Saturday, September 26, 2015

Not much went on this week. I woke up with the "end of summer" head cold that is making its rounds. On top of that defoliation of the cotton has started. For you who don't know what defoliation is, when the bolls start forming on the cotton plant, the plants are then killed (defoliated) to make picking easier. They do this the same way they fertilize in the spring, by crop duster. We're told that it's not harmful to pets or humans, but for those of us with allergies, we can feel our throats closing with each pass of the plane.

Anyway, I've been quite miserable all week. I'm feeling much better now except for a nagging headache. I'm stuffier today, but it's rainy so that also doesn't help.

Luckily, Bill doesn't seem like he is going to be affected. He's done a little sneezing, but that's all. He's done quite well with walking this week, twice a day most days. I sent him off to the grocery store with a list and he did just fine. I think it helped him that I was not feeling well.

We don't have anything coming up in the next week. We do both need haircuts and Bill's been saying all week that he was going to get one and hasn't yet. I still need to get the oil changed and the tires rotated and a seat looked at. So, I guess we could have some things going on it we worked at it.

 Wow, that was strange! I saved this and then got up to swap the clothes in the wash and put the clean sheets on the bed. When I sat back down, probably only 10 minutes or so later, the computer was completely frozen. I actually had to unplug it and take the battery out to get it to shut off. When it powered back up, it didn't go to my homepage, it came straight back to the blog! I do see though that it may have updated. I'm going to have to check those settings. I don't like it updating during the day, only in the middle of the night when I'm not using it!

When I ordered Bill's meds this week I told the technician at Mayo Pharmacy (Dustin) what I needed and then said that should just leave calcium and aspirin and we were good on both, he commented that I was right and then said that I must have done the ordering before. I told him every month for 3 1/2 years and he just said wow. It is kind of hard to believe that it will be 3 1/2 years on November 3. It still feels like yesterday on some days and others it's hard to remember details. But, if I really need to know something, I can refer to this blog. I still remember how that surprised the doctors and nurses that I could find things rather quickly when they couldn't remember or find something easily in his records. I would encourage anyone dealing with an ongoing medical condition to take notes and then keep the notebook handy.

All for this week that had nothing happening! Happy Fall!

Saturday, September 19, 2015

This week seemed to go by really fast at times, and then really slow at others. The first part of the week was busy and the last part not so much.

I took Brianna to her orthodontist appointment after school Monday and a routine adjustment turned into an almost 2 hour appointment. They were packed and she had a wire come loose so it took longer. I actually sat in the car and waited so others could sit. The waiting room is rather small.

We took Amanda to the dr. and then to Walmart for a few things on Tuesday. Of course the pharmacy was backed up and it took more than an hour to get medicine. Since it is an hour each way we were tired when we got home. Good thing I put supper in the crockpot that morning. 

Wednesday we did absolutely nothing, other than what had to be done, like meals. We took care of some business Thursday that we had been putting off, and yesterday was laundry. 

We discovered Wednesday evening that the Marine Corps watch I had gotten Bill for Christmas was missing. We only thought of it when the battery in his "everyday" watch died and we looked for it. Something else taken during the robbery. It wasn't expensive and not worth adding it to the claim, just more aggravating than anything! I'm going to order him another one but I'm having trouble with the website. The problem is on their end and not mine so I'm just biding my time.

We got Bill's itinerary yesterday for his next visit to Mayo...November 3. He only has 3 appointments so it will be an easy day. The worst is the time of his labs, 11:30, and they are fasting labs. I'm going to call Stephanie to see if it can be changed. I know why it is so late, it's just a convenience since the other 2 appointments are at 1:30 and 2. We are also seeing a new doctor. After the visit, we'll head to Clearwater for a few days to see Bill's sister if they are going to be available. I've spent the morning working on hotel reservations. This time we are going to splurge and stay on the beach instead of in town. 

 Bill has been showing some subtle signs of depression again. He doesn't know that I have picked up on it yet. It's nothing major, just some behavioral changes, which is usually how it starts. May have to add some xanax to his meds again. At least he doesn't notice when there's an extra pill!

That's our week. Our cooler weather left us and it was quite hot and humid this week. We'll be somewhat cooler this week and very dry. The farmers like it since they are able to get the beans harvested. It's not time for cotton yet, although some defoliation has started, and that is horrible for my allergies. Hope everyone has a good week ahead!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Late post today...sorry for that, but I've had a busy day and have just slowed down. No, there's nothing wrong. In fact we've had a good week.

We rested Sunday from our trip and then turned around and drove to Illinois to meet my mom, step-dad, sister and niece for lunch with Kayden and Kiyann. The kids were so excited to get to go on a trip. It was a nice day, but quite a bit of traffic, as I expected there to be. We had a good time at lunch and enjoyed seeing everyone.

Tuesday we did absolutely nothing. I was really tired then and I think Bill was too. We picked up a few groceries and that was it. Wednesday was laundry and it seems like we did something else or had someone pop in but I can't remember what it was now. Is that a sign of getting old?

Finally got some groceries Thursday. Bill did some walking yesterday. Just normal stuff.

I was supposed to go to Dyersburg shopping with Mistie yesterday but we had to postpone it today. We had a good time at Joann's Fabrics and then had lunch at Applebees. I left Bill home. His lunch was in the fridge with the heating instructions on it and he managed just fine. I think it's probably good for him to be on his own some and have to do for himself. It's hard for me to let him do it when I'm home. He was going to get a haircut, but decided against it or the barber wasn't open.

Our weather has gotten cooler and is fantastic today, low 70s and it got down into the 50s last night and is supposed to be cooler tonight. I put a pot of potato soup in the crockpot this morning and I've added the cream cheese so it can be eaten at any time now. It has made the house smell really good. 

That's been our week. I'm going to Ryan and Amanda's Tuesday to take Amanda to the dr. She is starting a new job this week and gets off at 3. Her appointment is at 3:30 and Ryan has to be at work by 3:30 and they only have 1 car. Ryan's dad has dr. appointments himself that day and his step-mom will be picking her grandson up from school. Bill doesn't know if he will go with me. It takes about 45 minutes to get there and who knows how long we'll have to wait at the health dept., so he may just stay home.

Time to dish up the soup. Hope everyone has had a good week, and that you have a good  week coming up.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

We had a lovely trip to Biloxi! The drive, both ways, were good with light traffic, and the weather was good. It was cloudy Weds. and Thurs. and we thought we were going to get some rain Thursday afternoon, but it blew through.

Our view from the balcony wasn't as good as I was wanting, but after rearranging the chairs, it was decent. There was a construction site directly across from us, but it was interesting watching them some too. We didn't really like it that they started working at 6:30 in the morning, but that was only a minor inconvenience.

Bill did pretty well, especially since we spent most of the time in the casino. He was a little overwhelmed by all the noise and people, but settled down after awhile and enjoyed himself. He gave me a few heart stopping moments when he mis-stepped getting on the escalator a couple of times, and then tripped going down a small flight of stairs. We also had to step over a "seal" for the balcony door that I was afraid he was going to trip over, and he did forget a couple of times.

But, for the most part, he did quite well. My legs are pretty sore from all the walking we did. But I knew I need to move more anyway.

We were pleased to see that, of all the things that were lost during Katrina, the historic lighthouse still stood. We remembered where the hotel we had stayed in before had stood, but it's gone now, as well as the older homes that lined the beach road.

We got home late this afternoon, got the car unloaded and then ordered a pizza. Bill has taken his meds for tonight so we can go to bed any time, and it probably won't be long. We're not planning on doing anything tomorrow. I may do laundry, and then again, may not. 

We're taking 2 of the grandkids to Illinois to meet my mother, step-dad, sister and niece for lunch on Monday. These 2 kids haven't seen "Grandma Phyllis" for 4 years. We're all driving halfway and it just happens that it's a nice area with lots of restaurants. It will be a 6 hour round trip drive, not counting the time we spend together, but once we get home, we can just collapse and not do anything at all for a few days. Then again, the car is due for an oil change and tire rotation, and I need to find some double pointed knitting needles. We only have a Walmart here for supplies and they don't have the right size. So it's a trip to either Hobby Lobby or Jo-Ann Fabrics.

All for this week. Enjoy the rest of your holiday week-end!