An Unhappy Jessie

I'm at my wits end trying to figure out what is making Jessie so unhappy.  She doesn't act sick.  She says she isn't sick.  For lunch Jon, Jess and I met Chris and Sean at the Chinese restaurant and she was VERY loud and toward the end of our meal a family came in with a toddler and that threw her over the edge. By the time we got home she was yelling and screaming.  We gave her Ativan to try to calm her down (which I rarely do) but that took over 1 hour to work.  I finally took her upstairs and made her lay down and take a nap, which she did.

I also took away her iPad.  She's been hollering for it all evening, but I haven't caved in.  Tonight she's coloring.  Earlier she got out Leggo blocks and built a tower, which she never does.  Actually the family room is a wreck with all her stuff out.  However, at this moment, she is quiet, so I don't care what it looks like.  Now she's fixated on whether or not it will storm tonight.

This is so discouraging.  We had gotten her to eat in a restaurant and be fairly quiet and good.  That is not happening lately.  I don't know if it is because of my surgery and the arm immobilizer I wear, or what?  On September 10 she goes in for a throat scope test.  I'm very concerned with this, as she won't get on a hospital bed.  I really don't know what they will do.  She's not very compliant with and IV, either.

Another 7 Quarts Of Beans

Jon canned 7 quarts of beans today.  I helped him as much as I could.  I can be out of my immobilizer as much as I can tolerate it.  I just can't raise my arm over my head.  That would be a big no-no.  

Debbie came in the afternoon and took me down to Office Depot to get Lois' prayer letter copied and while we were waiting for that we shopped at FCS (Family Christian Stores).  Believe it or not, I bought NO books!  Just DVD's today that were on sale, as well as a few Clearance items that I had another 30% off coupon to use.  

Jessie entertained herself most of the day.  She went outside to swing while Jon weeded the walk way in his garden.  She carried the dirty clothes basket from the stairs to the laundry room and tonight put the wet towels in the dryer for me.  She's had a good day.

Thank you to who ever prayed for me last night.  Today was a MUCH better day.  

The Past Couple of Days

By evening, I'm not in any shape to blog.  Not that I'm any better during the days.  I've had several SM meetings I've been to, I've been taken out to lunch, and just the effort of going out, traveling with the seat belt across one of the incisions, walking more than normal and dealing with Jessie has put me so out of sorts.  I know, I'm whining again.  I don't like to feel this way.  I'm really looking forward to sleeping in my bed again - but that won't happen for at least 2 more weeks.

On Wednesday evening I went with 2 other SM Leaders to Kirk In The Hills, a Presbyterian church in Bloomfield Hills.  It is huge and resembles a cathedral.  Bill and I and the kids have been over there numerous times just to look at it and take pictures.  We had a tour of the sanctuary which was very ornate and beautiful.  However, I was sooooooo disappointed to learn that I am older than the church, which opened in 1958!  We had assumed it was at least a hundred years old or more.  You can look it up on the internet:  www.kirkinthehills.org

Ratatouille

This has been a fun harvest season.  Jon has canned green and purple beans.  We've blanched and frozen sugar snap peas.  Potatoes, carrots, onions and beets are stored in the basement.  This afternoon Jon (with a little of my help) made Ratatouille.  We froze 3 meals. There was quite a bit of preparation for this, but it turned out really well.  This weekend I think we'll be canning green beans again!  Did I mention we bought a dehydrator?  We're going to try our hand at that, too!

Jon has already begun to plan additions to his garden for next year.  He's going to do a small herb garden and then we can dehydrate our own herbs.  Now is the time to buy garden stuff for next year and he's been doing that, too!  Alot of work but fun and satisfying.

See You Later, Don! Say Hi To Bill For Us !!!!!

I was able to go to church yesterday because Rachel worked since I have extra hours for my shoulder surgery through September.  Rachel and Jessie took me and Doreen brought me home.  I could get used to all this chauffering!

This past Wednesday morning a member of our church and a good friend of Jon's and mine passed away from heart failure caused by MS.  (The picture is one from a couple years ago I took from FB.)  He was 48 years old and his wife, Anne, and their 5 adopted children and his one daughter, Charity, are heart broken. Not to mention all the family and friends he has left behind all over the world.  Doreen took me to the funeral home yesterday and we waited a half hour to make it to the front.  Jon stopped in after work - about 8pm - and couldn't get to the front.  He came home and paid his respects this morning before the funeral.  What a tribute.  Being in that room was hard for me, as it was the same room that Mom and Bill were in.  Several times I had to take deep breaths and remind myself to concentrate on the present.

Today was the funeral.  Jon had to work but he called in and we went together.  The church was packed and the service lasted 1 1/2 hours.  On the way out Jon said, "That was the best funeral I've ever been to!"  It was a beautiful celebration of a life well lived for Christ.  It truly was a wonderful service.

We didn't stay for the dinner but instead came home and got Jessie and Diane (who took the day off work to be with Jess) and went to Chili's.  It was just too funny watching Jessie devour the chips and avacado dip, then her chicken strip dinner (we shared it).  She gave 2 thumbs up and even did a happy dance in her seat!

How am I doing with my shoulder?  I'm not in any pain, just carrying around this annoying immobilizer is irritating. When I'm home and sitting down I undo the straps.  In church and at the funeral I kept them attached and that bothered me quite a bit.  When I got home today, Jon hooked me up to the ice machine.  I played on the iPad for a bit then took a nap.  I think I was in it for 3 hours.  It takes me longer to do things. It used to take me a half hour to get ready in the morning, now it takes me a full hour.  Dishes take longer still.  BUT, I can do it all - almost - myself.  So, I'd say I'm doing good.  Thanks for all your prayers and notes.

Friday and Saturday

There really isn't too much to blog about.  I've been trying to get in 3, 2-hour daily icing sessions plus 3x a day exercises for my arm.  I'm tired.  I'm short tempered with Jessie.  (This is the week before her period and she hasn't disappointed us in her super crabbiness! She delights in screaming at me quite often.  Lately, she even screams at me when she has to go to the bathroom!  Go figure!)  I'm tired of sleeping in the chair. I'm tired of being tied to the chair when icing.  I'm antsy.  I want to do stuff but can't.  Whah!  Whah!  Whah! I'm not sure what I expect since it won't even be 2 weeks from surgery until Tuesday.  Well, there you have it.

Menard's

Jon took me out to breakfast this morning, then we went shopping at Menard's.  I was very grateful that there was an electric cart to race around the store.  It was the fastest one I've used and I sure had fun!  Jon kept thinking I was going to run into something or someone!  We were in there for a couple hours and Jon got quite a few good sale items for his garden next year.  He's always thinking ahead.  That's my boy!

Brenda and Jessie went grocery shopping, McDonald's, a park then home to play outside.  She had a good day, too.

Happy Birthday, Debbie !!!

Debbie and Jessie took me to the surgeon for a check up from my surgery this morning.  Unfortunately, we had to wait 1 1/2 hours to see the doctor for 5 minutes.  Well, maybe 7 minutes.  Still, waiting was difficult because Jess was wound up and talked loudly the entire time.  All is well.  He wasn't even going to look at my shoulder, but I made him look anyway.  I figured what the insurance company was paying him, and me, too, he could at least look at it.  Jess calls it: "Gross!"  I got a copy of the surgical report.  While I couldn't understand a fraction of what it said, when Jon read it he either laughed, moaned or groaned.  Apparently it was an extensive surgery.  I'm glad I wasn't there, so to speak!

After the doctor's appointment, we celebrated Debbie's birthday at Applebee's.  Everyone had a delicious meal and we had a nice time out.  However, when I got home, I was ready for the ice machine and a nap. My "nap" lasted 4 hours.  I'm thankful for the extra hours that the county gave me for aides to work extra hours through September.  

What A Difference A Week Makes

One week ago, just about right now, the top pictures was taken. The day of my shoulder surgery.  The bottom picture was taken this afternoon while I was "in my ice machine".  I sure at least look better.  I'm trusting that all is healing well inside.  That's the most important part.

Debbie and Jessie went swimming today, then brought Subway sandwiches home for Jessie and me.  Doreen T came and cleaned my house and visited after lunch.  Shiloh played with Jessie before she left for swimming and when she returned.

We had another torrential rain late this afternoon.  It got really dark, thundered, lightninged a bit and poured rain several times. I'm glad we didn't get as much rain as they earlier predicted - about 3" was expected.  We don't need another repeat of last week.

Sunday and Monday's Posts

SUNDAY
Sue came to be with Jessie while Jon went to church.  It's always a pleasure having Sue with Jess.  They get along great and do different things than the other aides.  We are so blessed to have WONDERFUL aides.
Diane and Randie came in the afternoon and brought dinner, then Diane worked outside in my garden and tore half of it out.  Now we can see the main plants.  Chris also came in the afternoon and ended up weeding and Jon picked up all their stuff and bagged it all up.  It was a very nice day.

MONDAY
I'm getting quite antsy.  I feel good and I have to be in the "ice machine" 5-7 times a day.  It confines me to a chair. I've only managed to do it 3 times a day, but for 2 hours each time.  I've read 3 books in less than one week.  Today I spent quite a bit of time on my iPad.  Debbie and Jessie went out and got McDoanald's for lunch.  I also did a load of wash and Jessie (with Rachel's supervison) folded the towels.  Jon went to the show earlier in the day then worked in his garden and landscaped his blueberry patch.  

My Helper Jessie

Jessie helped me do 2 loads of wash, folded towels, unloaded the dishwasher then helped me do my exercises, so to speak.  Jon harvested more vegetables, prepared, blanched and froze green beans.  Froze small tomatoes whole and froze them.  My friend, Mary K. came to visit for the afternoon.  Did I mention Caroline came the other day, too?  It's been nice having company.

I'm on my way upstairs - early.  I haven't had a chance to get in my 3 ices today so I'm going to do a longer second one.  And exercise my arm, too.  So far, so good.

I'm Back !!!

Surgery went well.  Pain in shoulder is nothing compared to the pain in my back from carrying around the huge immobalizer.  Right now I have it off and using the computer.  I had a shower this morning which took more effort than I care to remember.  That was rough.  I'm sure as days go by it'll get easier.  Thanks so much for all your prayers.  I'll be blogging as I can.

Noah Called ...

... he'll be by in 15 minutes.  Actually Jon saw him on the corner on his way home from work.  :-)  We've had torrential rains since this afternoon and all around here is flooded.  My friend Julie called and she was on I-59 and they were stopped and the police had turned them around to go back (the wrong way) because the road was flooded near Mound. She said it was strange driving on the wrong side of the expressway.  That made her get off the on ramp!  She hopes to get home before midnight.

Jon's work parking lot had 6" of standing water in it and the Clinton River under 15 Mile had overflowed its banks, flooding the road and heading for Schoenherr.  He's safely home but very wet.

I've done all I can do around the house now in preparing for being laid up for several weeks.  Bills have been paid for the month, the house has been cleaned (thanks to Rachel), the dog was groomed and so was Jessie! Unfortunately, my surgery isn't until 3:30 pm. tomorrow.  I have to be there by 1:30 p.m.  By that time I'll have a headache from lack of food or water.

I'll try to have Jon blog something in a day or so to just let you-all know how I'm doing. Prayers appreciated. Thanks so much!

Continuing To Get Ready For Surgery

Jon worked so we weren't about to go to church.  I told Jess we'd watch Pastor Mick on the iPad but that never happened.  I spent all day doing paper work and preparing to be laid up for awhile.  I gave Jess a bath (she's not able to be left alone in there and requires assistance).  Plus, she got her legs and arm pits shaved (she laughs hysterically) and her finger nails and toe nails cut (she screams bloody murder!).  By the time that was done, my back was killing me.  Not being able to take the Mobic really makes a difference.  By afternoon I was barely able to walk my back hurt so bad.  I tried to dust and vacuum the upstairs but just couldn't.  Thanks goes to Rachel who came and did it for me.  That was a blessing.

I made us a homemade potato salad, something I haven't done in many years.  It included homegrown potatoes, celery, onion and dill.  We also had fresh green beans from the garden for dinner, too.

Tomorrow will be a busy day with a meeting in the morning, a doctor's appointment at 11:00 a.m. and another appointment at the house at 1:30 p.m.  I need to finish paperwork and do a couple internet orders.  I'll hear from the surgery center tomorrow what time to arrive on Tuesday.  I am just not looking forward to this surgery.  It must be done, so I don't have much choice.

Harvest Time

Jon's been busy!

Spring you seed.  

Summer you weed.  

Fall you feed!

Tonight I boiled beets for our dinner.  Tomorrow I need to work on the purple and green beans and sugar snap peas.  My time of using both hands is almost up for many weeks, so I need to get moving.

I spent all day getting odds and ends done around the house that I've put off for too long.  Jess and I went to breakfast then the post office.  Memphis had a 1:00 p.m. grooming appointment and Jess and I had "lunch" at Menchie's after we dropped him off!  Yum!  We also went to Salvation Army to get me a very large shirt to wear over my bandages and immobalizer on Tuesday.  The shirt isn't big enough, but if it won't work I'll take a sheet and drape it over me!

God was so good to me today.  He blessed me in so many ways.  So many little things that meant a great deal to me.  May all the glory go to Him!

Thank You Ben !!! Thank You Clark !!!

Many thanks goes to our friend, Ben, for fixing my computer.  He is a genius.  He knew just what was wrong and all was back in running order within 15 minutes.  What a blessing he is!

Thanks also goes to Clark for fixing our upstairs toilet and changing a light bulb on the stairway ceiling.  The toilet no longer runs and we have more light at night on the stairs.  Your help is greatly appreciated!

I went to the post office, bank, Kohl's and picked up lunch through McDonald's drive thru before Ben came over.  When he left, Jess and I went to the grocery store.  Unfortunately, I lifted too many heavy items and walked too much.  By the time I arrived home I was in so much pain I had to take a very strong pain pill.  Jon had to fix dinner for Jess and him.  I could have cared less.

I hope to have some extra time tomorrow to sit down and post pictures of Jon's garden and harvest.

I Hope This Saves and Publishes

We are all OK here except for my computer.  At least I can get e-mail on my phone and I can try to do Internet on my iPad.  Otherwise, my computer isn't cooperating.  We have a friend coming on Friday to see if he can fix it.

Until then, continue to pray for my shoulder surgery on Tuesday, August 12.  I am NOT looking forward to this surgery.  Please pray that it will be successful and there will be NO complications.  Thanks ever so much.

Sunday's Post ... Freighter Watching

After church the kids and I went out to lunch then we drove to Marine City then on to St. Clair.  We go at least once a year and see if we can see any freighters.  Jessie calls them "big boats".  It was a beautiful day and we hit the jackpot!  We saw 4 freighters: The Manitowoc, SS Arthur M. Anderson, the Algomarine and the Federal Rhine.


When we arrived in St. Clair and we started to get out of the van, Jessie started screaming.  She would NOT get out of the van.  I was stunned, as she likes to get out and go on the boardwalk.  Granted, there were lots of people, but I didn't think this would make a difference.  Oh, well, we just opened the side doors and left her in there while Jon and I took turns going down to the boardwalk. 

Our first ship we saw was the Monitowoc.  It was built in 1973 and is a self-discharging ship.  According to the internet and its exact location for the moment I looked it up, it was underway in Lake Huron using engine.

The SS Arthur M Anderson (red freighter) is a cargo ship.  It was launched in 1952 and is famous for being the last ship to be in contact with the SS Edmund Fitzgerald before it sank on November 10, 1975.  It was also the first rescue ship on the scene in a vain search for survivors.

The Algomarine (black freighter) was launched in 1968, built as a straight deck bulk carrier and named the Lake Manitoba.  It was renamed in 1987 as the Algomarine.  It is owned by the Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping Company.

The Federal Rhine (red freighter) is a bulk carrier built in 1997.  It flies the Barbados flag and it's port is Bridgetown.  Now, if you'll look farther down at the pictures you'll see that on the back of the ship is an all-weather life boat.  I was excited about seeing this because I told Jon it was exactly like the one I saw on the Detroit River on July 22 when we went on our boat cruise.  Guess what?  It WAS the same boat!  The 3rd picture from the bottom is from July 22 on the Detroit River.  The Federal Rhine is docked and unloading.  I was pretty excited tonight when I discovered this.  (Doesn't take much to get me excited about something!)

We had a fun time watching these "big boats", as well as the MANY smaller boats either out on the sand bar or traveling up and down the river.  For the first time ever, we also saw people swimming in the river.  I've never seen people do that before, although I know they do.  I just had to take a picture of the young boys who climbed on top of the boat posts in from of the St. Clair Inn before they jumped off!

After we finished watching them we went across the street and had our "traditional" London's ice cream before heading home.  In all, it was a very nice afternoon.

We were home about 15 minutes when Chris came to visit.  We had a fun time just chatting away about the shower yesterday and lots of other stuff.  Lots of laughs. 

I sure hope this blog posts, as I'm having a terrible time with it.  My computer needs help.  I can't get my e-mail and the internet isn't working right. 

Saturday's Blog ... Ashley's Shower

I was too tired when I got home yesterday afternoon from Sean and Ashley's Wedding Shower.  I wanted to post pictures, but just couldn't bring myself to sit down and do it.  So, here they are tonight.

It was a very nice shower and they received a lot of nice gifts for their future home. 

Jon went to the show earlier in the day then spent the rest of the day out in the garden.  Rachel and Jessie went to lunch then did art projects at home.

A Day On The Road

I overslept this morning and was racing around to get Jess and myself ready to meet Kelly for breakfast when she called and said that she was in a massive traffic jam and wasn't anywhere near us yet.  I suggested she turn around and go back to the office and we'd see her another time. 

Jess, Rachel and I went to breakfast ourselves then I left and went to Walgreen's.  Then I had a 11:30 am appointment with the PA in the doctor's office for my knee and shoulder.  I wanted an xray taken of my knee to make sure everything was still where it was supposed to be before my shoulder surgery.  I've fallen 3 times and I believe a couple of those times was because my knee turned out to the side and didn't hold me up.  That's what I think, anyway.

I was in the office for 2 1/2 hours.  Thankfully, I remembered to take a book with me this time and almost read the entire book!  I did finish it when I got home: "The Noticer", by Andy Andrews.  When I left the doctor's office I had to go get blood work done in case I have an infection in my knee since it's swollen and painful.  I have another appointment the day before my surgery.  Just too close for me. 

After the blood work I started my trek home with only one unexpected road detour.  I drove to the Chrysler Dealer and had the oil changed in the van.  Finally got home at 3:50 p.m.  I was sure tired of driving!

Before dinner I rested with the iPad and another book by Andy Andrews, "The Noticer Returns".  After dinner I did paperwork.  Now that I've finished this blog, we're going upstairs and calling it a day.