Frustrating in a way.

Today was a quiet one, at home. After breakfast Karen came over to help Chris get our old movies transfered to DVDS. They worked on that, and it seemed to be going it OK. But when the DVD was full, we tried to play it on the TV in the living room, but it was all messed up. We had lunch, and he tried again to get it to work. It still didn't. While he was doing that, I started to reread the Book of Mormon, because it's what the Sunday School class will be teaching for this year. I have read it five or six times, but I forget the details. I'm hoping to be able to stay for all three sessions of church in a couple of weeks, anyway. We talked to Kaye, and she was still sight-seeing in San Francisco while Kyle worked. Her cold sounds somewhat better. Carla and Rex and Brittany are in Bandon, and Rex's brother Monty and wife are visiting there. I also talked to Danya, and she's going with kids to the mountains for a week.

We didn't do a lot today. After breakfast we drove to the Oceanside Kaiser Lab where Chris had his blood drawn for a Cumidin test. (He had another nose bleed last night and had to sit up part of the night to get it stopped.) We came right back home, and watched the rest of "To Kill a Mocking Bird". I still find it depressing. Now, with Obama running for President, the attitude toward Black people is very much different. After lunch I sat down with the moist hot pad on my leg, and I went to sleep. That makes up for being awake in the night. Chris has been trying to copy our old movies onto the CDs, and we watched some he had done. But they didn't come out well; sometimes the pictures and words were scrambled, and sometimes there was no color at all. He is trying it again tonight, after dinner, to get them copied better. For dinner I made some blueberry muffins from some mix I had made some time ago and some fresh blueberries. They turned out well, thank goodness. My first attempt at cooking.

The busiest day in a long time.

This morning I was going to visit Nancy Barnhart with Karen, but she locked her keys in her car. So Chris drove the 2 of us, first to Ruth Schoppe's house to deliver some recordings, and then to Ross Co. where Karen's car was. By the time we got there, AAA had sent a man out who opened Karen's car. Then she and I went to Nancy's. we didn't stay long, she has a bad cold and cough, so we made it a short visit. Then we met Chris at Carl's Jr. for lunch. After the lunch he and I drove to Boney's for green groceries, and then to visit Ona Willets. At home again I finished reading "Rebekah" by Orson Scott Card. He really makes the women of the Old Testament seem creditable. After our supper we watched part of "To Kill a Mocking Bird". We'll finish it tomorrow. It's kind of depressing so far, and is in black and white instead of color, and that may account for it. I'm much better now, but I'm quite tired tonight; maybe I've done too much today. We talked to Kaye, and she was enjoying revisiting places in San Francisco.

Reorganization in the house.

This morning the woman from Angels' Care arrived at 8:30. We had finished our breakfast, so I was free to get her started doing things. First she changed the bed and then did the washing. While the washer and drier were doing their jobs, I had her straighten out the linen closet. She did a good job of it, and then I had her label the shelves with what was on them, so we can keep the closet neat from now on. There are no plastic baskets in there. While she was working at that, I put my foot up and put on the moist hot pack. As the loads of washing came back into the house, I put the things away. We were all done by 12:30, and I paid her and she left. She'll come back in 2 weeks. While we were doing those things, Chris had reorganized the filing cabinet, and it will be much easier to find things there now. Then we left to have lunch with Don and Harriette Long at the Home Town Buffet. It was a good visit, too. And they returned the pillows they took home by accident when they went back home after the fire was over in the east county. Their house was not burned, neither was Lenon Bezzant's. But her grand daughter's was.

Better weather, hope it stays.

It was cloudy when we first got up, but by 10 it began to clear up. By 11 we decided to drive down to look at the ocean at high tide, and fortunately we found a parking place at Tamarack beach at the top of the cliff. We didn't get out of the car, just sat there and watched the surfers try to ride the big waves. Only a few managed it. About noon we decided to go to Burger King for a hamburger, and that was nice, too. It was good to be outside the house again. We drove home refreshed by the ocean and the lunch. This afternoon Chris made a new filing system for our messy filing cabinet. I hope we can keep it straight now. We didn't like to hunt all over for the papers we need from the files. Karen came over for a visit, and Kaye called to tell us she and Kyle had arrived safely at San Francisco and were in their hotel. We talked to Carla, too, and they are all well.

We went to Church 1 hour.

It was dripping a little rain this morning, but we decided to go to the church anyway. We got there as the Sacrament meeting was just starting. Karen saw me when I came into the lobby, and she came out and stayed with us. there. (I had the small walker with a cushion on the side, as I did at the beauty shop yesterday.) We three sat on a sofa in the lobby and listened to everything going on in the chapel. And we took the sacrament. A few friends did stop and greet us, and that was nice. Chris and I left as soon as that meeting was over and came home. We had lunch, and watched Pres. Eyring and the BYU choir on the BYU channel. After that, we watched a Netflix movie, "All About Eve". It was a good old movie, with a lot of the old stars from our earlier times. We talked to Carla and Kaye. Carla said they had 100 people playing golf yesterday, and Kaye is feeling better, and is going to San Francisco with Kyle tomorrow.

A new perm, and I'm feeling better.

Thank you Kaye, for getting yesterday's blog back where it belongs! Somehow I haven't learned how yet. This morning I felt better, so Chris drove me to the beauty shop and I got a perm. I think it will be easier to manage, although I do like my hair long. When we got home, we had lunch, and then Chris opened up the new phone and the new clock radio he had bought, to replace ours that had broken. The owner of the Angels Care at Home came this afternoon, and she will have a woman come to our house on every other Tuesday to do things around the house that I have a little trouble with. This afternoon we watched the movie "Elisabeth". I didn't realize it was rated R, but I found out after we had seen it! I don't recommend it. I think they made up the plot; I'll have to look it up.

New Lab Tests

We drove down to Carlsbad Kaiser for my tests this morning. It was raining, so we were a little late getting there. I had a blood test, then a shot of some kind, waited 45 minutes, then had another blood test. The shot made me very nervous, as the nurse said it would. But we managed to get home and we had brunch, and then a movie, then a nap. This afternoon we watched some more "Star Trek" episodes, then dinner that Karen had bought for us before she left. She just called, and she will be home Monday afternoon. She did drive instead of fly to Arroyo Grande to see the new great grand baby. Kaye and Kyle are going to San Francisco next week. I'm glad she's going, that's better than staying home alone. I often went along after the children were grown, and Chris had to go to different places.

Doctor visits for me and for Kaye.

Our main job for today was to go to see Dr. Donahoe, to find out more about my condition. I was glad to find out that my leg problem would not become a clot that could go to my heart. But the doctor wants more tests, and for me to see an endocrinologist and a surgeon sometime soon. The lab tests are set up for tomorrow morning. We drove down to the beach after my Dr. visit and watched the waves for a while. We did walk just far enough to be on the sand, and I enjoyed that, too. Then we had lunch at Burger King. Chris did the grocery shopping, and I stayed home and rested my leg. After dinner we watched another "Star Trek". I must fast for my tests tomorrow. I talked to Kaye, who had been to see her neurologist, and she is going to try a new injection to see if it is easier on her system. The trouble, though, is that she is to have the shots under the skin every other day. I hate for her to have to go through that. c

A rainy day to watch movies at home.

We have spent a quiet day at home. It has showered off and on all day. Only as the sun went down, did we see it. And of course we couldn't see the full eclipse of the moon. Kaye saw it though. Today I did manage to file away the Christmas cards we received this Christmas. I just didn't feel up to it earlier. Karen came over for a while today, and she's busy getting ready to leave for Lynn and Jamie's house tomorrow. She has a train ticket, but she'll have to rent a car in Santa Barbara, and can't return it on Sunday. So, she's thinking of just driving her car, even though it's still raining most of the way. This afternoon we watched the movie "Planet of the Apes, No. 3" It was not really worth the $5 that Chris paid for it; neither were some old John Wayne movies he got, too, for $5. Tonight we watched an old "Star Trek 2nd Generation" Kaye had sent, and that was better.

Medical records caught up.

We have finally got the new furnace programed to run as we want it to (hopefully!). It did heat up too soon this afternoon, but that was soon fixed. It seems to work OK now. I managed to finish up-dating my medical records today. That's about the only thing I did. After lunch I had a nap, after sleeping 8 hours last night. I think it's the medication doing it. I'm having trouble with moths or something in my wool sweaters. The Bay leaves have kept them safe for about 12 years, so I think it may be some other little beasty doing it. Maybe silverfish? I mended two holes, and then I found three more tiny ones in my gray sweater, and two in my pink one. I haven't checked out the other sweaters, and won't, until I get these holes mended. We have talked to Karen and Carla today, but not Kaye. Today is her shot day, and she's quite sick each time. We'll call a little later. though.

Maybe we'll get Angels Care at Home once a week.

Roy came to clean the house today, and he did his usual job. While he was here Chris went to get new batteries for our 2 portable phones. He got them, and put them in, but we have to wait a day before using them. That's OK; we have the cell phones to use. as well as the two stationary phones. After lunch Karen came over for a while. She helped us decide that we should get the help of the Angel's Care at Home to do our washing and bed changing, organizing the linen closet and the pantry and putting labels on the shelves. I'm going to wait until I see the doctor on Thursday; I think I can do those things myself, if he says I'm better from the broken veins. We have decided to give away the cymbidium orchids next time they are in bloom. They are a problem, since we have to give them special water and food. Most of the other plants have automatic watering systems, and they don't need the filtered water and special food.

We didn't go to church.

This morning I thought about going to church and sitting in the lobby, where I could hear but not be seen by the congregation, but then I figured no. I'll wait until after my next doctor's appointment and see what he says about my condition. We listened instead to the BYU channel on TV for our church service. Then later we went to Karen and Terry's for dinner. He cooked hamburgers on the grill and Karen made French fries and a salad, and cookies for dessert. We enjoyed the dinner, but didn't stay afterwards. At home again we watched an Agatha Christie mystery on TV, and part of a nature show. We were both glad to be at home on a cool night. It is supposed to be warmer tomorrow. We talked to both Carla and Kaye tonight. Kaye enjoyed the Writers Con. with Patricia Briggs, and will have brunch with her in the morning before Patty leaves town. Carla maybe has a buyer for the house in Eugene.

More or less a "Movie" day.

I didn't get very far with the medical records yesterday, nor today. But tomorrow is another day. I did go out though, to get my hair done. we mailed some letters and came home. The Red Rose decaffinated tea from Kaye arrived, and thank you for sending it. We both had a good cup. I finished watching the long version of "Jane Ayre", and the actors are better than in the first version, but the background isn't as good as the first one. So I guess I didn't waste too much time. For the next Netflix I ordered "Shrek 3" by mistake, so we looked at that tonight. It was a waste of time, really. However, it was maybe better than the reruns of the Brit shows. I'm still treating my leg, but I did manage to get an appointment with Dr. Donahoe in five more days, so I hope to get more answers to my questions about when it will be entirely well. I'm wearing support hose, and I assume that's the right thing to do. However, we did get to see Race's experiment, and it looks great. Race, thanks for sending it.

I'm starting to do a few more things.

This morning we went to the Oceanside Kaiser Lab and I gave my sample. There was some question about it, and they had to call Dr. Donahoe's office. That took more time, but it wasn't very long. After we left there we went to Smart and Final and returned some Gatorade that was passed the due date. Then we went to the bank and a couple of grocery stores. I stayed in the car, and Chris did the shopping. We stopped and got some gorditas at Taco Bell for lunch. They were good. Afterwards I was going to catch up on our medical records in my recliner while I used the hot pad on my leg, but I went to sleep before getting very far into the job. Later I folded the clothes Chris had washed, we had our dinner that had Karen brought, and now I'm going back to the medical records.

Surprise, a rainy day.

Kaiser wanted another blood test from Chris, because he had a nose bleed again. So we went to the Oceanside Kaiser lab and got it. After we got home Kaiser called again, and wanted me to have another blood test, too. So I made an appointment for tomorrow. It has rained today and the sun never did come out, so we didn't stay outside long. After lunch I started watching the long version of "Jane Ayre". I watched through part 1 and then quit. I spent the rest of the afternoon repairing some clothes. That's easier than shopping for new things. Later I read a clothing catalog and did order some things. Chris spent most of the day making new storage shelves in the garage. I hope he didn't overdo. I'm glad Patricia Briggs is visiting Kaye. They are good friends.

Karen is better.

We met Karen at Denny's restaurant for brunch at 10 a.m. this morning. Her flu has almost gone, but she still coughs once in while. We had a good meal and a nice talk. We stopped once on the way home, to pick us some supplies. At home we watched Perry Mason, and then Karen came over with a laptop she is giving a friend. She wanted her Dad to help her set it up. She didn't call us after she had taken it to the lady, so I don't know how it worked. We watched a program on TV, and I went to sleep and almost missed taking my medicine. But I got it OK. I am keeping the moist heat on my leg most of the time. After our dinner I watched part of the "Jane Ayre" we borrowed from Netflix. It is 6 hours long, so it will take a while to see it all.

Another blood test.

This morning we went to the Kaiser Clinic here in Oceanside, where I had my blood tested. It was a little tiring, so when I got home I rested and put the moist hot pack on my leg. I did have a little nap, too. We invited Ruth Schoppe to go to lunch with us, but she didn't feel up to going out. We will have to make a brief visit to her house later. But we went ourselves, and we then stopped at the drug store on the way home. In the afternoon a man came from the company that put in the new furnace, to turn the water heater back on. He tried to sell us a new one, but we didn't want it. After he left a man came and sprayed around the outside of the house to kill the ants. I hope it works. Tonight we watched the 2nd half of a program on the Mormons on PBS. It was better than I had hoped. You can see it and the first one on the internet, if you would like to.

The new furnace.

Patty's book wasn't "Iron Bound", but "Iron Kissed". But it was a good book, I enjoyed it. This morning the man came back to check the furnace, and we decided to get a new one. The man put it in, and everything went well; except that we forgot to ask him to re-light the water heater that he turned of when he put in the furnace. We couldn't get it to light tonight. After he left we had our lunch, and then rested a while. I went to sleep, and I woke up with hearing someone say, "Momma!" There was no one there. I hope all my daughters are OK. Chris had a nap, too. He had been busy watering and feeding plants. Last week I lost my Kaiser identification card, and a new one arrived in today's mail. I hadn't been anywhere but the Kaiser office, so I assumed I'd left it there. I hadn't, but they ordered this new one. for me.

I'm still improving.

This morning I got up with the idea of going to the church and sitting in the lobby, instead of going into the chapel. I could take the big walker and sit on it and put my feet up on a folding chair. Well, I did get dressed to go, and then I realized I'm just not strong enough for that yet. We did watch and listen to the Tabernacle Choir this morning. And then tomorrow night at 9 there's a program on PBS about the Mormons. I'm rather glad Mitt Romney dropped out of the presidential race; I think this program might have done him and the religion harm. Of course I'll have to wait and see what it is. The Bishop came to Home Teach us this afternoon, and he gave me a blessing. I'm sure it will help me get well quickly. I'm enjoying reading Patrica Briggs book, "Iron Bound". I can't finish it tonight, but there's always tomorrow.

I was more active today.

Today Chris drove me to the beauty shop, and I had my hair done. I took the small walker with me and used it for a foot rest. I had no trouble at all, and Chris picked me up afterwards and we came home. He lost the phone he took in to get a battery, and called the store. They had it, he had left it in the basket he left in the parking lot. We went to get it. At home we had lunch and then watched a comedy Kaye had sent us "Jeeves and Bertie Wooster". I had read the stories years ago, and somehow this one wasn't as funny now. But it was a diversion. I also started the third book of Patricia Briggs', series of Mercy Thompson, "Iron Kissed". After dinner we watched our usual Brit shows on TV, plus an episode of "Jeopardy" which I haven't seen for several months. It's still fun to see if I can guess the answers, which I couldn't do as well as before.

We joined Netfix again.

I just discovered this keyboard on the south computer is really in need of cleaning. That will be my main job tomorrow. It's too late tonight. After our breakfast Chris worked again in the garage and put clean carpeting in the areas by the kitchen door and the washer and dryer. Later he went to Home Depot, but didn't find what he wanted to buy, a new electric screwdriver. While he was gone, I finished reading "Blood Bound" and can start the next book tomorrow. After lunch I rested a while with the hot pad, and then my visiting teacher came to see me. She has been ill, too, so she didn't get here last month. After she left, we watched a Netflix movie, "The Queen", about the present English queen at the time of Princess Diana's death, in 1997. It's a good one.

Another good day.

We have had another good day. I haven't done anything, except rest with my feet up and the hot pad on the left leg. I'm feeling a little stronger, too, and that's a good sign. And no pain. Chris has worked out in the garage, organizing everything, and trying to decide what to throw away. Tomorrow, if it's warm, I'll go out and help him decide that. I'm quite good at throwing things away, or giving them to some charity. I've saved a lot of plastic containers, that we really don't need anymore. They will be the first to go. We have talked to both Carla and Kaye, and I tried to call Bianca, but I didn't get through to her. I'll try again tomorrow. Brittany is in Portland, scouting out a group of golf course people who are meeting there. Carla and Rex are visiting relatives in Utah.

I have had no pain in my leg today, the second day in a row. I have kept the leg up and have used the Thermophore pad often. It really helps. Chris washed the clothes, and he wouldn't allow me to do anything, except fold the clean ones. Just as we were having lunch Karen came over. She had already had lunch, so we visited while we ate. She told us about the trip to the Gem Show, and she brought back a bracelet and earrings for me. She also told us two friends from Denver would be down tomorrow, and she was going to meet them in San Diego and go with them to see the carrier in the Harbor, on which Terry usually acts as a guide. Terry, though, isn't doing tours for a while, because he is still weak from his heart problems that put him in the hospital a short time ago. I have found the lost blogs, but I don't know how to retrieve them. I'll talk to Kaye about it.

The Missing Blogs...No Leg Pain Today

Karen just called. They have landed in San Diego, and she said they had a good time in Tuscon. She will see us tomorrow. This morning I went to get my lab tests done, and this evening Dr. Donahoe's nurse called to say I'm still low on sodium, and to have another test in a week. My leg hasn't hurt all day, so I think maybe the treatment is really helping. I'm still weak, but that can be overcome in time. I still rest a lot, sometimes in bed. I finished re-reading "Moon Called" and tomorrow I 'll start "Blood Bound" by Patty Briggs, Kaye's friend. Then I'll read the next one. They are easy to read, and I don't have to strain to get the meanings. And that appeals to me now.

No leg pain tToday.

I wrote today's blog and it got stored in the wrong place. So I'll write it again and put it where it belongs. Karen called, to say that they had arrived in San Diego, and she will see us tomorrow. This morning I had my lab work done, and then the Doctor's nurse called to tell me that I was still low on sodium. I'm to have another test in a week, and then see the Doctor in a couple of weeks. I have had no pain in my leg today, and that shows I'm getting better. I keep it elevated most of the time, and use the Thermophore pad a lot. I even had one bed-rest. I finished re-reading "Moon Called" by Patricia Briggs, Kaye's friend. I'll start "Blood Bound tomorrow. I enjoy them, and I'm not ready yet to read serious books.

A new heating pad that helps my leg.

This morning we got up a little early, because Roy was coming to clean. I stayed out of his way, in my chair. Chris went grocery shopping because we were out of milk and needed some other things, too. Roy left shortly after he got back, and we sat and watched TV a while. Most of the news was on the primary elections that are to happen in 24 states tomorrow. When we were tired of that, we watched Perry Mason and had our lunch. In the afternoon we mailed our ballots and went to buy a smaller Thermophore that Kaye had helped us order from a local pharmacy. The roads were crowded, and an ambulance and fire truck whizzed by. There must have been a wreck somewhere along College Blvd., so we hurried on home after getting the heating pad. Karen called to say that she and Terry had arrived OK in Tuscon. I hope they have a nice day there at the Gem Show. We also talked to Carla and Kaye, and they are doing well, except that Kaye had her shot, and that always leaves her miserable. I hope she is over it by tomorrow.

Things are looking up.

I forgot to call Ethel Hodges today, so I made a note to call in the morning. This has been a good day. I have kept the warmth on my leg, and it really helps stop the pain. After lunch I lay down on the bed for a rest, as Kaye suggested, and it really helps to rest flat. Karen came over and brought us our dinner, and it was good. She and Terry are going to Tuscon tomorrow, for the gem show. They will stay only one night, and come back the next night. I'm glad Terry feels up to a short trip; more like that will probably gradually get him ready for their cruise of the Greek islands in May. Karen went to church this morning, and I asked her to tell our friends hello, and she did. They are all nice people. We all have problems now and then, and it helps to know people do care, when it's you who isn't well. They sent good wishes. Kaye and Carla both called, too, and we had nice visits on the phone.

Kaye and Karen both home safely.

Karen got here before 6a.m. and she and Kaye left a few minutes later. Kaye got home safely. and so did Karen. She came over when she got back. While she was here Ethel Hodges, a good friend of Charles and Mabel came over, and brought our Christmas present from Charles and Mabel. She also brought a pretty potted plant with pink flowers. I didn't realize the plant was from her, and not Charles and Mabel. I will have to call her in the morning and thank her. After they had left we watched part of Pres. Hinkley's funeral, which was broadcast on the BYU channel. For some reason it really depressed me, and I had to stop watching. We had our lunch, and another nap for me. Chris put away the Christmas tree and the boxes of decorations, and then he joined me to watch a couple of the Star Trek series that Race sent us. I hadn't realized how serious my leaking interior blood vein is, I'll have to be careful for a long while. I'm to have more lab tests next Tuesday.

Kaye's last day here.

This has been a much better day for me. I used the hot pack on my leg before getting out of bed, and it stopped the pain in my ankle. We had breakfast and I put the hot pack on again, and then Kaye and I took the decorations off the Christmas tree and packed them up for storage. After lunch I had a little nap, and then we got ready and went to Karen and Terry's for dinner. Karen cooked a nice meal and we all had a good visit. Terry is feeling better now, and he seems to welcome visitors. We didn't go over when he first got home from the hospital, and it was good to see him again. When we got home I put the hot pack on my ankle again, and we watched "Edward Scissorhands". We are going to bed early , because Karen will come about 5:45 to drive Kaye to the airport tomorrow. We have enjoyed her visit, and hope it won't be long before she comes again.