Love That Smell!

Hey, all!  It seems like it's been a busy week, but basically it's just been busy keeping up with things.

My PT has started and is going okay.  I just finished doing the set of exercises here at home today.  So far, so good, but my hip and leg still hurt.  At least it isn't the screaming pain I had before the surgery.

Les continues to get better from the cataract surgeries and the UTI.  Rechecks on both issues are coming up in the next week or so. 

It's been hot and humid here.  And after having too much rain for a while, we now need some.  Things are dry, even with the sprinkler system running.

Angus and Finnigan both had their yearly check-ups and immunizations.  Cecil is not due until next January.

And Les and I were having a relatively good day yesterday and went shopping. 😊 I am happy to introduce you to Jadzia!  She is a 2020 Acura TLX.  We traded Spock in.  Les and I have been busy getting everything set up and transferred and moved around.  With all the tech on her it's like setting up a new computer!  I just love the smell of a new car!!

So stay safe!  Life is great!  And God Bless America!  And keep your sense of humor!

Continuing the Recap of Our Time

Been a bit busy around here taking care of things and helping Les with eye drops, medicine, etc.  Hence the lapse in the recap accounting.  😊

We went to his post-op check Friday morning and the doctor said the surgery went well.  It was still too soon to tell how well Les' vision will test.  Some extra work was done to correct astigmatism. And if I understand it all correctly, some of that was caused by the corrective laser procedure that was done years ago.  At the time nothing was said about future complications if he developed cataracts and needed surgery.  Be aware.  But Les says his vision is clearing up and his eyes look good.  We are keeping up with all the drops.  Thank goodness for the spreadsheets!

We hit a "big snag" though when Les woke up Friday night, actually it was wee hours of Saturday morning, with a fever and some other symptoms.  The post-surgery instructions were to call if he had any fever, so I did.  And we were told to go to the ER even though the doctor did not think it had anything to do with the eye surgeries.  So off we went and got checked in.  After the initial flurry of activity while they got him checked in, we waited, and waited, and waited.  But eventually Les was diagnosed with a major UTI, he was given some intravenous antibiotics and a prescription for other antibiotics, we left for home.  This all really sapped his energy and strength and we have been in recuperation mode around here.  He is feeling better now and being careful.

As for me, I am doing okay and also being careful.  Still have the tenderness in my right hip area.  I have a PT session tomorrow morning.  I've been keeping up with things around here.  Got out and dead-headed the flowers and got them watered, filled the bird feeder, did a couple errands.  Even got some windows washed; I just couldn't stand them any longer.   Also got Finnigan to his annual check-up this morning.  Angus is scheduled to go on Friday.

Yesterday was our 52nd Anniversary.  We went to The Butcher's Son for dinner.  Traffic was awful getting down to Chesapeake and I called to let them know we were stuck in traffic.  Once we got there, dinner was excellent, service was very good, and we had a wonderful dinner.  So here are some pictures from our day.

My dessert last evening.

From Pam

From Jacquie

In case you can't tell - - - these are Special Edition Game of Thrones Oreos

 So, as always, life is great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Happy Anniversary, Les!

We're still smiling and happy!  Fifty-two years and counting!

All my love, G.  XOXO

Recap of Our Week So Far

Monday morning we took Kirk (our MDX) in for some repair work.  He'll be there all week.  Seems odd to have one car.

Then we went to Les' eye appointment; another recheck after right eye cataract surgery and a check on his left eye before that surgery.  We found out some disappointing news, one of those things that the medical profession does not tell patients.  If you have had laser surgery, it can cause problems later on if you have cataracts.  Les' right eye tested very well and is doing well after surgery.  The doctor says he will get his left eye as good as he can get it.  This information falls into the same category as "you can still have knee pain after replacement".
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Tuesday we had the dryer vent cleaning people come.  This time it was two young women who got right to work and did a good job. And cleaned up after the work!  So that is done for another year.  I am not sure where the retired Fireman was, and I didn't ask.  One of the young ladies had been working with him the last two years.

I got out and did a couple errands.  Les got the yard work done.  I did some clean-up with the blower and watered the new geraniums.  I had hoped to do a little extra cleaning today, but it turned out to be a really achy day for me and while I did get some things done, I decided I should be careful and rest a little bit, too.  There is always tomorrow.  😊

Les got the call with his surgery time for Thursday and we are to be there at 6:30 a.m. again.
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Wednesday was supposed to be a golf day but the weather did not cooperate; very wet and more rain predicted, so no golf.

We just did odds and ends around the house.  I was thinking I'd clean some windows, but the weather is not great for that either.  What a shame!  I did get some cleaning chores done though!

And Kirk was all finished and looks great!  He is back home now.

My PT went well.  I had requested a therapist I worked with last time and he is making a plan.  I go twice next week.  He said I tested well on his evaluation.
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Today is Thursday.  We are back home from Les' surgery.  He is tired but okay.  The doctor says it went well.  We won't actually know how well until they test his vision.  The first post-op appointment is tomorrow morning.  He is supposed to rest today and we start the schedule for more drops.

We stopped at Starbucks on the way home and I got him a breakfast sandwich and our coffee.  All is well.

Life is great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Something Else That Is True

I saw this theory in action when our daughters were younger and just starting to date.  Some boys just never made it past the first date!  If they were not friendly with our cats, they were history.  😊

Stay safe and God bless America!  Life is Great!

Just a Smile!

And so true!

I often wake up to a Furry Boy looking me in the face.  😊  And I wouldn't have it any other way!

Life is great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Happy Father's Day, Les!

And I hope all the other fathers are having a happy day, too!

Love you!  XOXOXO

Tired, But Satisfied

I have not been able to do a  lot of things that I usually do around here for the last five months or so due to various reasons.  Some of the neglected chores have involved taking care of landscaping and yard things. 

I saw my doctor yesterday and he confirmed that yes, his estimate of six weeks recovery after the surgery probably will take longer.  We discussed a few things, he had some more x-rays taken, and decided I was doing well.  That does not mean that I do not still have tenderness and soreness in my hip area and sometimes in my leg.  But . . . . . . here I am.

And I decided that today, since it is a lovely weather day, I was using my energy for some yard work.  I have been able to take care of the front in little bits and pieces.  You know, curb appeal stuff.  But the backyard was in need of some attention.

I gathered up everything I needed and set to work.  And that was slowly, and carefully, with frequent breaks to sit and enjoy the lovely day.  I had my grabber and a large bag.  Gathered up some bits and pieces, got up some weeds, did some major pruning on the sweet shrub bush.  That was at the top of the list since it had gotten too big and was blocking the view of the day lilies that are starting to bloom. 

So, I'm tired, but feeling like I accomplished something.  I am all showered and shampooed and getting ready to read.  Here are some pictures.

You can just barely see the day lilies starting to peek up behind the rain gauge/weather vane.  The sweet shrub is pruned and dead branches on the oldest of our azaleas have been pruned out, too.

I had to take this picture to show the hydrangeas that I nearly had dug up last Fall.  They had looked so bad then.  But I decided to give them one more chance and pruned them way back.  They are doing much better!  And while they were originally a creamy white color, they now have little pink tinges on the blooms.  Pretty!

These hydrangeas are doing well, too. These are the ones that were originally three different colors.  All the same now, and very pretty. 

Finally, I got some geraniums for the porch pots!  The lady at the garden center told me the season was almost over for buying them, and there weren't many to choose from, but I found two pretty red ones.  They seem to like it on the porch.  

So, all in all, life is great!  Les has his second cataract surgery this coming week.  Kirk, our MDX, goes in for some body work repair for the week, and I start PT again.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

A Good Day!

Les and I went to Cutie Girl's end-of-the-year Kindergarten program this morning.  It was a wonderful program and the children sang some beautiful music after we all said the Pledge of Allegiance.  (original version!)  It was all Patriotic music and the kids did a wonderful job.  Cutie Girl rushed in when her class entered and she found her spot and stayed there.  Like I said - it was a good morning.

Jacquie signed her out early and took her home then.  It seemed like the teachers were encouraging that and most of the students left with their families. 😊 We gave Jacquie her birthday present and did hugs and kisses all around.

Les and I came home and did a couple things and then went to see Godzilla, King of the Monsters.  Very good movie, we enjoyed it!  It had  lots of action with Godzilla, Rhodan, Mothra, Ghidorah, and a few others.

When we came out of the theater it was raining again.  No surprise. 

We stopped and got sandwiches for supper and now it is time to go clean some fruit and get ready to eat.

Take care, stay safe, and God Bless America!  Life is Great!

Happy Birthday, Jacquie!

We love you! XOXO

Sunshine On Mr. Gnome's Garden

Not a whole lot to talk about right now.  We're busy taking care of ourselves.  😊

But life is great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Just An Update

Our vacation was not exactly as we had planned, but it was good.  I spent a lot of time resting and taking it easy.  We had some good times with our friends and Les had some good golf.  He placed high enough this year to be getting something in the mail!  And that is in addition to the gift card he won while playing.

So, we are back home now and catching up on things.  I have been to see Dr. Putland and he did some more blood work on me and we have an echocardiogram scheduled.  He seemed to agree with all the tests, scans, MRIs, EKGs, etc. that the SC doctors did.  I am taking care of myself and being careful.  I am also scheduled for another post-surgery visit next week for my hip.

Les has his first cataract surgery tomorrow morning. He has been doing the pre-surgery eye drops and getting ready.

I am just about caught up on all the desk work, phone calls, and other things that needed to be done.

I did not get much blog posting done while on vacation, so here are some sunrise pictures.  Several mornings were just too cloudy or foggy to get good pictures.  But these are pretty.  BTW, I could have done without the temperatures in the 100's!

Life remains great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!