Merry Christmas!

   Jean Secl brought over this fun and delicious cake. She used to own TLC cakes downtown. 

Dec. 22 - Been tired, Bruces sleeping mask has a leak and it whistles me awake. Hope to get a nap after the workers leave today. I get really grumpy when I don't get enough sleep. Two nights this week with no sleep and I do not feel sociable. 

The boys and fam are coming today. I'm making frozen chicken nuggets and French fries for dinner, I'm bad, just want something quick and easy. They will take turns cooking, I need a cook for me.

The girl that cleans just texted she has ringworm so she won't be coming to clean and I am too tired to clean. 

Bruce wants to go Christmas shopping so I told him after my nap.

Sorry I am a whiner this morning.

I did get my Church visiting done, VT, yesterday. 

I went to a sewing class and made two hot pads and then spent $200 on groceries. So that was good yesterday. I like the the quick sewing classes they do. I can finish the projects.

Dec 22 - We are playing the Oreo game. You put an Oreo on your forehead and then slide it down to your mouth and decor the black and white cookie. The grandchildren love this game.

We are eating a cheese ball and crackers. Is that healthy? Luke made me buy it from Hickory farms. I got him some new shoes so he got me a cheese ball which Bruce paid for and a nut tray and some pretzels covered in icing.

My bathroom is finished, yeah it is nice and so roomy, now need to find room for everything on the shelves.

 

My doorknob towel rack, have been hounding, I mean nagging, Bruce for years for build this for me. 

Ernie Simonis has the matching no knobs we found at yard sales. 

Dec. 23 - It is a zoo here, with people coming and going and doing things. I did get a quiet time so that was nice.

The kids are helping with meals so it is going smoothly.

This is what the two years old do when the movie gets old. The adults have gone to see the Rogue Star Wars movie.

Christmas morning breakfast

Decorating a Christmas train cookie with grandpa.

We are a happy family

Leg Braces Ordered

On Friday Bruce had a half hour appointment to discuss getting leg braces and arm crutches. The nice lady said he was at the right place for them and would help him get around better at home. Now SAIF gets to approve and then he gets measured and then practice. Yeah another big step.

  I had a sick care taker and when I called the other gal to sub she had her phone turned off so Duncan got to sub with me. It was only for a day but set me off schedule. 

 The least little thing and I have a melt down. I asked one of the girls to come an extra day so I will have two mornings off. I look forward to the change.

   The boys moved the furniture around for me so we can put the Christmas tree in front of the window. Now I seem to have misplaced the tree stand. 

  Bruce and I went to the festival of the trees on Saturday. We voted for the Merry Chrismoose tree. Bruce likes moose, it rhymes with Bruce on a caboose, drinking juice, under a spruce.

  

Retreat and Thanksgiving

  I had a very pleasant two day vacation at Grande Ronde cow Camp. A couple of friends joined me on Monday and another friend came up on Tuesday. The food was delicious and plentiful and the company exceptional. I felt rested and ready to go.

  This is the bed in the loft I slept in and the mini quilt next to the bed in the loft. 

  This is a mini cat back sewing machine in the loft. I had never heard of it before. Will have to find one.

  Bruce had a couple of bad days wherein his body does not respond to therapy. He is exhausted from no sleep at night and that effects his body's response to therapy.

We had the last sleep test on Thursday ninth. I got another night off. They equipped him with a ASV machine instead of a cpap. The machine reacts to the patients ability to breathe or not breathe and adjusts the flow of air. 

   When the Dr writes a prescription for the machine and SAIF approves we will have the machine at home. Apparently it is quieter than the cpap machine so that will be a blessing for me. 

   Dr. Ebel is able to make results for Bruce. After swimming Dr. Ebel worked his magic on Bruce's feet. Bruce said his feet felt warm and Dr. Ebel said he was working on the circulation in Bruce's lower body and feet, so that is a plus. The therapists are working on his calf muscles. At home we push Bruces toe back and he pushes them forward, trying to strengthen his muscles. 

  We had a quiet Thanksgiving at home. Andrew worked. I made a pecan chocolate chip pie and a my first ever pumpkin roll. (At my age, no less) I purchased a marionberry pie and cheese ball from Kauffmans. Delicious as usual.

  Some of the children will be home at Christmas so that will be nice. My grandchildren bring me joy! 

  I took a sewing class at the Quilt Store and made a snap purse, using a mental tape measure, very fun class.

 The vacuum cleaner needs a new part and my sewing machine stopped working in the at end of the class. I was able to get the machine cleaned and it runs smoothly. We will send for a part for the vacuum on Monday.

  We played musical beds at our house. I traded a queen size bed for a double and moved the double to the basement and a single bed upstairs in my sewing room. Now I have my room in my sewing room and can reach my design wall. Change is good. I have ordered new egg shell shades for the bedroom so will be able to open and close them for more light during the day and privacy at night. I am organizing my sewing projects and the room is looking good.

Leaps and Bounds

Bruce is improving by leaps and bounds, one week he shuffle walked for four feet the next he is up to ten feet using a walker with assistance! His left leg is really responding. 

 He works very hard and is exhausted after therapy. 

  Bruce and Duncan went to the two year check up in Walla Walla. I was sick, flu stuff. Dr. Marsh is concerned about Bruce's kidneys. Apparently spinal cord patients end up with kidney failure as using a urinal doesn't completely empty the bladder and that puts pressure on the bladder so he suggests Bruce use a catheter three or more times a day. Insurance will continue the payments for therapy as long as Bruce continues to improve.

   This week Bruce will meet with Dr. McCarthy and get info on self catheters. This should help decrease the number of times Bruce uses the urinal. 

  Another side note, we spent one of the settlements we received! Yeah! We bought cemetery plots and caskets! So that is all arranged. Bruce got the cheapest metal casket, who cares what it looks like it is going in the ground and I got the next level up in green. It costs $500 for them to dig a hole with a machine. We have six sons we figure we will save money and have the boys dig the hole for us... Just kidding. And they charge extra, $250, if you are buried on a Saturday. Just some snide political comments. 

 I have been sick for two weeks with achy shoulders, sore throat, runny nose, stuffed up dose and a cough. I'm worn out. I have arranged to go away to my friends cabin for two days in two weeks, she has a long arm quilting machine we will play with. Hope the weather is good. She will pamper me and cook for me and I will see and veg and sit with my feet up and most important I will sleep and sleep. 

  Newt finished a grow box for Bruce. It will be ready for spring next year.

The YW from second Ward raked and bagged our leaves for us. Thank You! 

Our Two Year Accidentary

Today is our two year anniversary, two years ago Bruce was life flighted to Boise from a biking accident. 

I made a cake.

We are wrapping Bruce in bubble wrap. 

He has 100 % of his right hand and a about 80% of his left hand. He is standing with all his weight and walking in a hanging brace with no weight with assistance.

We are very grateful he is improving. Bruce has joy. It is a blessing and a miracle he is improving.

  I am taking cooking classes from Laura Edwards, this one turned out. I will not tell you about the blueberry pancakes without baking powder... 

  Me, I'm fine, I'm struggling. Some days are good, some days anything sets me off and I can't stop crying. Yes I do service, I make quilts to donate, I started volunteering at Greenwood school in the library once a week and I am taking cooking classes. Life is difficult. Life is up and down. 

  We all have problems and there are people worse off than us. 

Listening to General conference has helped. Now I need to something very important, nap time!

The Sistahs are Here!

   My sisters Robin and Bonita and mom are here! Alas the time passed too quickly. 

We went to the farmers market and some shopping at Bealls. 

Sunday we went to church and more eating. They did all the cooking and made me laugh. Andrew says he has never seen me laugh like that before. My mom says it happens when the girls get together.

  Bruce is ever increasing. Another sleep test on Wednesday and hopefully they will fit him with oxygen. He wakes up exhausted. He feel asleep while my sisters were here and that is not an easy task.

  Andrew is working at J C Penny's. He does floor and freight. He scans items  and hangs them up. Can't wait to by a bra from him. Who wants to join me? He turns a lovely shade of red.

  Duncan has been sick so I have done his shift and driving for a couple of days. I'm exhausted. My friends wanted to take me to a quilt retreat. I'm afraid all I would have accomplished would have been sleeping all day.

  Bruce is steadily improving. They had him shuffle walking with assistance. He says it is like when he first started to shuffle walk in the pool. He wears a harness and doesn't have any body weight, they will steadily add weight.

  They are working on strengthening his knees now.

End of Summer

Summer is almost over.

   Bruce is improving. He stands up five times in a row, four sets, so twenty times at PT. in pool time he stands up, walks and pushing off the wall with one leg at a time and stretching. They have him standing up using a walker and standing up using a transfer pole. We have a pole for the house, won't set it up until they train us at home how to help him. 

  Dan and Heidie came for a visit. Heidie helped rearrange the furniture. The living room is more open, I love it. They helped us with several projects around the house. I love hearing 'grandma' from a squeaky little voice. What joy!

  We are going to order a tall love seat for Bruce so he can slide board evenly, not uphill and that will get him out of the wheelchair. He is looking forward to that. 

  We purchased a clap lamp for the bedroom. Bruce reads in bed now and can claps to turn the light off. His finger tips are numb and he can't feel the light switch to turn the lamp off so he claps to turn the light off and I don't have to take my grumpy self in there to see what he needs.He says it is another step to independence.

   

  

Long, Lazy Summer

    Haven't written much, it has been a long, lazy summer.

  On my walk yesterday I saw they had patched the big hole in the road. And I met the little girl with the pink tricycle. When I asked if I could ride her bike, she replied "mine". Her dad was friendly and the baby sitter, both wanted to pet Hali. 

This morning Hali was trying to be friendly with a grey cat where we walk in the grass because of no sidewalk, the cat did not want to be friends. 

I went to Zumba, there were 15 people there.

   I had my Quilt Questers group last night. They honored past presidents with a yummy box of fudge. I had my blocks partially sewn together. 

 Must go shower after Zumba.

   Luke says he loves the Star Trek quilt I made for them. It had a red chevron backing.

We went to a Pioneer Day pot luck at noon, before it got too hot.

   Bro. Pedro played the harmonic and that was delightful. He had several different kinds, I had never seen them before,  a regular one, a longer one, one with four different harmonicas combined an ad one with horns, that was very, very old. We did a singalong and heard two stories. They had a sling line up for the young ones to try and a pony to ride.

   Bruce and Bro. Hutchinson were the judges for the Dutch oven cooking. They both liked the spicy food. 

   We went to Wal mart after and I got some batting for two of my quilt tops. I worked on another top today and am very pleased with it.

  Our friend Newt Stanger has finished redoing the garden for us. He is now working on Bruces shop in the garage. Bruce was sorting screws, nuts and bolts. 

    Bruce is still progressing, albeit too slowly for moi. He straddles a pole and climbs hand over hand until he is standing, next he swivels his hips and plops down on a chair. So in fact he is using the pole to do a standing transfer. He did it four times and the last time he sat it was controlled no more plopping.

  At PT they have him doing transfers using the fun push-up grippers. No more slide board. At home we still use the slide board. They have ordered two poles for home use, one in the bathroom and one in the bedroom. We won't use them at home until he is stronger. 

  He only dropped his water bottle once this week and his leg only jerked off the bed once. Bruce awakens very tired in the morning. He has signed up for a sleep study. We did the initial interview and are waiting for permission form the insurance company. We think he has sleep apnea and hope a machine will help with that.

  I am exhausted and am making too many mistakes. My mom has returned to Utah and I miss her. 

PTSD

Mom and I are having fun. 

 She does dishes, folds laundry, cooks meals, picks raspberries and goes on walks with me. 

She has an annoying habit of wanting to pay for everything. Bruce said one tank of gas and one meal and no more. 

We just stay inside in the evening and watch mysteries. Now we are watching Murdock Mysteries. Mom likes it. It happens in Toronto in the 1890s. We watched a cliff hanger tonight and will watch the rest on Monday. 

 Found out Reed Waite was a in a four wheeler accident. They did surgery on his spinal cord. Dr. Montalbano did the surgery, the same Dr that did Bruces. He remembered Bruce. I was in shock and couldn't function for a day, It brought back such turmoil, fear and uncertainty. I might know what PTSD feels like, reliving a traumatic experience.

Then we heard the news the family decided to unhook Reed as the MRI showed no brain function. What a shock, hope and then the worst, death. Went to the funeral on a rainy Saturday morning. The heavens were crying.

   We have temporally stopped work on the garden. Newt has a spot on his lungs and needs to rest. I had two teenagers come over on Saturday and worked them hard for two hours. They cut the rest of the blackberries back that Bruce wanted under control, moved some bark mulch, put a protective coating on the planter and we laid some ground cover down for the next section of pavers. 

  It won't be finished when the grandchildren are here this week. We will probably not get to wander out there in the rain anyway. Now I will have to clean inside. Mom helped me clear off one table. I'm just a pilot. I pile things here and there...

 Mom finished the binding on yet another quilt. The Star Trek quilt is ready to send to Luke and Taylor. Will get it in the mail this week. I have begun the blocks for the Star Wars quilt. Will put binding on another quilt so mom can work on it.

  I told Debbie I would sew some of Reeds shirts in a quilt for her. She said she would bring them over when she gets settled. Man, her life is going to going to change. 

Our lives aren't what we hoped they would be. 

  Bruce is able to stand on one leg and move the other leg back and forth about two inches. They are working on strengthening his knees as they give out when he tries to stand. He is able to stand for about five minutes now. He said he stood in four feet of water at the pool which means he can support about half his body weight now. 

We bought a new grill for the Fouth and so I recycled the old grill.

Visit With My Mom

We are just fine, my mom is here visiting so am busy with her and family.

We have been busy picking cherries and raspberries.

Mom is putting on the binding for me on a stack of quilts that need finishing. 

Bruce was able to stand by himself with no help on the fifth try today! Yea!

We are going out to eat tonight.

Life is good.

Father's Day

Summer time and the living is easy

I picked raspberries and ate them. Bruce says I need to pick more. I'll be glad when he can do it himself. He says he can pick half a gallon a day.

I feel like I've just been helping Newt all week. The back yard is beginning to look nice.

He wants to clean up the garage for Bruce so that will be the next project. That's fine with me if Bruce helps him. 

I mixed up some lemon poppyseed muffins for breakfast and forgot to put the oil in. So had to dump the mix back into the pan, throw away the gooey liners and then refill new ones. They tasted just fine, warm, sweet and tangy.

Will have to plant my sunflowers when the rain lets up.

Must go grocery shopping and walk the dog.

Fathers Day - Didn't do much for Bruce today. I bought him a nice short sleeve shirt and he ordered himself some new pants with zippers. The Velcro pops open when he is in therapy. So hopefully they will work and we will order him a couple more pairs. 

I did cook a roast, smashed some taters and a simple green salad. The men like the meat and taters. Trying not to do desserts.

The netting is up and we bought bark mulch for the re psycho center. (Recycle) Newt brought over plants, maters and peppers from his hothouse and we have a pot of onions. Ready for salsa!

A Garden for Bruce

   Our friend Newt came over and is going to build a net cage for Bruce's blueberries and a two foot tall raised bed for strawberries and he will put down paver stones so Bruce can get in the garden area and putter around all year. He said we could use his pickup to get the wood and supplies. 

  Ryan is coming over on Friday and will remove the shorter posts, then they will just build a two by four frame for the top and drape the net. He has some kind of removable tie clip so Bruce can open the net and and pick or trim. 

Our cleaning friend, Jessee came this morning and limped around and sat with ice for awhile but she got the job done. She has broken her foot.

  I finished my demo blocks for Thursday, a ha stag and an asterisk and a string top. I'll have to remove the paper from the back this evening. 

 

 I gave all three males a haircut last night. They are looking shaven and shorn.

 Today was the last day for one of our home health helpers. She is moving to Tennessee. We will miss her and her spontaneous helpful personality. She would see something needed to be done and she would do it.

 The new gal will get more hours and the other helper will switch her time around so she has weekends for grandchildren. 

   Got to go to a potluck picnic in the park on Wednesday. The younger moms sat with the girls their age and us older ladies stayed together. Three of our quilting friends came. It was fun to talk to them.

I gave away some of my hats. I hope the children will play with them. 

  Bruce was able to do water angels in the pool on Wednesday. Like we make snow angels in the snow in winter.

   Saturday we will go buy wood to build a cage for the blueberries. The birds are eating them. It is wood and netting, we are hiring a friend to do the work, he is unemployed. His garden is gorgeous. They will put paving stones down for Bruces wheelchair and make a raised bed 2 feet high so Bruce can reach it. When he stands we will make it taller. 

  Ryan came over and trimmed the ever growing blackberries from the plum tree, he removed the short 4x4 posts and got two of the holes dug deeper. Bruce wants them in 2 feet deep.

  They have gripper bars in the women's shower room at the hospital. Bruce uses those and pulls himself out of the chair. He is able to stand for a couple of minutes. This week they upped the regime for him. They added a walker. Bruce was able to pull himself up and then he had to leer his hands to grip the walker. He said he was only able to stand for 30 min. He did it three times. He said he was exhausted, like he had just finished a race.

   

Hot, Tired, Feeling Grumpy and Weary

   Feeling much better today, headache gone, walked the dog, hung shiny ribbon on the cherry trees and blueberries to keep the birds out. 

  Bruce is back to bossing us around about watering his garden so he is feeling better. He wants the boys to spray the cherry trees so at noon thirty when they get up, I'm sure they will be excited to help.

  Duncan was up and took a hot shower so his back is better at least he was standing straighter.

  I got some big pots, half off at Rite aide and another cheaper looking one at Bi Mart. I put empty milk jugs in the bottom so wouldn't have to pay for a lot of dirt. I want to get a pretty rose for one and try to find garlic chives for the other. My attempt at an herb garden. Bruce can have the taller ones when Newt has them ready.

   We are grateful the Jensen twins, David and Daniel dug a couple of holes and planted Bruce's newest project. He got male and female elderberry bushes. I hope he doesn't think I'm going to be picking them...

 We hung shiny ribbons in the cherry trees to keep the birds out. Our dog stays out if we stay out. 

  Bruce is headed to swimming this morning so will sew. 

  I have my Pooh Bear blocks ready to stitch together and I am still plugging away at my strip quilt. 

  

  I bought two colorful tomato cages. I gave all ours away to the free market last year. I found them at Wal Mart.

Duncan is doing s membership at Mt Valley therapy. It is seven days free and then $45 a month, including a nutrition plan. He will go MWF when he takes Bruce. It will be good for him instead of sitting and playing a game during that time.

  They were launching rockets at Greenwood field when I walked by this morning. Saw Amy H. She and Lucy were going to ride bikes to Ace. Such energy

   I planted two tomato plants, three cucumbers, some celery and the lettuce is dead already.  I did find a purple rose with a fragrance to plant. That will nice. 

Must go change the sheets, get my heart rate up so I can make brownies.

   I get tired of taking caring of Bruce. I am grumpy. I keep thinking there are people worse off and it doesn't seem to help. Some days I just feel numb and Bruce is so happy it doesn't help. 

Carma took me yard saying on Saturday. It was hot and fun. I found a nice picnic basket, a lovely tin with flowers, a cobalt blue vase I don't know what I will do with it, it was just pretty and some vintage earrings. We went to Mc D's and got smoothies.

No ER visits this week.

Five Stitches in the Eyelid

   Went to tri cities with Nancy yesterday morn to have a recall fixed on the car. I asked Nancy to go with me and then had her drive both ways. I should have been more specific I wanted her to drive. We waited an hour for them to do the work and I showed Nancy some tricks for her iPad. She caught on real fast, she is young. We went to Red Robin for lunch, I paid for her lunch and she was okay with that, she left the tip. She took us to Jo Anne's and I found a couple of things to purchase, that is a fun store. She spent more than me and she had a coupon!  She is making a fleece blanket for their bed, I found some brown linen fabric for a summer skirt that will flow when I walk. I like to flow instead of plod. I can wear a pink or purple top with it, my granddaughters like pink and purple. 

  The trip home we came upon the remnants of a fire in Umatilla. There was still smoke and I saw flames in one spot, it came down to the freeway and into the divider in some spots. Andrew says if the smoke is white the fire is over and if it is black it is still burning. So he did learn something when he was fighting fires last summer. I didn't know that.

 And guess who had got to cook dinner last night. I was tired and then had the beginnings of a headache. I knew if I said I was too tired to cook they would want pizza or we would go out and I didn't want either of those, we had beef left over from yesterday so I made beef and noodles. I had sour cream left over so threw that in with it, I didn't hear any complaints so it must not have been too bad.

 Duncan hurt his back so he is resting now. Hope he is better by tomorrow.

    Bruce said he was able to do marching steps in the pool on Wednesday so that is good.at one time he had his feet 10 inches from the bottom of the pool.

I got to take Bruce to therapy at 10:30 on Fridsy. Duncan is going to the chiropractor today in the afternoon. 

   Watched all the Greenwood students on their bikes this morning getting ready for the bike ride. They were so excited. 

   We are feeding the missionaries tonight.

Missionaries didn't get here til 8:00. They had a meeting in Meridian and were beat so took their pizza and left. That was easy. We gave them oranges for breakfast. We figure they don't buy it in the store so I try to have some on hand when they come over. 

  Took Bruce to the Farmers Market and he saw lots of people he knew. We bought some tamales for dinner tonight, some bread from Kneads and popcorn from a Sanchez. 

  Went to D&B and got spray and red ribbon for the cherry trees and dirt for planters. I found some nice tall ones for the back yard and dirt to go in them.

  Bruce and I went to see Alice through the Looking Glass. You can't change the past only learn from it and change the future. It was great. I loved the time puns.

I brought Bruce home and headed to Rite Aide for pots and Bi Mart for plants and another pot. I really liked how the Stangers back yard is. Now I need to find a rose bush and some sunflowers. 

   We are in the ER. Bruce scratched his face with the tree branches. He might need stitches. They are calling Dr. Petitt to come look at it. The eyelid is torn. Andrew and Bruce are watching a soccer game. 

   He was described as a 64 year old male with a head injury. He got five stitches in his right eyelid and it is black and swollen. Ice, we need ice.

It looks much better.

Father Son Bonding

   Bruce is doing better, he has 100 % of his right arm and 50% of his left. He does want to be stronger because he has seen the strength of other quads and wants to be able to do more. They have been standing him on one leg and moving the other footsore are and back about three inches. And then switching to the other leg, repeating the process. Ben says they are getting him ready to shuffle walk. 

   I made another chevron baby quilt. It has a fun pink polka dot border. I am in love with it if that is possible. My friend said it looks like Easter colors.

Andrew mowed the lawn. It looks good, now will have to trim the tall grass. I tied some silver ribbon to the cherry trees. It helps keep the birds out and is easier than the netting we put on before. 

I am working on my string quilt. I saw a border around each block and that looks fun only I have six sewn together so will border them and add more. Artistic element, ha ha

Couldn't get the dog to walk off the ramp this morning so I stayed in from our walk, it is cold outside and windy. 

Now it is raining.

  Andrew got off early from work to go to the father son campout Friday night. They are just staying for the meal and the beginning of the cookie fest. Duncan doesn't want to miss it. Hot dogs and hamburgers, and tater salad, what more could the male population want?

   I am going out with friends to Moys and then here for quiet time. It is too cold to go to the parade. Moys turned out to be really loud with another group of twenty in the same room. Glad for some down time.

   I listen/watch Murder She Wrote while I sew, it does get quiet. I like seeing all the old actors, Brian Keith, Yvonne de Carlo, (she got fat), Dean Jones. Bruce was lamenting the fact that his 36 inch waist has grown to 38 inches. I do not feel sorry for him. I'm going to buy him a pie.

I tried the new honey nut m&ms, they tasted burnt. Still like the peanut ones best.

   Some friends wanted me to go to the quilt retreat in Wallawa this year. They would provide caretakers for Bruce. At this point in time it just won't work. The care taking involves very private care and Bruce is not ready to bare himself to well meaning friends. And night is an issue, some one has to be in the same room with him or the living room to hear him if his leg falls off the bed or he drops his water bottle. So far I am the only one we allow in bed with him. Thank you dear friends, maybe in six months I can go to the Sept. Quilt retreat. Not sure I can be nice that long. I do like my alone, quiet time. 

Mothers's Day Week

   Happy Mother's Day! Got to talk to all but one of the boys and Crys today so I am pleased. Bruce got me a hanging plant for the deck and a very nice planter from the landscapes place on Island ave. Andrew brought me a long seemed red rose from the branch. Duncan did a couple of chores for us, very nice.

   Ben and fam will be here in July, Dan says they plan to come for a visit and Rob says they will be here at Christmas between snow storms. We don't have any plans to go anywhere until Bruce is stronger.

We will be interviewing potential health care workers this week.

  One gal is leaving in June and Gregg is just not able to help any more, his health is so bad. He says he might be moving to Coos Bay soon. He calls in sick at least once a week and I don't like the stress of finding someone to sub for him.

  Duncan is thinking about leaving after summer too so would have to hire a driver. He is getting tired of us nagging him. I think we can hire a retired person to be Bruces driver during the day so that won't be so bad. I would have to take him to meetings on Sunday and his night activities.

 Sorry, I'm whining again. I did take a nap yesterday.

I got a list of people to interview yesterday from DHS. We can put an ad in and see who wants to work weekends. Or we can look at their preferences and see who will work then. It is really helpful. 

I got my sample block done for the quilting class on Thursday. 

We only interviewed three people off the home health care list. We will call one and tell her she has the job and hope it works out. 

   I took a quilting class at the new quilt shop. The disappearing hourglass, it is on line, was only $20 and as Rosala says a good price to get out for the day. We had three in the class. We sewed two 10 inch blocks together and then cut them diagonally. And then sewed it together in an hourglass shape. And then cut it in thirds and maybe you should watch the video on you tube. I cut my first block wrong. But I was okay after that. 

   I bought a tuna salad from the sub shop and a lemonade for lunch. I sat on a bench outside and enjoyed the sunshine. 

  I  finished five squares and had six more ready to cut so it was a productive day.

  Saturday afternoon we went up to the stake center for an emergency communications open house. We liked the solar light bulb that has an outlet for your cell phone. We were thinking we might get some of them for the adult children for Christmas, that way if disaster strikes, I can call them and know they are safe. Crystal says they have them in Ghana, they are thinking of going with solar instead of the merry go rounds.

   

  They told us the disaster in this area would be if Portland had an earthquake we would be affected as our gasoline and heating oil come from that area. The Red Cross (Debbie Mills) suggested we get ahead on any medicine we might need. And to pack stuff for the dog. Hadn't thought of that.  Bruce ordered a book to take a class on ham radios so he can become an operator. Will have to clear the desk off so he has a place to set up shop. It is a 35 question test and there is a practice test online. 

Cat/ Cow

Bruce is outside supervising the pouring of the concrete, he says he finds it fascinating. 

Should be the last day for them. The dog does not like the noise.

I walked down to Riveria school this morning with the dog. Bruce said it was a mile, then I came home and ate two cookies... My clothes seem to have shrunk.

  Bruce didn't stand at all this last week. He got up on his hands and knees and then to knees, called four point and two point kneeling. He did cat/ cow and a lot of shoulder work and the step bike. No pool time as he has a catheter in and we should be taking that out this week. 

Teija is bringing dinner tonight. 

   Went to UFO and met a new lady with lavender hair. She is my age. I tried not to stare. Maybe I will color my hair that color, ha ha. She seemed nice and was quiet. Sometimes it is really noisy there. She asked about genealogy so that was good.

I got a lot of cutting and ironing done.

Have to go to Rite Aide and get meds for Bruce will do that tomorrow.

  Rosala brought over a waffle ice cream cake, have never had that before. It was a different taste. Debbie brought KFC chicken. Was hoping for the leftovers for lunch and the boys ate it last night.

    Duncan finally mowed the lawn. Yeah

   Kevin set the well and hoses up for us. So the garden is ready. Need someone to weed. Haven't heard anything from the YW will have to get more names.

 Jeff has us on his list to redo the master bathroom. It will be a couple of weeks before he gets to us. That is fine. We like the quiet. He is going to put a pedestal sink in, tile and a built in cabinet. He will repaint and make the baseboards match the rest of the house. It will be quite nice when it is finished. Then all we will have left to do will be the basement bathroom.

  Jeff redid the putty around the back toilet, apparently it wasn't tall enough and did not seal, he didn't charge us so that was great as his team put it in last year. Bruce had noticed it was wet around the base of the toilet. Ick

Must go sew while Bruce is gone.

  Here is the chevron baby quilt I made for a friend having her first baby. Chris says the blocks look like cats. I can see it and where I tied the blocks, those are the whiskers.

   On Friday, I took Bruce to Central School groundbreaking. Several teachers gave us both hugs. The love shared brought tears to my eyes. I liked that Larry said most of the local jobs were sub contracted out and 5 million dollars will come back Bruce was able to cross the terrain with two bodyguards, Jim and Mark and put a shovel in the ground. He wanted to stay til the children sang their 'thank you' song. Wish more people had been there. 

  He commented the new school design on the program looks like dental offices, two stories, the windows are high for lighting, but the children can't see out so they won't be distracted, one slope roofing which is easier to take care of. I wonder if the students were allowed to draw a picture of what they wanted the school to look like. Will they move the toys down from the old school?

  Saturday Maggie and Darius came over to weed. Darius did it for service hours for the middle school and Maggie is raising money for girls camp. Duncan dumped two of our mulch trash cans in the garden and we filled them with new weeds, then Bruce had Duncan cut a limb off a tree from the alley that was putting shade in the yard. I hadn't even noticed it. When Andrew arose at noon thirty,Bruce had him cut of the dead branches on the peach tree. The backyard is starting to look nice. I even did a little weeding, but could feel my sinus running so I headed for the house. 

   We went to the open house at the genealogy library Saturday afternoon, we arrived in time for lunch, good timing. Bruce went to one class and I to another. He slept through his class. He said the class was interesting, but if you have a full tummy and they turn out the lights for the video it is bye, bye Bruce.

  Another busy, full week has flown by.

   

Home Again

    Finally got Bruce home at 7 Sunday night. I felt I needed to stay with him as he was feeling really low on Saturday. Another set back with tears. Someone told us it was another bump in the road. We tired of the bumps. 

Had a very nice tender mercy. I won the $100 worth of free fabric from the new quilt store drawing. I spent all of it but $7. I am bad to the bone. I got a quilting book, a jelly roll and fabric to go with it and two spools of grey thread.

  Bruce has a catheter for a week and I am having a hard time dealing with it. Bruce seems fine.

I cry at the drop of a hat. Might have to stay in for awhile. I think I am exhausted, this is such an up and down ride.

I think we get blessings even if we complain. Look at me, I got the gift certificate and I am still crying.

  Our son Luke broke boys his wrists. He was playing basketball, was going for a dunk, made the basket (that is important) and fell. He caught himself with his wrists.

spent all but $7 at the quilt store.

  

Amy is bringing a pizza on Friday. She makes a homemade chicken bbq sauce that Andrew requested. It is good.

We went to Walla, Walla on Wednesday. The appointment was rescheduled from two weeks ago. I got my car DVD player back from Teija to I will watch Monk and put the binding on my quilt for the class on Saturday. 

We gave Rosala Debbie the night off from cooking. We ate at Mongolian Grill. It is a fun place and we get to watch them cook it.

   Went to UFO at Wildfire lodge Thursday morning. They fed us lunch, beef stew, salad, yellow squash and lemon cake and we did a show and tell. Saw Allen Bieckle there and Charlene Counsil, one of Bruce's teachers. It was good to catch up. Going to Wildflower is an annual event, we talk to the ladies there and they see our colorful quilts. Win, win for all of us.

J and N poured the concrete for the curbs and part of the sidewalk today. It is looking good. Just need our parking places back.

Thank you to Bryan for spraying the grass is dear the blueberries and returning to spray the dandelions. It will sure help. 

 

Carma brought chicken Tostitos for dinner tonight. It didn't last long. I made a green salad.

Rosala brought brownies and black cherry ice cream for dessert which I ate, how am I ever going to lose weight? What a way to go.

Jesse comes in to vacuum, mop the floors and scrub the bathrooms. She is very helpful.

The football team will be here on Saturday to wash our windows for a donation. 

Went to D&B Saturday morning with Bruce and Kevin. Kevin is going to help Bruce set up a soaker hose system in the back yard to water the garden, grapes and blueberries. 

I got some chocolate mint and some Thyme to plant.

Bruce didn't stand at all this last week. He got up on his hands and knees and then to knees, called four point and two point kneeling. He did cat/ cow and a lot of shoulder work and the step bike. No pool time as he has a catheter in and we should be taking that out this week. We had one accident with a sock full of pee. I am tired.

Pouring the new driveway, nothing fancy, just concrete. It was all torn up from people turning in the driveway when they dropped their children off at Greenwood School. Now all the children go in the front door for security so it isn't a problem any more.

Tearing out the old driveway.

Acute Renal Failure

   Bruce made tuna ring with a cheese sauce for dinner this week. It was good, but didn't last long.

   Thursday, we noticed Bruce's left ankle was swollen and a rash, so we went to the Dr. We figured he must have twisted it in pool time. Bruce has no pain sensation so Dr had an X-ray and ultra sound, thinking something with tendons. Results came back negative. We told him we thought Bruce might have a bladder infection. DR. wanted a sample. We told him Bruce hadn't been able to pee since nine that morning, and he had fever and chills. Dr. says to get to ER right away. So at five we head to ER. It takes until 11pm to get in a room.       Our home teacher, Kevin and friend, Bryan gave Bruce a blessing. I liked the part about peace and comfort at this time. Bruce is tired and just wants to sleep.

 Friday more sleeping, not too much eating. Pres. Chadwick stopped in to visit. At lunch I stop at the new quilt store and get fabric for backing and sign up for drawing then off to pick up a book at the library.

  They tell us his kidneys have shut down, acute renal failure. And his white blood count is high, they are pumping him with antibodies and saline solution.

   In the evening I went to a friend's art show at EOU with Duncan. Amazing what you can do with fabric, paint, thread and shadows. Afterward Sheila came up and we stretched and ranged Bruce's legs. Nurses don't have time, they have a lot of patients.

  Saturday Bruce is feeling better, fever broken, able to take a shower and do bowel care. I brought our shower chair up. I went grocery shopping as our hospital does not have wheelchair access in the bathroom in the room we have and the bowel care tends to stink the room up. He gave himself a shower and all that movement wore him out. 

Bruce took a nap Saturday morning so i did some reading.

   Saturday afternoon Bruce is watching basketball games. I am doing a bit of hand sewing. I found a nice salad in the hospital cafeteria and chocolate milk. And the stairs, going down two flights is easy. 

  On the way home to check on the boys I stop at the Orange Rhino and they have one ham and cheese sweet roll left. I bought it and three chocolate chip scones and since the quilt store is across the street, I stopped in again to get more fabric for backing. 

   Bruce hates to sit and do nothing, and is depressed. We are both thinking what next? 

  Saturday evening is a SR piano recital by our friend Emily. The music is fun. One song makes me want to dance and I wonder if Bruce and I will ever dance again. I quickly change my train of thought, I don't want to have w melt down in public.

  Sheila returns at night and we stretch and range Bruce's stiff legs. She says this is just a bump in the road.

  Sunday after checking my voice mail, I find out I have won the $100 gift certificate at the quilt store! Now that is a tender mercy and I suppose I can purchase some more fabric. 

  Sunday morning Dr. Ellen tells us the white blood count is normal and the renal failure has stopped and as soon as Bruce can urinate in the urinal we can go home. The nurse removes the foley and we wait for Bruce's bladder to fill up. They figure in a couple of hours so by noon. Bruce eats lunch I figure I can wait an hour and then eat at home but the sweet nurse offers me a roast beef sandwich and cranberry juice so I eat with Bruce. We watch Bruce and ask him if he feels the urge to relieve his waters. Not enough. Try again and still not enough. They do a reading on his bladder and 500 mg is still left. The nurse consults the Dr and we get to go home with a leg bag. At least we get to go home. 

   

  

 

   

Cooking Again

   Bruce decided he wanted a night to cook so he made spaghetti and meatballs Tuesday night. It was very good. Not too spicy. He used frozen meatballs but it works.

   Andrew knew the three girls in the wreck and the one that was killed. He said they didn't talk to him, he wasn't in their group. 

  Hired Jessee to vacuum, mop and clean the bathrooms. It is a relief not to worry about it and I will clean other stuff while she does the basics.

 

  The dog was sick and poohed indoors. Ick I am ready to give her away. Think Rosala would take her? Will have to get the basement carpet cleaned now but think she will do do it again...

 I put a border on the Star Trek quilt and didn't like it so will redo that. I am trying to piece a back for a quilt ad I think I will just get some wide fabric for it. It is frustrating because the pieces don't go together.

 

  Our appointment for Dr. Marsh in Walla Walla was canceled. The Dr. Was sick. Will have to reschedule.  Since I wasn't planning on being home I informed Rosala and Debbie we didn't need a meal. So we ate at Moys. We had some leftovers for lunch.

  We had our taxes completed. And we are getting a refund, apparently disability is non taxable as are our settlements. Who knew?

   We had Stake Conf this week end. It was very fun! I should be able to be nice to others for at least 48 hours. Bruce conducted Saturday evening session from his chair and said he would be standing in the future. Bruce spoke for 15 min on Sunday. Elder and Sister Batt were the regional reps from Rigby Id. I so wanted to say a bat joke. Bruce wanted to introduce them as stepping up to the plate. Maybe next time.

Our cherry tress will be plentiful this year!

Bariatric Ward

   I got my spring basket quilt top sewn together. It has vintage blocks. I added a border, need to get it quilted. The handles are rick rac entwined, I wanted to save the blocks.

   I have some batik butterflies I will cut out during conference. It helps to keep me from falling asleep. 

We did enjoy conference. Wonderful talks

   Duncan is in his room. Bruce is trimming his nails and Andrew is off to his mission prep class. Don't know when he will be ready to go.

   I only dozed off a couple of times during conference. Had to get up once last night to put Bruce's leg back on the bed. I hate it but it is a sign he is doing better. I am not nice when I need sleep.

  I took my circle quilt top to the quilters. I finished my embroidery quilt top, will need to get a backing for it. I started a butterfly top during conference. I cut out the parts, need to iron it in place and will machine quilt it. I have several quilts I have started so will pick one to finish. I like to keep busy so I will stay out of trouble.

We had the windows opened today, the dog rolled in something so it kinda stinks in this house...

I made a bucket list and invited my sisters to go with me. Any of these you want to do avec moi? Have you done them already?

Castle tour in Ireland and Scotland - spend the night in a castle

Pay for a strangers meal

Quilt retreat in a southern mansion

Quilting cruise to Alaska, walk on a glacier

Ride a camel, ride an elephant

Ride in a hot air balloon

Ride down the Mississippi River in a steam boat

tour Mark Twain house in Hartford, Connecticut 

Skinny dip - Bruce says he's already been but he would go with me, my sisters don't want to go...

Visit Canada, Bruce says he's been to Quebec, there is a castle there. My sisters say I need to go to Niagara Falls, Bruce said he would go too.

Win a viewers choice ribbon at the fair

Visit Edgar Allen Poe home in New York

Visit Ernest Hemingway home in Key West, Florida 

Visit Ray Bradbury home in Waukegan, Il 

Bruce added to his list: salmon fishing in Alaska, sit on a beach in Jamaca, go on a mission

 I will do the quilting retreat in Alaska cruise while he fishes, together but apart...

   On Thursday Bruce had a fun, unique experience. They took him to the Bariatric ward at the hospital which is for very obese people that can't walk. There they have a lift and a track to practice walking. They put Bruce in a harness and hooked him up. They are able to adjust the amount of weight on his legs. It took a couple of tries but he was able to stand for a couple of minutes. They are trying to get his quads, thigh muscles to kick in.

  My sister singing in the Mo Tab for general conference. It happens twice a year. There are six sessions, one for priesthood and one for women. My sistah is the blonde on the top row first one on the left, in the pinkish dress. I got chills when they sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". Did you feel it?

  

Eighteen Months Since the SCI

   Our caregiver was late, three Sunday's in a row, but who is counting? Me obviously He says he will get up earlier. Bruce wanted to go to Elgin ward and he would have to leave here by 8:15. We made it, I was still stressing. My left eye twitches when I am doing too much. It means I need to close my eyes and relax. I did after they left since my church begins at 1pm.

   Easter Sunday, we had a lamb roast, red baby taters and green salad. I didn't feel like making a feast since it was fast Sunday and we didn't have family. Andrew ate with his friends from church. So we had a lot of leftovers. 

  On Monday Bruce was again very stiff from the spasms he has been having. They did a lot of stretching and ranging to get him loosened up. We figure he sleeps so deeply he stiffens up. Bruce said every time he moved, he had spasms and couldn't sleep. They are thinking of increasing his medication. 

   Andrew informs me before work today that he needs dinner ready by 5:00pm since he is going on a singles branch activity to Baker to go bowling. Yes, sir, I made a lamb curry (leftover Easter feast) with sliced apples, celery, maters, and rice and it was ready by 5:15 in time for him to rendezvous with his friends. Give me strength.

  The dog is shedding like crazy. It looks like tuffs of batting on the floor. It does not fall off when we go for walks.

   I put the last border on my Aunt Ruthies Farm Stand panel. The designer is coming the end of April to teach us and there is a competition for using the panel in a quilt. Will have to get it quilted before the class. I did a lot of the hand work last Oct. while Bruce was in recovery for a month in Boise. 

   Bruce said he broke his record for standing, 2 min and 45 secs. 

More spasms, less work, Bruce came home from therapy early because of the spasms. They also stopped at Burger King. Did they bring me something? Bruce says we know you always order salads and they were out of salads. I'm still miffed. The smell of hamburger and French fires is celestial. 

    Well it has been year and half since the spinal cord injury. Bruce has movement in his legs and feet. He is still really weak. This is the time of recovery. They figure the average for regaining what you will regain happens by this time. Maybe since he is older it will take longer. He is still improving so we are still moving forward.

    

Bruce's Birthday

Monday Bruce was really stiff and it took an hour of stretching and ranging before he was able to stand. He tightens up like that after a night of spasms.

  Tuesday went to an estate sale in Summerville with Carma and found a few fun items. I have been collecting vintage embroidery to put in a quilt. I really appreciate the hand work and people don't use the dresser linens any more. Then we stopped at the second hand store behind Bronson lumber and then to Mac D's for a healthy mango/pineapple smoothie. Thank you for a morning off!

   Pool time on Wednesday Bruce was very stiff and not able to push off the side of the pool. He asked if he could march in place and he did that, then he wanted to do a step up on the step in the pool and with assistance he did that.

  Bruce and Duncan went to the urologist in Baker and Bruce was given a clean bill of health for his kidneys. All the medication had side effects and that has disappeared! Yeah!

  I went to a pot luck with some friends. I took a blueberry cream pie with graham cracker crust I found from my Cat Who Mystery Cookbook. There was enough left over for the boys and Bruce.

  Thursday was Bruce's birthday. He is 64 years young. We went to lunch at the Sub shop. They have a back door entrance with a nice ramp. Trouble was a car was parked there. Kathy got the young girl to move her car. I had the chicken fajita salad, Andrew met us there and he and Duncan had the 12 inch subs, Bruce had a half a sub sandwich. Andrew took half a day off, Goss Motors is very kind to let him have days off. Bruce then went to therapy and after therapy we, Andrew, Bruce and I went to the movies. We saw Zootopia, there were only about 20 people in the theatre, we laughed out loud, it was a delightful movie. Andrew liked the sloths the best.

  Bruce has added another chore to his list. He can snap up his pants and hang them on a hanger in the closet. This evening he tried to put the trash can by the road for the truck. He could do it with assistance. He couldn't turn the can around without it dumping on him so his assistant Duncan did the turning. He folds his own towels now and sometimes puts the silverware away. He is in charge of his medication and changes out his weekly pill box by himself. 

   They are teaching Bruce to put on his socks and sandles, so with assistance he tries that every now and then.

Quilt Show

   On Tuesday Bruce had three therapists working with him trying to fix the uneven hip joints. He now has exercises showing him how to increase the strength in his right hip. 

   At pool on Wednesday Bruce was holding weights so he could stand evenly. A weight on one side made him stand up with hips alined. And he did it without a neck brace.

  Finished the binding on two quilts and tied the minion lap quilt. It is bright.

Wednesday made dinner for Rosala, she is ill, tried a new recipe, shouldn't do that to others, just stick to barbecue sauce. 

    On Friday we set up the quilt show at the church. We had a lot of help so it went fast. Saturday we had 98 quilts and 84 people came. Next year's theme is log cabin. I already found some log cabin pincushions we can use for door prizes. 

My first chevron, yes the rows go up and down similar to my life instead of even ups and downs. It is the bright fabric of Kaffe Fawcett, I am stepping out of my comfort zone to use his line however I like the flowers and Bruce likes fish, who would have guessed they would go nicely in a quilt?

This quilt features the plus sign, reminds me of Tetris game.

This is falling squares with the minion fabric.

This is have square triangles. I couldn't resist, cheddar and indigo and the Scottish thistle for Bruce.

This is called coins, like coins stacked.

Its my therapy to do quilts. These are the finished results. I have ventured off rectangles and squares to triangles. I'm a big girl now. Ta da

 

Waiting for Spring

Bruce said he walked on his knees in pool time.

   Hokan has been coming over to dig up some lilies and Iris that have been overtaking Bruce's grapes. It is a muddy wet job. He is raising money for spring wrestling. Thank you for the hard work. 

  On Monday, Teija brought over some wonderful chicken, taters and carrot stew and for dessert there was ice cream chosen by her son, Carson, 3, who likes the Neapolitan flavor.

   Wednesday we ate at the spaghetti feed Angel fundraiser at the high school. There were a lot of people there. Bruce had fun talking to all his friends at school. We gave Rosala and Debbie a week off.

   Thursday Amy brought over my favorite dish in the whole world, crispy chicken, a fresh green salad with avocado and a red jello cake with strawberries. I grew up in Virginia and KFC crispy chicken style is my choice for my birthday dinner! You read my mind.

   I picked up my costumes from Amal and the Night visitors. I gave one outfit to Bro. Hawks, he likes to dress up as a shepherd at Christmas time to deliver gifts to the families he visits from the church, a clever idea and going the extra mile. The rest I will donate to the Seventh Day Adventist church for their yearly gift to the community of the nativity. Seems people wear the costumes home and some are not returned. Some costumes are getting older and worn out too. They need a costume Nazi...

  I worked on the Quilt Quester's yearly challenge. It is a panel that needs embroidery work. It is from Aunt Ruthie's Farm Stand.

  Bruce had spasms for about half an hour this morning around five, his legs just shake and fall off the bed. Yes, we push his legs over on the bed but each spasm moves his legs, sometimes they go up in the air and sometimes they jerk around. Will need a nap today.

   Bruce's standing goals have changed, he is having difficulties with his hips, one is higher than the other. They do stretches to get him straightened out. 

    At night Relief Society (church women's meeting) we learned how to stay spirituality strong. Trouble is when times get tough, no matter how many trials you can handle, you turn to Christ and he answers by sending family, friends and neighbors. 

   We also learned how to give a massage. Pain/body aches is an outward manifestation of inward turmoil. The philosophy of the day .25 please.

   

Dan and Heidie Arrive

We had a pretty good week. I didn't have any melt downs and didn't snap at Bruce, at least he didn't say anything to me.

So probably something will happen this week. 

I got another quilt top cut out and will sew on it this week. I hope.

Haven't heard if Dan and fam will come tomorrow or not. Trying to clean up slow and steady today. 

 A lady came to church that we have been working with. She read a scripture, made comments and answered questions.

I finished my two quilting murder mysteries. they were fun 

  A family came and pruned the cherry trees and the apricot for us. They said they were the best cherries, better than the stores. They will come back later and do the peach, apple and raspberries. They have to wait for the raspberries to turn green to be able to cut out the dead canes. Bruce is pleased. I got to watch Garfield the movie with them.

Sonnet came and walked the dog. 

Monday - Bishop Huntsman came over to get a Prince Charming costume. He is taking the girls to a dance tomorrow. I charge cookies now since I have 'closed' the shop.

  Went to Gary's house to pick up some fabric he was giving away. Rosala went with me. It was mostly very nice tapestry fabric for curtains. Rosala kept an alphabet panel for a baby quilt and some flannel. I kept some gorgeous red fabric for pillows. The rest will go to UFO for the ladies to use in projects. Thank you for thinking of us 

Gary, may your heart heal. 

Thursday - Our son, Dan, his wife, Heidie and two daughters have arrived. We are watching the Minions movie. We went to pumpkin park and took family pictures this morning. Dan and Heidi had a wedding photo taken there so they do family photos there now.

  Got another blue and white jelly roll so will have something for a SR quilt next year. 

Andrew took the day off work to spend time with the fam.

   A pink and purple stained glass four patch, Princess quilt. Coralee likes purple and took this home with her. She made her own sandwich, and helped her dad make the sprinkle cake! It was a full two days, we were worn out. 

 Friday - We all went out to eat plus Carol cause Dan wanted to catch up with her. We went  to Asian Fusion, Bruce gets curry, I got pad tai and the rest ordered  sweet and sour, rice and other yummy stuff. This weeks goal was to stop eating when you feel full. I just had a little more on my plate and didn't want to toss it. Oh well I will do better.

 Dan baked a cake and iced it so the boys are eating it and I had a small piece and then I kept slicing more small pieces. See how bad I am? It was a good cake.

  A man, Michael came over and wanted to rent my white fur cape. He is a photographer and has rented stuff before. He is doing a series of photos with young women called "dangerous curves" they are modest photos with women in dresses holding dangerous weapons. So his idea is to put this six foot eleven inch girl in a white dress with the white cape and a necklace on her forehead standing in the snow holding two crossed Bowie knives with 10 inch blades. His first photo was his granddaughter with a gun. If he can come up with twelve ideas he wants to do a calendar. His name is Michael Bove, he is Mary Lu Pierce's significant other. She worked at the middle school. He entered pictures of his ballerinas in the fair and won a ribbon last year. He did ballerinas with different backgrounds in Oregon instead of in a dance studio where you normally see them.

  I think he should do older women quilting. Tired, worn out faces tell a story them selves. But they don't sell calendars. Maybe with a quilt in unusual backgrounds...

  Bruce and I went to see My Fair Lady at the opera house yesterday. It was well done. Eliza's voice was amazing. They had a barbershop with Ivan Hibbert that was fun. They had rented the black/white costumes and the ball gowns, they were perfect and made the show. Ken Wheeler was Eliza's father Alfie Doolittle and did a roaring good drunk. Bruce got to talk to Michael Frazier and catch up with him. His wife had breast cancer and is recovering from that. Man, we all have troubles. 

  Rosala gave me a fleece blanket for the back of the chevron baby quilt so when I get it tied we will take it to Erica. 

 Well this turned into an epistle. Bruce stood up for 3 min and 45 seconds this week. He has had terrible spasms and his leg has fallen off the bed every early morning this week. (Usually around 5 am) I do not like interrupted sleep. I tend to snap at people and look grumpy. How do people hide their lives on their faces? 

  We figure it is the therapy making the muscles kick in so that is a good thing.

  

He Almost Took a Step

   Bruce almost took a step yesterday. He had three helpers. He shifts his weight to his left foot and they had a slippery pad under his right foot and he was ready to slide forward and his leg with all his weight on it crumbled. His legs aren't strong enough to support all his weight. I am sure they will try again. 

  I got some chocolate fabric. It is a layer cake with different kinds of chocolate on the fabric. They suggest Christmas pkgs for the pattern and I will use turquoise fabric for the ribbons with flannel on the back. Can't wait to snuggle with it. 

  The rear view mirror came off the van. I got some glue to fix it. Duncan hasn't glued it yet. Now we will have to wait until it gets warm to try it again. The nice man at the auto parts store said several people had bought glue, he thinks it is the hot/cold weather making the mirrors fall off.

  Bruce has an ingrown toenail. We have been soaking it twice a day. He will see the dr tomorrow.

  

 I did order a new organizing book, (going to have to organize them) the Magic of Tidying Your Home by a Japanese lady. She says to roll your socks and they will be happy. So I went through Bruce's socks and rolled them, now we have happy socks... She says to Get rid of everything that doesn't bring you joy. She cleans by item, like all clothes, all books, etc. I will have fun reading the book.

   Meg is coming over today to prune the peach tree. Bruce would like the raspberries done if they know how too.

  I went to the nice dentist, no cavities 

   Bruce and Andrew were going to go to the high school bb game and Bruce couldn't get his debit card to work. They tried calling me and as usual I didn't have my cell phone with me. It turned out to be an exciting game. They want to go to the girls home game this week. They watched Glory Road instead, a bb movie.

   

A New Challenge

   Bruce is on level 5 on the step bike. Oops change that, they are having him step as fast as he can and he said it wore him out. He went back down to a level four. It makes the lef spasm return.

  Tuesday Bruce wanted to try the slide board at the end of the bed. It was harder than he thought. It is up hill and he didn't have his left arm brace on. We did it, it took longer than the sling and lift. We will get faster.

   At pool time the two aides asked Bruce to try walking without the neck float support. He said it made it harder, but he liked the challenge. The aides were concerned if Bruce loses his balance, he could fall forward or backward and not recover so they only will try that when they have two to work with him. Bruce was able to walk around the pool four times. He did sit to stands, and push off the side of the pool. He complains they don't do enough warm ups. 

  Rosala and Debbie once again outdid themselves with dinner. We enjoyed KFC with homemade tater salad, baked beans, orange slices and a still warm lemon meringue pie. Thank you ladies. You are spoiling us.

  Wednesday night Bruce had leg spasms again, twice, we were both calm and I didn't snap at him. I was able to place his leg back on the bed without any problems. We had Duncan put the bed rail together and Bruce decided he didn't want it on the bed, it would ruin the mattress. We will order a standing one that is removable.

   Thursday Bruce tried the slide board again. It goes a lot quicker than the lift and sling. E wore his arm brace.

   Friday PT worked with his left arm. They think they can get more out of it.

  We went on a field trip to the DMV. Bruce renewed his drivers license up to 2024 and we got a handicap accessible sign for that long too. We had to have a DRs signature. 

  Sonnet came twice this week to walk Hali our dog. Both like it. 

Saturday we went to the fundraiser pasta meal for the boy with a cancer tumor. Bruce got spaghetti and I got the chicken fettuccine. I liked the small bread sticks, have never seen them before, they could get addicting. It was good, Bruce had dessert, a slice of chocolate cake with white frosting. 

  Saturday night we took Andrew out to La Fiesta for his birthday dinner. I had a tostado salad with avocado and sour cream. So needless to say I ate way too much this day.