July 21, 2015

A Friendly Evening with Friends

July 21, 2015

This morning I woke up just before 6:00, a couple of minutes before my alarm.  I gave myself my two allergy shots and worked in the kitchen for a while before taking my shower.  Then I curled up in the recliner and was asleep for the next 1 1/2 hours.  Not what I had planned for the morning.

Once I was at the office, Ron left on a job and I worked on the few things that had stacked up on my desk while I was out of the office yesterday for my test procedure at the hospital.  I forgot to mention one very nice conversation I had with one of the male nurses.  He was a very happy man, probably in his early 40s.  One of the conversation starters I often use with people in the medical field is, "How long have you been doing this?"  If it is not long, they are often hesitant to tell me for fear I won't want them working on me.

This man told me that he had been doing it for about 8 years.  Knowing by his looks that he had to be well past 30, I asked what he did before he became a nurse.  He had been a security guard.  To me going from security guard to nurse is a big jump, so I asked if it was something he had wanted to do for a long time, or why he chose to be a nurse.  It seems most of the people in his family are involved in medical care in one way or another and he had wanted to do it but could not afford to go to school for it.  His wife encouraged him, but his shift constantly rotated and the boss would not help him with the shifts so he could go to college. 

Then after 9-11, money was tight at the company he worked for and he was laid off, BUT, he was given a one year salary as part of the severance package.  With his wife's encouragement and help, he went to nursing school.  In fact if I understood correctly, he and his wife both went - while having small children at home.  They worked hard and reached that dream.  He loves his work and from my view, is very good at it.  He was such a nice man.

I shared with him a story my husband often tells about his dad having to make a change in career plans.  I told him that after WWII, Ron's dad started working as a share cropper, as his dad had done.  Before long his mule died and there was no way for him to plow his field.  He could not afford to replace the mule.  What seemed like a tragedy, turned out for the good in God's plan.  He used his G.I. Bill and went to college and raised four children who all have college degrees and then had grandchildren who graduated from college, many with advanced degrees.  What would their life have been if the dad spent his life as a share cropper?

I told this man that God had provided for him to get the job of his dreams by closing one door very firmly, but with it (as with Ron's dad) provided the financial means to reach that dream.  Sometimes what we think is a tragedy may be God showing us something better.  The man teared up as he focused on God's part in his life's direction.  Glad we had time to talk. 

Back at the office...Ron came in from his job shortly before noon and asked me to run an errand for him.  The errand ended up taking well over an hour.  When I got back he left on another job.  He said it was one of those jobs where anything that could go wrong did go wrong.  I spent the afternoon waiting on customers, paying some bills, and organizing my "to be paid" folder. 

I saw a video on Facebook on how to make a new quilt block and of course wanted to try it right away.  I was able to cut out the squares for the block, but didn't make it until during our quilt group meeting tonight.  It is the one at the top of the page. The block is called the 3D pinwheel block and I enjoyed making it but am not sure how many I would want to make.  They might be cute scattered with other squares in a baby quilt.  I will make a few more and see what I think.  I did not have time to sew at the shop any today.  I didn't have time for my lunch (soup) until 3:00 and it was almost 4:00 before I gave up on it and tossed the last of it out.  I don't care for cold soup.

It was almost closing time when Ron came back and I had mail to take to the post office and I went by the drug store to see if my prescriptions were ready.  One was not ready and the other had not been called in yet.  I hurried home and put out food for the birds before putting some chicken breasts on to cook and making some pudding. 

At 7:00 the quilters arrived and we had a relaxing evening with one telling about her vacation and another telling about her daughter's wedding.  One had bought a very old quilt at a flea market for $5!!!  She had washed it and it was in pretty good shape.  She was also starting on a new project and we talked about it.  I helped Carmen some on her quilt, but she was frustrated at needing to redo some squares. 

After the group finished,  I took Mom and Carmen home and Ron drove Mom's car home.  He had been using it while his was being repaired.  He put it in her garage and then we came home.  When we got home I chopped up the chicken I had cooked and chopped up some grapes.  Hopefully I will get some chicken salad made in the morning.

I am feeling fine this evening.  Throat is a tiny bit sore, but much better than yesterday and even better than this morning.  I was able to see photos and a couple of videos of the grandchildren who are at camp this week.  Technology is great!

July 20, 2015

Monday Morning at the Hospital

July 20, 2015

This morning my daughter-in-law, Barb, took me to the hospital for a scheduled procedure - an endoscopy.  In my early 20s I was found to have a hiatus hernia; that is a weakness or tear in the diaphragm which is a large flat muscle.  The esophagus passes through an opening in the diaphragm.  An enlarged hole in the diaphragm can allow the stomach to slip through the diaphragm into the chest.  That was the problem that was being checked on today.  I have known for 45 years that I had the problem, but in the last few years it has become more of a problem and it was time to deal with it. 

We arrived just before 7:00 a.m. and were quickly taken into the day surgery area.  As always, there are endless lists of questions.  I was prepared for the procedure and about 8:00 taken to the room where it would be done.  The procedure was to put a tube with a small camera on it, down my esophagus, into the stomach to check out the areas. 

They told me it would take about 30 minutes, but it turned out to be longer.  The doctor found some things he wasn't expecting and mostly it was polyps in the stomach.  He removed 80% of them and that lengthened the time in the procedure room.

For the procedure I was to be sedated, but not totally asleep.  There could be times he would need to have me respond to a request.  In order to do that I would need my sound processor.  In talking to the nurses prior to the procedure we decided to have me wear the Cochlear Sound Processor.  Once in the procedure room, they began preparing me.  They hooked up a heart monitor, an oxygen monitor, oxygen, etc.  They had already started the IV in the other area.

When they tried to hook me up to the oxygen they put the tubes over my ears and dislodged the sound processor.  A few minutes later, they did the same thing.  The fourth time they gave up since I was going to be lying on the side with the implant.  So I quickly went to sleep and didn't wake up until they were ready to take me to the recovery room. 

The only discomfort I have had is a spot in my throat where he stretched a narrowing in the esophagus.  That is sore, but otherwise, I feel fine and plan to be at work tomorrow.  After Barb brought me home, she went to the store and picked up a couple of things for me to eat and drink.  We worked on plans for our family gathering next month, and visited for a while before she left to take care of an assortment of things in town before going to McAllen.  I appreciated her help. 

I will see the doctor in about 3 weeks for test results and talk about what needs to be done.  He is such a good, kind doctor.  I am thankful I ended up with him.  For now I am to avoid spicy foods (I usually do avoid them), decrease the amount of caffeine (that will be hard), change one medication, and a couple of other minor things.

After Barb left I slept the rest of the afternoon.  When Ron got home I rode with him when he went to get a prescription for me and he dropped me at my mom's while he ran that errand.  I feel fine and plan to head to bed for a good night's sleep.

One interesting thing is that a male nurse taking care of me in recovery said his son has two Cochlear implants.  The son got them when he was 2 years old and is now 21.  I asked if his son can deal with the telephone and he said, no.  It was interesting to talk to him.  For the most part, I had excellent and kind staff members caring for me.  It actually was a good day.

July 19, 2015

Time For Church Camp

For the Youngest Bunch

July 19, 2015

Ron and I slept a little later than planned since I needed to do my allergy shots, but we managed to make it on time to Sunday School.  That was amazing.  Several things besides church and Sunday School were going on this morning.  The youngest bunch of church campers headed out this morning about the time the worship service started, on their way to the camp on Lake Mathis, not too far from Corpus Christi.  Three of our grandchildren were in the group.

This little camper was tired before he started out

Our grandchildren who recently moved to McAllen came back to go with the church group.  They were excited, but also tired.  They had been up too late and had to get up extra early to come from McAllen.  I went to take photos and had to look around for a bit to find them and it was so hot and muggy outside!  I felt baked by the time I finished and they were still waiting when I went on to my class and to church.

The campers are ready to go

Barb and the two youngest children came to the service after the others left for camp and the second oldest of the boys was there, but with the youth.  I think his group goes to camp next week.  The summer is flying by!

Barb and the youngest in their family

After the service, we stayed a long time visiting with friends.  Then Barb and the three children, my mom, and Ron and I went to Luby's for lunch.  We stayed a long time after we ate, visiting, but then headed different directions as Barb and the children headed to the beach for the afternoon.  We took Mom home and then Ron and I came home.  He changed clothes and went to make a hospital visit to one of our class members who is in the hospital following a fall on Friday.

Lunch at Luby's

Then he worked in the yard for a while and cleaned up a trap to take to Mom's to try to catch a varmint that has been digging up her flowers.  We took it over there and he set it up for her and we returned home.

My afternoon was spent much as the previous one had been - going through my finished quilt tops to prepare some to be machine quilted.  I got two ready to give to the lady who will work on them.  I pulled out fabrics I had bought recently that I had not washed, and got most of them washed and dried this afternoon.  I like to do that so they will be ready to use when I take them off the shelf.

This is the church gym which is 35 years old this summer.  The original carpet was taken up this week and tile will replace it next week.  

The carpet lasted very well.  

That room has had a lot of heavy use during those years.

About 7:30, Barb brought the second oldest of the children to spend the night here.  She and the two youngest ones are staying with her sister.  Barb will take me to the hospital tomorrow morning for my test and bring me home when I am finished.  Since I will be sedated, I can't drive tomorrow at all.  I appreciate Barb helping out on this so Ron can be at the office.

Jeff's youngest son.

No eating or drinking after midnight for me, so as soon as I finish this, I am going to bed.  I will need to be up early.  I am wondering what they will do about my Cochlear sound processor in the morning.  I took it off for the elbow surgery since I was going to be knocked out, but tomorrow, I will not be totally out and if the doctor has instructions for me, I will need to have it.  I will let you know what they do.

July 18, 2015

A Meatloaf Marathon

July 18, 2015

This is another late blog.  It is being written Sunday morning, because I was too sleepy Saturday night to get it done. 

Ron teaches (he likes to say "referees") a Sunday School/Bible Study class on Sunday mornings of adults that range in ages from their 40s to their 80s, with an occasional one on either end of that range.  Many of us have been together in that class for 35+ years.  We love the Lord and the study of His Word.  We love and care for each other, and we have fun together.  We also have a great team in charge of our socials.

Last night we had all been invited to a Meatloaf Marathon.  We did not have to bring anything; we just showed up hungry and ready to have a great evening.  Those in charge had prepared 5 different meatloaf recipes and when we were called to the table, there were saucers on each plate with 5 cubes of meatloaf, identified by different colored picks.  We were to drink water before we taste tested each one and report our opinions on a small score card.

The decorations were bright and cheery and beach themed, which is perfect for our area.  There were jelly beans of the colors to go with the decorations scattered across the table (the south end of the table was clear of any jelly beans when we left; this is not where I ate, but I did help with some as we later sat and visited).

We taste tested our bites of meatloaf and then filled out and turned in our score cards before filling our plates with our favorite meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, carrots, and rolls.  Last place went to a recipe by well known chef Bobby Flaye; and first place went to one by the Pioneer Woman.  There is no truth to the rumor that that choice had to do with the fact that we are all old enough to have eaten Pioneer recipes.  Naomi Judd's fell somewhere in the middle.

It was a fun time and the judging gave me an opening in how to start conversation with the couple next to me who are the newest additions to our class.  I asked what the lady puts in her meatloaf; who does the cooking in their home; and on and on.  It was good to get to know them better.  There were between 35 and 40 in attendance at the party.

The rest of the day was filled.  I got up before 6:00 and started doing laundry and doing general pick-up.  When I had loaned my car to the lady I backed into at the Little League game (while hers was being fixed), I had taken everything out of mine and not all of it has been returned to the car.  I sorted a lot of that yesterday and have one more bag to sort.  At 9:00, I picked up Mom and Carmen and came home to get Carmen started on the cleaning while I took Mom with me so we could both do our grocery shopping.  When we finished, I took Mom home and unloaded her groceries before bringing mine home to unload and put away.

Carmen made a lot of progress in cleaning and I was going through some quilt tops I have ready to be quilted.  The lady who machine quilted the last one for me is ready to do another one this week, so I am trying to decide which one to have done. 

After I took Carmen home, I came back to the same project - select a quilt.  Can't decide.  This afternoon I must finish that and have the top, batting and backing ready to give to her.  It will be so good to start getting some of these done.

I needed to work in the yard, but did not want to have to get cleaned up before the party.  Ron worked in the yard much of the afternoon and very sweetly mowed the backyard so I didn't have to.  I really appreciated that.  I need to do trimming out there.  The shrubs by the back door are going to block our way in and out soon.  All the rains this year have been so good for the plants.

As for my hearing Saturday, I did fine until the party.  At the table the noise was overwhelming.  The lady next to me was on the wrong side of me for good hearing, so I would have to turn sideways to carry on a conversation with her.  She had to repeat some things.  Maybe it was many things.  Later, after people started leaving, I moved to the end of the table (the south end that ran out of jelly beans) and it was better there; of course many had already left, so that helped the hearing.  Just after we got there I sat down by a lady who was a guest of one of the class members and talked to her for a while.  She is new to the group.

It was a good day, and I took time to read for a while and make a dessert for us to have on hand.  I put away a project I had recently started and think I will try some different colors on that pattern.  So many ideas; so little time!

July 17, 2015

A Busier Friday Than Usual

July 17, 2015

FRIDAY!!

Lately Ron and I have talked about how Fridays, especially in the afternoons, at the office are just about dead.  There are few people coming in.  Some of the governmental agencies close at noon on Fridays.  Often I feel tempted to take a nap because things are so slow.  Not today!  The morning was a little quiet, but I still had a nice number of customers.  Starting at noon, I put away the sewing I had done during the morning, because I didn't have time to touch it.

Since I had gotten up at 6:00 to do the allergy shots, I got a head start on the day.  I did not let myself get settled in the recliner where I might have fallen asleep, and I didn't get tied to the computer as I often do.  I worked around the house sorting laundry that I started doing tonight.  I cleaned the vent hood over the stove, removing the filter and really giving the whole thing, inside and out a good cleaning.  I baked muffins for breakfast and fixed a tuna salad to take for my lunch (and actually remembered to take it with me).  I filled ponds and bird feeders.  Still I managed to get to the office about an hour earlier than I have been lately.

Ron left before long to go up the valley on a job and to stop by and see our loved ones up there.  He didn't get back until mid-afternoon.  I cleaned for a while and made several spiders homeless by eliminating the spider webs.  Then I sat down at the sewing machine and made four of the border sections for the string pieced quilt.  Each section is about 12 inches long and I now have 8 made.  There are still a lot to be made.

The afternoon seemed to be filled with one customer after another.  Many had things I could not help them with but many made nice purchases and it was a profitable day.  Toward the end of the day I prepared a bank deposit and paid a few bills.  I went to the bank and the post office.  I will be out of the office Monday so there were a few things I needed to take care of today and I got them done.

Ron's Suburban has been in the repair place for a couple of weeks.  His radiator blew and it took them a while to figure out why and then  they had to fix it.  It was to be ready this afternoon, but past closing time for us, it was still not ready, so he told them he would pick it up Monday.

It was about 6:00 before I got to Mom's to pick her up for supper.  We went to Jason's Deli for supper and the food was good, but it was noisy.  I think I asked for everything to be repeated.  We had a good supper and good visit.  After that, I took Mom home and then I came home.  I started the laundry and the first load is now in the dryer.

There are no photos today, but I did have a green heron fly just in front of our car on the way to supper!  It was very close.  It sure surprised me.  As I mentioned, hearing at supper was hard.  At the office I did fine except with one male customer who was a very large, broad shouldered man, but had an extremely soft voice.  I had to have him repeat a couple of times.

I think I will turn in early tonight for a change.  I plan to be up early in the morning, so I think it would be a good idea. 

July 16, 2015

A Relaxing Day at the Office

July 16, 2015

Ron was out of the office much of the day, today.  I waited on several customers while he was out, but all were quick, easy requests that I could handle.  I took in a few things for him to do for tomorrow for the customers.  There were some requests for things that had to be ordered and he said he had taken care of those.  So I did not have a large number of things to do for the business. 

While Ron was out, I did clean a little at the shop.  A customer this morning wanted to buy a mailbox that we had on display.  I had intended to clean it this afternoon after I ate my lunch, but Ron was in briefly and needed to box it up while he was there, so I cleaned it as much as I could while he was doing that.  That was a good sale and we had a couple of other good sales on things he has ordered for tomorrow.  It was a good day.

There was time for me to do some sewing.  I got 7 blocks of the scrap string pieced quilt made, bringing my total to 127 blocks.  I also got two more segments of the border made.  It is coming along.  I must decide on the finished size I want to make the quilt.  I think I want 23 more blocks.  Maybe even 34.  I guess I will just keep making blocks for a while.  Twenty-three more would make the quilt 68" x 92"; Thirty-four more would make it 74" x 92".  I am not running low on scraps.

After work, I went by Mom's briefly before going to meet Ron at our house to go to supper with friends.  We had a good time with them.  It had been too long since we had been together and we all had so much to catch up on.  We spent a couple of hours chatting and eating.  It was a good evening.

Back at the house, I talked to our son and his wife in New Mexico.  He had just gotten back from a trip and was glad to be home.  It sounds like he had a productive trip.  We look forward to seeing them next month when all of our family will gather for a few days together as a delayed celebration of our 50th anniversary.

Conversations on the phone continue to give me so much trouble.  I had one customer that I needed to contact Ron about this afternoon while he was out, but I could not understand him on the phone.  I had trouble understanding our son also.

July 15, 2015

The Middle of Summer

July 15, 2015

Calabicitas con Leche Soup

This afternoon I had a customer who brought along a youngster, I assume it was his son.  The little boy will be going into 5th grade and was as cute as could be.  He just could not keep from smiling.  I asked him how his summer was and the smile got wider.   He said it was great.  His favorite subject is Science.  The future of our country.  When we look at the big picture of the future of our country, it can be discouraging.  Sometimes we need to move in a little closer to see a tiny portion of that picture and see there are some happy and bright youngsters who will someday be leaders (or followers) in our communities.  We need to take every chance we can to let them know we value them. 

Suppertime for the woodpeckers and for me

This morning was another of those mornings when I was slow getting started.  On the way to the office I talked to our daughter-in-law and she is going to spend Sunday night here and take me to the hospital Monday morning for my tests.  Four of the children will be off at camp and two will spend the night with her sister, so that just leaves her and one of the children to be here.  As soon as I got to the office Ron left on a job or two.  I had an allergist appointment for 1:00 so he had to be back in time for me to get to that.  I waited on customers and balanced the shop checkbook while Ron was out.

Once Ron was back, I left to go to the doctor's office.  I guess the doctor is off on Wednesday afternoon and so it was very quiet as I waited for the allergist.  Today I started a new level of the serum for the allergy shots.  I reacted with a patch of hives almost immediately after taking the shots.  I picked up lunch on my way back to the office and when I got there I shared it with Ron before he left on more jobs.

Ron was out the rest of the afternoon and I had to lock up at the end of the day.  Our yardman came in just before closing time and stayed for a while to visit.  He is a nice man and loves the Lord.  He is always willing to stop and chat in our air-conditioned office when he comes to collect. 

At the house, I put out citrus for the woodpeckers and made a big pot of Calabicitas con Leche Soup for supper.  It was delicious and I enjoyed it.  While I ate it, I watched the woodpeckers taking food to their nest.  Ron got home late from preparing things for some jobs tomorrow.  He will have a long day.

About 9:00 I started feeling bad and I think it is an allergic reaction either to my shots this afternoon or something I ate either for lunch or supper.  I have a few hives and so as per instructions from the  allergist, I have taken Benadryl and will soon be sleeping.