Memorial Day (sort of)

We went to church Sunday and had a guest speaker.  After the service, we drove back home and accomplished a little.  By 6:45 PM, we were driving back to the church.  After getting half-way to Adel, I realized we had not loaded the lawn chairs.  So, we turned around and went back home again, loaded the chairs and ended up about a half-hour late for the bonfire.

The hotdogs were grilled and there were yummy salads and chips to choose from.  Everything was wonderful, most went back for seconds and thirds (me included).  After everyone ate, there were games to play and the kids had a blast, including mine.  Steve even played volleyball with the group.  I sat and visited and then noticed Cambria sitting in the grass by herself.

I asked her if she wanted Mommy and she was tearful and said she did.  She held my hand and by the time we walked over to the volleyball area, I asked if she wanted to swing and pushed her for awhile.  She did, so that's what we did.  Everyone had a great time.  Taylor was held up in the air as pictures were being taken.  (They had one that game, but overall the score was tied one to one.)

I don't think we have any graduations to go to this year.  I was talking to Sue today (Happy Birthday, Sue) and we realized we will have four grandkids graduating at the same time:  Carter, Alyce, Chloey (Wendy's daughter), and  Skips youngest daughter.  Good grief.  We'd better start saving up money.

Are you going to any graduations this year?

50 Degrees

Wow, it's a little chilly today.  The weather has been in the 80's so 50 degrees is quite a change.  Steve planted a garden for me and with last night's and today's rain, we won't have to water for a while.

I've been trying to quit smoking and I bought some carmel apple suckers that I've been using in between cigarettes.  It's also helped being cold outside, don't want to stay out there.  Time will tell if I can do it.

Steve said the next time he's layed off, we can start painting the inside rooms of the house.  I cannot wait.  We haven't painted in years.  Since we added the addition, I think.  I saw a neat metal switch plate that looks really cool.  You can get Victorian or other styles.  I really live the Victorian style.

I'd love to get a new patio poured, but in order to do that, we need to jack hammer out the old.  Such a lot of work to do.  Once that's done, the house will really look bad.  It needs new wood here and there.  The foundation needs redone....what is priority?  I know the foundation should be first, but such a cost.   Bummer!

Today's Appointment

Josh took me to my appointment for the myleogram at 8 am. I was expecting the injection like where I get them in the low back for my SI steroid injections. It was higher and not quite the same. But as you can see I lived through it. Prayed my way through it, I should say. The worst part was face down and turned upside down. N a u s e a t i n g. They talked me through it. That and having the pressure of the bars on my shoulders where the left arm has pain and you're upside down on that spot. Oh, well. It's over. Josh took me to the neuro after that and am probably going to get the surgery done. Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts and good wishes. :)

As I was walking Jay out to the car for him to go home, I got all teary as it reminded me of me taking Dad places.  I told him that and told him I loved him.  He said, "I love you, too, Mom."

Bathroom Flooring

If you've been to my house, you know I love my bathroom (off the master bedroom).  However, the flooring is made out of squares (which I like and love the color).  Some of the squares are not staying in place which leaves spaces between some of the squares.  It wouldn't be easy to take them up and relay them.  They'd probably tear as you take them up.

I would like to have the floor redone.  And while we're at it, we need new carpeting in the living, dining, stairs, and 3 bedrooms.  The master bedroom carpet still looks like new.

Then I would like wood floors in the kitchen, entry, and laundry rooms.  To top it all off I'd like granite counter tops in the kitchen.  If we lived in Texas we could call bathroom remodeling houston,  at least for the bathroom.

I'm not asking for a lot am I?

Beautiful Weather

It's the first week of May and the weather has been outstanding.  We had a very short winter this year and that is all right with me.  I hate the cold weather.

I've spent a lot of time outside sitting at our old picnic table reading good books.  I have an addiction to reading fiction.  When I run low on books to read, I go to the library and check out way more books than I could possibly read in 3 weeks.

It's so nice out I've wished I could clean out the inside of my car and apply some leather protector.  Since I have leather seats, I really need to take care of them to keep them in good shape.

We have had rain off and on, but normally it's been at night.  Steve mowed the yard yesterday and it looks really great.  He applied grub worm killer a week or so ago as we have moles or something digging underground in our whole yard.  Makes me angry.  They even burrowed through my little garden.

We'll see if that works, it's said the moles stay in areas where there are grub worms as that's what they eat.  Little creeps!

A Chance For Advancement

One of my sons has been asked to apply for a new position in the company he works for.  It would mean an advancement for him.  He has a big decision to make.  One that would mean authority over others and that he would have new things to learn.

I don't know if he would be using welding supplies or not, he had training in that when he was younger.  He would have to make decisions for work that needed to be done and he's a little nervous about that, I think.

I can remember when my company was going out of business.  The company that bought it did not automatically take all the employees into their company.  We all had to apply and interview for the positions.  It was completely different than the job I had at the time.  Turned out only 13 of 30 employees were hired.

It was a very uncomfortable two weeks we had to work at the old place, with the 17 employees who were not hired.  It all turned out well in the end, but I had to learn a new job and feel that I know a little of what my son is going through.  It will all turn out no matter which way he decides.  I happen to know that he can do whatever needs to be done, and do it well.

Myleogram (Sp?)

This Wednesday, May 9, I have to go get a Myleogram done.  The paperwork says it is the same thing as a spinal tap.  Yuck.  I will admit I am nervous about getting this done.

From what I understand, they put a needle in your spine (low back) and draw some spinal fluid out.  Then they insert a dye.  The next step is to tilt the table up and then down so the dye goes throughout the spine.  I'm not sure what they do after that.

I'm supposed to lie down for 24 to 48 hours or else I will get a severe headache.  Great, huh?  I think Steve needs to look for a double chaise lounge that I can lay on outside in the shade (weather permitting).

I am not looking forward for Wednesday to come.  At night now, I lay there with my eyes closed and think about having it done.  Then I pray to the Lord to get me through this.  I covet your prayers.  I need His peace.

EMG

Last Wednesday, May 2, I went to the Iowa Clinic to have an EMG done of my neck, arms, and hands.  I will say that it was not much fun.  The result was the pain in my arm, back, elbow, comes from the neck.  The doctor showed me a model of the neck bones, nerves, etc.  Apparently my trouble comes from the C8 area.

I didn't watch what the doctor did but knew he was inserting a needle that was attached to wires.  Once he put it in place, he turned some type of energy on and it would jolt the nerve, which would be caught on his screen so he could tell which nerves were operating correctly and which ones were not.

It's amazing the type of medical equipment they use to find problems in your body.  I looked at the needle as he placed in in my right hand (the next to the last time).  It was close to 2 inches in length and I said, "Boy, I'm glad I didn't see the size of that needle before we started."

The doctor said he only inserts it about a quarter of an inch.  What to believe?  He did it about 28, maybe 30 times and the most painful was in the area about an inch below the thumb.  Whew.  I'm glad it's over with.

My Job

I started working two days a week for 4 - 5 hours those days.  I scan letters, labs, etc., into the computer into patients accounts.  My next door neighbor, Sheri, used to have this job and when she went back to her old job, she recommended me to her employers.

I absolutely love the work.  I'm back in a room where they Xray people occasionally.  So, I don't have to deal with anyone around except when Xrays need to be taken.  Then I step outside the room till it's done.  The doctor, PAs, and nurses I work with are really great.

I'd like to get a couple sets of nursing scrubs to wear as they are more comfortable than casual wear.  Right now I'm off for a while, maybe until I have surgery on my neck.  Then, when I feel good again, I am supposed to call them.

They may have me come in less hours than now as they are watching money spent.  Apparently, getting all new  computers and scanning equipment made a large debt for the office.  I don't mind getting less hours.  Any hours at all gets me out of the house for a while.  Also, I'm able to pick my days and hours so I can work with the tiredness the meds I'm on give me.