Bags are packed, we're ready to go. Just a few little things to throw in in the morning and we'll hit the road. We've had a slight change of plans. The driving evaluation can be done next week instead of in March, so we'll spend a couple of extra days in Jacksonville before going on to Clearwater to visit family. Bill's excited to get it done. I did find out that it's a 3 hour evaluation, a test on road signs, a video and then actual driving. They will take one of the hospital's cars which is equipped with brakes if necessary.

This week has gone fast...until today and it has gone very slowly. But, I was busy, laundry and packing, making sure we have enough meds with us, cooking dinner and getting the kitchen cleaned up. And I pulled a muscle in my neck while I was doing laundry and Icy Hot is not doing a thing for it. Neither did the Aleve. I'm hoping that another Aleve, along with some Benadryl will relax me enough in the night that it will loosen. Otherwise it will be a painful drive.

I've really been hit with the "losing things" bug. I finally used the gift card Bill got me a year ago for my birthday and bought a new purse this week. As I was moving things from old to new I discovered that I didn't have my military ID, or my Kroger card. Not that the Kroger card was important, but the ID is very important and it has both of our social security numbers on it. I checked all of my pockets, and I knew where I had it out last so I checked with the eye dr. I know they gave it back to me, but I was hoping it fell out of my pocket. Anyway, couldn't find it anywhere. Instead of trying to fit in a trip to Memphis to get a new one, we decided that we would wait until we got to Jacksonville and use our free day to visit the naval base. So, I pulled the paperwork I would need. BUT, we went out for lunch yesterday at one of our favorite places and the owner met us at the front door. He said he had the ID in his safe! I was trying to figure the last time we had been there and it was after Brianna's birthday party, which was the day after I had been to the eye doctor. I was so pleased to get it back, and that someone honest had found it! (Bambi, I know you told us about what Louie did, but...I think you can understand).

I'll post more later after we get to Jacksonville. I probably won't post anything tomorrow night, but who knows, maybe I will.

This week has gone by extremely fast...or so it seems! Nothing major happened, but maybe just the little things made it seem to fly by.

We did get an itinerary from Mayo and it has Bill's appointments for his 1 year check-up. We have to be there May 6-8, and the 6th and 7th are full days starting at 8 in the morning and going through until 2 or 3. The 3rd day is his heart cath and that of course will last all day by the time he has his "resting" time afterwards.

We are leaving Friday for his Feb. biopsy so there will be a few more posts this week, or at least at the end of the week into the next week. After the biopsy we are going to visit Bill's sister and husband in Clearwater for a few days.

Our youngest grandchild came to visit yesterday for a few hours. He's 10 months old and as long as we didn't get too close he would smile and play but when we tried to hold him for pictures he just cried and cried...until McKenna came. He loved her and let her touch him and play with him.

I had a bittersweet day on Monday. We were going through boxes in the apartment (for those who don't know our house we have a 1 room apartment attached to the garage) and I lost one of my opal rings. This ring was the first piece of jewelry that Bill bought me. I don't know if it ended up in a "keep" box or the trash. At the same time I don't even know if I lost it out there or while I was doing laundry or somewhere else, I just noticed it wasn't on my finger that afternoon. I'm surprised I didn't feel it slip off! If I'm lucky enough to find it I'll be very happy, but if not, I have the memories of when he gave it to me and that's what matters.

We had a lovely dinner with some great friends tonight and spent 2 hours in the restaurant just catching up with each other. We'll have to do it again soon!

All for this week, I'll update when we hit the road and keep you updated through the biopsy. Have a great week!

We were busy this week! Monday was the slowest day of the week. Only took bookkeeping to the office and had a tire repaired. When we took Ryan by the plant last week to pick up some paperwork I apparently picked up a screw in the parking lot.

Tuesday we both had dr. appointments with our primary care doc. I had bloodwork done in the morning and, just as we were heading out the door for our appointments, it started sleeting. School dismissed early and it was getting slick by the time we got out of the dr. I got a good report. My cholesterol and triglycerides were lower than they have been in a long time and my blood pressure was good. He said I should live to be 120. He checked Bill a little since the Mayo docs just wanted him to get a look at him in case he got sick. He was surprised that they didn't want him to have a flu shot.

School was closed Weds. so we told Brianna and McKenna to come over for the day. It was Bri's 14th birthday and we hadn't really spent any time with them since we came home. We took them out to lunch and then I took them to church. After dropping them off I came home and fixed a cup of tea. Within 30 minutes I was sick to my stomach. Went to bed at 7:30 and then moved to the couch. Felt lousy all night and of course didn't rest much. I probably would have felt better if I had gotten sick and got it out. I think I just ate too much at lunch and my stomach said that even tea was too much to put in it.

Anyway, Thursday we had eye appointments and I really debated cancelling them, but by afternoon felt better so we kept them. I did find out that I wasn't crazy. If you remember, I got new glasses in Florida and couldn't see with them. My dr. here looked at them and said they were nowhere near my prescription, especially for the distance vision. The bifocal was fine, but the other was way off. Luckily they were able to use the frames, so some of the money was salvaged. I also spoke to Bill's dr. (we had different ones this time and the more experienced on examined Bill) said that his vision is basically good. He was able to read the charts well and the eyes looked good. He did say the medications are having an effect on them. His pupils generally stay very small. Anyway, it's a good thing my frames could be used. We spent over $1600 altogether for them! Just think what they would be with frames! And that didn't include the exams. Oh well, it's only money!

Yesterday was a big day for us, more for me than Bill. Emily and I went to Jonesboro for a girls spa day...massages, manicures and pedicures. When we planned this, our neighbor Ron was going to be around the house so I felt comfortable leaving for an extended period of time. Jonesboro is an hour drive and the services would be 2-2 1/2 hours and then an hour drive back. Plus we needed to do a little shopping. But, Ron had a death in the family and was out of town. So, it was a fine line to walk again without making Bill feel like a child. I left him with a list of phone numbers and showed him what was for lunch. I did tell some friends that he was going to be home by himself, but did not ask them to check on him. We left about 9 yesterday morning and didn't get home until almost 6. I called him at lunch to remind him to eat and take his medicine and then when we were ready to leave. He did fine...decided to scrub down the stove burner pans. They really needed it too. He also cleaned out the fireplace but didn't start a fire, and there was fresh coffee made. This was more a test for me than for him and I didn't worry too much. I enjoyed the massage and the pampering, although I think she tried to kill me. She told me that my muscles were very tight and worked for nearly 30 minutes on just my back and shoulders. But, I'm very sore today! Hope it doesn't last long!

Last night was Brianna's birthday party at the bowling alley. They really need to get the heat fixed! It was freezing cold in there! We only stayed 30 minutes. Bill just couldn't sit on the cold seats any longer so Bri opened our gift and we headed home. Grabbed something to eat and hit the bed by 9. We were both very tired!

So, there's our week! We made a Walmart run this morning and are just relaxing this afternoon. Maybe I'll get another pair of slippers finished...2 1/2 pair of 8 that need made. I really need to do laundry and get ready for Mary, Jack and little William to come on Thursday. I have to make some more cookies so they can take some to grandson Ben in South Carolina.

Hope everyone has had as good a week as we did, and hope you have a good one coming up. Check in again next Saturday!

I hope everyone has had as good a week as we have!

I officially "retired" Monday. It was taken well, but Jalena wouldn't take my key back. She said I might need to get in to make copies or something. She did take the blank check I've been carrying around though! I'm still going to do family returns at home like I did last year, so all of you reading this, don't panic! The office is short-handed and I have a feeling they may call to see if I can help out, but I've already decided that I can't, especially since we will be heading back to Florida during the busiest time. They made it last year and will make it again this year.

We are getting into the routine of being home and finally feeling more comfortable in our house again. At first it seemed like was too big, almost overwhelming to be in. But, it's seeming more like home again.

Since we were in the middle of a re-model when we left for Florida, and most of our wall decor had been packed and moved to various rooms for storage, we've been going through things and trying to decide where to put things. We also need to get the other rooms cleared out so they can be emptied to do the remodelling in those rooms. Our neighbor Ron, who is going to do a lot of the work, is wanting to get started in places I'm not ready to do yet. If we did that the entire house would be in turmoil again, and since it was like that before we went to Florida (inside and outside renovations at the same time), I'm not inclined to do that this time. I'm tired of constant chaos! So, with my FREEDOM attitude, we're doing things my way, on my time.

Bill has done pretty good. He and Ron have been going to the gym 3 days a week. He's maintaining his weight and his appetite seems to be picking up. His mental state has also stabilized more, at least when it's just the 2 of us. He does seem to be more confused when he is on the phone with someone or with a group of people, but, hopefully that will come around more with time.

We didn't see any of the grandkids this week. We did see both Emily and Ryan, but not the kids. Brianna and McKenna were going to walk here from school last week, but it was supposed to be pouring rain so we said no. We'll have to see how it is this week.

Our weather has gotten crazy. It rained Weds. and Thurs. and then had a lovely day yesterday. Today it has rained, was very foggy early, and is now still 70 at 6:30. We have a flash flood watch and a tornado watch. We're still supposed to get torrential rains through tomorrow and then the temperature is supposed to plummet and the rain could change to sleet/freezing rain/snow by Monday morning! Everyone says that if you don't like the weather in Arkansas to stick around for 30 minutes and it will change! Bill even commented this morning that we probably shouldn't go to church in the morning if the weather is bad, so his reasoning is coming back more too.

This has been a pretty generic update which is a good thing. It just shows that we are returning to as normal a life as possible. Have a good week everyone!

We've had a very good week. We've accomplished some things around the house. The bathroom has been cleaned out and reorganized...on to the kitchen next week!

We've also order/purchased new security doors. The door for the back was in stock but had to order the one for the front, just because it's white and the back is black. Haven't gotten the new one on yet. Ron, our neighbor/handyman's wife came home from work sick Thursday so he's stayed away just in case he got it. Hopefully he'll get it hung Monday.

We picked up Kayden and Kiyann and took them to Ryan's yesterday. He didn't know when Kristen would get off work and Mistie likes them picked up by 6. So, we got them and took them. Today we went to Jonesboro and visited with some good friends for awhile. Then picked up Brianna and McKenna and took Kenna to a birthday party because Emily and Bryan had been to an all day meeting and didn't know if they would make it in time. They were pretty close. Bri is still at our house and Em is going to pick her up when she gets Kenna. I told Bill that we saw all of our Arkansas children in the past 2 days whick is a new record!

Mary Rose, Jack and William will be here on the 24th. They are stopping here on their way to South Carolina and bringing us a treadmill. Of course we don't have the space cleared for it yet, but at least we have a little while.

All in all a pretty good week. We'll have church in tomorrow and then start over on Monday. Have some phone calls to make for some appointments and getting some information on things. Hope everyone else has had a good week and week-end. Until next time....

Evening has come on this last night of 2012 and I am in a contemplative mood, as are many other I suspect. As tumultuous as this year has been, I wouldn't make any changes. Of course there are times when I wish things had worked out differently. But, if things had been easy, things may have stayed hidden.

Little did I know just what I was capable of doing. I have learned so much, about transplants, strokes, therapies, and myself. All of you who have followed this blog, especially this last year, know what I'm talking about.

Bill told a fellow rehab patient that, even if he had known before that he would have all of the complications, he would have made the same decisions. Yes, there are times I wish he had not had the transplant, but those are the days when I'm tired or things have been especially difficult. Sure, the stroke made things more complicated and I sometimes wonder what our lives would now be like if the transplant had gone according to all expectations.

But, we have more years ahead of us due to the transplant, so we'll move into the future optimistic and looking forward to whatever life brings us.

I'm not one to make resolutions since I don't keep them past the first week. But, a friend sent a link to a website that was intriguing. Instead of making a resolution to DO something, this site encourages you to BE. There was a list of words and a worksheet to use and the premise was to pick a word and then use the worksheet to apply the word to your life for the next year. I chose the word FREEDOM. I'm not using the word as most people who live in America would think of it. The first thought I had was the freedom to just be...the freedom to be the person I want to be and not the person I think others want me to be...free to do things on my terms. I can have the freedom to not feel guilty if I'm knitting instead of cleaning out closets. At the same time, I can enjoy freedom IF I clean out the closet because that chore would then be done and it would be a step toward other freedoms. So, this may not work any better than making resolutions, but I'm going to give it a shot.

Since we are now in a new pattern, I think I'm only going to update this weekly now. Of course, during those weekly updates, if it needs to be updated more, such as time for biopsies, I'll update more. I'm planning on updating on Saturday. I know many of you update your church, and I hope you will continue to pray for us. The journey to get the new heart may be over, but a new journey has begun for us. So, check back on Saturday evenings to see what we've been up to.

We've enjoyed the grandchildren this week, and met our soon-to-be grandchildren. Our Christmas was quiet, with snow on Christmas night. It's all gone now and we have rain, but the house is warm with the fireplace.

My wish for all of you for the new year is for health, happiness, and the FREEDOM to enjoy whatever your days may hold. Things don't have to be perfect for you to find joy. I've learned to look for a blessing in every situation. Sometimes this seemed to be impossible, but if you wait for it, it will be shown to you.

To all of you who have commented on these posts, to give encouragement or advice, or just knowing that you're interested in our lives, thank you. You have made this past year more bearable, knowing that you were with us on this journey. I love all of you! Happy New Year!

It's a little after 9 pm on Christmas and we are watching It's A Wonderful Life, and this year has taught us just how wonderful life is!

We are spending a quiet Christmas together. We aren't having Christmas with the kids/grandkids until next week-end. We are having to work around visitation schedules. And, my kids are going to their dad's tomorrow. This was a last minute decision. His wife has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and will be starting chemo and radiation after Christmas. So, they decided that they wanted to have all the kids together on Christmas. We can understand that and will be praying for her. We've been invited to our son-in-law's parents for dinner, but we've decided to have a quiet dinner by ourselves.

Had a plumbing problem tonight and our son-in-law volunteered to come over tonight after a gift exchange to fix it. Our garbage disposal had frozen up and today the sink wouldn't drain. And since the sink wouldn't drain, the dishwasher couldn't be used either. So, Bryan came over and installed a new disposal (we bought one Saturday, just hadn't gotten it put in yet).

We're supposed to have a white Christmas! It's supposed to start raining in the morning, changing to snow by late afternoon/early evening and heavy snow by midnight. I may have to stay up to watch it. I know I won't sleep well knowing that it's snowing. So, it may be by the light of the tree lights...sounds pretty good to me!

I hope all of you have a blessed Christmas and a joyous new year. We are looking forward to a new year filled with untold opportunities. Goodnight everyone...and Merry Christmas!