The Seat Moves

Hello,

The SUV seat does move depending on the key that is used to unlock the door, because I was using Brian’s key it gets set up for him. I had thought I might see it happen but no such luck I thought I had really lost my memory. Jen pointed out that it does it right after the unlock and at that moment I was probably getting Logan situated. So it quietly did the move while I was otherwise occupied. Nice to know my brain has not gone completely off kilter.

It was nice to have the weekend come to spend a little more time with Jen both to learn some things and to have a take on some of the child care, giving me new energy to tackle time alone with two kids on and some of Tuesday. Brian will come home Tuesday, but no time is known about that. I will then drive home on Wednesday and think about how little care and attention Leroy requires, just a little feed and watering.

Jen, unfortunately for her, had to work on Saturday as well as some evenings. Makes for some very long days when she has to come home and do more than she ordinarily would with Brian gone. At least I can help some, but I, for instance, do not give Logan any of his medicine or feed him when Jen is home.

Logan has been sleeping well at night with only one time awake. He has also started to roll from his front to his back with great regularity in the morning and that is nice to see. I have not seen the event, but only the result. Jen actually saw him do it. He is also grabbing things, does not always know what to do with them, but that will come in time.

Paula

Not Complaining

Hello,

Well there are just new experiences every day. I took Sophia to a program at church, picked Sophia up at noonish, and took her to daycare for the remainder of the day.

What was new in that? I had not yet driven the SUV. Jen did get it out of the garage for me so I would not have it available if the roofer came when I wanted to use it. It is also a tight fit in the garage and I was a little concerned about touching the side.

It was not so easy for me to unlock the door. “Why wouldn’t it open when I pushed the unlock button?” Finally I just used the old fashioned method and put the key in the hole. After I got it unlocked I found I was on the wrong side of the car for Logan’s seat. I am grateful for the practice session for getting the seat locked in. Experience is a good teacher.

After I dropped Sophia off I realized that I had tried to use the unlock button for Jen’s car since both keys were on the same string. Nothing like a little humbleness when feeling quite good that I had gotten Logan and Sophia ready in enough time so we would not be late. As it turned out we were not much late, but just one minute late. There were several other parents bringing their children at the same time. I was given instructions about getting Sophia’s nametag and where to direct her. Generally I do not use the buttons that open the doors on public buildings. Today I was grateful for just such a button as I was mentally kicking myself for not lifting more weights in the past. Logan is thought to weigh 16 pounds and the car seat seems much more than that. Anyway for those of us who are not used to such a weight hanging on the end of our arms it takes a bit of effort. I will be stronger.

Also the seat in the vehicle seemed just right when I drive to church, but much too far back when I left. I could not figure out how to move it forward since it did not operate mechanically as I am accustomed. Another challenge that I was able to conquer as I looked at the seat before I got in again. For reasons not understood by me I seemed to have to move it each time I started the vehicle. Could Brian set it to return to his position automatically? Or does this car just like him?

I thought I would put the car in the garage, but could not find the opener in it that I remember is built in, but where I do not know. So getting into the house the old fashioned way, do you remember you have to get out of the car and open the door? I again succeeded in the desired end result it just took longer.

The roofer guy came and finished his job so I will either use the car or walk if it is nice when it is time to pick up Sophia. Hopefully today Logan will wake at a fine time since he went to sleep at the predicted time.

Oh, before I went to pick up Sophia I changed Logan’s clothes because he urinated on his clothes, my clothes, and the chair we were sitting in. It mostly missed the diaper, but I am not sure why. Guess I did not have everything properly covered. After that it was a dirty diaper that requited clean clothes for him, but luckily not for the chair or me.

Life is just so exciting.

Paula

Arrival in MN

Hello,

Yesterday I arrived in MN in good time in spite of more frequent stops. I was still finishing up my last pill so I needed to eat and drink beyond my desire, consequently restroom breaks were more necessary. One of the greatest things about today is that I did not have to take any antibiotics. What a good thing! I do still have the metallic taste and the need to eat more, but hopefully that will disappear soon as I get back to normal.

Brian left this morning and Logan and I had a good day. He took an extra nap that pushed back his extended afternoon nap. Consequently he did not wake by the time I needed to get Sophia from daycare. First I tried calling Jen who was not available. Next I called the daycare provider. She and I worked out a plan, as there was still half an hour before the end of the daycare cay. If that boy was still asleep she said she and her girls could walk over with Sophia. Logan woke up just in the nick of time, but I did call and tell her that I still needed to give him his bottle as he was now seriously hungry. She told me that would be ok. After that Logan had a dirty diaper requiring a little extra cleaning. I felt then that I should also go to the bathroom. After that it was on to the stroller as the roofing guy had his truck parked in the driveway so that I could not use the car unless I called him down from the roof. We did get to pick up Sohia and I was surprised to see that there was someone else who was just picking up her child so I was not the last one.

Paula

Feeling Better

Hello,

It was good for me to go to church yesterday and talk to people. A couple people had also had problems with meds and eating more helped them. It also just helped to talk to people and not think about myself and any little twinge.

Yesterday I ate whenever I started to get queasy. It made a big difference. Rarely do I eat before going to bed, but I did that too thinking it would help me for the night. I think that was true even though I was awake quite a lot for some unknown reasons.

There were fireworks last night for end of steamboat days in Burlington. Leroy and I were too tired and did not go. The booms were quite enticing and I wished for the half hour they continued that we had indeed gone.

We also went to an art fair, but did not buy anything. I try to keep down the number of possessions that we must move. There were some alluring things there, however I was not convinced I needed them. I was going to say that we and our money stayed together, but we got the car fixed so that took a bit.

We did go to the band concert in the park. It was indeed quite nice and well worth the walk with lawn chairs across the park. Of course, Leroy carried the chairs most of the way while I just brought myself.

We now have two working cars. That is good because I am leaving tomorrow to spend a week in MN while Brian goes on a canoe trip. I will stay home and entertain Logan or he will entertain me.

Sorry news! The deer ate all our lettuce and pronounced it delicious. They did not bother any other vegetables, but I suspect they do not like radish tops or onions so well. We hope they do not find the tomatoes or peppers. I can now say that deer are not so attractive. They are not my friends even though they stop here for treats.

Paula

Set Back

Hello,

Yesterday, Leroy came home about 7:00pm. We spent some time visiting before we went to bed at our usual time. Leroy went to sleep; I however, struggled with nausea. At about 11:00 I got up to sit downstairs, read a magazine, sip a cup of warm water hoping to sooth and get rid of the taste in my mouth, and then I would moan occasionally. Sometime after 12:00 I lay on the couch with a throw-up receptacle on the floor. I was so distraught that I did not even cover myself even though a throw was handy and I was cold. Sometime later I realized I had better head to the toilet. I started wretchedly gagging adding another gross taste to the horrible metallic taste in my mouth, wondering why I was letting tired Leroy sleep just as he pounded down the stairs. Guess I was quite loud as neither of us think you hear well from one end of this house to the other.

He found me, saw that I was more or less okay, and withdrew to a safer distance until I was done. He had been deep in sleep and was quite disorientated. “Did you sleep yet?” was one question he asked.

“I don’t think so,” I replied, “what time is it?”

“After 1:00,” he said.

I did go to sleep in a while, but not well. In the morning I called the Drs. office hoping they would say throw the rest of that medicine away. Instead they told me that this medicine was very strong and a high dose so I should eat more when I took it, go to the emergency room if needed, and come to the office on Monday if I were not better by then. We did talk more than I have recorded, but that was the summery. I am eating more today even though I have no appetite and I have to force myself to eat what I do. Cooking is not fun and I have indeed lost some weight since this started. Hoping that tonight will be better, but again after taking that once a day pill I do not feel as good. At least Leroy is here to drive me if I need to go anywhere. It is a strange thing to be “sick” when the stuff is inside me and not contagious or really debilitating.

Paula

Wellness and the trip through Illinois

Hello,

I do feel much better today although still not 100% normal. Then there is that metallic taste that is a result of the drugs that I am taking. Seems there is always a side effect from such things. I can not remember when I last had a prescription filled other than for my bone loss prevention drugs. It felt like a new procedure because I get those other drugs from a mail order place. I also can not remember the last time I took an aspirin. I hesitate to tell you how outdated our aspirin are. I have been told that the expiration dates are not so important on them so I just ignored it.

After we left the cheese factory store it was a relatively short drive to the farm which my parents bought the year I was born and sold long after I left home. We turned in the drive even though it did not look as it once had. The people who now own it have a nursery/garden shop. It has become quite grown up with trees and brush. I suppose it is what it might have looked like in former days before the white settlers came and cleared it. We talked some with the new owner and then spent some time looking in the barn that was falling down and much smaller than I remembered although it still seemed quite tall. The house looks very nice and has been improved greatly. I did not see the inside of the house and that is ok as it would not have been the same at all. I remember the outside in need of a coat of paint most of the time. As my parents struggled to pay for the farm the beauty of the house came last on the list of necessities.

Then it was off to spend a short visit with my brother and nephew. I left a bit of cheese with them as we all like that smelly cheese. I suppose I would never really want to live the Elizabeth area again, but it is very nice to visit and reminisce.

Leroy and I do not have a clue about retirement living for us. We would like to be close to our children, but which one?

Paula

Home through Wisconsin

Hello,

Leroy and I headed off on smaller roads for our trip home. It is true confessions, but I like smelly cheese and in order to get to Shullsburg it seemed most expedient to take first two lane roads and then county roads. Leroy drove most of the time on these roller coaster rides as we zoomed up and down hills and around curves creating our own thrill as the road would drop away over the crest of the hill. Leroy almost never zooms, but it seemed like zooming when we did not know what the next bend was going to produce. It is certainly beautiful country.

At the cheese factory they did indeed have Schmeir Brick. I pronounced it my favorite and the woman behind the counter could not believe it. “It is?” she wanted to know.

We got the rest of the block totaling five pounds. I do freeze cheese it is just not very easy to slice, but melts nicely. I learned later from their brochure that it was the most expensive cheese in the shop.

When another woman came in, the first announced, “This is her favorite cheese.”

“Wow,” was the response, “I have never even tasted it.”

Her companion added, “Neither have I. I can not get it past my nose.”

They then asked for a description of the taste and wondered what other cheeses I might like. I must be a rarity. I know that once when I tried to order it from them I could not get it. At this store they told me that they no longer send it out as people think it is spoiled and send it back.

Paula

What is Leroy worth?

Hello,

Leroy is at camp this week so I begin to truly see his value in my life.

He is a good nurse or fetcher or do for type person. I developed a fever last night and abdominal pains. There was no Leroy to get me anything. I had to get up myself for anything I might want. My fever was done a little this morning, but the pain was mostly still there. Then in the afternoon the fever went down as did the pain. I did look in the Mayo Clinic self care book and learned that I should perhaps see the doctor in this situation. Later I talked with Brian and he insisted that I should see the Dr. Later my fever went back up. Wonder of wonders there was a doctor free who could see me in 15 minutes. I said, “My clothes, my hair, it isn’t good.”

The receptionist replied, “You should look sick when you are sick.”

It was decided that I perhaps have dieriticulosus (or however you spell that). I can’t even find it in my misspellers dictionary. I am now on antibiotics and pain killers.

See if Leroy had been here could have driven me around, prepared lunch, washed dishes, and said soothing words.

I also know that it takes five books to replace Leroy. We do a crossword puzzle together everyday. He knows how to spell, gods and goddesses, geography, and weird science facts. I had to use the dictionary, crossword puzzle dictionary, atlas, and the almanac. The guy is so much faster than looking it up. In case you wonder I do even contribute to the solutions, but I need him.

Paula

Weeding and Restricted

Hello,

I will tell more about the Dells later, but now I must tell about all the weeding I did yesterday. The soil was just loose enough that the roots of almost all plants pulled out easily. It is my favorite time to weed. Unfortunately that just right point only lasts for a day or two. Leroy was impressed and felt guilty about all of the ground that I covered so he had to weed in the drive. He did not finish, but covered a good bit of it. He declared it to be tiring, but satisfying. I also find weeding satisfying because things look so much better when done. Sometimes it is nice to know that something has been accomplished.

In the afternoon our neighbor’s mower came. She raked the grass in piles and I took our garden cart over and filled it one and a half times. Our garden cart is probably 30 years old and has survived many moves, but it still impresses people with its great ability to haul so much weight easily. That grass allowed me to protect the ground in the flower bed that I had just weeded as well as the corner of the garden that was clear of weeds. Now those weeds can not easily return. I wish I had had the grass on sooner as it would have kept the plants warm in our cool weather spells. As it is we are giving away lettuce and have eaten our fill. I will be alone this week so consumption will slow down.

Leroy has gone to confirmation camp in the car. He had planned to ride with someone, but that did not work out. One of our cars does indeed need work on the wheel bearings. They could not work on it until Thursday or Friday this week. Leroy thinking that I would have a hard time getting myself back to the house scheduled the repair for a week from Monday when he will be back. I am able to drive the car for limited trips around town, but out of town travel is not recommended. I had been planning to make some visits to out of town friends, but alas that will not happen. Now if any one wants to visit me you are more than welcome as I could well be lonely.

Tonight I will go to a band concert in the further end of the park. I do not mind walking there, but I am debating the energy for dragging along a chair. It is only an hour concert and I could stand that long or sit on the grass some. Tomorrow night is book club discussion and Wednesday is Bible study so I will not be totally on my own. Maybe I will learn the true value of Leroy in my life.

Paula

Fun and Games

Hello,

There was plenty of time for fun and games even though Brian brought and prepared most of the food making it easy to eat in our space. I am not a great fan of restaurant eating so that was an additional gift to me. Thanks Brian, you did a great job. The rest of us pitched in as needed to help prepare and clean up.

Leroy and I experienced some new things since neither of us had been at a water park before. My sister and husband had not either so all of us older ones learned at the same time as our grandchildren who were about 60 years younger. Two of them had already been so they did not learn as much as the rest of us. It was wonderful to see them go down the slides with daring and élan. The rest of the big people except for pregnant Sarah and I went down the hurricane. It looked a little scary to me and Sarah could not go down any of the slides as it is not recommended. This complex has several indoor water parks and an equal number outdoors. We just stayed indoors as it meant we did not have to worry about sunburn. I had no idea that I would like spending so much time in the water that my hair would turn to straw.

In the evening we adults played games after the children were in bed. Afternoon nap time also provided some game time. Sometimes some of the adults went and did some additional activities, but as always someone must stay with the little ones.

One morning, Leroy, Carolyn (my sister), Gerald (brother-in-law), Mark (nephew), and I went on the zip line where, sitting in a harness, we sailed along in the tree tops. All of us enjoyed it. The most difficult part was stepping off into the air the first time. Body weight makes a difference in speed and the ability to finish. For the second run when instructed to leap off, I could not quite bring my body to respond beyond a slightly more forceful step. In the end they had to throw me the rope and pull me in the last bit, but then others got the same treatment. One woman missed catching the rope and they had to go out after her as she slowly moved back the other direction. This was a short and tame experience as zip lines go with the longest segment being only 900 feet. But we still liked it.

Paula

At the Dells

Hello,

It was fun to arrive at the Dells and explore our accommodations. First people started choosing their rooms. It had been decided that Leroy and I should share the master bedroom because of our anniversary celebration. Because it was the largest room it was also the most logical place for the four girls to sleep.

To digress, the night before we left for the Dells Leroy and I slept in the tent with the two Utah girls who had flown in that day as well as Sophia who was at home. Everyone was excited when we went to bed, but the two youngest talked for a long time and did not enjoy stopping. When it was quite and all but the youngest, Nora, were asleep she started to cry a little. I managed to calm her down. There was also a certain amount of sliding out of slippery sleeping bags. It was an interesting night.

It was quite a bit easier for us to manage in a bed while the girls were on the floor. They were good, but again there was a certain amount of moving around. Children do not sleep in a still position I have learned. I got up at least once and covered girls or moved them.

The second night when there were only three in the room with us I heard a lot of sleeping bag rustle. When I got up and checked there was Olivia industrially precisely arranging her sleeping bag. When I tried to help, she, without a word, put it back to her satisfaction. Consequently, I just watched and made sure that she could get in and covered to I could go back to bed.

The third night I again woke to that sleeping bag rustle. This time it was Nora seeking the perfect spot and alignment. She also had some master plan in mind and only accepted a little of my help.

Leroy gets to sleep through all of this and did not even hear the people partying outside. Lucky guy!

Paula

Going to Wisconsin

Hello,

Almost a week ago we set off for The Wisconsin Dells. Because it was not predictable how well three month old Logan would travel we split the group as follows: Brian’s larger vehicle carried the three men, himself, Leroy, Andy, and three girls, Olivia, Nora, and Sophia. Our car had the three women, me, Jen, and Miriam along with possibly crying Logan. As it turned out Logan was a model traveler for his age group. He needed to be changed and to eat which all required stopping, but it was not a problem.

I commented on the beautiful green scenery. Miriam who has become totally accustomed to the Utah Mountains said, “I do not find it that pretty as there are no mountains.”

That just amazes me as I feel at home and so comfortable here. How can anyone not see the specialness? She says it was nice, but the mountains are superior.

Then Andy complained about the Midwest humidity which I thought was more comfortable than sometimes. I guess this is now a mountain family.

Our condo had three bedrooms along with a den that had a door which could be closed as well a couch that converted to a bed. We all used the common areas of kitchen, dinning, and living rooms. It worked out quite well for all of us. Leroy and I shared the master bedroom with four girls one night and three the rest of the nights. It was quite fine.

Paula

Vacation ends

Hello,

I knew I was home because I had work to do. The weeds have moved in and taken up serious residence in the garden as well as in the flower beds. The rain gauge had four inches of rain sitting in it apparently with the heat, the rain it creates good growing conditions. The corn in the field behind the house seems to have grown an astonishing amount.

We have a lot of lettuce that we will have to share with others. That is one thing about a garden, generally if a plant does well it is more than enough for one family.

I weeded a small part of the garden and covered the open soil with the moldering grass clippings from our neighbor. I am so grateful to get that bounty. It is just a blessing.

Then it was time to wash and hang out two loads of clothes. The sun and heat did its work and the clothes were ready to take down, fold, and put away before lunch.

The next duty/pleasure was that of making bread. While the bread was rising a batch of granola got mixed up and put in the oven. Nothing like making a person sweat by baking on a hot day. I even had the air conditioner on. Baking in the winter is so much more satisfying as it fills the house with additional warmth.

The plan tomorrow is to do more weeding, spreading grass clippings and riding my bike to the library. That library trip is necessary because I am out of new reading material. That is never a good situation.

When I write tomorrow I will start flashbacks of our last weekend adventure.

Paula

Minnesota Wildlife

Hello,

Leroy and I are enjoying our encounters with Minnesota Wildlife. Ducks have been seen everyday so they no longer seem wild, but quite a common part of the scene. These ducks appear to be mallards, but don’t quote us on that.

Then there is the turkey that Leroy spotted in a yard on the way home from a walk in the park. When this bird saw us it trotted back in the direction of the wooded area of the park. I have almost never seen a wild turkey so close. It was amazing to see it in the yard as if it belonged there.

Just yesterday we spotted a rather large snapping turtle in another yard as we were walking Sophia home from daycare. After we arrived home, Leroy went back to pick dog poop that Cloe had deposited in a yard farther away. Unfortunately we had forgotten to bring bags with us. At that point Leroy said the turtle was closer to the street so he decided to go back with the camera and take pictures. Brian went with him to check out this turtle. At this point the turtle was in the street. Brian carefully picked it up, pointed it in the direction of the park, and positioned it again in the yard where we had originally seen it. I was sorry that I had stayed home to babysit since I have never seen a snapper up close. One woman who was watching this turtle thought it was looking for a place to lay eggs.

Yesterday we visited friends who took us to the arboretum. There we saw plenty of beautiful wildflowers. My family considered some of these plants weeds. It was wonderful to see friends and plants. There were also cultivated flowers that were blooming so it was quite a delightful scene and good conversation.

Paula