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.

    

Manual Wheelchair Ordered

   Pool time on Monday was full of new things for Bruce to try. He was asked to march in place and Bruce was able to pick up his feet about four inches. Then bicycling in place. And finally he walked on his knees in the water along the side of the pool.

      I began a Zumba gold class (over 50, I know I am only 49 but she made an exception for me, wink wink). Tuesday we fixed the marvelous chicken tortellini soup my DIL, made for us. Thank you Lindsy! It was marvelous! 

     On Wednesday Bruce had a tube put in his ear. He said the pain killer shot hurt. (Oxymoron?) He said he can hear better now. The tube they inserted will last six to 18 months. He still might need hearing aids. We almost decapitated him getting into the van. He had lifted his chair so the ear Dr could work on him, he sat up after the procedure and we forgot to lower the chair so when he got into the van his neck and head were torked around. Ouch!

   Rosala and Debbie brought over dinner, Debbie made fruit salad, and banana bread brownies with icing and Rosala baked up some fish the twins had caught on their coast trip. With rice and veggies we ate really well.

     Thursday I skipped Zumba to go to Athena to a quilt class with seven other quilting friends. We learned a couple of new quilting tips, had lunch out and kept sewing. In the afternoon we got hot, no air conditioning except for fans. I was a good girl and only bought enough fabric to finish this project. We stopped at DQ on the way home to get some ice cream to cool us off. Now my bad.

   Bruce was measured for a manual wheelchair! Yeah! That is a BIG step. It will increase his upper body strength. It is an ultra light chair, weighing only 50 pounds. It should be here in a month. The OT writes a prescription, the DR okays it, SAIF sends it to a committee and it is ordered.  The chair is the same high school royal blue as his motorized wheelchair and the arms lift up so he can do slide board transfers. A. If step to increase upper body strength.

   Our friend Amy brought over barbecued chicken pizza and cake mix dessert with chocolate chips and fresh fruit. We sure love the pizza and zert!

      Friday was very hot, no air conditioning. Lotsa fans a blowing. I made ice cream with fruit, we had it for lunch and dinner, a new diet for hot weather I am trying...

   Saturday Carol took me to the farmers market and I purchased some baguette bread, thought I might have to knock a couple of people off but got the last loaf! I scored some home made rolls with sesame seeds too and I bought a couple of cucumbers. Later Carol brought over left over chili. 

    That is the latest from Camp Kevan be gone.

    

ER Visit

   Bruce was feeling sluggish on Monday. Andrew worked with Rick chipping up branches. No fire calls yet.

    Our son Dan calls with the exciting news Elodie Alora is born and tells me not to tell anyone until they get home. Roll my eyes. (that is like saying here is some candy but you can't eat it until tomorrow) I immediately call my mom and tell her as she doesn't do Facebook. Tuesday night Bruce wakes me up to say he can't breathe. He is wheezing. We call our home teachers and ask for a blessing at 10:30pm. They come over. Thank you for coming over. Bruce feels better and sleeps with the bed propped up. I sleep on the couch, in the living room, with the dog.

     Wednesday morning, Bruce is still having trouble. Called the Dr for an appointment and she is not in today, they suggest we take Bruce to the ER. Three hours in the ER, tests with blood, urine and X-rays. He falls asleep waiting for the results. He has a slight fever, all results are negative. They tell him to breathe deeply. We return home and he goes to PT. I take Andrew to the Fourth Street Clinic, pink eye infection. Return home for a 20 min nap and Bruce gets home from PT. He is sleeping and snoring away. I was going to go to tri cities with some friends, maybe next month. 

   Rosala and Debbie brought over sloppy joes, an orange, mandarin jello salad and a hot berry crisp. Are we blessed or what? 

    I missed my quilt Quester meeting. They had fun without me. So happy to see the photos they posted. 

    Thursday Bruce morning was at the Stake center paying the bills and that evening at he helps with a Bishops Training meeting. I found some energy and Duncan and I washed the van. 

   I can't get the wax hand machine to cool enough for Bruce's hand. He found out washing the dishes in hot water does the same trick. Yeah. So he gets to do the dishes every other day. Bonus!

   Friday our caretaker was sick so Duncan helped me get Bruce changed, dressed, stretched and out of bed. Then the construction workers showed up to finish the job after being absent for a week. The last cabinet and broken door replacement finally arrived. Our dog Hali does not like the noise of the drill. The kitchen looks great. Thank you Levi! We are waiting on the electrician to install the last couple of lights and it will be finished. 

   Bruce and Duncan set the water from the well to water the garden and then did the final spray of the cherry tree. They are almost ready for picking. Bruce goes to PT and is quite pleased with some massage therapy. He said his lungs, shoulder and back felt better. 

   I called my friend Chris and join her and Rosala and Sonnet for a movie and popcorn. We watch Inside Out. A delightful story about feelings and how parents react to their daughter. I only teared up once... From allergies. 

    Saturday my friend Carol takes me yard sailing. We haven't been in for evah! We head to Elgin for the quilt show, fabric and more yard sailing. I spent too much money on a couple things for the family reunion in July. I found some paint by number kits for the grandchildren, some light up yo yos, a couple of shirts for Bruce, a dog toy for Hali, a small glass pitcher and a small white pyrex mixing bowl for moi.

    Saturday afternoon Bruce and I go to a wedding shower. Everyone is happy to see him. I smile and head for the food.

    Sheesh, another week of spasms, ER room and baby steps.

New baby Elodie Alora comes home to meet big sistah Corlee.

    Can you see the squirrel in Grandma Ruth's tree?

Ride the Rails

   Bruce washed dishes this week. He put on his own shirt with a little assistance. He put on his shoes one time too. He is more flexible at therapy, at home he stiffens up because he doesn't move.

   On Monday, President Chadwick was outta town for two weeks, Bruce got to set apart a missionary going to Tobe, Japan.

    Had Rosala's twins, David and Daniel over to help weed the garden. The garden is Bruce's life. We stapled shiny strips of metallic paper to the cherry trees to keep the birds out, doesn't appear to be working, dang Robins.

   Bruce makes this cage out of white PVC pipe and the boys helped him put it together. It looks like a batting cage with black netting to keep the birds out of the blueberries. It works when birds don't get caught in it. 

    Rosala and Debbie brought over another delicious meal, stuffed manicotti noodles, green salad and strawberry pound cake with red jello and whipped topping. Andrew even liked it! 

   On Thursday our churches women's group had a potluck lunch at Riverside Park. The young moms can bring the little ones to play in the park and we middle aged ladies can sit and watch them corral their children as we solve everyone's problems. I tried to make lemon coconut bars to take and it didn't work, so we have a nice topping for ice cream. I took grapes. I guess you could say I turned my lemons into lemon topping... ;)

   Our friends, Kevin and Jean brought over a scrumptious raspberry, rhubarb pie. Bruce said we could only have one piece a day, so it lasted two long days.

    Friday my friends took me to Joseph to Ride the Rails. It was a fun experience. It is sitting on a chair (not wide enough for my foundation) on a railroad car and pedaling, two people to a car. No place for hands and I felt like I was sliding off the chair. It is six miles down the mountain and that was easy, mostly coasting. The grass was green, a slight breeze and we saw some deer, horses, wild cows and an Osprey's nest. On the return trip it is a 1 1/2 % grade so that is not too bad if you are in shape. Ahem alas the lady with the pushcart caught up to us and after sweating for pert near half and hour we resigned our selves to being pushed. Thank ful for the breeze and rest stops in the shade. They do three trips a day, 8am, noon and 3pm. Children under three can go in a car seat with one adult peddling. It is $20 for adults. You can google Ride the Rails. Apparently OPB made a video and that is online too. Thank you ladies for inviting me. When Bruce gets more balance and strength he said it would be a fun day trip.

 Riding the Rails with friend Kari.

     The Ospry nest had orange and blue twine from baling in its nest.

    Saturday we went a field trip to Millers hardware, to purchase parts for the gutter. We want to make a spout for the rain barrel. The roof was too hot to attach the parts so maybe this week we will accomplish that task. 

    Another week of small steps. 

   

 

Family Visit

    My sisters and mom came to visit! 

    They took us to dinner at Golden Harvest. 

They left too soon. We had some retail therapy at Bealls and then lunch at Taco Time. My sister, Bonita sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Robin is visiting from Virginia. My mom is older (86) and wants to be reassured we are doing okay. I gave them the tour of the new kitchen and they were pleased. We went to sing to my friend in the hospital. We sang I am a Child of God to cheer her up. I am always talking about my sistahs and she was happy to meet them.

   Bruce has a UTI, (look it up) we were able to confirm with a sample and the kind Dr. called in an antibiotic prescription for us. I hope they don't get tired of us. 

    Bad news on the remodel, we ordered two kinds of tile for the backsplash and only one kind was sent so we are on hold til Tuesday. Sigh, I asked them to empty their horses and trim from the garage so I can park my car in there and to finish the backdoor exit so Bruce can go sit on the deck. He loves to be outside. They acquiesced. 

    Rosala and Debbie brought a yummy crock pot meal, barbecued chicken with tons of delicious tater salad and a huge chocolate cake with Oreos, chocolate syrup, and butterscotch syrup, needless to saw we enjoyed it!

     Bruce made dinner on Thursday, sloppy Joes. He is excited to use our new gas stove. He didn't need much help, just getting things out for him.

    At therapy this week Bruce was able to stand and hold 130 pounds of his weight himself. They figure by the end of summer he should be able to stand by himself.

    They also had him sit on a giant ball in a corner teaching home to balance. They had four people helping him. We shoulda got that on film!

   The lawn mower is fixed and Andrew was excited to mow the back yard. Not! Our neighbor had mowed the front for us without being asked. What a kind thing to do. 

   Duncan has been LARPing this weekend. Live action role play at the 4 H center. He comes home sweaty and tired. It gets him out of the house. He had a costume from our basement. He said they had bandits for dinner and troll ear stew (beef stew). They meet twice in the summer. 

    Andrew worked for Kirkhams helping to take down fence posts and put in new ones. He came home sweaty too.

   On Saturday our friend Kevin came over to spray the cherry trees. He also set up the well to water the garden. I planted spinach and lettuce in the tall planter made for Bruce. We removed one board so he can get at it. He said he will thin the spinach and lettuce. Apparently I planted them too close together.  Hmmm 

  Saturday we took it easy, Bruce was worn out from therapy, tired neck and shoulders. I put a hot rice bag on his neck and it was too hot and there is a small burn mark on the back of his neck. My bad. So fire me. Bruce says it's not going to happen. Will have to think of something worse to do...

   

Graduation

No therapy on Monday, Memorial Day vacation, we got sub sandwiches, thank you for the Coupon! We usually go to Red Bridge for a picnic but this year we took naps instead. 

  Tuesday Bruce had pool in the morning, he said he was able to do everything. He came home with white powder everywhere. He said they used baby powder on the board to transfer him from his chair to the lift into the pool.

  In the afternoon he had OT which was building up his arms and then practicing rolling over.

     Amy blessed us with her infamous (more than famous) chicken barbecue pizza and a small salad and pink homemade Oreo cookies and pink cookies with sprinkles.  Yummy. Andrew said he could eat that every week.

     Wednesday Bruce had PT. 

  Rosala brought over beef stew in a can, salad, and a chocolate cream pie. Thank you for the weekly repast!

   Thursday we had the basketball barbecue at Riverside park. What a hard working group of young men. And the coach of four years did the grilling. 

   Friday I thought we would have pizza but my friend Ellen brought us a new recipe of pasta, sausage and yummy vegetables with warm delicious homemade rolls and jam. Thank you!

  Saturday our youngest son, Andrew graduated from La Grwnde high school.  Ben, our oldest sone and his wife, Lindsy were here for the celebration.  Ben's children joined us after the ceremonies for a barbecue. Duncan got out hide wii and they played for an hour. Then they went for a walk to Riverside park and Grandpa Bruce took a nap. Well it poured down rain and I went to rescue them in the van. I found Ben and his oldest son under a via duct waiting for a break in the rain. We went on to the park and crammed everyone in the van. Matt, the oldest grandson, said this was the best visit ever. Lindsy brought three more frozen meals. The best part for moi! Thank you for taking the time for us with your busy family.

  Andrew left for the all night drug free party to silver wood, in Coer D'alene.