What to do?

 I ran out of yarn. Let me rephrase that I didn’t bring enough yarn with me.  Problem solved as there are two stores that carry yarn here in town.

I like doing the shell stitch, it is easy to do when watching tv. I brought the pink with me and not sure why I only brought one ball.  The blue is the new purchase..same stitch but a little bit larger crochet hook.  Both will be added to my stash of finished blankets.

We had a good day. Far Guy and I went to Wally World and walked around…I needed som new fuzzy socks…I just hate it when the elastic goes bad and the socks slip down my feet. There were a few other things picked up also …all on sale. 

It was a very warm day the high according to our vehicle was 86F. 

We had salad for supper topped with chicken and bacon…pineapple rounded out the meal.

Goodbye September

Far Side

Busy days

 Puzzles, crocheting, woodcarving, enjoying time outside sitting in the sunshine and going out for lunch with Jen, Andy, my other baby brother and she who sees robins first who stopped by to check on us on their way back from Western North Dakota. Oh yes and going for a ride in the 1976 Corvette.  What a nice ride! AND petting Sadie..of course that is a great activity!

Far Guy is gaining strength and his appetite, now keeping him from overdoing is a concern.  He had a very nice nap after all the activity!

Far Side

Little kids

 We spent some time with the Greats and three of the Grands yesterday. All are doing well. 

The little Greats stayed when their parents went to a wedding.  They really liven up the place!

The Greats watching tv with their favorite Uncle Andy. Sadie is supervising.

This little munchkin Baby K was watching me instead of tv…and I received a number of smiles.  Peach reminds me often that it is her baby and not mine. 

Far Guy had a fair day, he still has some pain and has to watch it so he doesn’t use his left arm very much.

Andy made supper for us and the Greats …hamburgers on the grill and French fries…perfect food for the kids and the elderly!

The weather was beautiful with the high around 70 F.

Far Side

Things

 Daughter Jen and Granddaughter Maddie busted Far Guy out of the hospital on Friday about noon. He is doing well but still has some pain.  It is good to have him home from the hospital…well not quite home but close as it can be for now.  Sadie was real happy to see him too! Company at the hospital was a quick visit from Grandson Noah.

These “things” are hanging in the main hospital entrance. I asked several nurses what they were…germs or bacteria was the most popular response. 

For supper I made wild rice and baked carrots and some bacon gravy to go on top of the pork chops that Jen sous vied and Andy browned up in the fry pan. It was a great meal. Far Guy is getting back some of his appetite so that is a good thing!

Nice day here highs in the 70’s.

Onward and forward to healing things!

Far Side

Report

 The news is encouraging. The surgery went off without a hitch.  The Dr is cautiously optimistic that all the cancer is gone.  The preliminary report of a frozen section of a lymph node looks to be free of cancer. The final pathology report will take about a week. 

Far Guy’s pain was being managed well.  He does have a drain to deal with. We will spring him out of the hospital on Friday morning…hopefully.

I did not stay the night because I was cold and very tired. Jen spent the day with me and Andy and Maddie visited after they were off of work. 

One of the stairways in the new hospital. 

Thanks for all the prayers…they are working!

Far Side

Surgery Day

 Today is Far Guy's surgery.  If you are so inclined please pray for the medical team that will be caring for him. 

Thank you!

Far Side

Yard

The Oaks are slowly dropping their leaves in our yard. 

 Not sure how much time I will be able to spend on the lawn mower mulching leaves this year.  

We will see...one day at a time. 

Far Side

A Fall Project

 I needed to cross something off my list.  My Father's Veteran flag holder.  I picked up the flag holder from the local American Legion as suggested by a very nice neighbor Phyllis!  I have had the holder all Summer we just have not gotten around to placing it until this past weekend.

Far Guy pounded it into the ground, it will be there next Memorial Day for the flag. 

I also refreshed the flowers in the vases on my parents headstone.

I tucked a flag in with the flowers on my Dads side of the headstone. 

The trees at the cemetery are beginning to show some color.

I will try to bring different flowers for the Winter...it all depends on the weather.  For now the gravesite looks great.  Luckily we have gotten some rain and I suspect my baby brother has been there with seed and fertilizer over the summer as there was a pretty bunch of clover in the area.

Far Side

Summer turns into Fall

 We have many appointments this week.  I see the PA who works under the Neurologist who did my spine surgery.  I am 114 days post surgery!  Far Guy sees his dietician, Primary Care Dr for a Pre Op Physical, his Pulmonary Doctor and then his Surgeon for the big surgery later in the week.  Three medical appointments were put on hold this week..my PT appointment, my biopsy and Far Guy's Infusion.  

One of these weeks things will slow down. For now juggling all the appointments is what we do.

The leaves are changing as our Summer turns to Fall.

We had a quiet Sunday, we had the last hurrah of Summer at our favorite Mexican place on their patio enjoying the food and the company of my other baby brother and she who sees robins first.  Many of the "Summer" eating place close down after the tourists leave, and if they don't shut down totally they shut down a number of weekdays.

We gassed up the vehicle and were the only people at the gas station and after we dropped off our outgoing mail at the Post Office we drove down Main Street...if you shot off a cannon you would have only hit a few cars. 

Minnesota weather: High 70F or 22C Low 51F or 11C eh!  We had a rain shower in the afternoon and it was still fun to see the Summertime clouds in the sky.  The weather report looks great for the next week or so daily highs in the 70's...so we will enjoy that!

Far Side

Thanks!

 Thank you for all the birthday wishes! My husband, my other baby brother and my sister sang to me, my Great Grandchildren sent a video greeting and I heard from many friends and relatives. 

It was a quiet day,  it rained some during the day.

The leaves are changing and we should be at peak color next weekend. 

Far Side

Older again

 Yes I am older again...and I feel older too! 

Here I am in 1953 I was two years old back then....I am older now. 

I laughed out loud when I saw this on facebook. 

Not sure what we will do to celebrate...I asked my other baby brother and she who sees robins first to come over for root beer floats!  That should be perfect. 

I believe Jen was my gift that came two days early 50 years ago.

Far Side

Update

 Far Guy is having surgery next week. He will have a mastectomy and a sentinel node biopsy.  The surgeon seems like a confidant young fellow, who had a decent bedside manner.   The oncologist had Far Guy stop the horrid Verzenio because the side effects were so bad.  He feels like surgery is a good option at this time and put in the referral immediately.  Luckily the surgeon saw us right away for the consult. 

Far Guy is very anxious and scared.  I keep telling him that this battle is almost over and the war with cancer will be won!  Moving forward is a good thing and moving forward faster than we thought is great! A month ago the Oncologist mentioned surgery this winter...so there ya go...things are moving along! 

I had a great mammogram report....nothing suspicious however the biopsy of a spot on my forehead came back with atypical cells ...so I will have a punch biopsy in a couple of weeks. 

Physical Therapy is going well and the sessions have been put on hold...I have all kind of exercises to do and walk walk walk.  I still have considerable pain especially after riding in the car. 

Minnesota weather has turned cooler and rainy.   High 67F or 20C Low was 58F or 15C.

Last night we did not cook supper, we ordered pizza when we were in town for Far Guy's infusion. 

Far Side

Camera Ready

 All together now!

Happy Birthday Jen!  

She loved the birthday cookies from Hornbachers back in the day!  I believe she was about 4 years old in this photo in 1979.  Too bad I had her facing into the sun so she is all squinty! 

Her real name is Jennifer and mostly we call her Jen but sometimes we slip and call her Jenny! She prefers Jen.  She is our rock, she is always ready to help her elderly parents, we appreciate all that she does for us! 

Oh yes she loves to take photos.  And sometimes I catch her doing what she enjoys. 

Photographing flowers at Bergeson Nursery near Fertile Minnesota.

Jen and Adam at a beach near Hilo Hawaii

Jen and Andy waiting for the sun to set before heading to the airport from the Big Island, Hawaii

Jen admiring the sunset... camera ready

Jen is off on an adventure with Andy for her birthday, we went out for supper to help her celebrate early.

Happy Birthday Jen, love you always and forever!  

Mom

Gone to a dog

 Yes we are visiting this dog again!  

She will be happy to see us. 

We got good news on Tuesday; the areas around the thyroid are just thyroid and not a worry at this time, they have no connection to the breast cancer. Some time in the future his thyroid my need to be removed but it is not a priority now.  Since Far Guy is having such awful side effects from the cancer medication we are seeing the surgeon on Wednesday (today) for a consult for surgery.  It is our hope that the surgeon thinks that Far Guy is a good candidate for surgery and to get surgery scheduled ASAP. 

Far Side 

No sleep or jelly

 Monday was a catch all day for me. Laundry and putting away "stuff."  Far Guy has slept very little in the last 48 hours.  It must be a side effect from the cancer meds.   I try to do quiet things just incase he is asleep.  

See the dark berries?  Those are Chokecherries the local bear may get them sooner or later.  Just did not have it in me to make jelly this year....I do have a few jars left over from two years ago.  The brighter orange leaves are Virginia Creeper growing up the Chokecherry shrub/tree. The yellow leaves are the Chokecherry leaves. 

Minnesota weather: High 80F or 27C  Low was  60F or 16C.   Today (Tuesday) will be our last really warm day then we cool off a bit and it may rain. 

Supper was Hobo dinners again...what can I say it is easy with minimal cleanup. (Hamburger, Potatoes, Carrots and Cheese)

I finished the book I was reading in between Book Club reads.  Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz.  I started the book a number of years ago and never finished it. So I read the whole book again.  I give it a 7 out of a 10.  Not usually the kind of book I read but nice for an inbetween book. 

Far Side

Colorful

Sunday my other baby brother and she who sees robins took us out to lupper at our favorite Mexican place.  The food was great as was the company.   Far Guys stomach was a bit iffy but the ice tea seemed to work a bit of magic so he could eat a taco. Yeah for another no cooking day!

We wood carved on the Christmas ornaments for a little while.  It was a very nice Fall day.

The driveway is getting colorful.

 Minnesota weather: High 79F or 27C Low was 68F or 20C.

We have four medical appointments this week. I think Tilly has an appointment to get her transmission leak checked...so that will be the excitement for our week. 

Far Side

Weekend Stuff

 We wood carved on the Christmas Ornaments, made progress and will continue until we have it all done! 

My lawn mower still starts after it's Summer rest.  I used it to spray/kill the weeds/Round Up the rocks by the house, we even have a tree growing in the rocks.  I had to see if the lawn mower still mows and it does.  It went well for my first time on the mower since about June 6.  I know I cannot be on the mower for hours but a little at a time is possible unless I drive like a wild woman!

Flowers in town

Supper was a salad and leftovers.  Chalk up another night of no cooking! 

Minnesota weather; High 77F or 25C Low was 63F or 18C 

Far Side

Partially Done

 I am glad this week is over, yesterday I went to Physical Therapy and then for my Mammogram.  

Check something off the freaking list.

Next up an eye appointment, flu vaccination and then covid vaccination.  I will do the vaccinations about a week apart. Then I can say I am ready for the Winter and all tuned up. 

Physical Therapy is going well and he says he sees improvement from week to week.  So that is something!

Minnesota weather: High 78F or26C  Low 63F or 18C.  

Supper was easy: Chicken enchiladas that were in the freezer!  Yeah for cooking once and eating three times:)

Far Side

Town

 Town was not too busy for a change, many of the tourists have gone and soon the Snowbirds will take off and it will be even quieter. 

No waiting in line anyplace....bank, Walmart pickup, Aldi, Hugos and Main Street Meats....where the young guy always calls me ma'am. 

The bank got a new potted plant for Fall. 

Far Guy had his usual Thursday Infusion to protect his lungs and then he came home to rest and nap.  He had a hard time sleeping the past couple of nights.  

Supper was mashed potatoes, hamburger gravy, carrots and raspberries.

Minnesota Weather: Highs 73F or 23C Low was 61F or 17C eh. 

Far Side

Remembering

 

24 years ago a day that many will not forget.

Far Side