Another Busy Day

Jessie had "speech" this morning, we grabbed lunch then she had her hair cut. We got home in time for me to rest a bit before Rachel came to watch Jess while Jon and I took Darla to the vet for an appointment. I was SO mad. They keep their door locked. You have to call to let them know you're there. They come out to get Darla and refuse us entry! I was so ticked. After the vet looks her over, she calls you to let you know what she needs (shots). When she's done, they don't bring Darla back out until the receptionist calls to get your credit card number to pay. I didn't leave the van and spent $170.00 !!! Then the vet calls again and you can ask questions. Thankfully, I'm not mad anymore. Just ticked. It makes a person feel like they have the cooties! Yeah, I know we're in a pandemic. However, I've sat in doctor's offices with people 6' apart and definitely could do the same in a vets office. Enough. 

I am, without a doubt, an extraordinary person!

I need a room entirely devoted to books. I've run out of room on

various bookshelves around the house.

I just got a CBD order in with 7 books!

That should hold me for a couple of days.

Too Busy of a Day

For me, it was one thing right after another. Bible Study then I got my hair done. From there I stopped at the post office, picked up Jon and went to Kohl's for a pick up order then UPS for a mailing. Home to rest for a bit, dinner, then Jane and Rachel came to cut down the hostas and peonies that are around my house. Friends of ours came and looked at the deck to see if they'd be interested in painting it for me. That's a go! I'm just now going to sit down and have a snack before we have to go to bed.

Jessie and Jennifer went outside for a bit. She did quite a bit more homework, then did mosaic pictures. She was a bit crabby today, too. Jon's not feeling well. He thinks he might be having a flare from his rheumatoid arthritis. He looks rough. 

A Day With Jane

Jane and Jess had a fun day. They went outside and played ball. They played several hours of Silly Sentences, as well as Apples 2 Apples. I went to the post office, Walgreen's, Home Depot and Meijer to get gas. When I got home, Jane and Jess were just getting ready to leave for a drive thru Wendy's lunch, so I went with them. Jon had to work 12 hours today, but gets tomorrow off! I began removing bird houses off the deck. That's about it.

"We praise You, God, we praise You,

for Your Name is near; 

people tell of Your wonderful deeds."

Psalm 75:1

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings,

turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.

William A. Ward

A Small Job Made Fun

Preparing for our deck to be rescreened, things have to be moved and cleaned. Today, despite the intense heat index, we cleaned out Jessie's outside toy box and got rid of quite a bit. Then we dragged the box over to the water and Jennifer cleaned it with the hose. Jessie had such a great time getting wet! 

She laughed and squealed. I wish everyone could hear her laugh when she's super happy. It's hysterical. She was soaking wet and ended up having to have a bath. 

I think I'll look for a sprinkler and let her play in that on hot days. 

Why Do Weekends Go So Quickly?

Good question. Probably because we're having a good time! Jess was on her iPad, as usual, most of the day. Chris came over with a Panera Bread lunch and we ate together and visited. I made a really nice dinner: roasted chicken, corn bread stuffing, carrots and watermelon for dessert. The 3 of us watched a couple episodes of Heartland Docs. I wish I could have gotten Jessie's picture several times as she, and Darla, stared at the tv watching intently. It was hysterical. A good day. A very good day, indeed.

Another Two-day Post

Friday, July 24

Saturday, July 25

I normally blog the last thing before I go upstairs for the night. Last night I was at a Joyful Journey ice cream get together and didn't get home until after 10:00.  Jess needed to get to bed quick, so I didn't blog. I was busy yesterday doing odds and ends, as well as going to the post office, Kroger's and Kohl's to do a return.

Today Rachel came and spent time with Jessie doing book work then McDonald's drive thru for a picnic lunch in the van at Stoney Creek. I LOVE this picture:

Jon and I went to the bank and Walgreen's, IKE's for lunch, although we had breakfast. Then we went to visit Diane and Randie for a couple hours. It was such a nice visit. When we got home, Jon spent time in his garden killing squash bugs:

A Two-Day Post

Wednesday, July 22

Thursday, July 23

Note to self in years to come: Just do it! That's what I should have done last night. I should have blogged but I just didn't feel like it. Now I don't remember what all I did that's important. Guess there wasn't anything too note worthy.

I have done quite a few computer projects in the past 2 days. I've also taken a couple naps because Tuesday's ordeal at the hospital totally wore me out. (One a day). 

We are having the enclosed screened-in deck Bill made us prior to his passing into a 2/3 season room. It's 10 years old and either needs a good over-haul, or something different. Usually all I used to tell Bill was what I thought I'd like and he'd run with it and do the entire thing. Now, I have to hire help and organize it myself. I'm a great organizer, so that part isn't a problem. It's not being familiar with construction. However, I believe I've hired a great company.

Oh, yes. Yesterday Jennifer was sitting on the couch with Jessie and Jessie let out gas. Jennifer made an issue of it and said, "Who did that?" Jess promptly said: "NOT ME!"  

Jessie's EGD

Today was Jessie's EGD text to determine why she has trouble swallowing and sometimes chokes. I asked for prayers from the Glory Girls, "Wednesday at 10" Bible Study girls and Facebook. Jessie was up within minutes of my alarm going off and wanted to get dressed right away. We left at 7:20 a.m. and she did well. She even walked all the way in from the parking lot without the aid of her transport chair. 

We checked in at 7:45 a.m. with an 8:00 arrival and 9:30 time for her procedure. However, they didn't get to wheel her back until 10:45 a.m. !!! And, it wasn't because of them. I had told various people that she has Special Needs and required extra time to prep. Even though they assured me it would be OK, I knew it wouldn't.

She got the gown on, they gave her 2 doses of Valium before they could get the IV in. Even with multiple doses of whatever they gave her, she was still fighting it. She would NOT get on the bed. So, in desperation, the anesthesiologist (she was wonderful) gave her something to knock her out just long enough for 4 people to lift her up on the bed. (There were 9 people in the room at one time!) Then, awake again! I'm sure that if I had as much meds as they gave her, I'd still be in recovery sleeping! 

This is as close to the bed as she was getting!

They took her down the hallway, I sat in the waiting room for 10 minutes and ate a couple graham crackers, and I could hear her talking down the hallway! They came and said she was all done! Everyone else they were bringing back were sound asleep. Not Jessie!

It was a miracle that she sat on the bed and didn't crawl off!

I got the van, they wheeled her out and we met Jon at Savory Grill for breakfast. I was SO exhausted. When we got home she played on her iPad and I reclined on the couch and rested. That was the rest of my day until I made dinner. It's 9:39 p.m. and she's still going strong and I can't wait to crawl into bed.

THANK YOU to everyone who prayed. The result of the test is that she has ulcers at the base of the esophagus. New meds begin in the morning. I pray that this will take care of the ulcers.  

Paper work

I spent most of the day doing paperwork on the computer. Jessie did "homework" and went outside for about a half hour. The rest of the day she went over, and over, and over, and over, and over, what is going to happen tomorrow at the hospital. She's a bit agitated. Many, many people are praying for her test tomorrow. I've been so concerned about getting her into the OR/Test room, that I've forgotten to pray for a good result! 

Nap Time

Jess and I were able to watch our church's service live on FB this morning, only the sound wasn't very good and Jessie lost interest fast. Plus, we had a severe thunderstorm and I had to prepare the closet. We didn't have to use it, but we were ready.

After lunch I was so tired that I took a nap. Jessie too.  After dinner Jon and I watched a couple vet programs. It's almost time to get the Princess up to bed. She's singing along with Disney songs on YouTube.

Glow Lights

Just how many glow sticks are too many? That's the question I asked Jessie today when we cleaned a couple drawers and shelves of hers. She has enough for many, many nights!

Oh, my! 

Jon worked today so it was just Jess and me. She spent awhile on her iPad. I did laundry and cleaned and sanitized the kitchen and dining room. Just a bunch of work. That's about it.

Jon's New Vehicle

I went with Jon to the Chrysler Dealer this morning and when we came home in the afternoon, he had a new vehicle: a 2020 Chrysler Compass:

Jennifer was with Jessie and they did quite a bit of "homework". However, Jess was a bit tired and fell asleep working:

A 31-Hour Micro-Mini Vacation

Wednesday, July 15

Thursday, July 16

It's Family Camp Week at Wesleyan Woods Campground in Vassar, where the 4 of us used to camp for several years with many members of our church years ago. It was such a great week, despite the ever present storms (and even Tornado Warnings) and 90 degree weather. 

Last year my BFF Doreen's husband, Ed,  preached for the teens and this year he was one of the 2 main preachers for the "adults". Last year I picked up Doreen at Camp and we went to Frankenmuth for the day and one night. Yesterday/today we did the same thing. Since they've lived in PA for the past 3 years, we've only seen each other once a year. We text almost daily, and talk when we can, but nothing beats being with someone.

We began with the family dinner at Zehnder's then had to walk it off shopping at Birch Run.

After several hours of shopping, we went to the hotel, checked in, unpacked and went downstairs for the food they provide for "dinner". Then we retired to our couch and comfy chair and chatted for hours. Something happened while we were talking. Doreen's phone rang and she said "You're calling me." I said, "Doreen, I'm sitting right next to you. How can I call you?" She said, "It says, Nancy Sutton Face Time." And then.  She said:  "HI, JESS!"  Jessie face timed Doreen on her iPad !!!!!!! My daughter is not dumb. That's for sure.

This morning we had breakfast downstairs, packed up and went to the Pride and Country stores and shopped there for several hours.

Lunch was at daVinci's Italian Restaurant in Frankenmuth before I took Doreen back to camp. A way-to-short trip, but blessed that we could be together. One more picture before we hugged good bye! And, as you can see, it was raining! Yup! Family Camp rain.

Silly Sentences

While I worked upstairs most of the day, Jane and Jessie sat for several hours on the couch "playing" Silly Sentences. It is a puzzle game that children build sentences with word puzzle pieces. They don't use it as a game, Jess just tries to put sentences together. She does a really good job even reading the puzzle pieces!

They also spent an hour or so outside and their usual Apples 2 Apples game. Jessie had a very good day indeed.

A No Picture Day

I had a busy morning by going to the Post Office, Walgreen's, Home Depot, Kroger Fuel and Kroger's. We needed fresh fruits and a few other items. There were a lot of people in Home Depot, which is normal, but not very many in Kroger's, which was nice. In the afternoon I had a meeting with a representative from LIVINGSPACE Detroit. They have a porch conversion wall system that I'm considering for our deck. I would really like to use it more than the few times we do a year. Being able to use it 9 months out of the year would be soooo nice. 

Jennifer and Jessie picked up lunch at McDonald's then met Brent, Diane and Tom at "the duck park" for a picnic. They also spent time coloring and watching home videos.

Another Day In Pictures

I should be getting my first blog book in the mail this week. Not only is it like a diary for me, but a photo album since I post so many pictures. They take up room, but they are important to me. In the future I'd like to remember this day ...

Since it was such a nice day, Jess and I went out to the lower patio and watched

church on the iPad. We watched Kentwood Community Church, Pastor Mick's

new church in Kentwood, outside Grand Rapids.

Jessie watched the entire serviced with me - even without her iPad on her lap!

This is looking at the back of our deck at my half tree,

as well as part of my miniature garden.

Do you see Darla?

Jon's garden is growing "like a weed", plus there ARE weeds, too!

Today he harvested more butter squash, which is very sweet.

A Mini Date Day

Our day began with a nice visit from my BFF Doreen's son, Matt. He drove in from PA to visit his MI friends and go to Family Camp in Vassar later in the week. It blessed me that he would sit for almost 2 hours and visit with me (and Jon, too). He's 20. I remember the first time I saw him he was a toddler!

For lunch Jon, Jess and I went to Culver's for a drive thru lunch. I've gotten so tired of recording everything that goes in my mouth for over 4 months that I just had to have a day where I could eat and not count. I know that sounds crazy, but I eat the same things for breakfast and lunch every day. It gets boring. I've lost 30 pounds but I'm at a stand still for the past 2 weeks. Up .4#, down .2#. Really? Maybe today will kick-start my losing again.

On the way back home Jessie wanted apple cider so we stopped at Verellen's and Jon bought her some and each one of us a donut. YES! Their maple donuts are SOOOO good.

I went outside with Jon before dinner and looked at his garden. It's really doing well. We had fresh peas for dinner. I had to laugh when I saw his fire pit with garlic drying out:

A Day In Pictures

Jennifer, Jessie and Darla went outside for a brief time in the morning. 

Way too hot and humid to stay out very long.

One of Jessie's favorite things to do: swing and SING at the top of her lungs.

What does she sing? Jesus songs, of course.

Painting day!

 In the afternoon, we were in a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, so I had Jessie and Jennifer

get in the closet. I sat outside the door and watched the storm. If it had gotten

and worse, I would have joined them. Looking outside it looked like we were 

in a Hurricane! We had torrential rain and very high winds. 

Areas around us were hit hard.

We are very thankful for the rain, though!

Speech

Jess had her "speech" class this morning, then we went to the bank before going home for lunch. I washed a load of clothes and balanced my check book. Jessie played on her iPad the rest of the day and Jon worked. I finished a book. 

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows,

But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

John 16:33  NLT

Cut and Paste

For over 3 months I haven't been to The Pantry. I met Joyce and April at 9:30 a.m. for breakfast. I had my "usual" which is scrabbled egg whites with brick cheese, potatoes, 2 pieces crispy bacon and fruit. AWE - SOME !!!! I was so excited to eat there. I know. Childish, but oh, so good! I also went to the post office, bank and Walgreen's. 

Jessie spent the morning with Jennifer doing an entire workbook of cutting out pictures and puzzles. When I got back home after being out, I had Jessie glue them to large paper and Jennifer made a book out of it. She did a really good job.

We drove to Wendy's for a drive thru lunch and ate with the goats, llamas and alpaca - again. 

Jon just got home: 7:35 p.m. He worked an extra 4 hours as they were short.

"I keep my eyes always on the LORD.

With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Psalm 16:8 NIV

First Canning of the Season

Jon's beets were ready to be harvested a couple days ago, so we canned them. He's a great food preserver, if I do say so myself. After the beets were boiled for awhile, he skinned them and I cut them in pieces. We worked together filling the jars and getting them ready for the pressure cooker. There were 3 different kinds and they are all delicious.

Jane was here with Jessie today. It was game and craft day after they went outside in the backyard for a while before it became too hot. The heat index was supposed to be near 100 degrees. Not sure if it reached that, but I know that it is still quite hot outside.

I thought this picture was cute. Jane is fixing a bead project that Jess is doing, only Jessie fell asleep! It doesn't take much for her to fall asleep anywhere and doing anything. Wonder if she has Narcolepsy?

Physically I didn't have a good day again. In fact the pain was worse than yesterday. Bummer! I sure hope that tomorrow will be better. I don't have my MRI until the middle of August. 

A Painful Day

When I woke up this morning, before I got out of bed, I had a terrible back spasm. Then it went away. Except for the spinal pain I had the entire day. I'm ready to call it a day.

Despite the pain, Jon and I went to Sam's Club for a few things. Then we ate lunch at Applebee's. I had the most delicious chicken quesadilla. When we got home and brought everything inside, I went upstairs, turned on the air conditioning and sat in my chair for 2 hours hoping the pain would go away. Unfortunately, it didn't. Oh, well. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Jessie had a good day until I got home, then she started screaming and not very nice. I really hate to hear: "She was good while you were gone!" Jessie did quite a bit of paperwork and put away all the clean dishes in the dishwasher and sink. 

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.

Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress,

I will not be shaken."

Psalm 62:5-6  NIV

Sunday

Last night's fireworks that began even before it got dark was unbelievable. We were surrounded! A family 3 doors down had a display in front of their house and someone on the opposite side of the street shot off mortars (at least it sounded like it). The noise didn't disappear until after midnight. For a while we watched the fireworks from Jessie's bedroom window, but it was just too close and too loud even with being indoors with the windows shut. I put Jessie to bed with her iPad, and turned on the window air conditioner in hopes it would drown out some of the noise. It didn't work. Several times I jumped out of my chair. The house even rattled. I felt SO SORRY for the people with PTSD for loud noises. Animals, too.

Jess got up before Jon went to work (6:00 a.m.) and turned on her camping light in my sitting area of the bedroom and watched her iPad. She could have sat on the couch and went back to sleep, but I wouldn't know, as I went back to sleep. However, when my alarm goes off, Jess comes back to bed expecting me to get up. Not. That's just to warn me that getting up is soon. Since no one was coming, I stayed in bed until 9:30. When I got up for the day, Jessie went back to sleep and didn't wake up until 11:00 !!

We watched church on the iPad, only not our church. We watched Pastor Mick, our former pastor at Stoney Creek, who is now the Lead Pastor at Kentwood Community Church near Grand Rapids. It was a very good sermon and Jess didn't watch her iPad once. She watched the entire service. At the beginning when Mick went on stage Jessie said, "HI, Mick!"  "HI, Mick!"  "HI, Mick!"  I think she was a little disappointed that he didn't respond to her.

Chris brought her lunch and we ate on the deck. However, as soon as we finished, we came right back into the air conditioning. It was nice to visit again. It's been way too long.

When Jon and I went to Menard's a bit ago, I bought a new front porch sign. I think it looks really nice.

Happy 4th of July

A very quiet day. Jon worked about an hour in his garden early this morning before it got too hot, bringing in sugar snap peas, romaine lettuce, strawberries, and shelling peas. Jessie slept until 10:00, although she had been up for an hour or so earlier. I continued reading another book from a new author to me. After our "in-the-house picnic", Jon and I watched a couple vet programs. Jessie is still on her iPad. He arm pit is less red and she's not AS crabby as she's been. We've had a few fireworks around the neighborhood this afternoon. I wonder how much we'll have tonight. It's usually pretty intense. 

Another Day Of Small Things

Jon had the day off and went to Kroger's for us in the morning. Jessie LOVES to take everything out of the bags and see what Jon bought. Around lunch time Jon and I left and went to a couple of stores and out to lunch at Romeo Family Restaurant. Unfortunately, the extreme heat bothered both Jon and I and we rested when we got home. Jessie had a good day with Jennifer. Semi crabby. After dinner I made potato salad and corn on the cob for tomorrow's (inside) 4th of July picnic for the 3 of us. Jon and I watched the 4th episode of ALONE. We've been watching it since the beginning and really like it.

A Bunch of Small Things

That's what I did today. A little bit here. A little bit there. One load of wash, placed a couple internet orders and took Jessie to "Speech" (we call it speech because that's what she's used to when she's tutored, although she's doing academics). I also spent quite a bit of time working on and placing my first blog-to- print book. Plus taking care of her highness always takes time away from projects, then I forget what I'm doing and have to back track.

We also made a quick trip to Beaumont Urgent Care down the road just before dinner, as Jessie's arm pit is infected and needed medicine right away. It wasn't bad this morning, but Jessie showed her arm to Jon when he got home from work and it definitely got worse. We went to our PCP a week and a half ago, but the medicine and shot didn't work this time. It's really bad. The worse I've seen it. If you're reading this, please take a moment to pray for her healing. This is probably why she's been so crabby.

Is It A Llama or An Alpaca?

I had Bible Study this morning and am I glad I was able to leave the house. Jessie was SUPER CRABBY. And I do mean SUPER CRABBY. I left her with Jennifer, who didn't have a very nice day. Sorry, Jen! I met the girls at Frontier Town for lunch with the goats, llamas and alpaca. The llama had a baby about 5 days ago. It was soooo cute! Jennifer took the pictures.

After we ate Jess and I had hair cut appointments, then they came straight home and I went and picked up the mail. Jessie continued to be SUPER CRABBY! Oh. My. Goodness! After Jennifer left I was trying to read a bit and she just wouldn't quite yelling and being agitated with what she was watching on her iPad. Time for intervention. I made her sit on the couch with me and just held her. For whatever reason, this is the only thing that seems to calm her down from whatever causes these crabby days or panic attacks. She's much better tonight. Thank you, Jesus!