New Year's Eve

I slept in the livingroom with Chris, at first. I woke up at 4 to use the bathroom. Then I heard Dad calling Fern, Fern like he'd been at it for some time. So I went into his room and found him sitting on the floor against the bed with his knees pressed against the dresser. I tried to cue him to get on his hands and knees, but he had already expended all his energy to get as far as he did. He said he fell an hour before. I shoved a raised toilet seat under him to get his butt off the floor, but it still wasn't high enough. So I called out for Chris. When I didn't hear a response, I rang the buzzer and he arrived. He said he was already on his way. The buzzer also woke Patrick, so it's good. Now to get Dad to use it...
Chris got behind Dad and pulled him up and the two fell onto the bed. He was wet so I changed him. Then we covered him up and I spent the rest of the night in his room. I turned the lights off, but not being able to breathe kept me awake.
Dad got up around 7:30 to use the bathroom. He took his synthroid too. I handed him some clothes and took a break while he dressed himself. Then he went to the den to get dentures and such. He was tired and had to be cued for everything – except breakfast. I finally got my own breakfast. My stomach hurt on the left side all night, and breakfast didn't stop it. I was tired and worried.
At 10:30 there were strange cars in the driveway and then Faye arrived. The ladies came in the back door with Faye. It was a nurse and Dad's new caregiver. We all sat and talked. The nurse examined him and asked questions to fill out forms. Faye took the caregiver in the back and talked to her at length. Finally the nurse left, and Faye drove the caregiver around to all the places Dad will go for appointments. While they were gone, Dad and I went for a walk. He was not energetic and had to stop and rest at one point. When we got back, he sat in his chair and dozed.
I read some e-mail until Faye came back. I was still not feeling well and did not have any energy. She took my temp but it was normal. We went through the hall closet to weed out what Dad didn't need. Mom's craft supplies were in there. I took some batting and templates. Faye gave me almost a dozen bins to go through later. Kevin came over to cook, but Chris was already cooking so Kevin went home. Faye fed Dad a banana and something else, then took him for a walk. I wasn't hungry. When they got back, Faye demonstrated Dad's homework exercises. They looked easy on paper, but there were a lot of reps. Neither one did all of them. Then Faye went home to get some sleep before going to work.
Chris fixed a bowl of burgundy beef for each of us for dinner. I was skeptical about eating, but I had some of the broth and it set pretty well. So then I ate the rest of it and felt better.
Chris and I sat on the couch to watch Lost in Space while Dad was still eating. Chris got up to check on him and he wanted more. So Chris gave him more. We watched some more. Then Dad wanted me to write a check. We discussed it at length, but there was no talking him out of it.
I suggested he do his dentures. Chris and I resumed our episode. When I checked next, Dad was taking his shoes off. We watched some more. Patrick told me to look in the bedroom. Dad was sitting on the bed. I laid out pajamas for him. When I came back later, he had undressed but did not see his pajamas. I handed them over, and sat with Chris to finish the new season of Lost in Space. Then Dad was dressed. I cued him to lay down and we did his stretches and put his feet up. It took him two hours to get himself ready. I filled all my water bottles for tomorrow. I went to the dining room to write my blog and got sidetracked reading new year wishes on Facebook. I wanted to post something, but I was too tired. I typed up my blog and got ready to sleep in Dad's room because things only go right when someone is there. Did I mention that I hate having a cold, and a pile of dirty tissues, and dry lips?
* I didn't take any pics today, but I found this one that Kurt took. *

First therapy session

When I got up this morning, Dad had taken his synthroid and was half dressed. I helped a little, and picked pants for him. My voice was so hoarse that I could barely speak, and he could barely hear.
Then he went to the kitchen to put on his shoes and get his dentures and hearing aid. He also made his own breakfast and ate it standing at the sink. I threw his sheets in the washer, got myself dressed, and did some of the usual morning stuff, then made my breakfast.
I was still eating when a man from Executive Care came by at 10 with some papers for Dad to sign so they could take funds from his checking account weekly to pay the day nurse. Dad signed his name really well, three times. The man said the day nurse would come by tomorrow to meet with us at 11. I texed the info to Faye who wants to be there. He also said they charge .75 a mile to take him to appointments, and that the caregivers do not do any manipulations with patients (like stretches).
I read e-mail for a bit, then went to the bedroom. I was in Dad's closet arranging the shirts and pants into matching pairs so he could choose easily. Chris noticed the time and started cuing Dad to get his coat on. I went to the den to help. We got Dad in the car and a rollator in the trunk.
Chris drove all of us to Sheltering Arms for therapy. He let us out at the front door and went to park. Dad rolled inside and sat down while I waited to check in. Then we waited for his therapist to come for us. I followed Dad and the therapist back to the gym. She gave him a 6 minute walking endurance test, which he passed. In fact, though he said he worked hard, his blood pressure stayed the same. She had him do exercises standing at the sink with a therapy band tied around his legs. She also had him practice standing and sitting. Then he was free to go and we took him home.
He and I had some lunch. I looked for yogurt in the fridge and found a large one full of mold. No telling how long it had been there. I threw it out. After lunch, he rested in his chair with his feet up. Chris and I made his bed. I folded laundry and hung Dad's up. I listened to some audios online.
Dad and I went for a walk about 4. It was the usual 15 minutes to the end of the street and back.
Chris went to the grocery store and then made dinner. It was a sirloin tip roast, tiny potatoes, and snow pea pods. He made the roast rare, like I prefer, but it was too hard for my dad to chew. (It was a little hard for me, too) So he just ate the vegetables. I gave him some applesauce too.
After dinner he rested and Chris and I watched Lost in Space while sitting together in the living room. After one episode I went looking for Dad. He was in the bathroom and looking confused. I got him right and then went back to Chris. We watched another episode. When I checked on Dad, he was getting ready for bed even though it was only 8. He had taken his evening pills, and cleaned his dentures. I helped him get dressed for bed, knowing he was probably worn out from the therapy. I stretched his legs and hips, then put the wedge under him and bid him goodnight. Patrick came home. I watched one more episode with Chris, then checked again. Dad was sleeping comfortably.
I sat down to write to my blog. Patrick asked if he could have one of Dad's subs. I figured Dad would say yes so I said yes. My stomach did not feel good, so I put some peppermint oil in water and drank it. When my blog was written, I got dressed for bed and helped Chris unfold it and put the blankets on.
* I didn't take any pics today so here is one from the other day when I washed the dresser scarves. *

He sleeps alone

It was a long night. He slept restlessly all night, keeping me up. I turned the lights off while he was sleeping, but each time he woke up, I turned them on with the clicker. He was able to go to the bathroom by himself. But I did have to get up to straighten the covers and move the cushion.
Dad woke up about 7. He went to the bathroom and I thought he took his synthroid. I had a sore throat, but Dad seemed to be fine. I checked on Chris and he seemed sick like me. I waited until 8, then called Faye to tell her we couldn't go to church. He wanted to go, so I helped him get dressed, doing only the most lengthy parts. He made his own breakfast and ate it while I boiled water to sterilize all my water bottles. I brushed and swished. Dad was ready to go so I suggested going for a walk. Just as we got outside, Faye arrived. I supervised him walking down the ramp to her car. She took him to church.
My head itch came back. I used tea tree oil drops diluted in vodka and the itch subsided. I squeezed a lemon into hot water and drank it. I made vitamin water and breakfast. Then I boiled the squeezed lemon and some cinnamon sticks and cloves. I ate breakfast, and read e-mail. I drank the lemon water I made for Chris because he didn't want it. But he did accept a packet of vitamin C.
I looked all over for a spray bottle so I could clean the bathrooms with Hydrogen peroxide. I did not find one. I looked up DIY fog juice. It's the glycerin that makes the fog! This information could come in handy.
I swept the kitchen floor twice, getting a pile of dirt each time. Then I mopped it twice. I also mopped the strip of floor I could see between the livingroom and the diningroom. I put on a nitrile glove and used disinfectant wipes to clean the back bathroom. I had just started on the hall bath when Patrick came in. I told him to go ahead, thinking he'd only be a few minutes, but apparently it was time for his hour shower. I used the wipe to do a bunch of doorknobs, then put the cannister away.
Chris went to the grocery store to get stuff for supper. I laid on the couch to rest and put on a podcast to listen to. Patrick finished his shower and came out. He started talking to me. But he must have been late for something. He rushed around, then finally left. I laid down again, and then Chris came home with pork chops. We watched a show together, and then Faye and Dad came back. She made a list while I took him walking. Then they went shopping, but only to one store. They came back with groceries while Chris was cooking supper. We all ate together at the diningroom table. Faye wanted to talk about the meeting tomorrow and what duties we need a nurse to perform for Dad during the day while Faye works. The conversation went on for some time and Dad seemed very interested. He thought we did not need Darleen to stay with him at night, so we proposed having him sleep alone tonight. We told him to get himself ready for bed. He did, though not in the most timely manner.
Faye had to go home. I supervised Dad getting into bed. I stretched his legs and hips, and put the cushion under his calves to reduce the swelling. He refused to have anything to do with the alarm buzzer. He insisted he could call out my name loud enough to reach me in the livingroom.
I sat with Chris to watch Lost in Space for 20 minutes. I checked on Dad who was asleep and then finished the episode. I checked again and Chris took rice pudding out of the oven. He and Patrick had some. I drank some of the cinnamon water that had been simmering all day. We watched two more episodes of Lost in Space. I checked on my dad, took my bedtime supplements, got dressed for bed and wrote my blog post. Chris and I dressed the hide-a-bed in the livingroom and I slept there, hoping Dad would be fine.
* More Christmas lights from last night. *

Words with friends (and family)

I woke up 7:30. Dad had had his synthroid already. Kurt gave him a shower, and cued him to get dressed. I got ready while he put in his dentures and shaved.
Kurt and Chris hadn't much luck trading out hard drives because he hadn't a boot-up disc. I did a search and found a link for Windows 8.1. Kurt downloaded 8.1 on my laptop and tried to transfer it to a USB drive, but ran into problems. So instead, he burned it to a DVD. He and I walked Dad while the laptop labored. Dad rested afterward. Kurt left with Patrick. I got Dad and myself some lunch. I made several batches of fat bombs. I collected linens and potholders and stuff Kurt left behind. I threw them in the washer, except for two things that were too delicate. Then I took Dad for his second walk. It took about 15 minutes for him to walk to the far end of the street and back. He did not need to stop and rest.
Then I handwashed two things: a dresser scarf and a wallhanging that covers the sewing machine table. I hung those and some others out to dry. I went through some e-mail.
Faye came over, Kevin was close behind. Dad got ready and Faye put him in her car. Kevin rode with her and we followed in Chris' car. We passed a lot of Christmas light displays on the way to Karen's house. She and William made supper for all of us. Patrick was already there. We sat at their table and Kevin passed out salad to everyone. After we ate that, William and Karen fixed plates of chicken, beans and cauliflower in the kitchen. William handed them out. As we all ate, we talked about all sorts of things. The food was good and there was never a lull in conversation. After a while, Patrick left so he could walk home and see Christmas lights on the way. The conversation continued. As it got late, the rest of us got ready to go and thanked our hosts. Karen suggested we go by another street to look at their lights. So while Faye and Kevin put Dad in her car, Chris and I went to see the lights. They were quite impressive. I took pics with Chris' phone.
Then we went back to Dad's house, where Faye had already gotten Dad inside. She was cuing him to get ready for bed, to see if he could do it all by himself once told to do so. That didn't quite work because he wanted to know what he was supposed to wear tomorrow and why there was no medication set out for Monday. Faye talked to him at length. She gave him a small alarm that he could play to alert Patrick if he fell in the middle of the night. She laid on the blow-up bed and I laid beside Dad and we continued talking. Then she went to talk to Patrick about his schedule. I took my evening supplements and sat down to write my blog. Faye talked to me again before she left, and then Patrick talked to me. But finally I got to finish my blog so I could spend the night in Dad's room.

The amazing Earl

I woke up about 8. I went to Dad's room to get him up for his synthroid. But, to my amazement, he said he had gotten up at 6 and taken it all by himself. So, I supervised him getting dressed for the day. Then he walked out to the kitchen to put in his dentures.
Patrick helped me vacuum the living room and dining room. I moved chairs while he swept. Dad made his breakfast and ate it standing at the countertop. Then he sat down and I gave him a banana and yogurt and a fat bomb. He rested while I made and ate mine.
In preparation for the meeting with the agency that provides in-home care, I cleaned dining room table, and called William to find out where the broom was. I had to go to the shed to find it. I swept the kitchen floor and utility room. I washed dishes by hand. I set chairs around the table in the dining room. Dad sat in one and I sat in another. We talked as we waited for the agency people to arrive. Dad wanted Kurt to be here. Faye called, expecting the lady from the agency to be here. Because the lady wasn't here yet, Faye called them. Then she called back to tell us they weren't coming until Monday – no explanation.
Kurt and I took Dad for a walk. Then he rested while I jotted notes. Kurt and I discussed the current movies and which might actually be good. Kurt talked to Faye and they decided to see Knives Out. I gave Dad something for lunch and then we went for another walk before dark.
Kurt went to the library to pick up Patrick while Chris cooked supper. Faye came over. Kurt came in with Patrick. The bunch of us were chatting when there was a knocking at the door. The man across the street came for a visit. He told us about his granddaughter, then left after Kurt, Faye and Patrick left for dinner and a movie.
Chris put together a plate for Dad. Dad sat down to eat while I made a plate for myself. After supper I ate a chocolate fat bomb with coconut flakes. It was pretty good. I set some jars of coconut oil on the register in the kitchen to melt. I washed a section of the diningroom, removing the tablecloths on a side table. They were dirty and stained so I put them in a bucket to soak.
I watched one episode of Lost in Space with Chris. Then I cued Dad to get ready for bed. He decided to wash himself with Attends, possibly thinking it would get him out of having to shower tomorrow. But it won't. I scrubbed some Corelleware with a magic eraser to get the stains off. I also washed the stove and the front of the microwave.
I jotted more notes for my blog. Then I went back and read a book while supervising Dad out of the side of my eye. When he got in bed, I ran him through a few stretches. Meanwhile Kurt and Patrick came home. When Dad was resting comfortably, I went out to talk to Kurt. He told me he had seen Knives out three times now and it didn't get old. I downloaded f.lux to eliminate the blue light from my computer screen. I typed up my blog and then went to bed with Chris. Kurt offered to spend one more night with Dad.
* Palpatine? *

Forgetful tapper

I woke up at 8:30. I had Dad get his own synthroid, then get dressed. He got up so easily that I forgot to do stretches. He walked back into the bathroom and wondered if it was Friday and he should take his synthroid. I suggested he go to the kitchen. He put in his dentures. I took a shower and got dressed in his bathroom. I showed Kurt how to measure his blood sugar.
Dad wanted to try my breakfast, so I made my breakfast for both of us. He said it was quite edible. High praise for the healthy gruel I eat. I also gave him a fat bomb. I hard boiled a dozen eggs while he rested. Then he and Kurt and I went for a walk down to the far end of the street. We saw a turkey buzzard sitting on a chimney. I guess we needed to look alive. Dad stopped twice to rest.
When we got back to the house, Kurt peeled an egg, I peeled an egg, and Dad ate two eggs then rested. I shared my second A1C test with Kurt. His score was good. Then we played around with Ok Google. It did not recognize me so I recorded Kurt's voice. But the recording was barely loud enough even with his phone sitting on top of my keyboard. I wanted to download pics from my phone to my laptop. Kurt worked at enabling the transfer by bluetooth. I cracked open all the nuts in the basket that has been sitting in the dining room for years. But they were buggy. Every one. I threw them out. I wrote my blog post for yesterday. Kurt did eventually get pics from my phone to my laptop by blue tooth but it took a lot longer than by using a cable.
Dad had some yogurt and a fat bomb. Then I walked Dad by myself. We went down the street and he turned around just shy of the stop sign. Again, we stopped a few times to rest on the way back. Chris and Kurt were trying to get Ubuntu on Kurt's laptop to copy files from a bad hard drive to a new hard drive. I cleaned some dusty shelves in the house. Then Chris heated up leftovers for supper. Dad was happy to eat again. I gave him some brain octane oil. Then Dad walked around the house four times. I went with him for the first three. He sat in the den and I read to him a whole chapter of a book called Morris Dees.
Finally we started the bedtime process. He did his dentures, then went back to get dressed for bed. But Patrick noticed he hadn't taken his last pill. So Dad took it and resumed dressing. But then he still had his hearing aid in, so he went back to the kitchen to take it off. Then he started washing dishes. I corralled him into going to bed. I cued him to do a few stretches, then I put the cushion under his legs to elevate them. He wanted the lights on, so I just bid him good night and left the room. Sitting at my computer to write my blog post, I realized I was supposed to meet with my tapping buddy and I completely forgot! I typed up my blog and got myself ready for bed.
* Not a good time to play dead. *

Christmas Day

Christmas Day.
Kurt spent the night in Dad's room. I woke up about 8. I went to Dad's room and gave him his synthroid with water. Then I stretched his legs, skimping on the reps because it was hard on my back. Then we went to the kitchen to get his dentures. I left him there and talked to Kurt in the dining room. Dad walked in and asked if I had laid out clothes for today. I said no. He went back to his room and chose pants and a shirt and put them on. When I went back there, he was buttoning the shirt. The waistband of the pants was a little tight so I just cinched the belt. He wanted me to help him write checks for everyone for Christmas, so I wrote them and he signed them. He had one for Michele, so I hunted down his collection of Christmas cards. The first one I pulled out said Granddaughter on it. I asked Chris for her address and put it on the envelop. I put a Christmas stamp on it, but it was only worth 44 cents. So I had to put a bunch of other stamps on it, which I thought were 2 cents stamps but Chris told me later that they were 24 cent stamps. Oh well.
Dad made his breakfast while I made mine, then we both ate. I pulled out the last of the hard boiled eggs. I gave Dad one, threw one to Kurt and ate one myself. Dad got a second one and then the box was empty.
Dad put on his coat and the three of us went walking down the street. About halfway, he got tired so we turned around and came back. We stopped at least once so he could rest. When we got back, he took off his coat, sat in his chair and put his feet up. We did not cue him to do any of that.

Patrick went to visit his dad in the retirement home. Faye came over. She walked Dad before the daylight ended. Chris was cooking supper. We cleared the diningroom table and set it. Kevin came over. He sat in the livingroom playing a game on his phone. I wiped up heavy dust in the diningroom.
William came over. Kurt put out glasses and Chris poured water. Faye helped bring in the food from the kitchen. We sat down to a pork roast with apples and sauerkraut. He cooked broccoli and lots of mashed potatoes to go along. We ran out of broccoli and sauerkraut. I realized there was no dessert. Not eating dessert myself, I never thought to make any for the others.
Kevin played his harmonica. Dad handed out his checks.
I sat on the couch with Chris. We opened gifts. Kevin seemed to like the massage ball. But Dad seemed offended by the harmonica. William and Karen gave me bottles of essential oils. I was most appreciative. Faye gave me lights for sewing. One even had a magnifier on it. The older I get, the more necessary such things are. I wrote checks and handed them out.
Chris and Faye cleaned up from supper. Kevin and William left. Then Faye, Dad, Patrick and I discussed
what to tell the agency people about the hours of care Dad needs. Finally Faye left to go home and get some sleep before going to work. Dad got dressed for bed and I did some very simple stretches with him. Kurt was going to spend the night there, but he wanted to watch a movie on his tablet with headphones. We looked for an adapter with no success. I suggested using the wi-fi headphones. But he needed a patch cord and could not find one. So he played the movie on his tablet and his phone at the same time, listening to the phone and watching the tablet. I helped Chris set up the hide-a-bed and we went to sleep.

Taking a trip on Christmas Eve

It was a long night because Dad kept the lights on so he could see to get up in the middle of the night. But I could tell by his breathing that he wasn't sleeping well. And neither was I. He got up twice, not too far apart, toward midnight. He slept after that.
Chris woke me at 6 to give Dad his synthroid. Then he and I both went back to bed. I got up later, discovered it was 7:30, and rushed to get him cleaned and dressed. He went out to the den to put on his shoes while I got myself ready. Then he put in his dentures and hearing aid. I had just handed him a container of yogurt when Faye showed up. I fed him the yogurt, she put on his coat, and we got in her van.
She drove us to Sheltering Arms for two therapy appointments. We were early to do paperwork as they suggested, but it was more time than Faye needed to answer questions and sign stuff. We followed the OT back to her office. We talked and she gave Dad tests to see what his baseline levels were. Then she turned us over to a PT who basically did the same thing. William called so I talked to him for a bit, then concentrated on what the therapist was doing.
After the appointments, Faye tried to make more appointments, but they said they'd call her. So we left, and did some walking around the parking lot with Dad. Then we got in her van and rode to the gas station, and then home. We talked about Christmas eve services. We looked at the new ramp William had made to get the walker over the lip of the bathroom door.
After while, Faye left. Dad and I had breakfast. Chris started supper in the oven. Dad and I went for a walk down the road in front of his house. We stopped twice for him to rest. When we got back, we brought in the mail. Dad napped in his chair with his feet up while I washed the juicer, made cruciferous juice, and then washed the juicer again, and everything else. What a mess it made. I threw the pulp out. Dad drank several cups of the juice, rested for awhile, then drank more. Chris started cooking something on the stove, and said the oven ran cool so the sweet potatoes were not done. I checked e-mail and jotted notes for my blog.
Chris dished up a plate for Dad. I made a plate for myself. He and I ate together while Chris ate in front of his laptop. When Dad finished, I went to his bedroom with him to get him dressed for church. Then I dressed myself. Chris and I got Dad in his car, and we went to Christmas Eve service at my dad's church. Faye was already there and waiting. She got Dad out of the car. The brass ensemble was playing outside the church. They greeted Dad but he didn't hear them. We went inside and Faye installed Dad in a pew by the door. Chris and I sat behind them. A lady was playing pre-service music on flute. Then the service began. At first it was a list of readings followed by Christmas hymns. Then the pastor gave a sermon. After that, we had candlelighting. Then the service was over. There was lots of greeting and well-wishing. Then Faye installed Dad in Chris' car and we took him home. I sang Christmas songs for the whole ride. When we got to the house, Dad asked who was singing and I admitted to it. He thanked Chris for driving. Then I assisted him in walking to the ramp. But something went wrong at the transition to the ramp and he fell. Chris helped me pick him up. He sat on the rollator and we rolled him the rest of the way. Chris went to mass somewhere. Dad walked to the bedroom and I dressed him for bed, checking for bruises. I put salve on some small abrasions. Then he did his dentures and such. Kurt and I got him into bed. We tried to fix the bed slats, but there was something odd going on.
Kurt told me all about his bad sector problem while waiting for Chris to come home from mass. I checked a little e-mail. Chris came back and they talked. We called Al and Cecily and Marie in Vietnam. Then, because Kurt agreed to stay with Dad tonight, Chris opened the hide-a-bed and we slept there.

HIPAA rules block appointment

It was a long night. I slept (or tried to) in Dad's room. He got up at least 3 times. The last time, he fell while trying to get back in bed. He was lying on the floor between the bed and the rolator which was up against the dresser. There was no way I could move him. But he said only his pride was hurt. He scooched on his butt until he got to the end of the bed. Then he rolled over onto his hands and knees, then was able to pull himself up. That whole process took a lot longer than it sounds. Then he laid down and went to sleep. It took me a long time to go back to sleep. When I peeked at the window and saw daylight up at the top, I checked the clock. It was almost 8. I hated to wake him up, but I had to give him a pill. Then we both tried to sleep, but to no avail. So we did his exercises and stretches. Most of them are marked for 10 reps each side, but I could only do 2 before my back complained.
Then I let him change his pajamas for day wear. That took about an hour. Then we walked out to the kitchen. I straightened the bed while he did his dentures and hearing aids. After that, I watched him make breakfast – cheerios and shredded wheat. I washed some strawberries and put them on top.
While he was eating, I made my own breakfast and ate it. And we shared a banana.
At Faye's request, I called the doctors on the list to see if any appointments were made, or to schedule follow-ups as mentioned in the discharge paperwork. The first doctor office on the list would not allow me to make an appointment because my name was not on the HIPAA list. At first I was going to skip the rest of the list, but speculated that not all doctors will be so picky. So I called the others, had to leave messages for some, but was able to make one appointment.
Dad napped in his chair while I cleared all the messages from his answering machine. Then I checked my e-mail. When he woke up, we had lunch together. Chris went out to buy supplies for supper. Patrick got ready quickly so he could catch a ride. Dad rested with his feet up for a bit, then we both put our coats on and went for a walk. He used his rolator and went down the ramp, along the driveway and into the street. We walked toward Old Coach for a bit, then turned around and walked to just past the cul-de-sac. Then we went back up the driveway and in the back door. Dad went back to his chair and fell asleep.
I read a book that is due soon. It made me sleepy so I laid down in the back bedroom. I dozed on and off until Dad woke up and came back to use the bathroom. I went out to the den. Faye called. I talked to her for some time. Chris made curry chicken soup and put out bowls for Dad and me. Dad and I sat down to eat. Afterward, I put the soup and rice into jars to cool.
Patrick made an appearance. He noted the chicken curry and I said he could have some, but he said later, and went out the door to someplace across the main street. I sat with Chris and we watched one episode of ST:NG. Then I prompted Dad to get ready for bed, starting with dentures. Eventually we worked our way to the bedroom where he changed his clothes. Then Chris helped me do Dad's stretches and exercises. Finally, we adjusted his position in bed. Dad wanted the lights on for when he wakes up to go to the bathroom. I went out to the diningroom to post to my blog and read some e-mail before retiring to a blowup bed in Dad's room. I forgot to mention adding air to the bed. Also at some point I boiled turmeric root to make more turmeric water. But I can't say exactly where in my day that happened.
Update: While finalizing this post, Patrick came back, full of chatter and hungry.
* Christmas lights in Fairfax. *

Dad duty

We slept in. When I got up, it was after 9. I brushed and swished. I read e-mail. I made and ate breakfast. Then I took a shower. I got dressed, and packed up. I cleaned a few places. Chris made himself lunch. I scrubbed the shower. Then I packed food in the cooler. I packed up my computer. Chris brought the car around. We loaded the car, hugged Michele goodbye,and left around 12:20.
As we drove, we put on the book on CD. I slept off and on, but basically kept up with the story. We braved heavy traffic and went to Cecily's house for frozen Thanksgiving leftovers. Then we went to Dad's house. We unloaded the car. I noticed how dirty the living room rug was, so I vacuumed the livingroom rug. Then Faye showed up with Dad. I talked to Faye about Dad and what care he needed.
While Dad was in the bathroom, I wrapped packages that got delivered to Dad's house. I talked to Dad in the den. I laid down on the couch hoping he would sleep in the chair. But he never quite did. Chris made supper from the Thanksgiving leftovers. Dad started eating, then he went to the bathroom again. When he came back, he finished supper and ate stuff from the fridge. He went to the bathroom again. I spent the time putting labels on packages. Then I checked on him and he needed cleaning up. So I did that, then helped him get dressed for bed. He walked to the kitchen to do his dentures and such. Then we went back to the bedroom for exercises and stretches. Patrick showed up, and took out garbage. His stretches were quite a workout for me. I left him with his legs raised. I checked e-mail for 15 minutes. Then I checked on Dad. He was sleeping. I read more e-mail and listened to podcasts, and did some tapping. Then I wrote my blog post and got myself ready for bed.
* This is Michele at the restaurant in Fairfax. *

Episode IX

I had trouble falling asleep again last night. I wore my sleep mask because there are no curtains in Michele's condo. (I gave her some but she never hung them). I woke up during the night, peeked out from the mask, saw that it was dark and went back to sleep. But eventually dawn came. I still stayed in bed, but when I heard my alarm ring in the kitchen, I got up to turn it off.
I brushed and swished. I made vitamin water and boiled chunks of turmeric root on Michele's stove. She doesn't have a teapot. I took a protein supplement and jotted notes to my blog while waiting to take the vitamin C. I got a message from Faye that Dad was able to get to the bathroom during the night unassisted, and that he dressed himself this morning. Amazing.
I made and ate breakfast. Then I washed up and got dressed. Michele had printed out a ticket for the four of us to see the new Star Wars movie. We rode in her car to the Regal Cinemas. We thought Kurt was waiting for us, but it turns out he was at a different Regal Cinema. So Chris and I went into the theater to sit down, and Michele waited for Kurt in the lobby. I didn't even notice when those two took their seats. I was watching the half hour of previews for coming attractions. (In Huntsville we only have 25 minutes of previews). It was a good movie, but there were unanswered questions. I got the feeling that Ren and Rae were related somehow. So on the way home, we discussed parentage.
When we got back to the condo, we settled in and then Kurt arrived. Chris and Michele went to the grocery store while Kurt and I talked about parentage. He asked questions beginning with “Ok Google”, and then a voice on his phone would answer the question. It was kind of cool.
Chris and Michele came back with food. Chris put bacon in the oven and potatoes on the stove. Kurt tried to get my phone to answer questions, but it just wouldn't. Then he left so he wouldn't have to drive home in the dark.
I read and deleted e-mail. Chris put fish in the oven, and when it was done, declared supper ready. He also cooked asparagus. We each ate with our electronic device. Then the three of us put the leftovers away. I listened to a podcast and worked my way through more e-mail.
Then the three of us sat together on the day bed and watched the Spider-verse movie on my laptop. Michele's desktop monitor was bigger, but it has no speakers. Hint, hint. Anyway, it was good. Then Chris went to bed while I stayed up to blog and Michele stayed up to watch something else.
* This is Kurt and his dinner last night. *

Don't start the party without us!

I had a hard time falling asleep last night. I tossed and turned. My ears were ringing. Finally I did sleep, and had a weird dream. I woke up at 8:30 EST. I took supplements and checked e-mail. I brushed and swished and assembled breakfast. I washed up and got dressed. I put the food back in the cooler and made vitamin water. We read e-mail until it was time to go. Then Chris brought a cart to the room and we loaded up our stuff and took it to the car.
From the hotel, we went to the gas station to fuel up, then were headed toward the interstate when I tried to put on my sunglasses and realized one side was missing. Chris turned around and went back to the hotel. The missing piece was sitting in the parking lot. He picked it up and then we were on our way.
We put on the next CD of the book. I listened most of the time but fell asleep here and there. I drank the vitamin water and some turmeric water. We drove past Richmond and into Manassas. We stopped at Michele's work place to get the key, then went to her condo to wait for her. I set up my laptop and read e-mail. Kurt arrived a little later. He and I changed clothes. Then Michele came home. She was in a hurry, so we threw on our coats and followed her to her car.
She programmed her GPS, and Kurt did his. She followed hers until we ran into an accident, then she switched to his and we went a different way. After some time, we arrived in Fairfax. She parked in a parking deck and we walked to a restaurant where her workmates were having a party. We entered what we thought was the front door, but must not have been. It had been an old house and each room held a table or two. We had to walk around to find the right room. Everyone was waiting on us.
We sat at the end of the row of tables. There were 9 of us all together. The waitress took our drink order. We read the menu and conversed. Then her boss ordered appetizers at the suggestion of the waitress. We were also given baskets of bread. At some point we ordered our dinners. I ordered the spinach and beet salad, thinking it was large. But when it came, it was not so large. Chris gave me a bite of his chicken limone and Michele gave me a bite of her meatloaf. Chris told stories about Michele.

Afterward, the waitress came for our dessert order. I did not order dessert. Most of them got ice cream. Michele's boss paid for all of us. After more conversation, the party broke up.
The four of us walked back to the parking deck and got in Michele's car. She used her GPS to find the route back, but had some trouble following it. So it took a little longer than it would have. She and Kurt discussed going to see the Star Wars movie tomorrow. When we got back to her place, Kurt changed his clothes again, then went home. Michele opened the gift we brought her. It was a cross-stitch kit that her grandmother had started. She discussed a character she wanted to play in a DnD game. Chris went to bed. Michele and I looked up show times on her desk top. It took awhile to find a theater and a showing that wasn't full. But she bought 4 tickets and sent them to her printer, which didn't print. She texted Kurt the particulars of the showing.
She went to bed and I stayed up to blog and delete e-mail.

On the road again

I got up before the 7:30 alarm went off. Chris threw the hamper clothes into the washer. I rushed around getting ready. I made up supplements for vacation. I made a powder mix for daily vitamin water. I packed clothes in my suitcase. I went rooting around looking for long sleeve shirts but did not find them. I looked for my extra fanny pack but did not find it either. I made two breakfasts and ate one. I refilled containers in the breakfast box. I filled bottles with turmeric water. I took out the recycling. I packed snacks and Chris packed the cooler. Then we packed the car. Our neighbor came out just then and we talked. Then Chris and I got in the car and headed out.
First we went to the gas station and then to the post office. There were three packages waiting for me. I carried them out to the car, and Chris put them in the back seat. Then we drove off base and got on the road.
We played a book on CD. I fell asleep for short periods of time. Traffic was bad, especially around cities. I stretched my foot along the way. But when we got to a rest stop, I could hardly walk. We got to Bristol and went to Red Lobster, which was busy. We were told it would be a 5 minute wait, but I knew it had to be longer because of all the people in front of us. When we got seated, we had 45 to get to the hotel. I told the waitress that, and we ordered. I got mahi-mahi and Chris got fried fish. She brought it out early. We ate, and got out at 7. I texted Nell on Facebook that I was going to be late.
We went to the hotel. I walked in and started the check-in process, Chris came along with luggage and his ID. She gave us a card. We went up to the room. I immediately set up my laptop to begin the Skype call, but then realized that this new laptop didn't have Skype yet. Chris downloaded it quickly and went to get more stuff from the car. I finished the set up and called Nell. But when she answered, I could not hear her. So I had to hang up and reboot. (This laptop needs rebooting a lot for sound). Then I called her and we had a very nice session tapping for my plantar fasciitis. She told me about a heat moldable insert that she uses in her shoes to keep from getting plantar problems. I made a note to look it up later.
Then Chris hooked his laptop to the TV and we watched ST:NG. Afterward, he went to bed and I stayed up to blog. He might be waiting for me.
* This is Stacy wrapping her gifts. *

It's a wrap

I heard my alarm go off at 7:30, but I did not feel like getting up. Chris did, though. It was closer to 8 when I got out to the kitchen. I brushed and swished. I asked Chris to put the stretchy band on my smaller watch. And he did. I read e-mail and took some morning supplements.
At 10:30 I got dressed and went to Stacey's house. We went to Michaels where she bought a frame. Then she sat in the car while I went in the bank to get cash. Finally we went to Tuesday Morning. I gave her cash for what her husband spent online yesterday. We browsed the store. I found socks and a monthly planner for me, plus some gifts. She got stuff, too. As she checked out, I called her attention to an apron labeled Grill Instructor. So she got that as well. Then I checked out, and we went back to base.
After she dropped me off, I made and ate breakfast. Then I sat outside and read. But it was so cold that I stayed very close to the house. I did not bare even one foot. When I came in, I read e-mail, and cleared over 100. At 4 I went to the post office and picked up a package from Nuts.com. On the way back, I stopped at the library to get books on CD. But the ones I wanted were checked out and I suspected Chris had already been there.
When I got home, I contacted Stacey, who was ready to wrap gifts. So I put mine in the car and picked her up at her house. We went to the Housing office where they had a gift wrap station. I was pleased to see such high quality paper and ribbon. We both wrapped until the place closed at 5. I was done, but she planned to go back tomorrow to finish up.
When I got home, I made a salad with an egg and salmon on top. I listened to a Ben Greenfield podcast while I refreshed mixes, and made seed crackers. While the crackers baked, I washed dishes. Then Chris and I watched two episodes of ST:NG. When I went back to my e-mail, I discovered that Yahoo was systematically marking all my 'unread' e-mail as 'read'. With an inbox of 10,000 e-mails, it will be almost impossible to find the unread ones. I wrote my blog and got ready for bed.
* This is me, at the gift wrap station. *

Twednesday

I got up at 8. I spent some time getting photo files cleaned up on the new laptop. Stuff is not where I had it on the old laptop. I decided to do my meditation and tapping morning today because Chris will be off of work tomorrow. After that, I cleaned bathrooms and the kitchen. Then I made and ate breakfast. I almost forgot it was Tuesday.
I got dressed and went to church. Lars had knee surgery so I had to do the whole process myself. And there was a lot of checks and cash this time. After preparing the bank deposit, I recorded everything in the computer. As I was finishing up, William called to say he'd found a pair of shoes he thought I'd like. Then I went to the bank and made the deposit, and went home.
Chris was home already. I looked at e-mail. I talked to Faye. No one pressured her to take Dad home today, so he will come home Friday as planned. Chris cooked the rest of the hangar steak. I ate that and a salad. Stacy texted me about the tree. I assumed she was ready for it, so I bundled up and carried the tree across the street to her house. I wanted to stay and help decorate, but instead we sat at her kitchen table and talked. She made me a cup of tea. I asked if she knew where I could buy a harmonica since it was too late to order one. Her husband whipped out his phone, located them on Amazon and said with his prime account, he could have it shipped to my Dad's house by Friday. So, thinking I could just give him my card number, I let him order it. But no, he paid with his account, so I promised to bring money tomorrow. Then Stacy said we could go shopping tomorrow and I thought it was a nice idea.
Eventually her husband cooked personal pan pizzas for them. So she and I decided to meet at 10:30 tomorrow and I left. When I got in, Chris and I watched three episodes of ST:NG. I jotted notes for my blog and went to bed.
* Lauri made this. *

A day for uncharacteristic weather

I got up at 8:20, surprised once again to see how late it was. I must not be hearing the 7:30 alarm. I brushed and swished. I listened to podcasts. One speaker said that the timing of medications determines how well they work and how toxic they are. I tried listening to a tapping audio on the new laptop, but there was no sound. I e-mailed Chris and he suggested rebooting it. So I did, and then it was ok.
I made and ate breakfast, after all the pre-breakfast supplements and mixes. Although I finished on time, I lost track of time after that and nearly forgot to go quilting. But at noon, I put my machine in the car and headed out. It was a surprising 72 degrees.
There were a moderate number of women there. I set up in the back. I watched Bertha and Rebecca finish the binding on Rebecca's quilt. Lauri was working on a hot chocolate quilt. Alice came to talk to me. Then Sheryl came to sew. Shirley showed us a casserole carrier that she made. I worked on dishtowels until 3:30. Then I packed up and went home because it was getting dark.
When I got home, I went to the mailbox to look for mail, but there was none. I returned to the house, opened the garage door and brought in the tomato plant. I saw the mail truck park in front of the bank of boxes. I stood in the kitchen eating anti-aging yogurt and waited for the mailman to leave. I finally decided to go for a walk. And then he left. So I walked around the circle and got the mail on the way back. I just happened to see Stacy come home. I thought she might return my texts, but she didn't.
Chris cooked me a few slices of meat for supper. I made and ate a large salad. I looked at fog machines on Amazon (for remediation of mold spores). I also looked for citrus seed extracts to put in it. A storm moved it and there was great wind and rain. Faye called to say the case worker had pressured her to agree to take Dad home tomorrow, in spite of his not being able to get himself out of bed. Faye anticipates more pressure tomorrow.
At 8 I sat down with Chris to watch ST:NG. We watched two episodes. Sadly, the second one was “To Be Continued”. Then Chris went to bed and I stayed up to blog, and take EDTA.
* Rebecca's turtle quilt is a work of art. *

A visit with Julia

I got up early. I took EDTA (for detoxing from mold), and went back to bed. Then Chris' phone rang. He rushed to pick it up, but they had hung up. Then there was a message from Marie, giving him a number to call. He called, and she answered. He wished her a happy birthday. She had called on behalf of Cecily who was anxious because she hadn't heard from Chris recently enough. We had a nice conversation and hung up.
I took a shower, read e-mail, and got dressed for church. I took my choir folder and headed out. When I got there, the choir was already assembled. I joined them and we sang through several times. After dismissal, I told Jennifer that I was unsure of one measure, so we went to the organ and rehearsed it. Then I went out to get a bulletin.
During the service. Don was late getting his offering out, so I offered to pass it on later. After the service, I put it in the plate and then put the plate's contents in the safe. Roz, who is over 90, played a Pachabel postlude and everyone clapped. Don went over with his rolator to congratulate her. I talked to Bill, whom I hadn't seen in a while.
I went home. I changed clothes and sat with Chris, who was watching something based on DC comics. He heated up leftovers for me. I read e-mail as I ate. Then we went to Publix for groceries. Instead of going straight home, we went to St. Thomas where we waited for the meat lady. Only, I was there for eggs, and bought two dozen. When we came home, we put the food away. Chris cooked pumpkin on the stove. He gave me a massage. After some time, he put bananas in the freezer while I ate the last of the previous batch of pumpkin banana cream.
I did some handsewing while watching TV with Chris. Then I made breakfast. As I was assembling the ingredients, I could hear that my neighbor was home, so I went over there with the gift. When she opened it, she was complimentary. We talked as she stirred caramel. When it was ready, she poured it in a flat pan to cool and harden. She gave me some for Chris. Then she made another batch. She said I must be good luck, because the batches cooked quickly and turned out right. We had a nice visit together and she told me to come back any time.
When I got home, it was 8. Chris put on Netflix and called up ST:NG. We watched two episodes. I saw a text from Julia about toxic dumping on Redstone. Then Chris went to bed while I stayed up to blog.
* This is Peggy's quilt top from last weekend. *

It was so romantic

I woke up at 8, my ears ringing. I took EDTA and went back to bed until my alarm rang. I got dressed and went for a walk around the circle. Chris was up when I got back.
I compared and sourced supplements on the protocol list. I spent the most time looking for MMST silica, and glutathione. It was almost noon when I made and ate breakfast. Then I sat outside and read, with only one bare foot because it was cold. When I came in, I did more comparisons and ordered more mold plates and a candle that is supposed to treat the mold in a room.
Chris was watching a movie and I wanted to listen to a podcast. So I plugged headphones into the speaker jack of the desktop computer. Then I could sew and listen at the same time. When he finished the movie, he said I could play the podcast out loud. But when I plugged the speakers back in, there was no sound. Chris recommended rebooting. I did, and it took a long time to get back to where I was.
Chris cooked hanger steak for me. I didn't know what cut that was, but I must have bought it at the farmer's market during the summer. It was outstanding! He also cooked a mixture of onions, garlic, and peppers.
I went back to sewing. Chris left for a Christmas party. He said I was invited, but I had sewing to do. I also listened to podcasts from the Mitochondrial Summit. One speaker talked highly of extra-corporeal shockwave therapy. He had a unit made by TRT.
I listened while I quilted. When that was done, I put a few last stitches in a hanging towel for my neighbor. Then I fashioned a bag out of wrapping paper and put the towels inside. I used my massage ball to roll out the muscle stiffness from so much sitting.
The last interview ended and I sat down to write to my blog. Chris came home from the Christmas party. He said there were at least twice as many women as men and most of them chatted him up. He said if I had been there, I could have saved him. I thought he would have enjoyed all the feminine attention, but he said he only wanted mine. Then he pulled up lyrics and sang along with the corresponding videos. It was very romantic. But trying to roll up next to him, I pulled up the rug and noticed a large cut. Neither one of us could figure out how or when it could have happened. He sang some more, and then we got ready for bed.
* This pic was taken at Jane's church on Tuesday. *

The amazing upside of sauerkraut juice

I got up at 8, astonished that it was so late. I drank water and looked for the Christmas tree. I was expecting to find it in a long narrow box. I looked everywhere. But I finally found it in the garage wrapped in paper. I turned on the router and checked my blog. According to posts from two years ago, the ornaments are their boxes in the garage. I looked but did not find them. I looked at more blog posts, then went back to the garage and did a more thorough search of the area where the tree was. Then I found the box of lights and the wreath.
I opened a box lying on my chair. Chris must have found it on the front porch when he left this morning. It contained 3 personal harmonizers. I put one by the Berkey, one by my laptop and one by the router.
I tried to answer the practitioner's e-mail. I compared protein profiles on supplements and mother's milk, looking for good alternatives. I looked up dangers of glycerin because one of his supplements contained it.
Chris came home for lunch. I was not expecting him. I downloaded Waterfox to the new laptop. I printed the protocol for supplement use. I made the pre-breakfast mixes, and then breakfast.
I wrote the blog post for yesterday. I put a new address in my address book. I paid the practitioner's amended invoice. I sourced cheaper alternatives for next time.
Chris came home from work while I was joining pieces of batting to make larger rectangles. We watched one episode of ST:NG. Chris left to game with his friends at a local game store. I made a large salad and ate it while listening to a podcast on glyphosate. The speaker recommended sauerkraut juice to detox from all the glyphosate in the food and environment.
I put on another interview. I ate some heart soup. Then I went back to making bigger pieces of batting. Chris came home early from gaming because only one other person showed up. We watched two episodes of ST:NG. Then I finished the podcast and we went to bed.
* This is a project being worked on at the retreat last weekend. *

Protocol

I stayed up late looking at the invoice that the functional medicine practitioner sent me, and looking for ways to reduce the price. It included two months worth of 9 supplements, and totaled over $1000. I tried to collect my thoughts on the issue, but was too tired. So I went to bed, but it was late. I had to leave the router on because my laptop was still downloading to the new one.
When I woke up, the ringing in my ears had increased. I got up, took some EDTA, and went back to bed until my alarm rang. Then I brushed and swished. I put on a presentation of metabolic disease, and mended the sweatshirt that Chris laid on my sewing table. He said he bought it when he was 17. This is the first time I have mended it.
I sat down to compose a response to the invoice. I looked for other supplements that were equivalent to the ones they were selling. I kept finding other things to do because focusing on that was hard. Once the message was sent, I went back to interviews. One speaker said you should restrict blood flow in arms and legs by 40% when working out to build muscle fiber faster.
I made and ate breakfast, then got ready for quilting. I did not have my watch on and was late leaving. When I got there, turnout was light. I showed off my blue blue quilt. Carol took pics of it, which later would find their way to the Stitch-Its Facebook page. Then I quilted while listening to the conversations around me. Some people left at 2. Pat came in late and stayed until 3. I left with Christy, not long after. When I got home, I ordered powders for the green powder mix I have with breakfast. I checked e-mail and listened to interviews. I made a salad for supper. I was eating and tapping, when Chris came home from work. I saw that he got the box from the front porch. I put in a few rows of quilting.
At 7 I sat down to a skype call with my tapping buddy. We shared our respective week, and then tapped for her 2nd chakra issues. It took almost 2 hours. Afterward, Chris and I watched one episode of St:NG. I got so sleepy, that I went to bed with Chris, leaving my blog writing for tomorrow.
* This is a quilt that Jane displayed on Tuesday. *

Snow - No snow

I heard my alarm ring at 7:30 but it took me awhile to talk myself into getting out of bed. I stayed up too late writing my blog post last night. When I got up, I looked outside to see the snow. I took a good look because it wouldn't last.
I brushed and swished and listened to interviews. I made coffee. I exercised, meditated and tapped. I cleaned the bathrooms and washed the rugs, along with a shirt that I was trying to get stains out of. I scrubbed the floor tiles with an old toothbrush. Then I took a shower while the rugs were drying. I got the floor wet and set up the fan to dry it. I dried myself and got dressed. The Korean doctors are in Korea so I had the afternoon free.
I swept the common areas. Then I sat in backyard and read. The snow was gone but it was still cold, so I only had one bare foot on the grass. Then I went inside to warm up. I read through the protocol and other info that the functional health practitioner sent. It was a lot to do and think about. But there was no bill, yet.
I made breakfast and vitamin water. Then, Chris came home. I read e-mail while I ate. My laptop was delivered and Chris answered the door. I opened the box and he took it out. I ate some heart soup while he warmed up the laptop. I answered some health questions on a website. It got slower and slower. It took 15 minutes just to scroll down to the bottom of the page to answer the last question. It took almost 10 minutes to register the answer. I couldn't wait.
I walked next door to Stacey's house with my choir folder. She was just coming out, or she saw me coming. We got in her car and she drove to church. When everyone else arrived, Jennifer had us practice three songs – that is all that is left for the year. Then we went up front to practice singing in place. Melody directed the one for Christmas Eve because Jennifer will be in Canada with her family.
When we got home from choir, Stacey pulled up in front of my driveway. We chatted for a while longer, then I bid her good night and went inside. The temp was just above freezing.
I sat in the living room with Chris and we watched one episode of ST:NG. I sipped vitamin water and took evening supplements. I had to close Waterfox because it was horked up. Chris told me I had to leave the router on all night to transfer files to the new laptop. I suspected that a wired connection would be faster, but Chris went directly to bed. I finished my vitamin water and wrote my blog post for today. Then I got ready for bed.
* This is one of the quilt tops someone showed off yesterday. *

Let it snow, let it snow

I woke early, hearing Chris take a shower. But I stayed in bed. Eventually some daylight came in. I got up to find out that it was raining, and later than I thought. I listened to interviews while swishing and rinsing sprouts. Beverly called to say she might be late.
At 9:15 I went to quilting. Beverly arrived just before I did. She gave me a bag of gifts and I gave her a stack of fat quarters. I put red and white fat quarters in the bags for Robin and Anita. Susan was handing out small bags she had sewn with some special soap inside. It is meant to go in the closet. Someone was giving out little santa faces and we each pinned one to our chest. Then I put my swap gift (of fabric) on the swap table. Soon the group gathered around the swap table, sitting in chairs. Robin read a poem that instructed each person when to select a gift and who to trade with. It was more interesting than it sounds. When all was said and done, we each opened the gift we were holding. I got basting spray and a crocheted doily. The maker said she made it in an evening. Wow!
We all chatted, then went to see the decorated sanctuary upstairs. When we came back, ladies were setting up for lunch but it wasn't even 11 yet. Anticipating a busy day, I took my leave. As I said good bye and walked out, Susan called me back and handed me a bag of fabric. Ha ha. She was the one who got the fabric I brought to the game.
When I got home, it was still raining lightly. I made breakfast, and ate some before I got a call. It was the assistant to the functional medicine doctor. She reviewed my test results with me and made supplement recommendations. She recommended a fogger for eliminating indoor mold. I took notes, but she is going to send me a protocol to follow along with a list of supplements that they sell. I finished breakfast and made seed crackers.
I went to church a little early because it was snowing. I entered numbers on the computer, then texted Elaine to see if she wanted to meet. She wasn't feeling well. So then I printed the reports and took the deposit to the bank and went home.
The seed crackers were crisping in the oven. I ate a bite. I also had some soup. I turned the interviews back on. I read e-mail while listening. MQG canceled their party for tonight because of the snow. I started sewing. Chris came home from work. He took a picture of the snow in the back yard and e-mailed it to his buddy in Honduras. I talked to Faye, but she wasn't at the rehab yet, so hadn't seen Dad today.
Stacey agreed to go for a walk even though it was snowing. I bundled up warmly and stood by the window. When I saw her come out, I went out to greet her. We walked three times around the circle in the falling snow. Then we hugged and went home.
I think I ate a little something more. An orange? Then I quilted placemats while listening to an interview with Stefanie Seneff. When it ended, I asked Chris if he had something to say. I should know better by now. It wasn't pretty. I sewed some more, until 8. Chris brought me some pumpkin/banana cream. Then we sat on the couch and watched two episodes of ST:NG. He went to bed and I stayed up to blog.

Getting ready for parties

I thought about getting up this morning when I heard the front door close behind Chris, who was on his way to work. But I stayed in bed until after 7 when my cortisol kicked in. I brushed and swished. I made vitamin water. I put away the pumpkin door hanging. I read e-mail and listened to interviews from the Fatty Liver Docu-class. I wrapped a gift for the Tuesday night exchange. I also put together a pile of stuff for the Tuesday morning party.
I took binders before 10 and pre-breakfast supplements after 10. Finally I made and ate breakfast. My machine was already in the car so I just carried out the projects that I wanted to work on. Then I drove to quilting, going the round-about way because I was so used to turning onto Triana.
I chatted with the ladies whom I hadn't seen since before Thanksgiving. I trimmed placemats and turned them right side out. The blue quilt was missing 4 inches of binding. I pieced in a segment and made it continuous. But it took me three tries. I am losing my touch.
I watched the other ladies help Lauri get her machine to embroider names. How many quilters does it take to embroider? Kurt texted me about a plant he got from his ham radio club.
Around 3:30 I packed up and headed back to base. I stopped at the post office because I thought Chris had a late meeting. But the box was empty and when I got home, Chris was there. He pulled my machine from the trunk and I put the tomato plant in the garage in prep for inclement weather tomorrow.
There was a box from Swansons on my chair. I opened it and put the contents away. I also dealt with junk mail. I checked the home mail and found two Christmas cards, one from MaryAnn and one from Linda. They are both way ahead of me.
Chris cooked heart, and brussel sprouts and sliced tomatoes with cheese. Oh, and mashed yucca root. I did stretches and used my massage ball. I put away some fabric from the sewing table, and arranged the remaining strips.
When supper was ready, I put some food in a bowl and put juice on the mashed yucca. For dessert I ate some of the pumpkin/banana cream. I drew tiny flying geese on graph paper while listening to interviews. I meant to make something for the party tomorrow, but forgot all about it.
I sat on the couch and picked up the binding of the red quilt. Chris put on a Michael Caine movie from Netflix. It was another old man movie. No adventure and he dies at the end. I finished the binding just before it ended. Then Chris went to bed and I stayed up to write two blog posts, and take the liposomal glutathione that arrived today.
* How many quilters does it take to run an embroidery machine? *

A second day of sewing

Chris got up early, although I don't know why. I got up about 8 I guess. I did the usual morning stuff in a condensed fashion, then took a shower and got dressed for church.
I went to church with my choir folder and two bars of hotel soap to donate. I warmed up with the choir, then headed to the bathroom. Then I went to the church office to make a correction to the 11/17 offering report. ServantKeeper did not make it easy. By the time I got to the sanctuary, the announcements were almost over. When communion came around, we filed in from my side first, probably to make sure Don and Jim did not have to walk far. After the service, several people talked to me. Then I headed home. But I stopped on the way at Tuesday Morning to buy fabric packets for Dirty Santa gifts.
When I got home, I changed clothes and went grocery shopping with Chris. When we got back, I helped put away food. I wanted to eat breakfast but there wasn't room in the kitchen. I changed the doorhanging from the pumpkin to the present.
Then I drove to the Drury hotel. First I chatted with the ladies who mostly worked for Nasa contractors. Then I sandwiched placemats, and sewed a binding on a charity quilt. I did that all by machine then handsewed the corners. I also stitched on a label by hand. Once I turned it in. I stitched batting together and sandwiched more placemats. I asked at the front desk about the buffet. I told the ladies we were invited to eat. But they helped Carrie pack up first. Then the buffet was closed.
I packed up at 7:30 and went home. I made salad, sat by Chris and ate it. Chris put on ST:NG. After watching two episodes, we were both tired and went to bed. I did not stay up to blog.

Local retreat

I got up about 8:30. I brushed and swished. I took supplements at intervals. I made vitamin water, vinegar water, and dandelion tea. I read e-mail, and listened to episode 4 of the docu-series. Chris kept interrupting it to complain about it.
I finished the pre-breakfast mixes, then made and ate breakfast. I cut 4 strips for binding. I packed projects and batting for sewing. I looked up the route to the hotel. While moving bags to the car, I discovered a box on our porch. Chris brought it in while I took my stuff out to the car and headed out.
I had no trouble finding the hotel where the modern quilt guild was having a sewing weekend. Someone had 'donated' the use of the meeting room to us. I grabbed all of my bags and went inside. The nice lady at the desk pointed me to the meeting room. There were quilters inside, just sewing away. I found a nice spot to park my bags. Then I went to the back door. I asked Amanda to hold it open while I got my machine from the car and rolled it over. Then she held the door for the next quilter to drive up.
I sewed the binding strips together, pressed it in half, then sewed it to the blue quilt. I was surprised to find it 4 inches short.
Then I assembled the doorhanging and quilted it. I had a good time chatting with the ladies around me. Two of us took a break to sign cards to go with the auction items. Then I got out my bottles and took regular swigs while I made 3 placemats.
The manager of the hotel invited us to partake of the supper buffet they have for guests. So Peggy and I went to check it out. She ate a hotdog and I got a salad. Two other quilters joined us. Then I went back for a baked potato and sour cream. We talked about the Whole30 diet, which did a lot for her and her husband.
After supper, I went back to the room and pieced some batting to make a fourth placemat. Then I had to decide whether to leave my stuff there for tomorrow or take it with me. I decided to pack up and take it with me, leaving myself the option of coming back tomorrow afternoon.
I packed up and drove home. Chris had cooked pumpkin so I ate a small piece. We watched two episodes of ST:NG. Then we made the bed with freshly washed sheets. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to blog.

Yogurt for kimchi?

I heard the alarm go off at 7:30. I got up soon after. I brushed and swished. I made vitamin water and vinegar water. I collected a sample for Viome and packaged it for mailing. Then I went on their website to register the kit, but it was already registered. I noted that new kits are cheaper than the ones I previously bought on sale. I added updated info to my account.
I watered the plants, and listened to interviews from the Fatty Liver summit. I read e-mail and unsubscribed from a bunch of newsletters. Dr. Lee called to say I should come by the clinic because he had kimchi for me from Dr. Grace. So I got dressed. I picked knotted stitches out of an embroidery project that my mother barely started. I thought Michele might want it.
At 10 I went to the post office to mail the sample. I found a package of supplements in our box. Then I went to the Korean clinic. He gave me kimchi, and I gave him a jar of anti-aging yogurt. When I got home, I started the pre-breakfast mixes. Then I made and ate breakfast. It was not a sunny day so I stayed inside. I tasted the yogurt. The flavor was good, but the consistency was gummy. After breakfast, I got out all my supplements and made up two weeks worth of dosages.
Chris came home from a work party. I sat at my sewing machine and pieced a back for the doorhanging. Then I went for a walk and some fresh air. As I walked, I noted that everyone has a black door, and few were decorated. Of those that were, only one wreath actually showed up against the black.
When I got back, I put some pulled pork and kimchi in a dish. I sat on the couch beside Chris, who apparently ran out of e-mail and was listening to music from the '80's. Then I made a large salad. After supper, I looked for a piece of batting for the doorhanging. I wasn't happy with what I found. I went back to e-mail and found a tapping video. Then William called from the grocery store. Afterward, I called Faye. As usual, she was worrying about lining up supervision for Dad when he gets out of rehab.
Chris and I watched two episodes of ST:NG. Then we watched a documentary about a prehistoric fish. Then I typed up my blog so we could retire for the night.

World Soil Day

The house was cold this morning because we had turned the heat off last night in order to hear the TV, and we forgot to turn it back on. I got up about 7 and turned the heat on. I brushed and swished. I stretched my left leg and foot. I mixed up a bottle of vitamin water and one of vinegar water.
My blood sugar was 93. I ate some dried jujubes. I got an e-mail from the dentist to confirm an appointment for next week at 8am. I called and said my appointment was for 9:30, and that 8 was too early. So I had to reschedule. The earliest they had was in February. I watered the inside plants, the outside plants and the garage plant. I picked a tiny tomato from the stalk in the garage which was showing new growth.
I listened to episode 2 of the Fatty Liver summit. I started a new batch of sprouts. My one hour after jujube blood sugar was 126. I poured boiling water into two small glass jars to sterilize them. Then I scooped some home made yogurt into each one.
I got dressed and took one jar to the chiropractic clinic. I had to have my back stretched before I could see the doctor. Then I gave him the jar. He seemed pleased. As he adjusted my spine, we talked about stem cell therapy. He checked the glide on both wrists. Then I checked out at the front desk. I did not have to pay this time, but next January is a different matter.
When I got home, I made breakfast, refilling some of the containers. It was sunny out, so I ate breakfast in the back yard. Then I put my machine in my trunk and went to quilting.
The place was full since it was pot luck day. I had to park far to the back. I decided not to drag my machine so far. So I just went in without it. The ladies were talking, having just finished lunch. I talked to several people, then settled next to Marjorie to hear all about her dogs. Gerry gave me a crocheted spool cushion. After Marjory left, I talked to Leanne, who was making embroidered ornaments. At two we started packing up. Then her blood sugar dropped because she had taken too much insulin after lunch. Christy and I stayed while she ate cookies to balance her blood sugar. When she went out to her car, we waited some more. Eventually I went home.
When I got home, I searched for the fabric wreath that I made in Korea, but with no luck. I checked the weather, then put the tomato plant out to get pollinated. I auditioned Christmas fabric for the front door. I brought in the mail. There was one piece for the neighbors, so I delivered it. I ate a banana.
I chose a fabric and made a 'gift' to hang on the door. I started cutting a backing, then stopped to make a salad for supper. I ate it in front of my laptop, reading e-mail. Then I ate some of the pulled pork with salsa. I called my sister to see how things were going. I got to talk to Dad for a little bit. I forgot to tell him that today is World Soil Day.
Then Skype rang on the desktop. I pulled Skype up on my laptop and tried to answer it. The connection was bad so she called again and this time it was fine. We tapped for my issues until almost 9. Then Chris and I watched an episode of ST:NG. Afterward, Chris went to bed, and I stayed up to blog.
* This is the new growth on my tomato plant. *

Calling to confirm what I already know

Chris got up really early. I guess he ate breakfast and I heard him take a shower. When I heard the front door close, I got up. I started my detox morning by harvesting water and making coffee. I listened to a podcast while I exercised, dry-brushed and rebounded. Then I put on meditation music. During the tapping and meditation portion, Chris came home. He had dropped his car off at the dealership, but apparently it took them 3 hours to give him a ride home. I told him he could use my car until 2pm. I finished the detox and started cleaning. Then I took a shower and got dressed. It was sunny out so I
sat outside and finished my book. Then I came in and made breakfast. Chris took my car to collect 2 weeks worth of mail at the post office, and to drop off the rent check. He was back by the time I finished breakfast.
I got ready, and went to the Korean clinic. They were happy to see me. When I said I would be gone two weeks, they thought I would miss two Wednesdays. He wanted me to check on his application to Texas. He had gotten an e-mail that clearly said he had to take and pass all four parts of the NCCAOM test. But he made me call anyway to confirm. She said it was too stressful for him at his age to study for the tests. So they are not going to Texas.
Then she wanted me to call the airline to see how many free bags she could take on a flight. I looked it up on the website. The answer was 2. She had been told 2 when she made the reservation, but again, I was entreated to call and make sure. But I couldn't get through so the airline put me on call-back.
We had another talk about paying sales tax. He found out that the store next door has a CPA. He said CPA and HnR Block are two separate things. She said they were the same. They turned to me for the answer. I said I thought they were very similar and to call them.
Dr. Lee poured me a detox foot bath. While I relaxed into it, Dr. Grace told me stories about someone they knew in California. Afterward, she fed me some of her kimchi and said the Asian store puts msg in their kimchi, but tells people that they don't. Ooooookay. She said to come back on Friday and she would give me a package of kimchi.
On the way home, I stopped at the library to return one book and pick up another. When I got back to the house, Chris was watching The Last Jedi. I watched for a little while, and ate some of the pulled pork that he roasted in the oven all day. Then he suggested we finish the book on CD. So we listened to the last CD. The voice threatened to put me in a trance state which would lead to sleep. I did not want that because I still had to drive to choir practice.
I had about 15 minutes after it ended to get ready. He wanted a loaf of bread for tomorrow. But we did not have enough flour left. So he gave me a container of corn flour to make up the difference. I was skeptical, but I had no plans to eat it anyway. So I threw it all together into the bread machine , the left for choir.
When I got there, I turned in the blue bank bags, then found my folder and sat with the choir. When I couldn't find my glasses I realized that I had forgotten my purse. I sang the best I could considering I was sight reading blurry music. Afterward I talked to Lars, who was going to have a knee operation.
When I got home, the yogurt was done. I called Faye back while I put it in the fridge to solidify. Then we watched a Michael Caine movie called Nothing On, or something like that. I thought it was silly and slapstick, but Chris seemed to like it. He went to bed and I stayed up to blog for today and yesterday.

Back to Huntsville

I woke up with the first alarm. I stayed in bed until the second alarm, which woke Chris up. We cuddled for awhile, then I got up to start my morning routine, or as much as I could do in a hotel room. Chris took a shower and I ate breakfast. Then we both read e-mail. I listened to two tapping audios. About 9:30 we packed the car and got on the road. We listened to the book on CD all the way to Huntsville.
I was supposed to meet Elaine at the church after entering the offering, so Chris just dropped me off at the church, then went home to unpack the car. I entered the numbers for this week, then sent her a text. She was not feeling well, so canceled. I discovered the numbers from last week and entered those as well. I ran into problems, but solved them by calling Lars. After I printed the reports, Chris came to pick me up. We stopped at the bank to deposit the money, then went to Publix for groceries.
We unpacked the groceries, then I unpacked my suitcase. There was a ton of little things to do to get everything back where it belonged.
Chris cooked bison and onions and garlic for supper. I added sprouts to my portion. I ate two bowls because we did not have lunch. We spent most of the evening listening to the next two CDs of the book we had been listening to. It put me in a kind of stupor. At midnight the second one ended and we just went to bed.
* This is Chris, getting something from the trunk of his car. *

The irrepressible Earl

I got up around 7. I brushed and swished and got dressed. I gathered my stuff together. I made and ate breakfast, plus made breakfast for tomorrow. Patrick suggested I take some sewing stuff with me, so I kind of went through some of it that Michele might want or need. I was certain to leave myself stuff to mend Dad's clothes with.
I meant to eat the bits of meat left on the chicken bones from last night, but there was no time for that. Chris showed up at 10 and started moving my stuff to the car. I looked around one last time and found I had forgotten a pair of shoes and a quilt that I had intended to work on. I also took the crock pot since we need one and Mom's hadn't been used since before she died.
So then we got on the road. I asked Chris how things went at his parent's house. He said he had tried to replace his computer fan, but when he opened the case, there were multiple fans. The one he ordered was not the one that was dead. To make matters worse, when he reassembled the laptop, the screen didn't work. So he had gotten a HDMI cable so he could hook it to a TV and use that for a screen.
We finishes listening to the book on CD and started a new one by the time we got to Bristol. We encountered some snow flurries in the last hour of the trip. We checked in and moved our stuff into the hotel room. We spent some time together.
I called Faye to check on Dad. She said she had found him sitting in his wheelchair by the nurse's station. I think he was in time out because they caught him walking down the hallway looking for a place to dispose of a banana peel. (If only I had a pic of that). Then, in the wheelchair, he tried to use the elevator. Yesterday I would have sworn he could not do either. So they had a seat alarm on him to be sure he didn't get up.
Chris hooked his laptop to the TV in the room. I read e-mail while he played his game. Then we went to Red Lobster for dinner. I ordered the lobster. Chris ate all the biscuits while we waited for our meals to come. His meal did not take long to eat, but it took me a while to get all the meat out of the lobster. And boy was it good! Mmmmm. The waitress happened to mention that we were her last table for the night. It took me awhile to realize that we were keeping her there by not leaving sooner. They had a credit card reader at the table so we could pay without bothering the waitress. I didn't like sitting so close to a signal-emitting device.
Chris drove us back to the hotel. He dropped me off at the door, then parked the car. We went up to the 10th floor together. He played his game while I talked to Faye and Dad. Then I called William to let him know about the key.
Chris specced out a laptop for me on the Dell site. But when he tried to order it, the delivery date was Dec 23rd. So then he found something similar on Newegg. Although both sites claimed Cyber Monday prices, they still wanted upwards of $2000. Maybe my hinges are worth fixing after all.
We watched one episode of The Good Place. It was the season ender, so then we saw an episode of ST:NG. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to post to my blog.
* I ordered the live Maine lobster. But he didn't make it. *