1/3 done with this batch, I think.

This is a picture Don took on our way to church tonight. At church tonight one of the women asked me if I'm okay; she said I look so tired and I did last night. Yep, antihistamines make me sleepy! I'll get through this; soon a freeze will take care of the allergens and I can get off these antihistamines. Until that time I thank God that there is something I can take that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and has no worse side effects than making me sleepy. As long as I keep them in me my eyes don't itch so much and I'm not coughing.

I'm still working on the next batch of vitamins and herbs. I think I'm about 1/3 of the way done with throwing them. Then I just have to package them. So off I go to work some more on them.

100 days done for both of us!

Don took this picture tonight before I left for the ladies' salad supper at church. All the herb and vitamin throwing is wearing on me! I look tired and I am! I finished up the 100 days, though. I've started on another 80 days. That ought to be a good supply for the next 6 months, but it will take me a few days to finish. Then I'll be so glad to start on house work! This is a good plan to make me eager to do house work!

The speaker tonight read to us a piece written by a friend who used to live here. A few years ago he was trapped under some heavy equipment and they thought they would have to amputate his arm. He gave consent for the amputation. However, they were able to get the equipment off him and save his arm. When he woke up from surgery he was surprised to see his arm was still there! After 3 weeks of healing it was obvious that he would keep his arm but it would never work as well as it had before the accident. He said that in the last three weeks he had given more thanks for that bungled arm than he had given in all his 47 years for his two good arms! I know that guy and I can only imagine how he felt. We all take so much for granted instead of giving thanks! I am so grateful that I can throw these vitamins and herbs; that Don agrees with me that we need to take them; that we can afford them; that we have the room to house them; that I can run up and down the stairs to get refills when I finish up a bottle. This time 3 years ago I could barely make it down stairs to get out of the way of the housekeeper; I had no hair; I had no feeling in my fingers and my feet hurt; and I had cancer and couldn't get out amongst people because the chemo had my immune system so compromised. Today I'm tired from throwing herbs and vitamins for a few days. I got to go out with a group of ladies and enjoy a dinner and lesson. I'm cancer free and feel really good. I give God the glory and thank Him for giving me another chance at life. PTL!

Don's are done for 100 days.

The picture tonight is our grandson, Kyle, who is 13 and lives in Indiana. I love this shirt and this kid; he is really a good kid and we're sure proud of him and his love for God. He was kind of embarrassed that I kept taking pictures, but he let me get this one. He's my card playing buddy, too; we love playing cards.

I'm almost done with the 100 days of herbs and vitamins. I got all of Don's done and 60 days of mine. Surely I can finish mine tomorrow! It is so late and I'm still struggling with them, but I'm headed to bed and I'll get them done tomorrow, surely.

Throwing herbs and vitamins . . .

This is a picture Don took 18 months ago when I was "Throwing herbs and vitamins." My sweet friend, Dot, asked Ruthie what I meant by that, so I thought I should explain it to all of you. I had this picture on back then, but, no doubt, lots of people missed it. We buy these packages that have several vitamins in it for us to take twice a day. Well, I think we need to have some other vitamins and herbs, also, so I "Throw" what I think we need to add into these little cups. There are two cups a day for both Don and I. Once I get these "Thrown," then I put them into the packages that we've bought. Then I put another package over the full package to keep them from spilling. It's a big process. But it would be worse to carry all those bottles around with us when we travel. So, right now the big project in my life is getting all this stuff "Thrown" to last us through next March. That way I won't have to fool with them while we have family here for Thanksgiving. I won't have to fool with it while we're traveling over the winter. It's just a big project. Dot, I hope this helps. I love you all!

This was impossible to do when I had neuopathy in my fingers, so I'm so grateful that it went away after I quit taking chemo. It's sure nice to be able to use my fingers! I can never thank God enough!

In this picture I was throwing on my desk. I've got these all over the pool table this week! It's working great; glad nobody is here wanting to play pool!

Happy Birthday, Ruthie!

Tonight's picture is one I took of Ruthie and Phil on the front porch of the General Store at Shenandoah Crossing when we were all there last month. It was a wonderful place and they are close enough to go back every now and then. We had great fun on that visit. We live a long way from each other, so I thank God for any time we can share!

Today I've been working on the herbs and vitamins, still, but I took some time off to work on getting my reunion pictures loaded onto Facebook. It took me forever, but I got it done. I also did my write-up for our newsletter, reporting gossip from the reunion. Don has been watching football all day and I've mostly stayed inside to avoid the pollen that makes my eyes itch so much. Surely it will get frozen soon!

Back to the herbs and vitamins I go!

Happy Birthday, Gretta Jill!

November 5, 1972 was a great day for me. Gretta Jill appeared to me in the form of 6.5 pounds of loving, soft fluff. She was born with blond hair and a double chin all over her body; for only 6.5 pounds she was a pudgy little dolly. Tonight's picture is one of her and Don on September 18th when we were at the Golden Corral for lunch. She's another of our delights in life and we thank God for her. Jilly, have a wonderful year!

I took a break from throwing pills today and went out and cut Dorothy's hair. Other than that, I've been at the grind of getting herbs and vitamins ready for the next 5 months. I wish I could say that I'm done, but I'm not. Oh, I DID finally get our reservations for Spring Break in Branson confirmed. I've been working on that for about a week. It gets hairy sometimes, getting reservations when and where we want them. It's done, though, and I have the confirmations in black and white. Whew; so our Spring Break and our June trip to Gatlinburg are both set. That's a relief to get all that confirmed. Now we can go enjoy ourselves in Branson this winter and enjoy using our timeshare points. Well, once I get the vitamins and herbs ready we can. :)

100 days!

The picture tonight is one I took of Mason last month. His birthday was in September and he turned 9 (I think, but it could be 10 . . . numbers; I go crazy with them!). This is his birthday bicycle he was riding for me. Mason is so sweet; he gives me that look and loves me even when I can't keep his age right! (He really is 10! I just caught Trish on FB and she can keep up with it! Wow, 10!) Mason, I love you, big guy!

I am so crazy tonight. I've been working on throwing herbs and vitamins all day. I took time out to give Don a haircut tonight. Otherwise, it's been herbs and vitamins all day. I have them set up all over the pool table downstairs. When I get done it will feel good, but then I have to do a bunch more. 100 days will only get us through the middle of January. I need to do at least 60 more days after that. I got them all thrown today, but I have to get the ones that I get out of the packages out and ready to put back into the packages with the ones I throw. It sounds crazy and it IS, but it works, so I do it. I'm sure I mess up on some of them, but for the most part they are right. Anyway, I thank God that we don't have any that are life threatening if I miss one here or there. I sure thank God that the neuropathy in my hands cleared up after I quit taking chemo because I sure couldn't do this when my fingers were numb! God blesses us so much.

The analysis.

Tonight's picture is one I took of Gabe and Nate the night they helped Rob fix the hole in the ceiling in their kitchen. It's hard to believe these two guys who were just little tots nearly no time ago are grown up enough to do big repairs around the house! Nate is a freshman at OU and Gabe is a sophomore in high school. Wow; they amaze me. Those bodies are rock solid, too. Both of them are way taller than me and in a hug contest they are both winners!

Today I stayed in for fear of the allergens! I was able to wear my contacts all day, so that was good. I started throwing herbs in the basement on the pool table. I thought that would work better because it's out of the way. Being out of the way is good, but I've made a million trips up and down the stairs to get more herbs and vitamins. That's good exercise for me, I guess. This herb and vitamin throwing is such a huge job. I need to get them thrown to take me through March, so it's a big job. I only have two more days completed, so I've got to get some finished pretty soon. I guess I'll be doing this all week. It's a good thing to keep me out of the outside air that is so full of pollens. I'm still thanking God that I don't have these allergy problems all year. I'm not allergic to anything in Hawaii; I bet you know where that logic is taking me! :) I sure thank God that we've gotten to spend enough time there to know I'm not allergic to anything there, but I know there's no way we could move there. We're blessed to have a good home, here. I just have to know when to stay in out of the pollen and be grateful for a good home.

Sadie in the hat.

This is another shot of Sadie in the hat. This hat made for some fun moments and memories.

Today was much better. I've worn my contacts all day. We started the day by going to the funeral of the brother of a friend at church. This guy was only 46 and he died of a rare form of cancer. It was a sobering service. It shook me into getting my priorities better into line! I let things get to me sometime and I need to do a better job of letting God have the control instead of acting like I think I can fix something, myself! I want to share a couple of thoughts from the funeral. If the speaker had asked for a show of hands for those who had prayed for this guy to be healed, everyone would have raised their hand. We felt like God answered, "No," because he died. But he was fully healed. We forget to realize that. Another point that was made is that Jesus prayed and asked God to let the cup pass from Him and God said, "No." He said "No," to Jesus so that we could all be saved. God knows the big picture and I need to always remember that. We see so little. While we're in the mode of taking back our country, it will be good to remember, "In God We Trust."

Raynie in 'the hat,' again.

Here is another picture of Raynie in "the hat." It was fun how the girls all had fun wearing this hat. I thank God for simple pleasures and treasures!

Today has been miserable, but I stayed inside so I could avoid the allergens as much as possible. I woke up with my eyes stuck shut this morning. They were all swollen. I rinsed my face with warm water and got them opened, but I never put in my contacts today. I really couldn't see well without them, so I've been fumbling more than usual all day. They are much better, now, though. We have a funeral to go to in the morning, so I sure hope I don't claw my eyes in my sleep tonight. It's ridiculous to let these allergies get out of control like this, but I don't know how to do any better. I just hope that tomorrow will be a better day. The Netti pot is a big help to keep me from being so stopped up, but it doesn't help my eyes to react better. We haven't had a frost yet, but maybe we'll get one this week. Thanks for reading through my whining; I hope you are not having a terrible allergy season!

Happy Halloween!

Tonight's picture is one Trish took and put on FaceBook; then I swiped it. So, I'm not sure how well it will work on the blog. It's a picture of Grace and Mason and a couple of their friends all ready for trick or treating. The battered victim is Mason and Grace must be the Urban Cowgirl in the hat I got pictures of Raynie and Sadie wearing.

We just had 3 more trick or treaters. That's a total of 22, so far. I think we are surely done because it's 8:35 here.

I am still miserable with itching eyes, throat and ears. Surely relief is right around the corner. I can only give thanks that my eyes aren't this raw all the time! I remember my senior year when we went to Washington DC and I was so allergic to something that I scratched my eyes until one had a blister on it the size of my thumbnail! I keep expecting a blister to appear on my eye ball, but that hasn't happened, so, again, I give thanks! And even this horrible itching is a piece of cake compared to breast cancer or chemo!

Dirty siding.

Here is the picture of me pointing to the dirty siding. You may have to click on the picture to make it bigger so that you can see the dirt. It's mostly up at the top. This is the 'maintenance' side of our house, so there isn't much happening there. My idea is to wait for a 100 degree day next July to do this side, but Don says it's supposed to warm up Tuesday and we'll do it then. I guess I can comply with that, but I'll be braced for freezing this time. :)

Today, I've waged war on the wasps. We washed away their housing when we power washed the other day, so they're busy rebuilding. I killed 6 or 8 today. It's a wonder I didn't get stung; God was watching over me, no doubt! My eyes are itching something fierce, though, so I'm sure I spent too much time outside. It's so hard to strike a good balance on everything. I tend to overdo whatever I'm doing. Ugh. Maybe that's the point of allergies? To help people like me stop for my own good? Anyway, I'm glad for beautiful days; it's a joy to get to be outside and not be too hot or too cold. God sure blesses us with so much to enjoy.

Clean siding.

So, tonight's picture is to show the clean siding; There is NOT a big white spot on my shirt; I don't know why it came out like that. Anyway, you get a view of the clean siding. Tomorrow I'll post a picture of the siding that we're leaving dirty until next summer.

Today I made cobbler and took it out for another game of canasta at the Meier's house. The women won one and the men won one. I left my purse out there, again. We've been out there 3 nights this week, and 2 of those nights I left my purse! I cannot be trusted with a purse. I'm going to have to start just carrying a wallet, again.

The night before we left to go to Don's reunion I left my purse at the Mexican Restaurant! It was 11:10 p.m. before I missed it, but when I called them at 7 the next morning they said it was there. When I got there to pick it up, it had everything in it, just like I left it. That says a lot to me for the owners of that restaurant! Needless to say, it is STILL my favorite restaurant in town! I love the Kozy Diner, too, but it is my favorite DINER. :) I absolutely cannot carry a purse, since I can't remember to bring it home! I sure thank God for honest people in town!

Power washer story.

The picture tonight was taken back in April, when I was so proud of my Decker irises. I put in on here tonight so that you can see the siding on our bedroom. The house is red brick, but we added our master suite to the house when we moved in to be able to be on site to take better care of Don's dad. We put vinyl siding on the addition. That was 11 years ago. Don has sprayed it with water a time or two, but it had never been cleaned. A couple of months ago he came in and asked me if we have a mop he could use to clean the siding. I insisted that would never work and about that time a guy I really respect on FaceBook (Sam Jones) said he was doing some power washing at his house. I asked what equipment he had and immediately ordered it. So, have you seen the commercial on TV for Excedrin where the folks power wash their patio (or something)? I thought that was so funny! Until today when we power washed the addition. Don did the tall stuff and I did the short stuff. Man! It sure DID need washing, but now both of us are hurting and need some Excedrin! I totally missed that point of the commercial! I thought we were doing so good to not get slung all over the back yard by the power washer. Little did I realize we were using muscles that have been out of use for years! Someone should have taken a picture, but we didn't. Maybe I'll get one tomorrow of the clean job! We nearly froze out there, though. We got soaking wet, and it was warm in the sun, but the sun went down! We learned that this is a job for July! Anyway, it's done and I thank God that we lived through it. Actually, there is one side wall that we didn't get to do. It's okay with me if that wall stays dirty until we have another 100 degree day, but Don may want to do it sooner. Maybe I'll take a dirty picture of that wall and then a clean picture of the other walls. I'll sure sleep good tonight, if I can ever get warm! My toes were iced out there! I had to get out our rice buddies and heat them up to get our feet and hands warmed, even after showers!

Still itching; maybe it will frost tonight?

This is a picture Don took tonight. It's my mimic of Linda Rose for a pose. She has some modeling experience and she poses so beautifully for pictures. I'm practicing. Every time I think to mimic Linda we get a better picture! That standing tall and straight is really a good plan! Thanks Linda for being a good example for me. I would have never dreamed of standing 'tall!'

It was another gorgeous day here today, but it was cool this morning and tonight. It's fall and really perfect weather. We had a great walk around the park and several other blocks today. My eyes are begging for a frost, though. They are raw, but I have some drops that help and the Benedryl helps. It sure makes me sleepy, though!

Often when we walk we'd see a nice little man (He was 88.), who was known for walking. Sunday he had a heart attack and died; we went to his funeral today. At his funeral the song leader from church sang "My God and I." I thought it was so appropriate. Do you know that song? "My God and I go through the fields together. We walk and talk as good friends should and do. We clasp our hands; our voices ring with laughter . . . " It's a favorite song of mine. I can only imagine that this sweet man is absolutely walking with God and he is blessed though his body is no longer with us. We will miss him, but not forget him. Rest in peace, Paul Barton.

Itching, itching!

Tonight's picture is one I took of Elena when she was outside playing at their house last month. She looks like a little gymnast to me. We had so much fun with her on this trip. She's a sweetie; sure wish we could see more of all the kids.

We had another gorgeous day here, today, but we may get a frost tonight. That'll put the hurt on my re-bloomers and they are already hurting from the grasshoppers. I guess I mustn't expect them to do great every year. I probably need to feed them or at least water them!

We played cards tonight and it was crazy. I won't go into the details, but it will go down in history as a night of goofs! We enjoyed it and we did manage to win one game. The guys won one by default (our major errors) and then they clobbered us something fierce the last game. We were already numb from our big snafu in the game we defaulted to them so the killing was almost painless. That's the good thing about our card games; we love to win, but we love it even when we don't win.

My eyes are itching me so bad. If it does frost that should help with the allergy issues! If I take any more Benedryl I won't be able to stay awake. I need to get out the Netti pot; that should help, too! I thank God that I don't have allergy problems all year long! (Well, as long as I can stay away from cats and dust, then I only have the pollen problems with seasons, so I thank Him that the allergies are manageable.)

So much fun!

Tonight's picture is one of Elena and Ethan, playing on Ethan's 'playground.' They have so much fun playing there! More precious memories!

Today we had big winds here and it blew up pollen that has everyone's allergies all inflamed. I dug out my benedryl and will hit the anti-itch eye drops and go to bed. I thank God that this has been a very light season for me. I've made it until today before the itching started and it usually hits in August. I've got to attack it hard so I don't end up with bronchitis.

We played cards at the Meier's house tonight and the women won both games! They were close games, too, so it was way fun to come out on the winning side! We're playing out there, again, tomorrow night and I'm taking sugar free cobbler and sugar free ice cream. We don't always play two nights in a row, but their daughter, Kristy is here, so we're playing all we can while she's here. We all love it.

"Holding court."

Tonight's pictures brings back the recollection of the Sunday we all had lunch at the Golden Corral when we went back east last month and visited with Gretta and Gina. Elena appears to be holding court here, as she passes judgment on Garrett's boo-boo from his skate board accident. That scrape on his arm was nothing compared to the one on his shoulder that was hidden under his shirt! Elena had a lot to say about it! Anyway, that is their mother and our 'baby' daughter, Gretta, on the right. Gina's Elise and Ethan are behind Gretta. Precious memories keep me going when we live so far from family and we thank God for these great times.

Today has been a sleepy Sunday! I even took a nap this afternoon. Ah, I love a nap! It was beautiful outside, but Don was watching football, so it wasn't hard at all to settle for a nap after singing at the nursing home devotional. Tomorrow I get back to de-cluttering around here, but I took off today and had a nap. :)

More reflections.

In tonight's picture we were on our way to Ethan's ballgame. This is Kyle in the middle seat of the Suburban with me. It's so unreal for him to be a teenager; it seems like yesterday when he was just a baby, but he's grown way big, now! He's every bit as kind as he looks in this picture, too. What a fun time we had visiting! It's fun to reflect back and enjoy the memories! God so blesses us, and we give thanks!

Today we did some shopping and I've been busy with my de-cluttering mission. It will feel good to get some things straight around here. I've let a lot pile up with all the traveling we've done; I just stash things and then have no clue where they are! That's a bad habit; I'm working on that, too. Don watched football all day, so we didn't walk. I've got to go power plate, at least, before bath and bedtime. Time sure flies and I hate how it gets away from me!

Ethan brings my camera.

Tonight's picture is another from our trip back east last month. We walked clear down to the barn to begin our tour of the tree farm and I lamented, "I forgot to bring the camera!" Ethan was my hero and said, "I'll go get it!" That he did and whisked it right back down to me. He couldn't believe how easy it was to make this little old lady overjoyed; you can see it in this look for the camera. He's a precious kid, a great runner, a great ball player and another on my hero list! When Gina tells him, he'll remember how thrilled I was when he brought me the camera. :)

Last night and this morning we had lots of electrical storms but no tornadoes. We had over 2 inches of rain, but we needed every drop of it, so we give thanks! I've been on a de-clutter mission around this house all day. It will be my task for the next several weeks. My goal is to "Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. Of course, I think most everything is useful, beautiful or joyful, so it will still be cluttered here when I get done. It will be better, though, so I will stick to the goal!

More reflections.

Tonight's picture is another one of Don and Gina when she took us on a tour of their tree farm. This is their 'front yard.' This scenic pond is in front of their house, between the house and the road. You can see the road that their property faces in the top left corner of the picture: just at the top of Don's head. I forget how many acres they have (I forget numbers, you know), but it's several and their place is really much like a story book, I think. It's beautiful. Of course, they work hard to keep it beautiful. Also, the kids would like to move to a subdivision. Ha! The grass is always greener on the other side! Notice in the background their dogs taking a swim in the pond. That's Snowball and Gazer; they love the water and would sure miss it if they moved to a subdivision. The kids would miss the farm, too, but it's so typical for kids to always be searching for what they imagine would make their lives better.

We've had another great day, here, and got to do our walk outside. I love this weather, but it's coming to an end. We've got storms predicted for tonight, so I thought I'd better do the blog early. We sure need the rain, here, so I'm thanking God for the rain as I sign off. I had my first rebloomer today and I hope some of God's rain will help lots more to bloom. What a treat the rebloomers are for me!

Reflecting.

Tonight's picture is one of Don and Gina as Gina gave us a tour of their greenhouse and explained some of the procedures on their tree farm. Brian flies for UPS, but in all of his off time he is very busy with their farm. Gina and the kids do a lot around the farm, too. It's a pretty interesting life, we think. We look back with pleasure on the time we were able to spend with them. We thank God for their good lives and for time to visit with them.

Today was another gorgeous day, here, so we got to walk around the park and a few more blocks, today. Days like this are sure special. I love it when it's not too hot and not too cold and not even too windy!

I'm feeling great and sure thank God for good health. There are no promises for any of us, so I celebrate every day of good health.

Love walking in the park!

Tonight's picture was taken last week on Tuesday night. This was the 2nd day after Tricia's surgery and Nate was there with his girlfriend, Megan. While Nate and Gabe and I were in the kitchen helping Rob fix the ceiling Megan was in the living room playing with the 'little' kids. Sadie was taking pictures. She got this picture of Grace and Raynie playing with Megan and Mason was on Tricia's laptop. Megan is the absolute best; we all love her.

Trish is still in lots of pain with her throat. Today she got more pain meds and started on some steroids. I hope she's able to get back to normal pretty soon. I know she's really sick of being down! The kids are all pretty self sufficient, but it gets old not being able to talk or feel good.

Don and I were able to walk around the park, again, today. It's great to have really nice days and this was sure a nice one. We should have gone to the reserve, but we didn't think of it in time. We'll go in the next few days; this weather is perfect for hiking around the reserve. I thank God that we are able to hike and we have a wonderful place close, so I think we should make the best of it. We'll see what we can do.

Respect!

This is sweet Grace, holding her certificate for displaying respect. Bless her sweet heart; she is precious in so many ways. I'm so glad they recognized her for this. Don't you love those eyes, too? Gracie, Gracie! We're so proud of you!

Today has been so busy! I got up and called the dentist's office as soon as it opened to let them know that I'm in town and would be available if they had a cancellation this week. I had canceled my appointment last Thursday and they had me down for next Monday. I broke a tooth on September 25th and I've been hoping ever since that I wouldn't lose more of it or the filling in that tooth. Anyway, they had a cancellation this morning, so I got to go in and have it repaired today! That was a great thing and I'm so pleased to have it fixed and I thank God that it had not been hurting, and I didn't lose any more than the original piece. I just hope it will hold and I won't have to have it crowned.

It was a gorgeous day today; it felt like Kona, Hawaii! Of course there was no beach, but the air felt great. Don and I even walked around the park. We usually walk on the treadmill anymore, so that was a fun thing!

Exhausted, but exhausted at home.

I got this hat for a nickle at a yard sale and we had at least a dollar's worth of fun with it. I only got pictures of Sadie and Raynie in it. I should have gotten one with Grace, but I didn't. I got pictures of her with her certificate for exemplifying respect at school; I'll post it tomorrow. I posted Raynie in it last week. This one is Sadie, who might be the sweetest girl in the world; I'd put her up against anybody! She's 13.

I am so tired, but it's so good to be home and tired. I have lots of memories from the week with Trish and her family, but also lots of memories from the last month of travels and visits. It's so good to be home and have my own bed and bath. I went to sleep last night as soon as I hit the bed and morning came way too soon. I managed to get the weeds sprayed this afternoon, so that's a good accomplishment. I'm doing laundry and still putting things into their place from traveling. There are still suitcases out in the floor. Ugh. I'm working my way through it. I sure thank God for the ability to travel, for great friends and family, and for a wonderful home. I am so blessed and give thanks!

Tricia's better and I'm home!

This is the picture I saved to post on Gina's birthday. So, it's still her birthday month, so this is good, right? Gina, we celebrate you every day!

Trish was feeling lots better today, so she came in and told me I could go home anytime. Either that, or she was tired of me being there and she figured if she got better I'd go home? I really think she was better. She was talking! And she was eating some real food. Anyway, she gave me permission, so I came home. I thank God that I have a home and a husband who wants me in it with him. I thank God for our health and for bodies that heal when we cut out throats (tonsillectomy) or other places (mastectomy)! We are blessed!

I'm headed to a session with the power plate, a bath in my own tub, and a sleep in my own bed. Ahhhhhhhhh . . . . . . .

Late Happy Birthday, Gina!

I didn't forget Gina's birthday; we sent a card before we left for Don's reunion and I told her Happy Birthday on FB, but I forgot to put it on the blog and her daddy reminded me today. Gina, you know you're supposed to celebrate all month, right? Actually every single day! I saved a great picture I got of you when we were there to post on your birthday, but I'm in the middle of this ceiling repair saga, so your picture will come tomorrow, in honor of the continued celebration! Tonight's picture is the ceiling with no hole for which we are so pleased! There is no plastic hanging and no blue tape in the kitchen. Woo hoo! Plus, notice Trish on the right is up and smiling! That's Sadie on the left. Trish is doing so much better today; she has released me to go home TOMORROW! I've loved the chance to be here, but it'll be so good to get home! Home is always so good and I belong wherever Don is!

Today Trish took the last of her liquid pain killer and took her first pain PILL. That was something we were both dreading because she has so much trouble swallowing. She did it with the greatest of ease, though! She was able to eat a burrito with us at supper, so that was really good, too. I'm so pleased. In the morning she has a little meeting to attend at the shopkeepers where she has a little shop in an antique mall. Gabe has his driving permit, so he will drive her. He is going to go to the meeting with her to play easy guitar music during their meeting. This will be a good test to see how she does with an excursion. I'll fix lunch and be ready to go when they get home. That's the plan. I thank God for giving us healing bodies.

Trish brought the flashlight for me to look at her throat today. YIKES! It looks HORRIBLE, but that's how it's supposed to look. She showed me a picture on the Internet of how an adult tonsillectomy looks and hers is a classic. Gag! No wonder it hurts! Until today she couldn't even open her mouth wide enough for me to see; her whole jaws have even been sore. I imagine they propped her open with some kind of vice or something so they could get in there and get the job done. She brought the tonsils home to show the kids and they were sure nasty! I think it's a really good thing that she is free from those! Gretta had hers out in June and I feel terrible that I couldn't have been there to help her. I had no idea it was this big a deal! Watch for Gina's picture tomorrow!

Almost done . . .

So tonight's picture is the happy moment when they got the piece up there. Nate is behind his dad leading the cheers, it appears. Rob is on the left figuring out where the studs are and Gabe is on the right. Nate remarked, "Ever notice how we never dress for work? Check out the sheet rock dust on Gabe's all black and Rob's shirt! It was some struggle because Rob had to cut out one corner and then the other corner should have fit, but it didn't, so he had to customize it as well as trim off a curve in the ceiling. That would be hard to do if it was flat on the floor, but it was out of reach. So, he'd take it down and trim and then put it back up there and each move was so difficult! He had the one ladder and Gabe was standing on a kitchen stool which barely stands! I was holding one side up with the broom stick! I'm sure we were a comedy to watch. But, we got it DONE. This house is 80 years old, so it's not exactly built to current codes. Rob kept hunting a stud to hold up the sheet rock and so many times it was NOT there. He was never in the Navy, but I learned that he could have kept up had he been. Wait until you see tomorrow's picture of the completed ceiling; you'll be impressed, I think. I am. I thank God for a son-in-law who can fix things, even when it's not simple and for grandsons who will help, even when it's not easy. These guys are so strong, I'm amazed!

Trish is doing better and better. She still can't eat much, so she's pretty weak. The drugs keep her from having so much pain, but her throat is so swollen that swallowing is difficult. The drugs also keep her drugged, so I'm here to drive if necessary. I also do laundry, meals and general upkeep. (even ceiling repair) Rob left today to go to Chicago on business and Nate is back at OU, so there are just Trish and I and 5 kids. I miss Don, but he's managing fine at home.

College kid: here's the problem.

Tonight's picture is the assessment phase. Tomorrow I'll post a picture of the fixing phase. Then the next day I'll post a picture of the fixed but not finished phase. It's a way big improvement and we sure made memories doing it. Nate, the tall guy, was a BIG help; I don't think we could have done it without him.

Poor Nate was here holding the fort when the 'sky began to fall.' Coincidentally it was also raining cats and dogs and many places in OKC were flooding! Robert was out of state on a business trip and Trish and the rest of the kids were in Gatlinburg with us. Trish would have come home, but I-40 was closed due to flooding, so she couldn't get home. Nate put buckets in the kitchen and caught the water. When Rob and Trish got home they found out that it was the bathroom pipes leaking and had nothing to do with the rain. So, they tore out the ceiling to repair the pipes rather than tear out the tile flooring in the upstairs bathroom. The ceiling is up and looks much better. Rob will get around to taping it and matching the bubble finish.

Trish is feeling much better today, and hasn't been back to bed at all. She has spent the day resting on the couch. She can talk a little and swallow a little, but not much of either. I'm going home tomorrow to have a broken tooth fixed, but I'll come back here for a couple more nights as Robert is leaving town tomorrow on a business trip. I thank God that we live close enough and are able to help.

A surprise visitor!

Tonight's picture is one somebody took of Nate and I today. It's been a busy and fun day. Trish is lots better, but still really dragging and has a very sore throat. I thank God that Trish is doing well.

I've done laundry all day. When there are 6 kids there is always laundry. When it's just Don and I there is always laundry! Back in June they had a pipe in the upstairs bathroom that leaked through the kitchen ceiling. Rob managed to get it fixed through the kitchen instead of tearing up the tile floor in the bathroom, but the hole in the ceiling wasn't as urgent to fix as the leak. Well, today was a good time to work on the ceiling. It was wonderful to have Nate to help because he's the tallest of us! He didn't have classes today, so he came by and spent the day with us. That was so cool. It was great to get the biggest piece of sheet rock up in the kitchen ceiling, too.

I'm headed to a good bath and then a good night's sleep. Trish is going to get up and get her own meds tonight, so I can sleep all night. She's a lot better to be able to do that! She did her 5 a.m. meds by herself this morning because I had my phone set for p.m. instead of a.m. so I slept right through that one. She handled it well, so she'll do okay tonight. If she needs me, she can call me; I'll be sleeping with my phone.