Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Daughter Update

Our daughter is back in the hospital.  Her husband took her into the ER last night.  The pain was so bad she couldn't stand it.  It's not that the doctor didn't try to help her but......when she called in the prescription to CVS, unbeknownst to Betsy and Alan, they closed early on Sunday and were closed all day Monday.  I ask you, is that any way to run a pharmacy?  A store that's supposed to only help people when they feel like being open???
Sorry for my rant today but I had to yell at someone.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Indiana Here I Come

It's only 10:30 am but it's very muggy outside.  Glad we have central air conditioning.  Last year ours broke on Memorial Day with a house full of people and somewhat similar temperatures.  Hopefully not this year.
We'll be leaving for Indiana in an hour or so and would very much like to have a cool house when we return.
Our son, Bob, and his wife and their two children are picking us up so we can all go to St Johns, IN for the day.  His wife's mother, like a lot of us cancer survivors, have good and bad days.  Unfortunately Mother's Day was one of the bad ones so we're all going to meet at a restaurant to celebrate Mother's Day and grandson's 15 birthday.
I checked out the restaurant on the internet and it looks very interesting.  Rustic and spacious.  Hope the food is as impressive.  I'll fill you in on the results later.
It was an excellent time.  I got to talk to Paula.  I love that woman.  The slab of ribs were perfect taste and tenderness.
The only thing wrong with the day was me.  Everyone was asking how Betsy was doing and I couldn't tell them because I haven't talked to her in two days.  Sure hope everything is alright with her.
We had a nice visit with Bob and Tara on the way home and they even stopped for a few minutes to cut some rhubarb so Tara could make Bob and cobbler.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Betsy Update and Travel's End

This is the time of year we make a trip to NE Missouri to put flowers on some of my relatives graves.  My father, mother, mother's mother and dad and two of her brothers plus my sister are all buried in a plot across the street from where I grew up.  In fact, I learned to ride my bicycle there because the road in front of the house was a major traffic.  I know it's supposed to be the day to thank the veterans but I was raised by people who called it "Decoration Day" so we honor the dead.  One of my uncles was in the Army during WWII and CCC.  Someone puts a flag on his grave every year.  We see a lot of evidence from the CCC out west.  There work is still standing in National Parks and such.
It was a quick trip, as usual.  Drive down Wednesday and put the flowers on the graves and then spend the night in the same motel in Memphis, MO and drive home on Thursday.  We have other things going on during the actual weekend but always want to pay respects to my family.  Who ever is mowing the cemetery this year has done an excellent job.  They trimmed around all the stones and flowers planted on the graves.  That's a job Ron always has to do  in previous years.  It was a nice surprise.
On the way home I called our daughter, Betsy, to see how she was doing on day 4 after the surgery.  She sounds weak when she answers the phone but says she's doing fine, still in pain but they're giving her soft foods and if she tolerates them, meaning the plumbing works, then she can come home tomorrow.  That's my cue to figure out what all I'm going to take up to them so they don't have to worry about food for a few days.  I'm sure her recovery will take awhile but at least she'll be in her own home in her own bed with her two cats and husband.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Betsy

Went to the hospital to see our daughter today.  She actually looked and sounded pretty good minus all the tubes coming out of her.  They had set her up in a chair.  She can't feel her feet and legs yet.  The spinal block is still in place and will be for another day.  She was complaining about the pain but seemed to be doing pretty good considering it had been just twenty four hours since she'd gotten out of surgery.
My sweet hubby decided I shouldn't have to come home and cook and suggested we stop at Cracker Barrel for dinner.  I think he was trying to convince me to enjoy my favorite meal of fried catfish, mac and cheese and pinto beans there so I won't want to stop at the Catfish Place tomorrow while we're in Missouri.  I think it's going to work.  A nice big pork cutlet with mustard and dill pickles hanging over a fresh bun sounds good to me.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Betsy

Just setting around waiting to hear from son in law.  Daughter is in surgery for cancer spot on her ovary.  She's had three surgeries before this and they keep leaving organs and they keep going bad so this time they all go but because of the previous surgeries the surgeons will have a more difficult time.
Need to keep her in our prayers.  She did hear from #3 son last night, which made her night.  God Bless.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Thursday

I suspect any one who reads my blog has figured out I'm not a good title maker.  I'm sorry about that.
It's been a busy week.  Seems to take forever to catch up after we get home.  Looking after this house is getting to be tougher as the years pass.  Need a buyer, as is.

Mother's day was fine, Betsy, Alan, Nick and Eric stopped by and Robert called and  Michael sent a text.  Monday's dinner with Robert, Ashley, Matt and Ron went well.  The kids ate all their food but that really wasn't a surprise since Merichkas was their choice.  Onion rings was the star of the evening, as usual.
Fit in a manicure and pedicure yesterday.  Got to keep those nails shinning.  A trip to Aurora to drop off some things Alan wanted and to see Betsy one more time before her surgery.  Trying to think of things to make and send up so Alan doesn't have to find things to fix her after she gets home.  A can of cold chicken noodle soup is not her thing.

We did stop at Farm and Fleet in Montgomery for bug light light and while we were there picked up a couple of hummingbird feeders.  Sure home I have some good luck with them this year.  I love the little birds but I seldom get to see them around here.  Arizona is a different story, see them flitting around a lot.

It's noon on Thursday and I haven't had breakfast and lunch is looking slim.  Well not slim but I'm not sure what I'm going to call it.  While reading my email for the day the one for Sweet Tomatoes caught my eye.  Realizing today was the last day for that particular menu to use our senior citizen discount.  Now "Children's Choice" was on the menu for tonight but I had a feeling Ron wouldn't mind skipping most of the left overs.  As fate would have it he walked into the room, so without looking up, I told him I had something to show him.  When I looked up and saw he had on his work overalls  I realized I'd made a mistake.  He insisted on seeing what I wanted to show him and when he did he declared he only had a little bit of work on the side of the house to do and then we could go for a late lunch.  Our senior citizen discount only applies Monday thur Thursday after 2 pm.


Saturday, May 12, 2012

Another Saturday Night

Same song, second verse.  Cold and rainy Saturday night.  Aha, tonight's fare is cream of broccoli soup made over the course of 3 hours with lots of love.  I've tasted enough of it to know I can't wait to have a bowl with a side of fresh salad.  Soup and salad, different Saturday night fare for us but delicious none the less.
It's been a memorable week.  I can't stop thinking about the trip to the City.  I loved Jersey Boys and would see it again and again but I also really liked the pizza.  My only regret was eating the bread before the pizza arrived making it impossible to finish the pizza at the restaurant.  But it did get eaten Thursday but it wasn't enough.  I wanted more.  Sure wish the restaurant wasn't so far away.  Oh well, that's what makes things special.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Jersey Boys

What a day I had.  I've wanted to see "The Jersey Boys" since they first premiered in Chicago a few years ago, even before they hit Broadway, but alas, my hubby was not interested in the least.  I actually shed tears over wanting to go but it just didn't work.
My dear sweet daughter had enough and took matters into her and her hubby's hands.  They came to visit us as soon as we got back from Arizona and proposed we go see "Jersey Boys" since it was back in town and then let them take us to one of his favorite restaurants on the north side.  I said yes before hubby got a chance to say no.  I probably shouldn't have but I did and I'm glad.
I swear he was trying to find someone else to go with him so he wouldn't have to.  It didn't work.  So at 8:30 this morning we headed for Aurora and daughter and son in laws house then to downtown Aurora to catch the commuter train into the City.  It was BNSF, which made my day.  My dad worked for Santa Fe Railroad.  SIL opted not to catch a cab so we walked and walked and walked to the theater.  When we got their and picked up our tickets, we had an hour and a half wait so we walked some more and found a set of golden arches.  What a wonderful sight.  A chair, an ice cold coke and some really fresh french fries were priceless, in that order.
Back to the theater and into the lobby and finally seating in probably one of the best seats in the house.  Ten rows back from the stage, middle of the section, directly in front of the whole kit and kabuddle.
After the theater we caught a cab to Chicago Pizza and Grinder or something to that effect at 2121 N. Clark.  That's a long way from Wrigley Field.  (CUBS WON) and had a fantastic meal, more than we could eat.  We weren't about to waste it so home it came on the train.
It was a long day but it was a day I won't ever forget.  Thanks again daughter and son in law.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Rainy Day Monday

I do believe there are way to many references to rain and Monday in my blogs.  Two inches of rain last night and it's at it again today.
We did go to the doctor's office and get the scripts straightened out.  Stopped at Wal Mart to have them filled and decided to walk around the store when we came upon a rack of clothes marked $7, 5, 2.  Well, I looked and ended up picking up a couple turtle neck sweaters and crew neck sweaters and a sweatshirt that were costing $2 each.  Figured for wearing around the house I couldn't beat the price.  It seems I've outgrown most of my clothes and haven't bothered replacing the winter ones but since it's been so cold this year it was time.
Looks like we're going to have a repeat of this weather the entire week.  I'm really looking forward to Wednesday when we drive to our daughters and take the train into the city.  Going to see Jersey Boys and I can't wait.  I wanted to see it when it was in town before but couldn't get Ron to express any interest, not that he's interested now but daughter and son-in-law kind of tricked him into it.  I owe them big time.  

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Followup on Friday

An early call to the doctor's office informed us that he's only be in till 11 am today.  Must be nice.  So Monday morning it is to get the correct scripts written.  Five scrips and only one was correct.  Good thing I have a stock pile of sorts.  I'm beside myself trying to figure out what happened.  I did check the Humana sight and found that the costs of the scripts were indeed much higher than previous ones thru Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  I guess it could be said "they'll get you one one side or the other".  The monthly charge is low but the prescription price is high.  Guess I'll be a better shopper next fall when it comes time for open enrollment.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Doctor's Visit

It's that time of year.  A trip to the family doctor for a yearly checkup and refill prescriptions orders.  Appointment was for 9:15 am this morning with 12 hours of fasting.  We were a tad late since someone was reading the Trib and advised we had plenty of time.  The doctor was running on time, got my blood pressure taken and blood drawn right away.  Then he went into Ron's room.  An hour later I walked out of my room and looked at the office staff and shrugged.  They got the good doctor's attention and he came out and finished up with me.  Back he went into Ron's room.  The ladies told me Ron was getting a heat treatment and a shot in his shoulder.  News to me???  The last time I looked at my watch was 11:30 and I was sitting in the waiting room talking to the other patients patiently waiting.  I had them all hopped up on Sweet Tomatoes.  They'd never heard of it but were going to drive to Aurora to try it out.
When we finally left the doctor's office and the village of New Lenox we headed to Orland Park and Jo Anns Fabrics with a look out for a Steak n Shake, which we passed but missed cause we were looking at an old truck chassis on the other side of the road.  That should have been our first clue not to ask directions and come back to it.  We did proceed to JoAnns and pick up ten yards of batting at 50% off even though the person doing the measuring and cutting was anything but cordial and/or helpful.
I must have used up all my self control keeping my blood pressure down for the doctor's office cause that lady really was rude.  She didn't even bother tying the roll up or anything.  Then the french fries at lunch were cold and tough and I still didn't say anything.
Again, I was cool when Wal Mart informed me that my prescriptions had incorrect dosage and one of the meds wasn't on their reduced price list.  Of course the doctor's office was closed by now and we couldn't get it straightened out.  I took my scripts and left.  To be continued another day.  Going home and relax over a cup of Golden Monkey tea.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

The Carpenters' hit song, Rainy Days and Mondays, seems to fit this week.  Since it rained on Monday, we went shopping for groceries.  Now it's raining on Tuesdays and we have a small grocery list already, maybe we'll pick another grocery store.  Most of the items on the new list are things we didn't get yesterday plus a timer for the kitchen as I accidently hit it with a tea towel while I was mad at someone for putting two towels on the same hook and it fell to the floor and broke.