Then This Happened...

Today promised to be an average day.  

It started by getting to Georgetown in time to take Papa and Tiny to the veterinarian .  We are taking Papa on a little 3 day trip in May and will need to kennel Tiny.  While she had all her other shots in January, I did not have them give her the one she needs to stay in a kennel.  Now that the trip is planned, Tiny needed that shot.  She also need her nails clipped.  This vet's office knows Papa and Tiny and treat us with great care.  Tiny hates it but patiently endures whatever we have to put her through. We finished and took Tiny back to the apartment.

Then Papa and I went to Dr. Weckman's office.  Time for the next INR for Papa.  Someone pulled out right by the entrance just as we arrived so we got a primo parking spot.  I took that as a good omen.  Then this happened...  I checked us in while Papa found us a place to sit.  Then we waited.  You don't have an appointment for an INR.  It is a little prick of Papa's finger to draw a drop of blood to go on a test strip to check his blood density.  Only takes a second, the nurses do all the work, they only take the results back to Dr. Weckman so he can tell us what to do with the warfarin and when to have the next INR. 

We sat for a while and then one of the nurses came to the door and called "Lawrence".  I told Papa they were calling him.  He got up and we started toward the door only to find it was a lady named Lawrence and it was not quite Papa's turn.  Back to our seats.

One hour and ten minutes later we are still waiting patiently.  One of the nurses came for someone else and looked at me and said, "Did you check in?"  I assured her I did.  She said, "You might check again. I don't think they have you down."  

Over to the counter I go and ask if she has Papa on their list of people to see.  Nope.  She doesn't have him.  I'm thinking she got confused with the Lawrence lady and thought it was a duplicate or something. Who knows?  She put us in the queue and we were called back quickly.

The nurse that called us back told me she had been back there looking for things to fill her time between patients.  Oh my.  Well, we were kind and patient and let it just roll off of us.  

They took Papa's blood and it was 5.7.  Yike!!  It should be between 2 & 3.  The higher the number, the thinner his blood.  The highest it has been since I started recording it was 4 and that was a year ago.  I looked at Papa and said, "Don't you cut anything or fall and start to bleed internally or we are in big trouble."  

The nurse talked with Dr. Weckman.  He said to not take warfarin and return Friday for another INR.  We can do that. 

I turned to Papa after we got him in the car and said, "You have been such a good boy, I'm going to get you a chocolate shake."  He just laughed and we headed to McDonald's for the treat.  I sat and visited with Papa a bit after taking him home and changing his medicine boxes. But he was exhausted and wanted a nap.  I left him nestled in his chair.

I treated myself to lunch at Jimmy John's and plotted the remainder of my day. Claude left while I was doing all the above for a meeting tomorrow in Owensboro.  I had the rest of the day to myself.  Lunch was nice and then I was off to Sadieville. 

When I got home, I opened the garage door and pulled into the middle of garage.  No other car to share the space with tonight.  Then this happened...

As I turned off the car I looked up and notice the door from the garage into the kitchen. This is what I found.  Before my hubby left he made me a sign and put it on the door with duct tape.  He is one class act I tell you.  Such a fun treat and made my evening great!!

I changed my clothes to do some weeding.  I weeded the front yard and decided to stop.  So many things to do and I wanted to get something of each thing done.  Inside I changed the laundry and cleaned up a bit.  Then I put in one of the DVD's by Truman Madsen about the life of the Savior that I am trying to watch.  Each DVD is in two segments and each segment is 1 hour long. I was on the third DVD and the second segment of it.  I watched it and kept the laundry going.  Then I watched the evening news.  Next came a half hour on the treadmill.  Now I'm doing this blog entry and then going to finish my outline for my Institute lesson tomorrow.  

Yep, it was an ordinary kind of day in the journey that is Sandi's life.  But that sign on the door from my hubby is just a treasure I want to remember.

Sunday Shenanigans...

Yesterday, Sunday, April 26th, found us sleeping in.  We had a lengthy discussion about how to handle our Sunday as we drove back from LaGrange Saturday night.  Claude's Jeep was in Papa's garage.  Our commitments for Sunday were to get the Jeep, me visit with Papa and teach a Temple Preparation Seminar at 4pm.  What was the smoothest way to accomplish all of that.  Hmm...

We finally settled on attending another ward's meetings (congregation) that met a little later, allowing us to sleep in a bit.  We went to the Pioneer Ward which met at 11am.

As we drove into Lexington, I was studying my Institute lesson.  Claude had me look up and this was flying overhead.  There is a little plane pulling a huge banner that appeared to read Fantem, or something close to that.  We used to see this kind of thing more frequently.  It was to advertise for something, sometimes it was a proposal from a guy to his girl, any number of uses for that flying advertisement.  We just don't see them at all in Sadieville.  It was a blast from our past to see this one flying over I-75 as we drove to Lexington.

We did our Church thing and had some lunch at City BBQ.  Then made it back to the Georgetown building in time to teach our Temple Preparation class.  There are three young men attending in preparation to go to the temple before their missions.  They leave in July and August.  Then we have one other couple attending.  Good class.  Good discussion.  

We went to Papa's and Claude retrieved his Jeep from the garage and headed home to Georgetown.  I pulled into the driveway and went in to spend some time visiting with Papa.  We talked for an hour or more.  His vision is so much better.  He often only sees one image and has not complained about seeing double for a week now.  So very happy about that.  

While visiting with Papa, my phone buzzed like I might have a text.  Sure enough, it was a text from Claude.  This was the thread of our conversation:

Claude:  The eggs hatched.

Sandi:  You have got to be kidding me.  The front door eggs?

Claude:  Yes

Sandi:  Are the babies alive?

Claude:  Yes, for now.

I posted a week ago about finding eggs in a nest on the wreath on my front door.  We just left them there.  Never saw a mother but the nest and eggs looks pretty so we left them.  There was a mother and she must have been caring for them when we weren't looking.  While we were in LaGrange, they hatched.  

When I got home I went out the garage and to the front door.  The mother robin flew away so I could take this picture.  Sorry, the sun was behind and the camera left a shadow.

We will leave the front door alone and let the mom raise these little ones.  

Now I'm wondering if the nest on the back porch will also yield babies and we'll have trouble then.  I really use the back door to get to the back yard to weed.  Need to do that this week sometime.  Ah, Nature...

And the Race is On!!!

Our son-in-law, Michael, has gotten a fitness bug big-time.  He started with a very strict diet.  Bought all his own food and cooked it himself. Lost some weight. And he has taken up running with a couple of other men in his neighborhood that were runners.  Michael has never been an unhealthy person.  He has refereed soccer for years and had to stay in good shape to run up and down that field several games in a row.  This work on his part just takes him to another level.  

The Kentucky Derby is a HUGE deal. There are weeks of events prior to the Derby.  There is truly something of interest to everyone in the various types of events and activities held leading up to the Derby.  One of those is a marathon race.  Those who don't want to do the marathon can do a half-marathon.  Michael has never run in a marathon so he started out with this half-marathon race as his first venture into that field. 

Andie wanted to cheer her hubby on but was not sure about taking the Mini's into that crowd of people and keeping up with them and getting pictures of Michael.  I volunteered to watch the Mini's so she could have this momentous occasion with Michael.  Besides the fact that Bailey is taking a Saturday class each week and needed to be at that class.  

Friday, Claude parked his Jeep in Papa's garage and we took my car to La Grange.  Michael needed pasta for dinner to carb up before the race.  Andie made a huge pot of spaghetti and we all enjoyed that for dinner.  Michael ate the leftovers in two meals on Saturday after the race. 

Friday night Bailey came downstairs sporting her new pajamas.  Oh my!!  She loves to take selfies with my phone camera and use fun settings which I never even think about having on the phone.  The pj's have reflective skeleton surfaces on them.  They are florescent and when the lights are off they shine.  

Saturday Michael was out of the house early.  Andie and Hayden were up next.  Then I made it downstairs and visited with Hayden while Andie finished getting ready.  Bailey joined us and then Claude.  Michael had given Andie instructions as to the best way to get into Louisville and to find parking.  He also gave her a bag of goodies he would need after the race.  Andie headed to Louisville.  Claude and the Mini's and I enjoyed a quiet morning. 

Andie set the television to record the news coverage of the marathon. It turns out they actually got a good shot of Michael running and waving at the camera.  We signed up for text messages about his progress in the race.  We only got a text after the race was finished.

Here is Michael and his two running buddies and one of their sons before the race.

Here is Michael after the race was over when he and Andie found each other in all the masses of people.

Michael was one tired and very happy man.  He ran 13 miles in 2 hours, 7 minutes and 37 seconds.  Claude figured it at 9.69 minutes per mile for the entire race.  Such an amazing goal to accomplish.  So proud of him for working so hard at it and achieving his goal.

When Michael and Andie pulled into the garage, we heard the garage door go up.  I told the kids they should cheer their dad's accomplishment.  Bailey opted for another selfie. Such is this generation!

The plan was to spend the night and let Andie and Michael have a date, if Michael felt up to it.  If he didn't, Claude and I were going to head back to Sadieville on Saturday afternoon/evening.  

Michael took an ice bath to soothe the aching muscles.  He ate pasta and peanut butter sandwiches to replenish himself.  He and Andie had naps.  

Then the troubles began.  It is always hard when little ones struggle with emotions.  As a parent, I dealt with that and handled all the emotions a kids could throw at me.  As a grandparent who doesn't deal with it every day, my knee-jerk reaction is to do whatever to get them back on track.  Whatever is not always the right response.  Bailey and Hayden are at the age where lessons need to be learned about some appropriate behaviors.  They both seemed to need that training at the same time in the afternoon about the time for Michael and Andie to go to dinner.  

We had determined to load the car since Andie and Michael would be home early enough for us to head back to Sadieville.  Bad weather was anticipated for the Louisville area and that weather included hail storms.  Our car would have been out in the hail.  So, if we could get home and protect it from that damage, we thought that best.  Andie and Michael would have an early dinner, close in to their home, and then we would leave for Sadieville before the evening storms.

However, Andie and Michael ended up having talks with each of the Mini's and the end result was they felt they needed to stay home and parent their kids instead of go out for a dinner with a free babysitter.  Bailey was a flood of tears.  Comforting words from parents to the Mini's regarding their behavior choices.  Such patience on the part of parents will only be understood by the kids when they are in that situation themselves.  Claude and I are aching to help make it right with a total understanding that lessons must be learned now before those teen years hit.  We hugged and loved as best we could and then we hit the road leaving behind a tearful Bailey and a sad Hayden.  

Later I received a text from  Andie with this picture.  Bailey determined the best way to get herself out of her emotional state was a craft project so she made this mask for herself and helped her mom bake some cookies for Michael.  I sent a message back to Andie thanking her for the visit and sharing our difficulty with leaving like that and our appreciation that she understood that was difficult.  I thanked Andie and Michael for being good parents and making the best choice, even though a dinner with just two of them was something they really would have enjoyed and appreciated.  My statement to Andie, "Parenting is not for the 'faint of heart'".  

It was a good visit.  So proud of Michael.  So understanding of helping kids grow and learn.  Families are so very important. 

Cute Comment...

Friday, April 24th, Claude had a ribbon cutting to go to for the Chamber of Commerce.  Bevins has built a new facility and this was their grand opening.  

Also attending this event were a friend from Church, Amy Clayburn, and her son, Ashton.  While sitting there Ashton noticed Claude up front.  This was Amy's post on Facebook.

Ashton and I are sitting at Bevins Motor Co and we saw Claude...Ashton asked me why I thought he was here. I reminded him that Claude was the Mayor. Then Ashton said, " Oh ya, he is the Mayor of Sandiville." I said, "well yes he is!" (smile emoticon).

Now that is just cute!

Papa's New Ride...

My poor father has lost the feeling in most of his legs below the knees.  When his doctor does one of those reflex tests with the little hammer on his knees, there is absolutely no reaction. The fortunate part of this is that Papa is still walking around.  The not so fortunate part of this is that his feet and legs don't register balance very well since the nerves are not sending signals as they should.  The result is Papa falls forward if he stands for any time at all.  When he tries to walk, he eventually starts to walk faster till almost running, which he can't do anymore.  Then he will fall.  He has compensated on some days with a cane.  But that only balances one side and has concerned me as he has gotten worse with regard to his potential of falling. 

I found a great walker.  It is actually called a 'rollator' by the company that produces it.  I've shared the picture with Papa who stated he was not ready for that item yet.  The phrase 'pride goeth before the fall' would be most applicable here.  

When we saw Dr. Weckman for his last regular check up, we discussed Papa's fall in February. Dr. Weckman told him to go nowhere without the cane. I explained my walker reasoning and the one I through he should have.  Dr. Weckman concurred and heartily supported getting one for Papa.  Papa still said, "I don't need that."

I finally determined I would just order the walker.  Then I would present it to Papa.  Knowing how Papa works, he would probably like it once he had it and then eventually it would have been his idea to get one.  That is fine.  Just want to keep him walking and doing that safely.

I ordered the walker.  It came to my home.  Claude and I put it together last Wednesday morning.  When I went in to Georgetown, I took the walker in to Papa.  

I first took in his laundry and put it away.  Then I went back out to my car and got the walker.  I strolled in and told Papa I brought him his new Jeep.  He was a little stunned and I'm not real sure he appreciated the Jeep analogy.  But I laughed it off and told him I thought I would look for a horn like they put on bikes for him to add to his 'new ride'.  He did chuckle at this idea.

After he looked at it a bit, he said, "I've been thinking it might be time to get something like this.  How much did it cost?"  We discussed the cost and I showed him how it worked.  I left it in the doorway to his little storage closet inside his apartment.  This left it accessible to him and yet not in the way so he would trip over it.

Friday I took him fresh bananas and visited for a bit.  Then I noticed the walker was not in his living room by his chair.  I asked him about that.  He said, "I thought I should get a little practice inside first."  Great idea Papa!!  He is very happy with it.

His chair is broken again and Claude came over after his meeting to check on it.  While Claude was wrestling his chair, I had Papa pose for a couple of pictures with his 'new ride'.

He is really happy with his new toy.  Now we have to go for a walk outside with it but it has been a little chilly for that kind of adventure.  We'll keep him on his feet a little longer.  Yeah!!

Earth Day 2015

Wednesday, April 22nd, was Earth Day.  Claude walked with the Mayor's of Georgetown and Stamping Ground in Scott County to make a video about a special initiative to have a Main Street Clean-up on Earth Day in Kentucky.  To support that effort, even though we had done weeding the Saturday prior, Claude and I walked Main Street in Sadieville and picked up any and all trash.  Felt great to do something positive for Earth Day.  

This is the link to the YouTube video.  https://youtu.be/QcwQY3khJTU

A Peek at a Week...

Here are a few tidbits from last week...

Wednesday (Apr 15th) I had the most attendance at an Institute class for this semester.  It was great having all three students.  Lots of good discussion and participation.  At one point I thought we would have 5 students.  But two just flew in from Utah and were exhausted so they headed home.  One student has two others he has been inviting and they may come next week.  Love teaching whether it is one or 5.  I really love studying my scriptures and learning as I do that study.  It is a 'cup filling' kind of thing for me. 

Thursday (Apr 16th) was an at home day.  

Our HVAC bit the dust.  They man came in the morning to replace it.  He was there all day.  We left the basement door open and he was in and out all day.  His wife came and worked with him for a bit.  I asked her if I could walk my treadmill or if that would bother them.  She said it was fine so I even did my 30 minutes on the treadmill while they were here.  After he finished installing the new unit and programming the thermostat, he gave us instructions on how to use it. The old thermostat was off white in color and blended in with the wall color.  When I came upstairs and saw the new one I was a little taken aback. It is a white circle with a black circle in the middle.  A little obvious on the wall.  Behind the black center is the digital read out of whatever you are doing. It is touch screen to change and use different settings.  The man asked for our login for our wireless to program the thermostat.  I assured him he would find it amusing and our children curse us every time they bring a new device to our home and have to put in that login.  It is only 26 characters long.  When he finished, he said, "I'm so glad I didn't make any mistakes when I entered that!"  He gave us a good tutorial on how it worked and then left our home.  I headed back downstairs to finish an almost finished project.  Claude headed to the kitchen to fix dinner.  

As I sat in my basement work room, I was getting colder and colder and colder.  I finished and went upstairs and found it was also very cold.  After a few minutes of talking with Claude, I walked over and put my foot on the register.  It was blowing icy cold air.  I checked the nifty new thermostat.  It was left on 'cool' after our training and was doing its job cooling our home.  I turned the whole things off as we are having comfortable enough weather we weren't running it anyway.  Then I assured my hubby this new HVAC was powerful and would do its job very, very quickly and very well.

My afternoon Thursday was two notebooks full of journal pages I found at Papa's.  I thought I typed all their journals and was amazed to find two more notebooks.  They have been sitting in my sewing room for a while and I determined Friday afternoon was a chance to deal with making sure they were in a digital format.  I was relieved to learn that most of it was things I had already typed.  There were 25 new pages that Papa hand wrote.  All of Mom's I had already typed.  I went through each page to be sure I already had it in my compute.  There were also some pages I had written by hand.  I scanned and saved all of Papa and my hand written pages.  This is why I call this picture "Afternoon in a Bag".  It is the trash can full of pages that are all now digital.  Yeah me!!

Also Thursday I weighed myself.  I have been back walking my treadmill since the beginning of March on a daily basis (except when I fell and hurt my knee).  Claude and I have given up sugar treats in the house. That was a great disappointment to my grandmonsters when they came to visit.  I usually have a plastic canister full of little chocolate bars.  Not any more.  I have not lost any weight until last Thursday when I stepped on the scales and was two pounds lighter.  While this is not a 'rock-the-world' announcement, it is huge to me.  Claude was sitting in the living room in his 'Pa' chair reading.  I walked through the living room to the pantry and opened the freezer door.  I took 2 1-pound of packages of Jimmy Dean sausage out of the freezer and walked back into the living room and waited for Claude to look up at me.  I posed with a pound of sausage in each hand held close to each hip.  He looked at me with that "what are you doing?" look.  I told him, "I just weighed myself and I lost two pounds.  This is your visual of exactly what that two pounds looked like."  This gave the Big Guy a good grin.  I replaced the sausage and felt very satisfied with myself.  This could take forever for me but I have no deadline.  I just realized that caring for my father is physically wearing me down.  Then I realized I was the one who had to make the difference for me here.  I would love to have some of me left when this care-giving is complete to travel with my Big Guy.  At the rate I was going, that was probably not going to happen.  So, I will walk my treadmill and eat a little healthier.  I'm not counting calories or fat grams like Claude (who has lost 40 pounds).  I just don't want that burden.  But I'll weigh every now and then and see if I have lost and really enjoy the fact that my slacks fit better and I can climb the stairs without breathing heavy when I get to the top. 

Friday morning (April 17th) I went visiting teaching.  Love to go visit Linda.

Then I came home and read a chapter in my book.  I was reading Ivanhoe (a Kindle free version) and was near the end.  After that, I went into Georgetown and got Papa some bananas.  He and I watched some game shows before I had to head to my doctor's appointment.

Earlier in the week, I found a lumpy thing on my shoulder.  It felt like a silver dollar sized area under the skin on back left side near the shoulder.  Actually right under the bra strap.  The area felt like there was  sack of some kind full of fluid.  The fluid moved when you ran your fingers across it.  I checked my other shoulder and did not have one on that shoulder.  There is no visible sign on my skin that this thing is under the skin.  I didn't know what it could possibly be.  I decided to wait a few days and see if it changed.  Thursday afternoon it still wasn't any different but I really wanted to know if it was something I should be concerned about or not.  I called Dr. Culbertson and made and appointment to have him look at it and tell me what he thought.  That was the doctor's appointment.  Dr. Culbertson said it was a lipoma.  It will probably never go away on its own but it is not a cancer.  We determined I would just leave it and watch it.  If it changes in any way or begins to cause pain, I am to go back and he will find a doctor who can do a biopsy, or do an MRI or CT scan.  

When I got home, I finished my Ivanhoe book.  Then the doorbell rang.  That very rarely happens out in the country.  I answered it and it was my next door neighbor.  It seems our mail person left all of our mail in his mail box.  I thanked Dan and we chatted a bit.  Then he left and closed the door.  However, something didn't seem right.  I caught things straggling from my door wreath out of the corner of my eye as I closed the door.  Hmmm.... It is a vine wreath and there should be nothing straggling.  I opened the door and looked and was somewhat confused.  I saw this.

See that cute little bird nest.  I have never put a bird nest in that wreath and I've had it for 10 years.  It has hung a lot on this door and never have I put a bird nest in it.  I have changed the flowers as they fade or blow away.  But never thought to add a bird's nest.  Then I peeked inside the nest.

Yep, four cute little eggs in that nest.  It really shocked me.  I am not a swearing person by nature but my reactions was a very loud, "Holy Crap!!"  Dan was on the street walking back to his home and heard me and said, "What is it?"  I pointed to the nest.  He said he saw it and thought it was part of our decorations.  I assured him I had not done this.  He asked me what I was going to do.  Hmmm...birds hatching on my front door???  I told Dan I was going to take pictures.  Which I did.

Claude was walking the treadmill.  I waited for him to come upstairs.  I told him to come see something with me.  I opened the front door.  (Here is where you can tell we have been together for 45 years!)  Claude looked at it and when it registered what was in our wreath and the possible implications of its being there he said, "Holy Crap!!"  I told him that was exactly my reaction and we both laughed it and the entire situation.  We opted to close the door and leave it.  Our discussion centered on the fact that Thursday we had the AC guy putting in a new unit, Bevins came to pick up Claude's tractor, and a few other things and had us in and out of that door through the day and no one ever noticed this.  

I posted these two pictures on Facebook.  Lots of people liked it and several commented with everything from the joy of watching these little birds hatch to the concern over that mom dive bombing us if we came close.  I didn't see any parents on that nest the rest of the day.  Not good...

Friday night Claude and I went to the Annual Scott County Chamber of Commerce dinner. 

Today (Saturday, April 18th) my oldest grandmonster posted that she noticed it when they visited from the 5th through the 10th.  She just thought it was part of my decorating.  It would appear the little eggs were abandoned long ago.  Claude's reaction..."Who want's omelets?"  

This morning Claude and went to downtown Sadieville to help with weeding and clean-up day.  I spent 4 hours weeding the flower beds on Main Street.  Claude cleaned under the railroad bridge where it seeps some kind of gravel.  Then he went to the Hwy 25 & 32 intersection and cleaned up the vacant land there.  We are both beat and getting more sore as the day wears on.  It was good to get that done.  Now I can begin to work on my flower beds.  And...the yard work season begins.

We treated ourselves to lunch at Wendy's.  Nice new salad for us was the bacon BBQ chicken.  Very good.  Enjoyed it with a root beer.  Yum.

As I sat at my lap top to get this blog entry, I received a picture from my daughter.  Next week our son-in-law is running in his first marathon as part of the Kentucky Derby events.  I will have Gramma duty with the Mini's so she can go and watch her hubby and cheer him on.  The picture was a wristband they sent to Michael to wear in the race.  It has contact info for him and Andie and...tah dah!!...me.  Andie's text message asked me, "Don't you feel important now?"  I replied, "I do, I do.  I really, really do!"  Proud of Michael for doing this.  Happy Andie can be with him.  And really happy I get to be Gramma on duty again.  

That is a bit of what happened in the last week.  Today is our son's birthday.  The big 40.  I must now leave and see if we can sing happy birthday to this boy, er, young man.

He Just Keeps On Keepin' On...

Wednesday, April 8th was Papa's appointment with the ophthalmologist.  I went in to get him there by 1:15pm.  The nurse that does the pre-check was pleased with the improvement with Papa's eyes.  Papa was sure there wasn't improvement.  

One of the tests is to have Papa move only his eyes, not his head, as his eyes follow their finger right, left, up down, etc.  When Papa moved his eyes to the left, he said, "Wait, I haven't noticed that before."  The nurse asked him what he saw.  He told her he was only seeing one image. When he moved his eyes again and returned to looking left, he said the image was almost like one image but really an image laying almost exactly on top of the other image.  I felt a rush of excitement that his eyes might be healing.

The ophthalmologist came in and he almost immediately stated he could see lots of improvement in Papa's eyes since we saw him three weeks previous.  He settled into a more thorough exam.  He noted the vision when looking left as being almost one item seen instead of the two items.  He turned to Papa and said, "I know you can't tell this yet but you are really about 80% healed.  This will heal by itself with no medicine. You don't need to come see me until December."  

I was ecstatic.  Papa was okay with it but he is still the one really seeing two of everything for a while longer.  We made an appointment for December and headed to Papa's apartment to meet up with his great grandmonsters.  All of that is posted in the previous blog entry.

Before the family came for their visit this week, I purchased groceries for Papa.  While entering Kroger, they had a display of lots of pansies in lots of colors for sale.  I had a strong impression to look at them and purchase some for Papa.  

Last year my visiting teacher from Church gave me a mint plant for Mother's Day (I believe that was the day).  I already have an entire bed of it along the wall under my sewing room window.  I determined I would give that plant to Papa and let him watch it grow.  He put it in the ground behind the hedge in front of his apartment.  Every time we would enter or leave his apartment, Papa would pause to check on its progress.  As I looked at those pansies, my impression was he might just enjoy watching them flower through the summer.  So I purchased two of the little 4-pack containers in purple, yellow and white.  I took them to his apartment and set each of the 4-packs on a plate and put water in the plate.  Every time I have been to Papa's I've added a little water so they could soak it up from the bottom of the container.

Today, Claude dropped me off to visit with Papa and do some cleaning chores while he went to a meeting and ran errands.  The first thing I did was replant those pansies into pots filled with dirt I brought from my home.  Then I asked Papa where he would like them on his patio.  He wanted them near the garbage can so he could see them every time he let Tiny outside.  I put them in a row and then took this picture of 'Papa's Garden'.  

He was so very happy with the color and life on his patio.  He asked how long they would bloom. I told him they should bloom all summer long.  He was really tickled with that possibility.

I asked Papa if he wanted to go for a walk.  He is so unsteady that I really don't like him going for a walk anymore unless I am with him.  We went for a walk.  

As we started out, I told him he had to be the judge and tell me how far he could go.  I assured him we could turn back home at any time.  He just needed not to go any further than he could return home.  He assured me he would tell me and his first place would be at the end of the first street.  

When we approached there, I asked him how he was doing.  He said he felt like he wanted to go on walking.  We did and as we neared the end of where his normal walk would be, I turned to him and told him he was setting the world on fire today with his walk.  He said something like, "Well, I don't have any choice now!"  

We made it home and he collapsed in his big chair.  I was so worried about him this afternoon that I called tonight to be sure he was okay.  He said he was and he sounded like he was.  He was letting Tiny out and there was a big rabbit in his back yard.  I asked if the rabbit was eating his pansies.  He said he was going to shoo him away before he did that.  Out the door I heard him go and encourage the rabbit to leave.  Papa was okay and happy he did his walk.  

It is hard to see that be so hard for him. To see him want to do things, like his walk, and struggle with carrying out that desire.  I am amazed at his will to keep going.  Such an example for me.  

The Visit...

And our little ones grow up.  Then the call and Katelyn says, "Gramma, may I come visit in April. I have some vacation from work."  Of course you can.  This would be the first trip to our home by grandmonsters without their parents driving them.  Let the nail biting begin!!  Lots of crowded roads to drive for 8+ hours.  Lots of signs to look for and wrong turns to be made while looking for the sign you need.  Then Katelyn called and said she was bringing Aubrey, her younger sister with her.  A little relief there as there would be two of them to keep each other going.

Then Katelyn called to say she had her car in to get a new battery and they found she needed an alternator as well. Then it was checked further and lots of other work should be done before taking that car on a long trip. She would not be driving that car.  Drew told her she could take his truck. Then Todd helped her find a new (used) car that fit her budget.  She made the purchase and that is what my grandmonsters drove in to Kentucky.

They left last Friday, April 3rd.  Their first stop was in LaGrange, Kentucky to spend a couple of days with Andie, their aunt and our middle daughter.  

Saturday Andie treated them to a walk over the Ohio River from Kentucky to Indiana.  

Saturday Claude and I spent our morning at the baptism of four of the children at Church. These were little ones I took baptism preparation materials to a year ago.  They are Jared Charles, Payton Hale, Sophie Risher and Zadie Zwygart.  Such a delightful way to begin a day. Precious moment in their lives. 

Our next event was at Keeneland for the 20th Anniversary of the Toyota Stakes race.  Toyota invites local city officials and, while Claude is Mayor of Sadieville, we are privileged to enjoy the event.  We arrived a little early.  We sat in the Jeep and 'people watched'.  This is always an interesting experience.  

One of the things we observed was this muddy mess. Believe it or not, someone pulled right into this spot as we watched.  Really!  When we got back to the car, they had managed to get out of the spot.  I took this picture of the mud on our walk back to the Jeep.  Then I sent it to my dear friend Laura.  A year ago I did this to her driveway.  Just wanted to assure her I wasn't still making messes like this. 

Sunday was Easter.  Katelyn & Aubrey spent their morning with Andie and family in LaGrange.  They were served one of those breakfasts that Andie does so well.  She does love her food art.  I will never do this so I'm extremely happy they were able to enjoy Andie's talent in this area.

In the afternoon they all loaded up and headed to Sadieville.  Katelyn and Aubrey drove straight to our home.  Andie and the Mini's stopped in Georgetown and picked up Papa.  Andie sent Hayden in to pick up Papa and told him to remind Papa to bring his medicine to take in the evening. Andie sent me a text explaining how fun it was to watch those two together.  Hayden talks quickly.  Papa hears slow and loud best.  They love each other and it was very fun to watch them try to understand each other and get it all together for the trip to Sadieville.  I can picture this even though I was not present. It makes me grin.

We had a nice roast beef dinner ready for everyone.  We spent the evening catching up and visiting. I pulled out my laptop and played Hayden's PAC performance for everyone through the television. Then I looked up pictures of each of the kids when they were born and we watched them on the television. 

It was late but 'glow in the dark eggs' still needed to be done.  All the supplies were spread on the living room floor and the quick work of putting them together was accomplished.  The 'glow in the dark bracelets' are curled up inside of a big plastic egg.  Then they are hid outside and looked for in the dark. Here is the putting together process and the eggs in a paper bag.  I took pictures on the hill but that really didn't work very well. Hayden and Bailey had great fun finding all 24 of the eggs. This was a really fun idea.

We had rainy weather the entire week. Sometimes worse than other times.  But it made for an indoor week.  Some movies were watched.  Aubrey posted this picture on Facebook of her joy at having her favorite chips and Dr. McGillicuddy's root beer while watching Robin Hood (the Disney cartoon version) which Claude had DVR'd for the kids.  Turns out Katelyn had really been wanting to see this again.  Good time had by all.

Tuesday the 7th was another rainy day.  The Mini's would take turns getting their baths in the big whirl pool tub in our bathroom.  Bailey was first.  She wanted a bubble bath.  Andie made sure to tell her not to turn the jets on in the tub.  Bailey called me in to show me her Santa Claus beard and ask for a picture to be taken. Now that is just cute!

Andie and Katelyn went to Georgetown to pick up some things and I got 'getting the Mini's through their baths' duty.  Bailey finished and I prepared the bathroom for Hayden.

Hayden enjoyed a bubble bath as well.  I told him he had a towel and wash cloths laid out.  He went to take his bath.  Later he came out clean and dress but he had one of those grins that only Hayden makes.  It goes from ear to ear and his eyes turn into little moons.  He didn't say much but just grinned.  I asked if he had a nice bath.  He said he did but added that I didn't want to go in my bathroom for a while.  Then he grinned that grin with a little guilt included in it.  Hmmmm...I assured him I might want to use my bathroom or go in there for something.  He laughed a bit and said I really shouldn't.  I suggested we go in together.  He grinned again and said that would be okay.  Off we went to the bathroom and this is what we found.

Okay, this was not Hayden's fault.  I forgot to tell him not to run the jets in the whirl pool tub with bubble bath in the water.  He managed to get the jets turned off before the bubbles flowed over the tub and onto the floor.  We just laughed.  Bailey came in and we all three laughed.  I asked Hayden if he pulled the plug so the water could go out.  He assured me he couldn't find the plug in all those bubbles.  Claude came in and found the plug.  Then Hayden helped me get the bubbles out and clean down the tub.  We filled it back up with cold water and ran the jets again to get an remaining bubbles cleaned out.  Felt sort of guilty running all this water with the troubles with drought in California.  But also felt grateful we don't live in California.  This will be one good memory in the years to come.

Tuesday Katelyn, Aubrey and I worked on a music possibility. They wanted to surprise Papa and sing a song when we went with him to the nursing home.  We settled on "How Great Thou Art".  It is one the residents will know and could sing along with.  I played the piano and belted out the alto while the girls sing a strong soprano.  Katelyn took this picture of us singing some "Phantom of the Opera" songs.  This is Aubrey singing and me playing.  Bailey is playing the computer in the background.

We had a movie again that night.

Wednesday Claude was gone in the morning.  Katelyn and Andie tried a guacamole deviled egg recipe.  Had to find ways to use all those  Easter eggs.  I left for the afternoon and passed Claude coming home.  The kids did manicures and then packed the Marx family in their van.  The Marx's would go home after a stop in Georgetown.

Papa and I would meet everyone but Claude at his apartment.  He showed them his wall of pictures.  It is fun for the grandmonsters to find pictures of themselves on his wall.  We then packed Papa in my car and all three cars headed to Dairy Queen to have an ice cream treat with Papa before the Mini's went home.  We took a few family pictures after our ice cream.  Back row: Katelyn, Papa & Aubrey.  Front row: Hayden and Bailey. The bottom picture is Katelyn holding hands with Papa. I have pictures of her mother, Nissa, holding Mimi, her grandmother's, hand.  Katelyn wanted this picture for her and her mom.  Tender moment.

Katelyn and Aubrey would join Papa and I in taking a DVD for the residents to watch old country music performed by their original singers.  After the DVD finished, the girls surprised Papa with their song.  Tears filled his eyes.  He was in heaven.  The residents were delighted.  It was a great moment.

Katelyn and Aubrey went back to Sadieville to have a night with Claude eating guy food (steak and wings) and watching movies.  I stayed in town to teach Institute.

Thursday everyone slept in.  Claude had meetings in Lexington in the evening.  We all went in with him and had dinner at BD Mongolian Grill.  Then while Claude went to meetings, the girls chose where we went to shop.  First stop...Half Priced Books.  Second stop...Off Broadway Shoes.  15 minutes left till pick up time.  Last quick stop...Gordon's.  It was fun seeing what the girls like.  We picked up Claude and he took us to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream.  The coolest thing was watching with the guys preparing the ice cream.  They would mash up the ice cream with the toppings and make it into a ball on the cold stone.  Then they would toss that ball into the air with their ice cream paddles and catch it in the cup in which it was to be served.  I took this picture.  If you look close at the top you can see a greenish ball that is about to come down into the dish.  It was great fun to watch.

When we got home, we watched "Phantom of the Opera".  

This morning the girls had breakfast and hit the road by 9am.  They are now back in Michigan and tucked safely in the homes.  Grateful they made the long drive with no problems.  Grateful they want to come all the way to Kentucky to spend time with family.  Grateful to see those cousins enjoy each other.  Grateful for time for Papa to see his great grandchildren.  There is a lot in life to be grateful for.

Busy Hubby...

Claude continues to do his civic duties.  In March these are a couple of the things he did that were helpful or just plain fun.

Wednesday, March 18th, found Claude supporting the Georgetown Scott County Senior Activity Center with the delivery of Meals-on-Wheels.  Every year the Mayors in the area are invited to help with this worthy service.  Claude does enjoy it.

Tuesday, March 17th, Claude attended the Kentucky Clean Fuel Coalition meeting.  He has been asked by Governor Beshear to participate on this commission.  At this particular meeting they had a 1965 Cobra that was restored by students in Owensboro.  Claude posted this picture on Facebook of him in the Cobra with the comment..."I look good in it, don't you think?"  Yep, he looks good in it.  They would not let him drive it though. 

Fear the Turtle!!

Tuesday, March 24th, my hubby went to Georgetown for meetings.  He stopped at Lowe's to begin the springtime process of using the Jeep as a truck to carry dirt and garden stuff from Georgetown to Sadieville.  We have surely paid for many a child's college trying to keep up with this hill in Sadieville.  No complaining, just fact.

When he returned he said he had done something and I needed to come outside to see it.  We went outside and sitting at the end of our front porch was this lovely yard feature.

I love turtles. As my hubby walked through the aisles at Lowe's this lovely turtle caught his attention.  He stopped and just knew he needed to get it for me.  I asked Claude to stand by it to get some perspective.  Claude's slippered feet are a size 12.  That is some turtle.  And, it is solid concrete of some kind so it is very heavy.  We have opted to leave this big guy on the corner of the front porch to great all visitors.  

Isn't being older a lot of fun sometimes?  You just see something and you do it and it makes someone happy. 

The Strength of a Child...

Wednesday, March 25^th, our Hayden had an appointment for some medical tests.  He wasn’t allowed to eat from midnight until they finished with the tests.  When Andie explained to him about the process, he simply asked, “So, I won’t have to go to school, right?”  Andie answered yes.  Next question he asked was, “And, I can take my tablet?”  Andie answered yes.  In Hayden’s mind, that covered all his concerns.  Gotta love the logic of a child.

Andie and Hayden arrived a Kosair and she sent me this picture in a text.  He was ready for whatever they might need to do.

They got Hayden in and set up in his bed. The medical personnel came in to tell him what was happening and answer any of his questions.  He simply looked at them and said, “You don’t have to worry.  My endocrinologist already told me everything.”  They were quite amused at his vocabulary and his forthrightness.  Such a fun kid. 

They gave Hayden something to make him sleepy.  The tests were to track certain things that your body produces during your sleep time.  Andie sent this picture in a text of how Hayden reacted when the sleep medication kicked in.  He just feel into a deep sleep, remote in hand.

They watched and checked whatever they needed to as he slept.  When he woke up, they offered him some Sprite and crackers.  They wanted to be sure his stomach was okay with nothing to eat for so long and then having the meds on it.  Again, Hayden did something very Hayden. He asked, “Do you have Dr. Pepper?”  Andie couldn’t wait to text that one to me.  You see, Andie doesn’t allow the kids soda.  However, I love Dr. Pepper.  It is something the Mini’s know about me.  They like to feel the bubbles under their noses when I pour it over ice in my glass.  They have each had a sip but the bubbly action is something they aren’t and never have been used to in their mouths and on their tummies.  So it usually doesn’t taste good to them.  But, I have left my mark on my grandson.  He requested Dr. Pepper.  They chuckled and gave him Sprite.  He had some and some crackers.  Then he hurled.  This was my next picture from Andie.

Poor little guy.  He eventually rallied enough to be released.  They left and headed to LaGrange to get Bailey and then have an ice cream treat.  On the way Hayden asked Andie if they could stop at Barnes and Noble.  Really.  Andie said, “He can’t even walk a straight line, yet he wants to go to Barnes and Noble!”

The family had tickets to see “The Lion King” that night.  Hayden rallied even more and enjoyed his evening at the theater.  I just admire this young man for the resolute way he approached and went through this experience.