Here it is New Years Eve. I think everyone will be glad to put this year behind us, for many reasons. It has been a hard year for all of us, with the pandemic and all of the turmoil before and after the election. Of course, for those of us who have lost loved ones, no matter how they were lost, turning the page on the calendar will hopefully heal some wounds and hearts.

I read a disturbing statistic a couple of days ago that puts this pandemic into perspective, at least for me. For quite some time, the daily deaths have surpassed all of the deaths from Sept. 11 and Pearl Harbor. But this latest one was more startling. In December there have been more than 60,000 deaths, just in the United States, which is more than all of the US casualties in the Viet Nam Conflict. In an undeclared war that lasted years, we lost a little over 59,000 service men and women. And I'm not saying this to make their deaths any less meaningful. But, this number was over a period of years, and in less than 31 days, we surpassed that number from the virus. I know we are all getting tired of hearing about the virus, but until we realize that it is up to each of us, not the government, but us to do our part, these deaths will continue. I heard Dr. Threlkeld last night and he said that what we are doing as far as masking, cleanliness and social distancing, is also helping to keep the flu at bay. So, let's solve two problems at the same time and do what we can so that we can get back to a normal life. OK, that's my last public service announcement for the year.

Christmas was good. I had gotten the grandkids here each a necklace with Bill's thumbprint on it. The reverse side said "I love you, Pa Always in my heart" and each name. As soon as McKenna and Brianna opened the box they burst into tears, which in turn made me cry, and then when everyone was leaving, Emily and I had a little cry together. Kayden immediately put his necklace on and said it would only come off when he showered. Kiyann said she loved it, but she was already wearing 2 necklaces and didn't want to add another one.

I still don't feel really well and will probably be back at the dr. next week. I would go today but the office is closed. I don't feel bad enough to go to the ER which is the only option since we don't have a walk-in or urgent care clinic. But, I can tell things aren't right. I think it's probably still just the bronchitis/pneumonia that hasn't resolved, especially with the crazy weather we've had, 60s one day, 30s the next, and lots of wind and rain.

I said in the last post that I would try to find the Christmas pictures and I think I have, so I'll see if I can get them uploaded this time. I wish all of you health, happiness and love for 2021. As most people are saying, it's got to be better than 2020!

 It's the Saturday before Christmas, a dark, cold and rainy day, and I'm as ready as I can be for Christmas. All of the gifts that have arrived have been wrapped and placed under the tree on top of the buffet. There are still a couple floating around somewhere. One of them got as far as Oxford MS before tracking lost it. It went back to St. Louis 4 times in 2 days before it made it that far, so we'll see when it gets here. The house is as decorated as it's going to get and Christmas cards have been mailed. 

Not much has happened since my last post at Thanksgiving. I'm still waiting on a decision from the insurance company on the roof. They thought there would be a decision this week, but I didn't hear anything and nothing new shows online. But, that's OK.

I did get sick again with an upper respiratory thing. It was pretty much the same as when I got sick in October. I could tell for a few days that I was trying to come down with a cold, and it did finally get me. After 5 days, it got hard to breathe some, not alarmingly, but still had a heaviness in my chest. I checked my O2 and it was staying pretty low. So, off I went to the Dr. My Covid test was again negative, but the chest x-ray showed some haziness and the nurse said I was not moving much air through the lower lobes of my lungs. For now, the diagnosis was bronchitis bordering on pneumonia. Another Z-pac and a longer regime of steroids and I feel almost normal again. My O2 level is back to where it should be. I'm still coughing but not as much as before. And what I was coughing up looked like what I used to suction from Bill's trach. But, I'm on the mend.

After we came home from Florida after the transplant, I spent a few years picking a word for the year to live by. I remember the first year was freedom, meaning the freedom from schedules and the freedom to do or not do. This year my word is Renew. I picked it because 2021 is a clean slate for me. Of course you know what the last 2 years have entailed, and the last 7 months have been the ending of our life together. So, Renew...a new life, and not one that I would have chosen, but the one I have nevertheless. It's a time to now make this house "my" home, instead of "our" home. There won't be huge sweeping changes, but changing some things that pertained to couples instead of someone single.

I cleaned out 1 of Bill's closets finally. I hadn't put it off for any emotional reasons, just pure laziness. But when it dawned on me, as I was trying to stuff clothes into my closet, that his clothes had been hanging there for more than a year, and I could use that closet for some of my clothes, I just opened the door and did it. I filled 3 large boxes and they are going to the church around the corner that my daughter attends. They have a lending closet and she said at Thanksgiving there was an abundance of womens and childrens clothes, but not much for men. So, they will go to a good cause. I did get a small jolt when I opened the closet later to use it. It still smelled like Bill! That slapped me in the face since I wasn't expecting it. It didn't make me sad or anything, just startled me.

When I got out the Christmas decorations, Mouse was very intrigued by the boxes. And since I decorated over several days, the boxes stayed in the dining room. He slept on top of the largest one every night. After the first day, he showed no interest in any of the decorations. But, I decided Thursday that I was finished decorating and put all of the boxes away. He has since chewed on the Christmas tree, eaten part of the wreath on the table with Bill's urn, and batted at some small ornaments. Oh, well, we'll get through it.

We're doing family Christmas in shifts this year, Emily's family on the 26th and Ryan's on the 27th. There were some conflicts to doing it together. But, it's OK, keeping it small.

I was going to upload some Christmas pictures for you, but between my phone and this program, they are lost in cyberspace. So they will have to wait.

I was having a discussion on Facebook last night with a friend about the COVID-19 vaccine and the fact that I was going to get the vaccine when it was offered to the public, or at least the group that I fall into. My friend immediately told me that I was being controlled and he was tired of me dictating what others can and can't do. He probably thinks that because I didn't answer his last comment that I was backing down. On the contrary, my phone died and I went to bed. But, I've spent most of my day doing some research and I've decided that on my alternate blog, Musings from a "normal" person, I'm going to do some posts about vaccines and what the Constitution allows governments to do, even though it seems that it is taking away rights. Stay tuned for that if you want, I'll let you know when I've posted.

For now, until I get the pictures found and can post them, I'll just wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

This year Thanksgiving is going to be different. I don't just mean for me, it's going to be, or should be, different for the entire nation.  I have turned down every invitation, and declined every offer of someone bringing me a plate from their own dinners. And, I've done it by choice! Now, before you think that I'm wallowing in grief without Bill this year, you would be wrong. Yes, it's going to be different without him, but after the last two years spending the holiday at the hospital, eating the special dinner the hospital provided, I want to be in my own home for the holiday.

I googled "Thanksgiving Dinner for One" and, lo and behold, there was a menu, complete with recipes, for a somewhat traditional dinner for one. It uses a turkey tenderloin, twice baked sweet potato casserole and an individual apple crumble. I'm modifying it a bit. Kroger had turkey breast fillets and I got that instead. It will slice better for sandwiches. And, I got an apple pie from the deli instead of doing the crumble. I do have everything to make it, and maybe I'll change my mind. But, since I'm the only one who has to eat it, we'll see. I'm also going to make a little apple salad and I have the small roll of crescent rolls. I'll add a veggie of some sort and it will be a meal fit for a queen!

Totally against my nature, I'm ready to put the Christmas tree up and I usually don't do that until the first week-end in December. But, it's all I can do to wait until tomorrow is over, at least. I bought a small 4 ft tree to put on a table. I'm hoping that Mouse won't get too curious. He's the reason I don't want to put up the larger tree. I'm afraid he'll try to climb it and knock the ornaments off.

I finally got the estimate for the roof repairs and got the claim started with insurance. Their assessment company will be here Friday afternoon to do their own estimate and then hopefully I can get it finished and get the siding back on in that area.

I got a hospital bill from the restorative hospital and I have to dispute some of the charges. There is a charge for operating room services, and after going through blog posts for the time he was in that part of the hospital, he didn't leave the room from the time he was taken upstairs until they took him back down to ICU. They did change his trach, putting in the longer one, but that was done bedside. So, I need to find out what that's about. There were some non-covered charges on the Medicare EOB and I'm sure they are also on the one from Tri-care. I can't access that one. His account has been locked But, Tricare is sending me a form to send back in to grant access. The amount owed for the bill is exactly double the amount of the non-covered charges, so I'm sure they just took the amount from each of the insurances and added them together. But, that can wait until after the holiday. Legally I'm not responsible for paying the bill, but Bill's estate is, which means that ultimately I am. So, just more of the business of dying.

I noticed that early in the month I was feeling really restless and couldn't settle into anything. I finally realized that it was coming up on the anniversary that Bill went to the hospital. The 14th was the last night Bill spent at home, and the 15th was when I started effectively living alone. So, it's been a year now that it has been just me and the cats. Once I realized that, I was totally fine, and actually feel very content now. I guess I've been lucky that way since I had that time to adjust to being alone unlike most people. 

My sister and I talk on the phone nearly every day, sometimes multiple times a day. This isn't unusual for sisters, except we life 6 hours apart. We discussed today that this is how we socialize during the pandemic. We both like to be alone, so not being around people hasn't really bothered us. But, just talking to another person, whether it's with her or a friend or other family member, keeps us, me at least grounded. We know the world hasn't ended, either because of the pandemic or the election, and we will continue on.

I told a friend today that even with all of the trials we have both been through this year, we are still abundantly blessed. We have extended family and friends, and God has kept both of us. I hope the same for everyone reading this. I pray you have been blessed throughout the year and will continue to be blessed. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 I was a little disturbed yesterday to see a big packet from the VA in the mail yesterday. My first thought was "What did I leave out/fill out wrong/need to add" again. When I opened it the first page said that it was determined that Bill had been a disabled veteran who had died, we were married for the proper length of time, and I was entitled to received the Dependent and Children's Compensation. DUH! I already knew that! The second page however, told me how much my monthly benefit would be and that it was retroactive back to June 1 and what day of the month I would receive my benefit from now on! It also said that a deposit would be made within 15 days of the determination. The date the determination was made was Oct 7, so I went online and looked at my account and a deposit for the last 4 months had been made last week! I was really surprised! Except for being able to bury Bill's ashes, the business of death has been completed...as far as I know.

There was something else a little upsetting this week. A friend's father passed away and his funeral is Friday...with burial with full military honors in the same cemetery I want to use! I had emailed the governor a couple of weeks ago, asking when the restriction for committal ceremonies would be lifted. So far, other than an automatic response that said my email would be forwarded to the proper department, I have heard nothing. I have also heard nothing from the cemetery. I was told they would contact me when things changed. I've been a little miffed about this, but not as much now as when I first read the other obituary. There could be different reasons that the other burial can take place. It's immediately following a funeral service and a body is being buried, not ashes. But, it still involves an honor guard, 21 gun salute and taps. So, that's still a mystery. I've made a decision about the burial, though.

Since the virus is ramping up again and our area of Arkansas is now considered a "red zone", with Blytheville being a "red zone city", I have decided to wait until spring to hold the burial. I have until May 16 for it to continue to be free. And if it's after that date, the cost is very low, $300 to open the grave. I don't know, but maybe the year deadline will be waived because of the virus. At any rate, it's not safe for people to travel to this area, especially with young children, and the weather is deteriorating now. So, we'll wait until spring. I feel very comfortable with this decision.

I have recovered with whatever I had. Surprisingly, the granddaughter who had the exact same symptoms as I did, but tested positive for the virus, recovered when I did, with the same antibiotics and steroids I had. So, we're not sure she actually had the virus. But, her quarantine is over and she made it through it. 

Today is grandson Kayden's 16th birthday. He's having a bonfire Friday night with some of his friends and one of them is staying over. I'm taking both of them out for breakfast on Saturday morning.

I still have not gotten the estimate and pictures for the roof repairs even though I have contacted them again. If I don't hear by the end of the week, and it will be 4 weeks by then, I will contact another company. I haven't opened a claim with insurance because I wanted to have the estimate and pictures to send them.

So, that's the latest update from here. Stay safe, stay warm (or cool).

I surprised my mom by going to Illinois last week! My sister was the only one who knew that I was coming. I actually had to go to do her taxes since the deadline was fast approaching. Also surprised my brother and sister-in-law and niece. We had a good visit, but I had to cut the visit a little short because of Hurricane Delta. We were supposed to get heavy rain on Saturday and I really didn't want to drive in that, so came home on Friday. I was ready and my sister was ready to get rid of me! It was a lovely drive home (takes about 6 hours) with light traffic. But, as soon as I crossed the Arkansas state line, about 5 miles from home, it started raining! And it was raining so hard when I got home I had to sit in the car for a bit. Saturday's rain wasn't really heavy but steady from sometime in the night and all day.

Tuesday I woke up with a headache and just chalked it up to changing beds again. I had it all day and it moved from the front of my head to the back of my head just off my left ear. I had it all night and still had it on Wednesday. I took my blood pressure and it was higher than normal, not high enough to warrant a trip to ER, but higher than my cardiologist wants it. So I figured that could be what was causing the back of the head headache. I also had some sinus issues with lots of drainage.

Yesterday, Thursday, I still had the headache back full force and my sinuses were draining so much that I was a little nauseous and my throat hurt. But, during the morning, I developed some diarrhea (I know too much information). So, especially since my blood pressure was still up, I called and got in to see my nurse practitioner. In light of my travel, even though I was masked whenever I went anywhere, and do here at home, she wanted to test for COVID-19. She was concerned about the BP being up, but she was more concerned about the diarrhea, especially after I told her how much Imodium I had taken. She said that she had other patients that their only COVID symptom was digestive issues. So, a flu swab and the COVID swab and I was sent home to quarantine until I got the results. I couldn't even pick up my meds. Emily got them on her way home from work. I got a Z-pack and some Prednisone. Luckily I had gone to get groceries so I've got plenty of food. I also had to cancel my chimney sweep. I was told that he could still come as long as we were both masked and stayed 6 feet apart, but I didn't want to expose him unnecessarily.

I feel much better today, headache mostly gone, diarrhea mostly gone and sinuses under control. I know that's due to the meds. But, the test results came back really fast and I am NEGATIVE for both flu and COVID! A granddaughter also was tested yesterday and she has not gotten her results and they were done in the same office and sent to the same lab!

I do go back to the dr. next week for a follow-up and to get my flu shot. They are also checking to see when I got my pneumonia shot the last time to see if I can go ahead and get the Prevnar-13 shot. I think it's been more than a year, but I'm not sure. It's also time for my Medicare Wellness visit so they are also setting up a mammogram. I requested the non-invasive colon test instead of the colonoscopy. I'm a couple of years overdue for that because of Bill being in the hospital and my gastro dr. doesn't do the noninvasive test. I do have to sign a waiver that I know it's not as accurate and if it does show something I will have the colonoscopy. But, nothing was found on the last one so I'd rather do this now. 

Still no word from the VA except for an acknowledgement that they are compiling the information they need. And still no estimate from the roofing company so that I can file a claim with insurance.

So, that's how my weeks have been, good and bad. And there's still no word from the governor about opening the cemeteries for committals. But, since the virus is increasing again, I doubt it will happen any time soon. For the burial to stay free it has to be done within the first year and today is 6 months. I would hope they would waive the 1 year requirement due to the virus so we'll just have to see what happens in the future.

Hope everyone is staying safe and well. 

After my rant the other day about the VA, the week ended nicely...until today. 

I dropped my car off at the tire shop Friday morning at 7:30 and it was ready at 9:15, but I had to wait until noon to get it so that Emily would be on her lunch break. The roofer came at 10:30, right on time, and the first thing he started marking was the downspouts of the gutter. He said we had a hail storm on April 28 and everything he was marking was hail damage. He also marked several places on the roof and chimney. I didn't know we had had a storm, but I was in Memphis then and wouldn't have tried to look in the dark for any damage. Anyway, Marco is going to email the estimate along with pictures of everything so that I can forward them to the insurance company. He said that even though it is quite a ways out from the storm date, they are still doing storm damaged roofs. So, maybe the insurance company will pay for most of the damage and I won't have to be out as much money!

When I got home from getting the car, and I was probably only gone 10 minutes as the place is really close, there was this cute little door hanger. I did find out who it was from. It made me tear up a little because of the pumpkin that wasn't there, but it's still cute.

 Today my laptop updated in the middle of trying to download the video of Bill's Memorial Service and sent it into an endless loop. I was able to do a system restore, which didn't help a whole lot and now I'm reversing it. I can't get on the internet, not that the hardware isn't working, Microsoft Edge won't work. But the good thing today is that the chimney sweep called this morning and he will be here the 16th. He was supposed to come last week, but it rained on the day he was supposed to come so he's just now getting caught up again.

Now, the following is what I wanted to post the other day. It's just some of the things that I learned during our journey. Maybe they will help someone else.

A lot of people have commented that things that I've posted throughout our journey have been helpful to them, or given them something to think about. 

Things I Learned Through Trial and Error

Take dated notes. Those are invaluable because doctors do forget when they've ordered something. or wondering if something happened and when. There were many times that I would just say "hang on" and look it up, either in my notes or the blog.

Ask questions. Most states have mandated that medical decisions/conversations must be with caregivers included.

Befriend nurses and technicians. They are a wealth of information and will be happy to answer questions. They can also provide a little better care if you show interest and be friendly. This also applies to housekeepers. Your room will get a little better cleaning if you are nice. Since Bill was in contact isolation, gowns and masks, I would place all of the trash cans by the door to the room. That way the housekeepers did not have to gown up just to empty the trash. Did I have to do that, no. Was it appreciated, immensely. Also, try to move things off the floor, including holding your feet up so they floor can be cleaned. Did I do this all of the time, no, but I did it most of the time. This may just get a little extra attention paid to the cleanliness of the room.

Don't be afraid to help if necessary. Glove up if necessary and watch procedures if possible. Sometimes an extra hand is needed and there are no staff members available. But, if it is something that would cause harm to you or the patient, don't do it.

Know medications. Know the home meds as well as any new meds given in the hospital and question if normal meds are changed and why. Ask what new medications are for. There was one time an IV was going to be hung when Bill hadn't had any IV meds and when I questioned the nurse it was discovered that it wasn't for him! She had gotten the patients confused. This does happen, so be aware of what your patient is on.

Be assertive if necessary. You know the patient the best even though some staff members, especially some doctors, won't like the input. Others will welcome it. If you have followed the blog earlier, you will remember me complaining about this many times and saying "but what do I know, I'm just a wife".

Grow a thick skin. The patient may take all of their frustrations and fears out on you. This can come from meds or fear/confusion. It could also stem from dementia. It's OK to call them out on it instead of just letting them get away with it. But, don't take it personally.

I wanted to put these things on a separate page, and I thought that the main page would show it as a separate tab, but it didn't. So, I'll have to do a little more work on that. But, this will work for now. I've got a couple of others in the works that people had asked about, or commented on as being good to know.

It's a beautiful October afternoon after a chilly morning. I broke down and turned the heat on since it was only 61 in the house this morning, but I'll probably turn it off tonight. I like sleeping in a cooler room. All for today. Hope the hints help!

 I had planned on a short update, but this was not the one I planned.

Today was bill paying day and as usual on the first of the month I checked to see if I had gotten a VA benefit payment. And as usual, there was nothing from them. For some reason I decided to look at my VA account to see if I could find out why it was taking so long. So, I logged in and saw that I had two letters. Now it said that I had been sent these letters, but I had not gotten them, nor had I gotten an email that I had the letters.

The first letter just said that I was eligible for veteran preference when applying for a job. I'm not planning on applying for any, but good to know. The 2nd one said that I was not eligible for benefits because Bill was not a 100% disabled veteran! What! Wait a minute, yes he was, from March 2008! So, after I centered myself and paid the bills, I called the VA. 

I got a very nice woman who said that it showed where I had gotten the accrued benefit that was due Bill and that I had gotten the burial allowance, but it didn't show that any claim for benefits was filed, or at least, in the system! I told her that I had filed them in June and I wouldn't have gotten the Presidential Citation if I hadn't filed anything because that paperwork was included in the packet of forms. She told me that I could refile because she could tell from looking at his record that he was indeed 100% disabled, and she emailed me some new forms.

Now, these forms are very confusing to begin with and I didn't relish having to pull all of the records again. BUT, as I was venting to my sister, I thought to see if I had scanned them into my computer and sure enough there was a VA file. I decided to fill out the new forms and mark them "Second Submission" and also send in the original forms marked "Original". I also wrote a letter with it detailing everything. Don't worry, Mom, I didn't say what I really wanted to say, I was nice!

I saw that the email had come from the Benefit Processing Office in Wisconsin, which could explain the fiasco. The forms say on them to send them to the nearest Regional VA center. That is in Little Rock, and when Bill was applying for his benefits, he had to file them 4 times, certified mail each time. They would tell him they hadn't received them and to send them to so and so's attention. I remember him telling them that the signature on the return card was that very person! So, I figured it was just the incompetence of that office. I called the VA back and I was told to either mail it to the office in Wisconsin, or fax it to the number on the letter. So, tomorrow morning, my daughter is going to fax 20 pages, not including a cover page, for me!

The original forms were dated June 5, and most people probably wouldn't have let it go this long, but I know how slow the government can be. It took nearly 3 months to get the final payment for his military retirement, so I hadn't been too concerned until I saw that letter. 

I'm taking my car in tomorrow for new tires and an oil change. I know I put 30,000 miles on them driving back and forth to Memphis and they had checked them with an oil change. They said there was still good tread, but a couple of them had been plugged, so I figured it was time to do it, before winter came. Emily is going to meet me before she goes to work and bring me home. I hope it will be ready when she goes to lunch to come and get me to pick it up. 

I also have a roofer coming tomorrow. My room tear-off project still has not been completed. It was decided that the roof needed to be done before the siding went back on. So, he's coming tomorrow to see if I just need to repair that area or replace it completely. I will be glad to get it done. I was going to see if he would build a covering over the open area, but I think now I'm just going to get an awning to put up.

I did get the replacement presidential citation since the post office bent the other one. It is very nice.

I also received this EOB from Medicare recently. Luckily Tricare will pick this up.

The cats have both been under the weather and had to get shots last week. One of the carriers broke when I was getting ready to take them to the vet, so had to do it one at a time. They aren't itching like they were, but Mouse has been sneezing most of the week and Cat started sneezing this evening.

That's about it. I've been doing fine for the most part, keeping busy when I want to and sitting and knitting or reading when I don't want to do anything. Our weather has gotten cooler now and it has been a little nippy in the mornings. It was 47 this morning and only in the low 70s for the high. Feels a lot better than the 90s!

I'll do my other post later since this one has gotten so long. Stay tuned!

My Sweet Love,

I've been dreading this day. Today we would have been married 30 years. You tried so very hard to make it, but it just wasn't going to happen.

Most days I think I'm doing OK, but today is hard. I miss your touch, your smile, your kiss. I miss your voice. I wish I had a recording of your voice, but so far I can't think of anything that might have it except a few little videos.

I remember this day so vividly. I did housework all day and then relaxed with a glass of wine in a bubble bath. You did yard work. I can clearly see the packed little office at the church, with Joe and Geneva Parsons and "the other Beth". And I remember going home and fixing meatloaf for all of us, including Clyde.

I remember the phone call from your mother congratulating us. It was the first time I was referred to as Mrs. Haven.

I look at my rings and remember the anniversary trip to Gatlinburg, getting lost and eating at Ma Barker's Family Restaurant where we thought we were going to be on the menu! I remember our dinner cruise on the Mississippi and our trip to Biloxi. But I don't think anything could top the train to Houston and then getting stuck in a hurricane!

We always had so much fun together. I guess that's what happens when you start a relationship as friends first, before becoming lovers. I found the poem you wrote me, you know, the one I was supposed to destroy. It's faded almost too much to read, but the words are engraved on my heart. We went back to the same house in Hardy for a week-end get away.

I remember falling asleep in your arms every night. But, when did that stop? It seems like we just stopped doing it. I always felt so safe when I was in your arms, it always just felt like that was where I was supposed to be. 

I know you're watching over me and making sure I'm OK. There's been a couple of times I've looked up, expecting to see you in your seat watching TV. It's so quiet now in the house without the sound of your oxygen concentrator running all the time. That's when I know that you're gone. 

I'm going to try to get through the day without too many tears. So far I've managed, but I can tell they are just waiting to fall. I'll still be OK, but I hope this day goes fast. So, I'm going to try to stay as busy as I can to make it move along.

I love you so very much,

Beth

Wow! It's been a month since I've posted anything here! And it's just a few days past 3 months since Bill's been gone. I hadn't really planned on posting anything, but this week has been an interesting one for me, about me, and I decided to share it.

Before getting into that, our brother-in-law Don was laid to rest on August 8th. Their son-in-law made a video and sent me the YouTube link. It was a very nice, very small service. I did find out some information from the veteran's cemetery. While burials have never stopped, the committal services have been on hold. I could take Bill's ashes to the cemetery and drop them off for burial, but since we held off on the military rites, I don't want to do that. The governor is the one with the power to start holding them again. Graveside services can be held at public cemeteries, with no more than 50 people, so I don't understand why they haven't opened the veteran ones. Maybe it's time for an email to his office, or to the state senator from our district. He's very big on military issues so maybe he can do something. This doesn't mean that I want to get rid of Bill, I'm perfectly content to have his ashes on the mantle. But, I think the family is needing the closure that the service would bring.

The rash I had develop went partially away and then came back, but not as bad. So, another round of Prednisone and now it is almost gone. But, I finished the prednisone on Wednesday so we'll see what happens in the next few days.

I had two doctor appointments this week. I had been somewhat dreading them since it would be the first time talking about Bill's passing to medical people, but they both went well. The first was the cardiologist and once she knew that he had passed away, she was not concerned about the weight gain (9 pounds!). We also blamed some of that on the Prednisone since all I've wanted to do is constantly eat! But, my blood pressure was totally normal. She still wants to see me in 6 months, but she's thinking that we can start lowering the dosages of the medications. She said I sounded good and she could feel good pulses, so overall she was pleased. 

The second one was the eye doctor and he made it easy to talk about Bill. He had seen the obituary in the paper so he actually brought it up, and then was done after a few words. I do need new glasses, but I haven't had new ones for 3 years. I have a small cataract that is not causing any problems so we're just going to watch that. He was concerned that my eyes don't want to focus on some days and could find no reason for that. It doesn't seem to matter if I've used a lot of electronics or not, some days I just wake up and it's like I don't have my glasses on at all. Then I will get a sharp pain in my head and my eyes will be fine. He does want to run a couple of tests later and I still will see him in 6 months. But, all in all it was also a good appointment, except for the $750 bill!

And now on to what I discovered about myself. I'm still kind of puzzled about part of it, but maybe I'll get it figured out. Everyone here knows that I like to drive, that those daily drives to and from Memphis were my "God" times and I could watch the sunrise or sunset. I didn't like the ones in pouring rain or fog, but for the most part they were enjoyable. The day I drove to Jonesboro to go to Hobby Lobby, I did not enjoy that at all. I felt somewhat disoriented the entire way there and back, I went straight to the store, got what I needed and came straight home. The same thing happened when I went to Dyersburg to Joann's. Felt disoriented, straight to the store, straight home. I even went out on a Sunday morning, just for a drive, got on the highway, knew almost immediately that it was not going to be relaxing and was back home within an hour. But, Wednesday when I headed to Memphis to the cardiologist, I felt totally at peace driving and thoroughly enjoyed the drive. It was cooler and cloudy and traffic was basically light. I decided on the way home that instead of stopping to eat, I would just go through a drive-through and get something easily managed in the car and then took the back way home to avoid a construction area. And enjoyed every mile of it!
That still has me somewhat puzzled, but I'm thinking on it. Maybe the other trips were too soon. I don't know.

I have realized that I feel more relaxed here at home and don't feel like I need to be doing things like cleaning out closets and such. I did straighten out the pantry and I'm going to repurpose it somewhat, but it's nothing that has to be done immediately. I've gotten so if I feel like doing something I do it, but if I don't, I don't.

A friend asked me the other night how I was doing and I thought about it before I answered her. It was in a message, so an immediate response wasn't actually necessary. But, I've come to the conclusion that part of the difference is that I'm not on "high alert" anymore. I'm not waiting for the next crisis to come, or keeping up with every little daily detail. Others have said that they were sure that I miss Bill and I do. But, remember, I also had that 6 months to get used to the idea of him not being here. The time I miss him most is during the day. I was almost always up before him in the mornings by a couple of hours, so my quiet mornings seem like they used to be. And, when I came home from the hospital in the evenings, it was just me and the cats, so that doesn't bother me. But, during the day, when he should be up and watching TV is when I miss him the most, especially if I have the TV on. If it's off it isn't as apparent to me. So, daytime is the worst, but it's not bad either.

I've also discovered something that is really strange to me. We almost always ate in front of the TV in the living room. Sometimes I would decided that Bill needed to move and sit in a better position, so we would eat in the dining room. Now, we don't have a "formal" dining room, but that is where the table is. There is a small breakfast table in the kitchen that was Bill's mothers and I asked her if I could have it when she was gone. It's white wicker, just for 2 and since my kitchen is green and white, it fits perfectly. We never used it because it was usually piled high with junk, but it's all cleaned off now. I decided that I was going to start eating in the kitchen, just mainly to start a new routine. And what I've discovered is that when I do that, I feel very lonely! I don't feel that way eating in front of the TV, maybe because I still did that when Bill was in the hospital. But, I thought that eating in the kitchen, something we didn't do, wouldn't bother me, but it does. As soon as I put my plate on the table and sit down, the thought goes through my head of another solitary dinner...alone. So, I still do it, but I'm eating back in front of the TV more. I asked Shirley, Bill's sister, if it bothered her to eat at the table where she and Don always ate and she said an immediate yes, so she is now eating in front of the TV! She said it doesn't bother her to sit in Don's chair, but she can't eat at the table. Again, the rules of widowhood are there are no rules!

Emily and I went out to dinner last night. The girls were with their fellas and Bryan was working security at the football game. The first place we were going was packed so we didn't think we would be able to get in. I suggested another place and she said that place was having a COVID breakout, so we went to one of the steak houses. We each had the flat iron steak and it was fantastic! But, we had a nice little girls night out. She went home to watch a movie and I came home to watch a terrible ballgame. When the score was 8-0 in the 3rd inning, I changed the channel.

This morning it was gray and foggy. The fog has mostly burned off now but it's still cloudy. We still haven't had any appreciable rain. The other side of town got lots of rain, we got more than we had been getting, but still only about enough to wet the road. We are supposed to get rain from the double hurricanes if the predictions are right, but now of course the farmers need to be in the fields. They have started picking corn this week and it won't be long before it's time to start defoliating the cotton. I'm not looking forward to that. A crop duster went down yesterday in a nearby field. The pilot was killed and it was a little scary for me until they released his name. A friend's son is a crop dusting pilot, so I'm sure they were uneasy too.

You are now caught up with my goings on. I haven't had much success with my plan for this blog, but at the same time I've kind of been scared to actually push the button. So, maybe on this gray day, I'll work on that. All for now, have a good week ahead, especially for all the kids going back to school. I know it's scary for them and their parents.

It's with a heavy heart that I write this tonight. I received a call this afternoon from Bill's sister that her husband passed away this afternoon. He had been holding his own with COVID , but went into cardiac arrest this afternoon. They were able to bring him back once, but not a second time.

Shirley is holding it together. I feel so bad for her having to deal with another loss so soon after losing her brother. And I would really like to be packing a suitcase and heading to Florida to be with her, but I know that it isn't safe for me to do that. She understands that, but we need the sister time together.

Her daughter lives nearby, but all of Don's sons live in New England. Most of them have small children, with 1 just born in March. So, they aren't able to come now either. Don's sister lives in Tennessee and, because of age and the virus, also isn't able to travel. But, my heart is with her.

We did decide that Don is at the organ, Bill has his trumpet, and Shirley and Don's daughter Kim has her violin and Bill's mother is getting quite a concert tonight. We were both going to have a glass of wine and toast Don, and I know I did it.

So, this is short, the news is not good, but that's all I have right now. I've been doing well. I still can't schedule Bill's burial, so he's hanging out on the mantle! The girls, McKenna and Kiyann, have decided that we don't have to take his urn out to eat on Monday morning for their birthday breakfast. We were going to have a picnic at the cemetery, but since we can't do that, we're going to do what we normally did. Kayden is going to come this time. He has missed his last 2 breakfasts because Bill was in the hospital. Brianna hasn't had one in a couple of years either and she'll be working Monday.

Keep us in your prayers, especially Shirley. She's really kind of lost right now...and I know the feeling. 

It has been an exhausting and emotional 3 days. Family members started arriving Thursday evening with the majority of them coming in on Friday. While I was waiting for people to come, I met Kayden and Joe at the church and we figured out the video camera and the sound system. The camera did well enough with the sound that I didn't need to buy the external microphone. But, live and learn.

I got Bill's Presidential Citation Thursday, and even though in big blue letters it says "DO NOT BEND" on the front and back, yep, you guessed it, our carrier folded it to stick in in the mail slot! Why she didn't just stand it on top, or lay it on the step, or put it between the doors is beyond me, but the citation is ruined. There is a form that can be faxed to get a replacement and Emily is going to do that tomorrow and have the new one sent to her office, but I'm taking this one to the Post Office tomorrow to show the postmaster. It probably won't do any good, but it will make me feel better!

I had a good visit with my sister and brother Friday evening, along with a niece and her friend. Brooke managed to cut my hair and then Larry and Ronna and I went to dinner together. Since they were leaving right after the dinner on Saturday, I told the kids that we would visit after the service, that I really wanted to just visit with my family Friday night, and that was agreeable to all of them.

The service on Saturday was all I could have wanted it to be and I think Bill would have been pleased. He had always told me that he didn't care about his service other than he wanted a military funeral because he wouldn't be there! But, since his ashes still can't be buried, as the pastor put it, "Bill's with us today".

It was mostly family, but when you consider there were 39 family members there, that almost filled half of the church. A former co-worker of Bill's was there, he just happened to learn of the service from the pastor at his church last Sunday. And my best friend said she ran every stop sign to get there, but she made it. The church did a lovely dinner and I don't think there were many leftovers. 

The Illinois family got on the road, others went home/hotels to change clothes and then most came to the house. We looked through old pictures and listened to the kids play. It was so hot they couldn't go outside to play. I was really glad that the cats were at the vet for the week-end, but I miss them now that everyone is gone.

I was totally exhausted by the time everyone left and was falling asleep in my chair, but when I went to bed I couldn't sleep. But, I did sleep in this morning and have felt rested and at peace all day. I know that I did the best that I could for Bill.

As far as his sister and her husband, Don is slightly improving. They are waiting for plasma and the drug they are using to arrive. All Shirley could tell me about that today is that it is in Florida now. They have been taking Don off the bi-pap periodically to see if they can get him to drink some. She also said he is getting agitated when they move him, which is a good sign, and his kidney function is improving. So, the prayers have been heard and answered.

I'm attaching several pictures from this last week, from when Bill came home from his sleep-over and the service. I'm not going to try to caption all of them (still haven't figured that out yet), but they are pretty self-explanatory!

 I have a new plan for this blog now that Bill's journey is almost complete. I want to keep writing, so I working on a new format. There may not be any posts for a bit, or I may get it switched over pretty quick. I wanted to wait until yesterday was over. So, stay tuned!

Just a short post for tonight.

As we prepare to say good-bye to Bill tomorrow, I want to ask all of you to pray not only for me and the kids and grandkids, but for his sister and her husband. Don is hospitalized in Florida with COVID-19 and this evening was moved to ICU. He's not on a ventilator...yet, but is on a bi-pap machine. Shirley is so worried, especially since she can't be with him, and she has also been tested, but doesn't have any results yet. She's just been self-quarantined.

I will do a longer post about the service sometime Sunday after all the family has gone back home. Just remember to keep us all in prayer, especially Don and Shirley Hand.

Here it is, July 4th already! After the days being the same for so long, time is really moving along now, or so it seems. In my neighborhood last night, you would think that it was the 4th. A nd, people don't know how to shoot fireworks! They are buying the aerial ones and putting them in the middle of the street. Those did make it into the air. Then, I suspect with alcohol giving a helping hand, they just started lighting them and throwing them...at cars and houses and in neighboring yards. They were far enough from me that I was safe, but a couple of them came pretty close. After that barrage stopped, a car took off quickly from there and I suspect they were after more fireworks. But, I went to sleep and don't remember hearing anymore. So, tonight should be interesting. Mouse did not like the sounds. He didn't mind the thunder we had, but he did not like the fireworks. 

I finally have my door hung! Ryan, Joe and Kayden came yesterday and got it hung. They are going to come back next week, it may just be Joe and Kayden, and start to get the siding back on. I didn't want them working today because I know that Joe and Mistie are having a cookout and Ryan and Amanda are packing to move closer to his farm job. Kiyann helped me in the house yesterday and is coming back this coming week to make sure everything is ready for next week-end. I imagine people are going to all be arriving on Friday, with a couple coming on Thursday. It seems like my to-do list of things that must be done before next week-end just keeps getting longer and longer.

I went to the dr. this week. I had an area of welts come up, on my upper chest. I thought that maybe a spider had gotten into bed with me, or a skeeter and had a nice meal. But, after 4 days of intense itching, and then smaller spots appearing on the backs of my hands, I decided I'd better get it checked out. What we do know is we don't know what it is. It isn't shingles as it crossed the midline. They only appear on one side or the other. The nurse practitioner thinks it might be poison ivy, but there are no pustules. And the ones on my hands only go to just past my wrist bone and have started to migrate to the underside of my arm and the pad of my thumb. I've also noticed that the knuckle on my right index finger at my hand is swollen and sore, as is my right big toe, which hadn't hurt for months, and my right hip, not down my leg, just my hip. After doing some research online, and I know, that can be very dangerous, I do believe it is a flare of psoriasis brought on by a flare of psoriatic arthritis. Now, I've not been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, but I have brought it up to the dr. several times and just get poo-pooed. But, I have every symptom listed for it. It has probably been brought on by the stress of getting things ready for the memorial next week. I would think that the stress of the 6 months Bill was in the hospital would have brought on the stress hives, but I didn't have a single spot. I haven't felt especially stressed but Bill's daughter suggested that it was subconsiously acknowledging that this was one of the last things I could do for Bill. And maybe that's true. Anyway, I got some hydrocortisone cream and some hydroxyzine pills since I'm not supposed to take prednisone. (It gives me a rash). But the hydroxyzine made the itching more intense so I stopped taking that. And I'm being bad. Bill had some low-dose prednisone left that I kept and I've been taking 1 a day along with Benadryl every 4-6 hours. If I could still get Zantac I would take that too. That combination works wonders on hives. It is a little better this morning so maybe I'm getting a handle on it.

Bill has spent the last couple of days back at the crematory. To switch urns, it has to be done there as the urns have to be sealed. She also picked up the little bag of fine ash to put into my bracelet. She thought she would be able to get them back to me yesterday, but didn't. I told Kiyann he was having a sleep-over!

I need to go through my jewelry today and see if I have a plain gold chain that I can put his wedding bands on. I've had them on my key chain and I'm afraid they're going to get beat up or come off and get lost. So, that's on my list of things to do now too. Like I said, it just keeps getting longer and longer.

That's it, I think. The memorial service has been set and some family members are opting to wait to come until the graveside service. They are thinking that it is the actual funeral since it will have the military rites with it. And that's OK for them to think of it like that. There still isn't any time for it set yet, as they are still closed.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday. Celebrate this great country of ours, with all of it's ugly past, along with the good. I still wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

I got some answers this week, and you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men...Where the mice comes in for that saying is a mystery, but you get the idea.

Monday I finally got a person at the cemetery! And, one of the reasons I hadn't heard anything, even though it is really more of a copout than anything is that all national cemeteries are closed as far as having committal ceremonies and burials. They are not closed to visits, which is why I could drive through, but due to the virus, they are no burials or any kind being done. I did read where a family did a drive through burial where they all had to stay in their cars, but there were no military honors provided. I understand that, but why couldn't they have updated their website with that information, or better yet, answered my email, or fax! The same with the veteran's advocate here. Why, especially in this day and age, is the phone number not forwarded to a personal cell phone, or a home phone for that matter? Anyway, we can't hold the graveside service at this time and I can't have an honor guard for the memorial service at the church. But, that's OK. I told Emily I'll just get to keep Bill home with me for a little longer. There is no timeline for the cemeteries to open as far as the man I spoke to knew, he said they were told maybe the end of August.

I've talked to the church and the pastor I want to perform the memorial service and we've set a date for it. It's going to be July 11. I had mailed a letter to all the family that I knew was coming to the services right before I heard from the cemetery. So, I had to text everyone to let them know to disregard the part of the letter about the graveside service being held on the 10th. 

After talking to the church about the service, I figured I'd better bite the bullet and go to church Sunday. I did make it, there were only 12 of us there, and no-one made a big deal out of me being there, which is a good thing. I don't know if I could have handled that. Just hugs from everyone. I don't know if it will be an every week thing or not yet, I'll just play it by ear.

The programs and bookmarks have come in and they are very nice. I'll post a picture of them later. The guest book has also come in and there is an error on it, but it's my mistake. I typed a date wrong, so it shows that Bill was nearly 1000 years old! I typed 1043 instead of 1943! But, the company had my phone number so they could have called to double check it, or just used their brains to figure out what it should have been. Anyway, I think that it can be fixed. It won't look as nice, but the book will be open anyway.

The video camera also came in and it didn't have the bigger microphone that I thought was supposed to be included. What I thought was the mic from the picture was a table top tripod. So, back to Amazon to order a microphone. It should be here Tuesday.

I also ordered another urn for Bill's ashes. I hadn't planned on a different one, but the cemetery suggests a metal or wooden urn and his is just a temporary heavy cardboard one. And since he's now going to be at the memorial service, it will look nice on the table with his medals.

After thinking I had all of the paperwork done, I got a big packet of forms from one of the investment accounts. The account has been switched to my name, but now I have to apply for an IRA. I just want to leave everything like it is for now. I'm probably going to consolidate everything with a local firm, but that's something that I thought could wait a bit. I read through the paperwork, skimmed it actually, and I think I have 5 years before I have to do anything with it since it is inherited by a spouse. So, on another day, where I think I want to really use my brain, I'll go through them. Right now they are in the accordian file folder with everything else.

It's a cloudy, rainy morning and I would like to be sitting on our little screened in patio in Florida with my coffee. But, when I went out to feed the cats it's so muggy I could hardly breathe. Nearly 80 already at 6 am! So, I'll stay in and listen to the thunder. I've been busy getting things done in the house so that people won't be totally horrified when they come, not that I'm planning on being the gracious hostess. But, remember, nothing was done in the house for the 6 months Bill was in the hospital and it really needed attention.

My friend Phillis wanted the old cat tree for her cat Troubles, so I took it to her on Tuesday. I had told her the day Bill died that when I was ready I would come and see her. We sat on her back porch...for 4 hours! We talked, we laughed, we cried and just had a good visit. We may go to Dyersburg soon. She wants to go to the health food store in the mall and I want to go to Joann Fabrics. So, that should be fun.

One thing I'm finding this week is my thoughts on his ashes is changing. I had never felt the need, or thought I felt the need, to have his ashes sitting on the mantel. But, I've found a little comfort having them in the bedroom on the dresser. And, silly as it may sound, I do talk to him, mainly to tell him goodnight, but I ask him if I'm doing things right. And, I didn't think I wanted a keepsake of his ashes, but I found a website that sells bracelets that are also for a cause. There were several different ones, saving the rainforest and gorillas, elephants, the arctic and the coral reefs and sea turtles. These bracelets have 2 glass tubes. One of the tubes is filled with something depicting the cause. The sea turtle one has ground up pieces of the netting that turtles are getting caught in. The other one is empty and can be filled with whatever the wearer wants. I did get the sea turtle one as his niece Karen worked with rehabbing sea turtles in Florida for awhile and I'm going to put the small bag of ashes in the other tube. I do have to have the crematory do it, as well as move the other ashes to the new urn, as they have to be sealed. I did look at his ashes the other day. The top of the box he's in now opens. They looked nothing like what I thought they would. They are very coarse while the ones for the bracelet looks like fine sand. It didn't bother me to look at them, and Kiyann wanted to see them too and she wasn't bothered by them. She held the urn in her lap for a long time.

I did tell Kiyann that we wouldn't be able to have the birthday picnic at the cemetery, but maybe we'll carry his ashes outside to the patio and have our picnic there. I haven't talked to McKenna about it yet. I don't really want to carry them into a restaurant, so we won't do that, but we'll come up with something.

I think that's all. I still don't have my door installed. Emily asked me this week what Heath had said and I told her I hadn't heard anything from him. She just said "Hmm". Maybe she'll talk to him at church tomorrow. I would really like to have this little project done and the dumpster gone before people start getting here. I'm going to need the parking space! It's getting darker and darker now with a little thunder. Good thing I've got a couple of new books to read. The weather is making me ache all over today, so I don't think I'll be doing much. Have a good week-end.

The first month is in the books, and all in all it hasn't been that bad. Yes, I got used to living alone while Bill was in the hospital for so long, which made it easier. And, yes there are still days when the tears come, but I expect that will also get easier yet never go away. And it's little things that bring them. Bill's oldest daughter told me she got her daughter a new dress for the funeral that's soft and cuddly and Petra asked her if she thought that Grandpa would like it and give her a big hug in it. They haven't told the kids yet, they're waiting until they come for the memorial service. But, it's little things like that .

I FINALLY found Bill's ribbons! They were in a small box at the bottom of a bigger box full of useless computer components and cables! His name tags, metal stripes, other insignia and his dog tags all together. I KNEW they were there, but he had moved them from where I had seen them before in the room. Who knows what he was thinking! Anyway, I made a trip to Hobby Lobby and got a shadow box and a couple of display stands and I have an idea for a display for the memorial service since we won't have his ashes or a body. When it's put together I'll post a picture, but I think it's going to work nicely.

All of the paperwork has been done and sent off, including the ones for the Veteran's Cemetery. I still have heard absolutely nothing from them. Everything was faxed, all 14 pages this past week. They wanted a copy of every DD214 Bill had. That's the form you get when you separate from the service. He had one from the Marine Corps that was barely legible, then the Air Force, then the Air National Guard, and then the Air Force again. Luckily Bill had all of those...and I knew where they were and they were where they were supposed to be! Emily told me if we don't hear anything from them soon, she will get our state senator involved. He's a veteran and fights for veterans and can get things done.

The insurance money has come and I now know how much my Social Security will be. In addition to my regular check, I will also get the Widow's Benefit. I thought I was only going to get whichever was larger, but according to the letter I got, and the deposits in my account, I will get both. I still don't know what the VA benefit will be and I'm waiting for Bill's final SS deposit and the pro-rated military retirement. I haven't been notified that the investment accounts have been switched to my name, but since I'm not doing anything with those it's OK. The insurance company did send a check refunding the last premium that was taken out of his military retirement, but they made it out to Bill. So I had to see what to do about that. I had to send it back and they will re-issue it in my name. I do still have some things to cancel or change to my name, but nothing pressing.

I STILL don't have the door! Well, I have the door but it's sitting in the apartment. After getting the new contract signed and more money paid, they called late Saturday evening with the install date....August 17th! I told them that was unacceptable since that part of the house is wrapped in plastic. The siding can't be finished until the door is hung. So, Monday morning I headed back to Lowe's and cancelled the install part of the contract, which they did with no argument at all, and then Emily, Bryan and I picked up the components Monday evening when Bryan got off work. They have a friend that is hoping to get it installed this coming week. He is a contractor so he knows how to do it and then the siding can be finished! But, since all of this I have seen posted on Facebook several complaints about Lowe's. One friend ordered a cooktop in April and still hasn't gotten it delivered. Another one ordered some things that showed in stock in her store and 2 days later she finally gets the email they were ready to be picked up, but 1 item was out of stock. She cancelled that order, ordered the same items from Home Depot and 2 hours later was on her way to the store.

Anyway, Bill's sister and her husband have decided not to try to come for the services. His health is not good and they would have to fly and they just aren't comfortable doing that right now. I totally understand and told Shirley that I knew what she was dealing with. So, last night I ordered a new video camera and we are going to record the services for them, and my mother if she wants to see it. We already have a tripod so I just need to recruit someone there to monitor it.

I've also designed the memorial program, purchased the guest book and bought a new cat tree. They both wanted to be on the top shelf of the old one, so I got a super duper one that has 3 high shelves and 3 hidey holes. It's 72" tall and goes to the top of the picture window. I was pretty proud of myself for getting it put halfway together...until I put the wrong numbered post in one place and then couldn't get it off! So, I called Mistie and Joe and Joe had it finished in 30 minutes, after I had worked on it for 2 hours. But the instructions were easy to follow, my hands just don't have enough strength in them. I was surprised he didn't have to go back and tighten all of the screws I had done! And, they love it! They are both sleeping on it now. But, my hands are so sore I can hardly type and my entire body aches from moving the boxes around (Fedex did set them inside the house for me) and lugging 22 pounds of cat food to the kitchen. But, the Aleve will kick in before long...I hope.

I've spent many hours on the phone this week with my sister. That's not something new, but what is new is 2-3 times a day. That wouldn't sound odd if we lived in the same area, but she's in Illinois! We've been talking about the lunacy going on with changing the names of products and all of that. The last one that I saw was that it's no longer acceptable to say "Master Bath" or Master Bedroom" when selling a house! So that got us on to what are they going to do about the "Masters" golf tournament and what is a "Master Craftsman" now going to be called. What is next?

So, there you have my week. It's gotten hot and dry now, although we have rain coming this coming week. The leaves on one of my trees are turning brown and it's not the only one on the block, so the rain will be welcome. Summer has definitely arrived (and it will be official this evening). Have a good week!

I almost forgot! Melvin Franklin Wagner IV made his appearance on the 17th! If that isn't a presidential name! Mom and baby are doing fine and he is a definite keeper!