Bad News, Then Good News...

Before we left our home to run errands, Claude got a phone call from his brother, Cordell. It seems his mother went for a doctor visit the other day. The doctor put a monitor on her to watch her heart. The doctor can read the results of the monitor from a remote location. He learned that two times last night Bonnie's heart stopped working. He told her to get to the hospital immediately, they were going to put in a pacemaker.  Kalli, a granddaughter, drove her to the hospital. 

Claude continued to get updates via text from his brother. She went into surgery and it was expected it would take four hours. 

Then the text came that she was out of surgery and did very well. The doctor was pleased. 

Bonnie will stay in the hospital tonight and go home tomorrow. The pacemaker will only work when her heart needs a boost. So that was all good news.

The next bad news was that her lungs don't look good. No definite term for the diagnosis but the lungs are not a flexible as they should be. Probably all has to do with them aging. Good grief.  

The doctor also told her she was not to drive for the next week. She assured her kids she would not tell them where her keys were to her car.  Cordell said he knew they were in her car and they would just take them. 

We are relieved that for this time Bonnie is okay.  Julie, Cordell's wife, says we can now call her 'The Energizer Bonnie". 

I Have Arrived!! Part 2...

Claude gave me a lovely present for my birthday. When he pressure washed the house, the old swing from my parents disintegrated. He looked at trying to repair it. I told him not to worry, it had served me well. So my Big Guy got on-line and ordered us a new swing for the back porch. He installed it on my birthday. 

I asked Claude if he would take a picture of me on the swing. But first I wanted to take a selfie of us. We just don't do that at all. We are not good at it either. So Claude, who is definitely not the picture taker in our family but has the longer arm, held up my cell phone and took this picture of the two of us in the new swing.

Then he set to work trying to get one of me. I really wanted one of me looking down the hill. He got two good ones looking straight at me one the swing. Then he got this one of me looking down the hill. 

So many memories in the other swing. Now we can start a new tradition with our own porch swing.  A truly delightful moment for me.

Random Moments in Time...

Just to catch up, this post will include a few random moments over the last month.

July 8th Claude and I drove to London, Kentucky.  They qualified as a Kentucky Trail Town. Claude has been working with groups trying to have this happen in Sadieville. It is a big thing in Kentucky. Such pretty country it is not surprising that people want to run, walk, ride bicycles and horses on trails through the countryside. Claude wanted to see how they handled the actual ceremony to receive their certification. They were the fifth city in Kentucky to receive this certification.

London has a big pavilion in downtown. They hold farmer's markets there and other events. The ceremony would be held in that pavilion. As it was an exceptionally hot day, it was nice to be under cover and out of that sun. In addition to some of the farmer's market booths, other vendors came and set up booths with things that fit the theme of 'Trail Town'. 

I stopped and talked to the person running the booth that had to do with Daniel Boone Trace. This is a group that is working to create a 'trace' or trail that you can ride in your car and walk in some places that follows Daniel Boone's path through Kentucky. Lots of the official trail has been built up and not preserved. This group will use a color theme on their map of the trail. One color means you can drive these roads, another color means an area you can walk through the area and the third color will be where only historical markers are located to tell you about the trail. Claude and I drove Natchez Trace once from Natchez, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee. It was just a wonderful drive. This would be similar to that only going through congested areas at points. I purchased two books from them to support their cause. One was the story of life for Rebekah Boone, Daniel's wife. It depicts would life was like for women during this time period and Rebekah in particular. The other book was an interview done with Nathan Boone, Daniel Boone's son. The interview has been turned into a book about Daniel Boone as seen through the eyes of his son. Papa has that one reading it now.

The pavilion was covered with maps of the different trails in the county. There was one large map of Kentucky at the front and it showed the towns (there are only five at present) that have earned 'Trail Town' status. It also showed towns that are working on getting that status. Claude is pointing to Sadieville.  Our little town showed up on the map. Yeah us!!

Governor Beshear's wife, Jane, was the guest speaker. She loves horses and was a major part of why there is the Trail Town effort is going on today.

It was a nice event. We purchased food from the Farmer's Market and then left for home.

We have, and Claude in particular has, put a lot of work on our hill this summer. July 10th we anticipated a big rain shower. Claude headed down the hill to put some final bricks on walls, rocks in for water drainage when it rains and other odds and ends. The clouds gathered and he still worked. The thunders started and he still worked. I kept hoping and watching for him to get back on the tractor and bring it up the hill. If the grass is wet, the tractor is often not able to be driven over it. Then the rain started and he stayed on the hill. I took this picture. Can't even see Claude under the fir tree? He stayed to watch how the rain water flowed and where he needs to shore things up. Afterward, he drove the tractor slowly up the hill and into the garage. I was very happy when he was inside.

While Bailey was here, I went out to crush a can. The handle was up a little so the place I put the cans to crush them was exposed. I lifted the handle enough to put the can in and then caught myself short. There was a blob in the bottom of the place where the can sits and it had a long pointy thing coming up from the blob. What in the world was that? I looked a little closer and realized it was a hummingbird and I thought it was still breathing a bit. It was just dark on the outside. I got Bailey so she could see it and we decided to let it be for a bit until Claude came back inside. Then we could all determine what was the best way to handle this.

Claude came back into the garage later and called me, "Sandi, you need to come see this!"  I knew he found the bird. Bailey and I went in the garage. Well, the little bird was now on the floor of the garage in front of my car. Claude carefully picked it up and put it in the shade under the bush by the garage. We left it alone. Claude thinks it just needed sugar and there was some in the bottom of the can crusher. That must have been enough to give it the ability to regain some strength. It flew away after a bit. I do hope it found the two hummingbird feeders we have on the back of the house!

Saturday, July 25th, Claude and I attended our fourth Eagles Concert.  This one was at Rupp Arena in Lexington. Such a good concert. I never tire of singing "Love Will Keep Us Alive" with Timothy B. Schmidt. 

Sunday, July 26th, I'm sitting in the chapel checking my cellphone to see if Papa called. Someone came to my pew, sat down beside and put their arm around me. I looked up and it was Lisa Adams. She was my counselor when we were the Stake Relief Society presidency. She moved to Florida so I don't get Lisa hugs very often. I just squealed and gave her a big hug right back. Not really appropriate for the chapel but it just came out. Then I took a selfie of the two of us to send to Laura and Barbara. These ladies were such a huge part of my life and I will always treasure their friendship.

This summer I have attended four Inservice meetings too prepare to teach Institute this next year. These are new training lessons done over the Internet. They are the very best I have ever participated in. Sometimes I felt so happy that I was doing things right. Other times I saw areas for huge improvement. Grateful for this training although it was grueling trying to put the time in necessary to prepare the lesson as well as doing the lessons on line to prepare for Inservice. The Church provides so much for us. It is amazing. 

I continue to crochet afghans. Working on two right now. It is nice to do that again. 

I'm sure there are tons of incidentals over the last month I'm missing. This should catch a lot of it up-to-date.

Summer Sleepover Tradition Continues...

First came Hayden...

Several years ago, the Mini's started coming for a few nights each to spend time with Claude and me during their summer break. Frankly, this year Andie and I had not planned that into the summer. Hayden, ever the one for remembering details, asked, "When are we going to have our sleepovers with Ma and Pa?" With those words from his heart to his mouth, we needed to fit this in some time.  We determined the 18th was the time.

Sunday the 18th, after Claude and I finished speaking for two congregations, we headed back to Shelbyville where Andie met us with Hayden. Bailey was with her and had her face magnificently painted. They had been to a festival at Creasy Farms.

We brought Hayden back with us to stay till Wednesday evening.  We stopped on the way home to visit with Papa. Hayden took an immediate liking to Papa's walker.

Monday I go to Georgetown every week to buy Papa's groceries and to clean in his apartment.  Hayden went with me on this outing. While in Kroger we found the toy department and Hayden purchased a Lego's set for his toy of this visit. He had a good time showing Papa how he put it together.  One must understand that Hayden is 10 years old and Papa is 87 years old. That is a lot of generational difference. They are just cute together. Hayden loves to share the things he loves. Papa is amazed because he has no frame of reference for these kinds of toys. They are like two old men sharing things. It is just cute to watch. Hayden also took his new tablet and showed Papa that it will take selfies of them. Papa was very surprised when that picture came up on the screen of the two of them. Another treasured moment in time.

The rest of Monday was stay and home watch a movie after having dinner. Hayden had pizza.  We enjoyed the last of the Harry Potter movies. I love these movies and am always happy when Hayden chooses one of them for us to enjoy together.

Tuesday was take Hayden out for dinner and a movie. There were two playing at the theater in Georgetown that he wanted to see. He was sure we would watch both but we were sure he needed to pick just one. Dilemma time.  "Inside Out" he saw with his family and his Gramma Joyce when she visited. He loved it. Pronounced it good for ALL ages. And really wanted to be sure we saw it. However, the new "Minions" movie was also showing. He had not seen this and it was on his 'summer movie viewing homework'.  His words. I communicated with Andie. She assured me she would take the kids to see "Minions" if he saw "Inside Out".  She would work with whatever he chose. After careful deliberation, we went to see "Minions".  

First we had dinner at Fazoli's.  Hayden had never eaten there and it seemed like a place that could satisfy all our needs. Hayden wanted pizza, Claude wanted spaghetti and I wanted the Italian sub sandwich. We enjoyed our dinner and Hayden ate all of his dinner. He kept reading a sign they had in the window. Something about cheese cake. It turns out they had a Nutella cheese cake for a special dessert for a limited time. Hayden and I got one slice for he and I to share. He could eat all he wanted and I would help finish. That was one really good and very rich cheese cake.

The movie was good. Liked the last one better. But this was okay. Hayden loved it. And, that is what is most important. 

We did manage to read a book while he visit. 

It was fun to have him with us.  However, Claude and I just need to remember that Hayden is the more sedentary of the two kids. We should always have him come last when we are worn out from all of Bailey's energy. 

Wednesday afternoon Hayden and I met Andie and Bailey at Evan's Orchard. They were going to play on the playground for a while. Then, if timing worked out, they would meet me in Georgetown for dinner.  I left Hayden with Andie and Bailey. They headed to the play ground and I went to take Papa to the nursing home to play a DVD for the residents.  I was able to connect with the Mini's and Andie at Dairy Queen for dinner. Then I went to teach Institute and Andie and the kids went to Sadieville.

Wednesday evening, after I returned from teaching Institute, the Mini's gave me my birthday gifts.  I received a gorgeous book mark, a 6-pack of a new soda (something like Dr. Pepper) and a turtle puzzle.  Bailey assured me we should make this puzzle while she was visiting. I have successfully passed the love of making puzzles gene to the next generation!! Yeah!!

Andie left and took Hayden home and we were on our own with Bailey. Bailey settled in quite nicely, creating her own 'cave-like' environment in our closet!  Such a little nugget.

Thursday found us needing to make a trip to Georgetown. We treated Bailey to lunch at Culver's which just opened. She loved her chicken strips and earned the right for a dessert. That would be a great scoop of ice cream with lots of stuff in it. Bailey pronounced Culver's a 'thumb's up' kind of place and worthy of a repeat visit.

Then off to shop at Walmart for groceries. Well, Claude shopped for groceries. I took Bailey to the toy section to pick out her small toy. This little one wants a pet at home in the worst way. She found this lovely white puppy that has a nose that lights up when the puppy is feeling sick. The accompanying medical bag is full of things to help the puppy feel better. When you pat the puppy's head the features will work for a while. If Bailey puts the bottle up to the puppies mouth his makes slurping noises and burps. If you put the handkerchief up to its nose it blows and sneezes. Quite a lot of features for a not so expensive toy. She was very, very happy with her choice an toted it everywhere while she was with us. 

That night we made things out of Lego's, watched a movie and worked on our puzzle.

Friday morning found Bailey in Claude's big red chair surrounded by her puppy and the big stuffed pink bunny I have for Easter decorations. Her tablet was on her lap as she enjoyed her breakfast. Such are the perks of being with grandparents. 

We fixed a pair of long pants we bought her for her birthday. They had a tear in the leg and the fabric was quite frayed. I cut the legs off and sewed broad rick-rack on the bottoms. Bailey loved them and now has a pair of shorts to finish out her summer. She said she will wear them to school when it starts.

I walked my treadmill. Bailey was sure she needed to do that as well. Talk about deflating my ego. She worked her way up to 3 mph, which is where I walk, then she ran and walked and bounced around like it was no big deal. I would have been pouring sweat after the first 15 minutes.  Here is our little darlin' having a great time. She wanted a picture of her stats when she finished. Of course she wanted the turtle in the picture as well. 

In the afternoon, we went to Kroger to get Papa more bananas to get him through the weekend. The to Papa's apartment for a visit. She had great fun showing him her puppy and all it's features. Then she went to the back bedroom and started playing with the instruments.  They had a great time with the mandolin, guitar and harmonicas. They did a 'dueling harmonica' kind of thing that was interesting to get through. Harmonicas are each made in a certain key. Papa has lots of harmonicas in different keys. Bailey brought out four of them. Then she asked Papa to play what she played (i.e. the pattern she played). Papa, ever the musician, tried to play what she was playing when he breathed in and with a different pattern because, in his mind, that matched. She told him, "No, I want you to play what I play after me."  She tried again, and again Papa tried to make it his version of what she was playing. I explained to him she didn't know one key from another. She just wanted him to copy her pattern of playing. He tried to explain to be what he was doing. I tried to get him to understand she was never going to get that and the key really didn't matter to her. She tried again and that time he played her pattern. She beamed and tried another pattern. It was like a kid's version of Dueling Harmonicas. Papa get a real kick out of the dynamite of a little great granddaughter. They built some fun memories.

When we got home, Bailey went to the basement and, using all the treasures she felt appropriate, made what I have named 'Baileyville'. There are the two Lego things we put together, Thomas the train gear, the big wooden dominoes Claude and I made and an assortment of other trinkets. She worked for the longest time and really did a very nice job.

In the evening, she joined Claude in watching Ghostbusters I.  I worked on the puzzle and Bailey would wander in and out and put a piece or two in for us. Then back to the movie with Claude. It was absolutely hilarious to listen to the two of them. She would carry on about the people needing to get married if someone kissed. She was sure she should not watch if it got a little scary but Claude kept her safe and she viewed on. She would comment, "That's done with animation." Just on and on. She realized there was a Ghostbusters II and really wants to see it now. 

Saturday was Bailey's last day with us. We made arrangements to meet Michael in Frankfort for the exchange. He had soccer games to referee in Masterson Station. We got Bailey's hair cut in the morning and just enjoyed time together before taking her to Michael. She was very happy to see her dad. I was very happy with Michael. He had just refereed four games of soccer in the hot sun. I knew he must be exhausted but his face lit up with his little girl and he was endlessly patient with her wiggles and enthusiasm. So fun to watch a father be so good to his little girl.

I finished the puzzle Sunday morning. One piece was missing. Can't find it anywhere. Can you see where it is missing? 

Tuesday, July 28th, I received an eMail from Andie with this attachment. Bailey set to work that day and drew a Ghostbusters picture for us. How sweet is that? 

We have successfully navigated a week with the Mini's. Next up, in August, is Aubrey Anne for a week!!

A Play and then A Parade...

Received a sweet invitation through Andie, our daughter, from Bailey, our youngest grandmonster. Bailey was to be in a play and wanted us to come see her.  Yep, we could do that. And, we did.

Friday, July 17th found us heading to LaGrange. Bailey was in a play at St. John's Church. This is where she and Hayden both attended two years of Pre-school. They have a music camp every summer that is one week long. The kids come every day for 3 hours and learn a play and then perform it on that Friday evening for family and friends. Then they perform it again on Sunday for the church. The play was titled 'Acorns to Oaks'. It was about the parable of the sower in the New Testament and was very well written and very well done by these children.  Bailey was a crow named Lark. She had a small speaking part and was very, very excited to keep that a secret until we went to the play.

Here are some of the faces of this precious grandmonster during her play:

Friday night, Claude and watched the Mini's after the play so Andie and Michael could have a little date night. They showed us a new game show they watched while on their family vacation to Washington, DC and Philadelphia. It is called 'Boom' and was fun to watch.  We had a big thunderstorm roll through right as we put the kids to bed. Bailey made it back downstairs to tell me she didn't like storms. I went back up and told her I would lay there until she fell asleep.  Andie woke me up when she got home!! Silly Gramma!!

Friday we stayed for the Oldham County Days Parade in downtown LaGrange. They throw candy for the kids and just have a fun old-fashioned parade.  (1st picture, L-R, Andie, Claude, Michael, Bailey & Hayden)

The highlight was Hayden karate chopping a block of wood. One of the teachers Andie works with also teachers karate. She paused with a block of wood and let Hayden try his hand at it, literally. 

We had a family lunch at Arby's after the parade and then Claude and I headed home. Great fun with the family.

Papa Update...

Thursday, July 2nd, was a regular doctor check up for Papa. 

The nurse taking the blood samples for regular blood testing just did an awful job. Bless her heart and bless Papa's heart. She put that needle in his arm on the inside of the elbow like they usually do.  She couldn't get the vein. It kept rolling away. I watched her moving that needle and it appeared she was not taking it out and moving it, she was just moving it back and forth inside his arm. Ouch!! (To say the least!)  Papa never flinched. I could tell he was uncomfortable and not liking it a bit but he never said a word to her.  She finally gave up and tried the top of his hand. He then only mildly stated something about how nice it was she was trying somewhere else. It just looked awful. And I am not squeamish at all about having blood drawn. 

He did okay in the physical test with Dr. Weckman. His blood work shows an elevated sugar. Not good there at all. I have taken all the sugar away from him that he consumed in massive quantities. I do bring the man a milk shake on occasion or buy him a soda if we are out for a drive. Not sure what to do there but we'll just keep on keeping on.

His blood density was good. So he has that going for him.

Papa's body is just wearing out. It is very hard to see him like that. Such a strong, active man once and now he is a recliner kind of guy. Thank heavens for that recliner.  

In the last week he has walked better and without the walker a lot. I really believe the new recliner is helping support his back so the 'itis' can calm down in his hip and back. That is also a good thing.

But his memory is just not there a lot of the time. It is not like Mom with Alzheimer's. But we can be talking about something and he can't remember from one sentence to the next. For example, as we were driving out to my home yesterday for him to visit us, I was telling him that it was Neffie's birthday. He asked how old she was. I told him she turned 60. Then I shared that she and her hubby, Mike, were in the Netherlands with their son, Mike, and his wife Ashlyn. He said he had never met Ashlyn or their children and could barely remember Mike. I reminded him they came at Christmas with their 3 kids to visit with him. He thought about it and then said he remembered them. We talked a bit and then he wanted to know if Ashlyn was married. Hmmm... It is that kind of memory issue that is difficult. 

My Institute class last night was talking about faith. And how we have to exercise faith for different periods of time before we receive confirmation of our actions or belief.  One student shared her experience about this action and how long it took her to receive a witness of her faithful action. Another student shared a video on lds.org about this same principle. How a young man kept acting on faith and three years after he received his confirming witness. He had little things along the way in those three years that kept him going but his actual 'ah-ha' moment was three years after his first act of faith. I shared with the kids how that keeps on through life. I told them that I truly didn't understand why my mother had Alzheimer's. But I tried really hard to look for the things I was supposed to learn as I went through that process with her. I kept acting in faith knowing there must be a reason and things I was  supposed to learn. I know the things I did learn that were positive and good for me. Now I experience that with Papa. He is so worn out and ready to go home to Father. He misses mom and is just lonesome and feels out of place. His body doesn't cooperate. I can honestly, again, see no reason that Father doesn't let him come home. But I must again walk in faith, looking for lessons to learn and serving my father during this end stage of his life. Then, eventually, I will understand.  I told the kids they were learning just a valuable lesson about exercising faith and doing so in patience. That lesson would carry them through their lives.  

So, Papa is hanging in there. His body is really failing but he just keeps on hanging in there. I really must watch now for if and when to put him in a nursing home. Don't want to do that at all. But there will be care for him that I just don't know if I can give.  We'll see and we'll keep on going as long as Heavenly Father has lessons for us to learn and refining to happen in our lives.

I Have Arrived!!!

Today is the day.  Sixty-five years ago today my dear mother was giving birth to her first baby.  How happy they must have been that I was sent to bless their home!!  That is not said with conceit, just knowing that they loved me and were truly happy to have this little bundle in their home. 

When I was younger, I thought I would not live into my thirties. Not sure why I thought that, but I really believed I wouldn't live longer than that. Now look at me.  Sixty-five today. I am officially OLD!!  Medicare kicks in.  I receiving Social Security. Yep. I'm officially over that 'young' threshold and into 'very mature' adulthood. 

To celebrate this momentous occasion, I slept in until I wanted to get out of bed. That turned out to be 7:30am. Yeah me!!  I came downstairs and played my computer games to wake up my brain.  I've order Papa's some of the meds he needs.  I've walked my treadmill and showered. I found that the 'birthday fairy' (a.k.a. Claude) did the dishes for me. Such a wonderful gift. Now I'm going to blog a bit. This afternoon Claude and I will go checking out new mattresses before having a really nice dinner in Lexington. That is one nice birthday.

I don't usually broadcast my birthday. Prefer it to be quiet and to myself. But today I feel just great that I've made it to sixty-five. I even lost a pound when I weighed myself this morning. My stars must be in alignment, my bio-rhythms in sync, my karma at it's best. But most importantly, I truly feel the love of my Heavenly Father today.  I just knelt by my chair in my sewing room this morning and thanked him for all his many blessings.  And, I meant it.

Tomorrow, reality will set it. Back to the normal schedule. But today, I will just enjoy those things that bring me joy and a quiet dinner with my Big Guy Clauda. Today is a good day.