My view for the next 6 weeks!!



Here I sit with my right let up in the air on two big pillows!!  It is all wrapped up in a splint now until my incision heals.  After that I get the staples out and a beautiful cast put on!!  I have been out of the hospital since Friday!!  What a life I am leading!!

Here is Annie, our cat...she sits on my lap almost all of the time

I cannot stand up so trying to do simple things like go to the bathroom...It is a MAJOR undertaking!! Makes me tired and I am usually sweating by the time I am done!!  Nothing and I mean nothing is easy any longer.
You might be wondering what I did!!  I have been taking care of Mike with his double knee replacement. I was carrying stuff down the steps.  Was going to go back up and make sure that Mike was getting down okay when all of a sudden that bottom step did me in!!  I fell with my right leg going under my bottom. I was screaming but as I looked at my right foot it just took a trip all by itself clear to the right!!  That made me feel very queasy.  I hollered at Mike to get Roger.  Once Roger got to me I was not a happy camper and was really crying and he kept trying to calm me down.  They got me some medication.  Roger said he thought that my ankle or my leg was broken which sent me into more major hysterics.  All I could think about was how was I going to take care of Mike and my dad!!

Roger constructed a cardboard splint and put my right leg into it with ice and then it he used Ace Bandages and wrapped it all up.

We headed out for St. Joes..Can you just imagine how funny I must have looked getting up the steps?  I scooted up each and every step till I got the the kids kitchen.  I then just stayed on my bum and slid to the front door..dusting their tile all of the way!!

Once at the hospital we got to looking at my left foot and noticed that it was swelling pretty good.  OOOPS!! They admitted me finally because my right foot was broken so badly that I would have to have surgery.

Dr. came in that night like around midnight or after.  He told me that he was not sure if my left foot was broken or not.  He would do surgery the next day but while I was out he would look at my left foot.  He told me that IF it were also broken I would be down for 12 weeks!!  WHEW!!

We found out the next day after the surgery that he had a time getting my right foot straight BUT that my left foot is just sprain really bad!! 

I was in the hospital for about 4.5 days.  I came home to scooting down the steps and back to my home.
Also during this whole time..My dad went on Hospice.  They are coming to their apt now.  That makes me feel better since I cannot do a thing to help them any longer.  I will be home bound for 6 weeks. 

Our son Jon and his sweet new wife, Maria came to visit my dad.  We had not met Maria.  They were married in July.  I had so so been wanting to meet her and here I am in the hospital and meeting our new daughter in law!! 

 Mike and I and our son Jon and his wife Maria!! Mike and I look wiped out!!

She was just what I thought she would be!!  Sweet and just a darling lady!!  I had really missed our son, Jon.  When I saw him it made me cry thinking that I have missed him terribly!

So much went on in just that one week of me being in the hospital.  Now being home we have had our apt flood because of a spigot outside that froze over the winter.  We had to move back up stairs while it was being dryed out.

Our 21 year old granddaughter, Brie came to take care of us for a few weeks.  We are quite the team..Mikey and myself!!  He is doing really well but still has more weeks ahead of him to get completely well.  He and I sit in our recliners and watch TV and try to help each other as much as we can.  What a fun couple!!

Thanks to all of you who have or are still praying for all of us!!  We have a lot going on now but with your great prayers, cards and phone calls things are going to be okay!!

Thought for the day: 

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling.  And even more beautiful, is knowing that you are the reason behind it!!

Moving, operations and health problems

I have so many things to write about since I have been so delinquent in my blogging!  My life has been on the up and the down a lot in the past 6 months.  I thought that things were settling down but then they just speeded right up again.  LIFE and welcome to it!!

Our living room before...



We had been trying to get our basement apt done by Christmas.  We did not meet that goal so we headed for my birthday in February!!  In the meantime, we went to an orthopedist about Mike's knees.  They have been bad for such a long time...years in fact!! 

Our living room after...

At the orthopedist we found out that he was bone on bone in his knees which he figured that he was.  His x-rays showed that both of his knees were bowed.  The doctor said that he definietly needed a knee replacement..both knees.  Mike wanted to get them both replaced.  The doctor tried to discourage us but with both knees so bowed we figured that if one was done he would be walking funny...Plus our insurance is about to change.  All in all we knew this was the BEST time to get this all done and finished.

Mike in the hospital...



Mike and our son-in-laws finished our apt the week before my birthday...our goal was met.  Mike had his surgery set up for the 21st..one day after my birthday!!  He went in that Monday morning.  A lot of family showed up to show their support.

We had to be there at 5 am.  The hospital where Dr. D operates is about 45 minutes from us.  He told us it was smaller and that he would be able to stay longer. 

That morning we got him admitted and then off to the med/surg floor.  Waiting is the hardest of all to do.  I would almost rather be the patient.  He was in surgery for about 2 hours.  He did great through the surgery.

We had a good stay there at this smaller hospital.  Course I had to travel down a two lane highway every day for 7 days which is how long Mike stayed.  The people were really great, friendly and kind.  Mike was up the same day as the surgery moving his legs.  He walked the next day and then from there he just walked further and further.  He still has to use a walker but I am guessing it is not going to be long!! 

The pain has been unbearable but he has stood it really well.  Actually he has been a good patient.  Now that we are home an even better one.  Very brave!!

The same day that he was coming home my mother called saying that they were taking my dad to the hospital.  I was so torn..which way do I go.  Our youngest daughter went to be with her gma and gpa which really helped me.  I went to the hospital and brought Mike home that same day.  He was glad to be home.  Back to our little apt that he has fixed up for us.

My dad and Mother before the hospital stay...



My dad was in the hosptial a few days only to find out that he has a bleeding ulcer.  They have tested it and found that the ulcer is a tumor and it is malignant.  He came home this past week.  Tomorrow I am going with them to see the cancer doctor in Mattoon.  I don't know what we are going to find out of course, but I know that we have all opted for him NOT to have anythng radical done.  At the ripe old age of 92 that seems to be the LAST thing that he needs done to him.  I guess you know that something has to end your life one of these days and now my dad knows.  I think that he is probably glad about this.  He has been wanting to die for such a long time now. His quality of life sort of stinks!!  I know that God knows that but of course we do not know.  We have to live every moment for what we can get out of our life.  God takes care of the rest.

We are now here in our little cute and cozy apartment.  I really love it.  I have put some pictures here for you to see. The guys did such a great job down here.  We have 3 rooms and a nice sized bathroom.  WE do have 2 windows.  Our bedroom has no windows so that makes it a great place to sleep in.  The problem is you never know the time unless you look at the clock of course.  If you are ever in our area stop by and see us.  We love company!!

Thought for the day:  "

Our job is obedience.

God's job is results.

We made it through the biggest snow storm that hit Illinois in years!!  The weather reporters have called it all kinds of name from snowpocalypse, snowmaggedon, and shovelmania!!  These are just a few names that we have heard being thrown around here in the Midwest!!

Mike and I move from sunny Savannah when in February things are just starting to wake up and flowers are right around the corner.  Now we have tons of snow everywhere. 

When you try to get to...let's say Walmart...you have to watch for cars at the corners because we have piles of snow that sometimes you cannot see around!!  It can be very dangerous!!  I wonder where all of this snow is going to go one of these days.  There is going to be a lot of WATER!! 

Maybe the snow knew that we had not seen it in a long time and wanted to show us again!!  Course I very much doubt that!! 

We will be moving into the apt in the basement in our daughter's home very soon!!  Mike and our two son-in-laws have been working on it for a long time now...around 6 months in fact.  It is going to be very cute and so new.  Just a few small things are left to do..One major and final thing is the carpet.


Mike knows a man at Lowe's that is coming out tomorrow night and looking to see what we need.  We have bought two remnants.  We need more for the living room.  The carpet guy found out that Mike has his bi-lateral replacement in two weeks so he is going to try to get it in this week!! YES!!  Boy, it will be great to get moved from one bedroom to three rooms of our own!!  I have missed having a home to do in what i want to do. 

Take care and hopefully things are going smoothly and life is treating you well!!

Sandy

Thought for the day:  May you be overwhelmed with the grace of God rather than the cares of life.

I have been thinking...what if we got together, say here at my house for coffee..What would we do?  I would greet you at the front door with a hug!  I would ask you to come on down to my new apartment.  I would show you around and praise my husband and my two son-in-laws for all the hard work that they have put into our new home. 

Come on into my kitchen, even though it is very small I hope it is really comfy for you.  Coffee or Tea?  Sugar, Cream, okay.  I cannot make anything sweet I am sorry.  Mike has to cut back on sugar!!  I try not to keep any thing that is wonderful around anymore..BOO HOO!! 

Hey how have you been?  Great!!  We have been pretty good...Course Mike is facing a bi-lateral knee surgery in about 2 weeks.  He has been having trouble with both knees for ages now..around 20 years to be exact.  His knees are so bad that he has been walking bo-legged and has lost several inches in his height.  We have found a great doctor here in Bloomington that we are going too.  He operates in Gibson City, Ill. at a smaller hospital.  Sounds like he is going to be in the hospital something like 10 days or so.  We have lots of steps here so that is going to overly hard on him or maybe even a good thing. He is going to have to have a lot of therpy.  Maybe the steps will come in for that part.   He is going to be out of work probably 6 weeks or more.  I feel so badly for him and will be concerned while he is healing but we know this has to be done and it seems that now is the time!!  You know men...this should be a fun time for me too.  Someone today at water aerobics said maybe they will give you a nerve pill..Ha!!  yeap!!   I might need it.  While you are praying for Mike please remember me too..Thanks!! 

Me, well I am still here at our daughter's home as you can see.  We love our new digs!!  I have been going to water aerobics 3 times a week.  I tell you this instructor, wow..can she make you work!!  I have done all kinds of exercises now but this one is the BOMB for sure!!  We start at 9:15 in the morning and are done at 10:00.  I have met some really nice ladies.  I would imagine the ages are from 50 something to probably up in the 80's!!  Sure, but you know that is great that we are all trying to keep ourselves going.  The water sometimes is like a bath tub.  When it is that warm it makes it harder to exercise.  Jane is our workout person.  She has been doing this for 10 years and boy can you tell it.  She is built great and vey toned just like everyone would LOVE to be but are flabby like me...Thanks...but you know flabby is what we sixty year olds seem to just have.  It is fun to talk to the other ladies...some really nice women!!  We have a lot of fun too..yelling and having a great time.  I love it!!  I am SO GLAD that my orthopedist told me it was the best of exercise for my poor knees. 

What about you?  I really have missed you!!  Wish that we could get together more often and just talk.  I miss our conversations and your warm friendship!!  I know we cannot have everything in this life but for me friends are really important in my life. 
Now our time is over and it makes me sad!!  Please come back again!!  I will be here and thrilled to see you!!  Good bye!!

Blessings, Sandy
Thought for the day:  "

I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap. 
- Bob Hope 
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Happy 2011

WELCOME to the NEW YEAR of 2011!!  My how did we all get here so fast?

I just celebrated my 65th Christmas!!  I can remember so many many Christmases!!  But when you get to thinking that you have celebrated 65 of them it really makes you stop and think!!  How did I do that when I really do not even feel 65???

This new year brings with it a birthday for me this next month.  I have enjoyed being 65!!  Sure I hurt in more places than I thought that I had but I still do not feel this age.

My parents will be 87 and 93 this coming year...My kids are now 38; 43 and 46!!  Our oldest granddaughter is 21!!  I should be those ages not them!!  Time just does not stop.  It just keep marching on and lately it seems to be marching with a quicker step!!

We are still living with our daughter and her family.  We still have our 1 bedroom with things piled all over it.  I figure that soon it will be piled up all 3 walls in here.  Mike, Roger and Bill have been trying and trying to get our apartment in the basement done but so far we are still waiting!!  We were hoping for Christmas.  When that did not happen we are now trying for my birthday in February.  Our 47th anniversary is in a couple of weeks.  We will not make that date I am sure.

The work is down to sanding of the walls; finishing up the ceilings; painting; and carpet.  Does not sound like much but when you work all of the time like Mike does then it is hard to find the time to do much on it.  He tries and I tell you I am so lucky to have such a sweet and wonderful hubby!!  Those of you that have read my blog know how much I LOVE my hubby!!  He works all of the time just to keep us going!!  What a man!! 

My dad has not been looking or doing good and has worried me.  My mother is trying to care for him alone.  She will not accept any help.  She believes that was her vow when they were married almost 67 years ago this month.  I completely understand that.  My brother and I just hate to see her going down too.  She is 6 years younger than my dad.  I went yesterday and they were both looking and doing well.  Dad just has bad days.

We had snow for Christmas here.  On Christmas EVE we had a big snow.  Around 5-6 inches arrived to make our Christmas a WHITE one!!  We had a lot of family around and that is what is always so important to me anyway.

This is a picture of our backyard here in Illinois as the snow was falling!!  It is always so pretty but then it causes so many problems for people.  This makes me miss Savannah even more.

We have not really got in the swing of our life here and I don't think we will until our little apt is done and ready for us to move in.  We need space for ourselves with our things around us.  Maybe it is just me that needs that.  Anytime you get to thinking that you don't have it good just remember how hard it is when you do not have a home to call your own.  It is very hard...believe me!!

Just wanted to catch up some.  This is not a great post but I have blogged once again..ONE more time anyway.

I am enjoying doing water aerobics at the Y now!!   I am in a great class..Love it.  I go 3 times a week!!  I also attend BSF (Bible study fellowship).  We are working on Isaiah now.  It is a hard but a very challenging book!! 

Take care!!

Sandy

Thougth for the day: " Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance"

My week

I am so happy that this week is over and a new one is up and coming!!  I am praying that it will be a better week than this past week.  It was a stressful week but it is where I am now.  This is the new season of my life and I have to learn to understand it!! 

Last week started out with my Dad going to have surgery.  I went down to Tuscola to be there for them.  The night before the surgery Dad just went someplace else in his mind!!  Mother had been trying to make him sleep but it was not working.  I finally got in on the fun and finally about 90 minutes to 2 hours and everyone was asleep!!  It was a very bad night!!  I hope that I am wrong!!  I think that dad is getting alzheimers!!  He keeps saying that he does not want it.  I so hope that he does not have it.  Mother is trying her best to care for him.  She is amazing!!  I don't know how long I could keep doing that if it were me.   Incidentally, we did cancel the operation!  He does not need that now!!

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE:

Becky bought the new electronic monopoly!!  We had great fun!!  They have really upgraded it with new properties; a debit and credit card that you slide; you only work with millions and thousands of dollars; when you go past GO it is 2 Million now...Guess this is because of inflation..Ya think?

It was a lot of fun!!  Even the tokens that you pass around the board are new and different!! 

This last Friday the 3rd we had our 1st snow...BIG one too.  The kids had never seen snow fall so it was a wonderful day for them.  We adults were just thinking about cleaning off the car and trying to stand up!!  Well, guess that was me wondering about standing up.  I do not seem to do that very well anymore.  With this snow I was really worried about fallling!!  I just DO NOT need to fall again!! 

I thought this was a great picture of Garrett...very happy with his 1st snow!!  They played and played. 

Back in the Fall when we were all going to garage sales, Becky found this nice Craftsman Snow blower.  She picked it up for $75.00...boy were we happy to have it!!  Look at it throw that silly snow!!  It was very cold...and still is!!

This is the McCoys tree this year...They collect nut crackers.  They have several of them now.  I love the fireplace.  Keeps us warm here!!

The guys are working on our apt again this afternoon.  We now have the surround walls for our shower.  They are trying to get that in too!!  Soon we can paint.  Mike keeps thinking that we will get there by Christmas but well I hope so..i hope that he is right!! 

We attended our granddaughter's performace last night!!  She sang in the madrigals that her school presents!!  It was very good. With all of this snow we were afraid that we could not go but we did get to go!  I did not take pictures which was bad for this grandma to have done!!  I was so busy watching and enjoying it all.  We had a great meal.  So glad that we had the opportunity to go.  Katie is a Senior this year!!  She is having the time of her life.  I love seeing her have so much fun!!  Senior year should be like this...fun and hope for the future!!

The kids are out sledding this afternoon.  There is a big hill that they go too.  These Southern raised kids are enjoying the snow.  I have a roast on in the crock pot.  That is my contribution for the day!!  Smile.

Have a Blessed day!!

Handle your present with confidence.  Prepare for the future without fear.  Keep the faith and drop the fear. 

Getting Old--

How do you feel about getting OLD!!??  Happy or just a tad bit SAD or unhappy?  Seems to me like I never though much about getting old like I have this year!! 65 has seemed to be like an age of changes and of seeing myself looking and definitely feeling OLD!!  With each new year I usually feel some difference especially since turning 50, but this year I notice that there has been a BIG change!!

I thought that one could get pretty discouraged if you let yourself...OR...You could look at it on the BRIGHT SIDE!!  What are the advantages?  There has to be some or is there?

I definitely can tell you the disadvantages easier than I can the good side of getting OLD!!  Think and see if you can come up with a good list for getting a bit older....

Hm..Let's see hopefully I can think of a couple...Getting older gets you a Senior Discount at restaurants, clothing stores and some other places.  Remember when you wanted to so badly be a Senior in high school..then you thought you would have arrived?  Once you got there you realized that you really had not arrived...just got older and quickly thrown out into this crazy world with all the responsiblities that you were not really ready for....Well now we are Seniors again.  This time it is really different!!!

I always thought as you aged that people would give you more RESPECT Somedays I think that respect has gone out the window.  Then somedays I feel like it is back!! 

I believe that you do gain a lot of WISDOM as you age!!  Knowing what to do with it can be the next problem.  I have gained quite a lot I believe. The wisdom that I believe I have gained as definitely came from learning and studying the Bible.  God has placed so many wonderful words of faith, hope, and Joy into his pages.  Studying them will help you to gain and understand life.  God wants us to live in His world in peace and happiness.    I do not worry like I used too.  I finally figured it out that worry never hurts anyone except yourself.  THEN why do it?  God is there to handle our problems anyway..RIGHT?  Wisdom comes from God!!

Guess getting SOCIAL SECURITY is a plus!!  Not that it is a fortune but it is better than NOT getting anything at all!!  MEDICARE  I am not sure about still but I guess it is good to have also.  I know the younger people are saying that there will be no Social Security left for them when they reach the good old retiring age.  I don't know about that.  Just thankful that we get some now when we really need it.

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Old Age Insults:
============================
You are so old, the candles on your birthday cake raised earths temperature by 3 degrees.
You are so old, when you were a kid rainbows were black and white.
You are so old, you fart dust.
You are so old, you sat next to Jesus in school.
You are so old, you walked into an antique shop and they sold you.
You are so old, your birth-certificate expired.
You are so old, if you to acted your age, you'd die.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am sure that there are other advantages...leave me a comment with some new ones!!  Waiting to hear!!

Hope you are well in your part of the world.....

Blessings!!!

A reporter was interviewing a 104 year-old woman: "And what do you think is
the best thing about being 104?" the reporter asked.

She simply replied, "No peer pressure."