I have good intentions

I really do have good intentions.

I think that I will do posts every week - if not every day.

BUT - something always seems to get in the way.

So, let's see if I can do a quick recap of the month.

Tuesday, May 2nd, was the Membership Banquet here at the Village.  Since I am on the board, it was sorts imperative that I be there.  It was the first time that Dan had been "out an about" in his Life Vest - there were several questions from people at our table - but Dan handled it very well.  It was a relaxing evening.

The 3rd was a volunteer day - I have really gotten where I use these morning as a "catch up" day with paperwork.  If I could just figure out how to get the computer down to the shop and on the Internet I might be able to do weekly posts from there (I sure don't have many customers!)

Thursday the 4th was busy - I started the day with Fasting Labs at 8.  Then I went down and bought the tag for my car.  Mom had a Dermatologist appointment at 10:45 and she had a couple of biopsies done.  Then at 2 I had an Executive Committee Meeting.  Whew!

Friday, May 5th, we had breakfast on the street at one of our neighbor's home - It was a very good breakfast with Belgium Waffles, Bacon, Sausage, fruit, orange juice, and coffee.  Yummy!!!

Saturday was Market Day and a Village Wide Garage Sale.  Dan and I decided that we had enough going on that we weren't going to get involved in the garage sale - but we did go and visit everyone that did have one.  I picked up a dog bed for the back porch for $.50 and a small wicker basket for the same amount.  I guess we were really big spenders!!!

I did not volunteer on the 10th, as it was my birthday and Dan wanted me to take the day off.  We didn't do anything fancy, but it was a nice day to just relax.

Thursday I had a doctor's appointment.  I thought all was going fine and my blood work it FABULOUS!!!  However,  I am having issues with my blood pressure - not being high, but WAY to low - like 80's over 60's.  Thursday it was 84/63 and my doctor is a little concerned.  I'm suppose to take my blood pressure occasionally  during the month and wear compression socks at night with my feet propped up.  If I start having system's before my next appointment I'm to call.  Truthfully, I get dizzy occasionally and when I have been taking my blood pressure it is still low and my pulse rate is really high (last night it was 101 - and I had been sitting).  I'll wait and talk to my doctor when I have my appointment next month.

Thursday afternoon Dan decided that he wanted to go into town to the Ford dealership and see what cars they had.  We have been talking about getting a new to us car - but everytime we think we have found one we like we don't want to pay the amount they want (or finance for 8 years!).  Anyway, was I surprised when Dan decided that he liked a 2014 Escape and the payment was reasonable.  So........we came home with a new to us car!

Then we spent Friday cleaning the garage so I can actually park the car IN the garage!  Wonder of wonders!!!!

Saturday morning we went to Madison to the Fancy Flea Market.  I had been looking forward to this since last April - the one that was suppose to be held in September was cancelled due to the hurricane that hit our area that weekend.  Anyway, while I loved going and looking at all the stuff - we didn't buy anything!

We came home and was spending some time on the back patio and back porch when Dan says "I think we need some excitement".  I'm like - "What kind of excitement????"  He says, "Oh, I don't know, just some excitement."

Well, about that time the back door opens and my daughter from Nashville jumps out and yells "Happy Birthday!" Then I see my daughter from Lakeland, my son-in-love, the grand babies, and the girls Dad.  They all came in to surprise me for my birthday and Mother's Day!!!!  Dan had arranged it all somehow and boy was I surprised!!!!!

My two girls!

Well, they stayed Saturday night and then everyone had to go home on Sunday..

But, Dan and I left on Wednesday (no volunteering again) for a quick trip down to Lakeland for Lorelai's Pre-K graduation!

There was a very nice program with the other classes singing a song and then the 5 year olds "graduating". 

Then they also sang a couple of songs. 

Lorelai received a lot of flowers from all the family - these are just some of the them.  Where are the others????

Well.......

This little monkey - who did an awesome job singing - didn't understand why big sister got all these flowers and all she got was one from her Nana and P.  She sat in my lap and cried cause she didn't understand.  Well, when everyone went into the lobby, Lorelai didn't want to hold ALL the flowers she got so- Adalyn decided she could help and all the tears went away!

She knew they weren't "hers" but it didn't seem to matter - as long as she was able to hold them an have her picture taken.

I have all kinds of pictures that I took of the graduation itself, but for some reason I can't get to the photo's on my computer - these were on my phone.  I don't know!

Oh well!!!!

We had to leave first thing Friday morning because Dan had another doctor's appointment with his heart doctor on Friday afternoon at 4.  So, we came home, unpacked the car, got the puppy settled back in, did a couple of loads of laundry, jumped back in the car and headed for Lake City.  The doctor changed another one of his medicines and wants to see him the first of June for a new Echo and then it will be decided if he is going to have surgery or what our next step is.

This week has been pretty quiet - it rained almost all day Tuesday and Wednesday (which meant I had two visitors in the shop - Dan and Dan.  He brought me my coffee I forgot and then came and picked me up.)  Not real busy!!!

We've done a couple of small projects around the house and we did work in the yard some on Thursday - trying to get the yard raked and Dan still wants to plant some grass.  Next week we MIGHT be getting a couple of pallets of sod which we are going to use in the front yard.  We shall see.

June and July look like they are going to be busy months as well.  I will TRY and do a better job of posting, but I won't promise.

We are having some friends over for dinner tomorrow to celebrate Memorial Day - just some country ribs, corn on the cob, potato salad, and some baked beans.  I'm not sure yet what we will have for dessert, but I'll figure something out.

For my American friends - please remember what this holiday is all about.  It's not just the "first weekend of summer".  It's a time to remember all those that gave their all that we might live in freedom.

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend.

Hugs!


Well, I was finally able to get the pictures to download - so I'll share a few.

Dan out on the back patio with a small fire.
(You might be able to see his "purse")

My Love

A few pictures of the girls before the graduation

Lorelai

Adalyn

Her "American Flag dress"

Lorelai showing some "sass"

Graduation
(some of these are blurry - sorry)

Ada -- upfront and center

 Lorelai
Receiving her diploma

Second row

That's all for now!!!

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Busy with all kinds of things

I continue to be the

This is as far as I got on a blog post last Monday when we had to make an emergency trip to the cardiologist in Lake City.  Monday afternoon was spent at his office and Tuesday was spent at Lake City Medical Center as Dan went through his third heart catherization.  The good news in all this was that there was no new blockage of Dan's arteries - however, his heart is not working like it should and he is now on a "Life Vest" which is an external defibrillator.  For the next ninety days he has to wear it 24/7 - only taking it off to shower.  Let us say that he is not a happy camper right now, but he is following the doctors orders.  I don't know if it is because I fussed at him and so did his daughter or if he has just resigned himself that he has to wear it.  I really don't care which one it is, I'm just glad he is wearing it as it would save his life IF his heart stops beating.  To say that this has been a change in our life would be a major understatement. 

We are continuing on our diet but we have to find a new way for Dan to exercise.  I had finally gotten him in the pool as a way to exercise, as he hates to walk (it hurts his knees), but that option has been taken off the table with his life vest. So, I have made a deal with him - if he will walk for 5 - 10 minutes on the treadmill I will do the same amount of time on the elliptical.  (I hate that machine!)  We shall see how that works out.

The doctor prescribed a new medication for Dan to start on - Entresto- but the insurance company denied it.  So, the doctor's office appealed - it took until Friday to finally have the meds approved and then it took forty-eight hours for the approval to get through the system.  Thank goodness the doctor sent us a brochure from the drug company that had a coupon for a free three day supply.  By using that we were able to get him on the medication on Friday instead of having to wait until Monday.  Dan thinks that it is really making a difference.  Let's hope so.

I did take him out of town this past weekend.  We went down to Lakeland and stayed with the kids.  Friday night Melissa had a LuLaRoe party from 5:30 to 7:30 - so Dan went over to see his daughter, Dana.  It's the first time that he has driven by himself since he was put on the Life Vest - but all went well.  I did buy a couple of shirts, which I really like.  They are fairly expensive to me - but I treated myself to an early birthday present.

Saturday morning we went to the girls Soccer game.

Lorelai is number 7. 

The team is in a serious discussion - I don't know what it was about, but it seems like Lorelai was in a deep conversation with the coach.

Ada - bear is number 3.  She really doesn't understand what she is suppose to do - but at three years old who can blame her???

At least she is out there running around with her sister.

This was typical - Lorelai running and Ada watching.

Lorelai did make one goal and had one assist.  So not too bad.

I'm just excited that they are involved in some sports.

(And you have to admit - they are really cute!)

We had planned on just staying one night (Friday) and then coming home on Saturday afternoon, but Lorelai climbed up in my lap Friday night and asked me why we had to go home so early.  She said "Nana, I want you to stay longer", so, we stayed until Sunday mid morning.

I think it did Dan good to just get away from here - and all the "projects" that need to be done - for a couple of days.  He came home in much better spirits and seems to have adjusted somewhat to the vest.  We have a follow up appointment on May 19th.

We will be going back down to Lakeland around the 17th of May - Lorelai's graduation from Pre-K is on the 18th and there is no way we are going to miss that!   It is so hard for me to realize that she will be starting Kindergarten in August!  In fact, she went to Kindergarten Round Up last week - so she is all registered and ready to start.  Guess we'll be buying some uniforms for her this summer.  They grow up so darn fast! We'll stay down for a couple of days and then we'll leave the morning of the 19th for Daniel's doctor appointment late in the afternoon in Lake City. 

I'll be taking a couple of Wednesday's off from volunteering with the doctors and graduation and then we are keeping the girls for a week in June.  Things should be exciting around here.

Well, I'm not going to keep talking about all the doctors appointments - so I'll close for now.  I'll be back soon with a post of some of the things that we were able to get done before all this happened.

More Doctors

Well, April has started out with more doctor's appointments.  However, let's start at the beginning.

On Saturday, April 1st, I took over paying Mom's bills.  This is no April Fool's joke and it was a long time in coming.  She has been complaining about having difficulty writing her checks for some time now.  So, when I went over on Saturday I suggested that she go to the bank and let the girl there that mom likes pay her bills for her.  Well, the more we talked the more she didn't like having to go down to the bank every time a bill came in the mail.  So, finally I told her that I could pay her bills on line.  She seemed surprised, but agreed and she gave me all her "stuff".  I keep her informed of what bill has come in and how much it was and what her balance is.  I do a little sheet for her so she has everything in writing.  Now, it's only been a couple of weeks, but so far, it's working out well.  I have a key to her mailbox and I check it everyday when we get out mail.  If there is a bill I take it - but leave all her other mail.  We shall see how things progress.  Oh,  if she goes to town on the bus or buys anything she just puts it on her credit card - then I'll pay it when the bill comes in.  As I said, so far, it's been easy peasy!  Let's hope it stays that way.

Monday the third Dan and I worked in the front yard.  We had bought plants and mulch over the weekend and I wanted to get everything in the ground on Monday since we were suppose to have rain Monday night.  We worked all day, but being the bad blogger I am, I didn't take any before pictures.  But I do have some after pictures.

Everything was looking so much better.  There was still a few things that I wanted to do, but the front looked so much more inviting.

I even moved the plants that had been in the front out under the large Camilla tree that is in the front yard.  With our small garden flag and a couple of rocks and some pine straw as ground cover - things were looking up.

A couple of new plants for the front "porch".

Monday night Dan had a sleep study over in Lake City.  Of course, I stayed home with the puppy.  Well, let me tell you, the bottom dropped out Monday night.  We had a terrific thunderstorm - first one of the season - and had five and three-quarters of an inches of rain.

My nice pretty flower beds looked like this Tuesday morning.

So, while the plants loved the rain, the mulch went to the street!

So, after Dan got home and recovered from not a very good nights rest we headed into Live Oak to Lowe's  where we preceded to pick up some landscaping timbers and more mulch.  Oh, I might have picked up a few more plants that were on the clearance rack (I just can't seem to resist plants priced at $.50).

Anyway, we came home and got everything unloaded - but not much work was done on Tuesday.

Wednesday morning I volunteered at the shop.  We were actually a little busy and it did make the morning go quicker.  While I was dusting (which I do every Wednesday morning when I first get there) I saw that an artist kit in the kids section was opened.  When I looked at it there were several colored pencils and crayons missing.  I had to pull the kit and put in the office with a note to the manager.  I just don't understand why someone would steal from a non-profit organization that is only trying to help the residents.  Now, it was probably a kid, but the parent should have been watching.  Anyway, when I got home Dan had arranged all the landscaping timber - but he needed some dirt to get them level before he staked them down.  So, we went searching for dirt in the golf cart with the gorilla cart tied on the back.  We were able to find what he needed and he came home and finished up while I put out more mulch.  We even bought some solar powered lights for the bed.  I don't have any night pictures but this is what the bed looks like today.

All nice and straight

With the solar lights.

One of the hanging baskets

(gotta love those fifty cent plants)

One of the spider plants that I thought we lost in the last freeze.

Also have one of our hummingbird feeders out front.

This fern is another plant that I really thought we had lost.  We had this plant when we lived in Lake Placid on Loquat.  We brought a few ferns up with us, but really had not been taking care of them.  They were lying next to the house all last year while the renovation was going on.  I found this one and hung it up under the big Camilla bush in the back yard this winter, but really have not paid any attention to it.  Well, it is a survivor.  It is really coming out now that we are watering it and giving it some plant food.

The petunia in the background is another fifty cents plant - I bought two plants, brought them home and put them in an extra hanging basket I had in the garage.  They are doing great!

The Easter garden flag.

The front of the house from the driveway.

My April "wreath".

Wednesday night we went to our friends for dinner.  There were four couples - Neil and Carol, Dan and Kathryn, us, and the hosts Bud and Joyce.  It was a fun evening and a delicious meal!

Thursday was the Executive Committee Meeting.

Friday was Dan's cardiologist appointment.  I really think he was dreading going to this appointment since the last time we were there the doctor put it to him straight - he didn't sugar coat things.  Anyway, Dan has lost almost 15 pounds and has had all the tests the doctor wanted him to have.  While everything wasn't perfect with his visit things were better.  The doctor liked the amount of weight he had lost (he still has about 30 more to go) and the results of his tests were not bad.  His heart efficiency is about the same as it was the last time he had the stress test (about five years ago), but it isn't where the doctor would like to see it.  His stent is working fine.  The doctor did change up his medicine to see if we can have some better results - he said he wanted to get his blood pressure to around 110/60 instead of his normal 150/90.

Also, Dan does have sleep apena but he will NOT consent to the C-PAC machine.  The doctor is pretty sure that with the weight loss and exercise the sleep apena will go away.  Right now, we are trying elevating his upper body since he does not have the problem when "napping" in his recliner.  I have ordered a wedge for him to use and we will see how that works.

Well, the doctor ordered his medicine and after a little mix up at the pharmacy he started taking it Friday night.  Sunday I took his blood pressure and it was 113/60 and has been between 110/60 to the high of 115/63.  Dan says he can feel the difference and he says he feels better.  

Before we left Lake City we went by the new Hobby Lobby store that has just been open for about a week.  It was a really nice store and I picked up a couple of things for the house and for the girls Easter baskets that I would be mailing.

We had planned on going down to Lakeland from the doctor's office to see the girls play in their first soccer game, but we had to have some duct work done in the attic and it was suppose to be cool on Saturday morning.  So, instead of seeing my girls play, we had the A/C man here replacing about 20 feet of duct work, taping and mudding seams, and hanging the "new" duct work that was put in over the new family room.  The other A/C guy had left the duct work lying on the ceiling instead of strapping it to the rafters.  The new guy did all that on Saturday.  So, we should not have any more issues!  We can really tell the difference in the output of air - so that should help with the electric bill this summer.

Sunday I finally got the house and porch clean!  It was something that just kept being pushed to the back of the burner when other things came up.

I have never shown you pictures of the back patio area after we got all the dirt spread and some of the mulch down.  We still have a lot of work to do in the back but it looks so much better than it did and we sure enjoy using this area now.

Some of the plants

(The plant on the left is another 50 cent plant - give it a couple of weeks and see if it will come back)

This was a hollow log Dan found back in the woods that he brought home and we cut it different sizes and planted some plants in them.

Our other hummingbird feeder.

I also wanted to share some pictures of the back porch.

I have shared some on Facebook and I think on the blog, but only from one prespective.  I thought I'd do a better job and show you the whole porch.

sitting area

Dining

I love our little $5.00 pillow from WalMart.

I saw similar ones at Lowes for $30

I'm still looking for coffee mugs for this area.  We want to host some "Coffee On the Back Porch" soon for the neighbors.

My little bit of Easter decorations.

Which brings us to this week.

Yesterday I took mom to Gainesville for her doctors appointment.  It did not go well again.  She just seems to be angry with the world and nothing pleases her.  She is having some real problems being civil to anyone.  I'm not sure what to do about it.  I do have an appointment for her with another doctor in June - I guess I'll have to wait and see what that one says.

After I got home from Gainesville, Dan and I walked to the end of the cul-de-sac and back.  Then I power walked around the block.  (We are just getting Dan into this exercise thing -so it's baby steps). 

Today, I went to yoga and Dan went to the pool.  We was able to swim and exercise some without putting pressure on his knees.  We plan on walking three days a week and then going to yoga/pool two days a week and both of us going to the pool on Saturday (when we are home).  If we can continue to watch our diet and then add in the exercise, we should be able to lose the weight the doctor wants.  (BTW, I've lost another .8 pounds)

Well, that catches you up with all that has been going on so far this month.  The next couple of weeks don't look as busy right now, but who knows what they will fill up with.

Hope you enjoyed all the pictures.