Endless projects . . .

So, you see behind me one of my endless chores. If I ever got to the bottom of that desk I'd have to dust it. Not much chance of that, though. There are always herbs and vitamins to throw. (Note a bunch more on the table!) Also, there is the endless stack of paperwork. There's no end. I can never get it all done because it comes right back to do, again. I guess everyone has these issues?

The iced tea and lemonade is a treat and gets me through for a few minutes. I don't do caffeine, but I do cheat a tad. Thus I have half a glass of tea and fill it up with another half glass of lemonade. I'm thinking that cuts down on the caffeine. That's how I rationalize. I only do about a pitcher of tea a month, so I hope I'm not feeding cancer; cancer liked caffeine, you know, as well as sugar, so I intend to keep it to a minimum although I miss it. I used to drink coffee and I don't anymore. I used to drink about a pitcher of tea a day. I also ate enough fudge (sugar) to choke a horse. I'm way over quota on sugar, so I just don't go there, anymore. I love being alive, so I do my best to behave. Speaking of behaving: I'm headed to the basement to invert on the inversion table to keep my back happy. This is so much better than surgery, so I'm willing to do the treatments. God bless you!

Iced tea with lemonade.

I got really hot when I just went over to take pictures of Bob Clark as he worked on his house today. Bless his heart! He was working and I nearly melted just taking pictures! I came right home and had a glass of tea.

I'm staying busy getting ready to do a little traveling. This week we're going to see our son in Norman and his family. Then we'll go the next day to see our daughter in OKC and her family. That day I also have an appointment with the eye doctor. I'm so hoping he can prescribe some stronger contacts so I can see better. I thank God I've made it this far with these cataracts. I'm hoping the cataracts have dissolved some and a stronger prescription will help. I've got two years to make it to 65 and Medicare probably won't even cover cataracts then if it even exists!

It was 104 the last time I looked, but it likely got hotter. What a wave we're having!

Confused.

That's me: confused! I pretty much stay confused, but I do my best to keep my projects to a minimum so I don't leave out too much. Today, I'm way over extended, so very confused. It happens. I looked for a picture to post and all the ones Don took yesterday look the same. That makes sense since he took them all yesterday. Duh. It's all I have to post, so I have to go with it.

A good friend called last night and invited us to go spend a week with her in her timeshare in Arkansas. It's one of my favorite places and she's one of my favorite people, so Don was too nice a guy to remind me that it's not really a good time for us to go. We're still looking for a new engine for our 'good' car, so we'll be taking the 'back up.' I only had herbs thrown for the next couple of days, so I had to throw a bunch of herb today. That was my big project and I got it done. Anyway, it'll sure be fun to take off to Arkansas for a week next week. I'm looking forward to it!

I hope we can get Internet access there. I'll figure out some way to post; surely there will be a library or a hotspot somewhere. I may be confused, but God sees me through! No kidding. I looked and looked for a certain herb today and finally decided I didn't have any more and would have to do without it. I got side tracked and did something else, and then when I went back to throwing the herbs I went to get a different herb and put my hand right on the one I had looked and looked for and missed. I'm convinced God put my hand on it. I believe He really takes care of us like that and I thank Him for all He does for us.

Still hot in Hobart!

This is the latest haircut. I went to the survivor dinner at the Relay for Life tonight, so Don got this picture when I got home. I am so grateful to be a survivor; what an honor. I thank God for all my life, and especially these years since the cancer diagnosis.

We are still in a heat wave here, and tropical storm, Don, has taken a turn to pass us. Oh, well, it was a hope and we're still hoping for some relief. In the meantime we're so grateful for a cool home and car! And I'm so grateful for my little pool to keep me alive when I gather Vitamin D-shine!

God bless; hope you all have good, cool air in your homes and cars.,

Hot, still.

So, it got to 110 today, This picture Don took a couple of weeks ago. I've trimmed another half inch off my hair since then; the hair on my face was driving me crazy. I'll get him to take a picture tomorrow, but it's mostly the same, just a little shorter. It's been too hot to wear make up, but tomorrow I'll put on make up to go to the Relay for Life Survivor dinner, so I'll be decent for a picture. :)

Today I went out and cut David and Dorothy's hair. Then they took us to the Mexican restaurant for dinner. It was way fun to get to have good visits with them! I so thank God for giving us more time with David. When he and Dorothy got married about 12 years ago, I didn't know him. A mutual friend who had worked with him told me, "There's not a better man in Hobart than David Rule." I've found that to be so, so true! They are both such a joy to know.

I've got to go do some treatments for my aching back and hip. (You know, as far as I know my dad never had a back problem. BUT, whenever something went wrong, like my brother wrecked the car or something, he'd say, "Oh, my aching back!" I think of him so often when my back IS aching! My mom had horrible back problems, but she never said much about it. It's kind of nice that my aching back makes me recall precious memories of both of them!)

Rain update.

This is probably not an interesting picture, but it's typical of the ground around here. So cracked from the drought! We've had water pipes breaking all over town from the shifting in the ground. Lots of doors are stuck. It's a bit better around here after yesterday's rain. The update is that we got an INCH; the 1/10 that I reported last night was what the radio said, but it had just started raining and it rained for about 1/2 hour. It was great and we sure thank God for it!

I went out for about an hour this morning and pulled weeds since the ground was soft. Ah; that was nice! Hot, but nice! It got up to 108 today, so the heat is still here.

My bathroom is still calling me. I worked outside instead of in there this morning. I'll go do some more tonight. I put most of it away last night, but there is still more to do. It's a big project.

My back and hip are doing better. I don't know if it's because I'm not doing much or if the treatments are working. I was having dizzy spells, so I quit taking the Ibuprofen because that was the only thing different. It worked! No more dizzy spells, but I don't have it's help. I'm taking White Willow Bark and it's almost as good and doesn't make me dizzy. So, I thank God for helping me figure out how to find relief, too. I can live with a pain level of 3.

Wow; rain!

The average rainfall in Hobart is 28.5 inches per year. So far this year we've had less than half that: 7 inches. The average high temperature in July is 96. Well, we've had 32 days in a row over 100 and today it was 109 when we got a little SHOWER! It cooled it right down to 80! It's back up to 83, but it was 98 when we went to bed at 10 last night, so this is a cool night for us! We only got 1/10 of an inch of rain, but that was such a nice treat. I doubt if it's enough to help the farmers, but our grass will probably appreciate it! We thank God for this treat!

I am cleaning out my bathroom cabinets and drawers. It's time to change everything. I still had bandages I used when I had the pic line for chemo! Hopefully, I'll never have to have another pic line! I had all my bands and bows and pins for long hair and it's time to pack those! I need to get things organized in there so that it's more convenient and useful for me. So, I've pulled out everything in there and I'm in the process of putting it all where it belongs. That's keeping me busy for a couple of days. I want to be DONE with it tomorrow! Don is so neat; he keeps his side perfect. I'm grateful for that!

Beat the record.

I don't know how hot it got today, but it's 8:30 and it's 103. So, this is the day that we beat the record set in 1954 of 31 days of temperatures in triple digits. I thank God for a cool home and car! I thank God for our troops who have lived in temperatures worse than this away from their families and cool homes and cars. We sure need rain, but we take what we have and give thanks. God knows best.


Don continues to get stronger and I'm coping with my back/hip issues. Don does all the exercises that he did before his surgery, so he's feeling pretty much back to normal, I think. I thank God for that, too!

Really precious friends!

Today started off so fun! Bob Clark called just as we were leaving for the Kozy Diner and said, "Is there going to be a mini-reunion at the Kozy Diner?" I said, "You betcha! We're just leaving; see you there!" So we met them there and before we got our order in walked David and Dorothy! We were so surprised because David has just been out of the hospital a couple of days. The big, round table was open, so we picked up our drinks and moved over there. What a treat to all meet there! As you look at the picture, that's David and Dorothy Rule, Diana and Bob Clark, and me. Don was taking the picture, so you don't get to see him. It was a great way to start a day! I sure thank God for these great friends and for David's ability to bounce back. If you look close, you'll see he's smiling, as everyone else is. Don probably said something silly. :)

We came home and laid in the sun for a bit. It's 104 now; no telling if it was hotter for a while because we forgot to look. We've had no rain to measure for weeks. I mowed twice, but the attention the yard has had. Don thinks he can mow whenever the grass grows, I thank God for that, too. I didn't mind mowing, but starting that thing was a horrendous challenge for me.

I've got ground beef to patty up and cook tonight. Then I'll freeze it and get it out as Don eats it. There's always some chore. There are tons of other chores around here to do, but I'm pretty lazy and they're just calling me as I ignore them.

David is home.

This is a picture I took about 6 weeks ago, I think. We'd like to be playing cards, now, but I don't think David's up to that. Maybe next week. He IS at home and doing a little better. He's such a dear guy; we all hate for him to be down, but he's on his way back up to feeling better. He got to come home yesterday. Linda, thank you so much for sending them a card. They got it today and were thrilled so much to hear from you. How sweet you are! We sure love and miss you! I thank God for good friends and for the health all of us are able to maintain.

We made it to 30 days of 3 digit temperatures in a row. For a while we thought it might not get up past 99. It was 99 and cloudy at 1 this afternoon, but it made it up to 103 by 5. It's hot most everywhere in the country and I like the hot. It's so hard on the farmers and ranchers, though. We'll all pay next year; beef is going to go sky high, I'm afraid. I've learned so much that I DON'T know about farming since we moved here. I thought farming was a huge garden and a couple of cows and pigs. Oh, no! Around here they have acres and acres of wheat and cotton and more head of cattle than I can count. It's a really big deal and our whole country depends on the farmers and their ability to produce. We're praying for rain; the heat we can take, but we sure do need a good rain.

Come as you are party.

Bob Clark came over yesterday morning to use our Internet since his wasn't on yet at his house. (They've been gone to Kazakhstan for 4 months, so they had that off while they were gone.) I didn't have on make up or boobs and had to cut the picture short because that jumper has big arm holes and my ugly scar shows. It's comfortable, though, so it's what I wear around the house a lot. I'm glad I had the permanent eyebrows and liner put on last fall or I'd look like death warmed over with no make up. It makes making up easier and quicker, too. They say it's perfect for people who can't see well and I'm sure one of those! I have an appointment with the eye doctor in OKC on August 2, so there's hope I can see better soon. It's sure good to have Bob and Diana home!

Today was our 29th day in a row over 100. I'm not complaining, though. Someone mentioned today on Facebook that we aren't in Iraq and we aren't wearing big heavy gear, so we should be grateful. So right! I thank God that we have AC; just hope we can continue to pay for it! Our electric bill will be a whopper this month!

I am doing so much better since I broke down and started taking Ibuprofen. I take just one in the morning and I can make it with that. I'm not walking. I'm taking a rest from that in hopes that my hip will heal. I thank God for the relief!

David is a little better.

This is a picture I took of Don when he arrived at the hotel where we were gathered after the Olive Garden the other night. We were all so glad to see him. The battery on his phone had run down, so he couldn't call us and we didn't know where to go looking for him. So, we were really glad when he appeared! Can you believe how slim he is? I'm really proud of his getting his weight down and keeping it down!

Today got to 106 that we saw. I know it's really hot! I guess it's hot over a lot of the country. We're grateful for a home and car that are air conditioned!

I visited David and Dorothy tonight and David is doing a little better. This is just a very difficult disease! (COPD) His lungs have not been the acute problem this time; it's fluid on his heart(congestive heart failure) that is causing this recent problem. I thank God for getting him through this crisis.

No piddling around tonight.

Tonight's picture is one from the mini reunion. After the dinner at the Olive Garden, we went over to the hotel where Bob and Diana and another from our group were staying. Patsy opened her room up to us because she had a suite, so here were half of us. Terri, who calls me Sissy, is on the left. Then Bob Clark, who just got back from 4 months in Kazakhstan. Between Bob and I is, Dana, who also comments on here, fairly often. Next to me is Jerry Grant, whose grandson, Dallas took this picture for me. On the far right is Debbie, Dana's sister. What a terrific group; I wish we could have fit everyone into the picture!

Now, today Don let me sleep until 9:50! I am such a good sleeper! I had stayed up late last night making a bunch of quiche which I put into the freezer, intending to take it out one day at a time as I use it. We were headed to the Kozy Diner for Breakfast and then to see David and Dorothy, as David had gone into the hospital yesterday! When Don opened the garage door he said, "Oh, no!" My first thought was the van had a flat or something; then I thought it might be something about the freezer. Sure enough; the door was barely open and there was water all over the floor. UGH! When I put the quiche in last night I had to push the door to close it, but I guess it wouldn't stay and came open. I thought I could close the door and it would refreeze anything that thawed. Not so. I checked it awhile ago and it wasn't refreezing. So, I spent the last couple of hours defrosting the freezer in 102 degrees in the garage. So, I'm exhausted. As soon as I get a bath I'm going to bed! In only had one package of beef in the freezer and it was still frozen! Mostly what I keep in there is stuff that could refreeze and wouldn't hurt unless I never refroze it. I buy butter when it's on sale and keep it in the freezer, etc. (Tortillas, bread, nuts, etc.)

They are treating David for congestive heart failure and he is doing a little better today. The good thing is that he has no fever and seems to have no infection at all.

So, no piddling around for me. I'm going to soak in the tub and go to bed. I hope when I get up in the morning that everything is refrozen in the freezer!

Publish Post

Laundry day.

Terri took this picture for me at the Olive Garden. It was so good to get there; I couldn't figure out how I'd get there with no vehicle, but I asked for help at the desk and they said the shuttle could take me. Yippee for the Marriott!

Today has been a day to get the laundry done. I changed the sheets, so I get to sleep in a clean bed tonight. I love clean sheets! It's time to head that direction. I've got to get a bath, too. I always piddle around and then have to rush to bed. I'm grateful for a cool house in this heat. Cool sheets are nice, too. Ahhhhhhh. In the winter I love flannel sheets, but cool cotton is good in the summer. Good night, all, and God bless!

Road hazzards . . .

It could have happened anywhere, but it happened on our trip. The fuel pump died. We were fortunate that Don could pull the van over to the side of the road and we found a tree that gave us some shade while we waited. Shade helps a lot when it's over 100! We had apples and water with us, so we were fine. The reunion was way fun and we made it home just fine today. I thank God for a safe trip and for the wonderful people who stopped to make sure we didn't need help or water. How encouraging they were!

Wonderful trip.

So sorry; no picture tonight, but I'll have a good one for tomorrow! We made it to the mini reunion, but barely.


We left early this morning and thought things were going well. Thought we'd get here in time to hang out by the pool before the mini reunion. Nope. About 4 miles before we got to our hotel the van died. Dead. Don coasted over to the side of the road and we called road side assistance. An hour and a half later (sitting in the 3 digit heat; the number I don't need to know, but it was high noon and later) a wrecker came and got us. He took me to the hotel and took Don back to his shop where they fixed it. I got the shuttle driver at our hotel to take me, so I got to eat at the Olive Garden with the group. Don had to wait while they repaired it and then drove to get me. He got there in time to see about 10 folks who were hanging around at the hotel where Bob and Diana were staying. We got back here a bit ago and I'm posting from the business center. Funny; they don't have any pictures on their computer for me to post. :)

I thank God for the tree we could sit under while waited and the breeze that kept it bearable! I also thank God for the two couples who stopped to help and offered us water. It's encouraging when folks are so kind. Fortunately we had called for help and we had plenty of water, but I was happy to see nice folks. The guy who picked us up in the wrecker was really nice, too! I thank God for friends who are worth going through days like this to see, too! Woo hoo! I'll have pictures soon!

A friend shares.

This is a picture Don took earlier this week. I should get new pictures tomorrow when we go to Dallas.

"Never tire of doing even the smallest things for God, because He isn't impressed so much with the dimensions of our work, as with the LOVE in which it is done."

This is a comment that Sara shared on her Caring Bridge site today. Sara is a young mother who has stage 4 colon cancer and is undergoing chemo right now. I am blessed by all she writes, but this one was really good for me. I hope it's good for you, too.

I hope to be able to write from Dallas tomorrow night. We'll be home the next day.

Rambling about breast cancer issues.

I've been wanting a picture of me in red to use on Facebook, because it's easier to see where my posts are if I've got on red. Anyway, I asked Don to make several pictures yesterday, so that's why it looks so much the same as the last picture.

I remember that Mom would never wear any open neck clothes because it showed her caved in chest. She never wore a sleeveless blouse because it showed her fat arm. You'll notice in the picture that my fat arm just gets to be there and so does my caved in chest. Maybe you wouldn't notice if I didn't make a big deal of it, but for anyone who goes through breast cancer, these are issues. I want to encourage folks to go ahead and be comfortable, as much as possible. You can see that the right side of my chest is not tanned because that's the side that they radiated and I keep it covered when I'm sunning. So the left side is tanned, and that exacerbates the concave look. My left side is more concave because the lymphedema keeps the right side swollen. Mom had only one mastectomy, so I'm sure the contrast of the concave side and the side with a remaining breast was really obvious to her. She was constantly aware of the lack of balance in her own breast and her prosthesis. I guess that made a big impression on me because I did NOT want to be left with one breast. I wanted to at least be level. I have no regrets. I remember reading several years ago about a lady who had breast cancer and a double mastectomy. She said it was wonderful looking like an 8 year old, again. I enjoy that, too, and reading her story helped me to be prepared when I faced breast cancer. Around the house I don't usually wear any prosthesis and I often run out to the store or post office and forget all bout wearing boobs! Ha! I think people are more shocked about my knee bands than they are about my flat chest!

I thank God for the opportunity to have had boobs, but I thank him also for the opportunity to be flat chested, again. I thank Him for a husband who loves me even flat chested. Most of all I thank Him for another chance at life. I still think boobs are way over rated. Life is the real treat.

The Astro is ready to go to Dallas.

The Astro is fixed. I forget the whole explanation, but it is fixed and we can take it to Dallas. That's all I need to know. Whew!

We finished up VBS today, so that was a great experience. I was the photographer and got hundreds of pictures. The most fun was the kids. We had 55 kids today and 33 'staff' of one sort or another. We had helpers in the kitchen and helpers doing crafts and activities in addition to the teachers and helpers. It was really fun to see so many people pull together to pull off a great event.

I am doing so much better since I gave in to take some Ibuprofen. I'm doing good with just taking one a day. I thank God for the relief I get through my various therapies and this Ibuprofen.

So, now, what?

About 6 weeks ago, when we were headed to Wichita Falls for my brother-in-law's funeral, the van started losing power and the check engine light lit. We stopped at a dealership and they told is it wasn't hot, so go ahead to the funeral and check it later. We did and then came on home. Our mechanic has been working on it since and has finally pronounced it dead for all practical purposes. Well, we had the family reunion trip planned to Tennessee, so we bought an Astro from Trish and Rob. We've been driving it, since, while Gary works on the other van and now while he's working to see how we might salvage it or whatever. So, today we drove out to Dorothy and David's house and rode with them to Altus. We drove back home (about 6 miles) and when we got about a mile from home I smelled something burning. Then the engine light came on and Don noticed the oil gage was on empty! We turned off the AC and came on home. Now there is oil all under the van. Ugh. Gary is coming first thing in the morning to see what needs to be done. I'm down to NO VEHICLE. So, now, what? God will provide.

I'll get a ride to VBS in the morning and then we don't have to go anywhere until Saturday, but Saturday we are going to a mini reunion (for Itazuke folks in this area) in Fort Worth. I'm going to be sick if I miss that! One day at a time; surely we can get this Astro fixed by then. I thank God it's only the car and not one of us falling apart!

When an old lady acts like a kid . . .

I thought I'd do Grace and Raynie's pose, but it doesn't work for me. It shows the big old lyphedema arm on one side and the flab hanging on the other one. Ugh. It is what it is, and I'm glad to be alive.

We had vacation Bible school today. I did registration and mostly enjoyed seeing all the other folks pull together a really good time. I was impressed. After that we went to Lawton with David and Dorothy for them to both see the dermatologist. He worked on them today, so that was good. Then we went to the Golden Corral and celebrated. We always have so much fun with them. We sure thank God for great friends like they are.

More VBS tomorrow and then we're going to Altus with David and Dorothy for them to see the eye doctor. It's a fun week! My hip and back are doing better this week. PTL!

Happy birthday, Raynie!

This is our precious Summer Rayne. She was born 4 years ago, today, after it had rained and stormed all night (really the last couple of weeks or more!). This was the only one of Tricia's 6 births that we missed because we were in Houston having my biopsy done. I sure hated missing Raynie's birth, but I was sure thrilled that she was born and healthy and that Trish was fine. That weekend we rushed back home from Houston to see her; then we went back to Houston to begin my first chemo treatment. We could hardly wait to see her and hold her! Wow, a lot has happened in the last 4 years!

Today, I think the high was 105; we stayed inside as much as possible. This weather is something else. I sure thank God for a comfortable home!

New haircut.

I posted a minute ago by accident. I thought I stopped it, but it went! I hadn't written anything, yet, and just hit the wrong key. Anyway, here is the new haircut; a slightly different shot. I'm liking it okay, but I'm not at all used to it. I see this picture on Face Book and bend over to look closer to see who it is! When I look up in the mirror it's kind of a shock. I've had long hair for a long time and for years before that I had really short hair. This is something new for me. I thought it would still be curly, but it's not NEARLY as curly as it was when if first grew in after the chemo. I guess I'm still on the journey. The back is really short. The sides have those weird curls, so I kept them for fun. I imagine I'll end up chopping those. It's fun for now, though. I so thank God for giving me life after breast cancer and hair for fun, too!

My good friend, Vereal Barton sent me a note the other day advising me that Acetaminophen is hard on the liver, not the kidneys. I studied up on it and he's so right. It's especially important to me because the one test that worries my oncologist is that my ALT is sometimes high; that has to do with liver health. I'm not concerned about it because it has been high off and on for 25 years. Ever since I've given blood that was a number that was always off, and one time they asked me not to give for a year because of it. It never amounted to anything more than a number out of whack; like I'm only 5 feet tall and women should be taller. My height number is just off a bit, and so is my ALT number, but neither seems to be a real problem. However, I DO NOT want to aggravate my liver or my ALT number! So, I'm taking Ibuprofen instead of Acetaminophen. And most days I only take 2; the dosage is 2 every 6 hours as needed. So, I'm so thankful that I'm doing better and better with my hip and back. Thanks, Vereal, for keeping up with me and keeping me informed!

The new haircut.

Chemo curls are mostly history.

This is a picture Don took tonight before I cut my hair. I don't know what to do with it, yet, and it's still wet, so we're not taking picutres of the new me, yet. I'll be in shape for a picture tomorrow, I hope! Right now I look a little like a plucked chicken. It feels good to not have any pins in my hair, though! It also feels good not to have a mop following me everywhere! I'll admit that I was surprised that there are so few curls. There are a couple of places where it seems to be bent, but maybe that's curls? I don't know. It's just part of the journey. I thank God for the opportunity to wear it long for a while. Maybe I'll grow it out, again, sometime. We'll see what happens. I think I like it best short if I can train it to do something. I wish Gretta was here to fix me with a sassy haircut.

Even hotter; 112 today!

This picture is one of Ruthie and Phil at the reunion, with Raynie in Phil's lap. The kids can't wait to see them, every year. They think Phil is really special! Last year Gracie was calling him her Granddaddy. She just knew he was really special, so she figured he was her Granddaddy since nobody else is. Rob's stepdad is Papa Sam and Don is Poppy. Anyway, we explained that he was her UNCLE and Raynie caught that big time. She wanted to introduce him to all the other kids as her UNCLE this year. Those girls are too funny. Uncle Phil is wonderful to make them feel really special and they climb all over him! Fun, fun times and precious memories.

The heat wave continues. I think they said we've had 15 days in a row over 100 degrees. It seems longer than that to me. It was 112 today; they predicted 103 and missed it! All I know to do is to stay inside as much as possible and give thanks for the AC! God knows what He's doing, so who am I to question it? It's not a tornado, so that's good! Our basement isn't flooding, so that's good! I've got sense enough to stay inside, so that's good! See? Things are good! Actually, I broke down and took Acetaminaphin yesterday and today and it's amazing how much that helps! (Linda, I know you said weeks ago to go ahead and take some and you were so right! I wasn't ignoring you and I thought of it every day, but I was busy being hard headed and saving my kidneys. I finally decided that I'd rather have kidney problems down the road than live with this pain for the rest of my life. Something has got to kill me, so kidney problems can be it if that's how it goes.)

Still hot; 109!

I can't figure out what's happening with this blog. I have the picture on, but it won't let me put it at the top, like I usually do. Maybe the heat has gotten to our Internet connection??? Whatever. 109 is HOT, but I give thanks for my water and my little pool. I'm also thankful for the sunshine and the AC! I sure wonder how our ancestors (and we!) lived without AC!

Tonight's picture is one I took of my sister, Ruthie, and her husband, Phil at our reunion last month. Precious memories! I'm so glad they were able to go and so glad that we were able to be there, too.

Thanks for your patience with me. Maybe I'll get my world right side up soon!

HOT shopping day.

If I look tired, it's because I AM! We've been waiting 2 weeks to take a friend to get her glasses in Altus. We kept thinking we could do our grocery shopping when we took her, so my list kept getting longer and longer. Finally, we gave up and went just to go shopping today because her glasses still aren't there. It was 109 in Altus. It was 107 here when we left. So, here we were out shopping in that heat. Thankfully, Wal-Mart is air conditioned, but the parking lot is not! We get much better greens for salads there and it's the only place we can get lo carb tortillas for Don. Anyway, the shopping is done. Now, I've got to get it all put away and cleaned. Don got this picture of me washing the lettuce.

I'm hardly standing. It's hard on us to go shopping. Is that a sign of age or what? I can remember when it was no big deal to go shopping. The good thing is that we CAN still do it. I CAN still wash all the greens and we'll have good salads for the next few days until it's time to start it all over, again. I'm headed straight to the Power Plate and my NUBAX machine to give me a treatment. Ahhhhhhhh.

Happy Independence Day!

This is a picture Don took a month ago. We need to take some more current pictures, but we can't seem to get the energy. Maybe tomorrow.

It got to 106 here today and it's down to 96, now. We have a burn ban since we haven't had rain since anyone can remember, so we have no fireworks. We're watching fireworks on TV. I've always been afraid of fireworks, so this is okay with me. I had a friend who had his finger blown off with fireworks, so that was an adequate lesson for me! I thank God for all my fingers and toes, so I'm not interesting in blowing any to Timbuktu!

Many folks have died to give us freedom. I think we can celebrate that without doing damage to ourselves! I thank God for our freedom and pray that we will be brave enough and smart enough to do what it takes to keep it!

Independence Day Eve.

Knee bands. This is the left on on my Independence Day knee bands. The right one is plain red; no flag. So, I'm still eccentric, in case anyone has any doubt.

Today has been a good, but long day. We had a preacher 'try out' at church today. After church we went out to eat with David and Dorothy and stopped by the grocery store on the way home to get groceries I needed for tonight. After church tonight we all went out to Alyssa's house for hamburgers. By we all, I mean the whole church! So there were a bunch of us there. I cut up onions to take and made baked beans. By the time I got all my stuff done it was time to rush back to church to meet with the preacher and his wife for a question and answer session before church tonight. I'm ready for my nap! I thank God for good folks. This was a fun event and the 2nd annual church dinner out at the Kastner's house on the 4th of July weekend.

Icing up for a hot day.

Don caught me stocking up on ice before heading out to spend a while in the kiddie/grammy pool. It only got to 103, so it hasn't hit the 107 they threaten we'll have. We' had 110 some time last week, so we're braced for it to happen, again.

We're blessed to have independence and freedom and I thank God for it. I'm sad to feel that we are losing a lot of it. It seems to me like our government is way too involved in our lives. As I remember, that's why this country was begun: to get away from too much government involvement! Somewhere along the line have we lost our resolve? I hope not.

Women won both games!

This is a picture I took of Gretta and Elena when we were in Gatlinburg last month. Man, it's hard to believe that it's July, already! Elena was not enchanted with the creek; she likes the pool better. They are at the beach this weekend, and she's loving that I think. I would love the beach, too. It got to 104 today. This heat is incredible.

We played cards at David and Dorothy's house tonight. The women won both games, so the women had a great time. We're grateful for the opportunity to get to play with good friends. It's hot, but we're all healthy and that's priceless.

Happy 4th of July; everyone be safe. We have a burn ban here, so there will be no fireworks. I'm good with that.