Busy Saturday, Laid Back Sunday

Good morning everyone!

I hope that everyone out there had a great Mother's Day -

it was a real laid back day around here, but I'll

get to that in a few minutes.

We've had a pretty uneventful couple of weeks.

Keeping the girls during the week and

trying to get things done around the house on the

weekends.

Ada is growing up so fast!

She has such a wonderful laugh and seems

to laugh all the time -

all you have to do is talk to her and

she just cracks up laughing!

Excuse the blurry picture - but I was trying to catch

Lorelai without her knowing I was taking her

picture (hard to do).  Anyway, as you can see, she is

growing up right before our eyes.

Hard to believe, but in less that a month she will

be two years old.

She is talking more and more - but she is also pushing all the 

wrong buttons as she tests her limits.  It's okay, that is part of

growing up to be independent, but it can sure be frustrating and

 stressful.

Friday night Dan and I went into Sebring to pick up some things for "the" project and I needed/wanted some new shoes.  I needed some that didn't hurt my feet as I knew that I would be on my feet a lot on Saturday!

If you are looking for shoes that are perfect for walking in all day I highly recommend "go walk 2" by Skechers.  They are fabulous!!!  They are very light and make you feel like you are barefoot but walking on air at the same time.

I also got a pair of the new Croc sandals - they are really comfortable also and they don't look like Croc's - just regular sandals.  Nice!  After the stop at Lowe's and the shoe store we decided to eat at Chili's and ate off the two for $20 menu (Dan had a steak and I had the ribs).  Yummy!!!

Saturday was my birthday - and we had very special plans.  After some coffee, Dan and I took our shower and got dressed then jumped in the car and headed for Orlando.

Guess where we went.

Actually, we had purchased annual passes the beginning of the month, but had not picked up our passes yet so we decided to go up and pick up the passes and spend theday at EPCOT!  We had not been to any Disney park since before we had retired from the school system in Polk County and moved to North Carolina.  It was about time to check things out again.

On of the new things at Disney Parks is a thing called

Fast Pass - it is wonderful addition!

To get a "Fast Pass" you go to these special Kiosk throughout the park and decide what you want to ride and the time frame you want.  You can only choose three things at time but once you use all three of the passes you can choose three more.  Actually, you can do the Fast Pass on line - but because I did not have our tickets yet I couldn't do it before we went up on Saturday.

Anyway, the Fast Pass is wonderful - at each ride you have your own entrance and you are able to pretty much just walk right into the ride instead of having to wait in the "stand by" line.  For example, the regular line for Space Ship Earth was at 60 minutes, but we walked straight onto the ride by coming at our designated time.

We had lunch/dinner reservations at the Coral Reef - they were at 3:15 so I'm not sure what to call the meal.  To say that we were ready to eat by the

time we got served would be an understatement.

We learned that we need to eat before going into the park!

The meal was very good even though there was a 

very limited menu.

I did get a surprise at the end of the meal - 

a free dessert since it was my birthday!

(I don't know if you can see my "Happy Birthday"

button - but I was wished happy birthday all day long - 

not just by staff but by visitors to the park as wee!)

Dan and I shared the dessert. It was very good, but 

I sure wouldn't have ordered it - so much food!!!

After spending so much time in the heat it was nice

to spend some time in the cool relaxing restaurant and aquarium.

Sweet dolphins!

They do not do any type of animals shows but being 

able to watch the fish is so very relaxing.

While we were eating, a diver was in the water feeding the fish.

I didn't have my camera out at the time, so I did not get a picture

of him - but he had quite a little show that he "performed" 

for us.

My big guy enjoying the aquarium.

I think I walked Dan's little legs off so, after our meal, we decided it was time to head for home.  We did do a little side trip and rode the monorail over to

the Magic Kingdom, but decided not to transfer to the other monorails to see the rest of the park and just go back to EPCOT and go home.

We had a wonderful time at the park and we have already set up another trip in a couple of weeks - Animal Kingdom which neither of us have been to before.  This time I have already set up our first three Fast Pass locations and we will see how it goes there (plus our lunch reservation) with a really cool app that goes on your phone.  Since I had our passes I was able to set up our account and get the everything done through the app.  I have also ordered our "Magic Bands" but I don't know if they will arrive before our next trip.   We both spent the evening with our feet propped up - a lot of walking and Dan complained about his legs hurting - my shoes did their job - neither my feet or legs hurt at all.  We have decided that if nothing else, walking around the park is good exercise for both of us.

On Sunday we spent a quiet day at home "recovering" from our Saturday adventure.

Remember those little ducks I showed you a couple of weeks ago?

Well, look at them now!

As you can see, they have really grown.

You can also see that we have lost a few to predators.

I don't know if it was a gator that got some, but Dan says that

it was probably some big turtles that got them when they were small.

That just breaks your heart, but it is part of nature.

Dan had some bread that he threw into the water and

they swam over and would eat the bread - but they wouldn't get

too close.  If Dan didn't throw the bread out far enough they

just let it float in the water - until we walked away then they came

right up to the sea wall.

So, what about the big project that I haven't shown you.

Do you think Dan got it finished?

What was "the big project"?

Well, he did get it finished, for the most part - there are still some

last minute things to do - but we did have three days of rain that sorta put a damper on working.

Ready for some pictures??

These were taken during the construction process.

Any idea yet??

(oops - there is Sam photo bombing the picture)

Well, are you ready to see what it looks like this morning.

Remember, it's not quite finished - like all the painting -

but I think you can tell what it is.

How about a fabulous pergola???

I am so excited!

Now, "we" still have to put the 2 x 2's across the top and finish the

painting.

Then we have to complete the steps down into the yard and 

bring the flower bed all the way around -

plant the Jasmine on the "trellis"

and the rest of the azaleas.

It will still take a little while to get everything done, but like I said, the

main construction is complete.

Anyone surprised?

Well, I'm going to close for now - got an almost two year old calling me!

Have a great week!!!!

More projects!

I know that it has been a couple of weeks since I last posted.  We haven't been sitting around on our bon-bons.  Nope, we have been working like crazy!  I'll fill you in on all that's going on.

First, let's start with Easter.

Good Friday morning the Easter Bunny left Lorelai a "basket" of things for Nana and Grand - P's house.

 From a hat to wear in the sun

to some toys for the

sand box.

 Some coloring books

and a Lamb cup

even a little

candy

(but not much)!

 Even had to add

a bouncy ball

to play

with.

The big "gift"

was a wagon to pull.

Ady even got a chance to

have a turn in the wagon.

Just not sure she liked it too much.

(Of course, Jessie had to "photo bomb" the picture! LOL!)

Saturday Dan and I cleaned the porch.  We took all the furniture off the porch and cleaned, cleaned, cleaned.

Now, it SHOULD be ready for summer.

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day here.

Dan and I Easter morning all ready for church.

After church we went over the the kids house

for Easter dinner and some family pictures.

My daughter Melissa, her husband Justin, my sweet Lorelai, and the

adorable Adalyn.

My sweet girl.

Ada chewing on her fist

My mom, or Adalyn's Great Grandmother

Nana and her little "Ada Bear"

I don't know what was so funny -

but we were all laughing.

Me holding Adalyn and my mom holding Lorelai.

Last week, we kept the girls all week. 

Saturday I spent the day deep cleaning the house.

It was the first time that the house was really cleaned top to bottom since before I was sick.  Don't get me wrong.  I cleaned - dusted, mopped, cleaned the bathrooms - but just hadn't done the really deep cleaning.

Also, on Saturday, we had the carpets cleaned by Stanley Steemer.

We had just finished picking up the little stuff when they showed up.

The last couple of weeks Dan has had a couple of projects going

and he completed one of them last week.

Yesterday I was able to put a little finishing touches on it.

He built the shelves and valance for the windows and hung some new 

shades in the family room.

Yesterday, after church, we went over to the storage unit and found 

all his ducks and I used them to decorate the shelf

above the windows.

So, this is what the family room looks like now.

He is still working on a top secret project and it looks

like he just MIGHT be able to finish on

his deadline of Mother's Day.

I'll give you one more picture of that "little" project.

Hope you all are having a great week!

Talk to you soon!

Projects and more projects!

We have been really busy around here this past week.

Dan has some BIG plans and projects

that he will be working on

in the coming weeks.

This one is SO big that it probably won't be

finished until at least

Mother's Day!

Any idea what he is doing?

I can't tell, but I'm so excited that we are

doing this!

In the meantime - my car has been exiled to the 

driveway.

LOL!

We kept both girls this week.

They are both growing so fast!

Adalyn was 4 months old

on Friday.

Such a cutie!

Lorelai is growing like a weed and

doing more and more things

every day.

How can you not love that face?

Be still my heart.

Now, for her latest little trick -

Who needs a door when we have

a doggie door.......

And it doesn't matter if we

are coming ........

or going........

It still works!

LOL!

Last Sunday the kids came over

and the babies were able

to spend some time

in the kiddie pool.

It was Ady's first time in the pool

and it seems as though she 

really liked it.......

Big sister still loves the water

and being outside.

And both girls had a good time.

Now, just to prove that "spring"

has come to Florida

I wanted to show a little family

of ducks that decided to

swim down the canal 

behind the house last week.

 I have no idea how

many little babies there are

behind momma but there are

at least 10.

 Fun!

Here is one of the projects that we (mostly Dan) worked.

This is what our master bedroom looked like

when we bought the house.

Notice the blinds on the window?

Hate them!!!!
So 80's, right???

So, this is what the master bedroom looks like

today.......

Notice the window???

No more vertical blinds!
Can you say YAHOOOOOOO!!!!

We installed  two inch wooden blinds yesterday

and hung the drapes.

I ordered sheers, but they haven't arrived yet.

I'll show you the "finished"  window after they arrive.
Remember this is just one of the projects
we worked on - I'll share the others later.

Now, in a post that has been loaded with

pictures, I"ll leave you with

two more.

My sweet Lorelai

and

The adorable 

Adalyn!

I think I am a pretty 

lucky

Nana!

Really GONE this time

Well, hello there.

Remember me?

I know, I have been a little on the AWOL list for the last

few weeks - but I am officially on the mend and

as feeling so much better!

Let me go back to my last post - when I thought I had passed

that other kidney stone.  Well, I felt better for about three days

and then the pain came back AGAIN!

I finally called our doctor in Lakeland and made an

appointment - made arrangements with Melissa for 

Lorelai and a week from last Thursday we headed up to Watson Clinic.

The doctor talked to me a little - ordered another CT scan and 

referred me to a specialist.  Before we got out of town

the specialist's office called and I had an appointment

for Monday.

Another phone call to Melissa about the kids and I spent the weekend resting.

Sam, Jessie, and I chillin on the porch.

Monday we were up bright and early and headed up to Lakeland again.

Our appointment was for 10:00 but I had to be there 30 minutes early to 

"fill out paperwork".

Actually made it in to the doctor's office just a few minutes after 10 - vitals taken and symptoms given to nurse.  He gave me a little booklet about Kidney Stones and how they are removed.  After looking over the booklet I told Dan I sure didn't want them to have to go in and remove anything and place a stent in.

Five minutes later the doctor is telling me that 95% of people who have had a stone for longer than 30 days have to have it removed.  I have had mine for a grand total of 60 days!  He told me that the pain I had felt when I thought I had passed the stone was actually the stone moving a little and then getting lodged again.  When the stone lodged there would be pressure that backed up to the kidney - thus producing the pain.  When the kidney shut down (yes, that is normal) the pressure would subside and I would feel better.  Then the stone would move again and we would go through the same routine again.  I was on a four day schedule with pain, feeling better, and then pain.  

Oh the joy!!!

He showed me on the CT scan taken on Thursday where the stone was and that it was a "fairly large" stone that he would have to remove Thursday, his day to do surgery, as an outpatient.  I would be put under, he would use a scope and remove the stone and insert a stent. 

Oh NO!  

Just what I had said I didn't want to happen!!!!

Well, he wanted to do another CT scan to make sure it was still where it had been on Thursday - and an EKG for the procedure - and they would schedule everything for Thursday.

So, down I go for the CT scan AGAIN, called his office to let them know it was done - as he wanted to look at it before ordering the EKG.  The nurse said they would call me as soon as he had read it and to hang tight downstairs.  Well, it wasn't 5 minutes later they called me back and said the 

STONE WAS GONE!!!! 

No procedure was required and to have a nice day!!!!

YaHOOOOO!!!!!!

I can not tell you how extremely happy I was/am!!!!

Not only was THE stone gone but I was free from pain!!!

Now, I still had/have some little bitty stones that

will pass with no discomfort at all, but

the big guy is finally 

out of there!!!!

I kept Lorelai on Tuesday and Wednesday with no difficulty

and then had both girls on Thursday and Friday.

Thursday was also Justin's (my SIL's) birthday - so I fixed

dinner for all of us -

Pork, Black Beans, Rice, and Cuban Bread.

His favorite meal.

We also had some chicken nuggets for Lorelai, along with

some green beans and carrots.

My daughter picked up an ice cream cake for dessert.

The birthday boy.

I think we all had a nice dinner.

Saturday Dan and I scrubbed down the back porch - cleaning the

screens, floor, and even all the patio furniture.

I changed some things around and

we are all ready for Spring/Summer, at least the porch is.

(I really don't think we are going to have a Spring as

the temperature was 92 here yesterday)

Speaking of yesterday -

after church the kids came over and

we grilled some hamburgers and hot dogs - 

Lorelai played in the sprinkler, chased bubbles, played in the

kiddie pool (remember - 92) and had a fun time.

After the two babies, Dan and Justin had their

respective naps the kids went home

and Dan and I settled in for the evening.

We are suppose to have rain starting tonight

and rain through Tuesday - then the

temperatures are suppose to drop back 

down into the 70's for highs.

I certainly hope so, that would mean

we could turn off the A/C for a couple

of days - probably the last time

before November or December.

We shall see.

I know that I have been off and on with my

posts, but now that things are finally really on the mend

my posts will be more frequent.

Hope you all have a great week!

I'll "see" you soon!

Just when you think things are back to normal

Good morning everyone!  I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend.

I had such wonderful ideas of how the weekend was going to go,

but as someone once said

"The best laid plans of mice and men".

Friday my body decided to "pass" another kidney stone.

Let me tell you, that is NO fun at all!!!!

So, I spent most of Saturday resting.

Yesterday we did go to church

but I was not very comfortable at all.

By last night I was feeling better - most of the soreness is gone

(it feels like someone sucker punched you in the kidney) after

the stone is "Passed".

So, once again, I am hopeful that I am FINALLY on the

way to feeling better.

We were suppose to start keeping the baby this weeks along with "big" sister, but my daughter has decided to let me 'ease' into keeping the little one -

we will keep her two days this week, three next, and then have her full time in a couple of weeks (depending on how things go).

Dan and I are hopeful that we can get some projects done around the house in the next few weeks - if I can stay healthy!

We are getting rain most of this week - Today and tomorrow - dry on Wednesday and then more rain on Thursday and Friday!  That's okay - we can use the rain - we'll just have to find something to keep our big girl occupied.

We are also going to have to take Samantha to the vet as she is having difficulty using her back legs (although she can stand up and move she is just having problems jumping up).  I don't think it is a disc issue but a weight issue - but we shall see.

I hope that you guys have a wonderful weekend and I'll talk to you soon!

Hugs -

Carol

Emergency Room

I guess by the title of this post you can tell it has been a rather eventful week.

As you probably know, I have not been feeling all that well for over a month but I kept thinking it would get better.  Well, last Monday I was in quite a bit of pain to the point that I finally told Dan that I needed to go to the emergency room.  Now, some of you might ask "why not go to your regular doctor and not the emergency room", and that would be a good question.  We don't have a "regular" doctor here in Lake Placid - all our doctor's are in Lakeland (insurance) and that's a two hour drive away, and most of the time that really isn't an issue.  Monday it was - so, emergency room it was.

We get the the ER around 5:00 and are taken straight back to triage, where all the vitals were taken and symptoms revealed.  On my way to my "room" I had to make a liquid deposit into the "little cup" and then it was time to wait.  The lab came up and tried to find a vein to draw blood, but after several pokes he left to find someone who knew what they were doing.  The head nurse (a very nice gentleman) came and with one little poke had a vein and about 10 vials (okay, probably only five - but a lot) and had me set up for an IV.  Around 5:45 I received some really good pain medication and then we preceded to wait for a CT scan.   Not really sure what time they came and got me for that (really good pain medication) but it didn't take long.  Finally, around 7:30 the ER doctor came in and told me I had - (1) an urinary tract infection, (2) a kidney stone, and (3) diverticilous.  Four prescriptions later, and another dose of pain medication, I was released where I came home and went straight to bed.

Tuesday and Wednesday was spent almost entirely in bed - sleeping most of the time.  Thursday I was finally up about 3/4 of the day and Friday we were back keeping little bit, but only for 1/2 the day.  Saturday I felt well enough to get out of the house for awhile, but then Saturday night I started hurting again - and I think I 'passed' the other kidney stone.

I am hopeful that after I finish with all the antibiotics that I am on I will finally feel like myself again and be up and running at full speed in a very short amount of time.

Life is certainly interesting.

Hugs!

Carol