Starry night on the prairie

Just woke up from a short nap.  I didn’t sleep very well last night and needed an energy boost to get through the rest of the day.  Jim had to be at church at 8:00 this morning so he was tired too as he didn’t get to bed until close to 2:00.  I love Sunday afternoon naps!

I didn’t go to church until 10:00.  While Jim was gone this morning I started the deep cleaning project.  I didn’t get a lot done this morning but at least the project is started.

The lady that sat with me last time I was in church sat beside me again.  She struggles to stand up so I remained seated with her again today.  She put her gloves on at some point during service as she was cold.  I wished I had thought to take my gloves as I was cold during service too.

We don’t have anything on our calendar until Wednesday evening.  I do want to go see the new Mr. Rogers movie sometime over the next two or three days.  It is showing here in Stillwater.

We got the last of our Christmas shopping done last night.  If everything comes in as ordered we should be in good shape.  I have a few things at my house I need to remember to bring back with me.  I will still need to wrap things when they come in but Christmas shopping is done!

I have been cold all day today.  It is in the low 60’s outside but I got a chill this morning and can’t seem to warm up.  Sure hope I am not getting sick.

Being at Jim’s house without my normal things to do still feels weird to me.  I don’t have anything to do to feel productive.  It is forcing me to relax and remember being is enough.  Sometimes that lesson is still hard to sit with.

Grateful for Sunday afternoon naps, grateful my Christmas shopping is done, and grateful for my life lessons.

 

Last night I fell asleep on the couch watching Rachel Maddow.  I finally woke up around 11:00.  Stayed up until 1:00 and than went to bed.  I had trouble falling asleep but managed to get another couple hours of sleep before I got up at 7:00 this morning.

It has been a lazy day for me today.  We went to Lowe’s to pick up a few things Jim needed and than stopped by the grocery store.  I had a headache when we got home so laid down for a bit.  I didn’t sleep long but felt a bit better when I got up.  I still have a bit of a headache but it isn’t pounding like it was before.

Walked 1/2 mile down the sidewalk today.  It felt good to get back out and start walking.  I will add some distance each day until I get back up to a couple miles a day.

Talked to my real estate partner today. The people that wanted to rent the house have four big inside dogs. We decided that we weren’t going to proceed with discussions with them. They live in a RV. How do they do that with four dogs?

It is in the mid 50’s here today but the sun is shinning and the wind isn’t too strong.  There is a bit of nip in the air though and it feels like it might get cold tonight.

Tomorrow Jim has to be at church by 8:00.  The choir is singing at both services.  He is going to come back and get me after the first service is over.

I dropped my pill box this morning and spilled out all the pills on the floor.  We keep finding more pills.  Thankfully I found all my thyroid medication which is the only one that is really important I take each day.  I hate when I do something stupid like that.

Texted with Ellexia for a bit today.  She and her daddy have been in Kentucky visiting family.  Sounds like she is having a good time.  She was mad though as her student teacher brought her dog to school on Friday and Ellexia had to miss it.

Last weekend Ellexia and I went on-line and she picked out her birthday present.  It is to arrive via mail Monday or Tuesday this week.  I hope the things she picked out fit.  She likes to shop.  This way I know she will get something she likes.

We have been working on scrapping and cleaning windows to get them ready to put the storm windows back up.  Clean windows are so pretty!  Makes me want to go home and clean all of mine.

Feeling a bit scattered and lost this afternoon.  Part of it is because I don’t have tasks to do while I am here.  Jim did give me permission to clean his house this afternoon.  I want to do a deep clean on it while I am here.  He keeps a pretty clean house but it needs a woman’s touch.  The woodwork needs washed, etc.  While I am up in the mornings and he sleeps I will get started on it.  It will feel good to have something productive to do.

The Winter Solstice is two weeks from today.  This last two weeks of darkness before the light starts to return is always hard for me.  I’m always more than ready for the light to start to grow in length each day.  I need to give some thought to the intentions I want to set for the coming year.  I choose a word for the year that reminds me of something I want to focus on.  My word for this year was “We” to remind myself to lean on others and not isolate myself.  I have used balance, movement, and pause in past years.  Not sure what I want to use for 2020.

Grateful for naps and lazy days, grateful for a cleaning project to give me something to do, and grateful for the light that I draw my strength from.

We went to Best Buy and Lowe’s today to pick up some items. Didn’t find what I wanted at Best Buy and got overwhelmed with all the choices. Jim got some supplies from Lowe’s. He then took me to the local kitchen store and I got a good cookie scooper.

After lunch we went outside and scrapped the old silicone off a few more storm window frames. Ended up with two small cuts on my fingers from hitting unexpected rough edges on the frames. Ouch!

I need to fix dinner in a bit. Not sure what I am making other than we have some chicken thawed and it needs to be used up.

My thighs are sore from doing squats at therapy yesterday. Man! I am out of shape. When I get back here after my short trip home in two weeks I want to join the Y in Stillwater for three months and start working out. I am not doing well working out on my own at home. Maybe I can stick with it for three months if I go to a gym.

Haven’t heard from the people that might be interested in renting my house for three months. Not sure if my business partner spoke with them or not. I have a back-up plan in place in case they don’t come through. We will see what happens.

No plans for anything special to do tomorrow. We didn’t get much done outside today as we started late and lost daylight. Maybe tomorrow we will get an earlier start and get something done. There is lots to do inside too so maybe we can do a project or two inside tonight.

We do need to do some on-line shopping so may get that done tonight. I will be able to relax and enjoy the spirit of the Christmas season when all the gifts are purchased and have arrived. I only have four more gifts to get and I will be done.

I slept hard for about four hours last night and then didn’t sleep well the rest of the night. I almost took a nap this afternoon but went outside instead. May be another early bedtime for me tonight.

For some reason this week the days of the week don’t make sense to me. Having trouble remembering this is Friday. Not really sure what day of the week would make more sense though. One benefit of being retired is I have lost my old relationship to dates and time. Although I occasionally have appointments where I have to be some where most of the time I don’t. The days kinda run together after a while.

My foot is holding up well today. I didn’t use my crutches at all today. So far neither foot is cranky although last night they both were. I could tell the temperature was dropping and changing. It was only in the mid 50’s here today instead of the 70’s like yesterday. It is to be even colder tomorrow. I like the 70’s better!

Grateful for sunny skies today, grateful for this time with Jim, and grateful for what sleep I did get.

Went to physical therapy in Stillwater today.  I have the same therapist I had last time I was here.  She is impressed with where I am so far.  She is going to help me strengthened my core and work on my balance on uneven surfaces.  I set up three more appointments with her which will take me up to my last appointment with my surgeon.  Then I will find out from him if I need additional therapy or if I am done.

We stopped and got some groceries after physical therapy.  It was a beautiful day here today with the temperature hitting 70.  We worked outside scrapping windows and storm window frames.  I was able to navigate the yard fairly well.

Jim had a library board meeting tonight.  While he was gone I fixed dinner and washed the dishes.  We had a nice dinner when he got home.

The temperature is to drop a bit tomorrow and only be in the mid 50’s tomorrow.  We may have to work inside.  We have plenty of work projects inside to do too so I’m sure we will find something to do.

Got a call from my real estate partner.  Someone contacted him about potentially renting my house for three months.  My partner was going to call them and get more information and do an initial screening and if they pass that he will have them call me to schedule a time where we can meet and they can see the house.  That would be a load off my shoulders if I can find a renter for three to four months.  We’ll see how this plays out.

I was able to sleep about five hours straight last night – an excellent night of sleep for me.  I’m tired this evening.  Thinking I am still recovering from all the Thanksgiving and Christmas busyness.  It has been good to relax here and not have lots of things I feel I have to do each day.

My foot is a bit cranky tonight after the workout the therapist gave me today.  I walked most of the day without my crutches so it is getting used to that too.  Hopefully it will calm down when I take my bath and not be yelling at me all night.

Grateful for a beautiful December day today, grateful for physical therapists, and grateful for my real estate partner.

 

We rushed around this morning and got everything on my list done and were on our way to Wichita a little after 9:00. I got released from using the crutches today. I am to use them if I walk a long distance or on uneven ground. The x-ray looked good and the incision has healed nicely. I go back for my last check in two weeks when I should get released from using the boot.

She gave me orders for two more weeks of physical therapy but said I didn’t need to do all of it if I decide against it. I have an appointment with the therapist in Stillwater tomorrow at noon. I’ll see what the physical therapist here recommends in terms of how much longer I need to go.

I tend to stay off my foot more at Jim’s house than at home so it should continue to heal well the next two weeks.

After we left the doctor’s office we stopped at the New Balance shoe store and Jim got a new pair of shoes. I was going to get some but they recommended I wait until I am out of the boot so both feet can be fitted.

We went to a dive for some tacos after the shoe store and than headed for Stillwater. It was a familiar and uneventful drive here. The cats were glad to get to go outside after being cooped up inside for two weeks.

Jim has choir practice tonight so I will have a quiet evening alone. We are both a bit tired so I may take a nap while he is gone.

I called the plumber this morning to find out what is up with the booster pump. They came out shortly after I called. They finally figured out what the problem was and got it fixed. They found a problem and have ordered parts to fix what broke. My house sitter is to let me know when the parts come in so I can have the plumber back out to fix what broke. Glad this problem is almost resolved.

Before we left this morning I trimmed the hair under Sophia’s collar. Her fur is so thick it blocks the shock collar from shocking her unless I trim her hair. I cut enough off that I was able to tighten the collar one notch and could have cut a bunch more off. I am always afraid I will cut her skin so don’t get too close to her skin.

There was a fairy egg yesterday in the egg bucket Jim brought up. The hens are slowly starting to lay again after their fall break.

It will be nice to relax and not have anything I have to do for the next two weeks. Once I get out of the boot and we come back mid December I have a list of things I want to do here. I am so looking forward to being able to move easily again. Two more weeks!

Grateful for another good report from the doctor today, grateful for another safe journey to Stillwater, and grateful my booster pump issue is finally getting resolved.

Finally got the Newsletter material around 2:00. Jim and I stuffed envelopes from 2:15 until 7:00. Lynn and Kay came to help. We got them all stuffed but not all of them are sealed shut. Lynn will pick them all up in the morning and finish them for me.

We got slowed down a bit as some of the letters were out of order. They also had reverse collated the envelopes but not the letters. Made it a bit more challenging and take a bit longer than it should have to match letters with the right envelope. My back is sore tonight from holding the same position for too long this afternoon. I really wanted to get them all stuffed so I didn’t take breaks. Big mistake! My hot bath will feel really good tonight.

Have been working on crossing things off my to do list to get ready to leave tomorrow. We are coming back to KS for my next doctor’s appointment December 17 so I don’t have to take as much as I first thought I would have to this time. That makes packing this time easier.

I baked a batch of cookies this morning. Jim is a bit of a Cookie Monster and his supply was getting low. It is easier for me to bake at my house than his so decided to get them made. My ovens are starting to bake very unevenly and inconsistently. May need to replace them sometime next year.

Anticipating I will get released from needing to use crutches tomorrow. I have already been off them illegally for almost a week. I will still have to be in the boot for at least two more weeks. The end is in sight!

This surgery was easier than the first one but the accumulative effect of the two is starting to wear me out. It seems like a long time since I was able to move around easily and walk for as long as I wanted to without pain. So looking forward to spring when both feet are completely healed and I am good to go.

It was a beautiful day on the prairie today. I’m sorry I was stuck inside this afternoon stuffing envelopes and I didn’t get out to enjoy the day. Jim didn’t get the sanding on the steps done as he helped me with the newsletter instead. Hopefully when we come back the 17th for two or three days we can get the steps done then. We won’t get the rest of the painting done until spring.

Haven’t heard from my plumber about the booster pump. I hate to leave with it not fixed. I sent him a text and asked for an update but didn’t get a response. I will try to remember to call him in the morning and see if I can find out what they are doing.

Grateful the Newsletter is all stuffed, grateful for help with the Newsletter today, and grateful for ibuprofen for my sore back tonight.

Another busy day on the prairie. I had physical therapy at 1:00 in Emporia. We left a little early so I could drop off some fudge and New Year’s Cookies to Chad. After physical therapy we stopped at the bank to cash two checks. We than went to Walmart to get cat food. I picked up a prescription at CVS and we headed home.

Shortly after we got home the Pella Window Guy showed up to install the seal in the window they had replaced several weeks ago. It didn’t take him very long. He forgot to put the screen back on but I knew how to do that so I didn’t have to call him back.

I have hamburger soup in the crock pot cooking for dinner tonight. It sure makes the house smell good.

The Newsletter isn’t done yet. It still may get done so I can work on it this evening. If not, I won’t get it until mid morning tomorrow. I won’t be able to get it all done for them but will get as much as I can done.

I need to start pulling out some things to pack. I have a doctor’s appointment December 17 so we plan on coming back here for one or two days either before or after that appointment. It will give me a chance to pick up anything I forget so packing doesn’t feel so overwhelming right now.

We still need to go drop off a big pile of recycling. I have been dumping my containers and storing them in the garage so have about three normal trips worth of stuff to take. Jim was going to take it but decided to wash his car instead. We will take it when we pick up the Newsletter either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Got my first electric bill since I had the solar panels installed. It was only $43. A normal bill would have been well over $125. Trusting this summer when the sun shines longer I will see even more savings. My minimum bill each month is $35 regardless of how much electricity we generate. Didn’t need much of their electricity- I like that!

Got the bed Tagen used made up today. Still have some more cleaning that I would like to get done before I leave Wednesday morning and the house sitter comes.

I checked all the critter food supplies this morning and all I needed was the cat food so we didn’t have to make a big feed haul today. Will need to check it all again the 17th and see what we need then.

It has been a beautiful day on the prairie. Mid 50’s and sunshine and the best part has been little to no wind. It is to be nice again tomorrow so Jim hopes to finish sanding the steps and get them painted. I will be working on the Newsletter so he will be on his own to get them done.

My foot continues to improve. I got to 15 with my toe extension today. You only need 10 to walk comfortably, My balance was good this time – last time my balance was really off after surgery. Not sure if that is because I am left handed and that is my strong side that was operated on the first time. Whatever it is I am grateful I didn’t lose my balance so easily this time.

I start physical therapy in Oklahoma on Thursday. Will probably have two to four more weeks of therapy to do. He has been working a bit on my left foot too as it still gets stiff and sore. I can see progress with both feet.

We are going to stop at the New Balance store in Wichita Wednesday after my doctor’s appointment. Jim wants a new pair and I need to see if I can find a pair that will be comfortable for the next six months. The pair I have now I have worn non-stop for almost a year and they are starting to wear out. I have to continue wearing my tennis shoes for six more months before I can start wearing cute shoes again. Good thing I don’t really care what I look like – I totally go only for comfort these days.

Grateful for soup cooking in the crock pot for dinner tonight, grateful my errands got finished, and grateful for this beautiful day on the prairie.

Recovery day for me today. I even took a nap!

We lost power this morning for over three hours. Sure glad it happened today and not yesterday when I was trying to bake a turkey and make dinner. We had the fireplace on in the living room and stayed nice and warm until the furnace came back on when the power returned.

Tagen spent the night. He didn’t get breakfast before the power went out but found snacks to eat. Ellexia came out around 11:00. Michelle and Tim are at the Chief’s football game. The kids had macaroni and cheese for lunch.

They each got new books so we have been reading aloud this afternoon. Tagen is downstairs watching the football game. Ellexia is on her iPad. It has been a quiet afternoon on the prairie.

I am going to fix them dinner tonight and then take them into town to go to their house. I’m not sure when Michelle and Tim will get home. This way the kids can get their showers and get to bed if their parents are running late.

Ellexia and I went shopping on-line this afternoon and ordered her birthday present. She wanted some more clothes. She did a good job picking some things out. They are to arrive on December 11 which just happens to be her birthday. I had them shipped directly to her so she will get them. I won’t be home until December 17.

Tomorrow I have physical therapy in the early afternoon. I have a list of errands to run either before or after therapy. The Pella Window guy is coming back late morning to replace a seal on the window he had replaced. I hope he is done before I have to leave to go to town. If not, I will leave him here alone.

I am hoping the Pioneer Bluffs Newsletter will be done tomorrow afternoon so I can get started on it. Not sure I will be able to get the whole thing done before I leave Wednesday morning for my doctor’s appointment but hope to get a good start on it for them.

Cleaned the living room, dining room and kitchen floors this morning. Found lots of dirt. I can’t remember when I had last moved the furniture and gave the floors a good cleaning. Need to do a bit more cleaning this afternoon. I also need to strip the bed Tagen used and wash the sheets. Always something that needs done around here.

My feet have both been cranky today. I have tried to spend more time with my feet propped up today than I have been on them. The wind is still blowing and the temperature is starting to drop. I’m sure my feet would feel better if the sun would come out and the wind would calmed down. The wind has worn me down.

Grateful the grandkids are here for the day, grateful I got some cleaning done, and grateful for reading time today!

Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family is done! Eleven of us gathered and had a huge feast for Thanksgiving. Luckily all the food turned out beautifully and everyone ate their fair share. We had way too many left overs!

We had a grab bag gift exchange after dinner which was fun. You never know what people will bring – the gifts range from gag gifts to practical. Sure makes Christmas more fun for me not to have to buy a gift for everyone.

I got rid of most of the candies and cookies. It is good to have that stuff out of the house. Tomorrow I need to clean out my refrigerator and see what is left in it. It is still way too full and needs reorganized. I won’t have to cook for several days as we have plenty of leftovers.

Tagen is spending the night. Ellexia went home but will be back out to spend the day tomorrow. It is only 7:00 now but it feels like midnight to me. It might be an early to bed type of night.

I’m afraid I was on my foot too much today. I’ll have to stay off it most of the day tomorrow. It is rather swollen tonight. There is a weather change coming in and that is making both feet bark at me.

The wind is sustaining at 25 MPH and gusting up to 40 plus. I might need to put in ear plugs tonight to dull the sound of the roar. It is forecast to blow all night and most of the day tomorrow too. It can wear on my last nerve sometimes.

I love having all my kids home at the same time. I am pleased that Craig and his new wife Nancy joined us today too. It was a wonderful time for all with no drama. Lots of laughter and love in the house today!

I think Jim was a bit overwhelmed at times but he fit right in. He has two grown sons but neither of them are married so he is used to a much calmer Christmas. It was rather loud at times here today – but loud in the best way possible in my opinion.

Grateful for my family, grateful Christmas is over for this year, and grateful Tagen is spending the night.

Had an early start to my day as I had to be in Emporia at 7:30 for physical therapy. My therapist pushed and pulled my big toe and rubbed and stretched my foot. The extension on the big toe has moved from 6 degrees to 13. You only need 10 to walk properly so am making good progress. I go back Monday for my last visit with him. If needed I go back to the Oklahoma physical therapy place on Thursday. I’ll find out Wednesday if I need to continue to go. Thinking I will need a couple more weeks of therapy.

Stopped and got a few groceries after therapy and than came home. My two guests were still here so got a last chance to visit with them for a bit before they left late morning. It was so good that they were able to come Wednesday night and we were able to have a good visit. We called a mutual friend that lives in Ecuador and had a group chat. Fun!

After my friends left Jim and I gathered all the sheets from the five beds that were used and started laundry. I had two loads of my clothes that needed washed too. Worked on and off all afternoon and put the four bedrooms that were used back into order.

Jim went into Emporia to get parts to fix a blocked faucet and a broken door sweep. While he was gone I took a short nap. I didn’t sleep well last night and had been up since 4:30. I woke up hard after my nap. Think I am running on empty right now. Have spent a quiet afternoon and evening working to refill myself to get ready for the family coming tomorrow.

I laid out all the pantry stuff for the food I am making for tomorrow. I wanted to make sure I have what I need to make everything. Haven’t found anything I have forgotten – yet! I broke the bread into small pieces for the dressing this afternoon. Not much else I can do ahead of time. Craig and his wife are bringing pies so I didn’t have to bake those this afternoon.

I will put the turkey in the oven around 8:00 tomorrow. Need to make a timeline for myself for the rest of the meal. We are eating at 4:00 tomorrow so need to figure out what to do when. We usually eat at 1:00 and I know the timeline for that. 4:00 just worked better for all the kids schedules. It is hard to find a time when two of the kids work shift work.

I’m glad we are doing Christmas tomorrow. It is my least favorite holiday and I will be glad it is over. Maybe I can enjoy the spirit of Christmas better this year knowing our Christmas is done.

We are in the last 21 days before Winter Solstice. It is always a hard time for me as the days continue to have less day light. After tomorrow is over I will take some time and practice good self care and get some extra rest and quiet time. I feel the remnants of old stuff inside that need love and care so they can break off and be released. That takes energy and intention and quiet for it to happen. It tends to make me feel a bit exhausted and weepy. Grateful we are getting Christmas out of the way so that won’t be a distraction for me.

Sunday the grandkids will be here all day which will be fun. Monday I need to start packing for my four months in Oklahoma. Need to make a feed run and load up on chicken, dog and cat food. I also need to clean the house so it is ready for the house sitter Wednesday. I may have a newsletter for Pioneer Bluffs to work on so am starting to run out of time to get done all I wanted to get done. It will be good to get to Oklahoma and slow things down again.

Grateful for my friends that came to visit, grateful for my physical therapist that is helping me to move naturally again, and grateful my family will be gathering tomorrow.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner today. Fourteen of us gathered to feast together. The meal was delicious and the conversation at the tables was rich. I appreciated all that came.

It has been lightly raining, snowing or sleeting most of the day. At least there was no wind today. It was in the low 30’s today.

Tomorrow I have to be in Emporia at physical therapy at 7:30. Afterwards I need to stop and get a few groceries. I think I will go to Aldi’s instead of Walmart as I don’t want to fight the crowd at Walmart.

Tomorrow afternoon I will start fixing food for our Thanksgiving dinner Saturday. It will be a bit more work than the dinner today as I am fixing more side dishes. I look forward to having my family together so it will be fun!

Tagen wants to come back out tomorrow and spend the night. Both grandkids are spending the night Saturday night as their parents are going to the Chief’s game Sunday. It is always fun to have them out for the night.

Maybe after Saturday I can start to get myself organized and make a list of things I need to take to Oklahoma. Don’t think it has sunk in I am going away for four months.

I may have a Newsletter for Pioneer Bluffs to work on tomorrow evening or sometime on Tuesday. If I don’t get it until Tuesday I won’t be able to finish it.

It will be good to go to the surgeon’s office Wednesday and hopefully get released from having to use my crutches. I must confess I haven’t been using them much today and my foot is a touch swollen tonight as a result. I’m sure it will go down overnight. I’ll try to remember to use them tomorrow and give my foot a rest.

Grateful for my friends and family that joined around my table today, grateful for a successful meal today, and grateful for all the help others offered me today.

It has been a busy day around here today. This morning I started my Thanksgiving Dinner cooking. Made a loaf of banana bread, one batch of fudge, eclairs, and a pecan pie. Still have pumpkin pies to make tonight and a cherry jello salad.

I have five people coming for dinner tonight plus Jim and I. I have a batch of homemade spaghetti sauce cooking. I will fix a big green salad and some French bread to go with it. I will also roast a spaghetti squash as well as cook traditional spaghetti.

Did three loads of laundry and a bit of cleaning. My house really needs deep cleaned again but it is too hard to clean when I have to use a crutch. I’m afraid I haven’t used my crutch as much as I should have today. It is so hard to bend over with a crutch. So far my foot doesn’t hurt so I don’t think I have over used it.

Jim woke up not feeling well this morning. He is taking a long nap this afternoon. He was feeling a bit better before he laid down. I trust what ever was wrong will pass quickly and he will be able to enjoy the company that is coming tonight and tomorrow. It is no fun to be sick on Thanksgiving.

All five of my guests coming for dinner are spending the night. I love having a house full of people and will enjoy this evening and tomorrow. I’m fixing waffles, bacon and eggs for breakfast tomorrow morning.

My brother and part of his family are coming for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow at 1:00. I still have room at my table if anyone wants to come join us. I am fixing a ham instead of a turkey this year. I have plenty of food so come eat with us!

The wind blew like crazy last night. It finally calmed down early morning. Today the sun has been out and it has been a beautiful day on the prairie although a touch cold for my liking. The high was only in the low 40’s. Too cold to paint today.

Tomorrow I will fix the ham, cheesy potato casserole, and a green bean casserole. One of the guests coming is bringing veggies to bake and another is bringing yeast rolls. We will have a feast for sure!

Got the last of my Christmas presents for Saturday wrapped and ready. Nice to have that done. I will have Friday to get myself organized for Saturday. Saturday I am fixing a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. We will celebrate Christmas after we stuff our faces with turkey and dressing.

Remembered to do my foot exercises this morning after I took my shower. I had forgotten to do them yesterday. The big toe is moving fairly well already. The left foot feels more stiff than the right one. Both are sensitive to touch, especially when I am trying to sleep. My feet get cold if I don’t cover them but the covers bother my feet. What is a girl to do?

I am missing my daily trip down to see my chickens. Jim has been bringing four to six eggs a day up. Their timing was good to start laying again as I have been using lots of eggs for my baking needs.

After Saturday I need to get myself organized and think about what I will want to take to Oklahoma. I will be back in KS Dec 17 – 20 but than I will be in Oklahoma pretty much until the middle of April. Hard to think what to take. I can always come back home if I need something important.

Grateful the cooking has gone smoothly so far, grateful my foot is allowing me to move around without the crutch all the time, and grateful Jim is feeling better this afternoon.

Had a much quieter day at home today. It was nice to stay home all day and slow things down a bit. The next five days are going to be busy and I needed to get myself mentally ready for the company that is coming.

I made a double batch of New Year’s Cookies today. It always feels good to get that job done. I had never tried making a double batch before. It maxed out the limit of my mixing bowl but it worked. They look light and good so hoping that is how they taste.

I took a nap when I was done. I didn’t sleep very well again last night. Both feet were cranky – thinking it is the weather change that is happening that caused them to complain all night long.

It never did warm up as much as it was supposed to today. The sun kinda came out this afternoon but there is a fog cover. It sure feels and smells like snow outside tonight. The wind is to change to the N NW soon and blow hard all night long. Trusting the power won’t go out.

I have one more batch of fudge to make and all my holiday baking will be done. I need a sunny day to make fudge so may not get it done. I have one batch made so we may need to make do with that.

Tomorrow I have five guests coming for the night. It will be fun to have them here. I am fixing spaghetti for dinner for them. After dinner Tim is going to help me make pumpkin pies and eclairs for dessert for Thanksgiving dinner Thursday.

I still have room at my table for several more people. If you don’t have a place to go for Thanksgiving Dinner please come. We are eating at 1:00 and there is no need to bring anything. Come join us!

Jim got some more sanding done this afternoon but it didn’t warm up enough to paint. Still hoping early next week will be warm enough we can get the steps painted before we leave Wednesday.

I may have a Newsletter for Pioneer Bluffs to work on Monday and Tuesday next week. It went to the printer today so not sure when they might get it done. I will need help with it as I have to leave Wednesday morning and won’t be able to work on it after that. Anyone want to come out and stuff Newsletters the first of the week?

Tonight I need to do a bit of housecleaning. Good thing the guests coming are family and close friends that won’t mind if I don’t get the whole house cleaned.

Anyone like to do Black Friday shopping? Walmart has a 40 inch TV for sale for $98 that I would love to have. I can’t handle crowds though so need a surrogate shopper. Any takers?

Grateful for a nap today, grateful the New Year’s Cookies are made, and grateful for a warm house tonight.

This has turned into a busy day. We took Roxy to the Vet this morning. She had a dew claw that grew too long and was growing into her leg. They were able to cut it out without surgery. Roxy is on pain pills for three days and an antibiotic for seven days. She tolerated the visit well but seemed very happy to be back home again.

When we got home the plumbers were here trying to figure out what is going on with the new booster pump. They were here for over an hour checking everything out. They finally decided the pump is defective and were going to call the manufacturer and than let me know what they were going to do.

Had to go back into Emporia for physical therapy at 2:30. The guy that works with me was impressed with how much progress I am making. He is thinking I will be off crutches next Wednesday when I go back to the surgeon. My foot is a bit cranky tonight from all the manipulation he did to it today. I go back Friday for another physical therapy session.

I called the therapist in Stillwater and got an appointment with her for December 5. I’m sure I will need additional therapy and wanted to get back on her schedule and not miss a week without therapy.

We stopped and got some more groceries since we were in town. I think I now have everything I need for both dinners this week.

I made bourbon slush when we got home and have it in the freezer. It is a family tradition that we have bourbon slush for our Christmas. Jim helped me pick out the right bourbon for it this year.

When we got home a guest that had stayed with me for several weeks called and invited us out to dinner. We met him at the Grand Hotel in Cottonwood Falls at 6:00. We sat and visited until 8:00. It was good to see him.

Jim got a bit of sanding done when we got home from my physical therapy appointment. As of now we plan on staying home all day tomorrow so might get some painting and deck work done then. It is to warm up to 64 tomorrow but be very windy.

I picked up what I need to make New Year’s Cookies. I may try to get them made tomorrow. I also want to make one more batch of fudge and then my Christmas baking will be done. I got some more packages wrapped today and solved an Amazon problem I had with a missing package.

Best Buy called me twice today to reschedule the delivery of the dishwasher that was installed Saturday afternoon. They really need to get their act together!

This has been one of those days where I feel like I didn’t get much done but had no free time. Trusting that tomorrow will be a bit quieter.

Grateful Roxy is on the mend, grateful for guests that become friends, and grateful Jim was able to chauffeur me around today.

Another night of little sleep.  I was just getting used to sleeping most nights and now I have had four nights in a row of little sleep.  Sigh!!!

Made a batch of fudge this morning.  It looks like it turned out just about right.  It probably could have cooked for one or two more minutes but I would rather have it just a bit soft than a bit too dry.  Jim helped me beat it after is was done cooking.

After the fudge was made we made a double batch of sugar cookies.  I got light-headed for some reason and was having trouble standing to roll out the cookies.  Jim took over and rolled and cut most of the cookies.  When over half of them were baked I made a big batch of frosting and sat at the table and frosted while Jim finished rolling and cutting. We managed to get them all done.  Have over 200 sugar cookies made and frosted.  Glad they are crossed off my to do list.

When we were done with the cookies I was a mess.  I had flour and powdered sugar all over the floor and on my pants.  Jim didn’t have a bit of flour on him.  Guess I should have watched him closer and taken lessons.  I do know how to make messes in my kitchen.

Sat outside and watched the sunset until I got too cold and had to come in.  It was a perfect fall evening on the prairie tonight.  I love the orange and turquoise colors of a Kansas fall sunset.

After dinner we sat on the couch and both of us fell asleep for a short bit.  It isn’t even 9:00 and I am ready to go to bed.  Decided to wait until at least 9:00 before I take my bath and than go to bed.

Tomorrow I need to call the Vet in the morning.  Roxy has an ingrown toe nail that needs attention.  I also have to go into town to go to physical therapy in the afternoon.  Not sure if we will make two trips to town tomorrow or manage to get both things done in one trip.  Jim wants to get some sanding done and I hate to take him away from that project to run me to town twice.  He helped me with cookies today instead of sanding.

I had forgotten about New Year’s Cookies and Bourbon Slush so need to pick up the ingredients to make those two things sometime this week.  I am trying to avoid going to town on Friday except for physical therapy.  I avoid the stores on Black Friday.  No bargain is worth fighting the crowds.

Still having trouble thinking we are celebrating Christmas this year with our Thanksgiving feast on Saturday.  I have my shopping done but need to wrap a few more presents.  Glad I got most of the wrapping done before surgery.

I still have room for more people for Thanksgiving Day dinner if you want to come join us.  We are having a ham dinner at 1:00. No reservations needed – just show up.  I will have plenty of food!

Managed to use the crutch most of the day.  I did take more steps than I should have without the use of the crutch.  It is so hard to do much without a free hand.  My foot is fairly quiet tonight although both of them were cranky last night.

Grateful for a successful batch of fudge made, grateful the sugar cookies are done and grateful Jim helped me with both!

My new dishwasher is installed although not without some drama. I received a text message saying the guy was on his way at 9:00. His boss called at 10:00 to see if he was here. He was not. I was to call the boss back at 11:00 if he hadn’t shown up by then. I called the boss at 11:00. The boss told me the guy wasn’t answering his phone and he didn’t know where he was but that he would show up today.

The delivery guy finally called at 1:30 saying he was on his way and got here at 2:45. I took a nap so Jim had to deal with him. I guess he was competent and did the job correctly. Not sure I will want to deal with Best Buy again though.

The best news is the light above the sink no longer blinks on and off when the pump to the dishwasher turns on. One problem solved!

The booster pump continues to cycle every 15 seconds. We unplugged it and checked the water meter and it doesn’t run when the pump is turned off. Starting to think I have a defective pump. The plumber is to decide what to do on Monday. We are leaving the pump unplugged except when we shower or do laundry.

Made peanut butter balls and dipped the Ritz crackers with peanut butter sandwiches. Jim helped me make the balls and he did most of the dipping. My foot got tired of me standing so long. It was nice to have help. Still need to make a couple batches of fudge and a batch of sugar cookies.

I posted a picture of the chocolate goodies and my nephew asked about New Year’s Cookies. I had forgotten about those. I may try to get some made before Thanksgiving and send them home with others then. I also need to get stuff to make Bourbon Slush. Trying to cut back this year and not make so much.

We didn’t get out to work on the deck today. It was in the mid 50’s but the wind was a bit nippy. Maybe tomorrow we will get out and get some painting done. Jim decided not to go to Oklahoma Monday so he will be around all week to get some work done on it.

My nap was seriously needed today. I didn’t sleep much again last night – third night in a row! I am finally in a better mood this evening. My foot has been cranky the last couple of days. I think I have put too much weight on it so have been trying today to keep off of it as much as possible. I have used the scooted since my nap and don’t have the boot on so I won’t use it at all. It still is cranky tonight but not as swollen.

We watched some TV last night. First time I have had a TV on in this house since I have moved back in in January 0f 2016. I need to get a bit bigger TV for the office upstairs. Nice to have the option to watch TV but doubt that I use it much. The commercials have not improved much since I quit watching years ago. Lots of drug ads these days.

Grateful the peanut butter balls and made, grateful for naps, and grateful for a new dishwasher.

What a day! I’m not sure much of anything has gone according to plan.

Best Buy called me twice this morning to confirm they were coming this afternoon. 30 minutes before they were to be here they called and said they didn’t know Strong City was an hour from Manhattan and they weren’t coming. WTF? I told the driver to have his supervisor call me. The driver called back 30 minutes later and said he would be coming tomorrow. I told him I needed to talk to his supervisor. The supervisor finally called. I expressed my disappointment in their service. They are sending me a gift of some sort to make up for the miscommunication. What really upset me the most was the driver was full of excuses. If he had said he screwed up and we need to reschedule I would have let it drop. He didn’t. It felt like he was trying to blame me for living where I live. Any bets if they show up tomorrow?

The Dish TV guy has been here since a little after 1:00. He said it would take two hours and he is going on four hours and not done yet.

The Dish guy had the door to the furnace room open as that is where cable runs into the house. We heard the booster pump cycling on and off every 15 seconds. Jim checked it out and it was displaying a warning light that there is a leak in the system. We called the plumber and after going back and forth for four phone calls the plumber decided to come out. I have a leak somewhere but we can’t find it. The water meter is running slowly constantly. We are to keep an eye on ceilings and floors and see if the leak makes itself known. I am to call the plumber Monday and report and he will come up with Plan B at that time.

The company that fixed my screen doors sent me my bill which I ordered a check to pay it. Then they sent me three estimates to replace my garage doors which they had replaced two years ago. When I called to ask about it the lady told me the guy had told her to send it to me. She was to talk to him and find out what was going on and call me back but hasn’t yet.

Oh my! I must have been on the let’s see what we can throw at her before she cracks list today. And this after a night of pain and little sleep even though I took a pain pill. Tomorrow will be better!

I haven’t gotten my peanut butter balls made today yet but may still try to get them done. It has been snowing off and on today and is cold outside. Good day to stay in and bake cookies.

Grateful Jim was here today to help me through the trials of the day, grateful for my plumber that came out on short notice, and grateful this day is almost over.

Had a tough night last night. Had trouble finding a comfortable position for my foot. I took it out of the boot and that helped for a bit but the incision site is very tender. Covers hurt my foot and it got cold when it wasn’t covered. I did get four hours sleep before I couldn’t sleep any more.

Went to physical therapy today. He was gentle on my foot and iced it when he was done. It is a bit tender and sore tonight but not bad. Hoping that a warm bath will make it feel better and I will be able to sleep tonight. I will take a pain pill if not.

Ordered Dish TV today. I almost gave up during the process. The first person I spoke with I had trouble understanding. She transferred me to someone that had trouble understanding why I was talking to him as evidently she transferred me to the wrong person. He finally transferred me to someone else that got a bit of information from me and than transferred me to a fourth person. That person was able to get me enrolled! They are coming tomorrow to get me up and running. I hope this initial process is not a sign that I shouldn’t have proceeded.

My new dishwasher is being installed tomorrow afternoon too. It will be good to have both of these things taken care of. Jim is a news junkie and misses listening to the news in the evenings. The trays in my dishwasher have lost their wheels and loading the trays is not for the faint of heart right now.

We stopped and got groceries after my physical therapy appointment. We took my scooter and I used that instead of crutches at the grocery store. Way easier for me to get around. The PT guy taught me a new way to use my crutches – the new way is much easier for me but I have to stop and think how to do it each time I start walking. Hoping it will become automatic for me soon.

Starting to make a list of things I want to take to Stillwater when I go back on December 4. I will be back to Strong City on December 17 through the 20 but than plan on staying in Stillwater until mid April. We may come back every six weeks or so if I need to pick up mail or medication, etc. Not sure what I have that I will want with me. Weird to think I will be gone for over four months.

It is to be very cold tomorrow so we won’t get any deck work done. Hope to get my peanut butter balls made with Jim’s help and maybe one batch of sugar cookies. I need a sunny day to make a couple batches of fudge and that isn’t going to happen tomorrow as it is to snow tomorrow. I have a week from Saturday to get my act together and get ready for our family’s Christmas. I have my gifts purchased – just need to finish wrapping and than get my baking done. I am also fixing our Thanksgiving feast for that day so have a busy week ahead to get everything ready.

I think I got all the groceries I need for Thanksgiving and our Christmas meal while I was shopping today. I’ll have to do one last check to make sure I didn’t forget something. I keep changing the menus and am not sure I have everything.

I need to get my tax stuff out and see what else I need to finish that project up. I did most of the prep work a month or so ago. I’ll need to take that stuff with me so I can have it to get to my accountant. I got the tax receipt for the new solar panels so I can start using the tax rebate when I file this year. Luckily the rebate rolls over from year to year until I use it all.

I was a bit cranky today from a bad night’s sleep. It is so hard to get around. Everything seems difficult and takes longer than normal. I am more patient this time around than last time but still get frustrated when I can’t do something that should be easy but isn’t. Four to six more weeks and things will be back to normal. I think I can! I think I can!

Grateful for my physical therapist, grateful my new dishwasher will be here tomorrow, and grateful another day is done and I am one more day closer to being off crutches.

Got up early and left Oklahoma by 9:00 this morning.  Went to Wichita for my surgeon follow-up appointment.  They took the dressing off and the steri-strips and clipped the end of the stitches.  They then wrapped my foot with the stretchy tape and put me in my boot.  The wound is healing well with no signs of infection.  The toe is nice and straight and there is no bunion bump.  I have three screws in my big toe – the same as my left foot.  Good to keep things in balance!

After we left the doctor we headed for Salina.  Ate lunch at Martinelli’s Little Italy.  It was as good as I remembered it to be.  We than went to the train track and waited to see the Big Boy come into town.  There were lots of other people standing around to watch it come in.  Jim got some good video of it.

We headed for the hills and got back to Strong City around 4:15.  Got the car unloaded and are enjoying a quiet evening at home.  I have some ham and beans in the instant pot cooking for dinner.

I am tired tonight.  Lots of sitting today and some pent up anxiety about my foot.  Glad to hear that it is healing well and everything looks good.  It is very stiff and the big toe doesn’t move much.  The lower part of my leg has some atrophy in it that will need to be rebuilt and strengthened.  It is amazing to me how fast you can lose muscle when you don’t move a body part.  Physical therapy starts tomorrow afternoon.

The guys finally made it out today to replace the screen on the south facing screen door.  It only took them three weeks to get here!  Glad that can be crossed off my to do list.

Snow is back in the forecast for Friday.  Might be a good day to make my peanut butter balls if we can’t be outside painting.  We will see how this plays out.

Tomorrow after physical therapy I need to go to the grocery store and get some groceries so we have stuff to eat for the next few days.  I also want to get most of my Thanksgiving groceries.   Jim has to go back to Stillwater Monday and will be back Wednesday afternoon.  I can’t drive yet so need to get my groceries while he is still here.  Even if I can get groceries I’m not sure how I would get them in the house as I am currently using two crutches.  That doesn’t give me a free hand to carry groceries in with.   I had forgotten how limiting crutches are.

Friday my new dishwasher is to be delivered.  It will be good to have another thing I can cross off my to-do list.

It is to warm back up this weekend so may spend the weekend outside painting.  Jim only has five more steps to sand and than I can get the rest of the steps and deck painted.  I won’t get all the black iron work downstairs painted as it requires ladder work but I will be happy if we can get the steps and landing done.

Grateful for a good report from the doctor today, grateful to have my dressing off, and grateful we got to see Big Boy today.

 

One more day until I get my walking cast! Yay! We will have to get up early in the morning so we can be on the road before 9:00. My appointment is in Wichita at 11:00. After we are done at the doctor’s office we are driving to Salina so Jim can see the Big Boy train engine. We won’t spend much time in Salina before we head back to Strong City.

It is supposed to rain tomorrow and there is a chance of snow on Friday. Thankfully it is to warm back up by Sunday and Monday so there is still a chance we can get the deck painting project finished.

Jim worked outside finishing a window painting job this afternoon. It was back up in the low 70’s again and beautiful out. I stayed inside and knitted a dish rag and watched a movie on my iPad. I wasn’t as restless as I was yesterday.

I get to park my scooter tomorrow! One more step in the healing process. I will be able to put half weight on my foot while it is in the boot. Not looking forward to being on crutches again but I should only have to use them for four to six weeks. Making progress even when some days feel long.

We ran some errands this morning. JIm took me to a local kitchen store that was really nice. I got a new butcher knife. Trust it will be used. I have learned how to use Jim’s knife and have really liked using it.

Grateful I get to put half weight on my foot tomorrow, grateful for another beautiful fall day, and grateful for all of Jim’s help.

This has not been one of my better days. Feeling very confined and restless today. It is so beautiful outside today and I wanted to take a long walk. Finally went to bed this afternoon and slept for two hours. Feeling a bit better now. Two more days and I will regain a bit of my freedom to move around.

Jim has been working outside all afternoon. He is scrapping and fixing the outside of a window sill. Wish I could be out with him to help.

I finished knitting the baby blanket last night. I brought some tea towels to work on but they haven’t captured my attention yet. I also have some yarn I can knit into dish rags. Maybe something will call to me later and I can actually get something done today.

Saw something on Facebook today that reminded me Winter Solstice will be here in 33 days. The last 30 days of Solstice can be hard for me as I get closer to the darker parts of myself inside. It isn’t always easy to look within and see those parts of myself I would rather keep hidden. Each year I peel the layer back a bit deeper and allow myself to heal more deeply within. The light starts to return in 33 days! It is about the same time I regain my full mobility. The timing has a wonderful synchronized timing to it for me this year.

Not much foot pan today. The first foot I had done has hurt more last night and today than the other one. So looking forward to being able to take a proper soak in the bath tub Wednesday night and not having to use a caster protection bag. TWO MORE DAYS!

Grateful for 75 degree temperatures today, grateful for naps, and grateful for this time to go within and face my own demons.

I took a long nap yesterday and was able to sleep last night. Not sure why I am needing more sleep and able to get it right now but am rolling with it. Someday I may understand what makes me sleep and what prevents it but I’m not there yet.

We went to church this morning. A lady was in the pew in front of me and turned around to talk to me. When she realized I couldn’t stand up she moved to sit by me as she said standing was hard for her but she felt she had to do it. We decided my pew was going to be the sitting pew. That was sweet of her to join me.

I am knitting a baby blanket and made a mistake about six rows back. It was a big enough mistake I had to tink (rip) it back. I rarely bother to fix mistakes but this one was a big one. Finally got that done and am back to knitting. I only have about 18 rows to go before I am done with this one. Still not sure what I am going to do with the pile of baby blankets I have made since I have had my bunions fixed but hoping I will find homes for all of them sooner or later.

Matilda has behaved herself and I haven’t had to take any pain pills for several days now. Gertrude is bruised from me running over her with the scooter. I am looking forward to Wednesday when the dressing goes away and I can start putting some weight on my foot.

It is to be over 70 the next two days in Stillwater. Wish I could get out and take a long hike. Jim has some outside projects to work on. It is too hard for me to scoot over uneven ground so I am stuck inside. I need to find something to do as I am going a little stir crazy.

We went to Walmart today so I got some exercise pushing the scooter. Guess I will take exercise when I can find it.

Wednesday Jim wants to go to Salina after my doctor’s appointment in Wichita. There is some sort of steam train engine coming through Salina and he wants to go see it. It is supposed to rain Wednesday so we will see if we end up going. Thursday I start physical therapy.

Grateful for naps and sleep, grateful for kind people in church, and grateful for little to no pain for the last couple of days.

I forgot to blog last night. We got in late to Jim’s house in OK and I was tired. We stopped and had dinner at Chipotle before we got home. My tummy was full and I was sleepy.

It was a beautiful day on the prairie yesterday. It warmed up into the 60’s so we decided to get the deck landing painted. Jim worked on finishing sanding it while I started painting. I managed to plan my painting so I could butt crawl back up the steps when I was done. Still need to do the lower stair case and finish the railings and backstops. Almost done with this project. I have lots of ladder painting to do so might not get it done before Christmas as I won’t trust myself on a ladder until I am out of my boot.

My weekend house sitters showed up before we left. We had planned on leaving by 2:00 but painting delayed us. It was good to see them. They have house sit for me before so they were able to make themselves at home. They are having their Thanksgiving feast this weekend. I trust they will enjoy the prairie and the critters.

We don’t have big plans for the time here. It is to be in the 60’s here today so I’m thinking Jim will be outside this afternoon. He wants to get his storm windows put back on. I will work on cleaning the inside of the windows he has been working on. It is hard for me to move around on uneven ground right now so I won’t be very helpful helping him outside.

Last night we sat on the couch and untangled a ball of yarn I am knitting with. That is the one thing about knitting that drives me crazy! This ball of yarn I am working with has not been behaving itself almost from the beginning. We finally had to cut it and managed to get most of it saved. I don’t have lots of extra yarn for this project so hoping I have enough to finish the blanket I am knitting.

There is a home football game in Stillwater today. OSU is playing KU. Lots of extra people in town and extra traffic on the road in front of Jim’s house. We need to go to the grocery store sometime today but will need to plan our trip so we go during the game to avoid the traffic and crowds.

Four more days before I get the dressing off and get put in my boot. It will be good to be able to be partial weight bearing so I can get around a bit easier. My dressing is looking a bit rough and dirty. Looking forward to being able to clean my foot and soak it in my bath. Not looking forward to physical therapy though.

Grateful for safe travels yesterday, grateful for my weekend house sitters, and grateful for the healing my foot is doing.

I went to a retina specialist in Topeka today. I really like him. They took lots of pictures of my eyes, dilated them and gave me some IV contrast stuff and than took more pictures. When the doctor finally saw me he knew immediately what was wrong. I have Macular Telangiectasia. The blood vessels in my eyeball are twisted and impair the reflection of light properly. I have a blind spot in my left eye as a result. The good news is my condition has been stable for a long time and he doesn’t see that changing. It is actually present in both eyes but only the left one is impaired.

There is nothing that can be done to fix it. I am to mention it to my doctors if I ever have a head trauma as that can cause the blood vessels to swell and bleed. They can treat it with steroids to reduce the swelling and hopefully reduce the potential of vision loss.

This first started happening in 1989 and I had been to several eye specialists over the years and no one had ever found a cause for it. Glad to know what it is and that it is nothing to worry about now (not that I was worrying).

The Doctor had walked the Camino so we had a good conversation about that. He had walked from Leon to Santiago and than went back and did the Portugal route. He like the St. James Way better and wished he had repeated that walk from a farther distance out.

My eyes are finally closing back up a bit after being dilated. I kept them closed most of the way home as they were extremely light sensitive. I was grateful Jim took me to Topeka so I didn’t have to drive home. The contrast medication made m

e a bit sick to my stomach but luckily that passed quickly.

We didn’t do anything in Topeka other than go to the doctor. There are some nice museums I would like to take Jim to but today wasn’t the day to do so.

Tomorrow we are going to OK until next Wednesday. I have a list of things I need to do before we leave. Not sure when we will get gone but it will probably be mid to late afternoon. I have several loads of laundry to do tomorrow and need to change the linens on my bed. I haven’t started packing yet. Good thing I don’t need lots of clothes – it won’t take me long to pack once I get started.

It was another beautiful day on the prairie. Wish we had been home to paint this afternoon as it warmed up enough we could have done so. Hopefully when we come back next week we will have a few nice days to get some painting done.

Did a bit of gift wrapping today but still have a bunch more presents to wrap. I had forgotten how much I dislike wrapping gifts.

My foot was a bit cranky last night and this morning but has finally quieted down and behaved itself this afternoon. I am so looking forward to next Wednesday when I can get this dressing off and start putting a bit of weight on my foot.

Need to knock off a few things on my to do list so we can get out of here at a decent hour tomorrow. The change of scenery will be good for both of us. With my limited mobility we both have a case of cabin fever.

Grateful for a diagnosis today, grateful to meet a fellow Camino Pilgrim, and grateful my gift wrapping has been started.

I am still in my pajamas if that tells you how my day has gone. Just didn’t feel like getting dressed today. I put some sweat pants on this morning when I got up and never felt like taking them off to take a shower. I didn’t have any where to go today so declared it a PJ day.

Cleaned the master bedroom and bathroom today. Got on my hands and knees and scrubbed the floors. Actually I was more on my butt than my knees. It is much easier getting down to the ground than it is to get back up again. Also got the kitchen floor hand scrubbed. Found way too much dirt! My floors were about as dirty as I ever let them get. Still have more to clean but am finding I have to stop and take breaks more often right now.

Didn’t take a pain pill last night or today although I probably could have. My foot has been a bit cranky today. I bruised my good foot with the scooter so both feet have hurt today. I am so over cranky feet! They both need to grow up and get over themselves.

One week down and six to go before I am cast and boot free. So looking forward to that!

Tim found me a 25 pound turkey and brought it out to me today. Sometimes the big ones are hard to find. I so appreciate him finding it for me and hauling it out here.

Two friends let me know they are coming in Wednesday night before Thanksgiving and will spend Thanksgiving with us. I still have room at the table for more so if you don’t have a place to eat Thanksgiving Dinner come join us on Thanksgiving Day at 1:00. We are having a ham and several side dishes.

Just got a box delivered from UPS. Time to start some gift wrapping. I’m doing a special thing for the two grandkids this year and it will involve lots more wrapping than I normally do.

The wind was strong again today. It has finally calmed down this afternoon. The wind can wear you out after a bit.

Grateful for a beautiful fall like afternoon, grateful to have gotten some cleaning done, and grateful to have my Thanksgiving turkey in the freezer.

Had a much better day after having had a tough one yesterday. I had to take a second pain pill during the night last night. My right foot finally calmed down early this morning and has stayed fairly quiet today. My left foot hurt more than my right surgery foot did today.

Another day of marking time without doing much. I worked on the puzzle today and did two loads of laundry. That is about all I can claim I did today. Still not good at doing nothing but some days go by faster than others and today went by fairly quickly. I didn’t even take a nap today!

It got down to 7 degrees last night and warmed up to 33 today. Tomorrow it is to reach 49 – a real heat wave! Maybe tomorrow I can get outside and get some fresh air. I have a strong case of cabin fever today.

I watched the full moon rise tonight. Shortly after it made it all the way up it slowly rose up into a cloud cover. Fifteen minutes later it rose again out of the cloud cover. It is a beautiful but cold night on the prairie tonight.

Decided on another gift for each of the grandkids and got them ordered today. I think most of my Christmas shopping is done now. Still need to get a few more presents but won’t need them until Christmas. My family is gathering November 30 for Thanksgiving and Christmas combined so needed to shop early this year. Love on-line shopping – especially when I have limited mobility.

Nothing on the calendar for tomorrow. Thursday I have an appointment with an eye specialist in Topeka in the afternoon. It will be good to get out of the house to go to it. Friday we are going to Oklahoma and won’t be back until next Wednesday. It will be a change of scenery for me although I still won’t be able to do much. The 20th I go back to the surgeon and get this dressing off and put in my boot and will be able to put partial weight on my surgery foot.

Marking the days off the calendar. Tomorrow will be week 1 done – six to go before I can resume normal activity.

I am humbled by my mobility issues. Sure makes me appreciate my health and the ability to move around at my pleasure.

Grateful for the beauty and promise of a full moon, grateful for on-line shopping, and grateful my mobility is only temporarily limited.

Cold, windy day on the prairie. The wind has blown between 20 – 30 MPH since last night. It was a bit of a restless night listening to the wind blow all night long.

Pain woke me up during the night. I should have taken a pain pill but decided not to. Finally took one early afternoon. I don’t like the side effects of feeling drugged and sluggish. Took a long nap this afternoon and still feel tired and foggy.

Made chili for dinner tonight. It was OK but not exceptional by any means. Chili is not something I have learned to make well.

Haven’t gotten much of anything done today. Knitted a bit on a baby blanket I am making and worked on a puzzle. Not motivated to do anything on this cold, winter Ike day on the prairie.

Tomorrow it is to warm up a bit and not be quite so windy. At least the sun is to shine most of the day tomorrow. The moon is beautiful tonight – tomorrow is a full moon. Thinking part of my pain today is due to the full moon as well as the wind.

I’m grateful I didn’t have to step foot outside today. I have alternated between being too hot and too cold all day long. Can’t seem to find a comfortable temperature and maintain that today.

Glad this day is almost over. Not one of my better days but know tomorrow will be better.

Jim continues to take good care of me. He is so patient and understanding with me even when I am having a bad day. He took a quiet day today too. He wrote some letters, did some reading and made some phone calls. It is good to have a quiet day once in a while.

Grateful for pain pills even though I don’t like the side effects, grateful this day is almost over and grateful the wind has calmed down a bit.

Another beautiful day on the prairie but the weather is a changing. It is dropping fast this evening and the high tomorrow is to be in the mid 30’s and the low in the teens. I kinda liked our two days of fall better.

Jim worked on sanding steps again today. Around 3:00 I was able to paint part of the top staircase. I sat on the steps and painted and did OK. I butt crawled down to the bottom of the other staircase and Jim drove his car around to pick me up to take me back up to the house. What a pain limited mobility is. It felt so good to actually get outside and get something done though.

We met Tim and Ellexia at Bruff’s for dinner tonight. I needed a few groceries and we hadn’t been out of the house since surgery day. Felt good to get out and go into town. I used my scooted and got along fine. We stopped at Walmart and picked up a few things after dinner than came home. We saw a big deer on the side of the highway but luckily it was just standing there and not trying to cross the highway. It was good to visit with Tim and Ellexia.

My foot has behaved itself today. I haven’t needed to take a pain pill again today. I can see part of my big toe and the next two toes. They are all starting to turn a pretty shade of purple from the bruising from surgery. I’m grateful it hasn’t been painful today.

Only took about a 20 minute nap today. Maybe tomorrow I will make it all day without needing a nap. It takes a bit to get all the drugs out of my system from surgery day. Hopefully most are out by now and I will get back to my normal sleeping patterns.

Not sure what we are going to do tomorrow. Doesn’t sound like it will be a good day to be outside working on the steps. May get the laundry room painted. I also have some weather stripping that needs to be done to prepare the house for the coming cold weather.

I do need to get downstairs tomorrow and get the bedroom put back together again. I may have a guest coming in tomorrow night. He is to let me know tomorrow if he is coming. He has stayed with me before and it will be good to see him if he makes it out.

Grateful we got a bit of painting done today, grateful Tim and Ellexia met us for dinner, and grateful for another pain free day.

What a beautiful day on the prairie. Mid 70’s, no wind and bright blue skies. I was able to sit outside and enjoy the beauty of fall on the prairie.

Jim worked hard all afternoon sanding the steps and landing. Still has a ways to go but hoping to be able to do some painting tomorrow. The weather is to turn winter-like on Monday and Tuesday so only have tomorrow to do some painting. We will see how far he gets.

I have been cranky today. It is frustrating to not be able to do much and be limited in my mobility. Matilda hasn’t been cranky today – just me! Did get several loads of laundry done and bake two loaves of banana bread. Made Shepherd’s Pie for dinner. Had to take a nap again. I am amazed how fast I get tired right now.

We saw a bald eagle flying over the back yard this afternoon. Stood out and watched it for about five minutes. The sun was reflecting on it’s head. So beautiful!

Looked back over my blog from my first bunion surgery in August. I didn’t have a cranky day this soon last time. Guess I am ahead of schedule!

May try to get out of the house tomorrow and go into Emporia or out to eat tomorrow night. Maybe that would help me get over being cranky. This too shall pass! Just not one to not do much and sitting is getting old already.

Haven’t taken a pain pill today. My foot really hasn’t hurt at all today. I have ice on it now as the toes feel a bit warm. After three days I don’t have to ice it unless I think it makes it feel better. Don’t think it hurts it to get iced – not sure it helps it either though.

Need to get downstairs tomorrow and make up the guest room. May have a guest coming in Monday evening. Jim will drive me around and I will go in downstairs from the sliding glass doors. Steps are not my friend right now.

While I was looking at my blog from August I realized I got put in the boot one week after surgery last time. This time they aren’t having me come in for a one week appointment so it will be two weeks before I get put in the boot this time. The boot is heavier than the dressing and I had to be non-weight bearing with the boot so guess I am better off with the dressing. With the boot though I could start moving my foot around a bit and it doesn’t move much with the dressing.

Grateful this day is almost over and tomorrow is a new day, grateful for all the the work Jim got done today on the steps, and grateful for the beautiful fall day on the prairie today.

Broke down and took my third pain pill since surgery after lunch today. Then went to bed and slept for two hours. Matilda is feeling better now. The pain really hasn’t been bad this time. Occasionally though it hits and I take a pain pill. I don’t like the side effects of the pain pills and really try to avoid taking them.

Jim is outside working on leveling the ground from the retaining wall rebuild project. The drainage was bad before the wall was rebuilt and he is working to fix that issue. When he gets a bit more done on that he wants to start sanding the steps. We are hoping to paint tomorrow as it is going to be in the low 70’s. I sure would love to get those steps done before winter sets in.

Checked with my regular house sitter and if I can’t find someone to rent the house this winter she will house sit for me so I can spend most of the time between December to mid April in Oklahoma. I so appreciate her! This way Jim and I can be together and get his house ready to rent. I plan on coming home every couple of weeks for three or four days so I can see my grandchildren and check in on the animals, etc.

Got my first physical therapy appointment for the 21st. I am planning on having to do physical therapy again and wanted to get the first appointment set ahead of time. They will work me in for the rest of them. I’ll start physical therapy in Emporia and may have to go back to the place in Stillwater to finish it up. Both places do a nice job.

Finding it a bit hard to sit and do nothing again. Don’t really have anything that has to be done but it is hard to sit all day. Have been knitting and working on a puzzle but both make me a bit sleepy – especially since I am still taking pain pills. Marking days off the calendar and learning to be patient with the healing process. Almost three days down and 57 to go until I am cast and boot free.

My arms and hands look like I was in a cat fight. All four IV sites are black and blue. The one on my mid arm is especially colorful. They don’t usually have trouble getting one started on me. They sure did Wednesday.

My guest has been very quiet and staying downstairs most of the time. I heard her go outside this morning at sunrise time. She is pleasant to be with when I see her but hasn’t wanted to sit and visit. Found out she is an author and a professional photographer. She just did a two year book tour promoting her book. She showed us a copy of it. Wish I had time to read it before she claimed it back.

Figured out how to take a shower using a folding chair in the shower. A shower sure feels good. Managed to take a bath last night using a plastic end table as a prop for my foot. That felt good too! Water is very healing for me.

When I got up this morning I pulled on a pair of sweat pants and a sweater over my pajamas. When Jim saw me after he got up he started laughing. The sweat pants are pink and purple, the pajamas were black and red and the sweater was dark green. I was not very color coordinated but I was nice and warm. Sometimes that’s the best I can do!

Grateful for pain pills that work when I need them, grateful for my house sitter, and grateful for the healing and relaxing power of water.

I have only taken two pain pills since I have been home from having surgery. Not bad! I worked on a zig saw puzzle this afternoon and didn’t keep my foot propped up high enough and have a bit of swelling and pressure this evening. I haven’t been keeping ice on it enough this time either.

Took a nap this morning but made it all afternoon without one. Have drank lots of water today trying to help the drugs from yesterday get out of my system. My head feels clearer this afternoon than it was yesterday.

It was a beautiful day on the prairie but cold! I so wanted to take along walk and get some fresh air. If I am on the scooter for too long and hang the foot over the edge it starts to swell so trying to stay off the scooter.

Managed to take a shower this morning. I put a folding chair in the shower and used that. It worked well although I slipped on the way out of the shower using the crutches but didn’t go down. The crutches and I are not getting along very well again. It sure felt good to take a shower. I may attempt a bath tonight if the pain stays under control.

Had a guest come in this afternoon. She had tried to book through AIrbnb and I had blocked off the days. She tracked me down via Facebook and called me. I reluctantly agreed that she could come for two nights. She seems nice. Was only here long enough to drop off her stuff and than left for the afternoon. I put her downstairs in the double bed room. Trusting she will stay out of my hair and not need much from me. If so, Jim will have to take care of her.

I need to find something to do. It is hard to do much but am a bit bored already. We started a puzzle and I started knitting a baby blanket. Marking the days off the calendar knowing that it will be better soon.

Grateful for little pain, grateful for Jim’s help, and grateful for a hot shower!

Surgery day! We had to be in Wichita at 6:30 this morning which meant getting up at 4:00 and leaving the house by 5:00. My admitting nurse was fun but she had trouble getting my IV started. She tried twice – once in each hand and than called another nurse to try. That nurse tried in my arm and failed. The fourth poke and third nurse was successful. Ouch! All four pokes left big bruises.

Surgery went well according to what the surgeon told Jim. Afterwards I had the shakes. They gave me two doses of some narcotic and wrapped me in the wonderful heated blankets and I finally quit shaking. After I quit they made me eat three bites of applesauce and gave me a pain pill. I was than able to get dressed and we headed for home around 10:00.

We dropped the prescription off at the pharmacy on the way home. I went to bed and Jim drove back into Emporia to pick up the pain pills after they text me to let me know they were ready to be picked up.

Took a nap of sorts this afternoon. I kinda fade in and out. Just now took a pain pill. They had told me my foot would start waking up about an hour after surgery but it has just now started to tingle. Decided to take a pain pill before I really really needed one. I don’t like how they make me feel.

Fixed a small bowl of oatmeal to eat as I am to eat something when I take the pain pills. Managed to get about a third of it down. I have trouble eating after surgery for a day or two.

Jim is outside sanding the deck stairs. I sat outside for a bit to get some fresh air. The wind is starting to come up and the temperature is starting to drop. It is going to get cold overnight and stay cold tomorrow before it starts to warm back up again.

Grateful the surgery is over and all is well, grateful day one is almost over, and grateful for Jim’s care and compassion.

Had the most wonderful surprise today. I got a text around 11:30 that a guest that had stayed with me a year ago was in town and wanted to know if I wanted to go on a walk with him. When he stayed with me last December I took him over to the Tallgrass Prairie and we hiked for an hour or so.

Of course I said yes I would love to go on a hike with him and he came over around noon. We walked about 2 1/2 miles down my county road. He is originally from Louisiana and is the nicest guy. We had a nice visit as we walked. He is on his way to Louisiana for his annual get away to see his family and stopped in Strong City to see his wife’s family and take a break from the road for a night or two. It was good to see him again.

The furnace guy came and checked and cleaned my furnace. Everything looked good and nothing needs to be done to it this year. He did replace the filter – it is a special order type that I can’t get myself.

I didn’t get any painting done today. I was getting ready to go out and paint when my guest called and wanted to go for a walk. That sounded better for my body and soul today than painting did so I did that instead of painting.

Made a pot of soup that I will put in the crock pot in the morning before I leave for surgery. It will be good to come home from Wichita and have some home made soup ready for lunch. I have to be in Wichita at 6:30 in the morning so it will be a short night as we will have to leave by 5:00. Way too early for me to be up and moving. Jim may not get any sleep tonight as he is a night owl and usually doesn’t go to bed before 4:00 am. One good thing about getting in early is we will be home probably before noon. I will take a long nap tomorrow afternoon.

Got the bedroom downstairs put back together. Had a call from a lady that wants to come for Thursday and Friday night this week. She is to call me back if she decides to come. Kinda hoping she will not come as stairs are very difficult for me when I am non-weight bearing. Jim can take her downstairs and give her the tour if she does decide to come. I have been surprised how many guests are booking. I have blocked my calendar for the next four months as I hope to not be home after December 4. If my plans change and I end up hanging around I will open the calendar back up. Might as well have guests if I am going to be here.

Jim is on his way here now. He won’t be here before 7:00 though. I am making chicken Parmesan for dinner. I have his baked potato baking and I will put in a sweet potato for me later.

The door people didn’t show up again – no call – no nothing. This is getting old! I need to run into Cottonwood and dump my recycling material. I had hung around the house all day in case they decided to show up. I don’t understand how people stay in business running it like that. They do good work when they get here but it is so frustrating to stay home and than they don’t show up.

I think I am ready for tomorrow. Most everything on my list got done except for the painting and it will wait patiently for me. I keep reminding myself to dig deep and bring out my patience. Healing takes time and there isn’t much I can do to speed it along.

Grateful for a guest that asked me to go on a walk, grateful surgery day is almost here, and grateful for healing in advance.

Got a bunch more painting outside done today.  Finished the main deck rails and went down one of the two staircases.  Still have the landing and one more staircase to go but those aren’t ready to paint yet.  I also need to paint the big pillars on the walk out patio.  I may get to those tomorrow.

When I came in from painting my right hand wouldn’t work very well.  It had been holding the paint cup for about three hours my hand and was locked in place.  I have never had that happen before. I tried to use my right hand to open a can for lunch and it wouldn’t work.  It has relaxed and is OK now.

I ate lunch at 3:45 when I came in from painting and just now had dinner at 7:15.  I usually eat lunch at noon and dinner around 5:30.  The time change has thrown me off schedule.

The plumber came out today and brought the new water booster pump.  Wow!  I have high water pressure immediately now.  Wondering if the washer will complete a wash cycle faster now that it can draw water faster.  Hoping the hot water will come to the faucet faster now.   One more thing crossed off my to do list.

The door guy is to come tomorrow to replace the screen on the south door.  He had to order the screen as it is special cat proof screen.  It has been in for two weeks.  I called last week and they were to have come out last week to install it.  I called again today and they promised they would be here tomorrow.  Not thinking I want to hold my breath though.

Baked a double batch of cookies this morning.  On the next to last batch I picked up a hot cookie sheet with my bare hand and burned my thumb.  I put ice on it immediately and then cut a stem off the aloe Vera plant and cut the stem open and taped it to my thumb.  I can see a small blister attempting to form but I think I diverted it from getting big and ugly.  It is a bit tender to touch tonight.  I hate when I do something stupid like that.

Still haven’t make it downstairs to make up the guest bed.  I may get that done yet tonight.  I’m not going to bother doing much cleaning as I don’t have guests schedule again until the end of April.

I had forgotten to order the new water hose for the dishwasher I ordered from Lowe’s.  When I called today to add that to the order I found out they had planned to deliver it only and not install it.  For $150 extra I can have them install it.  I cancelled my order!  Went on line to Best Buy and found a higher quality dishwasher that has free installation for the same price as the one from Lowe’s plus installation.  Lowe’s website is misleading.  I assumed if they were going to haul the old one away they would disconnect it and then take it away.  But no, they expected it to be disconnected when they got here.  Glad I discovered all this before they showed up.

Jim is coming tomorrow late afternoon.  He teaches his last class in the morning and then will need to pack and load his car.  He will be here ten days before we return to OK for several days and than are coming back to KS for two weeks.  After that we will go to OK for several months if I can find someone to watch my house.  The best part of having surgery is that means Jim and I will be together for an extended time again.  I won’t be able to drive for six to eight weeks as it is my right foot being fixed this time.  Grateful he will take me where I need to go.

I am both dreading and excited about having my bunion fixed Wednesday.  Dreading the six to eight weeks of limited mobility but excited that once that part is over I will be able to walk pain free.  I learned last time to mark days off the calendar and know that each day gets me one day closer to mobility.  Can’t rush the healing so I have to allow it to be what it is.  Trusting I will recover as fast as I did last time.  Knowing there will be long hard days but most will be good days.  Another lesson in patience for me for sure.

I have black railing paint all over my hands.  I don’t want to clean them up with mineral spirits until I am done using the black paint.  I’ll get them clean tomorrow after I paint the lower posts.

My skin has dried up like a prune with this cooler weather.  I have been trying to drink more water to try to help hydrate myself but not sure I have been very successful.  Time to slather on the cocoa butter lotion after my bath tonight.

Grateful the railing painting got done today, grateful for the new water booster pump, and grateful Jim will be here tomorrow afternoon.

It is only 6:00 and my body is trying to tell me to go to bed like the sun just did.  It will take me a week or two to adjust to the earlier sunset.

I painted railings today.  Got five sets done – four more on the main deck to go.  Still will have the two stair cases and the landing to do but those aren’t ready to be done yet.  I should be able to get the last four on the main deck done tomorrow.

My back is a bit sore tonight from leaning over the top and painting the back sides of the rails.  I will be anxious to see if my legs are sore tomorrow.  The position I was in pulled on the back of my knees.  Good exercise I guess.

It was very windy for a bit this afternoon.  The paint on my brush would try to blow off.  The wind helped the paint dry very quickly but I think the wind wore me out.

My guests left this morning around 8:30.  I wasn’t out of bed yet although I was awake.  They hollered at me to say goodbye.  Did three loads of laundry but haven’t made it back downstairs to make up their bed.  These are my last guests until the end of April unless my plan to go to OK for four months doesn’t work out.

Went into Emporia late afternoon to pick up some groceries.  I needed lettuce for my lunch tomorrow and Crisco so I could bake some more cookies for Jim.  I need to get a stash of cookies in the freezer for him so I won’t have to bake while mobility is an issue for me.  Got the last few things off the Thanksgiving meal list and our family holiday dinner.  The rest of the stuff on the list I will have to get the week of the dinners.

I wore my yoga pants to Walmart and was grateful I didn’t run into anyone I knew.  Usually when I do something like that I run into several people I know.  I wore them painting and was too lazy to put jeans on before I went to town.

Ordered another Christmas present on-line today.  Only need a few more presents and the little shopping that I do will be done.  I really don’t like Christmas and all the expectations it brings.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  We can skip Christmas as far as I am concerned.

I slept in two sleeps last night.  I fell asleep around 8:30 and slept until 12:30.  Was up until around 4:30 and then slept another three hours.  Makes for a long night when I do that.  I could fall asleep right now but am going to try to stay up a bit so I don’t wake up at 3:00 in the morning.

Tomorrow I want to finish the upper deck railing painting.  I don’t think I have anything else left on my list I wanted to get done before I have surgery Wednesday.  I do have two contractors I need to call and find out where they are at.  I also need to look at prescription coverage for 2020 and see if I can find a better plan.  The one I had didn’t pay very much on the prescriptions I take regularly.  Not sure any of them do but I need to see if I can find a better one.  I was pleased with the medical supplement coverage I had.  They covered everything Medicare didn’t after I met my deductible.

The surgery center is to call me Tuesday to tell me what time I need to be there Wednesday morning.  Hope it is a bit later than the 6:30 we had to be there last time. Being the first patient of the day means no waiting though.

Need to get up and move my body or I am going to fall asleep!

Grateful five more sets of railing rails are painted, grateful for nice and clean guests, and grateful I can go to bed whenever I decide to.

Jim just left to go back to Stillwater. He will be back Tuesday late afternoon after he teaches his last Osher class Tuesday morning. It is a bit easier to let him go home today since I know he will be back in three days.

Painted two more sets of deck rails this afternoon after we took our 2 1/2 mile walk. The wind was a bit brisk but otherwise it is a beautiful day on the prairie. The deck sure looks better with the rails painted. It is motivating me to get the rest done. I will go out again tomorrow and paint for a couple of hours and see how far I can get. I’ll still have Monday and Tuesday to see if I can get this part of the deck finished.

My guests have been out and about most of the day. They just came back in and are going to rest a bit and then they are going to go into Emporia for dinner. They have had a fun, relaxing day exploring the prairie. Tomorrow I will need to get their room cleaned and bedding and towels washed up. They are my last scheduled guests until next April.

Tonight I will finish knitting another baby blanket. Not sure what I am going to do with all the baby blankets I have made lately but am sure they will eventually find a home. Have some tea towel sets stamped I need to finish up too. I’m sure I’ll get lots done on them the next six weeks when my mobility is a bit limited.

Monday I need to go into Emporia and buy some groceries and a few other things. Trying to anticipate any thing I might need for the next six weeks when I won’t be able to drive. Jim can take me to town but getting around a store on the knee scooter or on crutches is a pain.

I stayed on plan while Jim was here this time. I didn’t eat any snacks or white potatoes. That felt good to know I could get back on the wagon and stay on it while he is here. He approved of all the meals I fixed and didn’t seem to notice the lack of potatoes or all the additional vegetables I served. I still need to put some menus together for the week after surgery so I can get what I need at the grocery store Monday. I feel so much better when I stick to plan.

I have a few more items to get for our Thanksgiving Dinner and the Holiday meal for my family Thanksgiving week. Some of the items I will have to wait and get the week of as they won’t be good by then if I buy them now.

I got a down comforter while I was at Costco Thursday. I am loving it! So light weight but so warm! I have slept well under it the last two nights. The house was almost too warm last night as I have the thermostat turned on downstairs for my guests. When it is on downstairs the upstairs gets too hot. I like a 64 degree bedroom at night and last night it was 70.

I’m not a fan of daylight savings time. Hard to think at this time tomorrow night it will almost be sunset time. Wish they would leave the time alone and not make us go through two adjustment periods a year.

Sitting with a grateful heart today. The house is getting so many overdue projects completed. This house can overwhelm me sometimes with all it takes to keep it up and running. I’m so grateful for Jim’s help in advising me and helping me do some of the labor it takes to make the house and grounds look nice.

Grateful for more painting done today, grateful I am back on my eating plan, and grateful Jim will be back in three days.

It was a beautiful day on the prairie today.  There was no wind and the temperature was in the low 60’s.  Jim and I went for a walk after lunch.  We took Sophia with us.  I was going to take Roxy but she wouldn’t go past the electronic collar boundary even though I took her electronic collar off.  We walked for 2 1/2 miles.  I had to take my coat off as it was too warm.

This afternoon I painted some of the deck railings with flat black paint.  It is slow going but it sure looks good once it is painted.  I got one set plus done so now have an idea how long it is going to take to do the rest of the deck.  The next four days are to be beautiful again so hoping to get back out and get a lot more painted.  I had planned to paint inside today but it was so nice decided to paint outside instead.

Jim worked on moving dirt.  The backyard doesn’t drain properly so he is moving dirt to help fix it.  He also picked up a lot of rocks left over from the retaining wall repair project.

Fixed hamburger patties smothered in mushroom soup with onions, baked potatoes and green beans with bacon for dinner tonight.  I had a baked sweet potato and Jim had a white potato.  We were both hungry after our long walk and working outside all afternoon.

My weekend guests arrived around 7:00.  They got checked in and than left for dinner.  They are a nice young couple and we will enjoy having them here.  They are staying until Sunday morning.

While I was downstairs getting their room ready I noticed the bathroom sink water was running slow.  Occasionally the strainer gets clogged with little particles that come through the water line.  Jim helped me clean that out and than he noticed the water was draining slowly.  He pulled out a bunch of hair from the drain.  He checked the other two bathroom sinks downstairs and found more junk in one of the  drains.

I ordered a new dishwasher today.  I haven’t heard when it will be delivered.  I had found one at Lowe’s in Stillwater and when I went on-line at the Topeka store site today they had that some one and delivery is free right now.  Mine still works but is starting to make weird noises and it sounds like the pump is going out.  I wanted to get one ordered and on it’s way in case mine bites the dust.

Got one Christmas present ordered today.  I don’t do much shopping for Christmas but like to get the grandkids something.  One of the two told me what they wanted so got it ordered.  Still waiting on a list from the other one.

I have four more full days to get stuff done before surgery.  Besides painting I need to get some groceries and do some meal prep stuff.  I taught Jim how to do the winter watering can for the chickens today so he will be ready to do chores for me while I can’t make it down there.  Other than a bit of house work everything I had on my list to do before surgery is done.

Grateful for another long walk today, grateful I got some deck painting done today, and grateful for a beautiful sunset tonight.

40 years ago today Craig and I were married.  I remember when we celebrated my parents 40th wedding anniversary and I thought they were so old!  Guess I am old now!  I wish Craig and his bride Nancy many years of happiness and joy!

Jim and I went to KC this morning.  He needed to sign some papers with our attorney.  Afterwards we ate lunch and than went to Costco.  Found way too much good stuff at Costco as usual.  Headed for home after the Costco adventure.  Stopped at a pharmacy in Emporia to pick up a prescription and than went to Bluestem for my monthly feed haul.  Came home and unloaded the car.

There was a gap in the south shop door and the floor.  We got some pipe insulation at Bluestem and wrapped it around the bottom of the door and fixed the gap.  That was easy.

Took a 2 1/2 mile walk this afternoon.  It turned out to be a beautiful day after a snowy start.  Warmed up to the mid 40’s.  The fall colors of grass are spectacular right now and the walk was just what my body and soul needed.

I fixed a rice and chicken casserole for dinner that was really good.  Did dishes and am sitting in my chair resting.  Going to KC always wears me out.

Tomorrow I want to paint my laundry room.  I picked up a gallon of paint while I was at Bluestem today.

The solar panels are up and working.  The electric company came out yesterday and switched out the meter.  I checked the new meter this afternoon and we were making more electricity than we were using.  Hooray!  I’m having trouble downloading the link that shows me what my system is doing.  I’ll get that sorted out tomorrow.

I have two guests coming in for two nights tomorrow.  They haven’t let me know what time they are arriving so will have to hang close to home all afternoon.  I will go down in the morning and make sure their room is ready.  I always do a last minute dusting job and clean the bathroom again before someone checks in.

Saturday Jim will return to Stillwater in the afternoon.  I need to finish up some more last minute errands that I want to get done before surgery next Wednesday.  I need to get some groceries and make some food up so I won’t have to cook for the first couple of days after surgery.  Sunday I will need to clean the bedroom and bathroom when the guests leave.  I also need to clean the upstairs again so it will be nice and clean before it gets hard for me to clean.

It has been nice to cross things off my pending list.  Still have several things pending but feels a bit more manageable now.  I need to make some follow up phone calls tomorrow and see if I can get two repairmen out here to finish up two projects.  Both do good work but getting them to come out takes patience and persistence.

Life is so much easier and more fun when Jim is here to share it with me.  He motivates me to get out and walk and get things done around the house.  We work well together and have fun in the process.  I’m glad he will be back next Tuesday and  will be with be for the next six to eight weeks straight.

Grateful for a safe trip to and from KC today, grateful for working solar panels, and grateful for a beautiful walk this afternoon.

We spent a very quiet day at home.  Slept in late.  Stayed inside most of the day.  It was cold and windy outside and spitted snow off and on.  It was a good day to stay tucked inside and read and knit.

Got a phone call from the solar installation guy.  The electric company made it out today and changed out the meter.  That was fast!  I went down and turned the solar panel system on.  Tomorrow we should start generating some electricity.  The solar company will monitor the system for several days and make sure it is working properly and than close out the installation process and bill me for the final half of payment.  The system is connected via internet to their office so they can monitor it and get alerts if something isn’t working right.  They will send me a link so I can also monitor it and see how much electricity I am using and sending on to the electric company.

The chickens gave me one egg today.  I am only getting one egg about every other day.  They stayed tucked inside the coop most of the day.  They did come out when I went down to check their feed.  I give them sunflower seeds or oats everyday and guess it was worth leaving the warmth of the coop for their treat.

Sophia and Bell have been hanging out together under the heat lamp in the garage.  Roxy has been laying on a rug by the steps of the garage.  Ellie has been inside most of the day.  None of us are used to cold weather yet.

Tomorrow we are going to KC so Jim can sign some papers at our attorney’s office.  We will have lunch in KC and stop at Costco for a few things and than come right back home.  It is to be a sunny day tomorrow and a bit warmer than it was today.

I fixed bierrock for dinner tonight.  Jim had never had them before but said I could fix them anytime again for him.  He especially liked the cherry dessert ones I make.

I sure like my fireplace in the living room.  I have had it on most all day today.  It keeps the living room and kitchen nice and toasty warm.  I keep the bedroom door closed as I prefer a cool bedroom at night.

I’m going to pick up some paint and we are going to paint the laundry room Friday.  When I moved in I painted it but never pulled the washer and dryer out so I could paint behind them.  The new washer I got is smaller than the old one and I can now see what wasn’t painted before.  One of my winter projects is to repaint every wall inside so guess we will start with the laundry room.  If I get the house rented I won’t get that project done before I leave the house but I will get started on it as I can.  The weather has put a temporary stop to working on the deck.  Trusting the weather will be nice when I have surgery Jim can get the steps sanded so we can get them painted before winter fully sets in.

Jim goes back to Stillwater Saturday and will return Tuesday after his last class.  Surgery is next Wednesday and he will stay with me for six to eight weeks after that. We sill split our time between KS and OK.  It will be good to have that continuous time with him.

Grateful for a quiet day at home with Jim, grateful for the beauty of the hills with a very light dusting of snow, and grateful the solar panels will start producing electricity when the sun comes out tomorrow.

The solar panels are installed.  Next up is the electric company will come out and replace the meter.  That will happen within the next ten days.  Once that is done I will be on my way to lower electric bills.

The guys had trouble getting enough internet strength down to the shop.  They were on Plan D when they finally solve their problem.  The system sends messages to the installers and emails to me if there is a problem.  They are going to send me a link so I can download an app and be able to tell how much electricity I am using and how much I am giving to the electric company.

My fool proof water solution for the chickens is not fool proof.  The damn lid is hard to make sure it is on.  I thought it was and after I lifted it out of the bucket the lid fell off and spilled three gallons of water on the floor of the coop.  Second try was successful.  I put some fresh straw down over my water mess.  I also cussed a bit when it happened – imagine that!

Baked some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for Jim.  I gave some to the solar installers – they said they were good.  I won’t eat any but they smell good.

Dropped off the tea towels and baby blanket donations at the Chamber office.  Filled my car up with gas and dropped off some more recycling material.  Changed the sheets on my bed and did laundry today.  I have white chicken chili in the crock pot for dinner when Jim gets here.  I don’t expect him until 6:40 or so.  He got a late start from Stillwater.

It is another cold, winter like day on the prairie.  We had a hard freeze last night and it is to start snowing later tonight and snow all night and all day tomorrow.  Not sure I am ready for snow cover yet.

Jim and I are going to KC Thursday.  I’m glad the attorney wasn’t available Wednesday or we would have had to drive in the snow.  Hoping by Thursday the roads will be clear.  If not, we may cancel and reschedule for the third time.

Tomorrow we don’t have anything on the calendar that has to be done.  It will be fun to spend the day with Jim.  Thursday we go to KC and Friday I have two guests coming in that are staying until Sunday.  Sometime while Jim is here we need to go to Bluestem so I can purchase chicken feed and dog food.  I want to be well stocked before I have surgery next week.

Not looking forward to daylight savings time Saturday night.  I like the longer daylight at night time and being able to sleep in the dark longer in the mornings.  It seems each year to take me longer and longer to adjust to the change.  Wish they would leave it alone.

Stopped and got a new heat lamp and new bulbs.  One of the shields I had wasn’t working.  Found another one when I got home and when I put a new bulb in it it worked.  Now I have an extra new shield.  I need to figure out if the other bulbs I have are burn out or if they were in the broken shield.  I use one down in the chicken coop to help keep the water from freezing and when it is especially cold I put one on for the dogs to warm up under.  They don’t spend much time under it but I feel better knowing they have that option.

Radar is showing some snow on the Turnpike south of here.  Trusting Jim will drive safely.  Seems like people forget how to drive on snow each year and this is the first snow of this winter.

Surgery is a week from tomorrow.  Hoping I have remembered to get everything I need to get done before done.  I will make one more trip to the grocery store next Tuesday to get things I’ll want to eat for the first week or so.  As it is my right foot this time I won’t be able to drive for six to eight weeks.  Good thing Jim will be with me most of that time.

Feeling a bit cranky this afternoon and I’m not sure why.  I’ve had a quiet day at home for the most part.  It will be good to see Jim when he gets here.

Grateful the solar panels are installed, grateful the chickens and dogs have working heat lamps, and grateful Jim will be here soon.

The guys showed up to start the solar panel installation a little after 10:00 this morning. They got most of it done but it has started spitting icy pellets and the roof got slick and they had to quit for the day. The electrician is still down in the shop doing his thing. They are to come back tomorrow late morning to finish up the install. I thought it was going to take all week but he thought they will be done tomorrow.

I have had a quiet day tucked inside. I ventured out to do the chicken chores but quickly came back in when I was done. It is 35 our and on its way down to 24 for the night. I have had my fireplace on today and have been sitting in my chair knitting most of the day. Decided to take a quiet, do nothing day. It is easier to embrace winter weather when I don’t have to get out and be in it.

I was able to make a couple of phone calls today. Somedays I can do that and other days I can’t. Transferred a prescription from one pharmacy to another to save some money. Called my insurance agent to inform them I added the solar panels and check to see if I needed to increase my coverage. Also scheduled an appointment with our attorney so Jim can sign some papers. We are going to KC Thursday late morning to get that done. I want to stop at Costco while we are in KC but other than that it will be a quick trip up and back. It will only take about 15 minutes to sign the papers.

I have another quiet day scheduled for tomorrow. Jim will be here late afternoon or early evening. I will need to fix dinner for him but other than that have nothing I have to do tomorrow. I got the house put back together after having eight guests over the weekend. May bake some cookies if the mood hits but they are optional.

I will need to go to town to pick up the prescription that I transferred but don’t need it urgently. If I remember we can stop and get it when we go to KC Thursday.

I slept fairly good last night but am tired this afternoon. I always feel a bit of a let down after having guests for several days. It has been a good day to do nothing.

Has anyone tried the weighted blankets? I ordered one and have been using it for almost a week now. I think it is helping me sleep better. I don’t toss and turn so much. My restless legs seem to be quieter with it. I have hopes that it may help me solve my sleeping problems. Can it be that simple of a solution?

I do need to run into Cottonwood Falls tomorrow and drop off some recycling stuff and a donation for the Chase County Christmas Event that is held Thanksgiving weekend. I am donating a hand knitted baby blanket and a set of tea towels. Someone will put some other things with them and create a baby basket and a kitchen basket for their silent auction. I hope they find someone interested in them.

They have taken the rain and snow out of the forecast for today but it is still predicted for Wednesday. We are getting a foggy, icy coating though. Not heavy enough to show on radar but enough to make black ice. Glad I got the chicken chores done before it got slick.

I have lost three pounds since last Tuesday. Seven to ten to go and I will be back down to what I was before. I want to be back down to where I was by Christmas. My body likes when I stay on plan and don’t cheat. It is harder to do when Jim is here but I have tried to come up with meals that will make it easier for me. He doesn’t like to eat three meals a day and likes lots of potatoes which I can’t eat often. He doesn’t eat many vegetables except for white potatoes. I’ll have to get creative and find foods that will suit both of us.

Very aware of being in my peaceful valley today. It feels good to take care of myself with a do nothing day and not feel guilty about it. I have been very organized lately and have not been procrastinating on getting things done. Not sure why that goes away at times but I welcome the times when I can get things done. I think being back on my eating plan gives me more energy in some ways to get things done. Although I am also realizing my body has been detoxing a bit and I feel more tired than normal.

Grateful I am tucked inside my warm house with the fireplace on and am safe and warm, grateful the solar panels are almost completely installed and ready to start saving me money, and grateful Jim will be here tomorrow.

A busy day around the place today.  All four guests checked out a little before 11:00 this morning.  The three young ladies that came were delightful and give me such hope for the future.  I sat with them during breakfast today and visited.

My invisible guest came up this morning to settle his account.  I only saw him when he came in Thursday afternoon.  I would forget he was even here.  He stayed in all day yesterday but stayed in his room.  I would hear him go into the kitchenette occasionally but never saw him.  He said he had a very relaxing and quiet time.

I have been doing laundry all day.  My new washing machine does not like washing the robes I provide for my guests.  I learned I can only wash one at a time.  I tried two and I keep having to go back and balance the machine.  I didn’t know I needed to do that so the washer sat doing nothing for a long time today.

Went into Emporia to get groceries for next week.  One of the twin bed sheets is stained and needed replaced so I went ahead and got four new sets so I can replace all of them.  They were all starting to look a bit worn.  Got some sweat pants for after surgery.   Walmart didn’t have any boy sized ones that didn’t have elastic in the foot. Found some in women’s that will work.

Have been cleaning and doing laundry all day.  One more set of guests to come next weekend for two nights and than I am suspending my account again until May.  I have a house full booked for the last week of April and than I am guessing I will get more booking for May and June.  Blacked out July as we are going back to CO for four weeks.  We want to do some other traveling too but don’t have dates to black out yet.  If someone books we will have to work our travel schedule around the bookings.

Tomorrow the guys come to start the installation of the solar panels.  Hope they get most of it done before the snow comes on Wednesday.  I don’t know if they can work if it is snowing or raining.  At least the slant on the shop is not too severe so it won’t be so dangerous.

Jim is coming up Tuesday after he teaches his Osher class in the morning in Stillwater.  It will be good to see him again.  He will stay until Saturday and than he has to go back but will return the next Tuesday after his class.  This time we will be together until I can drive again which will be in about six to eight weeks from surgery day of November 6.  Don’t know what I would do without Jim right now.

Got a whole ham today for Thanksgiving dinner.  I’m looking for guests to come eat with us.  It won’t be a traditional turkey dinner but we will have plenty of food.  We plan on eating at 1:00.  Come if you can – you can even stay overnight the night before or the day of if you would like to.

Got the chickens winter heated water can set up.  Figured out if I take an empty litter container the water container will fit in it and I can fill it and keep it from dumping over.  The lid is hard to put back on it.  If I put a brick in the bottom of the container the water container will sit up high enough for me to make sure the lid is back on and I won’t dump ice cold water on my feet.  Now why did it take me five years to think of doing that?  Better late than never I guess.

It looks beautiful outside today but the temperature is about 10 degrees colder than yesterday.  Today will feel balmy warm compared to Tuesday.  I took advantage and got the tarp that lines the chicken fence zip tied back into place.  The wind breaks the zip ties and then the tarp flaps in the wind.

Got the second set of blood test results back.  All but three were within normal ranges and the three that were out of range showed good improvement from last time.  Surgery is a go!

Grateful the chickens are ready for winter, grateful to have solved the watering container dumping on my feet issue, and grateful the guys will be here tomorrow to start the solar installation.

I woke up at 4:30 this morning after going to sleep around 1:00.  I could not fall back asleep.  I finally gave up at 6:30 and got up.  I heard my four guests downstairs getting showers and knew they were leaving a little after 7:00.  They came up and were out the door at 7:15.

I stripped the beds and collected the dirty towels and changed the trash cans.  Got their rooms flipped and ready for the three women that were coming in this afternoon.  One of the sheets has a stain on it and I couldn’t find the extra set of twin sheets.  I’ll have to go to town this week and get some new ones to replace it.  The others are starting to be rather worn so I will replace all four sets.

Mowed most of the yard this afternoon.  It was hard to mow as I couldn’t always tell where I had mowed.  It was ragged looking before I started and looks much more even now.  We are to get a hard freeze next week so this will be the last mowing I do this year.  I need to get my mower in and have the blades sharpen and balanced and the oil changed.  I never did get it taken in earlier this year.

I got the extension cord and heat lamp set up in the chicken coop.  Still need to wash out the heated water container and then the chickens will be ready for winter.  When I plugged the heat lamp into the multi plug in thingy the heat lamp didn’t come on.  I took a blow dryer down and checked to make sure the plug in on the shop was working.  It was.  Then I plugged the dryer into the extension cord and that worked.  When I plugged it into the multi plug in thingy it didn’t work.  Got to looking at it and the darn thing has a power button.  Once that was turned on it worked and when I checked the heat lamp the bulb came on.  Sometimes it is the simple things in life that challenge me!

It was an absolutely beautiful day on the prairie.  It got up into the low 60’s today with bright blue skies.  Wish it would stay this way for several months.  I like weather like this.  It is only to be in the low 50’s tomorrow and drop from there the rest of the week with snow in the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.  Better get my deck painting done tomorrow or it won’t get done next week.  I’m running out of time before surgery to get that done.

My third set of guests this weekend came while I was out mowing. They are lovely, young women.  Not sure how they know each other but they act like they are good friends with each other.  They have been out hiking at Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and came in and took showers and rested for a bit.  They left a bit ago to go meet some friends in Matfield Green.  My other guest stayed in his room all day and just left to find some dinner.  I haven’t caught him to say anything to him since he first arrived.

The guests that left this morning left two items behind.  They had gone to the OU and KState football game and stopped on their way back to Oklahoma City to pick up the forgotten items.  They were nice guests that really liked my dogs.  They didn’t get to see much of the prairie thought as they didn’t arrive until 11:15 last night and left before the sun was up this morning.

I gave the dogs and cats their flea and tic medication today.  When I was putting it on Bell she jumped out of my arms just as I squirted the medication out of the tube.  Some landed on her but most landed on me.  Guess I am protected from fleas and tics for the next three months.  Good thing a hard frost is coming next week.  Maybe it will kill the fleas and tics for the winter and she won’t pick up any.

Tomorrow I will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms to clean.  At least I won’t have a time pressure this time as my next set of guests don’t come in until next Friday.  They will be my last guests until I return in April unless someone else books between now and the 5th of November.  October turned into a fairly busy month for me with 10 bookings from late September to early November.  I’ve enjoyed having guests again.  I like when the house is filled with people.

Grateful the chickens are ready for winter, grateful for nice guests that come and enjoy the prairie, and grateful the yard is looking nice again.

Another productive day today after sleeping for almost 8 hours last night!  Wow!  So that is what nights are for.  Who knew?

I cleaned the chicken coop out today and gave the girls fresh linens.  I had cleaned it out a little over a month ago so it wasn’t too dirty.  This will be the last clean out until spring.  I add fresh straw monthly during the winter and don’t remove the old stuff.  That gives them a bit of insulation against the bitter cold temperatures.  The spring clean out is a big pain though as the shit piles up all winter long.

I voted in Cottonwood Falls today.  I am only the 22nd voter so far.  Didn’t have to make choices on people running as there were only one person per position on the ballet.  I did have to choose on the amendment issue.  I had done my homework and knew which way to vote on that.

Dropped off a bunch of recycling material and than came home.  Worked some more on my taxes and got them as complete as I can at this point.

My real estate partner got my house listed on Willow as a rental. Trusting someone will need a short term lease during the time I want to be gone.

Made another batch of Chex Mix.  Wanted to get the boxes of cereal out of the way in my pantry.  Trying to get as much as I can done early before surgery.  Chex Mix freezes well and it is nice to have that job done.  May bake a batch or two of cookies tonight or tomorrow.  Jim is a Cookie Monster.

My guest was out most of the day.  He came in a bit ago but I haven’t seen or heard from him.  I need to catch him and make sure all is well.

It turned out to be a beautiful day on the prairie today.  Warmed up to the mid 50’s but the best part of the day was no wind.  I had to shed my coat while I was out cleaning out the chicken coop.  It is to be nice the next two days and then turn cold.  We are to have a hard frost Monday night with chances of snow for Wednesday and Thursday.  Not sure I am ready for winter yet.

I have decided to have a Thanksgiving Day ham dinner and invite friends and family.  If you don’t have a place to go on Thanksgiving Day please come join me.  We are eating at 1:00.  No turkey and dressing but there will be plenty of other food.  Give me a heads up if you can come but if you decide at the last minute come on out. Call if you need directions.  Bring a side dish if you want to but it isn’t required.  I love a full house for Thanksgiving and would love to have you join us.

I sent an application to Oklahoma AARP to see if I can be a tax aide for them next year.  I enjoyed doing them a lot last year and would love to be able to do them again next year.  I’ll see if they get back to me.

I have been enjoying a long stay in my peaceful valley of life.  It has been a while since I fell into the muck pond.  I am grateful!  Things seem to be falling into place for me and solutions to problems arrive almost before I am aware of the problem.  Love when that happens!

I have been able to get back on the Bright Line eating plan fairly easily the last few days.  My body sure feels better when I eat on plan.  It will take me a bit to lose the 10 pounds I gained.  I am a slow loser but I know it will eventually come off if I stick to plan.

Grateful for another beautiful KS sunset tonight, grateful the girls have fresh linens tonight, and grateful for a long sleep last night.

Finally had a productive day.  I got to stay home all day for the first time in a long time.  That felt good!  I needed a stay at home day.  They fill my soul.

I got the house ready for my guest to arrive.  He showed up around 3:00.  He is a very nice man who lives in KC and came down for a weekend get away alone.  He stayed in his room downstairs all afternoon and then left around 5:15 to find some dinner.

The guy from Pella Windows came and replaced the window in the master bedroom that had a rotten sash.  He did a good job.  He looked at the big windows in the living room and gave me some ideas on how to stop the water leaks in them.  He was going to give me an estimate for a weather stripping kit that goes around the window in the bedroom but he forgot to do so.  He said he could feel cold air coming in.  The price is around $100 per window plus installation!  Think I will see if Jim can do something a bit cheaper.  Pella sure likes their product and prices them accordingly.

I worked on taxes this afternoon and cleaned out all my files.  It went smoother than normal which is a great thing.  I will have to fill in a few more blanks as I get November and December bills but they are almost ready to go.  Wow!  I’ve never had them this ready before.  I realized if I am going to go to Oklahoma for several months I needed to get them done early as I won’t have access to my files while I am gone.

I didn’t sleep very well last night.  I slept hard for two hours and than I was up for four or five hours.  Finally got one or two more hours of sleep.  I am tired this evening.  Might be an early bedtime.  It is cloudy and cold outside and that makes for good sleeping weather.

Craig, Nancy and I figured out our Thanksgiving and Christmas plans with the kids.  We are going to combine Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.  I’m not sure when I am leaving for Oklahoma and Craig and Nancy leave for Mexico right after Christmas.  With two of the kids working shift work it makes it hard to find a time when we can all get together.  I need to decide if I want to make my Christmas treats to give the kids when we gather the 30th or if I will make them later and take them to the kids.  I’ll see how I do after surgery and if my feet will allow me to bake.  Jim will be here to help me so I should be able to make them before the 30th.  I would like to have them done and out of the way.  Christmas is not my favorite season of the year.  At least doing Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend I don’t have to put up a Christmas tree!  Yay!

Since we are doing our family thing on the Saturday after Thanksgiving I think I will fix a meal on Thanksgiving and invite my brother and his family and any of my kids that can make it.  I’ll fix a turkey dinner for the kids on Saturday and I think I will fix a ham for Thanksgiving day.  Hams are easy and I won’t have to fix all the extra side dishes.  I’ll see how much my foot allows me to do.

A guy that came as a guest for the Disc Golf tournament is going to house sit for me on a weekend in November.  Jim wants to go to Oklahoma to go to church on that weekend.  Harold’s family likes to get away together prior to Thanksgiving so he is bringing the gang with him.  I love when someone helps me out and at the same time I can help them out.  That is a win – win situation!

One of my other disc golf guests sent me some helpful information on my light bulb situation.  He even offered to get parts for me if I want him too.  I’m so lucky to meet these strangers that stay at my house and they become friends before they return home.  I love my job!

Called the door people again about the screen for my back door.  They were to have ordered it the middle of September.  I called two weeks ago and they said it wasn’t in but I think he had forgotten to order it and got it ordered.  When I called today to ask about it again I was told it was in and they would try to get out next week to install it.  Why do I have to call people to remind them to do their job?  How does a business stay in business doing it that way?  They do good work but I shouldn’t have to nag them to do it.

If I remember I want to go to Cottonwood Falls tomorrow and vote.  I need to dump recycling so I can make it a two for one trip.  Not too many people to choose from in the local contests but I will do my civic duty and vote.

I am back on my Bright Lines eating plan.  I have strayed too far away and my pants were getting tight.  I do feel better eating on plan and not cheating.  I still haven’t eaten flour or sugar but I was eating way too many potato chips and have been eating lots of peanut butter.  I can have both but I have no will power to eat a small amount of either food.  They have become triggers for me to over eat and have caused my cravings to start again.  Time to clean my diet back up and take off the 10 pounds that I have gained since I had surgery in August.  I wasn’t as active as I had been and I didn’t adjust my food intake to reflect my sitting lifestyle.  Trusting this surgery I will have learned my lesson and will decrease my intake.

Grateful for a productive day, grateful for guests that become friends, and grateful my taxes are almost done!  Yippee!!!

Went into Emporia this morning for my pre-op appointment with my family doctor.  He spent about five minutes with me.  Most of the time he was on the computer.  He finally listened to my heart and said I was good to go.

Got the first of two sets of blood test results back.  All on the first set were within normal limits.  Should have the second set back either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Stopped by the post office to mail my internet adapter cord back to my old internet company.  After a stop at the bank to cash a check I came home.

My get up and go got up and left without me today.  I was feeling tired and a bit drained this afternoon.  I started having bad diarrhea about two hours ago and it is still going on.  Feels a bit like a flashback to my Ayahuasca experience in Peru.  I sure trust it won’t last five days like that episode did.  I don’t have time for that!

I haven’t gotten anything else done this afternoon besides running to the bathroom.  It is starting to slow down a bit.  I think I am ready to have a colonoscopy- I am cleaned out!  Yuck!

Had another guest book for the weekend.  He is coming in Thursday night and staying until Sunday morning.  I will have five guests Friday night and four on Saturday night.  Might as well fill the house if I am going to have guests.

I called my plumber about the booster pump.  He told me parts to fix it cost $500 and a new pump is $900.  He recommended I replace the pump as the one I have is one that was remade five years ago.  Ouch!  Sure seems I have had a rash of things breaking down around here lately.  Hope I am getting to the bottom of the barrel of things breaking down.  My annual repair budget has been blown up.

I managed to get the light bulb in the high ceiling in the living room replaced today.  I have to use a long extension pole to change it and sometimes it is easier than other times to change it.  Today was an easy day.  Still not sure why the same bulb keeps burning out.  Next time I have the electrician out I will have him check it out for me. Thinking the socket needs replaced.

I didn’t get the chicken coop cleaned out today.  I haven’t even made it down to do chicken chores this afternoon.  I can’t be that far from the bathroom.  Maybe I will be better in another hour or so and can get down there before it gets dark.

I think I will skip dinner tonight and let my tummy settle down.  Not sure if I have a mild case of food poisoning or what is going on.  Have no clue what I have eaten that would have caused it.  I’m trying to drink as much water as I can get down so I don’t get dehydrated.  It seems to activate my gut when I drink water.

It is only going to be 50 for the high tomorrow.  Not sure I am ready for colder temperatures.  There is even a chance for snow flurries next week.  Not even ready for snow!  Getting around on one foot if it gets icy will be a challenge.

I don’t think I have to leave the prairie for the next few days.  Tomorrow a guy is coming to replace the broken window in the master bedroom.  The first of my weekend guests arrives tomorrow afternoon too.  I like to stay close to home when I have guests, at least until I know it is OK to leave them.  Some I can leave and others I feel better if I hang around the house.

I remembered I get Apple Music free with my new cell phone plan.  Figured out I can play it through my Sonos system.  Got that running today and have been enjoying listening to different music this afternoon.  I may be able to cancel my Spotify subscription if I can find enough music I enjoy.

Declaring the rest of the day a rest day.  Trusting by morning I will be back to feeling good and have the energy to clean the house.  My guest is to be here around 2:00 so will need to get with it in the morning and get the house ready for him.

Grateful for blood test results that are all in the normal range, grateful my tummy is starting to quiet down, and grateful for the sun shining in through the west windows this afternoon.  It warms my soul and spirit!

This has been a fairly productive day.  I went into Emporia this morning to meet with my real estate partner and friend.  He is going to try to find someone to rent the house while I am in Stillwater from December to April.  I have a back-up plan if he can’t find someone but it would be nice to have a profitable renter while I am gone.  If you know of someone that needs a temporary house to live in during those months please have them call me.

While I was in town I stopped by the Vet Clinic and got flea and tic medication for all four animals.  That stuff is expensive!

I went to the grocery store and got a bunch more things off my Thanksgiving dinner list.  I will be on crutches during Thanksgiving and wanted to get as much as I could ahead of time while I have two good feet.  I also picked up a few things I needed and then headed home.

Called my old internet provider and they gave me the address to mail in the forgotten adapter cord.  They are to refund me my $5 late fee but I’m not going to hold my breath that they will.

Got the grandfather’s clock running again.  I set an alarm so I would wind it at the time it stopped at.  Sometimes it has trouble figuring out what time it is after it has stopped but today it worked fine.

The wind is in a hurry again today although not as much of a hurry as yesterday.  It calmed down during the night last night but picked back up this morning.  I have some outside work to do but it is too windy to paint.

Went through the mail that had piled up while I was gone and mailed a check or two and filed the rest.  Most of the mail I get is junk mail and I disposed of that in the recycling bin.

Tomorrow I have a doctor’s appointment and a blood draw for my upcoming surgery in November.  While I am in town tomorrow I need to go to the bank and post office and then I think I am caught up from being gone.  I have a few letters to write tonight and I still need to unpack my suitcase.  It was nice to cross a few things off my to do list.  I need to do a big feed haul from Bluestem sometime before surgery so may take care of that tomorrow too.

If it is nice tomorrow and not so windy I need to clean out the chicken coop.  The straw blows everywhere when it is this windy so decided not to do that job today.  I will also need to do some repair to the tarps that line the fence.  The zip cords I use to hold them in place have broken off.  That is another job that is hard to do when it is windy outside.

Thursday the guy is coming to replace the window in the master bedroom that has a rotted sash.  I will also need to clean house Thursday for the guests that are arriving Friday evening.  I still haven’t finished detailing every room so maybe I will get some more of those rooms crossed off my list.  Thankfully my house sitter always leaves my house clean so I don’t have much to do to get it ready for the guests.

I need to make two phone calls to follow up on some repair guys but couldn’t make myself do them today.  I did manage to call the internet provider but that is all I could make myself do today.  Not sure why some days phone calls are hard to make.  I am enjoying the peace and quiet of my house this afternoon.  I can feel it filling my soul with calmness and joy.

My Yahoo mail is not working this afternoon.  I keep getting an error message.  Anyone else having trouble logging on and getting emails?  I tried logging on with the Yahoo app and even that didn’t work.

I feel like I am living in two different worlds – Stillwater and KS.  I could be very happy in either place, especially if Jim is with me.  The house in Stillwater fits me better and is easier to clean as it is much smaller.  The house in KS feeds my soul better though.  I so appreciate the magnificent views of the sunrise, sunsets, night sky and moon when I come home from being gone.

Grateful to cross things off my to do list, grateful for my real estate business partner and that he is a dear friend too, and grateful for the fall beauty of the prairie.

I am back home on the prairie after being gone for 11 days.  The wind is in a big hurry this evening and the temperature keeps dropping.  Not ready for these cooler temperatures.

We had a fun day celebrating Jim’s birthday.  The guy from the hardware store that can match my deck paint called me this morning to tell me the paint was ready.  It was a 45 minute drive to Chandler from Stillwater to pick up the paint.  When we got back to Stillwater we stopped and had lunch at a local diner.

I packed up and left Stillwater around 2:15.  I thought about stopping at Costco in Wichita to get some chicken tenders but decided not to.  It was getting close to rush hour traffic by the time I was by there and with the road construction going on by Costco I decided not to stop.

Drove up the Turnpike all the way to Emporia so I could stop and get my mother’s ring that I had resized and the diamond replaced. Thank heavens it was done.  I like how it turned out.

On the way home from Emporia I came inches from hitting a big deer on Highway 50.  Not sure how we managed to miss each other but very grateful we did.

My new glasses from Warby Parker were here when I got home.  They fix perfectly and don’t need adjusted.  I like them.  They are similar to the pair I had before but these are black frames.  I can see better with them and so far my eyes aren’t getting so tired when I read and write.  I was most impressed with their service, price and product and will return next time I need an eye exam.

I was able to cross three things off my pending list tonight!  I hope to take care of several other things tomorrow and get some more things crossed off.  It seems like my list has been growing lately and I haven’t been able to get across the finish line with any one item.  Maybe the tide has turned and things will start falling into place.

A light bulb in the living room has burned out again.  I put LED light bulbs in it and have had to replace the bulb several times in the past.  Can someone tell me why they keep burning out in the same place?  There are six lights in the living room ceiling and only two of them ever burn out.  Do I need an electrician to check out the socket?

Got an email from the solar install guy.  They are on track to start the installation next Monday.  He has done an excellent job communicating with me and keeping me updated.  I look forward to having lower electric bills after next week.

It is nice to sit in my corner chair and watch the sunset tonight.  I miss the sunrise, sunset and the moon when I am away from my prairie home.  I don’t miss the wind though.  It is really in a hurry tonight and whistling as it flies by.

Jim won’t be back up until Tuesday of next week.  We have spent every weekend together since we got back from Asheville in September.  It will be hard to go eight days without seeing him in person.  The time should go rather quickly though as I have lots of things on my to do list for the next three days and then have two different sets of guests coming over the weekend.

Grateful to be back home on the prairie tonight, grateful for the time I had with Jim, and grateful to have Mom’s ring on my finger tonight.

 

Another beautiful day in Stillwater.  The weather was perfect this afternoon for painting.  We went to church this morning and then worked on a window.  Got it painted after putting in fresh glaze and new boards.  Haven’t gotten it put back together again yet with the screens and storm windows but it sure looks better.

We went out for Chinese for dinner.  Tomorrow is Jim’s birthday.  I have to go back to Kansas tomorrow afternoon so we celebrated tonight instead.

I haven’t heard from the hardware store about the deck paint so unless he calls in the morning I will have to have Jim go get it for me if it comes in.  I trust it will come in before Jim comes down to help me after surgery as that is when Jim will do the sanding and I will need the paint.

I have a lot of little things to do when I get home Monday.  Tuesday will be a full day of errands and phone calls trying to get some loose ends tied up.  I seem to be having trouble getting others to do what I have hired them to do.  Maybe it will all start falling into place these next two weeks.

I am considering spending January through March in Stillwater so we can get Jim’s house finished up.  In order to be able to do that I will need to find someone to stay in my house for three months.  If anyone knows of someone that needs a temporary home during that time frame let me know.  I have some flexibility on dates.  I’ll need to be back in my house by mid April as I have guests scheduled for the Disc Golf tournament the end of April.

Gertrude has been fairly quiet today.  Last night she talked to me during the night and woke me up.  Sure wish I knew why she started hurting more after nine weeks than she did earlier.

It has been a wonderful ten days with Jim.  I’m sad I have to go home tomorrow.  Not sure when he will make it up.  He may not be able to get away until November.  At least when he does come we will have lots of time together again.  This next couple of weeks may be out last long time apart.

Grateful for perfect weather to paint this afternoon, grateful for this time I have had again with Jim, and grateful Gertrude is calming down again.