Weekend Fun with Caden

Finally, we get the sound good enough to hear him making truck noise...

Computer work!

I've been trying to get in touch with Dr. Donahoe's office, and today I found out that he has been on vacation. Now he is back I finally connected with the nurse. She told me my blood is now normal, and I can work on just getting my strength back. Since my best way is the water exercises, I went to that this morning. I always enjoy being in the water, although I'm not yet quite strong enough to really swim. At least I can do the exercises, and maybe the swimming will come later. I just glanced out of the window, and a small plane really zipped by! I have been used to seeing just the copters flying around Oceanside, and this was a real eye opener. There is a big military base south of here, and that must be where this plane came from. I can't remember the name just now. This afternoon I worked on the computer with Chris' help, and finally reached the Kaiser location that has been telling me that I have test results , after Kaye gave me my password I had forgotten

After breakfast this morning we drove to the Kaiser clinic to pick up a prescription and then we went to our bank up off College Way to cash a check, and then we went to Wal-Mart, which is just across the street from the bank. There we had a soda, and then I went to look for a swim suit. I looked for a one-piece suit, and I found only one in my size. I tried it on, and it didn't look as well on me as the one I wanted to replace, so I didn't buy it. Chris bought some more batteries for our hearing aids, and then since it was lunch time, we came back to the Villas. After lunch I read a couple of pages in one of the French books Kaye sent me, had a short nap, and then repaired my maroon cape to wear to the pool tomorrow. I have been using a rain coat as a cover-up, but it is too big and long now. I asked Chris to measure my height, and I have shrunk a little more, to 4 ft. 11 3/4 in. I'll wear the cape to and from the pool from now on. After dinner we came back to the apartment and watched the news. Then Kaye called, and said Stellan's car clonked out. We talked about what we could do to help. It's bedtime, so I'll close.

The computer has been set up again, and I hope I don't ruin it again! I'm the one who was using it when it went out two days ago. Chris has fixed it up with the old keyboard; I think Kaye helped him do it. In the meantime we haven't done anything important. I did go to the water exercise class on Monday and again today. I tried not to do quite as much exercise as on Monday. I was tired all of Tuesday. While I was at the pool today Chris went for a walk, taking the walker with the seat. He went down to Jefferson and back in 20 minutes! He surely didn't sit down on the way. Yesterday Karen took us to the movies, and we saw "Harry Potter and The Half-blood Prince." In this movie I thought the castle that houses Hogworts isn't depicted as well as in the previous movies. Otherwise it was a good movie. On Monday Karen picked us up and we took sandwiches and drove down to the beach and sat in the car looking at the beautiful blue water while we ate our lunch. In the afternoon I started reading in one of the 4 French translations of Patricia Briggs' books that Kaye has sent me. I think reading them will help me remember the French language I studied so many years ago.

I wrote a blog for today, and I couldn't get it posted with the others. It just went away. So, Here is another. As I remember it, I just said we slept in and then went to breakfast. After that Chris went for a

We had a quick breakfast of toast and orange juice and then went to Sacrament Meeting. Darlene and Ed Keller were the main speakers, and they were both good , and loud enough that I could hear them. Anyway, Darlene and I have been comparing illnesses for the last couple of years. For a little while the doctors thought she had cancer, but they recently changed their minds. But through this experience she has become a more sincere member, and is more understanding of others' problems. I hope that has happened to me, too. However, I can't tell that. At the apartment again we read the paper, and then had lunch. We had a nice, long skype with Kaye and family, including Caden, of course! He is beginning to talk a little, and sometimes stands without holding onto something. I think it won't be long until he is walking. He is still thin, and very active, so it may take him a little longer to get started. I didn't mean to, but I did nap a little later. I only remembered it because I dreamed. I went to sleep with the paper in my hands and woke up later with it still there. We had dinner, and we sat with the Oriental couple as we have often done. They are only 80 years old, among the younger people here.

This morning I had my hair done and Chris did a little shopping. We came back to the apartment and had lunch. Karen had gone to her painting class, and afterward she called us, and came over. It was too much stress on her foot that had the operation for her to come up to the apartment, so we just sat with her in her car and had a visit. Terry had made up a picture of Karen, taken while they were on their trip to France. She is sitting in a fancy little cubical, and it's really a cute picture. Karen gave it to us as a souvenir of their trip. Tonight we have watched our usual Brit shows on the big screen TV, and also parts of other shows. It has become a real routine to watch TV every night. Chris is coughing quite hard, and I wonder what we can do about it. We will have to ask Dr. Donahoe as soon as we can get an appointment.

This morning I went to the water exercise class. I must have worked too hard on it, because now I have a headache and a sore knee. Anyway, after the class I had a shower, picked up the things left out of place in the apartment, and woke up Chris, who had gone for a walk while I was in the pool, and then had fallen asleep in front of the TV. We went to lunch here, and then after a rest, we went shopping for swim suits. I have a suit I bought by mail, and it didn't fit very well. I altered it and wore it today. It still looks better than anything I could find in my size at the two stores we went to. Then we went to Burger King for a drink. Then I meant to go to a sporting goods store near there, but I forgot, and we drove back to the apartment. That was a good idea, anyway, to come back here, because it was it was almost time for dinner. We talked to Karen, and we plan to see her again after my hair set tomorrow. And we talked briefly to Kaye. She and Kyle had just arrived in Seatttle to visit Stellan, Caden, Sarah, and also Race.

This morning we went to the Kaiser Clinic and I had a blood test and we picked up lots of prescriptions that were running out. Then we went to Karen's, to see how she was doing now that she had returned from Carla and Rex's place. Rex did surgery on her foot, and she can use it 1 and a half hours a day; otherwise she must sit down and put it up. After leaving there we came back to the apartment and found that Kayla and Jesse had been there and would come back about 1 p.m. We had our lunch and then they arrived. We visited for about an hour, when Kayla said they were flying out of Long Beach airport at 6 p.m.. So, I hurried them off. I hope they get the flight, and don't have to wait around the airport for another. Later I had a little nap, and we then had our dinner. After that, we came back here and watched the news on the big wall TV the daughters gave us when we moved in here. Then we watched an old movie from 1939, with Bette Davis and other famous actors. It was well done, and I enjoyed it.

This was another day for me to go to the water exercise class. There were 5 women and 1 man, and the instructor sent a message that she would be delayed while setting up a video for some group. In the pool one of the women acted as instructor, and we followed her through about half of the movements. When the instructor came she took over, and we finished up the hour. This time I didn't go into the hot tub afterwards; because it seemed to irritate my phlybitus (Sp?). I thought of trying to swim a little, but I was too tired. I just got out and came back to the apartment. After I had showered and rested a while we went to lunch. I had lost 15 lbs. when I was sick, and now I have gained back 10, eating all these meals without having to shop for groceries or cook anything. We are still waiting to hear from our niece, Kayla and her daughter, who emailed they would come by sometime this week. I hope it doesn't happen while we are away tomorrow at the Kaiser clinic where I am to have another set of blood tests and pick up some prescriptions. Karen called, and she has gotten back from Carla and Rex's house and golf course, with her new foot surgery done by Rex. We will go see her tomorrow, too. .

It looks as though I didn't write on Sunday or Monday. I will try to remember it, but I may miss something. We did go to Sacrament Meeting Sunday and then came back to the apartment. I sort of wanted to go down to the beach, but it's always crowded on Sunday. We stayed home and read the newspaper watched some TV, and had the usual meals here. On Monday I went to the swim exercise class at 10:30. The sun was out and it was a good experience. I'm looking forward to going 3 times a week from now on. The swim suit that both Kaye and I used is worn out now, and I have altered one I bought by mail. I'll try it tomorrow and see how it works. If it doesn't,. I'll go shopping for a new one. Today we have sort of waited around here, waiting to hear again from Kayla, who sent an email saying she and Jesse would be in San Diego this week, and would like to visit us. Chris answered her email, and we have been waiting to hear again from her, by phone, I guess.

This morning we drove to the Plaza shopping center where I had my hair done. Then we shopped a little, and got back here at noon. After lunch we just watched a little TV, picked up around the apartment, and then went downstairs to an ice cream social. All the seats were taken, so we just picked up our mail and came back to the apartment. I gathered up the laundry and took it to the 2nd floor laundry facilities and washed it. One washer was broken down, so it took longer than I had realized. But I did get back in time to see Rick Steeves' program on Normandy. Chris went down to the laundry and picked up the clothes for me. We went to dinner after this program, and we were among the last 7 people to dine. Among them was our new neighbor, a Mr. Richardson, whose family just moved him in this afternoon. We haven't met yet, but I imagine it won't be long until we do, since his entrance door is just opposite ours.

Brittany called, and she will be here about 10:30, to visit, and to pick up things from the storage at the house, and also visit Uncle Al. Well, she managed to do all this, and we also had late lunch or early dinner at Daphne's Restaurant in Oceanside. She is taking back with her her golf clubs, since she is trying to get a summer job at a golf course, and two boxes about a foot and a half square. Some of it was film she had made earlier. While Brittany was visiting Uncle Al we went for a walk around the Villas and down Laguna Dr. a little way. It was a warm day, no need for even a sweater. But we did wear hats and sunscreen. I vow that next week I will start the water exercise class, or at least the exercise class up on the second floor of this building. The pool is warm and only 4 feet deep everywhere, so there's no danger. I'd prefer to do that, I think.

This morning Chris didn't feel up to going to the dining room, so I went and got breakfast for both of us and brought it back here. I'm glad we have at least as much of a tiny kitchen as this, to do that. The dining table is right there, too, so it's convenient all around. We thought Brittany would come down, so we didn't do anything spectacular all morning. She called just as we were starting to go to lunch, and said she would be here tomorrow instead. We had lunch and then went for a walk around the Villas. The door to the care center was open, so we went in. The attendents were all friendly, and so we looked all around. It's much nicer than the one Chris was in to recover from his hip surgery. From there we walked to the swimming pool, and a nice lady was setting it up for a birthday party and invited us to stay. We didn't, but back in our building in the elevator we were again invited, by the son of the man whose 90th birthday party it was for. We thought it over, and decided to go after all. We stayed until there was a real crowd of his relatives there, then we left, with a piece of cake and a fruit drink each. We saved that for dessert after dinner tonight.

I skipped my blog a few days, so here is make-up for it. Karen came over about 11:30 and took us for a nice drive around downtown Oceanside. There are four or five new apartments or time-shares, or hotels, I'm not sure which is which, but they are nice looking buildings. And then there are new store-fronts and new stores along Coast Highway, and the city is much improved . After our drive around, we went to the Farmers Market. There were lots of little booths set up in the street by the Library, extending about 4 long blocks, and selling all kinds of foodstuffs and also various other things, like flowers and flower vases, clothing, shoes, etc. which looked all hand made. Since we have recently moved, we didn't buy anything but fruit and veg. Another trip we took was again with Karen, to the Harbor (that was yesterday) and we had fish tacos at the little fish market down the street from Helgren's Fishing trip shop. We sat outside and admired the boats and ships tired up there, and the blue sky and harbor. Then we walked to the end of that street and back to the car at Helgren's, and came on back to Las Villas de Carlsbad. Today we just stayed around here, sort of waiting for Brittany whom we thought was coming down. In the afternoon she called that she would come down tomorrow. Karen also called, and she leaves for Carla and Rex's house in Eugene, Or. Rex will operate on her toe, and she will visit them there and also go with them to Bandon and see the golf course they have built there, as well as their duplex, built a few years ago.

When we got back from breakfast the cleaning lady was at our apartment. We went downstairs to leave her there to to do her job, and then came back later. I hadn't read our paper, but I couldn't find it anywhere when we got back, so I went to the lady, but she hadn't seen it. So, we went down to the coffee shop and read part of one there. Later I found our paper on a chair on the balcony, where Chris had been reading it and forgotten it. That just goes to show how relaxed we are these days. In the afternoon Carla called, to tell us the renters in our house had told her that the storage sheds on the property had been left unlocked. So we drove over there, and sure enough they were open, and some things were gone. All the wood and shelving pieces were gone, but the finished furniture was still there, except for the large folding table, and perhaps some other things we didn't miss right away. We called Brittany, and she will try to come down and see how much of her things are gone. While we were there, anyway, we picked up the rest of my clothes (except for the fur stole) and another small heater, so we would have one for each bathroom. After looking at the locks on the doors of the sheds, Chris said they had been opened by someone with the tools for that sort of activity. I hope we don't have any more stealing.

Since today is Sunday, we got up early, got dressed, and went to breakfast by 8 o'clock. That put us at the church about 20 minutes early, so we had an opportunity to meet with Karen and to visit with friends before the meeting started. Juanita Jensen and her granddaughter, who is also a member, sat with us in about the center of the chapel. I had my hearing aid with me, but it was either too quiet or too loud, but I did manage to get the main points of the sermons. Chris has a very small screwdriver, and we will have to work on the little machine to get it set right. I didn't see Darlene Keller there, but her husband said she was at the other side of the church. I didn't go to find her, because I was feeling quite emotional for some reason--maybe just tired and upset. Instead, Karen directed us to a McDonald's where we had sodas and shared little cinnamon buns and talked with Karen for an hour. Next week Terry's brother and wife will visit them, and then Karen will go to Eugene to visit and have Rex fix her toe that is misbehaving. Brittany will come down to visit us, since she will be part way here for a job interview. We talked to Kaye, and she is looking at house plans, and wants to build a house in Richland, WA. I hope they are able to do that; now, they are Burbank, too far from town.

We had another nice day; the sun came out while we were still at breakfast and stayed out all day. We drove to the Plaza shopping center where I had my hair done. There were a few more people there than have been lately. That should be a good sign that people still have some money left. After the hairdo we went to Wal-Mart. There were some people there, but not as many as I thought would be. We bought some toilet articles and then got a soda and sat awhile and watched the crowd. I think there were fewer people of Mexican descent, and those there all seemed to be well-fed... Better fed than those we saw in Mexico when we went on that 40-day trip with the Hamiltons 40 years ago. It's time for our Saturday Night British programs, so I'll close for now.

A catch up day.

I missed writing last night, for some reason. I did finish bringing the medical records up to date, and then today another letter came from Kaiser about my hospital stays. I'll put it in tomorrow. This morning I took a walk to the pool and watched the swim class. It was just ordinary exercises transferred to the pool. I had hoped for the type of exercises I taught that year in Fallbrook. Somewhere I have the notes from that year, but who knows where. Maybe when I get back in a pool, I can remember them and do them on my own before or after the lessons taught here. And maybe I can just swim. This afternoon Chris made a map of this area on the computer, and then he went for a walk around the neighborhood. He didn't want me to go, because he had to walk slower, and he would also worry about me. I stayed here, but I was glad to see him when he got back all right. This afternoon I went to a reception for new members. It was first refreshments, greetings, then a musical program of old songs we used to sing. It was done by a young couple, the girl on a violin who also sang most of the songs, and a young man playing a guitar. It was quite nice.

Today I spent most of my time trying to update the medical records that I have been keeping over the years. I thought I was done with my records and was planning to start Chris' tomorrow, but then I found I hadn't really finished mine. There was another stack of papers to go through. I'll have finish those before starting on his. We went to all three meals, and they were quite good. If I ask for half a portion of their complete meals, I get just about the amount I can handle. I did have a dessert after lunch, though; I could have eaten another dessert tonight, but I didn't . Brittany called us today, and she will come down to see us sometime next week. She is out looking for jobs, and she says she will be part way down here, so she will come all the way to Oceanside, or Carlsbad, if she drives. She asked if we could pick her up at the station, and we said we could.

Busy Day

This morning we went to the Clinic in Carlsbad. Chris got his leg bandage changed, two prescriptions, a blood test, and a visit with Dr. Donahoe. Dr. D arranged for a visit for Chris at the San Marcos pacer clinic on Aug. 7. There he will meet the new doctor in charge, and maybe arrange a new battery. We will find out then. We were too late for the regular lunch at Las Villas, so we just came back to the apartment and ate the things we have on hand. After lunch we had a nap, and later read in our magazines. We talked to all three daughters, and Karen came over and brought our nicely cleaned clothes, all washed and folded. She is a dear to help us so much. Tonight I was feeling so well, I went to dinner and took only a cane, not a walker, but with Chris holding my arm. It worked well, but it was a little tiring. I think it's time to get going on my own again, and I will gradually get well again. I intend to either do the exercise classes here each day, or do the exercises on the DVD Kaye sent. They are much the same.

A quiet day.

Chris has been feeling better today. However, he did call the Kaiser pacemaker telephone report system; they checked him out, and said the pacer is working now, but it is becoming weaker. It has been five years, so the agent told him to get advice from his primary care doctor. He, and I, are going to the clinic tomorrow to get the advice and also pick up two renewal prescriptions. I was going to Karen's to do our personal washing, but she insisted on coming over and picking up the clothing and taking it home to wash and dry. We will pick it up on our way home tomorrow afternoon. It's sweet of her to do that, but I will do the washing myself, here, next week. The head nurse at the care facility here came over to see Chris and check up on his leg where he skinned it falling over the curb in front of the building last week. It's doing well, but he will have the Kaiser nurses' clinic check it tomorrow. It was that group that bandaged it before. When Karen came over, she brought us two corn cobs that Terry had roasted on his barbeque. It tastes better than the boiled kind, I wonder how it's done.

To catch up.

I haven't written my blog for days, I'm sorry about that. The pool party on the 2nd of July was very well handled, and everyone had assigned seating, and near at least some people they already knew. There were two cowboys, playing guitars and singing, and the food was good. The rest of the week wasn't very memorable. But we did go with Karen to see the fireworks on the 4th. She drove us down to the road about a mile past GIA, where we parked, and saw the fireworks set off at Legoland, just east of there. They were nice but didn't last very long. We came home and saw some on TV, but we missed those at Washington DC, which are always good. That brings us up to today, the 5th. Chris had heart problems in the night and didn't feel up to going to the dining roon for meals. I brought some snacks back with me when I went for meals, and he ate some of them. We will try to get him a Dr.'s appointment tomorrow or Tuesday..

Where was Caden, in the nice new picture?

This is my day to put all my pills in their boxes for the week. It was a problem, because the doctor gave me two more, and dropped two. With Chris' help I finally got it done. Then I went for walk around the buildings to the swimming pool, hoping to watch the swim exercise class. But it wasn't there; evidently the area has just been all cleaned up, preparatory to setting up a barbecue for tomorrow's dinner with invited guests. Karen is coming as our guest. So I just walked back to the apartment and did some mending that has been calling me for a long time. After lunch we came back here, watched a little TV, and had a nap. I didn't feel well after that for a while, but then I felt better and we went to dinner. It's bound to be a better one, out by the pool tomorrow; this one was sort of a mess. I haven't told most of our friends that we have moved, so I'll go do do some more of that now.