Busy Days

 Friday was a busy day.  I cleaned the bathroom, did a few loads of towels etc, straightened up a bit and then went to my baby brother and his brides home for a quilting /crafting day.  There I had good visits with a couple of my cousins...got to give them hugs and support when we learned of our cousin Kathy's death.  So sad...she never really recovered from the stroke that she had years ago and slipped further and further away every day.  Kathy gave the best hugs...we will all miss her.   It doesn't seem real that she is no longer with us. 

I spoiled Baxter and Smudge...I tell ya Smudge is pretty cute!

I worked on some crochet scrubbies...I sell them at a shop in Grand Forks ND.  Everyone else there was sewing...they are all working on quilts...maybe I will take some photos as I will head over there today with my camera and some wild rice soup that I have ready to go together right away in the morning and some sauerkraut and sausages that we will have for lunch.  

Yesterday we had chili and a wonderful cabbage salad, sourdough bread and cookies!

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I have 46 cousins on my Dad's side of the family.  Kathy is the 8th to die. Kathy was 75 years old she was just 16 days shy of her 76th birthday. 

Dry Needles

 Yesterday at Physical Therapy I had a dry needles treatment.  Thin needles inserted into my back and left butt cheek, then they were electrically stimulated.  It was a bit weird...and seemed to help with the pain for a short time.   Then the pain was back again...and I was real sore and exhausted...tired upon tired.  I had a long nap.  

Very little accomplished around the house...one load of laundry, groceries put away, one small organizational clean up project ( I went through all the acrylic paints and threw away old ones!) and I completed painting the Christmas ornaments. 

  Looks like Fall out the window. 

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Uffda x2

 I had the high dose flu shot on Monday afternoon...3 days later I am still feeling like death warmed over. BUT it must be better than the flu. Right? 

To make things even more difficult...our septic system water sensor alarm started beeping Monday night...the phone was ringing and the alarm was going off...the alarm company wanted to make sure we were aware..."yes I know it is going off we are dealing with the situation"   Far Guy said "Something is plugged."  I called my other baby brother and his phone went to voice mail...it was 10 PM ...I called she who sees robins first and she answered right away.  She woke up my other baby brother and he and our Great Nephew Mason came right over...they decided it was tree roots...got it partially unplugged enough so that water would drain out...and they would fix it in the morning.  

So the next morning nephew Josh, Ryan and David came to dig up the tree root clogged septic line. 

They replaced the pipe and hopefully it will take another 26 years to become clogged with tree roots again.   My brother says it is normal for tree roots to seek water and cause problems over time. 

Luckily my other baby brother lives right next door and he owns a Construction Company that does septic systems and all kinds of dirt work.   How lucky are we??  Very lucky to have someone you can call late at night and will put you on his list for repairs the next morning!  

Living in the boonies has it's challenges. 

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Marker

 My Dad's Veteran's grave marker is in place.  He still needs a flag holder.  

Good to see that it was in place. 

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Weekend Wedding Photos

 Some of the wedding photos appeared on facebook...so I shall share them with you.

Mother of the bride and the bride.  Both beauties!

The brides family: her mom, her step dad, her sisters and her brother. 

The happy couple!  Congratulations!

* Photos by others used with permission.

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Trees

 Some of the trees are getting a bit of color...most are just blah...

These Maples were showing off quite nicely against the blue sky! 

So far we have just two medical appointments this week...I get to go back to Physical Therapy on Thursday...yeah me I will be able to walk without pain again for a few days!   I am consistently doing my PT exercises...but I need that extra deep massage and am looking forward to it. 

We had terrible winds late Saturday night early Sunday morning...lots of twigs are in the yard.   Our lights flickered several times but we didn't lose power...the winds were 62 mph. 

A few more days and I will be done painting the Christmas ornaments...some have even been delivered instead of mailed!

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Something old

 Our Great Niece Hailey was married yesterday to the love of her life Isaac.  Hailey is the oldest granddaughter of my other baby brother and she who sees robins first.  The first of their Grands to get married. 

The wedding was outdoors. 

We sat on hay bales.  Immediate family sat on chairs.   It was a short but sweet ceremony.  It was a bit windy but the sun was shining.

When I congratulated Hailey and Isaac in the receiving line  ...Hailey showed me the something old that I had given to her at her wedding shower.  It was a simple hankie that belonged to her Great Great Grandmother then her Great Grandmother and then to me.  The hankie was tied around the stems of her wedding bouquet.  It was perfect as something old. 

Other things old...are my siblings. 

Hailey's Grandfather my other baby brother is on the left, my sister, me and my baby brother. 

It was a good day.

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Red Leaves

 The leaves are slowly beginning to change.  We have had a few chilly nights and that helps color things up.  Usually we are past peak by now....strange weather. 

I was out mulching leaves and noticed this Oak...a Red Oak with nice fall color. 

I got my stitches out on Thursday, my face feels much better without the stitches, so I am back to mostly normal activities.   I am on a three month recheck program now since I had skin cancer. 

Far Guy got his Flu shot at one of his Doctors appointments this past week.  I did not have mine yet.  He had little to no reaction. 

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Book Club: October

 We had book club yesterday.  We read  Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen.  I give it a 9 out of a 10.  It was a short but good read all about a young man who at the age of 15 joined the First Minnesota Volunteers in 1861.  

All of the women in book club enjoyed the read.    One thought it was a very simple read, perhaps a good read for Middle School children.  I thought it would be good for any Social Studies or History class. 

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Up North

 We had a combined 5 Doctors appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday Up North in Grand Forks, ND  2 for me and 3 for Far Guy.  All is well, other than we are aging...no cure for that. 

We went out for supper with Andy and Jen to a new place (Helix). My steak was good....my only complaint was they make their own steak sauce and I like Heinz 57.  Far Guy did not eat his crunchy green beans and I thought they were delicious.  This new place rivals Harry's and they have mostly gluten free options. 

Sadie was great company...she woke me up in the morning...first she jumps on the bed and lays down on top of you and licks your face, then your hands covering your face all the while her tail wags 90 miles per hour.  That is Sadie for you. 

Someone bought her a new toy.   She likes it.  

Pet Co is a great store.

We are back home safe and sound.

A few trees are beginning to change color.

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Younger

 Found this photo, it was most likely taken around 1991 or 1992. 

Amazing Far Guy had hair...well some hair.  My hair was quite long and was not yet grey. 

When I showed this to Far Guy he said "What in the world were we doing?"  

The photo was taken at our old resort Pine Springs and we were moving dirt around in forms so that we could pour cement.  We were making cement pads for the campground.   We borrowed a cement mixer from Uncle Archie and mixed the cement and poured it ourselves. 

We were younger then. 

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Fall Blooms

 I got a photo of the Lilacs...blooming again after losing most of their leaves.  The few green leaves they were left with produced flowers. 

It is a strange happening they say it is due to the funny Spring/Summer weather. 

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Sad News and Good News

 Last week was a week.  It began with my cousin Diane who lived in Alaska her Memorial Service was live on Facebook.   She was 68 years old. She died after heart bypass surgery.  Her Mother and my Mother were sisters. 

This past Saturday was my second cousin Patsy's funeral, she died from a tick bite that went to a bacterial infection and then septic...she was three months younger than me...her  Father and My Grandfather were brothers.  She spent the entire summer on hospice. I sent a card I did not attend the funeral.

Then Little Elvis died on Friday...that hit me hard.  He and I had a special connection. He loved me unconditionally. 

Friday was also a bit of good news, my second biopsy came back with clear edges!  Thank goodness I don't have to have more surgery on my face!   AND all of my eye tests came back okay, the Doc says my eyes show normal aging.  I also learned that I have an appointment with a different Rheumatologist...but not until April of 2025...this is after waiting two months for a referral and being accepted by their Rheumatology Department.  I am doing my PT exercises and I believe it is making a difference...I have PT appointments starting October 10th. My stitches in my face come out on Thursday this week. It is a medical appointment week ...we have six appointments....it is what we do. 

So the good news outweighs the bad I am not on hospice, I am not dead, I don't have to have more surgery on my face, I can see reasonably well and we can make it by ourselves to appointments...and we still have some dogs to love...Sadie, Baxter and Smudge.  

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Little Elvis 2009 - September 27, 2024

 Little Elvis was almost 15 years old.  He was my constant companion in the Winter time, sleeping most nights at the foot of my bed.  I will miss him, he was mostly deaf and could hardly see anything...old age is hard on dogs.  BUT he had a good life! 

January 2010  Miney, Little Elvis and Chance

 

Adam and Little Elvis

May 2010 

 

Noah and Little Elvis

Chance and Little Elvis 

 

Chance, Little Elvis and Miney

Chance and Little Elvis

 

Miney, Little Elvis and Chance

Little Elvis

 

Little Elvis and Sadie 

Little Elvis has left the building.  Rest in peace little buddy.  

Little Elvis and Miney helped to cushion the loss when Chance died in 2018, Little Elvis cushioned the loss of Miney in 2021.  Now they are all mourned and missed more than ever. They were a real pack! Three of the bestest dogs ever!

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Parade

 Yesterday was the Homecoming parade in town.  We found a spot to park Tilly on Main Street and waited for the parade. 

We waited quite awhile, we talked to my baby brother and his bride...they are sitting on the bench waiting for the parade.

It was a nice day sunny and 80F or 27C. 

Homecoming King and Queen.

Great Niece Olivia is in the ripped jeans and Great Niece Anna on the far right. 

A hayrack full of football players was the last parade unit. 

The parade was short and sweet, lots of kids smiling and waving!  

Fun times!

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Uffda times two

 Wow this little big surgery is kicking my butt.  I managed all the errands in town and then came home to crash for several hours.  Woke up to help with supper and spilled my entire plate of food on the floor.  

Uffda...life is sometimes messy.

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So...

 So sore from the surgery...or maybe it is the stitches that burn...who knows.  

Yesterday Far Guy went with  me to have lunch with long time friend Susie so we could celebrate our birthdays!  We don't get together often enough.  Susie always makes me laugh!  

I came home and had a five hour sleep.  

Here is an energizer bunny for you...our Great Granddaughter Cee Cee getting ready for jimbasticks. 

Isn't she just as cute as she can be!  I shamelessly stole this photo from her Mom's facebook page. Wish I had her energy!  

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Tests

 I had a small bigger than I thought surgery yesterday at the Dermatologists Office.  The biopsy on my shoulder came back as atypical cells and the spot on my cheek came back as malignant melanoma. So both spots were taken care of.  I have a considerable amount of discomfort but am glad to have it behind me....keeping fingers and toes crossed that these biopsies come back clear and the huge hole in my face heals well.  They will do some kind of genetic testing on the first samples...some study to see if there is a genetic link to melanoma. 

 Hopefully I can cross this off the freaking list. 

All my eye tests came back okay/normal for aging eyes...cross that off the list too. 

Far Guy is taking good care of me.

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Vintage Paper

 I made a big ole project for myself.  

I wanted vintage looking cotton watercolor paper for the Christmas cards.  

I could only buy large sheets...but if I ordered them I could make my own size papers. 

They had a deckle edge... uffda...I watched some You Tube Videos...but finally just went out on my own and figured it out. 

I scored the paper...turning it every which way. 

Then I ripped and ripped...

Perfect vintage looking papers to watercolor on...maybe I have not tried that part yet. 

Lots of scraps. 

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Happy Fall

 Lots of the leaves are just turning brown and falling off the trees...especially in our Oaks. 

Fall is here, our temperatures in the 80's might be history along with the humidity.  The potato harvest has begun after the temperatures cooled off. 

The little Asters are blooming quite nicely.  

Far Guy is feeling a tad bit better, improvement is slow.  Yesterday we recycled, searched for something lost that was eventually found and went out for lupper at our favorite Mexican place...we can still sit out on the patio there.  One more Sunday lupper and they will close until next Spring. 

Grandson Noah has Covid, praying he makes a full recovery.  Grandson Adam has started a new job in Western North Dakota.  The giggly Grand girls Savannah and Paige called me on my birthday.  Maddie messaged me that Grandpa should spoil me all day long. 

So Fall is here, I wonder if we will have good Fall color or not. Soon I will begin mulching leaves with the lawn mower.  

Oh and some of the Lilacs are looking better with new growth and some are even blooming again...who knew? 

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Oh deer

 The twin fawns were at the bird bath taking turns getting a drink.  They are losing their spots.  I went to get my camera and they left...but

their Mama came in for a drink too.

My what big ears you have.

She sauntered over and began nibbling on the chokecherry bushes.  She is a very dark color now. 

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Birthday report

 I woke up to my husband singing Happy Birthday! 

I escorted him to Urgent Care because his breathing had changed...he has meds on board now and should improve every day.   The covid vaccination last week may have been too much for his system and he needs a bit of help to feel better. 

We still managed to go out for lupper,  had afternoon naps and then headed to friends who had baked me a cake.  

Thank you for all the birthday greetings! 

The last card on the right is from my other baby brother...it says "If anyone asks how old you are tell them to count your fingers!!"

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Another year

 Well I made it another year!

This was my birthday party in 1955 when I was four years old. Guests were; Corrine, Sharon, Rhonda and my baby brother Carey.  Carey is holding a small birthday cake.  Awesome neighbor lady Lorraine would make a small cake just for the birthday girl/boy...a tradition she carried on for many years. 

Here I am with that special cake. 

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