Befuddled

It's that time of year when rhyme bugs get busy.
They get in my brain, and make me feel dizzy.
I thought about ceasing the rhyme and the riddle,
'Cause I spend lots of money, but you get so little.
And, our fam'ly keeps growing, that's not just a line,
We added seven babies in 2009!

Life gets so frantic. Oh, what shall I do?
I want to do something and not disappoint you.
But I'm undecided, not sure of the course.
If I cease doing rhymes, will I feel great remorse?
I have several boxes filled with some toys,
That I'd like to give to the good girls and boys.

So, I'll give it deep thought, and I'll ponder some more,
Then you'll be surprised as to what lies in store.
Now, if I get rid of the gifts in those boxes
Like clothing and toys and books about foxes,
I'll need to stop shopping, and just sit and sigh,
Or more boxes will fill, as time passes by.

Love to all, Granny

Keep it short!

Well, Debbie, it's a little shorter than the others. Guess I'm just as much of the typist as I am a talker. ha ha

Oh, yeah. I went shopping with Steph and that Lily wanted to buy everything in the store almost. She just kept picking out stuff. Well, Granny and Mommy did it, so why not her.

How is everyone. I hope you are all well. I have another funny story for you. Yesterday was Veteran's Day, so I thought the FHC was closed, but I decided to check and -- you guessed it -- it was open. So I hurriedly put on my shoes and went down there. I usually stay for 4 hours, but I have cut my time to 3 hours, so that grandpa wouldn't be alone so long, because when I'm gone, he gets into the fridge or pantry looking for something to eat. Now, when his blood sugar was 210 before dinner, I knew he had gotten into something. He couldn't remember (so he said) lol. Later in the evening, he went to the bathroom and it was then that I realized he had gotten into the bag of prunes in the fridge. HE ATE EVERY PRUNE IN THE BAG!!! No need to tell you why he went to the bathroom. After a shower, I confronted him and he admitted to eating them. It wasn't so funny at the time, but later I had to laugh and laugh. I think he deserved what he got but I'm not sure I did!!! LOL and LOL and LOL. Poor guy went to the bathroom three times. I gave him a couple of doses of PeptoBismal but this afternoon he did the same thing! More Pepto-Bismol for him. Steph showed me how to use the carpet shampoo machine, so I could clean up the carpet. In fact, she did that for me. Thank you, Steph. Hope you got a laugh out of this.

Surprise!!

Well, hello to everyone. I'm ready to go to bed, but thought I would tell you about my CAT scan. You may already know that the whole procedure took about 8 hours. I arrived early at the hospital and they put an IV in my arm to inject medication in my body to protect my kidneys. That took an hour (but I waited about 45 minutes before they got to me). Then I went in for the scan where they injected a solution which would show contrast in the scan. That took about one-half hour. Then I was taken back to the room where I had to stay for five more hours. The funny thing was that I was told they would feed me after the scan. They asked if I wanted breakfast or lunch? I said, "Oh, I don't know. Surprise me." I also mentioned that I was allergic to peas and lentils, so just don't give me that. Well, when the meal came, it was a real surprise. At least, to me. It was a "veggie burger." Never would I have thought they would serve me a veggie burger. I laughed to myself. Hey, you may not think that was funny, but I sure did. Come now, a veggie burger?! Ugh. I looked for peas and/or lentils but didn't see any, so I ate it. If there had been peas/lentils in it, I would have known within two bites. There was also potato salad, fruit, a slice of tomato and lettuce. It was bad, but I would never order it. And should this happen again, maybe I'll ask for breakfast! lol

The surgery went well. And the scan was clear. No other cancer going on. The kidneys were clear. That was a blessing, indeed. I go back to see the doctor in a couple of weeks or so. I met the doctors wife while I was in the prep room area. That was fun.

Debbie is still, but she will probably go home Wednesday and I'll go to the library as I do most Wednesday afternoons. I don't stay until 5 p.m. anymore. I leave there at 4 p.m. so I can get home and try to keep grandpa out of the kitchen. He's getting fearless these days. After he eats, he thinks he needs to nibble. It's getting closer to the time I put a lock on the pantry and fridge. He eats plenty, so he doesn't need to be nibbling. I know he's looking for something sweet. Persons with dementia crave sweets.

I'll try to post more often. I've got everything written down so I can get into the site. Silly granny. Love you all.

We laughed and laughed!

Hello to those who read this nonsense stuff. How are you all?

Well, Sunday morning I was looking in the mirror (ugh) and complaining about my ever-increasing wrinkles. I said, loudly, well, sort of loudly, "I'm soooo ugly. Man, these wrinkles just keep getting deeper." Grandpa heard me and said, "You're not ugly. You're better than ugly." Oh, how we laughed...Aunt Jana and I. What a kick. I don't know what "better than ugly" means, but it's better than ugly. ha ha ha ha. Come smile. That was funny. You know, since Nikki left, I have to pluck the 'chin hairs' myself. Revolting look into the magnifying mirror.

By the way, Nikki, everyone asks about you. They miss you, but they are happy for you.

Our ward had a luau Saturday evening. Very good turn-out. Good food - two roasted pigs (sad to see their faces there), lots of fruit and rice, potato salad, teriaki and curry chicken. Plenty of food. For dessert - triffle. Very nice.

Aunt Debbie came over with Jamie's son, Daniel, Friday afternoon. Oh, yeah, that was quite a day. I got a call in the morning saying that the men were coming to put in the new windows. Oh, no. I didn't know anything about them coming. I was on my way to take Grandpa to the doctor. I wasn't ready. I couldn't let them in grandpa's room without vacuuming it!!!! The girl in the office had called a week earlier but grandpa took the call and forgot to tell me about it. Anyway, I let them come at noon. That gave me an hour (after the dr. appt) to move the bed and vacuum. What a mess. Oh, well, it's done now. But -- the dust bunnies had made a whole town under his bed. Whew. Bad, bad, bad.

Our choir sang at church yesterday and one of the ladies I visit, told me that it was the best she's ever heard the choir do. She complimented me on my playing, also. I DO think I get better as I do more. It's good for me, and I don't miss the "singing" as much as I thought I would. Music is music, I guess.

I've been taking Aunt Bev to her doctor appointments lately. We laugh a lot and I don't contend with her. It's easier for me to just keep quiet. But, the funny thing I noticed, was that her skin is sooooo pink! And mine is sooooo yellow and green! We laughed together on that one. We are so much alike in our food choices and our sense of humor, but different in other ways. I wish she could go shopping and have lunch occasionally. We did stop for a milkshake, though, the last time I took her. That was nice. Hey, she even paid for it. How great was that?!

Guess I'll get started with some indexing. Haven't done any today. I like doing it in the morning so I won't have to think about it the rest of the day.

Aunt Jana and Uncle Rich are moving, for sure, to Grass Valley. They are having their records moved to the Grass Valley Ward. If she gets work down here, then we'll worry about that later. I love you all. I'm proud of your accomplishments and endeavors. Life isn't easy, but we just have to keep working toward our goals.

I don't know if I mentioned my injured toe. I was moving my big recliner chair and it caught my big toe nail. It was lifted right off the nail bed - attached only at the cuticle. It's black, but doesn't hurt. I think it doen't hurt because blood isn't trapped under the nail. It can ooze out.
The doctor checked it when I was there for grandpa, and he just stated that I would lose the nail. I already knew that!

Well, bye for now. Love you.
Granny

Another piano?!? Oh, no!!!

Well, just a note to tell you about my new piano. Brother Blatnik from our ward has told me several times about his old German piano in his garage. Last week he told me that if I wanted it, he would give it to me. Well........how could I pass that up.

So --- this morning I went to see it. He hadn't uncovered it for 30+ years. He moved his car and we took the heavy cover off of it and it was amazing. The finish (at least what we could see) was shiny and nice. I couldn't see all of it, but what I saw, I liked!!!

You know how some pianos have three panels in front? Well, on each side of the middle panel, is a place to hold a candle for light. I can hardly wait to set it out where I can really see. The ivories are all there but they are sooo yellowed from not being in the light. I think they may lighten up a bit when left uncovered.

I called a piano technician when I got home and he feels I should have it inspected before moving it. Maybe he's right. It is sitting across a dolly so that it can be moved. I hope I don't bring home a nest of spiders. Yeck!! Well, are you all saying - "Oh, no. Not another piano!" Or - are you saying - "Sounds like Mom, (Granny). I can hardly wait to see it myself." Where am I going to put it? Well, I really thinking about that one. ha ha. I could relocate the organ and put it in the living room next to my other piano. Or, if I could get it down the hall, I could put it in my bedroom (unlikely). But, you can be sure, I will find a spot. Maybe, take out the counter in the utility room and put the organ in there. Or Skip would like the organ. Maybe it's time to give to someone who may use it more than I have lately.

If you have a suggestion (besides leaving it there) let's hear it. But, I think you will really like it. It's very beautiful. Haven't seen the back, yet, though. I think I will call the piano guy and ask him to inspect it. It'll cost $45.

Oh, I have to tell you about a funny thing Grandpa said. He put cereal in his bowl, as usual, and when I said that he shouldn't mash it down, he told me that it was in the directions that he was supposed to do that. I asked him to show me where, but he didn't. And, he didn't stop mashing the cereal down. ha ha

Love you all, Granny

Saturday, Aug 2 2008

Hi to all,

Grandpa's 80th birthday party was a success! Thanks to everyone who helped and attended. At the time, I don't think he really realized that the party was for him. But when I asked him about it today, he said he remembered it and that it was at the meetinghouse.

Yesterday was a bad day for Grandpa. He was very weak and slept much of the day. He slept through the sales pitch of the window man. Yes, I am going to replace the rest of the windows. I'm not happy about spending money, but it will feel good to have them done.

I still haven't gotten the half-bath made over, but it shouldn't be too long. However, while Ron and his family were here (the second time) they got a lot done. A dishwashed and garbage disposal are now installed in Aunt Alice's house (Taylor & Sam); Heather put handles on all of the kitchen cabinet drawers and doors in my house; Aaron worked on the sprinklers; Ron helped in the garage, making room for a work area. Also, the drill press I purchased a while back (quite a while) is now put together. I started it, but the boys finished it. That was good. Thanks to all. And you know what --- I never would have been able to cook for a huge crowd without Heather's help. She really knows her stuff. ha ha

Everyone pitched in to clean Aunt Alice's house before leaving to go home. I called the guy who has been cleaning my carpets for years, and I guess they went out of business. Now, who do I call? I hate training someone new. It's like getting a new doctor -- you have to train them all over.

Since everyone left, I am lonesome. I don't have anyone running in and out of the house!!! When I go next door, it's all empty and quiet. What a bummer!!!! Stephanie has asked about renting the small house. Maybe what I ought to do is move over there and rent this one out. Jana and Rich still don't know what they are going to do. She is looking for work down here. I imagine with the postal system still.

I'm not feeling very funny today. Rats! Guess you won't be intertained this time. I DO remember the first time I met Grandpa's family. It was in Jackson, MS. When I was introduced to Uncle George, I put forth my hand to shake his, but he gave me a hug, instead, and kissed me on the cheek. So...... when I was introduced to Uncle John, I didn't offer my hand because I knew that he would give me a hug, also. Hey! You're getting ahead of the story. No, he didn't offer his hand (fooled you, huh?). He stepped forward to give me a hug, but when he did, he stepped on my foot and didn't realize it. So, he hugged me, gave a kiss, and talked with me a little all while standing on my foot. Funny, huh? In his defense, we were on the lawn, which was soft, and he didn't feel my foot under his foot. But, it's a funny story and I grin when I think of it. Uncle John was the only other one married at the time, and he and Aunt Bettye had one daughter, Marguerite. I think she was about five years at the time. She called me Aunt Flo. Of course, the term "Aunt" was pronounced "aynt" - long A sound. She was a cutie and her hair was super curly, with ringlets (like pincurls) all over her head.

Had another funny dream. It had something to do with Nikki and Hannah Montana. I laughed when I woke up. What was Hannah Montana doing in my dream? ha ha

Well, have a good day. Love you all.