Tear Out Day

It was busy in the Sutton household today. The Livingspace Detroit crew arrived shortly after 8:00 a.m. and didn't leave until 3:15 p.m. They tore out all the screens and wood that wasn't necessary for the new screens. They also replaced all of the rotten wood, which was quite a bit. I'm so glad that we decided to up-date the deck. It looked pretty bad when it was torn down to the treated wood. 

My cousin, Karen, came and spent a good 3 hours weeding and cutting down branches in the front and back. I helped a bit. Jennifer was here with Jessie who spent a good part of the day just watching the men through the window that she sits next to in the family room. She also painted and did some homework.

We went out to dinner to the Ocean Breeze. We went early, as they have been very busy since re-opening at a different plaza. The food was great, as it always was. Jess had fish and chips, Jon had shrimp and rice and I had beef stew. 

After we got home, I spent about an hour out in the back pulling weeds, cutting branches and sweeping around the deck while it was cool and the sun was in the front. Like I said. It's been a busy place.

Corn

Jess and I slept in this morning then went to Leo's Coney Island for breakfast. That made Jessie VERY happy. We also stopped for another dozen ears of corn so that I can freeze some for this winter. I did a little bit of paperwork and played games on my iPad. Chris came for a couple hours later in the day. Jon had a terrible day at work. He looks like it, too. Not to mention he's had a headache since he woke up. I guess I'll start a new book tonight. I haven't read in several days since I finished my last one. 

Darla's New Look Out

It appears that Darla has a new look-out in the back yard: right on the wet dirt left of my Faux tree! As Jon wiped her off before she came in the house, he said "Don't you know you're a white dog?"

I spent quite a bit of time working on the computer today doing catch up and I'm not quite done. Several loads of wash and straightening up the house took up the rest of the time. Unfortunately, something I did aggravated my upper back. I had to take a pain pill early this evening. It's still very uncomfortable.

Jess and I went to the bank, Walgreen's then drive thru Wendy's for lunch and we ate with the goats. She was crabby today. She finally agreed to taking some Tylenol. 

They neighborhood was abuzz today ... someone was doing siding on their new addition, another was power washing their house, someone was cutting their lawn and another was having post holes dug for a new fence! It was such a beautiful day for working outside.

Cousins

Despite us having 2 thunderstorms last night and it raining in the morning, I still got up early in case the tear-out crew decided to still work. They didn't. They are now scheduled for Monday. Oh, well.

I had lunch with my 2 cousins, Karen and Linda, around noon. It's been quite awhile since we got together. Our mothers were sisters. I had a nice day out. 

I didn't do anything when I got home. Work, that is. I "took the afternoon/evening off". Back to working around the house tomorrow. 

My Tree Is Gone

Yesterday I blogged that when Jon touched my "faux" tree just outside the deck, it moved! Today when the tree guys came, one exclaimed: "Oh, that's not good. It's swaying in the wind."  So, by afternoon my tree was gone. Jon cut off branches of the vine so I can start it on the bird feeder tree and give Diane some cuttings, too. I hope they take. I got the original cuttings from my Mom's front yard.

Before

After

Painting

Jess and Jennifer spent quite a bit of time painting on paper today, plus all the usual activities they do. I went to Bible Study then picked up Jon and we went out to lunch. When we got home we finished preparing the deck for the crew to come on Friday and tear out the screens. It's moving right along!

Unfortunately, we discovered that the tree right outside the deck is about to fall down. I have euonymus that I took from my mom's house 10 years ago climbing on the trunk. I really like this tree. What's left of it. The tree company is coming out in the morning to check in to it, since Jon touched it this afternoon and the trunk moved! 

Jessie's WONDERFUL Day

As you know, a couple weeks ago we went on vacation. The times we ate in a restaurant or went shopping with Jessie was the first time she had shopped since the beginning of March when we were under Stay-At-Home orders. On Fridays Jessie used to go out to breakfast with Rachel, then Target, Starbucks (in Target) and Petco. Last week was the first time she had gone to a restaurant for breakfast. Today, Jane and I took Jessie to Target. Oh, my goodness! She was beyond excited. Prior to getting there she named off all the things she wanted to buy. I let her have a shopping spree because she had gift cards from her birthday to spend. She had a fantastic time. Talk, talk, talk. She wouldn't shut up! 

She was a bit adamant about some things she wanted.

I had to reign her in several times.

This is everything she bought.

She also bought a pair of new shoes! PINK is definitely her favorite color.

I didn't realize how being shut up at home affected Jessie. She seemed to take it all in stride. But from how she acted today, it definitely bothered her. I feel bad that I didn't pick up on how she felt.

Art classes are still not meeting this fall/winter. Jennifer has an idea to "teach" a craft to both Brent and Jessie on Wednesday's then have lunch together. She always has done crafts at home, but including Brent will be a bonus for her. And Brent, too. He misses going out bowling, Art class, and for him, Gym class. 

Just yesterday I had a call from a mom I met years ago at a Down Syndrome book club I attended. Her daughter is 22 years old and since she's been at home, she's become depressed and moody. The mom was looking for some suggestions what to do with her. We'd get together, but they live in St. Clair county.

This pandemic shut down has been difficult for adults and children. However, I think the special needs population suffers the most, as they are used to being active with their Group Homes or Workshops, etc. And, they don't always understand why things are as they are today.

"You make me glad by Your deeds, Lord;

I sing for joy at what your hands have done."

Psalm 92:4

JOY is the simplest form of GRATITUDE.

Kari Barth

Jessie was definitely JOY filled today!

Thank you, Jesus!

Sunday and Monday

 Sunday, August 23

It was a quiet morning, just Jess and me, as Jon had to work. Then Diane and Randie came for a couple hours and we had lunch together. Chris came later in the day and brought her dinner. I had made a large roasted chicken for our dinner. Jon and I picked up an oak table for the "new" deck. I saw it on our local FB site. I'm very pleased with it. It almost looks like the one I already have in my dining room.

Monday, August 24

Jess wasn't herself today. She was a bit crabby, then too quiet. She went outside to swing, but didn't sing, which is very unusual. She also slept for several hours. Since dinner, though, she's her old self again. I fixed BBQ Bacon Stuffed Zucchini Pizza for dinner and got a thumbs up. Jon also said to make it again! I did about 2 days worth of work today. I'm pooped tonight. My upper back isn't being nice to me, either. Oh, well. Tomorrow's another day. 

Where Have All The Flies Come From?

Jon, Jessie and I had a great morning. We went to Leo's Coney Island for breakfast then went and picked up a dozen corn to freeze. Next was Walgreen's, Verellen's then the post office. When we got home Jess went on her iPad (nothing new there!), Jon went out to water the garden (and nothing new there, either!) and I put the garage back in order since the electrical work was done yesterday. 

Before we went to breakfast, though, Jon made a Home Depot trip to pick up more fly traps. For some unknown reason we are inundated with flies. Not just a hundred or so. Our guess is thousands! The fly traps that Jon purchased are inches deep of flies in just a couple hours. It's unbelievable. Gross, too.

Jon and I watched the final episode of "Alone". We've watched it since it began several years ago. It was a good season in the Artic. 

Moving Right Along

I had the electrical outlet placed on the deck today where the air conditioner will be going. The cut wires to our water fountain were spliced and we can hear the water rippling over the stones again. The deck was measured for carpet. Now I just need the screens knocked out so it can be painted. 

Jessie dusted, reorganized her books and toys and vacuumed. She did a really good job.

A Busy 2 Days

Wednesday, August 19

I had Bible Study in the morning but had to leave early to go to see my hip doctor who ordered the 2 MRI's I had. Jon had the day off so I picked him up and he went with me. However, they still aren't allowing anyone else in the room but the patient. Jon had the idea of putting him on speaker phone so he could hear what the doctor had to say. That helped me out a lot as I don't always remember things important. Or unimportant for that matter!

I already had the text results and in my opinion, nothing looked good. I was right. In some places the spinal stenosis that was minor to modereate went from moderate to severe. My pelvic bone is bone on bone where it meets the spine. I have numerous bulges and bone spurs. It was recommended that I get the shots in my back again, as well as see the surgeon. That was depressing to me. I do NOT want back surgery. However, I do want to walk unaided. I'd like to ditch the cane because it hampers me, as well as I keep losing it! Whine, whine, whine! Ok, I'm done. My surgeon appointment is October 2.

When Jon and I got home we put up the Tent Veil that I bought especially for Jessie. It fits on a hatch back van and gives you an enclosed 6' x 6 1/2' tent. It also comes with a rain shield. The obvious idea is that you could sleep in your van with the tent extending your area. My idea is so that when we go on picnics, Jessie will get out of the van and sit in the tent. She currently refuses to get out of the van. She prefers enclosed areas. I hope this works.

Thursday, August 20

After Jessie's speech class this morning we went to "Aunt" Chris' house for lunch. Jessie played on her old iPad and Apples 2 Apples cards all afternoon and Chris and I visited and she showed me how to make sweater pumpkins. It was a fun day.

Pain

Today hasn't been a good physical day for me. The pain in my back has been bad enough I needed pain meds. I go tomorrow to see the dr for my MRI results, even though I already have them. It's not good. My back/spine is a mess. We'll see what he has to say about why I can't walk without a cane. 

Jon and I went to Leo's Coney Island for breakfast. There were only 3 other customers in there. Plastic "walls" surrounded each booth, plus not every area was open because of social distancing. I enjoyed my cinnamon swirl French Toast and bacon. Then we shopped at Kroger's. Jessie was super excited to empty all the bags and exclaim over what we now had in the house to eat!

Jess had a fun day with Jane. They went outside and played ball and ring toss. She painted and did bookwork. Darla had a dr appointment at 2:00. Her ear infection hasn't cleared up yet, so more medicine. Poor dog. It's a wonder she didn't have a heart attack on the way there. She shakes so bad and whines like she's being tortured. 

 

Playing Catch Up

After our 4 days away there are still things that need to be put away, washed or done. Wash continued today. Pillows were cleaned and put away. Jon and I went to lunch at Art and Jake's and enjoyed it very much. We then went to Romeo Flooring and ordered carpet for our "new" season room. We wanted vinyl or the put-together kind but it wasn't recommended since the room won't be used during the coldest days of the year. We ended up ordering Berber carpet! It was cheaper than indoor/outdoor carpet. Unbelievable!

I forgot to post the pic of Jon and me so I'm posting it here. I think we look pretty good. We've both lost 34# and still going! We didn't count points on this trip, though! 

I mentioned yesterday that I'd jot down how different it is vacationing/traveling during a "pandemic".

Our first problem on our trip was finding the inside of Tim Horton's/Wendy's in Imlay City closed. You could only order drive thru. That wasn't an issue. Finding a place to go to the bathroom was. We ended up at Walgreen's. 

Social distancing in crowded places like Frankenmuth and Mackinaw City wasn't a problem, as people steered clear of others. And, of course, everyone wore a mask.

Hotel breakfasts. Now that was different. The food area was closed off and one person was serving a limited menu. If you came down at "rush hour", you had to wait a long time to be served. Jessie and Jon had scrambled eggs and sausage, but all they had that I could eat was cinnamon rolls. Not that it bothered me! They were warm and gooey and delicious. We had brought microwave egg bowls with us for breakfast, so we did that one morning instead of going down.

Masks. Obviously that is different. Jessie did really well with having to wear one. 

Making sue we had them handy was a problem, although I kept extra in my purse, and in the van, in case one broke. 

When we had lunch at the bridge view in St. Ignace, we had McDonald's because either there wasn't a restaurant or it was too crowded for Jessie. Anyway, I counted on the bathrooms being open. Not. They were "Closed For The Season". Really? We ended up at a grocery store. Finding bathrooms turned out to be the hardest part of our trip, although highway rest areas were open when we were on I75.

Hotel housekeeping was different. A note in the room said that they would only clean a room (if occupied) every 5 days. However, we were asked each day if we wanted them to clean. We said "No", but we did get extra towels, coffee pods, etc. each day from them. That does work out well. A hotel room doesn't need cleaning every day. I certainly don't clean my house each day.

I can't think of anything else that was different. Like I said yesterday, we had a really nice time and I can't wait to travel again. Soon, I hope!

 

Vacation !!!!

Today is Sunday, August 16. Jon's working, Jessie's watching "Winnie The Pooh" in her bedroom, and I am blogging about our week:

We left for the north country at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11. Jessie was beside herself knowing that we were going to stay in a hotel. But before we reached our destination of Gaylord, we stopped at Bronner's in Frankenmuth (just for Jessie). She's been wanting to go to the "Santa store" for months. We ate a delicious Hawaiian pizza for lunch at daVinci's Restaurant, just north of town. Several hours later we reached Gaylord and because Jessie wanted to go to "the small zoo", we went to Call of The Wild Museum (again). I can't tell you how many times we've been there over the years, but it's a large number. 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Gaylord and had a fantastic room:

 Dinner that night was ham roll ups and snacks in the room.

On Wednesday morning, August 12, we went downstairs for breakfast. Jessie was happy to get eggs and sausage and I LOVED the cinnamon rolls! We left and drove to Mackinaw City where Jon shopped for smoked fish. We crossed the bridge and went to The Galley in St. Ignace, only to be so disappointed that it had a For Sale sign in front and was closed! We've been going there for YEARS and LOVED the atmosphere and food. We ended up getting McDonald's and eating in the van at a part overlooking the bridge. Dinner was carry out from Bob Evans, that was just down the road. 

Thursday morning, August 13, we ate breakfast in the room. We brought breakfast egg bowls to cook in the microwave and enjoyed them and more cinnamon rolls from downstairs! We spent the day at our friend's (new) home in Johannesburg. Don and Rox had us to lunch, Don took Jon and I out on the pontoon around the lake and Don and Jon went Kayaking. It was an awesome day with good friends:

Jessie refused to come out of their house. This is the closest she'd come to being outside!

Bummer. Friday, August 14 already. Vacation almost over. We left the hotel at 10:00 a.m. and went to Pride and Country on M46 for me to shop. Then we went into Frankenmuth, again, and ate dinner at Zehnder's. We were home by 4:00 p.m. A short, yet wonderful vacation! 

I think I'll blog later tonight with my impressions of vacationing during a pandemic. Things definitely were different.

MRI Day

Jon and I left at 8:45 this morning for the hospital for 2 MRI's with anesthesia. It was for my upper and lower back to see what has progressed so that I can't walk much and have to use a cane. I expected to be home shortly after lunch. We didn't get home until 4:45 !!!

There was a wait after I got to the prep room; I guess they were behind. I was scheduled for 10:30 but they didn't come and get me until 11:15. I got myself on the flat slab of a table, and after hooking me up to numerous things they wrapped me up like a cocoon. I felt like I was going to have major surgery! Then I woke up in the recovery room. When I could finally speak, I asked what time it was. It was 1:30 !!! I couldn't believe it. I had hoped we would be having breakfast by then.

Unfortunately, I woke in terrible back pain from laying still and flat for so long. They were able to give me 2 shots of Fentanyl and after a bit it helped. That made my departure even later. Finally they let Jon come back since he had my clothes! Even though they had up-dated him periodically, he was just about to ask what was taking so long. As he was going to say: "Her hip surgery didn't even take this long!"  We had a good laugh.

We had breakfast out and when we got home, I had to take more pain medicine. It's been a rough day for me, but I hope to have some answers soon. I'm off to bed very soon. 

Oh, yes. Jess had a good day with Jennifer. I think. What did they do? Beats me! I forgot to ask, and even if I did, I wouldn't have remembered. I'll have to read Jennifer's Service Notes tomorrow. My brain isn't working at capacity tonight. 

I think I'm going to take a few days off. Why? I don't know. Sounds good tonight. 

 

Sunday

 A quiet day with all 3 of us on our iPads. Chris came for a couple hours this afternoon. I made a nice pork loin roast. It was really hot today so I didn't work on the deck. I need to pull out the staples that are left from the plastic we put up each winter. 

How Much Work Is Enough For A Day?

That's what I'd like to know. It just seems like all I do is work around the house. Either inside or out. I do take breaks because of my back through out the day. It just seems like there's always something to do. I long to go on vacation where the work doesn't follow you. 

Jessie received 2 homemade butterflies from a friend from church. As you can see, she really likes them.

"Glory in His holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice."

Psalm 105:3

The optimist says, the cup is half full. 

The pessimist says, the cup is half empty.

The child of God says; My cup runneth over.

-- Anonymous

No Pictures For Today

Jessie and Jennifer had a pretty good day. Jess spent an hour or more doing "homework". They went outside for a very short while. And Jessie happily put away groceries when Jon and I returned from Kroger's. It was another fast day. Everyone kept busy.

Jon worked in his garden then moved all the couches and chairs from the deck to the garage to prepare for the deck being power washed. Another step closer to a "new" room. 👍

Who Yells The Loudest?

Jessie and I met Brent, his mom and aide at Frontier Town this afternoon for a picnic. However, Jess wouldn't get out of the van and Brent was out of sorts. He did a lot of yelling while they were at the picnic table. We finally got him to smile when it was time to leave. So much for a fun time together. Diane and I enjoyed out time together.

Jessie has done a lot of yelling at me tonight. She is looking forward to an event next week but wants it to happen now. She's driving me crazy. 

I Turned The Air Off

I can't remember the last time we turned the air off. It's been hot for months. The high today was 75 degrees and tonight it's supposed to go down to 55. Nice sleeping weather with windows open.

I went to Bible Study this morning, then came home, ate lunch, and cleaned up the garage. The deck furniture needs to be housed in there while the deck is being transformed.

Rachel was with Jess and they read books, did homework, Jessie went swinging outside, then they went to McDonald's for a drive thru lunch and ate at Stoney Creek. They also went on a short walk. Jessie's had 3 great days with Rachel. She's been VERY happy.

Cupcake Day

I went to the bank, Walgreen's and had a pedicure. Then I did something I don't think I've done since before March: I went to Michael's and just looked around. I've only gone in stores with a purpose since the Stay-At-Home order. Today was just a let-me-do-something-different day! I came away with a few fall items. Then I came home and did more paperwork. 

Jessie and Rachel had a fun day. They did "homework", read books, watched a Full House episode, and made vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting:

Nice job, Jess!

Rachel made the frosting last night and it was delicious!

 

And ... Again ... A Two-Day Post

Sunday, August 2

On-line church, reading, Jon picked up dinner at Romeo Family on his way home from work, more reading, Jess on iPad, more reading. That about sums up Sunday.

Monday, August 3

I just can't believe that it's August. Which also means I have lots of paperwork to do. Payroll, checking accounts, etc. I did a bit of that after Jon and I went out to breakfast, we bought 12 ears of corn, Walgreen's then the post office. 

Rachel was here with Jessie since Jennifer's husband had surgery today and won't return until Friday. They went outside for awhile, painted, did "homework", then made English muffin BBQ chicken and bacon pizzas for lunch. As you can see from the picture, Jessie gave it a thumbs up:

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

Whenever we are appreciative,

we are filled with a sense of well-being

and swept up by the feeling of joy.

M.J. Ryan

Another Two-Day Post

Friday, July 31

I was gone most of the day yesterday with the "Glory Girls" and husbands for a pot-luck. It was nice to just sit, eat and laugh for most of the afternoon. I was tired when I got home so I didn't do much. Jennifer was with Jessie most of the day and they did quite a bit of homework.

Saturday, August 1

Jon worked today, so it was just Jess and me. She LOVES it when it's just the 2 of us. Does she do anything with me? Nope. She wants to "be by myself" and play on her "iPad". OK then. I did laundry, paperwork, computer work and cleaned up the house. Now it's time to give Jessie a bath and almost call it a night. Here's a picture of our resident squirrel who is not afraid of me being 6" from him, although through the window.