CALIFORNIA DOINGS

Here We Go Again!

2012-02-06T10:53:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will be packing day. It is so serial to know we will be flying by this weekend going to our home in Bluffton, South Carolina. We have been in California since the year 2000. We have felt small earthquakes but not the BIG ONE! We have enjoyed great weather and beautiful scenery. Where else can you go to the mountains and ski, come back home and go to the beach. Not having snow to shovel or to deal with drivers who do not know how to drive in snow, has been a plus.

We are leaving the traffic congestion, speeding everywhere, and all the celebrities. We are also leaving the high taxes, high prices for everything, and the lack of courtesy.

One thing that California did have, which was neat, is that drivers stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks! You never had to wait for a long time to cross the street. They would stop even if there wasn't technically a crosswalk but a place to cross. Amazing, considering it isn't this way in other parts of the country.

My day, today, will be very busy. I need to go through everything once more to make sure that things that need to stay, will, and things that need to go, will do just that. We also have to pack suitcases so we will have clothes for the rest of the week and next until our house things get to us.

I don't have help during the day but will have Sam (Dad) in the evening. I will then be in charge, on Tuesday, to assist the packers to know what is taken and what needs to be left behind. On Wednesday, I get a break as I will be attending a luncheon for me from my support group. Sam (Dad) will have the duty of getting my car picked up to ship and the moving company loading their van.

We are really hoping this will be our last move. It will depend on how I handle the heat and whether it is causing me problems. If my health is affected, we will move to some place cooler, if there is such a place.

We haven't had any offers to buy our house. We have had many lookers but no one wants to take that next step. The buyers are really searching for the best and lowest deal they can make. I really can't fault them, as we would be doing the same thing. We just wouldn't get a seller's hope up that an offer will be made and then nothing progresses. This is so hard on the emotions by having high hopes and then having it snatched away. On top of this stress then we have a move across country. It is hard at times, to keep everything together - emotions and organization. Questions fly and decisions have to be made.

Boy, I will be glad when this is over!!

THE TIME IS GETTING CLOSE TO MAKE THAT MOVE!

2012-01-23T10:35:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how close the time is to make that move to South Carolina. I am in the process of making the last minute doctor's and dentist appointments and arranging to get copies of records.

The doctor's and dentist said they would forward the records once a new doctor has been chosen but I rather have my information on the off chance that the records do not arrive in a timely fashion. They might even be lost in the mail and I would have to do the asking all over again.

Sam/Dad is actually having to work all week this week. He has two projects that will be taking up his time. One is in Edmonton, Canada and the other is here in California, updating the Rose Bowl. The Canada job has not been awarded yet but the company has been working with their Canadian counterpart to get their proposal together. Sam will have times he will need to fly to Canada but he is prepared with his wardrobe as he had to get clothing when he flew to Fairbanks Alaska a few years back. The last time he talked to someone in Edmonton, it was -20 degrees. C...O...L...D!!!!!!

It is bittersweet when we leave permanently. We have made some good friends and established ourselves in the community. The MS Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, know us as well as other MS Society's across the country. That is because I am a MS Ambassador for the Society. Sam and I will continue to fundraise and continue to have the golf tournament.

I did find out that there is not a MS Community yet in the Bluffton area. There are no support groups! I guess I know what I will be doing once I get settled. I need the support and I am sure others will too. I have already been in contact with the local society and once I am in Bluffton, South Carolina permanently, I will help get things moving.

The house still has not had any offers. This has been the most frustrating part of having the house up for sale. We lowered the price, the realtors who have looked at the house have said the house is well priced and should sell, we have had many open houses and continue to have, potential buyers have liked the upgrades and the view and yet we do not receive any contracts. One would be so nice!

Our realtor feels the market is getting a little better and sees people out at Open Houses. Anyone can go to an Open House. I just hope they are the people that want to buy.

Does it sound like I am being a little cynical right now? I am trying not to be but I am very anxious to sell because we will still be paying for two mortgages on a reduced salary. We will make it but it sure would be better if we were without that debt.

I am trying very hard to keep the faith that everything will work out. I pray everyday, several times a day, for that illusive contract. I know that things will happen in their own time but I sure wish it would happen sooner then later.

The Move is Happening

2012-01-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

We now have a moving date (maybe). The date seems to be set and we have arranged everything with United Van Lines to pack us on one day and pick up the next. My car will be picked up the beginning of February to be transported to South Carolina. We will have to share the Explorer, that is the company truck, between us for a couple of weeks.

We have the house back on the market and we have had many views once again but no offers. Frustrating! We did have one couple back a second time which was unexpected as we did not know they were coming, the house was not straightened up, and the realtor thought we were not home so entered by the lock box. SURPRISE! There was even a couple that was tagging along with the realtor to see the property in addition to the couple seeing the second time.

We really didn't know what to do but we stayed out of the way the best everyone could. Tony, Abby, Gabe, Sophia, and us, just looked at one another. We did ask if they could come back in a half hour so we could present the house in a better condition but they didn't seem to mind.

I don't know where the break down in communication happened. The realtor that was showing the house said she made the appointment with our realtor. Our realtor did not say anything to us about anyone showing up. Was this a bad thing for us to have happen? Who knows, as it is what it is. If they were looking for that clean look then they should have given us the time to clean up.

We have gone through everything one more time to make sure we won't be taking anything we don't really need. We will be leaving a lot of furniture behind because, one, we won't need it for the South Carolina house, and two, so the house looks furnished. Once the house is sold, the furniture we have in the house will be donated to the Marines for the families that need help.

The move has been happening very quickly. I am on board with everything but I am still trying to get all the records and appointments needed done before the move. Always something happening with never a dull, boring moment.

Will this be our last move? I really hope so but I will not say never will we move again. I just wish we were closer to family but at least we will have the freedom to travel at our own time when we want and as long as we want.

The foot is healing well

2012-01-05T10:35:00.000-08:00

I just had a doctor's follow up yesterday and the foot is progressing very well. So well that he said I could go into a running shoe. Yea!

I am not having the problems that I had the last time (knock on wood) and I am very happy about that. I see the doctor again in three weeks but I am hoping that I won't have to see him before then. It did feel a little weird when I put a regular shoe on rather than the boot. I am getting used to the change.

I have now put on my AFO (a brace to keep my right foot up so I don't stumble ((at least that is the goal))). I didn't want to use it when I had the boot on my left foot. It would have been too much.

It will still take time for the foot to feel normal but I am just happy right now that I am not having the problems like last time. I guess the New Year of 2012 is going to be a better one for me.

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-04T11:07:00.000-08:00

Wow, the holidays are over and we are back to doing our regular stuff. I hope it was fun for everyone. I was busy, which was a good thing but before you knew it, everything was over. You put all the holiday things back away and wait for another year to pass. It is sad in a way to lose all the cheer and happiness that people will have at that time of year. The holiday can be expensive if you let it and not restrain from getting everything someone wants. I know that can be hard to do. You want to make sure that the holiday is special.

I had a great holiday for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. My daughter (with her family) made her first Turkey from start to finish with all the extras. She did a great job. I saw my oldest son and family after they made the long move to Denver from West Virginia. They even had purchased a new home to get everyone settled. It was making things a little easier for them knowing they now had a place to call home once again.

Christmas I spent with my other son and his family in Maryland. It was different for me because we were not splitting time between houses as we once did. We had a great time and it was very relaxed.

Now, I am working on my next project which will be a big change in our lives. Retirement and moving back across the United States, going from California to South Carolina. The process has begun. Movers have been contacted to get their bids, transport companies have been contacted to move my car, sorting through everything to rid us of stuff we really don't need but have been hanging onto.

Disagreements are happening as to what big stuff we should move or not. The house in South Carolina has been set up with pretty much everything you would need to live there. It is those other things that you want that need to be included now.

I am not sure I am ready for all the changes that will be taking place. It is scary and exciting at the same time. We have made many, many moves and it hasn't been because of the military. It was due to going for/to a new job and moving up the corporate ladder. This also caused our kids to have to move away from friends they had made and schools they may have liked. It was a choice we had to make as we had a growing family and needed the security of a future.

I am scared of the new place, not of the house, but learning a new area. Because of my MS, it takes so much longer for me to process things and to feel comfortable. I do have a GPS which will get me around and I do rely on it quite a bit. I won't feel so frighten and be in tears when I am lost and can't find my way home. That feeling I do not want to feel anymore.

I know in my heart that this next chapter in our life will be a wonderful one. We will have the chance to do things when we want to do them. We will not have the restraints of a job and only having a couple of weeks to vacation. We do plan to travel and see the country. We will also take cruises. We have worked hard to this point and we deserve the benefits.

Update on Foot Surgery

2011-12-11T09:43:00.001-08:00

I went to the doctors on Friday to have the bandages changed, have an x-ray, stitches removed and generally see how everything was doing.

When I arrived, the office was running a little behind so I had to wait for a short time. There was a family ahead of me, waiting in the exam room, with 3 boys and a girl. They all ranged in years but the youngest was a little girl about 2-3 years old. Her older brother was trying to help mom out with taking her for walks, as they were waiting for the doctor to see them.

It was constant walking of the little girl and her brother. They would go outside and walk a little bit and then come inside to see mom. She would send them back out again, so they would leave once again, only to return a few minutes later. Her brother was doing whatever he could to entertain his sister but his sister was getting tired of waiting. The office staff offered candy to them to help with the wait. This caused things to be OK for awhile but then the meltdown started by the little girl. You could hear the doctor in the room trying to talk to the mom and her son about what they were there for and I did feel sorry for the whole office and doctor. It was hard for me to sit there listening to all the commotion and crying. I also felt sorry for the mom as she was trying her best to keep things under control and still have the appointment.

It is hard for anyone to have to wait for an appointment but even more so with children in tow. The office does not usually get many children for these services so it was difficult for them to come up with ideas to keep everyone happy. They did the best they could but it was quite unexpected to be in a doctor's office that had the noise of children when usually it is very quiet.

After the family left, I was called back into a room. I didn't think anything would be wrong and just expected to go through everything that was explained to me after the surgery. The doctor removed the bandages and I saw my foot for the first time. I will definitely have scars all over the foot but the important thing was that my toe was in the right place. I was so happy. I then heard the doctor say, "I am concerned about this red area. It may be an infection so I am going to start you on an antibiotic and I want to see you next week."

So the foot was wiped down and medicine put on the stitches and the foot was rewrapped. I was given an antibiotic prescription and off I went. I was so hoping that I would not have any issues but I guess that can't happen with me.

One good thing did happen though; I am able to drive my car. I didn't have that ability for several weeks after the last surgery. I am able to get out of the house. YEA! Of course, Sam is not happy about this as he is concerned that I will overdo and set myself back from the recovery. At this point, who knows what will happen. I will just manage whatever comes my way.

Recovery Day 1 1/2

2011-12-06T09:08:00.001-08:00

This is officially my first full day of recovery from the surgery yesterday. My foot hurts and is swollen. I am too keep it elevated and put ice on it 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off through my waking time. I haven't been real good about the ice but I am keeping it elevated. The pain meds do help but I usually have to take 2 at a time. It doesn't phase me taking that much. One will not handle it.

Everything went very well. The doctors and nurses at the outpatient surgery center are very nice and I didn't have to present my ID or Health Cards as they just recently had them from May. I mean I was getting oh, you are back again. We just saw you in May. That is sad when they know you by name.

I will get the bandage changed on Friday with another set of x-rays and a check on things. I was told it will take 6-8 weeks to heal. I also was told I could fly December 23 to Maryland but I will just double check on that to be on the safe side.

I had to sleep in the recliner last night as sleeping in the bed didn't work out. Besides it being a little uncomfortable, Sam keep me awake with his snoring and movement. Something is going on with him and I wish I knew what to do about it. In my opinion, I really believe he wants to stop working now and to take up residence in our home in Bluffton, South Carolina. This will happen soon but probably not as soon as he wants right now. Now he seems to be having a problem with his heart and high blood pressure. Naturally he doesn't believe its anything to worry about and tries to blow it off. I know better and won't let it go. He will see the doctor whether it be him making the appointment or myself, he will be going.

I will just keep this updated as time progresses.

House is off the market

2011-12-03T11:18:00.001-08:00

Our house has been taken off the MLS for the month of December. We have had several phone calls already from other Realtors asking why we have taken it off and could they be the next person to list the house.

We have a plan in place with our present realtor. We are taking it off this month because there usually aren't showings as people are concentrating on the holidays and not looking for a house. In January, we will list it again with a different price, different pictures and a new realtor; same company but just a different person. This way it will look like a new listing.

Our realtor is doing it this way so it doesn't show like a reduced listing even though you can get the history of the house sale. I don't know...the crazy things they have to do to make a sale. We are hoping it will work and we do get a contract. Sam is wanting to make that move to South Carolina. He is so ready to get the break from the stress. I am ready for him to have that break too so he can at least sleep through the night without nightmares. He becomes so active at night, thrashing about, and you know he isn't getting the rest he needs. He will sometimes be fighting someone so the covers can go all different ways, or he will call out in his sleep. I have actually had conversations with him yet he doesn't remember the next day what we have talked about. He could be physically standing up, I ask if he is OK, he says yes, lays back down and he is sound asleep.

Clark is pursuing a job in Edmonton, Canada, for their hockey team. They want a new arena for the team. This process will work with his work schedule of 3 months working. It's a good thing he has a passport. Maybe he will learn Celsius and Miters.

What has been happening?

2011-12-02T08:17:00.001-08:00

I know it has been awhile since I last posted but life does get in the way sometimes and your time disappears on you.

We spent Thanksgiving with Jennifer and Jon and Michelle in Colorado this year. The weather was decent, no snow but just cold. We can handle that with no problem. We also went to a new version of the Christmas Carol. This has been a tradition for us each year since our kids were little. We always liked the version at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC. Since that time, every other version we have seen was always compared to the original we saw. There has only been a couple that may have come close to the original. At this point, we know all the words of the story and how it will go, so we look for how they will handle the story. The play will go through the same premise but not quite the way the original one we saw many years ago. It is still a tradition so we won't be stopping seeing it each year.

We will be spending Christmas at Tony and Abby's this year. This time it will be only with them and not splitting time seeing Jon and Michelle in West Virginia. As you saw in the last paragraph, they are in Colorado now. The visit will be different but still a great visit with Tony and family.

The house still hasn't sold nor has an offer been made. We have had many, many viewings and people have liked the home, but they say they have a house to sell themselves so they can't do anything right now. We also get those that really, really like the house and want it, BUT they don't make that offer. Another version, is the price is too high. Well, make an offer! Very frustrating...

We will get it sold; it is just a matter of time. We have had talks with our realtor and we plan on lowering the price in January to see if we can get any action that way. It won't keep us from moving to South Carolina next year. It will only mean we will continue to have two houses until the California house sells.

I will be having surgery on that left foot again December 5. Why you may ask? Well the big toe keeps folding over the second toe and I want it to be fixed and straightened out. It will require me to be in the boot again but I know what to do with that now. Like they say,"Been there, done that!" The biggest problem that I see will be leaving the house when a realtor brings a client to look at the house. We usually leave the house so they have the privacy they need to speak frankly with one another. When an Open House is done, we usually are away from the house for about 4 hours. I should be OK though as we really haven't had many showings as of late and our realtor will be taking the house out of the MLS. This way, when we advertise it again in January, it will look like a new listing. They will change the pictures around, have a new price, and start the process all over again. We just need to keep good thoughts and prayers that the house will sell finally and we can move on to our new adventure. We also want to be able to decorate our house without it being the incorrect issue due to offending someone that might want to look at the house. I am getting very tired of having the house in the best showing state. We have been doing this since the end of August and it still continues.... Tough real estate market!

Update on Jenny Craig

2011-11-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

I have now been on this diet for about a month now. There have been times when it has been difficult to maintain the diet, especially when I see something I really want to have. I did fight through that desire but it hasn't gone away. I still struggle but I have been pretty good in not eating anything extra.

I have lost 10 pounds now. I am very proud of myself for this accomplishment. I still have a ways to go but this is a good start. The food isn't bad and you can add fresh vegetables at each meal. Most of the vegetables are a free add on so you can them anytime of the day. I am not supposed to eat potatoes, peas, or corn. This has been fuzzy to me as some of the meals have just those items. I really think it is all about the size of the portion.

I am continuing on in hopes that this will be the last diet I will have to be on; I am pretty sure it will the last diet. There will be times when the weight will go on because of medications. I can't stop that but I want to give myself a fighting chance. Besides, the doctors I see want the weight loss too.

The holidays are coming up quickly but I can deal with this too. I can eat anything I want but I just need to watch how much and control the extra eating. I have enjoyed the holidays and making all the cookies, fudge, pies, etc., but this will be a big test to see if I can manage my diet. Right now, I am confident that I can do this too.

Trip to South Carolina Hampton Lake

2011-11-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

White Egret standing on a log off our dock

Two new chairs for the house. View is from the patio

3 Turtles of many that we have in the lake. They were hard to take a picture of
as they would go back into the lake every time you tried to take a shot.

Another view of the new chairs. We are getting there slowly with decorating.
We do have pictures up on the walls. Step by step...

Eddie, Karen, and I before they left to go back to Florida. We
had a real nice visit and it was good seeing them.

Frankie (shot was taken at our CA home)

Flight of the Egret

A Blue Heron
So many birds of different species
You can bird watch all day

We spent two weeks at Hampton Lake the beginning of October. The fall leaves were just beginning to turn. The days were wonderful and very relaxing.

We did have several items that we had our list to accomplish. The first and major one, was having the Internet, TV, and phone service hooked-up. We now have our own South Carolina home phone number. The Internet service is wireless so we can be anywhere in the house when we need to go online. The TV service was something we added but we didn't need too. We had been enjoying listening to CD's and/or watching movies. We have a great flat screen television that is 3-D ready but the picture is so clear, you don't feel like you need this option.

We did have visitors while there. Karen and Eddie came up from Florida to visit for a few days. It had been a very long time since we had seen one another. Karen and I took the time to catch up and talked about everything. It was a fun visit having Karen there.

After they left, we had our financial planner come down from Maryland for a quick one day visit. We spent a good portion of the day just reviewing our options as Sam is getting ready to retire. The outlook looks to be pretty good.

The retirement will be happening starting the beginning of the new year. Sam will be working three months and off three months. This will be going on for the next 2 1/2 years. Sam is ready to slow down and get away from the stress he has been under for all these years. He is ready to enjoy life without having to do that grind of traffic and work.

We do have our house on the market and we do hope we will get that buyer soon. Once it sells, we will then organize ourselves for the big and final move to Hampton Lake, South Carolina. Sam will still need to fly back and forth to California for work, but we will be settling in to South Carolina. We will switch our driver's licenses, fill our new voters cards, and all the other things you need to do when you move to a new place.

This move is happening faster than I expected. I assumed we would be in California until Sam fully retires. Sam had other ideas. He can't wait to make the move to our new home back east. It is now up to me to arrange to get copies of all the heath and dental records, arrange for termination of utilities, say goodbye to friends and neighbors, but especially to go through the house and get rid of items we really don't need any longer. Much of the furniture we have in the California house will be staying as we have already purchased furniture for the Hampton Lake house. We basically will be taking dishes, glassware, clothes, my car, and anything else except the furniture. I still can't believe this move is just around the corner. I have mixed emotions as we have been here for 11 years but California is a hard state to live in as it is expensive.

Before all this happens, I will be having foot surgery again. Same foot (left) but it is to correct the position of the big toe. It doesn't want to stay where it should be but will cross over the second toe. The surgery will take about an hour and a half. It will be at the beginning of December but it won't slow me down to fly to Maryland for Christmas. This will be the last time for surgery on my foot.

This year, 2011, has been a bust for me. I seemed to be either ill or the surgery with my foot that lasted much longer than anticipated. Why should I be continuing with surgery? It is to have a better quality of life. I can't move that toe normally now and I have high hopes I will be able too when it is done. My feet aren't the nicest things to look at anyway.

The future will be full of unexpected surprises. Ready or not, the wheels are in motion.

Jenny Craig

2011-10-19T12:28:00.000-07:00

I have started on the Jenny Craig diet. I have only been on it for three days but the food isn't bad. I am doing it to lose weight (obviously) from all the steroids I had to take for the MS. This has been something I have been wanting to do for some time. I want to look and feel better.

Of course, my weight has not been an issue with my better half. He loves me just the way I am. I am grateful for this, but unless you feel OK about yourself, it is difficult to accept. I have always struggled with my weight. It is part genetics but the medication I have to take everyday, doesn't help. I am not able to do much in the way of exercise so the diet is my only option right now. I am hoping that by losing weight, I might be able to do a little more than what I can right now. Once retirement is in place, I want to be able to enjoy the rest of our lives together whether it be traveling, volunteering, or just visiting family.

What got me thinking more in this direction and actually doing it, was a promotion that Jenny Craig offered. They were offering the diet half off the current price. That was a big savings! When I heard that, I couldn't pass it up.

It does require us to have two different meals but we are going to work through that problem. So far it has been working fine. I know this is the beginning but I have high hope that I will succeed.

Update on Frankie and me

2011-10-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

We have decided NOT to have any surgery done on Frankie as we had told you before. Frankie seems to be doing better and is running and jumping without any pain. He is even getting back to his old self of wanting to play and not just sleep all day. We can always do this surgery later if we think he needs it but for now he isn't going under the knife. We have a friend that had this surgery on his dog and after 2 months, is still not right. I was told it would take about 6 months for everything to be back to normal but I also have heard that the dog is not the same. We just couldn't risk having Frankie's personality change.

I had my doctor's appointment today with the podiatrist regarding my foot. He took x-rays to see how the stress fracture was doing and it showed not one but two fractures. It was the second and third toe. They are still healing but I am able to wear regular shoes instead of the boot.

The one area that I am having a problem with is with my big toe on that same foot. Ever since the surgery on the bunion, that toe will go across the second toe and not stay flat. The doctor can correct this by another surgery. He would take a pie shape piece of bone out of the toe and move the toe over so the toe will be straight and away from the other two toes that have the healing fractures. If this is done, it will mean 6-8 weeks. I would be in the boot again for 4 weeks with things finished in another 2-4 weeks. After the 4 weeks, I would be able to wear regular shoes.

I am not sure which way I want to go with this. I don't like the fact my toe moves over the others which makes it a little more difficult to walk. I really thought that this problem with the toe laying over the other one was part of the reason for the stress fractures as I was not walking correctly because I was not using that big toe. The doctor said, once this is done, then my foot is finished.

I still have some swelling from the fractures. It has been 6 weeks at least for the fracture problem. I had the original surgery back at the beginning of May. Can I survive with the toe the way it is? Probably. It will be a problem for me the rest of my life though and do I really want to live like that. Such a quandary! Do I put up with the boot and surgery again or just let it go and hope for the best? I just don't know which way I should go. Initially my first thought was to go ahead and have it done. I just want this whole problem to come to a conclusion. I don't want to switch doctors as he knows my case and I do feel confident with him. I also don't want to move to South Carolina and still have an issue that I will be noticing every time I look at my foot and saying I wished I had done something.

I know it sounds like I have made a decision about this but I just want to make the right move for me.

Frankie

2011-09-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

We will be having Frankie have some surgery on his right hind leg. He will have his knee cap put back into place as well as having the two bones realigned as they are twisted right now.

His recovery will take about 8 weeks. He will have a soft padding put on his leg similar to a cast but not. He will have that on for two weeks and taken off and the rehab will begin.

This was a difficult decision to make and one that Sam did not want to have to make. He is already nervous about it. He is very concerned that he won't be the same afterwards. I feel in my heart that he will be OK and better than ever. Frankie needs to loose some weight before surgery. I am trying not to give him anything other than his dinner but Sam just can't stop himself. They are after all buddies!

I really do want everything to work out as this would be devastating to Sam if something should happen to him.

House Update and a Me Update

2011-09-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

We haven't had an offer of any kind yet. We did have a couple come back a second time and was asking a lot of questions with our realtor during an Open House on Sunday. She felt we should have a contract from the way they were talking and even went so far as trying to place furniture. All good signs, right? So far there hasn't been any offers or communication from either side. Frustrating when you get excited about the idea and it doesn't happen. We will continue on to keep the house for sale. Maybe we will get an offer, like Jon did when he was on vacation. We are going to South Carolina for two weeks. Maybe...

I am still in my boot. I had some pain with my foot so bad that I couldn't stand on it. I went to the doctor and he took an X-Ray again and the stress fracture is healing but not quickly. He said all the pain I was having was still from the stress fracture. The doctor did give me an anti-inflammatory to take twice a day to help reduce the inflammation and pain. There are times when I think that I am getting better and then I do too much walking and the foot starts to hurt again. I am to see the doctor in a month and he is hoping everything will finally be better. I have my fingers crossed.

On a different note, it looks like we are going to have to have Frankie get an operation on his right hind quarter around the knee. His knee cap keeps moving and it is putting a strain on his bones and ligaments as well as giving him pain if he runs a certain way. There will be a lot involved in rehabilitation but if we don't do anything, Frankie's leg will become lame. This is the hardest decision for us to make. Frankie seems to do OK and we think, "OK, he is doing alright so we wait and see if there are any changes." Then he yelps from pain when he has done something and then we go back to the surgery. I have a call into the doctor to ask a few more questions. It really does look like we will getting the surgery for him. What he has is called Medial Patellar Luxation.

Exciting Update

2011-09-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

We had our Betty's Builders Golf Tournament on Friday, September 23. It turned out fantastic! We had invited 60 players and 60 players showed up. We wanted a bigger turn out than this but others that were contacted had other plans and could not make it.

All the golfers were either sub-contractors or contractors. They all received a goodie bag which contained the golf shirt, golf shoes, sunglasses, and a couple dozen golf balls. As the tee-off time was at 1:00 PM, we provided a box lunch. The lunch consisted of either a Turkey or Roast Beef sandwich which had lettuce and tomato, a bag of Dorito chips, an apple, and a large chocolate chip cookie. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food as all the lunches were taken. The drink was either the water that was provided on each golf cart or they had to purchase a drink.

The tournament lasted a little longer than expected. The 4-some's were to play best ball but they instead all took their own turns playing their individual balls. The course was very challenging to everyone. Pechanga is an Indian reservation. On the golf carts was a GPS which would also explain the hole you are at, give the English name and the Indian name of the hole, and the particular plant that was around it and how this plant was used or something interesting about the course. This course was an 18 hole course but it also was very spread out. The cart paths were like a roller coaster. You would drive up a steep path up the mountain with the return going down just as steep but add on a sharp turn. You have to look out for other golfers being on the path so it did get cosy driving by each other. Once at the hole, you could be shooting over ravines or across streams. Once you were on the green, you still had to deal with the different curves and gullies. As I said, tough course!

This whole day was timed out to the minute. Of course, it doesn't quite work out that way. The players were supposed to play the best ball, which meant that the four would tee off and whoever had the best location, the rest would pick up their individual balls and play from that location. It turned out the some of the golfers were playing their own ball right where it lade. This caused quite a few to be late for dinner. We had to hurry them up from socializing to getting their dinner and sitting down so the program could be started. We lost quite a few of the golfers as it was getting late so they just left. The ones that stayed heard from me as I told my story. Writing my story took some effort as I had to condense 30 years to 2-3 minutes on my life with MS and how the MS Society has helped me. Everyone said that the speech was good.

We raised for the National MS Society, Pacific South Coast Plaza, $52,700.00. We were so excited and pleased as this was the very first tournament for Betty's Builders. We already have the course scheduled for June 2012. Now we get to start recruiting for the next tournament.

Golf Tournament for Betty's Builders

2011-09-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

I spent this morning at Clark Construction's office putting together bags with golf goodies (golf shoes, shirt, golf balls, sun glasses, and golf baseball hat) for all the golfers that will playing this Friday, September 23, at The Journey, Pechanga's golf resort and casino.

We barely were able to load all the stuff we will be giving away, into our Ford Explorer. It was packed to the top, from side to side, every space taken. We could not even see out the rear view mirror but had to use the side mirrors. Luckily the traffic moved well so it was not necessary to change lanes very often.

Upon returning home, the top tier of stuff was removed and brought into the house or garage. The bottom layer stayed in the Explorer.

The vendors used, for the shirts and shoes, need to go back to school and learn how to count. We didn't receive enough of the correct sized shirts or the correct sizes in golf shoes. We did have plenty of golf balls and sun glasses.

We had ordered the golf shirts and had the Betty's Builder's logo put on the sleeve and on the golf hats. We haven't received the golf hats yet so this will be a last minute stuff into bags when they arrive.

This tournament is the first one of its kind for us. We are doing this to raise money for the National MS Society. It looks like, at this point, that we will be able to give a check to the Society for about $43,000. We haven't finished collecting money though, from raffle tickets, mulligans, and a reverse auction that will be held after dinner. A reverse auction is one in which we are asking for money, to provide needs for those who are living with MS and can't afford it any other way, from the audience. A sample would be asking a $100 for a wheelchair or $7500 for 2 or 3 scooters. All the added money will then be added to our present amount with the final total amount going to the Society. We are hoping to get to $50,000.

Lunch and dinner will be provided. There also will be contests for the longest drive, closest to the hole, best score, etc.

As I said, this is the first year for this event. Plans and thoughts are already flying for next year and doing the tournament even bigger.

During all the speeches during dinner, I have been asked to speak and give my story, as well as, tell how the Society has helped me. I have started to write things down but so far it isn't going very well. I haven't liked my beginning sentence so the flow is not there yet. Telling my story can start back many years or within the last 10 years. I may touch upon how I was diagnosed and then move to the present. I don't know what I want to do with this. I better figure it out soon as the golf tournament is this Friday.

Injury again

2011-09-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor's on Thursday because I had been having swelling with my left foot. This is the foot that I had bunion surgery on. I had put ice on it, took Advil for the pain, put it up, and nothing worked. A week went past and I thought I should have it checked out. I thought maybe there was a problem from the surgery that popped up. That was my first thought anyway.

I called twice trying to talk to the nurse and did not get a reply. I was thinking that nothing must be wrong as no one was thinking it was a problem. How wrong was I! Yesterday I received a phone call from my doctor's nurse saying he wanted to see me and could I come at 11:00. Sure, I said.

I had a conference call at 10:00 which lasted until about 10:50. I thought I was going to stop the call so I could get the appointment. It ended in time for me to leave. It was also a good thing that the doctor is pretty much around the corner; I got there right on time. Signed in and waited. And waited. And waited. I didn't get into an exam room for an hour and 20 minutes later. I was brought to an exam room and waited another half hour. The office had many new patients so they took longer with their appointments. I couldn't be upset by that as I would want the same care too.

When my doctor finally came into the room, he only had to take one look at my foot and knew the problem. He pressed on my foot around the toes and asked if this hurt. I just remembered that cartoon where someone goes to the doctor and says, Hey doc, it hurts when I do this and the Doc replies, don't do that. Well, that is what I wanted to say to the doctor. Yes it hurts! Don't do that! He told me I had a stress fracture. He would take X-Rays but it probably would not show up. The doctor told me it was probably due to the way I was walking. Ever since the surgery, I would try to avoid putting a lot of pressure on the right side of the foot. Because I had done that instead of walking normally, it was pulling on those tendons which caused the stress fracture. He also told me that had I continued to walk on it, the stress fracture would have become a complete fracture.

The treatment: I have to go back into my boot for 2 maybe 3 weeks and then if it feels OK, try to go back into the regular shoe. I see him again September 30 to have the foot re-Xrayed. I don't know what will happen if it isn't healed! If I have to continue with the boot, then I guess I will continue with the boot.

We will be flying to our house in South Carolina starting on October 1 for two weeks. It won't stop the flight, just maybe activities.

Here, I thought I was finally over everything. I guess I thought wrong...

Update on house and me

2011-08-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

We have had a few open houses and according to the realtor on duty, we have had a lot of people through. Everyone says they like the view and the house is beautiful and then they leave. We have not had one offer yet or even a return visit from someone. I think there are too many short sales and foreclosures that people are looking at to get the lowest deal out there. Those type of sales do take longer because the bank has to agree to the asking price. I know I need to stay patient as we really don't need to move any time soon but I am so tired of having to make sure everything is hidden before I go out. I am pretty quick about going from room to room to do this feat but just once I would like to leave a glass on the counter or a piece of paper by the computer. I have been through this process many, many times and with kids too. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now. I know, patience, patience, patience...

I am having another problem with my left foot. It has swollen up on me and I don't know why. It was looking great and I was walking with no problems. I did do an exercise that was a simple one that required you raised up on your toes and then down, holding onto a counter for balance. I did it for maybe 10 times. This was the one and only time I did. I guess the foot didn't like it. Later that day it started to hurt to walk; the foot was giving me pain.

I put an ice pack on it but it is not doing too much. I have a call into the doctor's and they will call me sometime on Wednesday. Well, I did have a week or so before something else happened. Maybe this is my third problem and I will be free from problems for awhile.

I have jury duty this week. I just have to either call in or look at the court's website to see if I need to report that day. So far I haven't had too. I have to call by noon and if I need to report, I need to get to the courthouse by one. I can do this without a problem but it does make it difficult to plan anything. I only have this week and then it will be over.

The weather is very pleasant again and I have all the windows open. We really haven't had the hot weather that you expect in summer but we did receive a few hot days. It wasn't like the desert or even the east coast. We have been very lucky.

Possible Hurricane and other stuff

2011-08-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you know that a hurricane may be coming to the Carolinas'. I don't think we will have anything to worry about with our house but I will be contacting people there to make sure our house is boarded up if necessary and other things.

We will be going to the house in October and hope to find everything just fine. We were told that hurricanes very seldom bother that area as they are tucked in and the most they will have is rain and maybe some wind. I really hope that stays true as our house is right up against a nature preserve and all I can see is the branches coming down from the trees or even a tree itself landing on our house. Maybe thinking that way will prevent it from happening.

I am finally getting back to normal from all the illnesses I have had over the last few months. I never thought it would happen. I still have a cough in the evening I still need to deal with but on the whole, I am much better. Hurray!

I will having an MRI done on Friday, August 26. This was already something that was planned for but I am having one sooner than was needed. The doctor's office had told me, when I was asked to get one, to try and have the MRI done closer to the next appointment, which is in October. Because I had some issues pop up because of the illnesses I have had, I elected to do the MRI sooner rather than later. If my MS is active, it will show up on the scan. I am having the spine and brain scanned with and without contrast. What this means is for any new lesions that may be active and where they are located, will show up brighter. The MRI does not hurt but it is noisy but you get used to it after awhile. I am going to ask to have the results sent to me too but I am not sure they will do that for me. The findings will be sent to both of my neurologists and to my general doctor.

I have to make a call on Friday after 5:00 PM to see if I need to report on Monday for Jury Duty. I was asked to be on Jury Duty six months ago but I was having the foot surgery so I asked to have the date moved, which I got. Now I don't have another choice except to follow through and to see if I will serve. Maybe I will luck out and there will be nothing on the docket for a jury. I can hope anyway!

Open House Today

2011-08-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

Today we had another Open House. We only had to be away from the house for 4 hours. It is hard to figure out what to do especially when you have a dog with you. You are so limited.

The Open House went fairly well. We had a realtor with a couple that did not want the house only because it was not ocean view. Our realtor did have a number of others through but no one said yea or nay on it but just was looking.

We did replace the carpet in both bedrooms; it had to be replaced as it was very old. We got it from Empire Today and they did a great job. If you ever use it, go online and request someone to give you an estimate as they will give you a discount, at least that is what they did for us. Some one came over on Thursday, we picked out the carpet, and they installed on Friday; Open House Saturday. It can be said that the carpet was just put down and mean it. We were going to replace it anyway and this just gave us that extra push to do it. We are very happy at how it turned out and would be fine with the carpet even if we stayed here for awhile.

We keep getting good marks for the look of the house and the view but that is as far as it goes. Just comments! Someone will want it. Just have to be patient. After all it has only been a couple of weeks.

Just Stuff

2011-08-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

I am still able to talk real well as my voice is non existent or so low it is hard to hear me. I have been taking my medicine and cough syrup and I was hoping for a quick turn around but that doesn't seem to be happening for me. I have two more days of the antibiotic and if I am not better then, I wait 5 days and start another course.

I am so tired of this whole illness thing. I am still having MS issues but I don't want to contact my doctor until I am over this strep/congestion/cough/pneumonia thing. I am able to get some sleep so the cough medicine is doing its job. I just wish the rest would go away. I am just so tired of it.

This all started back in April when I had some foot surgery. That went just fine but as soon as I was healed from it, the shingles started. Once that was almost over, the MS flared up. Took steroids for it to stop the flare up and now this strep/congestion/pneumonia/cough thing. The steroids helped some with the walking but I am still not back in remission. I am having a numbness feeling with both legs and up to the middle of my back. My hands also do not feel right. MS is such a mystery and you just never know what will happen with this disease from day to day.

On another subject: we are having carpet replaced in the two bedrooms. We do have the house on the market but that carpet was in the house before we moved in and we have been in the house now for 8 years. It has served its purpose. It is in bad shape. So tomorrow we will have Empire Today come to install. We will also have them remove furniture and replace. Booking an appointment online gave us another discount on top of the sale price. They even have a deal that if you find the same carpet for a lesser charge and can show them the difference, they will go underneath that price.

Another day and life goes on.

Doctor Appointment

2011-08-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

I was surprised that I was able to get in to see the doctor yesterday. When I had called in the morning, I was told he was all booked up and that they would send a prescription to my local pharmacy. His receptionist told me she would call me to let me know when it was faxed over. When I didn't hear by 3:30-4:00 that afternoon, I called again to see what the status was on the prescription.

I was told there was one at the pharmacy but then she asked how close I was to his office. I said fairly close and then she asked if I could come right now. They had a cancelation. I said sure and I went off to the doctor's.

Well, the doctor did check me over, ears, throat, lungs and this was the decision. The ears were clear, sinus clear, but the throat was very red and he said it was probably strep. Listening to the lungs, he heard whizzing and said that was pneumonia. The cough, he gave me cough medicine. I am on an antibiotic for the rest of the stuff. He thought it should all clear up in a few days. I am contagious for 48 hours, but I have been around people not knowing anything was going on. I guess that doesn't count and now I could give this to someone else. :-D

The other problem that I have been having with the numbness or sensitivity of my legs, bottom, and upper back is not all related to the shingles I had. The numbness would only be in the areas of the shingles and no where else. Any other place would be the MS.

I am going to wait to get over this congestion, pneumonia, strep stuff before I pursue the neurologist.

I want this illness train to stop and let me off!

Another viewing today

2011-08-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

We will be having a realtor showing our house at some time today. She called last night around 6:00 PM wanting to show the house but was running late and could she show the house today. Of course she could.

This call came in at dinner time for us. We were in the middle of fixing it and the house obviously was not in show ready. Why would a realtor think that we would drop what we are doing, especially at the end of the day, and welcome them with open arms. Yes, we are trying to sell the house but there has to be some common sense too. Our realtor said if they had a client or it was a second showing then we should let them do it. If the realtor just wanted to preview the home, they could wait until the next day.

One thing is for sure, we have had a lot of activity. People have looked and commented they like the house. I guess there is so much out there between short sales and foreclosures that the buyer has much to look at and figure out. Our house is neither of those so it should be a very easy sale. That one buyer is out there, I know it. They just have to show up.

UPDATE ON THE OPEN HOUSE

2011-08-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

We apparently had a fantastic open house. Several neighbors stopped by, which were not counted but our realtor said we had about 20 couples looking. We even had another couple stop by after he left and we did the showing of the house. They seemed to like it.

Our realtor said he was surprised and pleased with all the activity. He had told us there were people interested. Being interested and making an offer are two different things. We shall see what happens.

We will have an office caravan on Tuesday. These will be the realtors from First Team only. I will be out of the house for about an hour and a half. On Thursday, again we will have another brokers caravan. This one will be a lot longer for me to be away from the house. It starts at 9:30 goes until 1:00. This is the day where I need to figure out what to do with myself for that length of time. I will also have Frankie with me so my places are limited. I could drop him off with a dog sitter but I am unsure.

Today we are getting our chores done, laundry especially. We are just happy that we can stay home for a while. Listening to music and relaxing before the week begins.

Open House Today

2011-08-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

We will be having an open house today from 12:00 - 5:00. We have straighten up the house as much as we can and it does look pretty good. There will be those that do not like the house, the area, etc., but that part is out of our control.

We were told there were a couple of people interested but so far nothing has proceeded from the comment. We thought that the house was going to sell fast from those comments and we began to wonder about how we would feel if that should happen. A little unsettling to be sure but one we would deal with if it came to be.

On another subject:

We switched our phone service to Verizon phone service and it will save us about $30 a month. We have unlimited calls whether long distance or local or to land lines or cells. We have unlimited minutes to cell phones. We can also take the wireless with us to where ever we go and we can get the service there too. It sounded like a win/win for us.

New changes

2011-08-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

No we have not sold the house but I did upgrade my cell phone to an IPhone 4 last night. I also bought one of those covers for it and it looks so neat. It is a black phone but the cover is a medium purple. Looks very cool! We are with Verizon and we may be switching to Verizon for our phone service too. It is done wireless and the neat thing about it is that we can take the base with us to anywhere and still be connected to the house phone. This means, we can take the phone with us to South Carolina and get our calls there or even just being able to have a phone service whenever we decide to move there full time. The only thing that might be a problem is that it is not a land line which might be a problem when the power goes out. We will have our cell phones still but once the battery dies, well, I guess we will have to send smoke signals out... ha ha

We have been having some good feedback on the showing of the house. Of course there are those that do not like the area or the house but it will only take one to sell. Apparently there are a couple of people interested but so far nothing has progressed except being interested. We aren't in a hurry but that does sound promising.

I am still having some problem with my legs but I just keep going on with life. I can't stop anyway or it would get even worse. I have good days and bad so I just continue on. I am used to it. MS will always be with me, it will just depend on how bad. I will be getting another MRI next month and that will tell me how things are going by showing if any new lesions have appeared. I will also have my blood checked to make sure that is all good too. It is what it is. I just keep moving forward.

Another viewing

2011-08-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had another realtor show up when I wasn't home. I had gone to lunch with my honey so I was not aware that someone would show up. Frankie was at home and at first when I came back home, I did not see him around. The worry was there that he got out of the house when the realtor was not looking and they did not realize it. It was short lived as he popped up after a few minutes.

I did get feedback from the first viewing and they seemed to like the house but was not excited about the area. It is an older area of which I can't change. The realtor said that looking at similar houses in the area, ours was by far the best she had seen. She liked the updating and the look we had shown.

The realtor did note that it was a possibility that an offer would be made but I really don't see one coming. The person looking would try to buy at a very low price. This was definitely not going to happen as we had just started and we were not in a hurry to sell. It was a good feedback I thought because they would not change anything that we had done. The process has started and the anticipation of finding that right person who wants what we have to offer.

We had one viewing

2011-08-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had one realtor come out to show the house. I spent so much time hiding everything to make the house look so open, it looked pretty good I thought. The person was to be at the house between 11:00 and 12. So, close to 11:00, I packed myself up and took Frankie and we went for a walk.

I wasn't sure what to do or where to go. I had keys to the clubhouse pool area and the actual clubhouse but I wasn't really wanting to do that as it was already warm. Not hot by any means but warm to me. With taking a steroid, I really feel the heat and I can get very red in the face quick. Frankie and I were taking our time.

We were taking our regular route when we saw a neighbor out watering her lawn. Joan and her husband, Alan, are good friends and Joan really likes Frankie and Frankie, her. Whenever he sees her, he just runs as fast as he can to her. They have a scottie named Maggie and Frankie and Maggie kiss each other when they meet. It is funny to see.

I was able to sit on her porch, in the shade, and just talk for the hour while waiting for the realtor to show up. Now, I could not tell which car, that turned into the development, was the realtor. So I waited an extra half hour just to make sure no one was there when I went back home.

We were asked by our realtor to leave a plate or something on the counter for their business cards they are supposed to leave when visiting the home. I had the plate and the sign that said leave your business card. The realtor left it, not on the plate, but on the counter not even close to where it was supposed to be. I guess she couldn't read the sign.

No feedback yet. It is the first showing anyway. We will have a Broker caravan on Thursday when I need to be out of the house from 9:30-1:00. What am I going to do then?

The House

2011-07-31T16:49:00.000-07:00

We now have flyers and our For Sale Sign out front. The official start will be this evening and then we should get phone calls wanting to look at the property.

There is now another house in the community which has the same square footage as we do except it does not have a great view and it has a detached garage. It is actually lower by $200,000, they just did a price change. We are not in a hurry to sell so we will be OK. It isn't very good news for us but we will deal with the problem.

We do have a lock box on the front door. We had an option of either putting it on the whole time or put it outside when we leave. I just said put it on the door. It is one less thing I have to worry about when making sure all the other rooms are ready to be viewed. Of course we don't think it will sell very quickly but that is usually when the opposite happens. It would be great for us if it does sell quickly or at least sell for the price or close to it. We would then rent for the remainder time we are here and still go back to the South Carolina house in the spring and fall.

Now I was told not to stress about the house. We are not going to sell just to sell but wait for that right offer. Hmm, I think I will still stress about the house because I want it presentable. It would be my luck to go out for a short trip and have someone show up to look and it isn't straightened. I always hated this part of the selling.

The house will be on the market by Sunday night

2011-07-31T02:15:00.000-07:00

We will be getting fliers tomorrow, our sign, the lock box, in preparation for the official launch of the house sale. We now have to make sure everything is picked up and looks the best it can be in case anyone wants to take a look. This is the part I am not thrilled about as it causes you to have to plan extra time to double check your house before you step out the house.

We are excited about selling as it will be one step closer to moving to South Carolina. Hearing the temperatures right now in Bluffton, I am not real anxious to getting there too quickly. I do want to go though as shades have been put p in some of the rooms and I am wanting to see them.

We haven't had a chance to do much else long distance. We arranged the shades before we left from the last trip. We have a pest control service in place because when Alycia and Chris stayed there one day, they were seeing spiders and ants around. The Palmetto Exterminators started their service for us. The same company will also be putting in a Mosquito Mister to help keep those pests down.

Jon and family discovered that Hampton Lake has wild life. The family saw a small herd of deer upon driving into the community. Wait until they see wild turkey, or maybe rabbit, or even an armadillo.

I look forward to hearing their feedback on the house and community.

Day One Over

2011-07-31T02:01:00.000-07:00

I had my steroid infusion of solumedrol today at the Hoag Cancer Center. This is where their outpatient center is for infusions. The nurse, Mary Lou, was excellent. I had the needle put into my left hand as the veins were in good shape. I also wanted to leave my right free to be able to write in my journal and do word search. I had my tootsie roll pops as the the steroid leaves a metal taste in your mouth and you can't get rid of it by drinking water. You can drink sugared iced tea and eating does not get affected. It doesn't last a long time. Usually until dinner time. I had my infusion at 9:30 AM and it lasts 2 hours.

I am having the same problem I usual have in that I can't sleep. I even took a sleeping pill which usually helps and it is not doing anything for me tonight. The other problems is I am due to have another infusion tomorrow morning, or I should say today, Sunday, at the same time, 9:30.

I am usually stay awake all night and day before I sleep the next night. How will this work if I am having back to back infusions? Will I be awake through tomorrow night too? If so, I would be wake for 3 days before I can sleep.

A steroid again!

2011-07-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

I had been dealing with shingles for almost a month now. The majority of the pain and rash disappeared but I still have a few spots on my foot. They don't hurt and they are not causing a problem. The one lingering problem has been the numbness from the bottom of my foot to the top of my waist. I had called my neurologist and was given prednisone to try to correct that problem. It didn't!

I still have the numbness on my right but now it has moved to my left foot. Umm, I don't think it should be going this way so I called my neurologist again. I explained the problem and he told me that the shingles might have triggered my MS. He suggested that I have two infusions of Solumedrol, which is an IV steroid. This steroid has the ability to keep me awake all night. After I finish the infusions, I then start another round of prednisone.

There is a possibility that this steroid treatment could trigger the shingles again! I am trying to get rid of a problem and yet I could be back to where I was before. Gee, I hope not.

I have finally been set free from the podiatrist and the foot surgery I had. The left foot is still a little swollen but that will come down over time. He did say that I seemed to be walking on the side of my foot away from the surgery site and I needed to make an effort to walk straight and put more effort on walking completely through.

I am so tired of having all these problems. I have not been able to do much or go anywhere where there has been a lot of walking. Now, this problem with the flare up of my MS. I really hope this will be the end. I am not planning on doing anything else, especially another surgery, for quite some time. I just need things on my body to heal and stay that way!

Photos have been taken

2011-07-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

   The photographer came last night to take photos of the house. It didn't take too long but she did take many. We had to remove some things out of the way that didn't look bad but the realtor wanted a clean shot of the rooms. The photographer will take the pictures and do her thing by cropping or editing the pictures and send these to the realtor. The realtor will write the copy for the ads, flyers and MLS listing on the Internet. She will pick out what pictures will be used and then send it to their layout person to finish.

   Sometime next week, we will have the For Sale sign in place and then the real fun begins. All the realtors from this office will make a trip to the house to view it and then it will be open for all the other realtors around to come take a look.

   We are in no hurry so if it takes a while to sell, we are OK with that. If it is sold before we are ready to make that move to South Carolina, we will rent around the area until that time arrives. The house looks terrific and we have done everything we can to make it presentable to people. There will always be people who come in and make comments as to why they don't like something. Everyone will have their idea in their mind as to what they want and if they don't see it or feel it, this is their decision to make to walk away and look at another place. We did the same thing when we looked for a single story house. Some of the homes were in poor condition, or needed a face-lift, or just wasn't in the right area. So many things you have to look at when buying. It took us a while to find the home we are in right now. You just have to have patience when selling but it isn't easy. You are anxious to get your life moving on and not wanting to go through that waiting period.

   So now it is on to the next step in the process. We are excited and anxious to get that first person to look at the house and get their comments. Comments are just that, comments. It is not a reflection on you but what fits with them. It is still hard not to take it personally and grumble about their intelligence but we have to keep it to ourselves and smile and know you will get through the waiting.

House almost on the market

2011-07-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

   Today we will having a photographer come in to take pictures of the house. We have signed our contract with the realtor so the next step are pictures. I just need to make sure everything is in its place and is looking the best it can be for the shots. I also hope the weather will corporate and the fog will lift and we have sunny skies.

   The next step will be for the realtors to put the flyers together and the listing posted on several sites. We should have a For Sale sign in the yard by next week. When the house sales, and it is before Dad is ready to retire, we will rent a place. You might be asking why are we doing this now rather than later, it is because we are not sure how quickly it will sell. Of course, we are being told many different things. We have done all we can do to have the house ready. We have the neutral colors, de-cluttered as much as we can, staged the house to give the best look possible, and everything is neat and tidy. Now we wait for that buyer.

   We are looking forward to moving to our house in South Carolina. We haven't spent much time there but when we do, it is so relaxing and the people are so friendly. We are looking forward to our trip in October. Hopefully it won't be too long after that we will move there permanently and enjoy everything around us.

House has been staged

2011-07-17T05:39:00.000-07:00

   We are getting ready to put our house on the market and because we had taken so many things to our other house in South Carolina, our house was pretty bare. We were able to live just fine in it but to try and sell a home with wide open spaces, it does not give a buyer a sense of what it could be. So we had it staged.

   Staging a home requires someone to come into your house, take pictures, look around to get a feel of the house, and return later to change everything. This is what happened on Saturday, the 16th. The realtor we have, had someone that could do just that for us. We did not have a bed in the second bedroom and used that room more as a catch all. It now looks like a bedroom. They placed a day bed, covered it, put on some pillows and placed a tray with napkins and a clear coffee cup filled with coffee beans to represent a cup of coffee. She had us remove a book case (we had two) to make it less cluttered, move some things around and it looks like a regular bedroom now. I will have to post some pictures later.

   The designer went to the master bedroom and really did not have to do too much. She placed another bedspread on top of the one we have, which had different shades of blue, added more pillows, and the room popped. Very pretty! We had a dull room after seeing what she chose. We did like the change.

   The second bathroom was next. Really not too much was added but some small touches to the counter. It just dressed it up. Everything else stayed the same.

   The main room took the biggest change. We had purchased a couch before Jennifer, Noah, and Madilynn came to visit, as we did not have seating for them. We had moved the leather couch we had, to South Carolina. All we had were two recliners for our own use. Those chairs and couch were moved from their original positions. The couch was moved to the place of the recliners. The recliners were moved to the opposite side, facing the couch with our large coffee table in between. It was a nice set up for visiting with people but not a great layout if everyone in the room wanted to see TV. Because it is just the two of us, it didn't matter, as long as we could see it.

   We have a long room, so with the couch moved up, the room behind it was a place for a small table and two chairs. It was going to be set up to use as a game table or a place where you could play cards, or even for that cozy place to have a cup of coffee or tea, and to look at the great view we have.

   An end table was repositioned with a lamp, a divider was put up with a large ceramic pot with reeds, and some other touches. The dining room table was kept pretty much the way it was except a table runner was used instead of the place mats. The other built-in we have contained the wine cooler, on top of the counter, had a large sailboat that Dad had put together. This was left in its place as well as an empty wine rack for the over flow of wine bottles that did not fit into the cooler. A decorative plate that went along with the wine theme, was placed. A painting, we had of dolphins and the undersea, was replaced with a mirror. Upon looking at the mirror, you had the reflection of our view.

   Anyone that has placed a house for sale, knows the stress you get from having to make sure the house is the best it can be, for the buyers. Our house now looks great but it has caused some upheaval with me. Things have been moved and changed. I have been needing things to be kept in its place for my own cognitive needs. It has been stressful to not have that sameness. I will get used to the placement of the new things and where the old things were put, but it was a lot to handle in two hours.

   We are hoping to sell the present home so we can take the proceeds to place on the new home in South Carolina. We are really hoping that it will be enough to pay that home off. We would then be without a mortgage. My car has been paid off. We don't have a lot of debt from credit cards either. A good position for retirement.

   We would not move to the new house just yet but would rent for probably another year to a year and a half. Of course, this depends on how quickly it sells.

   The For Sale sign has not been placed yet but should be in the next few days. Then the "fun" begins.

We have trips and things coming up

2011-03-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

We have a very busy end of the month of March and most of April. At the end of March, on the 28th, we will have some of our furniture and things packed up and then on Tuesday, the 29th, we will have everything loaded to be sent to Bluffton and our house. On Thursday night, we will be flying to Ft. Lauderdale, FL for my 40th High School Reunion. It will only be a quick trip; we will get there on April 1, early in the morning after doing the red eye from LAX. Friday night we have an ice breaker get- together and then Saturday night, we have the reunion. We will fly out on Sunday morning, April 3, to get back to LAX and then home.

Dad has a bid on Thursday, April 7. We have the MS Walk on Saturday, April 9. We will then fly again to South Carolina to see our house and spend time there on April 10 and will be there until the 24th, which we will fly back home.

On Monday, April 25, I will be meeting my foot doctor to go over what will be happening on May 2 when I have bunion surgery on my left foot. I won't be able to put any weight on that foot for a couple of weeks but the healing will take about 6-8 weeks. I am hoping for the lesser side.

Our anniversary is June 12. We wanted to plan something but I am not sure what I will be or won't be able to do. We may have to wait and celebrate in the fall. This will be our 40th anniversary - WOW! I have known Dad for most of my life. I meet him when I was a freshman in High School at the age of 14 and we dated all 4 years. After graduating and three weeks later, we were married. I still can't believe it has been that long. I had only dated one guy and it was Dad. I guess you can say he was my soul mate.

What we will do the rest of the summer is still up in the air. A family reunion has been talked about but that has not been finalized. It will be just nice to stop and catch our breath.

The Tsunami

2011-03-11T09:53:00.000-08:00

We are fine here in Southern California. We are close to the beach but we are on high ground. All the beaches are closed. Two schools close to the beach are closed. Not expecting really high waves but the current and waves will be bad so people are being kept from the water. The tsunami is just now coming into shore. The water is being sucked out to sea and then comes back after a couple of minutes. This tusmani will be lasting for a few more hours before it is all done. Large boats have moved out of the harbor into deeper water. Harbors and walk paths have been closed for safety. Everyone along the beaches are keeping updated. No major evacuations are being given but if one is requested they are urging people to head the request. Fascinating by what is happening but glad to be on high ground. Boats in the harbor of Santa Cruz, which is north of us, has had damage of their boats in their harbor. No injuries to anyone.

Just think, the earthquake happened in Japan and we are feeling the effects of it now. Wow! This is a first for us being here in California. They said the earthquake in Japan was 3,000 times as powerful as the earthquake in Riverside CA which was a major earthquake that did a lot of damage.

What I am worrying about...

2011-01-13T08:59:00.000-08:00

I am to have another colonoscopy next Monday, Jan 17. That unto itself is no big deal. People have them all the time. It is not much fun, especially preparing for it but once you reach the age of 50 and beyond you will need to start having them. Usually after you have one, it is not required to have another for at least 10 years if everything is OK. If you have a polyp that they have to remove and everything is still OK after looking at it, you will be asked to come back in 5 years for another.

Now if they find a polyp that looks suspicious but is not a definite diagnosis of colon cancer, they will ask you to return in three years. This is where I am at. I have been asked to have the procedure because apparently I had one removed three years ago that was suspicious of colon cancer but it wasn't definite.

This came as a big surprise to me when I went in for that appointment. I was told that my results were normal and now I find out they weren't. So I have to worry (and really try not too but that is hard to do) and wait for Monday. My procedure is scheduled for 12:20 PM and I will be going home by 2:15 PM. I really do hope that I get some results before I leave and not have to wait for any biopsies if they have to do anything like that.

I am now on a restricted diet for three days before I start the prep work on Sunday for Monday. The prep work consists of drinking a gallon of this preparation that is awful to drink. It just cleans you out. I know TMI (too much information). I guess you can look at it as a very quick way to lose weight but not in a very pleasant way.

So that is the news I am worrying about. It has caused me to have a headache everyday just from tension and not to sleep real well. I am able to get a sleeping pill to help me on that. I am scared but I try not to say too much. Dad will be with me on Monday. If it is what it is, we will deal with it, what else can we do. We just have to think positive that I will be OK.

Hampton Lake

2010-09-21T12:09:00.000-07:00

We had our design meeting last week. We flew into Charleston South Carolina to go to David Weekley's Design Center. This place had everything you needed to design your home from the outside to the inside. We had to pick colors for the siding and the brick. From the shingles to the front door. We had different styles of garage door to choose from and the outside lights for the front and side. Then we moved inside...

We started with the kitchen. What kind of cabinet do you want? What color? Light or dark? Detail or none? What type of cabinets do you need? Do you need a trash cabinet by the sink? How about a drop open tray to store your sponges, etc.? What about a separate cabinet for your cookie sheets and cutting boards? Do you want drawers for your pots and pans or just a cabinet? Would you like pull out shelves?

What do you want for the top of the cabinets? Granite? What color? Do you want a back splash? Do you want a design? How do you want the tiles to look and the color?

Now lets move onto the floor. What type of floor do you want? Wood, tile, stone? How far do you want to use this type of flooring? What about light fixtures over the kitchen island?

Do you want to upgrade anything?

So are we are using the same color cabinets and granite that are in the kitchen for all the bathrooms? Are we using carpet for the bedrooms? What color? What style? What thickness? How does it feel? How will it wear?

Oh, and what about the shower? Are we changing to tile or keeping the standard? If changing, what will it be and what color? Will both bathrooms be changed?

This process lasted all day! We started at 9:00 AM and finished around 5:00 PM. We did stop for lunch but the rest of the time we were choosing everything. We had to do it this way as making trips back and forth are difficult. This should give you a little idea of what the colors should be...

The bottom color is the wood floor, which will be through the main part of the house. The tile at the top that is plain tan and a design tile on top will be for the kitchen back splash. The 2x2 squares are for the bottom of the master shower. The cabinet color and design goes well with everything and the granite really stands out.

This picture gives you a better look at the granite, cabinet color, and tile. The dark color you see is the counter we were working on and is not part of the design.

This pictures shows you all the different things that were chosen. The carpet is on the bottom left and it is a light chocolate. It matches up really nice against the wood floor. The wood floor is stressed so it looks already marked up. We won't have to worry about Frankie and his nails.

This last picture is trying to show you the paint colors. It will be a soft green for the main part of the house with a soft yellow in the bedrooms.

Here are some pictures of our lot and of the back.

This is the beginning of our driveway or the front of the lot.

This is the small opening we have to the rest of the lake. Our house will be one of 4 facing the lake. We are the only ones that will have a dock.

This is the side view of the lot. No one will be building to the left of us. This is all green preserve that you see and will not be touched.

I hope this gives you an idea of what things might be looking like. We are looking forward to seeing it all together. We are still waiting on four more things to be priced before a final contract is signed. The contractor wants to build and close on this home by Christmas. So Very quick!

Our first conference call on our new home

2010-08-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

We had our first conference call about the new house in Bluffton South Carolina this morning. Because of the time difference we had to have the call at 8:00 am our time to 11:00 eastern time. We went over all the questions we had and it went very well. It just makes the process of getting this house more of a reality.

It is scary to think we will have a second home for a couple of years before actually moving into it. We wonder if we are doing the right thing in moving to Bluffton. We won't have to deal with snow and too much cold, which is what we are looking for, so I guess this is the right place.

We are getting a house right on water. We will have a boat dock to have a Duffy boat. A Duffy boat is one that is battery charged. The lake they have is a no wake zone so this boat is the best one to have unless you use a canoe or kayak. They do have those to rent.

We will have room for visitors and things for people to do. The pool area will be great for the kids and there is a separate pool for adults only. If anyone wants to go camping, they have that too. We aren't into it but someone might.

The people that we have talked with have all been very nice. I think it will be a good place for us. The only issue I have is that we aren't closer to family but with us being on retirement, we can drive to see everyone. We will have the time.

After this house is built, the "fun" time will be to furnish it. We will have most of our things here but we will need things there for when we visit or anyone else. i have to figure that one out.

We were asked if we could close by the end of this year. We said yes. This just means we won't be getting each other Christmas presents for each other but things for the new house. We will need everything. This will make it easy when you ask what can you get us - ha ha.

Dad has already had some hints that Clark is getting ready for him to retire. It has caught him by surprise as it makes it a little more real for him. The job will be ending for him. He hopes he can continue to work for a least another two years but Clark is positioning itself to bring in another Chief Estimator for him to start working with. Again that was a shocker for him to hear about that at a planning for the future meeting yesterday. Changes will be happening in the next few years.

It's August Already

2010-08-10T17:31:00.000-07:00

Where has the summer gone? We are already into the second week of August. The month is just flying by. The coast of California really has not had a summer this year. Around here it has stayed in the upper 60's to low 70's every day. Some days were better than others, meaning we had gray, foggy days. No rain, just gloomy. We finally are seeing sun. I know that some of you have had enough of the heat and want it to go away. I hope it will for you and soon.

We did buy a house in Bluffton, South Carolina, in Hampton Lakes. It will be one that will be built. We aren't in a big hurry for the construction to be finished as the longer it takes, the longer it will be before we have to start making mortgage payments. The builder, David Weekly Homes, has given us a lot of extras for the first year. They are paying for the first year of POA. This is Property Owner Association. Every one has their own take on things - ha,ha. They are also paying for the first year of lawn maintenance which will be helpful to us. Anything to cut our expenses. We haven't been given a date for completion but we are guessing January 2011.

We are still in limbo about the job in Denver for the VA Hospital. The VA still has not made up their minds. So we wait and wait some more. One of these days we will be surprised with an announcement. Will we still be going to Denver? Depends on whether Clark wants us too. We are supposed too. We will have to wait and see. See, more waiting. Talk about having patience...

I am doing well so far on the new drug for walking. I should be starting on taking 2 tablets in about a week and a half. It does feel scary to me but I am hoping everything will be fine. I haven't had any problems now. I have my next infusion of the steroid on August 21. This will leave me one more month of it and then I see the doctor again. Thank goodness for insurance!

Medical Update

2010-07-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

I just had my MS neurologist check up today and on the whole everything if fine. I have to have some blood work done to check on things like my liver. I am continuing on the steroid for another 3 months. The Solu-medrol will be administered as before, at the hospital by IV. It usually only takes about an hour or so. Not too long. I just don't like the after effects. I get very red, like I have a very bad sun burn, for a day and I can't sleep for 34 hours. I can a lot done if I have things to do.

I will be starting on a new medicine. It is called Ampyra, (pronounced amPEERah). It is the new drug that was developed for MS patients to help with their walking. I should start it in a couple of weeks. I hope that I won't have any problem with this drug but there are side effects. The biggest one is that it can cause seizures. I am not prone to seizures so I should be OK. Just the same, the doctor is being cautious. He is telling me that when I start, to only take one pill for a month and then if I do fine with it, then I can take the full dose of 2 pills a day, 12 hours apart. The things I have read online does sound pretty promising. Some people have improved walking along with some of their other symptoms. I am to have more endurance and more speed in my walking. Anything will be helpful.

So I stay on everything else. I had an increase in one of my other drugs for depression. I think that was caused for two reasons. One, because I had a flare-up, and Two, because of the flare-up, I started to fear that the MS was starting to take a turn for the worse again after being quiet for awhile. I still have that thought but I am trying to stay positive. I am just not happy about having to be on the steroids again. It did stop things the last time so maybe it will do it again.

Frankie

2010-06-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

Frankie is sick. We aren't sure what has caused his problem but we took him to the vet today and he has medicine to be given over the next 5 days. Frankie has been sleeping a lot, not playing much, not eating a lot, and having diarrhea. Not much fun for him or me. I was the one that had dealt with that part as Dad was out of town for a business meeting. Why does it always have to happen in the middle of the night? There had been a dog in the development that had contracted a disease from the other dog droppings and had to be quarantined for about a week, their house had to be disinfected, and any clothing or objects that had come in contact with the dog had to be washed. That dog is doing fine now but what a problem the owner had to go through. We are hoping Frankie is not infected with anything like that but we will know for sure next week.

Frankie is very quiet today, especially after the vet appointment. He was given a shot and fluids to help him get over whatever is bothering him. After the medicine, we take him back next Saturday for shots if he is doing OK.

The vet did weigh him and he is 6 pounds 8 ounces. A little heavy but too bad. The extra treats that are given to him, like the sharing of the dinner, breakfast, snacks, need to stop or at least slow down. The vet doesn't know about the extra stuff. If she did, she would be very upset. It is hard to ignore those brown eyes!

An unwelcome visitor

2010-06-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

About a week ago, I was out walking Frankie in the afternoon. It was a very nice day and we had a very nice walk. When we returned home, we were met with a very unexpected visitor. Frankie did not notice it, thank goodness, but I surely did! It was a SNAKE.

A snake right on the sidewalk to the front door of our house. I had to think - was this a poisonous one or non? I didn't see a rattle so I was safe from that type. What kind was it?

We were able to get around it as it would move away from us when we got closer. I had already picked Frankie up. I had actually done that as soon as I saw the snake. I did not want him to go sniffing at this thing! We got into the house, I put him down, and I grab my camera! I had to show Dad what we had show up. Out the front door I went, camera in hand. This is what I saw...

OK, he was big. I looked at the Southern California snakes and I think it is a Garter snake. It looks like the picture anyway as it has that yellow strip that runs the length of its body like a garter would on a woman. Anyway, it is non poisonous. What excitement that was!

I want to catch you up

2010-06-05T23:18:00.001-07:00

I know it has been quite a while since I last wrote. I thought this was a good time to get everyone caught up on things.

I had my last infusion of solu-medrol today. It is that steroid that I have been taking once a month by IV at a hospital out-patient. It was given to me because I have been having difficulty again walking any distance or for any length of time. I do have a problem with foot drop. It is my right foot and what this means is when my legs get tired, I start having a problem keeping that foot picked up when I walked. I have a tendency to catch it on things and it doesn't have to be going over a bump. I can stumble even on carpet or bare floor. I was given a brace to wear on the right foot to keep that foot up when I walk. When I wear it, I can go farther and it almost gives me the feeling of walking normal again. The problem I do have is that I can't wear it to drive so I can either wear it, then take it off to drive, and then put it back on when I get to my destination. The brace isn't hard to put on and off - its just a drag to do it.

With this change in my status, it has brought depression. I have always had depression but have handled it. This is just upsetting that the MS has reared its head again and I am having problems once again. Dad and I aren't talking too much about it. We are both aware. We are both upset about it but there isn't much we can do about it. He doesn't feel the shots I have had have done any good. I am still the same. I do have to agree. The last time this happened, I had to be on the steroid for three years before I came off of it. I wonder if I have to do it again or is there something else. Do I just have to accept and hope it goes back into remission soon? This is what I am dealing with and why my emotions are up and down. I can be short tempered and abrupt, unfocused, and not remembering things said. I guess you can see why the depression. Trying to stay in control of oneself takes a lot of effort.

I know when we have visited, I find myself by myself a lot. I am not sure if that is my fault but I apologize if I have given off any reason for you to stay away. I do find the grandchildren not being near me as much but with Dad. I also know I can't do as much either so that is hard. I really feel bad about that as we don't visit too often and I would like to spend time with everyone.

I don't mean to bring everyone down. I just wanted to give you an idea of what has been really going on since about April. It looks like it may continue to go for some time. So just please understand.

Dad has been flying quite a bit. Not real long trips but he has flown to San Francisco and Salt Lake City, Utah. We are still waiting on the decision on Denver. The VA Hospital is still up in the air as to who will be building it. The VA has been asking for more and more information from the contractors. The latest time frame is the end of June. This whole process started believe or not in January. Talk about patience.

The latest on Dad's retirement: January 1, 2013. He decided the date. He will be 62 at this point and he wants to stop. Stayed tuned to this one. He does say he is going to do it. Where are we going to land? That is the big question. Very undecided!

Well, I guess that is about all for now. I will probably be up the rest of the night. This is what happens with this drug. It gives you energy and keeps you awake. Take care everyone. Love to all.

On the Steroids Again1

2010-04-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

I am back on the monthly steroids (solumedrol, 1000 mgs) again but I am hoping it is just for a short course this time. I have been having some walking issues again. My legs just didn't want to work well for me after walking just a short time. The main problem was with my right foot and leg. When it fatigues, it causes what is called a "dropped foot". What this means is that it becomes more difficult for me to pick up my foot so that I clear things. This is why I can trip over the weirdest things like a piece of carpet or the floor. I really have to watch and concentrate to make sure my foot is lifted when I walk. I also start to walk slower and slower as my legs fatigue more and more. I tell you, MS is a real pain! (not literally for me)

I have an "AFO" (Artificial Foot Orthotic) or a brace for my foot. It keeps my foot in the upright position so I can walk fairly normal without the fatigue factor. The only problem I have with it is with driving. I can't use it when I do. So even with the steroid series, I will still need to use the brace. I am just hoping it won't be as often as I having to use it now.

The other side effect of this steroid (solumedrol)- it can cause one to have a lot of energy and not be able to sleep. So I could be in for a long night tonight.

Trips are starting up again

2010-03-04T10:28:00.000-08:00

The trips are starting again. We have a new location this time and it is to Salt Lake City Utah! There is a large data center needing to be built there and so the process begins. A trip to Washington, DC. next week. A trip to Utah the beginning of April. There will be a trip to St. Augustine, Florida the week after Utah in April and then a trip to Monterey California for an AGC function in May. There are other trips ahead for Utah and Washington DC as this major job gets underway. It will be about an $800-900 million dollar job. Clark will be working with another company in order to get it done.

I am going to try and go on some of these trips but I have to juggle my time around too. Sometimes it isn't worth the effort as it is only a day or two. I do not like being by myself but I have done it so many times over the years that I have been able to handle it.

We are trying to make changes to the front of the house by getting rid of some shrubs that have been in this one flower bed for ever and replace them with something new and fresh. Once everything is removed, it will be a large wall. Ideas are not forthcoming to us. We need to get someone to give us ideas so we don't put the wrong things into the ground. We also need to make sure the plants are drought and fire tolerate too. Either someone needs to come out or we need to go to a plant nursery. It is one of those to-do things as we have had rain every weekend. One of these days - look out - what a mess we will have. LOL

We also need to change our bedspread and window treatments. Michelle, I could use your talents. We talk about doing this but it is pretty much dumped in my lap with the phrase "but you are better at picking out this stuff than I am". Other words, just take care of it and I will enjoy the results.

Oh, I also have to tell you that we want to replace the carpet in the two bedrooms so we have to look for that too. I should say I need to track people down to do it. So, lets see, that makes three big projects for me - the carpet, the window treatments, and the plants. I really don't have anything else to do so why not... I love my husband and your father. Its a good thing we aren't on a timeline.

Update on Job and other stuff

2010-02-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

Well the presentation is over. Dad is on his way back to California. By the news reports, it sounds like he is getting out of Washington DC at the right time as a snow storm will be hitting on Friday. Dad thought their presentation was good but only time will tell if they succeeded. Clark should know something by April or May.

The whole time Dad was there, he was also dealing with a cold. A cold he started having before he left. Of course he didn't think he was and didn't take anything for it or anything with him. Surprise! He had to go buy some stuff to take to help with congestion and throat lozenges. He seemed to be sounding better the last I talked with him.

Now Dad was to fly back to Washington next week but the bid he had on Wednesday was to take place so he wasn't going. That has now changed once more. This bid has been moved. The question he has now is - should he fly to Washington to attend this meeting and then stay to see his sons or stay home a whole week? He has been wanting to see family but it just hasn't worked out on his trips. I think it will depend on how he is feeling when he returns. If he is not feeling well, I am voting for him to take that week to get better. Why run yourself down when you have an opportunity to regain some energy back. Dad has a long process on this next big job in Utah. There will be further opportunities to see family. This is my opinion and not Dad's.

We are getting rain storms Friday and Saturday. It won't be a tremendous amount, up to 3". Every little bit helps.

Our housing area is having a problem with two large coyotes. I haven't seen them but some people have. One neighbor has said that his dog has been stalked by them. They appear at dusk but have also been seen at night. Very scary when I think about taking Frankie out to do his business at night and wonder if they are out there watching. They would love to get their mouth around him as he is the right size. So I watch and try not to spend to much time outside at night. There are times when I have to convince Frankie to get his act together as he wants to sniff around. I guess he would know if something isn't right. He does scare me when he stops and just stares into the darkness. I am also looking but I don't see a thing. It just gives you the creeps.

By myself again

2010-02-01T11:44:00.000-08:00

Dad has left again for a trip to Washington DC. This is for the final phase of the Denver VA Hospital bid. His team will be presenting on Thursday before the VA Committee. The five contractors that have bid this job, have to do this same process. From the five, one will be selected based on their price and their presentation. A lot of pressure. Dad went early because they will practice and practice their presentation. They will fine tune it and make sure everyone has their part just so.

I could have gone with him but I didn't think it would have been very much fun for me. I would have sat in the hotel room and waited for him. I can do that here in California. I know it isn't the same as being with him but his head will be with that presentation so our conversations would have been limited. Afterwards, he will be exhausted. It takes a lot out of him. The stress is overwhelming.

He was to fly back to Washington next week, Feb. 8, 9, 10, but he also has a bid here in California on the the 10th. Unless it moves, Dad will be staying here that week. The meeting in Washington will be passed up. There will be others as this is on the large job in Utah (1 billion dollars).

I will be glad when Dad can stay home longer than 3 days. This has been going on since the first of the year. At least I was with him for the first couple of weeks. This has been the most he has flown in such a long time. He is good at what he does and the company knows it. I think he also has a few other people pulling for him to get the job too! :-)

A Sad Day

2009-12-23T17:28:00.000-08:00

It is a sad day today. We had to put Chester down. It was very hard to make this decision. We talked and talked but we felt it was the right thing to do. He was 15 years old or 74 years in human years. Chester was having problems with his kidneys but that was not the main problem at this time. He lost weight and was dehydrated. The vet was not sure what was going on and wanted to do all kinds of tests and x-rays to see if she could figure it out. One proposal of cost was near $600 just to find out what might be wrong. There was no guarantee they would know for sure. We were being told it could be cancer, or a digestive disease, or who knows what else. He was supposed to have ulcers in his stomach area and dental disease. He was sleeping most of the day and not active.

Dad took him to the vet, this afternoon, for the appointment. I stayed at home. I just couldn't do it again after Cali. It was hard for Dad too.

Chester lead a good life and was a good cat, ornery at times, but a good cat. He was also a big cat weighing as much as 17 pounds. We will miss him but we know he won't have to go through any pain now.

Change in Plans

2009-12-19T11:39:00.000-08:00

You didn't think that our plans were going to be cut and dry did you? Of course not! The bid that Dad was going to Denver to work on, has been postponed a week. It is still happening but just causes us to change flight arrangements. The problem that now exists is whether to continue to go to Denver a week ahead of time or cancel that first week and start the trip all over again. Have I confused everyone?

We originally were flying to Denver, December 28-January 6. Dad would then fly again on January 9 to be in Washington DC until January 13. OK, now he doesn't really need to be in Denver until January 4 with the bid going in on January 13. He then flies into Washington DC on January 16 with his presentation on the 21st.

We could continue with our original flight to Denver but it would mean for us to stay there for 2 1/2 weeks. We would be able to visit with Jenn and the kids, plus Uncle Alan and Aunt Bonnie but once Dad goes to work on the bid on January 4, what do I do? Especially for the next week and a half? I could fly back home early by myself. I could just stay there. I also could not go altogether and Dad changes his flight to January 4-13 and then to Washington DC from January 16-21.

So many options. Nothing is ever easy. We will keep you posted.

Did we say we didn't want to travel?

2009-12-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

We had every intention to stay around here for quite awhile with out doing any traveling. Well, that has gone by the way side. Dad and I will be flying to Denver on December 28 and be there until January 6. Dad is there for the VA Hospital bid. Most of those days he will be holed up with other estimators working on this bid and try to out due 4 other contractors.

The bid goes in on January 6 but there is also an interview process that Clark will have to go through too. This takes place in Washington DC. So, Dad will be flying to Washington on January 9 and have rehearsal with the team before they present themselves on the 12th. Dad will then leave on the 13th.

He wants to see Jon and Tony plus families on Sunday, January 10, as this will be the only day available to him to visit. He is concerned that this second trip may be too much for me as we would have just returned from Denver. Who know how I would feel? Do I go and visit one day and then spend 3 days in the hotel or stay at home and come and go as I want but miss Dad? I just wish we had more visiting time. Undecided because I want to see everybody. I also understand about not being able to do anything except watch TV or read magazines. It is OK for a while but could get real boring.

What to do, what to do!

Cat or a Dog

2009-12-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

OK, Chester always sleeps on top of the chair but now Frankie? Did Chester teach him or did Frankie just learn by himself? I sometimes lose Frankie in the colors of the chair. He blends so well. I have to laugh at these two. At least they aren't fighting with one another.

Children as Adults

2009-12-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

I have three grown children who have grown into wonderful adults. They have gone their own separate ways, ways that their parents have been surprised at their decisions. This makes the unique people that they are.

As parents, you still want the best for them. You have that desire to make any problem go away and make any hurt heal as fast as it can. A big hurt has happened over Thanksgiving that up to now is unresolved. We don't know the story except what has been told to us by the parties involved. Of course, each one has their take on the problem. Each one is hurt in some way. How do we help them?

We can't take sides. We know this is something that will get worked out but how long will this take? Has anyone taken the time to talk to one another in person and not by email or a blog? Are you so angry that you can't get past the hurt? Does anyone really know what has caused the hurt? Has it been something of a great crisis that it is unforgivable? Why don't you try and write a letter to each person and express your hurt? This has to be your hurt and not being accusing the other person of anything. For instance, "It hurt me when a decision was made without listening to my input." "I didn't understand why something was done." "Why can't you come to me to discuss something that you disagree with instead of shutting me out/off? I am hurt when this happens and I miss not being in touch."

After writing what you have to say, SIT down with one another, exchange the letters, read them and then discuss. No fighting! It just might surprise everyone how you feel about each other. Everyone has their own feelings and way of doing things. It is not always easy for people to get along. Just look at the wars we have. I know this is an extreme example but you should get my message. Right now, there is a small war going on between the 4 of you. Who is right, who will give a little, who wants peace, or how many causalities will it cause before it ends.

There is a brother that needs the other, if for no other reason than support. Work this out! It's Christmas... how can you go into this holiday with such a hate?

Local travel and stuff

2009-11-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

We are still having functions to attend, just local. One will be down in San Diego. This is an hour and a half away. Not a terrible drive but it will be at night and do we come back or stay overnight so Dad can drink his wine? We have a couple others next week and then we are already having them in December. One will be the Christmas Boat Parade, actually on one of the boats, which should be fun. I guess it is the season but I can't even remember when we had one whole week of being able to stay at home and not have to worry about going out to attend anything.

I shouldn't complain too much as it does get us out of the house doing things but we have been doing quite a bit lately. I have projects for the house that I want to focus on. PROJECTS FOR THE HOUSE - AGAIN! Well, yes and no. It isn't anything major. I just want to rework our second bedroom. Right now it is a "catch-all" and I hate it. I go in there and it is one of those projects where you don't see an end. The more you do, the more things show up. The room isn't a total wreck but I just want it to be more of a useful room. My ideas and Dad's so far aren't mixing well.

I have a new neurologist. He's specialty is MS. The doctor is actually in decent driving distance, as is the places I have to go for tests he orders. I will be having another MRI on Monday just to check on things. This one will be of my spinal column. I have never had an MRI of that area to check on areas of MS so it will interesting to see what it shows. The doctor did say my right leg is weaker than my left. He also said that I have foot drop with the right. What this means is that I don't pick up my foot and I have a tendency to trip, which my sneakers show by the scuff marks in the front of the shoe. So he recommended an AFO, which is a brace to be put into the shoe to help with lifting my foot. No big deal - just a "pain" to have them in my shoes. I have some other appointments for evaluations but that is it. I really like him and I am glad he is around as the area needed a doctor who dealt with MS.

We are so glad we got the tickets for Thanksgiving when we did as the prices for airline tickets now are absolutely ridiculous! The airlines complain that no one is flying but yet they are pricing themselves out of a person's wallet! By the time you buy your ticket, pay for all the extra stuff they add on, pay for the charge of having them take your luggage, then a rental car, hotel room, meals, etc., you can't afford to go anywhere. At least not "In Season". We will have to wait until after the rush to travel again on our "dime".

We are tired of traveling.... almost

2009-11-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

We really have had our fill of trips this Fall. Thank goodness for the calendar to keep it all straight. Our vacation to Asheville North Carolina was very nice. Dad really needed to decompress and he did that very well. We didn't do much (Tony you probably would have gone crazy) but that was OK. We weren't there to really sight see but to enjoy the change of color, look at some houses and the area, and just relax.

We did have a couple of sunny days but the rest were either rainy or overcast. We aren't used to seeing rain or hearing thunder. It was enjoyable. California has been in a drought for the last 3 years and continues. We are under water restrictions. We had umbrellas that we used sometimes but it never rained that hard that we couldn't just go to the car. We were not going to melt if we got wet and as Dad said, we could lose a few pounds so melt away. haha

We did find a house in North Carolina that looked promising but we haven't done anything yet. The views are fabulous and the house is fantastic. http://www.pattonpropertygroup.com/real_estate/listings/Leicester/441112/176/83249?lid=203&sid=9786&RedirectURL=/realestate/search/9786%2F10%2F10%2F10%2F%3F

Take a look at that website and you will see better pictures than what I had taken but here the ones we did take.

The pictures were taken from the back of the house. This last picture shows our realtor but we were just taking a picture of the colorful trees.

The problem was the stairs. They were wide enough and easy enough for me to go up and down but just doing it for a few times and my legs started to give me problems. We could install a lift for the stair but Dad is undecided about that one. He is thinking he wants everything on one level. So no house purchase yet.

Our last business trip was to Indio California which is near Palm Springs. Dad is no longer with the State AGC so we won't have to be making the twice yearly trips, so at least we can cross off two business trips, I hope.

Our next big trip is back east to see all of you. We are so looking forward to Thanksgiving and having everyone together for the first time in such a long time. What a special time this will be for Dad and I!

Pet's aren't children, are they?

2009-08-22T18:07:00.000-07:00

We just went out this afternoon and bought 4 outfits for Frankie. I guess you would call them tops. One is a sweater, one is a heavier coat/shirt with a hood, one has a cross on the back that makes it look like he is a knight, and the other one has his sign of Aquarius. They are warm we hope. Now I need to tell you that I did not do the picking of these outfits. Dad did! It is his dog after all. We knew we needed to get something for him when we go back east when it is a little cooler. It can be a little cool here, where we live, sometimes. Frankie has felt the cold already even though it hasn't been that cold. I can't even think what he is going to be like when we travel in November. The problem with Frankie is that he doesn't have an undercoat like most dogs. If we decide to move back east when Dad retires, I guess he will be indoors a lot.

Frankie felt his first rain drops today. He just wasn't sure what was happening to him or why. Dad said it was pretty funny watching him because he was trying to bite the raindrop. The problem we had with him later was with him being so cautious about going outside again. He didn't want to be attacked again by those "raindrops."

I am more of the 'pack' leader than Dad. Dad just doesn't like to discipline Frankie. I try teaching him during the day and then Dad does the opposite at night. Dad will wrestle with him and then wonder why he doesn't stop the biting. I just told Dad to tell Frankie to stop. I do and Frankie listens -- at least most of the time. There are times when I feel like I have children around me all the time again. Chester, Frankie, and Dad. At least it keeps things interesting, maybe frustrating at times, but interesting.

Our new member to the family

2009-06-06T17:49:00.000-07:00

We have a new member to the family. No we have not gotten a dog, though we would like too. I am just not in the dog walking position right now. No, we have something different. We have a full size card board cutout of John Wayne.

I know you have to be asking, "Why?" We just say, "Why not!". It was being sold at the community garage sale we did the end of May and no one bought him. We were putting items, that were not purchased, into boxes and bags to give to Goodwill, when Dad came upon John Wayne. He just couldn't part with it. So we brought it home and it now sits in our foyer.

He will remain there forever I guess. I know he has been asked for for an upcoming bar-be-que in the fall. I guess we could sell "Have your Picture Taken With The Star" or we will just have him standing in our foyer keeping watch. He does startle you if you are not aware that he is there. Yes, we do live in California.

I have a new "toy"

2009-04-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

We went out yesterday to take a look at a SEGWAY. I have been having trouble walking any distance and instead of using a wheelchair, we wanted to find something else. The SEGWAY has been used by a couple of people here who have MS and they say it is the greatest thing to have. In fact, they have been trying to get it to be recognized as another device to be used for the disabled. Well, Dad was having one of those "work" days (he played golf) and was home early so we went to see them and to take a ride.

Now this adventure was for me and to see if I could handle it. I was a little nervous but Jim (the owner of the store) put me at ease. He was very helpful and watched out for everything. I also wasn't doing any dare devil stuff either. I have to say I was very impressed. It is so easy to maneuver. I have to still get use to getting on and off but it is coming along. I will be using it for the MS Walk next week. I was hoping to actually walk the route but we had gone for a short walk this past weekend and my legs just gave out on me. When my legs start going, my right foot will start catching the pavement. I can't seem to pick the foot up. When I really focus on doing that, picking my foot up, then I am putting the foot down almost like a slap. This also causes me to walk slower and slower. It isn't caused so much by heat as fatigue. You might be thinking, "well walk more and you will get stronger". It doesn't work that way. This is a different fatigue than just being tired. I can rest my legs for about an hour and then I can walk again with very little problem. There might be still a little but not as much as there was when I had to stop. Soooooo we bought a new SEGWAY yesterday and have already brought it home.

We are keeping it in our second bedroom. This bedroom right now has become our "catch all" for things. We have many ideas but haven't followed through on anything yet for this room. Back to the SEGWAY - we have ramps for the SUV so we can put it into the back of the truck. If we wanted to put an attachment to the back of the truck we can and then put the SEGWAY on that way. Right now, it fits just fine in the back. It is Sage in color. It moves by your movement. It is different than the older ones. It has two speeds - turtle and regular. I am in turtle right now to learn it. Even in turtle it goes 6 mph. Regular goes 12.5 mph. The slower speed is fast enough.

The other exciting thing we had happened. Dad won a 19" LCD HDTV at one of his golf outings. We have it now in our bedroom and will be getting rid of our other TV. We wanted to do this anyway and get a LCD Flat Screen and this just happened to fall in our laps. It is small but we don't watch TV a lot in the bedroom so it is just fine.

So that is our exciting news. I wish everyone was around to see the SEGWAY but I will post pictures. Now I just have to figure everything out...

It's Spring

2009-04-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

It's spring and the weather is wonderful around here. The birds are out singing and the wild flowers are in bloom. The sail boats are out on the water. It's just a wonderful day to be in Southern California.

Do you remember a while back when I had mentioned we had termites? We had thought we had taken care of them but they came back. We saw signs of them in the house this time and I called a couple of companies to give me an estimate on what could be done to get rid of them. Well, I got all kinds of answers. One wanted to drill in the stucco many tiny holes all over the outside walls and shoot in a foam that would kill the termites. The company would fill in the hole but we would be responsible to repaint.

The second company came and said No that is not the way to go. If you have insulation in your walls then the foam will be blocked and it won't work in killing the termites. We really don't have insulation but onto what they wanted to do. It was suggested that we had two options. The first we could tent the house but that would be hard as we have a duplex. We would have to get the other owner to also agree to tent their house and be out for three days and two nights. Tenting would also cause plant damage. Anything up against the house has to be pulled away from the wall before they could tent. We would either have to find a place that took pets where we could stay for the three days or board Chester. So now we are not only paying for the tenting but having to pay for a hotel and/or boarding of Chester. Even with this being done, we can't get a guarantee as termites could come right back and infest all over again as soon as everything was done..

The second option from this company was to drill and put in a different chemical and fix some of the termite damage by filling in the wood damage. They can't guarantee they are going to kill all the termites we may have but just the ones that the chemical touches. It is guaranteed for a year. We are going with this one as it is cheaper than the tenting and we don't have to leave.

Dad did not get the big job he had been working so hard on for several weeks. He has moved onto another project. It does take its toll on a person to be under so much stress and then not to have a positive outcome. It is the times we are living in now. Competition is harder as companies are looking for work to keep their employees working.

At the end of the month, I will be starting to train for Emergency Preparedness for the City of Laguna Niguel. I would be considered a First Responder if we should have a disaster. I am not sure what it will all involve but I will be certified in First Aid and CPR, use of Fire Extinguisher, and evacuation. No, I am not to yell "Everybody out" like from the Kindergarten Cop...
It should be interesting and maybe then I can convince Dad to prepare for an earthquake. We have had quite a few earthquakes going on around us and the "powers to be" are concerned that they all might be leading up a major quake. I have already been told to make sure I have enough water for us. One gallon per person per day for 7 days equals to 14 gallons of just water! Then I need to get food set aside along with my medications. Of course, we also need to make sure Chester is taken care of too with his needs. Dad doesn't think we will need these preparations. His point being that we haven't had a quake the whole time we have been here; we did have one a few months ago that I felt that had happened around Los Angles. This just makes life interesting.

The ring has been found

2009-03-11T17:19:00.000-07:00

The wedding ring has been found. It was at the bottom of my purse. What makes this so weird is that it was a purse I wasn't even using the night the ring went missing. I came across the ring when I was looking for something else in my regular purse today. It was one of those moments that you wonder - how in the world? - but it was there.

I did feel relief that it was found. I just wonder how did it get into a purse I didn't even use. What a mystery!

I don't think I told you but I received diamond earrings for Valentine's day. It was a surprise to say the least. I worry every time I wear them that I don't loose them; that the backing doesn't come off. I constantly am checking to make sure they are on tight. My ears are sore after wearing them as I have pushed the backing and earring together constantly. At least I know they are there.

A cold has finally gotten one of us. It isn't me. Dad has been dealing with one for the last few days. He isn't doing too bad. He is tired, congested, appetite is off, and just wanting the cold to be done. Basically the same things everyone else has dealt with for some time. We have done pretty well to have gone this far without getting sick. We didn't even get sick when we visited at Christmas. We think it was from all the hand shaking that Dad does.

Missing wedding ring

2009-02-28T11:38:00.000-08:00

Dad came home from work on Friday and asked if I wanted to go out to dinner. I said sure but I had to change first. Off I went to the bedroom and changed clothes and put on my jewelry. If you have ever noticed me, I wear a diamond ring on my ring finger and my wedding band on my little finger. I do this because the wedding band sometimes fits my finger until it gets too warm and my fingers swell.

So I was dressed and off we went to the restaurant. We had a nice meal and then returned home. We didn't go anywhere else. So between the house and restaurant, I lost the ring. I have searched all over the place and can't find it anywhere.

I do have the other one but we can't figure out how the wedding ring came off my finger. I am upset that it has happened. This is my second band. Dad lost his original one when we were planting bushes in front of our house in Darnestown. Somewhere in that ground is a man's white gold wedding band! After much discussion, we picked out new wedding bands. I still have my original one but it won't even come close to the gold band we had the second time.

I keep hearing, "Don't worry, it will turn up" but it still bothers me that I don't have a ring on my finger. I feel naked without one. The search continues. Maybe we should think about getting another wedding band so Murphy's law will kick in. Once you buy something, the other one will show up.

What a bummer of a day this has turned out to be!

It's Raining It's Snowing

2009-02-07T10:34:00.000-08:00

It's raining where we are but it's snowing big time in the mountains. We can see the mountains and they are beautiful. So white and very covered. It has been raining for us for the last 2 days. This makes day 3. It is very unusual for California but we need the rain. We are very dry.

The problem with all the rain is that it causes mud slides in the burn areas. We are fine and don't have to deal with it but you see the pictures on the news of the people trying to get out of their neighborhoods because they are blocked because of the mud. Very sad but they don't want to live anywhere else.

The rain should be ending by tomorrow. At least it is making things a little green again.

We are thinking about a dog again. We actually found one that is very cute (most are), he is 3 months, potty trained, and is a cross between a poodle and ? This is the unknown and we can't get the owners of the dog to give us any information. I have asked if the dog is current on shots and no response. He looks like a cross of a golden retriever and a poodle, if indeed he is a cross of a poodle. We haven't actually seen it in person yet. We are questioning whether we should pursue it. The questions we have is why are they not giving us the answers to our questions. If they don't know about the cross then they can just say we aren't sure. The shots they should be aware of unless they are helping someone to get rid of the dog, in which case they can just state that too. Our other issue is, is this the right time for us to be getting a dog. We are busy and can be gone for several hours sometimes. We also travel. We know about the traveling and we are prepared to put the dog in a kennel to be watched but I guess the big decision is mine. Am I up for the work involved? This is the quandary that I have been thinking about for the last few days.

What to do, what to do?????

AGC Function

2009-02-01T17:55:00.000-08:00

Dad had an AGC (Associated General Contractors) function this week that was local. It was in Newport Beach. Newport is about 20-30 minutes from where we live. He is on the Executive Committee of the State AGC. He is the Chairman of the Building Division. Now because he is on the Executive Committee, we now go to these functions a little more as he has a meeting before the main meeting the next day. This is what took place this past week. He went to the Executive Committee meeting on Thursday and they then met for dinner that night. Dad was able to come home to pick me up and then we drove to the restaurant to meet up with the rest of the group. We arrived before they did as the group was coming by shuttle bus from the hotel.

The restaurant was one we never had gone before. They had live music playing as we were waiting and it was nice to listen too. Because of the size of the group, we had a separate room. We also had one waitress that took care of us and she did an excellent job. Dad and I had lamb for the first time based on the waitress' recommendation. She told us that the chef was a 5 star chef and he was very consistent in his dishes. His lamb was from New Zealand and he had a way of making it very tender and did not have any gamy taste to it at all. The table we were sitting at pretty much all ordered lamb too. This was based on her recommendation and she was not wrong. It was so tender and so delicious. The meal was 4 courses. We started with a salad, then we were given a crab cake. I don't usually eat crab as it usually disagrees with me but I tried it and it was very good. No problems. We then had our choice of the lamb, fillet Mignon, or swordfish for the main dish. After this, we had dessert. A lot of food. We didn't have to pay for it as it was part of the AGC function.

The next day, Dad did not have to go to the hotel for his next meeting until 1:00. We decided to spend the night at the hotel so after I got back from my physical therapy, we packed up and left. Chester was going to be fine for one night as we would be back the next day. We checked into the room and it was very nice. The hotel was located across the street from Fashion Island. Fashion Island is a large area that has many high end shops of all types. As we had time for lunch before his meeting we went down to the restaurant of the hotel. We each had a cup of soup and a half of a Caesar salad. Cost $50 It is a good thing it was a business expense. We definitely would not be eating there!

Dinner that night was very simple compared to the night before. Dad and the rest of the Executive Committee was recognized twice. Dad was not expecting this part to happen but it was nice that it did. If he wants to continue to be President of the AGC for a year, he would need to be the Treasurer next year and then V.P. and then President. So it will be at least 3 years down the road.

We stayed overnight instead of going home as we had another function to go to on Saturday. So with Saturday morning, we needed to get breakfast. Down we went to the restaurant. I ordered oatmeal, cranberry juice, and hot tea. Dad ordered a ham and cheese sandwich with a poached egg on top, and orange juice. Drum roll please - cost $50. We could not believe it. It was a good thing that Clark was paying his business expenses.

Going Out to Dinner

2009-01-10T14:20:00.000-08:00

We went out to dinner last night. We had 2 gift cards to Ruth Chris, a steak restaurant. It is on the higher end as far as price goes. We had made reservations for 5:45. We arrived and was taken to our table. Our waitress took very good care of us. She would leave us alone if we needed to be or was there to answer any questions we may have had. We each had an appetizer (mine was onion soup, his scallops). We each ordered a glass of wine. We both ordered a petite filet (mine was 6 oz, his was 8 oz with a blue cheese crust), a lobster tail, sautéed spinach. and mashed sweet potato with pecan topping (this was very yummy. It was almost like a dessert). We also had bread. The two side items were large enough to share.

So have I made you hungry? It was a great meal. We weren't rushed and had all the time we needed. We didn't order dessert as we were both very full. Now we asked for the check. Can you guess how much the dinner cost? I can tell you that the dinner for two people in California, at a high end restaurant, cost more than when we took everyone out to eat. Thank goodness for a gift card or in this case gift cards. This fabulous dinner cost us $200. Yes, you saw it right. Just for two people! We don't usually go to this restaurant unless we have a gift card. The food is good, the place is nice, but we can't afford it all the time. As Dad said to me, "it's not Middletown, Maryland".

The second box is ready to go out. We tried the post office today but it was so packed with people. Why? We don't know. I will take it during the week when it is less crowded. It will take a week anyway to get across and there is not urgent need.

We are having the Santa Ana Winds this weekend. It is bringing in the warm air and high winds. Winds in some areas can go as high as 80 mph. Not around us but around the mountains and canyons. We think the winds are about the 50 mph range at times around us. We just have to watch that we don't loose anything outside.

Our last bit of news is this: We are officially finished with the remodeling! We purchased the mirrors for our bathroom today and hung them up. They look good. We put up a tension rod and a sheer curtain over the kitchen window. Everything looks good and we are quite pleased. We will send you a picture, when we can, to show you how it looks. It is nice to be able to enjoy it finally.

One box has left the building

2009-01-08T15:02:00.001-08:00

One box has been mailed. It is a large one as that was all we had available. When I took it to the post office, I was asked if I had a box smaller as they charge for the size, weight, and destination. I told him no, that this was it. The post office also has a limit on size but I made it. It seemed like he was doing everything possible not to send this box. The questions he asked me when he was getting around to the postage - "you don't want to send it 2 or 3 day delivery!?" You want to send it the longest so it is cheaper.

I think he was trying to help me out with the cost but I can make up my own mind about how much I want to spend. Just tell me the possibilities and let me tell you what I want to do. The box was sent today. Michelle and Jon, you should get it. in about a week. I didn't think there was a big hurry. It will give you something to look forward too.

Now the second box... I have not finished it yet. I am getting the pictures together. I have only found ones of the cub scouts, flag football, and a play when we was Abe Lincoln. I can't find a single picture of Tony doing wrestling. I have his award for it but no picture. I am going to continue to look as you will be gone for a little while. Of course, I have others of Tony but that will be later. He was so cute as a baby - I will also get a picture of your grandfather (Dad's dad) to send to you. If anyone else is interested in having a picture, let us know.

GO GATORS!!

Closer to the mail

2009-01-06T13:50:00.000-08:00

I have wrapped everything finally. I even have found boxes - yeah! The next step will be to address them and then take them to the post office. Michelle and Jon, your box is large but only because that is what I had and a couple of the gifts required some room. Hmmm, I wonder what it could be....

Tony and Abby, your box is not large. I just have to find some paper to wrap it and out it goes.

I am trying to remember everything that needs to go in it as well as anything I might want to send while I have the chance. I am sure I will remember I forgot something when that last bit of tape has been applied.

Oh, I just remembered! I was going to send pictures of Tony's cub scouts pinewood derby! I have to find those... good thing I haven't sealed the box.

Changes Around the House

2009-01-05T11:26:00.000-08:00

We have had some luck in locating a gift card that we had thought was taken. It was worth $500 so it was one that was very much wanted. It was located under some papers on our dresser. I just happened to sort through things and there it was - the gift card that caused such upset. It was a relief. It is still a shame that we could not find the other gift cards or the gifts. It is on that person's conscience. They must have really needed the gifts for their Christmas.

We cancelled the cleaning service, as I told you before, but we decided to change the house locks. I am waiting for the locksmith to arrive today to do just that for us. It is not a big deal to do it but it does take time away from your day because you have to wait for someone to show up.

We have been successful in replacing Jennifer's missing gifts. They aren't exactly like the ones she choose but we have taken pictures and sent them to her for her approval. They will be on their way to everyone as soon as we wrap and box them up.

We are enjoying our remodeling now that we are staying put for a while. We still have things to put away in the kitchen but it is looking pretty good. We have been trying to figure out what to do with our bedroom and the second bedroom. Our bedroom has been feeling crowded so we may get rid of or move the unit that has our TV on it at the present time. Dad has been wanting to get a flat screen TV for our room and this will give him a reason to do so. He will also be building one of his bookcases in the second bedroom. We will take the whole wall that the chest of drawers and bookcase are on now.

Tony and Abby have been talking about visiting us sometime in the summer if they are able. We have a queen size air mattress right now and thought we could get bunk beds for Gabe and Sophia. This will work for the space we think. We will work it out if the trip should occur.

It is chilly for California. We were in the 40's this morning with a high of about 60. It will be that way for most of the week until about Sunday when it should be about 75. That is more like it!

We are getting back into routine. I have started back with the physical therapy for the achilles tendon. I am starting on strengthening the tendon. Did I tell you that I fell in the hotel when we were checking out? Dad was putting the bags in the car and told me to wait and stay warm inside. I went to sit down and I stumbled and fell. I hit the coffee table with my stomach and landed on my knees, so I didn't hurt anything. I was afraid that I might have hurt the tendon but everything is OK. My stomach muscles hurt for a few days but I was glad that I did not damage the foot. This whole process has been going on since April 2008. I hope it will be over soon.

As far as the fall, it was a toe drag. The foot did not pick up completely. I just joked with Dad and said there was a bump in the carpet that made me stumble. It also was the cold. My legs don't do well with it. They get a heavy feeling and I start walking slower. It is one of those things I have to deal with from time to time. The heat can do the same thing to me. There isn't a perfect condition for me.

Well, I guess it is back to the house and finding new homes for our stuff.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

It is January 2, 2009 and we have already a problem. Do you remember how we had forgotten the gifts from Jennifer and the Christmas cards? Do you also remember how we said we would send them as soon as we got back? Well, it is going to take a little longer to mail as the gifts are not here.

We had a cleaning service come in while we were gone to do a construction cleaning on the house as well as have the carpets cleaned. Whether it was the crew that cleaned or the person that did the carpets, things left the house. The bag of gifts and the ornaments, along with the cards, disappeared. We are also missing a couple of gift cards that Dad had received from subcontractors for Christmas. All in total a few hundred dollars.

We called the cleaning service and of course they said their crew did not do anything. The problem with that statement is that they were the only ones in the house while we were gone. We did have the cat sitter but we have used this person a lot longer than this service. We didn't even think she did anything. We will have the locks changed on Monday. We have cancelled the service. We are so disappointed that someone would do this.

We have already told Jennifer about the problem and promised her that her gifts will be replaced by us. So bear with us while we find what she had picked out, wrap it, and get it into the mail. You will just have Christmas Part II at a some date to come.

The remodeling is finished

2008-12-15T08:16:00.000-08:00

The house is finished. I had a project supervisor show up last Thursday asking if anyone was at the house or if the house was finished. I answered no to both questions. He asked to come in to find out what needed to be done. We went over the things which wasn't a lot but would take a day. We then shared our frustrations about the company with one another. Apparently he was hired in March and wasn't being used to his capacity. He was given jobs after they had been started to finish up or if he started them, the work outline would be changed by the boss. So it was frustration from both ends.

This guy did follow through for us though. He sent guys out on Friday last week and by the end of the day, I could write a check to complete the job finally. HURRAY!!!

We are getting ready to fly back east. We are having a major winter storm happening with a lot of rain and wind. (Hey, its California) So far, the flight is on time. I also need to get a prescription refilled but I need a doctor's renewal on it so I have to hope that comes through and he is not on vacation. I will then have to go the pharmacy to get it before we leave for the airport. Just a little more stress! If not, then I will have to call the doctor after arriving back east to get the prescription at the local pharmacy. No worries, it will all get done.

I guess it is that time to get the last minute things done. See everyone soon.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T10:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. The day started out rainy and foggy. The skies are still threatening but have stopped raining. We are able to make dinner today. I wasn't sure we were going to make it but they connected up the important items. The only thing we don't have working is the microwave. The guy told us he would be back on Friday to complete the installation on this item.

We still have a long list of items still needing to be done to be completely finished. It will look great and we are pleased so far with what we are seeing but we are so tired of having these people here and the continual dust! We open a drawer and it is covered with something - dust, dirt, trash, etc., that we have to move away before putting anything away. It will get there but not fast enough for us.

Jennifer, Noah, and Madilynn made it from Denver safe and sound. The kids had a fun time on the plane. Apparently Noah was very excited about coming to see Grandpa and Grandma and spending the night. They also liked Chester, though Chester is not to sure about the noise and commotion. He wants to hide and stay hidden.

We had rented toddler beds from a company I found on the Internet called Travelbabies. They came and set up the beds, made them up and they are so cute. Noah had trucks on his blanket and sheets and Madilynn had a lady bug. We have toys for them and all kinds of food. They are happy and having a good time playing with us.

Have a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving.

We had work on Saturday

2008-11-23T15:11:00.000-08:00

We had quite a crew here on Saturday who actually worked. One of the guys usually slacked off whenever he was here with just one other guy, by being on the phone, looking at the view, talking, etc. Saturday was a different matter. He had a supervisor that made him work for once. The guys were here also until 5-5:30. Usually they have left by 4:00 after arriving by 10-10:30 and taking an hour lunch.

Our washer and dryer were hooked up. The double oven was put into place. Our drawers for the pantry were installed and shelves were put into other cabinets. We just don't have doors yet on the pantry. The master bathroom now has a new toilet. The tile around the bathtub was finished and they put up our curtain rod. It is one of those curved ones so it gives you a little extra room while taking a shower. We think they stepped on the edge of the tile around the tub because one of the tiles has been broken. They will have to replace it. How long this will take... is anyone's guess. I hope it will be quick as the tile has to be sealed before we can use it. We need the tub so Noah and Madilynn can take their baths, as well as, so we can shower.

The second bathroom's floor was torn up and the new floor was started to be put down. It is close to being finished but they will have to grout it and put back the toilet.

Ah, the countertops. Well, after being told they had to find the granite and then now it is being fabricated, we are supposed to have them on Tuesday or Wednesday. We aren't holding our breath. We really hope that will be the case, that we get the countertops. Ed, the owner, was here on Saturday to check on the job but I knew why he was really here. He wanted money. He did prove me right. Our next payment to the company is not until the countertops are in place. He wanted half of this next payment. It was a good thing that Dad was here to handle this situation. I heard it and I could not believe this guy was even asking for money. He missed the completion date, never returned our calls, and basically put us in a real bind.

I will be here on Monday when hopefully we will continue to have workmen here to finish. He may deliver the bathroom countertop and ask me for half the money. We have already agreed with each other that it's not going to happen until all the countertops are finished. I am just going to tell him I don't have the checkbook to pay him. He has to wait. This is our only leverage with this guy. We both think he has some money flow problems. We think this was why he asked us to buy supplies that he should have supplied. He just didn't realize that if he had treated us better than maybe we would cut him some slack but not now.

So we will continue to prepare for Thanksgiving but it will definitely be a differently one for us. We will probably go with a carry out of a Thanksgiving dinner. Right now I don't have a stove top. I could cook a turkey but no sides. It won't be so bad. Just need to make due with what I can.

It's Friday and the Remodeling is not even close to being finished

2008-11-21T16:26:00.000-08:00

It's Friday. So what has happened today. The countertops for the kitchen have not been done. They went to get the granite after asking us where the granite was as they forgot they had sent us to their stone place. Guess what - our granite is no longer available there. They had to go and find it somewhere else. The word is they found some but do we take their word? It won't be ready until about Tuesday or maybe Wednesday. When does Jennifer and family arrive? Wednesday! Hmmm, do we have a small problem.

How about finishing the cabinets - putting in the drawers, drawers, shelves? How about putting my double oven in and getting it working? How about completing the pantry so I can at least put my stuff away? Oh, we will do that when we bring the countertops. Why can't someone do it now! I told Ed that he will have a problem with the stove top as a drawer will be in its way when you try to put it back. He was surprised. Oh, did I tell you that it took several days of phone calls and emails before we even talked with this man. Even so, he doesn't like to stay on the phone. He just thinks what ever he says will be acceptable.

We have the tile on now and the window in the bathroom. The wall has had some concrete put on it but the stucco is not complete. We can deal with that. We just don't have faucets, or a shower head, or sinks, or light fixtures in the master bathroom. We have the physical items but they just haven't been put on. The floor in the 2nd bathroom is supposed to be taken up once we get the new toilet put in the master. You know what's funny, I told the guys here tonight before they left that I guess they will be back so they can put on the new toilet and take up the old floor so the new floor can be put down, etc. They basically said "not my job". So, who will come tomorrow?

I have already cried and I am sure there will be many more times. My excitement for this new project has died. It is taking all I can do just to get through each day knowing that it is not finished and wondering how we are going to have Jennifer and the kids here without them getting hurt.

I know we still have a couple of days but at the rate that they work, its not going to happen. We are stuck. I guess I can write "What not to do with a remodeling project". I have no clue when the end will be. I'm sorry Jenn.

Someone is here today!

2008-11-20T13:28:00.000-08:00

We actually have someone here today. They put in the window in the master bathroom and have been working on the stucco. I think they may actually work on the tile too. No one else showed up to do any other work.

Yesterday we had been called because they had forgotten where our granite was for our kitchen countertops. Umm, it is at the stone place you had sent us to in order to pick it out.... This means our countertops for the kitchen are not done and I don't know how long it will take them before they are ready to install.

This also means that I can put anything away yet in the cabinets because there is liable to be a mess when they install the tops. We were told to hold off putting anything in from the cabinet people. It is like a domino effect. One issue is compounded upon the other issue.

I am still hoping for this job to be finished before Jennifer and the kids arrive. What a very busy time for us to get things cleaned and put away. I just hope we will have that time.

Another Day and No Workmen

2008-11-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

Another day and still no work is going on. The reason behind this - they are waiting on the remainder of the tile needed for the master bathroom bathtub area. Once I have that, then they will come back and do everything that needs to be done. This includes finishing the cabinets with the doors and drawers, putting on the countertops, putting in the window, finishing the floor, and all the other little things. Oh, and putting back the appliances too. Gee, what a flurry of activity that will be when it happens.

I didn't find this business out that they are waiting on this tile until today after I wrote another email to Ed, the owner of the company last night. I still never received a phone call or an email from him or anyone else. I made my usual phone call when no one showed up by 10:00 this morning.

So now I sit and wait for a phone call from the tile company letting me know my tile has arrived and I can go and pick it up. I can then call the contractor and let them know I have the tile and then they can can schedule workmen. I did find out that our countertops are being fabricated at this moment.

I just hope that things will go back together without any problems. I just don't understand waiting until the last minute in doing everything at the same time. I guess I will need to trust that things will.

Come on phone RING! Let's get this show on the road! (Just a little stressed and frustrated right now -- NO, a lot stressed and frustrated!!!)

It is down to the wire

2008-11-17T10:27:00.000-08:00

This is supposed to be the last week for the remodeling. We aren't even close to being finished. We don't have workmen here yet today, we didn't have anyone on Saturday either. No one knows when anyone will show up or who will show up. Ed, the boss, showed up on Saturday at 4:00 in the afternoon, wanting to look the job over. We weren't home. He said he will be by on Monday. All he has to do is read the emails I send.

I am so frustrated that work is not being done and the crunch is on big time! Thanksgiving is next week! My house is a wreck. Jennifer and the kids will be here. I have to plan for trips and for holidays. You take the word of people and believe. Will this come together? I hope so.

We have done all we can to make it happen. We have all the supplies they need. We are trying to be patient which I am loosing very quickly. A half day has gone.

Come on people!! Hold up your end of the bargain!

The new floor is almost down

2008-11-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

We have had workmen here for the last couple of days working on putting the tile floor down. It really has made a big difference in what it was before. It is a shame though that nothing else is being worked on. OH, I take that back, the door bell was fixed and moved to the other side of the wall.

They put the floor down in the laundry room except they were supposed to take up the washer and dryer, fill in the well they were sitting in with concrete and tile over the whole area. They really did a nice job putting tile around the W/D but that isn't what it is supposed to be. I just wish someone would oversee this project besides me. Now I need to send another email over to the contractor and inform him that a mistake has once again been made and needs to be corrected.

We haven't heard anything more about the window for the bathroom. We are expecting Santa Ana winds again by the end of the week which means heat. It will be difficult to air condition a house if one of your rooms is open. I don't like throwing money away. Hopefully it will come in this week. I guess I can add that onto my email - Where is the window?

It looks like things are getting close to finishing but it would go faster if someone would just work! We would not have started this project if they could not finish before Thanksgiving. They seem to be cutting it close by what we see. I just want to tell them to get their act in gear and finish. I am tired of being stuck in the house waiting. We are also tired of eating out everyday. I am trying to stay patient. I have things to do for Thanksgiving and I hate waiting to the last minute.

I know it will get done. I just have to keep saying that -- it will get done.

We hit a slow down

2008-11-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

We haven't had anyone working on the remodeling for the last two days. It has been very frustrating to find out why. I finally had the owner out to the house yesterday to see what color we wanted the cabinets. We had told them when they were brought to the house they were too light. Instead of doing anything to darken them, they went ahead and installed them saying they would darken them in place. When I showed the owner what we wanted, which was a lot darker than what we had, he almost choked. He was expecting a little darkening not a lot. He said he would have to strip the color all the way down and start again. At this point, I just wanted to get this project going again so I asked what he was thinking. We did agree on a darker color but not as dark as I had wanted. I wonder if they had delayed the project for this reason, so I would not make a big change.

The next big surprise to us was the tile for the bath and the back splash for the kitchen. We had picked it out when we picked the flooring. They had told us that we just needed to tell them what we chose and they would order. THEY NEVER DID! We were asked yesterday to go buy the tile and they would reimburse us using the allowance they were going to charge us. If we had known this, we would have bought everything when we found it. As it is, the tile we want is no longer in stock and it will take over a week to get now. We don't have that time. We have to go out and find something else and it has to be in stock that we can get right away. Anger doesn't even begin to be one of our emotions right now. We are worrying about this project being finished at all. Is this company now having money problems? Will everything get done? Will we have to hire someone else to finish? I really hope not. I am trying to keep things together and my other half calm. You just can't vent and I need that right now. Just keep good thoughts that this remodeling project finishes on time.

update on Cabinets

2008-11-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

We never received a call back today. The guys delivering even tried and never received a call. They went ahead and set most of the kitchen cabinets in place but not attached. Now the problems: One cabinet was made too long but this was due to a change in the size of a doorway. We had our kitchen doorway enlarged so that threw off the other measurements which never trickled down. They took it back to have it cut down. Second: The color is wrong. They talked about coming here to change the color which will cause some strong order by the lacquer. They want to do it in the kitchen, which Dad said No because it would really bother me. They asked about outside on the lawn, I am not sure how the HOA will handle that one. We shall see what will happen there. Third: The plumbing for the kitchen sink is not close to where the cabinet sits so that will have to be moved over. Fourth: the exhaust for the stove is off so that will have to be moved too. Fifth: They put the electrical connection for the double oven on the wrong side. They put it behind the new pantry. Hmm, I think that will need to be moved.

Remember, my comment about Murphy's Law... it is happening big time. They had cabinets for the master bathroom and it isn't even ready yet for cabinets. They just started finishing the walls today. That will be at least two days away from being finished and ready for cabinets. After all, the bathtub just went in yesterday.

Just some Oops!

Cabinets have been delivered

2008-11-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

The cabinets were delivered today and they are the wrong color! We based the whole color scheme on a dark brown color for the cabinets. Everything was coordinating. It was going to look good. The cabinets show up a light color - uh, no!

Now Dad thought it was the color we had chosen. I started to believe it until I went to lunch. I left to have some time away from the house and the more I sat and thought about things, the more I started shaking my head. (People were looking at me a little concerned). I knew it was wrong. I remembered that we were handed a cabinet door painted in the color of Honey. I liked the look of it and we found a granite that would go well with the color. We then found a floor tile that would stand out against the dark colors. We moved onto a back splash and found an expensive one but one that would look real sharp. Now we have a big mess. Nothing works.

I had Dad call the contractor as I was at lunch and did not have the number. Besides, he said he could handle things, so he needed to make a call. Seems fair. He called and left a message for the owner. We haven't heard anything yet. I know it will mean that the cabinets will have to be repainted. They will have to be picked up from the house as they haven't been installed yet. What time delay will this cause, I don't know. I hope not a big delay. We are paying for this remodel and we need to have it the way we want it. If we don't, I can see myself not liking anything about it.

It may be holding things up for awhile but that is the way it goes. I am very stubborn when I want things my way. I guess they will see that side very soon when I fight for what I want. Hey, this job couldn't have gone perfect anyway. It's not Murphy's Law!

Kitchen has been painted

2008-10-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

The kitchen has been painted and the room is starting to look finished. The next step is the cabinets. I am not sure when that will happen.

We finally received the drain for the bathtub yesterday too. Now the workmen can proceed on installing the tub. You remember how the kitchen looked so messed up when they were working on it, well, with the bathroom being so small, it really looks bad right now. They have to dig up the old drain and move it over for the bathtub so there is digging and dirt. Wiring is going on for the lights, recessed and sconces. Outlets have to be moved. It has to be hard to work in such a small space.

They removed that door that wasn't moved and hidden from before. We now have an easy access to the main room. (We actually can't walk to the other room but we can hear quite well). It will be closed up but I was surprised how close we are to the other room. I am just glad we have a working bathroom. They wanted to demo the second bathroom this past Saturday until Dad told them to hold off. It would have meant no operating bathrooms. Whew, that was a close one.

We still have the laundry room floor to be done. The washer and dryer are sitting down lower than the main floor. I guess it was done in case the washer overflowed it would be contained? The garage is lower than the main part of the house so this was not necessary. We are having the washer and dryer moved and having that space filled in with concrete so the floor will be one level. The floor will be sloped to the garage so any water will go that way.

So once that is done, then the w/d will be put back, the cabinet we have for storage will be put back, and then the new flooring.

The flooring will be the last thing. We are replacing all the flooring in the kitchen, hallway, laundry room, and both bathrooms. We will have a simple design put into the floor in the entry way just to break up the color a little.

We are just can't wait to see everything finished.

Work has started

2008-10-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

We have been living in dust and more dust all week since the project began. The contractor has been very steady and have had people here everyday doing things. I did send out pictures to everyone but I am not sure they were received. I have been trying to take pictures everyday. It is hard sometimes to notice the changes unless you are here. I will be so happy to be able to clean and have things back to normal. I know Chester will like that as he is always shut into the second bedroom during the day when the workmen are here. He really starts meowing near the end of the day as if saying "I am tired of being in here and I want to know what is going on".

Here is the room before:

Now the demo begins and the mess:

How quickly they were able to remove everything in the kitchen. Then they started to form the new wall and to open the wall up to the view.

The tile floor was removed from the kitchen and entry way.

We always have to do a search when we need anything as some things are in the main room and others are in the 2nd bedroom.

Wait until you see the end of the week progress! You won't believe it.

Tomorrow is the day

2008-10-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

We have been working all weekend trying to get all our things removed from all the cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom. It is hard to find places to put things and still be able to have access to everything. It is so comical to prepare a meal as you have to stop and think where certain pots and pans and your spatulas are located and then where your cutting boards, knives, and anything else you might need for the meal. Once that is finished, you need the silverware and dishes. We have food items in one room and other things can be located in two other rooms. It just requires a good memory where you might have placed things.

I guess it could be a game. The matching game. You need the salt and pepper, now find it. Where did you put a cake pan? Was it in this box? No, try again. You just have to have humor with all the craziness of everything. We are still waiting on the delivery of our bathtub, kitchen sink and faucet. We think it will be next week. We are going out today and buying a new dishwasher, sconces for the bathroom, and some recessed lighting for over the island area that we will have in the kitchen.

Dad is stressed about it. He is feeling anxious about things and how it will look. I am too because I hope that the way I think it should look will actually turn out the way I want it. It will be a major change. It is the unknown and you do start feeling unsure of yourself.

If anything, we have 500 square feet of floor tile in our garage, 2 bathroom sinks, 2 bathroom sink faucets, 1 tub faucet and shower, 1 curved shower rod, granite ordered for our kitchen counter tops, granite for our bathroom counter top, tile we hope that has been ordered for the bath tub skirt and shower surround, and tile for the kitchen back splash. We also asked for the back splash in the bath room to be of the same granite as the counter top. I say hope because I did not talk to anyone at the contractor's office but sent an email with the information. I will find out Monday if things have been done.

Just keep good thoughts for us. I have to hold it together for both of us. Dad does not do well with upheaval in his life. This is going to be one upheaval, for sure. I will post pictures as time goes on and as I am able. Let the "fun" begin!

Update on my foot and remodeling

2008-10-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

I did not realize that I had not updated from my last doctor's appointment. I am no longer in the boot and on the crutches. I was put into a running shoe with a lift insert. I use my cane to walk for any distance outside the house. Walking is going better but I still feel the pull on the tendon. I am sure that will get better over time. The doctor did not want me to drive unless I can brake the car without putting strain on the tendon. So far, I have not tried. I need to tomorrow as I want to try and get my nails done. I know that this does not sound like a big emergency but trust me, my nails are so long that I am afraid they are going to get caught and break off. Not a pleasant thought. It really hurts if that happens. I am hoping that I don't injure that tendon.

I see the doctor again next week. If I am doing better then, he will probably tell me to start physical therapy. The therapy will start slowly as he doesn't want the aggressive therapy just yet. What a long process this has been!

We went out this weekend to buy up the supplies for the remodeling. We bought 2 sinks for the bathroom, a new garbage disposal, 2 new faucets for the bathroom sinks, a new faucet and shower for the new tub, a curved shower rod for the bath, and we looked and looked at tile for the floor, back splash for the kitchen and bath, and tile for around the bath tub and shower. The only thing we finally settled on was the tile for the main flooring. I ordered 500 square feet of it today. It is in stock and will be delivered Thursday of this week. It amounts to about 2 pallets of tile. The kitchen sink and faucet is being priced and Dad has not received the quote yet. He asked for the price from one of his subs that he works with all the time. The bathtub was ordered through a sub and we are waiting for that to arrive.

We have done fairly well on getting our supplies. We are still short on some things because we need to get a piece of the granite that is being used in the bathroom to pick out the back splash and tile for the wall around the bath. We still need to get some lights, mirrors, cabinet handles, dimmers, and paint. Not too much! We also have to remove everything out of the cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom as we will be getting new ones.

On Monday, the demo will start and both the kitchen and bathroom will be attacked. I don't know when they will demo the floor but I am sure that will be a very noisy and dirty job. I am not looking forward to it. Hopefully I will be able to drive and Dad can stay here while I go to my appointment. It will give me a break from the noise and dust anyway.

Dad is also the Inspector for the Election at the polling place that we usually work at and he told me he does not want me to work for a couple of reasons. One, he said it would be a long day and he was concerned about me and my foot. I am used to the long day as I have worked there before but I understand about the concern about my foot. There were times this weekend that I did not think I could make it because of all the walking. My foot ached!

The second reason is that he wants me here for the remodeling. I know that is important but I also know this election is important too. I am mad that I can't be there to help out. I know there isn't anything I can do to change that decision but I am still not happy about it.

Remodeling will begin

2008-10-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

We just had a status walk through and it was decided that the construction company can do the remodeling in 30 days. They will start on October 20 and finish November 20-21. I am in for some loud noise and a lot of mess. The plan is to do both the bathroom and kitchen at the same time. I think Dad just realized that we won't be able to eat-in for a month. I just told him he will have to learn how to cook more on the grill. He wasn't worried about that so much as what are we going to do for breakfast!

We will have to see how things play out and whether they can keep the refrigerator going any. We will also have to wait until the last minute to get things for Thanksgiving. I guess we can get things that aren't needing to be cold but we will be in the lines at the store getting the other things like everyone else as turkey day draws near. We also have to figure out what extra things to get for Jennifer, Noah, and Madilynn, as they will be here too. (This will be a fun time) It will busy for sure.

This weekend and all next week, we will have to get all the faucets, sinks, drop down lights, paint, mirrors, grab bars, sconces, shower head, cabinet handles, etc., to have on hand when the contractor needs those items. We also have to pick out the granite for the countertops and the marble for the floor and tile. So much to do...

We also have to clear out the cabinets and put everything into boxes in preparation for the demo and remodel. What comes out, has to go back, so we will have to put back into cabinets once everything is finished. It will be different because cabinets are going to be located different so decisions will need to be made as to where things will be going. It will be like moving into a house and you remember how much fun that was trying to decide on things.

I just have to have good news tomorrow from the doctor so I can get moving again. There is so much to do and so little time...

Make lists, I need to make lists. Stay cool. Breath... I need to keep doing deep breathing. It will all come together. Patience, I need patience and calmness. Exciting days are ahead....

DECISION HAS BEEN MADE

2008-10-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

We have made our decision about the remodeling and we went with Contractor number 3. He was one that we almost did not even talk to as this was the one that Dad wanted canceled and then made the appointment again.

We went to their business and actually saw their show room and construction area. Dad was very impressed with everything. He did not hesitate but went ahead and signed up for the remodeling. I was surprised a little that he did not think anymore about it.

The start date is up in the air. We will either start on October 20 with a finish date of November 20 or the project won't even start until the new year. We have to have a walk through and they will decide whether the project is one that can be started now. That should happen this week.

We now have to wait and see what that decision will be as we need to buy some things for the project but we don't want to now if they are not going to get started until the new year. We also need to clear out cabinets but for the same reason we don't want to do that if things are not happening yet.

Crown Construction told us they will be doing both jobs at the same time which means it will be very noisy around here. The two jobs are the master bathroom and the kitchen. Demo will be the worse. I don't think there will be any jack hammering but I can't say for sure. We are having the whole floor replaced too. This is the laundry room, kitchen, hallway, entry, and both bathrooms. We may even put a design in the entry way to change things up. We buy all the floor tile and they will install. They did give us a name of a stone place to go to so we can pick out our granite for our countertops and hopefully we can get the rest of the tile there too.

It should be wonderful once it is finished but what a mess until then. The only other thing we would need to do is replace carpet in the bedrooms, ours in particular. It looks pretty worn. This will come later or until we (or maybe that will be me :-)) start thinking that everything looks so new, we have to replace the carpet because it looks so bad .... one thing at a time.

Remodeling Part 4

2008-10-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

We received three unexpected surprises yesterday. We received a call from the third contractor lowering his bid, sort of, and the bid from the second contractor. We also received a call from the first contractor that we had cancelled saying there was a mistake in the address and please come to their office and see that they in fact do have a company.

The lowering of the bid can be seen in two ways. At first you think you are getting a good deal because they lowered the bid by about $5,000 but the second part is that you are needing to buy a number of the supplies for the job. We already needed to purchase the new bathtub (which Dad got from one of his sub's), sinks for the bathroom, faucets for the bath sinks, bathtub, shower, and kitchen. In order to get the lower cost, we have to now buy the tile for the floor. It is about 400 square feet and depending on what you pick out, it could cost you about the same as the money that was deducted. The quandary is that this company just seems to be giving us so much extra in work. We really feel they will give us a really nice finished product. The price tag right now though is around $42,000 (with us buying tile and the rest). Should we? We will still be here for at least another 5 years.

The third contractor's bid is out of the park! He was so high it was ridiculous. He had priced the projects as two separate bids and only took 5% off if we did them both together. Together it would run about $60,000. I don't think so....

The first contractor called us because they had received my email canceling them. I had told them in the email that we never found their office based on the address written on their contract. It was a store with mail boxes. Of course we were told this was a mistake. The story was that they had moved to a new office and had used this business as their address and mail facility until they got settled. They still continued to use the facility for their mail but failed to change their address on their business cards. We never received a business card! This was an address they wrote on a contract.

They always seemed to keep their address secret. Dad did get their address and we do have a meeting this Monday to see their office and meet the owner. We still are unsure about them. They were the lowest. They are also not doing all that the third contractor is doing. The third one has a different idea and layout for the kitchen than the first. The third one will be saying us some money on appliances in that we are not getting rid of our double oven but just moving it to a different location. The first design was getting rid of it and the range and having us buy a regular range. We did not want that after looking at them.

This whole process has felt like one of the TV shows we have watched where the owner received three different remodeling ideas and then they choose. Only we don't have the boards they provide with the ideas and all the fabric, etc. It is drawn out or talk about so you have to use your imagination to see it.

I will be glad when this process is over.

Oh, I almost forgot. We do have another person in this mix. He is an owner of a remodeling store that will be giving us a bid on the bathroom only. I am not sure about this one at all. This was a guy that came out and disagreed with me about putting in a pocket door because it would so hard to fix if it broke. He told me he was going to have to have confidence that everything would be OK and it would not happen. Gives you a lot of confidence to hire this guy, huh!

Remodeling Part 3

2008-10-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

We had the third contractor out last night and we were given another totally different idea on how to change the bathroom and the kitchen. Dad was more relaxed with these two gentlemen than the first two people. Their price did come in a little higher but they are also doing more work than the other people are. The work too seems to be of better quality.

The biggest problem we had with the lowest bidder was we could not find their office. They had an address but it was a UPS store with mail boxes inside that you can rent. I was told they had a suite but that was not true. If they are hiding their office what else do you think they might be hiding. Dad asked me to cancel them this morning and I did.

We mentioned that we had a lower bid number to the company last night and they really questioned that number. They said it sounded like they might have forgotten something in the price. This made us uneasy. Can you imagine getting things torn up and having to come up with more money in order to finish the job because they 'oops' forgot something. Dad had a bad feeling about them from the start. He has been in the business too long without going with his gut on his decisions.

So we were very impressed with the third company's presentation. They told us they have their own company to make the cabinets, do the tile, finish the granite for the countertops, and do the windows. They have a large warehouse and a showroom. We will be getting a tour on Saturday.

We have to wait to get our bid from the second contractor which should be tomorrow. I wish it was today so a decision can be made now. We are getting close. The two guys from the third company were funny. They disagreed with one another but it wasn't in a way that they were angry with each other; it was a difference in opinion. One of them looked like Ron Howard. Both of them really liked Chester and Chester liked them. That must be a sign don't you think? :-) Stay tuned for the decision. It will be coming soon....

A clogged shower drain

2008-09-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

How can this be of interest to anyone? A clogged shower drain. This drain was in our new shower in the second bathroom. It is one that we don't use so had no reason to think it didn't drain. I started a maid service when I had my surgery and they had commented that the shower drained very slow. I just chalked it up to our old plumbing in this condo.

Today I ran the water in the shower to see how the water was going down the drain because I knew the maids were arriving tomorrow. The water did not drain. OK, I got out the Drano and put it down the drain. Nothing happened, water stayed. Next step, I got out the plunger and tried to plunge the drain. I brought up some rock and dirt but that was it.

Now this should have been my first clue that something wasn't right. Nothing happened. My third step was to call a plumber. The Roto-Rooter guy came out and it didn't take him long before he figured it out. When we had the bathroom shower tiled, the workman placed a cap over the drain so that grout would not go down it. He didn't take the cap off. All this time that cap had been in place with grout around it. The plumber had to work a little to get things loose and freed but he succeeded. The water went down real easy. He did say not to use Drano as it is good to eat through hair but it also eats away the pipe. Not a good thing to happen.

I kept the cap and a piece of the grout to show what was holding up the water. If we had been using it from the start this would not have been an issue as we would have discovered it so much sooner. It cost us $157 to find this problem. At least it wasn't a major problem. Another problem solved!

Remodeling Part 2

2008-09-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

We had the second person out last night but he forgot the bid for the bathroom. He was there also to give us a bid for the kitchen so he said he would have them both to us by Thursday. Dad has been so stressed about this remodeling project and yet he was the one that started the process. He is upset because I am not able to do the running around to look at things like I did before with the other projects. Right now he has to be my driver which means he has to fit in the doctor appointments, visits to appliance stores, etc. and go to work and handle the meetings he has there. Now of course he does have those golf outings put on by the subcontractors that he needs to attend for business. It is PR....

So he complains about everything. He was OK with the low bid from the one contractor we had but then the more he thought about it, he was very uneasy about the lack of years in business. He had already checked them out and they were OK but they were not good enough. He didn't want this other contractor to come out either so he asked me to cancel him. I called and cancelled.

No more than 3-4 hours later, he changes his mind and wants him to come out to give us a bid. I am on the phone this morning trying to see if I can get him to come back tonight for his original appointment. If not, I will have to handle the appointment myself during the day because Dad won't be able to attend because of work. He has a meet and greet on Thursday night and his golf outing on Friday.

I am trying my best to do what I can to help. I am going to be the one that will be here during all the construction. He doesn't like the noise and does not want to be around it. I have missed going to my support group for the last month because I haven't been able to drive. It is going into the next month and I don't want to continue missing so I am going to have to call a taxi to go to the meeting. I don't have anyone around that can give me a ride. Dad has a golf outing on the day of my meeting so he is unavailable.

This remodeling project is going to be stressful. I am looking forward to having it done but at the rate of the stress it is taking on Dad already, it may not happen. Stay tuned!

We are remodeling again

2008-09-29T12:22:00.001-07:00

We have a great bid for redoing the master bathroom and the kitchen. It is a lot less than when we asked for the bid for the kitchen alone a while back. Dad is already stressed about it and we haven't even bought anything or has anything been demoed. He just doesn't like the fact that we will be in dust and mess again. Dad was the one that said to contact people to get bids for doing these jobs.

At first it was just the master bathroom. We wanted to put in a bathtub as we don't have one in the house. We are also thinking resale value as this was one of those things that people had been wanting and did not see. I had been wanting to redo the kitchen for some time but the cost we had received was just too much - $50,000. I don't think so!

So we tried it again. We asked for a bid. We got one at $20,000 and this included moving appliances and opening up a wall so we can see the view. I guess the contractors are a little hungrier now as the economy has changed. The bathroom remodel was having a bathtub put in and the toilet moved and put into its own little room. Just to change things up a little bit. They would make a pocket door for that room too. Put new lights in that room and over the bathtub. It will require some work but at the cost of about $10,000. Not bad!

We are having someone else out today to give us a price. He has been high in the past so we shall see what he has come up with. The remodeling will just mean that I will have to stay home more while all of this is going on. I will just keep my records and pictures of this project like I did before. History in the making!

Just a Band-aide

2008-09-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

Well I have just a band-aide now. The area looks pretty good. It still looks like something happened but it is not one of those long scares you have seen people with after achilles tendon surgery. The doctor checked it and the tendon is moving much smoother now. I am also not having much discomfort except if I move around too much. Then it will get tired and start to ache. I just take a couple of Advil and it takes care of it.

I can take a shower without the plastic bag and worrying about getting things wet. I can't take a bath to soak, which is OK because we don't have a tub. I just have to make sure I dry the area off real well, and put the band-aide back on. I need to wear the boot for at least two more weeks. When I wear it, I need to make sure the area around the incision is padded so nothing rubs against it. Oh, and I still can't drive!!!

I was so hoping that I would be able to at this point but he said with the tendon we have to be careful. I go back to the doctors in two weeks and he will decide whether to put me in a lift for a shoe and then start physical therapy. The lift will be gradually decreased to a normal level. I am moving my foot around now to keep it from getting too stiff. What fun I will have ahead of me. I am just so tired of being at home by myself all day. There is just so much you can talk about with your cat..... besides he sleeps most of the day. See, I am by myself.

No more Stitches

2008-09-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

At my doctor's appointment on Friday, the doctor removed the stitches from my foot. I think there was about 5 and a couple of them he had to dig a little bit to get under the stitch to cut it away. That was a little painful but it didn't last. It was a feeling like having a splinter and pushing to remove it. It hurts at the time but then stops once it is removed.

He then cleaned up the site and put medicine on, gauze pads and then wrapped it with white gauze. The doctor then put a covering over the foot to protect the site. The covering is like a sock. I was told I could not drive, could not put full weight on the foot, and to continue using the crutches. I had mentioned to the doctor that I had the the felling of wanting to put an ice pack on the back of the foot and he said I could do it now. He said to "listen to my foot." Now I know my foot doesn't talk (LOL) so I guess if I feel like I want to do something to it, I have permission to do things now.

On Wednesday, September 24, I will see him again. I think he will change the bandage again and give me a large band-aid to cover the area. I think I am on my way to recovery. Now the hard part starts with getting the foot back to normal. I have pain when I flex the foot up and down. This is the walking movement. This area will take some time to get better. He told me to start moving it but I already have been. I have the exercises from the physical therapist that were given to me from back in May.

So I continue to be waited on with certain things but I try to do things on my own. I am just a little slow but I manage. I may also be a little stubborn.... Gee, does that sound familiar to anyone? Nawwww....I didn't think so. LOL

The Follow Up

2008-09-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

I saw the doctor on Friday. He took off the old bandage to have a look at how things were going. He asked me to see if I was OK about looking at it and I told him I was. I guess there are those that don't want to see or are afraid to see. I was expecting to see a big incision but it was small. It was like a small square. The doctor cleaned it up and took a look. He saw some redness and thought I might be having an infection. I am now on an antibiotic three times a day for about a week.

He bandaged it back up and told me I may have the stitches out next Friday. If not then, it might be another 3 or 4 days after that. I am still not able to drive, I am still to take it easy and not to use my foot very much. Sit and keep my foot up. I didn't have any swelling so I guess I was doing it right. The physical therapy does not start for at least 4-6 weeks. He doesn't want them doing anything to the achilles tendon for awhile. I was told originally 3 weeks to be in the boot. The length has been changed. The doctor has the experience.

There was a nodule that he did not take out of the tendon as it would have made it very unstable. If he had, I would have been 6 weeks non-weight bearing before moving on to other things. I guess I will deal with the 4 weeks of crutches and wearing of the boot.

Dad goes back to work on Monday. I will be myself which is OK. I can do things but just at a slower pass. Dad will have to take me to appointments so I have to work with his schedule. I sure am going to get tired of these 4 walls.

The healing goes on

2008-09-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

Well it is the second day from surgery and things have been going OK. I can not move around very fast but I am using the crutches. I will be taking a shower tomorrow which will be a big deal. Doing everything you need to do but to make sure the dressing on the foot stays dry. What fun, what fun.

I see the doctor on Friday and I will see what the foot looks like then. I will find out what the outlook will be for me as to when I start physical therapy, when I can drive, when I can walk on my foot. I don't have a lot of pain but enough to know its there. I am hoping that there is a lot of padding around the tendon and it is not swelling that I am seeing. If it is swelling then I have a very big foot or really the ankle.

I am not supposed to do anything except to rest and keep my foot up. Do you know who boring that is? I am sure someone does... It won't be forever but right now I am going nuts. I want to do something. Patience, patience... I'm trying.

The Surgery is Over

2008-09-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

I had the surgery today. We arrived early but the waiting room was full. The surgery center starts early. My surgery was scheduled for 9:45. We arrived by 8:15. I signed some papers, paid the co-payment, and they copied my insurance cards. After about 10 minutes or so I was called to go upstairs to get ready.

I was given a gown, a hair net, and socks to put on. My clothes were put into a bag for safe keeping. After I was settled, the IV started, Dad was called to come up to stay with me. They couldn't find him. I thought maybe he might have gone outside to talk on the phone or to the bathroom. Nope! Couldn't find him anywhere. They finally called him on his cell phone. I had mentioned that I had forgotten my boot at home and he needed to go back and get it where ever he was. They called and he was on his way to get the boot we had forgotten. We were on the same wave length. So I didn't get to see him before I went to surgery.

I was told I would be knocked out and boy was I. I was given a shot before I was wheeled into the operating room and that is all I remember. I started to feel drozzzzzzzy and that is all. The next thing I was waking up in the recovery room. No pain, no nausea. I was told I would be given something for nausea before I was waken to curb that and it worked. No problems at all. YEAH!!!

I have to wear a boot for 4 weeks. No weight on my heel but on my toes. I use my walker to get around the house. I have crutches but so far I haven't been able to use those. We just don't want to get a long. No pain yet but I am sure that will come. I am glad it is over with and I can finally calm down. I have never been so stressed.

OK, Last post on the circuit breaker

2008-09-04T18:33:00.000-07:00

We had the electrician out yesterday to find out why we had some power in some areas and not in others. We had changed the one circuit breaker that we knew was bad but yet we lost some areas that we had no problem with before. Hmmm

He pulled out his tester and started to test all the breakers. They all were testing OK until he got to the new one. The new circuit breaker has a double switch as most of the others do too. One switch was fine and the other was dead. There was the problem. The circuit breaker that was new was defective. The electrician took the new out and returned it for us to where we bought it. He did get a replacement after some difficulty. He basically told them he was going to tell all his clients not to buy from this store because the service was so poor.

Well, the breaker was put in and I checked for the power to the areas we had problems with and we had liftoff... but then there was a light that would not go on. Nuts, what now. The electrician came in, took the lamp apart to check it, it checked fine. We looked to see where the lamp was plugged into and found it was plugged into a circuit breaker. A circuit breaker that was turned off. Once it was clicked on, the light worked. Amazing!

Everything works now. Boy what a tough time it was to get things worked out. We know now what to look out for so hopefully we can figure it out if it should happen again. So we don't have ghosts but just a house that has been built in the early 1970's that is wired weird.

Questions are getting answered

2008-09-03T07:54:00.000-07:00

I had a phone call from the admitting nurse last night to go over my information for Monday. I was just given the time to arrive and the approximate time I would be leaving. I am to be there at 8:30 and should leave by noon. The fasting (no eating after midnight) was emphasised. I could take my morning medication with only a sip of water. I will still have a phone call on Sunday evening from the anesthesiologist. I had my pre-op appointment with my general doctor yesterday and found out he also had the same surgery and he is doing fine. He has had no problems since. It has been good signs so far as this has been the second person that has told me that they were glad they did the surgery.

The trip to Las Vegas was uneventful. It was productive and all the paperwork taken, which was A LOT, was left behind. So the wait is on to see whether the VA Hospital in Las Vegas is theirs. Clark is also in the running for the VA Hospital in Long Beach, California. It is just a waiting game.

I did find some information about the surgery on the internet. It helped but it is still scary. Boy, a lot will be done. My leg will look ugly after all is said and done but i hope working better. I just wish I could have it done now. I just don't like the waiting. It just makes one think of things that may or may not happen. Will the cut be a small one as the doctor said it would be or will he find something and have to do a larger one? I know, I am taking things one day at a time. I just want it over with.

It's Las Vegas Again

2008-09-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Another quick trip to Las Vegas today. It is just a one day trip so I will see Dad this evening. The office is hoping that the bid they have been working on for so long will actually be theirs. The VA has asked for them to clarify some things and the last time they did this, they were awarded the job. It will be a nice job if that happens, about $350 million.

I have my pre-op doctor's appointment today. It should go just fine. I am still so nervous about this surgery as I haven't been able to find anything that spells out to me what will actually take place. I want to know so I have the information. I will be laying on my stomach during the surgery which is new and I think that is throwing me a little. How are they going to administer the anesthetic? Do I start off laying on my stomach or do they do that when I am out? See, just questions I would like to have answered. I know I will get them answered but I want them known now.

We will have a maid service starting tomorrow as I won't be able to do things for quite awhile once I have my foot done. It should take a lot of stress from Dad too. We will take his dress shirts to the cleaners as I won't be able to stand and iron. Just getting things in order. We are hoping that I won't be out of commission too long.