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?