Trips Are Tiring!

Okay, I'm tired, but the visits are worth it!  This pic Lee took of Terri and I when we stopped for lunch today.  What a blessing to get to see her and she's so happy with her retirement plans.  I'm excited for her even though it means we won't be meeting for lunch on our way to Houston anymore. I thank God for the visit and for a safe trip the rest of the way down to Houston.

Our visit with Doris and Jerry has been sweet, as always, too.  It's so nice to have home to come to instead of just coming down here for medical reasons.  Lee and I will get up and go into MDA early in the morning as my tests start at 7:30.  We hope to be done by noon and 'home' for a nap early in the afternoon.  Then more visiting with Doris and Jerry tomorrow night.  My appointment with the doc is at 9:40 Tuesday morning, so if all goes well we might even go on home from there.  That's just a thought, but it would be good to get home a day early.  We'll see how that works.  Thanks for keeping up with me.  I'll post as soon as I know results and can get to the computer on Tuesday.  I'll post tomorrow night, too.  God bless!

Technology is So Wild!

We were headed out to Walmart this morning and the wind was blowing something fierce, so I took this pic before we got all blown to pieces.  Then I forgot to do the blog until I was about to get into bed.  For some reason I thought I'd already done it???  Then when I went to the blog it says, the page you are looking for does not exist.  Right.  It's MY page!  I clicked on yesterday's post and went from there.  I just don't get it.

Earlier in the evening I was doing my journal (That's when I thought I did my blog, too because I usually do them at the same time.), suddenly I got some kind of IP Diagnostics page, which wouldn't let me go anywhere online.  So I went to the laptop and it would let me go just fine.  I messed around with it for longer than I had time to do and finally was calling in to ATT when it came back on.  I just don't get it.  I really depend so much on my Internet connection; I feel lost when it's not secure!

Anyway, my day has been a little mixed here and there, but we're packed and ready to go to Houston tomorrow.  I'll have tests Monday and see the doctor on Tuesday.  I hope he tells me I'm fat and sassy and can go right home on Wednesday.  That's my hope, prayer and plan.  I'll post all my results on Tuesday.  I'm really so thankful to be able to get the care I get at MDA.  It's not handy, but I really do feel that I get the best care there, so it's worth the drive.  I love getting to see Doris and Jerry and their kids when we go, too. We always meet my dear friend, Terri on the way for lunch, too.  She's moving to Florida in January, so this will probably be our last lunch on the with her on the way to Houston.    We'll always find other ways to meet, though; she's like a sister to me.

Does She Ever Hunt!

This is a pic I got today in my email of Gretta and the huge buck she got today.  (So sorry I can't make it bigger so you could get a good look at that big smile on her face!  She was so excited and proud and I am, too!  I got home from school and Lee said, "You need to call Gretta; she called and she's all excited about a huge box she got.  Did you send her something?  You need to look at an email she sent you, too.:"  He doesn't know how to check my email, so he no idea what was happening.  I looked at the email and knew right away that she'd said "HUGE  BUCK"  and he heard it as "huge box."  I finally got her on the phone and she was so glad when I told her he misunderstood.  She couldn't figure out why he wasn't congratulating her! That's a lot of meat for her, so it's a really good thing.  She had helped to dress 3 deer this morning that others had gotten and didn't have time to dress and she was feeling a little melancholy because she hadn't gotten one, yet.  She went this afternoon, then and got this one; he's bigger than any of the 3 she helped to dress.  When my baby's happy, I'm happy!

Besides, I'm so tired after two days of running hard on top of subbing both days and staying up late.  Man, I love the kids, though!  It's frustrating to not be able to do more for them, but some of them are dealing with so much stress in their young lives.  I got home from school this afternoon and had an appointment with Lee's brother to get me signed up for my part D Medicare policy.  He had to turn me over to some lady on the phone and that was so frustrating.  She spoke English, but she read every fine print to me and mixed up a bunch of it.  I had to keep correcting her.  Anyway, that ate up my nap time, so I'm flat bushed.  I'm going to go take a bath and go to bed as soon as I make a couple of phone calls.  I need a good night's sleep.  We leave Sunday for Houston, so this is a busy few days coming up, too.  I'm so ready for bed.

I thank God for a wonderful bed in a wonderful home.  I thank Him that I don't sleep in it alone.  I thank Him for great news for Gretta.  I thank Him for precious kids and my opportunity to work with them. I thank Him for Trish and her ability to work with kids, too; and I'm thankful for the weekend with some rest that I'm sure she needs!  Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I am overwhelmed with blessings and thanks to God.

So Tired, but I Can SEE!

This is a pic I just took right here at the computer with my new glasses.  I just crammed them on from their position on top of my head.  I can't walk with them on my nose; I think there are stairs where there are no stairs, etc.  I'll have to get used to using these effectively!  Those are way tired eyes; they've been working hard all day seeing so much I've been missing for years!

We were up watching the Thunder play last night (they lost; ugh) until about midnight thirty.  Then I had to wake up at 5 to get Lee up so he could shower and fix his own breakfast and dress to go to OKC.  He woke me up at 7 as he was leaving and I rushed to school.  The coach I was subbing for had athletics the first hour, so I didn't have to be there until 9 to cover his history and Social Studies classes.  When I got home this afternoon I called and my glasses were ready, so I called to see if Lee was close to home and he was.  I ran to the bank and Walmart and met him back at the house.  Then we both went to Altus to get my glasses.  I only have to wear them when I'm looking into the distance, like driving, ballgames, etc.  It is SOOOOO cool to be able to see so well!  I never dreamed I would see this good, again.  I loved wearing them home in the car (looking off into the distance) and at the ballgames tonight.

We came straight back to watch 4 basketball games in Hobart.  I absolutely love watching the kids play who I've had in class all day.  It gives me a whole different perspective on them and I love it!  Now we just got home and the Thunder is playing another late game.  I sub in the morning for the same coach, so I don't have to be there until 9.  I am so zonked, though.  I think he's going to have the kids watch videos tomorrow; I'll have a really hard time staying awake through the same video over and over all day.  God will help me; He always does!  He got me to this point in a fuzzy world and now I can see clearly!

Wow!  Now, I just have to learn how to adjust to putting them off and on all the time;  I suspect I will wear them either on top of my head or else on my nose.  I don't think I'd like a chain around my neck; I did that before and never liked it. We'll see.  I didn't think I wanted glasses nor that I'd wear these much, but I'm sure rethinking that when I can see SO much better with them!

The Eye Doc Releases Me!

The doc says these eyes are good!  The implants look perfect and I'm seeing super.  He prescribed glasses for me to wear when I drive, so that I can see signs ahead in time to read them.  I can also wear them if I'm watching a ballgame or a movie, something in the distance like that.  He says I don't have to wear them, but they'll come in handy if I need a little help.  I'll be happy to wear them under those circumstances.  For everyday living I don't have to wear them at all.  I'll have to keep them in my purse, I guess or they'll be lost since I think it sounds like I won't wear them that much.  I picked out a pair and they should be ready tomorrow or the next day.  I thank God and praise Him for vision and the opportunity to be glasses free for the most part!

Tomorrow I sub and Lee will go get his tooth checked in OKC.  I sub again on Friday, so the week is finishing really busy for us.  Tonight and tomorrow night the Thunder have ballgames at 9:30, so it'll be late nights for us; hope I can stay awake in class!  I'll be ready for naps as soon as school is finished for the day!

Brrrrrrr; it's cold here; happy fall!

Another Month Passes!

Time really does fly!  This pic was taken a month ago when Dorothy went with us to get my lab work done a month ago.  Today we did the lab work and the treatment on the same day.  Lee doesn't prefer to do it that way because we have to wait until the lab work is done before I can have the treatment.  I don't like to use two days to get it done, though, because it causes me to lose two days of work that way, plus we have to make two trips to Lawton.  We didn't have to wait too long today, so that was good.  The treatment went like clockwork and we got to get home at a reasonable hour.

A lot has happened for Dorothy in the last month, too!  Her sister Ada nearly died, but she's home and getting stronger these days.  Thank God and praise Him for letting us keep Ada a little longer!

Tomorrow is my final visit with the eye doctor.  He'll determine if I need to wear glasses or contacts or not. I'll really be surprised if he thinks I need either; I'm seeing really well.  It's wonderful!  It's another thing that has happened in the last month since this pic was taken!  I've had both cataracts removed and I'm seeing great.  I was counting down for this and I love it and thank God!

Another thing to notice is that we were wearing short sleeves a month ago.  Today it was freezing cold!  No kidding; I think it was 34 when we got there and the wind was bitterly blowing.  Everyone was wearing their winter gear for sure!  Brrrr; this cold spell is supposed to last a couple more days and then it will warm up, again.  I'm looking forward to the warm spell!

My Protector.

Bless his heart; see that arm around me?  He's serious about that.  He called his dentist this morning and they were going to see him at 7:40 in the morning.  We were getting all set to get things done around her and go to bed early so we could leave for OKC at 5 in the morning, when they called from the cancer clinic in Lawton to remind me that I have a treatment tomorrow!  YIKES!  I had forgotten all about it!  I told Lee I could drive myself there, but he was having no part of that.  So, he called his dentist back and has an appointment for Thursday.  I'm already scheduled to sub Thursday, so he'll be going by himself.  Of course we're both grown ups and both of us can drive, so it'll work.  It's just that it's not his style to let me do anything like that by myself!  Like he wouldn't let me sit by myself and wait for the roadside service to come change my tire on Friday.  He's just that kind of guy; I appreciate it!  It's wonderful to have a keeper; he's awesome and I am blessed!

Tomorrow will be like a date for us.  We go for the treatment and always go out to eat after it.  It's not a terrible experience at all.  I'm so grateful for that.  Again, I am so blessed.  It sure could be a lot worse, and I am blessed to have a treatment that is doable and it seems to be working.  PTL!

Another Good Day.

Lee managed to smile big even though his tooth is still aching.  It's not getting worse and is sometimes better, so he's hanging tough.  His beard is looking really good, don't you think?  It looks like him to me.

We were happy to watch the Thunder pull back from behind and win tonight.  Whew.  It was a good game and they won it in overtime.  Whew!

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day.  I'll wear red to support the troops, past and current.  I thank God to have been a military brat.  My Mom and Dad provided a wonderful life for me.  They had lots of problems (because military life isn't easy when you're dragging around 3 kids), but I was blessed.  I spent some time tonight looking through some old pix and it brought back lots of good memories.  It was fun to share those memories with Lee.

Lee's Toothache is on Hold.

This is a pic of deer we saw at Quartz Mountain State Park last week when we went by there on our way to Lee's appointment with his doctor, following up on his neck pain.  His neck pain is minor, now, and his toothache is on hold.  He's been very careful what he ate as we're hoping to make it until his dentist's office opens probably on Tuesday, since Monday is a holiday.

The deer are always plentiful at Quartz Mountain, and if you go early in the morning they're easy to see. They're pretty tame to let me get this close to take a pic.  Actually, we were that close in the truck!  It's always fun to find them!

Lee and I slept in this morning, so we really didn't accomplish much today.  It was a gorgeous day, though.  I went out to Dorothy's and gave her a haircut.  It was so nice we were able to do it on her screened in porch! She got to talk to her sister, Ada, on the phone today and she is getting stronger every day.  She's even going to go out to her daughter's house for a couple of hours tomorrow.  She's had cabin fever and is ready to get out a little bit.  We are so grateful that she is alive and getting stronger.  Two weeks ago we were amazed that she was still alive after they'd nearly pronounced her dead on Wednesday.  Here she is at home and planning a little outing tomorrow.  God works in mysterious ways and I so thank Him for all His gifts. It's so wonderful that we can trust Him to take care of everything; no doubt we would mess things up so royally if He left it all to us!  What a relief to know that we can trust it all to Him.

Flat Tire Day.

They called this morning to ask me to sub for the science teacher at the middle school.  Her planning period is the first hour, so I didn't have to be there until 9, and  didn't have to rush to get there.  That was nice for me.  Lee woke up with a toothache, so he's been nursing that all day.  His dentist is closed on Friday, so he can't call until Monday.  We're keeping it sprayed with colloidal silver water; hope that will kill the infection and give him some relief.

School went well until I left and found I had a flat tire.  Ugh.  I'm thankful there was a nail in the tire; I thought maybe one of my 'fans' decided to stab my tire, but it just looks like I ran over my problem.  Road service came to fix the tire and Lee came to sit with me and see me through getting it repaired.  We got home in time to fix a good breakfast for dinner, so it has turned out to be a good day.  Yay!  I thank God and ask Him to send relief for Lee to make it through the weekend.

Snuggles are Precious!

Lee was so happy to get this sweet snuggle from Bryce on Monday!  There's just no resisting  a sweet hug from him.  He's sweet to give kisses and way goodbye, too!  Such a precious little guy!  We're blessed to have him in our lives!

Speaking of blessings!  Today was a gorgeous day and they didn't call me to teach.  So, we got some things accomplished around here.  We've had a rough plank on our back deck and intended to turn it over all summer, but it was either too hot or something.  Today, we got to do it and the weather was perfect.  I'm so grateful that the board was smooth on the other side, too, so we didn't have to replace it!  Then I divided a bunch of irises and replanted them all over the place.  I have lots more that need to be divided, but they can wait until next year, I think.  I think they'll have to because I'm not going to do them this year!  My rebloomers aren't even offering to bloom, so they had to be divided.  I'm thankful to be able to do it!

I hoed a bunch of weeds that just keep pestering me.  Folks tell me that the frost will get them and I'm crazy to spray them, but I can't stand to see them growing.  I have a feeling they'll even survive the frost!  Lee cleaned the AC filters, so that's a good thing to get done, too.  We are blessed to be able to get around and do the things that need to be done.  We might be behind, but we're getting things done.

Siblings!

Siblings are just the best, aren't they?  Peyton comes in from school and Bryce runs to meet her; she grabs him and swings him around before she lets him go to follow her everywhere she goes. They're so sweet to watch!  I got this pic Monday when we were there.

Today was a great day at school.  I subbed for one of the best teachers we've got.  She expects a lot from the kids and they deliver.   She was prepared for me to sub and it made my job so easy.  I love it when I don't have to bear down so hard on the kids.  It was a fun day.  I thank God for days like this and the opportunities I get to be at school and have great days.

Today is Ruthie's birthday and I thank God for her, too.  I was blessed to have a wonderful big sister all my life!  She's doing much better after having a tough time with the shingles, and I thank God for that, too! Siblings are some of the best blessings in life!

My Blondy Fluff.

This was taken when we were at Gretta's around Oct. 11, I think.  Today is her birthday and my baby is 41. She's still my 'blondy fluff.'  That's what I called her when she was a baby and she'll always be that in my mind.  Happy birthday, Jilly!  (He middle name is Jill and I called her Jilly when she played basketball and a million times since then!  Sometimes Gretta seems like a hard name, but Jilly seems softer.  She likes it and all the nieces and nephews call her Aunt Jilly.)

Today I subbed for the home ec teacher.  It was depressing, but I won't go into it.  All I can say is that I had 6 years of home ec and never had anything like what I saw or didn't see today.  I'm grateful for the 6 years I had!  Tomorrow I'll sub for a wonderful English teacher who will have good classes.  I look forward to that experience and hope it will refresh me after today.

I thank God for my Jilly and all the other kids as well as all the grandkids.  I'm a blessed mom/grammy!

NOTE:  Dorothy's sweet sister, Ada, got to go home from the hospital today!  What a miracle!  She's not well, but she's alive and at home.  God sure blesses and I trust His timing.  I just can't get over her going home.  I know she's so glad to be in her own bed tonight!  He husband has spent every night in the hospital with her; they took her 2 weeks ago today, I think.  So, I know he's so happy to be at home with her and both of them are glad to be in their own bed.

Fun Visit!

They didn't call me to sub today, so we packed up a table and chairs today and took it to Trish.  While we were there we went by to see Krissy and Bryce, Peyton and Maddy.  Maddy was sick, so I didn't take any pix of her.  My batteries died, so I didn't get any of Trish and her kids, either.  Ugh.  I've got new batteries ordered and on their way, so I'll be in good shape for pix, soon.  I did get this one of Lee and Bryce.  I got one of Peyton and Bryce that I'll post soon.

It was a great trip and we loved seeing everyone that we got to see!  It was so cool to me to see details I haven't seen for years!  I loved riding tonight and not being bludgeoned by the lights.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to have those cataracts remove and these permanent lenses put in so that I can see so well.  It was fun to wear eye makeup, too!  I thank God for another safe day on the road and all the blessings the day held!

Lee's beard is coming right along, isn't it?  I think it looks really good on him.  I love it when he takes off his glasses, too!

More Dear Friends!

This is a pic I got when we visited my mom's great friends, Earl and Mary Hall, when we were visiting Tom and Linda in Tennessee.  Mary and Mom used to walk together every day, for years.  Mary was a good, good friend when Mom was going through lots of tough times and through lots of good times, too.  Our family has several quotes we attribute to her, my favorite being, "It'll all be here when we get back." (Referring to the things around the house that need doing and tend to stop us from going on with life, but not Mary!)  Lee and I got to visit with them on their anniversary.  I wish I'd gotten a better picture, but I'm glad to have this one.  Earl built this awesome house for her several years ago.  I think it has 5 bedrooms and that staircase goes up two sides and joins in the middle to go upstairs.  It's really a beautiful place.  It was such a joy to visit with them and I thank God for great examples like these folks in my life!

Today is my last day to go without eye make up.  It's been so good to see!  Now, it'll be good to see the me I have become accustomed to being for the last many years.  Mascara should be my middle name, I guess. Anyway, it'll be good to see what I really look like with eye makeup tomorrow.  :)

The Thunder showed up to play tonight, so I'm enjoying watching them on TV.  They'd better pull up a notch or two if they want to secure this game against Phoenix, though!

Sweet Dorothy and her Sister, Ada.

My sweet sister, Ruthie, said last night on the phone she wished I had a pic of Ada.  That struck a familiar note in my head and I remembered taking this pic.  I DIDN'T remember that it was on October 2, 2011!  I looked back through all my pix and was about to give up; I had no idea it was so far back.  David had just died on Sept. 1 and Don on Sept. 15.  It's a wonder Dorothy and I were even functioning!  Thank God for people like Ada, who gave us the sparks we needed to keep going.  Thank God for Dorothy, who has been 'joined with me at the hip' since we lost those precious guys in our lives.  My sister must have just gone home when I took this pic, because she and Phil stayed to hold my hand after Don's service.  God sends who we need when we need them!  Anyway, I wanted to share this pic of precious Ada.  She is still in the hospital and in critical condition, but she is alive!  This is 10 days after they gave her up for gone and she's able to eat, drink and even get up and walk.  She's weak, but she's alive!  God bless her!  Thank you for your prayers for Dorothy and Ada.  Dorothy is 90 and I think Ada is about 83.

I am 10 days from my first cataract surgery and 4 days from the 2nd one.  I am so loving seeing.  I see VERY well.  I see just like I have my contacts in only everything is clear and crisp and not blurry with cataracts!  What a blessing and I praise God and give Him thanks!  Don't forget to set your clocks back if you live in a state that does that!  I do, so I'd better go do it before I forget!

Sorry About Last Night! Guess We Were Tricked!

I so apologize for not posting last night.  I guess it was too big a day for me.  I wrote the blog and thought I posted it, but sat down to post tonight and there was no post from last night!  It was in my drafts.  DUH.  I went ahead and posted it.  I'll keep this one short.  This is a precious pic to me.  It's one Tom got of Lee and I at the cross up on Sewanee Mountain.  I always loved that cross when we lived there and I love it still.  It's a treasured memory to share this with Lee as well and Tom and Linda.  I thank God for the precious times and the ability to store them and recall them as memories!

I see better and better each day.  I wish I could see the Thunder win a ballgame tonight, but it seems I'm going to have to see them take a beating unless they can pull a Thunder STORM out of their pockets!  I'm off to suffer through it with them.  Everyone have a good weekend and wonderful November!

Note:  We saw Lee's doc who is treating his neck today and he was pleased.  We're praying that Lee can keep up the happy neck!

Happy Halloween!

This pic was taken beside the life size statue of Jack Daniels when we toured the Jack Daniels distillery.  It was a very interesting tour, although neither of us drink.  I use whiskey mixed with honey for cough syrup when my cough is really bad, but it's a way last resort.  It works; it knocks me right out, but there's no more coughing!  I thank God that I'm not drawn to alcohol a bit, but I also thank Him for it's availability when I get that awful cough!  I SURE thank Him for the honey or I could never hack it!

Today we went to Lawton and saw my oncologist, there.  He works hand in hand with my oncologist at MDA, but he has to see me every few months to cover his rear.  I like him a lot, so it's a comfort to me to see him and know that he's keeping an eye on me, too.  I go back to MDA the 18th and 19th of November, so they're keeping a close watch on me.

As soon as we got home we went to church where we had a huge trunk or treat deal happening.  Our parking lot was full of folks passing out candy and we had folks backed up for two blocks in line to join in the fun.  We went through $30 worth of candy and then went inside to help tie helium balloons to give to the trick or treaters.  We came home and hid in the dark because we were fresh out of candy!  It's only 8:30, so I'm thinking it's still too soon to turn on the lights.  It was fun to see all the kids; many of them I'd had in school when I subbed in elementary school and some I had in middle school!  Lee picked out our candy, hoping there would be some left, but he's fresh out of luck.  He has no business with that candy, anyway, but I've learned that diabetics are drawn to candy like drunks are to alcohol.

I Must Have Been CRAZY!

This is a pic Tom got of Lee and I standing in front of a cave that Tom and I used to go caving in when we were in high school.  I must have been CRAZY to have crawled into that hole!  I trusted Tom a lot, I guess. Those caving jaunts may have contributed to my claustrophobia today.  I can also remember when my friend Patty and I thought the coolest place to ride was in the VERY back (behind the seat) of my Daddy's VW Bug.  Those were some fun times, but I have more fun now staying out of small places!  It was sure fun to get to go back and see this spot.  I thank God for great lifelong friends like Tom and Linda Rose and the opportunities we get to continue to have fun with them from Tennessee to Branson and even Hawaii and Oklahoma!  Indeed we are blessed!

Today has been a great day.  I saw the doc for another check on the surgery that was done yesterday.  He was as delighted as I am.  I see him in two weeks for a final check and we'll determine then if I need to wear glasses or contacts, again.  He said he suspects I won't need any; I suspect that, too!  I'm reading really well and seeing details everywhere.  I love it!  PTL!  Lee's neck continues to do well, but it threatens him from time to time, as if to remind him he's not in the clear, yet.  Dorothy's sister, Ada, is doing really well.  She's up and walking and they say they'll let her go home in a couple of days if she continues to do well.  She is one amazing little lady.  This time last week the doctors had all given her up for gone, but she's having no part of it!  PTL!

She SEE! She SEES! She SEES!

This is the follow up pic to yesterday's goofy pic, although Lee is still standing on the 'high' step.  It was a great trip and I love the memories!  I thank God that I could see pretty good then, but today I see everything perfectly!

It was a long day.  I thought I'd slip right in and get done quickly since they didn't have all the testing to do that they did Thursday.  I was wrong.  I got to sit and wait a lot.  We didn't get home until nearly 5 and I was so tired and ready to sleep!  The eye they had worked on was going way northwest! (I asked Lee to get a pic of my eye going wrong, but he refused . . . it was pathetic looking!)  No wonder I was seeing double and crooked!  It was way scary to look in the mirror.  I was reminded that I've been given eyes that work even if the vision was poor for the last 4 years.  After a healing 4 hour nap I woke up to two eyes that go the right direction and work in coordination with each other.  My left eye sees well in the distance and the right eye sees up close.  WOW!  It's as if I have my contacts in and they are CLEAN and I see clearly!  Everything is bright and beautiful!  I praise God and thank Him so much for the success of these surgeries!  Tomorrow morning I go for a follow up check up and I expect he will want me to come back in two weeks for a final check to see if I need glasses to read.  I suspect that I won't.  I'm really so excited. I'm not supposed to jump, but jumping for joy seems appropriate.  I'll do it in my mind.

Dorothy reports that her sister, Ada, is doing very well, considering that they had given her up for dying last Wednesday!  She's able to be up and WALKING as well as drinking and eating some nourishment.  Ada is a living miracle!  They are talking of letting her go home in a few days!  She's still got some serious issues, and will have to go back to the hospital for more surgery as soon as she is strong enough, but right now she is absolutely amazing us.  Thank you so much for your prayers; please keep up with them as she believes she is living on prayers right now!

One More Wake Up!

This pic was taken on the walk down to the Natural Bridge at Sewanee.  As if Lee isn't already a head taller than me, he wanted to stand up on the edge.  What a goofball he is!  I love it!

One more wake up until I get my other cataract removed!  Woo hoo!  Tomorrow I'll see double for a while and then the good vision will be here for me!  I'm so excited about it!

Lee has felt pretty good today, but his neck is twinging some, so he's not in the clear, yet.  We just hope he'll continue to get better and better.

Dorothy called to tell me today that her sister, Ada, is up and able to drink and take a little nourishment, even!  She's an amazing woman.  She's still in critical condition, but she is hanging on so well.  The doctors didn't expect her to live through last Wednesday and were surprised that she made it until Friday; here she is on Monday, up and eating!  God bless Ada!  Praise God for taking care of all of us!

A Beautiful Place Displaying God's Handiwork!

When we visited with Tom and Linda, they took us to the Natural Bridge up on Sewanee Mountain.  It's such a gorgeous place.  The first pic shows the plaque that identifies the bridge and the next pic is one that Tom got of Lee and I standing on the bridge.  Don't you know it would be beautiful there right now, with the fall colors.  I loved the lush green, too, though.  We just don't have trees like that in Oklahoma!

Today was a great day of rest for me.  I'm getting into this taking it easy!  It was the first day that I've ever gone to church with no eye make up on, but I can't wear eye make up until next Sunday.  It's amazing how quickly I can get ready!  Nobody ran from me, that I noticed, so I guess I didn't look as scary as I think I do.  We went out to lunch at Jerry's, where it seems the whole town goes, so lots of folks saw me with no eye make up.  They seemed to still recognize me, so maybe I need to rethink the makeup ritual!  Lee is doing much, much better, too.  He was able to go to both services today and he coached football from his chair between services.  I thank God for good memories from these great trips we took and for great results from my surgery and Lee's meds for his neck pain.  God is great!

Precious Memories.

On our trip to Tennessee, after we visited Lee's Aunt Leona, we went to visit our friends, Tom and Linda Rose.  Lee had never been there, but I graduated from high school with Tom and Linda.  Tom drove us all around the county and we showed Lee beautiful places that represented memories to all of us.  This place was more beautiful than this picture shows, but this is the only place where I could set the camera to get a shot of all of us.  It's a good memory to all of us.  We had to climb up onto this rock and it looked out over the county from where we were sitting.  The memories are treasures to us!  I so thank God that we were able to make this trip!

Today has been a nice, restful day for me.  Lee is feeling much better.  His neck is still very sensitive and won't allow him to go certain directions, but for the most part he is comfortable.  I praise God for that, too! I continue to be amazed and praise God for the vision in my fixed eye!  I can hardly wait until Tuesday to get the other eye done!  It is so much fun SEEING!  I feel guilty that I can get my vision back and Dorothy never can get hers.  (She has macular degeneration.)

Bless her heart; she is such a strong woman.  Her sister, Ada, is still living.  If she manages to live until Monday, they plan to move her to another hospital and do surgery that they hope will save her life. They didn't expect her to live until yesterday, but she did, so the doctors think she might be strong enough to take the surgery on Monday. God bless; we pray for His will to be done and that His will is to save Ada.

An Example to Us!

Look at that sweet smile and those trusting eyes!  Our Lord told us to 'be as little children.'  Bryce is a great example of how we should be, in my opinion.  He was asleep when we got there, but he woke up soon.  He was a little cautious at first, but as soon as he recognized us, he was happy and ready to go.  I've noticed that we wake up a little stiff everyday, but soon we warm up and a smiling attitude is the best way to approach each day . . . just like a little child!

Bryce has been so many good examples to me.  When he was a little guy, he'd be so sleepy and just nod right off in my lap.  Sometimes I think of that sleepy look he had and I nod right off as if I were him.  I hope I can mimic him and be as happy as he is, too!  It's easier to say than to do!

Today has been a good day as far as my eye goes.  But, when I saw the doctor to check my eye today he told me that I'd need to pick up another prescription for eye drops for the second eye on Monday to take with me on Tuesday.  YIKES!  The drops for this first eye cost over $150!  Now, another $150!  I've been pumping the docs to tell me what meds I will be needing over the future, considering my stage 4 diagnosis.  I need to know that so that I can know what drug plan to buy for my medicare part D plan.  I have until the end of this month to do that. In my diligence to attempt to cover the cancer drugs, I lost out on getting covered in time to get help with the eye drugs!  NO doctor has been willing to give me a clue what drugs I may be using, either.  Then I got into noticing what my treatments are costing and I attempted to find out if I am the one responsible for the 'pharmacy' portion on my treatments or are those drugs considered part of the treatment?  I could not get ANYONE who could answer that question for me. (The pharmacy portion of my treatment runs right at $10,000 per month, so this is significant!)  There will be plenty of people around to tell me I when I OWE them money, but there is NOBODY available to help me make provisions for paying these bills. How frustrating.

I look at this picture of Bryce and love him for showing me the example of total trust to the Father!  All our kids and grandkids have shown me that over the years, but Bryce is the one who is still totally at that stage.  I thank God for him and all the others.  It's much better to have that trusting attitude than to get so cumbered with finances as I was today.  I'm supposed to be relaxing and resting.  I've thought it through and I'm going with Bryce and God.  I'll do the best I can and then the folks who wouldn't help me plan to make payment arrangements will have to grab a root and growl when it's tough at payment time.

Papa Lee Feels Better Around the Grand People!

This is a pic I got of Lee playing basketball with Peyton as Bryce watched when we were there Monday. He had such a tough day with his neck on Monday because he couldn't take any muscle relaxers.  I think that made yesterday a harder day.  He had to lay off this morning until he got me home from my cataract surgery today, but he's been able to have the relaxer, again, this afternoon.  His doctor called in another relaxer and a steroid today and said to call him on Monday if he isn't better.  How we hope he'll be better by then!  He's about worn to a frazzle with this neck ache.   Lunch with Trish and her gang was a joy for us and then getting to play with Peyton and Bryce sure helped him to get through Monday!  We thank God for all the grandkids and their awesome spirit!

Today has gone well for me.  At first after my surgery I was seeing blurry and double.  As time passed it got better and better.  I'm starting to get really excited at the things I'm seeing much more clearly.  I can really hardly wait to wake up in the morning and see what else I can see.  I'm anxious for Tuesday to get here so I can see with the other eye, too.  It's been so interesting.  When I first came out of surgery the not fixed eye was my good one.  I kept closing the fixed eye.  I got home and took a nap, though, and woke up with the fixed eye willing to stay open.  As time passes I'm using it more and realizing that I'm seeing better with it than with the not fixed one!  How cool!  I love how bright everything is, too!  I'm praising God for this fixed eye!  So many blessings!  I'm eager for a healing night of sleep for both of us!

Big Sisters Can Be So Much Fun!

In this pic big sister, Peyton, is attempting to hold a boy who know how to walk!  That'll never work for long!  He loves playing with her, but he hates when she (or anyone) holds him still!  He knows the joy of independence and freedom, now.

Another big sister, my friend, Dorothy, is in a lot of pain tonight.  Her little sister, Ada, was hospitalized yesterday for a ton of pain in her abdomen.  They did every test in the world and finally learned it was some kind of blockage in her intestine and they attempted to put in a stint today.  It didn't work and there is nothing more they can do for her, so she is dying tonight.  Dorothy is so sad, but she's lost a sister and two brothers, not to mention two husbands and her only son, so she's a strong lady and will trust God's timing. It's just very difficult right now.

Lee is miserable with the pain in his neck.  He is diligently using the meds the doctor gave him, but nothing is helping.  If we can just get me through tomorrow's surgery, then we can see if we can't get something more done for him.  I called and talked to the doctor's office today, asking for more help or direction.  She said she'd talk to the doctor and call us back.  I was thinking in terms of today, but she never called.  I'll be barking on the doorstep of another doctor as soon as I can; how frustrating!  Saturday I can drive and see out of one eye, so stand back!

Trish and Some of the Kids at Lunch.

This is a pic I got of Trish with Sadie and the 'little kids.'  Tricia's oldest three are Nate, Gabe and Sadie; they are 21, 18, and 16.  Then Mason is 13, Gracie is 10 and Raynie is 6.  She always divided them into the big kids and the little kids.  Sadie is the only big kid left at home.  Mason is nearly as big as she is, now!  So, this is Sadie, Mason and Trish with Gracie and Raynie in the front, wearing hats.  It was a way fun lunch; love it when we can connect with them!

Lee rested today and is doing better than he was this time last night.  His neck is still hurting, but it helped to be able to take muscle relaxers today.  He can rest, again, tomorrow, but he'll have to drive me Thursday to have my cataract surgery.  I hope two days of rest will help him to get through that morning.  We should be home early in the afternoon on Thursday, so maybe it won't be too hard on him.

I got all the floors done in the house today.  I did all the other cleaning Saturday.  So the house is as clean as it ever gets.  After I have my cataract surgery I'll be able to see all I've been missing!  I can hardly wait.  I feel so blessed to be finally getting them fixed.  I thank God that I'm able to clean and able to get this surgery!  I thank Him for a great day of visiting yesterday and a good day of rest for Lee today.

More Blessings!

We had a great trip today, but we're so tired!  This is a pic we got of Bryce throwing a little soccer ball. Can you believe he can walk and throw at the same time!  Hmmm; looks like a left handed thrower to me!  He's started walking all the time since we took off for our last two trips and saw him last around the first part of August, I think.  Anyway, he's pretty much the professional now (Looks like a drunk sailor, but he does a great job with recovery!)

While we were visiting with Bryce we got to see his big sister, Peyton, too.  I got some cute pix of the two of them, but I haven't had time to edit them, yet.  Earlier we got to see Trish and four of her kids for lunch.  I got more pix of them, too, but I still need to edit them.  Before that we visited with Lee's brother Dan.  I should have taken pix, but didn't think to do that.  It's more fun to take pix of the kids, anyway, but we had a great day of visiting.  We sure thank God for these wonderful visits!

Our whole purpose of going to OKC was to get an ultrasound done on a lump Lee has in his breast.  Having lost his last wife to complications of breast cancer and with me having stage 4 breast cancer, it was a big thing for us to face the possibility that he could have breast cancer!  I think I was more freaked about it than he was, but it was sore and bothering him.  They tell us that it is benign and caused by medications he has taken.  We have stopped two of his medications and he said to give that some time to see if it doesn't improve.  We can work with his doctors to do the detective work to see what changes can be made to help him to improve and as long as it's benign it's not that big a deal, anyway.  Praise God!  Now, if we can just get to whatever is causing this pain in his neck.  He was driving today so he couldn't take the muscle relaxers that the doctor gave him Friday.  I couldn't drive because I can't wear my contacts for 3 days before my cataract repair on Thursday.  I'm wearing old glasses, but still can't see well.  Anyway, he's gone to bed and will rest good tonight, I hope.  We praise God and thank Him that this lump is benign!

More Precious Memories

We enjoyed so much the visit when Barb came last week!  You can see that Lee was throwing himself into some story and Barb was paying close attention.  We treasure the memories of that day that she came to see us!

Tomorrow we go to OKC for an appointment Lee has.  We'll get to see his brother, Trish, and his daughter, Krissy, and her family!  I'm eager for some new pix and more memories to treasure!

This is my last day to wear contacts for a while!  I have to leave them off for 3 full days prior to my surgery on one eye Thursday.  Then, I guess I can wear a contact in the other eye for one day.  But, then I have to not wear them for 3 days prior to the surgery on the other eye.  I figure I just won't fool with it.  I'm thinking I'm just going to take it pretty easy for the next few days.  I do have some readers I can wear, but after one eye is fixed the readers won't work.  I really don't care about any of this week because a week from Tuesday I'll have two eyes FIXED!  Woo hoo!  I'm hoping I can see well enough without contacts, but they tell me they can fit me with contacts if I need them after the surgery.  I'm a real clux with glasses, so I have no desire to wear glasses.  I'll do whatever I have to do to see, though, and be grateful!  I've been waiting for this repair for over 4 years, now.  Ahhhhh . . . Praise God, the time is here!

More of My Easy Entertainment!

We took Barb, Lee's daughter, to the lake the other day and look who we saw!  They patiently waited while I ran up close enough to get pix of these herons.  These have got to be some we've been watching.  I'm so pleased to see them.  One is right near the nest and the other is on the stump that is next to the tree.  I attempted to get them both in the same pic, but they wouldn't fit.  I am as pleased as a kid at Christmas over these herons!  See, I'm easily entertained.  Actually, I think it's pretty magnificent that God goes to so much trouble for me.  I love it!

I got lots done around the house and yard today.  There is always so much to do here.  I think that's why I like to travel.  I can rest when we're gone.  We're home, now, so there's work to do and I thank God that I can do it!  Home is sweet and I am blessed, even with my own herons!