Health...

Tuesday, August 19th, Claude and I slept in very late because we stayed up in the wee hours talking about his trip. Tuesday, I found this hanging in out bathroom!! I took this picture and posted it on our family Facebook page with the thought, "Now...here is something a girl doesn't usually find hanging in her shower!!" Our son-in-law, Todd, immediately commented, "Looks like it came straight out of Jeremiah Johnson." Lynette, Claude's sister in Utah, commented, " Looks like the gloves are there too!!!" I assured her Claude was going to look for a hat. Claude assured her it was a pretty good fit! Kris, Claude's brother's wife, said, "It came with a suitcase but Claude forgot that part." Fortunately, Claude had room in his one suitcase and really didn't want to have to pay to bring another suitcase home. Andie, our middle child, said, "Ummm. What is that? Do tell! Is it meant to be worn with a Man from Snowy River hat?" Then Claude shared the story behind this very interesting family heirloom.

It is the fabled horse hair coat that belonged to Claude's great grandfather, Lars C. Christensen, Jr. He had it made from the skin of his favorite horse after that horse died. He sent the skin back east and they made the coat for him and the gloves. Claude's dad inherited the coat and would wear it when riding in the ranch to feed the cattle during the winter. Evan, Claude's dad, would also wear it to scare off trick-or-treaters for which Bonnie, Claude's mom, would cuss him. A lot of history behind this one-of-a-kind heirloom. Cordell, Claude's brother inherited it and gave it to Claude when Claude was visiting over the weekend. 

While working on Relief Society birthday cards, I looked up where one address was located. As I looked over that part of Versailles, I learned there was a street in that development called Helms Deep. I also posted this for our family to see and indicated it was the street Claude and I should move to!! If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, you know why!!

I made a large crockpot of soup for the funeral the Saturday previous. There was a big bowl of it left. I refrigerated that. We totally enjoyed that soup and some warm biscuits for dinner in the evening. No on had to cook and the meal was delicious. There is something really good about soup that had sat for a few days and all the flavor really melds together and intensifies. Yum!!

This day my new Kindle arrived. I would begin the process of getting it up to working speed before our trip. 

Wednesday, August 20th, a medical day for the two of us. Claude had a PT session at the same time I had my annual physical with Dr. Lyon. They are in the same medical park. Claude dropped me off and went to PT. Poor Dr. Lyon was way behind. Claude finished PT and moved the car to in front of Dr. Lyon's office. I left with a synthetic medication to help with hot flashes. 25 years of these and I was hoping to find a bit of relief. We'll try this for three weeks and, if it works, we'll see if the insurance will cover them. I also left with an antibiotic and a regime of muscle relaxers. I have a pain in my lower back and it is hoped this will fix whatever that problem is. I would pick up these prescriptions and start them on Thursday morning. 

Thursday, August 21st, everything went down hill from here. Claude was getting a cold by Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday evening, it was full blown. I was loopy and would remain that way due to the muscle relaxers. We were pitiful! 

Friday, August 22nd, was more of the same. I called and canceled Claude's PT appointment for this day. 

Saturday, August 23rd, was more of the same. We couldn't believe we were so wiped out. We had good weather and Claude and hoped to mow the lawn. Not happening. So very grateful we are at a point we can stop and rest to heal. We didn't even go to the grocery store. 

Sunday, August 24th, Claude would stay home from Church but I got ready and went. I needed to take roll for Relief Society and was to conduct Relief Society. It was not easy trying to be normal when my head was so fuzzy and I was tired with the muscle relaxer. But I made it through and enjoyed Bryce and Elizabeth Christensen's talks in sacrament meeting and Sophie Watson's lesson in Relief Society. 

I thought I might drive and get a hamburger to bring home for our meal-of-the-day. I did not even dare drive that far. I left the Church parking lot and thought very carefully, "Back out slowly from your parking spot, turn left, make it to the stop sign on the corner, turn right, carefully cross Payne's Depot, make the left turn up Anne Jennings way, Oh No...there are lots of cars parked on the street, carefully turn into our driveway and park the car." Such a little way to drive and it felt very intense. I went inside and told Claude he would have to drive us if we wanted to go get something to eat. He did and we did.

Katelyn posted these pictures of their family. It was the Summer Hockey playoffs and Drew's team won. I love the grin you can see on the Joel's face even from the side as he helps hold the trophy. 

1st Picture: BR-Drew, Katelyn, Kennedi. FR-Raelyn, Emelia, Joel

2nd Picture: Drew and Katelyn

3rd Picture: Drew's team. I put a yellow dot on Drew's belly button to be sure we know which one is him.

We spent the rest of the day as we had the previous three days. Down and taking it easy. Well, Claude had two Zoom meetings and then he joined me in the living room for healing!

What a week!