Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The last time I wrote, we were in Rochester, MN at Mayo Clinic. The trees were beautiful up there. Bruce's visit went well. We went there because Bruce has been having significant back and neck pain and he has his fourth collapsed vertebrae. The doctors prescribed some intense physical therapy which Bruce has started. The goal is to strengthen the muscles in Bruce's back so they will protect his spine. The doctors did lots of blood work and said they were pleased with everything concerning his osteoporosis. I think that means that everything that can be done is being done and if he acts his age and knocks off the risky activities, he could be fine. His PSA was a little higher but is still very low. He will have it rechecked again in three months.

We came home and worked two days and then took Melissa with us to the condo at the lake for the three-day weekend. Our friend Don Putnam has finished our kitchen. He designed and installed the back splash for us. He is great! I wish I could figure out hold the camera level when I'm taking a picture. For those of you that don't know, I have an issue with straight lines!!

Our next week was a tough one. Jasmine stayed with the vet while we were in Rochester. She was doing great when we got home so we took her with us to the lake for the three-day weekend. When we got home Monday night, she was fine but later in the evening she wasn't fine any longer. We took her to the vet Tuesday morning and they watched her all day. The vet called Tuesday night and said he thought she would be ok. Wednesday morning the vet called and said she had gotten way worse. He thought that her liver had failed and it was time to put her to sleep. Bruce and I went straight to the vet's office and held her for about an hour. She was crying and seemed to be totally out of it. We stayed with her while the vet gave her a shot and put her to sleep. She passed away very peacefully. Bruce and I cried like babies for the next three hours.

Fortunately for us we had planned to go to Topeka to see our oldest grandson perform in the Capital City Band Festival. We had dinner with Joy, Alex, Michael and Joy's dad Jim and then went to the competition. We had a great time. James is the tallest one on the drum line (6'4" - 225 lbs).

The next night we went back to Topeka for our youngest grandson's middle school band concert. He is in a newly formed middle school which has a fantastic band program. We went to the concert with the kids and then went to Olive Garden for dinner. Yum. Here's a couple shots of Michael. Michael is in the red shirt.

Friday we met friends for drinks and dinner after work. It was a "pre" surprise party for Barb Frans 60th birthday. Saturday we cleaned the apartment and scrubbed the carpets. Saturday night we went to Barb's real 60th birthday party. It was fun to be with long time friends.

Sunday Bruce cleaned the cars inside and out and I laid on the couch like a lazy bum.

Last night Amy helped me get signed up on Facebook. I've been having a good time trying to figure out how to make my way around. I have already amassed 20 plus friends. I'm such a techie!!! (LOL)

It has cooled off here so I've been making soup in the crock pot. I'm not sure how we are going to survive the winter. I'm already cold! Tonight Bruce and Melissa went to Taco Tuesday at Pickerings with my sorority sisters and their husbands. I had my hair cut and colored. Now if I'd go get my nails done, I'd be in pretty good shape.

Monday, October 6, 2008

We've covered a few hundred miles since I wrote on Friday night. Saturday morning we tried to get out of town early but didn't hit the road until 8:00. We arrived in Watertown, SD at my parent's house about 4:00 p.m. We had dinner and a nice visit. Sunday we left Watertown about 12:30 and drove to Madison, SD to visit my Aunt Delores and Uncle Roger for a little while. Instead of taking the interstate to Rochester, MN we took the back roads. The drive was beautiful. The trees are starting to turn here. Mankato, MN was gorgeous. This morning Bruce had his first appointment at Mayo Clinic at 9:30. He saw Dr. Anne Kearns in Endocrinology. She ordered a bunch of blood tests and a consult with Physical Medicine. He is carrying around a jug because he is collecting urine for 24 hours. Now, that is a fun thing to carry around with him! We finished at the clinic about 4:30 and went to the mall to get some exercise. We had dinner at a family owned place called O'Neil's Pizza Pub. Oh YUM! Tomorrow the only thing Bruce has to do is drop off his jug at 9:40 and then we are going to Minneapolis to Mall of America for some shopping. He sees his doctor again on Wednesday morning at 11:00 to find out what she thinks. We are staying at the Super 8 and have nice accommodations. We are making the most of our time off.

September 24 - October 2, 2008

Another week is gone. Since I posted last we have been to Iowa to close on the sale of the farm and close out Bruce's mother's estate. Both went smoothly. We stayed with Bruce's Aunt and Uncle and had a fun visit. Thursday night after all the business was finished we drove to the lake. It was so nice to get down there and just relax. Friday we spent the day doing nothing much. Friday night Amy came down. A whole gang of us went to dinner at a place called the Olive Branch. Great Italian food and a fun little environment. Saturday Bruce, Amy and I joined nine others from our complex and went to the off shore boat races. A good time was had by all. Those boats are FAST. We ate and drank all day. As soon as we got back to the condo we jumped into our car and went to a new place called Shrimp Daddy's. It's about 2 miles from the condo. They serve cajun food. The jambalaya, the gumbo, the shrimp poppers and the FRIED pecan pie were all great. We knew everyone in the restaurant so we had good food and good visiting. This is the gang from sunrise ridge that went on the boat races cruise.

Aggiville is in Manhattan, KS. Lots of college kids go there. I gues one couple couple does now)

This week has flown by. Monday night we talked to our financial guy. Tuesday we went to Bev Henning's mother's visitation. Wednesday after work I baked three apple pies from scratch. I used lard for the pie crusts and they were scrumptious. Making pie crust with lard is a snap compared to using Crisco. I took two of the pies to work today and they disappeared in a flash. Tonight we went to a warehouse wine sale. Another 13 bottles of wine found their way into our trunk. YUM. Tomorrow night the daughter of my high school best friend will be staying with us. Saturday morning Bruce and I are driving to my Mom and Dad's in South Dakota. Jasmine is going to stay with the vet. Monday morning Bruce has a 9:30 appointment at Mayo Clinic. We don't know how long he will be there so we are going prepared for the week but hope he finishes in one day. I'm headed to bed! Have a great weekend.

September 1-23, 2008

My sister-in-law Lori has started a blog and has inspired me to get going again. You'll have to visit her at: http://thenewjerseygirl.blogspot.com/

September has been a busy month for us. We spent Labor Day weekend at the condo. Our friends Rob and Bev Henning visited. Bruce helped with the "golf" event at the 2nd Annual Sunrise Ridge Summer Olympics. John Dauner and Bruce went fishing for golf balls.

The kids dove into the pool for money. Kayley Taylor was smart. She went for the quarters while the rest of the kids were going for the pennies!!

Jasmine has been diagnosed the Cushing's Disease. She's totally deaf and blind now. She drinks way too much (so who doesn't). She sleeps way too much. She pees on the floor way too much but we still love her to pieces. Her belly is about bald and she probably won't live much longer so we are loving her lots now. Isn't she sweet?

She likes sleeping in our bed so sometimes she gets to take a nap there!

We went to Branson the weekend of the 6th of September. Don, Lavon, Ray, Linda, Bruce and I had a great time catching up at Shorty Small's.

Sunday morning Bruce and I went to worship service at the KOA where Don was preaching. They have an unusual welcome committee there.The next weekend Greg and Janet Nieto came for a visit. They are finally finished living in Washington, D.C. and have returned to Blair, Nebraska for retirement. They have a new addition to their family and she likes Bruce:

Friday night the tornado sirens blew for 45 minutes. I was very brave and didn't even get excited. The girls were SO proud of me. Bruce, Melissa, Amy and I went to a wine party at the home of Mark and Mary Gash. We were joined by all kinds of our good Lutheran wine drinking friends. A good time was had by all. I was the big wine buyer that night - 18 bottles. Can't wait to get started on it!

Last weekend six of my PEZ sisters joined Bruce and I at the lake for a weekend of fun and fellowship. I forgot the camera at home so I have no pictures to share. We ate, we shopped, we boated, we watched movies, we drank a little wine, we laughed, we talked and we had a great time.

We've been at the vet's office with Jasmine a lot this month. We've decided that we aren't going to make Jasmine take any medication. We purchased some drugs for her but they have the potential of making her feel really bad and neither of us has the heart to give them to her so we aren't going to do it.

Bruce has been to the doctor a few times this month as well. His blood sugar is too high again so he's back on his diet. He has another broken vertebrae in his back -that makes four. His doctor wanted him to see a specialist for the osteoporosis so he has an appointment at Mayo Clinic for October 6. He could get an appointment in Kansas City but not until the end of December. Go figure.

The company that Bruce works for lost the government contract. Bruce met with the new employer/contractor yesterday and was assured that they want him to stay on as the supervisor. He's been very busy trying to get everything straight. He is kind of excited about working for Chenega Technology Services Corporation. They have an interesting story if you want to look them up on the web. www.chenegatechnology.com

I've had a dizzier than normal month. The doctor thinks it is due to sinus infection and inflammation so I'm treating that. I've slept a lot more than normal and haven't had a whole lot of energy but I'm much better. My work is fine and dandy.

Tonight Bruce, Amy and I went to Tacos with my PEZ sisters. Amy and I did a little shopping at a jewelry party. I bought myself a little bling.

Tomorrow we are driving to Iowa. The attorney has everything set to close Bruce's mother's estate. Bruce will sign all the papers on Thursday afternoon. Another chapter in Bruce's life is coming to a close.

Now, you and I are all caught up!

Sunday, August 16 (posted on 9/15/08)

Snookie has shamed me into getting busy so tonight I decided to load a few balloon pictures. On 8/17/08 Bruce celebrated his 60th birthday with a balloon ride which a gift from the kids. Everyone thought I was going with Bruce as his "guest" but as a 30th birthday present for Alex, I sent Alex with his Dad. Everyone was shocked. About 6:00 p.m. Bruce, Alex, Joy, James, Michael, Melissa, Amy and I drove out to Johnson County Executive Airport to meet Jason Jones from Old World Balloonary for the ride. Jason was patiently waiting for us.

Alex and Bruce received their instructions and signed their lives away.

The rest of us hung around. Standing: Melissa, Rob Henning, Amy, Sharon Pierson and her grandchildren Kori and Cody; Bev Henning. Sitting Joy and James Bruce and Alex went with Jason and the balloon while the rest of us followed. The basket was unloaded at an old airstrip.

Next came the envelope.

The pilot was about ready to load the basket with his passengers.

The last passenger jumped on board. And they were off.

All too soon they landed peacefully in front of Blue Valley Middle School.

I guess Bruce had to "go".

It was time to put away the envelope.

And the basket.

Now it was time for the "first flight" ceremony. It was a great evening and one that none of us will forget.