Category: Friday Five

So, here we are, another week has flown by. Hard to believe, but in just a few more weeks 2017 will be over, and we will be starting a New Year! So here are my Friday Five for the holiday season.

1. Looking back I can absolutely say that I am glad 2017 is coming to an end! I felt very much like we were being challenged medically all throughout the year!

2. I can safely say that I do not want to have another operation for the rest of my life. The Staph infection really scared the heck out of me.

3. And to have Jack’s infected Toe and amputation come right on the heels of my illness, just seemed to add insult to injury!

4. But we are all doing well, even my old lady Greta, who seems to have bounced back. So as we enter the Christmas Season, all is calm, all is bright!

5. I have just three more presents to get and then I am done for the year! Let the wrapping begin!

You know you are getting older when you look at your weekly calendar, and 4 out of the 5 working days are filled with doctor’s appointments! LOL! So it was, this week for Jack and me.

This lead to some interesting encounters and so here are my happenings for the week of October 9 – 13.

1. I started off the week with an appointment with my Primary Care Physician. All went very well, although tests have been ordered to check on the Cervical Fusion I had back in February. An MRI has been ordered. Otherwise, I am in very good shape.
2. The next day, Jack went in to have blood work in the morning. You know, those pesky fasting blood work types? He and I were both starved when he got done, but it was late in the morning, and not many places were still serving breakfast. Except this diner over by the Manchester Airport, called “The Airport Diner”. The menu was good, the food was so tasty and the people were friendly and nice.
3. After this, we headed back to the VA for Jack’s Podiatrist appointment. The good news is, that the infected toe is healing up nicely and I have really become a very good nurse for him.
4. Thursday we were over at the White River Junction, Vermont VA. They do Audiology there. Jack already has hearing aids, and today the wonderful Audiologist was able to adjust them so he is hearing much better again! I really like the White River Junction VA. It seems everyone is friendly and kind, and very respectful to each and every one of the Vets who come in for care.
5. Now here is the “I can’t believe…” of the week. I was in the grocery store the other day, and I was talking with the young checkout clerk. I think he might have been 21 or so. The conversation went to Vietnam and Agent Orange and the effects it has had on so many of our Vietnam Veterans. The young man was interested and as I finished telling him that Jack had served in Vietnam, and his health had really suffered, the young man said, (and I kid you not!), “I don’t know much about Vietnam, just what I’ve seen on M.A.S.H.“!!!!!!!! Now I can’t make this up folks. I told him (gently) that M.A.S.H. dealt with the Korean War, and if he wanted to know what it was like in Vietnam, he should go to the local American Legion and buy a beer for a few of the Veterans and ask them about what Vietnam meant for them.

And that folks, was my week. Have a great weekend and enjoy the Autumn weather!!!

Well, here we are again! Another week has come and gone as well as the summer. Welcome Autumn, as today is the first day of my favorite season. So many things are happening right now, but here are this week’s top five!

1. Our dear friends from Massachusetts are coming up today to go out to lunch with us. So, what does this mean? All the little jobs I’ve been putting off in the house got done on Thursday. Things like vacuuming and washing floors and dusting….but it all got done. The house looks and smells great!
2. I went and had my hair styled yesterday. It’s slowly growing out, and I love how my new stylist is helping me achieve this. She is also a master with color, and I feel so fresh and rejuvenated. The new style is in the side bar to the right.
3. It looks like it will probably be too cool to wear bathing suits to the beach next week when my sister and cousin and I go to the Cape. But that’s okay. Our alternate plan is to go to the beach, in jeans and a sweat shirt, sit on our beach chairs and enjoy the ocean.
4. I am so looking forward to our girls weekend. It’s our first one ever! Sort of odd thinking about this, as Melodie and I grew up in Falmouth on Cape Cod, and Janet came down all the time. And here we are grown adults, and we’ve never done this before. I guess there is a first time for everything!
5. I started working on a Christmas gift. I would really like to make several Christmas gifts for people this year. I want to personalize things a little more.

Well, that’s it for this week. I hope your week was a good one, and that the start to your Autumn is full of bright skies, colorful leaves and happiness!

The leaves are starting to change here in my part of the world. I love it. At first the green leaves look just slightly off, and then the trees start to get tipped with yellows, red, orange and coral colors. The apples are ripening on our trees and that is beautiful as well! Autumn truly is, my favorite time of year!

It’s been a rather busy week for me, although most of my week was spent at home. Here’s what’s happening in my world.

1. The week started with me having a touch of Vertigo. I’ve had it before, but not in a long time. The first day was the worst, but as the week wore on, I found I got progressively better. Here we are on Friday and I am fine!
2. I made two stir fry’s this week. A Chicken and a Beef stir fry. Both were so easy to make, tasted great, and we both really enjoyed them. I am finding that we like lighter fare more than we used to. Anything super heavy and neither one of us feels well after.
3. Jack hates the new flip phone I got him when his old flip phone died last summer when he was in the hospital. Frankly, so do I. I cannot hear in it and find it difficult to open. So, I was playing with his old dead phone, and I cleaned all the contacts and I actually got it running again. Not only that, but I switched the number from the bad flip phone back to his much loved flip phone, by following Verizon’s instruction page. My hope it that I can teach Jack to use my Samsung Galaxy S5 so I can get the new Galaxy phone for my birthday!
4. Jack is doing okay, although he does have two places on one of his toes that are concerning me. I have doctored them and kept infection from setting in. We go to the Podiatrist today, and we will see what he says. Hopefully, we have done everything right.
5. I met the two new Veterinarians that are taking over the Practice of my much loved Vet. Now she will work for them part time, but they not only bought her Practice, but her big old farmhouse and farm as well. They seem very nice and it’s my hope they will care for my pack of hounds with the same love as Julie always did. Especially my Greta.

So that wraps up a rather crazy week. But in the end, it was all good. Enjoy your weekend, folks!

Another week has come and gone, although this one seemed to go by much faster. Perhaps it is because of Labor Day having been on Monday, and thus shortening the week. Despite that, here are the five things on my mind, as the week closes.

1. Jack was in to see his foot doctor on Wednesday. The infection has pretty much cleared up, (thanks to my excellent nursing care!) and the ulcer is almost healed and gone. This is such good news! The flip side of this is that the toe is a hammer toe, and eventually will have to come off. But just not yet, and that is a very good thing!
2. I got a letter on Tuesday telling us that our much loved Veterinarian is retiring and selling her practice to a young, married couple. They are both Veterinarians who graduated from Tuft’s Veterinarian School. On Saturday there is a party to celebrate her retirement and to meet the new Veterinarians. I am so sad to see Dr. Julie retire. She has been with us through so many tough times. And she has also been with us through those really happy times too. Pets are such a blessing!
3. I finally got down to making my tomato sauce. I got my 15 pounds of tomatoes at the Farm Stand, and also my vegetables, and then picked up my ground beef and Italian sausage.
   While the tomatoes were cooking down, I sat down an started chopping vegetables. I chopped and chopped and chopped. Then began sauteing the vegetables, and in another pan, sauteing the meat, and eventually putting it all together to simmer. You can get the recipe HERE.
4. We’ve really been enjoying the corn this summer. We eat corn two or three times a week. Our local corn has simply been the best! YUM!
5. Yesterday we got home after a long day. I’d quite literally run through the grocery store, so I could get Jack back home and off his feet. In any case, when we finally got the groceries put away, I went into the bedroom and put on my pajamas. When I was done I slipped my clogs back on and went out to make dinner. I did that, and the dishes and then finally, sat down. Then, as I sat there Jack looked at my feet and said, “Look at your feet.” Which I did, and then burst out laughing! I had one gray clog on and one black clog. And I had for almost 2 hours, without even noticing it! It’s still making me smile and laugh just a little today!

Have a great weekend Everyone!

Life is full of things to do and things that will make your life better. Here are five things I am thinking of this week.

1. I’ve decided I need to get out more. I tend to hibernate and become somewhat of a Hermit when I’ve faced challenges in life. After my neck surgeries this year, I sort of shut myself off. Well, not any more. Life is full of great things to do!
2. I found a beautiful pattern for an Afghan. It’s made with a simple crochet stitch and chunky yarn. On Thursdays, at my Library, they have a group called “The Knotty Knitters”, where people doing needle work can come, work on their projects, talk a little, and get help by more experienced knitters and crocheters.
3. My friend and I were talking yesterday about taking a Senior Yoga Class. Technically, I am a year short of meeting the requirement of being a Senior, but….I think I can get into the class due to my physical challenges. I just feel that Yoga will help me get some core strength back.
4. I’ve decided to continue with Weight Watchers and after Labor Day, actually get back to following the plan. Weight Watchers Class has always been so helpful to me for the support of my weight problem, but also an emotional support group.
5. One day per week, I plan to go room by room and then the basement and attic, so that throughout the winter, I will lighten my load. I want to get things organized. I want to get rid of the crap.

So these are all positive things, that I plan to do over the next year. I’m excited about the opportunities these things will provide.

The Friday Five this week is pretty much focused on the weeks events. So here goes.

1. The best news is that the Infectious Disease doctor released me from her service. Right now I am free of any active infection! Yay!
2. Our peaches were ripe and we made 3 batches of Heavenly Jam. Did it come out well! Very fresh and very yummy!
3. I did a little cooking. I made Beef Stew with Beer & Paprika, and I also made pulled pork. Both came out very tasty.
4. Today I brought Jack to the VA for his paperwork and for his appointment for his toe. The incision for the amputation has healed so nicely. But that next toe, doesn’t look so good!
5. Lastly, I am looking forward to a nice quiet weekend. I have no plans.  Maybe I will cook some ribs.

So that is the Friday Five. I hope that you have a great weekend!

This past week has been full of many wonderful things. Plus I got a lot done. There was only one small wrinkle, and even that did not make me upset for too long, and now I can actually laugh about it. So, here goes.

1. I got an email announcing a big sale at Talbot’s. I love their clothes, and so I planned a shopping trip to their Outlet Store, where things are even more of a deal. I got two pairs of much needed dress pants, one pair of jeans, a dressy pencil skirt, and the cutest summer silk top and spent just over $100.00! And I look marvelous!
2. I had a great lunch with my friend Barbie on Wednesday. I had not seen her since she moved to Florida, but here we were talking away, like we had just seen each other yesterday! Friendships are a wonderful thing!
3. On my way home from the luncheon, I stopped at BJ’s for gas. I was inline and the man in front of me, decided not to pull forward to the pump in front. I do not know why, he just stopped at the first pump, got out and started to pump his gas. So, I pulled around him, and tried to get as close as possible to the pump. I even pulled forward and then backed up a couple of times. When I got out of my car to pump my gas, he came rushing toward me, screaming that I had cut in line and that I should drive around and get back in the long line that had formed. I told him that I was next in line, and I was not going to do that. I asked, “Can’t you get by me?” (He was in a very small sports car) and he yelled “Of course I can’t! Move your F…ing car!” Well, I don’t like to be sworn at and I do not like bad manners. “Sir, if you had asked me nicely, I would be more than happy to move my car forward so you can get by.” He swore again. Then I looked at his license plate and saw he was from Massachusetts. (So am I originally, so I can say this with a big smile on my face, as I know wonderful Massachusetts residents can be but also how rotten) “Oh, I know what you are, you are not a gentleman at all, you are a Mass-hole!” I did move my car up slightly and he screeched his tires as he tore out of the gas station. What a total jerk! I was annoyed back then, but I am now laughing about it! (Note to self: The man could have had an AK-47 in his car, so maybe it’s not so good to argue with a stranger at the gas station!)
4. Jack has another ulcer on his foot. This one is on the toe next to where the other was amputated. It’s pretty advanced. The strange part was that it came on very fast. I have now put my nurses cap back on, for more devoted care of his foot.
5. Today is bathing dackels day. All three of the dackels need baths. Anneliese most especially, as she is allergic to something, which causes a nasty itch and rash. I used to take them all in the shower with me, but it’s a little tough to do that now, so they are going into the sink! Rub a dub dub, a dackel in the tub!

I hope that you all have a great weekend and that you have something wonderful going on. A local farm stand is having Farm Days on Saturday and we plan to attend! I am hoping for sunshine!