Busy week...

Tomorrow is my yearly biopsy of my bladder. They want to make sure the abnormal part is still OK and has not grown at all.  I dread this each year because it is painful and last for 2-3 days.  But, I dread cancer more - so it is the lessor of two evils. After my doctors appointment I hope to go to Sam's to grab a few things before coming home to cry!!! I hate that it is suppose to be colder and VERY windy tomorrow.  That will not make it any better.

Besides that, I have been fighting a cold or something.  I have this terrible cough and want it to be over!  I think Alayna gave it to me so that she wouldn't be the only one suffering. She finally went back to school today after missing an entire week. 

Oma goes to the heart doctor on Wednesday to get the results of her month long heart monitor. Wonder what this will lead to.  I have a feeling that she will be having heart surgery - pacemaker.  But, am not sure.  At least they seem to have gotten the medicine straightened out - no ER visits in a while!

Thanksgiving 2010

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We had family and a friend over and of course we all had a good time...eating, playing games, Wii competiton, and of course Christmas Pictures.  All in all it was a great time for all that were there I think.  The only thing that was missing was Gails Cranberry salad, well and Gail too!

 We were blessed to have our own personal chef for the day. The food was so good with a personal chef doing all the work and taking the pressure off of us. Her fee was well worth it as well, all she asked for was one plate of food.

I hope everyone had a wonderful day with family and friends. 

Hello Saturday, missed you...

Well the week-end finally decided to show up at my house!  It is early in the morning and I am the only one up.  Kristi and Alayna moved back to their apartment last night and it was very quiet here when I finally got  home about 8:30.  After work, I took Kristi and Alayna to the grocery store and Sam's so they would not starve to death at their home.

Kristi went to the ortho doctor on Wednesday and he switched braces.  He gave her an ROM (Range of Motion) brace set at 30 degrees right now.  Every three day she can move it 10 degrees to allow for a little more movement.  She is still in pain, but not as much as she was in at first.  The swelling makes a nasty comeback at the end of the day, but she comes home and puts it up and puts ice on it with a nice pain pill and it gets all better!!! She only uses the walker now if the knee it really unstable or she doesn't have her brace on (like scooting to the bathroom).  Otherwise, the wheely walker is lonely.  The knee is really unstable without the brace.  The doctor said this was one of those things that you read about in text books but don't ever expect to see. Leave it to Kristi to give him hands-on experience with something.

Today, we are going to cut wood.  Tom's dad and Brian are coming over - both with chain saws to cut wood.  We have had a lot of trees fall down in the winds that we have had recently and have not had the time or energy to get out there and cut them up.  Not to mention, we need the firewood!!

Well, I better get to my report for work.  I have to get this done this week-end.

How is everyone else doing??

When it rains...

Poor Kristi has had a terrible month.  She has been sick, Alayna has been sick, and now Kristi is not able to walk without a walker.  (Thanks Larry and Gail for "Wheely Walker" it has come in handy).  She got her Symvisc shot in her right knee on Friday afternoon and had a severe reaction - I mean severe.  She called on Saturday night about midnight and asked to come over and stay here since she wanted to take a pain killer and didn't want to be alone.

Well, her knee was about 3 times its normal size, can't bear any weight on it, has no muscle control, and VERY painful. On Sunday I told her to call the doctor to see what they said was wrong.  The doctor on call just said to deal with it, that it will get better after a couple of weeks.

On Monday, with help from Tom she went to work with her new friend wheely walker.  About 2 she called me and I had to go get her. The pain was too bad and the pain pills were not working.  She needed ice and elevation.  Since the doctor had not called her back yet we stopped at the Ortho group because I was not happy with the response that she got on Sunday.

I went to the desk and told them..."My daughter had a symvisc one shot on Friday, woke on Saturday with it so swollen she can't stand, very painful, can't walk without assistance.  The doctor told her on the phone that she just had to deal with it, and I wasn't happy with that response.  So, your options are to find a doctor to see her now or one of the doctors will be seeing her at the emergency room, which would you rather have?"

Well, we got right in...Mommy power!!  Found out that she had a allergic reaction, one of the worse that he has seen.  He put her in a leg brace, off work for a week, off her feet, stronger meds, and prayers.  The  brace has helped, but she still can't walk without her walker. She has moved back home and taken over our bedroom so she can have a TV, bathroom, comfy bed, and help. 

Please pray that this works and she will get better.  She goes back to the doctor next Wednesday to see if this is helping.  He called her to check on her, and she is going to call him back tomorrow to talk with him about her progress.

The Gym...

A couple of week ago there was a deal that was emailed to me that I could get 2 months free at a local gym and one session with a personal trainer.  So, about a week ago I went and started my 2 month membership.  So far, I love it.  I did say...so far!!!  I think the time I spent with my Wii-Fit has really helped because I started out with 15 mins on the treadmill and 15 mins on the elliptical.  I am now up to 20 on elip, 20 mins on the treadmill, and 20 mins in the weight area.  I have not gotten sore or have experienced any problems - so it has been fun. 

We will see what happens next week!!!

Oh, how I love Nitrous...love love love it!!!

Had stage 2 of root canal today, one more stage to go.  Anyway, I got to the dentist office at 9:30 and got settled in the chair of doom.  She put the Nitrous on me, leaned me back.  I started feeling GOOD and I do mean GOOD.  The dentist came in gave me a couple of shots - didn't feel a thing.  Then he stuck that damn needle in the roof of my mouth, but don't fret - I was able to get a few cuss words out while he was killing me.  Dang, that hurt like heck.  Anyway, they turned up the gas and the next thing I REALLY remember is 12:15 and I am standing at the desk with my credit card to pay the bill of $568.00.  Wow, now this is the kind of dentist I like, you really don't care about spending that much money for a drug to make you happy!!

I drove back to work - yes, I drove - was a tad high, but made it back OK.  Not a lot of pain, just uncomfortable.  I go back next Tuesday for placement of the crown.  Then, I will be done...with that tooth!  One more to go then I am caught up.  YEA!!!

Also, I made an appointment for Tom to be tortured next Tuesday as well - for his root canal.  Sorry, Tom - but I am doing this for your own good.  You will thank me later.  OK, so that sentence never worked on the kids either!

Next week-end KANSAS RACE!!!!

This year we decided to get season tickets to the NASCAR Race in Kansas.  We have went to the spring Truck races for the last several years thanks to some friends of ours who don't want to go to the spring race. But, this year Tom wanted to see the Fall race as well.  So, we took some of our cruise money we had saved and got the tickets.  We had a lot of fun in April but we plan on having even more fun in October!!!

About a month ago, I went on the Kansas Speedway sight to check out the activities around the track for the week-end and read about Victory Club.  Told Tom about it and he wanted to do this instead of another cruise at this time.  So, I took out some more money and spend it on the Victory Club tickets.  A percentage of the money goes to Victory Junction Gang Camp that helps kids with cancer had a wonderful time at camp - so the money went to a good cause. With the victory club we get to meet and greet the drivers, have breakfast and lunch with them for 2 days, go into the pits and garage area, be at the drivers Q & A session, scanner, and other interesting stuff.  We are also doing the fan walk as well as 3 full days of racing. 

We will be very tired with a lot of walking but it will be well worth it - maybe not as much fun as a cruise, but this is something Tom really enjoys so I go along for the fun. I like the wrecks!!!

Be looking for updates next week-end.  Hopefully, good pictures of drivers will follow for those who like NASCAR.

A week in review

We had a busy week this last week.  The work week was busy, and then Oma had a test, and I had the 1st stage of a root canal, and then Alayna and Kristi ran away.

I finally got tired of food getting stuck in a molar tooth, so I called - yes, I actually called the dentist. I went in on Tuesday afternoon.  This time I had Nitrous Oxide to "calm" me down since I am a tad scared of the dentist.  It made for a better experience since I really don't remember a lot of the visit.  I was able to drive back home after the appointment - and it was in Fulton so it was about 30 miles away.  I go back on Tuesday to have stage 2 completed, and then one more week for Stage 3 if I remember right.  Once this is all done I will have spent a little over $500 for this and my dental insurance will have paid a tad over $700.  Just to keep a tooth! 

On Thursday Oma had to have a Cardiac Cath done to see if they could figure out what the issue is with her heart trouble.  Tom took her for me and then I met them there and he came back home to get ready for work.  We really thought we would be home mid-afternoon but that wasn't the case.  Our first hurdle was the lady before mom.  She had a heart attack on the table during the cath.  So, they had to rush her to the hospital to Cardiac ICU.  We were in the building attached to Boone so it wasn't a real issue to get her to the hospital - I just don't know how they did it - nor did I want to find out with Oma.  Once they got that lady settled, then it was onto do Oma's. He told me that it would take about 30 minutes but he came out in about 15 - total shocker.  I was bracing for bad news, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.  She has heart disease - at 79 you expect that, and some blockages.  None are blocked 100% which is a good thing, but the blockages will require medicine changes and lifestyle changes.  Dr. Tran didn't think the blockages are the cause of the heart issues she has been having, but doesn't want to take any chances.  Her test was scheduled for 9 a.m. and we finally got home a little after 5. She is doing OK, had another spell on Friday night but we didn't go - she took a different medicine.

On Friday, Kristi and Alayna went with Kris to Mark Twain to spend the week-end with them - Thanks Kris - we needed that week-end of quiet!!  They had fun and Tom and I had fun as well.  We cleared off the DVR which was a lot of shows, we relaxed, and I scrapbooked.  So, it was a very nice, restful week-end.

Mom is going in for more tests

She had a 2nd stress test (one in May, one on Wednesday) the doctor said that there is a spot on her heart that is questionable.  He said it could be breast tissue, but he can't believe that it would be in the same place after 2 tests.  So, on Thursday she will have a cardiac cath done to see if they could find out what is causing all of her heart issues. We should have more information after that day!

What have I been doing you ask??

Counting and pricing Hot Wheels...

So, I bet you want to know "the rest of the story..."

OK, since you asked.  We have a guy at work that collects Hot Wheels.  One day, he and I got to talking about all the hot wheels that we have stored in containers in the attic.  All of them in original package, and in excellent condition.  He, of course wants to buy them all - cheap, but it intrigued me so I decided to pull them all out, catalog them all, find out prices, and see what we really have.

After one week of hard work - I found out that we have 409 cars that are currently worth $779.50.  Not a bad nest egg.  But, now I am going to sort through them again and find all of the duplicates, triplicates, and quads (yes, some we have 4 exact duplicates!). Those, I will sell.  Not only is Adam interested in them, but a co-worker has a friend who buys Hot Wheels. 

Tomorrow I hope to get them separated and the ones that we are going to keep - put those in a Rubbermaid container and back to the attic. 

Warrants more testing

They determined that she didn't have a heart attack - I could have told them that!  But, they want to run some test on her heart to make sure all is well.  If they would just come back in here (been waiting over an hour for discharge instructions) then we could go home via McDonald's on Clark Lane.  I know, but I can't help it - my tummy thinks it is time to eat - only been up since 10 after going to be around 9!!

Her heart doctor's office is going to cal tomorrow - rather today - to schedule a stress test.  I thought she had one a couple of months ago, but she said that wasn't a stress test.

Please get us out of here...I am going to work on a couple of hours. Then back home to bed.  I need my beauty sleep - hasn't worked in years, but I am not going to give up trying.

At the ER again...

I had to call 911 again for mom last night.  I don't think this is a big deal this time - I think heartburn, but I don't have a medical degree.  She is better since they gave her nitro and a handful of baby aspirins. We are waiting for an X-Ray, but she got pushed back because they had a stroke patient come in and they needed to go first. 

I will try to keep you updated - if I can stay awake!!

1st annual Labor Day BBQ...

At least that is what Ally, Kristi, and I decided.  The BBQ turned out to be a lot of fun.  We were not the only parents there - 2 more sets of parents showed up as well.  I am not sure how many people actually showed up, but there was more than enough good food.

After we ate, someone brought some kites since it was so windy and several people started a kite flying contest of sorts.  The winner was Alayna I guess since Paul hooked his kite to her kite and she was flying 2 kites at once.  She thought she was really special.  That was, until her string broke and both kites flew away.  But, don't fret - Paul took off running and got them both out of the tree and was able to save them.

I think I am wind burnt - my face is very red and hot.  But, the wind made for a nice day for a picnic.  The wind was a problem, but we all made it through.

Now, have to go back to work tomorrow - but a short week ahead.  I will have an issue trying to remember that it is Tuesday instead of Monday.

Happy work week everyone.

So much going on...

So much going on in our lives, but no time to blog it seems.  We have been doing the same things, but it seems that we have not had time to sit and relax.

I thought I would be calling 911 again on Thursday night.  She said that she was having ir-regular heartbeats again and her chest was hurting. I kept an eye on here and she was feeling better after resting for about an hour in her recliner.  I have been telling her for a while that at 79, she is not as young as she used to be.  But, she has so much that she wants to accomplish each day that she just can't figure out what to do first.  She got a new sewing table and is so excited about it.  One part wasn't in yet, and after 10 days it finally came in  - broken.  So, on Tuesday she will take it back and try to get another one.  Her blood tests show that she doesn't need to be on a blood thinner, but doesn't see the Dr. for another month so they are just on a holding pattern.

On another note - I got an EOB the other day and asked mom what in the world I had done at Boone Hospital on August 12th.  She said that is the day she was admitted to the hospital.  So, I called Boone Hospital and asked them what I had done that cost $845.  They surprised me by saying "You were brought in by ambulance and admitted to the ER for possible heart attack."  I said "Really, that is funny because I drove my car to the hospital while my 79 year old mother was brought by ambulance to the hospital for possible heart attack."  All I heard was dead silence on the other end, finally the guy said "Oh, how do I fix this?"  I told him I didn't know, but someone should since I was not admitted for this and don't need this on my medical record.  They are suppose to let me know, but I really bet they won't do anything about it since my insurance paid 100% and medicare will probably only pay a portion.

Poor Tom, he is really unhappy with his job.  He is struggling with lack of training, lack of help from his supervisors and employees who are greenhorns and don't really know what they are doing.  When you are building parking brakes, you don't really have room for mistakes.  I hope his blow-up the other day was a warning sign for the higher-ups.  I knew he needed a break, so on Saturday we went to Olathe, Kansas to the fork and screen to see one movie and one short feature. The short feature was about the Hubble Telescope in 3D and Imax.  It was really neat.  Our other movie was really slow, called "The American" and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.  We thought that with George Clooney it would be really good, but that was not the case.  This movie was in the cinema suites and we had a nice meal and really comfy recliners.  That is our favorite theatre by far.  Love it!!

After we watched the movies we went to see if there were any good tickets left for the Kansas City Royals Game.  Much to our surprise - quit laughing Gail - we were able to get 2 really good seats 3 rows from the field.  We happened to be on the Detroit side, but we had a lot of fun.  One other family were Royals fans and we had a nice rivalry going, but Detroit won anyway.  We had a lot of fun.  Took a lot of pictures, but have not looked at them yet.

Alayna is doing really good in school.  She really loves her teacher.  Too early in the year to tell if this will be a good year.  She spends more time here than at home.  I think she likes being able to go outside when she wants and all the freedom she gets here with a lot of room to roam.  She can spend hours peeling the bark from a fallen tree limb.  I have no idea why, but if you can't find her - look close to the woods - she is hunting a limb.

We started a new ritual last Wednesday night.  When mommy and bubby are having their brother/sister dinner we are going to have Alayna/grandma night at the library.  She got her own library card last Wednesday and was only suppose to get 2 books, but walked out with 4!  We also spent some time on the computers there playing some of the first grade games.  We hope to spend about 2 hours there each week, practicing our reading, working on learning games, and finding good books.  Oma went with us last week, and she was very happy in the large print section.  She said that she is going back with us and wants to get her own library card! 

Tomorrow we are going to  BBQ at the park with Bubby and his friends.  We are going to eat and then come home to get ready for the week ahead and let the kids enjoy the rest of the night without parents looking over their shoulders. The kids say that we are not typical parents, we are more understanding of what they are doing (within reason) and so they don't mind us being around, but we know when to leave to keep our sanity!

Well it is 11:25 p.m. and I really should get to bed.

God Bless Everyone!!

Love you!

Update on mom - day 2

Well, good news emerged last night.  She was able to keep sinus rhythm and her heart was finally starting to come around.  He said there were several things happening at one that caused this.  Anyway, if she is was a good girl she MIGHT be able to come home today (yes, I am typing this at 4:30 in the dang morning).

But, Tom went up last night to see her and they went for a stroll and she became too winded to continue the stroll.  Now, I don't know what they are going to do since you really need to have enough breath to breathe while walking.  I heard bad things happen when you stop breathing while walking - not really sure if they are just old wives tales or not :) 

I will check on her and probably leave work a smidgen earlier than expected today.  I don't know what will happen.  I wonder if he will send her home with Oxygen for a little while.  Not sure.

I can't believe I am up - still very sleepy.  But, last night after dinner I started to get the dreadful heartburn that I have been getting since losing weight.  So, I took a prilosec to help the problem.  Well, I put the pill in my mouth and went to take a drink - cup empty.  So, I quickly went to the kitchen to get more tea, all the while with a pill sitting on my tongue.  I drank about 8 oz and the nasty little pill is now stuck in my throat. Keep in mind this was about 8:30 last night and it is now 4:30 am and it is still stuck.  I just read on the Internet to either eat a piece of bread or a spoonful of peanut butter to help it go down.  I am getting ready to try this - I want one more hour of sleep, not that it would do me a lot of benefit.  But, dang it I am tired and I have a full day ahead of me.

Off to get a midnight - I mean 4 am feeding of peanut butter sandwich.  Yum yum!!

Afternoon Update on Mom...

Finally got the Echo done about 1 today.  She came back up and has eaten her lunch - a low sodium turkey sandwich.  She is having what they call "hard beats" where the heart is beating very hard for a couple of beats.  Her rhythm is still not normal so it is hurry up and wait.  The doctor ordered a time study for her, which means every 8 hours they will come in and draw blood for an enzymes report.  This way they can tell if her heart is giving a warning sign before the irregular beats. They are still checking her every 20 minutes or so to make sure she is still breathing normally and know what is going on in the world (to make sure that the fact of not having any sleep would make her loopy).

The nurse seems to think that the doctor will be in again today. I don't know if I believe them or not.

On another note - Kristi was suppose to call a surgeon today to schedule an appointment for a second option about not having surgery until the gallstone blocks the opening. I tell you, kidney stones and gall stones all in one calender year - what next???

I am wearing down very fast.  I got to sleep a tad last night and none today, I am thinking about reclining in the chair and checking for light leaks - but am concerned that my snoring might wake up the patients 2 floors down.  I am so tired that I know I would snore - even though I am sure I don't snore!  Right kids???

Update on mom...

The good doctor came in and said that he was very concerned about her heart.   He is going to do some more test today to make sure her heart is working like it should and that the heart has not been damaged due to the episode last night.  He is concerned about the amount of medicine that it took to get her heart rate under control. She is very sore and her heart rate is still not under control.  It is not in normal rhythm yet, so they are doing something different. She ate a good breakfast and is very tired but is trying to stay awake because of all the testing and prodding they are doing.  Blood pressure checks every 1/2 hour.  They said her telemetry is still not where it should be.  She can't get up without help due to her blood pressure.

I will let you know when we hear more.

Forgot to add...

The paramedics asked Alayna if she wanted to give Oma a kiss before she left, and Alayna went and gave her one and told her "Don't worry Oma, Grandma is going with you and you will be ok, she will make sure of that."

They loved it!!

Yet another exciting night at the Reynolds/Fines household

I was snoozing really nice, in the middle of a dream - something about water, and Tom has the guts to wake me up!!  He said, "Hey, you need to get up, your mom needs you"  After I came to - I started to mom's side of the house and knew that I would be calling 911 in a short time.  I could tell by the look on her face that we were in crisis mode.  I got to her and she said that her chest was hurting very badly and she couldn't take a deep breathe without severe pain.  I asked her if she wanted me to take her or call 911 - she said she couldn't make it to the car so a call was in order.  I tell you, with work I should be considered a frequently flyer with 911!!!  Anyway, I called them then went to tell Alayna that Oma was sick and needed help that I couldn't give her.  I didn't want her to be scared since she sleeps right outside Oma's room.  She went in to sit with Oma while I went to find Tom and tell him to get prepared.

We are lucky to have the Assistant Fire Chief for Boone County right down the road and he was the first to arrive and after visiting with Oma for a few minutes, he told me that we have an problem.  He wasn't ruling out heart attack, but was concerned that her blood pressure wouldn't register on her cuff and her heart was beating uncontrollable and irregular.

So, anyhowmany...they came, they saw, and they conquered.  They got her down the steps with no problem (which was one of her biggest fears about moving upstairs).  She is now a resident of Boone Hospital for the next few days until the cardiologist can figure out what happened.  They said that it doesn't appear to be a heart attack but A-Fib like what happened about 15 years ago.  They have given her 3 different heart meds along with other pain meds and now, after more than 4 hours her pain is only about 1 -2 where it was 8-9 when she arrived here.

She is in room 3111 on the cardiac floor.  After 3 hours sleep, I am going to head to work in about an 15 minutes and do my reports and then back up here to hopefully see the doctor when he comes in.

More when I know it.

Ahhhh...just what have we been up too lately?

Hello my few blogging friends and family.  I know it has been awhile, and I am not really sure why it has taken me so long to put something...anything on this blog.  Trust me, I look just about every night and cuss a little when you all don't post something new, and then I go and disappear myself.  I should go to my bedroom and think about what I have done wrong!!

I have been busy.  We finally got Kristi totally moved into her apartment and now we have began the task of looking for a new place ourselves.  We are not sure what we really want yet - a total duplex with mom on one side and us on the other, or a house, or 2 apartments.  We just know we want to downsize, but the decision is a hard one.  We brought down from the loft all the stuff for the garage sale this morning and boy, do we have a lot.  Mostly clothes that I am currently sorting.  I am thinking about posting on craigslist a lot of a certain size box of clothes for a set price and see what happens.  I am not sure if I want to do that.  I just know that clothes don't sell very well so I want to get rid of them the best way I can.  We are thinking about doing our garage sale the end of the month, but not sure. I know I have to clean out some stuff on the nights Tom is at work since he is such a packrat and won't part with anything.  I will do it for him.

Tom has been working hard, and the poor guy is suffering.  In the part of the plant that he is in, the temperature is about 20 degrees hotter than outside.  And with him working from 1 - 10pm. It is the hottest part of the day and he has just about stopped eating to keep from getting sick.  Starting the end of the month he will add about 20 more people that he will be supervising as we are adding a second shift for the line for the Acura MDX and Honda Pilot or CRV.  We can't keep up with our orders so they didn't have any choice but to add a 2nd shift. Just what Tom wanted - more people in a totally different part of the plant to keep up with!!  He has also been having some tooth issues.  This is what we get for avoiding the dentist for so long.  Both times he has been there have been due to severe pain.  Now, we are waiting to find out about the rest for both of us.

Kristi  is hurting.  Dr. Mom said that her gallbladder needs to be repossessed by the original owner but Dr. Weston isn't so sure.  She had an endoscope and ultrasound on Thursday and we should know the results on Monday.  She is in a lot of pain right now - but not enough to go to the emergency room. She really likes her apartment and I think she misses living at home.  She calls me more than I call her.  She just bought her a brand new car with only 100 miles on it.  We went on a buying spree and each bought a new car.  Kristi got  a Madza CX-7.  It is a crossover.  Whoever gets her Ford Escape will get a heck of a deal since it was a 2007 with just over 36,000 miles on it.  Still in really good shape.  The main reason that she traded was because she didn't have a warranty anymore and was concerned if something happened.

Brian bought a 2010 Mazda3.  He really likes his car - he went from a black car to a white car.  His fusion was a great car, but it was a 2007 with about 60,000 miles on it.  He drives a lot of miles to work. I figure if he stays where he is at he will be getting a new car every couple of years.

Alayna is less than 2 weeks away from starting 1st grade. I can't believe that it is that time of the year again.  I know she is ready - and so are we!!!  She is getting so big, all legs now.  She is also getting more comfortable in the pool.  Today she went underwater and was trying to tell everyone how to do it.  She spends just about as much time at my house as she does at her mom's house.  She doesnt' like staying with Oma in the afternoons because "she won't let me watch tv - she makes me go outside and play."  I remember those days as well.

Oma has really been enjoying her sewing shack. She is getting really good about going up and down the stairs. We have been enjoying eating the fresh fruits and veggies from the farmers market.  We go on Saturday and spend a lot of money - but the taste is sooooo good.  She got good news from her cancer doctor - 2 years cancer free with bladder cancer means that she is considered a survivor now!  YEA!!!  We are so happy.

One final thing - we got rid of our "grocery getter, loser cruiser, mom mobile" and got a 2009 Chevy Malibu.  I was the only one riding in it most of the time and I really didn't need anything that big.  BUT...my knee has been paying the price.  In my van I could slide in./out and this I have to actually lift myself out.  Now, I am over 50 lbs lighter but my knee decided that wasn't enough and started giving me trouble.  I had a cortisone shot the other day and will have my synvics shot in a couple of weeks.

I guess we better go home.  Alayna is going with us - "so mom can rest without me giving her problems!"  She called her mom a pickle tonight - a sweet pickle - a very big sweet pickle - because she is big and sweet!!"

The dentist needs a new car...

I realized today that our dentist is in the market for a new car.  I need to have around $4000 worth of dental work and Tom needs around $2000.  We have fairly good dental insurance but we will still have to pay money out of pocket.  I have to have two root canals and 2 crowns and 2 filling. Tom has to have a root canal and a couple of fillings.

Today, Tom and I went for our semi-annual cleaning and I think the girl who did mine was really mad at someone because my teeth are so sore.  I couldn't hardly eat at dinner.  I guess this is a weight-loss plan!

So, on July 13th, Tom goes for the start of his root canal and on July 19th I go for mine.  We need to starting paying for his car.

Mom's fall.

On Monday, July 5th we were going to have a quiet day at home without kids in our jammies watching TV.  I went to start lunch and saw mom laying on the deck.  I said out loud to myself "what is mom doing laying on the...oh shit mom fell."  I left the water running and headed out the door to check on her.  She was down for the count, and it took Tom and I both to get her up on her feet.  It didn't appear that she was hurt badly.  She is very sore and her right arm is really sore.  She didn't break anything but she is really sore.

My weight loss...

Since starting to lose weight around 4 months ago, I have now lost 52 lbs from my highest weight and just went to buy some new pants and was surprised that I had to buy pants that were 4 sizes smaller than before.  I feel a lot better as well, so that is good news.  But...I now have terrible "Bat Wings" under my arms and getting a droopy neck from the weight loss.  Don't know which is better - being overweight or dealing with my bat wings and droopy neck.

Fort Leonard Wood Visit

Oma, Tom and I decided that we would take a day trip on Friday, July 2.  We had to go to Eldon to check out a church that we are going to be photographing a wedding soon.  Since we were going south, we thought we would go ahead and swing down to Fort Leonard Wood (FLW) and take the tour of the post along with going to the museums, commissary, and PX. We were surprised at the things there is to see and do on the post, you could almost spend two full days here and not see it all. 

Tom was in heaven there with all the military stuff that was on display.  In fact, Oma and I left him at the museum and went to the commissary and PX while he was browsing.  This way he didn't feel rushed - because I can clear a museum in about 1/4 of the time he does. Oma and I had a blast at the commissary and PX.  We hit the clearance racks because they were an additional 25% off the already reduced prices.  I got some clothes for Alayna that started out at $5.99.  I couldn't pass that up.

After leaving the post, we headed to find a place they call "Devil's Elbow." It is a trussle bridge.  We drove a lot, and saw a lot of Waynesville but really didn't get close to the bridge.  We did see it from a look-out point, but not up close.  It is off Route 66.

We stopped in Lebanon and had dinner. I just have to remind myself that I can't eat at All-you-can-eat buffets.  I can't eat that much anymore.

We were gone about 10 hours and drove a total of 330 miles.  Had a wonderful time but was glad to be back home again.

A few new facts about Alayna...

Since it has been a little while since any of you have seen Alayna, I thought I would give you an update on our little Diva...

* She will be 7 in 20 days (where has time gone?)
* She doesn't like Strawberries in any way.
* Still loves veggies and hates potatoes. She asks for veggies instead of fries when we eat out.
* Has moved out of our house - but we have visitions every Wednesday night and every other week-end. We just don't have to pay child support but it seems like I do sometimes when I go shopping for her!!
* Has 2 new kittens. Callie and Milo are just the best little kitties in the world. They love to be loved by Alayna.
* Is getting better at swimming now that she has a nice pool at her new apartment.
* Is starting to grow on her Uncle Bubby. He has been seen playing with her in the pool.
* Is getting pretty good at wrapping grandma around her finger as well as Papa.
* Is in First grade at Summer school and loves it. She is lost without school or something to keep her busy.
* Was diagonised with ADD. Has a terrible time prioritizing her tasks - including eating and going potty.
* Loves being outside. She will come over here and spends most of the time outside.
* Is developing a love for reading. She loves to read books to people.
* Has been riding a school bus, and doesn't mind it. She thinks it is too noisy, but rides anyway.
* Has had her glasses for a year and has not lost or broke them yet. She has forgotten them several times, but not lost them.
* For her birthday this year is going to see the Kansas City Royals play baseball with the Independence Fines crew and is very excited. Said that is just what she wanted.
* Is growing up WAY to fast, but we love her anyway.
* Can't remember our life without her, she is the best thing to have around. Grandma and Papa really love her and miss her when she is not here. We hated to see her move out, we are lost!

Little House on the Prairie play with Oma

I thought I had blogged about this, but I must have done it in my sleep.  Sorry, guys.

Oma and I joined the Older Adult tours and went to Kansas City to see a play at Starlight Theatre.  First, let me clarify...I am not the older adult in the duo...you figure out the rest.  Anyway, I am not sure the trip was worth $85/each but we paid it and went.  The trip consisted of the bus ride to and from the play, dinner at Starlight, and several stop for potty breaks, AND grabby old people!!!

We left at 3 pm, and the temps were close to 100 degrees and VERY humid.  It was totally miserable.  The bus was not full so we could spread out.  I brought my IPod to listen to music and was glad I did, those women wouldn't shut up.  We stopped about 4 times before we made it to Kansas City.  It was so nice to have door side service from the bus.  We were promised that our dinner would be in an air conditioned building, but they lied.  We were in the shade and it was tolerable.  I thought the food was terrible and didn't eat a lot - not to mention - I really didn't want to get sick from the heat and a heavy meal.  They served (on a VERY HOT DAY) Thanksgiving on the Prairie.  Which meant that we had turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans.  See where I am going with this?  It was way to heavy of a meal to eat at these temps.  We had a nice conversation with our table mates.  He was a retired military, and of course that is all that Oma had to hear and they started talking about military service.

The play was OK.  The first act was rather dull but the 2nd act was really good.  The lady who played Ma was Melissa Gilbert (she played Laura on TV) was really good.  The girl who played Carrie really came to life in the 2nd act.  There were several times that Melissa Gilbert had to turn her head and laugh because of the things that this girl was doing.  It really made the 2nd half entertaining.

Then we had the ride home. Dang chatty women!!! Now, realize it is almost 11 pm when we boarded the bus to come home. I have been up since 5 and it is now WAY past my bedtime and I really wanted to sleep.  Not going to happen - even with my IPod on. We arrived back in Columbia around 2 am with all of our stops for potty breaks. As we were pulling into the parking lot these ladies were all laughing that they get to sleep late and don't have to get up early.  I just wanted to knock each one in the head as I left the bus...I was suppose to be at work in 5 hours and still had to drive home.  Finally got to sleep at 3:30  and  did go in an hour late, and did OK until about 3 pm and then I went fast!! In fact Brian called me and said we talked - I don't remember...I was exhausted.

I don't think I will going on anymore of these anytime soon.  I have had my fill with old people, tour bus, bad food, and late nights.  I am just too old (I mean young) for this.

On with our lives...

It has been a busy week.  Kristi had a party on Thursday and we helped her get ready for this. The party turned out to be a lot of fun and we had good food. I am not sure how she well she did on her party.  I think I have been at Kristi's house everyday since she moved getting ready for this party, but I hope for awhile that I will be able to stay home.

Yesterday, we had our company meeting at work and I was really busy.  I was wiped out when I got home so Alayna (who rides the bus to my house) and I went to their house to enjoy the swimming pool. For each pod of 5 buildings there is one swimming pool.  So, this makes for an empty pool most days.  There were a couple of people in the pool when we got there, but it ended up just us.  I taught Alayna how to jump off the side onto the floaty.  She had fun.  She doesn't know how to swim, but she is not scared of the water at all.  This may be an issue in the future.

Oma has been sewing in her sewing shack.  She really likes having a large place to sew.  I don't know what is going to happen if we move and she doesn't have this much space. She has been working on new covers for the rockers in her living room.

Alayna ended up staying here for 2 nights.  After Kristi's party she had a melt down and for some reason wanted to come home with me, so she did.  We read a couple of books and she wrote in her diary and then she crashed.  I think she just needed some one-on-one time with someone before she slept.  There were a lot of people in her apartment and I think that was too much for her to deal with. 

Tom is doing a lot better now that his tooth is gone. He missed two days of work one for the extraction and one for bleeding.  He still has some pain in the jaw, but not what it used to be.  I think this should get better with time.

The meaning of the word lost...

Tonight, as I sit here thinking about death and how it has again touched our family.  Today, Oma lost a grandson, I lost a nephew, Debbie lost a son-in-law, Lauri lost a husband.  Death seems to be right around the corner for our family lately, and I am ready for it to stop. When we heard that Mark was in a coma, Oma and I started talking about all the people that we have loved and lost - both family and friends. Oma kept saying "she lost so and so" and I told her all my life I have heard this term and never really understood it.  To me, the word lost means that you misplaced something - eg, I lost my keys.  It implies that you will find whatever it is that you lost, eventually.  When you use that saying in the context of death you sound like you are going to find that person again someday.  I know, in heaven we all shall meet again but only God knows when that will be.  So, why do you say "I lost my brother today" shouldn't you say that your brother passed away or my brother died today.  Lost just seems like it doesn't sound right in this context.

Anyway, AZ Fines - you are in our prayers during this difficult time.  He went way to early but take comfort in knowing that several people will live on with a part of Mark, he is living through others. 

The tooth fairy has been busy...

Well, Alayna lost another tooth last Wednesday night and the tooth fairy came to my house and left some money for her. 

About a week ago Tom started complaining about his sinus' and how much they hurt.  Well, today he finally gave in and went to the dentist.  After leaving over a $100 there - he is missing 2 teeth.  One wisdom and the one in front of the wisdom tooth.  So, tonight he is really loopy and hurting.  I hope he gets to feeling better soon.  He has been miserable.

Boy, I am tired

Today has been a busy day for us.  We finished painting Oma's living room and got her furniture moved in there.  She is so happy to have her round table and 2 rockers back. We had to rig her TV for right now until I can call dish network and have another outlet put in that room so she can put her TV where she wants it.  Right now, this will work but not where she wants it.  Oma spent about 2 hours going thought photos of the family to put on her new bookcase.  She is just happy about all the room she has.

She is almost done with her sewing shack.  I have to move 2 tables over there, one for her cutting room and one for her sewing room.  Yep, you read it right she will have a cutting room and a sewing room. She has all of her stuff over there, she just needs the tables and some help getting her machines set up since she can't lift more than 10 pounds right now.

After we go her room set up, we cleaned up the little loft area outside our bedroom (which is above the kitchen). It has been left alone for 7 years and boy we could tell it.  Then I worked on Alayna's room and then cleaned out the closet.  I had a lot fun seeing some of the stuff we had stored in that closet.  Have a lot of garage sale stuff. 

Tom is in Lathrop at his high school reunion.  I am glad that he went and hope he has fun. 

What a busy week this has been...

This last week has been a blur for our family.  I am waaaayyyyy too old for this crap!  I need a vacation!

Let me just write a little note about each day...

It all started on Saturday with Kristi finally moving out.  We were planning on starting around 10, this would give Tom time to sleep a tad since he works late at night and Kristi to get final packing done.  But, the family that was going to help us needed to start earlier because of some other commitments.  It worked out for the best.  They had the trailer and 3 trucks and Kristi's car loaded and unloaded before lunch.  They even had a little bit of time to start putting together some of the furniture that needed assembly.

After they unloaded the trucks and such we had a BBQ here for everyone.  It was really nice and we didn't have a lot of food left over.  Once we had everyone full, we had to move Oma upstairs.  This didn't take as much time as we thought it would.

After everyone else left the family (Tom, Me, Oma, Kristi, Granny, Grandpapa, Brian, Paul (Brian's friend), and Bob) all went back to her apartment to try to help make sense out of all the boxes.  You all know what I am talking about - you have been there before.  Anyway, after dinner of Long Johns Silvers, Tom and I headed home to relax!  Finally, relax.

Sunday...

We got up and cleaned a little and then Tom, Oma, and I headed to Kristi's to cook a good meal and finish what needed to be done. 

Monday...

Work, work, work.  Then in the evening I started painting Oma's living room (Alayna's old bedroom).  It was a bright purple and now it is a nice quiet shade of pink (almost looks white). I hate to paint - really, I hate to tape. Painting is not as bad as taping everything up.

Tuesday...

Work, work, work again.  Then back to more painting.

Wednesday...

Work, work, work.  Wednesday night is my night with Alayna since it is Kristi & Brian's sibling night.  On Sunday we talked about what to do with Kristi's walls and came up with the idea of her making a collage of pictures Tom has taken of flowers.  So, I went to Michaels and Target to see if I could find frames that we could afford.  We are thinking about 20 pictures - so I need CHEAP frames.  Found a lot of good deals, so this was good.

Thursday...

Work, Work, Work.  I headed back to Michaels, Wal-Mart, and Target to get a few more frames.  Wait, before I left for Michaels I went to Alayna's school with Kristi and Alayna to meet her summer school teacher, Mrs. Russo. I think Alayna will have fun.  There are 27 kids in her class and my only concern is the only bathroom is in the school.  Her class is in a trailer. She will also ride the bus to & from school.  We want to see if this will work for next year.  This way Tom can see her in the Am and I can see her in the PM.

Friday...

Work.  Notice, I only said one work that is because Tom had a half-day of vacation so I took one so we could finish painting Oma's room.  It is now almost 10 and we just finished about an hour ago.  We have pulled up most of the tape and are waiting for her "accent wall" to dry.  Tomorrow we will move her living room stuff into that room and then Tom will leave to go to Lathrop, MO for his high school reunion.  He is going with his brother since I couldn't go (Oma got her shot today and isn't suppose to be left alone for a long period of time for a couple of days). This is not just a reunion for the class of 1979 - it is a reunion for ALL grad classes.  So, Bob will see some of his grad class as well.

I plan on cleaning out the closet that used to be Alayna's and try to come up with some plan of attack for all the stuff that was left by Brian, Kristi, and Alayna.  You would not believe how full that walk-in closet is.

Sunday, we are going to go to Kristi's to hang all of her photos.  She has a open house on Thursday so we have a few things to do before then.

Empty Nest after 28 years

It only took 28 years for us to experience the empty nest syndrome - so to speak.  Kristi moved today to her own apartment.  It only took about 4 hours to load the trucks and trailer and unload them at the new apartment.  After a nice lunch, some of us headed back to her apartment to get her settled a tad.  At 8 p.m. Tom and I finally came home.  We are now watching the race and relaxing. 

While we were gone, Oma made herself right at home in her new area.  We brought over as much as she wanted us to and then she wanted to be left alone.  Her bedroom is just about done and we have to work on her living room.  We have to paint the room since it is a deep purple room.  We have a couple of test samples that we are going to paint tomorrow to see how they look before we buy the paint we need to paint the room.  Then she will have her living room done as well.  One of the things we have to do tomorrow is get Alayna's bed set-up so it will be ready when she comes over.

Hope everyone has a great week-end.

Cemetery visits

I have been to a lot of cemeteries in my family history research, I have been to some from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, all the way to Oklahoma.  Next time I go to Denver, I will be visiting a few there.  Anyway, today was the first time I have been to a Confederate Cemetery.  It was in Higginsville, next to the veterans cemetery that my brother is buried in.  Oma, Tom, and I were really interested in all the headstones.  We stopped and read the signs before we walked the cemetery.  I loved the flags that adorned each headstone as well.  It was really an interesting cemetery.  Thanks Gail for telling us about this cemetery. 

Anyway, we started on Saturday at my Grandpa Fines grave (started with the oldest and ended today with the youngest!).  He is buried in Wright City, MO which is about 1/2 way to St. Louis.  Today we ended with Larry and he is buried about 1/2 way to Kansas City.  So, we almost went from East to West in 3 days. 

Yesterday we went to dad's grave and Gene's memorial.  I think the hardest on Mom was Larry's for some reason.  I am not sure why, but she sat there and looked at his marker for a while while Tom and I walked around and enjoyed the decorations that people had left in tribute.  It was beautiful.  I just wish I didn't have to go visit because of Larry there.  I would rather have Larry by my side instead, but I think he is there in spirit. What is wonderful about the veteran's cemeteries is that all the headstones are alike and in line.  It doesn't matter which way you look, they are in line.  And today, they each had a flag to honor their service to our country.

It turned out to be a wonderful week-end.  We did a lot, but also enjoyed a lot of family time as well as tributes to the ones who went before us.

One more week...

One week from now, Kristi will be in her own apartment.  It has been a long time since she has had her own place, so this should be an experience, and Alayna has never lived anywhere but here with us so that will be a new experience for her as well.

Kristi has done a good job gathering up stuff for her new apartment.  She is at the point now that she has to unpack to determine what she has and doesn't have since she has been at this for a couple of months now. She gets her keys on Tuesday and then fun will begin.  I am not a fan of moving, so I think I will leave Missouri (like Beth and Lucas) and head to the West Coast to see Tory and family!!! 

Alayna really doesn't get "moving" yet.  She is still working on the facts, but does understand that she will be sleeping somewhere else.  We just wonder how long it will take to get over not seeing Papa.  Kristi is thinking about letting her ride the bus to school this summer as well as home.  This way, Kristi could just pull up to the house and drop her off.  She would be able to spend about an hour with Papa and Oma before getting on the bus.  Then at night I would get to see her about an hour before her mom would pick her up.  This might help with the transition.

So, if anyone is bored next week-end and is looking for something to do - come to our moving party.  BBQ included!!!

Monday

There is a place here in Columbia that is a studio that you can rent and take pictures. The price of your rental includes all the lights and backdrops for that particular area you choose to use. There are 5 different area's that you can use, each a different price.  So, we are renting the portrait studio part and taking some pictures of Alayna and some others of different groups of us.  These are going to be Alayna's 7 year pictures...can you believe I just said 7 years!  WOW!!!!

Anyway, after that we hope to go to Shelter and take some pictures (weather permitting) and then off to Higginsville to pay tribute to Larry, my brother.  We want to spend some time walking around looking are the headstones while we are there.  I love the military cemeteries at memorial day because they are all decorated with large flags.  The cemetery that my dad is in is doing that as well, and they give you a flower when you stop at the gate to put on the grave.  Mom and I are doing that on Sunday. 

On Monday, there will be a military burial at the Memorial park Cemetery in Columbia.  One of our brave men (24 years old) died in combat and he will be laid to rest on Monday.  People are suppose to line the route from the church to the cemetery to pay their respects waving flags.  I hope there are not any protester, I think that is so disrespectful to the family.

A fun filled day...

Today started off with some UN-shopping.  The girls (me, Oma, Kristi, and Alayna) went shopping last night and let the sales get the best of us.  So, today we Un-shopped. We took back several items that once we got home didn't work with what we are doing on Monday (pictures of Alayna). So, we Un-shopped. I thought Kristi was going to tear into the assistant manager at Claires in the mall.  I bought a decorated hair comb for Alayna and when Kristi saw it, she said that Alayna's hair is too fine and the comb won't stay. So, that was one to the things to return - but Claires won't allow returns on "speciality items."  She said people buy them, use them once and return them.  Kristi explained to her that you can tell by the card that they have not been used - or even taken off the card.  But, that didn't work.  So, Kristi asked for the managers and the district managers name and phone number.  She is going to call and have it out with them.  You go girl!!!

After that we ran home, ate some watermelon on the deck and then Kristi, Oma, and I climbed into Kristi escape and did just want the car is named for - we escaped!!!  We went to Wright City, Missouri to put flowers on my grandpa's grave and then to Warrenton to check out the outlet mall - mainly the kitchen store.  I think I might be the only one who visits grandpas grave.  I know he is buried next to 2 of his sisters, but they don't have headstones and so nobody visits.  I make sure I stop anytime I go past.

Tomorrow, Tom is heading to the airshow at Columbia Regional Airport (yes, Tory - that little airport you came in to). Kristi and Alayna are going to a graduation BBQ in Jeff City and Oma and I are staying here and having Sauerkraut and polish Sausage.  I have some stuff to do before Monday.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday - and a safe one. 

Must be summer...

Today we spent about 4 hours in the yard working.  Mainly mowing and trimming. Tom and I were working near the road and Tom got the mower stuck - really stuck.  We got our truck and tried to get it out and all we succeeded to do was break the tow strap in different places with each attempt.  So, time to get to know our neighbors.  Tom ran over there and asked if he could bring his tractor and get it out.  It came out on the first attempt with a tow chain.

After that we finished trimming and cleaning near the road and then Tom mowed the yard.  I finally had to stop with the push mower because we bent the blade.  So, now we have to take off the blade and get a new one.  Good reason to stop for the day.  And what a day it has been.  This was more of a workout then my Wii Fit.

We did get some of Kristi's furniture moved to the garage so we can move Alayna out the the living room and maybe be able to paint Alayna's old room so that it will be Oma's living room.  Right now it is a deep purple and we are going to paint it off white or ivory color.  Something not so dark. 

Yesterday, Tom went with his mom, dad and brother to Kearney, MO for a graduation ceremony for his cousins' son.  I had things that I had to get done here so I stayed behind.  I was glad that I didn't go since he didn't get home until after 8 last night.  It was just like old times for them.  The 4 of them on a road trip. 

Tonight we are going to have pork steaks and fried potatoes and steamed spinach for supper.  I am so ready for a nice quiet night.  We will probably play Wii with Alayna for a little while.

Alayna's First Bus Ride...

On the way home from school earlier this week, Alayna asked when she would be old enough to ride a school bus.  I explained to her that I didn't like her riding with people I didn't know.  Then, I told her the story about me driving a bus just so mommy and Uncle Bubby would be taken care of in a proper way.  Of course, I left out the part of Brian's bus driver (his mommy) leaving him at school the first day of kindergarten - she didn't need to be scared!!!  I also didn't tell her that I totalled a brand new bus on the 2nd day of Brian's kindergarten school year.  Brian had a rough start to his school life.  Of course, the bus accident wasn't my fault - it was the guy behind me bending down to answer her cell phone (OK car phone) and hit me going about 50 MPH.

Anyway...back to Alayna.  I thought about it and decided to ask Kristi about it.  We talked and decided that I would leave early on Thursday and meet the bus driver (after calling the bus barn and getting the entire life history of the driver).  I met him at the school and proceeded to give him one heck of a riot act.  I told him where she would be allowed to sit, how he was going to get to drive way, that she would not be crossing in front of the bus, when "I" expected her home, what to do if he was going to be delayed, etc.  In other words, I told him how to do his job while my granddaughter is in his care.  I am sure that he didn't know how to take this.  After I was satisfied that I had scared the crap out of him I went into the school and got Alayna.

I explained to her that we were going to meet the bus driver and she could decide if she wanted to ride or not.  I told her that she didn't have to ride, but it was available.  She was excited and scared.  Walking out to meet the driver, she was shaking holding my hand.  She told him that she knew where she lived and would help him find her house. She said that she didn't want to ride.  I told her that we would wait in line just like she would do if she was riding and walk to the bus so she could see what it would be like.  While standing in line she had a death grip on my hand and was shaking.  I told her it would be OK, I would not make her ride we were just going to see what it was like to walk to the bus. 

We headed out to the bus and there are only like 10 kids who ride the bus, but one little boy took her hand and said "Is this your first time riding a bus?" And Alayna of course answered "yes" in which he responded "I will help you, it is not bad, what is your name?"  After talking to him for a minute, she let go of my hand and turned around and said "Bye Grandma, I will be fine." 

I just smiled and started walking to my van, stopping once to turn around to make sure she wasn't looking for me but, that was not the case.  I almost went back to the bus and took her off - Grandma was scared now! 

I raced home and told Oma "I did it, I put Alayna on a school bus."  She just smiled, knowing that it was me that needed to let go, not Kristi.  Grandma the protector.  I grabbed the camera and ball bat and headed down the driveway, only to get half-way down to find out that Tom had removed both memory cards from the camera and I had to go back to the house.  I took off back down the drive way, minus the bat (just in case the driver didn't live up to my expectations).  I  heard the bus about a half-mile away, I know that sound.  He waved as he drove by, per my instructions and turned around.  I thought he was driving a tad too fast and told him that when he stopped. 

Alayna was smiling when she got off.  She was happy, She conquered another milestone in her childhood.  Now, if I can only keep her young and innocent.  I dread the teen years - I need to move to another country before then so Kristi can pay in full for her raising.  She has a LARGE bill that needs to be collected on.  Good luck Kristi!!!!!!

Update on our lives...

Hello everyone...how are all doing? We have been running around like crazy getting ready to move Kristi and Oma. I think moving two people is more difficult then moving the entire family. Of course, it is not as hard on me...all I am doing is supervising...wait, that is what I usually do! I knew I had found my calling.

Kristi has gotten a lot packed and moved to the garage. She is hoping that will make it easier on moving day if we only have to go to the garage instead of running up and down the stair. So, Tom is running up and down the stairs instead of everyone else. Tom seems to always get the raw end of the females ideas in this house. This is what comes with living with all women. Brian caught on early and bailed on us.

Kristi will be moving out the first week-end in June and then we will work on getting Oma moved upstairs and then move her sewing stuff to the new sewing shed. Then, we will make a pantry out of mom's current sewing nook. It won't be as much a pantry as a place to store all of our stuff that we use for cooking. I think we will be very busy for the next few months. As soon as we get this moving around done, we want to have a garage sale. We want to move from here - but why move all this stuff again!!! I just don't know how to answer that question.

Alayna is almost done with her first year of school. She is struggling because they have decided that she has a slight issue with ADD. I tried to play the Wii with her the other night and had to quit because I couldn't keep her focus on what she was suppose to be doing. Tonight, Kristi and I made her go outside and run since she couldn't seem to stand still and quiet down. This helped her run off some energy. I think she will miss this when she moves probably as much as she will miss Papa.

Papa and I started talking about some things we would like to do on the week-ends. One of the thing I would like to do is go hiking and taking pictures of nature. Tom loves to take nature pictures and I have gotten into hiking since I have lost so much weight. We have also talked about see some places in Missouri that we have never been to before - you know be a tourist in your own home state. We can take our lunch and just enjoy. Of course, some week-ends we will have Alayna, but I hope not every week-end. The only problem is that will be the only time that Tom will be able to see her for very long. So, we will have to come with a compromise.

Tomorrow (May 19th) Oma is going with the senior group to the Mennonite area. She is going to eat at a restaurant that is run by the Mennonites. She is really excited about it. Next month Oma talked me into going on a trip with her to Kansas City to see the play "Little House on the Prairie" with Melissa Gilbert playing Ma. We get dinner catered and then the play and of course the bus ride there and back. We are not suppose to be back in Columbia until 1 am, I won't be worth a lot the next day at work.

I have started working on some family history research on the Cohrt side. One of mom's cousins sent a letter asking questions and this started me looking again. I guess I will have to make a trip to Kansas City to the library. I have not been there in years, so I am not even sure what they have. Guess I better plan for a whole day for this.

Today we had excitement at work today. The old-beat up truck of one of the sales guy caught on fire in our parking lot. Why couldn't that have been the old truck we now have? When they told me a truck in the front parking lot - I asked "Is it mine?" No, I was disappointed, but guess it is for the best. He has a mess to deal with. Well, that is enough of an update - I think you will get the point that it is not quiet around here - at least for now. I will update on the quiet in a few weeks (after Kristi moves).

Good news for Oma today...breathe now!!

I guess I should tell you the whole story...get a soda and have a seat.

About a month ago, Oma went in for her 3 month cancer check. She has to go every three months until he has been cancer free for 3 years (I think) and then it is every 6 months. I really don't see her going 6 months - but that is the plan. Anyway, her $2,000 urine test came back with bad cells in it, so she had to go today for a CAT scan of her lower body. We were kinda expecting the worst since Dr. Remis didn't want to wait - he made them put her with a week instead of waiting the 3 weeks for the next available appointment. She had to drink this yukky tasting stuff and drink at least 48 ounces of liquid before her appointment at 8 a.m. this morning.

We went to see Dr. Remis at 2:30 today and they put us in the same room we were in when he told her she had bladder cancer. This is the only time we have been in that room - and then today they put us back in that room. Not a good sign we commented!! When Dr. Remis walked in he asked why mom and I were both white as a sheet - we told him that we were afraid of what this room would hold in store for her. Well, the news is good - no tumors in her liver, pancreas, lower lungs, colon, stomach or kidneys. Her heart looked good and the aorta was working wonderfully and her hiatal hernia was not showing at all. So, all in all good news. He showed us the pictures of the "Bad cells" from her last urine tests and one from 3 months before and there is a noticeable difference. He said something has changed the shape of the cells, but he doesn't know what. Her DNA test came back negative today - so no cancer in her urinary tract is the way I understand it. He was very worried that she had developed kidney cancer but he said it appears that is not the case at this time.

He said that one thing that could have caused this test to show bad cells, is that she had the flu about 3 weeks before her test and her cells might still be showing that she wasn't totally over the flu. He said that is unusual - but when has the Fines family done anything that is usual!!!

She will have to go back in 3 months for another test - just to be on the safe side. He said if that one comes back bad, then we will talk about what to do next. But, she is in a better mood tonight and maybe this will help her outlook. I tell you, Tom and I were both ready to move in with Kristi!!!!

Also, I guess she is going to move upstairs now. She said if this came back as cancer, she would stay put in her apartment. This way she wouldn't have steps to worry with during any treatments.

I told her tonight that I was so happy with the results - and she told me that Dad, Gene, and Larry were not ready for her to break up their poker game. I told her that could be the case. I said that she has something that she hasn't done yet - like bungee jumping. She just game me a dirty look! Guess that is not it!

My computer came home! Yea.

Seems that the motherboard and Father computer where not getting along, so they had to go to divorce court and get the mother board out of the picture and let Father computer flirt with a new motherboard and then seal the marriage. If this is too much for you, then here is the simple version - I fried the motherboard somehow!

So, now I can update my stuff easier and can play Spider Solitaire. I didn't mind using Tom's computer, but didn't want to do anything on it since I couldn't save the data. So, look out - here I come!!!!

Happy Mothers Day to all those great ladies out there.

We had a really nice day here. I got up and we made a big breakfast. After that, I started on this new recipe for spaghetti and meat sauce. It takes 5 hours to cook this and took a lot of wine!!! My kinda spaghetti sauce. It was really good and I even have enough to make lasagna one night. I am so happy.

Alayna and I worked together to make a 12 X 12 scrapbook page for Kristi for Mother's day and one for Tom's mom. Alayna even signed the page to make sure it is special for each of them. Then we worked making flower pots out of old pop cans. We used pop cans, artificial flowers, and Alayna and I stamped the boarder for each can. But, I ran out of flowers so I have to go to town and get some more. They are so cute. I will post a picture when I get them all done.

Yesterday, Tom and I went to Columbia Photo and sold some our old camera equipment. With the credit we got we bought a lighting kit. We are going to take pictures of Alayna. We are not sure if we will like it, but want to try it first. What Tom really wanted was a new lens - but it is $1,600 so I don't think we will be getting that very soon!!

I hope everone had a wonderful day and enjoyed your mother's day.

5K Race

On May 8th, I walked my 5K that I have been planning/training for. I did what I set out to do...finish the race...not in last place...and enjoy myself. Well, I did all of them. I finished 50 out of 97 in the walking portion of the race. I was 5th out of 9th in my age bracket, and 36 out of 79 females. So, all in all I think I did pretty well. I did my walk in 50 minutes, which was not bad since I walk 1.75 in 30 minutes.

While walking I was able to think about all of those who I love who have either died from cancer or currently battling cancer. There were times that I bust out laughing and other times that I shed a few tears. You really don't think about what your loved ones have missed on a daily basis - and then it hits you of all the things you have accomplished or completed since they have passed. It is almost mind blowing the things that are done all over the world each and every day.

So, in closing...I have another 5 K coming up in July and one in October. I am going to try to find some more because I really enjoyed walking and completing the task. Anyone want to join me??

Jay Dix 5K Walk tomorrow - 5.8.10

I decided that I wanted to do this walk this year. This is the 3 year that I have signed up for this walk, but have not actually done the walk. One year I was having health issues and couldn't do it and last year life got in the way. This year I am going to do it - no matter what. I heard tonight that the wind chill is suppose to be in the 30's so I won't have to worry about getting overheated!

I have been walking and Wii-ing to get ready for this walk. I think I will do ok, but will find out tomorrow. I will probably be ok until I drive home. I tend to get stiff after I walk this far and by the time I get home I have "drop-feet" and look like I have had a stroke!

I will let you know how long it took me to finish the race...and if I lived through the 5K!!

Kansas Race

Man, did we have fun at the Races this week-end. Tom and I both came home wind burnt from Saturday's race and sun burnt from Sunday's race. And, par for the course - it rained during the truck race. Last year it was so bad that we were in a tornado warning with sirens going off all around us. This year it wasn't as bad, but still an extra 90 minutes we didn't want to sit for. My tushie is still sore from 2 days of those bleachers. The races were great because it was a wreckfest and that is what makes racing fun!

Anyway, we had a nice time and got to go down onto the track this year for the Sunday race. Tom and I got to sign the start/finish line and go see all the trucks up close and personal. After a lot of picture taking - I headed back to our seats and Tom walked down pit road. We even saw a girl that Tom graduated High School with and talked with her and her husband.

While we were "Slaving" away at the race - Alayna was at Beth & Lucas' house enjoying playing with Brayden and Kolby. I asked her last night if she had fun - and she told me all about her day and what fun she had. What was funny was that she was telling me a story that she and Brayden were playing and she just knew that that "Brayden needed some quiet time to compose himself because he was just losing it, poor boy!" I loved it, kids come up with the cutest sayings.

Our next race is in October and we are planning on spending more time at the track. I can't wait.

Posting from Tom's computer

Last Thursday I did my usual Wii workout and then proceeded to try to get some work done that I had brought home. I went to start my computer and nothing....dead....angels flying around...get the picture?? So, Friday we took it to Best Buy since it had a 3 year warranty and it hasn't been 3 years yet. The geek guy (ohhhh how I love to say that about a computer person, geek guy!) wasn't very optimistic that I would see that computer again. He said that if they decide to bury it - then I would get a new one. So, Tom told me that he wanted the 2nd hard drive (the one with my data on it) out of that computer to confirm that they won't delete everything on it.

They also told me that it would take 2-3 weeks (dang geeks!). So, I would use Tom's computer at night and then on the week-ends I will cry - or scrapbook!

Early May will be busy

Tom and I finally decided that this year we would get season tickets to the races at Kansas Speedway. We always get tickets from a friend for the truck race but Tom really wanted to see the races in October when the big name drivers are there - the Sprint cup. So, I started checking on season tickets and we got them this week. So, next week-end we will be in Kansas City for both Saturday and Sunday. We have a hotel already paid for and are already making lists for what we need to take.

Then, the next week-end is Mother's day. On Saturday I have a 5K race to walk. I have lost 43 lbs now from my highest weight and am still dropping. I am not having as much knee pain and feel really good. I want to lose around 100 more pounds - not that I AM going to be able to lose that much weight I will keep on trying.

Then, of course we will be getting Kristi's stuff together and ready to go.

Kristi is moving - all cheer!!

Yep, Kristi is moving out - and taking her mini me with her. At first Tom and I were not happy about the idea. Alayna has struggled with Tom working 2nd shift and we were really worried that this would be another downhill slide for her, but it was Kristi's decision not ours. Kristi did get an apartment that is in the school attendance area that Alayna currently attends. This is wonderful because this is a small school (only 350 kids compared to 600 in other schools) and the teachers are so wonderful.

Anyway, after further thinking I started to get excited about them moving out.

*Don't have to pick up Alayna every night.

*Don't have to fix supper every night. Can eat sauerkraut every night.

*Don't have to worry about who is in the shower in the morning.

*Can get rid of my "grocery getter" van and get a sports car (ok, I probably won't do this one)

There are a few others. I told mom that she could move into Kristi's "apartment" if she wanted to and then make her apartment into a sewing shack if she would like. This way she could spread out all she wants and not have to worry about cleaning up so we can eat dinner at the table. Our only worry is the stairs. She has issues with climbing stairs but we told her that it is her decision and we didn't care either way.

One thing that could happen if mom moves upstairs is that we can take her small sewing room off the laundry room and make a pantry out of it. It would be nice to have all of our food in one location instead of 4 different locations. But, we won't need as much food with only mom and I eating dinner most nights - so why do I need a pantry???????

Also, mom would enjoy having so much sewing shack. She would have 2 rooms to spread out in and be able to see all of her sewing stuff. Also, she would not have to walk over to the house in all kinds of weather.

Mom and I are going to get season tickets to 2 different plays here in town. We love going to these plays that are put on by local people. I might even join one of them who know!!

Either way...it is mom's decision.

We plan on staying here for another year at least. We didn't want to deal with trying to get Kristi out and us move right away. We need to figure out what is left here, what we need to get rid of, and what we can do without. We want to find a condo or smaller house. Our problem is that we really love living in the country and most houses or condo's are in neighborhoods.

But, KRISTI IS MOVING!!!!! YEA....Is it June 1st yet???