DECOVIN & CAMDEN ARE HERE!

Camden is growing so fast. Seems like he is doing a lot more since he came. He can now sit (with help), but he's getting stronger. He reaches out to things. He discovered his toes tonight while sitting on his daddy's lap. Decovin likes to hold his little brother and he also likes to help feed him. Bob came for the weekend and Decovin was so excited. He ran from the door to the living room and then when Bob came in, he made a mad dash to the door again. He was so excited!

Mom is doing great with her after surgery drops. She has been putting them in herself or her friend Juanita does it for her if we can't be there. She has two weeks left and then she will be done. She is already seeing better. The Dr. gave her a pair of reading glasses with a 2.50 strength and she said she can see close up just fine with them. I take her back on June 4th to have the one and only stitch he put in her eye taken out.

David's dad is doing better. He has improved since his stroke quite a bit. His mouth is straight now and he can talk a little better. He is working on getting the strength back in his right arm and leg.

Went to the funeral of a good church friend on our anniversary; David worked until 7:30 pm (and has just about every night since the outage started in April); but the day brightened with the help of D & C and the girls fixed us a delicious supper of "drunk chicken", garlic mashed potatoes, peas, and salad. It was our 42nd. Wow, where does time go?

Been Busy again.

Most of you know that David's Dad had a stroke last week. He has some problems with his right arm, leg, and right side of his mouth. He has to have thickened liquids and such in order to eat or drink. He can talk pretty good when he is wide awake. Anyway they sent him to St. Luke's on the Plaza by helicopter, then he was sent to Paola, KS to a rehab place. On Sunday, they thought he had another small stroke and sent him again by helicopter to St. Luke's on the Plaza. Anyway, needless to say we have been on the go a lot. They still don't know for sure what happened this second time and seem to be dragging their feet to find out what is wrong with him. Loree and Mendy have been going to be with him everyday and are wearing down. Please say prayers for them and all of us really. Thanks.

We went to Jeff & Marianne's church Sunday night for a talent night show they put on. Jeff did magic tricks. He did very good and was funny as usual. Marianne will have to play the piano or something next year maybe, or the guitar. She had to corral the girls this time. They both ran up on stage to be with their daddy which distracted him a bit but it was cute.

I have Decovin for a few days and he is down for a nap so I must get my shower done before he wakes.

I CREATED A DIRECTORY FOR MY CHURCH!

I created and made a directory, and took it to be copied and bound into books for our church members and constituants. Everyone really liked them. It made me feel good and it was exciting for me. Jen & the boys were here last week and we all went to visit Dad and Loree and then my mom came over to see them the next day. Bob and his Dad went to Warrensburg and got some of their things and took them to Burlington to the house they are renting there. Jen and Bob stayed in Burlington camping out so to speak. She is sending me pictures of their place by cell phone. It is a very small house compared to what they are selling. We need to pray that they can sell it and soon too.

NOTHING MUCH

I am waiting for something good to happen. David starts 7-10's this Saturday for 5 weeks. Boring!

I wait for pictures of the grandchildren to see how they have grown and then I miss them like crazy.

We went to David's mom's Sunday afternoon and my mom's that evening. They are doing ok. David went to his Dad's last Tuesday and Wednesday after he got off Jury Duty for the day. Dad has been a little confused lately and hallucinates but it was from his pain pills so they are taking him off them and, I presume, try something else or reduce the mg's of them.

I have been so tired lately that my Dr. has issued some kind of sleep test again. This one will be done by me at home. I will get it by ups this afternoon and take it tonight, then ups will pick it up tomorrow.

Well, that is about as exciting as it get around here.

HOW ABOUT SOME SPRING WEATHER?

It would be nice if we had a normal season for a while. It seems rather odd that the seasons are so back and forth.

We are up at Jeff's this afternoon. He needed help putting in their new microwave & stove (if they have time) so he called his Dad. Of course they don't do anything without haveing to go to Lowe's at least once or twice.

The girls were excited to see us. McKendra came running and threw herself into my arms to give me a hug and kiss. So cute, but then she was done, she wanted to eat. I guess they eat first thing when they get home from school. Katrina did the same but she was talking a mile a minute.

Jen, Camden, and Decovin were at our house Monday to Wednesday. Camden is still getting treatments with the nebulizer. He is feeling better though. Decovin is still talking Dutch with a few real words thrown in. Jen helped get our painting of the house started. She painted the hallway to the bedrooms. David & Christy helped a little. We are painting all rooms a khaki color. Looks good.

NOTHING MORE HEARTWRENCHING THAN A SICK CHILD

Bob called us Monday and told us he had to take off his last day at work to go get Decovin and take him home. Jen & Camden were on their way by ambulance to Children's Mercy South. Camden was dehydrated and very lethargic. He and Decovin were both throwing up so she took them to the base to their doctor and they couldn't get an IV in Camden as his veins would collapse. They tried twice in one hand, once in the other, and twice in his head. So they sent him on to Children's Mercy so they could do it with smaller needles. Well they did put a feeding tube down his nose to his stomach and fed him that way. Jen called and said they were on their way finally at 2:00. David took off early and we went up to see them. They put him in room 328 and fed him some more through the feeding tube. They decided against trying to put an IV in him. When we got there he was sleeping in Jen's arms and she was rocking him. She said he looked a lot better than he did in the morning. They said he has RSV which is hard on babies cause they can't cough up the mucous themselves. Jen said she couldn't get anything with her little sqeeze tube but they did with their force suction. Anyway, they ended up keeping Camden until today. I just talked to Jen and she said they are doing the paperwork but didn't know how long they would be. Monday night David went to Warrensburg with Christy and She stayed with Decovin while they went to get Jen's car off the base. David drove it back to the hospital and then we went home. Tuesday, mom went with me to my Dr. & eye Dr. apptmts. I am fine and am getting cataracts on both eyes evidently. Aging isn't fun FYI. Then when we got home, David and I packed my bags in the car. We stopped to see Jen & Camden and then headed for Warrensburg to drop me & my bags off. Christy was just leaving and took Jen some more clothes. She had taken one of her personal days off to watch D. I am going to stay awhile until Jen gets some rest. Did I mention that they were all sick? Bob included. Poor little Camden couldn't hardly squeek out a cry. He did give me a croaky "goo" last night. Bless him.

GREY'S ANATOMY IS STARTING A NEW SEASON!

I love that show! I wonder how long they will keep putting problems in the way for McDreamy & Grey. It would be nice if they could make 1 or 2 of the characters happy for longer than one season. I guess it is truly a nighttime soap opera. Always leaves you hanging.

Good Luck Jen & Bob with the house hunting on Sunday.

I feel better today, finally. I didn't go to the Dr. yesterday b/c I wasn't feeling well enough to drive and nobody was around to drive me. I changed the appointment to next Tuesday. I will be just fine by then.

Everybody have a great weekend.

HAPPY SPRING!

IS IT SPRING YET? LOL

EASTER WEATHER COOPERATED!

Thank you to all of you who helped out with the Easter dinner today. Sorry I got sick. Hope you all don't get it. It felt like flue but who knows. Anyway, thanks again!

HAPPY EASTER!

So what are your plans for Easter?

How was girl's night out?

Any pictures? How did the moving go for Melo?

DR VISITS TOOK ALL AFTERNOON!

It was a nice day but we spent a lot of it inside Dr. Offices. My bone doctor told me that the next move be mine. When pain relievers no longer help the pain and I can't stand to be in pain, then he would set up my knee replacements. David will be having his right shoulder operated on after his company outage in (April to) June. Then I went over to see the nurse practitioner who consulted with my Dr. in between his apptmts and hers. I had to go get a cbc and chest xray and come back to the office. The cbc was ok, the xray was better than the one I had last month. I had 2 nebulizer breathing treatments of Albuterol and a cortizone shot in the hip before they would let me go home. They also said they were sending out Apria Home Health Care to give me a nebulizor of my own to use so I can continue the Albuterol treatments on my own. I go back to the Dr. in 9 days after my 5-day z-pack and 10 day prednezone pills run out. They said I had signs of being asthmatic. I can't tell you what the diagnosis said because I had to leave the paperwork at the desk and didn't get a copy because all of them had gone home. I plan on being well by Easter anyway.


P.S. I called to make my appointment today and they found my paperwork. They had my diagnosis as "Bronchitis & Wheezing"! (That's what I thought.) I go back to see my doctor the last Wednesday of the month for a follow up.

Going to the bone dr. tomorrow.

So I get to explain that I have fallen out of bed a few times, etc. Hope I don't get anymore shots for awhile. I may go next door to see about having my reg. doctor check out my cough, etc.

GOT IT AGAIN!

UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE GOT THE SINUS CRUD AGAIN. MY VOICE IS DEEP, I HAVE A COUGH THAT IS BEGINNING TO ANNOY ME AND IT HURTS IN MY CHEST, AND I HAVE HEADACHES! I ALSO JUMPED WHEN THE PHONE RANG THIS MORNING AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, BUT I FELL OUT OF BED ON MY KNEES AGAIN! I CAN HEAR YOU LAUGHING AFTER YOU SAID, "OH, NO!" QUIT IT! I DON'T KNOW WHY!

I'M BABYSITTING

Jen came today with the boys and Ruthie so they could go to "Bunco" night. David went to a meeting at church and I was here with the boys alone. Jen changed Camden, put on his jammies, swaddled him and put him in his jumper seat. Well, he's been asleep the whole time and now, almost 4 hour later, she will be home soon. Probably a good thing because Decovin and I played and then I had to chase him out of behind the big chairs and the couch. Or should I say I had to coax him out. He is able to get in the darndest places I can't! Well, it is 8:30 and Decovin is in bed, and Camden is STILL sleeping! I only got to hold him for a minute or two before Jen fed him. Oh well there is always tomorrow.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Hope you are feeling ok and didn't get the nasty flue. We are crossing our fingers that we get bypassed here. Take care.

FUN WITH DECOVIN & CAMDEN

We went to Jen & Bob's to visit the boys (Jen & Bob also). Camden was 10 days old and he is filling out already. He is as cute as his big brother. Decovin loves his little brother. He loves to wrestle with his Dad, too. Jen may have to build a wrestling ring by the time Camden is old enough. Hope Decovin does ok when Bob goes back to work next week. He will miss his playmate for sure. Camden slept most of the time we were there which is as it should be. Jen said he has a bowel movement after every feeding too. Sometimes twice. We witnessed it first hand. We got a couple of pictures with him awake and had fun holding him. Decovin likes to hold his little brother and kiss him. D is starting to communicate with words now. He still jibber jabbers a little but he says it so seriously that we just know it has to mean something. lol We had a fun day! Thanks for supper Jen & Bob.

I FINALLY WENT TO THE DR.

Well, I finally called my Dr. for an appointment to see why I can't seem to get well. I've had this crud since the Thursday before Christmas. I kept thinking it would get better if I just waited it out. When I started having pressure across my chest (mostly in the middle and on the right side), I decided I'd better get checked out. I also have been getting hot and then turning cold. I lost my voice for a while too. I thought it was bronchitis but wasn't sure. Anyway, the Dr. said I didn't have bronchitis this time but it was chronic sinusitis & fatigue. He gave me Prednizone (Medrol 4MG PAK & Clarithromy (horse sized pills). He said I should feel better soon. Sorry if this was TMI.

I took Mom to the Dr. also. (LaCygne's clinic doesn't have a Dr. anymore so we changed her over to the Paola Clinic and my Dr.) Mom had an appointment set for 9:15 a.m. for a month and, when I got my appointment, I forgot about the blood work and changed her appointment time to right after mine at 2:30. Anyway, her veins weren't popping up enough so the technician said to come back on Monday at 8:15 and to drink lots of water all week end. I took her to McDonald's and then we went to WalMart to get my meds (and other things of course!), then home. A Fun Day!

So how was your day?

A NEW GRANDSON

Jen had Camden David Plummer last night at 9:51. He weighed in at 8 lb. and measured 20 inches long. He is a cutie and looks a lot like Decovin. I think he may have a little more hair. Christy is staying until Tuesday and Bob is going to be off work for 2 weeks so I decided I would go home for now and if she needs me to come later, I will. Jen and Cam are doing just fine.

GRANDMA IS BABYSITTING HER BABIES!

I am still at Jen's watching over Decovin, Jen & Camden. We are talking to Cam but he isn't listening. lol She had back pain tonight. She & I sat at the dining room table and played Scrabble too long this afternoon. It was fun to play a game though. She and Bob took D for his Dr. check up this afternoon also. He is a bit on the short side, skinny, but has a good sized noggin! He is in the 50%tile for his age group. So he is ok. Bob is very good at playing with Decovin as always. It is a lot of fun to watch them interact. I have been getting more hugs from D lately which melts this Grandma's heart. He came running and gave me a big hug when they got back from the Dr. He did it three times. :-) Jen goes to the Dr. on Thursday morning. Keep your fingers crossed and say some prayers. Maybe she will be dialated 4 this time and they will put her in and get this party started!!!

GOT MY LAST ROUND OF SHOTS

Got my last shots of synvisc in my knees yesterday. Now I go back in 6 weeks to see if they did any good for me. I can get up and down without "as much" pain now. The Dr. said my xrays show a spur in the ankle area (on top) but in order to fix it would be rather painful for me. So since I only have the pain now and then, I will just have to be careful so I don't fall b/c of it.

However, getting out in the cold has taken a toll on my voice. I am hoping to get over it before Jen has Camden so I won't miss the birthing.

CHECK OUT MY VIDEOS

I added the YouTube videos to my blog. See below and to the right of this.

SAW ALL THE GRANDKIDS OVER THE WEEKEND

We met the kids for lunch at 54th Street Bar & Grill up by Jeff's and then we went to Jeff's house to visit. Mendy and Jim were here this weekend and came with us also. It was a fun visit. Decovin entertained us by having a small ball that Katrina wanted and he would run around the house as fast as he could go with Katrina hot on his trail. She would eventually get hold of it, put it in the bucket they were playing with and D would pick it out and take off running again. It got to be so funny that Uncle Jim would pick it out of the bucket and give it to D and tell him to "go, go, go!

Today, I got my second set of shots in my knees. Took Mom to get her hearing aid fixed after we went to WalMart (I used the electric cart this time) and then we went to Applebees for lunch. We got her car washed while we were up there which made her happy.

Oh, it so happened that my left ankle (the one that was run over when I was 15) was catching today when I went to the doctor so I asked him about it. I always feel like it is going to make me fall when it does that. He sent me to get X-rays and we will talk about that next Tuesday when I get my last set of shots. Fun times.

THE BONE DR. VISIT

Went to see Dr. Wilkerson today. He wants to try synvisc shots in both knees before doing any surgery. It is a series of 3 shots in each knee...1 week apart. My knees felt good after the shots but they were hurting after walking around WalMart. I also went to Olathe today to have a follow-up mammogram on my left breast where the cancer was in, and it was fine. Next one will be in July. Mom went with Linda and I today and we got her paperwork done for Dr. Justesen to be her Dr. She was complaining of knee pain and he said to take 1000 mg of tylenol in the morning and at night. (So I am going to try that too.) He told her to do Keigel exercises to help her urinating problems. She is going back for another check-up on Feb. 8th. Eddie was at his Dr.(in same office) this morning also, so when Mom was done, he took her home, because she didn't want to be gone all day. Linda and I enjoyed visiting, and she drove me to Olathe. Thanks Linda. (She will be too busy with all her tax clients until April 15th now.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!

I am saying prayers that everyone gets well soon. I felt ok yesterday so D.L. & I went to church, the city afterwards, out to eat with Christy, Melodie & boys, and to the movie, "National Treasure: Book of Secrets". Good movie. I did fine all day and had a good time. Today was good until this afternoon and then out of the blue it hit me again. I really don't want to go to the Dr. & especially not the E.R.! As long as I am not doubled over in pain, I don't feel it is necessary. So just say a prayer for me and all who are sick today. Tomorrow is a new day and a new year so lets get well!

It is just about time. Hope you all have a safe and fun New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Here we are sitting at home on Christmas Day! We are recouperating from an intestinal type flu. Christy came to visit us and brought our presents to open which was fun and nice. However, when she left to go to Melodie's, she was hit by a truck at the corner up by Don & Norma's. Neither vehicle could stop due to ice at both corners. The truck hit her rear passenger side and it spun her around. She wasn't hurt she said. The truck's bumper was all that got messed up that could be seen. David went up there and the Sheriff is there now. Talk about a fun and exciting Christmas. Here's hoping you all have a better Christmas Day than ours. (I know my sister isn't. She has to prepare for her operation tomorrow. Yummy Jello and broth today. Good Luck Ruthie!)

WE HAVE OUR FIRST DECK IN PLACE.

Yep, a new deck is exciting news to me. It is 6'x5'. It isn't the one that will be there permanently however. Whenever our basement walls get reinforced, we will get the permanent deck. This little deck will then go to the back door going out of our garage. David worked on it yesterday afternoon and got it done about 8:30 last night. Hard to believe he was in a t-shirt and sweating because today it is cold and icy. He went to Edith Pearl Long McClintic's husband's funeral at 2:00. He came out of the church and darned near did a repeat of what he did at work. He slipped and caught himself this time. The worst of the ice storm happened between the time he went in and came out of the church.

I was sick all day yesterday and am recovering with headache, sore ribs, and queezy stomach today.

David is off work until after the first of the year now. Yay!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I don't know if I will be blogging much in the next 2 weeks unless something really exciting happens. Jeff called me today and said they were all in Hong Kong and were going to go to Disney World the next day. He called me at 9 A.M. my time and 11 P.M. their time. He said they took McKendra to the Dr. over there because she still had diarrhea. She got some medicine but still went 5 times that day. Hope the medicine the dr. gave her takes hold soon so she doesn't dehydrate. He said she was in good spirits so it hasn't been too bad. Jeff said Katrina has really taken to being in Malaysia. He took her shopping for breakfast the other day at 6 A.M. She loves the food there also. He asked her what she wanted for breakfast and she thought a moment saying, "Ummm, chicken rice". He said they had to wait until 8:30 when a restaurant that had it opened up. Evidently she is staying in her grandparent's room and McKendra is in Jeff & Marianne's room. He didn't talk very long b/c his phone card time was up. I don't know if they will call us again or email or what. I guess it costs them for dial-up internet time. If I hear from him again, I will let you all know on my blog.

Jen & Decovin are here for a couple of days. Jen & Christy had Bunco Club tonight. Decovin is talking much more. He still has some jibberish that we can't quite understand but he seems to understand what we say. We played with blocks today. He's quite good at stacking now. Mom came over today and played with him a little while.

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

The Weather Man Was WRONG AGAIN!

We only got about 2 inches. Now it is just wet mushy and muddy!

IT'S GOING TO SNOW?

We are supposed to get 4-6 inches. BUT...I am leary to trust the weatherman without seeing it first. So we shall see. It is supposed to start this evening and end by tomorrow sometime. Probably only 1/2 inch. lol

David's neck still hurts from his fall b/c of the ice. He is lucky actually because if he had slid under the guard rail, he would have fallen a lot farther down...like 15 feet. He is on pain pills for now. He said that whatever they are giving him it has at least masked the pain in his shoulder. (He may have to have the same kind of surgery as he did on his other shoulder.)

I am going to the bone Dr. on January 8th and I may have to have both knees replaced. We will see.

Our two married kids are spending Christmas with their In-laws and Christy & Mom will be with us at Melodie and the boys. Judy will be there but not Amanda. She wrote in her card to us that she has to work on Christmas. A Dr's. life is not their own. Sorry you won't be there my dear. I think this will be the smallest crowd yet...eight of us. Well, it will be food and fun anyway.

ICY CONDITIONS CANCELLED ALL PLANS

We started out to the city this morning but after seeing the fourth set of accidents before we even got to Louisburg, and especially after we turned sideways on a bridge just after the fourth accident we saw, we turned around at the next exit and went back home. Ice was starting to form on the mirrors and windshield wipers. Jen called later that morning and said her baby shower was being cancelled. She said they did get to Jeff's ok and took Decovin to see Santa at Marianne's workplace (Harley Davidson). I'm sure she will tell about this so I suggest you read her blog when she gets to post to it. They are staying at Bob's parents this weekend. Christy called and said she did ok driving home from the high school. She had to work at their Scholar Bowl. She said it was just beginning to ice when she came home. Everyone be careful in this mess. The weather station said this stuff was spread across the state of MO.

ANOTHER KNOCK OUT

Well, David fell yesterday at work. He slipped on the ice coming out of the office area. He said he didn't know what happened. Next thing he knew his face was up against the wall and he had fallen on an iron grate on the landing. Anyway, they took him to the hospital and x-rayed his head and neck. As David said, they found nothing in there. lol He has a small scrape on the right side of his face, on his right elbow, on his lower back on the right, and a sore spot on the back of his head. He was knocked out for a few seconds. One of the guys was at the bottom of the stairs and saw it happen. They took him to the Paola hospital in an ambulence on a back-board (very uncomfortable). Today, they had one of the plant helpers drive him up to the city. He had to go to his company doctor to be released for work. He can work but wants him to come back Tuesday. He is very sore to say the least.

I went to my doctor today and he said my knees may need replaced. They took an MRI of them about 3 months ago and I never called back. I told him I didn't get that message and just figured nothing was wrong because they didn't call me. He said I have some torn tissues and pieces of bone floating around. I don't remember what all he said but he is making an appointment for me to see the bone doctor (It is the same one that David went to...Dr. Wilkison.) He said he might try steroid shots first but not sure. Oh well, that's all I have for now.

It is supposed to get nasty tonight and that will thwart our plans of going to see the grandkids see Santa in the A.M. and going to Jen's shower in the afternoon. Stay safe everyone.

CHRISTMAS CAME AND WENT ALREADY

Our two youngest and their families are not going to be here at Christmas time this year. Jeff & Marianne & the girls are going to Malaysia and will be leaving on the 11th to be gone a month. Jen & Bob & D are spending Christmas at Bob's folks this year. So, we had Christmas the Saturday after Thanksgiving while they all were here. We had our small tree and a nativity candle up as our only decorations. The kids had a great time and Katrina declared it to be her best Christmas ever!!! That was fun to see her so excited. I got some new drink glasses from Jeff & Marianne and a 2008 picture calendar of Decovin. David got gift cards for Lowes & Home Depot. We still have Savings Bonds to get for the 3 kiddos yet.

Thanksgiving at Ruth and Bob's was a blast! So much fun with all the kids and talking about our memories, etc. Thanks Ruth & Bob for a great time!

We also had another Thanksgiving get-together with David's side of the family at Janette & Danny's. Both sets of parents were there. Only thing missing were Mendy & Jim and Jimmie & Rosemary & family. They celebrated together at Mendy & Jim's place in Arkansas.

We are trying to get the rest of the month figured out. Norma & Don are having their popcorn stringing party on the 16th. Dad & Loree won't be having their open house as they are going to Florida with Mendy & Jim to have a warm Christmas Vacation. We are going to my sister Melodie's for Christmas and to David's sister Marilyn's on the Sunday before Christmas.

I will be putting my pictures of Thanksgiving on Kodak Gallery soon. Jen, Jeff & Christy beat me to it already so mine will be boring next to theirs. LOL

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

OVER THE RIVER & THROUGH THE WOODS....

We are going to Ruthie's for Thanksgiving this year! Yay! All of the sisters, cousins & 2nd cousins &...Mom will be together for the first time in a very long time. WE ARE FAMILY! How about that! It is exciting. Pray that the weather stays nice & that we all fit in Ruth's house for dinner. LOL It will be a fun day and I say day because we will be leaving early Thursday morning and coming home that evening. Pray for safe travel of everyone who will be traveling that weekend and especially that day.

It was a busy week. Jen & D came to stay from Tues. to Fri. while Bob was in Charleston, SC We went somewhere every day & then I was gone Saturday & Sunday also.

David is home today working on our church's Outreach Committee projects. We have had the committee here a couple of nights and boy have they been busy. They made 9 cradles and I don't know how many little wooden cars, trucks, & busses. Kind of reminds me of 4-H days.

Take care, and travel safe over the Thanksgiving week. See most of you soon.

I GOT THE FLU TOO!

I started getting sick Sunday morning from one end and then Monday I threw up all day and night. I have very sore ribs from the dry heaves. It hurts to breath in, coughing is horrible, stomach is still queasy, & my back is still hurt all day today. I have had a bad headache since Sunday also. Hope you all got your flu shots. David got one but I didn't and he got the flu anyway! And today he started getting sick the other way.
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

D.L. HAS THE FLU

Poor DL. He started being sick last night about midnight and continued to do so throughout the night into morning & afternoon till about one o'clock today. He is still kind of puny feeling. He did a lot of dry heaves towards the end. He had fever and headache also. I am crossing my fingers and praying that it passes me by.

I took a cherry pie and cornbread to our Church's Ham & Bean Fundraiser and helped out by cutting pies and putting them on pie plates. I was busy from 2 to 6 pm and then I came home. Made the day pass and it was better than staying around the sick guy!

Hope the flu passes all of you by too. I didn't get a flu shot this year & I may be sorry.

A FUN & BEAUTIFUL DAY!

I had a wonderful day today. I spent it with both of my daughters and my grandson. It was a perfect day for anything. Christy called me this morning and said, "Let's go and have fun today". She had called Jen and found out she wanted to do something also, so we met her in the parking lot by Linens & Things across from Oak Park Mall. We then went to The Legends shopping mall across from Nebraska Furniture Mart. Christy took us to a new restaurant called Hash House A-Go-Go. which was by the Bowling Alley. It was awesome! It was reasonable in price. Be prepared to get a to-go box. We also went to Target and Nebraska Furniture Mart before heading south again. We got Jen's car and then went to 119th & Roe to the Crate & Barrel store. (I stayed out in the car with Decovin because it is the kind of store you don't take a rambunctious little boy.) Decovin kept me entertained and he pushed about every button he could find on Christy's dashboard. He even found the panic button for the horn. Christy had to reset a few things when they got back. Jen bought me a glass egg that you put in with boiling eggs and it changes different colors for soft, medium, & hard boiled. They have a lot of cute and interesting items there. Thanks, Jen. Then Christy & I took a tour of our brand new Library in La Cygne. It was their grand opening day. Christy started the day there early in the morning and watched the ribbon cutting ceremony and then called me.

The day was very windy but it was not hot or cold. Just right. It was a fun and beautiful day!

http://www.hashhouseagogo.com/

2 FAMILY REUNIONS

We have attended 2 Family Reunions for David's Dad's side of the family for the last two weekends. It is fun to visit with people you don't get to see very often. I put pictures on KodakGallery.com for anyone who would like to see them. Just let me know and I will send you an invitation to the site if I haven't done so already.

The rest of the month's weekends will be full as well. The Mound City craft festival is this coming week end, Then the 3rd Sat. of the month is the Trustee's Breakfast that David is in charge of this month. We kept Decovin for a couple of days last week. Bob came and stayed for the Long Reunion while Jen was in Florida with Amanda. Jen & Ruth are coming to visit this coming weekend for the craft festival. It's a busy month.

Had a Good Week

I love Fall when the weather is just right. Hopefully we have a lot more just-right-days before Winter comes.

This week started with a dinner in the city with all of our kids. Of course the grandkids were the stars of the night. Wednesday night, David took me out to supper and we went to Home Depot for a new ladder and mailbox. It was nice to get out. On Thursday, mom came to visit and we played Scrabble. Christy invited us to supper that evening. Mom came out again today to bring me her mail she needed some help understanding. Sunday, we are going to the annual family reunion put on by Dad Long's cousin on Grandma Long's side...George Lloyd. Dad & Loree & Aunt Ruth are going with us. Don & Norma are taking Aunt Carol.

Well, not much else going on here. What's new with all of you?

The Vacation was Great!

Our vacation consisted of Saturday at Jeff & Marianne's so David could go to Harley Davidson and take a tour of the place during their open house. We went home to sleep and then Sunday we left early for St. Louis. We spent the day reminising & going to the places we lived and worked while living there. Then we decided to go see our friend's, Joanne & Bob Owen, in Illinois. We had a good time visiting with them and spent the night there. We all went out to breakfast and then went to St. Elmo to drive around and see Bob's old stomping grounds. Bob has Alzheimer's but he seemed ok to us yet. Joanne is still having trouble with her speech. She had a stroke about a year or so ago. After the tour of St. Elmo, we headed for Washington, MO to pick up Mom at Aunt Barb's place. Gladys Wasinger and Mom were the only sister's left. Gladys W. is staying til the end of the week. After visiting awhile, we packed Mom up and headed home. Jen called and asked us to cut down on Hwy 13 and go out to supper with them. We went to Minetti's Italian Restaurant and had a very tasty meal and enjoyed the visit with them and Decovin. We got home around 10 p.m. The weather cooperated. However, we did run into a little rain between Warrensburg and home. Not bad though.

Anybody else having a vacation this summer?

We are taking a 3 day Vacation!

Tomorrow, we are going to Jeff & Marianne's. I will stay with the girls while David & Jeff go to Marianne's company (Harley Davidson) tour of their factory. Christy hasn't decided whether she will go with the guys or stay with me and the girls.

Sunday, we will head for St. Louis to drive around and sight-see for the day. Then on Monday, we will head for Washington, MO to pick up Mom from her sister's house. The 5 sisters and their friend, who was just like a sister, had their annual reunion. They have had a good time. Most of them are leaving on Saturday.

The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend so have a good weekend & week...

Busy Weekend

Today is beautiful weatherwise. It rained last night as it did the night before. Tonight we will be attending a "Celebration of Life" potluck supper for our friend, Grady Elder. He didn't want a funeral and donated his body to science. His wife, Linda, is carrying out his wishes. We don't plan on staying very long.

Tomorrow, we are taking my mom to Washington, MO near St. Louis to her sister's reunion. We hope to visit with the Aunts for a couple of hours and then head back stopping at Jen & Bob's for the night. David took Monday off as a holiday. Pray for a safe trip for us.

Happy Birthday to Norma & Don Long

Christy had a supper party for Norma & Don's birthdays that will be this week. She had pulled pork, chips, & a brocolli slaw salad. Linda & Eddie brought a potatoe casserole & deviled eggs, Janette & Danny brought a sugarless fruit with sugarless pudding on it. Grandma Camden brought yellow watermelon, & we brought vegetables and red watermelon. Norma & Don brought a lemon and a cherry pie. We had a feast. Christy had us come over tonight to help eat leftovers. Good stuff!

David got the yard mowed tonight. He gets ansy whenever it gets very high. It has rained the last couple of days so he wanted to do it tonight before it rains again.

I finished reading the latest and last Harry Potter book. It wasn't as sad as I was preparing for it to be. It did have a few sad moments but nothing super sad, thank heavens. I wonder if the lady who wrote these will possible make another book about all the character's children?

MY RETIREMENT PARTY WAS FUN.

I was given a retirement party on Friday by my boss, Russ Claar and fellow worker, Becky Brintnall. About 20 people came and we had cake, punch, nuts & mints. It was great. I didn't think they would have so much. They put an ad in the paper and everything. I turned 60 yesterday and had lots of phone calls and cards. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE.

I Did It!

Well, I really did it. I retired Friday from working. My boss, Russ, had a basket of flowers delivered to me. That was the first lump in my throat. Then I proceeded to pack up all of my personal things out of my desk, on top of my shelves, and all the pictures I had on my bulletin board. It looked bare. That was the second lump. Then after I shut down the computers, turned off the AC, closed the curtains, shut off the fans, turned out the lights and went to lock the door for the last time, I got a third lump. THEN, I realized I didn't have the key to the office and couldn't lock it. I had changed keys and cars with David so he could go pick up Uncle Richard and Aunt Yamu from Jeff's (he had picked them up earlier at the airport). I went back in the office and called Russ who said to go ahead and go home and he would come in and lock it. I was mortified! I have a few more things to go back for so I will give him my key then. lol

We had a couple of family reunions on Saturday. Christy Jeff & Jenny hosted a birthday party to honor everyone having one. David's mom's brother's have come back to Kansas for a reunion. All of my sister's came also. It was a fun day. All of David's mom's family stayed over the week end and are getting together one last time in Ottawa before John & Judy, Kathy & Wayne leave for Cheyenne, WY. Uncle Richard & Aunt Yamu will fly back to their daughter's home in South Carolina before returning to India. Uncle Ross & Aunt Jeanne will be going back to Colorado.

We've had a good time visiting. I will be 60 on August 13 so I was given some funny gifts and cards. David got some also. Thank you to our kids and families for coming and enjoying the party.

2 Movies in 2 Days!

I haven't been to a movie theater to see a movie for over a year and here, at the end of my vacation, I go to two...two days in a row. Wow!

Thursday, Christy took me to the city for my second 6 month mammogram check-up. I have felt a very small pin head size lump in my right breast so they took a mammogram of it also, as well as a sonagram, but neither one showed anything so I just have to keep track of it to make sure it doesn't start getting bigger. The left breast that had the cancer in it is doing ok so the report for the day was a good one.

Christy took me to a new restaurant on 135 just a little ways west of Sam's called Trolleys Grill. Really nice, delicious food at very reasonable prices. Then she took me to see the latest Harry Potter movie. The visual effects are something else. After that we went to the COSCO store and she signed up for a card (David will get her extra card). We shopped a while and then we went out for supper at C.C's Grill (across from Sonic on 151st) It was delicious as well. A bit more pricey however but very good. It was a fun day.

Friday, Phyllis Long, our cousin, took me to my dentist appointment and after that we decided we would go to the Target store at 151st street but for some reason we thought it was on 135th. Since we were there, I decided to take Phyllis to Trolleys Grill and try another dish to see if it was just as good as the day before...and it was! Then we decided on a spur of the moment to go to the movie theater at the Palazzo there on 135th and see "Hairspray" that was premiering that day. After that we went to Target and then home. It was another fun day!

I am really almost out of the mood to go back to work. The thought of having to get up early Monday morning is being pushed to the back of my mind. lol But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel now...Friday will be the my last day. I will miss my job because of all the people, my boss, my co-worker, the girls in the Mound City office and all of the different underwriters, adjustors and people in our Manhattan office and a few in Iowa who have helped me over my 9 1/3 years at Farm Bureau. Oh and did I say I'll really miss my paycheck?

What vacation?

Well, one week of my vacation has gone by and I haven't done anything memorable. However, I did have fun watching Decovin. He was here Wednesday and Thursday. He is talking more now and understands what you say except when you say no to pushing the TV button on & off. He still knows that when he distracts Grandma, he can run like the wind to my rocking chair and get to the controllers and my cell phone. I came in once and he had climbed over to the table and was sitting there talking on my cell phone (You have to unlock it to make it work). His eyes just twinkle when he gets caught. Typical boy!

My second week should be a little more interesting. Tuesday night is Dinner Theatre night and we are going to see "OKLAHOMA". Thursday is my 1 year mammogram. (fun, fun) and Friday, I get my teeth cleaned! Wow, don't know if I can stand the excitement. I go back to work for a week and my boss has postponed my open house until the 8th which is the day he pays us. It will be my last paycheck. Ho Hum.

I have a two sided water doodle that the kids can draw or write on with the water pen. They love it.

ALL IS WELL...KIND OF

This was all of us on the 4th of July except for David because he was taking the picture. Christy and Bob are in the background.

The flood waters have been receding and now it is the smell that is nasty. There are still a few areas with water standing but the roads have been repaired so we no longer have road blocks. The people whose homes were ruined with flood water are beginning the job of clean-up. Our prayers are with all of them.

My boss called me tonight and said I should take my vacation for the next 2 weeks and then asked if I would mind working the whole week when I come back. Then he said they were going to have a get together for people who want to come and say good-bye to me and then I will be retired. Wow, the time went by fast once I decided to actually do it! I couldn't believe it. Kind of sad and glad all at the same time.

I go for another mammogram next Thursday. It is my second six-month check up since they found I had cancer. Can't believe that a year has passed so quickly either. Wish me luck. A few prayers would be nice too. Thanks.

RAIN, RAIN, & MORE RAIN!

We are waterlogged here. The middle creek is out and just now Uncle Don came by for coffee and said the river was out. So we are blocked in from the east and the west now. David said the road that goes north is in bad shape so we just haven't made any plans to go anywhere. Our neighbors that live on the lake behind us, can't get to their house because the dam they have to drive over has broken. David said that if the other dam breaks too, the lake may drain.

It is supposed to clear up today. Hope so. If not, we may not be going to church tomorrow. Well, hope the sun is shining on you.

VISIT WITH THE LONG'S

We went to Jeff & Marianne's on Sunday afternoon. Marianne was out to a movie with a girlfriend from work. The girls and Jeff were happy to see us. McKendra took a nap and I colored with Katrina in her BIG coloring book. She would help me now and then. David and Jeff visited and checked out Jeff's wooden swingset project for the girls. It is like ours but bigger! I played with Katrina & McKendra when she woke up. McKendra has learned to walk behind her walking toy. Marianne called later and we all went to meet her and her friend (sorry, can't remember her name) at BRAVO's Restaurant. Her friend reminded me of someone but I couldn't remember who until the next day. It was a co-worker who used to work in the Mound City Office. She just happened to call that next day and it was like, "click", the light bulb went on. We had a leisurely meal and left for home from there. Hope everyone has a good week.

HERE HE COMES AGAIN!

Decovin & Jen came to visit us two weekends in a row. D is growing up so fast and he is fast for sure. He just literally runs everywhere these days. Jen found us a neat baby gate that has a door in it which makes it nice not to have to take out the whole gate and put it up again everytime the adults want to leave the room. We put it in the kitchen doorway to the laundry room so he can go most everywhere now. We do keep the doors down the hall shut though. He's a cutie & he knows it especially when he is getting scolded. It is hard to do when he is smiling at you or gives you a kiss when you pick him up. He jabbers up a storm quite often & looks like he is telling you something important. We even hear him talking to himself while he's playing by himself. He is such a joy and we love having him around.

David is still working overtime now and then. Unfortunately, he found that our basement walls are pushing in again. We are going to have to have reinforced walls poured around 2 or 3 sides. We don't know for sure when our contractor can do it yet. We will most likely put a deck on the front side of the house when that is done.

I have been enjoying my four day weekends. We would like to take a vacation somewhere. Just haven't had any free time yet. In August I will be finished working and then we can go anytime.

Not much going on here so will write more later.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

We started the day by going to church. We went to Mimi's Cafe at 69 hywy & 135th Street at 3:00 and met with all our kids & Bob Plummer's family for a meal together. It was fun visiting with Pam & Jim and their girls & son-in-law. They got a kick out of seeing Decovin of course. Jeff's girls are getting big also. Katrina was so proud to show Grandpa the card that she had drawn a picture in it of him. Christy gave David a HUGE remote control and set it up for the tv and satellite. She also gave him a music card that plays "You Can't Touch This!" Jen was here last week end and put her name in a drawing for her dad at the grocery in town. Her name was drawn and she got a $30 gift certificate for meat for David.

We found out this week, as some of you may already know, that Jen is pregnant again and is due the first week in February. Bob's married sister is pregnant also and due shortly after-correction-before Jen's date. The more, the merrier.

We hope that all of you fathers had a great day today.

Family Far & Near

Visited with a cousin we hadn't met until Friday night. Ricky Martin lives in Hawaii and is my mother's sister's son. It was so much fun visiting with him. He has a good personality and was so interested in knowing all of us too. Hope he comes back again.

Jen & Decovin came for the weekend. Decovin is such a joy to be around. He is getting to be quite a character and makes you smile a lot. He has such a cheery disposition. They will be back next weekend for Jen's 10 year school reunion.

A DR. IS NOW IN THE FAMILY!

CONGRATULATIONS AMANDA! We enjoyed the overnight in the hotel and watching you get hooded as a Dr. We wish you much happiness and success.

2007 Camden Family Reunion

We had approximately 43 people come & go during the picnic.

Saturday was a beautiful day for a picnic. Breezy enough to keep the bugs away and kept us all from sweating to death. It was lots of fun seeing family we haven't seen in years. Still not sure of some & who was who or whom. Uncle Vern & Uncle chuck provided the brats and hot dogs. Everybody brought something and it was a delicious meal. Then we traveled about 8 miles from the picnic spot where we had the barbeque to the place where my dad & his sisters and brothers lived for a time in their lives when it wasn't a park. We couldn't do the bar-be-que there because there was a no fire rule there. David, my Mom & I made the trip up and back in one day. Plus stopped in K.C. to get some things at Sears & Sam's. We ate at MIMI'S before coming home. It was a fun day. A big thank you to Uncle Vern and Uncle Chuck for the Brats and dogs.

P.S. This is David and my 41st anniversary today.

Mother's Day was FUN!

Having a meal at a Japanese Sushi/Steakhouse bar is always fun. This is all of us except Judy who unfortunately was in the lady's room at the time. The waiter took the picture for us. Thank you to my kiddos for all the cards and thank you Jeff & Marianne for Grandma's and our meal. Delicious!

Love you Lots!

GUESS WHAT SUNDAY, MAY 13TH IS?

LOVE TO ALL AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!

It is so soggy around here that it is enough already!!! The satellite keeps going off and on so no TV. David got called in to work and says he doesn't know when he will get home. I have a PPR (Pastor Parish Relations) meeting at 5:00 at the LaCygne Church so that will be something to do. Mom called me 5 time this afternoon. I guess Juanita was with her daughter at church and afterwards for a dinner there. I went to church by myself. We were supposed to have our outdoor service and a picnic today but it was called off on account of rain. Actually, they did go to the Homrighausen's big barn to have their picnic after church. I didn't have anything with me for the picnic so I just came home.

I wonder what they will do if it rains out the family reunion? Yes Ruth, we are going. Mom isn't sure she wants to go though. The fact that the bathroom will be so far away is giving her some anxiety. I wonder what time they are having it...noon or two o'clock. I have heard both times. What do you hear Mel, Judy, Ruth?

We are going to the dinner theater Tuesday night. David's mom said it was hilarious. It has Jamie Farr in it and it is a mystery. Should be fun. Christy went to Jen's this weekend and is taking a couple of personal days off. She will meet us at the theater Tuesday night. Then the next week, on Thursday night, we are going to the Zona Rosa Comedy Club up by Jeff to see a commedian we have seen on TV before and really liked.

Mandy's graduation will be on the 26th which we are going to go to Des Moines to see her get her diploma. Wow...she is Dr. Camden now. Or are you going to be Dr. Mandy or Dr. Amanda? What are we to call you kiddo?

Well, gotta go to the meeting. Bye now.

A NICE WEEKEND

Went to Mound City on Thursday to pay taxes and tags for 3 months on our new car. It was about $80. The big crunch will be in July when tags get renewed. (ouch) Linda went with me and we stopped off to see Dad & Loree for awhile. I took everyone out to lunch at the Jayhawk Inn. They have pretty good food for a small DQ type place. Friday, I got down to brass tacks and got my bank balances brought up to date. (ugh) Saturday, Christy & I went to KC and shopped for shoes at New Balance off 119th St. (got a new pair of black tennys) and Comfort Plus off Roe (somewhere?). I found a pair of sandals & tennis shoe type sandals there. Nice to have a choice. Christy got a new T-Mobile phone and then we went to Jen's sister-in-law's place (Tabatha Wagner) for a Pampered Chef party. After that, we went to Jeff & Marianne's to visit them and the girls. McKendra is going from a crawling stance to a sitting up position and vice-versa now. They even saw her standing next to her little piano. Won't be long now and she will be walking. Sunday, Mom came over to visit. I was doing laundry and she wanted to help so I gave her my towels and washrags to fold. Got them all done and almost all put away. We had lunch and she stayed awhile longer while I made her a set of pictures of her party before she went home about 3.

Well, that was my weekend, how was yours?

Mom's 80th Birthday Party

Mom turned 80 on April 3rd but we had her party on April 7th. Lots of family and a few of her friends came to celebrate with us. She enjoyed all the cards and memories written in them. She is going to put them in an album. She received a few gifts also. A big thank you goes to all who helped make the day special.

NEW CAR

We finally traded off our 2003 Chev. Venture for a 2007 Buick Terraza CXL. It is very nice. It is like our Venture but better. We love it. I have to have something I don't have to fall down in to get in and climb up to get out. My knees won't let me do that anymore. It is white with grey & black interior. It also has like a mohogany type trim up front on the dash. We have "On Star" for a year and XM (satelite) radio for a few months. David likes the comedy channels. The two front seats have heaters in them for winter. (the seats are leather) It also has a DVD player which is great for our passengers in the back. I will put a picture on here when I get a chance. Hope to see most of you this weekend at Mom's 80th Birthday Celebration.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA (CHRISTY JEFF, ADAM, LAUREN, JUDY, & AMANDA)

Mom will be 80 years old. She doesn't look that old! Nor does she act like it...well sometimes...lol. The vote is in...April 7th will be the pot luck dinner. We have reserved the Community Center in the complex where Mom lives. Hopefully it will hold all of us. I guess I need to know who plans on coming and whether they intend to spend the night(s). Any parents wanting to have an easter egg hunt, please bring a dozen eggs (real or stuffed plastic ones) per child and we can do that (weather permitting) at our house that morning (at 8 or 9?). If it does rain, we can let the kids take turns picking an egg or something???? All suggestions are welcome.

I need your input please.

THE DRESSES FIT!!!

Hi. I took the crocheted dress up to try on McKendra on Sunday and it just fits her. I had the bodice part done of the one I am making Katrina and it fit her also so I am finishing the skirt on it now. Jeff & Marianne both liked the dress so that was a relief. Katrina has a pink hat and gloves that will go with the dress. I will get better pictures when they are all dressed up in them.

David was off Sunday manning his "Bat Phone" for the company. He was off work but "on call". We met Jeff & Marianne and the girls at the Outback Restaurant. J&M had given us a gift certificate for there for Christmas. It was VERY GOOD! It was so fun when we came over to their table and Katrina looked up and saw me and lit up saying, "Its Grandma! Grandma's here. Hi Grandma!" and she gave me a kiss. She did the same with Grandpa. We had fun with the girls. Before Katrina took her nap she came to both of us and said, I didn't give you a hug yet." and she hugged us. We ate at Steak-N-Shake for supper on our way home and that was GOOD also. Yippee...it was a wonderful day out!

Decovin is coming with his Mom & Aunt Christy tomorrow afternoon and I will get to babysit while the girls go to BUNCO club that night.

THE DRESS

This is the back...it needs buttons.



This is the front. I love it!

CROCHETING

I have started crocheting again. I am trying to make a couple of dresses for my granddaughters for Easter. I have already taken out about as much as I have completed because of errors. It is looking cute though. Just hope it will fit one of them and then I will know whether I have to make the next one bigger or smaller. I can tell I haven't crocheted for awhile because my hands are really aching. "Arthur"(itis) most likly is saying hello. I will send a picture when I finish the first dress.

Got my hair highlighted as well as a color added. Also got a haircut. Getting ready for Spring!

David is working a lot of overtime. They have an outage starting tomorrow for several weeks. He'll be working at least 10 to 12 hours or more every day. Just when I get 3 day weekends...bummer!

WEEKEND WAS A BUST!

We had our first grandchild sleep-over last Saturday night. Katrina, McKendra, Jeff & Marianne came down. Marianne wasn't feeling well and slept most of the afternoon. She had sore throat. We found out that Jeff got sick in the wee hours of the morning and Katrina got sick later that morning. We kept her most of the day until she wasn't throwing up anymore (we thought). I was feeling queasy so I stayed home and David and Christy took Katrina home. She got sick one more time in her car seat. David got sick in the wee hours of the morning like Jeff did. I was still feeling queasy and had headache. We ended up staying home Monday & Tuesday. Jeff took Katrina to her Doctor who said she had an ear infection. I hope we can have Katrina come again when we are all feeling better. More fun that way. (NOTE: Christy didn't get anything...no fair) I'd venture a guess you all had a better week than we did.

I LIED!

Well, Mom and I decided to go to Louisburg and get our glasses adjusted and hers needed fixed. The band came off the glass on one of her lenses. We will do her license another day. The other lie was about going to Ash Wednesday Services. David worked too late so I stayed home and when he got home, he went on to the Trustee's meeting.

Marilyn Chandler came over to scrapbook with Christy on her son's book. They are almost done with it. We visited awhile too.

Oh, I found out what the red thing inside my bottom eyelid is...it is an inverted stye. He had a long name for it but what it amounts to is what I said it was. He gave me an antibiotic to take every day for 10 days and I am to compress and rub it with a warm wash cloth about 5 times a day. If it gets big and sore again, he will have to lance it. Ouch!

Mom is getting a perm tomorrow at noon.

I'M READY FOR SPRING!

The nice weather comes and goes. I like it when it is in the 50's and not so breezy. Sunday was nice so we took a drive after church to Jen & Bob's. It was a fun afternoon. We did a little sightseeing along the way on roads we haven't traveled before to get to Warrensburg but took 50 across to 470 to 435 to 69 South on the way home.

Today is a little breezy but nice. Supposed to get in the 60's. I have Wednesday afternoons off so I am taking mom to get her driver's license renewed. Good day to be out and about. Hope you all are able to enjoy getting out in the nice weather also.

Not much happening here. Going to Ash Wednesday services at church tonight.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I'm sending hugs & kisses to all my favorite valentines...Katrina, McKendra, & Decovin! Also to my husband and kids & their spouses! "SWAK"

ITS BEEN A GOOD AND BAD WEEK.

(Photo above was taken at the Kansas Special Olympics Polar Plunge. The Prairie View Penquins consisted of 2 Meghans on the left, Christy, & Jenny & Bob [who didn't get in the picture].)

This was my first week working my new hours. My boss (Russ)reduced some of my working hours so that I am available for my Dr. appointments and also my Mom's. I have Wednesday afternoon off as well as all day Friday. It means less money but it also gives me some sanity back. Plus Russ knows for sure when I will be at work (with the exception of getting sick). So my first Wednesday afternoon off, I slept in my chair all afternoon. (Bummer!)

On a sad note, David's Uncle Bob lost his will to live and died on Monday night. Thursday, we went to the visitation and funeral and had the opportunity to visit with several of David's family that we haven't seen for a while. Jeff came in after the funeral so we got to visit with him also. He had to take the girls to a Dr. appointment that morning or he would have been there earlier.

Thursday night Ina and Steve Walsh came for a visit. We decided to eat out. Jeff came with us. I fell in the snow trying to get up the curb to the sidewalk when we went to the chinese restaurant at Louisburg. (I am sore in my arms and legs today.) Thank goodness we were the last to go in and no one was outside to see me floudering and trying to get up in a hurry. lol. David came to help me but I had to get hold of the parked car's bumper that was behind me plus David's arm in order to get up. Fun Fun, fun!

Friday I got some cleaning done but still felt tired and like I was getting a cold. Saturday was the Polar Bear Plunge that Christy, Bob, & Jenny were taking part in up at Shawnee Mission Park in the City. I took pictures as best I could. It was total chaos there. You couldn't hear the guys who only had bull horns to talk to the crowd. I had to take pictures by holding the camera up over the heads of the people around me. It was very cold that day. I remember they had a sign that said the water was 33 (or maybe 38) degrees and the temperature outside with wind chill was 7 degrees.

Today I feel like I have been running fever. My head is pounding and my voice is in the basement. Like I said it has been a good and bad week. I am trying to stay awake for the commercials in the Super Bowl. The game hasn't been too bad. The rain has made it interesting to say the least. The football seems to be like a greased pig sometimes.

Hope you all had a good week and a better one next week.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES ARE FUN!

It has been a while since we have attended a little kid's birthday party. In fact it was the first time we have attended any of our "grandchildren's" birthday parties. We even took Grandma Camden along. She seemed to enjoy it also. I sent out the album of pictures on Kodak Gallery to all of you so you can see the events of the day (if you want to).

GOOD REPORT

Had a Dr. day again yesterday. Well, in the morning I had therapy and she tried to get my leg back to feeling good again but didn't quite get it all. It is some better than it was though. Then in the afternoon I went to get another mammogram done. They looked at it and said it was looking like it should. Nothing looked unusual this time. I have to go back in 6 months for pictures of the one I had cancer in and then the next 6 months for pictures of both again. Hooray! I go to the surgeon Dr. next Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday will be my last therapy treatment.

I am looking forward to the grandkid's birthday party this weekend. It will be nice to get away from the house.

It has been an icy week. It gets slicker each day where the ice hasn't been able to be removed. We can get in and out of our driveway ok but it is very smooth and slick if you stop on it. But, I can pull into the garage if I keep it going. A lot of the schools north and south of us cancelled all week but our school has been able to keep going. Guess our road graders were able to get the roads better around here.

We are going to be changing our cell phones to T-Mobile next week. We are keeping our same cell phone numbers.

It is slow at work today. Talk to you later...

MESSED UP AGAIN

I thought I was done with therapy and my leg was feeling so very very good & normal almost when...WHAM...I messed up and stepped off a step like it was level. Now my left leg and hip are hurting again as well as my right elbow, arm, and hand that I used to catch myself with on a half wall. There was a sign that said "watch your step" but I didn't see it soon enough. I am so mad at myself! I couldn't get to my Friday therapy session(which would probably have been my last one) so now I go next Wednesday and Friday. And when it rains, it pours. My surgeon called and wanted me to make an apptmt to have another mammogram done. That will be on Wednesday also. Then following week I have an appointment to see the surgeon.

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It is in the 20's today and cold. We had sleet most of the day yesterday and last night. It quit for the morning but came back this afternoon. Hope you all are somewhere warm and safe.

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Jeff stopped by this week on his way home from Coffeyville. He had an appointment there and stopped in to see his cousins April and Brian while there. He came here in the evening and did some work on my computers for me. I still don't have it all figured out though. I probably need another lesson.

2007 BEGINS

The New Year came without a lot of fanfare with us. We watched the Dick Clark New Year's Eve show. We watched the ball come down and we went to bed just before midnight got here in our time zone. Whoopee! We did stay awake till midnight though and kissed Happy New Year and said goodnight.

I went to the podiatrist today and he has released me but said I can come back if the bone spur starts bothering me a lot again. I think the exercises and treatments that I have taken were good for me after all. I still have some zinger pains in my heel now and then but basically it feels ok most of the time. I do still have pain up the back of my left leg, in my knee, & the ham strings are tight. I may have to go to an orthapedic Dr to see about that now. I have at least one more therapy session on Friday. If I had wanted to, the podiatrist would have let me do water therapy in the hospital pool for a set of sessions. I love doing the exercises in the pool but I don't feel I have the time to spare to do it.

I had some sad news today. My friend from high school passed away this morning. She was one of my bridesmaids...Georgia Griffin. She had cancer pretty much throughout her whole body. In her Christmas card to me, she wrote that she was in a lot of pain now and was ready to let go. Please say a prayer for her and her family.

FYI for those who knew her, I found out that Vivien Stroup, the former school nurse, passed away. She had just come in and talked to me a few weeks ago about her cancer after she found out I had it.

I hope you all have a good year. Take care.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

AND MORE DOCTOR TIME

I went to my family doctor and he listened to me, did a few pokes and tells me I have fibromyalgia. He is sending me for therapy treatments for that which is body massages and my legs wrapped to get the swelling down in them. Luckily I am still only going two times a week but I have to stay twice as long in order to get my foot treatments and the new treatments. The gal wrapped my left leg and foot on Wednesday and I couldn't find a shoe big enough. I even went to WalMart...zilch. I stayed home Thursday and elevated my leg most of the day. It doesn't feel too bad today. I had to take off the bandages though cause they started coming off and since I didn't know how to redo it myself, I will wait til Monday for the therapists to do it again. I am supposed to have both legs bandaged next week so I hope they give me some of those velcro hospital shoes or I'm going to have to stay home from work again. This is costing me!

Well, I hope you are all ready for Christmas. I have the gifts but it is the wrapping I dread! Ho, Ho, Ho.

MORE THERAPY

I went to my Podiatrist today after therapy and he thinks I need to keep going with the therapy because my pain level has gone down. My leg pain is better too. I still have to stand still when I get on my feet because my foot hurts when I stand on it and I limp when I walk. I guess that therapy is better than having an operation. So now I am continuing the therapy 2 times a week and go back to the Podiatrist in a month. More time off work and more cuts in pay. (sigh)

HOPE YOU ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON. REMEMBER THAT JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

IT IS 14" DEEP AROUND HERE!

Well the big ice and snow storm hit us Wednesday evening into Friday morning. Thanks to David's brother we have our driveway scraped off. David took a vacation day and spent it shoveling snow off the sidewalk and cars for about two or more hours. He also went in and got a few groceries for my mom & scraped off her car too. She hasn't been feeling well all week. I felt sick & had a headache so stayed home from work Thursday & Friday. I didn't go for my therapy today b/c of feeling ill and, besides, the roads were bad also.

Jen & Decovin came Tuesday night. Jen was going to go to Bunco Wednesday but the weather caused them to cancel it. She couldn't go home b/c of the weather.

I was supposed to get a haircut Thursday night but we had to cancel due to the weather. So here I sit with the same cruddy hair you saw me with last. I feel a bit dowdy today.

AFTER THANKSGIVING BUMMER!

We had a very good Thanksgiving dinner at Janette & Danny's. We enjoyed seeing everyone. There was a good crowd but Janette's house is big enough to accomodate all of us.

However, by the time I woke up Friday morning, the turkey was fighting with the side dishes I had eaten. I spent all day & evening going between my bed and the bathroom. My ribs are very sore and my stomach is still tender. David ended up being host to my family a day early. Jeff, Marianne, Katrina & McKendra, Marianne's folks-James and Nancy spent the night Thursday. My Mom, Judy, Melodie, Quentin, & McKinley & Christy came Friday to go ahead and fix our turkey as Jen,Bob, & Decovin weren't coming down. I just stayed quarantined in my room and slept when I could. I am sorry guys...hope no one else got my bug.

David said Katrina came and sat on his lap and asked where Grandma was and he told her Grandma was in the bedroom because she had a bug. He said she looked at him really seriously for a long moment thinking about it and then said, "We have to go get that bug out of Grandma's mouth. My doctor kit is at home though." I talked to all of them by phone before they left and Katrina asked me about my bug. I didn't know about the previous conversation so I didn't understand her at first other than she sounded really worried about me having a bug in me. She was also trying to tell me she would bring her doctor kit and take the bug out. She was so animated and matter of fact talking about it. It was really sweet of her to think about me.

I go back to the radiologist Tuesday morning and my therapist Tuesday afternoon. I talked to the therapists about my leg and ankle last time and one of them did a new manipulation of my foot, plus the ultra sound and the steroid machine. It has felt better this week so hope this means it will go away and no operation!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

WHY...? I DON'T KNOW!!!

I don't know why but it seems the more I exercise my ankle, the more my ankle & leg hurts. I have another 2 weeks of therapy before I see my doctor. Hope I can still walk by then. I may have to call him tomorrow.

David's back is hurting from digging and hefting on the Church Time Capsule yesterday. He may have sprained it.

We are going to David's sister's on Thursday and then my side of the family will be here at our house on Saturday. Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!

THERAPY....

I have 4 exercises to do 2-3 times a day and a boot to wear at night. It actually felt better this morning after wearing the boot all night. It keeps my foot at the angle it needs to be kept to keep from pulling my tendonitis apart all the time.

They put some new fangled unit on the back of my heel and the ground patch was put on the back of my ankle. Then they hooked it up. It got hot and tingly and hurt a bit at first but she turned it down and it felt better. It put some kind of steroid through my skin to help the swelling. I will have a heat sonagram tomorrow. I will go Tues. & Thurs. afternoons for 4 weeks. Fun! Not!

For those of you who know Dr. terminology, he officially diagnosed me as Retro Calcaneal Exostosis (a type of spur) & Inertional Dextro Tendonitis. It has started to make me limp somewhat and now the left side of my leg hurts and it makes my balance when I first get up really wobbly. If it hurts too badly, it makes me wince and I get set right back down.

I get so tired at work. Not used to working I guess. lol

AND THE DR. SAID...

I have a fractured bone spur growing into my achilles tendon. He said therapy was reccomended but that it was a 50/50 chance it would work but he wants me to try that first. If it doesn't work, then an operation to remove the spur will be the way to go. That would be a 3 mo. recovery time line. I start therapy next Tuesday.

My radiation areas look like I have been to a tanning salon on that side only. I am brown. It looks a bit wierd!

I feel like I am out of the loop on my grandchildren. I haven't seen them for 2-3 weeks now. Jeff is gone so much now that we haven't gotten any updated pictures. The ones of Decovin have been cute and even entertaining with his different faces.


David has been working long hours but he did have a holiday yesterday so we visited all the parents in one day. My mom in the morning. His dad & Loree at mid-day and his mom & Sam in the mid-afternoon. We had about a two hour visit with all of them. Not long but it has been so long since we have had time to go anywhere together, it was now or never!

This afternoon we are going to visit with our nieces at Linda & Eddie's. We actually visited with Les & Wade yesterday morning when Linda invited us up for breakfast with them. Michelle & Troy & boys are coming today. We haven't seen them since the family birthday get together in August. We got back home at 8:30--Kim & Keith came with their kids too. It was a nice afternoon. Michelle is looking good. She has just one more chemo treatment left on Monday.

I'd like to thank my sister-in-law Linda for all the meals she has made for us. They were appreciated very much. I also thank those of you who have sent cards. They always made my day whenever I received them.

I am going back to work on Monday. I didn't get to talk with my boss on Friday but assume I can come back then. I'll let you know...

A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

I am feeling better. Thanks for all the prayers and encouraging comments. David & I met Jen, Bob, & Decovin at Powell Gardens yesterday. It was a bit too windy but it still was nice out. They had lots of scarecrows along the walkway and all were dressed different. Interesting. The fall foliage was pretty and peaceful but we are anxious to go back when the flowers are in bloom. Today my calves and achilles tendonitis are telling me that perhaps the mile walk I took was a bit much for first time out in a long while. Oh well, I enjoyed the day tremendously. How did you like the pictures we took that I sent out?

I am going to put off going back to work for another week. I want to make sure I am not going to be sore wearing a bra all day. My boss has hired another agent to help him and I have helped her with computer problems by phone so I will go back next week for sure.

Have a good week.

ANOTHER DR. VISIT

One visit leads to another...I went to see my family Dr. so I could get my prescriptions redone but he also wanted to see how I was doing with the radiation and all. That was nice of him. He told me to get some Eucerin lotion for the burned areas and that does make it feel better. (just wonder why my radiologist didn't tell me about it???) He also gave me something to help me sleep and something for the pain of the burn. I have been groggy all day today. He said it would take 4 days to get used to it so I will give it 4 days I guess. I said something about the achilles tendonitis still hurting me and that I have to stand a minute before walking to get used to the pain plus my knees to start working so I can walk. He is sending me to a podiatrist who may put a brace on my foot to help the tendon tear heal up. So I have an appointment for that next Thursday.

Ruth, my cheery attitude is slipping away...lol.

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween last night. We went to Christy's in town and took Mom too. Jen & Bob brought Decovin down in his bumble bee costume. He was cute as could be. They didn't stay long as they went up to see Bob's folks and Grandparents also. All in all, Christy had over 135 trick or treaters. We had them come in and show off their costumes to all of us. It was fun.

Well, my meds are making me sleepy again. Nap time!