March 14, 2015

Can You Hear Me Now?

March 14, 2015

Rose at Mom's house yesterday

Do you remember those TV commercial from a few years ago where the cell phone guy is walking around speaking into his cell phone saying, "Can you hear me now?"  That is still how my life on the phone is going.  I need help hearing on the phone and often the caller is saying, "Can you hear me now?" 

The same rose today - open a little wider.

The most recent conversations with a couple of our sons, were frustrating.  A caller this evening called Ron's cell and he passed information back and forth.  It is so hard not to just be able to pick up a phone and make a call.  Thankfully Ron is willing to make calls for me, but there are so many times I would like to just "visit" with someone on the phone and it is just too hard. 

Amaryllis buds ready to open at Mom's house. 

 Last year mine were about 3 weeks ahead of hers.

This morning Ron got me up early and then headed out.  In a while he sent me a text that I saw since I was expecting it, but then he called to be sure I had seen the text and that was hard.  He repeated the statement about 3 times before I understood.  Our newest daughter-in-law and I exchanged several texts this morning about her first visit to a quilt show, which she did yesterday afternoon.  She enjoyed the things she saw.  It was fun to read her impressions for that first visit, but it would have been more fun to hear it on the telephone.

When Ron left, I put on my sound processor, but I was still sleepy, so I curled up in the recliner with the ear with the Cochlear sound processor "up" so I could hear the phone.  Around 11:30 I left to go check on Mom.  She was still sleeping and I woke her to encourage her to get up and have some food.  She had slept soundly all night and morning.  Carmen fixed her some food and we visited before I took her shopping list and went to get her groceries. 

Mom started these from seeds a week or two ago.

While at the grocery store I got a few things for us, too.  I also stopped by the pharmacy and got the correct size needles for my allergy shots which start Tuesday.  I took Mom's groceries to her and then brought mine home to put away.  It was 2:30 before I got some lunch and then Ron and I spent a little time in the yard.  He hung a birdhouse for me.  I checked on the plants the grand daughters had helped me plant last weekend.

Mom loves the view out her patio door.

I sewed a little and read for a bit.  It was a lazy afternoon.  Around 6:00, I went back to check on Mom.  She was sleeping and I got her up and suggested she eat something.  We visited a while and then I returned home to fix supper at my house.  Ron ended up not eating - probably snacked while I was gone. 

A small rose blooming at Mom's

While at Mom's I took the photos in this blog.  Mom always has a nice yard.  She was a charter member of the West Brownsville Garden Club many years ago and does love to work in the yard, but she just can't do that much anymore.

March 13, 2015

A Beautiful Day!

A Long Day!

March 13, 2015

The trees think Spring is here!

It was so lovely this morning - no wind, nice temperature, no rain.  I left the house a little earlier than usual since I was picking up our oldest grandson to take him to the office with me.  He was not ready when I got there and it was a while before we left for the office.  On the way, I stopped at the office where Mom had x-rays taken a while back and with a letter from her giving them permission to give me the x-rays, I was able to get them in a short time. 

I was funny that when I stopped by the office to get the x-rays yesterday, they needed either Mom or a letter from her allowing me to get them.  I took the letter today but they never asked me for any identification.  So much for security.

While I was inside, my grandson was taking some photos outside.  Then we stopped for ice for the office and as soon as we arrived at the office, Ron left on a job.  When he got back our grandson and I went to Staples to get some supplies.  Back at the office he spent a while on the computer working on ordering business cards and printed supplies for us.  He is a good help these days on the computer.

These first four photos were taken by our oldest grandson.

Our grandson was picked up a little after 2:00 and one of his younger brothers stayed the rest of the afternoon.  We had a good time.  He did some chores and then played a couple of card games on the computer. 

After work, our soon to be 8 year old grandson and I went to pick Mom up at her house and we all went to supper at Jason's Deli. 

 We found this beautiful rose blooming at Mom's

This little guy is not much of an eater usually, but he sure liked what we ordered for  him.  We had a good supper and some good laughs.  I had asked Mom if she wanted to go to Kohl's with us to shop for a shirt for our grandson.  She quickly said she would love to join us.  But about 10 minutes later, she backed out saying she was getting weak. 

As we returned from leaving Mom at home, this amazing 

sunset was happening and we stopped for pictures.

My grandson and I took her home and got her in so she could go to bed.  He and I went to do the promised shopping.  He selected  a Star Wars/Lego shirt and a couple of other things.  He had a good time.  Then I took him home and visited with the family and another family that was there for supper.

After leaving there I returned to Mom's and she had been sleeping.  I took her blood pressure which was a little low and stayed until her housekeeper returned from a church service at her church.  We chatted a while and about 10:30 I headed home.  It was too late when I finished taking care of some things at home to get this blog entry completely written.  I got most of it written last night but have finished it this morning. 

A final view of the sunset - it was a good day!

Oh, as I was getting back in the car after the sunset photos, I was trying to be quick about it since it was a busy street and I had one of those times my sound processor magnet jumped off my head - I guess it got too close to the car door frame and I was trying to get the door shut, not let the processor fall into the street or where it would be crushed in the car door.  I am sure I was a sight!  I managed to strain a muscle as I did it all and hollered and my grandson wanted to know if I was alright as I was between laughing and panicking.  Oh, my.  Never a dull moment!

March 12, 2015

The Sun Came Out!

March 12, 2015

The sun came out this morning and everything was just glistening.  It had still rained some during the night so things were wet and the sunshine made for a beautiful scene.  I was up a little early and as soon as it was daylight, I went out to fill the bird feeders.  Things were clean, the wind was still, the  birds that had spent the night in the trees were waking up and taking off for the day.  What a nice way to start my day!

I had my breakfast and then got to the office a little earlier than I have recently.  I worked for a while and then went to a medical lab here in town to try to get copies of Mom's chest x-rays to take with us next week when I take her to the lung specialist.  After hunting for the building, hunting for a parking place, hunting the office, they said she had to come.  I told them that would be hard, so he said she could send a letter giving them permission to release the x-rays to me.

By that time it was almost noon.  I went by Mom's and talked to her about it and she said she would write a letter.  I told her I would pick it up later.  I took Carmen from Mom's to a place where she was going to file her taxes.  Then I returned to the office.  We had some busy times at the office, but it was slow this afternoon.  I worked on some paper work and on finding a missing computer file.  I finally found it and made updates I needed to add.  I got a bank deposit prepared and then taken to the bank. 

After work we met with our friends for supper and spent a relaxing 2 hours visiting with them.  From there, I went by Mom's to get the paperwork I had left earlier.  We visited a bit and then I came home.  I had not talked to our son Dave in a while so I called him.  I just could not understand him on the phone and so he got on his computer.  I could talk to him as we used our cell phones, and he could type his answers on Facebook Message.  That worked better for me.  I just am so frustrated with the phone situation.  These are some of Dave's responses to my questions so you can see how it works for us.

Just as a fun side note, on Facebook, on Thursdays, many people post old photos and it is called TBT (Throw Back Thursday).  My brother posted one this morning:
 
This was at a birthday party over 60 years ago.  Mom had made our party hats.  I remember one of my birthday parties where she made the pinata and it was so tough we almost never got it broken and I think an adult had to tear it open.  She always baked and decorated our cakes and made the party favors.  We had so much fun and I doubt that kids today with their expensive parties have half as much fun as we did.  In case you can't figure it out, I am in the back on the left.  My brother is next to the last on the right in the back.

Tomorrow should be a busy day.  Ron and I both have long lists of things we hope to accomplish.  I better get up and moving early in the morning.

March 11, 2015

Wet, Wet, Wet

March 11, 2015

After some drought years, we hate to ever complain about rain, but after what seems like weeks of wet weather, we are about to grow webbed feet.  We have had over 3 inches of rain in the last couple of days.  Originally we expected the rain to be gone by last night, but it has stayed all day today.  Things are soaked and water seems to be standing all over town.

Spring break and the playground at the middle school near us is covered in water

I got up at a more reasonable time today and arrived at the office a little after 9:30.  I had stopped by the pharmacy to see about the syringes I had picked up yesterday for my allergy shots.  They were not the size on the prescription.  They were of no real help.  I am still in a quandary about them.

At the office, I worked on helping customers much of the day.  Considering the weather, we had many more customers than expected.  I had found a video I wanted to watch on my computer about a quilt pattern and I restarted it about 7 times before I got through the thing since each time I started, a customer needed my help.  Ron was there, but busy with making keys on a jewelry cabinet. 

Our grandson came about noon and he and I did some cleaning while Ron went on a job for much of the afternoon.  I swept and our grandson mopped.  It was nice to get the floors clean after the rainy days.  My helper worked on filing and business cards for Ron.  He kept busy much of the afternoon.

My drive home

After work, I went by Mom's house and visited for about an hour.  She was doing well and we had a good visit.  Once I got home I spent a few minutes in the yard checking on things.  My amaryllis plants are almost ready to bloom.  One plant has 3 buds on it.  The Mexican Love Vine is blooming.  It had not bloomed the last couple of years. 

One of the ponds is full and over flowing from all the rain

For supper I made a big pot of soup, but it is a little spicy for me.  I ate one bowl and will probably take some for my lunch tomorrow, but it sure opened my sinuses! 

Our son and daughter-in-law in New Mexico called and it was good to talk to them but I had trouble understanding them and finally gave the phone to Ron to let him finish the call.  Our son found out he will be making a trip this summer to present on one of his projects.  That is an honor for him.  We are so proud of him (and all of our wonderful boys!).

One of the hanging baskets the girls and I planted last weekend.  

The plants we put in the logs seem to be water logged!

Our yard man came into the office today to collect and he and I discussed the fact that he was not able to work this week because of all the rain and by next week the yards were going to be tall in grass and weeds.  Later a man from the city parks department came in and we had a similar discussion.  He said they are falling so far behind on  mowing and all the rain will put them further behind.  The rain is a blessing, but it comes with its own set of problems (like mosquitoes!).

The ferns are showing so much new growth. 

We should start drying out tomorrow and then the temperatures should be nice for the next week.  That will be good.  Sometimes after a rain if it gets real hot, the plants just seem to get steamed and die.  I hope they all start growing well after these wonderful showers.

March 10, 2015

I Don't Like the Time Change!

March 10, 2015

Things are just difficult when the time changes each Spring.  In the Fall it is also difficult, but not as bad.  The frustration of getting up when it is pitch black outside when we had just begun to see daylight early in the mornings, if just not fair!  Today, was another very gray, rainy day.  That made it that much darker early in the morning.

I had gone to sleep very early last night and woke at 4:00 this morning with no hope of getting back to sleep.  So I got up and wrote yesterday's blog that I slept through last night.  Then I made Ron's coffee and got him up with a hot cup of coffee at 7:00 and curled up in the recliner and went back to sleep.  This is crazy! 

Thankfully Ron woke me before he left and I got my shower and got ready for work.  I had eaten breakfast at 5:00.  At the office I sent the bookkeeping things to the accountant and then did a little office work.  I also did some sweeping in the showroom.  After I ate my lunch, Ron went out on an errand and then when he got back it was time for me to take Mom to a doctor's appointment.

The doctor was busier today and did not have as much time with her, but he did go over several things and then referred her to a lung specialist to be sure he isn't overlooking something that is causing her to be short of breath.  He wrote refills for a couple of prescriptions and then we headed to the post office just a block or two away so I could mail some things for Mom.  From there we went to the bank so she could cash some checks. 

There is standing water all around from the rains the last two days.  The lawn beside the doctor's office was a couple of inches deep in water.  At the bank, most of the drive through lanes were flooded and the parking lot next door to the bank probably had about 3 inches of water on it.  Everything has had a good soaking.  This spring just gets prettier and prettier.  The mosquitoes will be bigger than ever!

After taking Mom home, I returned to the office and paid some bills.  Ron and I were both working and closing time just passed by and we both kept working.  It was close to 6:00 when I left and came home.  I had to go by the pharmacy before I came home, so I think it was 6:30 when I arrived.  I made tacos for supper and Ron chopped the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.  They were delicious!  I am not sure why they tasted so very good.

March 9, 2015

Allergy Testing

March 9, 2015

On the way to the doctor's office

The morning was very rainy.  I was up a little early and it was raining, but not too heavily.  When I got ready to leave for the doctor's office for my allergy testing appointment it was pouring.  It was a good soaking rain.  Water was standing several places along my route to the doctor's office. 

I was seeing an allergy specialist who has a small office in the doctor's office.  The lady doing the testing is named Cynthia and is a kind, talkative young woman.  We chatted away 2 hours.  She was late arriving since she was driving from McAllen in heavy rain and slowed by 4 accidents on the freeway along her route. 

I had filled out a multi-page questionnaire about my allergies prior to seeing her and interestingly, doing that helped me see some things about my allergies I had not fully noticed.  I do suffer on very windy days, but in general, I am better off outside.  I enjoy being outside and am bothered by mosquito bites, etc. when out there, but in general, I am OK with the environment.

The testing involved 50 pinpricks on my arms with 48 different allergens being introduced through those pinpricks.  (The first and last pricks are control samples - the first reacted as it should and the last did not react as expected.)  Then we waited for about 30 minutes to see what the reactions were.  I found it funny that she did not read my forms until after the testing and then they showed that I pretty much knew what the problems were.  One question was about what I thought caused my allergy attacks.  I listed: dust, cats, dogs, and windy days.  In another question I mentioned musty, dusty areas as problem inducing. 

My #1 strongest reaction was to dust (that is why I hired a housekeeper about 3 1/2 years ago).  At the time I told her that her main job was dust.  She always remembered that and especially in the beginning, I tried to leave or work in the yard while she worked in the house.  Now that she has things better under control, I try to be at least in the other end of the house from where she works.

I doesn't show real well in this photo but there are three

 pricks just below my elbow that kind of run together.  

Those are dust, cat, and dog.

The #2 was a tie between a particular mold and cats.  I am strongly allergic to cats.  Dogs rated #3, along with a particular type of weed.  I reacted to all but one item in the testing.  They did not test for perfume substances which probably would have come out as number one or two.  Ron and I are both very allergic to scented products.

Next week I will start on allergy shots and hope that in time, they will help me have less of a reaction to these things.  I have no plans to get a cat or a dog, but would like to be able to visit a home with them without getting hoarse.  If I am in a house with dogs especially, within about an hour I lose my voice.  I avoid petting animals even though I have had pets in the past both indoors and outdoors, we no longer do.  I consider getting an outside dog sometimes, but it would have so little human contact that it would not really be fair to the animal.  I think cats and dogs are beautiful and love photos of them, but am not interested in owning or petting them.

My appointment was at 9:45 and it was just after 1:00 when I left the doctor's office.  Another interesting thing that I learned had to do with the Singular that I have been taking for my allergies for a couple of years.  I had to be off all antihistamines for 2 weeks prior to the test and within 36 hours, two things happened.  The first was expected - I started getting stopped up.  The second was unexpected.  I noticed that my knees started hurting and were getting worse each day.  I did not know of anything that could have caused that and it finally dawned on me that it was when I went off the medication.  That seemed silly.  Why would my antihistamine have any connection to my knee pain?  It does reduce swelling.  She had said it had a steroid in it but she was not correct on that; it does not have steroids in it, but some of the results from the usage are similar.  Basically it is to reduce swelling in the bronchial tubes, but in my case it seemed to work on swelling my knees.  I will see if the knees get better as I return to taking it.

On the way to the office, I picked up some lunch.  Our oldest grandson was at the office and did some filing for me and some computer work.  I had him work on some business cards and hope to get that taken care of soon.  While having the allergy test, the headache I started with got worse and worse.  Also I wasn't feeling good by the time it was over and those were just reactions to the allergy overload.

At 5:00 I left the office and went by Mom's to take her to the grocery store.  She needed a variety of items and I needed a few things.  We did our shopping and then I took her home.  Carmen was there to unload her groceries.  I came home and after putting away the few things I had bought, I was too tired to fix supper and went to sleep in the recliner.  I moved to the bed about midnight and woke at 4:00 which is when I started writing this.  Of course, about the time I get Ron up, I will be ready for a nap.

March 8, 2015

What a Weekend!

March 8, 2015

Designed and made by 10 year old granddaughter for her 6 year old brother

(as per his request)

The two granddaughters who spent the night with us last night had the giggles and chatted with each other until about 1:00 this morning.  As expected, they were a little hard to get up this morning, but since they sleep in the sewing room, they were tempted by the sewing machines, so they got up on the second call.  We had breakfast and then they sewed a little before time to go to Sunday School and church.

Pin cushion made for me by the oldest of the girls.

Considering that this was Time Change Sunday, our class did very well.  We had 26 there today and almost all were on time.  It was a good class and an excellent lesson.  We did hate to hear the news that one couple will be moving to Houston soon.  We will miss them a lot.  I slipped out early to go get my mother.  She looked great and was feeling pretty well.

Pillow for 3 year old sister from the 12 year old

For the worship service, the auditorium was slow filling, but by the time the sermon started it was comfortably filled.  I did better with the music and there were a couple of familiar hymns.  If the choir director sings right into the microphone, I can hear better.  Of course I am using the transistor radio hooked up to the cable that then connects to the Cochlear sound processor.  The sermon was excellent but with the time change and the girls late night giggles, I fought to stay awake.  The auditorium was a little cold and a couple of people left due to it being too cool, but that kept my granddaughter snuggled up to me which warms a grandma's heart.

Back of the pillow shown above

We visited a long time after church and then brought the girls home with us again and stopped for hamburgers on the way home.  As soon as they finished eating, they were back at the sewing machines and worked the afternoon away.  I baked a cake and helped them with assorted activities in the sewing room.

They made small pillows for their baby sister and quilts for their dolls.  The younger of the two made a small fabric doll for her youngest brother who requested it after she made one for the baby sister.  The older of the girls made bedding for the little doll.  They worked hard and really had a good time.

The girls at Mom's with their weekend treasures

A little after 6:00 we all loaded up and Ron left the girls and me at my mom's so I could check on her and the girls could show off their handiwork.  Mom and Carmen were properly impressed with their work and the girls were glad to show off all they had done.  While we were there, Ron went by his mom's to check on her.

Another of the pillows they made

When he got back, we gathered up their treasures and took them home.  We ended up staying there for the rest of the evening, having pizza and chatting and enjoying the children's playful antics.  What a joy it is to be with this family.  The girls had taken home their treasures, but my heart with filled with what will be treasured memories.

Back of the little doll shown at the top of the page.

Bedding in progress for the little doll

As we were leaving Jeff's house on a rainy evening, I was taken by the display by the front door, shown in the photo below.  Normally, they leave all their shoes by the front door.  What an assortment of styles and sizes, from cowboy boots to ballerina slippers, big tennis shoes, Crocs, loafers (mine) sandals, and canvas slippers.  That just struck me as a symbol of the variety in the family, yet they all blend together into a precious picture of a loving family.