to be happening more often than I like. Laundry was done. Pictures were uploaded to the laptop and the process of labeling them began. As I would finish labeling a day, I would post those pictures to Facebook.

Thursday, March 7th, I had my appointment with Dr. Lyon for my annual physical. I also used this time to explain our injuries. He tested my arm and was very sure the rotator cuff was torn. He referred me to Physical Therapy in an office across from his office. Claude has used them before. He also took blood work and increased one of the blood pressure medications. We stopped by Scott County Physical Therapy on the way home and made an appointment for Monday to start physical therapy on my arm. Evidently, I must do this first to qualify for an MRI. Claude would go to the pharmacy in the later afternoon and pick up the prescriptions. 

Friday, March 8th, Dr. Lyons office called to let me know all of my blood work was normal. No issues with any of it. Hallelujah!!

Saturday, March 9th, I finished labeling pictures and posted them all to Facebook. Then I started my Blog entries for each day. 

Sunday, March 10th, Daylight Savings Time reared its ugly head. We are just getting close to making the 6-hour adjustment from Italy and they toss another hour difference on us. Ugh!!

We had Relief Society presidency meeting at our home after church. Heidi Barney brought two of her kids, Laynie and Silas, with her. They have been to our home before. Heidi brought them lunch. They ate and then headed back to Sandiland after finding a movie in the guest bedroom. They couldn't get the movie to work in Sandiland. We took the movie to the guest bedroom television, and it worked perfectly. I told them they could curl up on the bed and watch the movie and that would be just fine. After our presidency meeting, Heidi and I went back to check on the kids. They were curled up on the bed and covered with the patriotic quilt Claude was given for his service in the Air Force. It just melted my heart. Heidi took this picture and sent it to me. I just love this so much.
Monday, March 11th, my first physical therapy appointment was at 9:30am. Claude drove me. I have not tried driving yet. My right arm will not raise by itself when I hold it out straight in front of me. Not feeling safe about putting it on a steering wheel yet. Everyone at Scott County PT seems very friendly and eager to help. Their office runs so that anyone can pick up your file and see where you are in treatment and move you along to the next thing you should do for treatment. I liked that. It is all directed by one man, but all the employees can follow the instructions on your chart and help you keep flowing through the treatment process. I was sent home with three pages of pictured instructions for exercises to do twice a day at home. 

Tuesday, March 12th, Claude was up REALLY early to go the the Governor's Prayer Breakfast in Frankfort. 

I got up not long after he left and started my day. I did my exercises for my shoulder. Sure leaves it sore but I know how important these exercises are to healing. I shall be diligent in doing them. I did the ironing except for one really tricky piece. It is a shirt Claude only uses when we travel so it can wait until I am much better. Then I spent my time working Blog entries.

In the evening, we drove to Frankfort for dinner at Staxx BBQ. Then to LaGrange for Bailey's LEPA Preview Concert. It was excellent as usual. Bailey is in the Symphonic Band. They played three numbers. This helps them prepare for their assessment next week. 
Wednesday, March 13th, we visited Vicky Drakeford and took her chocolate from Italy. Vicky was married to our realtor. She worked right with him when we sold our Sadieville home and bought our home in Georgetown. Wendell passed away from cancer while we were in Italy. Vickie told us before we left for Italy to please bring her chocolate. We were following up with her on that sweet request. We had such a nice visit. She shared Wendell's last few days, his request to be cremated and not to have a funeral, and how she will buy two flowering trees and plant them in two different places in her yard. Under them she will put Wendell's ashes. He loved flowering trees and this will be the perfect way for her to have and remember him in the future. 

My afternoon was spent catching up and finishing my Blog. I would do my exercises for my shoulder. Then have a quiet evening at home. 

The Old Gray Mare She Ain't What She Used to Be...Day 10 in Venice...

While this trip was actually a 12 day trip, the first and last days were travel days. I have not included those in my count of days in the Title of each Blog entry. Hence, this is day 10 and we are in Venice but we have actually been gone 11 days.

The day started rainy. We all had on whatever rain gear we brought. We did the drill with the coach to the dock to the boat and around to the place we would visit. This day we were unloaded about four bridges from our destination. As we walked to Piazza San Marco, another little miracle happened and the rain started to go away. The chance of rain this day in Venice was in the high 90's. This was indeed a blessing and a miracle. Most of us had paid for a gondola ride. Since the weather cleared, Luigi herded us to the place to take our gondola ride while there was no rain. Here is a gondola ride in Venice.
Five people to each gondola. Our's had a couple from Ketchican, Alaska, Ida Mae (Alan's wife), Claude and me. The gondalier is very specific about the loading process. We followed his instructions and had no problems with our gondola tipping over! Our gondalier did not sing but he did on occasion tell us about something interesting we were passing. I will share three of those things as we go through the ride in pictures.
You go under several bridges. I took video of us going under one of them. These back canals are not used to get to homes or businesses much anymore. Mostly gondola traffic and a few boats.
We were told this is George Clooney's favorite restaurant when in Venice. Don't have any idea what the name of it is.
We came out at the Rialto bridge and went onto the Grand Canal for a bit from there. The Rialto Bridge was under renovation, so we did not ever get to walk cross it. The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It has been rebuilt several times since its first construction as a pontoon bridge in 1173.
Now we are on the Grand Canal.
Palazzo Loredan.
Ca' Farsetti.
Palazzo Grimani di San Luca or Corte d'Appello penale di Venezia. Built up from 1556 by Gerolamo Grimani. Today it houses the Court of Appeals.
We turned back into the smaller canals forming city blocks.
The pink house is where Mozart lived in when in Venice.
Piazza San Marco or St. Mark's Square. 
Saint Mark's Basilica
These four horses are in the movie "Angels & Demons". 
The interior ceiling and most walls are mosaic tiles. Each tile has a bit of gold in it. It is really apparent as the light shines on the walls.
Torre dell'Orologio or Clock Tower. Building began in 1496. 
There are two metal men at the top. One is old and the other young to represent the passage of time. Every hour of every day, the bell rings and they strike the bell. It also features a large astronomical clock. From St. Mark’s it stands as a triumphal archway and monument marking access to the city’s main commercial artery; from the Merceria, it serves as a sort of telescope, offering a perceptive view that takes in the seats of political power and the city’s waterfront.
Piazzetta San Marco. Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana on the left; St. Mark's Basilica center back; and the Doge's Palace on the right. A Piazza has a regular shape, like a rectangle or oval. A Piazzetta is a smaller extension of the Piazza. 
Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana.
The Doge's Palace.
Inner Courtyard of the Doge's Palace.
The little slots by the door were mail slots for residents to place their complaints. All complaints had to have your signature. Remember this for the interior side of these slots pictured later.
We would go up the stairs where the rooms were that were used for the Duke (Doge) and other political leaders. I cannot remember what each room was for. July look and enjoy the wealth of these people back in the day.
I found this door in the Doge's Palace absolutely fascinating!
The clocks fascinated me. This is a 24-hour clock but the one is at about 8 on our clocks.
This is an astrological clock.
Inlay in the floor.
Remember the mail slots for complaints. This is the interior view. Three leaders each had a key. It took all three to open the mail slot. Only signed complaints were accepted.
This is the interior of the Bridge of Sighs pictured much earlier. That bridge went from the Doge Palace to the prison. We could cross it to view the prison.
The Prison. 
We again entered the Bridge of Sighs to get back into the Doge's Palace.
Filing room for paperwork
Antique Gondola.
Clock on entrance to St. Mark's Basilica at Inner Courtyard of Doge's Palace.
Do you suppose the artist who made this lion sculpture knew that it would be a place for children to climb on and sit?
Piazza San Marco from St. Mark's Basilica.
These frames with boards on top are all over the Piazza San Marco. When it floods, the frames are set up with the boards on top to form walkways for the residents over the flooded pavement.
Cutest vendor stand ever! It's a gondola.
Walk to the boat. One more leaning tower for the road.
The boat would take us back to the dock. We would walk to our coach. It would take us to the Venice Airport. Along the way, Luigi, ever the thoughtful guide, shared a bag full of items he purchased in each of the places we visited. He held the World's Best Raffle by Luigi as we rode to the airport. Such a great guide. 

Our flight was back to Rome where we would have one more night in a hotel before flying back to the States the next morning. 

This Old Gray Mare is most certainly not what she used to be. But there is still enough left in her to have a good time with a dangling arm and a hubby with a sprained ankle. I told everyone on the tour we were going home for couple's therapy. It would be with a physical therapist, but it would be couple's therapy. 

We definitely loved being in Italy. We would go back in a heartbeat. In fact, we have talked about a Southern Italy trip with a run up to Northern Italy. We understand Sicily is amazing. We would love to spend some time in Tuscany. We need to get Claude to Vatican City. I see some type of a trip to Italy again in our future. This time...without the falling!!