Garage Sale tomorrow

Well, all of the hard work that we have put into the garage sale are now coming to reality. The garage sale is tomorrow and Saturday. I think that mom and I will work it tomorrow while Tom and Kristi work and then on Saturday I think that it is only fair that Tom and Kristi work it while mom and I sit in our recliners and watch T.V. Don't you think that would be the only fair way to do it??? Tom had his test today. He had this same test about 6 months ago, and at that time they "Stretched his esophagus." Well, the first thing the doctor said to me today was that he had to stretch it again. He is not sure why it keeps closing, still unsure about it. Anyway, they took several biopsies and we will have those results on Monday. There is a ring at the entrance of his stomach, his is very (and I mean VERY) mad...red...infalmmed...ulcered. Get the point?? He took several biopsies there. He said that he totally understood why he feels his throat is closing because of the opening being so inflamed. And right where the doctor pointed to show Tom where this is at - Tom said "That is where I hurt all the time." So, now we feel we are getting somewhere. The doctor gave him some acid reflux meds to try to see if that helps, but he is not sure that is the answer. Alayna is really showing her age...30 I think...her mouth is getting her in a lot of trouble at home. The other morning, Kristi was not as quick as Alayna would have liked I assume...because Alayna told Kristi to speed it up, that she didn't have the time to wait on her. That comment did not set well with Kristi, so Alayna has lost all TV privileges for 2 weeks. No movies with Papa. Mom is feeling a little better. She is not happy about the medicine that the doctor put her on, but it seems to be working. She is actually getting some sleep - which is a good thing. She is not looking forward to next week and out trip to Arkansas. I guess I better get the last minute garage sale stuff done. We start at 7 am...which means that we have to be out there by 6 because never fail we have early arrivals who can't tell time.

Let's catch-up some more...huh??

Well, lets see where I should start.

Mom's 2 tests went well on Thursday. The first one was an IVP test to check her kidneys went well. It was a lot longer then we expected, but we made it. After that we went to breakfast/lunch and then off to the next appointment. I was able to go back with her for this one. It was very painful for her. They inserted a camera into her bladder. Since her original test showed that she has the DNA marker for bladder cancer they are searching to determine if she already has it or if it is dormant. At this point, she doesn't have it...but she is having surgery on June 17th to confirm this. The doctor said that there is a line that mom is standing on, one side is cancer and the other side is not. He is not sure which way she will step. The inside of her bladder looks like she has chicken pox - covered in red spots. He (the doctor) said that this could be cancer or just an inflammation of the bladder. We will know more after the surgery. She is still hurting really bad and trying to make it one day at a time.

This is a wonderful 3-day week-end and we are enjoying the time off. Yesterday (Saturday) we stayed at home because we had terrible thunderstorms. We were suppose to go to Kansas City to see a pop-up camper that we are interested in, but the rain kept us at home. We have just about decided to forget buying a camper due to gas prices. We would rather spend the money paying off some credit cards.

Today (Sunday) we went to Independence to see my brother and his family. Kristi, Alayna, and I went with my nieces and great-nephew to the Kansas City Zoo. It was a nice zoo - not as nice as the St. Louis Zoo, but was really nice to see it with Beth, Tonya, Brayden, and Jensen. It was really hot and the poor animals were suffering but we did enjoy it. After that we went back to Larry's to enjoy a nice dinner and then drove back home getting home just before a really bad thunderstorm hit. They said that a tornado hit about 30 miles from here, but all we got was hail and a lot of rain.

Tomorrow, Tom's parents are coming over for lunch. They live about 30 mins from us but we don't get to see them very often due to our busy schedules. They love to spend time with Alayna and we love to see them, but just don't get to see them as often as we would like. Tom is in the dog-house with his wife for not going to see his mother on Mother's day. We were on our way back from Minneapolis and he didn't want to leave the house in case something happened. I guess he didn't realize that he has a cell phone AND I know the phone number to his parents in case of an emergency. So, he has to make amends with his mother tomorrow.

As for upcoming events...next Thursday Tom is going in for another test on his throat. They are trying to figure out why his throat keeps closing. He will be eating and all of the sudden his throat closed and he starts throwing up. This is rather hard since his throat is closing at the same time.

On Friday, I have a garage sale planned...whether I do it or now is still to be determined...

On June 5th, mom and I are going to Little Rock for the funeral of Marvin Cohrt. He died about a year ago and was cremated. We have already went to Little Rock for a memorial service and now is the burial at the Veteran's Cemetery in North Little Rock. I am not sure if Tom and Alayna are going yet, depends on the weather.

And...guess what...we are on our way to making this the year of the zoo's. In the past 4 weeks we (Alayna & I) have visited 3 zoos - St. Louis, Kansas City, and Minneapolis. In a couple of weeks we may visit the Little Rock zoo. Mmmmm....what other zoo's can we hit this year. We are members of the St. Louis zoo which allows us to get in either free or at a reduced rate for many zoo's in the US. So, we plan on getting our money's worth.

Guess that is enough for now...I need to get to bed since I have to get up early and clean house tomorrow. It is not hard to get up early since we have an alarm clock named Alayna. She will bypass her mom and come to our room. But, I must admit...I love being awaken with her laughter...make the day so much better with the love of a 4-year old.

Moral of the story...

Ok, the first moral of this long story will be to remember your username and passwords! I couldn't remember what my password was for this web-site so that is why it has been so long. I think I will remember this one. Sometimes I think I have lost what is left of my mind...

Let see...what have we been up to. Since I had my heart test I have been busy with other appointments to determine what is wrong. I am still having issues but still trying to work thoough them. I have had one allergy and asthma test and have one more to do next week. I have developed allergies to a lot more things in the last 10 years. Now I am allergic to just about every tree out there, mold, dust mites, cats, dogs, house dust, and so on. Yes, I did say that I am now allergic to cats - but I am not getting rid of them yet. As they kick the bucket I will probably not replace them and all of my cats are older so it won't be more than 10 years of allergy hell.

Mom is having some issues. She goes in on Thursday for 2 different test to determine if she has bladder cancer. She has been in a lot of pain for the last couple of months and it is only getting worse. She is still working on physical "torture" for her shoulder. The doctor told her that is would be at least another month or more of physical torture before she is done with this. It has taken her a lot longer to get over this surgery it seems. Maybe it is just me. She doesn't feel like planting any flowers, sew, or even go anywhere. So I know she is not at her best.

Tom is having a procedure next Thursday (May 29th) to scope his throat and stomach again. He is still having a lot of issues with his throat closing up while he eats and drinks. Otherwise he is really busy with keeping up with the yard and Alayna.

Kristi is at her last night of class for this session tonight. This is psychology one and she has one more psy class that starts in a couple of weeks. She is really having issues with her job. So many demands that are making her crazy.

Alayna started "school" a couple of weeks ago. Kristi took her out of the daycare that she was in and put her in a actual preschool. We had been concerned about some of the things Alayna was coming home and doing or saying and once all 3 of us got together and talked about our concerns it was evident that she needed to be moved and quickly. This daycare had a spot and Alayna was able to slide right in. She has already learned the pledge of allegence and several songs in spanish and chinese. So, I think the move was a really good choice for her.

Brian and his girlfriend, Megan, rented a duplex and are going to move in together in August. I am not sure how this is going to work. I have been getting little things for their apartment to try to help them out.

For Mothers day weekend, Mom, Alayna, Kristi, and I went to Minneapolis to take mom to see her friend. I will tell you that if I ever go back to Minneapolis it will be too soon!! I was not impressed with Minneapolis at all. The trip there and back wasn't bad - highway all the way, but the time there was not what we expected. We went to the zoo and it would be a nice zoo if they would have some animals. They didn't have any lions, tigers, or bears - oh my!! They had a few monkeys, a couple of camels, and some fish. Oh yea, they had a barnyard - but we didn't go there. The dolphin show was ok, but not worth the $100 that it cost to get in the zoo, parking, drinks, and popcorn.

On June 5th, mom and I have to go to Little Rock for the burial of my cousin who died a year ago. It is a long story and neither of us are looking forward to going. Once this is done I don't know if or when we will go back. We plan on taking Alayna and spending Saturday at the zoo, but that will depend on the weather.

Tom and I are talking about buying a pop up camper so we can camp with my brother and niece. I am not sure if we will actually buy one with mom, Tom, and I all feeling bad we will have to wait and see.

I guess that catches you up a little on our family.