Today we had a little set back....

We went to the Dr. this morning with great expectations, but they certainly were dashed. Yesterday Mike was dismissed by his home therapist and he was to start outpatient therapy next Monday. Well...his wound right over his knee cap is not closing, so he has been put in an leg brace and he is to be very careful for the next 10 days. Thank goodness there is no infection, but not being able to move the knee after he has worked so hard is a real bummer!
We will go see a specialist for wound care next Wednesday... I told Mike that I would have his wound in good shape by the time we see the specialist, so maybe we won't even have to go and spend all that money. Soooo....... please lift Mike up in your prayers for a healing. Thanks you all!

If I had a wish today.....

If I had a wish today, I think I would like to change places with Helen. I just finished the topper of all topper nonsense jobs. I just came in from chopping ice off of 1/2 my double driveway so that I can get out this afternoon and go get Mike's pain medicine.
Actually, I am kind of proud of myself - I'm 64 years old and I didn't have a heart attack!
Once again, I wonder what my life would have been like if I could pick up seashells every day and walk quietly on the beach......

Real Winter Blaaaaahs!

We are now waiting for phase III. We really got by pretty well through the first two phases, but we are certainly stuck inside. The church parking lot was so slick that I did even try to venture out. I have stayed ahead of the ice on one side of my driveway - so, if I have to I could get out. The kids have been great about checking on us (but somehow that really makes me feel old!)
Most all of KC has kept heat and electricity and my one outlet is blogging. At this point I may be boring, but it is keeping my sanity for now.
My real blessing is that I am not living down at the camper - it is frozen over and they have lost electricity.

Sleet, Sleet - Go Away!

As you all know I have been on a very short leash since the knee surgery, but at least, I could get out and go to the store or to Walmart. Actually, they are so close I guess I could walk in the sleet today, but really have no desire to be out in this mess. They say it will come in three different waves and we are now starting phase II. Soooo - I guess I won't even be able to go to church tomorrow.
When my Dad passed away, we had the opportunity to move to Florida instead of Mom coming up to KC. On days like today, I often wonder how different our lives would have been had we lived in Floriday - it sure is a daydream for me because I love Florida just as much as my parents did. Too bad, so sad ~ Mike does not like Florida. I would much rather be picking up seashells instead of casting out "ice-Melt"!

The Maples

This is probably a picture many of you have seen, but I just got it back from Suzie. I had forgotten all about this one. Skip gave it to me after Aunt Winnie passed away. She had written on the back the names of each one. I can not get over how much my Mom looked like Grandma Powell. Let me know if you want the names~

Can you name this bunch?

Quiet Start to '07

I am quite sure last night was the first New Year's Eve we didn't ring in for the last 40 years. We actually went to bed at 10:30 ~ then were awaken with sounds like cannons by celebrating neighbors. We actually just giggled and said "Happy New Year" and promptly fell back asleep.
Mike is doing really well this time round with his knee, however, still housebound with visiting nurse and therapy everyday.
Sam will spend the night because he doesn't have school on the 2nd and his Mom has to be at her school.
Our big adventure will be Wednesday when I take Mike to the Dr. for the first time since surgery. I really think all will go well and he will have his staples removed and maybe he will start outpatient therapy.
My leash is a little short right now - but by this summer he should be able to fly fish with me and that sure will make all this bionic stuff worth while.
I am really proud of him for getting this second one done, it really is a rough surgery.

Can you guess who the 3 cousins are that will be on Medicare in 2007?

Paul and Sue Bockelman/2006

Celelbrating Family

Wow - did we ever have a fantastic visit last evening. It was so fun to catch up on our lives.
Sue is living in North Carolina where they are renting a home until June 1st, then they are moving into a home they bought in Charlotte. Their new home will be only 13 miles from their daughter and her family which now includes a darling little girl named Sophie.
Their son Joe lives back here in the area as well as Paul's family - so we were delighted that we were included in their whirlwind tour.
She had called Tommie up in Alaska for her 64th birthday this month - Tommie's husband is not doing very well health wise. Tommie's daughter Teresa now lives over in England with her husband and they sound like life is really good for them.

Sue and Winnie/2006

Happy Birthday MOM!

Today my best friend would be either 89 or 90~depending on which records you go by. Mom was brought up believing that she was born in 1917, then Grandpa changed the year when he sent everyone Bibles for Christmas to 1916.
I am who I am today because of my Mom. She was such a role model and super friend!
To best describe "Fleet" you would use words like, adoring wife, wonderful Mom, sister, friend, aunt, Christian leader, Democrat, awesome Bridge player and a star basketball player for S of O. The descriptions I just listed are what she most wanted to be remembered.
She was such an awesome friend and I miss her each and every day. I especially miss her today because as she was growing up, her birthday would usually be forgotten until it was bed time and someone would say - like the "Waltons"- hey, today is Fleta's birthday - Happy Birthday Fleta.
Dad changed all that and we always had a special day for Mom on the 27th - it was never a day to take down the Christmas tree. So today my tree is shinning brightly since I awoke and this evening my cousin Susie is coming to visit and we shall all remember the lady we loved so much!

December 19, 2006

Tomorrow is another big day for my husband ~ he is going to have his 2nd total knee replacement. Our prayer is that all goes well again this time and that we will have him home by this Friday.

Bushie Has Really Changed my World:

I find that the older I get, the more passion I have about being a Democrat. I have been utterly shocked that friends and family have been less than pleased that Claire won. I have known for years that they were all Republicans, and the most overt thing I did around them was to have a McCaskill bumper sticker in my car window - so they have all felt the need to really slam me about working for Claire. They truly believe that Missouri has lost a good Senator - but I am thrilled that he is gone. Since "Bushie" has been the President for the last 6 year, it is almost like I am to apologize for being a Democrat - the whole thing makes me really ill. Each night I say to myself, "why can't they see this lying sack of sh** for what he really is?" I pray each night that he doesn't get us into WWIII and I pray for those that he has put in harms way for no earthly reason other than he wanted to fight Daddy's war. My question is: "Why do I feel so opposite of some of my life-long friends?" I've decided that they actually believe the rubbish that Limbaugh screams at them each day - do you know that in some of the retail shops in St.Louis he is broadcast daily over the PA system?
Sorry for the tirade friends, but I am really sick and tired of being expected to say I'm sorry for my Democratic beliefs!

Squaw Creek:

Yesterday, Mike and I took a day trip up to Squaw Creek. Squaw Creek is located in the NE corner of Mo and we make our annual trip up to see the waterfowl migration. Yesterday we witnessed over 200,000 Snows and Blues which you see in the picture below. We also saw thousands of Mallards, Pintails, Shovelers, Teal and several Canvasbacks. We also saw 6 American Eagles and I was able to add the Green Heron to my life list of sightings. We also saw about 20 deer. I absolutely love "birding" and wish I could spend more time enjoying the wonders of nature. We just had a fabulous day at Squaw Creek and all that it cost us was gasoline money.

 

Hard work finally pays off!

 

Hip -Hip Hooray!

 

It All Comes Down to Today!

It is such a sad commentary that so few people take a few minutes to vote - Middle America needs to stand up and be heard today - Everyone get off your duffer and go VOTE!!!!

The Joy of Grandson's:

Fall pictures of Grandson's are always fun. Tanner and Paxton are brothers and they are our son's boys. Sam,our daughter's son, is shown at his Halloween party that I was fortunate enough to attend - it was really fun getting to be a room parent again. I got to read the not-so spooky Halloween story to the class - I had a blast.