It's almost midnight, I'm about to turn into a pumpkin. Tomorrow is my Friday off - I will spend it in a class learning how to do freezer paper applique for quilting. Our quilting group will be making a sun bonnet sue group quilt which will be donated. But, I will learn how to make the block and then be able to make a quilt of my own.
Yesterday I received the company "invitation" to volunteer to leave employment. I've decided I'm going to do it. I was only going to work another year or so anyway. The concern has been the cost of insurance. We'll put away the amount of the premiums from the severance package so that we can reimburse ourselves the amount that is held out of the retirement check each month. My other big concern is I am so afraid of being homeless. I was homeless a very long time ago when my children were very young and I had no where to live. I am just terrified of not having the funds to pay for food and shelter. I know that sounds crazy, because we should have plenty, but it doesn't take much for medical to eat up every dime.
So, we are going to buy a pre-owned motorhome from the severance money - nothing fancy - but something so that I will know that we will always have a place to live. It would be hard, but I just need that security!!! At least that's what we're thinking right now...that could turn into purchasing a mobile home and property.
Saturday I will go to the second session of the quilt class I started last weekend. I haven't had time this week to work on any of it, but the instructor assures us that's ok. We're going to be learning different ways of adding borders and trim this week, and learning different ways to actually quilt the tops we make.
My last day at work will be November 29 of this year; retirement benefits will begin December 1. I've got to get all the paperwork completed and submitted. I've got to study them this weekend - I brought them home with me. Now that I've made the decision, even though I'm frightened of being without a job, I am getting somewhat excited. At least two of my co-workers are taking the opportunity as well. So we are a smiling group this week. Next week I'll begin to clean out my things and start handing off years of stuff to someone else. I think my give a hoot is busted.
It's been a good couple of weeks. No real problems on the homefront. Must confess I'm wondering how my time will be occupied after retirement, but we've got some plans. Get back to the gym during the morning, fix some good meals for a change, visit some art galleries and museums, take some interesting classes at TCC, have lunch with friends, slow down and take life easy. No more jumping up, hitting the shower, throwing on clothes, grabbing purse and lunch and running out the door.
Goodnight folks - God bless you in every way.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Today is a work day. My company is laying off people, and today I learn whether or not I will get an invitation to volunteer to go out. I'm torn - I've worked for the company most of my life since I was 19 years old. But I've been there many long years and am ready to go home -- just afraid of no income.
We've been busy - the Fort Worth Quilt Guild Show was the weekend of August 5 and 6 (Friday and Sat). Wow, that was a lot of work. we went to drop off my things for the show only to learn that the fellows who were supposed to unload the trailers (poles, braces, etc.) had left and the trailers were not unloaded. We stayed for a while and in the 110 degree heat Ken worked himself to a sugar low unloading. Fortunately some of the women who came also helped, as did one older fellow (yep, older than us!) and one young man. The other women sat on their behinds in the quilt room yacking!!!
We finally left for a bit - Ken needed food - but we went back and Ken helped set up the poles and braces and hung quilts. We all finally left, leaving quilts to be hung on Thursday. Neither of us went back on Thursday. The show was nice -- not as fancy as Trinity Valley but nice. I didn't put anything in the judging division, mine were just "filler" quilts. The Christmas quilt I made for daughter Brandi was hung with some of the prize quilts. I made it out of left over fabric from her Christmas dress back in 1990. I won't ever give it to her because she and her sister don't want anything to do with me and certainly don't want any reminders of their childhood growing up with me. Long story, sad story, but it happens. I love them anyway - it just hurts.
So, back to Colorado. We headed back to Texas, I cried most of the first day because I miss my son and his family so much. We stopped in Rotan, New Mexico again - already worn out, knowing we had to face the long drive back to Amarillo from there. We shopped a bit, ate a bit, then headed out. Oh, my gosh, the road went on and on and on as did the heat and the construction and the misery! We made up our minds we will not drive it again...we'll save $$, fly to Denver, rent a car!! But we finally made it back to Day's Inn East where we collapsed for a bit and then we called the limo and went back to the Texas Steakhouse -- more because we wanted to shop their gift shop than because of the food!
Back at the hotel we went for a swim then packed up some and crashed. We were not looking forward to the drive the next day. As we were leaving the hotel the Casey Anthony trial verdict was about to be announced so we were a bit late in leaving, wanting to wait until it was announced. We finally had to leave anyway. We learned of the horrible outcome via a Facebook announcement. How terrible that this young woman could get by with what she did!!!
The drive home was long, hot, long. We stopped in some small town (Clarendon or Childress?) at a gas station that turned out to be more of a variety store. I bought 3 fabric pieces (2 yards each). Only yardage I purchased on the trip - others were fat quarters. We continued on and the road seemed to become never ending. It didn't take us any more time than what we planned, it just seemed to take a very long time.
So, we got home, we hugged Tamara and the doggies/kitties, and then we crashed. Thank goodness we decided to come home on Wednesday instead of waiting until the weekend. It took all weekend to recover enough to go back to work!
On Monday morning I checked in from home and found the email announcing layoffs at work, approximately 1500 will be going out the door. Requests for volunteers will come out mid-August (today), volunteers will have a certain amount of time to say yes or no. If not enough volunteers come forward, then involuntary notices will be given out in September. I'm 19 months from full retirement - haven't yet decided about taking the package, but I'm ready to retire...just concerned about insurance and the reduction of income.
And so, that's about it for now. I went to a quilting class on Saturday, taught by Jonquelle Jones. She worked us to death, but I learned how to make a couple of different blocks. That evening we went to a "party" at friend Pam Thomas' home on Saturday evening. Yesterday (Sunday) we slept in (til 11:30 for me!), piddled around here, and then went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. Now time to head back to work.
We've been busy - the Fort Worth Quilt Guild Show was the weekend of August 5 and 6 (Friday and Sat). Wow, that was a lot of work. we went to drop off my things for the show only to learn that the fellows who were supposed to unload the trailers (poles, braces, etc.) had left and the trailers were not unloaded. We stayed for a while and in the 110 degree heat Ken worked himself to a sugar low unloading. Fortunately some of the women who came also helped, as did one older fellow (yep, older than us!) and one young man. The other women sat on their behinds in the quilt room yacking!!!
We finally left for a bit - Ken needed food - but we went back and Ken helped set up the poles and braces and hung quilts. We all finally left, leaving quilts to be hung on Thursday. Neither of us went back on Thursday. The show was nice -- not as fancy as Trinity Valley but nice. I didn't put anything in the judging division, mine were just "filler" quilts. The Christmas quilt I made for daughter Brandi was hung with some of the prize quilts. I made it out of left over fabric from her Christmas dress back in 1990. I won't ever give it to her because she and her sister don't want anything to do with me and certainly don't want any reminders of their childhood growing up with me. Long story, sad story, but it happens. I love them anyway - it just hurts.
So, back to Colorado. We headed back to Texas, I cried most of the first day because I miss my son and his family so much. We stopped in Rotan, New Mexico again - already worn out, knowing we had to face the long drive back to Amarillo from there. We shopped a bit, ate a bit, then headed out. Oh, my gosh, the road went on and on and on as did the heat and the construction and the misery! We made up our minds we will not drive it again...we'll save $$, fly to Denver, rent a car!! But we finally made it back to Day's Inn East where we collapsed for a bit and then we called the limo and went back to the Texas Steakhouse -- more because we wanted to shop their gift shop than because of the food!
Back at the hotel we went for a swim then packed up some and crashed. We were not looking forward to the drive the next day. As we were leaving the hotel the Casey Anthony trial verdict was about to be announced so we were a bit late in leaving, wanting to wait until it was announced. We finally had to leave anyway. We learned of the horrible outcome via a Facebook announcement. How terrible that this young woman could get by with what she did!!!
The drive home was long, hot, long. We stopped in some small town (Clarendon or Childress?) at a gas station that turned out to be more of a variety store. I bought 3 fabric pieces (2 yards each). Only yardage I purchased on the trip - others were fat quarters. We continued on and the road seemed to become never ending. It didn't take us any more time than what we planned, it just seemed to take a very long time.
So, we got home, we hugged Tamara and the doggies/kitties, and then we crashed. Thank goodness we decided to come home on Wednesday instead of waiting until the weekend. It took all weekend to recover enough to go back to work!
On Monday morning I checked in from home and found the email announcing layoffs at work, approximately 1500 will be going out the door. Requests for volunteers will come out mid-August (today), volunteers will have a certain amount of time to say yes or no. If not enough volunteers come forward, then involuntary notices will be given out in September. I'm 19 months from full retirement - haven't yet decided about taking the package, but I'm ready to retire...just concerned about insurance and the reduction of income.
And so, that's about it for now. I went to a quilting class on Saturday, taught by Jonquelle Jones. She worked us to death, but I learned how to make a couple of different blocks. That evening we went to a "party" at friend Pam Thomas' home on Saturday evening. Yesterday (Sunday) we slept in (til 11:30 for me!), piddled around here, and then went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. Now time to head back to work.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Thursday evening, August 4, 2011
BORING day at work today. Lots of folks on vacation and today was one of those "watching the clock" days. Finally left at 5:30.
Tonight's quiet - we're both worn out, and Ken has already gone to bed. I was going to work on my sewing room some but really don't have the moxie to do that today.
Before I continue the trip to Colorado tale, I forgot to mention that late last year or early this year, can't remember which, Ken and I decided we wanted to host a really nice party for all of our friends. We were planning to pay for it, host it somewhere very nice if we could find a venue, have some beautiful various music, food, etc. We mentioned it to some of the people in our social organization, the After 5.0 Connection, and the next thing we knew we lost all control over it. It became their Valentine party. Althought it was held at Diamond Oaks Country Club, it was anything except what we had envisioned. We were wanting some wonderful country club type music - some soft, easy listening music, some great country music, a little old time rock and roll, etc. Its definitely not what we got. As it is, we attended anyway, smiled, danced once or twice, and excused ourselves to go home early. It actually worked out ok as I had just been discharged from the hospital from a pneumonia bout and didn't feel like being there anyway!!
I told about the trip to Fredericksburg in a previous post, but forgot to mention that twice on the trip we happened upon conversations in the main house and overheard "friends" discussing us and apparently they were all "making the best of" our being along with the gang. So, for the most part we stayed to ourselves during the trip, and we got up very early on the last day and came home. We probably won't go on another trip with the same group. In fact, these are the same After 5.0 folks mentioned in the above paragraph, so we have not done anything with the group since returning to Fort Worth. Fortunately we have other outlets for socializing.
Now, back to the trip to Colorado. We had breakfast at the Days Inn breakfast buffet then packed up and headed out. Instead of driving up to Dumas and on to Dalhart, we took a different road to cross over to 87/287 to head to Dalhart. Now anyone who is vaguely familiar with Ken knows that he freaks out if he doesn't know exactly where he is -- he is NOT an adventurer. I had it all mapped out on the map app on my phone, so I wasn't worried, but he was just about out of his mind. Top that with the fact that both of us suffer from digestive system problems and it was a 29 mile trip headed for disaster! It was a pleasant enough ride - not a bad road. But Ken was losing it big time, and my intestines were screaming and telling me they were not going to wait until we reached a McDonald's somewhere! We ended up having to pull off into the grass on the side of that country road, open the car doors for a bit of shelter for me so that I could drop my clothes and leave a deposit!!! This is NOT unusual for me - I try very hard not to eat if we are going to be on the road, because I fight this battle all the time. And always afterward I am nauseated for hours afterward, and the only thing that helps at all is a zero coke and crackers.
We were able to continue on and connect with the road to Dalhart where we stopped and I was able to get a zero coke and bugles. Then we set out on the most awful part of the trip to Colorado -- heading across the state line into New Mexico and the long drive to Raton, NM. Oh, gads, that drive is horrible. The road goes on and on and on and on, seems never ending, is bumper to bumper traffic, road construction is everywhere making it impossible to drive even 50. It is about a 6.5 hour drive from Amarillo to Colorado Springs on a good day, but it is about 6.5 hours from Amarillo to Raton, NM when the road is the way it currently is -- and there's not a THING between Amarillo and Raton!
We crossed into mountain time, and finally reached Raton where we stopped at a restaurant gift shop. We were ready for lunch - they were stll serving breakfast but they allowed us to order lunch. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich and couldn't eat it -- it was awful. I had some cottage cheese and fruit so ate that and drank some tea. Then we looked around a bit taking a break from the road, and then crawled back into the car to head north on I-25 toward Colorado Springs - a 2.5 hour drive.
The wild fires had swept through Raton Pass the week before, so we saw all the burned trees on the mountains. We passed Trinidad, and stopped at a station in Pueblo for gas and break. We finally made it to the Howard Johnson's off of Academy Drive at about 2. My daughter-in-law and granddaughter met us at the hotel. Since we couldn't check in they took us to the Air Force Academy to see the chapel. I had a difficult time getting around (altitude) but we got to see it as well as some young recruits being trained, going through their marching maneuvers. My son is AF and works at the Academy.
Since we were tired, Nicky took us back to the hotel to check in, helped us get all unloaded and to the room, and we were all done when Chris (son) arrived after work. It was so wonderful to see all of them. We went to Chili's for dinner (so nice and cool), and then went back to the hotel so we could rest. We decided we would get together the next morning.
The next morning we had breakfast at the hotel and were eating when we got a message from Nicky. they wanted us to check out of the hotel and come stay at the house instead. We didn't think we should do that because we didn't want to put anybody out of a bed. They insisted. So, we checked out of the hotel and finally found our way to their house (we had never been there before). Such a beautiful place and looks just like them...just so sweet and so neat/tidy. It was cute when we drove up because their two dogs came running out of the house. We had never met Lily before, but Bogie knew exactly who we were and came bounding out to greet us. He's been like another grandchild, and now Lily is, too.
After settling in a bit, we all decided we wanted to go to Estes Park, Colorado. that's about a 2.5 hour drive! So we loaded up and headed for the mountains. We went to the Stanley Hotel where we had a very nice lunch in their beautiful dining room, and then we caught the shuttle to go into the little mountain town to wander the stores. I thought I would be alright, but the altitude zapped me - I wasn't able to get around, had to sit at every bench and wall. We finally gave it up and caught the shuttle back to the hotel and started home. I ruined everybody's day with my inability to get around.
On Sunday the kids took us over to the mountain area around the Broadmoor Hotel where the ladies championship golf tournament was going to be. Part of the area was all blocked off but it was really neat seeing the area. The deer and elk come right into the yards and eat the shrubs, etc. And there was news on tv that night that a bear had been there as well as a mountain lion.
Chris also drove us up to old Gold Camp Road, the very narrow old road around the mountain where you're barely able to keep the entire car ON the road without falling over the cliff side. The views here are magnificent and we got lots of pictures. Mostly, I just enjoyed being with my kids. I miss all of them - even the two here - so very much. Not a day goes by that I don't think about each and every one of them. They are always in my heart and on my mind.
we had lots of fun, ate way too much -- restaurants, cooked out, enjoyed ourselves. We got to meet Courtney's friend Kolby as well as his mother and little sister. And we got to climb the stairs in the house up to the master bedroom they made us sleep while they piled into Courtney's room and put her on a mattress on the floor in the office. Exactly what we had not wanted them to do!!! That's why we had hotel reservations. But, they insisted.
Nicky had to go to work on Monday, and Chris was going to have to go back on Tuesday. Chris took us back to a quilt shop so I could get some fat quarters as souvenirs, and then took us to the gift shop back at the Academy. After that we begged to just go back home and rest - we knew we were going to have to head back to Texas the following morning.
To be continued next time.
Tonight's quiet - we're both worn out, and Ken has already gone to bed. I was going to work on my sewing room some but really don't have the moxie to do that today.
Before I continue the trip to Colorado tale, I forgot to mention that late last year or early this year, can't remember which, Ken and I decided we wanted to host a really nice party for all of our friends. We were planning to pay for it, host it somewhere very nice if we could find a venue, have some beautiful various music, food, etc. We mentioned it to some of the people in our social organization, the After 5.0 Connection, and the next thing we knew we lost all control over it. It became their Valentine party. Althought it was held at Diamond Oaks Country Club, it was anything except what we had envisioned. We were wanting some wonderful country club type music - some soft, easy listening music, some great country music, a little old time rock and roll, etc. Its definitely not what we got. As it is, we attended anyway, smiled, danced once or twice, and excused ourselves to go home early. It actually worked out ok as I had just been discharged from the hospital from a pneumonia bout and didn't feel like being there anyway!!
I told about the trip to Fredericksburg in a previous post, but forgot to mention that twice on the trip we happened upon conversations in the main house and overheard "friends" discussing us and apparently they were all "making the best of" our being along with the gang. So, for the most part we stayed to ourselves during the trip, and we got up very early on the last day and came home. We probably won't go on another trip with the same group. In fact, these are the same After 5.0 folks mentioned in the above paragraph, so we have not done anything with the group since returning to Fort Worth. Fortunately we have other outlets for socializing.
Now, back to the trip to Colorado. We had breakfast at the Days Inn breakfast buffet then packed up and headed out. Instead of driving up to Dumas and on to Dalhart, we took a different road to cross over to 87/287 to head to Dalhart. Now anyone who is vaguely familiar with Ken knows that he freaks out if he doesn't know exactly where he is -- he is NOT an adventurer. I had it all mapped out on the map app on my phone, so I wasn't worried, but he was just about out of his mind. Top that with the fact that both of us suffer from digestive system problems and it was a 29 mile trip headed for disaster! It was a pleasant enough ride - not a bad road. But Ken was losing it big time, and my intestines were screaming and telling me they were not going to wait until we reached a McDonald's somewhere! We ended up having to pull off into the grass on the side of that country road, open the car doors for a bit of shelter for me so that I could drop my clothes and leave a deposit!!! This is NOT unusual for me - I try very hard not to eat if we are going to be on the road, because I fight this battle all the time. And always afterward I am nauseated for hours afterward, and the only thing that helps at all is a zero coke and crackers.
We were able to continue on and connect with the road to Dalhart where we stopped and I was able to get a zero coke and bugles. Then we set out on the most awful part of the trip to Colorado -- heading across the state line into New Mexico and the long drive to Raton, NM. Oh, gads, that drive is horrible. The road goes on and on and on and on, seems never ending, is bumper to bumper traffic, road construction is everywhere making it impossible to drive even 50. It is about a 6.5 hour drive from Amarillo to Colorado Springs on a good day, but it is about 6.5 hours from Amarillo to Raton, NM when the road is the way it currently is -- and there's not a THING between Amarillo and Raton!
We crossed into mountain time, and finally reached Raton where we stopped at a restaurant gift shop. We were ready for lunch - they were stll serving breakfast but they allowed us to order lunch. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich and couldn't eat it -- it was awful. I had some cottage cheese and fruit so ate that and drank some tea. Then we looked around a bit taking a break from the road, and then crawled back into the car to head north on I-25 toward Colorado Springs - a 2.5 hour drive.
The wild fires had swept through Raton Pass the week before, so we saw all the burned trees on the mountains. We passed Trinidad, and stopped at a station in Pueblo for gas and break. We finally made it to the Howard Johnson's off of Academy Drive at about 2. My daughter-in-law and granddaughter met us at the hotel. Since we couldn't check in they took us to the Air Force Academy to see the chapel. I had a difficult time getting around (altitude) but we got to see it as well as some young recruits being trained, going through their marching maneuvers. My son is AF and works at the Academy.
Since we were tired, Nicky took us back to the hotel to check in, helped us get all unloaded and to the room, and we were all done when Chris (son) arrived after work. It was so wonderful to see all of them. We went to Chili's for dinner (so nice and cool), and then went back to the hotel so we could rest. We decided we would get together the next morning.
The next morning we had breakfast at the hotel and were eating when we got a message from Nicky. they wanted us to check out of the hotel and come stay at the house instead. We didn't think we should do that because we didn't want to put anybody out of a bed. They insisted. So, we checked out of the hotel and finally found our way to their house (we had never been there before). Such a beautiful place and looks just like them...just so sweet and so neat/tidy. It was cute when we drove up because their two dogs came running out of the house. We had never met Lily before, but Bogie knew exactly who we were and came bounding out to greet us. He's been like another grandchild, and now Lily is, too.
After settling in a bit, we all decided we wanted to go to Estes Park, Colorado. that's about a 2.5 hour drive! So we loaded up and headed for the mountains. We went to the Stanley Hotel where we had a very nice lunch in their beautiful dining room, and then we caught the shuttle to go into the little mountain town to wander the stores. I thought I would be alright, but the altitude zapped me - I wasn't able to get around, had to sit at every bench and wall. We finally gave it up and caught the shuttle back to the hotel and started home. I ruined everybody's day with my inability to get around.
On Sunday the kids took us over to the mountain area around the Broadmoor Hotel where the ladies championship golf tournament was going to be. Part of the area was all blocked off but it was really neat seeing the area. The deer and elk come right into the yards and eat the shrubs, etc. And there was news on tv that night that a bear had been there as well as a mountain lion.
Chris also drove us up to old Gold Camp Road, the very narrow old road around the mountain where you're barely able to keep the entire car ON the road without falling over the cliff side. The views here are magnificent and we got lots of pictures. Mostly, I just enjoyed being with my kids. I miss all of them - even the two here - so very much. Not a day goes by that I don't think about each and every one of them. They are always in my heart and on my mind.
we had lots of fun, ate way too much -- restaurants, cooked out, enjoyed ourselves. We got to meet Courtney's friend Kolby as well as his mother and little sister. And we got to climb the stairs in the house up to the master bedroom they made us sleep while they piled into Courtney's room and put her on a mattress on the floor in the office. Exactly what we had not wanted them to do!!! That's why we had hotel reservations. But, they insisted.
Nicky had to go to work on Monday, and Chris was going to have to go back on Tuesday. Chris took us back to a quilt shop so I could get some fat quarters as souvenirs, and then took us to the gift shop back at the Academy. After that we begged to just go back home and rest - we knew we were going to have to head back to Texas the following morning.
To be continued next time.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Ken and I joined the Fort Worth Quilt Guild this year, and I've been getting things ready for the annual show. I've made several small quilts, including one for one of my daughters using the left over fabric from her Christmas dress from 1990. Had to have all of this ready to be delivered to the show place yesterday between 4-6 p.m. I've worked like a wild woman gettng it all done. Then when I get there some witchy woman at the check-in desk attacked me because I hadn't done something right on the tags identifing them! Well, I picked them up, packed them back in the big bag, said, ok, I'll just take them back home. The other ladies sitting at the table said, no, no, let's check them in. So, I said ok, but Iwill not deal with this person - is there someone else? So, I worked with a wonderful person who helped me. As Ken and I were walking out of the room, several fellow quilters came out and told Ken and me that they had not know she was going to work the table, and that she is just like that and to let it go.
we had intended to stay as volunteers for setting up for the show, and it's a good thing we did. The high school boys that were hired to unload all the heavy bases and steel rods left. Ken and one elderly gentleman plus some of the ladies had to unload the trucks - piece by heavy piece. In the horrible 110 heat. They nearly died. It took a couple of hours to do. We finally left, Ken had to have food and drink. We ate at Red, Hot and Blue and then we went back and Ken helped set up poles and hang backdrops, etc., etc. He was exhausted and we left. I don't think he's going back tomorrow to help!!
To continue the saga of our spring and summer thus far...
Since the beginning of the year we have battled financial difficulties, fought law suits that were unwarranted and won, faced several times when we thought about throwing in the towel and separating, rediscovered old friends and high school friends, renewed many acquaintances and been living life. Ken has become very involved with his Arlington Heights High School class of 1966, has lunch with several friends every week at least once, and I likewise have become involved with the Poly class of '66 and '65. We are both enjoying the heck out of renewing friendships and making new ones.
In addition, we have both continued to fight health issues, which we expect to continue as long as we are allowed to live on this earth. Ken is enrolled in a certain program to fight some of his personal inner battles, and I've been in counseling since March 2009.
In May we invited cousins and family to come to the house for a get together...only 3 people showed up but we had a grand time!
Ken and I also joined the Fort Worth Quilt Guild...he doesn't exactly quilt, he's an enabler for my love of fabrics, quilt making attempts, and my love of vintage sewing machines. In March we went to College Station for the Texas Sewing Machine Roundup -- where I bought a very nasty Singer 500A! Never seen so much tar and nicotine on anything. Took us almost a month to take that thing apart, let it set with Go Jo on it to melt off the nicotine and tar, and then clean it and put it back together.
We later went to the Treadle On gathering in Greenville, Texas where I sucessfully did not purchase another machine (hand crank nor treadle). But we had a great time at both. I currently own 11 machines and am being watchful about other machnes I purchase - trying not to purchase anything except particular ones I'm hunting. And only ones in great condition.
In May we went to Las Vegas, stayed at the Imperial Palace Hotel, had a great time wandering up and down the streets, went to Hoover Dam, went downtown to see old Las Vegas, and managed to come home without spending more than about $50 between us in the casinos! We loved seeing the wonderful hotels -- the Paris and Bellagios were our favorites. Food was terribly expensive, but we had a great time, but I doubt we go back again. On Saturday night we were accosted at the elevator at one of the street bridge crossings. Thanks to a wonderful couple who had to have been cops on vacation, we made it out of the situation and got back to the hotel.
For Memorial Day weekend we decided to head to Eureka Springs, Arkansas! I had never been and wanted to see it. What a drive!! Very tiring. Ken was acting up the entire trip - couldn't figure it out. Anyway, we saw about everything there was to see, went to Christ of the Ozarks, the Crown Thorne chapel, the old downtown (where I refused to buy anything because it is all Chinese junk), went to the Bible Museum, saw the passion play. Ken was acting worse and worse. His pump was acting up, he was out of insulin, we went to Berryville to the Walmart pharmacy where the pharmacist helped him, but Ken was getting worse and there is no dealing with him when he gets like this. When I woke him up on Monday to come home he was confused, disoriented, throwing up, out of it. I managed to get us in the car and on the road. We drove through the Pea Ridge battle ground but he threw up all the way through it. He continued to throw up all the way to Rogers, Arkansas where I stopped to get Pepto Bismol before we headed out again. He was having me stop every mile or so. I finally had to get a dirty shirt out of the bags and just let him throw up going down the road. I wanted to take him to the hospital, he wouldn't hear of it. I was driving 85 miles an hour to try to get somewhere. I finally pulled off the road in Sallisaw, Oklahoma and tried to talk him into going to the hospital - he wouldn't go. He was getting weaker and weaker with each mile and obviously dehydrated. We hit 75 and headed south. Longest drive I've ever been on. 75 was crowded, bumper to bumper, 5 miles/hour, took forever to get to Texas. Stopped in Dennison for a break and gas. Ken got out to go to the men's room. He never came back so I went looking for him. He was unable to stand up by himself. He and I both thought he had had a stroke. He refused the hospital, wanted to come to FW. Two hefty fellows each took a side and took him out to the car and put him in. From there I hit the gas and didn't slow down...finally making it to Dallas and driving through that town at 85-90 miles per hour and on to Fort Worth. I thought the trip would never end, but it ended when I stoppped at the ER at Harris Hospital.
All I could think about on the return trip was the movie Vacation where the older lady died and they had her on top of the car! I could just see Ken dying on me on that horrible trip.
Ken was seen immediately in the ER, his pump was taken off of him, lab work was done, hydration was started. Turns out his pump was NOT working, his glucose was not low - it was extremely high (normal is 75-125; his was 700+). A feedbag of insulin was added to the hydration along with an antibiotic because of the extreme high white count. He was admitted to the hospital. The ER doc told me I had done the right thing - that he wouldn't have made it much longer. So, Ken got to spend the week in the hospital.
SO, after that, what? Let's see, we had a wonderful time at the Poly '65 mini reunion in June. Then on 29 June we headed for Colorado Springs, CO where my son Chris and his wife Nicky live with their daughter Courtney (16). We drove from Fort Worth to Vernon, Texas where we had breakfast, bought gas, and headed for Groom, Texas. Here we stopped at the Cross of the Plains, a wonderful attraction. We took lots of pictures. This place has the very large cross that can be seen for several miles, and the stations of the cross around it. And there is the crucifixtion, the last supper, the tomb with the angel above it, and more. This place was not out of our way as we were heading to Amarillo for the night. We followed 287 and then took 287 up to I-40 (about 17 miles) and then west to groom to Cross of the Plains. From there it was a straight shot on I-40 to our hotel - Days Inn East.
In Amarillo we took a limo to the famous Texas Steakhouse for dinner. This limo is furnished by the restaurant free of charge (except tips). They have long horns on the front of the limos!! We had our picture taken in the huge rocking chair in there, visited the gift shop, enjoyed our time. We had arrivedin Amarillo about 2 p.m., eaten lunch at I-Hop next door, napped, then gone to dinner. We were attempting to allow ourselves to be rested on this trip. Good thing, cause the next phase of the trip was awful!
To be continued next time.
we had intended to stay as volunteers for setting up for the show, and it's a good thing we did. The high school boys that were hired to unload all the heavy bases and steel rods left. Ken and one elderly gentleman plus some of the ladies had to unload the trucks - piece by heavy piece. In the horrible 110 heat. They nearly died. It took a couple of hours to do. We finally left, Ken had to have food and drink. We ate at Red, Hot and Blue and then we went back and Ken helped set up poles and hang backdrops, etc., etc. He was exhausted and we left. I don't think he's going back tomorrow to help!!
To continue the saga of our spring and summer thus far...
Since the beginning of the year we have battled financial difficulties, fought law suits that were unwarranted and won, faced several times when we thought about throwing in the towel and separating, rediscovered old friends and high school friends, renewed many acquaintances and been living life. Ken has become very involved with his Arlington Heights High School class of 1966, has lunch with several friends every week at least once, and I likewise have become involved with the Poly class of '66 and '65. We are both enjoying the heck out of renewing friendships and making new ones.
In addition, we have both continued to fight health issues, which we expect to continue as long as we are allowed to live on this earth. Ken is enrolled in a certain program to fight some of his personal inner battles, and I've been in counseling since March 2009.
In May we invited cousins and family to come to the house for a get together...only 3 people showed up but we had a grand time!
Ken and I also joined the Fort Worth Quilt Guild...he doesn't exactly quilt, he's an enabler for my love of fabrics, quilt making attempts, and my love of vintage sewing machines. In March we went to College Station for the Texas Sewing Machine Roundup -- where I bought a very nasty Singer 500A! Never seen so much tar and nicotine on anything. Took us almost a month to take that thing apart, let it set with Go Jo on it to melt off the nicotine and tar, and then clean it and put it back together.
We later went to the Treadle On gathering in Greenville, Texas where I sucessfully did not purchase another machine (hand crank nor treadle). But we had a great time at both. I currently own 11 machines and am being watchful about other machnes I purchase - trying not to purchase anything except particular ones I'm hunting. And only ones in great condition.
In May we went to Las Vegas, stayed at the Imperial Palace Hotel, had a great time wandering up and down the streets, went to Hoover Dam, went downtown to see old Las Vegas, and managed to come home without spending more than about $50 between us in the casinos! We loved seeing the wonderful hotels -- the Paris and Bellagios were our favorites. Food was terribly expensive, but we had a great time, but I doubt we go back again. On Saturday night we were accosted at the elevator at one of the street bridge crossings. Thanks to a wonderful couple who had to have been cops on vacation, we made it out of the situation and got back to the hotel.
For Memorial Day weekend we decided to head to Eureka Springs, Arkansas! I had never been and wanted to see it. What a drive!! Very tiring. Ken was acting up the entire trip - couldn't figure it out. Anyway, we saw about everything there was to see, went to Christ of the Ozarks, the Crown Thorne chapel, the old downtown (where I refused to buy anything because it is all Chinese junk), went to the Bible Museum, saw the passion play. Ken was acting worse and worse. His pump was acting up, he was out of insulin, we went to Berryville to the Walmart pharmacy where the pharmacist helped him, but Ken was getting worse and there is no dealing with him when he gets like this. When I woke him up on Monday to come home he was confused, disoriented, throwing up, out of it. I managed to get us in the car and on the road. We drove through the Pea Ridge battle ground but he threw up all the way through it. He continued to throw up all the way to Rogers, Arkansas where I stopped to get Pepto Bismol before we headed out again. He was having me stop every mile or so. I finally had to get a dirty shirt out of the bags and just let him throw up going down the road. I wanted to take him to the hospital, he wouldn't hear of it. I was driving 85 miles an hour to try to get somewhere. I finally pulled off the road in Sallisaw, Oklahoma and tried to talk him into going to the hospital - he wouldn't go. He was getting weaker and weaker with each mile and obviously dehydrated. We hit 75 and headed south. Longest drive I've ever been on. 75 was crowded, bumper to bumper, 5 miles/hour, took forever to get to Texas. Stopped in Dennison for a break and gas. Ken got out to go to the men's room. He never came back so I went looking for him. He was unable to stand up by himself. He and I both thought he had had a stroke. He refused the hospital, wanted to come to FW. Two hefty fellows each took a side and took him out to the car and put him in. From there I hit the gas and didn't slow down...finally making it to Dallas and driving through that town at 85-90 miles per hour and on to Fort Worth. I thought the trip would never end, but it ended when I stoppped at the ER at Harris Hospital.
All I could think about on the return trip was the movie Vacation where the older lady died and they had her on top of the car! I could just see Ken dying on me on that horrible trip.
Ken was seen immediately in the ER, his pump was taken off of him, lab work was done, hydration was started. Turns out his pump was NOT working, his glucose was not low - it was extremely high (normal is 75-125; his was 700+). A feedbag of insulin was added to the hydration along with an antibiotic because of the extreme high white count. He was admitted to the hospital. The ER doc told me I had done the right thing - that he wouldn't have made it much longer. So, Ken got to spend the week in the hospital.
SO, after that, what? Let's see, we had a wonderful time at the Poly '65 mini reunion in June. Then on 29 June we headed for Colorado Springs, CO where my son Chris and his wife Nicky live with their daughter Courtney (16). We drove from Fort Worth to Vernon, Texas where we had breakfast, bought gas, and headed for Groom, Texas. Here we stopped at the Cross of the Plains, a wonderful attraction. We took lots of pictures. This place has the very large cross that can be seen for several miles, and the stations of the cross around it. And there is the crucifixtion, the last supper, the tomb with the angel above it, and more. This place was not out of our way as we were heading to Amarillo for the night. We followed 287 and then took 287 up to I-40 (about 17 miles) and then west to groom to Cross of the Plains. From there it was a straight shot on I-40 to our hotel - Days Inn East.
In Amarillo we took a limo to the famous Texas Steakhouse for dinner. This limo is furnished by the restaurant free of charge (except tips). They have long horns on the front of the limos!! We had our picture taken in the huge rocking chair in there, visited the gift shop, enjoyed our time. We had arrivedin Amarillo about 2 p.m., eaten lunch at I-Hop next door, napped, then gone to dinner. We were attempting to allow ourselves to be rested on this trip. Good thing, cause the next phase of the trip was awful!
To be continued next time.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
It is hotter than all get out here! It was 110 degrees today; the A/C is working overtime! So hot that there are power issues in Fort Worth and where I work is requesting that folks unplug all unused items, wear cooler clothing, and telecommute if possible. So, I worked from home today. Fortunately it is a quiet week and I didn't have meetings today.
So what's been happening since I last posted a real message? Lots, but probably not important to anybody but me (us).
I was in and out of the hospital during the fall and even in December. Being a kidney transplant patient isn't much fun because the immune system is kept so far down that there is no way to fight off illness. So, to the hospital for me!
Thanksgiving was a very lonely, but we lived through it. The Christmas season was fun. I sewed and sewed and sewed and sewed and finished everything I had planned. We went to several holiday gatherings and attended the annual Christmas in the Country at the little church out NW of Weatherford, Texas. It is now owned by our friend David McKenna because it is adjacent to the land he owned originally. He didn't want someone else purchasing it after it was decommissioned as a Methodist church so he bought it and the land it is on. So, we have a Christmas Sunday out there in December -- he and Liz clean it up, the pot belly stove is lit, we all take pot luck food for dinner after service, and then have a Chinese Christmas exchange. We always have a great time. This year we came home with a used kitchen disposal which we immediately put in the trash!!! I think we have a used toilet seat around here somewhere that we're going to take next year wrapped in fancy packaging. This year we took nice things (I made a lap quilt and Christmas pillow cases).
Ken had his final neuro surgery and was relieved of the horse collar he had been wearing for almost a year. thank goodness - he was really tired of that.
On Christmas Eve I had all the bags packed for the family and so we drove to Grand Praire and dropped off packages for my two daughters and their families. They don't have anything to do with me and I'm not allowed to have anything to do with the grandchildren either. It is a very painful situation and I miss them terribly, but it is what it is. Because it was raining, we were allowed to go into the house to leave the bags and gifts, and we actually got to see my grandson Jacob. He is so beautiful. We also got to see his baby sister who was born in 2009 and whom we had never seen before. I got to hold her for a few minutes, but then we had to go because we had many places to go before nightfall. I cried after leaving there because I knew I would not get to see them again - and I haven't been allowed to. I didn't get to see my other daughter and her family -- all gifts were left at the home in Grand Prairie and then distributed to the rest of the family.
I could dwell on that, but I am choosing not to. There are issues on BOTH sides of the fence, and apparently they are just so HUGE that they can't be overcome. I have always loved them, will always love them, will miss them forever, and will always hope that things change. But there is hurt and pain on both sides of the fence.
We didn't decorate for Christmas - there wasn't any need for just the two of us. Maybe we'll feel better about that in a year or so. For Christmas dinner we joined other friends at the home of Candy and Mike Copeland. We had a nice time.
We spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day at home. We don't like to get out with the crazies so we stay home and enjoy a quiet time.
I landed in the hospital again in January - pneumonia one more time. This time I thought I was going to die...turned out I didn't. Good thing, because it got worse later!
We decided to finally have the kitchen overhauled/renovated/ repaired. We called our friend Mike Young who came gave us an estimate and talked to us about design. We had much done. First, we had the interior of the lower cabinets overhauled. In several of them we had custom pull-out shelves installed so that we can actually get to the things in the cabinets! In the other lower cabinets we had shelving extended so that we have two good shelves in each cabinet. We had the countertops replaced. We were going to replace with granite but where we live we would never get the return on the investment, so we chose to go with the rolled formica that looks like granite. We had a new special order stainless sink installed...it is one of those farm-house sinks with the small vegetable sink on the right side. We also had a new disposal installed and it's on the side under the small sink. We wish we had put it under the large sink -- so, we are going to have another one put in under the big sink!! We also had slate tile installed as backsplash. Ken and Mike wanted to talk me out of that but I really like it and it grew on them, too!
We also had our "bar" raised -- it separates the kitchen from the den. We didn't use it as a bar and didn't want it as a bar. So we had it raised so that it is a pony divider wall. The reason we had it raised instead of just changing the top to a non-bar top is because we had a custom cabinet built in the breakfast area that was supposed to be the same height as the bar wall but turned out taller (it separates the breakfast room from the den). To make them even, we raised the bar wall instead of having the cabinet remade. That cabinet is really nice and is the perfect size inside for things like appliances.
We also had another custom unit built and installed. It is a bar cabinet in the corner of the breakfast room and has a custom upper cabinet unit over it. Perfect for storing seldom used items.
We had tile floors installed in 2010. We really like the kitchen.
Our wood floors in the den needed some work due to stains from our wonderful doggies in the past. Mike decided he could repair them so we decided to go with it. Unfortunately the original installers had done such a good job of gluing them down that it was impossible to get them up and do the "cut in" repairs. Mike and his helper finally had to get jack hammers in there to get the floor out and were never successful in getting all the glue and such off the concrete slab. In the meantime, dust, cement, debris, whatever is flying all over the house, on the furniture, in the furniture, in the air system, etc. And the glue and stain odors are extremely strong.
I became so weak I couldn't get out of bed the last day they were working. Finally that evening Ken forced me to the car and took me to the emergency room where he wheeled me in to the reception desk and told them in no uncertain terms that I had to have oxygen. Yep, pneumonia again, but this time 10 times worse than January. I was in the hospital for about a week.
The day I came home I could tell there was still dust and dirt everywhere. I could breathe it. Even though Mike had cleaned up, I could tell. Sure enough, I put on a mask and sat in the den floor with ken and we began to pull furniture out of place and it was everywhere. We spent my first night home from the hospital cleaning up piles and piles of debris, dust and dirt. Ken cleaned the return air vent and changed the filter.
In March we decided to plan a vacation since we had not had a vacation since 2003 except for short weekend trips or work related trips. We decided to plan for Las Vegas since Ken had never been there. So, we scheduled a trip for 12-15 May.
In March or April, can't remember which now, we went to Fredericksburg, Texas with a group of friends. It's called the annual wildflower trip but there were no wildflowers this year. we stayed at the Country Inn and Cottages located outside of F. It's a converted ranch. Lots of deer and very peaceful. We went into F., but we were content to stay out at the ranch where every evening the owner comes out about 5:30 or so and starts to feed the deer and the belted cows and the bull (hand raised/friendly). Its like watching something out of National Geographic watching the deer coming from everywhere around - jumping fences, crossing the road, running out of the woods and down the hill. They are so close you can walk out to them to take pictures and they don't get spooked.
On the back side of the property are Elk. There is a fence but they come right up to the fence and will lay down there. So one gets a very close up view of them as well.
There is also a swimming pool on the property, two hot tubs, the very big main house, several cottages, a former winery that has been turned into a cabin with 3 bedrooms, and the former chicken houses which have been turned into motel type rooms (small). All of them are nice - we were assigned to the former winery which we shared with friends Phil and Myra, Pam and Patsy.
I will continue the tale of our spring and summer thus far in a different post.
So what's been happening since I last posted a real message? Lots, but probably not important to anybody but me (us).
I was in and out of the hospital during the fall and even in December. Being a kidney transplant patient isn't much fun because the immune system is kept so far down that there is no way to fight off illness. So, to the hospital for me!
Thanksgiving was a very lonely, but we lived through it. The Christmas season was fun. I sewed and sewed and sewed and sewed and finished everything I had planned. We went to several holiday gatherings and attended the annual Christmas in the Country at the little church out NW of Weatherford, Texas. It is now owned by our friend David McKenna because it is adjacent to the land he owned originally. He didn't want someone else purchasing it after it was decommissioned as a Methodist church so he bought it and the land it is on. So, we have a Christmas Sunday out there in December -- he and Liz clean it up, the pot belly stove is lit, we all take pot luck food for dinner after service, and then have a Chinese Christmas exchange. We always have a great time. This year we came home with a used kitchen disposal which we immediately put in the trash!!! I think we have a used toilet seat around here somewhere that we're going to take next year wrapped in fancy packaging. This year we took nice things (I made a lap quilt and Christmas pillow cases).
Ken had his final neuro surgery and was relieved of the horse collar he had been wearing for almost a year. thank goodness - he was really tired of that.
On Christmas Eve I had all the bags packed for the family and so we drove to Grand Praire and dropped off packages for my two daughters and their families. They don't have anything to do with me and I'm not allowed to have anything to do with the grandchildren either. It is a very painful situation and I miss them terribly, but it is what it is. Because it was raining, we were allowed to go into the house to leave the bags and gifts, and we actually got to see my grandson Jacob. He is so beautiful. We also got to see his baby sister who was born in 2009 and whom we had never seen before. I got to hold her for a few minutes, but then we had to go because we had many places to go before nightfall. I cried after leaving there because I knew I would not get to see them again - and I haven't been allowed to. I didn't get to see my other daughter and her family -- all gifts were left at the home in Grand Prairie and then distributed to the rest of the family.
I could dwell on that, but I am choosing not to. There are issues on BOTH sides of the fence, and apparently they are just so HUGE that they can't be overcome. I have always loved them, will always love them, will miss them forever, and will always hope that things change. But there is hurt and pain on both sides of the fence.
We didn't decorate for Christmas - there wasn't any need for just the two of us. Maybe we'll feel better about that in a year or so. For Christmas dinner we joined other friends at the home of Candy and Mike Copeland. We had a nice time.
We spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day at home. We don't like to get out with the crazies so we stay home and enjoy a quiet time.
I landed in the hospital again in January - pneumonia one more time. This time I thought I was going to die...turned out I didn't. Good thing, because it got worse later!
We decided to finally have the kitchen overhauled/renovated/ repaired. We called our friend Mike Young who came gave us an estimate and talked to us about design. We had much done. First, we had the interior of the lower cabinets overhauled. In several of them we had custom pull-out shelves installed so that we can actually get to the things in the cabinets! In the other lower cabinets we had shelving extended so that we have two good shelves in each cabinet. We had the countertops replaced. We were going to replace with granite but where we live we would never get the return on the investment, so we chose to go with the rolled formica that looks like granite. We had a new special order stainless sink installed...it is one of those farm-house sinks with the small vegetable sink on the right side. We also had a new disposal installed and it's on the side under the small sink. We wish we had put it under the large sink -- so, we are going to have another one put in under the big sink!! We also had slate tile installed as backsplash. Ken and Mike wanted to talk me out of that but I really like it and it grew on them, too!
We also had our "bar" raised -- it separates the kitchen from the den. We didn't use it as a bar and didn't want it as a bar. So we had it raised so that it is a pony divider wall. The reason we had it raised instead of just changing the top to a non-bar top is because we had a custom cabinet built in the breakfast area that was supposed to be the same height as the bar wall but turned out taller (it separates the breakfast room from the den). To make them even, we raised the bar wall instead of having the cabinet remade. That cabinet is really nice and is the perfect size inside for things like appliances.
We also had another custom unit built and installed. It is a bar cabinet in the corner of the breakfast room and has a custom upper cabinet unit over it. Perfect for storing seldom used items.
We had tile floors installed in 2010. We really like the kitchen.
Our wood floors in the den needed some work due to stains from our wonderful doggies in the past. Mike decided he could repair them so we decided to go with it. Unfortunately the original installers had done such a good job of gluing them down that it was impossible to get them up and do the "cut in" repairs. Mike and his helper finally had to get jack hammers in there to get the floor out and were never successful in getting all the glue and such off the concrete slab. In the meantime, dust, cement, debris, whatever is flying all over the house, on the furniture, in the furniture, in the air system, etc. And the glue and stain odors are extremely strong.
I became so weak I couldn't get out of bed the last day they were working. Finally that evening Ken forced me to the car and took me to the emergency room where he wheeled me in to the reception desk and told them in no uncertain terms that I had to have oxygen. Yep, pneumonia again, but this time 10 times worse than January. I was in the hospital for about a week.
The day I came home I could tell there was still dust and dirt everywhere. I could breathe it. Even though Mike had cleaned up, I could tell. Sure enough, I put on a mask and sat in the den floor with ken and we began to pull furniture out of place and it was everywhere. We spent my first night home from the hospital cleaning up piles and piles of debris, dust and dirt. Ken cleaned the return air vent and changed the filter.
In March we decided to plan a vacation since we had not had a vacation since 2003 except for short weekend trips or work related trips. We decided to plan for Las Vegas since Ken had never been there. So, we scheduled a trip for 12-15 May.
In March or April, can't remember which now, we went to Fredericksburg, Texas with a group of friends. It's called the annual wildflower trip but there were no wildflowers this year. we stayed at the Country Inn and Cottages located outside of F. It's a converted ranch. Lots of deer and very peaceful. We went into F., but we were content to stay out at the ranch where every evening the owner comes out about 5:30 or so and starts to feed the deer and the belted cows and the bull (hand raised/friendly). Its like watching something out of National Geographic watching the deer coming from everywhere around - jumping fences, crossing the road, running out of the woods and down the hill. They are so close you can walk out to them to take pictures and they don't get spooked.
On the back side of the property are Elk. There is a fence but they come right up to the fence and will lay down there. So one gets a very close up view of them as well.
There is also a swimming pool on the property, two hot tubs, the very big main house, several cottages, a former winery that has been turned into a cabin with 3 bedrooms, and the former chicken houses which have been turned into motel type rooms (small). All of them are nice - we were assigned to the former winery which we shared with friends Phil and Myra, Pam and Patsy.
I will continue the tale of our spring and summer thus far in a different post.
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