Texts from Grammy

2022-05-01

Happy May Day. I've heard May is the Friday of summer.

2022-05-16

My lucky day. Found a four leaf clover.

2022-05-17

Gramp painted/varnished the wooden Adirondack chairs this morning. I put together the metal patio set we got for the side porch. We are both chilling on a couch. A ton of cardboard to recycle.

Have a corner to clear out in the side porch and that set is the incentive.

2022-05-21

Johnny's was hopping but not bad. Early lunch and we were off. BTW Hot Rods in Glen Gardner is for sale. No more comparing dogs, Sammy. 😋

We got right in. Villa 42 is waayy at the bottom of the drive to the left of the River Village pool. Nice quiet area but walking will have to be a trip to the Inn and walk from there. Too hilly here.

Don't blame you. Johnny's was still yummy though.

2022-05-25

Squirrel with a blonde tail. Never saw one. The rest here are regular gray.

Other angle. You can see the tail color better.

Never saw one. Some kind of mutant?

2022-06-13

Dad's getting a haircut so I snuck over to Marchellos for a little pizza break. Ssshhh

2022-06-23

Yeah it would be. Nasty weather in central PA. Goes from drizzle to light rain and back to just road mist. Gramp's driving for the first time since September.

Yay, Lexie!! 🍰🍨Hooray for Miss Kaelyn 🎉🎈 Today is graduation.

2022-06-26

Hi from Michigan. Had a nice reunion. Small group of 22. We had a Zoom with Heather who caught us up on family genealogy progress and DNA things. Yummy Polish food on Friday and a pizza night out with most of the group last night. I visited the Ford museum yesterday. Nice time. We headed out across Michigan to Princeton. Illinois that is. Pit stop time. Later.

Pizza was good. Buddy's. Apparently famous for the first Detroit style pizza.

Yeah. Dad said it was good. He also got to have a Strohs beer with it. I had a wrap. Heavy lunch.

2022-06-27

Made it to Des Moines

It's been good.

2022-06-28

Officially been on our way home for 3 hours. Another hour and a half to Peoria Illinois for the night.

We got to Peoria. Tomorrow is a long one too the Ohio/West VA border.

The service was very nice. More of a do it yourself thing. We found the gravesite. No hole. So my cousin Gary's son drove over the hill to a friend's to borrow a shovel. He got a nice deep little hole dug. Roger read the service with Gary singing two hymns. We chatted of memories of Mom for a bit, put in a shovelful of earth apiece, another prayer, a little more chat, goodbyes to the two leaving, and went to lunch. There were 13 of us graveside and 11 for lunch. Mom would have liked the service and driven us all crazy at lunch about her gluten problem. 😉

Dad was there, of course, he's been a great help. Judy and Kurt and Melanie rounded out immediate family. My cousin, Gary and his wife, were a big help with the Iowa end of things. Their son, Jeff, I remember as a baby 50 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see Aunt Max's daughter, Evadna, cousin Dee and her husband hear the girls' memories of Mom when they were young. Roger and Glenda covered the religious end very nicely. We had a nice day followed by an almost 5 hour drive. 😜

It was. A nice sendoff for Mom.

2022-06-29

We made it. West VA is 10 miles away. Today was a loonng day. Tomorrow is largely PA Turnpike. We are ready to be home.

2022-07-01

We went on our first lightning bug walk up by the prison last night. The fields and woods were full of flashing bugs. It was a spectacular walk. When we got home the field next door and back yard trees had loads of them. Timing after sunset is the key I guess.

2022-07-04

We had a short but nice little firework display in the driveway next door by the kids in the front house. One of the big things, well actually 3, that start off spitting sparks and get bigger and bigger with a sparkly fountain shooting up at the end. The cats are spending the second night in a row in the basement to escape the fireworks noise in the area. Smart.

2022-07-15

I ate pizza like that when I was a kid. Cheese was always saved for last though.

It's a family thing 😜

2022-07-27

Smilies is closed. 😫🍦 Supposed to be temporary to open a new shop in Columbus but the BT shop looks stripped. Gramp is sad. No more walk for morning coffee gab with the guys. No soup in the winter. No more ice cream. Now we have to DRIVE to one! OMG I'll believe they'll be back when I see it.

2022-07-28

We now have 7 count 'em 7 outlets on the non-washing machine walls in the basement. Gramp can sit in his "music room" and bebop all he wants. I can sew! I have to get my frame set up again and have someone get the monster up on it. Plus get my junk back downstairs from the bedroom. In time. In time.

2022-07-29

Rebecca Nurse of Salem Witch fame is my 9th great grandmother (through my mother's mother's side). Which makes her Chris, Trix, and Kate's 10th great grandmother. And Kae, Julie, Alexis, and Harry's 11th great grandmother. Look her up. Interesting ancestor. She was my age when all this happened.

2022-07-30

Try looking up Penelope Stout of Middletown NJ also. She's a 13th/14th/15th great grandmother.

Dad's side. Just looked her up again. She's a 9th as well. That line just had lots of kids and long lived women. Penelope was born in 1622. Rebecca Nurse about 100 years later.

My dad not Gramps

2022-08-17

Bye bye, Kae. Off to Bucknell. Good luck and have fun.

2022-09-07

Chris got us to the airport in plenty of time. We got lots of cheerful help from staff. We are through security. What a pain. At our gate. We board at 9:10. Now for waiting. Listening to the flight to Madrid agents give announcements in English and Spanish.

2022-09-08

Nothing on the street in the crowd when we left a cafe at 7. It's all over tv. Just her pic and her dates. Tv broadcast is off for the most part.

BBC 1 is the only station with anything on.

Amazing is what we thought, Kae, when Gramp turned on the TV when we got back from dinner. Channels are off except the main one. Others have a portrait and her dates. It's humbling and mind-boggling. Gramp and I were toddlers when she became queen. We're wondering what's going to happen with our trip. I'm sure something will be changed. Almost bedtime. It's 5 hours ahead of you. 8:30 now. Gramp's asleep. Me too soon. Nighty night.

2022-09-09

Nice day today here. High in the 60s. Rain here and there. It poured for a minute when the bus stopped for a per break. Several of us huddled, well we felt like we did, in the doorway. All of us had left umbrellas either in the bus or back at the hotel. It poured for a couple minutes. Then slacked off and Dad and I started back under trees most of the way. By the time we got back to the bus it had more or less stopped. We're right across the street from Victoria Station. We walked through there on our morning walk this morning and found a pasty shop that we bought from later in the day for dinner. Yummy.

Rainy day adventure. We learned to take a brolly everywhere. 🙄

Even on a potty break at the Eye

More to come. All the Royal palaces are closed for the time being. We'll get to see other castles along the way to Belfast. Fine with us. Her Majesty is smiling in many ages at us from signs in most shop windows and billboards everywhere. Different. King Charles has a speech when we started a tour group get together so we've missed it. I'm sure we could find it if we wanted to.

2022-09-10

We walked to Buckingham Palace early this morning. They'd moved the mountain of flowers to another location as the pile was getting out of hand. We were there around 8 and there were a lots of people already. We got pics taken in front of the gate. It was nice to be there. We met loads of people on the way back. Took the Toot bus to the Tower of London for a bit. Huge and impressive. Too much walking and waiting in lines to see the crown jewels. But it was a nice walk around. Chris and probably Sammy would love the place. I even got a picture of one of the Ravens. Then to the Victoria and Albert Museum which is huge. They had a Beatrix Potter special collection that made my day. Photos (her father was a photography nut even in the late 1800s) along with writings and loads of artwork. It was so wonderful to see original artwork to Peter Rabbit and lots of other things. Gramp was very patient and wanted me to see it. Can't see Windsor tomorrow as all the Royal palaces are closed. We get to see Blenheim Castle instead which looks to be nice. Then onto Bath. Tiring today on and off hop on/off buses. We went to a nice local pub for steak and ale meat pie. Yummy but too much crust for my liking. Have to pack up tonight and get in practice for it. We're not staying in hotels more than one night now except Edinburgh and Dublin. Goodbye Victoria (as in Station--our hotel is literally across the street from a side entrance.) Goodnight. It's past 7 and we'll get to be in a bit. Love you all. Gram and Gramp

2022-09-11

No report tonight. Too tired and too late.

2022-09-12

On our way to Stratford-Upon-Avon then on to Liverpool. Countryside is beautiful once you get out of London. The group was just commenting on no pickups. With the price of gas about $10 a gallon it's no wonder. Yes $10.

Just realized no bumper stickers. No roadside signs. The taxies in London are covered in them. Or maybe sponsored by the company. Have to inquire.

2022-09-13

Early departure this morning. Beautiful countryside we drove and drove and drove through with several stops. Internet is spotty and bad here in Edinborough. You probably won't hear from me tomorrow. We need new phones. Have a good evening.

2022-09-15

We made it to Ireland. Tomorrow is Belfast stuff then on to Dublin.

We're not going to. Gramps acrophobia and my dizziness kicking up means no upside down. We'll walk around the castle grounds though. That's Sunday I think.

2022-09-16

This is most of our group. 4 left us yesterday morning for home. This group is doing Ireland. We start with Belfast this morning and on to Dublin this afternoon. It's been a nice trip. Met some nice people.

Don't worry about Dad and the Guinness. He's doing all right.

2022-09-20

Onto Cliffs of Mohr and Galway today with a couple other things in between. The end is in sight. We are all ready to be home. A two week trip is a bit much. At least for creaky old codgers like our small group (23 at first, now 19). In good shape but a variety of ailments related to old age. Ugh.

Just saw a sign after ferrying across the ShannonTRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF COURSE. 🙄 can't get away anywhere.

On to Galway for the night. Beautiful scenery here. The Flying Boat Museum this morning there was an extra--a Maureen O'Hara display. Her husband was an aviator there during WWII. Forgot how many movies she was in.

2022-09-21

Nice village. I did the walking tour. Gramp's feet gave him problems. Nice walk around. Got interesting info. On to sheepdog demo and Dublin

Nice day. Tea and scones before a sheepdog demonstration at an ancient farm the buildings were amazing all thatch. Then almost 4 hours to Dublin. In a lovely castle. Will be raining here in the morning but we'll be fine. Home tomorrow. Can't wait.

2022-09-22

Doing good. Checked in to fly already!

Made it to the airport with no problem. Pouring rain during breakfast but it let up as we got in the transport and out at the airport. Irish border was no problem but US was the usual insanity. What a stress point. 5 others of our group came with us. Three are going to Dulles to get elsewhere. Two others traveled over with us unknowingly and are on the same flight back. Waiting. Boarding should start in about a half hour.

Touchdown. Off to get bags in a few then off to find Chris.

2022-10-05

I'm off. Back next Tuesday.

Saw a NJ license plate at a WV rest area ABBIE C

So far so good. Rain is gone and okay traffic.

I made it.

I wasn't the last to get here. Nice group. Have to get something laid out. Dinner soon. Love you. Keep your fingers crossed my roomie and I don't snore each other out.

2022-10-07

Hello from Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Got a top almost done.chill finish borders. today.

Just had fabulous homemade tortellini soup for lunch. Have to get the recipe. Mmm

Cute. Lasagna for dinner. Can't smell it yet.

2022-10-11

On my way.

I did make it home about 4:30. Long drive but worth it. I had a great time and made some new friends.

2022-10-18

Hello from our new IPhones. Learning curve right now.

2022-10-21

Nice family tavern dinner.

We had a good time seeing Lewisburg and Bucknell.

2022-10-24

Chilling in Lewisburg

2022-10-29

The car's just in. We're picking it up on Monday noonish. 😬 New learning curve.

2022-11-16

We are charging from home! Yay.

2022-11-24

Ham and Turkey yummy. Sweets and apples. Potatoes pies mmm

Turkeyed out. (Pages are riffling a little with each breath.)

This turkey greeted me. 🦃 Lex's ice cream cone cornucopia.

2022-11-25

Ignore the cd. It was a mistake.

2022-11-30

Listening to the news and wondering if I should change my name to "Ah formerly known as Linda". I think I'm either losing it or too much garbage I my brain. 🤪

2022-12-13

We got back an hour ago from a fun evening. We walked over in Fairway looking at lights. The tree at the playhouse has actually grown back I think. Beautiful lights. The sky was amazing. Loads of stars we never see at home. At the end of our walk we went into the Inn for a Christmas concert. Turned out it was a singalong of Christmas carols and songs. Very seasonal and fun. Tell the kids we sang loads of songs including Frosty and Rudolph. And Granny's favorite Felix Navidad. A couple dozen old people singing like school kids. With a guy with a guitar, no less. Smiles all around. Happy Christmas. 🎄

2022-12-15

We're home again. Beat the weather. Lizzie's back in. And out again. She'll be in and out about 15 times today to make sure she can.

2022-12-18

It's Happy Cookie Day aaannnd Campbell Christmas.

Anyone need tape before I put it away?

2022-12-23

It's snowing! Aaaahhh

2022-12-24

Happy Christmas Eve 🎄

2022-12-25

Merry Christmas everyone. Have a wonderful day.

I remember those days for me. The waiting was agonizing. We weren't allowed to bug our parents until 7 although I'm sure they could hear the whispering.

2022-12-27

Just got a text message from "Netflix". Wanting a call to sort something out with "my" account. Considering we use someone else's account, ot looks like a scam.

2022-12-31

Happy New Year!!! Gramp didn't make it very far 💥🫧🍾

2023-01-02

Gramp just did his first laundry load in the washer in this house.

2023-01-19

No Covid tests needed for next week's surgery. Yay.

2023-01-25

Heading in. See you later. I love you all. And Harry and Lexie, too, since they aren't on the group.

Home and settled in the back bedroom. Feeling tired and nibbling as biscuit. 😘

Dad fixed a bowl of ziti Chris made and had a biscuit. Bedtime. Good night 💕

2023-01-26

I'm feeling okay. Just farty and achy and tired. Heating pad is nice. Naps are too. Gramp's taking good care of me.

2023-01-29

Gramp's singing in the shower. Things are going well. 🤭 I'm feeling better. Not up to much. I'm trying a walk down Gerry's sidewalk to the street and back after lunch. Gotta start somewhere. Walking around in the house leaves a little to be desired.

Success. Tomorrow I'll go to the creek bridge and back. A little at a time.

2023-01-30

Gramp and I met 50 years ago yesterday. Fascination at first sight. 🫣🤭🤗🫶🏻

2023-02-02

Well we've had an interesting day. Called to set up a safety inspection that is part of the package I have with Raynor. They had someone free this afternoon. He got to us about 1:45. We've had the lights flickering a bit occasionally the last few days. The young man inspecting was horrified. He checked the outlets and they showed we had a ? neutral. Call PSEG. I did so before the kid even left. They sent someone inside of 3 hours. The guy was horrified when we told him what the first guy said. He checked the meter and wires and shut off the electric. Checked the main connection at the pole. Even fixed it wasn't the cause of the problem. He'd scanned the line up Gerry's property edge and told us the tree branches had grown around the wires. Those wires are probably from 1959. He left just before we did. Another crew is supposed to come and get the problem fixed.

So we're camping out at Campbells with their nice heat and electric. Hope the people coming get it repaired quickly.

Gramp took a walk over. Just in time to see 4 count 'em 4 trucks pull up and wander around. Looks like we might be here for the night. But 4. Wow.

Just drove over to check. Weird seeing so many trucks there. Turned around in the church parking lot and stared. We'll be the talk of town tomorrow.

Open neutral I think is the term.
Creepy.

We're back in. Gramp took a walk about 5:30 and saw the front lights on. So he went back to Prince St and got me. Clocks look like electric came back on around

2:30. The guys put in a work day here.

2023-02-03

Went to Angie's for breakfast. Looked when we got back and could see shiny new wires from the street up to the house. No wonder they were here all night. After 65 years it's about time.

State inspector for the car charge plug just left. In good shape. Might need a dab of caulk from the basement side. Yippee.

2023-02-06

Just got an official call from Dr Carlo's office. No cancer. She didn't think so to begin with but official biopsy results are making me smile. Yay.

2023-02-09

Checkup went fine. Healing well. Still have to take it easy. Going back middle of next month for final check.

2023-02-10

Gramp's never ending book is over!! He's been reading this forever. Hooray!

2023-02-14

HAPPY VALENTINE 'S DAY 🫶🏻💕💝🥰😘😘😘

2023-03-09

Yippee!!

2023-03-11

Thank you everyone for the fun afternoon. The kids were wild but we didn't do too bad ourselves at blathering. We had a blast. Now Jammie's down and listening to a jazz show with books and knitting. 🎺🥁🎻🎷😁

2023-03-13

He said he was going to send it hours ago. 🙄

Accidental fingers

Gramp is mortified.

So were we.

2023-04-01

A well planned joke.

2023-04-08

I did it. I think I sprained my left ankle stepping off the curb by our mailbox. Heading for urgent care. Hurts like *#%*

Yes he has. Waiting room now. Ankle looks like a golf ball in there on left side.

Broke it. In a boot no weight on it. Have to see orthopedic surgeon.

Yeah. Next week maybe. I'll know more of what's going on.

Good night every one. We're in good shape considering.

Maybe if Gramp would stop snoring. It's amazing.

2023-04-09

I'll nap today. A lot.

Happy Easter everyone.

You can tell Lex I scraped both knees a little. Not as bad as she did the other day though. Mine didn't bleed. But think I was channeling my clumsy kid self. No skippedy do dah.

2023-04-10

Dr appt at 10:30. Wish me luck.

I did 😵‍💫

Surgery to put a stabilizing plate in Wednesday or Friday.

Quicker than a cast apparently.

2023-04-11

Got bloodwork done with the help of a village. No wheelchair at Labcorp but many people helped with door holding and me-watching to get me in the building and back to the lab and out. Gramp is doing an amazing job. My hero and Man Friday. 😁

Friday surgery. Won't know what time till Thursday afternoon. She said early.

2023-04-13

6:30 at Surgery Center

Yay. It's early.

Trix and Julie put together the transfer seat for the bathtub. Shower. Yay.

2023-04-14

Heading back

I'm home. Lunched and Kate's running around with a pharmacy mixup by the dr office not changing home and pharmacy addresses on Monday. Probably a computer glitch.
She'll get it straightened out. I need the med tonight. Drs orders.
It's definitely taking a village to deal with me. Leg elevated for 2-3 days. Numb from knee to toes right now. It's weird. Heavy layer of cotton, about a half inch thick, as a base with gauze under that I think. And wrapped in elastic bandage with a long sock over it. Much lighter than the boot. I'm not done with that though. Dressing I s on till I see Pagliaro on May 1. I can use the knee scooter Kate found down by her from a guy who lends out medical equipment for free. Yippee. Kate's at Mast with the med sorted out. Time for ice ando a nap 😴

I did great the dr told Gramp. BBQ sounds good. Eventually.

You are so good to us. We are lucky to have such a great family. 💕💕💕

Haha

2023-04-15

Yay

I can feel my foot. Not up to the ankle yet, and move my toes. That's a biggie as far as I'm concerned. Have been numb like novocaine knee to toes since my operation. A little feeling at a time. Motrin is my friend when it starts hurting. Don't want the stuff Katie chased down yesterday. All the written stuff looks scary. Only if I'm really bad off. Naptime.

2023-04-16

Made it through the night. Motrin and icing are my friends. My ankle hurts but the Motrin and ice keeps the pain and swelling at bay. I can wiggle my toes. That's my prescribed exercise right now I think. Keep the blood moving. Got a leg lift pillow from Amazon yesterday. It keeps my foot solidly elevated instead of messing with bed pillows. Time to finish breakfast and maybe nap. Love you 🥰 I'm very fortunate to have all of you in my life.

2023-04-17

Love you

Surgical center nurse just called to check in on me. I'm doing well. Motrin only if needed. I can tackle the scooter when I feel like it. Figured you'd want an update.

2023-04-18

I'm doing good. Gramp ran into a neighbor, across the side driveway, on his first walk this morning. She was asking about me and he told her.
Marge knocked on the front door when we were eating an early dinner. She brought sunflowers, turkey burgers, and Mac n cheese. Dinner tomorrow. Such nice neighbors. In Howell I'd have only Vanessa feeding us. Constantly 😉

I remember that. Victor even brought over yummy chicken stew he made when Vanessa was in Colorado the last couple of times before we moved. I fed him a couple times too. Before I realized he was a good cook.

2023-04-20

Just got an email from the memorial company. Grandma's stone is set. He apologized for no picture. My cousin Gary will be by there I know and Judy is back there for the family thing in June. We'll get pics at some point.

2023-04-22

Chicken salad for dinner. Gramp made it. 👍🏻

2023-04-24

Yippee for the Cs 🛫

Waiting til you get there?

Sounds like a plan. What a week. Make sure you get lots of candid shots.

We'll all be there in spirit. Living it vicariously. 🤗

2023-04-27

I'm back to knitting again 🧶. That's been gone for almost 3 weeks. I'm getting there. Very slow but sure.

2023-04-28

Gramp just lost his phone down the side of his chair. Poor guy was groping under the chair and the stupid phone was wedged up against the side. He was crawling around on the floor and all I could do was sit with fingers crossed he'd get it. It finally fell through. Whew. He got a splinter in his hand to boot. Poor guy. Now he's on to trash out and a grocery run. And it's not even 7 yet.

2023-04-29

Gramp just lost his phone down the side of his chair. Poor guy was groping under the chair and the stupid phone was wedged up against the side. He was crawling around on the floor and all I could do was sit with fingers crossed he'd get it. It finally fell through. Whew. He got a splinter in his hand to boot. Poor guy. Now he's on to trash out and a grocery run. And it's not even 7 yet.

Mr snd Mrs Excitement on a Saturday night. Background jazz on tv. Books in hand. 🥳

2023-04-30

That's great. Looks like you're going to have a nice weather day. We have rain ☔️ all day here.

Sunscreen everyone. I've are brutal there.

I've

UVs

It looks like it in the picture. Gramp sunburned very tanned feet when we were there in September decades ago. He wore sunscreen the rest of the trip.

2023-05-01

No stitches to come out. Calf muscles a bit atrophied. Healing nicely. Got a walking boot and starting therapy soon. No cast. Yippee. And therapy for 6 weeks. Gotta locate my New Balance sneakers. Have fun everyone.

Strips on my ankle. No cast to sign. Sorry Jules.

Walking is what PT will work on. Right now I still need the boot. Don't have a PT appt yet. Will find out more then.

2023-05-02

PT starting next Wednesday or earlier if a cancellation.

Tomorrow! Hooray

2023-05-03

PT is putting me on a walker. He says I'll do better with it than crutches. I agree. I'm weight bearing what I can stand. So I'll be walking with the walker, in my boot with an even up coming tomorrow to level my sneaker to boot height. Exercises to strengthen my wimpy leg. We're taking Gramp's walker to tomorrow's session to make sure it will work for me. I'm feeling much better anyway, but this was such good news. I was surprised I could stand on both feet with the walker at PT. I'm on my way to recovery in a few weeks. Yay. Gramp and I were both pleased with my PT assessment.

I think the scooter can go back. It was a nice help. I was surprised when he said I'd probably do better on a walker than my badness on crutches. I wasn't sure when weight bearing was going to happen. It's today! Dad's fussing about the floor. Rubber wheels and caps on the legs of a walker won't hurt the floor.🙄 He's been a worse fusspot than usual the last couple of months about lots of things I could care less about. I am so glad I have him though. He's been my number 1 everything. I'm so lucky. Not sure how much I'll be on my feet this weekend, but exercising flabby leg muscles is my homework.
Enjoy your day. Sunscreen. 🥰

Funny. Gramp had a Granny look on his face this morning. One of her thinking faces. Not with pursed lips. Just her thinking about something look.

2023-05-04

It's wonderful. I hate the crutches. Now strengthening exercises. Whew. They take a toll on the leg.

Safe trip to all in the next couple of days.

My hero put glides on the legs. Yay.

I know. Some wear jeans.

2023-05-10

Made it out for PT and back in the house upright and stepping carefully (rather than butting down stairs out and in) Gramp was backup and walker in between back steps and carefully out the back door to sidewalk. Amazing. No footraces but I'm getting around.

2023-05-16

I'm on my foot with the walker as long as I'm in my boot. No wimpy stuff now. I have the boot off when I'm sitting with my leg up on the couch or in the recliner so I can wiggle my foot around. I have to get the ankle moving. Plus a ton of exercises 3 times a day. Funtime is over. Working on flexibility than weight bearing. Experimented with a cane this morning. No go yet. I can do stairs to get in and out of the house carefully. Yippee. Crutches are going in the basement. 😁

I'm getting there. 🙌🏻

2023-05-19

Harry's going to Philly Zoo today. Yippee

Mind you Gramp and I are the ones Kurt and Mel and Conrad are seeing briefly on their way to NYC.

2023-05-23

Practicing with a cane some this week. Still on the walker though. Lots of exercises. Ankle is doing well. I'm coming along nicely. 😁

2023-05-26

Bon voyage, Kae Kae. Have a wonderful time in Greece.

2023-05-30

I get to try using a regular shoe on my left foot at rehab on Friday! Still use a cane for balance. I'm working my way out of the boot. She said I'm doing great! Yippee.

2023-06-02

In a shoe for the first time at PT. Feels odd. Now an hour in the boot and an hour in the shoe. Plus foot exercises for next week. I'm coming back! Not dancing yet but I'm getting there.

2023-06-05

It's chilly here. Brr

I'm doing alright. Not doing much more than going from the car to the house. Or restaurant 😛. I'm fine around the house but uneven asphalt scares me. I'm in regular sneaks for an hour here and there at home. Cane is my friend for balance. I'm not having trouble getting around like Gramp did after his surgery. No pain. Just have to stretch out foot gradually and get used to being on both feet. A few more weeks and I think I'll be good.

Yeah. Our porch is nice. I have trouble getting out of the chair so I'm wooden 🪑ing it.

2023-06-07

Smoky up here today. You can't see the mountain across the river. It's chilly and you can smell smoke. Ugh.

I've seen pics. Yuck. Can't see the sun today. It's been gradually getting worse since we got here. I hope the winds change direction soon.

Yes but not like this. Today is the first day we've smelled smoke.

I was reading about the possibility Jersey fires. Careful Ab. And Julie. You two are especially sensitive to this mess.

Oh that's serious. Stay safe all of us

2023-06-13

Kae Kae is home! And sound asleep I'm sure.
Hooray.

2023-06-18

Happy Fathers' Day, guys. Even cat dads count. 😁😺

2023-06-21

I just saw them on Facebook. What a difference. Especially in Harry. They've grown up so much. 💕

2023-06-23

Happy Birthday Miss 3rd Grader. Have a wonderful day b

Last PT was this morning. Ankle dr appt is Monday. No more boot. Walking pretty good. Cane for balance occasionally. 🥳
Gramp and I had our annual Medicare physicals also this morning. Bloodwork next week. Pneumonia shot for both of us today. RSV when that comes out. We are doing very well.

We finally saw a few lightning bugs! Yippee

2023-06-24

Forgot to text. We did get home just fine. Nice to lounge in cool with my feet up. Have a safe trip home. It was a wonderful afternoon.

2023-06-26

Got through dr appt to practically drown getting to the car. Cut loose halfway across the parking lot. Whew.
I got an excellent report. Foot is still a bit stiff in one direction. He gave me an exercise to do with it.
Next ck in September. Hooray no more PT

2023-06-27

We just ordered, because they wouldn't fit in the car, two wicker chairs for the side porch. Got blue cushions that complement the chairs at the table. It's going to be unrecognizable soon. 🙌🏻

2023-06-29

I think my poor Mothers Day balloon is saying goodbye. It's floated around for more than 6 weeks. Losing altitude as the day goes on. Goodbye pretty balloon. We'll miss you

2023-07-02

Lizzie was spotted this evening on Oliver. That makes twice there and along a fence the next street over. She's not gone far. Now to convince her to follow us home.
We went up to Oliver but she'd disappeared. The lady got a pic and sent to Kate's fb msg. Definitely Lizzie. At least we know she's still alive and hasn't gone but two blocks away along the creek. The third street over is a crowded street lined with cars, not her comfort zone.

We'll try walking over there as much as possible. My mobility is improving. I'd just like the humidity to drop. Ugh

2023-07-04

Look who we found.

Gotta clean up after breakfast.
She's thin but not in bad shape.

Looks settled in. Skip is ignoring her.

We walked up to Oliver extra early and Gramp spotted her walking down the sidewalk. We called to her and she stopped and stared like she couldn't believe her eyes. We talked some more and she moved toward us so we crossed the street talking to her all the time. She sniffed my hand and rubbed and let me pick her up. She wiggled a little on the way home, to chase a passing rabbit, but didn't fight me tightening my hold a little. She immediately headed for the basement and food as soon as I put her down in the house. We shut Skip upstairs and had a nice breakfast and love fest. I know she wants out but I'm going to wait till she's insistent. I'll let her explore changes in the last month. Like the side porch being largely cleared, new chairs in there, and mainly the recycling going in a Rubbermaid box outside.
She's just chilling next to me. SHES HOME!!! I can't believe it. I'm crying.

I just might. We went over and closed a couple windows last night as we had heavy storms coming in toward the front of your house. It also gave us an excuse to walk down Oliver and Willow again.

She's my bud today. Sticking close.

We just had a thunderstorm plow through with pounding rain. Liz was asleep and woke up very frightened. She slouched under Gramp's legs and sort of slunk to the basement steps. She got me to go down with her. Thank heaven the dehumidifier is on down there. The noise masks the rain and thunder.
Our girl is back but she's had a rough adventure. I expect she will startle at many things. She's stuck close to me today and slept a lot.
Gramp had a good eye this morning, maybe from his height. He's the one who saw her. Now our girl is home. Yay.

Fat chance of me shutting my big mouth.

2023-07-05

Just noticed Lizzie's aged a lot in the past month. Her tail has white stripes now instead of the cream and little dabs of white on her face. Not that her being almost my age means anything. 🙄 My hair is getting lighter. Maybe going white, 🤭 at least it looks lighter on my cape and the floor at the hairdresser's.
Have a good day everyone.

Maybe. But not much in the last few months.

2023-07-06

Liz and I are just chilling on the side porch step. She's looking around and listening to the birds, who aren't so close now. Funny the rabbits and squirrels seem to have disappeared as have a lot of the birds. Word has gotten out that she is back. Not up to par by a long shot, but she is guarding her territory.

2023-07-08

My 3 kids. 🥰

2023-07-10

She’s stalking something. 6 days of good food, rest, and safety are showing. She won’t catch anything yet, but she’s interested.

Time to rest and observe. No idea what she’s watching.

2023-07-14

One pooped out girl. Rabbit hunting, even after a baby rabbit, is exhausting but yummy. She's back in sorta fighting trim.

2023-07-16

We made it home with no traffic. Took the scenic route across 33 and down 130.
Thanks to all of you for a wonderful and memorable afternoon. We had a great time.

2023-07-20

Electric is out. ETFix is 6:45 per PSE&G. We'll see what happens.

Good idea. It's fine here so far. We'll head over to Campbells if we're desperate. Their electric is on.

Maybe Frank and Mario's for dinner.

Truck is down the street. Hope they can fix it easily.

It's back!! Hooray!!

2023-07-22

5 months from today is Brigantine! Yay

2023-07-24

Got the tin room/side porch rug cleaned up and cabinet put together. It's looking like a porch and not a junk room!

First al fresco dinner in the Tin Room, as Gramp calls it. Very nice. Forgot to get pictures though.

2023-07-28

Yeah. It's hot. I'm spoiled with ac. Love you guys.

2023-08-03

I'm back! Frozen phone is unfrozen.

2023-08-09

Got a benign diagnosis of my warty looking little thing on my shin. Didn't think it was serious but had it looked at just to be on the safe side. Yay.

2023-08-11

Skip was in for his annual ck today. He's down a little in weight but got put on a major diet. No grazing. Good thing they eat more or less separately now anyway. Liz will be confused at no dry food downstairs when she goes in first thing in the morning. But she gets a little snack here and there if she's looking for it. She still needs to gain a little more. Skippy needs to lose maybe a quarter of his weight. Hopefully no more basketball cat soon.

2023-08-18

I hope everyone gets to get out and appreciate the gorgeous weather today. 🌼

2023-08-25

💧 💧

2023-08-28

RSV shot done!

Nope.