Merry Christmas!

   I bought a new sewing machine. Did you know the new machines can cut the thread with the touch of a button? Amazing technology. Who thinks of this stuff?

   Spent most of the week getting ready for Christmas. I always want a perfect Christmas. But what is it? Time with family without fighting, eating and talking, togetherness. Pleasure or disappointment from gifts? We are grateful we can spend Chris at home this year. That is a bonus.

   We did get to skype with three of our children and a phone call from another. The children makes the time fun.

Bruce had four days of therapy, he is moving more, just gets stiff from his days off. 

He will begin swimming after Christmas. He is able to do more in the pool.

  It is too cold to take Bruce outside. 

Thank you for the cookie and goodie baskets. The bread and rolls are very nice. 

All Clear on the Wound

Monday -  Last time to wound Dr, yeah, will begin pool time in January.

Bruce took us to dinner at Golden Crown. We got Chinese and he gets Thai food and no dishes to wash. Andrew says he can cook dinner like that any night he wants.

  Tuesday was a hospital scan of his kidneys. One of the side effects from the antibiotics is damage to the kidneys. They found out he had a UTI so meds for that. Haven't heard result of scan yet.

  Thursday- Believe it or not I went out in this nasty cold, snowing weather to the UFO group and Teija was there with Carson, her young son! Yeah! She is sewing a surprise quilt. Ann was helping her. Carson and I ate cookies. 

I got some blocks sewn together, will have to add a couple of borders. 

  They are almost finished with greenwood school addition. the lights are on, cabinets in. And plumbing and painting done. It is looking good, supposed to be finished by Christmas break so they can move into the classrooms.

 I went to the QQ quilt group Christmas party and potluck last night. I took a strawberry pie, it was good they only ate half so I had a piece or two today. We did a pattern exchange. Eww, I don't like mine. Maybe I will trade with someone.

  I have to purchase a new sewing machine. The motor on my old one died and he said they don't make replacement parts for it as it is 10 years old. Rosala says to go three times and sew on the machines there before I decide what I want. Haven't had a car in a while and today went sewing, maybe Saturday I will stop in with a block or two.

Friday - 

I am sewing a baby quilt for a little girl. The fabric has owls with pink, brown, green, yellow and turquoise. It is cute. I think I want to keep it...

We went to the ward Christmas party. We left early when Santa came. We had ham and funeral taters, pink salad and cookies for zert. I loved the Frosty the snowman song Sara and Lindy sang. They knew all the verses.

The boys are going to see the Star Wars movie tonight. I like the quiet.

   Our regular worker wanted an evening off and the sub got sick so called one more person. So happy she could come, I needed her and she was a trooper. (bowel care problem) I couldn't do this without our caretakers. 

The new freezer arrived. Our old one was over 30 years old. We got our money's worth from it. We borrowed Kevin's truck and picked it up and Kevin hauled the old one away. Kevin mud and taped the hole in the wall the electricians left. And his lovely wife sent over jams, jellies and delightful cookies. 

Ellen stopped over with a basket (for me) filled with bread, cookies fudge and candy.

Chris brought over some homemade bread.

We learned about Temperance in church, something about controlling our appetites, will have to work on that after the holidays...

 

Wii Therapy?

   Bruce did a load of laundry today and made his own sandwich. Only needed minimal assistance with getting a plate down. Might have to lower the  plates.

  Took Bruce grocery shopping, met an old family friend. They sent us the card from Norte Dame and lit a candle for us. It was great to see them! Thank you for your prayers and love.

   A friend is coming over to clean my frig.  Her husband will put up a tree for us and maybe sheet rock the hole the electricians left. 

  We got a live tree this year to help a fundraiser and guess who got rid of the tree stand? I bought a new stand and it is for a fake tree so bought another tree stand. 

  Andrew is home from work on a lunch break and says he will help me after work. When I ask for help after work he says he is tired he has worked all day. Give me strength. I'm trying to figure out the new tree stand instructions. 

  Our son Rob went to Florida for training for the church. He said he was in classes from 9 - 9. 

He said the church paid for 3 meals and he about starved to death because there were no snacks in between and he did not want to pay the outrighteous prices on the vending machines. 

   We have to take in a urine sample. We think Bruce has an infection. My friend said to take cranberry pills. I don't think Bruce wants more pills to take.

Lynette cleaned the frig and her husband and Duncan set up the tree, put a piece of ceiling back on in the basement and then he raked all the leaves in the back yard.

    My friend Lisa took me to lunch at Mamacitas. It was fun. I don't know her very well but we can do it again sometime. Thank you!

Our friends Rosala and Debbie brought sketti for dinner (pasta and homemade meatballs) Andrew wanted the extra meatballs (my little carnivore) with an orange jello salad with mandarin oranges and melt in your mouth, oh my I want seconds m & m's brownies. Thank you!

  The freezer in the garage gave up the ghost. It was about 30 years old. Bruce ordered another one from Sears and it will be here next week. Hope we can salvage some of the food.

Went to Sears to look for a small front door freezer and they didn't have anything. No one was even in the front of the store.

Bruce ordered a new freezer and it will be here next week.

Kevin came over and repaired the hole in the wall the electricians left. He even mud and taped it. Will vacuum a small mess up later

Bruce does have a UTI another pill to take. We are soaking his left toe a small infection.

   Bruce came home Friday all excited. He played on the wii at physical therapy. Apparently it stimulates the brain to remind the body it used to do this. He played tennis, head soccer and skiing. He wants to order the foot pads to do at home. He has therapy for an hour and a half a day and then his body goes stiff so the therapists want him to work his feet doing this. 

   So Duncan and Bruce went to the game store and purchased a game, alas they did not have the foot pads. So Bruce ordered the foot pads online and it comes in a pkg deal with the game so will have to return the game soon.

  That's it for this week. Stay tuned for another exciting week at the home of the Kevans.

   

Standing

   We had the carpet cleaner man come in and vacuum out the heating vents so I am kinda stuffed up. Dust should settle but the heat seems to be on all the time since it is so cold.

  I bought a 48 inch big screen tv on Black Friday from Sears. Better quality than Wal Mart.  The clerk said he had a 55 in and wanted to get a 65 inch. We will never catch up. It is a good size for our small living room. 

 I had the boys, much to their chagrin help me move the furniture around. The room looks more open. I still have piles of stuff everywhere.

Been busy running errands and getting stuff organized for Bruce. 

I took one quilt top to the quilters. It is pink and greenish jelly roll with squares top. I figure one of the granddaughters will want it. Should get it back next week. Need to get another one ready for next week.

I got some of the Christmas decorations out. The house is beginning to look festive.

We have a live tree coming on Sunday, it was a wrestling fundraiser. Haven't had a live tree in ages.

 Hali got out again. Luckily the young girl that walks him, Sonnet found her and brought her home.

Duncan is making dinner tonight. Bratwurst and Mac and cheese.

Bruce says he has gotten all his movement back plus more in his hip area. 

They have been doing the electro stimulation on his thighs and that helps with movement. He has been standing up. They want to move him to the bathroom area to have him stand at the bar. He stood on his own for a minute. The next step would be pivot turns. That would make bowel care easier for everyone.

  They gave him two metal balls with sound in them. You hold them in your hand and move them around. I could do my right hand. They are Asian in origin in a red box. They are not supposed to click just make the musical sound. Bruce can do his right hand it is the left that needs to get stronger. They are not as easy as they look.

  Our friend Amy brought us chicken enchiladas on Tuesday and Rosala and Debbie brought over scalloped taters and ham on Wednesday. Duncan made bratwurst in croissants last night. Tonight is pizza night. 

   Bruce said they took him into the pool area and did a practice run through with him standing and the young man, Craig holding him under the arms, then a pivot turn to the chair that lowers him into the pool. He said it worked just fine. It is a lot quicker than the lift.

 

   Andrew came home with a Christmas bag of nice church socks and ten dollars from his work Christmas party. He could answer the trivia question of which country did Jesus family escape to when they were forced to leave after the three wise men's visit. (Egypt) He did not know what year the Chevy went to electricity. (2006) and our neighbors Chris and Rocky were there. He was happy he did not get the jar of nothing that his boss did. So it sounded like he had fun at the country club.

 I bought more bandages for wound care. We think one more week after this. The wound is down to half inch and closing fast. They will schedule pool time soon.

He could walk in the water so he is anxious to begin there again.

I mailed some coloring books to my mom and a small pkg to Crys and the diaper bag back to Lindsy with some cute Christmas pompom strings from Rachel. 

  I ironed some quilt pieces so they are ready for the next step. I ironed on the pellon to some squares so they are ready for my circle cutter which should come today or Monday. Yes I began another quilt top.

Goodnight from Lake Karenbegone 

Tomorrow

Monday - Ben won't be here until Friday. So will eat by ourselves unless I can think of someone to invite over. 

We got the carpet cleaned and will move the furniture around. The boys said they would help me do that tomorrow. Then will have to clean so it will be nice. It needs cleaning anyway.

  I got rid of some costumes to a church that is doing Amal and the night visitors. We won't be able to go. It sounds great. It is a fundraiser for the EOU music program and they are doing it at a church.

  We watched Elmo and the Mo tab tonight. It was fun. It must have been great in person. Andrew even laughed.

Going to finish my murder mystery.

   Tuesday - Went to walk the dog, it was misting, between snow and rain.

Our friend Reta Dolan brought over some pepper jam, tomato jam and a relish. That was an excellent start to Monday. That was most excellent. She read our blog, figured out what would help and this small gesture made the day. 

  Andrew made 50 cents in tips cleaning a car today. He is a rich man. He gets Friday off so will get to spend time with the cousins.

   They are working on Bruce's ankles. They need to be strong to help him with standing. He also said they were staying in one position so they need to be stretched out.

Looks like Ben and family will be here Friday for the day. We have tickets for Annie at the Elgin opera house in the afternoon so that will be fun. Lindsy said they would cook for us. 

Duncan and Andrew moved the furniture around for me. It looks more open. wont have to buy new furniture now. Ha ha

Thanks you Chris for dinner. It was simple and very tasty. I want to get more of that pita bread. The boys even ate it. Sorry I am so weepy, must need more sleep.

Wednesday - Got my hair cut an inch shorter. Will get it colored next Tuesday, that will be fun. It's cheaper if you do cut and color at the same time. Live and learn...

   My sewing machine died, good thing I have a spare. It will take 2 - 3 weeks before he can look at it. It is the plug in, hope he can fix it. 

  Thursday - had a nice feast, turkey, gravy, (no lumps) smashed taters, olives, rolls from the Mennonites and two of their wonderful pies and a pumpkin cheesecake pie from the Nazarenes. I love fundraisers! Duncan made the taters, Andrew set the table.

Had a day off, except for helping Bruce every two hours. 

   Friday - the fam arrived. We played around at the house. The boys wanted to use bruces hand wheelchair. They have a section in the new scout book about handicapped awareness. Even the four year old, Hallie could move it. They figured out turning too. Lindsy and our oldest granddaughter, Bruce and I went to see Annie in Elgin. The rest of the fam stayed here and watched Inside Out. We returned at five and went to La Fiesta, they were closed, so we headed to Moys and the grandchildren said they wanted Mexican food. El Errdero was open and they are wheelchair accessible, they had a nice long table for us with a high chair for the baby. Bruce sat by our youngest grandchild and fed him chips. They were both happy. Ben paid for dinner. Another stuffed from sitting day. Sad to say the fam left after that. They will stay in Pendleton for the night and head to Corvallis on Saturday. We were bushed. A busy, happy holiday for us.

Getting Stronger

   Looks like Andrew will be working full time. He cleans and vacuums the rental cars. He is home for an hour for lunch.

    Carma took me out to lunch and I went with her to run errands. We went to the sub shop and talked to Kathy Miller a friend. 

Going to nap.

    Tuesday - We had the carpet cleaned today it looks and smells really nice. I moved the couch over to center it in front of the big window. It kinda balances our the furniture a bit. Hali is sitting on the wet carpet. It will be nice to have a clean carpet with the grandchildren here as they sit on the floor a lot.  

   We also found out the carpet cleaners vacuum out the heating vents so he will be back the end of the month to clean those. He says it is good for allergies. Yeah, I hope it helps. They recommend you do it every three years. We've been here longer than that and I used the shop vac to clean them one time. So it is probably a good idea for them to come clean them.

     Thursday - sewing in the basement of the Methodist church is nice. A quilting friends husband was out hunting and fell down a cliff, seems he is giving the Drs and nurses a difficult time. She can't take care of him because she had shoulder surgery. I gave Ellen a big hug. Tears came to our eyes as we commiserated. 

       I put a quilt top I am working on on the wall. The quilt was easier to construct when looking at it from a distance. Rosala says it will be stunning. I realize our lives are like that seen better from a distance. Now life is lived one day at a time, one quilt block at a time. If I were to step back and view the whole quilt or life it will come together and create some beautiful masterpiece. Now the struggle seems overwhelming.

    Saturday - Went with Ernie to some bazaars today. Saw Sandra Leavitt, she was doing well, just cold sitting by the entry way. Carol was working. 

  Went with sister missionaries on splits. They are young and full of energy. Sis. Zitting from Alabama, said she would go with me because the car has heated seats. Yes, I asked her if she was teased in high school because of her name. She said it wasn't too bad. 

    One house had four dogs and a big goose. They were friendly until we got out of the car and started heading to the house. A man came out and called the dogs off. We waited and he came back out. He said he wasn't interested in church. A lot of people are happy without religion. There will be a final reckoning, will he remember he turned us away? The light of Christ is healing, teaches us to love and help others. I realize a person can progress without Christ in their lives. Seems some are always searching and never come to a knowledge of the truth. How do you help someone see light and truth when they have no need for it? 

   Andrew made dinner tonight, chicken stir fry with frozen veggies, it was pretty good.

    Bruce is progressing. They had him standing and then on his knees for balance, staying straight up. That way he works on his balance. 

   They are also working on his left arm. It needs to be strong because they are thinking he might end up with a walker or arm canes. 

Another week with wound care. The wound Dr., Roxanne said it was looking good, another two weeks to go.

   We are finished soaking his toe and it is looking better. We are worried about him not getting therapy for four days in a row over Thanksgiving. We will still stretch and range him in the morning and afternoon, so that will help.

One Day More

   Monday - We bought some taco soup and brownies for a dance fund raiser so I didn't have to cook today.

Have been sewing today. Made autumn leaf covers for the pillows and matching curtain for under the sink. 

Need to clean, don't want to.

Getting rid of Santa suits, more stuff to get rid of. 

Trying to get some quilt tops done to put in the local quilt show at the shop down town. They serve cider and cookies too. 

Will have to find another murder mystery to read.

   Wednesday -  I have an awful head ache, sinus again, couldn't be stress, right?

  I did clean two toilets and a load of dishes and cut out more strips for border and binding.

I need to thin the iris, but don't think that will happen this year.

Maybe I will sweep off the deck. Maybe

  Andrew took the white car back to Pres. Richards on Sunday. He needed it for family. We have had it a year. I should ask Andrew to write a thank you but he hasn't even sent any for his Sr grad gifts. 

Have to make three more blocks for the string quilt. Six blocks just isn't big enough.

  Bruce has an appointment in Baker today. If this headache doesn't go away I will stay home. Duncan is the designated driver. Bruce turned on Peter, Paul and Mary had to leave the kitchen, it hurts my head, it is too loud.

 It is raining here, no mail either.

     Bruce left for a Drs appoint and I felt better. You think there is a connection? An outward manifestation of inner turmoil. Sigh

   Thursday - Went to sewing this morning. Almost finished a top. The ladies are helpful with opinions and ideas. One lady brought sausage and potato soup in a crock pot for lunch, it was so good.

Bruce is back on his therapy schedule. It is only an hour a day until he gets stronger. Then he will work up to an hour and a half a day.

 Andrew got a job working at Goss motors. He will wash and vacuum cars from 8 am to noon or so. We are just glad he will be busy and have Sunday's off.

  Going to night RS tonight. We do a quilt class and then the regular meeting.

It is nice to get away.

  

    Friday - Had slight trauma last night, as I was settling into our cozy warm bed at 11 pm. Bruce's catheter came off. Had to get him up in the sling, change the sheets and blankets and put him back to bed. Had to get Andrew to help me get him back to bed and then Duncan to position him with pillows. I have trouble rolling him over. It is nights like these I wish he was in a hospital bed. I was very frustrated and had to hold my sobs back so Bruce wouldn't see or hear. When he loses control of his bowels he gets really quiet, it is humiliating for him. It makes me angry, tired and mean.

    I sewed all day at UFO yesterday. I did get a top almost finished, needs borders. I come home and things are still the same. I suppose the trivial things are what will keep me going. The top is cheddar yellow and indigo blue with Scottish thistle. It will be very nice.

Need to sleep

Goodbye October

Notes from last week Nov 1 - 8

Sunday - Nov. 1st - Ended up going to the ER this morning. The wound vac sponge came out. 

They taught me how to secure the patch when it leaks, add more tape and this putty stuff. But the sponge on the wound came out and I don't know how to do that. This trip was only an hour and a half. So got out of there in a timely manner for ER. We knew two of the nurses and a Dr. from church so that was nice. 

The good thing is they called our wound nurse and she said to stop using the wound vac and they just put a big bandage on it! Yeah! We will see her tomorrow for our weekly visit.

  The sun is shining, must be time to got to sleep in the sunshine, like Garfield. Couldn't face going to church for the last hour. Well meaning people ask how Bruce is and we tell them we are getting stronger. Some days are difficult, some days are easier. 

Tuesday - Andrew raked leaves for us. They are in piles, Duncan say he would move them, he didn't say when.

I did some sewing today. I feel like I have accomplished something when I can see it in my hand, cleaning and cooking are fleeting and my quilts seem to last longer.

Might go to the FHC depends on how Bruce is doing and if I need to get away.

Wednesday - Andrew made sketti and meatballs on Tuesday. He cooked the sauce down. He didn't ask about adding spices, so we talked about that. He likes to do things on his own. He said it would have been nice to know while he was cooking. It is hard to know when to tell him things sometimes he wants help and other times 

 Thursday - Went with Carol last night to the Potters House open house. Got some huckleberry syrup for tomorrow and a birthday yearly calendar hanger for all the grandchildren. Janie Orton had one and I thought it was a fun idea.

  Walked the dog, read a conference talk.

Bruces toenail came off. I hate looking at it. We soak it in Epsom salt, lavender scented. It is supposed to be soothing.

 Our morning helper was sick so asked Greg to come over. He has to get a ride because he is not driving because of his sleep problems.

   Poor Duncan discovered a piece of Bruce's poop on the shower floor. It happens. He tells me so I can clean it up and he says he is officially switching bathrooms now. Give me strength.

Guess I better clean bathrooms today.

Got out twice today. Went to Norco for more bandages and then Safeway.  Duncan wants to cook hamburgers and tater tots for dinner tonight. So had to get buns and tots and donuts, since it is national donut day. 

Went to a RS Presidency meeting. It lasted nearly an hour, it is good to think if there are other people I can help. And then figure a way. 

Tomorrow morning is a pancake breakfast for the VT sisters. I got some huckleberry syrup to take.

Bruce is at the Dr with Duncan, so will finish my book.

   The lord must have heard me whining. Christie and Fred Nelson brought over dinner tonight, tacos from la Fiesta, it is taco night. She always says tell us what you need and I say we are fine and dinner is what we needed. I don't like asking people to do things for us. I am not sure what we need. Just TLC., most days.

   The boys did rake some of the leaves, one more time and it will be done. It is good for them to do it.

 Jean Secl called and she will pick me up for pancakes tomorrow. I told Christie and she might come. She has done Bruce's HT route and Rick Isaacson's route with her husband and hasn't had time to her VT.

   I vacuumed today and wiped down the frig, oven and dishwasher. I am glad I did as Christie's house is always seems to be spotless. I changed the sheets on the bed. Then when she called and said they were coming over, I whirled around the house and put a lot of things away. That is one way to get it picked up. What do I do with my piles?

Saturday - Went to stake conference last night. Bruce spoke for 15 min. He stayed for the whole meeting so got him to bed late. There was a couple that spoke who went to West Virginia Charlestown mission. She made 5000 cookies to take to people and he did four times that in curly ribbons to put on the cookies. They were a team. They were fun. Andrew brought home a big bag of individual size chips left over from dinner. All the sub sandwiches were gone by the time he got there.

Will get Bruce up and do it again. He is not speaking in conference today. 

  Will put a roast in the crock pot so it will be ready when we get home.

  I went to three church bazaars yesterday with my friend Carol. I got some candle soaked pinecones from the Christian church, some green, warty looking Osage oranges that keep spiders away, you put them by outside doors and under beds from the Methodist church and some donut holes from the Presbyterians. We ate taco soup, Carol had the chicken polenta soup with the Methodists, although the turkey noodle soup sure smelled good at the Christian church, and the homemade donuts were worth getting out of bed to bring home. They were individual bites of soft sweetness. The green pepper jelly was gone. It is good over cream cheese with cracker dip or on meatballs. Will have to get there earlier next year. She said it goes the first hour. I think we might have some in the basement will have to look for it.

Will go to more bazaars next week.

It is cold and windy here. 

 I did cut out some fabric squares yesterday. 

  Bruce's big toe is looking a lot better, we are still soaking it twice a day. The Dr. says it will grow back. I think I will take Bruce there every other Wednesday to get his toenails clipped so I don't cause any more infected toenails. It is only a 15 min. visit. The Dr. sure gets people in and out of there fast.

  We paid our taxes for another year. 

  One of our caretakers, Sheila said there is a business in town that will come in and vacuum out the heating ducts. Every time the heat comes on we both start sneezing and getting watery eyes, so will look into that tomorrow or see if the boys will do it for me. Some of the vents are difficult to get off. I remember I vacuumed the ducts when we first moved here 28 years ago. 

  Please forgive me if I do not invite you in for a visit. Some days are harder than others. Bruce would talk to everyone. I just want to curl up in the fetal position.

Thank you for your tender mercies and kindness. 

Notes From Last Week

   Some notes from last week.

Went to sacrament meeting, there was a young man doing his farewell. He is going to Texas, Spanish speaking. A good sacrament all three talks based on 1 Nephi 3:7.

Some priests brought us the sacrament. Should be the last time, hopefully will come home tomorrow. 

The pic line is out, the catheter is out. We are unhooked and approved to come home in our van. Our new wound vac is ready to be a attached.

Duncan said they helped for about an hour yesterday moving a family into a house. 

 Getting tired of sitting, will go for a walk.

Monday - Bruce will sit up some, he can feel when he needs to change positions so that helps.

Duncan will do the 2:00 time and Andrew said he would do the six to get used to getting up early. I will help and go back to sleep.

Still have some unpacking to do and have to get meds for Bruce tomorrow.

Don't have anything planned tomorrow so that will be nice.

Some friends from church brought us a meal tonight, that was very helpful.

I  know I will do better with more sleep. Haven't slept well trying to remember everything.

Going to get ready for bed.

Tuesday - can't find the charger cord for the dang wound vac. Will call the hospital and see if they have an extra one til we get one here. Bah humbug. We think we left it plugged in the wall as the vac is attached to Bruce's chair. 

Still tired didn't sleep well, feel better though, just being home. Will nap this afternoon.

Will have to get Bruce to use the urinal every two hours til he gets more control because he had the catheter he needs to relearn.

The boys were happy to see us. The meal was wonderful we had a sit down meal.

Have to go grocery shopping, walk the dog and pick up meds at rite aide.

Then a nap. But can't leave until someone is awake to help keep an eye on Bruce.

Waiting for a call from SWIACH to see if they can find the cord and mail it. 

We have rain coming this week. 

Will have to get my sewing machine repaired. Sewing keeps me from feeling sorry for myself when it rains or maybe I will just read a murder mystery. Buying fabric helps too.

This morning is awful. Bruce had blood in his stool from the bowel care and the bandage for the wound came off. The blood was bright red so we figure it is the hemorrhoids. Hope to get to the wound dr at the hospital today. I covered the wound with a patch but the wound is seeping because the vac isn't on it. Bruce is sleeping. I want my mommy.

   Will probably cancel PT today. Hope to hear from Roxanne the wound dr. I think we are going to be bonding soon. Oh did I tell you he has an infection in his toe so if the wound dr doesn't want to deal with that we will have to go to a foot dr. It looks like an infected ingrown toenail. Normally I wouldn't bother with it but because of the infection from the wound I think we need to treat it right away.

  On the bright side, I ordered some pink unicorn fabric for girls. Couldn't resist, it will make a nice baby girl quilt. It was one of the weekly or daily deals from MSQC.

  We have had the heat going since Bruce got home, he is cold, even with a blanket and hat on in the house.

       I made a roast in the crock pot and it wasn't done by 6:30 so made Bruce a BLT sandwich last night. 

 I think I will just stay home this week with Bruce. 

   Rosala is bringing dinner tonight. Yeah that is another positive thing. I am having difficulty looking for the good things this morning. 

Must call the dr.

  Wednesday - We went to ER and they patched the wound and gave us another cord so we are set until tomorrow. Then went to the toe DR and Bruce had part of his nail removed. I left the room. Now home and he wants to nap. I am so tired.

   Thursday- Okay, feeling better today not as overwhelmed.

I cleaned out some old fabric to make room for all the new precursor I am ordering.

We got Bruce's wound recovered. We got his infected toe taken care of. Yeah!

The part for the wound vac arrived. The smell of the wound is what bothered us we didn't want to end back in Boise for another three weeks. I suppose we will be paranoid from here out.

Today we go to the wound Dr to set up a schedule. And the wheelchair person will arrive to put a brake on the shower chair.

Maybe I will clean something or at least vacuum. 

    Feeling much better this morning. 

I was tired, mean and grumpy when we got home. Not feeling quite so overwhelmed.

We put Bruce back in bed, he is only used to being up for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. 

I will talk to him about sleeping in. He tires really easily.

I need to go purchase more vitamins and things for him, will do so when one of the bros gets up. 

I will take a rest this afternoon.

After a morning shower the sun is peeking through. 

Need to walk the dog.

Sunday -  We are full of too much candy.

We had eight trick or treaters. We stayed home. The boys went down to Connie longs house, they had soup, hot cocoa, scones and candy. 

We were afraid Bruce would get chilled outside. 

He has a busy day then he gets tired the next day.

He will go to an afternoon church so he doesn't have to race around to be on time. I will have to race around to get there on time after taking care of him.

Looking forward to being with adults.

We Come Home Tomorrow!

   Our first visitor today was Jaycee, a service dog. Bruce got to pet her. She is part poodle and golden lab, very friendly.

   Bruce is very tired, was up a couple of times last night. Of course he is trying to sleep and he gets interrupted every ten minutes and then it is lunch time.

 Tanner and Tyler brought us the sacrament this afternoon from the Bitterroot ward. 

   The pic line is out, the leash, I mean the catheter is out and we are ready to come home. The wound vac has arrived, they will put ours on Bruce's wound tomorrow. 

  Bruce's kidney count is down, they will do one more lab tomorrow. He has been on oxygen at night He sleeps so deeply his oxygen count goes down. We will do a sleep test when we get home.

         Houston it looks like a go to come home tomorrow.

Family Visit

   My mother and sistah, Bonita and her lovely daughter came for a visit. It is what I needed. We went to cracker Barrel twice and Olive Garden once. Hog heaven, slurp, slurp.  And maybe we did some shopping. My 80 something mom got a coloring book with fashion designs in it. She already had colored pencils. Coloring is apparently the newest thing to distress. I showed her the Duolingo app for free for her iPad. She is learning Italian again. Our family was stationed in Italy when I was young and mom remembers some of it.

   Bonita brought me a recorder and book so will get busy on that. She wants the ukulele back, no problem man. I do not like to say good bye.

  Josie painted our toenails. Very comforting.

  Thank you Ortons for letting my family take over your basement,

 I went home for three days, paid some bills, cleaned the house and found some hand sewing projects to work on. And something new to teach Janie.

   Menu options in the cafeteria this week. Meals are $4 and the salads are great. Today the non patients had hot dogs and onion rings. Only thing offered. Not my favorite but I love onion rings.

  Looks like we will get to go home on Friday or Saturday, a couple of days early. They took him off the antibiotics. Bruce's kidneys are not doing something according to blood tests. The antibiotics he was on have that side effect. So if they are functioning properly we get an early out. 

  I am not looking forward to it. It will mean Duncan and I will have to do the turning every two hours. I need my sleep. Maybe I will sleep on the couch. Andrew might take a night too so that will help.

  Otherwise the wound is healing and is healthy. He has lost almost all movement in his legs. He needs to be ranged twice a day. We will do that at home as I will help to do it. 

  It is raining. The earth is getting cleansed. I am taking a nap.

Slowly Getting Stronger

   Bruce had therapy, he used the table bicycle for ten minutes, the pulleys and then lifted 20 lbs. it wore him out. At least we are not starting with 3/4 lbs this time last year.

   Jean Secl came to visit. It is wonderful to see faces from home and to get away for a bit. We went to Wendy's for dinner, then over to the bookstore to pick up an order I made last week.

   Bruce stood up to day. He is weak and it wore him out but he said his muscles liked it.  Bruce has a Skype meeting with Pres. Chadwick and Pres. Richards tonight. 

Ann and Lee Flower stopped in. Thank you for letting us talk and listening to us.

   Bruce has been sleeping a lot, he gets waken up every two hours day and night to change positions so no pressure on his sore. 

    Robert skyped us. It is most excellent to see the grandchildren. 

   Luke called his father in law passed away on Monday. What a shock, he is only 50. He died in a plane wreck. They are in Cedar City for the funeral. 

   Mom, sistah Bonita and her daughter Josie are here for two days. 

Dad sent a gift certificate to Cracker Barrel and we stuffed our faces. I mean we had a pleasant dinner and quiet social time. Tomorrow we will go for retail therapy.

Boise, ID

   We arrived in Boise n Thursday and got Bruce settled in his room. We will be here 2 - 3 weeks, insurance pays up to 25 days. 

Here is the address if you want to send balloons, cards, chocolate, flowers or treats, oh my.

Southwest Idaho Advanced Hospital Care

Room 216 Bruce Kevan

6651 Franklin Rd, Boise, ID 83709

A lot of the staff remember us and are glad to see Bruce's improvement from last year.

  Bruce slept most of Saturday and today. Eating seems to perk him right up.

He asked for a blessing and Pres. Orton and his son, Devin came over. 

Lonnie Robinson and her husband came over to visit this evening too. I stayed with them last time I was here. They are very kind to us. 

  So we locked the keys in the black car and the nice locksmith came to our rescue this morning. He used a device like a blood pressure tool that inflates a space inside the door then he inserts a long orange wire with hook and the door was open in less than 30 seconds. He said he does 20 - 30 cars a day. He charged us $54. A lesson learned. He sent us a receipt by email fo us to use with our insurance and to make sure we are not stealing the car. We look honest, don't we...

   Duncan went home today. He was here long enough to get me settled but staying in a hospital watching his dad sleep gets a little old after a while. I am staying with Janie and Pres. Orton. I am more comfortable with La Grande folks and I have the whole basement to myself. Visiting hours here are 8am to 8pm. Hopefully PT and OT will begin tomorrow. We need Drs permission for him to sit up on his wound. The weather here is warm enough for hm to go outside so maybe we can do lunch outside tomorrow. 

  






ICU

   Arrived to find Bruce delirious, just moaning in pain. He hasn't eaten anything except pills in applesauce. They said he had physical therapy this morning and they want me to bring up his wrist brace. 

   His fever is gone, his bp goes up and down. They gave him something for the pain. The scan from yesterday showed nothing abnormal. 

   They explained the delirium like this to me; the antibodies are destroying the virus but the bugs being torn apart are producing another bug and that fighting that off produces the delirium. 

   He didn't want the sacrament when Bro Hawks offered it to him. 

If he doesn't improve they will move him to ICU for better observation.

  Now he is resting. I ate his soup and all the chocolate in the room. I am supposed to be fasting. I will read my book., A Slight Trick of the Mind.

   Bruce/dad is in ICU. When I left for dinner they were taking him in for an MRI. He was complaining of a headache. Apparently he was in the machine and started banging on it. It was too loud. He had earphones. They didn't finish the MRI.

   They moved him to ICU. I get to wear a yellow paper shield. Good thing I look good in yella.

  The nurse says he will get worse before he gets better. When he stabilizes they will move him to Boise for wound treatment. Apparently as the bacteria is destroyed the pieces give off toxins and that is what is making him sicker. (Did I tell you this already?)

  My head hurts. Will rest now and go back up in the morning.

Wound Treatment

  We had an infection on his bottom the size of a grapefruit. They took out an abscess the size of a golf ball on his bottom. We are in the hospital at Grande Ronde, second floor. They pumped him full of antibiotics. And we assumed we would be home on Tuesday. 

  Today is Saturday and we are still here.

  They are concerned there is another abcess with all the antibodies pumped in him he is not improving. Bruce is unable to keep the chalk milkshake down to do an MRI. 

  He is in pain from his left arm. They think they have that figured out as the back of the shoulder movement. No blood pressure taking on that arm.

   His fever is gone. His blood pressure leveled out after they put a catheter in last night.

   They do his blood pressure on his right calf as his right arm has the picc line and the left arm is pain sensitive. 

   He is on an oxygen tube around his neck and in his nose, (I don't want to say tube because that implies it is down his throat), the levels are good. They are concerned about pneumonia because he is not active. 

   He is not eating. He has nausea. They gave him Tylenol for the pain and waiting for dr for more instructions. 

  We have to wait for the paper work to go through to send him to Boise and that will be Mon. or Tuesday. They want to put him in care where he will get the full range of treatment including physical therapy and they don't have that in La Grande. I asked. I don't want to go back to Boise. They said it would take 2 - 3 weeks for th wound to heal.

   He has a vacumn pump on the wound. 

 He is in and out to communicate. He nods off and when awake he says, "ouch, ouch, oh it hurts."

 I put chap stick on his lips. He is pretty scruffy looking, five days of growth on his chin. He and Andrew could have a hairy contest.

  The nurses are calm and efficient. Me too, I'm reading a book.

Sent from my iPad

Fevers, Chills and Tears, oh my

   The girls high school soccer team made some meals for us on Monday including two desserts. Yeah. I put one in the freezer and we devoured the other. They were yummy. Thank you for the meal fundraiser. 

   Bruce has had fever and chills for a couple of days, took him to the Dr. Thursday. Bruce has a bladder infection and an abscess. Just happy it isn't a bed sore, he is on antibiotics so should be feeling better by the end of the day. Now we get to drain the abscess... I'm learning all kinds of new things.

   Started two new quilt tops. Love the bright colors. 

  This is my Halloween disappearing four patch. I need to put a binding on it. 

   My furnace is happy, it whistles. Will have to call the contractors today to have them listen to it. It is annoying. Then we can all whistle.

   Andrew called, he might get to come home on Saturday. His phone works, the unplanned swim in the toilet wasn't that bad. He has had a couple of missionary moments, he is growing up. Just needed to get away from mommy telling him what to do all the time. There are three engine crews there. Mostly they count the semis hauling logs to make a barrier. One day he did get out of the engine and sharpened some tools. He finished the three books he took so is reading his BOM. 

  I mopped the floor and cleaned a bathroom. Today I will vacuum. Life is hard. Ha ha

   Rosala brought a yummy pork and tater dish and the dessert, I mean salad was an orange custard jello with mandarin oranges. Thank you it was very good. Sonnet has been coming over to walk the dog. Rosala also sent over some Halloween fabric to make a fun curtain for under the sink. It will be a great seasonal change. I just like holding it and looking at the bright happy color.

  Bruce has been on antibiotics for two days and still he has fever and chills. We squeezed the abscess this morning and it drained. That was unnerving. They make a cool spray saline spray. 

  Friday the contractors fixed the whistling furnace. They put insulation around an electrical outlet. Glad it was that easy to fix.

  Andrew called and hopes to come home on Monday. They saw a black bear. He said he didn't know how fast they could run. He has been counting semis from the engine. He is dying of boredom. The semis are hauling trees out making a barrier. They count up to fifty loads a day.

   Bruce isn't doing well so the priesthood is coming over to give him a blessing. In Sunday school we were discussing how to endure trials. And one sister said our trials were like a moment in time. Ahem. I had to bite my tongue. This trial has lasted longer than a moment and I am not a happy camper. 

  Andrew called, crying, he has to stay five more days. This is the last fire of the season and they want to get their moneys worth. The engine captain gets $500 a day. Andrew sounded tired and frustrated. He feels he is wasting his time by doing nothing. He says only 16 semis are left to do the clearing. He said he filled in potholes in the road. He had to get out of the cab because he blew up at the engine captain. I asked him questions to try and work through his feelings. He says he loves us and to pray for him. His dad told him to get a good night sleep. 

   I hate this. I will go start a load of laundry. 

   

  

   

   In therapy last week the therapists had him standing. He is standing at the sink so it will hold his weight. They want him doing more things at home. So they are preparing him for that.

  Swimming, not very much was accomplished because he was so stiff he could hardly move.

The three day weekend is not good for us.

I have been sick with a sinus infection. So didn't take notes and don't have much to say.

He uses his manual wheelchair every other day. He aches too much from using it. We will have to build up to it.

   That is all from Lake Kevan Be Gone. Where the women are strong, the men good looking and the grandchildren are above average.

Manual Wheelchair has Arrived!

OT this week Bruce worked on hip strength. He stood and took one of his hands off the bar. He stood about thirty seconds.

  PT was the big day, he stood without anything to hold on to. He went from sitting on the therapy table to standing. 

So we are making progress.

  Bruce was driving his new wheelchair at OT. It wore him out, it made his arms ache. 

   The sister missionaries came over for dinner on Friday. We had Papa Murphy's pizza, salad and cheesy bread.

  Andrew is coming home today from fighting fires in the Troy area.

NMES

   NMES - neuro muscular electrical stimulation (say that fast three times) Bruce had that attached to his quadricep muscles on both legs. It makes the muscles fire to help him stand up. When it is finished the muscles vibrate for an hour. If he continues to show good results we can get one to use at home. Sounds like an evil torture machine to me... It helps the brain and the muscle connect. 

  He was standing and using the parallel bars. He was on the inside of the bars it is really hard. It is a new way of standing up and his muscles have to get stronger. 

  Debbie and Rosala are still bring meals to us once a week. Thank you! We love it. We had chicken breasts and baby tators in soy sauce, corn on the cob (Muileburg) a wonderful fruit salad and two different kinds of cookies, chocolate chip and a brownie.

  I look forward to your love each week.

   We ordered hearing aides for Bruce. They will be here in two weeks. No mor loud TV.

On Saturday we went to a wedding reception and the theme was from the movie 'Up'. It was delightful. Loved the colorful cupcakes and rainbow netting.

   Got a call from the wheelchair people. The manual wheelchair will be here on Wednesday! Hurrah!

Hot Feet

   In pool time Bruce tried to walk backwards. And then side step. He can't go very far side stepping or walking backwards, muscles he hasn't used in a while. They have a bench in the pool Bruce has been using. He sits on the bench and tries to stand up. He says he has people on both sides of him helping to balance, but he does the standing. 

He is in three feet of water, so he is supporting about half of his own weight.

   They moved him up to a level four on the bike pedal machine.

   Debbie brought over some pork chops with dressing, cubed watermelon. And for dessert, banana orange bread with vanilla bean ice cream. Thank you Debbie, it was delicious to the taste. 

    Bruce stood up twenty times on Friday. He is standing for a minute on some of the tries. 

    In church today, Zayne talked about service, "when ye are in service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of God."

  Jennifer spoke on sacrifice. Not my will, but thine be done. Not our time schedule.

   Josh, a returned missionary from Ohio, spoke about how to get faith. One way is by keeping the commandments, read and study, fast and pray. Another way is to seek the council of the Lord, take steps of faith, nourish the seed that has been planted in your heart. Obey the commandments and blessings will come to you.

   Bruce spoke for a few minutes on foundations. How firm is your foundation? He told of the time we worked on the Navaho Indian reservation where they were building a new middle school on sand. They put a slab foundation and built the school on that. Now when it rains on the res, it pours and the sand was washed away. So build your foundation on Christ so you won't be washed away. 

     Last night Bruce thought the black boots on his feet made his feet feel hot. This morning he could still feel his feet were hot. Then he thought to himself, 'I haven't felt hot or cold on my feet before." And it dawned on him another sensation had returned. Yeah, one step forward.

  

Transfers and New Help

   Pam brought me/us a bright happy bouquet of flowers. Thank you and for a nice visit sharing adventures we are having and how we are surviving.

   Andrew got home on Monday from a fire and left on Tuesday for another fire, he was not a happy camper. We keep telling him it is better than Burger King or the mill. He called that evening to report he had worked a double shift when they got there. They had to set a back fire and watch it til 8am. He said he got three hours of sleep, won't have any trouble falling asleep tonight, he said they might rotate them to the front of the line tomorrow. Glad he is able to report every other night.

  Rosala brought over some tasty meatloaf and baked taters with a green salad and a loaf of French bread. Thank - you Rosala!

   After calling half the names on the DHS list for home care help we found two excellent helpers, The new hires have started and we are loving them. Yeah, so wonderful to get hard working and reliable people.

   Bruce said he stood up 15 times today and seven of them he stood for a minute each time.

    We are using the slide board at home. The OT's came to the house on Thursday afternoon to help us and we did well with the transfers from chair to couch. And then chair to bed. 

   Bruce on the couch. It is easier to do the transfers at OT because he goes from chair to mat. Here the couch and bed are soft so the transfers are harder, he is sweating by the end of each transfer.

    So Thursday night Bruce says we can do this and he ended up half way on the floor, oops, Thank goodness Duncan is around to help us and it took three of us to get him back on the bed. Dang, how did the OT ladies make it look so easy? Friday morning was a little easier and Friday night Duncan helped us pull him on the bed. He kind of hangs there with his feet off the bed. The stretch is good for his thigh reflexers.

 They need to be strengthened so his hips can support his weight when he is standing.

   The new ladies are working out really well. They laugh at my jokes so they can't be all bad. Thank goodness for good help. Did I say that already?

   Andrew is doing 'clean up' at the fire. They look for 'smokers' and spray them with their 3 gallon bladders on their backs. So clean up means they walk the burned area looking for smoke and spray it with the water backpack they carry. He should be home tomorrow for a couple of days. 

     

   

   

  

Care Taker Problems...

    Rick brought us some corn from his garden. Thank you!

  Debbie made another superb meal of ham, scalloped taters, watermelon and sliced cantaloupe and banana cake with frosting, marvelous!  Rosala is in Utah, family wedding.

  Went to my UFO group, cut out some borders and got advice on a rag quilt, shared some quilt magazines that Reta gave me. Thank you Reta.

   After four weeks of waiting, the slide board is finally here! Yeah! We will be trained how to use it at home next week. Yes, one step closer to more independence.

    Bruce stood up 15 times, yes I said 15, from his wheelchair at the parallel bar. His legs are getting stronger. He needs help getting started but then he can do it on his own.

  Our care taker neglected to call on Monday, so Duncan and I got Bruce ready, stretching, ranging and out of bed. She did not answer her text or phone call. Feeling frustrated. She said she wanted to go visit a friend in Idaho. So on Thursday she texts and says her car is broken and won't be home for a few days. I have very unkind feelings for her. In the mean time another care taker is doing double shifts with no time off. 

   I interviewed another gal but she can only help two days a week. She is on board. Will have to find someone else to replace the other days. In the meantime I have to be nice to this rude, inconsiderate, very unprofessional, low down skunk. Can't wait to hear from her. Trouble is we need her, she is very good when she is here, very knowledgeable, just not dependable. 

   Feeling dizzy, head stuffed up, cold. Am I under stress or what? Stayed home from church.

   Andrew left today, Sunday morning to fight a fire in Spokane, Wa. They think it will be a six day fire. He did not want to go. Fire fighting is not what it is cracked up to be according to him. We are encouraging him to finish the season. He did make a commitment. He stomped around the house getting ready and grumbling. When Bruce got home from church he gave Andrew a priesthood blessing of comfort and good health. They hugged afterward. I don't think they have hugged in awhile. 

  Andrew called tonight. Said they got there in Spokane at 5pm. Didn't work just set up camp. Might come home tomorrow, they don't know where they will put them or how they will use them. He will phone and let us know.

Recovery

After having 20 extra family members around, we are recovering.

I am sick, sore throat, shoulders ache.

Will keep this short.

This week

    Bruce stood up eight times in a row from his wheelchair. (the standing chair is broken) They put belts around him and three people help him. They discovered his hips were out of alignment so we have added another exercise to the stretching each morning and evening. 

   In pool time he was able to actually lift his feet instead of shuffle walk! 

He is on level three on his bike pedal machine. 

We are improving.

Thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts. We can't do this without you.

Family Reunion

   Group photo at Riverside park

   Blessing baby Elodie, priesthood power!

  Baby William likes to push the buttons and knobs on grandpa's chair.

Matching Mt Emily tee shirts

The Bros are Back in Town

   Our sweet young neighbors brought over some hand picked huckleberries. I mixed them in with pancakes. They were delicious! Thank you Ely! 

  

The air conditioner/ heating unit was put in on Monday. The electricians will come on Tuesday to do the electrical hook up.

  In PT Bruce was standing in the stander. They have advanced to shifting weight on each foot. The next step is shifting weight from a foot placed in front of the other foot. They are prepping him for his first step at the parallel bars. That is exciting.

   Maur found a glass dome cover for the Shakespearian doll I have. It fits perfectly! It was Grandma Kevans and I wanted to keep the dust off her. Thank you Maur!

   Teija came over to work in the yard again. I coerced Andrew into helping. He gets up at the crack of noon...

    Duncan, Bruce and I are headed to Walla Walla for a Dr. checkup. We listen to the Lord of the Rings on Duncan's player.

    The Dr helped us resolve some concerns we have had. 

Wednesday Bruce has pool time. He has been walking on his knees. They put weight on his ankles and he is able to walk in the pool that way.

   Bruce had another day of OT. He is balancing on the big ball and getting strong abs.

We went to Catherine Creek to speak at girls camp. There were about 100 girls and leaders having a fun time doing skits and singing. I spoke first about setting goals, high school graduation, college, marriage, family and choosing an eternal partner to survive what the future will bring. Bruce spoke about making goals, standing firm and deciding now how you will choose so when the time comes your decision is already made. 

  We left right after as Bruce was tired.

 Thursday Bruce was able to rest. He was tired.

Friday Carol took me to lunch. We talked about the life changes that have happened to us and our friends this year, death of a spouse, divorce, moving away, aging of a spouse and Bruce. Man sometimes life is difficult.

    Saturday the brothers arrived. Three of the six brothers are here soon to be joined with the oldest bro next week. It is loud and busy with them, their spouses and 7 grandchildren.  I made meatball stew and it wasn't enough so Dan and his wife went to subway. Several poopy diapers, one melt down and the tired babies were ready to return to their rooms. And the grandchildren too...

    Baby William likes to push the buttons on grandpas wheelchair. 

  To life!

   

Rain Watching

      People are so kind to this motley crew!

  On Monday Bonnie brought over some cherry bread made from our cherries! Yes, yummy. I had a pedicure, nice mauve toenails. 

     Tuesday, Carma brought us some homemade sweet rolls which disappeared in no time. They did save me one. Carma took me to lunch at Golden Crown. It was fun to get out and talk and fix everyone's problems. 

   Alex came over and cleaned our recliner for the family reunion next week. Too many sweaty people sitting on it.

    Teija and fam is still coming over helping with the weeds, I mean yard. There is even a cleared spot to put flowers in. I think perennials will be nice and easy to take care of.

    Wednesday Rosala brought over clam chowder and bread. (No leftovers on that one) Debbie brought a delicious fruit salad and homemade banana bread. Thank you ladies!

  We will be getting the air/heating unit the first of next week. Yeah, that will be heaven.

    The electricians came over on Thursday to redo the breaker box. Apparently it was a recall because it started fires. We have been blessed with no fire. They said it was illegal to have it on the inside of the house. And the meter needed to be on the outside of the house too. So now we are legal and most important safe. I like safe.

  Oh you want to know how Bruce is doing. As one of the caretakers was wheeling him out of the bedroom, she accidentally hit his foot on the wall, well that man picked his foot up and moved it! Just like when he slammed on the brakes when I was too slow with a red light. We will have to begin a new therapy program called "gut reaction" or "scared stiff".

   He has pool on Wednesday this month. He was on his back and was able to draw his knees up to ninety degrees and then straighten them out. 

  In OT he was doing kneeling, kneeling straight up. 

  The muscles in the bottom of his feet have waken up. He can now curl his toes. They said that was odd as most motion recovered is from the waist down and curling his toes should be the last motion he gets. 

    My batik butterfly quilt kit arrived. I love looking at the fabrics. I will change the pattern up a bit and see what happens. 

     Our church has a women's meeting once a month for sharing talents and learning. I was on the food committee and we were assigned to do smoothies. Carma explained her family likes to make orange Julius as a smoothie. I suggested freezing old bananas and using them. If you are allergic to milk using apple juice is a good substitute.  We broke into twos and threes and made smoothies with the fruit that was brought in and no we did not do green smoothies. Ick

   The other classes were memory keepers, which was ideas for a summer journal like collecting post cards and putting them on a clip with activities of what happened written on them, envelope journals and paper bag journals. A couple of the ladies liked the recipe card journals. There was also a new sister there showing us how to do yoga. It was good to get out.

      I got a haircut on Saturday, mostly the bangs got trimmed. 

I found some pretty perennials to plant and got most of them in so the yard will have some color for the fam reunion. The ground was hard, the rain had only gone down about two inches. 

   Stayed home from church today. Bruce was having a bad day. Care taker was sick and couldn't get a sub. Bruce napped most of the morning and canceled one meeting and then went to an afternoon meeting. I ate ice cream.

     So glad the weather cooled down this week. And we love watching the rain.

     

 

Fourth of July

    What a hot week. With no air conditioning we are melting. 

Bruce said I could call T and T. They said they would stop by. I imagine they are swamped. (get it? Swamp coolers)

   Monday Bruce was having a bad day so did not do well in pool time. He said his legs finally came alive when he pushed against the side of the pool.

   Teija came over and worked in the garden for two hours. The cherries are all picked. Thank you the back yard looks great!

  Andrew got a call for fires and left at 2:30 am. I got up as we had to turn Bruce and started in on a list of things for Andrew to take. He told me to stop said he had spent the last three hours thinking of things to make sure he had everything. I am having a difficult time letting go of my youngest. 

    Tuesday Bruce's OT was cancelled. We gave Bruce's phone to Andrew to use so we can talk to him so we missed the OT call saying it was cancelled. We will go tomorrow morning and get a new phone for Bruce. Bruce had chills today, it is 85 in the house. I asked him if he wanted Tylenol. He took some and fell asleep with a blanket on him. I am sweltering.

   Teija and fam came over to help outside again. The back yard is looking like someone takes care of it! It only costs me a couple of Popsicles! Kim and her family joined in the fun. The rest of the yard is shaping up nicely. I have some flat rocks to lay around to help with weed control. I bought some otter pops to reward the volunteer help, they are on the juice aisle bottom shelf in a cardboard box. 

   Debbie and Rosala brought over dinner, sketti, French bread, jello with fresh raspberries, gooey brownies with nuts and caramel ice cream. Heaven, I'm in heaven.

   Bruce went up a level on the pedal bike he uses so he made it five minutes before giving out. He was able to do two slide board transfers with no problems. 

   Thursday Bruce is not doing so well, I got a urine sample bottle from the DR so we will see if it is a bladder infection. With the temperature, the heat and night spasms we are not getting much sleep around here and I tend to get irritable. There is not much left of Rosala's ice cream.

     It's official, another UTI. Drink more H2O. 

Friday no OT, holiday time. We stayed home. Bruce isn't feeling too well.

  At 10:30pm I get a call from the police dept. our dog has run away and is down at Spruce street store. They gave me a number to call. I get redressed and head to the store leash in hand. A young couple greets me with cigarette smoke, tattoos and piercings. Hali is excited to see me. The young girl says she knows her mama. They are quite nice. She said they had been sitting there for an hour, had posted pics all over Facebook and had gotten no results so called the police. They live on Y Ave. they are kind and concerned. I explain our dog, Hali is a PTSD syndrome dog and they understand. Hali is ready to go home.

   Saturday morning we went to a baptism. A firecracker of a personality, so the day was a match. I could feel the spirit when each priesthood member in the family helped. One older brother baptized her, they did it twice because a leg came up, another brother confirmed her and the dad gave a talk. These Isaccasons are passionate people.  

    Andrew came home safe and sound and better for the experience. It looks like he grew up inside and out and he was only gone less than a week.  Andrew really likes working the fires. He did hot spots. They carry a 3 gallon bladder of H 2 O on their back and walk over what has already been burned checking the spots that are still smoking. They get to touch with the back of their hands to see how hot it is and spray anything that is smoking. He said he had steak twice. They had MREs before the food crew arrived. They were up at 5am and down at 9:30pm. Is this getting him ready for his mission or what? He wants to go back. Andrew said he wanted to get up early today. Think he will do it? We are having his recliner cleaned today.

   Duncan grills for us. I purchased chips and a cheesecake. We are set. 

   We put Bruce to bed. Andrew and Duncan head for EOU to watch the fireworks. I read a book and try to comfort the dog. 

   Had two sobbing melt downs this week. This refiners fire is tough. Must be the heat, no sleep and wondering how long this will last. 

   Goodnight Neverland!

    

    Thought this was helpful.