Friday

After exercise, I went shopping for groceries. I had a list, but I got way more food than was on my list. I have the habit of getting 2 of something so I won't run out of things. I like to have my pantry full.

Tomorrow, Jordan goes to the groomer. Trudy said it's only been a month but I can't see his eyes good and his feet are furry so I thought it was time to get a trim. I'll have him there by 8 AM.

Trudy is here spending the night. We might clean up some of the basement tomorrow. The treadmill I ordered came in today, but I don't want it now and will have to find out how to send it back. I'm dangerous on the computer at night. I spend too much money, but we have been enjoying the comedies I ordered.

The weather was rather cool yesterday but warmed up today. We're having a cool Spring.

I got up a 6 AM this morning and read from the Book of Mormon and then did some exercises on my exercise chair. I need to do this every morning and make a habit of it.

Mary Kate had someone refuse to let one of her children join an organization because they weren't Christians. The name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If we weren't Christians, why would we have His name in the name of our church? The Book of Mormon is the most Christ-centered book I have ever read. It's all about the doctrines of Christ. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. The Bible and The Book of Mormon go hand in hand to teach about the Savior and His atonement. Yes, we are Christians. Always have been and always will be.

Bird Vet

Frank and I and Gert went to Hartselle to see the bird Vet. Doc Jan sees all kinds of animals but she's especially good with birds. Gert needed his wings and nails cut. I hadn't been spraying the birds (2) with water so his feathers didn't look good. After clipping his nails and wings,  she gave him a bath, which didn't take a long time. He nailed my left hand good when I toweled him to get him in the carrier.

The wedding present I got for Forrest and Ashlee came in today. I got them 6 towels. A bath towel, a face towel and a wash cloth, a piece. Someone gave me two towels for a wedding present and they lasted for many years. I got a rusty red color. It probably won't match anything they get but I'm going to tell them the color is to remind them of the passion they have for each other. I got a shower invite for June 6th in Fayetteville, TN. I'll get with Trudy to see if I can go with her.

Jordan goes to the groomers at Pet Depot Saturday morning to get a cut. He has grown out since last grooming. He went to see Dr Pitman today for his ears. He got some more meds to put in his ear and some pills. I have to do both twice a day. I was successful getting the pill down his throat and hopefully I'll continue to be successful doing that. He sleeps with his head on my shoulder sometimes and usually sleeps near my pillow.

His using the piddle pads but sometimes he'll just get his feet on the pad and then pee on the edge and then I have to clean up the floor. I had been using some Clorox spray on the floor, but it was irritating Gert's eyes. I know not to use spray products around the birds, I just forgot. Now, to clean the floor, I'll just go in another room, close the door and spray the paper towel and then do the clean up. He's such a sweet dog.

Madison Again

After exercise, Frank and I went to Khol's to swap out the two pair of pants I bought him yesterday. They were too long. I couldn't find a 38/28 and got two 38/29 instead. They will have to be a little too long. One pair has pleats and I didn't notice. He said he would try them on and see if he liked the pleats. I sort of wanted to eat catfish but decided to just go on home for lunch. Then, when we got back into Athens, I went to Lawler's Barbeque and got a pound of pulled pork and we had barbeque sandwiches for lunch. They have the best barbeque.

I got a new purse. It's almost too small. It's a cross body and I like that. Everything fits, tightly, but I like the freedom it gives my hands.

Mary Kate is planning on all of us coming down to her house for the 4th of July. She wants us to bring Jordan, too. It would be a fun trip. I haven't heard it from her mouth. Trudy told me when she got back from visiting Mary Kate.

Tomorrow, we take Gert to Hartselle to see Doc Jan and get his wings clipped. He acts like he's going to fly around the room with his cage. This will be the third time his wings have been clipped and then grew right back. Rikki's wings haven't grown out. He has two feathers that have grown out on one wing and one feather that is starting to grow out on the other. If it's just cut, it will continue to grow on out and I'm going to see if Doc Jan can pull that feather out, if it won't hurt Gert too much. I hate to have to try and get him into his carrier for he puts up such a battle with me. I have to towel him and sometimes I get a nasty bite out of trying. It's about a 40 minute drive to Hartselle plus the 30 plus minutes in with the Dr. We always have a good visit because we've been taking our birds to her for over 24 years and we usually get a hug. How many people get a hug from their vets?

Shopping

I went to Khol's today. I got Frank a pale yellow-beige dress shirt and a nice yellow and brown tie plus a blue dress shirt. I got his two pair of pants but I guessed on the length.  30" sounded good but they were too long. I need a 28" length. I got a black 3/4 length shirt for me and a black and white mini pleated skirt. I tried on a pretty green-aqua skirt and top but it made me look like a flying squirrel so I put them back.

I went to Academy Sports to take back the pair of shoes I had just bought because my toes were at the end. They didn't feel that way when I tried them on. I swapped them for another pair that cost a little more. Hopefully, they will fit right.

Tomorrow, after exercise, I will take the pants back to Khol's and try to see if they have any 38/28  pants. I saw some 29' lengths and they would do if I can't find any 28". Frank has 3 pair of cotton pants he was been wearing for years. We got them from Land's End. He hasn't worn them much over the years still he needs some new, up-dated pants. He looks good when I get him all dressed up. He'll really look good in the pale yellow/beige shirt with the yellow and brown tie. I had a 30% off coupon. It's good until tomorrow.

Got some Jublia for my toe fungus. I hope it works for I'm tired of having a yukky, discolored big toe. Getting old is not for sissies.

Usual Monday Things

We all went to exercise. Frank's using the 5 lb weights now. I use them, too.      

I ordered a cheap, motorized treadmill today from ebay. I will probably regret getting it but it's done. We have so much exercise equipment we don't use. Maybe I can get Frank to use it, too.

Got a big shipment from Amazon today. I got Jordan's monthly order of Hill's Science Diet dog food which came just at the right time for I was getting really low on his food. I also had ordered 10 bottles of Citrical Petites and they came with the dog food. I have some dog food I bought at Pet Depot that I can take back because Jordan likes the Science Diet better and I saved the receipt. I had thrown away the receipt today not knowing what it was for but thinking about the dog food, I realized what the receipt was for. I'll take it back the next time he gets groomed or runs out of his favorite chews. I give him a chew every time we leave the house without him.

Frankie wrote me a Mother's Day song and emailed it to me. It was very pretty and sentimental. He played it for Mariam and Josh and they cried. They love their mother, too. One lady at church said that was the best thing to give a mother. He's pretty talented. He plays the piano and trumpet with a band, now. They are all retired guys and they needed a keyboard man. The chords are really basic and Frankie plays them by ear, I think. He's not really a keyboard person but he know the chord progressions. They played their first gig at a Farmer's Market in a small town in TN. They didn't get paid, but they all got a box of produce and the people all chipped in and gave them some gas money. They want them to come back!

Saturday

I cooked kale, broccoli and cabbage today. We ate the turkey and barley soup for lunch and still have plenty of that left.

I cut Frank's hair and beard and helped him get a shower. I had to go to Dollar General to get some milk. l shouldn't have too go shopping until Monday or Tuesday.

Tomorrow night we will go to the H'ville Stake center for Seminary graduation. Hopefully, Sadie and Trudy will be there. Trudy and Sadie have to travel back from 6 Flags in Atlanta to get home in time for it. Trudy will be in a world of hurt from all that driving and riding. Sadie has put a deposit on her apartment at BYU Idaho. She'll be going the winter semester or quarter and will be coming home for the summer. She is planning on going on a mission but she has to be 19 years old before she can go. She'll be 18 June 14th, 2015.

Georgia, Ashlee's mother, wants Trudy to help with the tables and chairs for the wedding. Trudy will see if she can get them from church. The wedding has gotten out of hand and is far too big for the finances the bride's mother can handle.

Breakfast At Cracker Barrel

One of the guys Frank worked with at Brown's Ferry called last night and invited him to breakfast with a few of the buddies he used to work with. He wanted to go so he, Trudy and I went. He got confused on the time and instead of 8:30 AM, we got there at 8:00 AM, ordered, ate and got up to leave. We met the boys on the way out and got to speak to them. I told them to talk to me about times next time around. We had a nice breakfast of oatmeal and Trudy got eggs and pancakes. She couldn't eat it all and Frank and I got a pancake to eat and it was good.

We came back home after breakfast and Trudy and I went to Madison to Khol's to get Trudy some dress pants and a top to wear to the wedding. She found a nice pair of grey slacks and a nice top and it was only $40.00. I had a 30% off coupon. Then we went to Academy Sports and I got a new pair of shoes. They are grey, black and hot pink on the soles. They are asics like my last pairs. They make a good shoe. I like to have more than one pair so I don't wear out the same pair by wearing it all the time.

Trudy didn't eat lunch but packed up and headed to Mary Kate's in LaGrange, GA. It's a 4 hour drive and she will gain an hour when she goes over to EST. She will spend tonight and Saturday night at Mary Kate's and then leave for Atlanta to pick up Sadie to bring her home for Seminary graduation at 6 PM Sunday night. We plan to go to the graduation. We went to Forrest's and wouldn't want to leave Sadie out.

All day, I've thought it was Saturday so I'll have an extra day in this week!  Haven't got anything to do the rest of the day. Frank is in his room reading and I already swept and dust mopped the upstairs floors. I don't have the get up and go to do any cleaning. There's always cleaning to do but I just ignore it. I could cook some veggies or wait until tomorrow. I'll need to go to the store for more milk. We're down to one gallon.

I bought 2 DVD sets from Acorn. One is Tim Conway's early routines and then I found Carol Burnett's series. I loved her variety shows when they were on TV and these should give us some laughs.

Thursday

I went to Goody's to look for clothes for the (Forrest's) wedding. Trudy didn't sleep well last night so she didn't come over to go shopping like we planned, so I went by myself. I found a dress with a coat and a skirt and top that looked good and they were 50% off. I also got a black wrinkly skirt. Now, I have three black skirts. Trudy came over after lunch and said either dressy dress would do. It would be hot for the dress with the jacket in August so I guess I'll wear the dark navy top and chevron patterned  skirt. I got 2 pair of earrings, blue and red, too.

Trudy will spend the night tonight and tomorrow she wants to look at Goody's for pants. Goody's opens at 10 AM and if we go to H'ville, that will put us later getting back. Trudy is leaving to go to Mary Kate's in LaGrange, GA after we finish shopping. She has to pick Sadie up in Atlanta 6 Flags and get her back home for Seminary graduation Sunday at 5-6 PM. Frank and I will go to that. I ordered a pair of yellow sun glasses to help me see better at night and they came in today. I don't like to drive at night anymore and hope these glasses will help the times I am out past sunset.

Frankie wrote me a Mother's Day song and sent it by email. It's very pretty and sentimental. Now I can say I've had a song written for me.

Wednesday

Everyone went to exercise today. Janet had taken my booklet about the chair exerciser and had marked the exercises we can skip. There were exercises there that were almost alike and if I tried to do all of them, I would get tired. I'm thinking about getting up at 6 AM every day and reading my scriptures and using the exercise chair. I need to do these things and I let other things get in the way, mainly the TV. I don't like a quiet house and want the TV or radio or something going all the time. I can have music for the exercise but need quiet for the study. I'm just nibbling on the scriptures instead of feasting. I'll try reading out loud tomorrow morning and see if that doesn't help.

Tomorrow, I meet Trudy at Khol's in Madison to start shopping for the wedding. Trudy said she would bring some color swatches so we could get an idea of what colors are being used. I will need a skirt and top since I'm so short- waisted. Trudy has to have pants since she can't sit up because of her back surgery. I don't remember seeing many skirts at Khol's but we can start there. Maybe JC Penny's would have someone to help us find the things we're looking for. We will go there, too. I'm meeting her there at 9 AM since that's when they open. Penny's probably opens at 10 AM. Can't stay too long since I don't want to leave Frank longer than necessary.

Hey, Kathy! The pictures of the twins birthday were great! I like your red hair. Looks nice.

Monday

Frank didn't want to go to exercise and Karen had a Dr appointment so I went by myself. It's always fun being with like minded people. I'm getting to know more names. We had two new ladies join with us and we had a large class. Afterwards, I stopped by the bank and got some blank deposit slips and had the clerk write my account number on one of them. I came home and wrote the number on all of the slips and now I have plenty of deposit slips ready to be used.

Tonight, we watched the DVD about Red Skeleton's life. There are 4 DVDs and the others have performances on them. It was good to learn about his life and what kind of person he was. Now we can watch his performances and appreciate them better.

Last night, we watched a National Geographic DVD and it was good. I've seen DVDs about Ireland and Scotland and other countries that now I'd like to get. Since I know how to work the DVD player, buying DVDs is going to my head! Now we can either watch a DVD or play a music CD at night.

Frankie and his friend, Jared, came at 2:45 PM Sunday. I had a roast with all the trimmings and a cake made for them. After they ate and talked a while, they got the 1990 Honda running and drove off back to Knoxville. Jared was driving Frankie's car while Frankie drove the '90. Later that night, Frankie called and said the alternator in the '90 Honda had quit working and the car was on the side of the interstate. He had insured it before he left here but when he called for roadside assistance, they told him it had to be 24 hrs so he was forced to call a wrecker. It was going to cost $202.00 to have it towed to his apartment in Knoxville and I let him use my Visa card to pay for it. He said he could put the alternator in the car himself. He knows a man who delivers pizza and is always going through cars that may want to buy it. He thinks he could get $1500.00 for it. That would help him pay off some bills.

Vey Little

Did very little today. Did the laundry but forgot the clothes were in the dryer so now I'll have wrinkled clothes. Frank spent most of the day in his room. It's good I have Jordan for it would really be lonely without that sweet little dog.

I fixed chicken quarters is the crock pot yesterday and we ate on them last night and today for lunch and dinner. The refrigerator is full of food and I will get up early tomorrow morning and put the roast and veggies in the crock pot to cook for Frankie and his friend who's coming to help drive the 1990 Honda back to Knoxville. What they don't eat, I'll send home with Frankie. I'm going to make a cake, wanted it to be chocolate but I only have yellow cake mix, and put cool whip and Heath Bar chocolate pieces on the top of the cool whip. It makes a yummy cake in chocolate. I don't know what it will be like with a yellow cake. I'll send that back with Frankie, too.

After scripture reading tonight, we watched a Ray Stephens DVD. I'm so thrilled that I can work the DVD player now. I just plop the DVD in and push "play" and it works! I have some British mystery DVD's we haven't watched. We watched one but the action was so fast that we missed the plot. I get a catalog, Acorn, that has the British DVDs in it. They are a bit pricey but there's several DVDs in them.

I need to talk to Trudy and George about looking for another car for us. Frank wants to have a car sitting in the driveway when my car is gone so it looks like someone is home when I'm gone with the '06 Honda. Honda's given us good service and I would like to get another one. Mary Kate said they are having to have a new transmission put in their Pilot. I don't remember how many miles it has on it but it was cheaper than getting a new car. Richard asked her what she wanted for Mother's Day and she said time by herself, so she rented a cabin in the mountains of GA and she and Heather are spending the week-end together. What fun.

O Brother...

We watched the DVD, O Brother Where Art Thou, last night and Frank liked it. It had some bad language in it that I hadn't remembered and except for that, it was enjoyable. I think our memories magnify things as time goes past. The first time I saw the movie I thought it was great and I remembered it that way. The second time I saw it, it wasn't as good. Tonight we watched some of Red Skeleton's last shows. It must have been in the early 70's. He came on in 1951 and I remember watching him then. I got a few laughs out of it. A lot wasn't as funny as I remembered. The girls skirts were short, above the knees and they had white boots on. That may have been in the late '60's-early '70's. When we upgraded the Direct TV boxes, it fixed the DVD player. Now, all I do is turn the TV off and turn the DVD player on, put a disc in and hit play. Before, I had to run through a lot of moves and I didn't really understand how to do it and we couldn't watch what DVD's we had. Now I know how to do it.

Frank didn't go to exercise today but Karen and I did. I brought Karen back to the house to get her car and then I went back into town to shop for groceries. Frankie is bringing a friend with him Sunday to help drive the 1990 Honda back to Knoxville and he told him that I would have a Southern home cooked meal for them. I was going to get a pork roast kit at Walmart but they didn't have one so I got a small pork roast, 5 lbs of red potatoes, onions, carrots and will fix it from scratch. I cooked chicken leg quarters today in the crock pot and Sunday morning I will put the roast and potatoes, etc. on before we go to church. Don't know exactly when they will be here, but if I get the roast on early, it should be cooked in time for them when they get here. The only thing I didn't get was a dessert. I have some brownies I can fix or a cake mix. I don't want to have any leftovers around for me to eat. Last week I had a bunt cake and I ate 3 pieces with a glass of milk for lunch. I can't have anything sweet in the house like that for I will eat it. I'd hate to gain what little weight I lost back eating sweets. 

Thursday

Took Jordan to the vet to get his ear cultured and sent off to the lab. I believe I chose the wrong vet to go to. I like him and his staff but he has cost me a lot of money by guessing what was wrong with Jordan's ear. If he had looked in his ears the first visit he would have found the infection and I wouldn't have had to go back for a visit. If he had cultured the ear, first I would have saved some money. I'll see how things go. I've invested too much time and money to change vets and I don't know who I would go to.

The DVD Brother, Where Art Thou came in today. We may watch it tonight. I've seen it before and have the CD of the music. I think Frank will enjoy seeing it.

Middle of the Week

Frank and I went to exercise this morning. Karen showed up. I didn't expect her home until the 11th but they got home last night late. They had a good trip to Utah to babysit grandchildren while their daughter and husband went on a 10th anniversary trip. Exercise is always fun.

Had to stop by the PO to get stamps for my VT letters. I wanted some unusual stamps like I got last time, but the computers were down and all I could get was the usual ones. Then we stopped by the bank to make a deposit and came home.

Trudy and Sadie were coming over to spend the night tonight but Sadie isn't feeling well. They may come over tomorrow but I said if she was sick not to come over. Frank still has a wheezing cough from the last time we were sick a few months ago and I don't want to chance getting sick again.

Jordan is a really playful dog. He's 3 years old but acts like a puppy. He runs from the couch to the rug I have in the kitchen back to the couch. I egg him on by throwing one of his toys to the rug which he runs after it and then back to the couch with a running jump. I was chopping up some broccoli and I chop up the tender part of the stalk, too, and I gave Jordan a piece and he ate it. He'll eat cooked cabbage, especially the cabbage I've cooked with the smoked sausage in it. If we're eating it, he's interested. He only gets nibbles because I want him to eat his dog food and not depend on our handouts. He goes back tomorrow at 2 PM to get his ear cultured. It's been bothering him a lot this last 10 days. That's the time in between vet visits. Maybe we can cure his ear problem this time. 

Tuesday

After breakfast, I went to Khol's in Madison. I got 3 pull overs and one pair of Capri's. I got Frank a plaid shirt, 100% cotton and a necklace and two pair of earrings. I can still wear all of my Capri's from last year but the dark blue pair really caught my eye. I looked at purses but had gotten one there last week, so wasn't tempted to get another one. I got back home by 10:00 AM. Frank and Jordan had been sitting together the entire time.

Trudy called and she and Sadie are coming over tomorrow night to spend the night. Trudy and Dad will watch a movie and I think Sadie has a dress to take back to Old Navy. We will have fun. Thursday, I have an appointment at 2 PM to take Jordan to the vet to get a culture of his right ear. It is still bothering him and the Dr said he'd send off a culture to a lab to see what it was. Too bad he didn't think to do this at the 1st visit when Jordan's ear was bothering him...

I wrote my VT letters today. Actually, they were cards. There's no VT message in the Ensign this month because it's the Conference issue so I just wrote a personal note to each sister. Some I know and most I don't. I have 6 inactive sisters to write to every month. I need to call the ones I don't know and try to talk to them personally. That would count as a contact and I would get to know them better.

Monday

We didn't go the exercise today for Frankie was coming down. I went too town early and went by the pharmacy and then took a case of what I thought was Diet Pepsi back to Walmart. When I opened the case, it had a Walmart brand of Dr Thunder or something like that. It surely wasn't diet Pepsi. I went back to the drink isle and found that they had the diet Pepsi without caffeine so I got 2 cases of that. With my return, I only had to pay $2.46 for the two cases. I got home around 9 AM and Frankie came at 9:15 AM.

Frankie wanted to work on the 1990 Honda Accord and try to get it running. It's been sitting 2 1/2 years without being driven and I doubted it would run. He got some fresh gas and a new battery and got it going! He drove into town and got air in the tires and got the oil changed and the brakes looked at and they were good, so he was rather excited. We found the title and he printed off the forms that he needed for TN and before he left at 3:30 PM, he had Dad sign over the title to him. Since it was a family swap, he won't have to pay any taxes on it. He and a friend from work will come Sunday and drive it back to Knoxville. He told his friend that I would have a good home cooked meal for them and plus it was Mother's Day and he would get to see me. I told him to bring presents. I'll cook the pork pot roast I get in a kit at Walmart. I add extra little carrots so it will make more. Maybe I'll make some potato salad but not 5 lbs of it.

Flowers

I ordered some flowers online and they were delivered today. I had them sign the card, Happy Mother's Day, Love, Frank. When they came, I showed him the note and he laughed. They cost $24 something but after the $10.00 S&H fee was added plus another fee, I could have gotten them cheaper at a florist but they were delivered and that was nice. Don't know when Mother's Day is but that's what I put on the card.

I made the barley soup for lunch and it was good. It always gets better the longer it sits. I haven't cooked the fresh veggies yet but will soon. We have enough to eat so I don't have to cook for a while.

Took Jordan out for a walk around the yard. Steve came to cut the grass. It didn't need much cutting but I told him to come each week now. The weather is great. Sunny with just a hint of cool. Too bad we stay in the house all the time.

I did the laundry. Had a load that I had forgotten to start the dryer, but they turned out okay. I finally played the piano. Jordan whined and I brought him down in the basement with me. He explored for a while and when I was ready to go up, he climbed the stairs himself. He's just afraid to go down the stairs himself. They are steep and have no carpet on them.

This week-end is Stake Conference. Tonight is the adult meeting, but I just don't feel like being responsible for Frank by myself. I think he could stand the 2 hours of sitting but the crowds and the getting in and out of the car is too much for me alone. We will just watch BYU TV tomorrow and try to keep the Sabbath holy.

Friday

Frank was tired after the activities yesterday so he didn't go to  exercise. Tom did a great job of leading the exercises. Janet is in Arizona going to workshops for personal trainers. She'll be back Monday. I shopped for groceries after exercise.

I'll cook the veggies I got today, tomorrow. I need to make some more barley soup. I've still got some cabbage and smoked sausage left. I forgot to get a cabbage today.

Jordan is full of himself tonight and wants to play while I'm writing. The night is the best part of the day. It's when we get some snuggle time in. He doesn't sleep under the covers but he's right laying on my left hip and sometimes he has his head on my shoulder. Not much to say tonight.

Sent Frankie some money. He's gotten a private detective to see about this man that is living with Rachel. The PI said to get all his information before he takes her to court. 

Slept In

Went back to bed after breakfast and got up at 10 AM. It's such a nice feeling to get back up at that time. We had to take the car to H'ville for a recall of the front air bag and we left at 12:15 PM. We stopped by West Inn Chevron to get some crickets for Sadie's Beard Dragon and then went on the dealership in H'ville. We met Trudy and Sadie there and Trudy took Dad to her house to watch movies and I took Sadie and we went shopping for clothes and things.

We went to JC Penny's and got under garments and then went to Old Navy and Sadie got a dress and a shirt. We drove to Madison or were driving to Madison when the dealership called to say the car was ready so we went back there and got my car, parked Sadie's car and went to Madison in mine. We went to a store called Marice's and saw a young friend we knew who worked there. She helped us but Sadie didn't find anything she liked so we went to Khol's. I wanted a new purse and Sadie did too. She found one she liked and it even came with an umbrella. I got a new one just to get one. I was looking for one that was on the advertizement I got but they didn't have it. The one I got is sort of a beige with light brown trim on it. It's a tad smaller than the one I was caring and looks better. I'll probably regret getting one so light for it will show dirt but maybe not for a while. Surely, I can find a cleaner that will keep it bright.

Trudy brought Dad back and we met at Kohl's. She was walking to the store when Sadie and I were walking out and we decided to eat at Chick-fil-A. It was very crowded but we got served quickly and enjoyed our supper. We parted after that and drove back to Athens and stopped at the Chick-fil-A here and traded in our toy for 2 ice creams. They gave us bigger servings than they usually do for the kid's toy. We enjoyed it on the way home.

Wednesday

We went to exercise. Friday, Janet will be out of town and Tom will conduct the class. We came back home and spent the day watching Fox News. It's always on the TV whether anyone's watching it or not.

Tomorrow, I take the car in to get the air bag replaced as per the recall. Trudy will meet us at the dealership and will take Frank home with her and Sadie and I will go shopping for clothes. That's the plan anyway.

Frankie's seen his lawyer and Rachel will get a summons to court, I believe. He wants to go to mediation. He wants to see his kids more and she's keeping him from seeing them. He feels like he has some control in his life now. He's going to talk to Target about a full time job. That would be good for him. No stress and more pay. His bipolar gets in the way of him getting a job in the field he trained in. He can't stand the stress of teaching. I couldn't stand it either. It takes a special person to be a good teacher. Back in the old days, when parents saw that their children did their work and were respectful to their elders, teaching might have been better, I don't know. I taught one year of Jr High in 1967-68 in Key West, FL. They needed a teacher so bad they hired an Arts and Science graduate who had no teaching experience. I got through the year and it was the second hardest thing I ever did. The first hardest thing was graduating from 4 years of college. Four years of college is an endurance course for sure. I'm glad I graduated and I'm proud that my 3 children are college graduates, too.

Frankie got his masters and taught school for a few years. Trudy taught PE at an elementary school until Forrest was 14 years old and Mary Kate studied early childhood education but didn't go to work. She had a pre-school for a couple of years and then became a personal trainer at a gym. She really enjoys that and is getting a certification in nutrition now.

Exercise and Vet Visit

Frank and I went to exercise this morning. Karen and Ken are in Utah babysitting and will be away a week or so.

Today was Jordan's visit with the vet for a re-check on his right ear. The Doc said it was worse than ever and he cleaned the ear out and said to leave it alone for 10 days and then bring him back and he would check it and send a culture off to a lab to find out what really is going on. Before, the vet was just guessing what medicine would work but none of it did. Jordan's not too miserable with his ear. He just scratches it some and shakes his head.. He's really a good, loving dog. He doesn't try to bother the birds much. When he goes over under the birds, we call him and he comes right to us. I think he eats the spilled bird pellets and that helps to keep the floor clean!

Frank's right knee is still a little bit hot to the touch. He fell in his bathroom one night last week. He couldn't remember why. He uses his walker when he walks. He didn't hurt himself.

Thursday, I have to take the '06 Honda Accord in for a recall of the air bag. I have a 1:30 PM appointment and they said give them 4 hours to get it fixed. Trudy will meet us at the Honda dealership and Frank will go home with her and Sadie will go with me. With Forrest's wedding, all Trudy's money is gone and she doesn't have money to buy Sadie any clothes. I said I would help out so Sadie and I will go shopping while Trudy and Frank go to Trudy's and wait for the car. The car still runs good. We had to replace the air conditioner last fall and it has new tires. Hopefully, it will run another 166,000 miles without any trouble. I would love to get a newer car but we don't NEED one. The '06 still looks good inside and out.

Friday

Frank went to exercise again. Karen didn't show up so we went on without her.

Last night I called Frankie to see if he had already left to come here and he apologized that he had forgotten to call me. One of the kids had something he needed to go to so he wouldn't be coming. We talked for 2 hours. He's really having a hard time with the divorce and Rachel not letting him see the kids more than twice a week. He's seeing his lawyer to see if he can get some help with that.

Yesterday I had cooked up 5 lbs of potatoes for potato salad that Frankie likes. I wasn't going to do it but Trudy says she likes it too, so I cooked the potatoes in the microwave and it was a lot easier than boiling them on the stove. I got up this morning to make the potato salad and what a lot 5 lbs of potatoes makes. Trudy was delighted to know she will take the potato salad home with her. Frank's diabetes and my weight consciousness keeps us from eating it. We had pulled pork tonight on buns and for lunch we had the buffalo wings. I didn't know what buffalo meant and they were a tad hot but not so much that we couldn't eat them.. We cut the bunt cake tonight. It was okay, but the Walmart cakes aren't anything to write home about. I also got some funny rolls that Trudy can take home with her.

I got the chair dancing DVD's today and I did one tonight. It went a bit fast for me but it did get my heart rate up. I want Frank to do them with me. Any form of exercise is good for us. I can't forget to use my exercise chair, too.

Missed Post

I don't remember why I didn't write yesterday. We went to H'ville for an appointment at 8:45 AM to the Pain Clinic. Don't remember what we did after we got home.

Today, Thursday, I went grocery shopping early because we had to go back to H'ville for another Dr visit, or so said the calendar, and I am the one who puts the dates on the calendar. I bought a lot of groceries for Frankie will be here one night and a day and Trudy is coming over tomorrow some time to spend the night with us so I wanted to have food that I didn't have to cook. We got to H'ville to the Dr's office and found out we had already had the procedure that we came for! I remember it now and don't know why it was on the calendar again. We drove home and stopped by Touch Down Wings for lunch. We got fried catfish and it was so good. We ate at 1 PM and I wasn't hungry for supper so we just had a bowl of cereal. We're waiting for Frankie to come any time now.

Frank to Exercise

Frank wanted to start going back to Silver Sneakers with me and he went today. Karen rides with me so we had three in the car today. He did okay. I always worry when he's there because I'm afraid he'll fall. Afterwards, while sitting at home waiting for lunch time, I realized that it was the day that my brother and Ruth were coming up to have lunch with us. We had 45 minutes to get ready. We met them at a new wings place. It used to be a Mexican restaurant  but now has wings. They also had chicken fingers and catfish. Frank and I had catfish and it was so fresh and good! I was surprised. We don't eat out much and it was nice to have some good fresh catfish. Trudy drove over and she ate my 3rd piece of catfish and visited with her Uncle and Aunt. After visiting a while, we went our separate ways. We stopped by Pet Depot and I got Jordan some more chews. I give him one when we both leave the house. In fact, I give him too many. One a day is plenty but I sometimes give him two. He's gained 3 pounds since he started eating. He went out this afternoon when I went to check the mail and we walked around the yard.

I got a new CD yesterday. It was the best of Neil Diamond. The songs were very good. Tonight, we listened to Do Wop.

Hair Cuts

We had hair appointments at 9 AM. Forrest wanted to get his hair cut too and Kari had time to do it so we all three got our hair cut. Today was Ashlee's birthday and Forrest wanted to look good. It was good seeing him. He's about 6'3-4" tall but he bent down to give me a hug. Trudy decided her layers weren't short enough but I liked my hair cut.

After the hair cuts, we went to Hobbs Jewelry and took the ring I want to have sized for Sadie. They could do it and I can pick it up Tuesday, I believe.  It isn't costing that much. I want her to have something from home when she goes to school. She likes rings and I said I would buy her some from Dreamland Jewelry.com if she found some she liked. Their prices are very good for Sterling silver rings.

I accidentally caused the DVD player to work, I don't really know what I did to make it work, but Frank and I watched a British mystery this afternoon. We must be dumb bells for most of the mystery went over our heads. I'd have to watch it again and again to follow along with the plot. Afterwards, I had to figure out how to get back to regular TV and I got back to Fox News but the picture was frozen. I called Trudy and asked for help and she told me to turn the TV off and then back on and that worked. I was doing that but I was using the DVD player remote and it wasn't working. The new remotes are unfamiliar too, and that didn't help. I have to admit that I am getting too old for new things.

Tomorrow, Carol will bring the crafts we did Friday. She took them home to put the grout on them. So far, it looks like we will be going to church. I got Frank another white, long-sleeved shirt in a larger size so the neck wouldn't be so tight. I also got him a tie tack. It's gold and has the Nauvoo temple on it.

I'll need to cook tomorrow. We're about through with the barley soup and the goulash has only one more serving left. I have a cabbage, a cauliflower and some Brussels sprouts to cook. I'm not writing down my food in the food diary. I'm tired of doing that. I don't want to go back to eating more than I should but I'm tired of always being hungry. Maybe a week off will help and then I'll go back to counting calories.

Friday's Activities

Didn't goo to exercise. The DirectTV man was coming to upgrade our receivers and he came at 9:15 AM. We got three new receivers and remotes and directions on how to use them. I went to Dollar General afterwards and got some cookies for the girls for craft day and bought them a lanyard each. They liked the lanyards. I wasn't sure if they would but they were excited about them. Carol got one too.

We did mosaics with some cut glass that Carol had left over from her projects she does at home. I chose a small, green flower pot and glued the glass around the top of it. Carol took the items we all did and will put grout on them and bring mine and Trudy's to church with her Sunday. A good time was had by all. Trudy is spending the night with us tonight.

Tomorrow, Trudy and I will get our hair cut. We've had the appointments since the last time we got our hair cut there. I wanted to call last week for an appointment to get mine cut for it is too long and curly for me but I waited. We'll stop by the jewelry store and see how much it will cost to have a ring stretched out. I have one that Trudy wore and then took the setting out of and gave to me. I wore it for a long time but I want Sadie, my granddaughter, to have it since she likes it and I want her to have something from home since she's going out to BYU-Idaho shortly. I hope it doesn't cost too much.

Vet

I took Jordan back for a re-check on his ear today at 9:15 AM. It still had some infection so they washed it out a couple of times and put some new medicine in it and I will take him back in 10 days for another re-check. He's not scratching it any more and it seems to be better but it's not.

Came home and waited for the PT to come and exercise with Frank but they didn't come today. I went to H'ville to see Dr Sharp at 1:30 PM and on the way home stopped by Khol's and took back a pair of pants that had a seam coming apart. I liked the pants but couldn't repair the seam and got $11.00 back on my card.

My diet is not coming along so good. I have a hard time keeping it to 1,300 calories. I eat cereal for breakfast and supper to keep the calories down but I'm usually hungry at meal times. I have lost 5 lbs and maybe if I keep on trying, I'll loose the lb I gained back and slowly but surely loose a lb or 2 more. I can fit into my summer clothes from last year and that's great. I haven't wanted to buy any more clothes yet and that's good. I may get some more shirts but I don't need any more Capri's.

Didn't take Jordan out at all today and had to clean up his messes. Tomorrow, if it's not raining, I'll take him out in the early morning and wait until he does his business before I come in. He's very playful and funny to watch. He's gained 3 lbs since we got him. When he was neutered, he weighed 15 lbs, but only weighed 10 lbs when we took him for his check-up here. The pain of loosing his original master and the operation caused him not to eat. He didn't eat anything but snacks for 3 days when we got him. Now he eats about a cup of dry food a day. I'm ordering the small bag of  Hill's Science Diet Small Breed once a month but may need to order two bags. He's nearly gone through one small bag and it's only the 17th of the month. Ordering 2 bags would leave me with plenty of food for him and I can stock pile some in the basement. The crazy way the world is going, no telling what our food supply will be like in the future. The drought in CA will leave us with no fresh veggies and other foods we get from CA. 

Nothing Much

After exercise, I came home. Jordan wouldn't go out and used the piddle papers all day. I don't know why he wouldn't go out. I even picked him up and took him outside but he wouldn't go anywhere but back inside. Maybe tomorrow I'll just use his collar and not the harness and see if that makes any difference. I don't mind him using the piddle pads. That's the way Belle was trained.

It's been cloudy all day and rained some early in the morning. The sun did come out this afternoon but I heard that it was supposed to be rainy all week.

I ordered a cover for my wing back chair. I have covers on the other furniture but didn't get anything for the chair. Jordan jumps up on the chair quite a bit. I try to keep the floors clean but I know dirt must stick to him feet. The chair is two years old. I got it when I had my hip replacement. It still looks good but this slip cover will protect it from all things.

Friday, Carol had the craft and she's going to show us how she does her glass cutting. Hopefully, it will be something small for I'm running out of room for things. It's so much fun having her and her 4 girls and Trudy coming over for a visit and craft. I think I will buy some cookies instead of baking some.

Tomorrow, I have to take Jordan back to the vet to get his ears checked. I've been putting the medicine in his ear twice a day for a week and hopefully he will be cured. It is expensive to take him to the vet so often. Then, Dr Sharp's office called to move my Monday appointment to tomorrow afternoon at 2:40 PM. I'll leave at 1:30 PM to get there in plenty of time. Then, sometime during tomorrow, the PT will come and exercise with Frank. I may or may not be here when she comes.
Tomorrow will be a busy day compared to the beginning of the week.

Tuesday

Jordan didn't want to go out this morning. I don't think he likes it when it has rained.

I left the house early, 8:30 AM, and went to Lowe's and got some Bona and a refill for my dust mop. Now I can have a fresh mop head on all the time. I washed the old one and it really is clean now. After Lowe's, I went to Walmart to get some milk. Then on to the pharmacy to pick up the Rx's I had called in. Frank's PT came and went through the exercises with him and then the rest of the afternoon was slow. It's supposed to be rainy all this week. I need to call the grass man and tell him to come once a week so I won't have to call each week. With all this rain, the grass will really grow fast.

Sun-Mon

Frankie and kids left at 10:15 Sunday morning for the trip back to Knoxville. They took the cat palace I had bought them. Later, Frankie called and said the cats were crawling all over Mariam while she put it together and were really enjoying it. Ken and Karen came over after church and we had a nice visit. Ken told us about his and Martin's trip to Nashville, I think, to a big gun show and all the adventures they had.

Monday, we went to exercise and came home. I need to go to Lowe's and get some more Bona for my floors. Walmart has it but it is for hardwood floors and we have laminate. I need to call in some Rx tomorrow and when I go to get them, I can go on to Lowe's and get the Bona.

I didn't have much energy today so I sat and snoozed in the recliner. I did do some chair exercises and helped Frank do his PT exercises. It rained most of the day and Jordan didn't want to go out at all.

Fun Time

We went to Madison to shop. We went to Academy Sports and Frankie and Mariam got new shoes. Josh already had new shoes at home. We also bought 4 boxes of .22 ammo to use in the .22 rifle of Dad's. No telling how many years since the gun was used but it shot good. It's semi-automatic and each of us got 10 shots. Frankie had bought a case of cheap carbonated canned drinks and we used them as part of our targets. We'd shake up the drinks and then stand back and shoot them and it was awesome to see them explode. I just shot 10 shots and then went in to fix dinner for Dad. They cleaned up the woods of all the blasted cans and one milk jug and several paper targets and we had a jumbo plastic garbage bag full of debris. After that, they drove down the road to where it dead ends and looked for the fellow who owns the horses. They have 20 horses and they come to feed them every afternoon and told the kids if they were down there next time they were here they would let them ride a horse. But tonight they were just feeding them. Mariam and Josh got to pet one of them and Frankie got pictures of them.. After dinner, we watched TV. We went to bed at 10 PM our time which is 11PM in Knoxville time. I'm not used to staying up this late either but we'll get back on our regular schedule when everyone leaves tomorrow.

Busy Day

I had Jordan to the groomer at 8 AM. Then went to Walmart and shopped for food for Frankie and Mariam and Josh. After that I stopped for a diet Pepsi and then went by the sheriff's office to get my concealed carry permit up dated. As I was going in the office, I noticed that I still had another year on my permit so didn't have to spend any money on it. I had checked with Larry's Pistol and Pawn to see it Mariam and Josh could go in the firing range and they could and I told Frankie that he could bring his guns down and we could go to Larry's to shoot. It turns out that Frankie doesn't have any guns and that he was planning on using Dad's .22 rifle to shoot out back at home. We have a lot of over turned tree stumps we can use as a back drop and we would aim at something that was ground level so the .22 shots would go into the ground or the tree stump. I feel okay about it now. We'll have to see how I feel tomorrow when we are about to do it. There is a rifle range at Swan Creek but you have to have a fishing license and it would cost me $14.00 and would cost Frankie $40.00, he being out of state, and each of the kids the same amount.

I picked up Jordan at 3 PM. He was really cut short, like I asked. He looks more like a Poodle now except his ear hair is short. He has Poodle feet and his face is shaved and I can see his eyes now. He has a big, black spot on his back that really shows now. Sometimes, when we can't remember his name will call him Spot, or Fluffy, or Little Bit. We mostly remember Jordan though. He still uses his piddle papers and is a nice, sweet dog. I don't regret getting him. I've been getting up early each morning and taking him outside and found out tonight as I was refilling my medicines that I have been forgetting to take my AM meds. I have to take them right when I get up or I'll have some reaction to missing them. My routine was messed up and I forgot.

I forgot that Josh can't drink regular milk and didn't get any Almond milk for him. I called Frankie and they had just stopped at Target and he said he would get some there. Mariam can't have corn products, Mary Kate doesn't do gluten and now Josh doesn't do cows milk. I'll have to remember Almond milk now.

Vet Visit

Frank went with me to take Jordan to the vet. He didn't have a thyroid problem. They got him mixed up with some other dog. He had gained  a pound and a half but still had some ear problems. I still had some medicine left that I used before so I'm treating his right ear again. He'll go back for a check up next week. We came on home after that. I take him out every morning before 7 AM and he does his business. He used the piddle pads in the house if he needs to. He's trained to do that.

Tomorrow, He goes to the groomer to get cut like a Poodle. His ears have to grow out but it will get all the hair from around his mouth and off his face and his feet will have all the hair cut from between his toes. That way he won't make such a mess on the floors when he comes in the house after being outside and the grass is wet. We are both really enjoying Jordan. He's quite playful and is funny to watch. I will buy a rug, runner, for the kitchen so he cam get some traction when he runs from the kitchen into the living room to jump on the couch. The couch is his. I have covers on it so he won't ruin the leather but all his toys are there and that's where he eats his treats.

We have a call in for a grass cut. Our neighbors have been cutting their grass 2-3 times. I wanted to wait until the grass (weeds) was long enough and it is now.

Frankie and Mariam and Josh are coming tomorrow night. I have to take Jordan to the groomer at 8 AM and then to Walmart to buy food and then to the Sheriff's office to get a concealed carry permit in order to carry guns in the car. Frankie wants to shoot guns with the kids and my permit has expired. I called Larry's Pistol and Pawn in H'ville to see if the kids could come to the shooting range and they can so we will go there to shoot. It will be fun. I have a revolver but I don't like it, but I guess I will use it anyway. I haven't shot anything in years.

Wednesday

Went to exercise and came right home. Home health called and said the nurse was coming out around 11:00 AM. She came and then an hour or so later the PT came and checked Frank out. The Dr said he needed some PT to help his knee to get used to not wearing the brace. I'll have to help him do the exercises each day. We'll have PT two days a week for three weeks.

We did our (his) first exercises on the exercise chair tonight. I do 12 repetitions on each exercise but that was too much for him, I think. He may be sore tomorrow.

I got a big catalog order in today. I need to stop looking through those catalogs because I'm spending too much money on things I could do without but like to get. Today, I ordered a handle that fits into the car door and helps you get out of the car. Frank has trouble getting out of the car and this handle will help him. Sometimes I get 17 catalogs in the mail at one time. I only look at a few and throw the rest away. I told the mail lady I was sorry she had to bring me all the catalogs, but she said it was job security!

Jordan goes to the vet in the morning. Something about his thyroid. I didn't know they took blood the last time he was in for a well check when I first got him. I want him to be healthy but I hope he doesn't need any medicine for it. The vet marks the medicine up quite a bit. I didn't realize a dog would be so costly. We have the money but I'm still surprised. The birds are costly when they go to the vet. I guess everything is costly that means anything.

Kathy. Your friend Dee really makes great cards! The Easter card you sent was so cute. They are keepers for sure. She really has a talent for card making. All my card making stuff in downstairs in the basement. My 12 year old granddaughter, Mariam, makes cards when she comes. She's quite creative. I invested a lot of money in that hobby. Mariam can inherit it all.

Monday

I so enjoy Silver Sneakers exercise. I'm getting to know more of the people and the same people usually come every time. When someone is sick or can't come, Janet gets a card and we all sign it. It's just nice plus I get a good work out.

I bought this exercise chair. You sit and use bands that are attached to the chair to exercise various parts of your body. I've done some and it really works my muscles really well. After I learn how to do them all, I will get Frank on the chair.

Went to the knee Dr and he said Frank could take the brace off if he wanted. He's put it back on tonight. We'll get home health to come and show him some exercises to get his knee back in shape where he can straighten it all the way out.

It rained most of the day. I stopped by the vet to get Jordan some more heart worm pills. I just got one last time and I remember with Belle I had 6 at a time. I got 6 today and it was over $100.00. It costs a lot of money to have a dog today. He goes back to see the vet Thursday and I called to see why and it is to get his thyroid checked. Hopefully, he won't have to take any medicine for that. The vet marks the medicine up quite a bit. Friday, he goes to the groomer to get cut like a Poodle. The hair on his ears was cut very short when we got him so he won't have the nice, fluffy ears a Poodle is supposed to have but his face will be shaved and the hair will be cut out of his eyes, I hope, and he will have Poodle feet. The hair between his toes and the bottom of his feet will be cut and when he goes out he won't attrack much dirt. Today when we went out after the rain stopped, he walked through a puddle and then I had little Poodle paw prints all over the floor. I'd rather have him than clean, paw-less floors.

Frankie and Mariam and Josh will be coming this week-end. Frankie wants to shoot the guns but I don't feel comfortable shooting them here. There is a house West of us, across the creek, and I would hate that a shot might go that far.

General Conference

I enjoyed the first session of General Conference. It started at 11:00 AM CDT. I was rested and alert and could listen in comfort. There have been times when I was over tired or sleepy and couldn't concentrate on what the speaker said but today was a good day. When the second session started at 3 PM, I was restless for I had sat for the two hours between sessions. I walked around the house and tried to listen but didn't have much success. Tomorrow, I'll not sit between sessions of Conference. We watched the Priesthood session tonight from 7-9 PM and it was very good. Tomorrow, being Easter, the talks and music should be really good.

Quiet Day

Didn't go anywhere today. Just sat home and occasionally walked Jordan. Frank stayed in his room all day.

We're supposed to have bad weather tonight. It's clouded up and I hear thunder in the distance. Hopefully no tornadoes will be formed. We must have a cold front moving through.

Tomorrow and Sunday we have General Conference. My friend, Wanda, has a birthday Sunday, and I'll have to make or buy her a cake and get her a card. She always remembers my birthday on Jan 5th instead of the 9th but she always remembers and makes me a cake with diabetic icing on it. I have to get up early tomorrow and go  to Walmart to get some fixings to make a cake. I think I have the cake mix but I don't have any Cool Whip to go on top. I put Heath bars crushed up on the top. Trudy said you're supposed to poke holes in the top and pour caramel into the holes but that would be too rich for me and I haven't fixed any that way.

With the drought so bad in California, they may not be able to grow fresh veggies and fruit and it will hurt the whole country. I need to buy some  more canned veggies, corn, peas, etc. to go in the food room. I don't have much of anything except a few cases of green beans and we have been eating fresh veggies so long that we haven't eaten any canned green beans. Tomorrow, I'll  some broccoli, Kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, if they have any, and some tomatoes, little salad tomatoes and some more salad plus the Cool Whip.

Wednesday

Love going to Silver Sneakers three times a week. This morning it was warm enough to wear Capris and no coat. Afterwards, Karen and I went by the Salvation Army and I dropped of a sack of clothes and then we went to Lowe's to get some wood for Karen to make a doll bed with. Stopped by Dollar General for some milk and then home.

I had some cooking to do so we could have lunch. Cooked goulash and broccoli and zucchini squash that Mary Kate had chopped up but didn't put in the veggie soup Saturday. It was all very good. Walked Jordan and spent the afternoon looking over the various catalogs I get in the mail. I found a list of things I ordered from two catalogs. I even ordered some DVD's of mysteries that we can watch on Friday nights. I'll have to learn how to work the DVD player for sure now.We listen to music every night after scripture reading and now on Friday nights we can watch a British mystery and have popcorn and everything. I look forward to the entertainment it will be.

Got a late start but washed 3 loads of clothes today. Mary Kate washed a machine full that I would have done in 2 loads. Her washing machine is larger that mine, I think. It's the new style that loads like a dryer.

I told Frank that we need to get rid of the 1990 Honda that is sitting and rotting outside our house. He wants to get another car to take its place so it will look like someone is home when I am gone with the other car. Since the "new" car is 9 years old and has 166,000 odd miles on it it would make since to get a newer used car. Honda's last forever but I would like a newer car (who wouldn't?) We'll see what's out there. I think we'll go back to the Honda dealership in H'ville to the salesman who we got the '06 from. The '06 still runs and looks good and it would be a good 2nd car. I would have to drive it too for a car needs to be driven to stay running good.

I got a new music book and haven't taken the time to play through it yet. I have no where to go tomorrow and that would be a good thing to do in the morning.

Visit Over

I had to go to H'ville to get my Prolia shot and I got there 20 minutes early and got right in. I got the shot and was leaving at the time of my appointment. Mary Kate and kids stayed home with Dad . After I got back, Nate and Sophia swept and mopped the floors which I appreciated. They didn't eat lunch so I gave Mary Kate some money to buy them lunch on the road. After they left, they had to come back for Nate's phone and then back again for a hard roll that MK uses to massage her muscles with. They finally got away for sure. It will take them about 4 hours to drive home. They gain an hour going home to LaGrange, GA. It was a very nice visit. We couldn't go to see Trudy for they have colds or allergies again.

I think I will take a little nap now.

Monday

Mary Kate, Sophia and Nate and I went shopping this morning. We went to Academy Sports store and MK took back some purchases and I tried on some shoes but she wouldn't let me pay full price and we are going to look up the shoe online and see if we can get it cheaper. Then we went to Khol's. I got Frank two shirts. One casual, short sleeve, and one a white dress shirt, size 17. The 16 1/2's collar was too tight so I thought a 17 would be the right size. I was going to get a purse but MK stopped me. She said they looked like old lady purses but what am I but am an old lady. After Khol's we went to Target and Pet Smart. I bought Jordan a toy rabbit that he likes and some chews and some Hill's Science Diet food.  I bought Sophia two books at Books A Million. Nate didn't want a book so I got him a case for his iPhone. I love spoiling the grand kids.

For supper tonight, we had the homemade veggie soup that Mary Kate and I made yesterday. Frank and I had cheese sandwiches with it with milk. Tomorrow, I have to go to H'ville for my Prolia shot at 10:10 AM and we will take 2 cars and after we shop some more, MK and kids will head out from home from Huntsville.

Jordan has been having a great time with all the attention he's been getting. We walked down the road last evening and he (and me) was tuckered out by bedtime. We watched Killing Jesus. I came in and got on the computer after a while but I enjoyed what I watched.

Saturday

Trudy got up around 9 AM and we had a nice talk. We ate lunch at 12:00 PM but she wasn't hungry. We loaded up her craft stuff and she left at 1 PM. It was a good visit. She had been texting Mary Kate and said that MK and kids would be here around 10 PM. They will be staying until Tuesday. Nate has been on a Boy Scout camping trip to Mobile, AL to see the USS Alabama and he will probably have some fun times to tell us about. Sophia can tell us about her All State singing performance in Athens, GA.

I've swept the floor and cooked some Kale and Cauliflower. Mary Kate can't eat that so I need to cook the sweet potatoes I have. I have a  cooked chicken I can thaw and I need to get it out of the freezer now. I also have some talapia we can have too. We can buy some food Monday. MK likes to make vegetable soup so we can make some of it, too. I need to get the chicken and some ground turkey out of the freezer and start it thawing. It's almost time for supper. The day has gone by fast. Jordan and I went into town to get the Rx's from the pharmacy and I came back and ordered a restraint for Jordan so he will have to stay in the front or back seat and will be safer when he goes along with me.

Big Day

Took Frank to Dr Morgan for his procedure and got home by 10:30 AM. Trudy had come in at 4:30 AM. Jordan had barked but I was able to go back to sleep. I come home and baked cookies-the frozen kind you just put in the oven-for the girls for the craft day.

Trudy had the craft. It was using the cricket to cut out letters of our last names and the year we were married and painting this on burlap and then tacking this onto barn wood with upholstery tacks. The girls did their names on their wood and since they share a room, they will connect the separate pieces of wood with ribbon and hang it on their doors. Trudy and I made one for the Deckers. They have been so good to our family and I didn't want to make one for myself because my walls are full of stuff, but Carol made one for me and it will look good where Trudy said to put it. It says, Layton, Est 1968. Burlap with black lettering on old wood planks. It turned out very good. Jordan got a little excited with all the people around and he seemed to be a little nippy sometimes. I had to watch him but all in all he did good. It tired him out. He's ready to go to bed now and so am I.

Family History

Went to the family history center this morning. The ladies put me on a site where I could see famous people in history that I'm kin to. I'm somehow related to Zach Taylor, a US President and an Apostle, Neal A. Maxwell and some hand cart pioneers and other Mormon pioneers. It was interesting. I was related as 8th cousin and with some it was 8th, twice removed. I also did some other work.

Came home for lunch. Took Jordan for his walk, took the trash out. Trudy is taking Forrest to work so she can have her car to come over here for craft day tomorrow. She'll have him at work at 2 AM and will drive over here. I've left the light on outside and the downstairs door unlocked so she can come in and go right to bed. I hope Jordan doesn't bark or he'll wake me up. Frank has his procedure with Dr Morgan at 8:30 tomorrow morning. When I get back, I'll have to bake some cookies for the crafting party. They are already formed and frozen and all I have to do is put them in the oven and out come chocolate chip cookies! My kind of baking. I've lost 5 lbs on my diet so I'll have to watch what I eat this week-end.

Mary Kate and Sophia and Nate will be here late Saturday night and will stay 'til Tuesday. I have a Dr appointment to get my Prolia shot at 10:10 AM Tuesday morning but we can go to H'ville and MK and family can leave from there.

I ordered an exercise chair tonight. One can do different exercises sitting down using bands of different strength, and standing up. I thought it would be good for Frank but then I thought, no, it will be good for me, too!

Wednesday

Went to exercise and then to Walmart for groceries. The canned beans I use to make my goulash, and they were the Walmart brand, went up 4 cents a can. No telling what else went up. I was able to get lots of fresh veggies and they all fit in the refrigerator. Sometimes I wonder how I will fit it all in. Mary Kate, Nate and Sophia are coming Saturday night late. Nate has a camping trip, Boy Scouts, to the USS Alabama, a ship in Mobile. Mary Kate will pick him up Saturday and then they will come up here. Nate got the tennis ball picker-upper I sent him. I forgot to tell MK I was sending it to Nate and they didn't know where it came from.

I'm doing laundry today. I've got three loads going. I ordered another music collection book from Amazon. I need to play the piano before I loose all of my technique. I just don't want to or have any reason to play. When I was playing for choir, I practiced 2-3 times a week. I had a reason to practice. Music is a communal thing. It's not a solitary thing.

Jordan is so sweet. I took him out for a stroll but he wouldn't urinate. I found the reason when I came back in the house. He had used the piddle pad I have in front of the bird cages. That's okay for that's why I had the pad there. Belle was trained to the pads and that's where they were for her. He's been waiting for me to take him out in the early morning when we get up. We go right out. It' usually still almost dark and I just wear a coat over my night gown. When it gets lighter and hotter, I'll have to put on some clothes.

I've lost 5 lbs. now. I hope the little exercise I get with Jordan will help with the weight loss. I've found an exercise chair in one of my catalogs that I might get. You can sit or stand by the chair and do all sorts of exercises with bands, etc. I thought about getting it for Frank, but then I realized it would be good for me and then I could include him in whatever exercises he could do. Some of the exercises looked like some of the exercises we do at Silver Sneakers.

The Greenies I ordered for Jordan came in today. I gave him one and he eventually ate it but he hasn't overly impressed with it. It is in the shape of a little tooth brush. They are to keep his teeth clean. He's gained some weight and doesn't look so thin any more. He eats about 1 cup of Hill's Science Diet Adult Small and Toy Breed. I'm ordering it on Amazon on a monthly basis. I have some fancy dry dog food I got at Pet Depot that if he doesn't like it I can take it back and get my money back. Ha, fat chance! I would use the money to buy treats for him. I'll see if he won't eat it after the Hill's food is gone.

Vet Visit

All I had to do today was take Jordan back to get his ear rechecked, and that was at 2:15 PM so we went back to bed. He sleeps right next to me or close to my legs. The closer to me and I can give him so good rubbing.

His ear is wall but the Dr got a lot of black stuff out of the ear. He had a lot of hair in his ears and I guess he hadn't been groomed in a long time. I think I will like the groomers at Pet Depot. Jordan needs the hair between his toes cut. All that hair on the pads of his feet track in dirt and he gets dirty even after he's been bathed.

The weather is in the 70's today and the sun is shinning. It's good that the rain has gone.

Hi, Kathy!

Monday

We made it to exercise and then went by the News Courier's office to re-new my subscription to the newspaper. It's a small paper but it has the news of the town and the happening about and I enjoy reading through it. I get my news from the TV.

Frank and I drove to H'ville to get his Prolia shot. The Dr wanted him to get a bone density test too, and we had to wait a long time to get that. I had the papers all filled out but didn't know I was to take them back to the front desk and some time was wasted there. We didn't get out until 3 PM. We had decided to eat out but I didn't want to go to Chick-fil-a so we stopped at McDonald's that is near the Dr's office. We got a grilled chicken sandwich and a diet Coke. The sandwich was pretty good but it had a lot of mayo on it. I looked it up in my Calorie King book when I got home and it had 510 calories. The Chick-fil-a grilled chicken sandwich has only 320 calories but it has no sauce on it. We're out of cold cereal so I had to eat some goulash, 1/4th cup and some broccoli and water. I still went over the 1,300 calorie limit I have set for myself. I've lost 4 lbs and a inch. If I just keep up trying to stay within the calorie limit, surely I'll keep loosing weight. It's hard to stay within 1,300 calories.

We left Jordan out and didn't put him in the bathroom like we did when we went to church Sunday. He didn't tear up anything and didn't pee anywhere so we'll not put him in the bathroom any more. He made a mess with his food and water dishes Sunday and I had to clean that up. He's learning about his new home. We've had him 2 weeks and a day.

Saturday

It didn't rain today. I don't know what is called for tomorrow. Saw on the national weather map that we were to have some more rain. The grass is already turning green. The ground is covered (near the trees)with sweet gum balls that are very prickly and Jordan doesn't like walking on them. There the awful gash is the landscape where the dossiers scraped the tree debris back into the woods. It will take a while for the green to grow back and cover the gash. I hope we don't have any more tornadoes in April. Did someone say in a poem that April is a cruel month? It was cruel last year.

Didn't go anywhere today. Just took Jordan for his three walks outside. We just walk around the property. When he's through with his business, he wants to come back inside. The ear drops I have to put in his right ear because of an infection, cause the hair around the ear to get greasy and dirty. His little feet aren't cut like Poodle feet and are a shade darker that the rest of him. He's such a good dog. His new harness came in yesterday. The medium was too small and the large is a bit large on him but it works and takes the strain off his neck when he's walked.

Frank is doing fine and is in good spirits. The Dr's assistant said it would be a year for his knee cap to heal. He hasn't fallen again since then. He uses the walker to walk and we take it everywhere we go. The leg brace probably gives his leg some stability.

Looking forward to going to church tomorrow.

Nothing Special

Went to exercise and then to Walmart. I needed to get the Walker girls some hair bows, etc. They will be over next Friday for a craft. Trudy has the craft this time.

Didn't do much this afternoon. Did the laundry yesterday. Walked the dog several times and watched Fox News.

After reading in the New Testament, we listened to some Big Band music. I call it "happy" music because it makes me happy to listen to it. I had a catalog that I was going to order some World War 11 music from but I can't find it. I have one that has some Glen Millar songs in it. I can order them. Just found the other catalog. I have a system of piling on my computer desk instead of filing and things tend to get lost easily. I'll order the CD's tomorrow.

Stayed Home

I didn't go to the Family History Center. I just did some work at home.

It was a beautiful day and I had to turn the air conditioner on again. It was 80 degrees in the house and only 66 degrees outside. Jordan took care of his business outside today. He really likes to be loved on. He's not a lap dog and prefers to lie on the floor instead of his bed. I think the floor is cooler and he likes it better. He does sleep on my bed at night. I still cover the couch with piddle pads and he manages to use them every morning before I can take him out. He's such a sweet dog. Mary Kate and children can't wait to meet him. They will be up the last week in March.

Frankie made a video of the "rooms" he created in his apt for Josh and Mariam when they stay with him. He made dividers out of 2X4's and put cloth on them so there would be privacy. The kids love it and so do the cats (2). They will love the cat palace I got them when they come down the second week in April. I'll have to put my groceries in the back seat and maybe some around the box the cat palace. Maybe Mary Kate and Nate could bring the box in the house. Bring it in the basement.

Got The Cat Palace

After exercise, we went to Ollie's in Madison. This being their grand opening, the place was packed with people. We got help almost immediately and were shown the cat palaces. I got one and a young man put it in the buggy for me. We checked out and I went and got the car and drove to the front of the store and a young man put it in the trunk for us. It'll stay in the trunk until Frankie comes to get it. He and the little kids will be down for a visit the second week in April. Mary Kate and kids will come the last week-end in March. It's good to not have everybody here at the same time. That way I can give the one family that's here all of my time.

Jordan, the dog, relieved himself in Frank's room while I was at RS last night. I wasn't here to take him out. After he ate today, I should have taken him out but didn't so I had to clean up a mess. Tonight after he ate, I took him right out and he did his business outside. We even went down into the woods where the bull dossers scraped the fallen trees. It has been too muddy to walk down there but tonight was dry enough. We saw dog tracks and some deer tracks. Jordan liked to sniff around down there.

Tomorrow, I will go to the Family History Center at 9:15 AM. I have done some work at home but need some help deciding on some duplicates I've found.

Relief Society

Jordan and I went to the pharmacy and to Pet Depot this morning. I returned a brush I had bought for Jordan but it wasn't the right kind and I got him some treats. I noticed some cat palaces there but they were costly compared to the one at Ollie's Discount. Karen and I are going there after exercise tomorrow.

Ollie's is a new discount store opening in Madison and they advertised a cat palace for $59.00. I hope to get one tomorrow for Frankie's cats. I hope they have some left when we get there. The ones at Pet Depot were over $100.00. Ken is driving his truck to work tomorrow in case I get one and it doesn't fit in the car.

It was 80 degrees outside this afternoon and 82 in the house so I turned the air conditioner on. It's supposed to rain tomorrow and maybe only be 50 degrees. This weather is driving me crazy.

The RS dinner was very nice. The fashion show was funny. Many Lou was dressed in rolled up jeans and a large white shirt with a pink bow in her hair and a pink scarf around her neck. I had on a black pull over and the red Poodle skirt and bobby-socks. My green athletic shoes weren't the 50's style but everything else was. The music was Rock Around the Clock. It was a fun time. Ken had come and stayed with Frank while we were gone. Frank said he didn't need anyone staying with him but it gave me piece of mind.

Tomorrow will be exercise and then to Madison to Ollie's.

Usual Monday Things

Went to exercise and enjoyed it. We had a full class. Afterwards, we went to Walmart so I could get  some white Bobby-type socks for tomorrow night.  I also got bread, kale, tomatoes, milk and diet Pepsi. I got the wrong Pepsi again and will have to take it back. I meant to get the diet Pepsi without caffeine but wasn't thinking right and picked up the sugared Pepsi instead.

Jordan couldn't wait until I took him out this morning and used the piddle pads I had on the couch. I need to keep my bedroom door shut so he can't get out before I do and then take him right out first thing in the morning. He's doing really good otherwise. He follows me room to room and loves to get scratches.

Frankie called today and said he and Mariam and Josh were coming down the 2nd week in April. That's when Mary Kate and her family will be coming. Frankie said something about Kayla coming and said they would shoot guns and she liked that. I will need to buy another air mattress so she will have somewhere to sleep. Mary Kate and her family can have the downstairs bedroom. I'll have to fix Granny's famous potato salad again. I always fix it for Frankie when he comes and Mariam gave it that name.

It was over 70 degrees today. It's 81 degrees in the house tonight. I don't want to turn on the air conditioner just yet. We're bound to have some more cold weather before Spring is over. I just hope we don't have any tornadoes like we did last year. April is a wicked month with weather.

Tomorrow night is the Relief Society birthday dinner and program. I am a model of 1950's clothing. Karen made me a red Poodle skirt with a black Poodle on it and it really looks good. I don't have any black shoes to wear with it. I may go to Walmart and see what kind of black shoes they have just for tomorrow night. I need a white shirt to go with it but will probably just wear a black pull over plus a white scarf around my neck.

Slept In

I go to bed pretty early and get up early. After breakfast, Frank usually goes back to bed until noon and today I took my after breakfast nap, too. I dreamed I was at my maternal grandmother's house and really felt the love that was there. This afternoon I got tired of TV and turned it off and did some genealogy. I found I was able to add a great-great-great grandfather and grandmother to the program from the records I have, and I made some notes for the next time I go to the Family History Center.

Jordan did his business outside today. He peeded on the piddle pads I had on the couch. Trudy said to shut my bedroom door and put a piddle pad in front of it and that may stop him from heading to the couch. Of course, the leather couch is covered with a thick quilt and the piddle pads so nothing will get on the couch. I try to take him out first thing in the morning but I guess he really had to go this morning. He's such a sweetheart and a wonderful companion. I'm having trouble getting his microchip registered to me as the owner. It is registered to the TN Rescue and Shelter, Inc and I have to have the chip number in order for the lady in TN to transfer the title. She said it was on the papers I got, but it isn't. I'll hear from her again soon.

Jordan to Groomer

I took Jordan to Pet Depot for his bath and nail trim this morning. Then I went to H'ville to Joann's Fabrics and got Karen a gift card for making the Poodle skirt for me. I was looking for Ollie's Discount Store in Madison but couldn't find it. I stopped at Bob's Discount Store on the way home and asked if they had a cat palace and they had sold the only one they had. I asked where Madison Blvd was and got directions. I drove there only to find out the store wasn't open yet. They will have the grand opening next Wednesday. I want to go and get a Cat Palace for Frankie. He has 2 cats that need something to play on.

I got Jordan at 12:30 PM. It only cost $20.00 for his bath and trim. I can't bathe him here because of my knee replacements. I can't lean up against the tub or lean over it. I guess old age has some advantages, like having someone else wash your dog for you. Of course, since I was in Pet Depot, I bought some more chews for Jordan and a brush. I think I will take the brush back and get another kind-one for Poodles. He is so fluffy and soft now. He is white but has a darker spot on his back and the back of his head, but his charming personality makes up for this defect. He is really a loveable dog. He's peeded on the couch twice even though I take him out several times a day. I had small blankets on the couch so all I had to do was wash them and it's a leather couch. I now have an old quilt on it and I will put piddle pads on the couch in case he wants to go on the couch. Last night I was going to take him out one last time, but he wouldn't go! He sat on the rug by the door and refused to move. I didn't make him go out since he was determined not to go. The ground is wet since we've had a lot of rain and I think he doesn't like to get his feet wet. When he gets groomed again, maybe they will trim the hair on his feet.

I didn't realize how much dirt would get on the floors. Before Jordan, I would sweep and dust mop my floors every two days. I like my floors clean and that was enough. Now that Jordan and I go out in the grass a lot, we bring in dirt when we return. I'll have to sweep every day now, but I don't mind. He is such a sweet boy.

Birds To Vet

We left for Hartselle, AL at 9:30 AM. It doesn't take us an hour to get there but I like to allow for traffic, etc. We took Jordan along with the 2 birds for I didn't want him all alone in the house. We've only had him 5 days and I didn't want him to be lonely. He rides well and he did well while the birds got their trims. I meant to ask Dr Jan about pet insurance but forgot so I called the office when we got back home and found out what they recommended. I went on and got a policy. I've already spent almost all of the deductible in vet bills now. It will take effect in 14 days.

It's supposed to rain today and tomorrow but the temperature is going to be mild. It has to be for if it gets cold, it won't rain.

Wednesday

Went to exercise for the first time in a while. Dr appointments and dog appointments have gotten in the way.

We take the birds down to Dr Jan's tomorrow.  Jordan will go with us. I would hate to leave him home by himself after he us just getting used to us. He played with me some today. It was cute. He also ate some of his dry food twice. He wouldn't go potty for me today. He did do some business but he wouldn't pee for me. I thought at the vet's he would smell all of the dogs who peeded on the grass and would want to leave his scent but no, he didn't. He was scratching his right ear today and shaking his head so I took him to the vet. He had an ear infection. They pulled the hair out of his ears and gave me some medicine to put in twice a day and the vet wants to see him in 10 days. I stopped by Pet Depot and got an appointment to have Jordan washed and get his nails cut. He doesn't need grooming yet and I can't wash him at home because I can't put my knees up against the tub to bend over to wash him. It'll only cost about $20.00 to get Pet Depot to do it. I'll take him there when he needs a trim, too. In years past, I had to find a private groomer for Belle. The closest groomer was PetSmart in H'ville and that's too far to drive.

Busy Day

Got up at 5:30 AM and took Jordan out, came in and got ready to leave for H'ville at 7 AM. Frank got up early, too, so he had finished breakfast by the time Karen got over here. We got into Huntsville 10 minutes before my appointment at the dentist. Dr Knight adjusted my new denture and told me to wear it and my mouth would adjust to it and if it did leave any sore spots, he could tell and adjust them some more. I've had them in all day and so far they haven't hurt.

After the dentist, we went to Joann's Fabric store. We got there just as they were opening. I bought some felt and a Poodle applique for my Poodle skirt that Karen is making me for the Relief Society Through the Ages dinner.

I'm tired of dieting, just a little. I've been going over my 1,300 calorie a day limit by 300-400 calories. I ate cereal for supper tonight because I had eaten too many calories for breakfast and lunch. I set my goal for 5 lbs but I will try to make it 10 lbs if, or when, I reach my 5 lb goal.

It's been cloudy and rainy all day and just after it got dark, the sky fell out.

Frank's visit to the orthopedic Dr went well. It'll take a year for the knee to heal properly. I ordered a book about how to stop falling and I hope it will have some good suggestions in it. He might just have to use the walker for the rest of his life. He would have broken his hip a couple of times he fell but he has artificial hips and they weren't hurt. Getting old is not for wimps!

Hey, Kathy. Hope you and Bill and children and grandchildren are all doing well.

Vet Appointment

I got in to see Dr Pittman today at 9:15 AM. Jordan was negative to heart worms and parasites and the Dr gave me some cream to put on his incision. Jordie hasn't licked as much today as he did Saturday. He loves to go outside and walks on his leash well. He sometimes sits in the kitchen and stares at the floor. I think he's depressed. Being taken from his home and put in the rescue for 2 weeks and then brought to a strange home, he must be confused. I went by Pet Depot to get some wet food for him. I want to fatten him up some. He weighs 10 lbs. It says 15 lbs. on his papers but he weighed 10 lbs. today at the Vet.

I got some canned food and he likes it. Dr Pittman said the Science Diet dry dog food is good but he's slow to eat it and the mother in me wants to feed him and make him happy. I might try mixing the wet and dry together.

I think I'll start shopping at Hometown Grocery and see how I like it. We went there to compare labels on our last diet program and I bought some fresh veggies and things. The produce was as good as Walmart. I'll check the wet dog food there. I paid 1.49 a can at Pet Depot and I'm sure I can find it cheaper at Hometown.

I have to get up at 5:30 AM tomorrow. Karen's coming over at 7 AM and we have to leave to go to the dentist in H'ville and be there by 8:10 AM. After that, we have to go to the fabric stores to get some felt for the Poodle skirt that she's making me. The Relief Society is doing a program of RS down through the years and I was asked to be a 50's person. I immediately thought of a Poodle skirt. I had one when I was a pre-teen. Karen is going out of town Wednesday and we have to get the material tomorrow so she will have time to make it. I will get her a gift card to Joann's Fabrics or Hobby Lobby for doing it for me. It's early to bed for me, and Jordan, tonight. I have to get up early enough to walk him in the morning.

Got Jordan

We left at 8:00 AM to go to Trudy's and from there to Lawrenceburg, TN to get the dog, Jordan, a Poodle mix. George helped Trudy figure out how to go. We went the back roads. We almost couldn't find the place, but Trudy called the number and we were just a couple of blocks from it when she called. We were expecting a building but it was more like a row of shacks. Mary Kate paid the neutering fee, which was $80.00 and that's all we had to pay. He has a chip and everything. He was neutered 3 days ago and he is still quite sore there. I took him out a couple of times after we got back and he did his business. He walks on a leash well. The last time we were out, he started getting frisky with me while we were coming up the ramp and acted like he wanted to play. He even wagged his tail for me once tonight. I tried moving his doggie bed, which he loves, into my room for the night, but he left my room and went back into the living room so I moved his bed back where he was used to having it. George loaned me a kennel and I put Frank's lambs skin in it and tomorrow when we go to church, I'll put Jordie in the kennel with a peanut butter chew and he can stay there while we're at church.

I ordered a couch cover but it won't stay on the couch and it didn't come with any instructions so it's going back to Amazon. I believe Jordie will like his bed better than the couch anyway. I do have a towel on my straight back chair seat because he likes to get up there.

He finally came back to my room where I am typing on the computer. I put him on my bed and he's happy. Maybe he'll stay with me tonight. I'll get up early so I can take him out before we go to church.

No Mail, Or So I Thought

The mail didn't come at it's usual time, so I went out to Pet Depot and bought a leash and some dog food and some treats. If the dog doesn't like the food, I can take it back.  It was pretty expensive but I wanted to start Jordan off on some good stuff. The mail came around 4:30 PM and there was a package from Amazon that had the leash and dog bowls and some pee pads. The dog bowl holder was missing one of the bowls so I'm having to send it back to Amazon and they are sending me another set. I have to send the one with the missing bowl back to them but they sent me a mailing label. I should get the replacement bowls Sunday. I don't like to have things delivered on Sunday but I didn't know they would send it to me so quickly. All this waiting has been hard.

Tomorrow, we will go to Lawerenceburg, TN to pick up Jordan. Trudy is going with us. I don't know how long it will take to get there. It takes 47 minutes to get to Trudy's. Her phone will tell us how to get there. I can't believe it's time to actually get the dog. I'm so excited! I hope he won't pee on the furniture. I have some pee pads to put down if necessary and I plan to walk him several times a day. He'll be alright as soon as he settles in to his new home. I'll keep the birds in their cages until Jordan gets used to his surroundings. I hope he will sleep with me the first night. Maybe his dog bed will come in the mail tomorrow.  It will be quite a day and a fun time with Frank and Trudy and me. I will drive up there, but I'll probably let Trudy drive back if the roads are ice-free so I can begin bonding with Jordie.

Ice and Snow

Woke up to snow or sleet frozen on the ground. Just enough to cover the ground in most places. The "snow" that was on the ramp was thick but when walked on, left no foot prints. The mail didn't come today but I took the garbage out just in case the garbage men come tomorrow, our usual pick up time. They probably won't get it until Saturday. The mail better run tomorrow for that's when all my dog things are coming from Amazon. I need them so when I get Jordan I will have the supplies I need. I sure hope this doesn't fall through. I've got my heart set on getting this doggie and I would really be let down if I didn't get him. Hopefully, by Saturday the roads in TN will be ice free and we can go get him. It's supposed to warm up by Saturday into the 40's I think. This AL weather is something else. Yesterday it was in the 70's and today it was 27 degrees.

Jordan

I talked with the lady from the TN Animal Rescue and Shelter and told her I wanted Jordan. He was to be neutered today and we can pick him up tomorrow but I told her we were going to have some bad weather and that it would probably be Saturday before we could get him. I got on Amazon and ordered a couch and recliner cover and a pet bed and some food. I found Belle's old red collar and I have a retractable leash coming from Amazon. All we have too do is wait for the roads to be clear and we can go pick him up. Trudy has Mary Kate's crate that we can use. The dog's owner got Alzheimer's and was put in a home and the dog went to the shelter. We will give him a good home. This will be my last dog. In 10 years, I will be 82. Our birds may still be alive but the bird vet would take them for us, I believe. Mary Kate would take Jordan if something happened to me. It's exciting but the wait is bad.

A winter advisory has been put out for most of North AL. The rain will turn to sleet/snow by tomorrow morning and the roads will be iced over. I stopped by Walmart just to get some diet Pepsi and ended getting 2 cases of caffeine-free regular Pepsi and I can't or won't drink it! What a dumb mistake. I have a few cans of diet left. I'll drink water instead.

Went to the Dr today for a follow-up visit. I see him every 6 months. I mentioned the tingling I have in my hands and feet and ear but he didn't know what it was. I got some blood work done to check my levels of B-12. I don't eat anything except ground turkey so I could be deficient in B-12.

It was 70 degrees today but the cold front brought rain and the temperature cooled down quite a bit. I surely hate the ice and snow and hopefully this will be the last of it for us.

Dog Gone

Rhett's foster mom called me today and said that Rhett was too emotionally attached to her to be fostered out now. I had already ordered a retractable leash and dog bowls from Amazon. I'll just save them for another dog that I will find. Mary Kate sent me 3 web sites about dogs and one was a miniature Poodle mix that looks like a white Poodle. His name is Jordan and he is an adult dog. I contacted them by email and said I was interested in Jordan. Hopefully, I'll hear back from them soon.

Today I took Frank to the hospital to get a shot of nuclear medicine for a bone scan. It seems like if one has had prostate cancer a bone scan yearly is in order. We came home and Frank had to drink a lot of liquids to flush the medicine around in his system and we went back at 1 PM for the scan. I read on my iPad while he was being scanned.

The weather was very mild today, in the 50's. Tomorrow evening a cold front is coming in and we may have sleet and snow again. I hope not! I'm so tired of winter and nasty weather.

Doggie, Doggie

Went to exercise today. I had missed all of last week and I could tell it in my legs as we exercised. I can go exercise at the Round Island church tomorrow if I can fit it in with Frank's appointments. We go too the Athens-Limestone hospital tomorrow morning at 8 AM to get a nuclear medicine shot and then come back at 1 PM to get a bone scan. Exercise is at 10 AM and if Frank doesn't mind, I will go.

I got a call from Beverley who is the foster mother of Rhett, a male Yorkie. She lives in Moulton, AL which is about an hour from our house. She told me all about Rhett. He's 2 years old and has a cataract on one eye and has had surgery on the other eye for a cataract. I would have to take him to B'ham to get his eyes checked in 3 months. Mary Kate said maybe she could come up and stay with her Dad so I could go with Beverley to B'ham to take Rhett to his eye appointment. Once I know the way to go, it wouldn't be hard to take him myself. It's only about 1 1/2 hrs to B'ham. Beverley said Rhett was a very loving dog and is 8 pounds and has long legs for a Yorkie. I was wondering how he would get up on my bed and wondering if I had to get doggie steps for him. She said he jumped over a baby gate once so I bet he can jump on the bed. Beverley and Rhett will be coming up Saturday so we can meet them. She called Dr Jan's office to check on me and they gave us a glowing recommendation. I can't imagine having a dog in the house again. I will be getting some exercise walking the dog now. That's what I need is the exercise plus the sweet companionship of a little doggie. Wonder how the birds will react? They didn't react to Belle, my Poodle. She's been gone since 2005. Hopefully, Rhett won't bother the birds. Time will tell.

We're supposed to have some bad weather Thursday. I don't know exactly what the forecast is but I've heard people talking about it. Hopefully there will be no more snow. March is a hard month. If it warms up too much, there's the risk of tornadoes and it still can be very cold in March. It was April 28th of last year that the tornado took most of our woods out and left such a mess.

Saturday

It was a slow day starting off, but after lunch I got into high gear. I vacuumed the floors then mopped them. Gave Frank and hair cut and shave and helped him shower. Cooked goulash and washed two loads of clothes. Brought the ladder up from the basement because we have two light bulbs that are burned out and when Bro Decker is over tomorrow, I'll ask him to change them. I don't want Frank to get up on a ladder and I don't want to climb up either.

Mary Kate found a little Yorkie dog that is up for adoption but it is in a town near LaGrange, Ga where MK lives and they won't give me a chance to adopt it because they have to meet me and that's a 4 hour drive away. They are charging $450.00 to adopt the dog and they have my pet history and the name of my vet. They ought to know that if I take care of two parrots for 25 years that I will take good care of a dog. We might have to look some more. I don't want to get my hopes up. It can't be just any dog. Preferably an adult, potty-trained, small lap dog that doesn't shed. A Poodle, Yorkie or Bishon Frise. I know I didn't spell that last name correctly and the computer didn't know either!

Friday

We went to Dr Morgan's today for a procedure but they forgot to tell us about the antibiotic Frank was supposed to take and we had to reschedule the procedure.

The snow is still around but the roads were clear. The ice melted off the ramp and I swept the remaining ice and snow off of it this afternoon.

Mary Kate has been wanting to get me a dog and I have started looking online, too. It's amazing the price that's wanted for the Poodles I was looking at. MK was looking at a rescue Yorkie for me, but it's in GA and they want to meet me, so that's out. I will let her look for me.

Our crud is better but I'm still feeling the effects of it. It wasn't bronchitis like I thought it was. We still are coughing but not like last year when we had to go to the Dr with it. If we can survive til Spring maybe we'll make it.