Green and an update

 Thursdays are almost always the same. Drop Far Guy off at the hospital door to get his weekly infusion. Pick up the grocery order from Wally World...this week I had to wait over 30 minutes for my order because some store idiot cancelled it.  Then off to a craft store this week was Michaels turn as Far Guy had a couple of things on my list.  AND well there is yarn there...

I was feeling the green this week.  This color is called spearmint.  Only one cashier there so I stood in line a bit.  Then it was time to head back to the hospital and wait in the old hospital parking lot for Far Guy to summon me.  I only waited 6 minutes when he messaged me that he was done.  We went out for very late breakfast/lunch/early supper and then came home to Sadie.

Far Guy had a nap, he has started meds for a cold?/lung issue  that has made him very short of breath...possibly too much perfume/aftershave at the clinic appointment last Monday has irritated his lungs.

I was seen by the Neurosurgeon on Monday.  He believes my pain problem is not from my back but from my SI joint on the left side.  He has ordered SI injections for me in two weeks.  I have a congenital defect in that my spinal column is very small for my spinal cord and I have some slippage L4 L5 and S1 but not enough to cause all my pain...or so they say.  I am still doing exercises, heat helps also time in the massage chair and the recliner.  I am also scheduled to see a Doctor at the Pain Clinic in March.  FYI the Steroid Injection that I had on Feb 3 did nothing for my pain and made my left leg, foot and toes numb.

I began a course of Prednisone on Tuesday as the pain on the drive to Fargo was horrid on Monday...and left me exhausted. One day at a time.  The Prednisone takes the edge off the pain...it is not totally gone but is more bearable. 

Goodbye to the month of February!

Far Side

Sunset and Snow Report

 We had a nice sunset what we can see of it here in town.

Here there are houses in the way and back at home there are trees in the way.

Another warm day so the dirty snow melted even more.

I frogged a crochet project that was not as pretty as I envisioned...frogged it as in rip it rip it...wind it all back into a ball and begin again.  The new beginning was and will be worth it in the long run.  I watched most of Forgotten Love on Netflix in the afternoon and plan to finish it soon...I highly recommend it.  The kids have a recliner down in the movie room that I really like sitting/napping in...I plan to order one for back home.

It was a quiet day, Sadie was real tired after her day at doggie day care yesterday...that and one of her favorite people is gone again to a robotics tournament.  Jen is working double hours as she ended up filling in for a colleague that was dismissed....picking up someone elses classes half way through the semester is not easy.

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Whats for supper?

 That seems to be a question around here everyday.  I chose what to cook yesterday. I asked for input on the chicken and was met with varied answers so I made it cooks choice.  

 

This was my plate and yes I scooched that asparagus over after I took the photo. 

It made for a pretty plate of gluten free food.  Scalloped potatoes: I made a rue with brown rice flour and butter then added the milk and poured it over sliced red potatoes and diced ham. Chicken: thighs stripped of their skin and fat, browned in butter and a bit of bacon grease and then baked in the oven.  Asparagus: I sprinkled the spears with a fine olive oil from Spain and dusted them with parmesan cheese, and baked them for about ten minutes. Delicious if I don't say so myself.

Tomorrow it is a burger with leftovers. 

Our weather has turned nice and warm for this time of year...a hint of Spring is in the air but I am certain it will not last long. Our daytime high yesterday was 41F or 5C eh! 

I re watched the first season of 1923 because season two is out. I enjoyed the first season again very much! I also watched Lion on Netflix...a great movie well worth the time to watch.

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Pass it on

 My Mother was a fabric hoarder quilter.  After she died we gave away some of her fabric to people who sew.  I do not sew, so I saved some for our daughter Trica and Jen picked out some pieces that she wanted.  I have a friend that I grew up with that makes quilts and donates them and does a quilt raffle for Leukemia every year. I picked out pieces of material that I thought would look good together in a quilt and saved them for Janet.

This is my childhood friend Janet's quilt.  It is a beauty, Mom would like knowing that her material is blessing many people. It will go to a Cancer patient or a Woman's Shelter.

Well done!  

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Fabric finish

 Jen finished the Cloth Sloth.  It is a fabric collage.

A work of art! Lots of different designs and shapes in this one. 

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Oh Brother

 I searched my really old photos looking for a wintery photo.

1962 photo of my brothers.  A football to throw and a wagon to push.  Country kids had to make their own fun.

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Yellow first

 I have this yellow yarn waiting in the stash...so decided to finish that project up.  It is a baby blanket.

Yellow is one of my favorite colors anyway.  Like a bit of warm sunshine!

It warmed up a bit...but the wind came up so the air was still very cold. 

Staying warm, staying busy.

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In the pink

 I was in a pink mood in Hobby Lobby, it was the only shade of yarn that spoke to me.  

 Colors of Strawberry Daze and Magenta to add to the stash. 

I also bought some new flowers to put out before Memorial Day.

Far Guy's infusion went well, I did a grocery pickup at Walmart and then stopped by Hobby Lobby and Kohls...missions accomplished! 

It got above zero!!!!!

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Retriever

 Far Guy and I have never had a retriever in our lives before Sadie.  The instinct to retrieve something/anything is very strong. 

Like one morning recently, she came downstairs to say good morning and walked past Far Guy and went to the laundry room and got a fuzzy sock for him just in case he needed it. 

She has a container full of toys and has many favorites. We should have taught her to put away her toys!

Here she would like to retrieve part of the lunch Far Guy was having. 

I have both of my crocs at the moment! 

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Down Right Chilly

The high yesterday was 1F or -17C...and the low was -17F or -27C eh!  We did not go outside.  No need to go anyplace.  We hear it may warm up by the weekend.  Schools were two hours late...other than that things ran as normal.

Photo of a Jack Pine cone that I took a number of years ago.

Far Guy is working on some of his wood carving projects.  I crocheted for awhile and then had a nap. 

Supper last night ( Tuesday) was comfort food; pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted carrots and fresh strawberries and kiwi. 

Monday evening Jen and Andy took us to Harry's Steakhouse for Far Guy's birthday and of course we had steak! 

Sadie is very happy that her people are back, perhaps a little less happy when they gave her a bath:)

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Cool

 Andy and Jen just retuned from a getaway in Saint Martin.  Sadie missed them while they were gone but as you can guess she was in good hands. 

The kids said it was 100 degrees warmer there than in Minnesota....who knows with our -30F to -40F windchills it could have been more than that. 

We are in the deep freeze for a few more days.  

In other news...Peach now has step throat as Cee Cee shared the germs...so far Hey Mikey is okay.

I have several Doctor appointments this week; one with the Spine Clinic and one with the Pain Clinic.  I have more Doctor's appointments than Far Guy...that rarely happens. 

Stay warm!

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Welcome Gunnar!

 I did not quite get his blanket done before he was born. 

9 pound 11 ounces of healthy baby boy Gunnar!  Grand child #12 for my baby brother and his bride. 

Gunnar joins his siblings; Turner, Jordyn, Otto, Tallulah (LuLu) and Bjorn.  They all belong to my nephew and his beautiful wife who live in New Jersey.  We will get to see them all when they visit Minnesota next summer! 

I finished his blanket yesterday and will get it in the mail when it warms up...we are back in the deep freeze again. 

The yarn is Baby Bee Snugs and Kisses in Blueberry and it is a simple double crochet.  I used three skeins.  ( Hobby Lobby yarn)

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Matching Valentines!

 Maddie sent photos of the girls all dressed up for Valentine's Day at daycare. 

I found the dresses on sale...no doubt they were supposed to be Christmas dresses but hey they are red and have a bit of sparkle in the skirts.

Peach 20 months old

Cee Cee just one month shy of her 5th birthday 

I think our Great Grandgirls are just as cute as can be! I have Valentine's bags for them...but we hear Cee Cee has strep throat so it will have to wait until she is all better!

Far Guy says Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

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Older

 Happy Birthday Far Guy!  It is one of those milestone birthdays!  I am thrilled that he had another birthday, in 2024 he had two very close calls with Influenza A, Pneumonia and Sepsis.  So this is a bonus year!  

We still live a very hermit like lifestyle...staying away from crowds and people who wear perfume and aftershave.

 

Happy Birthday! 

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Happy Day!

Valentines Day!  

It may bring you hugs and kisses

or candy in a beautiful box from a long time blog reader...thanks Diane! 

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

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Cloth Sloth

 Jen has been working on a cloth Sloth. 

It will eventually end up on a canvas and go over to flippin happy home decor and more

It is very very cold here.  We ventured out for a quick trip to Hobby Lobby yesterday when it was just 2F or -16C.  I needed a skein of yarn to finish a project! 

I laid down in between loads of laundry and watched Peanut Butter Falcon on Netflix.  It  was a good movie I give it a 8 out of 10. 

We made lasagna for supper.  

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Sugar Coma

We did not watch the Super Bowl game...just not football fans.  Andy and Jen were invited out, one of their friends loves football and she puts on a party.  Andy and Jen brought home cupcakes, candy and fruit pizza. 

The treat cups were filled with M & M s and then the candy bars etc were taped to straws with curly ribbon. 

There is now enough candy in the house to put everyone into a Sugar Coma...might not be such a bad idea as it is really cold outside...we could sleep off the cold spell. 

Yesterday I ventured out to the grocery store and the $1.25 store.  Far Guy stayed home. The wind chill was freeze your snot in place awful.  

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Cold

 It might be cold but at least its windy.  

I snagged this photo from facebook.  Just thought I would share. 

I finished the Coodie for Jen yesterday...they still walk Sadie on days when it is above zero. 

Here I am taking a selfie with Jen's Coodie.  So that project is done!

We went as far as the Post Office yesterday to mail the tax forms back to our accountant...so cross that off of our list too! 

It has been one week since the steroid injection into my back.  I still have pain and a horrid numbness...I have to be real careful how I walk...as I cannot feel the outer portion of my left leg and foot...all my toes are numb except for my big toe.  I am hopeful that this next week will make a difference in the pain. 

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Valentine Boxes

 When I was a kid we usually got a shoe box or a paper bag to decorate to collect Valentines from classmates at school.  What fun it was to read all those Valentines!

This week in the craft room Valentine boxes were made.  Paper, boxes and feathers. 

A flamingo and a pikachu for Cee Cee and Hey Mikey. 

Valentine boxes have come a long way:)

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Visit

 Had a quick visit with my other baby brother,  she who sees robins first, Katie, Aubrey, Brooke and Olivia.  They were in town for a basketball game, she who sees robins first had a bit of a cold so we met at  Cabelas by the fish tank where there was a bench.  Good to see everyone and wave at my sister in law! 

They all would have stayed with us but they did not want to chance getting Far Guy sick. 

I ran across this photo the other day.

My other baby brother, cousin Kevin and our Paternal Grandfather (Grandpa Sam)

I believe the photo was taken in the summer of 1961 as my other baby brother was born in October of 1960. 

My Grandpa Sam liked to visit, he would often show up at our home unannounced.   In this photo he is dressed for a weekday or a Saturday; long underwear, shirt, bib overalls, coat and his everyday hat.  The pink peppermints that he shared with children would have been in one pocket wrapped in a white handkerchief.  He wore long underwear year round to keep the heat in or out.  His Sunday clothing was different than everyday, on Sunday he wore dark pants and a white shirt and tie....he also saved his hearing aid batteries for use on Sunday so he could hear the sermon in Finn.  He chewed tobacco and could spit a long ways...which used to irritate his many daughter in laws and his two daughters.   Grandpa Sam was widowed when he was 63 years old ( Grandma Hilda was 64 years old when she died) ...he visited many different widows over his lonely years and finally married a nice lady who we called Grandma Annie, who he outlived by 10 years.  Grandpa Sam died when he was five days short of his 88th birthday back in 1978.  

I got to thinking about my Dad's brothers and sisters...how old were they when they died?

Wilbert 77, Hugo 73, Jalmer 42, Ervin 59, Oscar 56, Arthur 23, Adolf 76, George 74, Einard 6 months, My Dad Jake 96, Marie 82, Andrew 67, Arnold 59 and Anna 85.  They mostly died from cancer or heart attacks.

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Sorting

 I am sorting through photos on my computer.  Making copies of photos to put in the Grands albums.  It is a good way to go through my files and delete photos not good enough to keep and duplicates. 

It is a quiet activity that keeps me out of trouble....mostly.

Then I run onto photos that make me smile and think of Spring! 

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Owl Puzzle

 I came across a beautiful little puzzle that was a gift from Nancy last year, I had tucked it away for a special day. 

It is a wooden puzzle with very vibrant colors.

The back is very interesting too!  Note the bird shapes. 

Thanks Nancy it was a fun puzzle!  Nancy lives in Wyoming, she is a marvelous knitter and makes Quilts of Valor for Veterans, I have enjoyed her blog for a good long time!

We got some snow yesterday and it blew around.  Far Guy got his usual Thursday Infusion it was a one stick day...so that was good!

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Quiet Day

 I had a quiet day, I slept late, did some laundry and cleaned the bathroom.  Far Guy and Jen ran errands.  For supper I had vegetable beef soup and Far Guy and Jen had Thai Chicken and Zucchini. 

My pain might be a little less at times...I am hopeful.

About supper time it began to snow.  We are supposed to get a few inches and then it will blow around. 

 The dirty snow is all covered up!  

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Puzzling

My latest puzzle was only 300 pieces and the pieces were larger.

 However it made me feel like Spring!  

I did not like how my one crochet project was going so I frogged it (ripped it apart) and began again. 

Yesterday I made it to the grocery store, gas station, car wash and made supper (Philly Cheese Burgers, Steak Fries and Coleslaw)...the menfolk all passed on the coleslaw but they did eat carrot sticks. 

My pain is still there...it might be a little bit better...I am hopeful that I will see an improvement soon.

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Dirt

 I cannot even call it snirt (snow mixed with dirt)...it is just dirt.

It was all over the windshield of the car....and in the distance.

Yesterday Far Guy accompanied me to Fargo to get the injections in my back...it was a pleasant young Doctor ...I have Grands older than him! 

Anyways 3 or 4 days or a week or two will tell if it helps my pain.  So far it is the same or worse.  I will keep hoping for an improvement.  

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Cee Cee's Coodie

 I took a few rows out of Cee Cee's coodie and now it fits much better!  She likes the sparkly yarn.

Almost a perfect fit.  No chance of the North Dakota wind sneaking in around her neck!  

Now I can focus on my other crochet projects!

The Gluten Free Sour Dough starter was used to make a loaf of flat as a pancake bread.   I am not hopeful for a great taste... the rest of the starter is in the fridge where I have to feed it once every 3 to 7 days. 

We had a quiet Sunday, the weather is changing and my entire body is protesting. 

Monday I am scheduled for injections in my back...we will see if that make a difference. 

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Coodie for Peach

Our youngest Great Granddaughter Peach was here all day on Saturday.  Her family went to the Monster Truck Show.  She enjoyed her day here having a bath with lots of splash time and after a good lunch a long nap.

In between times I was able to cobble together a coodie for her.  Nice to have her here to try it on during the process!

It is not perfect but it does the job.

She is getting more teeth and really likes having her finger in her mouth. 

She is awfully cute! 

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Maddie is a baker

 Maddie conquered the sour dough bread!  She named her sour dough starter Clint Yeastwood :)

Grandpa got the first loaf! 

It turned out great and was very tasty!

You can see my gluten free starter in the background...I mixed up my dough...it might make a pancake or a crepe...it is resting and then goes in the fridge overnight.  It may never be bread. Time will tell.

Maddie was very excited that she actually did it!  She is a sour dough baker now!!  

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